Monday, January 1, 2018

He Was Called Jesus

BEADS OF JOY 01-01-18
“He Was Called Jesus”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 (The Visit of the Shepherds)
“And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

Reflection:
The Christmas Season is such a wonderful time for us to get closer to our Lord. How sad it is to have no faith; we must pray for those who don’t believe, and we must share with those who want to learn. Our stories, our faith, our journey serves a purpose beyond our own lives. We must do all we can, to draw others to Jesus. Today’s gospel is so exciting and so wonderful, “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God…” We have been given a great task in this life. Let us not be like the one who buried his one talent because of his fear of the master. No, we must be bold and let our Lord’s love shine through our lives.

Jesus gave all He had so that we might live. Let us embrace this child at Christmas and throughout the year. Jesus our Lord and Savior has brought more to us than just a Christmas manger or a Christmas tree; no, Jesus Christ brought to us Hope and Love and Faith. Why can’t everyday be like Christmas? Remember that song from Elvis? The lyrics continue, “…for if every day could be just like Christmas, what a wonderful world it would be.” I confess I have that song playing in the background right now. I can’t fully explain the depths of my faith, but I can explain the excitement I experience every single day, when I get to share my Lord.

Jesus gave His life for us, in turn we should give our life to Him, for Him, to praise Him, to love Him and to share Him; that fills my heart with a fire and desire to stay focused on that which truly matters. (sorry for the long sentence, but that it’s all true) If everyone of us would just take the time to develop their own personal relationship with Jesus; peace would flow within our families and throughout the world. What is the true basis of following Jesus? Look at Luke 9:59 “And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Pondering these thoughts today: Jesus wants us to be like Him. It’s not an easy cross to bear. I think often of Abrahams embrace of the Promises of God, that gave him the strength to truly follow God’s Will; even almost to the point of taking the life of his one and only son Isaac. So, I embrace my cross in life. Hebrews chapter 11 talks about Faith In Action I think you would enjoy reading that chapter. We all need to live our lives with an excitement and determination to fully trust in the Lord. Why are we here? To love Him, to serve Him and to share Him. Our lives are most complete and fully satisfied when Jesus is the center of all that we do.

 Today is also: January 1, 2018 - The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mother of God 
https://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/01/mary-mother-of-god.html

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Monday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind and Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Monday mornings, because every morning begins with the Rosary.

Written by at