Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Are You Out For #1?
Being a performing musician for sometime I found that part of my joy was derived with meeting a variety of people. When meeting fellow musicians there were predominantly two types. Those that were humble and would go out of their way to help others in need. There were times when I would loan cables or straps to those that had forgotten them in the hustle and bustle of loading out. The other memorable type were those that loved to brag about themselves and how great they were. Coming and going I found that the ones that locally became the most successful were those that were humble and helpful. They would get more gigs, better spots and had more of a draw than others. The truth is we reap what we sew. God wants us to put in and help out our fellow man as much as we can. You never know when you will be the one that needs help. I find the more I turn my life over to God the more peace and love I find. With my fellow man I find the more I am warm, open and accepting as Jesus called for the more support I receive and aid when I need it. Life can be hard enough on its own, so having God in my corner for help with a fellowship of disciples is invaluable. While my ego may call me to just look out for number one, it is true that one is the loneliest number. The more I find company with God and others the more fulfilling life is.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
6The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. 9As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever." 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God;
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 112:1-4, 9
1Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures for ever. 4Light rises in the darkness for the upright; the LORD is gracious, merciful, and righteous. 9He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn is exalted in honor.
Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
1"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
How Much Are You Holding Back?
How Much Are You Holding Back
I recently wanted to do something big. See, I realized that I had been given certain talents and well, I wasn't using them hardly at all. I am a writer of music, poetry and prose. The way I have come in this world though I largely didn't share my talents. I allowed myself to think that I was unimportant, actually a nuisance. I would create and enjoy my talents in private. I was happy to be unseen and unheard. After much deliberation I decided to write a new album of material and not hold back in any way. I have written and recorded many albums but rarely do I promote them well, so they just sit on a shelf largely unheard. Thing is I was thinking too small. God calls us all to help him 24/7 and gives us the grace to overcome any hardships along the way. He doesn't want us to hold back in the slightest. Why? Have you ever been in a relationship and held yourself back? I have and I can tell you that those relationships either fail or are not very fruitful. Having been on this path with God for a bit know I realize that my marriage on blooms to its fullest when I hold nothing back from my wife and children. It can be difficult because my ego says, "You should do what you want and take what you need cause you deserve it", but love doesn't work well that way. The happiness and freedom that I now experience is a direct response from going all in. I love God with all my body, mind and soul. Doing so teaches me to not hold back from my wife in the slightest. I serve her with all my heart as Christ did with the Church. When I am wrong, I do not hide. I admit it, lovingly apologize and do my best to be the best husband to my wife, and so I have learned that I should make the most of my talents, blessings and belongings by writing a new album, but rather to go further and use all my talents to be the best Christian I can be 24/7. For that is why God has put me here, not just to write songs, poetry and prose, but to love God and all others God's way with every ounce of who I am. Will I fall short? Sometimes. Will I make mistakes? Yes, but just like a marathon runner I will get no where if I do not first walk to the door, and likewise I will not find eternal life in heaven if I don't start walking to God.
1We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints -- 5and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work. 7Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us -- see that you excel in this gracious work also. 8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Psalms 146:2, 5-9
1Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 4When his breath departs he returns to his earth; on that very day his plans perish. 5Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever; 7who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
Matthew 5:43-48
43"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I recently wanted to do something big. See, I realized that I had been given certain talents and well, I wasn't using them hardly at all. I am a writer of music, poetry and prose. The way I have come in this world though I largely didn't share my talents. I allowed myself to think that I was unimportant, actually a nuisance. I would create and enjoy my talents in private. I was happy to be unseen and unheard. After much deliberation I decided to write a new album of material and not hold back in any way. I have written and recorded many albums but rarely do I promote them well, so they just sit on a shelf largely unheard. Thing is I was thinking too small. God calls us all to help him 24/7 and gives us the grace to overcome any hardships along the way. He doesn't want us to hold back in the slightest. Why? Have you ever been in a relationship and held yourself back? I have and I can tell you that those relationships either fail or are not very fruitful. Having been on this path with God for a bit know I realize that my marriage on blooms to its fullest when I hold nothing back from my wife and children. It can be difficult because my ego says, "You should do what you want and take what you need cause you deserve it", but love doesn't work well that way. The happiness and freedom that I now experience is a direct response from going all in. I love God with all my body, mind and soul. Doing so teaches me to not hold back from my wife in the slightest. I serve her with all my heart as Christ did with the Church. When I am wrong, I do not hide. I admit it, lovingly apologize and do my best to be the best husband to my wife, and so I have learned that I should make the most of my talents, blessings and belongings by writing a new album, but rather to go further and use all my talents to be the best Christian I can be 24/7. For that is why God has put me here, not just to write songs, poetry and prose, but to love God and all others God's way with every ounce of who I am. Will I fall short? Sometimes. Will I make mistakes? Yes, but just like a marathon runner I will get no where if I do not first walk to the door, and likewise I will not find eternal life in heaven if I don't start walking to God.
1We want you to know, brethren, about the grace of God which has been shown in the churches of Macedo'nia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints -- 5and this, not as we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work. 7Now as you excel in everything -- in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us -- see that you excel in this gracious work also. 8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Psalms 146:2, 5-9
1Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 4When his breath departs he returns to his earth; on that very day his plans perish. 5Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever; 7who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
Matthew 5:43-48
43"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Gonna Getcha Even?
When I am wronged it is very hard to not want to exact justice. Problem is that most of the time the justice we so wish to impose is an over reaction. I can remember from my days on the school playground how someone would get hurt on accident. The offended would turn and slug the other as hard as he could. Words to the effect, "I didn't hurt you that bad were often a reply. " to such statements would be made, " you don't know how much that hurt me!" Many times I have heard the Old Testament quoted saying, "An eye for an eye..." Thing is that law has been much misunderstood. The declaration was not that you should take an eye for an eye but rather you should take no more than that. God wants us to love and forgive. As I spend time with Jesus and his teachings I begin to understand more that my place is to love at all costs, both God and every single person I meet. I am to trust in God. When I do I find a peace and happiness that fills my heart like no other, and because I have such peace I want to share it with all I can and not hide if I become persecuted. For God loves all and wants us all to know that peace and love that reigns in heaven.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
1Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, 7truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Psalms 98:1-4
1O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Matthew 5:38-42
38"You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
1Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2For he says, "At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation." Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labors, watching, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, forbearance, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, 7truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Psalms 98:1-4
1O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Matthew 5:38-42
38"You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Whatcha Gonna Do Whatcha Gonna Say?
Whatcha Gonna Do Whatcha Gonna Say?
Sometimes at work someone will do something they should not, and people become upset. I wonder and ask, "do they know that they are not to do that?" The answer is usually is in approximation of "well he should" but it is common that said persons knowledge is not verified. Likewise in the ways of the lord I find that my fellow Christians get mad at on another because someone they know commits an unchristian act. Christians are far from perfect. We are sinners like everyone else, and while the teachings of Jesus are well known, we need to remind ourselves that not everyone has the same knowledge or even interpretation. This is part of the reason why Jesus came. To save us all from our sins but to also establish his Church. As a catholic I am grateful because we not only rely on the sacred scripture of the bible but also the sacred traditions handed down from our first leader of the Church, the apostle Peter. However Jesus does not just want us to come to church learn the Scriptures and ways and the then go about our week quiet in our faith. He calls us to share our faith through all the talents that God has given us with the knowledge, inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit. Wether we have the ability to write song, teach, heal or build Jesus calls us all to share his teachings through all we do and are. For God loves all and wishes to commune with all in this life and the eternity there after. No one should ever be afraid to share the word of God. If it is accepted, rejoice and if not, be not sorrow. Move on and continue share for God loves your help and in this world there is a large need for love and peace which God can provide.
Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
1121And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. 22News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. 25So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. 131Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyre'ne, Man'a-en a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Psalms 98:1-6
1O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Matthew 10:7-13
7And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. 9Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12As you enter the house, salute it. 13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Sometimes at work someone will do something they should not, and people become upset. I wonder and ask, "do they know that they are not to do that?" The answer is usually is in approximation of "well he should" but it is common that said persons knowledge is not verified. Likewise in the ways of the lord I find that my fellow Christians get mad at on another because someone they know commits an unchristian act. Christians are far from perfect. We are sinners like everyone else, and while the teachings of Jesus are well known, we need to remind ourselves that not everyone has the same knowledge or even interpretation. This is part of the reason why Jesus came. To save us all from our sins but to also establish his Church. As a catholic I am grateful because we not only rely on the sacred scripture of the bible but also the sacred traditions handed down from our first leader of the Church, the apostle Peter. However Jesus does not just want us to come to church learn the Scriptures and ways and the then go about our week quiet in our faith. He calls us to share our faith through all the talents that God has given us with the knowledge, inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit. Wether we have the ability to write song, teach, heal or build Jesus calls us all to share his teachings through all we do and are. For God loves all and wishes to commune with all in this life and the eternity there after. No one should ever be afraid to share the word of God. If it is accepted, rejoice and if not, be not sorrow. Move on and continue share for God loves your help and in this world there is a large need for love and peace which God can provide.
Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
1121And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. 22News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. 25So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. 131Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyre'ne, Man'a-en a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Psalms 98:1-6
1O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Matthew 10:7-13
7And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. 9Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12As you enter the house, salute it. 13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
I Love Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner
I love Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner, she is a person that seems to be a spokesperson now for a movement that has been rising in volume like car stereo slowly being cranked until the windows explode. When I say that I love Caitlyn it is not with a lustful passion, but with rather a compassion and understanding as a fellow in humanity. What she did does seem rather extreme. I can barely imagine how one would have to feel, how lonely and empty one would have to be to completely change their identity to someone of the opposite sex. My heart goes out to her. I pray that she finds God to fill that hole in her soul.
As a Christian, my brothers, sisters and I often get painted into corner. We are told that because we don't support same sex sexual relations that we are insensitive, moral hypocrites and are full of hate. We may try to explain why our view is what it is but as soon as our disapproval of same sex relations is heard the gates of understanding are shut and the drawbridge is raised. It seems that all who disagree with the traditional Christian point of view have Christians in crosshairs ready to pull the trigger. No matter how compassionate we explain our point of view we are assumed bigots and backward haters. I guess it is hard for some to understand that even though we do not agree with a lifestyle we still love those that partake in it. Therefore I know many that just keep their head down and move about their day not wanting any controversy. We just go about our day loving and praying. Our point of view goes largely unheard and the deafening silence is presumed acceptance and approval. Sad part about that outcome is that Gods love, passion and way is ignored or even unknown because it is not shared. The narrative that because we don't agree with same sex intimate relationships means we hate those that partake in and support such relationships thrives. I won't lie, I know that there are those in this world that for whatever reason, have a hate boiling in them over the idea of homosexual behavior. Maybe they were taught to believe that. Perhaps fear or misunderstanding is at the root of that hate.
Nonetheless it is wrong for a Christian to hate.
As a Christian I am a disciple of Christ. Following the discipline that Christ laid out for me I am to love God with all my mind, body and soul and to love everyone I meet as I love myself. Those commandments in and of themselves are not hard to follow. What makes it difficult is when my ego rears its ugly head and I start thinking with my will in mind instead of God's will in mind.
So why do we Christians have such a hard time with homosexual behavior? It's a fair question, as this debate unfolds I have heard many an advocate for same sex relations state that Jesus calls us all to love and accept each other. That is true, I am called to love and accept every person I meet. However that does not mean that I should condone everyone's actions that I meet. We have a saying as Christians, "love the sinner not the sin." That's rather pithy and doesn't explain that much. With deep personal feelings such as these it's a bit shrewd to just shoot from the hip. We are talking about people's deep feelings, passions and desires. I have complete respect for my brothers and sisters that have attractions to members of the same sex. I can only imagine the confusion, resentment and frustration I would feel if someone told me that I could not and should not love my beloved. It would be nothing less than horrible and that is far too mild a word for such a situation.
Part of the reason Christians have a problem with homosexual relations is because of the sex part, so what is sex for? Why did God give us the glorious gift of sex.
Wait, let me take a second for those that don't know me. It's important that you have and understanding of who I am so that you can understand where I am coming from. I am someone who was raised Methodist/United Church of Christ (Protestant Christian) then after coming of age I left the "Church" and over time left my faith. After spending many years in what I call the "dark" or in the "desert" I came back to my faith. After much thought,prayer and study I decided to come back to Jesus and became Catholic. Why, well that is a bit of a different story altogether but basically I have lived on both sides of the fence of faith.
So what is sex for? Being a Christian sex is a gift from God. Actually I believe everything is a gift from God. That's right, everything from my life, the ground below me and everything that surrounds me I believe is a gift from God to me and everyone on this planet. Sex is the gift from God so that two people can come together through marriage and have the opportunity to create life. That's a heavy thing to be able to bring a new life from scratch into this world. As a Catholic I believe that you should not even use contraception. Why, because it cheapens the act of sex. Sex to me is one of the most amazing things to experience on this planet. Not just the act itself, but also watching my wife bear children and seeing them born just blows my mind. By using contraception I would be getting in the way of God's will. It would be like me giving a car to my son so that he could drive to work and school and then he decides to get some alcohol and go cruising. I would be upset because he is taking my gift and using it in a way contrary to my will, or desire. What is frustrating to me and many of my Christian brothers and sisters is we see God's gift of sex being turned into something valued like a bag of chips. Use it, devour it and throw it away when you are done with it like it is nothing. Thing is we are talking about people, people with a soul and heart. Casual sex outside the confines of marriage is treating a man or woman like a thing to be used. We are not things to be used. We are human beings to be respected. As a Catholic I believe that all people are gifts on this earth even if they have lost their way. I am called by God to love all and help all that are in need. So sex is not to be used frivolously. Sex is to be saved for marriage. It is to be saved for that one special person that God calls me to love and spend the rest of my life with. If God so allows me and my wife to have children we are to raise them in his ways and respect and love our children for the gifts that they are. Sex is an animalistic desire ,but as humans made in the likeness of God we are called to be more than just an animal that runs the countryside mating with whomever we choose we are called to be something more, something disciplined, a child of God following the discipline of his son Jesus Christ.
So why then would God then allow homosexual tendencies to exist if everything is a gift from God? Well keep in mind that the greatest gift God gives us is free will. We can choose to follow God or not. Going way back when to Adam and Eve who created Original Sin by using their free will to disobey God by eating the apple they tainted us all. Let's not forget about Satan either. I usually suspect his hands in the mix whenever something exists contrary to God's desires. Make no mistake he wants to rule and with that, he wants to destroy everything that God has made and defile it in the process. Satan, wether you believe in him or not, hates you and wishes that you live a life of sin so that you will be cast into hell so he can torture you. That's why God sent his son Jesus to teach us and who asked us to share his teachings with the world till the end of time. Now I will not say that Satan and his minions posses everyone who live sinful lifestyles, but he has a part in trying to legitimize immoral behavior to make it easier to accept and easier to commit.
The cool thing is that God can use anything to good. He is like the master chess player and anything thrown into the mix he can use for good. I once was part of a discussion where the question came, "why do I have shortcomings?" Remember God is all about love and he wants us to love each other as we love ourselves. When I think about how we are all different, how some of us have vices others don't, and how some have disabilities that others do not I think of this piece of art I once saw. It showed two rooms in both where people trying to eat but all they had were spoons that had handles that were 5 feet long. In the first room everyone is miserable. They are all trying to eat but are whacking each other and poking each other cause the spoon handles are so long. Everyone is unhappy and looks like they are starving. In the other everyone is merry and well fed because they have learned to feed each other. To me that is the world. God calls us to love one another. If we were all "perfect" and had no vices, flaws or disabilities then we wouldn't need each other. In fact we might even think that we were Gods for our "perfection", but when we need each other it is easier to love each other. Jesus constantly taught to love, to take care of the sick, to feed the hungry and to cloth the naked.
Alright so, why does God let people be made or become homosexual? I can't tell you why for certain, but I have had this thought. I am a musician. I write songs, not for a living but it is something inside me that God gave me that just comes out. I have met some that couldn't sing a tune well if their life depended upon it. There always seems to be music playing in my mind, for that I am very thankful and I would find it hard to imagine living life walking around not having beautiful music playing in my head all the time. As such, I see many in this world right now that take love for granted. My heart is full of sorrow for all that get married but to whom divorce is the end result. I once had the opportunity to speak with an openly homosexual man. Years before coming back to my faith I heard him asked once if he desired to marry another man and his response was no. He explained that because of his sexual preference and what marriage stood for (he was a Christian man) that he realized marriage was not for him. To say the least I was amazed by someone who knew his faith so well and loved and respected God's wishes so much. So just as some of us write music for those that can't and so that all can enjoy, it could be possible for someone who cannot marry to take time to teach others that love should not be treated so frivolously but rather cherished, protected and nurtured for marriage is a gift not given to everyone.
We now live in a world that not only is constantly trying to tell us that everything is okay but that we should always get what we want. It's as if living by any kind of discipline is thrown out the window. Want to loose weight? Don't diet and exercise take this pill. Getting old but still want to have an active sex life? Take a pill. Want that car you don't have the money for borrow it and then take out a credit cards to pay the loan. Eat as much as you want, drink as much as you want , take drugs to get high and feel good. Have as much sex as you want and throw way anything that is of no use to you any more, and then you are hooked. In a life of excess you ever get enough. I remember a time when I was so busy feeding my desires that I could barely see that I was falling apart at the seams, and I was still never satisfied. Oh, and when it all came crashing down there was no one to help me, but there stood God, waiting. Once speaking to my mother I expressed how unhappy I was. I didn't tell her this but I felt like I was in a deep dark pit and every day I worked only to numb myself and ignore the pain. She asked if I had prayed about it. I laughed, I thought the idea was stupid and I kept on numbing myself. I explored every vice that seemed palatable, nothing. I felt empty as a lifeless cave. I had money, a nice car, women, a job and got drunk whenever I felt like it and, nothing. Nothing was worth anything, or so I thought. I was in the middle of "paradise" and it was all I could do from screaming at the top of my lungs until I cried. I moved switched, jobs, exercised and got healthy, nothing, but God stood there waiting. Then one day when I had enough I put my eyes to the sky and and asked for his help, God's help. It wasn't easy, the vices I indulged in didn't just melt away for me. Even now from time to time I get tempted hardcore to go back to things I once did, but God is by my side and as long as I stay focused on him I am okay.
I am nobody special or great. I am a sinner. I sin, I fall, I get up and ask for forgiveness. I visit my priest and go to confession. I receive guidance and help through consult and prayer. I live a stronger and better life. When life gets dicey, I have God and I am prepared. I have true peace and happiness like I haven't felt since I was a young boy. Even now in my worst hour when my world seems to be crashing down around me I have peace as long as I stick with God. He gets me through anything cause he loves me and by experience I know he will take care of me.
The fact is undeniable, we as humans long for meaningful relationships that make us feel whole, loved and that we belong. God is waiting to give that to each and every one of us.
So what does this mean?
If you experience homosexual desires you have free will. You can try and fill you life with immoral relationships or you can choose to try God's way. He loves everyone. He wants to show everyone a world full of love and experiences. All you have to do is accept him. He's waiting for you. While you may feel somber because you think you will be missing out on a lifelong love with someone you won't, it will just be with someone that you weren't expecting, God. For through his way is true love and happiness that will last an eternity, for this life is a mere bat of an eye. The life beyond is waiting. You just have to accept it. Will it be easy? At first no, it's like running a marathon, you don't just wake up one day and do it. You can try but you will probably fail. After living a life of sin it can be hard to live God's way. Don't worry, God knows you, God loves you and God understands you. He will be patient with you. It's a big reason why he sent his son Jesus, to establish the Church. In the Church you will find a support system waiting to help you with every question and obstacle on your road to heaven.
But let me pause for a second...
Let me ask for your patience. See like I said I am a sinner and so are all my Christian brothers and sisters. We have our bad days. We make mistakes, and some of the Christians you will meet will be on different points in their understanding of God and his ways. If you meet someone that treats you wrongly know this, I am sorry. Please forgive me, my brothers or sisters if we hurt you. Make no mistake God loves you, Jesus loves you and the Holy Spirit loves you. They all, including millions of my brothers and sisters in Christ want to share our faith and experience heaven with you. Please do not turn away from God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit because you meet someone that treats you poorly. Jesus came and died a horrible death on the cross for you, to take away all your sins. There is nothing that you have done that God will not forgive if you repent whole heartedly.
And that is why I love Caitlyn Jenner, because she is a child of God just like everyone else. I am no better or less than her. I pray that she finds her way to God through Jesus Christ. For after years of folly in the desert I have seen the way to true peace and everlasting life It is with God through Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit. Though the world tests me day in and day out I try my best to live a life of love and understanding. I hope you find your way too.
Friday, June 5, 2015
How Deep a love Do You Want?
I remember once I had an employer for whom I washed dishes. It was not a glamorous job but it was a way to make money while I went to school. All I had to do was to was the dishes in front of me and those I found in the bus tubs. After sometime they hired a new dishwasher because there was two of us. After a couple of weeks he was pulled aside by the boss and was strongly reprimanded for he was throwing away the flatware in the garbage instead of washing it.needless to say he didn't last long. Myself I worked as my father taught me. I worked until all of it was completed and then went looking for more. For a job that was to only pay minimum wag I ended up earning a few dollars an hour more. God is very simple, he loves you. He created you and this world you live in out of love. For you, he gives you free will. You can choose to love him in return or turn your back on him. Like any other relationship I have ever had the more love you put into it the more rewarding it is. I love God with all my mind body and soul. I am far from perfect, but I try to do my best everyday to love God, keep his commandments and love everyone I meet as i would wish for myself, and I find the deeper I go and the more I share my love with God the better my life is. Do I still have troubles? Yes, But I find with being Gods wingman and following his lead taking on such trials is so much easier. God loves to love and he is waiting for you to come home to him right now to share all he has with you. All you need to do is get on your knees and pray to him and invite him into your life.
Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1, 9-17; 8:4-9
610the angel said to the young man, "Brother, today we shall stay with Raguel. He is your relative, and he has an only daughter named Sarah. I will suggest that she be given to you in marriage, 11because you are entitled to her and to her inheritance, for you are her only eligible kinsman. 71When they reached Ecbatana and arrived at the house of Raguel, Sarah met them and greeted them. They returned her greeting, and she brought them into the house. 9So he communicated the proposal to Raguel. And Raguel said to Tobias, "Eat, drink, and be merry; 10for it is your right to take my child. But let me explain the true situation to you. 11I have given my daughter to seven husbands, and when each came to her he died in the night. But for the present be merry." And Tobias said, "I will eat nothing here until you make a binding agreement with me." 12So Raguel said, "Take her right now, in accordance with the law. You are her relative, and she is yours. The merciful God will guide you both for the best." 13Then he called his daughter Sarah, and taking her by the hand he gave her to Tobias to be his wife, saying, "Here she is; take her according to the law of Moses, and take her with you to your father." And he blessed them. 14Next he called his wife Edna, and took a scroll and wrote out the contract; and they set their seals to it. 15Then they began to eat. 16And Raguel called his wife Edna and said to her, "Sister, make up the other room, and take her into it." 17so she did as he said, and took her there; and the girl began to weep. But the mother comforted her daughter in her tears, and said to her, 84When the door was shut and the two were alone, Tobias got up from the bed and said, "Sister, get up, and let us pray that the Lord may have mercy upon us." 5And Tobias began to pray, "Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers, and blessed be thy holy and glorious name for ever. Let the heavens and all thy creatures bless thee. 6Thou madest Adam and gavest him Eve his wife as a helper and support. From them the race of mankind has sprung. Thou didst say, `It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself.' 7And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that I may find mercy and may grow old together with her." 8And she said with him, "Amen." 9Then they both went to sleep for the night. But Raguel arose and went and dug a grave,
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 128:1-5
1Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 2You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. 5The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
Gospel
Mark 12:28-34
28And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; 33and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question.
Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1, 9-17; 8:4-9
610the angel said to the young man, "Brother, today we shall stay with Raguel. He is your relative, and he has an only daughter named Sarah. I will suggest that she be given to you in marriage, 11because you are entitled to her and to her inheritance, for you are her only eligible kinsman. 71When they reached Ecbatana and arrived at the house of Raguel, Sarah met them and greeted them. They returned her greeting, and she brought them into the house. 9So he communicated the proposal to Raguel. And Raguel said to Tobias, "Eat, drink, and be merry; 10for it is your right to take my child. But let me explain the true situation to you. 11I have given my daughter to seven husbands, and when each came to her he died in the night. But for the present be merry." And Tobias said, "I will eat nothing here until you make a binding agreement with me." 12So Raguel said, "Take her right now, in accordance with the law. You are her relative, and she is yours. The merciful God will guide you both for the best." 13Then he called his daughter Sarah, and taking her by the hand he gave her to Tobias to be his wife, saying, "Here she is; take her according to the law of Moses, and take her with you to your father." And he blessed them. 14Next he called his wife Edna, and took a scroll and wrote out the contract; and they set their seals to it. 15Then they began to eat. 16And Raguel called his wife Edna and said to her, "Sister, make up the other room, and take her into it." 17so she did as he said, and took her there; and the girl began to weep. But the mother comforted her daughter in her tears, and said to her, 84When the door was shut and the two were alone, Tobias got up from the bed and said, "Sister, get up, and let us pray that the Lord may have mercy upon us." 5And Tobias began to pray, "Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers, and blessed be thy holy and glorious name for ever. Let the heavens and all thy creatures bless thee. 6Thou madest Adam and gavest him Eve his wife as a helper and support. From them the race of mankind has sprung. Thou didst say, `It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself.' 7And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that I may find mercy and may grow old together with her." 8And she said with him, "Amen." 9Then they both went to sleep for the night. But Raguel arose and went and dug a grave,
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 128:1-5
1Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 2You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. 5The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!
Gospel
Mark 12:28-34
28And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 32And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; 33and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Do You Have a Plan
Do You Have a Plan
My oldest son is so very wonderful and there is much that I want for him. He is very smart and talented. I look forward to seeing him playing basketball, relaxing with his friends and setting out on a life full of prosperity and happiness. To accomplish these things though my son has to cooperate. He needs to focus in school and learn how to navigate this often distracting world. If he lets his grades fall, school will not let him play basketball. If he doesn't get his chores done in a timely manner he will not have time to visit with his friends. If he makes bad choices in life he will find one barricade after another that will keep him from prosperity and happiness. God has a plan for us all but we need to be willing to cooperate too. Often reading the old testament for the first time I would find myself slapping the side of my face saying, "oh no what are you doing?!?" For those that don't know the Old Testament was like a bad version of the movie "Ground Hog Day". Over and over again the Jewish people would call on God and he would help them. They would turn away from their worldly ways and recommit themselves to God's way. Their civilization would rise and become mighty. However as soon as the good got going to long they would forget what made them great. They would turn their backs on God's ways and fall once again. After coming back to God and his ways I turned around end and examined my own life and found poetic humor in the way my life was similar. I find that when I have a close relationship with God and follow his commandments my life is peaceful and smooth despite any obstacles I may meet, but alone choosing my will things seem to fall apart and hopelessness ensues. God has a plan for us all and it is for us to end up in heaven with eternal peace but we have to choose it.
Tobit 3:1-11, 16-17
1Then in my grief I wept, and I prayed in anguish, saying, 2"Righteous art thou, O Lord; all thy deeds and all they ways are mercy and truth, and thou dost render true and righteous judgment for ever. 3Remember me and look favorably upon me; do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offences and those which my fathers committed before thee. 4For they disobeyed thy commandments, and thou gavest us over to plunder, captivity, and death; thou madest us a byword of reproach in all the nations among which we have been dispersed. 5And now thy many judgments are true in exacting penalty from me for my sins and those of my fathers, because we did not keep thy commandments. For we did not walk in truth before thee. 6And now deal with me according to thy pleasure; command my spirit to be taken up, that I may depart and become dust. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and great is the sorrow within me. Command that I now be released from my distress to go to the eternal abode; do not turn thy face away from me." 7On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was reproached by her father's maids, 8because she had been given to seven husbands, and the evil demon Asmodeus had slain each of them before he had been with her as his wife. So the maids said to her, "Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You already have had seven and have had no benefit from any of them. 9Why do you beat us? If they are dead, go with them! May we never see a son or daughter of yours!" 10When she heard these things she was deeply grieved, even to the thought of hanging herself. But she said, "I am the only child of my father; if I do this, it will be a disgrace to him, and I shall bring his old age down in sorrow to the grave. 11So she prayed by her window and said, "Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and blessed is thy holy and honored name for ever. May all thy works praise thee for ever. 16The prayer of both was heard in the presence of the glory of the great God. 17And Raphael was sent to heal the two of them: to scale away the white films of Tobit's eyes; to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel in marriage to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmodeus the evil demon, because Tobias was entitled to possess her. At that very moment Tobit returned and entered his house and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper room.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 25:2-9
2O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. 6Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness' sake, O LORD! 8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
Gospel
Mark 12:18-27
18And Sad'ducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 19"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no children; 21and the second took her, and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22and the seven left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."
My oldest son is so very wonderful and there is much that I want for him. He is very smart and talented. I look forward to seeing him playing basketball, relaxing with his friends and setting out on a life full of prosperity and happiness. To accomplish these things though my son has to cooperate. He needs to focus in school and learn how to navigate this often distracting world. If he lets his grades fall, school will not let him play basketball. If he doesn't get his chores done in a timely manner he will not have time to visit with his friends. If he makes bad choices in life he will find one barricade after another that will keep him from prosperity and happiness. God has a plan for us all but we need to be willing to cooperate too. Often reading the old testament for the first time I would find myself slapping the side of my face saying, "oh no what are you doing?!?" For those that don't know the Old Testament was like a bad version of the movie "Ground Hog Day". Over and over again the Jewish people would call on God and he would help them. They would turn away from their worldly ways and recommit themselves to God's way. Their civilization would rise and become mighty. However as soon as the good got going to long they would forget what made them great. They would turn their backs on God's ways and fall once again. After coming back to God and his ways I turned around end and examined my own life and found poetic humor in the way my life was similar. I find that when I have a close relationship with God and follow his commandments my life is peaceful and smooth despite any obstacles I may meet, but alone choosing my will things seem to fall apart and hopelessness ensues. God has a plan for us all and it is for us to end up in heaven with eternal peace but we have to choose it.
Tobit 3:1-11, 16-17
1Then in my grief I wept, and I prayed in anguish, saying, 2"Righteous art thou, O Lord; all thy deeds and all they ways are mercy and truth, and thou dost render true and righteous judgment for ever. 3Remember me and look favorably upon me; do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offences and those which my fathers committed before thee. 4For they disobeyed thy commandments, and thou gavest us over to plunder, captivity, and death; thou madest us a byword of reproach in all the nations among which we have been dispersed. 5And now thy many judgments are true in exacting penalty from me for my sins and those of my fathers, because we did not keep thy commandments. For we did not walk in truth before thee. 6And now deal with me according to thy pleasure; command my spirit to be taken up, that I may depart and become dust. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and great is the sorrow within me. Command that I now be released from my distress to go to the eternal abode; do not turn thy face away from me." 7On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was reproached by her father's maids, 8because she had been given to seven husbands, and the evil demon Asmodeus had slain each of them before he had been with her as his wife. So the maids said to her, "Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You already have had seven and have had no benefit from any of them. 9Why do you beat us? If they are dead, go with them! May we never see a son or daughter of yours!" 10When she heard these things she was deeply grieved, even to the thought of hanging herself. But she said, "I am the only child of my father; if I do this, it will be a disgrace to him, and I shall bring his old age down in sorrow to the grave. 11So she prayed by her window and said, "Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and blessed is thy holy and honored name for ever. May all thy works praise thee for ever. 16The prayer of both was heard in the presence of the glory of the great God. 17And Raphael was sent to heal the two of them: to scale away the white films of Tobit's eyes; to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel in marriage to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmodeus the evil demon, because Tobias was entitled to possess her. At that very moment Tobit returned and entered his house and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper room.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 25:2-9
2O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. 6Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness' sake, O LORD! 8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
Gospel
Mark 12:18-27
18And Sad'ducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 19"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no children; 21and the second took her, and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22and the seven left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."
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