One Walk

Dear Lord God, today’s message ‘to carry out the will of the Father Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth’. O Lord such an uplifting thought, such a righteous principal to think of doing; that is until it conflicts with the ways under the sun and our fallen nature. I believe connection to You through Jesus Christ is our only path, but it is a narrow door and all of our senses must be tuned into Christ, His teachings, his words, His ways. This requires such knowledge of Christ and practice of His presense. Well today I have a test and I ask that You produce in me the fruit of the vine and spirit. Let thy will be done in me and with me; more than opening myself up to this I do not know what to do. So guide and direct me Lord God, I am Your humble servant, Your servant through Jesus Christ. Amen

To carry out the will of the Father Christ inaugurated the kingdom of heaven on earth.

— Lumen gentium

Acts 16:1-10

1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Ico’nium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 6 And they went through the region of Phry’gia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come opposite My’sia, they attempted to go into Bithyn’ia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so, passing by My’sia, they went down to Tro’as. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo’nia was standing beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedo’nia and help us." 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo’nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Bible Study: [3] Paul had him circumcised: he did this in order that Timothy might be able to associate with the Jews and so perform a ministry among them. Paul did not object to the Jewish Christians’ adherence to the law. But he insisted that the law could not be imposed on the Gentiles. Paul himself lived in accordance with the law, or as exempt from the law, according to particular circumstances (see 1 Cor 9:19-23). [7] The Spirit of Jesus: this is an unusual formulation in Luke’s writings. The parallelism with Acts 16:6 indicates its meaning, the holy Spirit. [10-17] This is the first of the so-called "we-sections" in Acts, where Luke writes as one of Paul’s companions.

Psalm 100:1-3, 5

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations

[Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them. [3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God.

John 15:18-21

18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [15:18-16:4] The hostile reaction of the world. There are synoptic parallels, predicting persecution, especially at Matthew 10:17-25; 24:9-10. [20] The word I spoke to you: a reference to John 13:16. [21] On account of my name: the idea of persecution for Jesus’ name is frequent in the New Testament (Matthew 10:22; 24:9; Acts 9:14). For John, association with Jesus’ name implies union with Jesus.

/      raangulo

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Dear Lord God, today as I pray for You to work Your will through me, I think of others in need of prayer, the hope of the power of my prayer and how I must broaden my focus so that Your work in me begins to serve others more quickly and continually as Your work in me rather than after. I realize the simplicity yet difficulty in understanding and living the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel; ‘peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.’  I meditate on the secret truths that I feel You are revealing to me through the history of the Church as depicted with the Holy Book of the Bible as we know it and the other books that have become known to us. I am reminded of all the misuses of Your words, and of the value of the Holy Trinity and the need to be aware of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, the words of Jesus Christ as the Son of man, and the power of Your voice which lives in those words of Jesus and is available to us through the Holy Spirit within if we seek and learn to listen a discern Your will from ours. For I believe the words in today’s readings from the book of Acts in the letter to the Gentiles that ‘it seemed good to the Jerusalem Council through the Holy Spirit that no greater burden be necessary’; for to open the door to our hearts and to welcome You into our hearts so that we may learn to love and serve others in Your name is Your will. I discuss these thins with You Lord God in hope that You would guide my thoughts and direct my words and actions In Christ’s name for Your glory and honor. Amen.

The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud.

— St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab’bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 with the following letter: "The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili’cia, greeting. 24 Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

Bible Study: [1-35] The Jerusalem "Council" marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing. [13-35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1-10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lev 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem "Council" that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Bible Study: [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Psalm 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

10 And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Bible Study: [22] Christ is present throughout the church; hence, no temple is needed as an earthly dwelling for God; cf Matthew 18:20; 28:20; John 4:21.

John 14:23-29

23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.

Bible Study: [27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation salom; but Jesus’ "Shalom" is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing. [28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).

/      raangulo

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Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

Dear Lord God, today as I pray for You to work Your will through me, I think of others in need of prayer, the hope of the power of my prayer and how I must broaden my focus so that Your work in me begins to serve others more quickly and continually as Your work in me rather than after. I realize the simplicity yet difficulty in understanding and living the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel; ‘peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.’  I meditate on the secret truths that I feel You are revealing to me through the history of the Church as depicted with the Holy Book of the Bible as we know it and the other books that have become known to us. I am reminded of all the misuses of Your words, and of the value of the Holy Trinity and the need to be aware of the Holy Spirit that lives within us, the words of Jesus Christ as the Son of man, and the power of Your voice which lives in those words of Jesus and is available to us through the Holy Spirit within if we seek and learn to listen a discern Your will from ours. For I believe the words in today’s readings from the book of Acts in the letter to the Gentiles that ‘it seemed good to the Jerusalem Council through the Holy Spirit that no greater burden be necessary’; for to open the door to our hearts and to welcome You into our hearts so that we may learn to love and serve others in Your name is Your will. I discuss these thins with You Lord God in hope that You would guide my thoughts and direct my words and actions In Christ’s name for Your glory and honor. Amen.

The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud.

— St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsab’bas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 with the following letter: "The brethren, both the apostles and the elders, to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cili’cia, greeting. 24 Since we have heard that some persons from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

Bible Study: [1-35] The Jerusalem "Council" marks the official rejection of the rigid view that Gentile converts were obliged to observe the Mosaic law completely. From here to the end of Acts, Paul and the Gentile mission become the focus of Luke’s writing. [13-35] Some scholars think that this apostolic decree suggested by James, the immediate leader of the Jerusalem community, derives from another historical occasion than the meeting in question. This seems to be the case if the meeting is the same as the one related in Gal 2:1-10. According to that account, nothing was imposed upon Gentile Christians in respect to Mosaic law; whereas the decree instructs Gentile Christians of mixed communities to abstain from meats sacrificed to idols and from blood-meats, and to avoid marriage within forbidden degrees of consanguinity and affinity (Lev 18), all of which practices were especially abhorrent to Jews. Luke seems to have telescoped two originally independent incidents here: the first a Jerusalem "Council" that dealt with the question of circumcision, and the second a Jerusalem decree dealing mainly with Gentile observance of dietary laws (see Acts 21:25 where Paul seems to be learning of the decree for the first time).

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Bible Study: [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Psalm 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

10 And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Bible Study: [22] Christ is present throughout the church; hence, no temple is needed as an earthly dwelling for God; cf Matthew 18:20; 28:20; John 4:21.

John 14:23-29

23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe.

Bible Study: [27] Peace: the traditional Hebrew salutation salom; but Jesus’ "Shalom" is a gift of salvation, connoting the bounty of messianic blessing. [28] The Father is greater than I: because he sent, gave, etc., and Jesus is "a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God" (John 8:40).

/      raangulo

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Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

Dear Lord God, no one can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other; you cannot serve both God and money is what I awake to today. While I have been wrestling with this message in my head for some time now, since my meeting at work last Tuesday, it has begun to crystallize, and again this Tuesday and yesterday as I listened to the new evening radio host on 88.1 WayFM talk about the past year of his life leading up to his being offered and taking the job at a Christian station rather than a more high paying one within traditional radio. O Lord God it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, so why do we chase the things under the sun that will only become obstacles for us. So I looked up the actual verses Matthew 6:23-25 and Luke 12-14, and Matthew 19:23-25, Mark 10:24-26 and Luke 18:24-26, actual verses are listed below, and what jumps out at me is the differences between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. First the use of ‘no one’ vs. ‘no servant’ can serve two masters; then the use of ‘again I tell you’ and ‘indeed’ by Matthew and Luke prior to it is easier, JUMPS out at me. It is like the difference in a statement of fact, faith and belief (acceptance) in within the scriptures. It is like Jesus is first telling it to me, then reminding me and finally acknowledging it to me as I believe and accept it. This is all to familiar with Father Guys Homily recent about faith being more powerful and true that fact. It is like You are first telling me a fact, ‘no one can serve two masters’, and then making it a statement of faith, ‘no servant can serve two masters’, leaving it to me to decide to believe and accept what I want to be a, believer and or true servant for no servant can serve two masters, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other, I cannot serve both You God and money. The same is true based on what I decide to be and do, You first tell me a fact ‘It is easier’, then make it a statement of faith by saying ‘again I tell you, it is easier’, and finally a statement of decision and acceptance ‘indeed, it is easier’ leaving me to realize then accept that if I continue to choose money or wrestle with the decision I may never become wealthy or rich and I will likely sacrifice my second chance, or it will definitely be harder for me to remain in Your kingdom. O Lord the depths of Your knowledge and wisdom amaze and confuse me; help me! Dear Lord Jesus help me! O my Jesus I need Your help! Hear my cries, listen to my prayers, do not let me waste any more time trying to do what is not Your will and purpose. The time is now for You to help me decide and to open the next door and let be the narrower one. In Jesus name I beg, ask and pray, Amen.

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:13

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Matthew 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 18:25

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him.

— St. Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 40

Acts 15:7-21

7 And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us; 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." 12 And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, 16 `After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, 17 that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, 18 says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Bible Study: [7-11] Paul’s refusal to impose the Mosaic law on the Gentile Christians is supported by Peter on the ground that within his own experience God bestowed the holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household without preconditions concerning the adoption of the Mosaic law (see Acts 10:44-47). [11] In support of Paul, Peter formulates the fundamental meaning of the gospel: that all are invited to be saved through faith in the power of Christ.

Psalm 96:1-3, 10

1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Bible Study: Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Psalm 96:1-3), who is the sole God (Psalm 96:4-6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Psalm 96:7-10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Psalm 96:11-13). This psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Isaiah 40-55, as does Psalm 98. Another version of the psalm is 1 Chron 16:23-33.

John 15:9-11

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Bible Study: [15:1-16:4] Discourse on the union of Jesus with his disciples. His words become a monologue and go beyond the immediate crisis of the departure of Jesus. [1-17] Like John 10:1-5, this passage resembles a parable. Israel is spoken of as a vineyard at Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 21:33-46 and as a vine at Psalm 80:9-17; Jeremiah 2:21; Ezekiel 15:2; 17:5-10; 19:10; Hosea 10:1. The identification of the vine as the Son of Man in Psalm 80:15 and Wisdom’s description of herself as a vine in Sirach 24:17 are further background for portrayal of Jesus by this figure. There may be secondary eucharistic symbolism here; cf Mark 14:25 "the fruit of the vine."

/      raangulo

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Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.