Dine on His Words

~~~ Amos 8:4-6, 9-12 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Matthew 9:9-13 ~~~ 

Go and learn the meaning of the words,

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

The prophet Amos warns his audience that their 

dishonest plans are going to cost them dearly.

He goes on to tell them of God's response in his displeasure.

God does not take kindly to lying, cheating and stealing.

Then shall they wander from sea to sea

and rove from the north to the east

In search of the word of the LORD,

but they shall not find it.

This is a sharp contrast from Jesus' 

invitation to follow him.

Jesus wants his followers to understand 

the deeper meaning of his words.

For His words are spirit and life.

If you are walking the path of evil and deception;

you are shutting down your ability to draw

 meaning from his words.

This is why Amos was so frustrated with his audience.

They had chosen the path of evil which 

was opposed to hearing the words of God.

One does not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

When on the path of evil the heart cannot be satiated.

Ones heart and soul can only be satisfied 

by living within the living word of God.

The word of God is the primary

nourishment for the soul.

Taste and See.

Blessed to have His precious words.

~~~Peace~~~

First Be Reconciled

~~~ Kings 18: 41-46 ~~~ Psalm 65 ~~~ Matt. 5: 20-26 ~~~

I heard today's gospel verses with new ears. As I have written before scripture is truly the living word of God. It meets us wherever we are...it takes us to new heights and depths of understanding.

The words I most often remember hearing from this gospel are...

"Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift."

Those words had always made an impact on me because it shows how directly connected we must be with our prayer life and our daily life,

We cannot just come to church and pretend all is right in our lives

when we are harboring ill feelings toward another.

If you know that someone is holding something against you;

it just might be up to you to make the first move.

You may be the one who has to reach out in forgiveness and understanding.

And this is often very hard to do...

believe me I know I have been in that place.

I previously thought this passage was referring to actual hatred.

Yes, I know we are to love one another so I usually let this gospel

tumble down beside me.

Hating someone is really not in my nature, no matter how upset I am.

But today the words that popped out to me were those from earlier in the passage...

"...whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment..."

Anger...what is the driving force behind anger? Why do we hold on to it?

How does it serve us? Is it ever justifiable?

Being angry does not mean that you are ready to kill someone, but it tarnishes your soul. Anger makes you less likely to appreciate even your own relationship with God.

Anger gets in the way. Anger is like a huge weight attached to your heart and soul.

Anger is so huge that we have classes for anger management. Anger left to run unbridled can result in serious consequences. Road rage comes to mind.

Taking one's anger into the car and acting it out

behind the wheel can literally kill someone.

What an awful thought.

Anger cannot be left to its own outcomes, because it has no built in controls.

Anger is like a snowball rolling down hill. It keeps gaining speed and increasing in size until it either hits bottom or crashes into a larger obstacle.

Anger must be controlled from without through a conscious effort and hard work.

Uncontrolled anger can lead us to a place we would otherwise never have ventured.

People say love is blind; well anger takes this concept of blindedness to a whole different dimension.

"...leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled..."

Leaving your gift at the altar requires you to think about the other person. Leaving your gift at the altar means leaving your ego there as well. If you do not leave your gift of yourself then reconciling with another is more difficult.

Reconciling without your self means setting aside your agenda, your feeling...your ego. Do not carry anger with you to the altar. It will only make you feel like a hypocrite on the inside; even if only you know.

Anger cannot become a part of one who is completely in love with God.

For our wel-being of mind body and spirit we must train ourselves to let go of anger.

Anger deeply held for years can cause serious health complications.

If you are troubled with anger issues seek guidance. It may take professional counseling. Don't let anger eat up your insides and tarnish your heart.

 The greatest commandment is love

because it is both

easy and difficult to love

depending on the circumstances.

"...be reconciled...
and then come and offer your gift."

Anger shatters your gift before you are able to give freely of yourself.

Take Courage in Jesus

~~~ Acts 19: 1-8 ~~~ Psalm 68 ~~~ John 16: 29-33 ~~~

"...when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them..."

"...Now we realize that you know everything...

you do not need to have anyone question you...

we believe that you came from God..."

"...In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."

The readings today should give us some consolation for the times when we do not seem to be understood. For years Jesus had been preaching, teaching, healing, forgiving, even feeding the apostles and his disciples, but they still could not grasp his real message.

Finally the 'light bulb' so to speak has come on...they are getting the message.

Oftentimes in my life something I have heard many times finally falls into my heart with new meaning...or rather with the intended meaning.

I am sure you too have had those 'AHA' experiences.

One thing I treasure about scripture is that no matter how many times you hear a scripture passage there comes a day when you hear it with 'new' ears.

You are in a different place in your life. Things have happened to change who you are from the heart...both positive and negative.

We never know what God has in store for us. Scripture truly is the living word of God.

Anyone that believes otherwise is just fooling themselves. The Bible is timeless yet holds a timely message for each of us. No matter what is happening in your life there is an appropriate scripture passage.

I would have enjoyed meeting St. Paul. It is obvious from today's reading that he was indeed an instrument of God. Paul was gifted with powers from the Holy Spirit that he could pass on. I wonder...what does it feel like to have the Holy Spirit come upon you?

Those in Corinth spoke in tongues and prophesied, but does not the Holy Spirit come upon each one of us.

I pray to be open to the Holy Spirit in my life, but I do not speak in tongues nor can I prophesy. What I can do is be aware of when the Holy Spirit is working through me and give him thanks, credit, and praise.

I welcome the opportunity to be the conduit of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus leaves us with such beautiful words in today's scripture...

'...have peace in me...take courage...

I have conquered the world.'

When can come to Jesus with anything and he will understand.

Open yourself to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.