BEADS OF JOY 03-07-18
“Kingdom of Heaven”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s Gospel:
Matthew 5:17-19
(Teaching About The Law)
“Think not that I have come to
abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil
them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota,
not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of
these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of
heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection:
Jesus didn't come to cancel out the Old Testament, or to replace the Old Testament laws, he instead came into the world to fulfill the laws. Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament, He came to magnify and solidify the laws; He basically took the laws to the next level of understanding. I'd like to share some of the script from the movie "Fireproof", sorry if I do that a lot, but using all the tools I can to help share our Lord is my goal. And many will agree that that movie has an incredibly, awesome message of love and devotion, and staying with your partner, "You never leave your partner, especially in a fire." The fire referring to, basically any heated up, difficult times that devastate a family. Even more specifically, that comes between you and your spouse.
Let me set the scene, Caleb and his dad were talking while walking down a trail (where an old summer camp used to be) talking about the challenges in Caleb’s marriage. His dad has much love for our Lord and he has already turned his life around by living his life for Jesus. Please take the time to really read this, and if you haven't watched the movie yet, I highly recommend you do. There is a short clip to along with this blog today.
This is from the movie “Fireproof” one of my absolute favorite
movies. Take a look at this clip and see how a Caleb’s dad is ministering to
His son through his faith. Here is some of the script: Excellent scene…
Fireproof – The Cross
Caleb
Dad, if you're gonna tell me l need Jesus, please don't.
l don't need a crutch to get through life.
Caleb's Dad
Oh, son, Jesus is much more than a crutch.
He's become the most significant part of our lives.
Caleb
Dad, why do you keep saying that?
He's the most significant part?
How is that?
Caleb's Dad
When l realized who l was
and who he was...
...l realized my need for him.
l needed his forgiveness
and salvation.
Caleb
See, l don't understand that.
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.
Dad, if you're gonna tell me l need Jesus, please don't.
l don't need a crutch to get through life.
Caleb's Dad
Oh, son, Jesus is much more than a crutch.
He's become the most significant part of our lives.
Caleb
Dad, why do you keep saying that?
He's the most significant part?
How is that?
Caleb's Dad
When l realized who l was
and who he was...
...l realized my need for him.
l needed his forgiveness
and salvation.
Caleb
See, l don't understand that.
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.
Pondering these thoughts today:
-Do
you see God's law as negative or positive?
-Has the Ten Commandments helped guide your life?
-Reverence? Do you have reverence for His laws?
-Have you ever really read the ten commandments?
(Prepare for a confession, using the commandments,
as your guide, reviewing all aspects of each one.)
Remember God is the Almighty God of the Universe.
He deserves our love, respect and reverence towards Him.
-Has the Ten Commandments helped guide your life?
-Reverence? Do you have reverence for His laws?
-Have you ever really read the ten commandments?
(Prepare for a confession, using the commandments,
as your guide, reviewing all aspects of each one.)
Remember God is the Almighty God of the Universe.
He deserves our love, respect and reverence towards Him.
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Today is Wednesday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. The Assumption of Our Lady (A Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10
Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Today is Wednesday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. The Assumption of Our Lady (A Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10
Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!
Rosary Man Jim's Glorious Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-glorious-mysteries.html
MY
FIRST BOOK. MORE TO COME…
