Preparing For Christ's Coming

A Time of Preparing
A Reflection for the First Week of Advent
By Rev. Robert Johnnie )FA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionStSergius.org
Http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

Everywhere you look today you see people shopping for the perfect Christmas gift, people’s home being decorated with lights and trimming, and post offices jammed with people sending their greetings. I have to think “I wonder what they are doing to prepare for the coming of Christ?”.
The season of Advent is supposed to be a time when we Christians focus on the promises Christ made to us and to examine ourselves as to whether or not we are living according to Christ’s guidelines.
The word Advent comes from the Latin “Adventus” which means coming or arrival. The Aramaic word is “Marantha” which means “The Lord Cometh”. So, n essence it means to look forward to the Coming of our Savior. The word also has roots from the Latin “Ad” meaning to or toward and “Veni” meaning come.
The season is one of expectation and anticipation of something that is to happen in the future.
Now the question is how are we prepared for the coming that is promised in St. John’s “Apocalypse and the first Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians?
Are we really ready to meet our creator and answer to Him for the way we have lived our lives and used the gifts He has given us?
Are we living our lives “Semper Paratus”--translation Always Ready- the Coast Guard's motto?
We need to call to mind the words of Christ when asked when the He will come to claim His kingdom. The answer he gave was “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father” (MATTHEW 24:35-37)
If we never know when we will have to face the Lord isn’t it wise for us to always be prepared?
All around us today we see the forces of evil using the same tools that Satin used before the beginning of time in challenging Almighty God. Satin even tempted Adam and Eve with it "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (GENESIS 3:4-6). He even tempted Christ “the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." (MATTHEW 4:8-9) The desire for control and power is possibly Satins greatest form of temptation and it is usually couple with man‘s pursuit of wealth which we know is GREED.
We see it in the lives of every day people who are always trying to accumulate more wealth far in excess of what they need for everyday needs. We see it in Government leaders who forsake their responsibilities to those citizens who elected them in favor of gratifying the rich and powerful lobbies that provide funding, and sometimes graft money, for them . We see it in Religious Institutions who have compromised the basic teachings of Jesus Christ in order to attain power and wealth.
When there are children starving and dying all over the world because of poverty and wars when every day millions of food is wasted and thrown in the garbage. When people are turned away from worshiping and giving honor and praise to Almighty God because of their marital status or sexual orientation because it panders to a group of individuals who have many prejudices and deep pockets.
There are some who feel that observing the days of fast and abstinence (WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS) and fasting on all the days of the week are enough according to scripture, What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? ( JAMES 2:13 )The time is now for us to begin to place Christ at the center of our lives, to put the real meaning of Christmas back into the holiday. Without CHRIST there is no Christmas.
Let us truly prepare ourselves by praying more, receiving Eucharist more often, asking God for forgiveness of our failure to live according to His teachings. Let us begin to be more mindful of the needs of others by contributing to charitable organizations and returning a portion of our gifts back to God by supporting ministries that are struggling to proclaim Christ’s message of infinite and everlasting mercy, forgiveness and love for all His children.
I leave you with the following prayer for Advent:
Come, long expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as a part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God’s work for justice.
Come, long expected Jesus. Excite in me a joyful response to the Father’s joy. I seek His will so I can serve Him with gladness and love.
Come, long expected Jesus. Excite in me the love and peace that is a rightful gift to bring to the manger of Our Savior. Raise in me an honest reverence for God and a honest gratitude for His gift of His son to the world.
Come, Long expected Jesus. Fill me with your peace and guide me in my service to you as I attempt to live according to your teaching.
Come, Long expected Jesus. Strengthen me so that I may be your instrument of bringing peace and harmony to all I encounter on my daily journey through life.
I ask these things in your name Jesus as you live and reign with the Father, Almighty God, and the Holy Spirit as one triune God, now and forever unto the ages of ages. AMEN

Statement of Faith

Mission Statement of Faith

Recently I have been asked what are the beliefs of our ministry and where do they derive from. Our beliefs are those of Orthodox Christians and are defined here for clarification.
We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit — the Trinity one and indivisible. The Father is before all time; the Son of God is begotten of the Father before all ages; and the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father from all eternity. We believe in One God, worshipped in the Trinity, eternal, almighty and all-knowing; that of His own Will He created all that exists out of nothing: first, the realm of the angels, invisible to us, and then our visible and material world. God also created people, breathed into us eternal souls, imprinted in our hearts his benevolent law, and gave us free will. He created us to be eternally blessed in communion with Him. We believe that God is eternally just and righteous in His mercy. He governs the entire universe and the life of each one of us, and without His will nothing can be accomplished.When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's word, He did not reject them permanently, but through the prophets began to disclose His plan of salvation, promising to send the Messiah, Christ. When the world was ripe for accepting the true faith, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, came down to earth, to save us sinners. He taught us how to believe and live righteously. He died on the Cross for our salvation and with His precious blood washed away our sins. On the third day He rose from the dead and began our own resurrection and eternal blessed life in heaven. We believe that on the fiftieth day after His resurrection the Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles, who even now are present in the Church, supporting her in spirit and truth.
We believe that one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is empowered with invincible power against evil even until the end of the world. We believe that the Holy Spirit, through the Sacraments of Baptism, confession, Holy Communion, the laying on of hands and the other Sacraments, purifies and enlightens believers, giving them strength to live a Christian life.
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will come again a second time upon this earth, at which time there will be the resurrection of the dead and a final judgment, in which every person will be judged according to his deeds. After the judgment, eternal life will begin; for the righteous, eternal bliss in communion with God, for the devil and sinners eternal suffering in hell.We believe that for salvation it is not enough to have faith alone, but it is necessary to live in accordance with faith. For this reason, we admit to the necessity of fulfilling the ten commandments given by God to the Prophet Moses, and the Beatitudes in the Gospel given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. (Matt. 5:3-12).
These laws command us to love God and our neighbor and even to love our enemies
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:
44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. (Matt. 5:43-45).
These laws of love place Christian Faith in a moral position above other religions, and from that point of view the Church is the only true path to peace among the nations. Without a sincere love for our neighbor and without forgiveness, wars and total annihilation are inevitable. The Lord Jesus Christ teaches us all to forgive in a remarkable prayer, the "Our Father," when we pray, "and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." In His sermons the Lord teaches faithfulness, gentleness, patience, and justice towards others. Among His sermons one which stands out is the "sermon of the talents" which calls us to develop within ourselves all the gifts given by the Lord, our abilities and talents. True faith must constantly develop inner growth and produce good deeds, because "faith without works is dead" (James 2:6).Christians must not be materialistic, that is, they must behave dispassionately towards material blessings, not use them for selfish purposes, but rather to meet basic necessities and to help others who are less fortunate. Pride, arrogance, selfishness and egoism are loathsome in the sight of God.
We Believe that each person was created by God with a free will and is therefore responsible for his own behavior. God loves us and has mercy on us sinners. He helps us with every good thing, especially if we call on Him. He promised us: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). Earnest prayer enlightens reason, helps overcome temptation, and assist us to live according to God's commandments. Prayer helps us to enliven our spiritual abilities which become the main purpose for our life on earth.
We believe that when a Christian experiences misfortune or illness, he must not blame God, but remember that the Lord permits us to suffer for our spiritual benefit, for cleansing from sins and the strength to do good deeds. In troubled times, we must pray to the Heavenly Father, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." “Father, not my will but thy will be done”(Matt. 26:42)We believe that we are called to almsgiving which includes caring for one's family, the elderly, orphans, widows, the sick and the poor. It also requires refraining from criticizing anyone, as the Lord Jesus Himself commanded, "judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1). The purpose of our life is constant striving towards righteousness: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).
This is the beliefs and the truths that Mission Saint Sergius and Bacchus believe in and strives to teach in order to bring each of us closer to Almighty God and the promise of Salvation.
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA

God and Government

Render Unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
and unto God the things that are God’s
A Reflection for November 19, 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saint Sergius and Bacchus
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
Today we are faced with many difficult and discomforting decisions in our day to day lives. We are subjected to many differing voices of opinions on everything from the justification of the wars being waged to an individuals right to life. The ability to be free to marry the person we love and receive the same benefits of every other citizen, and how we treat the homeless and poor with housing and medical care. These are serious life defining questions.
Every one of these issues have government officials and religious leaders that prescribe different points of view.
We should look for the answers in the true teachings of Christ as found in the original manuscripts of the early church before the political ambitions of church leaders distorted the writings.
How we should act becomes increasingly difficult to discern. Who’s opinion and view is the right one. The Gospel reading for the Orthodox church this week might give us a direction to look toward for an answer “Render Unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God’s.“ MATTHEW 22:21.
Because of the multiple religious voices who have translated the Holy Scriptures to suite their political agendas and for financial considerations, there are questions as to what is meant by this passage and many others. The dictionary has the following meanings for the word RENDER
1. vt give help: to give help or provide a service (formal) or . vt pay respect: to give what is due or appropriate to somebody who has authority or power (formal) “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” Matthew 22:21
If we were to consider the first translation (to give help or provide a service) then we as Christians are called to help Government by suggesting the direction they should take.
Many times the lines between Religion and Government have become totally blurred in the past and most recently in the last few decades.
Government officials who claim to be Christians do not always reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ in their legislative rulings. They are like beautifully wrapped gift boxes that when opened are empty. When laws are passed that discriminate against any group of individuals governments are not acting as Jesus did. Jesus never discriminated against anyone who came to him that believed and asked His help.
The role of Government is to insure the Public Safety and well being of all. Government is to protect the public from thieves, adulterers, murderers, cheats, or any behavior that endangers the general well being of the public. When the government invades the private day to day lives of individuals, who are not causing harm to anyone, by promoting laws that discriminate they are not fulfilling their constitutional role.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts not one citizen has been harmed from the legalization of same sex unions. In fact the results have actually shown the law to be a benefit to every citizen and strengthened the concept of loving relationships. Yet there are those who are attempting to enforce their religious teachings upon all the citizens of the Commonwealth by attempting to reverse the decision of the courts. What they fear is unknown and unproved but is based solely on their interpretation of Holy Scripture and personal prejudiced fear.
All the references in the Scriptures to same sex relationships are in conjunction with acts that were used as a means of worship to false God’s and were prevalent in ancient times. Many were instansis where people were forced to engage in sexual activity or where people were using sex solely for the pleasure of it and not in a committed and loving relationship as an fulfillment of their love for their partner.
When Government begins to decide what rights and privileges citizens can have based on their religious beliefs they have gone beyond the role of Government. Just as when Religious leaders try to enforce their particular belief on every citizen they have stepped beyond their place. Both scenarios are wrong.
The Middle East is a prime example of what can happen when one religion attempts to suppress another religion and enforce their belief on everyone. Millennium of discord, wars and the resulting deaths of millions have occurred and still the battle rages
As long as people are not hurting others and inflicting undue suffering of others or stealing, murdering or raping others, governments should abide by the rules of “LIVE AND LET LIVE”
Today’s world is in need of more love, not more hate. Governments need to focus on finding ways to bring about peace and harmony among all nations, not wage war.
Governments and their officials need to focus on easing the pain and suffering of the poor, elderly, homeless, and sick. They need to find ways of curing illnesses that diminish the quality of life of individuals with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, HIV/AIDS, MLS, Cancer and SID’s.
Christ told us, 25I have said these things to you while still with you; but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you. Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” JOHN 14:25-28
We need to listen to the Holy Spirit working within us and pray for God’s guidance in our discernment.
We are called to live our daily lives with respect, decency, honesty, and most important, with total and complete trust and love of Almighty God.
We need to work for peace and justice toward all the children of God in the same manner as Jesus Christ did. It is incumbent on each of us to do it not to leave it all to government.
It is not our place to determine who is and who is not going to be acceptable in the eyes of God but to insure that the truth is given and the work done as Christ instructed.
We have a right to express our views on government actions but not the right to enforce our views on everyone. That is one of God’s precious gifts, the freedom to choose. Because I choose to believe and live in a certain way does not mean that it is correct for all. Any group of individuals who attempt to force their way on others is doing a disservice to everyone, including themselves.
Let us follow Christ’s teaching and “Render Unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God’s.“ MATTHEW 22:21. AMEN

God's call to Forgiveness

Reflection for 22nd Sunday after Trinity
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times”
These words from the Gospel of Matthew 18:21tell us that we are obliged to forgive others for any indiscretions they commit against us. There is no doubt in my mind of how difficult that can be. It is not easy to forgive a person for even one transgression against us, let alone seven or seventy times seven times.
If we think about it though we need to think about how many times we commit sins and expect God to forgive us. What if he forgave us only once and when we, because of our human weakness commit the same sin again, God said: “I have already forgiven you once you went back and made the same mistake so I guess there is no hope for you” This would never happen of course, because God is an everlasting and infinitely merciful and loving God who understands our human weaknesses and will forgive us if we are truly sorry and show some intent to try to not return to the same indiscretion.
How many times have you broken a friendship or held anger within you because of something that another did against you which made you upset and angry and when they asked forgiveness you were unwilling to forgive them?
I know of a case where a adult daughter is unwilling to forgive her father for divorcing the mother and leaving her. She was devoted to her father and was said to be his shadow. When in his company she was never more than a foot away from her dad. When the parents separated she was very hurt and felt that the father left her, which was not the case in any way. That all happened when she was 6. Today she is a brilliant successful lawyer and yet she will not call her father “dad or father” but refers to him by his first name. On many occasions the father has apologized and told her how much he loves her and is proud of her achievements in spite of the fact that he was not there for much of her youth. The young lady has, according to others, actually torn up birthday and Christmas cards which included money or checks without even opening them.
This is not the way God wants us to act. The father can understand the daughters anger over feeling that the father had abandoned her, which was not the case since gifts and other messages were always being transmitted to her. The father always made sure that the children, (there were also two sons in this family) received presents on their birthdays and other occasions and when in the area would visit them.
This kind of anger is not in keeping with what Christ has instructed us, but can be harmful to the health of an individual. I know of another case where a person held anger over things that had happened to them in their youth inside them and the anger ate away at them making them sick much of their life. They held on to the negative things that happened to them and tended to forget all the wonderful things.
God’s promises are forever. They promise us that we may have salvation and eternal life with Him with these words found in Deuteronomy 6:2 “If you fear the Lord your God all the days of your life and if you keep all his laws and commandments which I lay on you, you will have a long life”.
We have been given all the ways to show our love and devotion to God, The rules of the Old covenant were clarified for us by Jesus Christ. Christ affirmed this when he responded to the scribe who asked him what the greatest commandments were and after being told “The scribe said to him, ‘Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one God and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.’ Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God’. And after that no one dared to question him any more.(Mark 12:33-34)
If we can learn to forgive and strive to in every way live our life daily exhibiting love, compassion and forgiveness to all we encounter we have been promised God’s mercy and forgiveness to us for our transgression with these words.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
(Matthew 18:35)
PRAYER
Almighty and merciful God, help me to be more understanding and forgiving toward all those who I perceive have done harm to my either in deed or unkind words, by lies and deceit. Help me to see beyond their transgressions and find that within them that is good. This task is most difficult because of my human nature and so I need the graces of the Holy Spirit to become less judgmental and more forgiving. I ask thin is the name of my redeemer and savior, Jesus Christ, your son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one triune God now and forever unto the ages of ages. AMEN

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Blessed Are The Peace Makers
A Reflection for All Saints Day 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
www.missionstsergius.org
“Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God”, these words from the sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ seem to be falling on deaf ears today. Everywhere we turn we are inundated with news of violence and war. Games designed for children promote violence and war.
Some of the most popular television programs have murder or sex as their base story line.
Even sadder than that is the fact that those voices that try to promote peaceful means of settling disputes on a national or local level are called unkind words or described as eternal optimists who are out of touch with reality. I know, because I have been labeled that many times.
My question is where are all the voices of those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ?
If you are a follower of Christ, that means you accept His words and work hard at attempting to do as He directed.
On this feast celebrating the lives of those women and men who followed Christ’s teachings, many to the death of their earthly bodies, let us examine ourselves as to what we have done or are doing to preach PEACE.
Back in the times of another unpopular war in our nation a group known as “Hippies” went around shouting “Make Peace and love, not war” they were treated with scorn by many and labeled “Flower Children”. What we need to call to mind is that Jesus was also treated in the same way because He preached a way of life that was not the norm.
As followers of Christ we need to exert ourselves to follow His instructions as given on The Sermon On The Mount and work harder to bring about peace between all of God’s children.
Not only between nations, but religious denomination, neighbors, local governing officials and ALL of God’s children.
In recent weeks we have been bombarded with the nastiest of advertisements from all sides of the political arena in order to keep control of power. Where is it written in the teachings of Christ that power is what we should be seeking?
What we need to do as Christians is seek justice, peace, compassion, fairness, equality not power and profit and glory.
As Christians, the glory we should be seeking is the Glory of God.
Just as the Saints who achieved a higher level of spirituality and because of it favor in the eyes of God, we need to seek to live by God’s way and not that of the material world.
Let us call to mind the words of Christ, ““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:26-28 ).I have come to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-80)On this feast commemorating those who achieved a higher level of spirituality in their human existence and were blessed by being recognized as saints; let us commit to working harder to live Christ’s teaching and strive to do much more now to put into action the teaching of Christ. “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God”, AMEN
“Let their be peace on earth and let it begin with me” (Saint Francis)

God will Provide if you but Trust and Believe

Believe and Trust and God Provides
A Reflection of the Readings for October 29th, 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.Mission_St_Sergius.org
The messages of today’s readings in both the Western Orthodox and the Roman rites have one common theme and it is, if you trust and believe in God with your whole being He will provide your needs.
We are also reminded to be on guard always against the power and temptations of the evil one.
St. paul begins his letter to the Ephesians 6: 10-20 with this very sage advice “My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The Gospels for both rites tell the story of how having faith in God and believing that Jesus Christ is the son of God come to earth to proclaim God’s infinite and everlasting love and forgiveness and to teach us the truth path to salvation can bring miracles.
In the Gospel of John we hear the story of the nobleman, whose son was sick and on the verge of dying. He pleaded with Christ to come with him and cure the boy. Jesus told him, “Go on thy way home, your son lives”. The man did not question Christ but did as he was told and on the way home a servant met him and told him his son was cured.
In the Gospel of Mark 10: 46-52, we hear a similar story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus who hearing Christ was close called out to Christ to heal him. Jesus feeling the man’s faith said to Bartimaeus
"Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately the blind beggar received his sight and followed Jesus faithfully from that day on.
The message of these readings is a simple one and yet so many today seem to look elsewhere for help in all things.
Our human nature is so fickle that unless we witness a miracle we begin to question the truth of Christ‘s teachings. This brings me to the warning issued by St Paul in his epistle. “. Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
One of the tools of the devil is to have us question the truth of Christ and the presence of Almighty God.
We need to be ever diligent in our goal of reaching eternal salvation with Christ every moment of every day. That is our road to Calvary. Because Christ was the son of God and free of all stain of sin to which we as humans are very prone, his road of Calvary which procured for us the redemption of sin, had to be extreme. Some of those who followed after him also suffered persecutions and death in the name of Christ and we celebrate them this Wednesday on the feast of All Saints. They believed and were willing to die for the sake of Christ.
We are being asked to have that same level of trust and faith in God. We have been given a much easier road to travel than Christ and the martyrs if we truly believe and put our complete trust and faith in God. Our best armor to protect us on this dangerous road of life in these times of self satisfaction and self gratification is prayer and the Eucharist.
God’s promise of salvation is for ALL His children who believe in Him and acknowledge their inadequacies and weaknesses and seek His help in living according to the teachings His beloved son Jesus Christ gave us in the Sermon On The Mount and in the Great Commandment “Love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, mind, soul and body and love your neighbor as you love yourself”
God is compassionate, merciful, forgiving and more loving than any human can ever be. He is there to answer our pleas and provide us with our needs as any good father does for His children. If we trust in him as the men in the gospel stories of today did, He will provide us with what we ask.
With God, all things are possible. Without God in our lives, we are helpless and open to all kinds of attack from the devil.
Christ himself told us “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.” (John 12:43-45)Let us go forth from this day on to deepen our trust and faith in God and let us turn to Him before all others seeking His guidance and strength to overcome to temptations that are constantly bombarding us in these trying times so that we will think and act in our daily lives in the same manner that Christ did, accepting each person He encountered as a brother and sister and extending to them compassion, mercy, forgiveness and love.
Let us always call to mind the words found in Matthew 7 :1-3 “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”I close with this prayer;
Almighty and merciful God, grant me the wisdom and understanding and the courage to live according to your ways. Endow me with an abundance of the gifts of your Holy Spirit so that I will be unto all I encounter a reflection of your beloved son, Jesus Christ.
Assist me to be less judgmental of others but to show the same compassion and love as Jesus di to all who approached Him. Open my heart to become more accepting of all and more generous with the gifts you have provided me with. I ask this in the name of your beloved son, my redeemer and savior, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit as one triune God now and forever unto the ages of ages. AMEN

Ad Majoreum Dei Gloriam

Ad Majoreum Dei Gloriam
A Reflection for All Saints Day
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
Recently one of the people who are members of our missions blog page suggested that I was a saintly person. I immediately responded that I had not even climbed to the bottom rung of the ladder leading to that distinction and would be happy to even be able to begin the climb.
On Wednesday Nov. 1 the universal church honors all the Saints and the persons remark started me wondering what it was that those who are named saints in the church did to gain that distinction.
It is commonly agreed by theologians that all who die and have lived according to the teachings of Almighty God as given in the Commandments and of Jesus Christ are in heaven and therefore saints. But some individuals are given the extra recognition of being canonized for special recognition of their extemporary lives in the hope they will inspire us to emulate them.
Upon reflection, the one thing that each and every one of them had in common is summed up in the phrase "Ad Majoreum Dei Gloriam," which means “To the Greater Glory of God” Many of us are familiar with the phrase as the motto of the Jesuits. How it became so is a story in and of itself. St. Ignatius de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, was a Spanish soldier in his early years but was shot in the leg at Pamplona, which resulted in a very serious injury. As he lay in bed for weeks in a hospital, he asked for some reading material, but the only available books were "The Lives of the Saints" and "Life of Our Savior." These books were unappealing at first to the soldier, but Ignatius soon underwent a conversion, which changed his entire world view and led him to become a soldier of Christ. This conversion led Ignatius to found the Jesuits, who have had a lasting impact on the world and continue to influence our world today. One of the favorite phrases of Ignatius is a Latin phrase, "Ad Majoreum Dei Gloriam," which is many times abbreviated AMDG and means "for the greater glory of God." As I was attending Boston College High school that phrase was found every where.
I have concluded that the one common thread in all of the saints lives is summed up in that phrase. Each and every one of them lived their lives with that goal at the forefront and purpose of their life. All their actions were done to give greater glory to Almighty God.
Some became saints by disagreeing with Bishops, Cardinals and Popes because they felt that the hierarchy’s actions where not those acceptable to God and they were put to death for their defiance like Joan of Arc. Many others became martyrs giving up their earthly life rather than go against God’s teachings or worship a false God like the patron saints of our mission Sergius and Bacchus. Still others like Mother Theresa of Calcutta, St. Francis of Assisi, Blessed Father Damien De Veuster, Saint Julie Billiart, St. Dominic Savio and St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton achieved special recognition by devoting their lives to helping the poor, needy, sick and in educating youth.
The common thread, as I have stated before, was that they did everything for the greater honor and glory of God.
The question now arises, How do we live our life for the greater glory of God?
For starters, we accept how God has created us and not try to alter His creation for the sake of vanity and we make the most of the gifts and talents he has given us.
We avoid seeking acclaim for ourselves, which is the sin of pride, and live for the sake of others especially those who society rejects or marginalizes.
We shun excesses in food, alcohol and sexual pleasure and use these gifts of God prudently and for the purpose which they are meant.
We share our bounty and ourselves with others rather than being greedy and hoarding it.
Above all, we seek a closer bond with Almighty God through prayer and the Sacraments.
The one thing that every saint recognized in their life was that God had placed them here to be His servant and to do His work while we enjoy the benefits of His creation.
Our seraphic father of the Franciscan‘s , St. Francis, recognized God in every living creature and in all of creation. His beautiful poem/prayer, the CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN expresses this in a wonderful way and for that reason I end this reflection with it in the hopes that it will lead you to reconsider how you are living your life today and what changes you might make to become, if not a saint, but at least more saintly. The journey is not easy as the lives of the saints records. It is not fashionable or acceptable by many. You may loose friends and family but then Christ did call us to leave all things and come follow Him. "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Matthew 19:20-22
The Canticle of the Sun
by Francis of Assisi
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility. AMEN, AMEN All praise and glory be yours Almighty God unto the ages of ages. AMEN

God's Promise Will Give You Strength

God’s Promise Will Give Us Strength
A Reflection on Luke 11: 9-13
By Fr. Robert Johnnene OFA
www.MissionStSergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
To me one of the most heart warming and comforting passages found in scripture has to be Luke 11: verses 9 through 13. In it, we hear Christ promising us that if we go to His Father with sincerity and devotion God will, as any good father would, give us what is best for us. The passage also affirms that God is totally aware of our weaknesses and sinful nature but we know from other scripture readings God has infinite mercy and forgiveness if we acknowledge our sinfulness.
We need to pay special notice that the promise, it is to provide us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit not grant us every desire we have for material or worldly things. “Your Father in heaven gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are: found in Isaiah (11:1-3) where he is foretelling the qualities of the Messiah.
“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.”
With the gifts of the Holy Spirit we also gain the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit which will grow in our souls the more we turn to God as our source of consolation and strength.
The fruits, we are told, we will grow and be ready to harvest from our faith and trust in God and by living as Jesus instructed us. They are ( 1 ) greater Charity toward all God‘s children regardless of their race or sexual orientation. ( 2 & 3 ) A sense of Joy and inner Peace in our heart and mind. ( 4 )Greater Patience to deal with the everyday problems of life that beset us. ( 5 ) Benignity, which means we will be more disposed to perform acts of kindness toward others without expectation of recompense. ( 6 ) We will be more inclined to act towards others and seek in our friends and others the Goodness of God. ( 7 ) Another benefit is the ability to endure physical and emotional difficulties that can cause us Long-suffering, like sickness or loss of a job, without complaint. ( 8 ) Mildness which will incline us toward seeking peace with others instead of confrontation. ( 9 ) We will grow in our Faith in Almighty God and be better able to abide by His teachings as given by His Son Jesus Christ in His teachings. ( 10 ) We become more inclined toward being Modest instead of boastful in our manner and also we will be less likely to dress in a provocative way. ( 11 ) We gain Continency, which is the ability to exercise self constraint and moderation in our sexual desires. For those who are called to live their life in ( 12 ) Chastity the gifts of the Holy Spirit will provide the fruit of being able to live up to that promise or vow.
I believe that in this time or turmoil and discord in the world, religions, and between the different races in our cities, God is calling us and attempting to awaken us to seek out His promises. In order to do this we need to turn our thoughts inward toward the spiritual things that will last unto the ages of ages and seek less the gratifications of the material world.
We need to be ready to meet our Lord when He comes and as we are told in Mark 13:32 and 33; "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”
Christ came to earth in the form of man to teach us the will of the Father. In the words of Christ found in Luke 5:32 “I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” We have Christ’s call to us, Let us answer it by changing our faults into a life that will be in accordance with the will of God and pleasing to Him. Do not let the whims of mere men with their natural human weaknesses cause you to stray away from the love of God because they have told you that you are not worthy but believe the promises of the Father as proclaimed by our savior and redeemer Jesus Christ. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) AMEN

Missions Patron Saints Feast Day

Little Known, Forgotten or Hidden Saints
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
A Franciscans of the Annunciation Mission
Since I will be at the synod for the Western Orthodox Catholic Church this weekend I am posting this reflection now commemorating the patron Saints of this ministry whose feast day is On Saturday October Seventh. Our little mission here in Massachusetts serves the entire New England area and through cyber space the entire world. I have often been asked “who are Saints Sergius and Bacchus?”. The answer is they are a pair of saints, among many, who most people have never heard of because they do not necessarily fit the current church political positions although they are celebrated in the Eastern churches especially the Orthodox churches. I myself had never heard of them and I have read the LIVES OF THE SAINTS from cover to cover through my more than 60 years of religious education and work.
Saints Sergius and Bacchus were soldiers in the Roman army, attached to the household of the Emperor Maximilian. They were Christians. Moreover, they were lovers. Yes you read that correctly. However, it was not for their sexuality these young men were canonized. It was for their faith -- one of history's most poignant ironies, given the church's unflinching campaign against gay love.
I came across their Icon when I was on retreat at the Benedictine monastery in Weston Vermont where I will be again next weekend. I was there trying to perceive how and under who’s patronage I would establish a ministry to the GLBT community under since none of the Roman churches in the area wanted any part of it.
While perusing the gift shop I noticed the Icon of two male saints in an embrace and wondered who they were. When I turned the Icon over and read the history of Saints Sergius and Bacchus I was totally surprised and immediately knew that God had sent me to find them. They, by the way, are not the only saints who had committed same sex relationships there are others like Saints Polyeuct and Nearchus and we all now of King David’s love for Jonathan and others both male and female couples.
Saints Sergius and Bacchus were ordered to enter the Temple of Jupiter to participate in a sacrificial ceremony to the god, they refused. For this act of defiance, the lovers were stripped of their arms and badges of rank, dressed in women's clothing and led through the streets of Arabissus (near Comana in Cappadocia) which, for a Roman soldier, was abject humiliation. Then they were sent to Resapha in Syria (Augusta Euphratesiae in Mesopotamia), where they were tortured. Bacchus was whipped until his flesh was raw and he died October 1st AD290, confessing his faith in Christ.
Sergius's faith faltered with the death of his lover, but was reinforced when Bacchus appeared to him in a vision saying, "I am still with you in the bond of our union." Sergius kept the faith and after a great deal more of torture, he was beheaded on October 7 AD290. Like his lover, he died a martyr for the love of Christ.
The tomb of S. Sergius at Resapha become a famous shrine and was honored by great gatherings of Christians because of the frequent miracles there. Sergius and Bacchus became the heavenly protectors of the Byzantine army, with the two Theodores, Demetrius, Procopius and George. Their "acts" are preserved in Latin, Greek and Syria. In AD431, Bishop Alexander of Hierapolis built a magnificent church in Sergius’s honor. In 434, the town of Resapha was raised to the rank of an episcopal see, was named Sergiopolis, and soon became one of the greatest pilgrimage centers of the East. Many churches in many towns bore the name of Sergius (sometimes with Bacchus) and in the seventh century, a church was dedicated to them in Rome. There have been two popes named after Saint Sergius.
During the Middle Ages, the relationship of Sergius and Bacchus was considered an exemplar of compassionate union, and possibly even marriage, based on agape (brotherly love) and mutual respect. In the East, Sergius and Bacchus were universally honored. Since the seventh century they have had a celebrated church in Rome. Christian Art represents the two saints as soldiers in military garb with branches of palm in their hands. Their feast is observed on 7 October.
Theirs is just one of many sometimes hidden or not made much of because the saints do not fit exactly the current political thinking of the church. I strongly recommend that all who love Christ and believe that he is our savior and redeemer take it upon themselves to read the many histories of the church, not just the Roman version, but the versions that preceded the establishment of Rome as the “central” seat of the church. What we now call the Eastern Orthodox churches were all, except for Russia, established before Rome and their historical records are more intact and open than those of Rome.
I am ending this brief history lesson with a prayer I wrote in honor of the patron saints of our ministry.
Almighty and merciful God, Your Holy Martyrs, Sergius and Bacchus loved each other and You with such complete abandon that they were pleased to suffer torments and give their earthly lives rather than deny you. They were subjected to disgrace, humiliation and ridicule in an attempt to embarrass and discredit them and force them to renounce you, O Lord. Their love for each other and You, O Lord, sentenced them to earthly degradation and loss of their earthly lives but gained for them eternal live and glory with you. I pray that they will intercede on my behalf to you, O Blessed Lord, and plead my case so that I may join them and all the saints, when my days here on earth are over, in giving endless praise honor and glory to You Almighty God and father. Amen

Doing the Work of The Lord

Doing the Work of The Lord
A Reflection of the Readings for October 1, 2006Numbers 11:25-29, Psalm 18, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-48
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The readings for Sunday have, it seems to me, a very important message for all who claim to be Christians and followers of Christ to consider. One of the most important is found in the message of the Psalm and it affirms the truth about Almighty God that He listens to us and answers our prayers. If we put our lives in God’s hands, He will protect us and make our lives safe for us. There is, of course, one condition and that is we have to live according to how God, through Christ’s teachings and the commandments has instructed us.
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. (Psalm 18)
A second and even more powerful message is that by placing our measure of wealth in material things we are leading ourselves to possible destruction. The message found in James 5 is crystal clear, on a couple of points. One concerns how one has gained their earthly wealth. If you have accumulated profit at the expense of others by not paying a just wage, that profit will be like a fire that consumes you. It also places blame on those who live for only the material on many of the troubles that are plaguing the world today.
Now an answer for the rich. Start crying; weep for the miseries that are coming to you. You stored up as your treasure for the last days a burning fire. Laborers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back, calling out; realize that the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. On earth you have had a life of comfort and luxury; in the time of slaughter you went on eating to your heart’s content. It was you who condemned the innocent and killed them; (James 5).
A third message found in the readings concerns those who seem to feel that they are the appointed of God. That they and only their message is the correct path to God. When the apostles told Jesus they tried to stop people who were not of their group from prophesizing and performing miracles in the name of Almighty God Jesus said:
‘You must not stop him: no one who works a miracle in my name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward.’ anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. (Mark 9)
Lastly, the reading from numbers has a very interesting and thought provoking idea for us to ponder upon. This concerns a supposition about what the world would be like if everyone was given the gift of prophesy by God. If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all!’(Numbers 11)
Just imagine it, every follower of God having the gift of prophesy. If that were actually the case, the world might not be so quick to declare war against other nations. People would be more likely to be concerned about the needs of the poor, hungry, aged, sick, and more likely to be more compassionate and less judgmental. People would realize that a pure love between two people is a good thing not to be disparaged and condemned.
As we contemplate these messages let us realize that throughout all of scripture God have directed us on the way to live and how we can gain everlasting life with Him. God expects us, no He put us here to live and do His work while we are here to gain the greatest wage and wealth of all. Everlasting life in His presence. We have been sent out into the vineyards to be the hands, feet, mouth and spirit of Almighty God and to actively wage the battle against the powers of darkness who are attempting to replace the infinite mercy, love, compassion of God with hatred, discrimination, violence and greed.
Let us offer up a prayer to God, giving ourselves over to Him so that the truth of the Psalm becomes our truth, The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
Almighty God,
I give you my hands to do Your work;
I give you my feet to go Your way;
I give you my eyes to see as You do;
I give you my tongue to speak Your words;
I give you my mind that You may think in me;
I give you my spirit that You may pray in me;
Above all, I give you my heart that You may love in and through me all to whom I come in contact with each and every day.
I dedicate myself to doing Your will in all things and to become an instrument through which You might bring about peace and harmony to all your children here on earth. AMEN
Prayer by Fr. Robert Johnnene OFA © 1987

The Last Shall Be First

The Last Shall Be First
Reflection on Readings For Sunday September 24th
Wisdom 2:12-20; James 3:16-18; Psalm 54:3-8; Mark 9:30-37
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

This week’s readings have a series of powerful messages for us to consider. They talk about how people who boast about how great they are, how powerful they are could very well be in danger in God’s design of things. I have chosen a few of the passages from today’s readings for us to reflect upon and consider how and where we, and those in the public eye, are living them.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:16)
Where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice. Envy and selfish ambition, how often have we and leaders of corporation, governments and churches followed those goals? How does the scripture tell us to overcome those evil conditions in our life? By seeking God’s wisdom and live a life that is considerate of others, full of mercy for those who are suffering because of poverty, illness or who have hurt us in some way. We are told to seek out peace not vengeance.
Remember what we are told in Romans 12:18-20
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.
James 3 further tells us “The harvest of Righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”
Since we are in the seasonal time of harvest, possibly we need to work harder than ever before to harvest peace between those with whom we have had disagreements. We need to find the common ground to settle the petty differences that have divided all who all claim to worship the one and same God, The Creator God, The God of Abraham, Isaac, David, Jacob and the Almighty Father of Jesus Christ. We have sown the seeds of discontent among the seeds of peace and goodwill. Now we need to harvest peace and goodwill and leave the discontent for the weeds to be burned and destroyed.
Mark’s gospel tells the story of how the apostles were arguing about who among them was the greater. Christ knew this, as He knows all of our thoughts, words and actions, and when they got to where they were to rest, Christ gathered them together and asked what they were discussing. When no one answered, Christ sat them down and told them; “Jesus sat down and called for the Twelve to come to him. Then he said, "If you want to be first, you must be the very last. You must be the servant of everyone. Jesus then took a little child and had the child stand among them. Then he took the child in his arms. He said to them, Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me doesn't welcome only me but also the One who sent me."
Can Christ’s message to us be any clearer? If we wish to be a true leader, the first of firsts among people we need to become a servant to all. We need to have the innocence of a child that knows no anger or hatred. Hatred, violence, anger are lessons that are learned and then nurtured by people with agendas of their own.
Our only agenda in life should be to live, work and think of what Almighty God wants from us. We need to live our life attempting to emulate our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, in all of our daily lives.
We can begin doing this by examining how we relate to the issues that our family and the world are facing today. Do we judge people on how they look, their color, the church they attend, who their partner in life may be, how much money they have? We should judge them on how they are respectful of the needs of others, how they are always ready to help someone in trouble or need, by their love of Almighty God.
We live in troubled times. We hear many versions of how life is going to change for us by doing one thing or another. Politicians will be promoting their agendas over the next 6 weeks all claiming to improve our lives. Television networks are all vying for our eyes claiming to be the #1 network that gives us the best news and entertainment. Advertisers tell us our lives will improve by using their product. The truth is the only way our lives will ever change is if we change them within our selves. Our lives and the world condition will only change when we begin to make a serious examination of our behavior and how closely it and our lives are being lived in relationship to Christ’s teachings. The chalenge is ours alone. We can not be seeking to be the top gun but must be willing to be the servant.
We need to become a servant of God, serving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and working to harvest peace among all God’s children. May Almighty God give us the Wisdom to know and live according to His way and not the way of mere mortals. May God grant us patience, compassion, forgiveness, and courage to live according to his way so that we may be welcomed into His Kingdom with open and loving arms. AMEN.

Reasons To Love The Lord, Our God

Reflection for September 17, 2006
Based on the readings from: Isaiah 50:5-9, Psalm 116:1-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35
Reasons to Love The Lord, Our God
Submitted by Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

“The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to the smite of others, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”
These words from the book of Isaiah foretold how Jesus Christ would be treated and how Jesus would react to the ridicule and ultimate sacrifice He would endure. These words also should remind us that we would have to endure taunts and even rejection because of our love for God. This happens because the way of Christ is not the way of humanity. Christ taught us to have compassion, love, mercy, and forgiveness. These are qualities that are in short supply in today’s world. This past week we were given a vivid reminder of what lengths some people will go to inflicting suffering on others because they seek to control and dominate the world in the name of their religion. This is the total opposite of what Christ taught.
“What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.”
These words from James 2 explain exactly how we need to act in order to proclaim our faith. They tell us, in no uncertain words, that we live our faith by our actions. So many proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, but they have blinders on the suffering and pain all around them. If they are aware of it, they do little to put an end to it. Our nations leaders claim to be believers, we begin many government and public gatherings with a benediction but somehow little is really done to bring and end to the homelessness, poverty, medical needs of the poor and aged, yet we can find trillions to use in exploring outer space, waging wars, providing tax breaks and incentives to the rich and corporations that make billions.
"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.”
These words from the Gospel of Mark inform us that to become followers of Christ, we must be willing to endure the crosses we are given. We must deny ourselves. That means we need to always keep in mind the needs of others and not always be centered and concerned with our own need. This is indeed very difficult. I know! Every day I pray to God asking him to provide me with the tools I think I need to do His work here on earth, a chapel, reliable transportation so I can reach out to others who cannot get to church to receive the Eucharist or are in need of comforting and prayers because of illness or depression. I pray that I can spread The Good News of The Everlasting Compassion and infinite love and mercy of God for all His children. I pray and it seems that God is not listening, but then I realize that possibly he is giving me the tools I need. I realize this because I am aware that God’s ideas and time line are not those of the world. As the Psalm reminds us;
“I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live…..Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I beseech thee, save my life!" Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.”
God hears us, but He will only answer us with what is right and best for us and at the time that is most appropriate. When people are sick, or when they need a job or to sell their house or some other need God hears them, but He knows when it will be the best time and the best for them. Sometimes he calls the sick person home to him as the best way of ending their suffering. It leaves us feeling sad, lonely, and sometimes angry but we need to realize that God knows what lay ahead for that person and did what was best for them. That is a part of what it means to deny ourselves. We must accept God’s will in our lives, just as Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane pleaded “Lord remove this cup from me, but not my will, but yours be done”
I suggest that we might try to proclaim that prayer with all our petitions to God. I do and I then keep going forward in the belief that when God deems it right He will provide those things I think I need in He feels I need them. He has always provided me in the past even when I was not aware of it. Why should it not keep happening now? Reflection on our lives and seeking out the times where God was there carrying us, as my favorite poem FOOTSTEPS reminds us so well, taking us places that we did not really intend to go.
We cannot allow ourselves to give up on God and on worshiping Him and asking Him to be with us just because some who claim they represent Him have told us we are unwanted, or others try to claim that God is a myth, and still others who are supposed to represent Him have committed heinous crimes. We need to put our trust in God and love Him with all our being just as Jesus taught us with these words; LOVE THE LORD, YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL AND BODY. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” (Mark 12:30) AMEN

Sunday September 10th Reflection

A Reflection For Sunday September 10, 2006
Based on the readings for the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary time and Sunday before the pre-feast of The Holy Cross
Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146; Letter of St. James 2:1-5, Mark 7:31-37; John 3:13-17
SUBMITTED BY Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

The readings for this Sunday provide us with a great deal of hope and promise. The Gospel for the Sunday of the pre-Feast of the Holy Cross, is from John 3: in it we have the reason for Christ coming down and taking on human form. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." It is clear from this that God sent His only son down on earth to give us an example of how we should live our lives. Exactly how did Christ live his time here on earth? He lived it by preaching charity, peace, mercy, forgiveness and in healing those afflicted with illness. He also lived it by rejecting those rules that man had imposed on the faithful of His time according to Jewish tradition. Christ spoke out against the hypocrisy of the Jewish Hierarchy. Christ denounced those who were ready to stone a woman for her sins telling them "Let those among you who is without sin, cast the first stone"
What should we deduce from this? We need to realize that we mere mortals are all sinners in one way or another, and that we are in no position to be judging others for their indiscretions, but we need to look on them as Christ did, with compassion and mercy. God, through the prophets, has given us a set of rules to live by, The Commandments, Christ clarified those in simple language; "Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind, and soul and body….Love your neighbor as your self". To love God with your entire being means just that, to give thanks to Almighty God for all that he provides us. To accept those burdens we are faced with, just as Job accepted the trials the devil inflicted upon him to attempt to make him turn away from God, for our burdens may be an attempt by the Evil one to have us loose faith in God, just as he tried to accomplish with Job. When Satan had caused Job to loose all that he had Job did not loose faith in God but did this; "Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped Almighty God, He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. " (Job 20-22) If we believe that Almighty God is a merciful and forgiving God, and that He did not come into this world to condemn but to save us then we need to trust in Him and know that all things happen for a reason known always to God but not necessarily by us.
The other reading for today I have chosen to expound upon is from the Gospel of Mark chapter 7 where Christ has healed the man who is deaf and had a speech impediment. "He put His fingers into the man's ears. He spit and put His finger on the man's tongue. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and breathed deep within. He said to the man, "Be opened!" At once, his ears were opened. His tongue was made loose and he spoke as other people. Then Jesus told them they should tell no one. The more He told them this, the more they told what He had done. They were very much surprised and wondered about it. They said, "He has done all things well. He makes those who could not hear so they can hear. He makes those who could not speak so they can speak."
If having faith In God and believing that Jesus Christ was sent from God to lead us to the truth and If and trust and faith in Christ could produce the healing of the deaf and opening of the mouths of those unable to speak clearly, what greater things could happen to us through believing? A trust and a belief in Jesus Christ and Almighty God and a daily reflection on the inspired Word of God with the blessings of The Holy Spirit we might become clearer in our understanding of how we need to lead our lives.
Are we like those who were ready to stone a woman because of her sin; are we one of those who feel that one must follow a set pattern of ritual in order to give God a proper offering? Do we exclude people because they are of a different race, social class, have been divorced or whose sexual orientation is different from ours. Are we closed-minded and accept what others tell us without searching out the truth for ourselves?
Jesus even gave us an example of how we need to treat those of a different faith belief in the story of the Samaritan Woman "The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. (Nor were Men allowed to talk to a woman who was not a family member or their religion) She said to Jesus, "You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?" Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life."…….."Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father ………the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4: 9-24
"Worship in spirit and in truth" Where do we find the truth, certainly not in the fallible words of man, but in the infallible words of Almighty God found in Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. We find it is our hearts if we look deeper enough using as guidelines Christ's words to bring light into our lives. "So Jesus said to them, " For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes."(John 12:35) "I was sent to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:17-19)
We live our faith by trusting in Almighty God completely. We do this by accepting Jesus Christ as the son of God; giving thanks and praise to almighty God through prayer and worship for the gifts He has given us; the frequent reception of the Eucharist which is the bread of life given us by Christ. We need to live our lives in a manner consistent with Christ's example and being mindful of the needs and feelings of others; in respecting others for the right to their opinions even when we do not agree with them; being more open and less judgmental of those different than we are. We need to be trusting that God knows what is best for us and accepting our burdens without turning against God for allowing them to happen. That is our challenge. It is not an easy one but we need to remember that it was not easy for Christ to endure, as a human, the pain and suffering, rejection and deceit He suffered just so we could have the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life. AMEN

Living Christ's Teachings

Living According To Christ’s Word
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

Throughout all of history we humans have treated Almighty God as though he were human, and therefore desired the same things as we humans desire. Clergy dress in fancy clothes, maintain homes that the average person can not afford, Engage in elaborate liturgies with all the trappings of royalty. Trillions have been spent to build beautiful palaces as monuments and places of worship to God in spite of the fact that Christ did most of His preaching under the open skies of His Father‘s cathedral.What I believe God actually wants, is for us to live our lives with compassion for others, being mindful of the needs of others and not just our own needs and edification.
Certainly, we need a place to gather together safe from the elements of nature, a simple plain building with the necessary space for people to gather, where we can celebrate our love and honor Almighty God and partake in the Eucharistic Feast He has given us through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Simple cups made with earths elements, just as I am certain Christ used at the Last Supper, would be proper instead of the golden bejeweled ones so popular in many churches. Yes, we need to be able to travel to visit His faithful who are unable to gather at the place of worship but we do not need fancy cars only reliable and simple transportation that will get us from one place to another safely.
Somehow my ministry has grown slowly, from nothing to reaching over 300 people every week all over the globe without any of the things mentioned above.
I do not have reliable transportation but somehow I manage to get to visit those in need who are local or I counsel them via the telephone or internet. I do not have a place where people can gather so I go to the homes of people to celebrate the Eucharist. My Chalice was an extra from another faith community, my vestments were hand me downs or gifts from family and friends.I have learned that God will provide what you need just as we are told in Matthew 6:25-27 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”If we were to take all the Gold, Jewels, let's not forget the Billions of actual cash that religious denominations have and use it to buy food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless,clothing for the naked, medicine for the sick, as the Beatitudes and the Corporal Works Of Mercy instruct, Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Welcome the stranger Clothe the naked, Visit the sick, Visit the prisoner, Bury the dead. (Matthew 25:31)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great. (Matthew 5:3)
,what a difference it would make in this world.If all people who proclaim they are followers of Christ, or Buddha, or Yahweh, or Muhammad would practice the basic teachings of their religions truthfully, all of which preach peace and brotherly love, and find a way to work together toward living in peace many of the worlds ills would cease to be.
The time has come for us to realize that we all worshiping the One God and creator of all that is, by what ever name HE/SHE is called, and that that God desires His children to care for each other as He cares for them.
If we could just achieve this we would have no more wars, people would not be dying of Famine and plague.Our Seraphic Father, Saint Francis, realized how little the riches of the world meant compared to the riches of eternity. He stripped off all His fancy clothes and donned the clothes of a peasant. He shared his simple loaf of bread with the poor on the streets. Mother Theresa realized this. Padre Pio and Martin De Pores did also, as did many others who tried to show the way and were rewarded with sainthood but their message seems to have been ignored.
The world has kept on with their elaborate shows of excess as a means of praising God. For some reason, we just can not seem to grasp God's wishes and keep allowing our human thinking and desires to color our way of living the Word of God.Looking at the Christ's list things that defile and comparing them against the way people, leaders of nations and Religious denominations are living today, Always seeking the upper hand and control in all things, seeking to gain profit at the expense of the less fortunate who barely are able to maintain a decent living, desiring material trappings rather than having compassion for those in need, using deceit, lies or religious domination to justify war, indulging in indiscriminate sexual behavior rather than committed loving relations, promoting sensuality and narcissism to sell unnecessary products to increase the bottom line and the profit margin for select individuals.
One has to ponder where we are headed and how God is looking upon all this and what He mightfeel is needed to open our eyes and hearts to begin to live according to His teachings as proclaimed by His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
I believe the time is now for us to take a good hard look at the way we are living and make a concerted effort to change our ways and begin to live the Gospels not just preach them. AMEN

Living the Word, Not Just Speaking it

September 3, 2006 Reflection
Living The Word, Not Just Speaking It
Based on Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; Psalm 15, James 1:17-18, 21-27, Mark 7, 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The readings today are most profound if you actually think about them. In it, Christ is admonishing the hierarchy of the Jewish people for calling attention to the fact that Christ’s apostles were eating without first cleansing their hands as called for in Jewish law. Christ tell them and all who were listening the following; “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men. You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!”
In another reading this week from Matthew 23 we heard Christ saying “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues”
If we were to actually think about these readings, both of which we heard this week, and the passages I have chosen that will follow, we might ask ourselves if they do not apply to our religious hierarchy today. We see leaders of the various churches parading around in fancy clothes, being chauffeured in fancy cars and building elaborate palaces they call churches all the while preaching discrimination and rejection and putting up barriers to people hearing the word of God because of some man made rules.
We do not hear too many of them preaching about the injustices being perpetrated by governments against the poor, aged, and the sick but we hear them supporting leaders who use war as a means of settling disputes. Justifying wars that cause many innocent people, children of God, to be killed or maimed.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Think about this one in relation to the scandal that has destroyed so many lives by predatory clergy and the exclusion of married priests)
Too many religious organizations seem to be interested in financial interests rather than using their wealth to help those in need or sharing the wealth evenly among poorer ministries.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
We also find something similar in the first reading from the book of Deuteronomy where the Jewish people are being advised by Moses “You shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.” Where in the teachings of Christ is it forbidden for women or married persons to be priests and deacons? When did Jesus ever turn anyone away from him? The answer is NEVER!
One of the greatest mistakes people make is that they take only one passage of the Gospels at a time rather that look at the overall message presented by Christ. In doing so they sometimes fail to see the whole message. A message of Mercy, Forgiveness, Compassion, Love, Justice and fairness for all God‘s children.
Christ was sent to be the Light unto the world, a light that would make the will of Almighty God clearer to see and understand. He wanted it to be unburdened by the dictates of men. So why do we continue to make it so difficult for people to know, love and serve Almighty God as we have been directed by Christ?
The letter of James in today’s reading clearly brings home the point that is most important in all these readings “ Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of God, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing".
In the Gospel Christ also makes it clear “Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he has declared all foods clean.) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Looking at Christ’s list of things that defile and comparing them against the way people and leaders of nations and Religious denominations are living today, by seeking the upper hand in all things, gaining profit at the expense of others, desiring material things rather than having compassion for those in need, using deceit and lies to justify war, indulging in indiscriminate sexual behavior rather than committed loving relations, promoting sensuality to sell products to increase the profit margin. One has to ponder where we are headed and how God is looking upon all this and what He might feel is needed to open our eyes and hearts to living according to the teachings His son gave us by words and practice.
I believe the time is now for us to take a good hard look at the way we are living and make a concerted effort to change our ways and begin to live the Gospels not just preach them. AMEN

Living the Word, Not Just Speaking it

September 3, 2006 Reflection
Living The Word, Not Just Speaking It
Based on Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; Psalm 15, James 1:17-18, 21-27, Mark 7, 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry
The readings today are most profound if you actually think about them. In it, Christ is admonishing the hierarchy of the Jewish people for calling attention to the fact that Christ’s apostles were eating without first cleansing their hands as called for in Jewish law. Christ tell them and all who were listening the following; “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men. You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!”
In another reading this week from Matthew 23 we heard Christ saying “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues”
If we were to actually think about these readings, both of which we heard this week, and the passages I have chosen that will follow, we might ask ourselves if they do not apply to our religious hierarchy today. We see leaders of the various churches parading around in fancy clothes, being chauffeured in fancy cars and building elaborate palaces they call churches all the while preaching discrimination and rejection and putting up barriers to people hearing the word of God because of some man made rules.
We do not hear too many of them preaching about the injustices being perpetrated by governments against the poor, aged, and the sick but we hear them supporting leaders who use war as a means of settling disputes. Justifying wars that cause many innocent people, children of God, to be killed or maimed.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” (Think about this one in relation to the scandal that has destroyed so many lives by predatory clergy and the exclusion of married priests)
Too many religious organizations seem to be interested in financial interests rather than using their wealth to help those in need or sharing the wealth evenly among poorer ministries.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
We also find something similar in the first reading from the book of Deuteronomy where the Jewish people are being advised by Moses “You shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.” Where in the teachings of Christ is it forbidden for women or married persons to be priests and deacons? When did Jesus ever turn anyone away from him? The answer is NEVER!
One of the greatest mistakes people make is that they take only one passage of the Gospels at a time rather that look at the overall message presented by Christ. In doing so they sometimes fail to see the whole message. A message of Mercy, Forgiveness, Compassion, Love, Justice and fairness for all God‘s children.
Christ was sent to be the Light unto the world, a light that would make the will of Almighty God clearer to see and understand. He wanted it to be unburdened by the dictates of men. So why do we continue to make it so difficult for people to know, love and serve Almighty God as we have been directed by Christ?
The letter of James in today’s reading clearly brings home the point that is most important in all these readings “ Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law of God, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing".
In the Gospel Christ also makes it clear “Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he has declared all foods clean.) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Looking at Christ’s list of things that defile and comparing them against the way people and leaders of nations and Religious denominations are living today, by seeking the upper hand in all things, gaining profit at the expense of others, desiring material things rather than having compassion for those in need, using deceit and lies to justify war, indulging in indiscriminate sexual behavior rather than committed loving relations, promoting sensuality to sell products to increase the profit margin. One has to ponder where we are headed and how God is looking upon all this and what He might feel is needed to open our eyes and hearts to living according to the teachings His son gave us by words and practice.
I believe the time is now for us to take a good hard look at the way we are living and make a concerted effort to change our ways and begin to live the Gospels not just preach them. AMEN

Do You Serve The Lord?

August 27th Readings Reflection
Do You Serve the Lord?
Joshua 24:1-18, Psalm 34:2-21, Ephesians 5:21-32, John 6:60-69
Mission Saints Sergius and Bacchus
www.missionstsergius.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EverlastingLoveOfChristMinistry

"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15)
Just as Joshua challenged the tribes of Israel as to whom they chose to honor and worship, we today are being given the same challenge. Do we choose to serve those human gods of Greed, power, domination, discrimination, materialism and self-effacement or do we choose to follow the way of the son of god, Jesus Christ.
Do we choose to live our lives according to the way Jesus taught by being forgiving, compassionate, kind and generous to all God’s children most especially those in need?
Throughout all of history, there has been one constant idea; it is that there is a supreme being that governs all. We find it in the histories of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Aztecs, Mayans, Native American Tribes, in fact every known group of people that ever lived on this earth.
The need to recognize that there is a God is one of the natural things we are created with. We seek this supreme power out and, as history has shown, generations have given that power and acknowledgement to the sun, volcano’s, under the names of Ra, Zeus, Apollo, Pele the Goddess of Fire, and hundreds of other names. When Almighty God made himself known with the words “"I am who I am. Here is what you must say to the Israelites. Tell them, 'I am has sent me to you.' " ( Exodus 3:14) we were told who we should give honor, praise and reverence to and whom we should thank for all things.
When Jesus Christ came to being in the form of a man and was transfigured God informed us clearly who Jesus was with these words; “"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:4-6).
God, has told us to listen to what Jesus was telling us. To listen to the words and teachings of Jesus Christ, not some mere human man, but Jesus the son of Almighty God.
When we read the teachings of Christ, we find clear concise guidelines as to how we are expected to live our lives. These are found in the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, and in the “GREAT COMMANDMENT”, "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-30)
Could Christ’s teachings be any clearer, yet so many try to make this love and service to Almighty God so difficult by injecting a lot of man made things in the way. The have twisted to original writings of the ancient scriptures and the writings of the apostles and early church fathers and in some cases even rejected some of them because they did not “FIT THE POLITICALY CORRECT AGENDA” for the time decisions were made as to what should be included in the canon of the Bible.
People have found passages which referred to a specific kind of sin and twisted it around to use to exclude some individuals from serving God or even to participate in the worship of Almighty God.
When we choose to ignore the teachings of Christ, when we decide what God means and we judge others as outcasts and deny them the opportunity to worship Almighty God and acknowledge Jesus as the son of God and the redeemer and Savior sent by God, then we are not and we cannot claim to be serving God.
Jesus, in the stories of his everyday life, rejected no one, not even those who were to crucify him. Jesus sat and ate with those that Jewish law forbade sharing a meal with. Jesus spoke with women as equals.
If we believe that Almighty God created all things, and we believe that Jesus was the Son of God made man, then we cannot even think about acting like a god and making judgments that are the exclusive property of Almighty God. We can dislike the way another person acts, we can reject their choices as not acceptable, we have the freedom to choose not to associate with some people because they seem to be breaking the commandments of God by lying, cheating, stealing, killing, committing adultery, coveting another’s wife or property and act in an manner that is prescribed by God. But when we decide to discriminate against someone because of the sex, race or the way that they worship God. When we decide that power, money, prestige, fame, greed or sexual gratification are more important to us that living according to God’s way, we are not serving God. We need to remember what we have been instructed “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Rom. 14:10) and “Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.“ (Matthew 7:1-2) as well as “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.” (James 4:11) . The law of God is very clear we are not the ones to judge a person because of how things appear “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” ( John 7:24, 51) but we should judge a person by their deeds. Do they feed the poor? Do they Clothe the Naked? Do they respect and love All of God’s creatures? Do they give shelter to the homeless? Do they give honor, glory and praise to Almighty God, his beloved son Jesus Christ ?
If a person is living a just and good life and respecting the rights and property of all God’s children and creation then we do not have a right to reject them and discredit them because God has created them in a certain way. We do not have a right to deny them the same rights and privileges as every other citizen.
The question poised at the beginning of this reflection was, Do you serve the Lord ? You do if you live in a manner prescribed by Jesus Christ and do not make judgments according to man made decisions but only by the example and teachings given us by Christ. AMEN