The garden is nearly put to bed for the winter as mums pop full Yellow and White and Purple.
Mounds of beautiful enhance the bleak empty spaces where dead foliage was cut back.
A golden glow creeps across the fields.
The sound of harvesting machines provides a tranquil backdrop as I meditate on these quotes and the following scriptures.
Enjoy another week of God’s glory.
“Grace has five effects in us: first, our soul is healed; second, we will good; third, we work effectively for it; fourth, we persevere; fifth, we break through to glory.” Thomas Aquinas
“In His wondrous way God makes what seemed unbearable and painful and distressing, easily acceptable when we view it as a blessing.”
Helen Steiner Rice
“The proud man counts his newspaper clippings, the humble man his blessings.”
Fulton John Sheen
October 25 Ezra 3:1-3; Psalm 31,35; 1 Cor. 16:10-24; Matthew 12:22-32
Matthew 12:28 Jesus said, “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God then the kingdom of God has come upon you. :30 He who is not with Me is against Me. Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age or in the age to come.”
Jesus is teaching after a blind and deaf man came to Jesus and was healed. After being healed, the man spoke and he saw! The people are so busy struggling to survive, to pay their taxes to the emperor, to simply exist, that they have forgotten the power that surrounds them . . . the Holy Spirit.
Then Jesus gets right to the point. In these ‘old covenant’ days, the Holy Spirit swirled about looking for a soul that could be led back to God. He would come and go as needed. Jesus is saying [in my words], “Look at the power here to heal, I am not alone in this. I am part of a Holy Trinity who works together: Father, SON, and Holy Spirit. Open your hearts to Our presence! Get off the fence. Either come back to Us or not but don’t play the game [as the pharisees are doing] in order to meet your needs or further your own ambitions.”
Then we come to the words that trip up many devote Christians. “Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit
The people in the presence of Jesus had the power of God dwelling in their midst but did not recognize his power even after Jesus brings sight and sound to this man he healed. Because the people had turned from God, they could not see God’s presence in Jesus. Because they could not see God’s presence in Jesus they, in turn, could not see the powerful action of the Holy Spirit working through Jesus.
Think about it: Sometimes it is difficult to understand
If, indeed, we have made this statement of faith, the Lord’s grace and mercy will help us over the pitfalls of going back on our word. Once we commit to Him, our God will never leave us nor forsake us.
Knowing the Holy Spirit dwells within us permanently, if we intentionally speak against Jesus, the Christ, we speak against the Holy Spirit. If we speak against the Holy Spirit, we speak against God the Father. Sometimes we have to dig deep into our soul, meditate long and hard and think about our own relationship to God through his Son, being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Are you ‘all in’ for Jesus? Do you believe the power of
the Holy Spirit working within you can do mighty works to further the gospel? Are you brave enough to get off the fence and declare to the world that the Holy Spirit works powerfully through you because you asked the Lord, Jesus Christ, to empower you to do His will? Are you brave enough to ask the Lord to use you mightily each day, to pray for His grace to proclaim God’s presence, God’s power, God’s leading through the direction of the Holy Spirit?
Ask the Lord to ‘heal’ you of your blindness. Ask the Lord to give you a voice, a bold voice, a Holy Bold Voice to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. See what happens.
10-26 Ezra 4:7, 11-24; Psalm 30, 32, 42, 43; Philemon 1-25; Matthew 12:33-42
Philemon 1-25 is the whole letter from Paul .
:16 "No longer simply a slave but a beloved brother in
Christ."
:16 "No longer simply a slave but a beloved brother in
This very short letter is a plea for Philemon to have grace toward his run-away slave, Onesimus. While Paul was imprisoned, he just ‘happened’ to meet Onesimus and hear his story. It seems that Onesimus was a laggard to his master and may have stolen from him when he ran away.
Slaves were very common and even outnumbered the rest of the population. Unfortunately, Roman law says that any slave who runs away from his master gets the death penalty. Paul is quite blunt with Philemon as he asked Onesimus’ master to have the grace to take back his slave, now greatly changed. Onesimus, with Paul’s help, became a Christian, a ‘slave’ to Christ, and was willing to return to his master, make amends and pay back what was taken. Paul even offered recompense to Philemon. Most important was that Onesimus, a changed man, not be killed for his disobedience. Onesimus was now “No longer simply a slave but a beloved brother in Christ.”
Although Onesimus may have instantly chosen Jesus Christ as Lord of his life, change is not instant. Onesimus may have been tutored daily by Paul for months in order to learn about the love and grace and gifts bestowed upon him by God. The ‘fruit’ of his faith, dying to selfish ways and living to glorify the Lord, had to be evident before Onesimus returned to his master, Philemon.
Think about it: Some of us are no different than
Onesimus. We’ve become sloths toward our master, Jesus Christ, to whom we have chosen to be enslaved.
We may have run away by no longer spending daily time with the Lord or by not attending worship services in the community of other Christians.
Perhaps, if you have been dedicated enough to read these meditations you are not slothful but you notice the majority of people around you who call themselves Christians. Yet, you see nothing different in them than you see in others who may never have been inside a church. We can either be the ‘master’ and judge to those people or we can ask for grace and divine creativity to woo these ‘slaves to the world’ back into the loving arms of our Master, Jesus Christ. It’s no easy task.
Being open to others about the joy the Lord provides daily, as we dive into scriptures, may draw a ‘laggard’ back into the fold. Try it. See what happens.
10-27 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost year C
Sirach 35:12-17; Psalm 84:1-6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14
Luke 18:14b “He who exalts himself is humbled and he who humbles himself is exalted.”
In these verses we see the different attitudes of the tax collector who knows he is a sinner and is deeply humbled before God. We also observe the pharisee who has spent his life in God’s presence. Yet, the pharisee’s adherence to traditional forms of piety makes him think he has automatic entry into God’s abundant blessings. Far from it. We are called to die to self and pray in secret or in unison with others.
We are called into submission to One who is awesome, far greater than we can imagine, our Lord, our Savior. A humble attitude, words from the depth of our soul, our heart-murmurs, are graciously received by our Lord.
Think about it: Perhaps you have experienced some dedicated Christians who seem to pray long and loud and strong. When speaking against the devil, when laying
hands on another for healing prayer, this is very important. We must speak boldly against the evil that might block healing.
However, this parable speaks of our own prayer life or corporate prayer during the worship service. Have you watched the movie, “War Room”? This powerful prayer warrior actually had a closet in which she prayed long and hard. It was her private place to humble herself before the Lord yet boldly pray for herself and others. Her grace-filled life bloomed with the results of her prayer life.
In church, we have corporate prayer, like saying the Lord’s Prayer together. In corporate prayer we should be heard as one voice to God. The words, the rhythm, the power, the One-sound is like sweet incense to God. Yet, sometimes there is one person who says the words faster or louder or out of cinque. That person is trying to be set apart from the mass, trying to stand out when we are called to be one voice.
Next time you worship, if you recite prayers, the Creed or scripture corporately, listen to the rhythm as you recite together. Is there one voice trying to stand out in the crowd like that of a pharisee?
Try to seek out that voice and engage in friendly conversation. Be ready to listen. Ask for God’s grace to love her/him right where they are. Then ask the Lord how you can pray for that person in order to help her/him grown in humility. In doing so you’d be amazed how the Lord deals with our own humility. You may also have made a new friend.
10-28 Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles, are celebrated today
Deuteronomy 32:1-4; Psalm 119:89-96; Ephesians 2:13-22; John 15:17-27
Deuteronomy 32:2 [Moses sang:] “Let my teaching drop
as rain :3 For I proclaim the name of the Lord, ascribe greatness to our God! :4 The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and not injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”
Context is key. If you dive right into these verses you would not know that Moses’ audience consists of all the elders and Joshua, son of Nun, who was commissioned to lead in Moses’ place. This was a grand and poignant celebration of new ministry. Moses has done great things but is near the end of his life. He needs a leader who is pure, holy, totally committed to God and committed to leading these wayward Hebrew people. Yet, Moses is not speaking to Joshua alone but to the elders who have been called as ‘shepherds’ to help Joshua lead the Lord’s sheep.
Today’s scriptures describe the duty of the Apostles, Simon and Jude, who were ‘commissioned’ by Jesus to lead God’s wayward flock in the same way Joshua was called to
lead. This song may have been sung many times throughout Jewish history to remind the leaders that their teaching must be prolific. The people cannot learn how to worship the greatness of God, the Rock, who is perfect, unless they are taught repeatedly. These saintly leaders not only have to teach but live the life God called them to lead. Words do not matter if their lives do not imitate godly life by example.
Think about it: Have you ever been present at a celebration of new ministry? The person ‘called’ into a position of leadership has been screened by many people in the church. Discernment for leadership takes time. In fact, most people in the church would recognize the leadership qualities in this person well before that person is ‘called’ into ministry. It takes years to build up leadership skills and maturity in Christ. That person needs time to glean new insights and become part of this church community.
Have you been attending your church for a number of years? Have you grown in Christ to the point of leading in whatever ministry you are involved? Ask the Lord to give you discernment regarding your next step in ministry. As part of the body of Christ, we are all called into some sort of ministry. Sometimes we outgrow our role as sheep and know deep in our sole that we must take the next step into the role of ‘shepherd.’
Seek counsel from your elders or clergy regarding your walk in Christ. Perhaps it’s time to be a Joshua of sorts, an elder, a leader of a small group or whatever the Lord is putting on your heart. Celebrate your growth into new ministry !
In the Middle Ages people would disguise themselves in order to fool any evil spirits that might be wandering about. In Ireland people would carry candles in hollowed out turnips, carved with grotesques faces.
10-29 Ezra 5:1-17, Psalm 45, 47, 48; Revelation 4:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9
Ezra 5:1-17 The governor asked who issued the decree to finish the temple.
:13 “In the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King
Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild the temple.” :15 King Cyrus said, “Take these utensils, go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem and let the house of God be rebuilt in it’s place.”
Although the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon, Jerusalem was not governed by the Jews. The prophet Haggai preached to crowds for several months [August 29 - December 18, 520 B.C.] to continue rebuilding the temple. By October King Zerubbabel, meaning offspring of Babylon because he was born in Babylon, joined Haggai in his effort. Zerubbabel would be the last of the Dividic line to be entrusted with political authority by the occupying powers.
The Persian governor gave the Jews the benefit of the doubt and let them continue work on the temple while they inquired about this decree from King Cyrus. Not only was the decree found but, to the amazement of the foreign officials, all the treasure of the temple, utensils and items used for worship, were returned to the temple by order of King Cyrus.
The new king of Babylon understood enough about the Jewish God and the importance of their worship that he not only ‘let the people go’ but sent abundant treasure with those who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in order to rebuild the temple and properly worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It seems as if God prompted King Cyrus’ benevolence. Perhaps word swirled about the Persian empire that the God of the Jews is Holy, Almighty, and needs to be worshipped and glorified properly in an edifice where God could reside. King Cyrus heard the message.
As we have said before, returning to desolation and rebuilding is never easy. Tough, devoted Jews were motivated by their eagerness to worship God in the splendor of the Temple where they trusted that the presence of God would reside once the edifice was completed.
Think about it: God’s chosen people considered the
temple to be holy but could not comprehend God’s presence swirling about them 24/7/365. God was ‘out there’ and only by providing sacrifice could they come into the presence of God. It is still difficult for many to understand that Jesus, the Messiah, the anointed one, the one who came to us from the Father in human form, became our forever sacrifice. We no longer need a building to find God’s presence because Jesus, when He ascended into heaven, sent us an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to resided within any who, by faith, accept Jesus, the Christ, as our Lord.
Yes, we who are baptized into the Christian faith AND profess their faith in Christ Jesus, have the full presence of God within us to direct our path.
However, this does not excuse us from joining others in an edifice, a worship space, a place where God is
worshipped and glorified. As Christians we are called into community, to be One with God as a community. If, indeed, we believe in God’s ultimate sacrifice for us, we are called to sacrifice some of our time to worship and glorify the One who gave us His grace and mercy and ‘saved’ us from eternal separation from the Holy One.
How much time do you give each week to come into God’s presence and glorify Him? If you are satisfied with your commitment, how are you persuading others to do the same?
10-30 Ezra 6:1-22; Psalm 119:49-72, Psalm 49; Revelation 5:1-10; Matthew 13:10-17
Ezra 6:15 The temple was completed on the 3rd day
of Adar, the 6th year of the reign of King Darius, and the Israelites dedicated the temple and celebrated with joy. The exiles observed the Passover on the 14th day of the 1st month and the feast of the unleavened bread lasted 7 days with joy. The king of Assyria encouraged their worship of God.
It is interesting that the Persians, who do not practice animal sacrifice, would allow the Jewish people to conduct the blood sacrifice that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob mandated. It’s smelly and messy and hundreds of animals at a time are burnt as sweet offerings to God. This new temple has the same dimensions as the King Solomon’s massive temple and all costs are covered by the Persian government.
The King of Babylon specifically asked for the Jews to pray for him and his son. This might be prompted by Jeremiah’s request to the exiles to pray for the welfare of Babylon. By praying for those who held them in captivity, Jews became a positive influence and much was returned to them, including their freedom.
Although the dedication of this second temple seems extravagant because they sacrificed 712 animals, this is far less than the dedication of Solomon’s temple when the king offered 22,000 Oxen and 120,000 sheep. Twelve of the 700 represents the 12 tribes of Israel even though only the tribes of Benjamin, Judah and Levi were present.
Of note, vs. 19-22 are written regarding the
beginning of Passover. At this time the sacrificial lamb was offered for all who returned from exile. This would include Gentiles who believed in God and were circumcised. They all celebrated because the benevolent heart of the king of Assyria had turned toward them.
This is a multi-faceted celebration. Ezra writes of this event years later when the celebration of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are combined. Yet, Ezra also records the celebration of the completion of the temple and the return of the exiles . . . and the Joy in knowing that king of Assyria chooses to return to the Jews that which the Assyrians had stripped away from the them so many years ago.
They were celebrating new life! Passover had not been celebrated properly during captivity. The new temple afforded proper remembrance of the Passover sacrifice to give thanks for their salvation from slavery in Egypt. Remembrance means pulling out all the stops with a grand celebration. Their remembrance of the exodus was combined with a celebration of new life in Jerusalem after, once again, being freed from captivity.
Think about it: Can you imagine not being allowed to
worship the Lord in public, not being allowed to gather in community to celebrate God’s sacrifice of His Son for us?
Can you imagine being in a country where you had to hide your faith in Christ knowing you would be killed if authorities found out?
This is real, today.
Are you amazed at the powerful God we serve, love, adore and worship?
God is powerful for good, not bad.
Can you think of a situation where God so impressed a non-Christian that the person’s benevolence poured out onto Christian community?
There are many leaders who might follow another god but, because they understand that the Christians among them only want the best for their leaders, they show grace and mercy toward believers in Christ.
Can you better understand the privilege we have to openly worship our Lord?
We are more than blessed.
What ways to you Celebrate your relationship with Christ daily?
How do you show this openly in this country where we have freedom to do so?
Talk about this with other Christian and non-Christians. Spread the word, be open, CELEBRATE!
October 31 All Hallows Eve
Nehemiah 1:1-11; Psalm 50 or 33; Revelation 5:11—6:11; Matthew 13:18-23
Psalm 50:23a “He who offers a sacrifice of
thanksgiving honors Me.”
“Halloween use to be a pagan Celtic autumn festival of Samhain celebrated in the British isles before the arrival of Christianity. Historians recorded that Samhain involved lighting bonfires against the onset of winter darkness and making offerings of crops and livestock to appease threatening otherworldly forces.
In the mid-8th century Pope Gregory III declared that All Saints Day (All Hallows Day) would be celebrated on November 1. So the night before, October 31, would become All Hallows Eve or Halloween.
The Christian holiday was observed with masses and prayers, but in parts of the British Isles people also continued the old rituals associated with Samhain: building bonfires, ringing bells and lighting candles to scare away evil spirits.
There was also the practice of ‘souling’ when people would go door to door begging for ‘soul cakes,’ small current biscuits, which were offered in exchange for prayers.
Halloween may have been brought to America by the Scots who settled in Appalachia during the colonial period but it did not become well known until the 19th century when Irish immigrants introduced their Halloween traditions, including masquerading and parading through the neighborhood asking for fruit, nuts and coins. [Edited from an article in WSJ 2018 by Dr. Regina Hansen, Master Lecturer of Rhetoric at Boston University.]
Halloween (October 31st) is connected with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). These three days are the “Days of the Dead,” a triduum also known as Allhallowtide or Hallowmas, reminding the faithful of the reality of heaven and hell and the communion of saints.
Think about it: Psalm 50:23 is poignant for All Hallows Eve. As we prepare to celebrate the lives of the saints who have gone before us, we open our doors to little beggars. Today’s rush to get the most candy was
yesterday’s desire to scare away evil spirits in order to make way for the saints. We now offer our time and may go out of our way to purchase treats so the children can show off their favorite costume and frolic through the neighborhood with others.
It’s a wonderful time to show kindness and promote the spirit of giving. Yet, because evil reigns in this very secular world, we must tame the joy and re-direct attention to “Trunk or Treat” where vetted vehicles can share their goodies in a well monitored parking lot.
No matter the circumstances, we are to honor our Lord. Do you participate in these wonder-filled activities? Do you or your children dress as great saints like Joan of Arc or Gregory the Great or even Saint Nicholas? Perhaps this is a time to think of ways to dress differently from the choices of the secular world.
It’s a great way to prepare our hearts for tomorrow’s celebration of thanksgiving for the lives of the saints who paved the way for the Gospel of Christ Jesus in order to change lives.
