From this Day Forward...

~~~ 1 John 3:22-4:6 ~~~ Psalm 2 ~~~ Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 ~~~

Jesus has just endured the temptations in the desert.
He was more determined than ever to carry out
the purpose of his mission.
He was sent by the Father to preach repentance and to save us...
to love us unconditionally.
He eventually calls others to join him
in spreading this good news.

Upon hearing of John's imprisonment, Jesus moves into action.

Jesus, the Anointed one, through the power of the Holy Spirit
 is able to heal people from all types of affliction.

Jesus heals people in mind, body, and in spirit.
Jesus is all about change...
We must change.
In order to be saved we must change.
This change must be profound.
This change is not for show.
This change is not to impress others.
This change comes through the gift of faith.
Faith that comes from God alone.

...the people who sit in darkness
have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death
light has arisen.

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The kingdom of heaven is at hand because Jesus is now with us.
The Messiah has come; he has been honored by the
wise men of the East.
The time is now for you to also make changes.
The beginning of a new year is traditionally the time when
many people begin to at least think about changing.
Isn't that what new year resolutions are all about?
We want to improve...we want to get in shape...
we want to eat a healthy diet...
we want to get better organized...we want to do this and that.
But, I wonder if we truly wanted to change,
 would we always be making the same resolutions year after year?

We are jubilant with promises to ourselves.
Jesus calls us to a change that will last our entire lifetime.
The Holy Spirit will give us the grace to stay the course.

We know that Jesus walked this earth changing people along the way.
And he wants to change you today.
He wants to heal you in mind, body, and soul.
Your former days are of old.
A new dawn has begun filled with blessings for change.
May this new year bring about a lasting change in your life.
Peace be with you from this day forward.

Seeing Others as They Ought to Be

 

~~~ Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a ~~~ Psalm 33 ~~~ Matthew 10:1-7 ~~~

 

'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

 

Surely the kingdom of heaven was evident through the hands of Jesus.

Each miracle of healing...every word of mercy and compassion

 he was bringing the kingdom of heaven to Earth.

 

We pray in the Our Father...

thy kingdom come...as it is in heaven...

 

Can we deliver a piece of the kingdom of heaven today?

I believe this is exactly what we are called to do.

 

In the first reading today we have the familiar story of Joseph.

His brothers opted to sell into slavery instead of killing him out of their jealousy.

 

We find the tables have turned and the brothers are in need of their brother's help.

They are in danger of starving and it Joseph who can make the difference.

 

Joseph finds in his heart the goodness

to bring a piece of the kingdom of heaven

down to his corner of the world.

Joseph was in a position of power. He could have exercised revenge on his brothers.

He could have given them what they rightfully deserved life in prison,

but Joseph found goodness in his heart.

 

The Kingdom of Heaven is always about finding goodness.

The Kingdom of Heaven is pure love.

The Kingdom of Heaven is following the will of the Father.

 

 

Pharaoh directed all the Egyptians to go to Joseph
and do whatever he told them.

 

I found some curious parallels in this story between Joseph and Jesus.

 

At the wedding of Cana

 Mary tells the servants 'to do whatever he tells you'

referring to Jesus.

Here we have Pharaoh telling the Egyptians to do whatever Joseph tells them.

 

Joseph shares some of the same Jesus qualities.

 

It is Joseph who opened up the grain reserves for 'the whole world'.

It is Joseph who feeds the thousands...including his own brothers.

The very brothers who were willing to end his life.

 

Joseph conceals his identity from his brothers and locks them up for three days.

For three days they were confined to a prison cell.

Jesus was raised form the dead after three days.

The brothers have time to reflect on their guilt for the crimes against Joseph.

 

to be continued...

 

"God has to have two pictures of us:

one is what we are and the other is what we ought to be."

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

The World's First Love

 

By the grace of God, Joseph is able to see what his brothers

ought to be while they stand before him as they are.

 

Lord, let your mercy be on us...

 

The blessings today come through our ability

 to see others as they ought to be;

this is one way we can bring the Kingdom of Heaven to others.