Accept Jesus Christ and Live

Beads of Joy 10-09-11

Accept Jesus Christ and Live
©2011 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Hello Everybody,

Yes we are in the Month of the Rosary, but today’s gospel is a parable. <smile> I really enjoy sharing reflections and insights when it comes to parables. Jesus just knew a portion of His followers would be very excited every time they had a chance to share, learn about or even read a parable. Today’s gospel can be found in Matthew 22:1-14 (The Parable of The Wedding Feast). The gist of today’s parable to my understanding is this, the “King” is “God” and God is calling His people to Himself; it’s a two-fold request, first He invites His people, the Jews and they refuse, so then by God’s grace He extends His invitation out to all others (good and bad). In both incidents those invited were more interested in their own affairs, rather than an invitation from our Lord. The unfortunate reality we must all realize is this: Anyone who really refuses to accept Jesus when they are called will certainly die in their own sins. But on a much better note, all those who chose to receive Jesus become His choice guests and there will be a place for them in His house.

Today’s reflection is all about obeying and accepting the rules of someone else’s home; and in today’s gospel we are talking about God’s house, His rules, Hi Laws, Hi commandments. We all grew up in a home (our parents’ home) where they laid down rules that were part of living there. And what happened if we refused to obey their rules, most of us got punished or the rules got tougher. No matter, there was a consequence for our disobedience. We are all sinners and we will remain to be, that is unfortunate, but a very true fact. I heard it said by Father Larry Richards, “If you think you can stop sinning, well then try it, you can’t.” Well with that said; then what can we do, and how do we get the right “garment” to wear at the Wedding Feast so that we are accepted into God’s home? Our confession and the garment of admittance that Jesus Christ is our Lord will allow us to stay at the banquet. Jesus died for us; He bought us for a price, putting Jesus over us as the garment which is living the gospel allows us to stay.

"Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves ...the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance ...grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. ...Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life." This was said by Dieterich Bonhoneffer, he was Christian teacher back in Hitler’s time, and he died for his faith. His reflection on Grace is really insightful, and I am glad I came across this quote from him to share with you. We don’t want cheap grace, we want the costly one; but we know the costly one will cost us our own life. Come on everybody, stop living for yourselves and your own selfishness, instead live your life eternally for Jesus. Give all you have… to spend all your time, all your thoughts, all your dreams focused on serving and loving Him. Don’t waste any of your time lost in the pointless desires of this world. God invites us to join Him, let us do all we can to be at that banquet with Him; nothing in this world is worth losing that. NOTHING!!! All is lost if you lose the one and only chance to be with Almighty God for all eternity.

OCTOBER (The Month of the Holy Rosary)


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