"From Triumphant Entry to Innocent Martyr..."From Stranger to Best Friend"

During most of Jesus' life his message was met with confusion and opposition.
But through the many miracles that Jesus performed many people began to follow him.
The people which included his disciples, thought he was to be a miraculous new leader of the Jewish people.
On Palm Sunday the people of Israel lined the streets with palm branches at the height of popularity. Jesus was the man.
Then come Friday most of his disciples besides John had fled. The people had turned against him. They had been insulting him, spitting on him, and throwing stones.
Possibly the very stones in which Jesus said, "He who is without sin cast the first stone." They were hurling rocks at the only in human history that lived without sin though he had know temptation.
So the people perhaps were afraid that he would as many times before, would reveal their sins. So why not let him hang for their crimes.
And so they did. They watched as he was nailed to the Roman torture device which doubled as an execution device. Jesus was nailed to a cross.
Even while Jesus suffered for all our sins the people they mocked him while wearing his royal crown, which was made of thorns.
"You can heal everyone so why not come down from your cross? Show yourself."
When he died he indeed showed himself.
He showed himself again when he rose from the dead.
He showed death and hell who was in charge.
Now for many of us Jesus is a stranger.
You may know of Jesus but you don't know him personally.
Maybe you wear a cross but don't know the person it represents. Maybe you don't know the power of the one who died upon the cross.
Maybe you aren't aware that Jesus wants you.
As a disciple.
He wants you as someone like John who was an ever faithful companion.
Maybe Jesus wants to forgive you for once boldly proclaiming The Kingdom of God but you have turned from him.
As it was with Peter who denied knowing Jesus. He hasn't forgotten you.
Let The Holy Spirit rekindle renew the flame that was sparked when you first knew him and his healing touch.
Maybe you're like Paul who has been an enemy of God.
Jesus calls us all to allow him to be your best friend.

"Just What I Needed. Just What You Needed" (Messages From The Pulpit)

I had been in a funk as of late. I thought that perhaps I had exaggerated just how much talent I have as a writer.
To be honest it wasn't a funk. It was nearly full blown depression.
I had missed going to Mass for quite a while.
Then I went today.
God spoke directly to me through the words of The Gospel and the wisdom of the priest.
The Gospel passage spoke about hiding the light that God has given us to shine in what is often a very dark world.
I was convinced that my creative light had been snuffed out.
Not true.
I simply refused to acknowledge that the enemy of our souls was on the prowl seeking to devour me.
Listening to the words of the father of lies brought me low.
I was reminded today that depression can lead to regression.
I could mean moving back to a state where my soul was lost.
Today The Lord reached out to me and assured me that he has not lied to me nor has he taken gifts away.
I have a light to share.
I can not hide in the dark. For everywhere I go The Lord follows.
The Lord is faithful and just to finish the good work he has begun in me. To finish what he started in all of his children.

"Two Minute Drill" (Messages From The Pulpit)

In the world of American Football the last two minuets of the game is commonly referred to as the "two minuet drill."
This drill also acts as a free timeout.
This drill is especially important in games that are close or tied.
The time out is a small period when the coach gathers his team and hashes out the final strategy.
The coach may point out weaknesses of the opposition as well as the strengths of the team he's "in charge" of. What's working and what is not.
Many people are facing their very own two minuet drill. They may be laying on their death bed. They may be contemplating what and whom they are leaving behind.
More importantly they are likely trying to find courage when it comes to who and what lies ahead of them the moment they take their last breath.
Will there be angels, saints, and God? Or does Hell await?
The Bible tells us to be prepared for we know not the hour that your life will be demanded from you.
 There is a saying, "Live every moment as if it's your last." And so we should.
How would you spend your last day?
Would you go skydiving?
Would you have one last party and drink yourself into oblivion?
Would you seek one last sexual encounter (perhaps with a high price prostitute) that will indulge in your greatest sexual fantasy?
Maybe gather with family and/or friends for one last get together?
Or would you quietly prepare yourself to meet your maker? To ask for the peace that passes all understanding?
If so would you look back at your life and regret not spending more time with your creator?
I recently read an article from The Good News (a Christian magazine) that asked the question, (which was based on a true story) if you only had a short time to rescue your most prized possessions from your home which items would you grab?
Many would grab photos and keepsakes that remind them of their loved ones and cherished memories.
Some say they would grab their Bible.
But the writer of the article who had an experience of terrorism in which he grabbed his passport and plane ticket.
The writer went on to say that no matter what you chose to take with you, your character and soul would not be destroyed.
What do your prized possessions say about the condition of your soul?
If you were to rescue your Bible what would you do to show God just how priceless His word is to you?      

"A Royal Priesthood"

     For Christians Jesus is The Ultimate Priest. He is also the Lord of Lords and The King of Kings.
       So when The Bible speaks of the followers of Christ as being a royal priesthood what does that mean for us?
      We have been given authority by our king. Christ has set his seal upon us.
      Since his kingdom has no boarders we are on a mission of bringing the world into The Kingdom of Heaven. For every knee shall bow and every tongue confesses that Christ is Lord. From every tribe tongue and nation.
       We are to (through the love of God) bring freedom to the captives. Whether people are imprisoned physical or spiritual shackles. For whom the son sets free is free indeed.
     Jesus gave us power over the kingdom of darkness that covers the earth. It is in the name of Jesus (which is the name above all names) we can cast out demons.
     Through HIS power we can heal the sick.
      In his name we can raise the dead. This might be those who feel spiritually dead. Spiritual death is the worst kind of death. But for those of us who are the light of the world we can reach into the place where those who seem dead exist and show them the way out of the pit. For he who is within us is greater than he who is in the world.
     We have the God given ability to cleanse the lepers, the untouchables. We are to reach out the outcast. We are to reach out to the one who sits alone in the cafeteria. We can approach the person sitting in the back corner of the churches we go to.
      It means bringing a meal, a warm coat, and through charity bring the message of the our creator. The message of Christ to the lost and wounded souls we encounter daily. To bring hope to those who no longer know what hope means anymore.
      Our vocation includes praying for the nations. Praying for those who are in power and those who labor under the power of world leaders.
      We can pray for those whom the media casts as idols. A prayer who in many ways are also untouchable.
    

"The Cost of Free Movie Tickets"

     A few days ago I was given two free movie tickets. I planned on using them as part of a date night.
There was one major problem though.
      The movie was all about smuggling drugs and one of the characters was a stripper. The main characters were supposed to be posing as a family. The movie is supposed to be a comedy.
      My fiance and I are both Christians. We've both known people who have lost their lives in one way or another whether they died or are now dealing with the spiritual damage done by years of drug use.
      I'm soon coming up on 5 years without a drop to drink and not one single intake of my drug of choice which was Marijuana.
     So we could not condone seeing a movie that makes light of smuggling drugs simply to make an insane amount of money.
     For us there is nothing funny about drugs even what some people call a "harmless" drug such as pot.
     We have made a vow to ourselves and each other not to get involved in drinking or any other drugs.We made the very same vow to God. After all we will answer for our lives someday. I thank The Lord that my sins are forgiven.
    Forgiveness isn't a one time deal. It is not to be taken lightly.
     Though God is faithful to was away our sins and toss them into the sea of forgetfulness the point of repentance is turning our backs on our sins. Saying sorry must mean something. We must make a conscience effort to turn from those sins forever.
    You wouldn't want someone to say sorry for stealing money from your dresser and then continue to do it.
   Another part of this tale is the fact that my fiance and I agreed not to give those movie tickets away to anyone else.
     For me that would be the same as helping someone pay for a six pack of beer when they may be a little short.
    The cost of doing so would be something that would grieve The Spirit.
Freedom isn't free. Jesus gave his life for us. He died to set us free. And whom The Son sets free is free indeed.

“Faith Healer”

 Jesus once told someone who needed healing “Go, your faith has healed you.”

Many people have trouble believing that faith alone can bring healing.

Some people beg God for healing and never see the fruit of their prayers.

I've been there. I know the feeling.

But sometimes while God is working in mysterious ways someone else who is going through a terrible trial refuses to give up.

You may see an individual who is dying from cancer give great talks about how God has blessed them despite their ordeal.

I have often been inspired by people “less fortunate” than me.

We can also take a cue from The Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 5:3)

Biblical commentary suggests that “poor in spirit” doesn't necessarily mean those who are depressed. Some say that the poor who are in the spirit rely on God for everything. Therefore “those less fortunate” have the Kingdom of God to supply all their needs.

Of course not having possessions or losing “everything” perhaps after a natural disaster can bring despair. But people somehow find strength to carry on.

Human beings are oddly resilient.

We face the most dire situations and so often keep the faith and fight the good fight.

Why is that?

Most people believe in some form of God or higher power. Most people believe that after this life we will be united with God and our loved ones.

It may be hard but not blaming God for our troubles is sound advice. Even when we face trouble from “acts of God.”

The Book of Job is a tale of great woe. In it Job says, “Are we not to expect troubles from God?” Yes God is in charge and yes he does allow troubles to fall on the just and unjust alike.

God doesn't bring us into the desert just to abandon us.

So have faith. Your faith can heal you.

"Where Have You Been?"

The Bible has many scriptures about going into the House of The Lord together. Also included is going together with joy.

What happens when we don't go to church?

We miss out on so much.

We miss out on hearing the word of God. Many inspired messages are heard when we listen to what is being preached from the pulpit.

We miss the spiritual blessing of taking communion. The Body and Blood of Christ sustain us. We know that no one can live on bread alone. No amount of money can buy everything that Jesus provides.

We are spiritually nourished when we partake of the sacrifice of our Savior. The saving grace of God is present in the Eucharist.

When we are baptized we are spiritually made one with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. All of us who are baptized (no matter what denomination we belong to) with the same elements and are forever grafted into the body of Christ which is the church.

That brings me to one other thing we miss when we skip church.

We miss meaningful contact with fellow believers as well as those being saved. I can personally attest

to this.

When I see someone that I consider a friend attend church services I light up.

When they're not their I am momentarily crestfallen.

What's more is that I am saddened and concerned when someone who has been struggling with the faith goes missing even after just one service.

Why? Because those who are genuine in their faith and devotion it's a reminder that I do not stand alone.

Iron sharpens iron. We have a powerful enemy who stalks the earth seeking whom he may devour. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. The devil is a stalking lion. And as with lions in the wilderness a predator will go after the weakest of prey.

If you are beat down, weak, tired, and alone you will be torn to pieces by the enemy of your soul.

So if you have found a home church by all means don't stay away.

We're a family. We are all children of God. We are all called to stretch the healing hand of Jesus to the whole world.