Podcasts about lord son

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time The persistent pleadings of a Canaanite woman cause Jesus to appreciate the depths of her faith, and he cures her daughter from a distance at that very moment. Recording is of a Mass offered at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY at 9:00 am on August 20, 2023.

If you would like to support Lectio Divina Reflections, send us a financial gift. Your support helps us keep going. Thank you! https://buy.stripe.com/5kA8zx64ycdXgyQbII Catechism in a Year: Help support this podcast by getting your copy of Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ascension Edition. The edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church read by Fr. Mike Schmitz in The Catechism in a Year podcast: ⁠https://amzn.to/3NuKt9h⁠  LEARN AND SHARE IN GROWING THE FAITH: Excerpts are from the New American Bible Revised Edition: https://amzn.to/3K0SuAP. To learn how to do lectio divina, read Tim Gray's excellent Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina: https://amzn.to/430udUb (Amazon affiliate links)* As a member of the Amazon Associate Program, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases on the links above. It costs you nothing but helps me with content creation. CONNECT WITH US: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lectiodiv Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/lectio-divina-daily-reflections/id1637258440 Support Lectio Divina Reflections on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user/membership?u=85589341 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lectio-divina-daily/support

Taking a look at the proofs of the deity of the Lord God Jesus Christ! A walk through of the Gospel of Matthew - chapter 20:29 - 34 Apologetics, Debate, Bible Discussions, Evangelism, and much more Our Website - https://christiancoffeetime.ca/

Series: All!Scripture: Matthew 15:21-39Title: “Are you at the table with Jesus?” (Darien Gabriel)Heavily relied on David Platt, Kenneth Bailey, and Sean O'Donnell. (See below)Bottom line: Jesus' beloved are those who respond to his invitation to feast with him by grace through faith.Just as the Father sent Jesus to save, satisfy and serve, Jesus sends us to do the same. To multiply disciple-makers around the corner and around the world. Jesus invited everyone to his family feast. You get in by faith. You're invited. Are you going? It's not just a one and done decision. It's a daily, count-the-cost decision that leads to walking with (or without) God. That looks like being sent by Jesus to save, satisfy and serve our neighbors.Discussion questions for group and personal study. Reflect and Discuss1. Like this Gentile Canaanite woman, what unlikely converts has God placed around you? 2. How have you doubted God's power and mercy in relation to such people?3. How does Jesus' interaction with this Canaanite woman and His feeding of the Gentile crowd help forecast the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20?Final Questions (optional or in place of above)What is God saying to you right now? What are you going to do about it?Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcastQ. What do I want you to know? A. Jesus invites you to come and feast with him and his family by grace through faith. Q. Why? A. To empower us to save, satisfy and serve all peoples of all nations. Q. What do I want you to do? A. Accept his invitation by faith.Q. Why? A. So that you'll be propelled to save, satisfy and serve your neighbors. INTROOur kitchen table is sacred ground in our house to Anita and I. It's where we've shared over 2,100 meals with our family of six plus for over 30 years. Sitting at the head of that table might be my favorite place in the house…maybe in the world. Why? Because from there, when they are all in our house together, along with their growing families, I can see and speak to our closest family members. It is there where for a few seconds before we dive into our latest feast that I can pray another blessing over them and say an encouraging word to them. For a brief moment I have their undivided attention and I can remind them that they are our beloved. Do you feel like Jesus' beloved today?In Rev 3:20, Jesus asks to come in and sit at our table. And while he's there he will remind us that we're his beloved and bless us. Our Lord uses a similar metaphor in an unlikely place here today. He's outside of Israel giving his 12 a peak at the future of his kingdom.Today I want to answer 2 questions:Who's invited to sit at the table of the Lord?How do you get there?The final question I'll have for you is: will you join him at his table today?CONTEXTJesus and his disciples leave Israeli territory and go to Gentile territory. First, they go to Tyre and Sidon (modern day Lebanon). Next, they go to the decapolis (a region east of Judea made up of 10 Gentile cities). This marks the last time Jesus will do ministry in the Galilean region as his remaining ministry will happen in Judea and especially in Jerusalem. It is also the only season he will enter Gentile territory.The religious leaders make a trip to where Jesus and his disciples are ministering to continue to confront him with the hopes of exposing him and condemning him. Notice that this is in the wake of some pretty amazing miracles and teachings. He's fed over 5,000 men plus women and children with a few loaves and fish. He's walked on water across the Sea of Galilee. He continues to heal all who come to him including just by walking by them and they reaching out to touch his cloak. He's gaining immense popularity as a result. He's being seen as a Messiah if not THE Messiah by the populace. Even Canaanite women knows about him and that he's the Messiah. As a result, the religious leaders are getting desperate. A leader like this will disrupt the status quo with Rome. And this means the loss of influence and affluence for the religious leaders of Israel. All of this challenges the Disciples and their prejudices against Gentiles. Jesus takes them to Gentile (unclean) territory (after his lesson on what is unclean comes from your heart not from what you eat) and immediately blesses a Gentile (Canaanite = enemy; woman = less than a man) and her daughter. He then blesses thousands of Gentiles (through his D's) just like he did the Jews earlier. This would help them to see that his vision is for more than Israel—it's for the whole world!2 Themes. 2 Miracles.I. Who's invited to the family feast? Everyone. (21-28)A. Jesus takes them to Gentile territory. Not sure why but he isn't getting away from being known and sought after.B. Canaanite woman.Strike 1–Canaanite. Ancient enemy of Israel. Strike 2–Woman. Less than a man in the eyes of men in that day.Strike 3–Gentile. A dog. C. Model of faith.Desperate. “Crying out” Her daughter “is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” I can't imagine being demon possessed. But she makes it sound like this is worse than normal possessions. Humble, respectful. Even if just being respectful, called him Lord. Messiah. She uses the title for Messiah, “Son of David.”D. Jesus' & Disciples' reactionsJesus is silent. Disciples are not interested in helping. (Everyone is exhausted and hungry) 3 Days.Jesus replies with a discouraging word. But truth.She doesn't disagree. In fact, she kneels and prays profoundly, “Lord, help me!”Jesus again appears to discourage her. (More likely testing) Explains it's not right to take what is for God's people and give to those who are his enemies. Calls her a dog. A “little dog” like a pet, not a rabid dog. But still a dog. She doesn't flinch but does disagree. Points out that it's appropriate for people to get this crumbs. She may not be the kids at the table but there's room for the pet dog to get some. She understands and therefore knows what's available for her. Great faith!What a contrast to the faith (or lack) of the religious leaders (none) and the 12 (little).Why did Jesus ignore, refuse, rebuke and then bless her? 2 possibilities:To test herShe approached Jesus as a Jew (Son of David). Later she calls him Lord which is more universal. She doesn't have to become a Jew first. (Wiersbe)Jesus applauds her amazing faith. Only 2 people get this accolade in Matthew (Centurion is the other).Jesus answers her prayer without going anywhere. II. How do you get in? Faith. (29-39)A. Feels like a repeat of feeding of the 5,000. Lots of things are this same.Thousands of men + women and children. Bread and fish.Gave, gave, gave.Through his 12.Lots of leftovers.B. Differences…a few.Biggest is likely that this was for Gentiles, not Jews. This is why I think the 12 did not suggest he feed them like he just fed the others. I don't think it was a lack of faith but compassion. My take.One in spring and one in summer.One in Jewish territory and one in Gentile territory.Crowd with him one day vs 3 days.7 instead of 12. 12 tribes of Israel7 number of perfection & completeness = rest of the world; this is a huge takeaway Jesus would emphasize in the Great Commission.C. Bottom line: How do you get healed and fed? Faith in Jesus Christ, the source of abundant life and life itself.CONCLUSIONHave you been invited to the family feast to end all feasts? Yes.Have you accepted it? How? By believing that there is an amazing feast that we do not deserve and that when we trust and follow Jesus Christ, he shows us the way there. Will you trust and follow Jesus to the feast today?What is God saying to you? What are you going to do about it?PrayNOTES2 miraclesCanaanite Woman (21-28)Least, last, lostCanaanite/Gentile/ancient enemy of IsraelWomanUnclean—outside of Disciple's comfort zone“Crying out”Desperate for her daughter—demon-possessed and suffering“Have mercy on me!” - desperate for herself tooHuman—she's just like them just not a JewDisciples reaction is to see her great need vs their great lack of resources; but maybe even more they don't want to help her because of their prejudiceSend her away—she's not one of usShe's crazy desperate and Jesus seems to not want to help her (his silence) so they try to get rid of her for JesusJesus comes out with his mission—to the lost sheep of IsraelShe is persistent, desperate and believes in Jesus' character and competencies“Lord”On her knees humilityWise words and perspectiveJesus recognizes great faith and gives her her requestHealing for daughterHealing for herselfWitness to the DecapolisWho is Jesus and what will he do?Who is Jesus?What will he do?Chief missionary, Disciple-maker/trainer, sent-oneMultiplying disciple-makers on his way to the ultimate example (cross, rez)Lord/Son of David/ King/Messiah/MasterExercising ultimate authority over all things including disease, demons, disciple-makingMerciful judge “Have mercy on me” as if she doesn't deserve itExercising ultimate authority over all things including disease, demons, disciple-makingDeliverer/Savior/HealerSave/Deliver; Exalt Gentile woman; Applauds her faith & persistence; save all people; not just IsraelGlobal KingHere for all nationsSuffering servantServe all people/nationsProvider; GroomFeast together; satisfy/bless all nationsJesus came to save, satisfy and serve all people. -PlattOUTLINE BIBLESECTION OUTLINE FOURTEEN (MATTHEW 15)Jesus confronts the Pharisees, teaches the crowds, and explains his teachings to Peter and the other disciples. He heals a Canaanite woman's daughter and feeds the 4,000.1. THE MEETINGS (15:1-20)A. Jesus' meeting with the Pharisees (15:1-9)1. Their accusation (15:1-2): They accuse Jesus of breaking theMosaic law by permitting his disciples to ignore the ceremonial hand washing ritual before eating.2. His condemnation (15:3-9)a. Jesus speaks concerning their corruption (15:3-6): The Pharisees twist God's law in such a way that it allows them to ignore their responsibilities concerning their parents!b. Jesus speaks concerning their character (15:7-9): Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites and says they fulfill Isaiah's terrible prophecy concerning them (Isa. 29:13).B. Jesus' meeting with the people (15:10-11): Jesus tells the crowd that uncleanness is not caused by what goes into a person's mouth (nonkosher food) but rather by what comes out!C. Jesus' meeting with Peter (15:12-20): He says the same thing to Peter and the disciples.II. THE MIRACLES (15:21-39)A. Healing a Canaanite woman's daughter (15:21-28)1. The brokenhearted mother (15:21-23)a. The place (15:21): Jesus is in the region of Tyre and Sidon.b. The plea (15:22-23): A mother in this area begs him to heal her demon-possessed daughter.2. The kindhearted Messiah (15:24-28)a. His reminder (15:24-26): He tells her that his key ministry is to the Jews, not the Gentiles.b. Her response (15:27-28)(1) The reasoning (15:27): She agrees but asks for some of the crumbs that might fall from Israel's spiritual table.(2) The reward (15:28): Jesus immediately grants her request.B. Feeding the 4,000 (15:29-39): Jesus ministers to this group of 4,000 men as he did previously for the 5,000.1. Meeting the needs of the hurting (15:29-31): Jesus heals the lame, blind, crippled, and the mute.2. Meeting the needs of the hungry (15:32-39)a. The amount of food (15:32-34): He has only seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes.b. The abundance of food (15:35-39): Seven full baskets remain after all have eaten their fill!Nicky Gumbel, Bible in one year, day, 14 Matthew 11:16-30Accept the invitation to walk with JesusThe teaching of Jesus is fascinating. In the first section of today's passage he seems to be saying, ‘You can't win.' On the one hand, John the Baptist was an ascetic and was accused of being demon-possessed. On the other hand, Jesus went to parties with all kinds of people and made friends with those who were regarded as unsavoury characters. He was accused of being ‘a glutton and a drunkard' and ‘a friend of tax collectors and sinners' (v.18).Whatever you do may be misinterpreted. Yet Jesus adds, ‘But wisdom is proved right by her actions' (v.19). I take this to mean that all we can do is the right thing and not worry about what anybody else thinks. ‘Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating' (v.19, MSG).Jesus then denounces the cities that he has visited and performed miracles in, where people have neither repented nor believed. He suggests that their sin is worse than the sin of Sodom (v.24). The sin of unbelief is perhaps the most serious of all.Jesus goes on to teach in such a way that it is clear that he believed in both predestination (that God has already determined everything that will happen) and free will. He teaches both alongside one another. It is a paradox. The two seemingly contradictory things are both true at the same time.It is not 50% ‘predestination' and 50% ‘free will'. Jesus says we are 100% predestined and we have 100% free will. This may seem impossible, but God is able to transcend and yet not distort human freedom. We ultimately see this in the incarnation: Jesus is 100% God and 100% human; he is fully God and fully human.Predestination‘All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him' (v.27).Why God chooses to reveal himself to some and not to others is a mystery. It is certainly not based on wisdom and learning. Sometimes the great intellectuals simply cannot see it: ‘you have hidden these things from the wise and learned' (v.25). And yet sometimes people of little or no education, or those who are very young (‘little children', v.25), seem to have a very profound understanding of Jesus. ‘You've concealed your way from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people' (v.25, MSG).Free willJesus says, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (v.28). The invitation to come to Jesus is for everyone. No one is excluded. We are all invited. We all have a choice whether to accept the invitation of Jesus or to refuse it.I find it difficult to get my mind around this paradox. However, I have found the following illustration helpful. Imagine a room with an arched doorway. The outside of the arch is inscribed with the words, ‘Come to me, all you…' (v.28). Everyone is invited into the room. When you get into the room, on the inside of the same arch is written, ‘No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him' (v.27b).In other words, free will is a doctrine for everyone. No one can say, ‘I am not going to become a Christian because I have not been chosen.' The invitation is to all. On the other hand, predestination is a doctrine of assurance for those who areChristians. Once you have accepted the invitation and entered, you can know that God has chosen you and therefore he will not let you go.I love the fact that in a stressful world, where so many are ‘weary and burdened', Jesus promises you rest. He offers to take your burdens and replace them with his own.The yoke (something that Jesus would have made in the carpenter's shop) was a wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen) at the neck, enabling them to pull a plough or wagon together. The function of the yoke is to make burdens easier to carry. I love this image of walking in step with Jesus, sharing our burdens, making the trials to be endured and the battles to be faced ‘easy' and ‘light' by comparison.Jesus is not a slave driver. When you pursue his agenda for your life you carry a burden but it is ‘not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant' (v.30, AMP). When you do what Jesus asks you to do, he gives you the strength and wisdom to do it and you carry his burden with him. There will, of course, be many challenges and difficulties, but there will also be a lightness and ease.Jesus says to you: ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly' (vv.28–29, MSG). Just relax and let God be God.References/Bibliography:“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O'Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes“Matthew” by RC Sproul“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)Outline Bible, D WillmingtonNIV Study Bible (NIVSB)ESV Study Bible“Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes” by Kenneth E. Bailey

One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Matthew 22:35NLT   Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 NLT   Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.” The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.” Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:29-34 NLT   1. GOD MUST BE FIRST  The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. Mark 12:29 NLT   God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Numbers 23:19 NLT   God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT   Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT   Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation… Colossians 1:15 NLT   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT   As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 NLT   THE DEVIL WANTS US TO TRADE AWAY COMMITTED DISCIPLESHIP FOR A CONVENIENT CHRISTIANITY.    Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT   Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. I am the Lord your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the Lord your God. If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord. Leviticus 18:2-5 NLT   PROGRESSING IN GOD'S WILL IS ONLY ACHIEVED BY SURRENDERING YOUR WILL.   …not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42 NIV   Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:24-25 NLT   2. GIVE JESUS YOUR WHOLE HEART And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart… Mark 12:30 NLT   A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:43-45 NLT   YOUR HEARTS SOIL IS HARD   This message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Ezekiel 14:2-3 NLT   YOUR HEARTS SOIL IS SHALLOW   YOUR HEARTS SOIL IS CROWDED   YOUR HEARTS SOIL IS FERTILE   Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:2-8 NLT

"Tell the people, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will put an end to this proverb, and you will soon stop quoting it.' Now give them this new proverb to replace the old one: ‘The time has come for every prophecy to be fulfilled!' “There will be no more false visions and flattering predictions in Israel. For I am the Lord! If I say it, it will happen. There will be no more delays, you rebels of Israel. I will fulfill my threat of destruction in your own lifetime. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, the people of Israel are saying, ‘He's talking about the distant future. His visions won't come true for a long, long time.' Therefore, tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: No more delay! I will now do everything I have threatened. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!'” EZ12.23-28‬ ‭NLT Is this the time? We don't know, but what we do know is that when God says something will happen, IT WILL HAPPEN. “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.[k] Only the Father knows. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. MT24.36-42 NLT Keep Watch. Be alert. Pay attention. Be expectant. PRAY. PREPARE. PROTECT. PROCLAIM. PERSIST. PERSEVERE. PRAY AGAIN. PASS IT ON. POWER UP! Check us out at endtimes.chat

“And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:20-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.13.20-21.esv “Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them. “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I now consider these shepherds my enemies, and I will hold them responsible for what has happened to my flock. I will take away their right to feed the flock, and I will stop them from feeding themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths; the sheep will no longer be their prey. “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice! “And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats. Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled? “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. So I will rescue my flock, and they will no longer be abused. I will judge between one animal of the flock and another. And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken!” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34:1-24‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://www.bible.com/bible/116/ezk.34.1-24.nlt

The greatness of Jesus Christ is seen in who He is and will forever be to the people of God.

Le lavage de la semaine avec Jean Barbe et Andrée-Lise Méthot ; Entrevue avec Robert Frosi à Pyeongchang ; La série Karaoké : Table ronde ; Cinéma avec Helen Faradji et Georges Privet : Annihilation, d'Alex Garland ; Entrevue avec Marie-Josée Lord : Son album Femmes ; Culture populaire avec Pascale Lévesque : Rockabye Baby ; Vins avec Élyse Lambert ; Vidéo de la semaine avec Helen Faradji : Dimanche soir, de Grand corps malade ; Musique avec Frédéric Lambert : Patricia Kopatchinskaja et Polina Leschenko ; Cinéma avec Georges Privet : Loveless, d'Andreï Zviaguintsev ; Vins avec Élyse Lambert : Suggestion de vin libanais ; À voir sur le web avec Helen Faradji : Le band et Sébastien ; Cinéma avec Georges Privet : Les gardiennes, de Xavier Beauvois ; Musique avec Frédéric Lambert : Sonates de Prokofiev par David Jalbert ; Culture populaire avec Pascale Lévesque : 50 ans de Colombo

Le lavage de la semaine avec Jean Barbe et Andrée-Lise Méthot ; Entrevue avec Robert Frosi à Pyeongchang ; La série Karaoké : Table ronde ; Cinéma avec Helen Faradji et Georges Privet : Annihilation, d'Alex Garland ; Entrevue avec Marie-Josée Lord : Son album Femmes ; Culture populaire avec Pascale Lévesque : Rockabye Baby ; Vins avec Élyse Lambert ; Vidéo de la semaine avec Helen Faradji : Dimanche soir, de Grand corps malade ; Musique avec Frédéric Lambert : Patricia Kopatchinskaja et Polina Leschenko ; Cinéma avec Georges Privet : Loveless, d'Andreï Zviaguintsev ; Vins avec Élyse Lambert : Suggestion de vin libanais ; À voir sur le web avec Helen Faradji : Le band et Sébastien ; Cinéma avec Georges Privet : Les gardiennes, de Xavier Beauvois ; Musique avec Frédéric Lambert : Sonates de Prokofiev par David Jalbert ; Culture populaire avec Pascale Lévesque : 50 ans de Colombo

Songs: Bless the Lord (Son of Man), Love Has Found Us, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Forever (We Sing Hallelujah), Adore Bulletin

Fr. Nicholas Mancini discusses Jesus, Lord, Son, True God and True Man. YOUCAT questions 74-77.

Sunday, May 05, 2013 Trickle Down Systemic Sin Ezekiel 22:23-31 NLT Again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will be like a polluted land, a land without rain. Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land. Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them. Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them. Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice. “ I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” ------------------ One of the economic policies of the past 30 years was termed "trickle down" but it's not new. And the policy falls over in the same way that communism did. Both systems assume people are good. The conservatives think the rich will be kind and benevolent and the liberals think people will be honest and fair. But just like this indictment from God through Ezekiel to God's people nearly three thousand years ago shows people haven't changed. Enlightened, educated, informed people at all levels of society take advantage of those under them. What does seem to trickle down is corruption. So the result is oppression and suffering at every level. And everyone is in on it. The aristocracy harms the weak and their good position is not used for justice. The religious elite fail to fulfil their duty and don't set an upright example. The leaders of the people abuse their position and so destroy others for their own financial gain. The Prophets collude with the leaders. And the common person is abusive to the vulnerable too. The result is the wrath of God! Even with all the evil corruption God sought out people who would help rebuild a society of protection. God looked for individuals that would be a voice for the poor, the weak and the oppressed. But no one took seriously God's word. None were willing to 'stand in the gap.' Although we should aspire to be better and although we should want leaders without corruption, men are never going to be truly trustworthy. We must trust God who is the only one not corrupt. We must trust God who stands in the gap. We must trust Jesus who was a voice for the poor and oppressed. Our only hope is to hide behind the very one who can judge us. The only safe place is by the judge. If you want a society that is right don't look to men, look to God. (written while playing with my nearly three year old grandson .)

Saturday, May 04, 2013 Not a fairy tale. Not a fairy tale. real people, real places, Ezekiel 20:1-3 NLT On August 14, during the seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the Lord. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply. Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, tell the leaders of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: How dare you come to ask me for a message? As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord , I will tell you nothing!’ ---------- The Bible is littered with times, places and people. The Bible isn't self-congratulatory of God's people nor does it paint the picture of a man-made God. The gods of men usually are all sop or all bluster. Sugarcoated gods of self aggrandisement fill the pages of fiction in cultures around the world. The one true God works in time and space although he exists beyond them. So six days and nearly three thousand years before my birthday during the reign of an exiled Jewish king plotting a coup against the powerful Babylonians with Egypt, God's prophet spoke on God's behalf to His rebellious people. See? Time, place, people are all represented. Although God is unknowable far beyond a mystery, He works within time and history! And what does he say? This God says some unexpected things. And firstly this time he says he'll say nothing. Real people, real places, hurt feelings and downcast faces The Bible records a tale of woe And God's own people become his foe Travel in time and you'd find them there Plotting schemers God will not spare Trusting, humble hearts He does require If they are to avoid the judgment fire