BEADS OF JOY 03-17-18
“Hearing and Learning”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
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| This is at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine - Washington, NJ |
Today’s Gospel: John 7:40-53 (Origins of The Messiah)
“When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So, there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." They went each to his own house.”
Reflection:
Who do you choose to defend? Who do you choose to serve? Even Nicodemus stood in defense of Jesus. If we are to truly following Jesus, we must be bold enough to embrace our cross. Read Mark 8:34-36, Jesus himself speaks very plainly to us: “He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” There is no place for selfishness, or to cowardly not defend Jesus or even God’s word.
Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying to do anything mean or harmful to anyone. All I am saying is defend Him! Hold that cross of humility when you stand for Him. If someone were to say something horribly mean and/or incorrect in accusation about your parents or your spouse or your children or your friends; wouldn’t you defend them and protect their name? Today’s gospel is all about who is standing with Jesus while they wrongfully discuss his origin of where He is from. They really wanted to arrest him.
Today’s gospel begins to help us
be bold in our faith. Jesus in Mark’s Gospel warns us as to what will come.
Some will experience the extreme and some won’t. But know this worldwide many
are suffering because they are being bold, because of the name of Jesus. Look at
this scripture, Mark 13:9-13: “As for
yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be
beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of
me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must
first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you
to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say;
but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but
the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child,
and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will
be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be
saved.”
Division Over Who Jesus Is
Pondering these thoughts today:
-Does anyone oppose
you about your faith?
-If they do, do you
have faith and courage?
-Have you ever stood up for Jesus, ever?
-Do you wear any jewelry identifying you with Jesus?
Challenge: (Wear your faith out on your sleeve,
meaning a cross or pin… Something!)
Please use common sense.
If it is seriously very dangerous -Don’t.
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Today is Saturday: 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 Saturday mornings, because Saturday like every other day of the week -begins with the Rosary.
Rosary Man Jim’s Joyful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-joyful-mysteries_10.html
MY
FIRST BOOK
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SECOND BOOK
