BEADS OF JOY 03-19-19
“Lent – Day 12”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“The Spotless Lamb of God”
“The Spotless Lamb of God”
Lenten Season – Day 12
My Friends,
Spotless and perfect in every way, sinless and pure in all things. No other has ever walked the face of the earth with such magnificent hope as He. So many have been awed by His presence, so many sing and rejoice in the words and promises He has shared and taught. Yet He lives but a simple life, He does not wear diamonds or gold, He does not live in a palace. Yet no matter how simple He was, He is to this day a most adored person and Savior in the entire universe. So many, I to, look forward to His fabulous return. We wait in hope and anticipation to be able to join Him in Heaven, so that we might be able to spend all of eternity worshiping and praising Him. The world we live in does not know Him, but we are God's children. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
It has been through the sacrifice of His most precious blood that our sins have been forgiven, nothing in this entire world could have ever paid for our sins, His blood was required in order to save us. "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake." 1 Peter 1:18-20 He was most certainly without blemish, He is the true Lamb of God. We must live our lives honoring Him for we have been purchased by the blood God's only Son who died for us. Let us not fall victim to the sinful nature and habits we once had, instead let us live a life worthy of His love for us.
Do our indulgences weaken us? I think so, I know that's my opinion, but I believe that any distraction of any sort that causes us to turn back, weaken us. I can’t help but think of this verse, words from our Lord, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. Before we knew Jesus those indulgences didn't distract us from Him, but now that our heart knows Him and we love Him, we only seek to please Him. Turning back to them, to me, is turning away from Him. That would cause too much hurt and tears to dare offend my Lord. "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God or rather are known by God how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!" Galatians 4:8-10.
This very issue came up while Jesus spoke to the disciples. "Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father. “But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:21-22. That maybe very hard for many of us to accept, but I think we need to understand the larger picture of our salvation. Think of this passage the way I understand it in my own reflection. What was the disciple asking to do? Yes, go back and bury his father, but by saying bury his father; he is obviously saying that his father is already dead. Why would you want to leave the presence of God to go back to something or someone who is no longer a part of your life, but instead dead? That distraction will keep you away from the most precious spotless Lamb of God. Nothing and no one in this world is worth that risk of taking us away from Him.
Today's Challenge: Eucharistic Adoration. Just try your best to spend one full hour with Jesus, every week, or at least once a month. Many parishes have this available. One hour a month, go there in a most reverent manner; if you can, stay on your knees the whole time, that would be fabulous, if not, just spend time with Him in silence, seeking only His presence. Don't ask for anything, except for His love. Pray the Rosary, Read the scriptures (maybe even read an entire Gospel). Ask the Holy Spirit to lead your heart.
My Friends,
Spotless and perfect in every way, sinless and pure in all things. No other has ever walked the face of the earth with such magnificent hope as He. So many have been awed by His presence, so many sing and rejoice in the words and promises He has shared and taught. Yet He lives but a simple life, He does not wear diamonds or gold, He does not live in a palace. Yet no matter how simple He was, He is to this day a most adored person and Savior in the entire universe. So many, I to, look forward to His fabulous return. We wait in hope and anticipation to be able to join Him in Heaven, so that we might be able to spend all of eternity worshiping and praising Him. The world we live in does not know Him, but we are God's children. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12-13
It has been through the sacrifice of His most precious blood that our sins have been forgiven, nothing in this entire world could have ever paid for our sins, His blood was required in order to save us. "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake." 1 Peter 1:18-20 He was most certainly without blemish, He is the true Lamb of God. We must live our lives honoring Him for we have been purchased by the blood God's only Son who died for us. Let us not fall victim to the sinful nature and habits we once had, instead let us live a life worthy of His love for us.
Do our indulgences weaken us? I think so, I know that's my opinion, but I believe that any distraction of any sort that causes us to turn back, weaken us. I can’t help but think of this verse, words from our Lord, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. Before we knew Jesus those indulgences didn't distract us from Him, but now that our heart knows Him and we love Him, we only seek to please Him. Turning back to them, to me, is turning away from Him. That would cause too much hurt and tears to dare offend my Lord. "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God or rather are known by God how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!" Galatians 4:8-10.
This very issue came up while Jesus spoke to the disciples. "Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father. “But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:21-22. That maybe very hard for many of us to accept, but I think we need to understand the larger picture of our salvation. Think of this passage the way I understand it in my own reflection. What was the disciple asking to do? Yes, go back and bury his father, but by saying bury his father; he is obviously saying that his father is already dead. Why would you want to leave the presence of God to go back to something or someone who is no longer a part of your life, but instead dead? That distraction will keep you away from the most precious spotless Lamb of God. Nothing and no one in this world is worth that risk of taking us away from Him.
Today's Challenge: Eucharistic Adoration. Just try your best to spend one full hour with Jesus, every week, or at least once a month. Many parishes have this available. One hour a month, go there in a most reverent manner; if you can, stay on your knees the whole time, that would be fabulous, if not, just spend time with Him in silence, seeking only His presence. Don't ask for anything, except for His love. Pray the Rosary, Read the scriptures (maybe even read an entire Gospel). Ask the Holy Spirit to lead your heart.
"The Best Kept
Secret, Sunday Keynote"
w/ Sr. Mary Gabriel
w/ Sr. Mary Gabriel
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:
The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46
Thank you Lord for loving us so much…
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Today is Tuesday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:
The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46
Thank you Lord for loving us so much…
Rosary Man Jim’s Sorrowful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-sorrowful-mysteries_11.html
MY
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