Aloha Friday Message – December 2, 2022 – But wait! There’s MORE!

December 2, 2022

2049AFC120222 – But wait! There’s MORE!

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

    Isaiah 11:9-10 – 9 They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Psalm 72:7-8 – 7 In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Romans 15:8-9a – 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

Matthew 3:10 – 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:21-23 – 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'”

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you on this the Second Sunday of Advent. There are some truly powerful Scripture passages associated with all three cycles of this celebration. In Cycle A we begin with the proclamation that a descendant of Jesse will set in motion a time of Peace. In Cycle B Isaiah proclaims we are to prepare the way for the Lord, and the Epistle from 2 Peter tells us to remain Holy, and john the Baptizer wars us to repent and wait for the One who baptizes with fire. In Cycle C we have a rare reading from the Prophet Baruch proclaiming Israel will see God’s Glory. In the Gospel, we again meet John the Baptizer and consider his relationship to Jesus. All three of the Synoptic gospels – the Gospels that recount the life of Jesus in “parallel” – the importance of John’s ministry of preaching repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah is given great importance.

This year we are in Cycle A, and the readings remind us that the Messiah will reign supreme over all things, he will bring Peace and Justice to all, and Jesus’ reign will extend to Jews and Gentiles forever. This was a shocking message to the Jews of Jesus’ time! “Even Samaritans?!?!” they asked. In the account of Jesus meeting the Smartian woman at the well, the parable of the Good Samaritan, and – while in the region of Tyre and Sidon – the Canaanite (a gentile also referred to as Syrophoenician) woman received healing for her daughter. Jesus granted that request. Recall also the healing of the 10 lepers, among which was a Samaritan and the only one to return and thank Jesus. All of these accounts help us to better understand the openness we must have to those whom we find disturbing, or oppressive, or even violently prejudiced against us. Jesus is Ruler over them, too, and – like us – he expects them to “repent and believe the Gospel.” Jesus also knows that many of them will not do that, and that some of them will claim to have worked miracles on his behalf. We recall that in today’s last Key Verse from Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus calls them out for what they are – people who were actually trying to con others into believing that they possessed the power to do those things thereby depriving God of the credit for miracles. The other Key Verse that deals with this is Matthew 3:10. This is a quote from the ministry of John the Baptizer. The self-righteous Pharisees and Sadducees were putting on a show for the people by stepping forward to be baptized, but without repentance. John is warning them (as Jesus frequently does later) that “the axe is lying at the root of the trees.” God’s salvation is available for the repentant, but the unrepentant will be cut down and cast into the oblivion of God’s absence.

In Advent we usually concentrate our meditations on the coming of Jesus, the angels and the shepherds, the Manger, and the Wise Men from the East. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Do you remember the most important event in Scripture? If you page back to 2212AFC032522 – Our Five Sons you will find this: “Today we recall the very crux of Infinity. I have said before that the place where the two loops cross is the Manger. I learned recently that I need to back that up about nine months to the date of March 25th. Do you know what date that is in the Church calendar? It is the date on which everything in the B.I.B.L.E. is based – and most of us call it by the wrong name! It is indeed called The Feast of the Annunciation, but it is also the DAY OF THE INCARNATION! That is the day The Christ of God took on flesh and became Emauel. We celebrate his birth as Christmas, but he could not have been born as human if he had not been conceived as human!

The entire Bible continually points to and insists on God’s requirements for humanity. He values formal worship, to be sure, but he values even more the actions of men and women who are righteous, just, kind, and humble. (therefore we cite Isaiah 11:9-10) It not just “churchianity;” it is the commitment to living the life of service to God and neighbor which he requires of those whom he blesses. God is always equitable giving to each whatever is most needed for a blesséd life. His gifts are our protection against evil. When we refuse those gifts, when we refuse to honor him by serving our neighbors with justice and mercy for all, then we lose those gifts. We are then subject to the evil that God’s good Gifts prevent from harming us; we suffer the consequences of our disobedience. In times like these, people often quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 – 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. There is still a good lesson in that. Those who violate the innocent risk the wrath of God – and that includes those who ignore God as well as those who oppose God. When we act without Mercy upon others, we can expect that others will not be merciful with us. Jeremiah 22:3 – 3 Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place.

You perhaps can see now that Advent is more than just waiting for Baby Jesus. As we recently learned in a homily by Rev. Fr. Patrick McCormick (former Naval Chaplain and now at Mililani for St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church), the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם – place or house of bread) Beth Lechem (↔ Learning Link) was ALSO THE ARRIVAL – the Advent – of everything Jesus said and did as the Messiah, the Christ of God. That enhanced paradigm is what keeps many of us going back to Scripture over and over and over because the impact of it is ginormous! Let’s see if you remember this oft-used image of an ancient olive tree sprouting a new branch:

In the First Reading for this Sunday, we turn to Isaiah 11:1-10 which begins with

1 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

(See 1649AFC120216 – 2nd Advent) From there I quote: “Olive trees can live to be hundreds of years old. As they age they become more gnarled and even hollow, but they still produce fruit – good fruit! Eventually, though, a tree stops producing fruit, and is cut down. The stump is left. The extensive root system that formerly feed the ancient tree is still in the earth. It continues to feed the wood in the stump. With careful attention, the stump can send forth a shoot that grows to be a new olive tree. It is tender and fragile like any sapling, but it has a tremendous advantage – an extensive, well-established, efficient root system! The sapling can be easily broken off or munched by an animal, but if the one who tends the grove takes care of the shoot – it grows and produces excellent fruit often in greater quantity than before. That is Isaiah’s message. God is saying, “I’m going to cultivate a new tree from the roots of the old, and the new tree will give you everything the old one did and even more.”

The Ancient Root of Jesse is still in place, and the fruit from the New Branch (↔ Music Link) is ours. (See Zechariah 6:12 and Jeremiah 33:15) Everything that was old will be made new. It’s the most fascinating feature of the APP! We can see how this marvelous Truth is given to us unceasingly in Scripture such as Romans 15:4 – 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. Advent is the Season for our preparation for Hope in Jesus, the Christ of God and all that God directed him to do as we read in John 12:48-49 – 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, 49 for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. (That should sound familiar; we’ve used it before.) Everything from “Let there be” in Genesis to “ 20 The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.” Every single Word and Message of God’s Absolutely Perfect Plan begins with The Incarnation and ends … NEVER!! That is why we celebrate Jesus at the beginning of the new liturgical year and all the way to the beginning of the next liturgical year. Jesus is coming, he is here among us in the Tabernacle and in our hearts, and in his given Word, the Only Begotten Son and – by adoption – our Brother. With that in mind, I’d venture to modify the adage “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” I’d like to say, “Jesus is the Reason for Everything.” O how I love Jesus! (↔ Music Link) because he fulfills every promise of God in the APP.

But Wait! There’s more!

Galatians 4:4-5 – 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. There is a Plan, it is perfect, and we are part of if only we will Repent and Believe the Gospel. Every Good Gift is coming to us as a baby in a manger up to a Savior Ascending into Heaven and far, far beyond to the past and the future. Blesséd be God Forever! In Advent we are not JUST watching with anticipation for the Baby Jesus, but we are truly waiting for the coming of everything Jesus ever was, is, or will be at the Nexus of Infinity for all and peace (↔ Music Link) abound, until the moon is no more.. Hold out your apron (Luke 6:38), because there’s a BIG batch of Good Gifts coming your way comprised of all of God’s Best Stuff! That happens because On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious,in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

YOU GET TO KEEP IT FOREVER AND THERE’S NO ADDITIONAL FEE OR AND UNSEEN COSTS! What a GOOD God we have, and he has come to live with us!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!

Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Aloha Friday Message – Guess who’s coming to the Banquet.

November 25, 2022

2248AFC112522 – Guess who’s coming to the Banquet.

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

Isaiah 2:3c – For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Psalm 122:6-7 – 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.”

Romans 13:11-14 – 11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Matthew 24:42 – 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

 

Aloha nui loa, ʻŌmea! May Peace always be with you and may God bless you, Belovéd! This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. I was thinking back about the various series we have done over the years. It was tempting to go back to the Aloha Friday Message Mercy Series (↔ Click Link) and reissue them in edited and updated form. That was contrary to the guidance already in heart and mind for this post – the idea of watchful waiting during Advent. Advent means coming, a beginning, a dawn, a start, an anticipated arrival of an important person, event, or object. For Christians, and especially Catholic Christians, it is the season of reflection, discernment, and anticipation for the birth of Jesus – Christmas.

“But everyone loves Christmas, and we all look forward to it. We know ‘Jesus IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON,’ but there is so much more to anticipate with joy!” Yes, that is certainly true. We all have more than one reason to look forward to Christmas; not all of us, though, are ready for the Season of Advent. This particular season of Advent is the beginning of Cycle A of the Liturgy.

Cycle A is essentially a process of preparing us for baptism and for understanding the principals behind our baptismal vows. Most of the Gospel readings are from the Gospel of Matthew. The first Sunday of Advent (which is the first Sunday of the liturgical year) uses Matthew’s account of Jesus’ warning to be vigilant because we will not know the day or hour of his return. Matthew’s Gospel covers Jesus’ ministry with emphasis on compassion and forgiveness – Mercy. Its focus is on the early Christian community among the Jews. Matthew portrays Jesus as “the New Moses,” leading his people out of the wilderness of sin and into the Promised Land of The Kingdom of God. Matthew makes sure they (and we) fully understand that Jesus is a man, a Jewish man, a son of Abraham and Israel who is the True Son of God. In this Gospel, Jesus’ followers frequently beg him for mercy. Jesus takes the Jewish leaders – the Scribes and Pharisees – to task for failing to show mercy. In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us, his Disciples “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” (See Matthew 5:7). Because of this theme of compassion and mercy leading to forgiveness, I’m going to include a link at the end of every Aloha Friday Message during this Advent season for Liturgical Year 2023, Cycle A (← Check it out!) that will take you to a previous post on Mercy that is posted on the MBN website.

There you have it, the background for the four Sundays of this Advent season. For each Sunday we will follow our customary practice of choosing a key verse from the readings, amplifying the meanings and background of that passage, and then – at the end of the message – there will be a “supplementary link” to allow us to reflect on the importance, the effects, and the reality of God’s Mercy in our own lives. We all know (or should know) that it is only the Mercy of Grace that makes it possible to be prepared for the return of Christ. As we prepare to welcome Christ the King as a baby during Advent, we also prepare – at least in our hearts – for the day or hour our Lord is coming, “for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” For the past 2000 years we have been waiting. During the first century after Jesus established the Church, people really believed that his coming back was imminent – during their lifetimes. Hence, the Apostle Paul frequently warned the early Church to stay vigilant, to be faithful to the Apostolic Gospel, and to be ready … to WAIT. That is what we are told to do – to watch and wait. Let’s take a quick scriptural survey of WAIT.

We wait with “constant vigilance” for the coming of Jesus first as a baby in a manger, then as the King of Kings ascending the Throne of the Cross, and now – today and until “as long as it takes” – we wait for the day and the hour he will return in Glory. Let the evil one prosper and scoff. WE know how to wait and why we’re waiting. Here’s why:

2 Peter 3:3-9 – 3 First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!” 5 They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, 6 through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.
   8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you*, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. * Some translations read “on your account,” or “for your sake” and YES, he is coming back!

BUT GUESS WHO ELSE IS COMING TO THE BANQUET! Let me give you a few clues. First of all, we don’t have to wait for him. He’s been prowling Earth since Eden was made.

Daniel 7:25 – 25 He shall speak words against the Most High,
shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High,
and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law;
and they shall be given into his power
for a time, two times, and half a time.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 – 9 The coming* of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, 10 and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, 12 so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned. *This word is παρουσία, and in this instance refers to the coming of Antichrist. In another passage it refers to the Incarnation as the First Parousia. You will also find it in Matthew 24:37-39 where Jesus informs us about “the coming of the Son of Man,” his return as promised at the Ascension. (↔ My Favorite Learning Link)

When we are called to the Banquet, it will be because we believed – and lived – what is True, that Jesus Christ is Lord. The coming of godless earthlings, transgressors of the Law of Peace in Christ Jesus, do Satan’s bidding in all their actions. They will also hear the call, but they will refuse to come, and even if they show up, they won’t be admitted to even so much as sitting at the “kid’s table” because they have refused to be God’s children. (↔ Learning Link) They heard, but did not heed, the promise For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. That Word taught us everything we need to know to be prepared from the New Jerusalem, and Satan will have prepared his children for damnation (See Revelation 20:7–10).

It is past the time for America to wake up and smell the carnage. We have seen the signs of the eschatos (ἔσχατος), the last and farthest reach of human history when all of this present reality and its darkness (↔ Click Link) will be transformed: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. Much more will happen before that last moment comes, but during our wait we must remember to – 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.” (that’s a prayer we can use) – because if we do, we will also be praying for the New Jerusalem to open its gates to issue forth the King, the Angels, and the Saints. We must not forget the warning in Zechariah 12:9 – 9 And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Then Jesus the Lord will invite his guests into the Gates as in Revelation 21:6-8 – “To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless,* the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” *faithless = unbelievers

We cannot conquer if we do not fight. (↔ Learning Link) The Foe is at the door, crouching outside the door (See Genesis 4:6-7) to barge in and destroy, but he and the Death he brings are doomed.

Every living soul is today one day closer to that moment when Time ends. That is what The Apostle Paul means when he said, “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. So, have you guessed who’s coming to the Banquet? It’s not the ones who “… speak words against the Most High, [who] shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High, and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law.” Wake up America, because it is and will be as Jesus said: Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. As we’ve said before “Be ready, get set, and WAIT!!” Waiting in Hope is what distinguishes us from those whose hope is the World, not the Lord.

When we look around us and see so much violence, hatred, suffering, senseless behaviors, death, destruction, and despair, we rest at Peace in the Hope OF Peace: Romans 15:13 – 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. IT’S IN THE APP!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!

Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Aloha Friday Message – November 18, 2022 – Biblical Four-Letter Words

November 18, 2022

2247AFC111822 – Biblical Four-Letter Words

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

    Luke 23:42-43 – 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in* Paradise.” * εἰς (eis) {ice} into, in, unto, to, upon, towards, for, among properly penetrating or entering into an open place; inside of.

Colossians 1:15-16 – 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things have been created through him and for him.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (See Galatians 1:3-5) This coming Sunday marks the end of liturgical year C and the end of my 75th year on Earth. November 27, 2022 marks the beginning of the Season of Advent. The proper liturgical name for this Sunday is The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. A Solemnity is the highest-ranking celebration of a particular mystery of faith. Some examples are Christmas, Epiphany, Holy Trinity, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and so on. This weekend’s Solemnity in this cycle focuses on the Kingship of Jesus. It is paired with the Old Testament reading describing the third anointing of King David.

You may recall that in 1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anointed David prophetically to be the King of Israel because King Saul had been rejected by God. Next, in 2 Samuel 2:4-7, the men of Judah anointed David King of the House of Judah. Then, after and extend wait, we read in 2 Samuel 5:1-5 that “all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.” Jesus was also crowned as King of the Jews, but his crown was a crown of thorns. Despite Satan’s glee over the death of Jesus, when Jesus was resurrected, he reclaimed his Crown of Glory which he had in Heaven with his Father before his Incarnation. In the New Testament, we hear Jesus called “Son of David.” We know from The Apostle Matthew’s account of Jesus’ genealogy that his lineage was traced back to King David. None of that, however, kept him from willingly giving up his life as a ransom – redemption, payoff, release, deliverance – of all earthlings for the wages of sin. He was obedient to his father, obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Please see Philippians 2:5-15 which is considered by many to be an ancient Christian hymn. (↔ Music Link) Often called the kenotic (meaning emptying) hymn, the first half describes Christ as humbly emptying himself of his Divinity to become as human as Adam before his fall, and the second half describes the actions of God who exalted him above all others thereby restoring humanity’s access to the Presence of God.

In today’s Key Verse, we have a “quick peek” into the effect of that restoration. First we can see that Jesus knows what is coming – his death, his time in Sheol, his Resurrection – and ultimately – his reunion with his Father, his Apostles, and the penitent criminal dying next to him. We don’t actually know his name, but he is referred to as “St. Dismas” (or Δυσμάς) Dysmas which means “to the west where the sun sets,” a reference to death). When Jesus said, “You will be with me in Paradise,” that’s where the title of this lesson arose, and why I showed you the Greek word used there. It is easily translated in that context as “into.” Into is one of those four letter words that we see very often in Scripture. Let’s make a short list of a few other four-letter words found in Scripture:

We begin, of course, with Love, for God is Love and is the Beginning of All that IS. Then we have the main Key Verse word for this set of readings – King – followed by hate, dead, live (as alive) and live (as in living), Lord, give, holy, amen, good, evil, fear, hope, book, help, star, days, when, with, come, neck, fell, fall, this, (↔ Learning Link) bend, and into. Every single one of those is used in common speech, but when they are used in Scripture, they become uncommon because they are uttered by, for, or about God. It is illuminating and edifying for us to understand how Israel got a King in the first place. It came about because of poor management by the sons of Eli and Samuel. First, Eli appointed two sons named Hophni and Phineas to the Temple as Priests. They profoundly abused their privileges as they showed contempt for the offerings to God by misusing them outside the rules for Levites. They also were having “relations” with women who “served” at the entrance of the tent of meeting. The Lord disposed of them in a battle with the Philistines when Eli’s sons were killed in the battle. When a soldier delivered the news to Eli, he was so alarmed he fell backwards off a chair and broke his neck.

Samuel was the next Judge (↔ Learning Link → Please open it to help clear up misconceptions about this title.) and, although he was the one who anointed David to be King, his two sons – Joel and Abijah – were appointed by their father to be Judges over Israel. (See 1 Samuel 8) They “took bribes and perverted justice” God had chosen Samuel to be a Judge but Israel rejected him. They wanted a king like the other nations. Samuel asked God about that and God basically told him, “They have rejected ME as their King, so let them have what they want and they will see that they have chosen wrongly.” You know the rest of the story. Saul was the first mashiach (המשיח, messiah), a title held by all the Kings of Israel whether good or evil. The penultimate King is and will be Jesus until The Day of Reward. On that day, the ultimate King – God-as-Creator – will return to be the Ultimate King of All Creation as he is, and was, and shall be always and all ways.

Jesus the Christ is God personified and visible as human. In our second Key Verse, The Apostle Paul describes this relationship. He is the firstborn of all Creation, and the firstborn of the dead. Eve and Adam – and after them all of us – were created in the image and likeness of God (See Genesis 1:27). We read in John 1:18 – 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. Jesus shares this new relationship with us through Baptism by which we become the children of God: John 1:12-13 – 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. The Apostle Paul addresses a grievous error exposed in the church at Colossae. They had warped the teachings of The Way to include a heavy dose of Greek philosophy by believing that all matter was evil and so they had proposed a chain of beings between Earth and Heaven, each growing holier and more spiritual. He names some of the Choirs of Angels (↔ Learning Link) to jolt them into understanding that in all things, Christ is preeminent (↔ Learning Link) and all-sufficient (El Shaddai). Therefore there is no need for this chain of beings for Christ alone is sufficient, the sole mediator between God and all Creation. (See 1 Timothy 2:5-7) He is the Earthly manifestation of his Father as fully human, and the heavenly manifestation of restored humanity as fully divine. Nothing or no one can replace him for he is the refulgence of God’s Glory and Grace. (Please read Hebrews 1:3-5 for an inspiring description)

In the Gospel passage for this Sunday’s Solemnity, just a few lines up the page from our first Key Verse, we read in Luke 23:35-38 – 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” Pontius Pilot saw Jesus more as a threat to his own power in part because he suspected Jesus was a King and therefore a rival to him and to Tiberius Caesar. Every time I hear this passage I am reminded of Psalm 22 (↔ Learning Link), the prophetic Psalm that makes my heart shudder because I know he suffered like that for my sake. Yet I also know that Psalm 22 ends with praises of and for God the Father. Jesus knew he would be reigning with God the Father as King of the Universe.

But, something else happened – two other four-letter words – that changed everything. Jesus ROSE from the DEAD. He had told his Apostles in advance all that would happen to him. Right after the account of Jesus meeting two men on the road to Emaus, he appeared to the Apostles in the Cenacle where they were hiding “for fear of the Jews. They were so astonished by his presence that they again thought (↔ Click Link) they were seeing a ghost: Luke 24:44 – 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” (Please use the link to see this in its glorious context.)

It is an incredible view to look back over all the Scriptures and see the Pure Truths God has given us: God is the Supreme King of the Universe. We are created in his image and likeness, through Faith, and not by works, we are justified in Christ Jesus so that – like him – we are gifted the roles of Priest, Prophet, and King. God is Lord of all, (↔ Music Link) and ultimately all will be subject to him and glorify him when Christ himself submits all who are in him to his Father and then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. See 1 Corinthians 15:23-28 for the full context. Really, really, do it, please) If you haven’t the time to do that, please do read Roman 8:28 – 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Brothers and Sisters, THAT is the APP summed up in 21 words and especially four-letter words – know, work, good, Love.

Do we see the continuity that makes all of history ↔ HIS STORY? Belovéd, God – our Triune King and Creator – has planned that “All things work together for good?” (↔ Music Link). Now we also know why we can see and believe that promise in Jeremiah 29:11 – 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jesus knew and believed that even as he was dying. He knew that he was headed for Paradise, and that he would meet Dysmas there because he remembered (↔ Music Link) him when they went into his Kingdom. Take out your M.A.P. We’re following the path Dysmas took, for in Christ alone (↔ Music Link) we have access to what El Shaddai created for those whom he loves – Paradise in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Let’s not skip over the four-letter words God has given us for Worshipping him. God watches over every word to see to it that his Word has the effect he intends. Let’s not skip over them but, instead, cherish all his words in our hearts that we might not sin against him. (See Psalm, 119:11 in many translations)

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!

Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Aloha Friday Message – November 11, 2022 – Try chance it.

November 11, 2022

2246AFC111122 – Try chance it!

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

     Luke 21:17-19 – 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Luke 21:22 – 22 for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written.

Luke 21:28 – 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Malachi 4:1-2a – [a] (↔ Click Link[a]) 1 See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.

Aloha pumehana, a me ke akua ho’omaika‘i ‘oe, ʻŌmea! Warmest Aloha, and may God bless you, Belovéd! Today we grab up choke dakine Bible verses and try chance it for not all hamajang. ≡ Today we’ll present many Bible verses and try not to make it all disorganized. Try chance it? That means take the risk, it could be a good one.

First I take an opportunity to greet and express appreciation for our fellow Veterans on this important holiday. SA-A-A-A-A-H-LUTE!!

We begin our study with unraveling a mystery. In the Lectionary – the book of readings used during Mass – and on the USCCB  website for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Old Testament reading is marked as “Malachi 3:19-20a.” That is the designation of the text for the Hebrew version of Malachi. The NABRE uses the Hebrew presentation form. In many other translations (such as the NRSVCE), the passage is labeled as “Malachi 4:1-2.” That is why our fourth Key Verse location differs from what is in the lectionary and on the web page at USCCB . Malachi is the last book of prophecy in the Bible, and has some spectacular readings and quotable quotes. A couple of my favorites are “Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me!” (See Malachi 3:8). Another is “We call the arrogant blessed; for evil doers not only prosper but even test God and escape.” Doesn’t that seem like the case today? Consider what happened this week in our “midterm election.”

Several states took action to make abortion “legal,” i.e., parents and healthcare workers are exempted from the punishment for murdering unborn children. Some other states have laws so that family members and healthcare workers are exempted from the punishment for euthanizing persons who have requested it. Both have been “legal” in Hawaiʻi for a long time. That saddens me greatly, first because both of those things should be unthinkable, and secondly because the persons promoting and performing these murderous actions seem to  actually believe saying it is legal will make it so in God’s eyes. As we have stated here before (and often), they are in for one hell of a surprise. The talking heads on the MSMOs claimed that “60% of Americans believe (↔ Click Link) that abortion should be legal.” Researchers also claim that 69% of Catholics (↔ Click Link) do not believe in the Real Presence. Some of us in the minority would prefer it to be much the other way. In today’s Key Verses, Jesus’ words in Luke 21:22 are in the same perspective as his Father’s in Isaiah 5:20-25. We’ve cited Isaiah 5:20 often, calling evil good and good evil, but we need to look beyond that a bit and understand that what God permitted when Israel went astray is something we need to heed. We Christians have been saying it for over 2000 years, nonetheless, “Jesus is coming” and “the time of the Lord is nigh.” There’s some heavy-duty suffering coming before that.

We can turn to Jesus’ own descriptions of that time given to us in Luke 21:10-33. I urge you to select one of the translations shown there and read the whole thing. That will help you make sense of this statement which is based on Luke 21:24d: until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. We have seen this kind of “time measurement” before in the past. Look to Genesis 15:16 – But in the fourth generation [about 400 years according to many scholars] they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. The Children of Abraham would not return to the Promised Land until the Amorites (the residents of Canaan) were ripe for punishment, when they had done as much evil without repentance as is possible. When will we modern-day Gentiles be ripe for punishment? It seems to me we must be getting close to that day of wrath and those times of tribulation. There certainly have been terrible times in the past, and I can’t say with certainty that today is more terrible than all the other days before it; BUT, things are certainly bad enough that we need to be walking in lock-step with Jesus. Let’s end this time of trial by converting every soul we see, by praying for those who refuse repentance and conversion, and by praying, “EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!” And if he comes, will he find faith on Earth? (↔ Click Link)

Remember our first Key Verse  today: Luke 21:17-19 – 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls. Just a few phrases up the page Jesus warns that his followers will be persecuted, betrayed, hunted down, imprisoned, and even killed and in Luke 21:13, he gives the reason this is a good thing: 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. But what does he mean by saying in Luke 21:22 – “22 for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written.“? In part, it echoes Isaiah 61:2 – 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn; All of the innocent, righteous blood shed by all the martyrs (those who testify with their blood and/or loss of freedom) will be avenged when calamity upon calamity falls on all the unrighteous. Evil will be rewarded with everlasting death. Read this: Matthew 23:35* – 35 so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. *Use the link to see this in context. Jesus – who is God – is tanning the hides of a crop of sinners he calls snakes and vipers who are going to hell! Who will testify to the Lord’s goodness? Let that one repent and be humbled in his presence! Be dutiful to the Spirit of God!

1 John 4:2-4 – 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. 4 Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Do you believe in God? If you do, then you must also believe in Satan, because God is not a liar, so he would not warn us against him if he was not real. Do you believe in Angels? Then you must believe in demons, because Satan took with him many of the Holy Angels who joined him in his rebellion against God. Do you believe the souls of our Faithful and Obedient departed are with God? Then you must believe that the souls of the faithless and rebellious departed are with Satan.

  • Think of all the people you know – not just the ones you hang out with – all the people in the news, all the people in the nations where war is happening right now, and all the people whose “spiritual ideologies” exclude any aspect of the reality of the Holy Trinity.
  • Now think of all the people who claim to know God, to serve Christ, but whose words and actions contradict everything they claim.
  • Next, think of all the people whose words match their lives, who can say with absolute certainty “Jesus Christ is Lord.” (↔ Music Link)
  • Run a quick tally in your head.

Which of these three groups is the smallest? Which of these three groups are most likely to become allies when the battles intensify? Finally, if you know in your heart how to distinguish one group from the other, then you know how to “test the spirits.” In the end, we will all have to answer these questions, so it is best to answer them today, and every day, as we test the spirits we encounter – including the spirit of persecution.

American Christians often cry out that we are victims of persecution. It is certainly not anything like what the experiences of millions of people elsewhere in the world endure! We hear claims that we are oppressed in our Religious Freedom because of the abuse of our FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. (↔ Learning Link) The US Constitution certainly does provide for protection concerning religion, verbal and written expression, to assemble for cause, and the right to ask for rectification of the perceived oppression. If we were to look into who is actually being martyred here, we’d find mighty few examples. Most of what we complain about doesn’t rise even to the level of bloodless martyr. Our idea of being a witness for Christ pretty much stops at getting up in a tent-revival meeting and answering the altar call. But there are remarkable exceptions. (↔ Learning Link) Many of us – whether Catholic or Evangelical fundamentalists, or Buddhists, or Jews, or you-name-it-faiths – are content to quietly go to services and live unmolested about our faith when in society. We often barely have courage to “Stand Up for Jesus.” (↔ Music Link for Luke 21:28)

We have these lessons in our scriptures to teach us the difference between true repentance and false pretensions. Next time you decide to repent, God requires that you stick with it instead of saying, “Oh. It’s OK. I can always do it over again.” It is true, and I have said it many times, that there are no limits to how many times we can experience repentance. Well, it seems there is one, and the Ammorites learned about it firsthand. When we have reached the fullness of our wickedness (see Genesis 15:16), God will show us the door, and it just may be that he’s there to shut the door (see Genesis 7:16). What does all this “fullness of evil” mean, anyway? Here is a passage from the Books of the Maccabees ~~ 2 Maccabees 6:12-16 – 12 Now I urge those who read this book not to be depressed by such calamities, but to recognize that these punishments were designed not to destroy but to discipline our people. 13 In fact, it is a sign of great kindness not to let the impious alone for long, but to punish them immediately. 14 For in the case of the other nations the Lord waits patiently to punish them until they have reached the full measure of their sins; but he does not deal in this way with us, 15 in order that he may not take vengeance on us afterward when our sins have reached their height. 16 Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us. Although he disciplines us with calamities, he does not forsake his own people. The good old U.S. of A. is one of those “other nations.” When our time for recompense comes, will we be like the Amorites, or like the Israelites? Will we find the Lord has disciplined us or will we find he allows us to  be obliterated? “Woe to you who call evil good and good evil.” Will God destroy the Nation if only ten righteous people are found? (Hark back to my Old Friend Abraham in Genesis 18:15-33 ↔ Learning Link)

So, Belovéd, are we that close to the end? With God we always say, “It’s always good in the end. If it’s not good yet, it isn’t the end yet.” This is perhaps a reason to find extraordinary hope in today’s remaining Key Verse: Luke 21:28 – 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. “Repent and believe the Gospel” is all the more urgent a command in this present darkness. God is Light and in all things in this darkness He is exalted (↔ Music Link). The operational language of the APP is Relationship Built. That is why we sing with the Psalmist Bless the Lord O My Soul (↔ Music Link. See Psalm 103:1-5)

 By your endurance you will gain your souls, [so] stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near; for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. Belovéd, we shall do what we know is right, avoid what we know is wrong, and ask God to help us discern his will for us. Try chance it!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!

Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com
Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Aloha Friday Message – November 4, 2022 – What does THAT mean?

November 4, 2022

2245AFC110422 – What does that mean?

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

    2 Maccabees 7:1 – 1 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and thongs, to partake of unlawful swine’s flesh.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 – 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Psalm 17:8 – 8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Luke 20:37-38 – 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.

Aloha nui loa, ʻŌmea! Grace and Peace to each of you from God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. As we approach the beginning of Advent on November 27, we are hearing Scriptures that remind us that hope and faith are our best defense against evil. We can build our hope and faith around our sure knowledge that God will protect all those he has called to him. We also hear that a King is coming (↔ Music Link)  who will restore Peace to all the Earth (↔ Music Link). Meanwhile we are reminded that evil still has a firm grip on the world. For this Sunday’s readings, we’re going to once again peek behind the pages to see “What does that mean?” let’s start with a little history. Who were the Maccabees, and why is their story important today? The chosen readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time focus on hope, faith, and courage because of the assurance of the Resurrection. The first reading is from 2 Maccabees 7. Use that link if you’re using a KJV Bible or something similar. The two

Coin for Antiochus IV

books of Maccabees recount the horrible period of time when Antiochus IV (an-TEE-a-cus) was the reigning power over the Seleucid Empire. He lived from about 205 – 164 BC. His goal was to obliterate all religions and cultures in the region and to replace them with Greek gods, commerce, and philosophies. What does that mean?

He was a horrible man who considered himself divine – he referred to himself as “god manifest” (Epiphanes). His subjects called him Antiochus Epimanes – Antiochus the Mad. He was arrogant, capricious, vicious, merciless, and notorious for his excesses. Here’s what the Prophet Daniel had to say about him: Daniel 7:25 – 25 He shall speak words against the Most High,
shall wear out the holy ones of the Most High,
and shall attempt to change the sacred seasons and the law;
and they shall be given into his power
for a time, two times, and half a time. 

    Nonetheless, his conquered territory, as you can see in the map shown here, included a good slice of the world – much of which was conquered by his father Antiochus III (↔ Click Link) who was a way-better ruler and administrator than his son who tried very hard to eliminate Jewish culture, tradition, and law. He ruled from about 175 – 164 BC. He died during the Maccabean Revolt. What does that mean?

The Jewish Maccabees’ revolt was from about 167-160 BC. In the 7th chapter of 2 Maccabees, we read the story of a family of Jewish “super heroes” who willingly gave up their lives rather than transgress the laws of their ancestors.” Each was tortured in the most heinous ways as their mother was forced to watch. One brother said, “You accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws.” Another said of his hands and tongue, “I got these from Heaven, and because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them back again.” In these two passages we see, then, the expectation of the Messiah, and the resurrection of the dead. Would that we could all be so brave in the face of such grave evil! Their confidence in God’s protection extended beyond their physical lives. We know someone who lived and died like that, and we call ourselves after his name because of it: Christian. We should all know what that means.

    God’s loving protection is exemplified in the passage from Psalms. This one has an unusual expression – another of those we often slide right over as we read it – “Keep me as the apple of your eye.” What does that mean? The Hebrew word – kə-’î-šō-wn (ke- ee-shone’) – literally means “the little man of the eye.” It refers to the pupil of our eyes which we protect because it is so precious to us. God provided curtains and awnings for the eyes – our eyelids and eyebrows – and we ask him to protect us as he would guard his own eyes. Quite a poetic image of living harmony from the Psalmist there. In that same passage, we have the tender image of protectiveness like that of a mother hen and her chicks as she spreads her wings to protect them from any harm or danger. These two images from the Maccabees’ ancestor, King David, are so beautiful and reassuring. We can imagine the Jews of that era of terror found great comfort in them. Antiochus IV held all these things, places, and people in disdain as he styled himself as an equal of God. He died near the middle of the Revolt, allegedly struck down by Judah Maccabeus, the son of the first leader of the Revolt, Mattathias. Quite possibly it was a sword similar to this one that finally ended his heartless hatred. We all know what that means, and we do not want to be anything like that. Let’s see what The Apostle Paul has for us on that topic.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. Who among us would not cherish eternal comfort and good hope? These tremendously beautiful and precious gifts are given to us through Love and Grace from our Lord, Jesus the Christ and his Father, the Creator of all that is Good. (Remember James 1:17) We have been chosen to receive mercy and grace upon grace. Give thanks to the Lord for such is his everlasting love. (↔ Music Link) That is the image of God that Judah Maccabeus envisioned as he dealt with the evil that had overthrown his Nation. Around this same era in history, we see the formation of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. (Please use this link to download a valuable resource on this topic.) And what is the effect in our lives of these good and gracious gifts from God? They serve to comfort and strengthen our hearts “in every good work and word.” They help us live a life of courage, Hope, and Faith because of the assurance of the Resurrection – just like described above. Do you remember what The Apostle Paul said about being a Pharisee? (↔ Click Link) What does that mean?

    The Pharisees believed in the Resurrection, the Sadducees did not. The Pharisees rooted their teaching in the Torah, whereas the Sadducees focused primarily on the Temple rituals and rules. By Jesus’ time the Pharisees were completely bogged down in the semantics of the Law, a fact which Jesus pointed out to them (and the people!) many times in the Gospels.

The Pharisees believed in angels and Heaven, the Sadducees were the original YOLO believers – you get this life and after that, zilch. There was always tension between the two groups. Another faction that contributed to the fray was the group of legal professionals – we might refer to them as lawyers today – who had a good knowledge of the Law like the Pharisees, but also had the authority to draw up contracts usually in a limited geographical area. Scribes and Pharisees together often challenged Jesus on his understanding and presentation of the Law in his teachings.

Living off to the outside of 2nd century BC Judaism we have the group known as the Essenes. They were withdrawn and operated somewhat like communal mystics who followed teachings of a mysterious figure called “The Teacher of Righteousness.” They were most likely still active while Jesus was on Earth. For them, the human soul was temporarily relegated to a body of flesh and bone but actually lived eternally before and after an earthly life. What does that mean? They would have completely understood YOLO-F

Now, with all of these divers philosophies and theological differences, the things that Jesus was saying just really shook people up. That’s why these religious leaders in the community were always trying to trip him up with overly complicated questions and riddles like the one the Sadducees came up with –  “if seven brothers died, each childless after living with the first brother’s widow, whose wife would she be in Heaven?” I think if we had situation like that today it would show up on Dateline or 20/20 as a True Crime story! Jesus told them that the life after death included the Resurrection and that each of those persons, fictional as they were, would be as angels (a nod to the Pharisees, perhaps). He gave them their own strict belief straight from the Torah: Moses called out “Lord” while witnessing the Burning Bush, and if we look at God’s response we can see Jesus quoted it: Exodus 3:6, 15 – 6 He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 15 God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:
This is my name forever,
and this my title for all generations. What does that mean? End of discussion – game, set, match – for the Sadducees.

As we draw this to a close, we have seen that in the readings from Maccabees and Luke we have seven brothers, all of whom died. We also see in those readings that the Resurrection is our Great Hope. The Apostle Paul shows us that in all things we are strengthened by encouragement and hope in God’s great Love and Perfect Grace. He will protect us as surely as we protect our eyes, and he will rescue us from all that might inhibit our vision of him. We see our hope and encouragement when looking up to God and as the Psalmist says, Psalm 42:5-6 – 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar. (This area is around present southern Lebanon and includes very high mountains and low hills; like saying “over high and low.”)

We need not feel cast down, lost, or hopelessly confused by our many burdens. We have Jesus who says in Matthew 11:28-30 – 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. AMEN. We all know what that means.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace
at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

That’s the APP for you!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!

 Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

 Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

 

Aloha Friday Message – October 28, 2022 – What do you know about that!

October 28, 2022

2244AFCrr102816 – What do you know about that!

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links ↓↓at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

(There are lots and lots of great links here. Take some time to follow them) Originally posted under Aloha Friday Messages at https://aloha-friday.org – The Moon Beam Network as 1644AFC102816 – Climb to Fame and Glory. This older post covers everything I wanted to say this weekend, so we’re doing a rerun (with upgrades)! Today’s title is something that I call a fun interrogative. That’s my own designation, not something you’ll find in a text book. It’s fun because the meaning changes slightly when you change the emphasis on one word:

  • What do you know about that! As in “isn’t that remarkable!”
  • What do you know about that? Did you discover a secret?
  • What do you know about that? How did you find out anyway?
  • What do you know about that? You didn’t get “read in” on that operation.
  • What do you know about that? You must be tired of this by now, so I’ll stop because you have the idea.

The purpose of today’s post is to peek behind the pages about a very familiar story and learn a little more about it. Here we go!

      Luke 19:1-6 – 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. {*}  4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. {*} (↔ Music Link) 

Luke 19:8 – 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”

¡Que la bendición esté siempre con ustedes y que Dios los bendiga, Amados! (May blessing always be with you and may God bless you, Belovéd!) Maybe it’s time for something a little different, so today we’re going to do sort of an expositional approach to this story about Zacchaeus. Let’s begin with the setting.

     This story is only presented in Luke’s Gospel. It comes right after the healing of the blind (←That link will provide additional insights into this message.) Jesus is returning to Jerusalem. It’s a very long walk, and along the way many miracles are performed. He also describes what will happen to him once he gets to Jerusalem – his arrest, passion, death, and resurrection. At this point in that journey, Jesus has reached the ancient city of Jericho.  You perhaps recall the Battle of Jericho in which Joshua – יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ (Yeshua) {yeh-shoo’-ah} or {yeh-ho-shoo’-ah} – marched with the nation of Israel around the city seven times, and then the walls collapsed. This was the first city captured by Israel in Canaan. It is perhaps one of the oldest cities in the world. The word Jericho translates to “Moon City,” or “its moon,” an allusion to its proximity to Jerusalem. It is situated about 5 miles west of the Jordan River. It is about 7 miles north of the Dead Sea. Jericho was about 16 miles northeast of Jerusalem.

“Going up to Jerusalem” (See Psalm 122:1) from Jericho was a difficult trip. Jericho is about 800 feet below sea level and Jerusalem is about 2,500 feet above sea level. The journey was further complicated by the very rugged terrain, and by bandits who preyed on travelers going to Jerusalem (Recall the parable of The Good Samaritan.) It is surprising to me to learn that Jericho was fundamentally an oasis with a nearly tropical climate. It was a well-situated town along a principal trade route from the east. Because of that, travelers passing through paid taxes to Rome to be able to pass through there. That is how Zacchaeus made his living. I’ve always thought it was odd that Luke specified that particular tree. We have sycamores in North America – there are even some here on Kauaʻi – but those are usually the Plane Sycamore or the American Sycamore. Their leaves and “fruits” look like the photo on the left. (Click on the photo for more information.)

Zacchaeus lived in Jericho and was a Publican, a Tax Collector working for the Romans; as Luke 19:2 states, “he was a chief tax collector and was rich.” Tax Collectors were despised by the Jews because they were collaborators with the Romans. Their reputation was worsened because they usually levied more tax than was required by Rome; they kept the extra for themselves – and grew rich. In this instance the man’s name Ζακχαῖος (Zakchaios) {dzak-chah’-ee-yos} is truly ironic because it is derived from a word that means “pure or innocent.” His name was Greek in origin, but there is reason to believe he was a Jew. (See Ezra 2:9 for זַכָּי (Zakkay) { zak-kah’-ee}.) He was curious about Jesus and wanted to see “who Jesus was.” We know from the Gospel account of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem that there were very large crowds surrounding him. For someone who “was short in stature,” that made seeing Jesus all the more difficult, so he climbed a tree. The type of tree described by Luke was a sycamore tree. Please see 1 King 10:27, Amos 7:14 for שִׁקְמִים (shaqam) { shaw-kawm’),  and Luke 19:4 for συκομορέα (sykomorea) {soo-kom-o-rah’-yah}.

However, the sycamore that Zacchaeus climbed was a type of ficus – a fig tree. You can see the small, round fruits – figs – along the trunk and branches. . (Click on the photo for more information.)The Biblical symbolism of the fig tree goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden (See Genesis 3:7) and in stories and parables usually represents the “fruitfulness” (i.e., goodness or holiness) of Israel. So, to push the figurative language a bit, Zacchaeus climbed up into the fruitfulness of Israel so that he could see Jesus. And oh, what a surprise he got! Jesus saw him in the tree and told him to come down, then Jesus invited himself to stay at Zacchaeus’ house. The biggest, baddest, most despised man in town “was happy to welcome him.” It caused quite a stir in the city of Jericho! (See Luke 19:7) Then the story takes a sudden shift.

We don’t know how long Jesus stayed with Zacchaeus, but it was long enough to bring forth a dramatic conversion. Zacchaeus – a hated man who cheated others to enrich himself – declares, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” What did Jesus say to him to bring about this extraordinary change? Luke doesn’t give us any additional information – it is sufficient to tell us that Zacchaeus went from super-greedy to super-generous in a very short time. Jesus left Jericho to continue his journey to Jerusalem – very literally a long (about 16-18 miles), arduous, uphill trek – but the Gospels don’t tell us any more about Zacchaeus. There is more to learn, however.

There is a collection of writings called The Apostolic Constitutions. (↔ Click Link) This is a remarkable resource to read. It contains eight “books” that convey the earliest ecclesiastical laws of Christianity. This is a real, searchable, historical resource that gives much insight into the early Church. Scholars believe it was put together toward the end of the Fourth Century – around 375-380 AD under the supervision of Saint Pope Clement I of Rome. They were probably written in Syria, perhaps in Antioch (a strong Christian community was established there by Christians who fled persecution in Jerusalem, Cyprus, and Crete, and later was recognized by the Apostle Peter and nurtured by the Apostle Paul). In this collection of writings – in Book Seven, Section XLVI (46) – there are references to Bishops of the early church (“presbyter” πρεσβύτερος as in Titus 1:5, 1 Peter 5:1, 2 John 1:1, 3 John 1:1, and especially 1 Timothy 5:17) usually translated as “Elders” in the KJV.) In the list of the first bishops of The Church, there is this statement: “Of Cæsarea of Palestine, the first was Zacchæus, who was once a publican.”

This World-Class sinner – through the evangelization of Jesus and the Apostles – became a respected and honored member of the early Church. According to an early historian Clement of Alexandria (about AD 150 – AD 215 and not the same person as Pope Clement I) in his book Stromata, Zacchaeus’ surname was Matthias (See Acts 1:23). Matthias  took the place of Judas Iscariot after Jesus’ Ascension. We do not know if “Zacchaeus who was called Matthias” is the same Matthias described in Acts 1:26 * – 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven Apostles.  *This link will take you to the full passage describing that transition. Zacchaeus is not mentioned in Scripture after this passage.  The later Apostolic Constitutions identify “Zacchaeus the Publican” as the first bishop of Caesarea. These accounts are not canonical – they are not approved as inspired scripture, and are considered by some to be pious legend – but they do give us some insight into the processes by which The Church grew and how Apostolic Authority figures into the ecclesiastical formation of Christian doctrine, worship, discipline, and structure. For those of us who are Biblicists and interested in history (admittedly few and far between!), these are fascinating reading. For most of us, though, we often do not look “behind the page” to see what the Bible tells us about the people, places, and events it contains. All of those things are part of the APP. (↔ Music Link)

The next time you hear the story of Zacchaeus, you will know more about the man, the way he lived, where he lived, and how his life changed. What do you know about that? Hopefully more than before! He went from sinner to Saint because he took the initiative of trying to see who Jesus was. Jesus welcomed his initiative as well as his conversion, and Zacchaeus stayed with his new-found “notoriety” (being a follower in The Way was even worse than being a Tax Collector for many of the Jews) and went on to become a leader in the Early Church – a man famous for his generosity and faith. Look for Jesus because he’s coming your direction so you can see who Jesus is. Find a good way to see who he is, and give heed to his instruction. It may mean getting up in a tree and going out on a limb, but – I know this from experience – it’s well worth the climb up and to share in the Glory of Heaven even without the kind of fame Zacchaeus garnered.

Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

(↕ New prayer requests in the Intercessory Prayer List)

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever
— at your service, Belovéd!

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Aloha Friday Message – October 21, 2022 – The Crown and the Just Judge

October 21, 2022

2243AFC102122 – The Crown and the Just Judge

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

     2 Timothy 4:8 – 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Psalm 34:18-19 – 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.

Sirach 35:21-22 – 21 The prayer of the humble passes
through the clouds,
and it will never stop
until it draws near to God.
It will never withdraw
until the Most High takes notice,
22     gives justice for the righteous,
and executes judgment.
Indeed, the Lord will never delay,
nor will he be patient with them
until he crushes the power
of the unmerciful – Common English Bible (CEB)  Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible Used by permission.

Aloha nui loa, ʻŌmea! Grace and Peace to each of you from God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. O Dearly Belovéd, how deeply I long to reach out to each of you in an embrace of Peace and Love! These little (sometimes too big) messages are as close as I can come most times. Sometimes I try to remember one or another of you reading these words and seeing the expression on your face. I long for that day when we will truly see each other face-to-face and will have no need for written messages because we will know all that God intended for us to know. It is in this sort of reflection that I come closest to understanding loneliness. As an introvert, I find that that is a feeling that escapes my comprehension because I sense that I am never, ever alone. I always have my Best Friend, the Holy Spirit, and my favorite angel (I refer to him as Baruch) is always close by to help when I’m being inattentive (so he’s one busy Guardian Angel). This introspection presented here arises from the tone-of-longing in our Epistle for this Sunday.

The Apostle Paul is held in chains in Rome, and only Luke is with him. Some have abandoned him, some have opposed him, and some have greatly wronged him; nonetheless he is a peace with his situation because he knows he has done all the Lord asked of him. You may recall that we have often written of the word testify or testimony. To be a witness to Jesus’ Gospel, we must give up our life to him because it can no longer be our own. Our lives must be for, with, and about the Gospel. The Apostle Paul has done that, and he realizes that shortly his role will be over. Tradition has it that he was beheaded in Rome. He was a Roman citizen and would not have been subjected to the inhumane death by crucifixion or the violent death in the Coliseum against gladiators or animals. Most likely this occurred late in the reign of Nero after the burning of Rome and the severe persecutions of Christians. Nero may have adjudged The Apostle Paul guilty, but The Just Judge was waiting to award him with “The Crown of Righteousness” (↔ Music Link) This stands in sharp contrast to the Gospel from last week which centered on the parable of the unjust judge.

His reward was to be spared a good whack from the widow who wanted him to rule in her favor because she was pursuing a just cause. By contrast, the Just Judge seeks out the poor, the oppressed, the disenfranchised and rewards them for their persistent hold on the Hope they have in God as their redeemer. (See our Key Verses from Psalms and Sirach) The Apostle Paul speaks of being poured out like a libation. This often slips by us because we think of someone pouring a cocktail or other beverage. Actually the libation was an offering of wine or oil poured out over or with another offering. We first encounter “drink offering” in Genesis 35:14 – 14 Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it.

Bethel is the place where Jacob met God and he named the placed Bethel – House of God – and it became in important city a bit north of Jerusalem. The Romans also used libation offerings so that at the beginning of a meal some of the wine was poured out onto the ground as an offering to a spirit, one of their many gods, or even in memory of one who was deceased. It is even included in some Wiccan ceremonies. The imagery would be well-understood by Timothy and other converts to Christianity. The Apostle Paul’s life was going to be an appeasing and appealing offering to God for his devotion and service to his ministry of evangelization. The ceremony would end with him receiving the Victor’s Crown.

Paul often used sports metaphors. Perhaps that is why so many sermons and homilies have examples based on sports. The Apostle Paul spoke of competing well, or fighting the good fight, or running the course well. In a race in those days, the victor was awarded a laurel crown. These were made from the fragrant branches of the Bay Laurel – what we cooks call bay leaf – and were a symbol of victory. Today we speak of laurates as someone who has received a dignified award or recognition. We think of achievement and superior accomplishment associated with that word “laurels.” When we say someone is “resting on their laurels,” we mean that said person is no longer trying to achieve, but merely coasting on the celebrity of their previous accomplishments. Some have said that if we are resting on our laurels, we’re wearing them on the wrong end. In The Apostle Paul’s example, the Crown is not one that will fade away or dry up and then be used in a stew. The Crown he is referring to is an eternal reward for all the Good he has done in his ministry.

The Apostle Paul will receive an Everlasting Crown of Righteousness. This is one of five characteristics of crowns (↔ Learning Link) mentioned tin the New Testament. His blood was to be poured out on the earth as a final libation sacrifice. At that moment, he at last stood face-to-face with the Just judge, the Living Word of God, the Rider of the White Horse.

The rider of the White Horse in the Four Horses of the Apocalypse is described as wearing Many Crowns – The Great Dragon has 7 diadems (See Revelation 12:3). The Beast rising out of the Sea with blasphemous names on its seven heads wore 10 diadems (See Revelation 13:1). The Rider on the White Horse is crowned “with many crowns”(See Revelation 19:11-21) which signifies his Divine Sovereignty – he is :”King of kings (↔ Music Link) and Lord of lords (See Revelation 19:12) – there is no power or creature greater than him. His many Crowns attest to his numerous victories, but the most notable is his Victory over Sin and Death. Thus the extent of his Realm, the Kingdom of Our God, is beyond our comprehension wherever we abide – in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. There the Lord God – Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnibenevolent – will be reunited with all of his Creation in a New Heaven and New Earth. Like The Apostle Paul, we will then meet the Just Judge. Only he knows his True Name and only he will allow his Word to pass judgment. This passage is so important that I’m going to give it entirely:

John 12:44-54 – 44 Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. 47 I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. * 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, 49 for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.” * See John 3:16-19. (↔ Learning Link) Are you sure you truly do remember how that passage ends? Does verse 19, apply only to the contemporaries of Jesus? As a guide for your thinking, recall the news coming from D.C., Ukraine, and any other place (↔ Learning Link) – including the USA – where evil, terrorism, and perversions occur with seeming impunity.

Who – or what – is the Just Judge? The Word that Jesus, the Christ of God, has spoken. The “Day of Judgment” is often portrayed as a scene with an angry old man dressed as a magistrate and sitting in a towering Bench of Judgement with a massive book containing the names of every soul and the charges against them. I envision that day as I described it in 2234AFC081922 – Next in line, please. (← Check it out!) We will be “sorted” into or out of the Light of The Word. The Word will judge, the Advocate will plead our case – intreat for us.  God the Father and the Creator will assent to the judgment of The Word and entreat us to the reward we have earned. It is vitally important here to remember the proper meanings of these two similar sounding words which have vastly different meanings. To intreat is to earnestly ask for something. That is what the Advocate will do for us. To entreat is how you treat someone. That is the distribution or apportionment of our Reward. If we have been faithful to The Word, our Eternal Reward will be to enjoy God forever and ever. If we have rejected The Word, our Eternal Reward will be separation from God forever and ever – YOLOF is in the APP.

This race is not an easy one. It lasts a lifetime and takes everything we have to get to the finish. Sometimes we stumble, lose our bearings (or marbles), or get run over, or just haven’t got the stamina for one part of the course. That’s why Sirach tells us we can ask for God’s help and nothing anywhere can stop that prayer from reaching God:

The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
 The prayer of the humble passes
through the clouds,
and it will never stop
until it draws near to God.

It will never withdraw
until the Most High takes notice,
gives justice for the righteous,
and executes judgment.

The Most High gives justice – he is righteous and merciful – and executes judgment – he and The Living Word in unity with the Holy Spirit reward each petitioner according to the willingness of service and the humility in the request. That is the Just Judge who offers and provides our Crown. He is the One crowned King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, The Just Judge, and God of our Salvation. Now that’s a goal worth running for!

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Because the Just Judge is Son of the Father, he exchanged this

for this and reserves it for us.

 

Aloha Friday Message – October 14, 2022 – Where’s Your Evidence?

October 14, 2022

2242AFC101422 – Where’s your evidence?

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site. You can find this Sunday’s readings HERE. (← Check it out!)

    Luke 18:7-8 – 7 “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

¡Que la bendición esté siempre con ustedes y que Dios los bendiga, Amado! (May blessing always be with you and may God bless you, Beloved!)

The passage I cited today is at the end of the story of The Unjust Judge. He’s being pestered by a very persistent widow to rule in her favor. It’s important to recall here, that as a widow, she had practically zero rights, no standing, not a prayer of being heard. But because of her persistence, the judge finally said, “If I don’t take care of her, she’s going to talk me to death, so I might as well give her what she wants.” (In our family we have a saying, “It’s a terrible death to be talked to death!) This is reminiscent of another “what-if” story about a man who wakes his neighbor in the middle of the might to get something to feed a visitor that has just arrived. The man has nothing to feed to his unexpected guest, but he trusts his friend will help him out, and keeps entreating for his help despite the fact that the neighbor doesn’t want to get out of bed. In that parable, Jesus asks in Luke 11:11-13 – 11 “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” And of course we all remember this one found just up the page at Luke 11:9 – 9 So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. What should we be asking for in our prayers?

When we look at our lives – especially our prayer lives – do we see evidence of faith? “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Are we truly trying to live a righteous life where we “… do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” (See Micah 6:8 – again) Could it be that the biggest of all the tests of faith is whether or not we believe God is listening, that we’re not just talking to the inside of our heads when we pray? Do we have the faith, the determination, the discernment, the patience and perseverance, and especially the humility to ask again? Can we, should we, will we keep that faith until the very day when we meet the Lord? And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” How do you know, how do I know, how do we know we have faith? We must check our hearts for evidence of sin, and take out the M.A.P.

I’m going to go “off-script” here and suggest asking for something that is always readily available, always ours to claim, and always a Perfect Gift. Let’s start with the Source of Gifts: James 1:17a – 17 Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. Common English Bible (CEB)  Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible. Used by permission. Naturally we’re going to ask God for a Good Gift, a Just Gift, a Life-giving Gift. Here are some Scripture passages to give us a hint about that Good and Perfect Gift promised to us.

John 14:15-16 – 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.

Luke 11:13 – 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Romans 5:3-5 – 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Acts 2:38 – 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 – 7 For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you. ((↔ Click Link) to see this in context))

Can there be anything simpler than asking for the Holy Spirit to be with us? It’s definitely in the APP! If we give our lives to Jesus, he gives us the Holy Spirit. When we remember the Holy Spirit, we often think of Pentecost with fire and wind and speaking in tongues. We might also think of the Holy Spirit at the moment of creation, moving over the deep waters. There is another way we experience the Holy Spirit that we easily overlook. Here’s another hint: Exodus 16:4 – 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. And later on we read: Exodus 16:13c-14 – … in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. Then Jesus told us: John 6:51 – 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.

The Bread from Heaven comes upon us quietly, evenly; it refreshes us and renews us in the same way that the dewfall renews and refreshes the land. In the first Epiclesis in the Canon (Eucharistic Prayer 1) and the remaining three Eucharistic prayers we hear the Priest pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the gifts we offer – the bread and wine. He says, “Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall.” This recalls for us the manna[1] in the desert – quiet, mysterious, not overbearing, not weighty, always just enough, never leading to a surplus, but always refreshing, invigorating, and nourishing. Do you know “The Jesus Prayer?” One form goes like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I mentioned previously (↔ Click Link) that I always call of the Holy Spirit when I start one of these posts. Imagine with me for a moment how a simple prayer might put us in touch with the Holy Spirit: “Spirit of the Living God, come upon me like the morning dew, and make my day with you sanctified by your Presence in my heart and mind.”  (↔ Music Link at the beginning). The Apostle Paul tells us that if we live in the Holy Spirit, we break the bondage to sin and live in the Light of Life – Jesus. Please read the entire passage. Galatians 5:16 (This link is to an important passage 10 verses long. USE it.) – 16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Our lives are filled with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (read the entire passage), and that Fruit is rooted in Faith in Christ Jesus. That sustaining, refreshing invigorating dewfall in our lives makes Faith possible and enduring. Look back then at our Key Verse: And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Yes, he will, because in the Fruit of the Spirit we have everything we need to “wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord.” By living in the Holy Spirit we are open to hearing the Word of God, we are available to God as we present [y]our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [y]our spiritual worship. (See Romans 12:1)

There are thousands of things we can ask for from God through Jesus in the Holy Spirit. Instead of a laundry list – or shopping list, or list of demands – we can just ask for the Holy Spirit. He is everything we long for, everything we need, and he is right there next to you right this moment!. Here is a little list of the key components of prayer.

Adoration, Blessing, and Praise
Thanksgiving and Gratitude
Contrition and repentance
Supplication and Submission
Intercession and reverent closing

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS: God HEARS EVERY PRAYER. Here are a few he’d rather hear: LORD God, you are awesome! Jesus Christ, I love you! O God, come to my aid for I am in trouble. Oh, My God, how astounding is your love for us! Bless the LORD O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Gesundheit! God bless you! (If prayed with the intent of blessing, yah?) Spirit of God, fill me with Love like unto your Love. Here are some of the prayers he does not want from us. O, my God, really? Oh God! Now what! Jesus Christ, that was close! God ____ it, I already said no! God! Did you see that idiot? (Trust me, God saw the idiot, and heard your contempt.)

All our short prayers, all our long prayers, all our hollow prayers (when we recite rather than pray), all our desperate prayers, all our blasphemous prayers, all our righteous prayers – God hears and answers every single one of them. If we are walking in the spirit, the Holy Spirit prays for, with, and within us: Romans 8:26 – 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. If we think of the Holy Spirit as the bond of love between God the Father and God the Son, and if we are praying and walking IN THE SPIRIT, we are praying and walking in Love. Time to remember this:

GOD ≡ LIGHT ≡ LOVE ≡ TRUTH ≡ WAY ≡ LIFE ≡ ETERNAL ≡ MERCY ≡ GOD

(↨ Music Link)

Well, Belovéd, it’s time for us to think of this: “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. We must remember that Justice is a characteristic based in God’s Perfect Integrity, Endless Mercy, Everlasting Love, and Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We must check our hearts for evidence of sin. Is there any? Of course there is! Do we know what to do about that? Of course we do! What do we want? Salvation! When do we want it? Now and forever!  From whence does it come? From Above, as we read in John 3:3 – 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” What? Born again? How do I know when that happens?

You will know it happens when you take to heart what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 – 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. Belovéd, let the Bread from Heaven come upon us like the dewfall every moment of every day. We could try this little prayer to be ready for a new dew.

“Come Holy Spirit (↔ Music Link). Walk with me on this long road to Home. With you at my side and Jesus in my heart, we’ll all get to Heaven as soon as we should.”

[1]  מָ֑ן Hebrew: mana See Psalm 78:24 and Exodus 16:15 – man`ə in the manner of “What is this?” Israel ate of the manna for 40 years until they ate the first fruits of the Promised Land.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Aloha Friday Message – October 7, 2022 – Trust the Process

October 7, 2022

2241AFC100722 – Trust the Process

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

    2 Kings 5:14 – 14 So he [Naaman] went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 – 11 The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.

Luke 17:15-19 – 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

May Peace always be with you and may God bless you, Belovéd! What a wonderful set of readings we have this weekend, and how timely they are for what’s going on in the world today! Let’s take a look at each of them and as we go through that, we can talk about what God did for us that some folks find surprising.

     This is an artist’s idea of what Naaman (naamahn’) looked like. He was the commanding general for the King of Aram (present day Syria), and allegedly drew his bow on a dare and the arrow he launched mortally wounded Ahab, King of Israel. Naaman was very popular in his nation, and had won many important victories for his King. He was also a character who was arrogant, vain, and pushy. He was famous and liked it enough to dislike anyone who didn’t seem to recognize what a fine specimen of humanity he was. His life was filled with fame, and glory, and honors, and probably wealth as well. He did have one little problem with his health – a skin disease of some sort called at the time leprosy.

In Aram, people with leprosy were not socially ostracized as they were in Israel, but still it was considered an unpleasant disease in Aram. In a raid on Israelite forces, a young girl was captured and given to Naaman’s wife as a servant. The child told her mistress that if Naaman would go to the Israelite Prophet Elisha, he could be cured. Naaman spoke to his King about it, and the King wrote a letter of introduction and sent many fine gifts along with Naaman and his retinue. When they pulled up to Elisha’s abode, Naaman expected a grandiose welcome and flash-bang miracles – something befitting his fame and reputation. Instead Elisha sent out a servant who told the General, in effect, “Elisha says all you have to do is go down to the river Jordan and submerge yourself seven times and you will be cleansed.” Naaman was furious! He got snubbed by the greatest Prophet in Israel and was told he needed a bath in the Jordan. There were rivers in Aram that were just as wet and just as useful as the Jordan! His retinue eventually calmed him down and convinced him to at least try it. After the seventh dunk, Naaman’s skin was “like a little child’s.”

He pounded back to Elisha’s place and offered a tremendous reward. Elisha declined it and said, “It was God’s doing, not mine.” Naaman requested about 12 bushels (2 kor) of soil from Israel so he could set up an altar to Elisha’s God in Aram. At that time, most people believed that the gods of a particular region or nation could only be worshiped on that region’s soil. OK, nice story, but what does that have to do with the title of this post?

Naaman was insulted. “Is that all there is to it? Baloney!” Elisha had told him, “Here’s the process. Do this and you’ll be fine.” Naaman wasn’t fine until he tried the process. That inclined him to trust the process. That’s the connection here. Most of us won’t trust the Process until we try the Process. What’s the process? I’m glad you asked, although you might not be. The Process – in the Beginning – is REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL, BE BAPTIZED AND RECEIVE THE SPIRIT. The second part of that is dependent on the first part, and generally happens only once. The first part can – and probably should – happen every day.

That’s how God works – consistently. He told us, “I have an everlasting Love for you.” In that passage (See Jeremiah 31:3), the word for everlasting is olam as in El Shaddai-Olam, Almighty Everliving God. Did you know God also has a YOLO-F? The difference between his and ours is that his has no beginning but ours does. Because of that everlasting Love, he is always faithful to his promises. Here, where we say “faithful,” the Hebrew word reads as goodness, kindness, lovingkindness; he is always right where we left him, waiting for us to come back so he can once again embrace and bless us. We need only repent and believe the Gospel. It’s just that simple, and there’s no “house limit” on how often that happens. Why is that?

Take a look at what The Apostle Paul said to Timothy. Everything Jesus did was exactly what his Father told him to do, and Jesus us taught his Disciples to do everything he told them, and they told us everything we needed to know so we could also do what he says (yes, present tense). We can live with and in him, and if we die with, for, and in him, we will live with him eternally. That’s The Process – again. Look closer at verse 13 up there: 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself. Of course this is true and we know it. Can our fickle infidelity abolish God’s Everlasting Love – his faithfulness? (See Romans 3:3. Read in full to get the context) Thank God for allowing dying with him by dying to self and living to Life with Christ. The Greek word for dying in this passage – apothnḗskō carries the connotation of an endpoint that brings a separation from “now” to “then” in the future. Whatever we were, are, have, or did, all of that dies when it dies with him, and none of it is raised up when it is raised with him. He already was lifted up for us. That, Belovéd, is the quintessence of Love. The way The Apostle Paul expresses it is as beautiful as a Love song.

Somewhere in the music section of my Memory Vault there’s a song lyric that goes something like “All I need is a love song and someone to sing to.” I think The Apostle Paul would phrase it like, “All I need is the Gospel and someone to witness to.” (↔ Music Link) Belovéd, the Gospel is a Love Song – the most beautiful Love Song ever conceived! “Oh, who’s the one that I’m in Love with only? It’s You, it’s You, It’s You!” No wonder St. Francis sang the Praises of God! (↔ Music Link) And look at this: Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24 And let us consider how to provoke* one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (*paroxusmos (par-ox-oos-mos’) – stimulate, incite, instigate so as to encourage, poke to elicit a reaction) Jesus certainly gave St Francis a poke!

Even though he lived in crushing poverty, St Francis also lived in sparkling JOY. The Apostle Paul understood that JOY and expressed how it characterized every day despite the pain and hardship he endured constantly: Philippians 4:11-13 – 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (↔ Music Link) That “all things” included thanks and praise because he knew the Works of God were Life and Light. The Apostle Paul and St Francis knew how and why to thank God. Some do not know that. Consider the story of the ten lepers. Unlike Naaman, most of them did not return to give thanks.

Those ten cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” Jesus simply said to them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” He knew the Priests would examine the men and see their disease was gone – as prescribed by Mosaic Law. Because they Trusted the Process – they trusted and obeyed – they were cured. Only one turned back to find and thank Jesus. Jesus commented on the irony of a single foreigner returning to give thanks and then told that man (who was kneeling at his feet and loudly praising God,) “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Wow! Think back to that moment when God had blessed us beyond all expectations and try to recall if we went back to the Throne, got on our knees, and sang praises to God. Now we need to ask if perhaps we should be doing that more often because, you see, that is part of the Process of Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Praise. (↔ Learning Link) The one who returned trusted the process from beginning to end. The Apostle Paul and St Francis returned God’s faithfulness by living Psalm 26:3 – 3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.  Can I, can you, can we say the same; do we always, always remember his Faithfulness and Love? Take a look at Psalm 138:1-3. (↔ Learning Link) Would we consent to meet death as Christ did for the Love of “Our Father, who art in Heaven?”

We can answer that with a YES if we Trust the Process. It’s not “one-and-done.” It’s “One-and-what’s next?” When we confront evil, should we try to appease it, or shall we ask, “Is that all you’ve got?” Remember that Elisha gave no deference to fame or might. He followed The Process and gained for God Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Praise from a pagan. Jesus calls us. Will we go and be changed by the going? (↔ Music Link) Will we turn around and go back in joy for forgiveness or healing or blessing? Shall we turn around and go back in sorrow and penitence when forgiven? Will we witness to the World what it means to live with him, die with him, rise with him, know God with him, and Trust the Process in, with, for and until HIM?

I have one last passage that I will ask you to go read. It’s only four verses, but they pack Power in every word. Please use this link: John 17:20-23 – ((↔ Click Link)) Jesus is asking God to share his Glory in us. Please stop now and read that passage. Jesus is praying to his Father just a few hours before his betrayal, asking his Father to bring all of us to Oneness with the Trinity. This is another and very beautiful way to express YOLO-F. In my heart at this very moment, I am giving Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Praise that my YOLO-F includes you. Our God is SO GOOD! Will you walk this long stretch of the Road Home with all of us? I AM is calling us. Shall we go then? (↔ Music Link) It’s part of Trusting The Process, too.
So is this:

 

It’s in the APP

It’s in the APP!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!

Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

Creative Commons License
Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Aloha Friday Message – September 30, 2022 – Unfolding the M.A.P.

September 30, 2022

2240AFC093022 – Unfolding the M.A.P.

Read it online here, please. And please – when you visit there – use one of the social media links at the bottom of the page to share this post. Thank you! And remember, we now have a READER VIEW available, so share this link or this email often. Do you know someone who enjoys Bible study, or who might like to read this? Ask them to email us or to subscribe on our blog-site.

     Luke 17:5-6 – 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

2 Timothy 1:7 – 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Habakkuk 1:2-3 – 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not listen?
Or cry to you “Violence!”
and you will not save?
3 Why do you make me see wrongdoing
and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me;
strife and contention arise.

E pili mau na pomaika‘i ia ‘oe a me ke akua ho’omaika‘i ‘oe, ʻŌmea! (May blessing always be with you and may God bless you, Beloved!) today we are going to use a few quotes from other authors. The first selection is from that famous artist, author, and playwright Author Unknown. Perhaps you’ve read this previously.

The Rosebud

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do. He asked the older preacher what was his purpose. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life and for his ministry. Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact.

It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible it was to do. Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to recite the following poem.

UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD

Unfolding the Rose

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of GOD’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers,
Is not known to such as I;
GOD opens this flower so sweetly
When in my hands they fade and die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of GOD’s design;
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I’ll trust in Him for His leading,
Each moment of every day;
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of this pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows;
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Here are a couple of passages that might show us a path to understanding the necessity of patience:

Romans 12:12 – 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

Colossians 1: 11-12 – 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

In these two verses, Paul is using the Greek word ὑπομένω hupomeno {hoop-om-en’-o} for “patient” or “patience.” In Strong’s notes, this word is used to denote endure, to tarry behind, to abide, suffer, remain, abide, preserve, and persevere under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Jesus. Some days we don’t really want to endure, to wait, to be suffering. We might find being patient with Jesus to be difficult! It’s time to look for a better way. Maybe I should pray as Habakkuk did?

There are nine prayer-points in Paul’s words to the Colossians.

  1. Seek to know Jesus’ will, (it’s in the M.A.P.)
  2. Grow in spiritual wisdom, (all the rest of these are in the APP)
  3. Honor and please Jesus by
  4. Continually do good, kind things for others, then
  5. Continue to expand our knowledge of Jesus as Jesus more and more so we can – (Read that sentence carefully.)
  6. Be strengthened with Jesus’ glorious power so that we will
  7. Have great patience and endurance, enabling us to
  8. Feel in our hearts and show to others we are full of Jesus’ joy, and of course,
  9. We all hope and pray we have the wisdom, courage, and strength to give thanks always.

You may also remember the story of the boy who tried to help the butterfly out of its chrysalis only to see it die because the struggle of freeing itself was what made the butterfly’s circulatory system functional. Sometimes what we think we must do is inconsistent with Jesus’ plan. When we realize that we’ve been working against him while all the while insisting we were working with him, we might at times feel embarrassed, or tricked, or even get belligerent with Jesus and say, “Well you could have told me sooner, you know, that I was wasting my time on that!” And then we think, “What’s wrong with me? Why am I talking to HIM like THAT?!” And often we realize we are talking to him like that because he’s been talking to us and we’re not listening.

What’s really needed here is to give our attention to God. He has a really beautiful way of helping us with that. We see it throughout Scripture. It’s called suffering. Sometimes it is to fall victim to a stronger foe. Sometimes it is illness, or pain, or both. Sometimes it is punishment. Many of us see punishment as a blow from God’s fist; but that’s not the nature of suffering.

We’ve stated several times that the Universe is not God, and that God created and controls the Universe. There are Rules, all of which are spelled out in the APP, and when we try to live outside the Rules, we suffer. God doesn’t have to hunt us down and whack us a good one. We get the whack we need when we go outside the Rules. There’s a film on Netflix called “Fr. Stu.”  It is the story of Father Stu Long, a former champion boxer. I found it difficult to watch because it is chockfull of gratuitous profanity. At one point he is in a very messy motorcycle accident which he felt somehow drew him closer to God. About 2/3 of the way through – around 1995, he is diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM) – a debilitating muscle disease that eventually lead to his death at age 50. At that point, he had been a Catholic priest for seven years. Here’s what he said about his suffering:

FATHER STU LONG: It’s a profound experience, suffering. And the struggles of this disease helped me, and help others, to learn the way that we should have been living all along. It’s taught me a little humility. It’s taught me dignity, respect for others. And sometimes people like me – there’s an extreme example – we need things like this to be able to make those changes, and decisions in our life that are gonna help us become better people, become the people that Jesus has created us to be when he sent us to this planet.

C. S. Lewis made this comment about suffering:

“You don’t know in advance whether Jesus is going to set you to do something difficult or painful, or something that you will quite like; and some people of heroic mold are disappointed when the job doled out to them turns out to be something quite nice. But you must be prepared for the unpleasant things and the discomforts.” — C. S. Lewis from Jesus in the Dock  (↔ Learning Link) In this, I see three elements which bear repeating:

  1. God has a plan for me (and you, and them, and they, and everyone)
  2. The plan is for our good and based in HIS hope.
  3. God will not only direct our way but also help us find and follow it.

Unfolding and then trying to refold the M.A.P. is like trying to unfold then refold the rosebud. If we open up the M.A.P. and read, listen, follow, decipher – however our form of learning works best – the M.A.P. is showing us our actual progress in that region of our lives. “You can’t get to where you’re going if you don’t know where you are.” Stop messing with the M.A.P. and “you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘this is the way. Walk in it.'” That’s an easy lesson to learn, and apparently one easily forgotten. Another learning link can be found here: 1935AFC083019 – (↔ Learning Link) … And me, your worthless servant (↔ Music Link).

Sometimes the suffering we endure is something that does not come from our own missteps. We need only recall the story of Job to know that at times the Enemy, the Accuser, gets the upper hand and makes life more difficult. We would be wise, then, to  follow the example of Job and praise God for the strength he gives us not only to endure these trials, but also to prevail. There’s a great song I’d like to share with you about how to get past those stages in our lives. Relying on F.A.I.T.H., we take up the tools we need to defeat that Old Rascal. I’m going to give you two versions – one by the composer and a cover by another gentleman – and as you listen to them, contemplate what tools you already own to deal with whatever Satan has cast over you: DIG ANOTHER WELL (↔ Music Link→ cover) Pick Up The Shovel (↔ Music Link→ composer). It is essential that we remember that God does not cause or bring evil into our lives; however, – as with Job – he may allow it. I am sometimes asked about “and lead us not into temptation.” Please look at Matthew 6:13 for this insight: 13 and do not subject us to the final test,[1] but deliver us from the evil one. Satan wants our attention, and will do heinous things to get it.

Another scrap of poetry comes from Poetry for Going Home, probably written around 1982:

sojourner

I am changing the way I change myself.
Someone keeps refolding the map.
Where I am is always
on the other side.
Where is my destination
if my location is someplace else?
And how do you pack, I wonder?

Did you spot the problem there? It is in “refolding the map,” or in this essay the M.A.P. How can the M.A.P. be refolded if it wasn’t first folded? Who folded it and why? I’ll bet it was some impatient joker trying to override God’s plan with her/his own plan. My, oh my! That does sound familiar! The first Catholic Priest I got to know personally was Fr. John McMahon, and Air Force Chaplain on Lackland AFB. He oversaw my conversion catechesis, found me a sponsor for my Baptism (and we are still good buddies to this day), baptized me, and then latter presided over the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for Crucita and me. One of his favorite catchphrases was “Mother of God, why does there have to be suffering?” Back in those days I did not know the answer. Now, after a bit over five decades later, I know: suffering is God’s antidote for arrogance, disobedience, and/or selfishness – in a word – PRIDE.

When we learn to suffer for others, we have learned to disdain pride and embraced charity (once again, please refer to 1607AFC021216 – 2016 Lenten Series, #1) Why must here be suffering? Because it is one of God’s most precious gifts. “A Gift! You’ve got to be kidding us!” No, it is true. God’s disciplining us is part of the way the APP works. It’s called THEODICY (thee-OH-duh-see). We are aware of and participate with God’s “perfect Integrity, endless Mercy, everlasting Love, and eternal Salvation through Christ, our Lord.” Nonetheless we still recognize that there is also evil in this world, and that God has commanded that we not participate in that in any way. Evil is not part of the APP; in fact, it is contrary to the APP and works vigorously to keep us from consulting the M.A.P.

If that’s the case, then why are so many earthlings so enamored with evil and so many others indifferent to God and his plans for every earthling’s life? Let’s turn again to The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14 – 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of Jesus’ Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. If we know the APP and have the M.A.P., we are using spiritual discernment. Included in that bundle of gifts from God’s Holy Spirit is the boldness that overcomes the cowardice of sin and strengthens in us power and love and self-control. I confess, from where I sit this looks difficult. Do you, do I, do we have strength of faith enough that we can toss a mulberry tree out of the way or send a mountain to sit at the bottom of the sea? That’s what he told the Apostles.

The Apostles – who walked in the flesh with The Creator – asked him to increase their faith. Well, Belovéd, what will it take to increase our faith? How much can we trust God? We are reminded of the story of the possessed child brought to Jesus by his father after the disciples could not heal him. Jesus asked the crowd, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you?” The boy’s father said to Jesus, “… if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus ‘ response was that believing was needed. The man’s reply is a great prayer to use when consulting the M.A.P. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” Lord, I love; help my lack of love. Lord I obey; help my disobedience. (See Mark 9:17-29)

Ignoring or trying to override the APP will indeed result in discipline, Read Psalm 95 to get a glimpse of that. The message is clear: Carry the M.A.P., follow the M.A.P. use the M.A.P., but DON’T MESS IT UP BY FOLDING IT TO OUR SPECIFICATIONS. Once again, what is the M.A.P.? It is an examination of our conscience. When we compare what we see there with what we do here, any differences noted must be reconciled. Jesus took care of that for each and all of us. We simply need enough humility to accept that Truth as proof of his Everlasting Love.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever —
at your service, Belovéd!
Please pray with us here at Share-a-Prayer.

For further edification, please check out Deuteronomy 8:3-6, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, and Luke 9:22.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Biblical languages inserts from Bible Hub (Bible Hub: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages) Visit at http://biblehub.com

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Aloha Friday Messages by Charles O. Todd, III is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

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