"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: Prepare

BEADS OF JOY 12-14-18

“Prepare – To Stay Strong”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel:

Matthew 11:16-19 (Jesus’ Testimony to John)

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates, `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon'; the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

Reflection:
Are you teachable and receptive to our Lord’s teachings? Does the life you live help you; better PREPARE yourself to hear our Lord’s message more clearly? It is always the humble at heart that easily finds and hears and knows Jesus, when we seek Him. It is humility that plays a significant role in our life’s journey leading to our Lord. So, when we PREPARE, let us keep all these things in mind. We will be called names; people will make up stories to try to discredit us and make us appear horrible. Let not our hearts be troubled; by the foolishness of fools. Stay strong in your faith and live with your shield locked in the upward position. <Smile> what does that mean? Jesus died for us, saving us, to protect us from the depths of hell; so that we might be united with Him. He is our shield; He is the one who will always deflect the abuse and hateful words against us. PREPARE for the treasures in Heaven that far exceed all things combined here on earth.

It is usually jealousy that leads to vengeance against another. Sad by most times that is so true. The Pharisees hated John, yet John never stopped nor ceased in his efforts to warn others to PREPARE the way of the Lord. We must truly remain humble at heart, never allowing jealousy or wasteful desire for worldly things; including titles in our name, letters at the end of name representing some place we went for worldly education or anything that takes our attention away from Jesus.

-Excerpt from my writings in 2009
It is in this short gospel reading that verses 18-19 is a very little-known parable. "The Parable of the Children's Game"

Why is it that it seems at that time that John the Baptist's message of Jesus had so much resistance? Some have said it was just spiritual blindness, others say the scribes and Pharisees were jealous. Both of these roadblocks caused the scribes and Pharisees to close their hearts to the message of John the Baptist, and then eventually Jesus' message. This parable and its brief explanation which I will explain shortly, has me wondering how in tune is everyone with the message of our Lord? Jesus shares the "Good News" to all those who listen, and His Good News fills us with immeasurable joy and freedom; but Jesus' Good News comes with warning to all those who refuse to obey.

Now let's look at the explanation of this parable: John and Jesus are the children; there was a call to play a wedding game, and then a call to play a funeral game. The others are the Palestinian contemporaries, who rejected the seriousness of what John was preaching and then rejected the light yoke of Jesus' preaching. Why is that so many were out of tune with either message? I guess we can say that like Jesus' time, our own generation of people are very selective hearing and block out Jesus in their lives.

Is there a problem in how we express our faith, are we spiritually dull? The Good News that Jesus shared with us needs to be shared with everyone. In my life our Lords Good News has exploded inside me with so much abundant joy that I absolutely cannot contain it. No matter what situation I am in, no matter how unfortunate I am in being worldly successful, or financially rich; the bottom to my life is none of that has anything to do with the extent of overwhelming exciting joy of Jesus that is in my heart. My love for my Lord is my life's treasure.

Wisdom is proved right by her deed.
Matthew 11:16-19

Made for Glory Advent Friday
(very nicely done)

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Friday: 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…