~~~ Romans 6:19-23 ~~~ Psalm 1 ~~~ Luke 12:49-53 ~~~
We typically think of Baptism as an entrance to a new life with God.
It is most often a person would be Baptized with holy water.
But Jesus is speaking today about his Baptism, not of water
but of death his own death.
Jesus dies for us and then he enters into his heavenly
home to be with the Father.
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Clearly Jesus was distraught over his crucifixion and death
yet he remained obedient to the will of the Father.
Although you may be witnessing peace and harmony,
it may cause discord and ill feelings among your family members.
Sometimes without saying a word you can be the reason
another person may feel uncomfortable.
As the become increasingly more uncomfortable
they may even begin to distance themselves from you.
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
It is most often a person would be Baptized with holy water.
But Jesus is speaking today about his Baptism, not of water
but of death his own death.
Jesus dies for us and then he enters into his heavenly
home to be with the Father.
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Clearly Jesus was distraught over his crucifixion and death
yet he remained obedient to the will of the Father.
Although you may be witnessing peace and harmony,
it may cause discord and ill feelings among your family members.
Sometimes without saying a word you can be the reason
another person may feel uncomfortable.
As the become increasingly more uncomfortable
they may even begin to distance themselves from you.
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
I heard a priest say one day that if the gospel message does
not make you feel uncomfortable then you are not truly living it.
not make you feel uncomfortable then you are not truly living it.
God has promised us the grace to stay on the path
to get to our heavenly home,
but he never said it would come without pain.
He never said it would be easy....
instead he does encourage us to take up our cross daily.
Sometimes that cross is loving a family
that is divided in beliefs and practices.
to get to our heavenly home,
but he never said it would come without pain.
He never said it would be easy....
instead he does encourage us to take up our cross daily.
Sometimes that cross is loving a family
that is divided in beliefs and practices.
He never said you would enjoy the long and winding path.
He never promised you would not suffer heart aches.
He never promised that the flames of a divided
family would be extinguished.
In spite of how discourage and heart broken we may feel at times.
We can hold on to one thing...
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
It takes great courage to ask the Lord to purify your soul.
...the benefit that you have leads to sanctification...
...the benefit that you have leads to sanctification...
Just as fire purifies gold and silver we too are led to these flames
through the example of Jesus himself.
Allow God to set your heart a fire with the flames of hope.
Blessings come from keeping you eyes set on the Lord.
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