His Standards Are So High

Beads of Joy 02-13-11

His Standards Are So High
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everyone,

Powerful and to the point, that's how I describe today's gospel. Jesus don't pull no punches and He will not hide the truth, so He don't offend someone. Jesus is cool, He isn't politically correct. Being politically correct for the most part always puts our morals on the back shelf. We need to rather be "Spiritually Correct" or if you will, "Jesus Correct". That's all that matters, because when we are all standing in judgment for our actions, our words, and our philosophy; God alone will tell us what we have earned for all eternity. No politician will step in for you or me, and give some crazy off the wall explanation why killing an unborn baby is just fine. Nobody stands with you, except of cause our Lady. See if we are really in tune with our spiritual life and we are in relationship with our Lord Jesus and His Mother, many of these issues will never be issues. We won't allow ourselves to be misled. Today we are reflecting on Matthew 5:17-37 (Fulfillment of The Law / Teachings). Why is it that so many people think "laws" or "rules" are so negative? Isn't the laws and the rules that keep things orderly so that everyone is kept safe physically and spiritually and morally in our world. Check this out. In Psalm 119 there is much wisdom. Psalm 119 has 176 verses. Scan through it, there is so much wisdom shared here.

Psalm 119
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.

We must remember who we are dealing with when it comes to sin. Satan has every intention and every intent to mislead us and send us straight to hell with him. Sin don't just arrive at the edge of our thoughts and then go full steam into our lives; rather we allow the thoughts in, and then little by little we justify our actions. There are so many things in society that allow things to happen. We can remember when no cursing was allowed on tv, period. Well then they come up with a list and all the others words were ok, then they allowed only certain networks to say them, then they started allowing certain words from that list. Well now they even allow anything after a certain hour on some networks. You see how little by little the sin is ok. This is the same way sin works in our lives, little by little we allow it and fluff it off.

As many of you know, "Fireproof" is one of my favorite movies. If you get a chance.. rent it, or buy it. You will be very happy you did, there are many very wonderful, very Godly messages throughout the entire movie. Today I'd like to share part of a conversation Caleb and his dad had. Interesting but very relevant to today's gospel. Complete reality check, and if you hear this script in the show, you'd understand what I'm saying.

FIREPROOF (excerpt of script)

Caleb
Why do l need his salvation?
What, am l gonna be thrown into hell?
For what? Because l got divorced?

Caleb's Dad
No. Because you violated his standards.

Caleb
What? Thou shall not kill?
Dad, l help people. l am a good person.

Caleb's Dad
According to you. But God doesn't judge by your standards.
-He uses his.

Caleb
-And what are his?

Caleb's Dad
Well, truth.

Caleb
-Okay.

Caleb's Dad
-Love.

Caleb
-l'm honest.

Caleb's Dad
-Faithfulness.

Caleb
l care about people. l am those things.

Caleb's Dad
Sometimes.
But have you loved God, the one who gave you life?
His standards are so high, he considers hatred to be murder...
...and lust to be adultery.

Caleb
Dad, what about all the good l've done?

Caleb's Dad
Son, saving someone from a fire does not make you right with God.
You've broken his commandments.
And one day, you'll answer to him for that.

Pretty powerful exchange isn't it? Get the movie, if you are like me, you will watch it again and again.

"Jesus, I trust in You."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO

Today we pray the Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of The Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation