One Walk

Dear Lord God, as St Paul writes to the Colossians, let the glory of Christ’s mystery, which is Christ in me, be my hope, Your glory in me, Amen.

Truly we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own the lamentation of the Prophet: "There is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1). Yet in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man.

— Pope St. Pius X

Genesis 18:1-10

1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, 3 and said, "My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on — since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes." 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds, and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent." 10 The LORD said, "I will surely return to you in the spring, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Bible Study: [3] Abraham addresses the leader of the group, whom he does not yet recognize as Yahweh; in the next two verses he speaks to all three men. The other two are later (Genesis 19:1) identified as messengers. [6] Three seahs: one ephah, about half a bushel. [8] Curds: a type of soft cheese or yoghurt. [10] One of them: i.e., the Lord. Abraham now realizes this for the first time when he hears the prediction of a miraculous birth. About this time next year: literally "when the time becomes alive," i.e., at the time when birth is due after the period of gestation; the conception is understood as taking place soon after the prediction.

Psalm 15:2-5

2 He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue, and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; 4 in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 who does not put out his money at interest, and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

Bible Study: [Psalm 15] Of David – The psalm records a liturgical scrutiny at the entrance to the temple court (cf Psalm 24:3-6; Isaiah 33:14b-16). The Israelite wishing to be admitted had to ask the temple official what conduct was appropriate to God’s precincts. Note the emphasis on virtues relating to one’s neighbor.

Colossians 1:24-28

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ.

Bible Study: [1:24-2:3] As the community at Colossae was not personally known to Paul (see Introduction), he here invests his teaching with greater authority by presenting a brief sketch of his apostolic ministry and sufferings as they reflect those of Christ on behalf of the church (24). The preaching of God’s word (Col 1:25) carries out the divine plan (the mystery, Col 1:26) to make Christ known to the Gentiles (Col 1:27). It teaches the God-given wisdom about Christ (Col 1:28), whose power works mightily in the apostle (Col 1:29). Even in those communities that do not know him personally (Col 2:1), he can increase the perception of God in Christ, unite the faithful more firmly in love, and so bring encouragement to them (Col 2:2). He hopes that his apostolic authority will make the Colossians perceive more readily the defects in the teaching of others who have sought to delude them, the next concern in the letter. [24] What is lacking: although variously interpreted, this phrase does not imply that Christ’s atoning death on the cross was defective. It may refer to the apocalyptic concept of a quota of "messianic woes" to be endured before the end comes; cf Mark 13:8, 19-20, 24 and the note on Matthew 23:29-32. Others suggest that Paul’s mystical unity with Christ allowed him to call his own sufferings the afflictions of Christ.

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."

Bible Study: [38-42] The story of Martha and Mary further illustrates the importance of hearing the words of the teacher and the concern with women in Luke.  [39] Sat beside the Lord at his feet: it is remarkable for first-century Palestinian Judaism that a woman would assume the posture of a disciple at the master’s feet (see also Luke 8:35; Acts 22:3), and it reveals a characteristic attitude of Jesus toward women in this gospel (see Luke 8:2-3). [42] There is need of only one thing: some ancient versions read, "there is need of few things"; another important, although probably inferior, reading found in some manuscripts is, "there is need of few things, or of one."

Dear Lord God, I feel Your presence, I seek Your will, I look to fulfill Your purpose; O Lord my source of source I call upon You in the name of Jesus Christ to help me to always reflect the fruit of the Spirit, know Your will and carry out Your purpose. I need Your help now Lord! Eliminate from me any fear and or desires under the sun. For it is only You that I should fear; fear of Your absence, fear of failing You. Let this month be for me the beginning of months; the first month of a new year and time for me and my family. For when I read my Lord Jesus words, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ I realize I am Your child, fortunate to belief in Christ Jesus, to have You planted deep in my heart. My only regret is that I allowed the ways under the sun to separate me, to trick me into believing in myself rather than You, but now my eyes are open, my heart seeks Your heart. Set my feet on solid ground, guide my heart, grant me a discerning mind, committed to You. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

What has a person to fear who lives in the arms and bosom of God?

— St. Paul of the Cross

Exodus 11:10 — 12:14

10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.

1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 "This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household; 4 and if the household is too small for a lamb, then a man and his neighbor next to his house shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old; you shall take it from the sheep or from the goats; 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening. 7 Then they shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled with water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning, anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance forever.

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18

12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

Bible Study: [Psalm 116] A thanksgiving in which the psalmist responds to divine rescue from mortal danger (Psalm 116:3-4) and from near despair (10-11) with vows and temple sacrifices (Psalm 116:13-14, 17-19). The Greek and Latin versions divide the psalm into two parts: Psalm 116:1-9 and 10-19, corresponding to its two major divisions.

Matthew 12:1-8

1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, "Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the sabbath." 3 He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law how on the sabbath the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, `I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is lord of the sabbath."

Bible Study: [1-14] Matthew here returns to the Marcan order that he left in Matthew 9:18. The two stories depend on Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6 respectively, and are the only places in either gospel that deal explicitly with Jesus’ attitude toward sabbath observance. [1-2] The picking of the heads of grain is here equated with reaping, which was forbidden on the sabbath (Exodus 34:21). [3-4] See 1 Sam 21:2-7. In the Marcan parallel (Mark 2:25-26) the high priest is called Abiathar, although in 1 Sam this action is attributed to Ahimelech. The Old Testament story is not about a violation of the sabbath rest; its pertinence to this dispute is that a violation of the law was permissible because of David’s men being without food. [5-6] This and the following argument (Matthew 12:7) are peculiar to Matthew. The temple service seems to be the changing of the showbread on the sabbath (Lev 24:8) and the doubling on the sabbath of the usual daily holocausts (Numbers 28:9-10). The argument is that the law itself requires work that breaks the sabbath rest, because of the higher duty of temple service. If temple duties outweigh the sabbath law, how much more does the presence of Jesus, with his proclamation of the kingdom (something greater than the temple), justify the conduct of his disciples.  [7] See the note on Matthew 9:13. [8] The ultimate justification for the disciples’ violation of the sabbath rest is that Jesus, the Son of Man, has supreme authority over the law.

Rabbinic tradition later than the gospels allowed relief to be given to a sufferer on the sabbath if life was in danger. This may also have been the view of Jesus’ Pharisaic contemporaries. But the case here is not about one in danger of death.

Dear Lord God, doubt and fear try to consume my thoughts, distrust and skepticism cloud my vision, harshness and insensitivity slip into my words and actions; all the results of selfishness and pride along with a focus on the things under the sun rather than Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and the practice of Your presence.  Yesterday You convicted me about true resentence, through the Spirit You open my heart, mind and eyes to these things, but Lord I need Your help for without You I can do nothing and without eyes of faith I step backwards or veer too far to right of left and risk falling off the path. Today St. Athanasius speaks of tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church, my Church a Church which I myself departed from, yet I was brought back too by God fearing Christians of other Christian denominations. So while I believe in my Catholic Church with all its problems and flaws, I also believe that there are good Christians who for many reasons need and or have chosen a different style of praise and worship; a different Church and that it is up to me and other Catholics to open our hearts and minds, and realize that to the best of my knowledge the Gospel of Christ Jesus does not mention the Catholic Church, but sets forth the His Church, His Body, as those You accept and believe in Him as Your Son and their Savior, so just has it is not up the me or any Christian, Catholic or Baptist for example to convert anyone, it is also not up the me or any Christian, Catholic or Baptist to say this tradition, this teaching or this religion is the only way to accept and believe in Jesus. Just as Paul witnessed to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem about the Gentiles, I believe we must not place any burdens on our brother and sister Christians; the work of converting, judging and decided which burdens and crosses we each are to bear is Your and only Yours; and believing and living for Jesus through and with the Holy Spirit is what will bring us all together as my Lord Jesus said, if we stay out of Your way and do fall victim to our pride and human nature and think we can do or perform that work which You chose Jesus to do. So my Lord God, today I ask and pray for courage, strength and faith for myself and my crosses, and peace, love and understanding among Christians everywhere. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

The very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, was preached by the apostles and was preserved by the Fathers. On this was the Church founded, and if anyone departs from this, he neither is, nor any longer ought to be called, a Christian.

— St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Exodus 3:13-20

13 Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, `The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, `What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.’" 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, `The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: this is my name for ever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, `The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt; 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Per’izzites, the Hivites, and the Jeb’usites, a land flowing with milk and honey."’ 18 And they will hearken to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, `The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, we pray you, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all the wonders which I will do in it; after that he will let you go.

Bible Study: [14] I am who am: apparently this utterance is the source of the word Yahweh, the proper personal name of the God of Israel. It is commonly explained in reference to God as the absolute and necessary Being. It may be understood of God as the Source of all created beings. Out of reverence for this name, the term Adonai, "my Lord," was later used as a substitute. The word LORD in the present version represents this traditional usage. The word "Jehovah" arose from a false reading of this name as it is written in the current Hebrew text.

Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27

1 O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples! 5 Remember the wonderful works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, 8 He is mindful of his covenant for ever, of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 24 And the LORD made his people very fruitful, and made them stronger than their foes. 25 He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants. 26 He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen. 27 They wrought his signs among them, and miracles in the land of Ham.

Bible Study: [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people. Cf Psalm 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Psalm 105:1-6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Psalm 105:7-11). In every phase of the national story–the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Psalm 105:12-15), Joseph in Egypt (Psalm 105:16-22), Israel in Egypt (Psalm 105:23-38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Psalm 105:39-45)–God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Bible Study: [28-29] These verses are peculiar to Matthew and are similar to Ben Sirach’s invitation to learn wisdom and submit to her yoke (Sirach 51:23, 26). [28] Who labor and are burdened: burdened by the law as expounded by the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:4). [29] In place of the yoke of the law, complicated by scribal interpretation, Jesus invites the burdened to take the yoke of obedience to his word, under which they will find rest; cf Jeremiah 6:16.

Dear Lord God, let Your words lift me up today and let Your hand guide and bless me as I grow closer to You and those opportunities You have placed in my path, I know that the road is narrow and shoulders are soft and the drop is steep, so the fall is hard and long if I drift too far to the right or lift.  Therefore I ask that You grant me the faith of Abraham, the hope of Moses, and the heart of Joseph and David; a heart that is after You heart above all else no matter what the consequences and risks, and let the first fruits of my labor be alms to You. O Lord as David the Palmist proclaims; even sin cannot destroy Your mercy, for You are our eternal God and You are well aware of our human fragility. But it is us who suffer most as this fragility is revealed to us as we fall deeper in love with You and through that love grow to know You, and in that process become aware of ourselves. As the 4^th Lateran Council states all of Your creations are created good and become evil by their own doing.  Is it at this moment of revelation that we begin to fall into evil off the narrow path, or do the soft shoulders frighten us because of our lack of faith, hope and love causing us to walk over cautiously with no forward movement, or do crosses we bear get to us weighting us down, making us think the road is too hard and long, even unfair, causing us to seek an easier and quicker paths to the desires and wants under the sun, even those things we have conditioned ourselves to think we need. Well Lord I now know, thanks to the Sacred heart of Jesus that You are all I need in my life, and that You through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit accompany me every step of the way, through all the days of light and nights of darkness, through the valleys and declines as well as on the hill tops and inclines. Show me how and help me to stay in step with You, not getting to far ahead or falling to far behind, Give me the faith, hope and love to stay focused on now, the step I am taking, and only that step. Mindful of all I need to do, but with discerning and a tentative hear and eye on Your presence. This is what I need, this is what I ask and pray today Lord, in Jesus name I ask that You continue to bless me indeed and enlarge my territory and that You keep me from evil and from causing pain., in Jesus name, Amen.

The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.

— Lateran Council IV

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12

1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Mid’ian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here am I." 5 Then he said, "Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." 6 And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" 12 He said, "But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain."

Bible Study: [1] The mountain of God: probably given this designation because of the divine apparitions which took place there, such as on this occasion and when the Israelites were there after the departure from Egypt. [2] An angel of the LORD: the visual form under which God appeared and spoke to men is referred to indifferently in some Old Testament texts either as God’s angel or as God himself. Cf Genesis 16:7, 13; Exodus 14:19, 24, 25; Numbers 22:22-35; Jdgs 6,11-18. [6] The appearance of God caused fear of death, since it was believed that no one could see God and live; cf Genesis 32:30. The God of Abraham . . . Jacob: cited by Christ in proof of the resurrection since the patriarchs, long dead, live on in God who is the God of the living. Cf Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26; Luke 20:37. [11] Who am I: besides naturally shrinking from such a tremendous undertaking, Moses realized that, as a fugitive from Pharaoh, he could hardly hope to carry out a mission to him. Perhaps he also recalled that on one occasion even his own kinsmen questioned his authority. Cf Exodus 2:14.

Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 6 The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

Bible Study: [Psalm 103] Of David – The speaker in this hymn begins by praising God for personal benefits (Psalm 103:1-5), then moves on to God’s mercy toward all the people (Psalm 103:6-18). Even sin cannot destroy that mercy (Psalm 103:11-13), for the eternal God is well aware of the people’s human fragility (Psalm 103:14-18). The psalmist invites the heavenly beings to join in praise (Psalm 103:19-22).

Matthew 11:25-27

25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; 26 yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. 27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Bible Study: [25-27] This Q saying, identical with Luke 10:21-22 except for minor variations, introduces a joyous note into this section, so dominated by the theme of unbelief. While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus’ preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father’s revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes.

Dear Lord God, thank you for all Your are doing I see Your hand at work, Your blessings are not over looked for You have giving me more than I desire and to date I have been a poor steward. But with Jesus in my heart and the Holy Spirit in my mind I seek to proven my love and obedience while setting an example to my family has my legacy for You. O Lord, that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that You would keep me from evil and from causing pain. My Lord God help me to decide the path You have in mind for me and give me a discerning heart to make the right choices. For I know I can trust only in You for honest men are hard to come by, and even an honest man is self serving by nature. Show me this coming week Your will for me and help me to produce fruit of the vine in all I say and do, leaving an example for You behind. These things I ask and pray in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Amen.

How can a man say he believes in Christ if he doesn’t do what Christ commanded him to do?

— St. Cyprian of Carthage

Exodus 2:1-15

1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3 And when she could hide him no longer she took for him a basket made of bulrushes, and daubed it with bitumen and pitch; and she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds at the river’s brink. 4 And his sister stood at a distance, to know what would be done to him. 5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, and her maidens walked beside the river; she saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to fetch it. 6 When she opened it she saw the child; and lo, the babe was crying. She took pity on him and said, "This is one of the Hebrews’ children." 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, "Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, "Go." So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, "Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son; and she named him Moses, for she said, "Because I drew him out of the water." 11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together; and he said to the man that did the wrong, "Why do you strike your fellow?" 14 He answered, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid, and thought, "Surely the thing is known." 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh, and stayed in the land of Mid’ian; and he sat down by a well.

Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34

3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. 14 rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 33 For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein.

Bible Study: [Psalm 69] Of David – A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Psalm 69:2-3; 15-16 the waters of chaos) and literal (Psalm 69:4, 5, 9, 11-13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Psalm 69:23-29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Psalm 69:30-36). The psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Psalm 69:5 in John 15:25; Psalm 69:22 in Mark 15:23, 36 and parallels and in John 19:29. The psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all.

Matthew 11:20-24

20 Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chora’zin! woe to you, Beth-sa’ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Caper’na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Bible Study: [21] Tyre and Sidon were pagan cities denounced for their wickedness in the Old Testament; cf Joel 3:4-7. [23] Capernaum’s pride and punishment are described in language taken from the taunt song against the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:13-15).

Dear Lord God, O that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory that you would keep me from evil and from causing pain. O Lord obviously the reflection of hardness that I have created under the sun will not be easily changed and the filters through which others see and hear me will take time if they are to see and hear Your reflection in me. I must all learn not to fall so hard, for when I do it erases all that we have accomplished to that point and we must start over. It is as if these moments of hardness have an inverted effect and the emotional accounts of those I love are emptied. O Lord God that You would will help me to accept with love and kindness that which I cannot change and the give me courage and strength to change that which I can and grant me the wisdom to see and know the difference. Lord I need you help now to continue what we started, a lone just You and me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

What Revelation makes known to us is confirmed by our own experience. For when man looks into his own heart he finds that he is drawn towards what is wrong and sunk in many evils which cannot come from his good Creator. Often refusing to acknowledge God as his source, man has also upset the relationship which should link him to his last end, and at the same time he has broken the right order that should reign within himself as well as between himself and other men and all creatures. Gaudium et spes

Exodus 1:8-14, 22

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, "Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war befall us, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land." 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens; and they built for Pharaoh store-cities, Pithom and Ra-am’ses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they made the people of Israel serve with rigor, 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field; in all their work they made them serve with rigor. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, "Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live."

Bible Study: [8] Who knew nothing of Joseph: this king ignored the services that Joseph had rendered to Egypt.

Psalm 124:1-8

1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say — 2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; 4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; 5 then over us would have gone the raging waters. 6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Bible Study: [Psalm 124]Of David – A thanksgiving which teaches that Israel’s very existence is owed to God who rescues them. In the first part Israel’s enemies are compared to the mythic sea dragon (Psalm 124:2b-3a; cf Jeremiah 51:34) and Flood (Psalm 124:3b-5; cf Isaiah 51:9-10). The psalm heightens the malice of human enemies by linking them to the primordial enemies of God’s creation. Israel is a bird freed from the trapper’s snare (Psalm 124:6-8)–freed originally from Pharaoh and now from the current danger.

Matthew 10:34 — 11:1

34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. 41 He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

1 And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Bible Study: [38] The first mention of the cross in Matthew, explicitly that of the disciple, but implicitly that of Jesus (and follow after me). Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment used by the Romans for offenders who were not Roman citizens.  [39] One who denies Jesus in order to save one’s earthly life will be condemned to everlasting destruction; loss of earthly life for Jesus’ sake will be rewarded by everlasting life in the kingdom.  [40-42] All who receive the disciples of Jesus receive him, and God who sent him, and will be rewarded accordingly.  [41] A prophet: one who speaks in the name of God; here, the Christian prophets who proclaim the gospel. Righteous man: since righteousness is demanded of all the disciples, it is difficult to take the righteous man of this verse and one of these little ones (Matthew 10:42) as indicating different groups within the followers of Jesus. Probably all three designations are used here of Christian missionaries as such.

Dear Lord God, as St John enlightens us today, no one wants to sin against You, yet we do sin. Whether our sin is against ourselves because of our weak and fallen nature through covertness, slothfulness, lust, gluttony, or whether we sin against our neighbor because our pride and selfishness or misguided righteousness, or when we sin against You with our disobedience. For seldom do we sin with the awareness and knowledge. Thus it is when we are absent from You and our hearts and minds are inwardly focused rather than outwardly focused that we open ourselves to the ways under the sun, but if we keep true to You our God through Jesus in the Holy Spirit our spiritual being nature rather than our human being (physical) nature can prevail. O Lord forgive me; let Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan be my example that I walk for You. Help me now to do and be as you intended in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

No one really wants to sin against God, even though we do all sin without being forced to do so.

— St. John Climacus

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

10 if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 11 "For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, `Who will go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?‘ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, `Who will go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

Bible Study: [11-14] God has revealed his will so clearly that ignorance of his law can be no excuse. St. Paul in Romans 10:6-10, applies these words to the ease with which we can come to faith and salvation in Christ.

Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36-37

14 rescue me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. 17 Hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in distress, make haste to answer me. 30 I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 33 For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein. 36 the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.

Bible Study: [Psalm 69] Of David – A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Psalm 69:2-3; 15-16 the waters of chaos) and literal (Psalm 69:4, 5, 9, 11-13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Psalm 69:23-29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Psalm 69:30-36). The psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Psalm 69:5 in John 15:25; Psalm 69:22 in Mark 15:23, 36 and parallels and in John 19:29. The psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all.

Colossians 1:15-20

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; 16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Bible Study: [15-20] As the poetic arrangement indicates, these lines are probably an early Christian hymn, known to the Colossians and taken up into the letter from liturgical use (cf Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Tim 3:16). They present Christ as the mediator of creation (Col 1:15-18a) and of redemption (Col 1:18b-20). There is a parallelism between firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15) and firstborn from the dead (Col 1:18). While many of the phrases were at home in Greek philosophical use and even in gnosticism, the basic ideas also reflect Old Testament themes about Wisdom found in Proverb 8:22-31; Wisdom 7:22-8:1; and Sirach 1:4. See also the notes on what is possibly a hymn in John 1:1-18. [15] Image: cf Genesis 1:27. Whereas the man and the woman were originally created in the image and likeness of God (see also Genesis 1:26), Christ as image (2 Cor 4:4) of the invisible God (John 1:18) now shares this new nature in baptism with those redeemed (cf Col 3:10-11). [16-17] Christ (though not mentioned by name) is preeminent and supreme as God’s agent in the creation of all things (cf John 1:3), as prior to all things (Col 1:17; cf Hebrews 1:3). [18] Church: such a reference seemingly belongs under "redemption" in the following lines, not under the "creation" section of the hymn. Stoic thought sometimes referred to the world as "the body of Zeus." Pauline usage is to speak of the church as the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-5). Some think that the author of Colossians has inserted the reference to the church here so as to define "head of the body" in Paul’s customary way. See Col 1:24. Preeminent: when Christ was raised by God as firstborn from the dead (cf Acts 26:23; Rev 1:5), he was placed over the community, the church, that he had brought into being, but he is also indicated as crown of the whole new creation, over all things. His further role is to reconcile all things (Col 1:20) for God or possibly "to himself." [19] Fullness: in gnostic usage this term referred to a spiritual world of beings above, between God and the world; many later interpreters take it to refer to the fullness of the deity (Col 2:9); the reference could also be to the fullness of grace (cf John 1:16). [20] The blood of his cross: the most specific reference in the hymn to redemption through Christ’s death, a central theme in Paul; cf Col 2:14-15; 1 Cor 1:17, 18, 23. [Through him]: the phrase, lacking in some manuscripts, seems superfluous but parallels the reference to reconciliation through Christ earlier in the verse.

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Bible Study: [25-37] In response to a question from a Jewish legal expert about inheriting eternal life, Jesus illustrates the superiority of love over legalism through the story of the good Samaritan. The law of love proclaimed in the "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:27-36) is exemplified by one whom the legal expert would have considered ritually impure (see John 4:9). Moreover, the identity of the "neighbor" requested by the legal expert (Luke 10:29) turns out to be a Samaritan, the enemy of the Jew (see the note on Luke 9:52).