Tuesday, November 28, 2006
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL
Advent 2006 has arrived. The First Sunday of Advent is December 03, the Second Sunday of Advent is December 10, the Third Sunday of Advent is December 17 and the Fourth Sunday of Advent is December 24...the next day is Christmas!Everyone knows what the season of Advent is...or do they? We celebrate the Birth of Christ on December 25th and we are preparing for His coming. Now back in the days of Jesus (Y'shua) John the Baptist called for everyone to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.
Did John the Baptist know that Jesus (Y'shua) was the Messiah? He sure did yet he sent his messangers to Jesus asking,"Are you he who is to come or should we look for another?" Remember that Jesus (Y'shua) and John the Baptist were cousins. John the Baptist acted like some street corner preacher. He dressed in a camel's skin with a thick belt, he lived in the desert and ate wild honey and locusts. People came around to hear him preach yet many just wanted to whitness the side show.
When the Priests and Levites from Jerusalem asked John who he was he replied, "I am the voice of one crying in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"
All of this happened after the birth of Jesus (Y'shua) but before Jesus had preformed any public miracles. John the baptist called Jesus (Y'shua) the "Lamb of God." Many say this is in reference to the Paschal Lamb which must be sacrificed.
Jesus (Y'shua) went to John the Baptist and asked to be baptized. John the Baptist said,"I need to be baptized by you and yet you are coming to me?"After he (Jesus) was baptized the clouds opened up and the Spirit of God descended upon him like a dove A voice was heard saying, "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased."
We should all prepare for the coming of Christ (the Anointed). Often we sing a familiar song "O Come, O come, Emmanuel." Emmanuel means "God with Us."
Some of us light candles on an Advent Wreath. (three purple one rose coloured)
Advent prayers are wonderful. Allow me to introduce you to one to say with your family every evening.
THE ADVENT PRAYER
Almighty God, give us the grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, now in this time of light when we prepare for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ.
For Jesus came to us in great humility yet we know He will come again in glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead.
Protect us throughout the night as you have watched us throughout the day.
Be with us Lord, we graciously ask you, to guide us away from every evil through Jesus Christ, thy only Son. Amen
THE KING, THE REAL KING
On Sunday, November 26, 2006, many Christian churches, indeed all Catholic Churches, celebrated the "Feast of Christ the King." Jesus was king then and will remain the King of Heaven for all eternity.
Let us read the dialogue between Jesus of Nazareth and Pontius Pilate, Procurator of the Roman Province of Judea.
Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth hears my voice."
Poor Pontius Pilate, he was very confused. He was use to earthly kings, with earthly power and earthly stature. There were two powers in the area of Judea at that time. Pontius Pilate who was Procurator of the Roman Provance of Judea (govnernor) and Herod Antipas, Tetrach of Galilee and Peraea. King Herod was Jewish (or part Jewish) and tried to convince the people of his piety. He often celebrated the Jewish feasts of Sukkoth and Passover in Jerusalem.
Herod Antipas was compared to a fox by Jesus, an animal that was ritually unclean according to Jewish law.
Jesus had many followers...not just the twelve disciples. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus (Y'shua) appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs. Jesus (Y'shua) said, "Go on your way; I am sending you like lambs among the wolves."
Jesus posed no threat to Herod Antipas (the puppet king) or to Pontious Pilate. The chief priests felt that Jesus (Y'shua) was there to be their new religious leader. Many of Jesus' followers called him "Rabboni" which means teacher. It is from this we get the word "rabbi."
Look at the grand entrance Jesus (Y'shua) made into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. See how Jesus (Y'shua) tossed the money changers out of the temple the very next day. Listen to the many stories the chief priests heard about Jesus (Y'shua) healing people of their illnesses and even raising the dead.
Pontius Pilate (a non Jew) was often frightened by the number of Jews in Jerusalem during the holy days. Many historians mention that Pilate would have extra Roman troops in Jerusalem during Passover in case of rioting.
Jesus (Y'shua) was here not to take the jobs away from Herod Antipas or Pontius Pilate. He already was King of the World.
On Sunday, November 26, 2006, many Christian churches, indeed all Catholic Churches, celebrated the "Feast of Christ the King." Jesus was king then and will remain the King of Heaven for all eternity.
Let us read the dialogue between Jesus of Nazareth and Pontius Pilate, Procurator of the Roman Province of Judea.
Pilate said to Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king. For this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth hears my voice."
Poor Pontius Pilate, he was very confused. He was use to earthly kings, with earthly power and earthly stature. There were two powers in the area of Judea at that time. Pontius Pilate who was Procurator of the Roman Provance of Judea (govnernor) and Herod Antipas, Tetrach of Galilee and Peraea. King Herod was Jewish (or part Jewish) and tried to convince the people of his piety. He often celebrated the Jewish feasts of Sukkoth and Passover in Jerusalem.
Herod Antipas was compared to a fox by Jesus, an animal that was ritually unclean according to Jewish law.
Jesus had many followers...not just the twelve disciples. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus (Y'shua) appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs. Jesus (Y'shua) said, "Go on your way; I am sending you like lambs among the wolves."
Jesus posed no threat to Herod Antipas (the puppet king) or to Pontious Pilate. The chief priests felt that Jesus (Y'shua) was there to be their new religious leader. Many of Jesus' followers called him "Rabboni" which means teacher. It is from this we get the word "rabbi."
Look at the grand entrance Jesus (Y'shua) made into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. See how Jesus (Y'shua) tossed the money changers out of the temple the very next day. Listen to the many stories the chief priests heard about Jesus (Y'shua) healing people of their illnesses and even raising the dead.
Pontius Pilate (a non Jew) was often frightened by the number of Jews in Jerusalem during the holy days. Many historians mention that Pilate would have extra Roman troops in Jerusalem during Passover in case of rioting.
Jesus (Y'shua) was here not to take the jobs away from Herod Antipas or Pontius Pilate. He already was King of the World.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
WHAT ARE SACRAMENTALS?
Some years ago a man said to his wife: "Tell your sister to stop dating that Catholic man. Those Catholics worship statues and the both of them will burn in Hell!"
Statues are NOT idols. Catholics DO NOT pray to statues. Statues of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Saint Anthony, Saint Francis and others are there to remind us of these holy people and to call our thoughts toward them.
Many folks have photographs of their deceased grandparents and this causes them to think about "Grandma" or "Grandpa." Having a Statue of Saint Joseph, for instance, causes us to think about the man who raised Jesus and protected him. It is a safe bet that Saint Joseph is in Heaven with God.
Statues are one form of a thing we call sacramentals. A cross with the body of Jesus on it is a crucifix, this too is a sacramental. Religious medals are also sacramentals. A square of rough cloth with a religious picture on it is called a scapular...another sacramental. Holy Water and blessed palms are sacramentals. The list goes on and on.
Sacramentals were made by man. Sacraments were instituted by God. So what are the Sacraments? They are: Baptism, Penance (Reconciliation for Sins), Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion), Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Annointing of the Sick (Last Rites). It is very important to remember that one does not have to be dying to receive this sacrament. By being "anointed" a person who is ill may receive more of God's healing powers.
As a last thought, I'll bet there are very few Catholics out there who realize that the act of making the "sign of the cross" (Blessing one's self) a sacramental.
The next time you are at Mass look around. There are many sacramentals in the church besides the statues. The blessed candles and the "Holy Water" are also sacramentals.
Remember, when you are a Roman Catholic everything has a meaning!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
THE TEN (613) COMMANDMENTS
At the time of Christ, the Jewish people were very concerned about keeping the law. Of course there were the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God. Yet the Chief Priests, Pharisees, Sadducces and Scribes wanted the law to be perfect.
Laws were written to protect and explain the laws already written. In fact in the Torah there are 613 laws. Look how many people today have trouble with just ten commandments.
The Torah (the first five books of the bible) is what every good Jew learned and abided by. The Torah consists of Genesis, Exodius, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Why the history lesson? Well, Jesus was not so interesred about laws concerning laws. Jesus was interested in teaching people how to live a good life.
In the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 12 v/s 28 to 34) we hear of a Scribe asking Jesus: "Which is the greatest commandment?" Now this was quite a qustion considering there were 613 laws!
Jesus gave a simple reply. "This is the first: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."
"The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe then said to Jesus: "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying 'He is One and there is no other than he.' And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself' is worth more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifice."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him. "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
We all show our love of God by attending Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. Morning and evening prayers are also wonderful but we must be always mindful that God is Lord alone.
How do we love our neighbor? We do not lie, gossip, steal, covet, fornicate, commit adultry or anything else that would be displeasing to God. In fact, we must help our neighbor whenever possible. In short form...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!"
Isn't that easier than learning 613 laws?
