Show No Partiality

Show no partiality as you adhere to the faith 

in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 

JAMES 2:1

If a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? (Jas 2:2-4)

Jesus said, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, He then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. (Luke 6:9-10) “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions.” Then He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.” (Lk 6:3-5)

Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He promised to those who love Him? (Jas 2:5) You are inflated with pride. Your boasting is not appropriate. (1 Cor 5:2,6). Learn not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride (1 Cor 4:6). Clear out the old so that you may become fresh (1 Cor 5:7). Celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor 5:8).

The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy (Ps 145:20). The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him, He hears their cry and saves them. (Ps 145:18-19)

Lord Jesus, I know who You are—the Holy One of God! (Lk 4:34).  You, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with You; the arrogant may not stand in Your sight. You hate all evildoers. You destroy all who speak falsehood; the bloodthirsty and the deceitful the Lord abhors. (Ps 5:5-7) But let all who take refuge in You be glad and exult forever. Protect them, that You may be the joy of those who love Your name. (Ps 5:12).

Published:

September 05, 2023, 5:27 PM

Household of God

 United in Christ

In Christ, we stand, united and strong,

Beyond our backgrounds, we all belong.

Cultural lines and ethnic ties,

Fade in the light of God’s loving eyes.

Members of His household, we are one,

Under the grace of the Holy Son.

God’s presence within us, a sacred flame,

Collectively, we bear His name.

Our growth, a journey we share,

Each step taken with love and care.

Together we build, together we rise,

Strength and beauty in each other’s eyes.

Support and edify, in faith we grow,

In the love of Christ, we surely know.

Let us live to honor this divine call,

God’s indwelling presence, uniting us all.

REFLECTION:

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. (Ephesians 2:19-20)

All of us believers, regardless of our background, are united in Christ. This unity transcends cultural and ethnic differences, highlighting the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom. 

We are all members of God’s household. God’s presence dwells within us collectively as the church, and individually as believers. 

Our spiritual growth is a communal process, where each person contributes to the overall strength and beauty of the church. It encourages us to support and edify one another in our faith journeys. 

Let us live in a way that honors this sacred indwelling.

Prayer for Unity in Christ

Heavenly Father,

We come before You as believers, united in Christ, thankful for the bond that transcends all backgrounds. In Your kingdom, cultural and ethnic differences fade, revealing the inclusive nature of Your divine love.

We are grateful to be members of Your household, with Your presence dwelling within us, both collectively and individually. Guide us in our spiritual growth, as we journey together, each contributing to the strength and beauty of Your church. Help us to support and edify one another in our faith, encouraging each other with love and grace. May we live in a way that honors Your sacred indwelling, reflecting Your light in all that we do.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Amen.

Pericope:

II. Unity of the Church in Christ

ONE IN CHRIST

Ephesians 2:11-22

First Reading | Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. 21 Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 22 in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Background:

Ephesians 2:19-22 is a passage in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul addresses the unity and identity of believers in Christ. Here’s a brief background:

Context: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians to encourage and instruct the church in Ephesus. In this chapter, he emphasizes the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles through Christ.

Verses 19-22: These verses highlight that believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. This unity is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. The whole structure, joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, where believers are built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

This passage underscores the importance of unity and the spiritual transformation that believers undergo, becoming part of God’s family and His holy temple.

Learning Lessons:

Ephesians 2:19-22 offers several profound lessons for believers:

Unity in Christ: These verses emphasize that all believers, regardless of their background, are united in Christ. We are no longer strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household. This unity transcends cultural and ethnic differences, highlighting the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom.

Foundation of Faith: The passage underscores that our faith is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. This means that our beliefs and practices should be rooted in the teachings of the Bible and centered on Jesus.

Spiritual Growth: As believers, we are being built together into a holy temple in the Lord. This imagery suggests that our spiritual growth is a communal process, where each person contributes to the overall strength and beauty of the church. It encourages us to support and edify one another in our faith journeys.

God’s Dwelling Place: The passage concludes by stating that we are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. This signifies that God’s presence dwells within us collectively as the church, and individually as believers. It calls us to live in a way that honors this sacred indwelling.

Reflection Source:

Conversation with Copilot

Every Kingdom Divided against Itself will be laid Waste

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste 

and house will fall against house. 

And if Satan is divided against himself, 

how will his kingdom stand?"

LUKE 11:17-18

Jesus speaks about the unity required for a kingdom to stand. He uses the metaphor of a kingdom to illustrate the importance of unity for stability. Disunity, conflicts, and internal strife can lead to the downfall of even the most powerful kingdoms. The Lord also highlights the divine power of God. Jesus, through His actions of driving out demons, demonstrates this power. He challenges the crowd’s accusations, stating that if He drives out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon them. This signifies the presence and the manifestation of God’s power and authority in the world.

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. 15 Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Luke 11:14-23)

In the heart of a kingdom, unity must reside, for in disunity, conflicts and strife abide. A kingdom divided, a sight so forlorn, a once mighty fortress, now tattered and torn. Unity, the glue that holds us tight, in the face of adversity, our collective might. Disunity, the storm that tears us apart, a destructive force, breaking every heart. Conflicts arise, like a tempest at sea, in the heart of a kingdom, where peace should be. Internal strife, a silent foe, undermining the kingdom, delivering blow after blow. A kingdom stands tall, united and strong, in unity, we find where we belong. But disunity leads to the inevitable fall, a lesson of importance, a warning to all.

Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You today, seeking Your divine guidance in a world where disunity often takes precedence. We pray for unity, for stability, for peace, for conflicts to dissolve, for internal strife to cease. Help us understand, O Lord, the strength in unity, that together we stand, divided we fall, a timeless truth, a certainty. In times of discord, may Your love bind us together, help us to weather the storm, no matter the weather. May we strive for unity, for harmony, for love guided by Your wisdom, from the heavens above. Teach us, O Lord, that in unity, there is strength, that to go to any length, to maintain peace, to prevent a downfall is the most noble call. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

God, as a divine parent, knows what is best for His children and therefore His commands are meant for our benefit and well-being. Disobedience and ignoring divine guidance can lead to unfavorable outcomes and negative consequences. The Lord encourages us to follow His divine commandments and stay on the path of righteousness for our own spiritual and often physical well-being.

23 Thus says the Lord: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. 24 But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me. 25 From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day, I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets. 26 Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers. 27 When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either; when you call to them, they will not answer you. 28 Say to them: This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech. (Jeremiah 7:23-28)

In the quiet whispers of the divine, a voice of love, both gentle and kind. "Listen, my child," it softly implores, "Walk in my ways, open your heart's doors." Obedience, a virtue, a heavenly song, a path to righteousness, where we belong. To listen to His voice, a choice so free leads us to a life of serenity. Yet, when we turn away, ignore His call, into the shadows of disobedience we fall. The consequences are but a bitter pill, a result of our own stubborn will. From the dawn of time, this truth remains, disobedience brings nothing but chains. Yet, His voice still echoes, a beacon in the night, guiding us back to love, to peace, to light.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and love. Help us to understand the importance of obedience, to listen to Your voice, to heed Your divine guidance. Teach us, O Lord, to walk in Your ways, to embrace Your commandments, to seek Your face. May we prosper in spirit, in wisdom, and grace, as we follow Your path, and run this earthly race. We acknowledge, O God, the consequences of disobedience, the pain and the sorrow, the loss of Your presence. Help us to turn our hearts back to You, to repent of our sins, and our faith to renew. May we listen, O Lord, to Your voice so clear, in moments of joy, and when hardships are near. Guide us, protect us, and show us Your way. This is our prayer, O Lord, we earnestly pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

We are called to worship and obedience, inviting us to rejoice in the Lord, our Rock and our salvation. It is important of not hardening our hearts but instead being open to the voice of God. and maintaining a receptive state of mind and heart to divine guidance and wisdom.  This openness is often associated with spiritual growth, enlightenment, and a deeper understanding of one’s purpose and path in life. It’s about being willing to listen, learn, and be guided by a higher power, and to respond with obedience and faithfulness.

1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalm to him. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, 9 where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works.” (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9)

In the quiet of our hearts, let us not harden, but open wide to God, our heavenly warden. His voice, a whisper in the wind, a song in the night guiding us gently towards the light. To be receptive, to listen, to understand, is to walk in the footsteps drawn in the sand. His wisdom, a beacon, His love, our guide, with open hearts, there's nothing to hide. In the silence, His voice rings clear, a divine melody that the open heart hears. Guidance and wisdom, like a river, they flow, to the heart that listens, to the soul that knows. So let us not harden, but instead, let's be open to God, for it's He who sets us free. His voice, a compass, His love, our chart, guiding us home, to the heart of His heart.

Dear Lord, we come before You today, with hearts wide open, ready to receive Your divine wisdom, Your heavenly token. Help us, O God, to not harden our hearts but to be receptive as Your wisdom imparts. Guide us to listen to Your voice so divine, help us to see, Your holy sign. In moments of doubt, when we lose our way, remind us to listen, to what You say. Your voice, a beacon, in the darkest night leading us gently, to the light. May we always be open, to Your guiding hand, help us to follow, Your divine command. For it is in obedience, we truly find peace, love, and tranquility of mind. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative

JESUS AND BEELZEBUL

Luke 11:14-23

II: Oracles mostly in the Days of Jehoiakim

ABUSES IN WORSHIP

Jeremiah 7:16-34

Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106

A CALL TO PRAISE AND OBEDIENCE

Psalm 95:1-11

Reflection Source:

Copilot in Edge

Division Leads to Waste

 But He knew their thoughts and said to them, 

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste 

and house will fall against house."

LUKE 11:17

Alas, the day! For near is the day of the Lord, and it comes as ruin from the Almighty (Jl 1:15). Yes, it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and somberness! (Jl 2:2)

The nations are sunk in the pit they have made; in the snare they set, their foot is caught (Ps 9:16). Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming (Jl 2:1) Gather all who dwell in the land; into the house of the Lord, your God, and cry to the Lord! (Jl 1:14)

Jesus said, "Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters (Lk 11:23). If it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you" (Lk 11:20). 

The Lord sits enthroned forever; He has set up His throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; He governs the peoples with equity. (Ps 9:8-9) Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a people numerous and mighty! Their like has not been from of old, nor will it be after them, even to the years of distant generations. (Jl 2:2)

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will declare all Your wondrous deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, Most High. (Ps 9:2-3) You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; their name You blotted out forever and ever. (Ps 9:6)

Published:

October 13, 2023, 7:32 AM

Be One with the Lord

Through Him the whole structure is held together 

and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 

in Him you also are being built together 

into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. 

EPHESIANS 2 : 21-22

Father in heaven, You alone can build me up in Christ, who is the capstone and solid foundation of our family that brings praise and glory to Your Name. Thank You so much for giving me a new life that is glorious and free. 

In Your loving hands, You continue to hold us together making us grow in love with You each moment of our lives. All Your works of love done in me truly builds me up. My very strength and foundation has always been You. 

Please continue to hold me close to Your heart. Build us up together as Your very own dwelling place in the Spirit. May your hand continue to work in building us up so that we may finally settle in the home that You are giving us. 

Truly, each moment is a glorious blessing that only You can give. In you, we have found a home that is truly peaceful, secure, and abundant. 

With much love and thanksgiving I humbly offer You back all the glory and praise in Jesus Name. Amen.

ALL BE ONE

"That they may all be one; 

even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, 

that they also may be in us, 

so that the world may believe 

that You sent Me". 

(John 17:21)

The fullness of faithfulness comes with the oneness of God and men in mind, heart, body and spirit.  We can not be separated from God for we have been created in his likeness and image.

It is by the falling of man to this oneness with God that Jesus was sent to the world. He opens back the door of salvation to those who wishes to again be one with God. "I am the door of the sheep (Jn. 10:7). No one comes to the Father but by Me (Jn. 14:6)."

The Lord is just waiting for you to go back to him and for sure, all of his promises are beyond your wildest dreams and imagination!



Published:
February 05, 2013, 12:08 PM

UNITED WITH GOD

"The Son of Man must suffer many things 

and be rejected by the elders and chief priests 

and scribes, and be killed 

and be raised up on the third day."

Luke 9:22

Many people would like to attain union with God but they cannot bear the contradictions he sends them. They hate the sickness which strikes them, or the poverty they suffer, or the insults they receive. Since they cannot be resigned, they never succeed in reaching total union with God. -- St Alphonsus de Liguori

Trials and sufferings lead to glory. This has been the constant words of the Lord to me whenever I pass a difficult situation in life. These are stepping stones to achieve success, fulfillment, and fullness. As others say, "No Pain, No Glory".

It is common to people not to like undergoing trials and sufferings because of the hurts and pains that comes with it. Surely, I myself would not want to be in such a situation but if I seek for greater things to happen in my life, then I must be willing to push myself beyond my limits. Stretching your muscles in doing some exercises causes pain but the end product is firmness and growth.

Friend, I really do not know what trial or sorrow you are facing today. What I do know is the fact that all these are temporary and will not last forever. A day will come when you will look back and say, "from the trials and sorrows I have faced, I was able to overcome because they have been part of my learning experience and growth".

When I am completely united to you, there will be no more sorrow or trials; entirely full of you, my life will be complete. -- St. Augustine

Know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true God. We are in union with the one who is true, his Son Jesus the Messiah, who is the true God and eternal life. -- 1 John 5:20

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him."

John 13:31

Published: March 4, 2013 - 2:16 PM; April 4, 2013 - 5:11 PM