Pleasure or Persecution

Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:
"They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

I remember the first time I read these lines I was quite shocked. I thought that if I followed Jesus that everything would be sunshine and rainbows. I mean after all, I would be doing what Jesus wanted right? Why would I be persecuted? It took me a long time to swallow that idea. Now that I am older I find less concern for what happens in this world. I care, I do, but I don't worry near as much. I realize that this world is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity. I am on a journey. I can choose to be a tourist and just take in the sights, or I can be a pilgrim. I can travel with purpose to my true end destination. I can learn to love along the way, or I can just collect stuff that will weigh me down. I can let the love of the Holy Spirit flow through me or I can make myself a man that is only concerned with himself. Some days I choose wisely, other days I do not. The days I do not I pause, get back up and try loving again moving forward home.

Jesus,

The world says that I should just gobble up as much pleasure as possible. It says that I should eat, drink and be merry. It says that I should look out only for myself, sad thing is that this is how I act sometimes. This is not how you love. You love giving all of yourself all of the time. Most times we refuse to acknowledge this and accept your love. Please forgive me. I am thankful for all that you have done for me. Help me to be a better person. I love you. My heart is overwhelmed by your giving. Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

What's My Focus?

Luke 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" 
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' 
Do not follow them! 
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end." 
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."

I couldn't imagine being an apostle during the time of Jesus. It must have been a high to be in his presence every day, and to hear of this impending doom would have been such a joy-kill for me. But thinking deeply I ponder pain. I ponder uncertainty. There is so much everyday that I could wrap myself up in that would take away my peace and happiness, and why, because I allow those things to remove my focus on God, on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. When I focus on the evils of the world I loose my focus on love, to not just see it but to give love as well. Yes there is danger, and bad things are going to happen, it's a guarantee, but when I allow my focus to be the fact that I am going to walk through these things WITH Jesus then my peace returns. 

Jesus,

I don't understand the world. It seems so bent on evil, most of the time it doesn't seem intentional. Evil seems to arise out of a lack of focus on love, which is your father, God. I know I have a tendency to focus on "stuff", on pleasures of this world. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Help me to focus on love. Help me to love like you do, cause I know when I do I find true and lasting happiness. Thank you Jesus, I love you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

Sacrifice

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and some of the vessels of the temple of God;
he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.

The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood
and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
handsome, intelligent and wise,
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
such as could take their place in the king's palace;
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
after three years' training they were to enter the king's service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine
from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.

But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
with the king's food or wine;
so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
"I am afraid of my lord the king;
it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
by comparison with the other young men of your age,
you will endanger my life with the king."
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
"Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see."
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king's service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

I read about Daniel and think about what it's like to eat vegetarian. If you have never tried it, it's hard. Especially if you like meat. I feel lucky that all foods were made clean in the New Testament. I could explore why certain foods at the time were off limits, but instead I look here and see sacrifice. It seems like the world today wants to exclude sacrifice as much as possible. Ask any successful athlete, business person or academic and they will tell you sacrifice is a requirement to success. It's the same in the spiritual world, you can not become a lean, loving spiritual machine if you are gorging every pleasure that you mind ponders upon. It would have been easy for Daniel to eat off the kings table, some may even say excused, but Daniel was will to sacrifice and through that his faith and his life became stronger.

Luke 21:1-4

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, "I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."

With these lines I often feel ashamed. I feel that I don't give enough. Just yesterday I went to church with two of my youngest. I was in such a hurry I forgot to goto the ATM and get money for the plate that was passed. I looked in my wallet at the beginning of Mass and all I had was a dollar. I thought, what good would that do and stuffed it back in, but for some reason these lines came to mind, so at collection time I pulled out my lone dollar and had my son put it in. I don't know what God will do with it, but I am sure that it will be better than what I would have done with it.

Jesus,

I love you so very much. Sometimes I feel like I waste so much opportunity. Help me to sacrifice. Help me to not be hung up on pleasure. Help me to dig deep and become the man you know I can be if I apply myself. Help me to love and give without holding back, because that's what you do everyday. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

How Do Priests Pray?

Waiting is the Hardest Part

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man's beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law."
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
"Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them."
She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
"What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king's command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God."

I gotta say, if I say my children being tortured over the fact that they wouldn't eat pork, I would probably urge them to eat. Seeing my children in pain is really hard. But the thing is, these lines not about eating pork. These lines are about denying their God and making the king's way their own. That is a big deal. I've never been put to "THE" test. I have had some minor trials. Sometimes I have chosen righteously but other times I have not. What can seem like a minor indiscretion, actually opens the door to larger sins (like little white lies). Anymore under pressure I turn to God, because I am weak and I love God so much. I don't want to let him down. When I do, I prevail, if I listen.

Luke 19:11-28While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
"A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.'
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
'We do not want this man to be our king.'
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.'
He replied, 'Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.'
Then the second came and reported,
'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.'
And to this servant too he said,
'You, take charge of five cities.'
Then the other servant came and said,
'Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.'
He said to him,
'With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.'
And to those standing by he said,
'Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.'
But they said to him,
'Sir, he has ten gold coins.'
He replied, 'I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.'"
After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

Two things jump out at me here. One, people thought that the Kingdom of God was going to come immediately, and two the man in the parable was despised. I fall guilty of wanted God to help me immediately all the time, so much so that when I was younger the lack of instant gratification made me doubt my faith. It is only know that I am older and a bit wiser that I see that God's time is right and just. I don't feel so bad that back in Jesus' time they wanted instant reward as well. Like my Mom always told me, "Good things come to those that wait". Secondly the people in the parable despised the soon to be king. I can't help but think that that Jesus was warning them to not get impatient with him. So many had hopes that Jesus would be a military or political savior from the Romans. I think again of how I have been impatient with Jesus. When I reflect how things have worked out so well in God's time, I can't help but wonder how rotten they would have been if I had had them quickly. 

Jesus,

The world moves so fast. I feel like I am always 2 steps behind. In my rush to catch up I all too often ignore your way and sin. I'm so sorry. You love me so much and have done so much for me. I don't deserve your salvation. All that you have done for me... well when I think of it I just cry. Your love is so immense. Thank you, I love you. Help me to slow down and see your way. Help me to see the love in your way. I know that love really is the only thing that brings lasting happiness, especially your love. Help me to love like you do, to follow your way and to share that with others.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

How Strong am I?

 2 Mc 6:18-31

Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,
a man of advanced age and noble appearance,
was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.
But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,
he spat out the meat,
and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food
which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,
because of their long acquaintance with him,
and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,
such as he could legitimately eat,
and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice
prescribed by the king;
in this way he would escape the death penalty,
and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,
worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,
the merited distinction of his gray hair,
and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;
and so he declared that above all
he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

He told them to send him at once
to the abode of the dead, explaining:
"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;
many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar
had gone over to an alien religion.
Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,
they would be led astray by me,
while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.
Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,
I shall never, whether alive or dead,
escape the hands of the Almighty.
Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now,
I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
and I will leave to the young a noble example
of how to die willingly and generously
for the revered and holy laws."

Eleazar spoke thus,
and went immediately to the instrument of torture.
Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,
now became hostile toward him because what he had said
seemed to them utter madness.
When he was about to die under the blows,
he groaned and said:
"The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,
although I could have escaped death,
I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,
but also suffering it with joy in my soul
because of my devotion to him."
This is how he died,
leaving in his death a model of courage
and an unforgettable example of virtue
not only for the young but for the whole nation.

Wow, I read scripture such as these and pray that if I am ever in such a situation that I will be as righteous, but then questions come into my mind. What do you do when people speak badly about Christians in front of you? What do you do when you see someone in need on the side of the road? What do you do when you hear about a coworker dealing with a moral dilemma? I'll be honest some times I pass the test other times I do not.

Lk 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over."
And Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost."

Two things come to when I read these line, one is the simple song I learned in Sunday school, and the other is that I often feel like Zacchaeus. I feel unworthy to approach Jesus face to face. I "hide in a tree" and observe from afar. I long for Jesus, but feel unworthy to be in his presence. But deep down I know Jesus calls me like Zacchaeus everyday. He calls me to love others. He calls me to spend time with him. He calls me to learn from him. When I let Jesus in I feel wonderful. When I hold him out because I know I am doing something I shouldn't I eventually feel empty, dirty and unfulfilled. 

Jesus,

I love you. You treat me so well and your father has blessed me greatly. Help me to love like you do today. Help me to open up like Zacchaeus and be fair. Help me to no longer desire the pleasure of wealth. Help me to desire the joy of loving with all my heart. Help me to not fear the ridicule and pain and persecution of following your ways. Help me to realize that this life is a passing phase and that I should be more concerned on getting home to heaven.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Wisdom

Wisdom 7:22B–8:1

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.
Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.

First, I'm just going to pause a moment and notice here that Wisdom is described as a woman. I don't know, for some reason that just makes me smile. Here wisdom is put on full display, and after a description such as this, why would you want to move through life without her? Oh but I do, week in and week out I leave my dear friend wisdom behind and all that she has to offer. I find as I get older I pray and ask God for wisdom. With each year I find it more precious than anything else I have.

Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."

Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,

'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."

For all the wisdom that man thinks he has he still wonders about the end of time. Many over the years have tried to predict it but have done so in folly. I remember the days leading to Y2K. I can laugh now in hindsight but I know many a friend nearing the year 2000 that worried what was going to happen. It all ended okay though. For me I try not to wonder about my end, when or where or how it will come about. I try not to worry about my children, that is even harder. I find that wisdom guides me to trust God, even if God doesn't seem to make sense. I trust in God and I have peace and all works out okay. I find when I don't trust God it is usually because of my other close friend Ego. You would think I would know better by now.

Jesus, 

I love you. Thank you for all that you have blessed me with. Thank you for the grace you bestow on me each day. Thank you for loving me even when I do the stupidest things. Jesus could you please send down your Holy Spirit and ask him to build me up with some wisdom? I could really use some, in fact the whole world could use a lot right now. I know we might not deserve it, but please give us the wisdom to see just how beautiful you are. Maybe if we REALLY saw your beauty we would love you the way you deserve.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Gifts Forgotten?

Wisdom 6:1-11

Hear, O kings, and understand;
learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude

and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,
and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy
but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality,
nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small,
and he provides for all alike;
but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.
To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed
that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.
For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,
and those learned in them will have ready a response.
Desire therefore my words;
long for them and you shall be instructed.

I read these lines and think, "Whew, I'm all good cause I am a big fat nobody", but the problem is that there is this thought in my mind that this just doesn't pertain to kings, princes and people of "power". Living in America I am rich, not by America's standards, but by the worlds. Many in this world do not have the voice, wealth or power that I have just being an average citizen here in the USA. Question is, what am I doing with it. How am I sharing the gospel? How am I battling world hunger? How am I helping the sick, naked and imprisoned? This is a major reality check. I have work to do for sure.

Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."

As they were going they were cleansed. 
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine? 
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" 
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."

This is where it all comes home. I have been blessed. By the power of Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and forgive for all my nasty sins. I am clean, but do I appreciate it? Do I show thanks for my gift? How do I move forward in the world? Would the average person call me a Christian? In a good way? Thoughts to ponder for sure.

Jesus, 

I love you. Thank you for all your many gifts and blessings. I know I take them for granted. As I go out into the world today help me to remember who I am. Help me remember what you did for me, and help me to share that will all that I meet. I don't deserve you. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Pilgrimage, Fighting and Seeing the End Game

Wisdom 2:23–3:9

God formed man to be imperishable;

the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

The world can really take a knock at a guy. It's easy to get distracted and loose sight of goals with adversity rushes in. I read these lines and feel like I am in the locker room at half-time. I feel as if this is a pep talk to overcome and conquer when all seems lost. Know this, this life in this world is a journey. This is not home. God loves you and is waiting for you to come home but you have to stay on the path. It's easy to let adversity distract you and let you detour into sin. Stay the course. This life is a blink of an eye compared to eternity and God has so much waiting for us if we hold the course and love like he does.

Luke 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

This is an interesting question. Who would have their hired hands come in and serve them after a days work that they were supposed to do. I can tell you I go to work, complete my tasks and then I go home. At the end of the week I collect my check and pay my bills. I don't walk in off the floor and have my boss waiting on me hand and foot. God is waiting though, he is waiting for you to come home where he wants to share all he has to offer. God desires you, because he loves you oh so much. Do we desire God's love? Do we deserve all that he has to offer. In reality, no, we spend too much of our time wasting what he has given us and using it only for ourselves. That's not how God wants us to love, but he still desires us every day. Which way will you turn?

Jesus,

I love you very much. Your gifts seem to know no bounds. Please help me to stay the course. Every week it seems it's hard to realize that on one level this life doesn't really matter. I mean, I know it matters and we should make the most of it and love the way you want us to, but I shouldn't get upset when things don't go my way. I should worry that things go your way, your will should be done. Help me to see past the power, greed, gluttonous lifestyle and sex that this world tries to peddle each day and focus on home, Heaven. Where you are waiting to see me in person. I am your faithful servant, not out of duty but out of love.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

Where is My Attention?

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The angel brought me
back to the entrance of the temple,
and I saw water flowing out
from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,
for the façade of the temple was toward the east;
the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple,
south of the altar.
He led me outside by the north gate,
and around to the outer gate facing the east,
where I saw water trickling from the southern side.
He said to me,
"This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,
and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.
Wherever the river flows,
every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,
and there shall be abundant fish,
for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow;
their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.
Every month they shall bear fresh fruit,
for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.
Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."

I am no master, teacher or prophet. I am no learned man, but these lines give me goosebumps. To me I read here and I see the grandeur of God. The world is no doubt salty and only God can make it fresh and good because God is love, pure love. I never spend time with God and come away feeling dirty. I always feel refreshed and new, even in my darkest of hours.

John 2:13-22

Since the Passover of the Jews was near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and

doves,
as well as the money-changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money-changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
"Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
"What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.

I find it interesting that this is one of the few times in the Gospels were Jesus looses his cool, but can you really blame him? Jesus wants us to come to his father for communion, so that we can be loved. God loves us immensely. He longs to spend time with us. I often wonder how upset God has been with me in the past when I have shown up for worship and I get distracted by something inconsequential. I wonder if He is sad when I don't sing along with the hymns cause I get wrapped up in planning the rest of my day after church. I wonder if He is angry when he is trying to tell me something important through the readings and the pastor and I get hung up on something that happened on the ride in with my children.

Jesus, 

I love you. You work so hard to get our attention and to help me. Problem is, most of the time I'm too distracted to realize you are even next to me. Please forgive me. I should be so much better for you and for me. I wasn't made for pettiness. I was made for Heaven. Please help me to be better in chuch and to appreciate all that your father does for me in each breath I take.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen