Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the weeds explained) Part 4.
The prophecy has been made. The disciples have heard. The day of the harvest is forecast. And the weeds will be gathered up and burned in the furnace of fire. Christ has given the disciples his knowledge, his wisdom and his understanding of the parable of the weeds that they may understand. He has opened their eyes and their minds so that they may see and perceive the kingdom of heaven. He has given them a glimpse of the kingdom by his comparisons of things hear on earth that they may know. They are the messengers. They will be the tellers of the parables after Christ has finished. They will be the ones who will carry the torch of new life to the ends of the earth.
Christ finishes the parable by telling them what happens at the very end of the harvest. There will be rejoicing. There will be happiness. There will be great merriment at the coming of the Lord of the harvest. For he will clean the fields. He will burn the weeds. And he will collect the wheat into the barns of his house that there may be a great feast. For Christ tells them, Then the just will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
The just will shine at the end of the harvest. The darkness will be removed at the end of the harvest. The weeds will be burned at the end of the harvest. All the just will rejoice at the end of the harvest for the time of the Lord of the harvest has come. Christ tells his disciples that they may see. Christ tells his disciples that they may know. Christ tells his disciples that they may have the understanding of his wisdom and knowledge of the kingdom of heaven.
The kingdom of heaven is like a field. The field is the earth. The good seeds that are sown are the sons of the kingdom of heaven. Can you see the kingdom? Do you understand the kingdom? The kingdom of heaven is like a sower who goes out and plants good seed in his field. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which when planted grows to be the tallest plant in the garden. The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which when placed in three parts all become leavened. Do you hear the message? Do you have the knowledge of the parable of the weeds? Can you perceive the kingdom of heaven? It is at hand. It is near you. It is in you. It is part of you. See the light that shines forth for at the harvest of the just will shine forth like the sun. And there will be no darkness. And Christ said, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Showing posts with label the parable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the parable. Show all posts
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 41 - 42, The Kingdom of Heaven: Removal of Scandals and Workers of Iniquity.
Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the weeds explained) Part 3.
The harvest will take place at the end of time. Christ has fortold to his disciples that the kingdom of heaven will be cleansed of all the weeds and they will be burned in the fire. Christ has spoken and he wants his diciples to know. He wants them to understand the meaning of the parable so that they will clearly grasp the truth of the parable. They are the disciples that will continue to carry the message after Christ's work is finished. They are the ones who will carry the message of the kingdom of heaven to the people throughout the world. So they must know. They must understand. They must have the wisdom and the knowledge of the kingdom.
The angels will come and gather the wicked. They will put them in bundles as it is done today in all farms across the world. Only this time the bundles will be burned. This time the bundles will be set afire for all to see. This time the wicked will burn. Christ tells his disciples, The Son of Man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all scandals and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth.
The now know of the harvest. Christ has told them what will happen at the harvest. He has shown them that the wicked will be gathered up by the angels and put into the furnace of fire. And there will be great anguish and tribulation at the harvest for there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Tell the people. Help them to understand. Let them know of the forthcoming storm that they may prepare themselves for the coming tribulation. Those who have ears let them hear. Those who hear let them understand. Those who understand let them act that they will not be caught up into the furnace of fire where there is no escape.
Do you understand the parable? Do you heed its warning? Christ will come and clean his fields. Christ will come and gather up all workers of iniquity and scandals. They will be removed from the kingdom of heaven. They will be set aside. They will be burned in the furnace of fire. And the darkness will be removed from the fields of the kingdom and the just will shine forth. Do not let the veil of the world blind you from the message. For the world willl tell you that this will not happen. The world willl tell you, it did not happen yesterday. The world willl tell you, it did not happen today. So, the world willl tell you, it will not happen tomorrow. This is what the world will tell you.
The world will tell you not to worry. The world will tell you to go back to sleep and continue to work iniquity. The world will tell you to go back to sleep and continue to walk with Scandal. The world will tell you to continue to paly with the toys that it provides. The world will tell you to continue to seek its riches and not the riches of the kingdom of heaven. But the storm is coming. The weather man predicts the coming storms and the dangers that they bring. Christ has fortold the coming of the harvest. Let all who believe prepare themselves. Let all who know get ready. Let all who seek the kingdom understand the forcast given by Christ. The storm is coming. Are you prepared?
The harvest will take place at the end of time. Christ has fortold to his disciples that the kingdom of heaven will be cleansed of all the weeds and they will be burned in the fire. Christ has spoken and he wants his diciples to know. He wants them to understand the meaning of the parable so that they will clearly grasp the truth of the parable. They are the disciples that will continue to carry the message after Christ's work is finished. They are the ones who will carry the message of the kingdom of heaven to the people throughout the world. So they must know. They must understand. They must have the wisdom and the knowledge of the kingdom.
The angels will come and gather the wicked. They will put them in bundles as it is done today in all farms across the world. Only this time the bundles will be burned. This time the bundles will be set afire for all to see. This time the wicked will burn. Christ tells his disciples, The Son of Man will send forth his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all scandals and those who work iniquity, and cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth.
The now know of the harvest. Christ has told them what will happen at the harvest. He has shown them that the wicked will be gathered up by the angels and put into the furnace of fire. And there will be great anguish and tribulation at the harvest for there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Tell the people. Help them to understand. Let them know of the forthcoming storm that they may prepare themselves for the coming tribulation. Those who have ears let them hear. Those who hear let them understand. Those who understand let them act that they will not be caught up into the furnace of fire where there is no escape.
Do you understand the parable? Do you heed its warning? Christ will come and clean his fields. Christ will come and gather up all workers of iniquity and scandals. They will be removed from the kingdom of heaven. They will be set aside. They will be burned in the furnace of fire. And the darkness will be removed from the fields of the kingdom and the just will shine forth. Do not let the veil of the world blind you from the message. For the world willl tell you that this will not happen. The world willl tell you, it did not happen yesterday. The world willl tell you, it did not happen today. So, the world willl tell you, it will not happen tomorrow. This is what the world will tell you.
The world will tell you not to worry. The world will tell you to go back to sleep and continue to work iniquity. The world will tell you to go back to sleep and continue to walk with Scandal. The world will tell you to continue to paly with the toys that it provides. The world will tell you to continue to seek its riches and not the riches of the kingdom of heaven. But the storm is coming. The weather man predicts the coming storms and the dangers that they bring. Christ has fortold the coming of the harvest. Let all who believe prepare themselves. Let all who know get ready. Let all who seek the kingdom understand the forcast given by Christ. The storm is coming. Are you prepared?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses:20 - 21, The Seed on Rcky Ground.
Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the sower explained) Part 2.
The explanation continues. The ears are opened and the eyes may see, and Christ gives what is given. The disciples have asked for parables to be explained and Christ has agreed to give understanding. He has agreed to provide more insight. He has agreed to repeat the parables, with explanation, so that those who would listen may hear. Many have come. Some have come to be healed. Some have come to see. Some have come to be entertained. And then there are those who have come to destroy.
Christ repeats the parable of the sower on rocky ground. He says, And the one sown on rocky ground, that is he who hears the word receives it immediately with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but continues only for a time, and when trouble and persecution comes because of the word, he at once falls away.
And now they know. Now they have heard. Now they may understand that they may be the one on the rocky ground or they may be the one on the wayside. But the seed has been sown. The seed has been released. Will they nurture the seed? Will they water the seed? Will the seed find roots and grow? Or will the seed whither and die? Those who have ears let them hear. And those who do not hear let them know. Christ wanted them to know. Christ wanted them to understand. Christ wanted them to receive the seed but the evil one has tricked them. The evil one has stolen their seed.
Where are you today? Are you a wayside seed or a rocky road seed? Do you receive the word but cast it off when trouble comes? Do you not know the truth of the word? Come, let us understand the true meaning of the words of Christ, for it is through the spirit of Christ that meaning is received. It is through the spirit of Christ that understanding comes. It is through the spirit of Christ that true wisdom of the kingdom is revealed. Do you know? Do you understand? Do you seek to understand? For the spirit waits at your door ready to enter, only if you ask him in. Will you ask? Will you seek? Will you desire to have his wisdom and knowledge? He waits for you.
The explanation continues. The ears are opened and the eyes may see, and Christ gives what is given. The disciples have asked for parables to be explained and Christ has agreed to give understanding. He has agreed to provide more insight. He has agreed to repeat the parables, with explanation, so that those who would listen may hear. Many have come. Some have come to be healed. Some have come to see. Some have come to be entertained. And then there are those who have come to destroy.
Christ repeats the parable of the sower on rocky ground. He says, And the one sown on rocky ground, that is he who hears the word receives it immediately with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but continues only for a time, and when trouble and persecution comes because of the word, he at once falls away.
And now they know. Now they have heard. Now they may understand that they may be the one on the rocky ground or they may be the one on the wayside. But the seed has been sown. The seed has been released. Will they nurture the seed? Will they water the seed? Will the seed find roots and grow? Or will the seed whither and die? Those who have ears let them hear. And those who do not hear let them know. Christ wanted them to know. Christ wanted them to understand. Christ wanted them to receive the seed but the evil one has tricked them. The evil one has stolen their seed.
Where are you today? Are you a wayside seed or a rocky road seed? Do you receive the word but cast it off when trouble comes? Do you not know the truth of the word? Come, let us understand the true meaning of the words of Christ, for it is through the spirit of Christ that meaning is received. It is through the spirit of Christ that understanding comes. It is through the spirit of Christ that true wisdom of the kingdom is revealed. Do you know? Do you understand? Do you seek to understand? For the spirit waits at your door ready to enter, only if you ask him in. Will you ask? Will you seek? Will you desire to have his wisdom and knowledge? He waits for you.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
St Matthew, Chapter 13, verses: 1 - 6, The Seed: by the wayside and on rocky ground.
Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the sower) Part 1.
We begin a new Chapter of the gospel as told by St Matthew. Christ has instructed the people in their heavenly family ties. He took the opportunity to show the crowd that we are all one family, those who do the will of God. It does not matter that we are naturally brothers or sisters or mothers or fathers. In God's family we are all one, we are all brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers because we do God's will here on earth.
Christ retired after giving this lesson and went to the beach. He sat on the shore watching the waves come and go until the crowds surrounded him and there was no room or place for peace and contemplation. St Matthew tells us that Christ got into a boat and began to preach. He did something different this time. Instead of instructing the people directly he taught in parables. He told stories. He gave instructions in messages that the crowd enjoyed but did not understand. He spoke in parables.
Most everyone has heard about the parable of the sower. Christ tells it this way, "Behold, the sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and ate them up. And other seeds fell upon rocky ground, where they had not much earth; and they sprang up at once, because they had no depth of earth; but when the sun rose they were scorched, and because they withered away. They had no root."
When I first read this parable I did not understand it. It was just a story for me that had no meaning. Even the explanation that is given, explaining about the evil one snatching away what was given, did not make much sense. It was not until the spirit moved me and opened my eyes that I was able to see and understand how I was the one sown on rocky ground. It hit me like a ton of bricks that my life could have been different, would have changed had I had roots to anchor me in my spiritual life.
I recall my high school years in the early sixties, 1961. We had just moved from the downtown area, to a new subdivision of single family homes. This was a step up for our family because we lived in rental property before and now we had a home to call our own. This also meant new friends, new school, new church, and new environment. There was no public school nearby to attend. Private school was the only nearby school. I am 13 going on 14 attending high school.
I tell this to give some background into my roots. The private school is Catholic and we had just come from a Baptist background. So everything was new to me. The entire Catholic experience was new and exciting. Service was in Latin and it was inspiring to me to be a part of this new life. I sought to learn all that I could about it and studied much. The school was Catholic also and most of the students came from the Catholic elementary school. I worked hard to fit in. It was the need to be accepted that drove me and it was the new Catholic experience that inspired me.
I became so involved in the church that I expressed interest in becoming a priest. This stirred great excitement in the church and in the school. The word, the seed, was planted within me but it had no root. My intentions were expressed in my sophomore year, but by my senior year that seed had withered and my interest died. I look back and think how different my life may have been had I had roots to carry me through to priesthood. The support was not there, not at home nor in the school. Sure I was moved up and my studies accelerated but I was left in the student body, subject to the whims and taunts of my fellow students.
Trying to fit in had a tremendous impact on the forthcoming change of mind. There was no one to relate to. The priest were available. The nuns were encouraging. But there was no roots to sustain the new life that was trying to take hold. I look back and think that if I were taken out of the student body and placed in another school especially designed for those of my age who expressed intent for the priesthood, maybe my roots would have grown. If I were given special nurturing, maybe my roots would have spread. If I were set aside and taken out of the rocky ground, I would have had a chance to blossom to yield fruit at an earlier age. When the spirit opened my eyes, the thoughts of these experiences flooded me with emotions that brought forth tears. I had no roots and they did not grow, and when the sun came, I withered and died.
Today my roots are in Christ, solidly planted in his words, and the Holy Spirit guides me. Roots are essential to new life. Christ is our earth. He is our soil. He is our nourishment that allows our roots to grow and flourish. Do you have roots in Christ? Are you sure of your nourishment? What soil are you grown in? The evil one awaits, to snatch away your seed.
We begin a new Chapter of the gospel as told by St Matthew. Christ has instructed the people in their heavenly family ties. He took the opportunity to show the crowd that we are all one family, those who do the will of God. It does not matter that we are naturally brothers or sisters or mothers or fathers. In God's family we are all one, we are all brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers because we do God's will here on earth.
Christ retired after giving this lesson and went to the beach. He sat on the shore watching the waves come and go until the crowds surrounded him and there was no room or place for peace and contemplation. St Matthew tells us that Christ got into a boat and began to preach. He did something different this time. Instead of instructing the people directly he taught in parables. He told stories. He gave instructions in messages that the crowd enjoyed but did not understand. He spoke in parables.
Most everyone has heard about the parable of the sower. Christ tells it this way, "Behold, the sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the birds came and ate them up. And other seeds fell upon rocky ground, where they had not much earth; and they sprang up at once, because they had no depth of earth; but when the sun rose they were scorched, and because they withered away. They had no root."
When I first read this parable I did not understand it. It was just a story for me that had no meaning. Even the explanation that is given, explaining about the evil one snatching away what was given, did not make much sense. It was not until the spirit moved me and opened my eyes that I was able to see and understand how I was the one sown on rocky ground. It hit me like a ton of bricks that my life could have been different, would have changed had I had roots to anchor me in my spiritual life.
I recall my high school years in the early sixties, 1961. We had just moved from the downtown area, to a new subdivision of single family homes. This was a step up for our family because we lived in rental property before and now we had a home to call our own. This also meant new friends, new school, new church, and new environment. There was no public school nearby to attend. Private school was the only nearby school. I am 13 going on 14 attending high school.
I tell this to give some background into my roots. The private school is Catholic and we had just come from a Baptist background. So everything was new to me. The entire Catholic experience was new and exciting. Service was in Latin and it was inspiring to me to be a part of this new life. I sought to learn all that I could about it and studied much. The school was Catholic also and most of the students came from the Catholic elementary school. I worked hard to fit in. It was the need to be accepted that drove me and it was the new Catholic experience that inspired me.
I became so involved in the church that I expressed interest in becoming a priest. This stirred great excitement in the church and in the school. The word, the seed, was planted within me but it had no root. My intentions were expressed in my sophomore year, but by my senior year that seed had withered and my interest died. I look back and think how different my life may have been had I had roots to carry me through to priesthood. The support was not there, not at home nor in the school. Sure I was moved up and my studies accelerated but I was left in the student body, subject to the whims and taunts of my fellow students.
Trying to fit in had a tremendous impact on the forthcoming change of mind. There was no one to relate to. The priest were available. The nuns were encouraging. But there was no roots to sustain the new life that was trying to take hold. I look back and think that if I were taken out of the student body and placed in another school especially designed for those of my age who expressed intent for the priesthood, maybe my roots would have grown. If I were given special nurturing, maybe my roots would have spread. If I were set aside and taken out of the rocky ground, I would have had a chance to blossom to yield fruit at an earlier age. When the spirit opened my eyes, the thoughts of these experiences flooded me with emotions that brought forth tears. I had no roots and they did not grow, and when the sun came, I withered and died.
Today my roots are in Christ, solidly planted in his words, and the Holy Spirit guides me. Roots are essential to new life. Christ is our earth. He is our soil. He is our nourishment that allows our roots to grow and flourish. Do you have roots in Christ? Are you sure of your nourishment? What soil are you grown in? The evil one awaits, to snatch away your seed.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
St Matthew, Chapter 12, verses: 45, The Unoccupied House: Seven evil guest are invited in.
Our paragraph topic is: (The sign of Jonas) Part 5.
Christ continues his parable of the house unoccupied. He has told the Pharisees about what an unclean spirit does when he leaves a man, how it roams through dry places and finds no place to rest. But when it tires it returns to the place of previous occupancy and finds it unoccupied, swept and decorated, ready for occupancy. The Pharisees have wondered how this parable relates to them because they believe that they have no unclean spirits. After all, they are the keepers of the Law. They are the protectors of the Hebrew people and they are the scholars who know and love the scriptures. But they do not have unclean spirits.
Christ concludes his parable with, "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. So shall it be with this evil generation also."
And so the parable is finished and the conclusion is drawn, the prediction of Pharisees' destiny. It is foretold that they will be inhabited by seven more unclean spirits more evil than the first. It is foretold that their state will be worse than the first state they were in. For Christ has again called them an evil generation. He has again foretold of their downfall. He has again shown them their future that they may repent and be saved. But again they do not listen. Again they do not take heed of the message. And in the interim their house is still left unoccupied for unclean spirits to come in and make their state worse than the present.
Thank you God for your mercy! Thank you God for your patience! Thank you God for the love that you bear for your children! For we are not an evil generation, but just lost sheep seeking to find our shepherd. You have told us of our future. You have given us the message of what will happen from our current state when the unclean spirits return. You have given us an opportunity to get our house in order that we may not be unoccupied. You have told us of the seven more unclean spirits to come, that will live with us, making our state worse than the first. Help us to find the true owner that should live with us. Help us find the living words of Christ that we may beseech the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Forgive us of our sins and have patience that we may be able to repent before the thief comes.
Do you have unclean spirits dwelling with you? Do you have a house unoccupied ready for more evil to dwell with you? Come, open your house to Christ. Open your doors to the living word that you may have life. Seek the Holy Spirit that you may know true life, true love, true justice, true peace, and the true God.
Christ continues his parable of the house unoccupied. He has told the Pharisees about what an unclean spirit does when he leaves a man, how it roams through dry places and finds no place to rest. But when it tires it returns to the place of previous occupancy and finds it unoccupied, swept and decorated, ready for occupancy. The Pharisees have wondered how this parable relates to them because they believe that they have no unclean spirits. After all, they are the keepers of the Law. They are the protectors of the Hebrew people and they are the scholars who know and love the scriptures. But they do not have unclean spirits.
Christ concludes his parable with, "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. So shall it be with this evil generation also."
And so the parable is finished and the conclusion is drawn, the prediction of Pharisees' destiny. It is foretold that they will be inhabited by seven more unclean spirits more evil than the first. It is foretold that their state will be worse than the first state they were in. For Christ has again called them an evil generation. He has again foretold of their downfall. He has again shown them their future that they may repent and be saved. But again they do not listen. Again they do not take heed of the message. And in the interim their house is still left unoccupied for unclean spirits to come in and make their state worse than the present.
Thank you God for your mercy! Thank you God for your patience! Thank you God for the love that you bear for your children! For we are not an evil generation, but just lost sheep seeking to find our shepherd. You have told us of our future. You have given us the message of what will happen from our current state when the unclean spirits return. You have given us an opportunity to get our house in order that we may not be unoccupied. You have told us of the seven more unclean spirits to come, that will live with us, making our state worse than the first. Help us to find the true owner that should live with us. Help us find the living words of Christ that we may beseech the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Forgive us of our sins and have patience that we may be able to repent before the thief comes.
Do you have unclean spirits dwelling with you? Do you have a house unoccupied ready for more evil to dwell with you? Come, open your house to Christ. Open your doors to the living word that you may have life. Seek the Holy Spirit that you may know true life, true love, true justice, true peace, and the true God.
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