Wednesday, October 28, 2009
YOU CAN SEE BARTIMAEUS
INDEED, YOU CAN NOW SEE !
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The following lesson is from the Gospel of Mark.
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As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and said, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.
Many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he (Bartimaeus) kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." He threw aside his cloak, sprang up and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he (Bartimaeus) received his sight and followed him (Jesus) on the way.
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So what have we learned from this beautiful piece of scripture? Bartimaeus had heard many stories of Jesus (Y'shua) and of His curing the sick. Bartimaeus committed blasphemy when he said: "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." He broke the Jewish Law by acknowledging that Jesus was the "Son of David" or "Son of God." For this alone he could have been stoned. Bartimaeus had no proof but Bartimaeus had Faith!
So then Jesus (Y'shua) asks a rather foolish question..."What do you want me to do for you?" Surely Jesus (Y'shua) knew that Bartimaeus wanted to see. Jesus wanted to hear Bartimaeus say: "Master, I want to see."
There is an old saying: "There are none so blind as those who will not see." Unlike the Scribes, Pharisees and other religious leaders...Bartimaeus had FAITH and TRUST. He wanted his sight and trusted that the man known as Jesus (Y'shua) could restore his sight.
Now when you ask God for something, be realistic. Don't ask for a million dollars, simply ask for good heath and good health for your family and friends. Ask that you might have enough to survive. Remember that God knows everything about you and understands all you will ever need. Remember Bartimaeus. When it comes to FAITH and TRUST Bartimaeus gets five stars.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
WAS JESUS MARRIED?
Recently, due the best selling book "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, questions have been raised about the possibility of Jesus being married. The Catholic Church of Rome denies the possibility of Jesus Christ ever being married. There is no Biblical proof of Christ being married to Mary Magdalene or anyone.
There is also no Biblical proof that Peter was crucified or that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was ever assumed into Heaven. Many things, if believed, must be taken upon faith alone.
Could Jesus of Nazareth been married? The answer is yes...can it be proven, the answer is no. At the time of Jesus FIVE things were required of a Jewish Father in the raising of a son. (1) He had to be presented to the elders of the Temple. (2) He had to be circumcised. (3) He had to be educated in the Law. (the Torah) (4) He had to be taught a trade in order to be able to survive. (5) His father had to find him a suitable wife.
Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, did everything but find his son a suitable wife...or did he? Well, according to Holy Scripture there is no mention of Jesus ever being married.
We hear much about Mary Magdalene, the repentant prostitute. Well, Mary Magdalene was NOT a prostitute. She is often confused with the unknown sinner who came to pour expensive ointment over the feet of Jesus during the dinner at the home of Simon the Pharisee. (Luke chapter 7 v/s 36 - 39)
Mary Magdalene is introduced to us in Luke, chapter 8 v/s 1 - 3, along with other women who ministered to Jesus. In this small section it also mentiones that Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene. It also mentions in this section that some women were cured of "evil spirits" and "infirmmities."
Jesus and Mary Magdalene were indeed very close. In the Gospel of John it is Mary Magdalene who follows John "the beloved apostle" to the tomb, finding it empty. When Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene she attempts to embrace him. She calls out "Rabboni" which means teacher. Jesus then tells her: "Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father, to my God and your God, but go and tell my brothers what you have seen."
It is not out of the realm of possibility that Jesus could have been married and could have even fathered children. Jesus was both human and divine. Books like "The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail", co-authored by Henry Lincoln, have Mary Magdalene and her daughter "Sarah" going to the south of France where "Sarah" marries into Merovingian royalty. This story is without proof and is totally pure fiction.
It does not matter wether Jesus was married or not...what does matter is our belief. We must know and understand that Jusus (Y'shua) is the Messiah and that he died for our sins. Nothing else matters.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
John the Baptist...John the Teacher
When we think of John the Baptist our thoughts often draw us to the man who called out for people to "Make way for the coming of the Messiah." We hear an interesting story in The Gospel of Luke, chapter 3, verses 10 thru 19.
The crowds asked John the Baptist , "What should we do?" John said to them in reply, "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise."
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to John, "Teacher, what should we do?" He answered them, "Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Soldiers also asked him, "And what is it that we should do?" He told them, "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages."
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. (Christ means "the Anointed.")
John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier that I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchchable fire."
Exhorting then in many other ways, John preached the good news to the people.
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John was teaching the people in terminology that the people were very used to hearing. Just as an example, Tax Collectors would often charged the people far to much. This was politics and who said it was fair? John took a stand on this unfair practice. John told the Roman soldiers not to bully people or extort money from them.
One might think that the Pharisees, Scribes and Levites would enjoy this thinking but do not forget if you upset Rome too much these men could loose some of their power. John called the Pharisees "a brood of vipers."
John the Baptist wanted people to be happy with what they had; in anticipation of the comming Messiah.
All of these words were spoken over two thousand years ago but the message remains the same. As we await the coming of our God remember to be kind to your fellow man for God created him as well!
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?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
LIFE AFTER CONFIRMATION
Once a young man or woman is confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church the Holy Spirit comes down on these young people and they will be better Catholic Christians. They will be able to defend their church and it's beliefs.
Let us look at a simple explaination of "The Sacrament of Confirmation" directly from the Catholic Catechism prepared and enjoined by "The Third Plenary Council of Baltimore." (copyright 1885)
"Confirmation is a Sacrament through which we receive the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ."
Confirmation does make us stronger by increasing the grace of our Baptism and enabling us to fearlessly profess our faith. Just take a look at ACTS chapter 8, verses 14 thru 17.
"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
Okay, so now we see that the disciples of Jesus Christ were empowered to "confirm" people into the new church. The disciples were the first Bishops of the Church. So today, bishops worldwide confirm both young people and adults as "Soldiers of Christ."
The young folks are around the ages of twelve and thirteen.
After the big "Confirmation Party" is held where do these newly Confirmed people go and what do they do?
Every Roman Catholic Church has a "Confraternity of Christian Doctrine" (CCD) group to teach and support these young people. How many of these young people take advantage of the teachings?
Many parents think..."I've had my child baptized, then to First Eucharist and now Confirmation, so it is all over! They will need some more religious studies when they are ready for marriage but that is a long way off!"
WRONG THOUGHT! The young people of today face problems of epidemic proportions. Even before college they will face sexual challanges, drugs of all kinds and their faith will be challenged from all sides!
Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation must be stressed by both parents. (even if they are divorced) The Holy Scripture (Bible) should be read and classes should be attended regularly.
After the celebration of "The Transfiguration of Jesus" I asked a young lady, who was Confirmed only a year ago, "Why was Jesus seen with Moses and Elijah?"
Her reply was "I don't know!"
The Roman Catholic Church wants both you and your children to continue studying your faith. Ask your Priest about further education in the Catholic Faith. There is life after Confirmation!
