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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 11 months ago

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Devotional Hours Within the Bible by James Russell Miller

Pictures of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:31-33 and 44-52)

The parables of Jesus are unforgettable pictures. They are stories laden with truth. Some preachers tell stories which thrill those who hear them, and yet they are tales with no lesson. The parables of Jesus are rustic and interesting, and yet they are vital with spiritual meaning.

The mustard seed is little, so small that one can scarcely see it. Yet it has life in it, and when it is sown in a field it grows and becomes a tree, so large that the birds come and nest in its branches. There would be no reason for our Lord’s telling us about this little seed and its plant merely as a bit of natural history. It is beautiful and interesting even in this way but He had a further purpose in His parable. He uses it as an illustration of His kingdom in the world.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed.” Christianity began in a very small way. A little baby lay in a manger that was the beginning of the kingdom of heaven in this world. A kingdom implies a king. Christ ruled over a very small kingdom that night. His mother loved Him as mothers always love their children, and He reigned in her heart. Some shepherds came in during the night and saw the Child-King and worshiped Him. Their lives were never the same again, for one who has had a God-given vision of Christ can never lose the influence out of his heart. They returned to their lowly duty keeping watch over the flock but they were better shepherds afterwards and better men. The kingdom of heaven had entered their hearts.

But the beginning of the kingdom was small indeed like a mustard seed. For thirty years it seemed to have no appreciable growth. The child grew but dwelt in a lowly home in a peasant village. His childhood was not unusual. He was not an unusual boy. There was no halo around His brow. Nothing showed that He was kingly. There were no flashings of divinity on His face. He did no brilliant things. He wrought no miracles. He went to school and learned His lessons but revealed no greatness. According to the customs of His people, he entered the carpenter’s shop at twelve as an apprentice, and for eighteen years worked at the carpenter’s bench. “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed… which indeed is smaller than all seeds.”

We know what the kingdom of Christ is today. It has touched many lands with its holy influence. It has become a great tree with many wide-spreading branches. On its boughs the birds sit and sing. In its shadows the people rest. Its fruits feed the hunger of multitudes. The tree is still growing. The great missionary movement of today is extending it, and it is destined to fill all lands. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.

Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”

The next parable tells of the pervasive and permeating influence of the gospel of Christ. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Usually in the Bible, leaven stands for something evil. It was a symbol of sin in the Mosaic dispensation. Paul exhorts believers to purge out the old leaven. But here it is used in a good sense. The teaching is very apt. Leaven works secretly and silently. It makes no noise. It works pervasively, creeping out through the dough until every particle of it has been affected. Thus it is that the influence of Christianity permeates society, penetrating everywhere, touching every institution, changing all things.

The illustration may be widely applied. Thus individual lives are changed. The leaven of Divine grace in the heart works out until the whole character is changed. Henry Drummond in one of his books tells of a girl whose life was transformed into great spiritual beauty. Her friends wondered what had wrought the change. At length the secret was discovered in a verse of Scripture which she carried in a locket, “Whom having not seen, you love” (1 Peter 1:8). The leaven works also in communities. Neighborhoods are changed, transformed by the gospel. In mission lands there are many notable illustrations.

The truest work of Christianity is quiet. It is a religion less of organization, than of personal influence. It is not always the most active person who does the most for the advancement of the kingdom of God; often it is the quiet man or woman whose life is holy and beautiful, who really does the most for the changing of other lives. Many an invalid, who cannot take any active part in the affairs of the Church yet exerts a sweetening and ennobling influence in a home, in a community, which far surpasses in its value the busy ministry of one who is always going about, talking, doing good.

The lesson from the leaven, is that it does its work by being put into the midst of the loaf. It will not do any good if laid on the shelf; in however close proximity to the dough. It must be in the mass. There are some Christian people who seem to feel no responsibility for the touching or influencing of other lives. They incline to keep away from people and to be exclusive. But leaven will never do its work if kept away from people. Thus Jesus did He was called a friend of publicans and sinners. He ate with them and mingled with them in all social ways, and His pure, loving, gentle life left its impress on their lives. Jesus did not teach His disciples to hide away from people, to keep out of the world but to live in the world, to be friends of men, to seek to influence others by being with them. He said they were salt but salt to do its work, to perform its mission, must be rubbed into that which it is to preserve.

We need to take the lesson. Be leaven wherever you are. Let your godliness be felt. Let your kindness touch others. Let your example have in it a contagion of joy, of peace, of unselfishness, of sweetness, of purity, which shall be a blessing everywhere. Be sure that you make one little spot of the world better, cleaner, whiter, brighter, gladder because you live in it.

In another parable Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” There were no banks in ancient times, especially in unsettled countries. It was common therefore to hide treasure in the ground. Not infrequently did one come upon such concealed treasure. Of course, Jesus had spiritual treasure in His thought, as He is illustrating the kingdom of heaven. We do not dream of the wealth of invisible riches that are always close to us as we go through this world. A man may work for years in a field, digging and plowing over it, not thinking of anything of value in it, and then suddenly someday discover that there are valuable minerals or even gems hidden under his pick and plow.

Dr. Newell Hillis says: Lecturing in Kentucky recently, I saw a cave of diamonds, newly discovered. One day a farmer, plowing, thought the ground sounded hollow. Going to the barn he brought a spade and opened up the aperture. Flinging down a rope, his friends let the explorer down, and when the torches were lighted, behold, a cave of amethysts and sapphires and diamonds. For generations the cave had been undiscovered and the jewels unknown. Wild beasts had fed just above those flashing gems, and still more savage men had lived and fought and died there. And yet just beneath was this cave of flashing jewels.

We do not know what hidden treasures of spiritual good there are all the while so close to us that our hand could take them if we saw them. Sometimes we come suddenly upon them, and then we should instantly seize them and appropriate them, whatever it may cost us. The man in the parable sold all he had and bought the field in which the treasure was concealed. We should be ready to give up all we have to get the spiritual riches that we find.

The parable of the pearl teaches almost the same lesson as that of the hidden treasure. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” The merchant sought goodly pearls the best that could be found. Then when he heard of this best of pearls, he was willing to give up all he had that he might possess it. Too often, we do not live for the best things. When we find something even better than the good we should be eager to possess it, no matter if we have to give up all we have to buy it.

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spiderpanic · 5 months ago

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4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.

The symbols of today enable the reality of tomorrow. Notice the swastikas and the other signs of hate. Do not look away, and do not get used to them. Remove them yourself and set an example for others to do so. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Life is political, not because the world cares about how you feel, but because the world reacts to what you do. The minor choices we make are themselves a kind of vote, making it more or less likely that free and fair elections will be held in the future. In the politics of the everyday, our words and gestures, or their absence, count very much. A few extreme (and less extreme) examples from the 20th century can show us how.

In the Soviet Union under the rule of Joseph Stalin, prosperous farmers were portrayed on propaganda posters as pigs -a dehumanization that in a rural setting clearly suggests slaughter. This was in the early 1930s, as the Soviet state tried to master the countryside and extract capital for crash industrialization. The peasants who had more land or livestock than others were the first to lose what they had. A neighbor portrayed as a pig is someone whose land you can take. But those who followed the symbolic logic became victims in their turn. Having turned the poor peasants against the richer, Soviet power then seized everyone's land for the new collective farms. Collectivization, when completed, brought starvation to much of the Soviet peasantry. Millions of people in Soviet Ukraine, Soviet Kazakhstan, and Soviet Russia died horrible and humiliating deaths between 1930 and 1933. Before it was over, Soviet citizens were butchering corpses for human meat.

In 1933, as the starvation in the USSR reached its height, the Nazi party came to power in Germany. In the euphoria of victory Nazis tried to organize a boycott of Jewish shops. This was not very successful at first. But the practice of marking one firm as "Jewish " And another as "Aryan" with paint on the windows or walls did affect the way Germans thought about household economics. A shop marked "Jewish" had no future. It became an object of covetous plans. As property was marked as ethnic, envy transformed ethics. If shops could be "Jewish," What about other companies and properties? The wish that Jews might disappear, perhaps suppressed at first, Rose as it was leavened by greed. Thus the Germans who marked shops as "Jewish " participated in the process by which Jews really did disappear -as did people who simply looked on. Accepting the markings as a natural part of the urban landscape was already a compromise with a murderous future.

You might one day be offered the opportunity to display symbols of loyalty. Make sure that such symbols include your fellow citizens rather than exclude them. Even the history of lapel pins is far from innocent. In Nazi Germany in 1933, people wore lapel pins that said "Yes" during the elections and referendum that confirmed the one party state. In Austria in 1938, people who had not previously been Nazis began to wear swastika pins. What might seem like a gesture of pride can be a source of exclusion. In the Europe of the 1930s and '40s some people chose to wear swastikas, and then others had to wear yellow stars. The late history of communism, when no one believed in the revolution anymore, offers a final lesson about symbols. Even when citizens are demoralized and wish only to be left alone, public markers can still sustain a tyrannical regime. When Czechoslovak communists won elections in 1946 and then proceeded to claim full power after a coup in 1948, many Czechoslovak citizens were euphoric. When the dissident thinker Vaclav Havel wrote "The Power of the Powerless" three decades later, in 1978, he was explaining the continuity of an oppressive regime in whose goals and ideology few people still believed. He offered a parable of a greengrocer who places a sign reading "workers of the world, unite!" In his shop window.

It is not that the man actually endorses the contents of this quotation from the Communist manifesto. He places the sign in his window so that he can withdraw into daily life without troubles from authorities. When everyone else follows the same logic, the public sphere is converted with signs of loyalty, and resistance becomes unthinkable. As Havel put it:

"We have seen that the real meaning of the green grocers slogan has nothing to do with what the text of the slogan actually says. Even so, the real meaning is quite clear and generally comprehensible because the code is so familiar: The green grocer declares his loyalty and the only way the regime is capable of hearing; That is, by accepting the prescribed ritual, by accepting appearances as reality, by accepting the given rules of the game, thus making it possible for the game to go on, for it to exists in the first place."

And what happens, ask Havel, if no one plays the game?

-On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder

#timothy snyder #on tyranny #Lesson 4 #Take responsibility for the face of the world #Full text from Timothy Snyders book

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the-hem · 2 years ago

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"The Parable of the Mustard Seed." Matthew 13:31-43.

Jesus explains there are secrets the universe has kept from man since the beginning. These are only to be revealed through the use of Hebrew, the language of the God of Israel and the gods of heaven, the Angelic Host. All spiritual thought on this world came from Hebrew, it is the bedrock of faith, and Judaism represents the topical features which sit upon it. As we have discussed in my other forums, the process of growing up life on a world that was once a hot, bitter smoking rock is evolutionary. One character feature at a time, the world made itself under the direction of God and the gods.

We were programmed from the beginning of time to come into existence to follow a certain course. During the process, God gave us Vedanta, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity in order to for us to be able to keep up, to remain parallel partners in the development of humanity.

This seems odd to us in a time of mass media and instant communication but this was once a very disconnected world with cultures that showed more differences than similarities from one another. As we are learning religion was one of the similarities. Not only in practice but in sentiment.

It's this sentiment that is the secret- the artificial bond man has to his intelligence and his continual striving to be in absolute, utter, elegant control over all that befalls him. Still, there are problems...Jesus likens the proper combination of factors that will outmode the problems to the possibilities inherent in the mustard seed, now recognized world over as a lesson, the secret of how to grow a splendid world up out of one that appears, at times, to be completely damned.

The God of Israel spoke of this Himself to the people, uniformed as one them:

31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Grains are blessings showered upon this earth by an ingenious God:

Food that is made from grain (wheat, barley, rye, spelt or oat) but is not bread gets the blessing mezonot (מְזוֹנוֹת). This includes cakes and pastries, most crackers and cereals, pasta and other cooked grain products like farfel and couscous.

The blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי מְזוֹנוֹת

Baruch atah A-donay, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam borei minei mezonot.

Blessed are you L-rd our G‑d, King of the Universe, Who creates various kinds of sustenance.

Mustard seed is measured against other grains in the following verse, associated with the writings of the Jewish Prophet Maimonedes.

4. What is implied? [For example,] mustard seed was mixed with grain. Now a kav10 of mustard seed is sown in the area fit for a se'ah of grain.

If one twenty-fourth of a kav of mustard seed is mixed with a se'ah11 of grain or legumes, one must reduce [the mustard seed].

Similarly, if it was customary to sow two se'ah of a species of garden seeds in an area where a se'ah of grain would ordinarily be sown,12 should a half a kav13 be mixed in a se'ah of grain or legumes, it must be reduced.

A kav represents the Cup. It is mixed with grains to complete the Eucharist. A se'ah is the weight of the Glory of God, symbolic of the moment of revelation.

If there is too much mustard, then what one gets is a zealot, which is forbidden. The Prophet said to reduce the instance of "faith poisoning" caused by the cup, one reduces the mustard to one 24th, which means "apsad" to look inside [the temple] and partake of other grains or legumes richer in knowledge-sustenance:

"The mustard seed’s growth is forbidden. It should not be there. But look at the mustard seed’s character. If you are just using one tiny mustard seed and let it grow, it will break through and impose itself to the point of becoming the ONLY element. If you have this type of faith, you will erase any existent obstacle or doubt by letting your faith grow to into a mustard tree!"

So in the case of the sowing of the mustard seed it represents the serving of the Cup to humanity, with the appropriate kinds of effort behind it, resulting in the end of all bloodshed, violence, and discontinuity between people and their governors, and explains why Jesus brought mustard up in the first place. It explains how the world is come by its needed changes. The Cup can't do everything but what it represents might mean it can do what is needed.

The next part of the Parable of the leavening of the flour using three parts to one follows this pattern. All equanimity with creation, whether the end of doubt, the end of violence, the end of delusion or a habit arrive at on the Third Day, or during what is called "thirds."

Leavening represents foreign ideas. In Egypt it was obvious the Jews had just about enough of that and God told them not to leaven their bread with Egyptian yeast. To "eat" Egyptian germ bugs in the bread made no sense.

Here Jesus says the flour is indeed to be leavened with His radically different ideas about how persons should live together.

So really the two parables explain the purposes of the Eucharist which take us beyond the Passover into new territory. Both are just observances of Shabbat and serve principal roles in the outfitting of humanity with the Yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven.

To be separate truly from it, cause harm then claim righteousness from within it, and finally an Atonement is blasphemy. What kind of world would sentiments such as these leave behind?

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skystonedclouds · 7 years ago

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@jewish-privilege

Thank you for taking the time to write this out. I searched for Jewish texts timelines. The Talmud Yerushalmi and Babylonian Talmud were finished around your given times. I know you said Jesus taught the Mishnah which had to have been made before Christ. I then realized I was thinking all this time I was thinking of the Kabbalah (when I said the old different one). I think this is the one that is not read as much then (but don’t get me wrong it’s interesting)?

The Kabbalah was also completed in segments finished later on. It is the ideas that had been circulating early on. It was all transmitted orally at first so that’s the reason it is so old. I actually tried to read the Kabbalah once. I started feeling like I was reading about another plane of existence. I was not sure what to think just thought it was interesting.

By the way the bible records the ancient Pharisees as the ones who wished and brought on the execution of Christ. It does not mean all Jewish people want him dead or even apply to modern Jewish people. In the past there was a time of corruption from power.

Verses.

Bible verses about the corruption of the time (it’s also mentioned outside of the bible).

Mark 12:38-40 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and he places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 3:2-5 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Luke 12:1-2 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known”.

Matthew 23:1-8 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!

Bible verses on their intentions to kill Christ.

Matthew 12:14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him [some versions say kill].

Mark 3:6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him .

Luke 6:11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Luke 20:19-20 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

John 18:12-14 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

John 19:14-16 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus.

Bible verses on some the Pharisees who did want to protect Christ (the actions of a few bad apples do not count for the actions of all as others wanted to help).

Luke 13:31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.

I have another Tehilim.

Psalm 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Matthew 22:41-46 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

God the son taking on flesh.

God is a spirit who can do anything. “The truth that it is only God the Son who became incarnate is taught, for example, in John 1:14, which says ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ In context, the Word is God the Son (cf. 1:1, 18, and 3:16). Thus, it wasn’t the Father or the Holy Spirit who became man, but God the Son”. The word of God is the son of God and also in essence the very character of God. Feel free to read more about it here.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 14:9-10 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father [the will, the words, the essence of the will of God. In human terms “his walk and talk are in Christ”]. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us [notice the plural] make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

The Holy spirit is in the Old Testament or Torah. Isaiah 32:15 till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.

Rosh Hashana.

I did a quick search seeing it refers to the "beginning of the year" and “symbolizes a number of subjects, such as the Binding of Isaac whereby a ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac (like Christ was sacrificed ! That’s awesome. What a parallel)”.

Islamic texts.

The Quran and Hadith and texts literally calls for the execution of the Jewish people... I thought all the wars in Israel against Syria, Turkey and Pakistan was because there are those who want the Holy land and have no concern for Jewish people. The only Muslim person I have ever met I asked him “How do you feel about Jewish people?”. He said “I don’t like them. They did terrible things in my homeland”. I was like “Seriously?! You can’t generalize. It’s also a complicated issue”. I left it at that.

Muslim: Sahih al-Bukhari Book 53 Hadith 392

While we were in the Mosque, the Prophet came out and said, "Let us go to the Jews" We went out till we reached Bait-ul-Midras. He said to them, "If you embrace Islam, you will be safe. You should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and I want to expel you from this land. So, if anyone amongst you owns some property, he is permitted to sell it, otherwise you should know that the Earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle." Source.

Muslim: Sahih al-Bukhari Book 56 Hadith 791

I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The Jews will fight with you, and you will be given victory over them so that a stone will say, 'O Muslim! There is a Jew behind me; kill him!' " Source.

Muslim: The last words of Muhammad before he died. Sahih al-Bukhari Book 23 Hadith 414.

Aisha said, "The Prophet in his fatal illness said, 'Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians because they took the graves of their Prophets as places for praying."' Aisha added, "Had it not been for that the grave of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) would have been made prominent but I am afraid it might be taken (as a) place for praying. Source.

Feel free to check and double check. I mean even a context for these would not justify it for me. Well you let me know how you feel about these after doing your checks research. The worst is against Jewish people after all...

In contrast in the bible Jesus said He wanted God the Father to forgive all those who wronged him.

Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Romans.

I mentioned before all the verses that pointed to the execution of Christ in the bible. I know the Romans played a major role (as previously shown in the bible). It’s a history in which Jesus wanted all those who wronged him to be forgiven.

Nazis.

That’s exactly my point. They dehumanized and felt racially superior.

Catholics.

Catholics are Christians the same way Christians are Jewish people. I’ve seen people say “Christian and Jewish are the same thing both Abrahamic”. It’s the same of Catholics “Catholics and Christians are the same both believe in the Christ”. So the day you start calling Christians Jewish is the day I call Catholics Christians. I hope now you understand why I emphasize the difference.

Country.

I’m not from the USA. I am from the West. Persecution is rising in the West. It’s starting with dramatic restrictions.

Lauren Southern is a female self proclaimed Christian Canadian Youtuber. She had seen many articles going around claiming Jesus Christ was gay. It made her want to do an experiment to see if this is a double standard only against Christians. She wanted to know if there was Christian oppression while others get a pass. In her pursuit she took to the streets to hand out flyers saying “Allah is gay and accepts homosexuality” (which is in a video on her Youtube). It wasn’t the nicest thing even though when she felt offended by the articles she thought there might be a double standard. Well it made some people upset enough to call the cops so she stopped handing out flyers concluding the experiment. She thought it was done there until she tried to travel to the UK. The moment she arrived in the UK she was detained and told “You do not have the right to remain silent”. Interrogated for hours they were asking her “how strongly she holds to Christianity”. She said she believes so they banned her from the country permanently.

Judaism.

You’re right I don’t know a whole lot about Judaism other than the Torah (and the little bit of the Kabbalah). Jesus was executed in it just shows his historical foundation even in Jewish texts. It seems I must have misrepresented some things such as the information on the Talmud. I learned something.

One thing I have known about the messiah. The one who came to forgive the sinners or to mend the broken that all “may have life and have it abundantly”.

God bless. I hope for you to have life more abundantly.

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nijjhar · 2 years ago

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These greatest hypocritical Messianic Jews created the Temple malpractic... These greatest hypocritical Messianic Jews created the Temple malpractices fulfilling Matt 12v43-45. https://youtu.be/9lDph_XwcR4 Mark 12v1-12:- The Last Parable of Jesus; Winepress = Temple and the Husbandmen = The Temple Priests who had become greedy and evil-spirited. GOSPEL IS CALLED “LOGO” AND LOGO IS THE EXTRACT/NECTAR OF “LOGICAL REASONING” – SATGUR PARSAD. Once-born people are incapable of logical reasoning and, therefore, the logo is for the twice-born people of discerning intellect called the “holy spirit”, surtti or “common sense”. So, if you want Gospel, you must think logically over your heart. Thus, listen to everyone and ponder over it logically in your own heart. Then, Gospel would be written over the living tablets of the heart – 2corn 3. Scriptures, the dead letters are “deadly poison” to Gospel. The Scriptures, the moral laws, boost your "ego" whilst, in the Gospel, you bury the "Ego" and go by His Will. Scriptures, the “dead letters” that the once-born people are taught in the universities and colleges, are “old wines” or “milk for the babies”. This is the Jewish leaven which Jesus forbade. The twice-born people of “discerning intellect” are like the “birds of the air” that have very sharp memory helping people in “logical reasoning” to brew the “New Wine Logo” within their own hearts. For this, you need to be “impartial and unbiased” like the little children. Thus, you do not need to go to a university to fill your skin with old wine but the heart of the illiterate shepherd longing for the “Gospel Treasures”. University degrees in “dead letters” will turn you into a super donkey carrying “Holy Books”. “Letter killeth, the spirit giveth Life”. Thus, two men well versed in the Scriptures passed by the wounded person whilst an illiterate Samaritan of heart looked after the person. Typical Youtube Video on Son of God:- Son represents Father, so in Jesus, we are Elohim's sons and should display His qualities for Salvation. https://youtu.be/dQ8pSqeFjQw Natural bastards versus supernatural Bastards. Holy Gospel of our Supernatural Father Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc. delivered by the First anointed Christ, which in Punjabi we call “Satguru” Jesus according to Saint Mark 12:1-12. Jesus began to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. "A man, our Supernatural Father of our "souls" planted a vineyard, a University of Theology to coin the Moral Laws, the Scriptures based upon "His Word" as the "Tap Root" of the Tree of Life, put a hedge around it as the Churches belong to the ecclesiastical world, dug a wine press, established a University of Theology and built a tower, Spire", as a symbol. Then he leased it to tenant farmers, the Temple Rabbis and left on a journey. At the proper time, he sent a servant, a Prophet to the tenants to obtain from them some of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant, another Prophet. And that one they beat over the head and treated shamefully. He sent yet another whom they killed. So, too, many others, the Samaritans, a Nation of Prophets; some they beat, others they killed. John, the Baptist was the Last Prophet and they threw him out. Through Harrods, they killed him. He had one other to send, a beloved Son, the Christ, Lord of the Sabbath. He sent him to them last of all when they had created utter Darkness before destroying the Winepress, thinking, 'They will honour my son.' But those twice-born evil-spirited hypocrite tenants, the Temple Priests said to one another, 'This is the heir. That is, they being clever twice-born knew that Jesus is the Messiah, which the once-born Nicodemus recognised, Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' So they seized, killed, and threw him out of the vineyard. What (then) will the owner of the vineyard of our Supernatural Father to whom the Holiest of Holy belonged, do? He will come, put the tenants to death, and give the vineyard to others. This Holiest of Holy is in the Punjab, Amritsar but what gold has to do with God? Or it is highly corrupted. Have you not read this scripture passage: 'The stone that the builders, the sons of Man for whom is this Temple for the worship of Yahweh rejected, the Tares, Brood of Vipers have become the cornerstone or the Temple High Priest; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes'?" They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, which included influential tax collectors for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away. These sacked Temple Priests became Messianic Jews to fulfil Matt 12v43-45 killing the Apostles. My ebook by Kindle. ASIN: B01AVLC9WO Full description:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/Rest.htm Any helper to finish my Books:- ONE GOD ONE FAITH:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/bookfin.pdf John's baptism:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/johnsig.pdf Trinity:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/trinity.pdf

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romancatholicreflections · 6 years ago

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19th February >> Fr. Martin's Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Luke 8:14-21 for Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: ‘Have you no perception?’

Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Mark 8:14-21

Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod

The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’

Gospel (USA)

Mark 8:14-21

Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?” They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

Reflections (4)

(i) Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Not everything in the Scriptures is to be taken literally. The language of the Bible is often very often symbolic and poetic. In today’s gospel reading, we find Jesus speaking symbolically and his disciples taking him literally. He warns his disciples to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod. Linking yeast and bread, the disciples think that he is chiding them for not bringing enough bread with them in the boat. In reality, Jesus was using yeast or leaven as a symbol of evil, which was not uncommon in that culture. A little yeast can have a powerful impact on a large batch of dough. In a similar way, the evil of a few can infect the many. The disciples need to be on their guard that they are not unduly influenced by the mind-set of the religious experts, the Pharisees, and the political powers, Herod. Jesus was concerned that this might happen. He asks his disciples a series of questions which show his frustration with them, ‘Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception?’ As the Lord’s disciples today, we all need to be on our guard against being unduly influenced by mind-sets which are contrary to the mind-set of the Lord. We need to keep immersing ourselves in his mind-set as it comes to us through the gospels and the other documents of the New Testament. In one of his parables, Jesus used the image of leaven in a positive sense, declaring that the kingdom of God is like a woman who placed a little leaven in a large batch of flour. The Lord wants us to be leaven in that sense, bringing the values of the kingdom of God to our world by how we live.

And/Or

(ii) Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading this morning, Jesus seems very frustrated with his own disciples. In spite of all he has said and done in their presence, they still do not really understand who he is or what he is about. They are misunderstanding his words and not grasping the real significance of his deeds, such as his feeding of the multitudes. Worse is to come of course. They not only misunderstand Jesus, but they will eventually abandon him. Mark, the evangelist, gives quite a negative portrayal of the disciples in his gospel. Yet, these are the very disciples that Jesus keeps faith with. Mark’s gospel ends with the words of the young man from the tomb, ‘Go, tell his disciples and Peter that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee, there you will see him, just as he told you’. After their failure, Jesus met with his disciples again in Galilee to renew their call. The gospel of Mark proclaims that Jesus is faithful to us, even when we are less that faithful to him. He goes ahead of us into all the places we journey to and find ourselves in. He is always there, ahead of us, calling us to begin again after we have failed. St Paul puts this very simply, ‘if we are faithless, he remains faithful’.

And/Or

(iii) Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

In the gospel reading Jesus seems very frustrated with his disciples. They misunderstand what Jesus says to them about the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod, thinking that Jesus is referring to the fact that they have forgotten to bring bread. In reality, Jesus was trying to warn them against the evil intentions of the Pharisees and of Herod. Jesus addresses his disciples as people without perception. It is likely that Jesus can be just as frustrated with us at times. Like the first disciples we too can demonstrate a lack of perception, a failure to hear what Jesus is really saying to us, a failure to see what Jesus is trying to show us. We need to keep coming before the Lord in the awareness that we do not see as he wants us to see or hear as he wants us to hear. Our eyes and our ears need opening, and, perhaps, the times when we think we see and hear well are the very times when we are most blind and deaf. We need the humility, the poverty of spirit, which keeps us praying, ‘Lord, that I may see’, ‘Lord, that I may hear’.

And/Or

(iv) Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

In this morning’s gospel reading, Jesus speaks about the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod. In that culture ‘yeast’ or ‘leaven’ was often used as a symbol of evil and with reference to how the evil of a few can infect a large group. However, the disciples interpret Jesus’ reference to ‘yeast’ in a very literal way, with reference to bread. ‘It is because we have no bread’, they said. As a result, Jesus goes on to address them as having no understanding or perception, having eyes and not seeing, having ears and not hearing. Jesus often speaks in the language of image, metaphor and symbol. Sometimes, to take what he says literally is to misunderstand him, like the disciples in today’s gospel reading. Today’s gospel reading suggests that the meaning of what Jesus says is not always obvious. If we presume too quickly that we know what Jesus says, we can dismiss it too quickly if it does not make immediate sense to us. As we listen to what Jesus says, we need to take time to ponder his words so as to hit upon the real meaning of what he says. We need to approach the word of God in a spirit of humility, recognizing that we can easily be blind and deaf, like the disciples. We listen, in the awareness that we are learners before the word and that we need the Spirit to enlighten us.

Fr. Martin Hogan, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, D03 AO62, Ireland.

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie Please join us via our webcam.

Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC.

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anastpaul · 7 years ago

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One Minute Reflection = 30 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 13:18-21 – Tuesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time, Year B – The Memorial of St Angelo of Acri OFM Cap (1669-1739)

“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden and it grew and became a tree and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”..Luke 13:18-19

REFLECTION – “In the language of the Gospel, the seed is the symbol of the Word of God, whose fruitfulness is recalled in this parable. The Word of God makes things grow, it gives life. …Because this is the power that makes the life of the Kingdom of God sprout within us. And thus is the Kingdom of God, a humanly small and seemingly irrelevant reality. To become a part of it, one must be poor of heart, not trusting in their own abilities but in the power of the love of God; not acting to be important in the eyes of the world but precious in the eyes of God, who prefers the simple and the humble. When we live like this, the strength of Christ bursts through us and transforms what is small and modest into a reality, that leavens the entire mass of the world and of history. This opens us up to trust and hope, despite the tragedies, the injustices, the sufferings that we encounter. The seed of goodness and peace sprouts and develops, because the merciful love of God makes it ripen.”…Pope Francis = Angelus, 14 June 2015

“To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”...Luke 13:20-21

REFLECTION – “There are three measures: of the flesh, of the soul and of the spirit. This is truer of the spirit in which we all live. The woman, who prefigures the church, mixes with them the virtue of spiritual doctrine, until the whole hidden inner person of the heart is leavened and the heavenly bread arises to grace. The doctrine of Christ is fittingly called leaven, because the bread is Christ. The apostle said, “For we, being many, are one bread, one body.” Leavening happens when the flesh does not lust against the Spirit, nor the Spirit against the flesh. We mortify the deeds of the flesh and the soul, aware that through the breath of God it has received the breath of life, shuns the earthly germs of worldly needs.”…St Ambrose (340-397) Father & Doctoer- Exposition of the Gospel of Luke, 7.

PRAYER – True light of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, as You enlighten all men for their salvation, give us grace, we pray, to herald Your coming by preparing the ways of justice and of peace. Help us Lord, that we may sprout and bear fruit, fitting to grow and be a home of comfort to our neighbour. By the prayers of St Angelo of Acri, who bore the seed of Your Word to many, may we too be heralds of Your Kingdom. Through Jesus our Lord, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

(via One Minute Reflection = 30 October - Today's Gospel: Luke 13:18-21)

#mypics #mypic #oneminutereflectionoctober30 #october30stangeloofacri #luke13:18-21 #stambrose #popefrancis #parableoftheseedandtheleaven #catholic #catholicism

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numbersbythebook · 3 years ago

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The Number 10

written by Will Schumacher

The number 10 is thought to represent the idea of completion of God’s divine order. The most famous “10” in the Bible is God’s ten commandments. They are God’s divine order and they are a representation of the whole of God’s laws. Another well known “10” in the Bible is the tithe, where we give a tenth to God. By doing so we show God owns it all-His divine order- and it is a representation of the whole that we are stewards of.

The tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the “yod”. The word “yod” means “hand”. We have ten fingers on our hands. Our hands symbolize our works. Our works are a representation of who we are and what we believe. They are a picture or representation of the wholeness or completeness of who we are. We use the decimal number system base on the number 10.

In Genesis 1 God completed creation with 10 utterances. Again you see completion and God’s divine order. 10 plagues were brought upon Egypt. Again you see the completion of the judgement of God. They were brought out by the hand of God. Again the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the yod = hand:

Exodus 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

The parable of the ten virgins represents the coming judgement on mankind. Noah is the 10th generation. He is a picture of Christ building the ark/church that is saved when the flood/tribulations/wrath of God comes. Noah also restores order in that he is the tenth generation but dies in the tenth position also. There were 8 patriarchs that died before the flood. Peleg is the first to die after the flood in the ninth position and 10 years after Peleg dies Noah dies.

The 10th chapter of the Bible is about Noah’s descendants. The 10th verse of the Bible has a gematria of 2074. Strong’s H2074 is Zebulon, the 10th son of Jacob. He is also the sixth and last of Leah’s children. In the Genesis 5 geneology, Noah is the 10th generation. In the Genesis 11 geneology Abraham is the 10th generation. Abraham is called out and given the covenant of the Land. He is the father of our faith. He is a picture of the completed Church throughout all the ages who is given the promised inheritance.

The gospel of John links the calling of the disciples to the number 10:

John 1:39 He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.

The above verse has a gematria of 8210. One other verse has a gematria of 8210 also. It is the beginning of the calling of Paul as His disciple:

Acts 22:7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

The tenth time the word “covenant” (Strongs H1285) is used is the first time with Abram:

Genesis 15:18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi[e] of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—

The land consists of 10 nations. This is the only time in the Bible the list of 10 nations is used for the covenant:

Genesis 15:19 The land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

This to me this is the covenant that points to Christ. In this time period when two people made a covenant they would cut the animals in half and walk between them thus saying if either person breaks this covenant may he become like these dead animals cut up. Only God walked through these animals. Abram did not. Hence God made the covenant Himself. In essence He was saying He would be like one of these dead animals if one of us breaks this covenant. Christ thus became the Lamb of God sacrificed for our sins.

On Nisan 10 the Passover Lamb was picked out. John 12 tells of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on Nisan 10 as the Passover Lamb. Tishri 10 is the day of atonement. The High priest once a year could enter the Holy of Holies and atone for the sin of Israel. It is also expected to be the future day of the vengeance of God:

Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

Noah is Strong’s H5146. He is the 10th generation. Strong’s G5146 = thistle, from:

Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

The above verse is about your works. A good person produces good fruit and a bad person produces bad fruit. Recall my definition of the 10th Hebrew letter yod from earlier in the post. The above verse is a definition of it. The tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is the yod. The word “yod” means “hand”. We have ten fingers on our hands. Our hands symbolize our works. Our works are a representation of who we are and what we believe. They are a picture or representation of the wholeness or completeness of who we are.

There are 3 verses with a gematria of 5146 matching Noah’s strong’s number. The first is related to the number 10:

Deuteronomy 32:47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”The “idle words” are the law which is summed up by the 10 commandments. They crossed over the Jordan on Nisan 10.

The second verse with a gematria of 5146 is also related to the meaning of 10. Ruth’s conversion to Judaism is a picture of the whole Gentile Church forsaking their gods and converting to Christianity. This again is the essence of 10, she is a picture of the complete gentile church and God’s divine order:

Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Ruth marries Boaz and they have a baby named Obed who becomes the grandfather of David. The Bible then writes the genealogy of David beginning with Perez, the illegitimate son of Judah and Tamar. David is the 10th generation then. Per Dueteronomy 23:2 an illegitimate son could not take a position of power in Israel until the 10th generation.

Ruth 4:18 This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, 19 Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, 20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,[d] 21 Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, 22 Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. David becoming King is the 10th book of the Bible.

The 10th letter, yod, has a gematria of 14. David has a gematria of 14. If you recall from a previous post, after the fall of Adam the word “generations” is spelled defectively in the Bible with a missing “vav” until you get to Ruth 4:18 and the generations of Perez. Perez meaning “breach” brings forth the missing vav or the Messiah in the Jewish mindset. His line ends with David as the type of Messiah. The first time Strong’s H3027 = ”hand” (the 10th Hebrew letter yod) has an original text gematria of 14 in the Bible is in the story of Perez birth:

Genesis 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

We come to the last verse in the Bible with a gematria of 5146 matching Noah. It is about David being crowned in the 10th book of the Bible:

2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.

Another interesting characteristic of 5146 tying together Noah, Ruth, and David is the number 8. Ruth is the eighth book of the Bible. She gives birth to Obed who is the eighth generation from Perez. Her conversion to Judaism is a picture of the number 8 and new beginnings. King David is the eighth son of Jesse. He is a picture of Christ as king and the number 8.

The Flood begins and ends in the eighth month of the religious calendar. The Flood begins when the eighth patriarch dies, Methuselah. Eight souls are saved on the ark. The eighth book of the Bible is about the flood ending and the new creation beginning. The word “covenant” was used eight times with Noah. Obviously this is all a picture of the number 8.

There is some type of connection there. It is like ten brings forth eight. Even with Abraham who is the tenth generation in the line of Shem. Abraham had 8 sons. 7 were by the flesh and 1, Isaac, was by faith.

#will schumacher #The Number 10 #Bible #Bible Numbers #strong's numbers #Hebrew letters #Yod #Messiah #Jesus Christ

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 3 years ago

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Devotional Hours Within the Bible

by J.R. Miller

Pictures of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:31-33 and 44-52)

The mustard seed is little, so small that one can scarcely see it. Yet it has life in it, and when it is sown in a field it grows and becomes a tree, so large that the birds come and nest in its branches. There would be no reason for our Lord's telling us about this little seed and its plant merely as a bit of natural history. It is beautiful and interesting even in this way - but He had a further purpose in His parable. He uses it as an illustration of His kingdom in the world.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed." Christianity began in a very small way. A little baby lay in a manger - that was the beginning of the kingdom of heaven in this world. A kingdom implies a king. Christ ruled over a very small kingdom that night. His mother loved Him as mothers always love their children, and He reigned in her heart. Some shepherds came in during the night and saw the Child-King and worshiped Him. Their lives were never the same again, for one who has had a God-given vision of Christ can never lose the influence out of his heart. They returned to their lowly duty - keeping watch over the flock - but they were better shepherds afterwards and better men. The kingdom of heaven had entered their hearts.

But the beginning of the kingdom was small indeed - like a mustard seed. For thirty years it seemed to have no appreciable growth. The child grew - but dwelt in a lowly home in a peasant village. His childhood was not unusual. He was not an unusual boy. There was no halo around His brow. Nothing showed that He was kingly. There were no flashings of divinity on His face. He did no brilliant things. He wrought no miracles. He went to school and learned His lessons - but revealed no greatness. According to the customs of His people, he entered the carpenter's shop at twelve as an apprentice, and for eighteen years worked at the carpenter's bench. "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed… which indeed is smaller than all seeds."

We know what the kingdom of Christ is today. It has touched many lands with its holy influence. It has become a great tree with many wide-spreading branches. On its boughs the birds sit and sing. In its shadows the people rest. Its fruits feed the hunger of multitudes. The tree is still growing. The great missionary movement of today is extending it, and it is destined to fill all lands. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.

Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

The next parable tells of the pervasive and permeating influence of the gospel of Christ. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." Usually in the Bible, leaven stands for something evil. It was a symbol of sin in the Mosaic dispensation. Paul exhorts believers to purge out the old leaven. But here it is used in a good sense. The teaching is very apt. Leaven works secretly and silently. It makes no noise. It works pervasively, creeping out through the dough until every particle of it has been affected. Thus it is that the influence of Christianity permeates society, penetrating everywhere, touching every institution, changing all things.

The illustration may be widely applied. Thus individual lives are changed. The leaven of Divine grace in the heart works out until the whole character is changed. Henry Drummond in one of his books tells of a girl whose life was transformed into great spiritual beauty. Her friends wondered what had wrought the change. At length the secret was discovered in a verse of Scripture which she carried in a locket, "Whom having not seen, you love" (1 Peter 1:8). The leaven works also in communities. Neighborhoods are changed, transformed by the gospel. In mission lands there are many notable illustrations.

The truest work of Christianity is quiet. It is a religion less of organization, than of personal influence. It is not always the most active person who does the most for the advancement of the kingdom of God; often it is the quiet man or woman whose life is holy and beautiful, who really does the most for the changing of other lives. Many an invalid, who cannot take any active part in the affairs of the Church - yet exerts a sweetening and ennobling influence in a home, in a community, which far surpasses in its value the busy ministry of one who is always going about, talking, doing good.

The lesson from the leaven, is that it does its work by being put into the midst of the loaf. It will not do any good if laid on the shelf; in however close proximity to the dough. It must be in the mass. There are some Christian people who seem to feel no responsibility for the touching or influencing of other lives. They incline to keep away from people and to be exclusive. But leaven will never do its work if kept away from people. Thus Jesus did - He was called a friend of publicans and sinners. He ate with them and mingled with them in all social ways, and His pure, loving, gentle life left its impress on their lives. Jesus did not teach His disciples to hide away from people, to keep out of the world - but to live in the world, to be friends of men, to seek to influence others by being with them. He said they were salt - but salt to do its work, to perform its mission, must be rubbed into that which it is to preserve.

In another parable Jesus says, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." There were no banks in ancient times, especially in unsettled countries. It was common therefore to hide treasure in the ground. Not infrequently did one come upon such concealed treasure. Of course, Jesus had spiritual treasure in His thought, as He is illustrating the kingdom of heaven. We do not dream of the wealth of invisible riches that are always close to us as we go through this world. A man may work for years in a field, digging and plowing over it, not thinking of anything of value in it, and then suddenly someday discover that there are valuable minerals or even gems hidden under his pick and plow.

The parable of the pearl teaches almost the same lesson as that of the hidden treasure. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." The merchant sought goodly pearls - the best that could be found. Then when he heard of this best of pearls, he was willing to give up all he had that he might possess it. Too often, we do not live for the best things. When we find something even better than the good - we should be eager to possess it, no matter if we have to give up all we have to buy it.

#James Russell Miller #Devotional Hours Within the Bible #Pictures of the Kingdom #Matthew 13:31-33 and 44-52 #July 23 #2022

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fr-martin-gospel-reflections · 6 years ago

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19th February - ‘Have you no perception?’ Reflection on today’s gospel reading (Lk 8:14-21)

Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint John the Baptist Parish, Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland

Parish Website: www.stjohnsclontarf.ie Join us via our webcam

Twitter: @SJtBClontarfRC

Facebook: @SJtBClontarf

Tumblr: St-John-the-Baptist-Clontarf-Rd

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nijjhar · 6 years ago

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Matt 21v33-46:- Last Parable about the Temple and its hypocrite Priests,... Matt 21v33-46:- Last Parable about the Temple and its hypocrite Priests, who killed Prophets and lastly the very Son of Elohim.GOSPEL IS CALLED “LOGO” AND LOGO IS THE EXTRACT/NECTAR OF “LOGICAL REASONING” – SATGUR PARSAD.Once-born people are incapable of logical reasoning and, therefore, the logo is for the twice-born people of discerning intellect called the “holy spirit”, surtti or “common sense”. So, if you want Gospel, then you must think logically over your own heart. Thus, listen to everyone and ponder over it logically in your own heart. Then, the Gospel would be written over the living tablets of heart – 2corn 3.Scriptures, the dead letters are “deadly poison” to Gospel.Scriptures, the “dead letters” that the once-born people are taught in the universities and colleges, they are “old wines” or “milk for the babies”. This is the Jewish leaven which Jesus forbade. The twice-born people of “discerning intellect” are like the “birds of the air” capable of “logical reasoning” to brew the “New Wine” within their own hearts. For this, you need to be “impartial and unbiased” as the little children. Thus, you do not need to go to a university to know Gospel but a heart burning for “Gospel Treasures”. University degrees in “dead letters” will turn you into a super donkey carrying “Holy Books”. “Letter killeth, spirit giveth Life”. Typical Youtube Video on Son of God:- Son represents Father, so in Jesus, we are the sons of Elohim and we should display His qualities for Salvation. https://youtu.be/dQ8pSqeFjQw Natural bastards versus supernatural Bastards.Holy Gospel of our Supernatural Father Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc. delivered by the First anointed Christ, which in Punjabi we call “Satguru” Jesus according to Saint Matthew 21,33-43.45-46. Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner, Yahweh who planted a vineyard, the Temple to worship Elohim and Yahweh, put a hedge around it, Ecclesiastical place beyond the secular authority as today the Churches and other religious places are, dug a wine press, School of Theology to coin the moral laws, in it, and built a tower as a Symbol as today the Churches have spires. Then he leased it to tenants, the Priests of Moses, the Law giver and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants, the Prophets, the Whip masters of the Rabbis, to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants, the Priests seized the servants, the Prophets and one they beat, another they killed (John, the Baptist), and a third, Angel Stephen they stoned. Again he sent other servants, the sons of Abraham as they were prepared by John, the Baptist, the builders who built the Temple for the worship of Yahweh, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. These crook Temple High Priests and his stooges that the builders, sons of Abraham had rejected became the Cornerstone. The rightful “Cornerstone” was John, the Baptist who was thrown out of the Temple. Finally, he, Elohim whose Temple was Holiest of Holy with curtain around it, sent his son, Christ Jesus, to them, thinking, 'They will honour and not respect my son.' But when the tenants, the Temple Priests, saw the son, they said to one another or colluded, 'This is the heir of the whole complex of Yahweh and Elohim. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, beat him to their heart’s content, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him on the Cross with other criminals. What will the owner , Elohim and Yahweh of the vineyard do to those tenants, the Temple Priests when he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone, the Crook Temple High Priest that the builders, sons of Abraham, Salt of the earth, rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord of Darkness in Yahweh has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes that most people have forgotten their tribal fathers never mind our Supernatural Father Elohim'? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of heaven seen in Law and Order and not the Royal Kingdom of God that is within our own heart will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. That is why Hell prevailed when the Temple was destroyed for ever. The Saltless people unfaithful to Abraham and Yahweh were thrown out of the Promised Land to suffer holocausts at the hands of sons of Man. When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. That is, they were twice-born psychic crooks of the order of Judas Iscariot. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as the Messiah and not a prophet.

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romancatholicreflections · 7 years ago

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30th July >> Daily Reflection/Commentary on Today’s Gospel Reading for Roman Catholics on Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time (Matthew 13:31-35).

Parables of the Kingdom (cont’d):

Two short parables which reflect both the experience of the early Church and also highlight features of the Kingdom. Considering when they were written, they exude an extraordinary level of trust and confidence in God’s power, a trust which was not disappointed although the results were not seen for generations.

The first is the parable of the mustard seed.

The mustard seed is not actually the smallest seed known today, but it was the smallest seed used by Palestinian farmers and gardeners. Nor did it, strictly speaking, produce the largest of trees but, under favourable conditions, it could reach some 10 feet (or 3 metres) in height, big enough to provide shelter for birds.

The early Church, scattered in tiny communities, largely cut off from each other, all over the Mediterranean area must have felt very small, very vulnerable. The idea that in time it would become the central cultural influence all over Europe, Roman and barbarian, must have been beyond the wildest dreams of those early Christians. But that tiny seed did become a large tree providing shelter and comfort to millions and, from the Mediterranean, spread to every corner of the world.

The parable of the yeast in the dough is similar but with a different nuance.

In the Bible, yeast is usually a symbol of that which is evil and corrupt. Jesus warned his disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees (Mk 8:15). Similarly, at the Passover, the Jews eat unleavened bread, that is, bread free from leaven or yeast. In this parable, however, it is presented as a symbol of growth.

A tiny amount of yeast put into a large batch of dough produces striking results. (The 3 measures would produce enough to feed 100 people!) A dough batch, over a matter of hours, can swell to twice its original size as the process of fermentation takes place. The effects of the yeast, quite invisible, reach to every corner. Again, when this was written, that was not yet the case. The Church had made very little impact on its surrounding societies. But, over the years, its influence grew until Christianity became the prevailing faith and cultural influence of the whole of Europe and then continued to spread out to other parts of the world.

This parable points to a very important element in the life and work of the Church. It only exerts its influence when it is totally immersed in the society it wishes to reach and influence. And it can do this while still being only a small part of the whole. While never identifying itself with many of the prevailing ideologies and values of our societies, Christian communities must at the same time never separate themselves from their surroundings. There is a danger that we become inward-looking and spend most of our energies on the already converted. There is a strong evangelising element in this parable which cannot be ignored.

We need to remember that these are primarily parables of the Kingdom and not just of the Church, which is the imperfect sign of the work of the Kingdom going on in our world. And what these parables say applies first of all to the work of building the Kingdom in our world – it is a work which will go on inexorably, because it is based on truth, love and justice, and which slowly penetrates every corner of every society.

We can become aware to the point of depression at the amount of evil that we see around us and yet there is a gradual forward movement at all levels. But, as the previous parable reminds us, the wheat has always to co-exist with the weeds – both inside and outside the Church, both inside and outside the Kingdom.

Today’s reading concludes with a repetition of the statement that Jesus only spoke to the crowds in parables. And Matthew sees this as the fulfilment of a prophetic text from the Old Testament. It is in fact a quotation from Psalm 78:2 – “I will open my mouth in a parable.”

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anastpaul · 7 years ago

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One Minute Reflection – 30 July – Monday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time, Year B and The Memorial of St Peter Chrysologus “Golden Words” (c 400-450) Father & Doctor

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”..Matthew 13:33

REFLECTION – “Let us give the deep meaning of this parable. The woman who took some yeast is the Church; the yeast which she took is the revelation of heavenly doctrine; the three measures with which she mixed the yeast are the Law, the Prophets and the Gospels, where the divine meaning mixes itself and hides itself under symbolic terms, to be understood by the believer but escape those who do not believe. As for these words “until the whole batch was leavened”, they relate to what the apostle Paul says: “Now we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1Co 13:9). The knowledge of God is now in the dough: it spreads to the senses, it inflates hearts, strengthens our minds and like all instruction, widens them, lifts them and opens them up to the dimensions of heavenly wisdom. Everything will soon be leavened. When? at the advent of Christ.”...St Peter Chrysologus

PRAYER – God our Father, You made St Peter Chrysologus a most eloquent preacher of Christ, Your Word. By his intercession, help us top meditate constantly in our hearts, on the mysteries by which You save us and to manifest them faithfully in our lives. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

(via One Minute Reflection - 30 July)

#matthew13:33 #mypics #mypic #oneminutereflectionjuly30 #july30stpeterchrysologus #catholic #catholicism #stpeterchrysologus

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sakrum1 · 7 years ago

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Monday, 30 July 2018 : Commentary Saint Peter Chrysologus

Let us give the deep meaning of this parable. The woman who took some yeast is the Church; the yeast which she took is the revelation of heavenly doctrine; the three measures with which she mixed the yeast are the Law, the Prophets and the Gospels, where the divine meaning mixes itself and hides itself under symbolic terms, to be understood by the believer but escape those who do not believel. As for these words "until the whole batch was leavened", they relate to what the apostle Paul says: “Now we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away" (1Co 13:9). The knowledge of God is now in the dough: it spreads to the senses, it inflates hearts, strengthens our minds, and like all instruction, widens them, lifts them and opens them up to the dimensions of heavenly wisdom. Everything will soon be leavened. When? at the advent of Christ.

#english

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comiconverse · 8 years ago

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Review: Trinity #10

Trinity #10 continued Batman’s, Superman’s, and Wonder Woman’s odyssey through the disabled and infected Justice League Watchtower in Dead Space — Part 2. The multitalented Francis Manapul provided the story, art, colors, and cover of the latest issue, which ComiConverse writer T. Kyle King is here to review.

Trinity #10 Review:

Cyborg is dying. The Watchtower’s orbit is decaying. Aquaman and the Green Lanterns are infected with an alien virus. Batman and the Flash are trying to reach the escape pods. Superman and Wonder Woman greet the dire warnings of an alien invader with skepticism. Can the trio of heroes save the day in time?

Trinity #10 Synopsis:

Batman and the Flash attempt to incapacitate the infected Aquaman so they can get Cyborg to an escape pod before his power supply is entirely exhausted. The otherworldly sentinel whose planet was overrun by the virus implores Superman and Wonder Woman to help him destroy the Watchtower.

The Flash vibrates Batman and Cyborg to the next level, leaving just one bulkhead separating them from the escape pods. When the Darknight Detective attempts to blast through the floor with explosives, though, tentacles reach up to snag the Justice Leaguers. Superman attempts to right the plummeting satellite from outside, only to have the infected Green Lanterns appear. Ignoring the imploring alien’s exhortations, Wonder Woman uncovers the truth… but is she too late to be aided by her newfound awareness?

Trinity #10 Analysis:

As the author of Dead Space — Part 2 and the penciller, inker, and colorist for both the cover and the interior artwork, Manapul almost singlehandedly is able to shape the feel and flow of the tale. This gives him the ability — for instance — to paint upon the dark and monochromatic canvas of space with a luminous and multicolored palette. It also permits the creator to offset the calm and confident opening narration of Wonder Woman (lettered by Steve Wands) with chaotic layouts and overlapping action. Although issues like Trinity #10 carry the risk of overworking an individual contributor, Manapul’s singular vision comes through clearly, leaving nothing to be lost in translation.

The result in this case is a comic filled with energy and personality. The action in Dead Space — Part 2 is very nearly constant, even during the alien interloper’s brief yet evocative exposition. The titular trio shared the descriptive duties, affording each hero a voice, and the Flash likewise was given his own moment to shine when comparing and contrasting Barry Allen’s and Bruce Wayne’s respective detective methods. In a frantic and kinetic double-page spread, Batman faces dire danger with a wry: “Tentacles. I hate tentacles.” Trinity #10 does a consistently effective job of using humor and heart to leaven the harrowing and horrifying, building balance by blending elements.

The singleminded intruder serving as a resolute advocate for annihilation as the sole alternative is so unalterably one-note that he sometimes comes across as a tad too on the nose. Science fiction and superhero comics both have long histories of being employed as allegories, but such parables are most effective when the symbolism is less overt. Dead Space — Part 2 begins to tip too far toward literalism in conveying its lesson near the end, where teaching threatens to become preaching when the alien admonishes Diana: “What they are does not matter. They were destroying our way of life! Hundreds turned into thousands! They reproduced so quickly, all we could do was contain them.” The previously understated fable about immigration contained in the pages of Trinity #10 then became in peril of being a little too in your face.

Fortunately, this somewhat clunky dialogue coming from a supposedly emotionless character who serves primarily as a useful story conceit comes in the midst of Wonder Woman’s realization, then is followed immediately by a page-turn reveal of the story’s cliffhanger ending. This combination of dramatic discovery and fresh jeopardy prevents the momentary misstep from derailing Dead Space — Part 2, instead helping to set the stage for the ensuing issue as the circumstances suddenly worsen. On the whole, Trinity #10 maintained the tension, kept the plot advancing, and let the central characters be themselves, with the overall outcome that the story generally worked.

Don’t allow the comments to be overtaken by Dead Space! ComiConverse with us below about Trinity #10!

T. Kyle King is an Expert Contributor to ComiConverse. Follow him on Twitter: @TKyleKing.

The post Review: Trinity #10 appeared first on ComiConverse.

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