#i will be entrusted with 3 or 4 children ages 8-11 for a week and i must keep them alive

[nickbutnodick]

if all goes well imma be a camp counselor this summer

[icephas]

Part of  God’s Family

Lesson 1, December 31 - January 6

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Galatians 3:26, 29; Psalms 50:10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 5:3; Matthew 6:19-21.

Memory Text: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1

As Christians, an amazing feature about our relationship with God, is that He trusts us to manage His affairs on the earth. At the very outset of human history, God explicitly delegated to Adam and Eve the personal care of a flawless creation. (See Genesis 2:7-9, 15) From the naming of the animals, to keeping the Garden, and to filling the earth with children, God let it be known that we are to work on His behalf here.

He also blesses us with resources, but we are the ones whom He has entrusted to manage them, such as to collect money, to write the checks, to do the electronic transfers, to make the budgets, or to bring our tithes and offerings to the church on Sabbath mornings. God encourages us to spend the resources that He has given to us for our own needs, for the needs of others, and for the advancement of His work. Incredible as it may seem, we are the ones whom God has entrusted with raising His children, building His buildings, and educating the succeeding generations.

In this week’s study, we will explore the privileges and responsibilities of being a part of the family of God.

Sunday, January 1 - We Are Part of God’s Family

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family pin heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14, 15). What imagery is evoked in this verse, and what hope is found there?

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He states, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9). Later He repeats the same prayer privately to His disciples (Luke 11:2). Jesus told us to call His Father, “Our Father in heaven.” When Jesus encountered Mary after His resurrection, she wanted to embrace Him. Jesus said to her, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (John 20:17).

Because we have the same Father as Jesus, He is our brother, and we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus became a member of the earthly family so that we could become members of the heavenly family. “The family of heaven and the family of earth are one.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 835.

Read Exodus 3:10; Exodus 5:1; and Galatians 3:26, 29. What do these verses say about how God relates to us? Why should this be so encouraging?

In contrast to a view of creation in which we are deemed the mere products of cold, uncaring natural laws, Scripture teaches not only that God exists, but that He loves us and relates to us in such a loving manner that the imagery of family is often used in Scripture to depict that relationship. Whether Jesus calls Israel “My people,” or us “sons of God,” or refers to God as “our Father,” the point is still the same: God loves us the way family members are supposed to love each other. What good news amid a world that, in and of itself, can be very hostile!

Imagine a world in which we treated everyone as family. How can we learn to relate better to all human beings as our brothers and sisters?

Monday, January 2 - God Is the Owner of Everything

Read Psalm 50:10-12; Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14; and Haggai 2:8. What’s the message here, and what should this truth mean to us and how we relate to whatever we possess?

The book of 1 Chronicles, starting with chapter 17, records King David’s desire to build a house for God. He shared this desire with the prophet Nathan, who responded, “Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee” (1 Chronicles 17:2). But that night the word of God came to Nathan and instructed him to tell the King that, because he was a man of war, he couldn’t build God’s house. His son would do the work instead. David asked if he could, at least, draw the plans and prepare the building materials. When David was granted this request, he spent the rest of his life amassing a tremendous amount of hewn stone, cedar, iron, gold, silver, and brass “without measure.” When all of the building materials had been prepared and assembled at the building site, David called all the leaders of Israel together for a ceremony of praise and thanksgiving.

In 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14, in King David’s public prayer, what did he say was the real source of all the building materials that he and the people had spent time and money preparing? Of course, in essence, he said, “We really can’t take any credit for all these special materials because we are just giving You back Your own stuff.”

The point is important for all of us, whether rich or poor (but especially the rich). Because God made everything in the beginning (see Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; Ps. 33:6, 9), He is truly the rightful owner of all that exists, including whatever we possess — no matter how hard and diligently and honestly we have worked for it. If not for God and His grace, we would have nothing, we would be nothing; in fact, we wouldn’t even exist. Thus, we must always live with the realization that, ultimately, God owns all that is, and by praising and thanking Him for His goodness to us, we can keep this important truth before us.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?” (1 Chronicles 29:14). What beautiful principles are expressed in these words, and how do they reflect what our attitude toward God should be and our attitude toward what we possess?

Tuesday, January 3 - Resources Available for God’s Family

God’s greatest gift to His children is Jesus Christ, who brings us the peace of forgiveness, grace for daily living and spiritual growth, and the hope of eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he agave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

Salvation, then, is the foundational gift because, without this gift, what else could we get from God that in the long run would really matter? Whatever we might have here, one day we will be dead and gone and so will everyone who ever remembered us, and whatever good we did will be forgotten as well. First and foremost, then, we must always keep the gift of the gospel, that is, Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2), at the center of all our thoughts.

And yet, along with salvation, God gives us so much more. To those who were concerned about their food and clothing, Jesus offered comfort by saying, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

Read Psalm 23:1, Psalm 37:25, and Philippians 4:19. What do these verses say about God’s provision for our daily needs?

Also, when Jesus talked to His disciples about going away, He promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort them. “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17). “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

Then the Spirit Himself gives amazing spiritual gifts to God’s children. (See 1 Cor. 12:4-11)

In short, the God in whom “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28), the God who “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25), has given us existence, the promise of salvation, material blessings, and spiritual gifts in order to be a blessing to others. Again, whatever material possessions that we have, whatever gifts or talents we have been blessed with, we are indebted in every way to the Giver in how we use those gifts.

Wednesday, January 4 - Responsibilities of God’s Family Members

We all enjoy the spiritual and temporal blessings and gifts that God gives us. How comforting to know, too, that we are “part of the family.”

Read Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37. What does this mean, and how do we do it?

How would you love God with “all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37)? Interestingly enough, the Bible gives us the answer, and it’s not what most people expect, either.

Read Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 and 1 John 5:3. Biblically speaking, what is our proper response in our love relationship with our Father in heaven?

Keeping the law? Obeying the commandments? For many Christians, unfortunately, the idea of obeying the law (especially the fourth commandment) is legalism, and they claim that we are called, simply, to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, God is clear: we reveal our love to God and to our neighbors by, yes, obeying His commandments.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3). We are used to looking at this verse as, well, we love God and, therefore, we keep His commandments. That’s fine. But perhaps we can also read it as “this is the love of God,” that is, we know and experience the love of God by keeping His commandments.

In Matthew 7:21-27, Jesus said that those who hear and do God’s words are likened to a wise builder who built his house upon the solid rock. Those who hear but don’t obey are likened to a foolish builder who built his house on the sand — with disastrous results. Both heard the word; one obeyed, one didn’t. The results made the difference between life and death.

Think about the link between loving God and obeying His law. Why would love for God be expressed that way? What is it about keeping the commandments that, indeed, does reveal that love? (Hint: think about what disobeying His law causes.)

Thursday, January 5 - Treasure in Heaven

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21). What crucial truths is Jesus speaking here?

Who hasn’t read story after story of those who had amassed great wealth, only somehow to lose it? Our world is a very unstable place: wars, crime, violence, natural disasters, anything can come in a moment and take away all that we have worked for and, perhaps, even what we have honestly and faithfully earned. Then, too, in a moment, death comes, and so these things become useless to us anyway.

Of course, Scripture never tells us it’s wrong to be rich or to have amassed wealth; instead, in these verses Jesus warns us to keep it all in perspective.

What, though, does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven? It means making God and His cause first and foremost in your life, instead of making money first and foremost. Among other things, it means using what we have for the work of God, for the advancement of His kingdom, for working in behalf of others, and for being a blessing to others.

For instance, when God called Abram, He planned to use Abram and His family to bless all the families of the earth. God said to Abraham, who “was called the friend of God” (James 2:2), “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2, 3).

“So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:9). We have the same challenge presented to us as was presented to him.

“Money has great value, because it can do great good. In the hands of God’s children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ.” — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 351.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21). Where does your heart tell you your treasure is?

Friday, January 6 - Further Thought

“The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings, — all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 21.

“If you have renounced self and given yourself to Christ you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are opened to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants — all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good.” — Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 110.

Discussion Questions:

1. With all of these awesome gifts that God gives His children, we are compelled to ask, as did the psalmist, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12, NKJV). Make a list of the blessings and gifts of God to you in your spiritual and temporal life, and be ready to share it with your class. What does this teach you about how thankful to God you really should be?

2. Though we think about God, and rightly so, as our Creator, Scripture over and over teaches that He is our Sustainer as well. (See Heb. 1:3; Job 38:33-37; Ps. 135:6, 7; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; 2 Pet. 3:7) From the galaxies in the cosmos, to the beating of our hearts, to the forces that hold together the atomic structures that make up all known matter, it is only God’s sustaining power that keeps them in existence. How should this biblical truth help us understand just what our obligations are to God, in terms of how we use whatever He has given us? How does this reality help us keep our life and the purpose of our life in proper perspective?

3. The lesson talked about why, of all God has given us, Jesus and the plan of salvation is the greatest gift of all. Why is that true? What would we have if we didn’t have that and the great hope it offers us? An atheist writer depicted humans as nothing but “hunks of spoiling flesh on disintegrating bones.” Why, without the gift of the gospel, would he have a point?

[mightydragoon]

Darth Vader A+ Parenting.

While Darth Vader in canon ain’t exactly the nicest fellow, this is a Vader or Anakin who has no qualms getting what he wants and using any methods to do so. 

Or otherwise known as Darth Vader A+ Parenting. 

1.  to gain a son Russy

After falling into a trap laid by the Empire and being captured by two Inquisitors, Luke Skywalker wakes up in an unfamiliar room with an unfamiliar man watching over him.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25019218/chapters/60586045

2. No Time Like The Present PinkEasterEggs

In a Galaxy where Princess Leia Organa and Luke Vader have always known they were twins, a deadly discovery by their biggest enemy throws their entire lives upside down. Yet again.

Now on the run from the Empire, the Skywalker twins find it their mission to bring peace back to the Galaxy once more. And with Darth Vader on their trail, that mission is far more complicated than they originally believed.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24754825/chapters/59851300

(Note* Part  3 of the  Back To The Future series. Can be read as standalone) 

  3.  The Heir - SpellCleaver

Darth Vader just killed his master and learned a galaxy-changing truth: the child Palpatine adopted, the Imperial prince and heir, is actually Vader’s son, raised by Palpatine to torment him.

Meanwhile, Luke Palpatine just woke up from severe injuries he sustained in a Rebel attack to a galaxy where his father is dead, he is the Emperor, and the figure from all his childhood nightmares is acting suspiciously nice.

They figure it out from there.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24024442/chapters/57801529

4. Eclipse - SpellCleaver

Luke and Leia, the twin children of Darth Vader and heirs to the Emperor himself, defect. When they do, it's naturally a dream come true for the Rebellion and the mother they never knew, one that's been a long time in the making.

But they have to get to that point first.

Or: Darth Vader unwittingly sends his children down the merry path of treason... and the ugly, painful fallout.

(Note* Obviously) 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18221840/chapters/43109123

5. Walking the Line Between - aradian_nights

After an emotional confrontation on Bespin, Luke Organa has been captured, and his newfound twin Leia Skywalker will not stop until she has rescued him. Even if that means murdering their own father.

( How the Other Half Lives  -   aradian_nights) 

(Note* the entire series is this but more in particular the recent additions, I’ve already discussed this story multiple times before so you know the drill )

6.  The kidnappings of a Sith Lord - maedre13

How a certain Sith Lord may or may not kidnap his rebel son. One-shots. Strongly inspired by sparklight´s “Where Our Intrepid Hero Doesn´t Get Away”.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10606992/chapters/23453241

(Note* not all these chapters are Vader at his worst but he isn’t exactly a top notch parent in them either) 

7. How to Save the World from its Heroes - stardustgirl

Being the Avatar’s—and Fire Lord’s—non-bending heir isn’t what Luke signed up for. He also didn’t sign up for an Agni Kai he can’t possibly win, or for getting dragged into a search for someone who can kill his own dad. Then again, someone has to bring the world back into balance, and if his dad won’t, then Luke might as well give it his best shot. After all, how much worse can things get?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24948487/chapters/60386875

(Note* Only started and already you can see Vader A+ Parenting in all its glory) 

8. your heart is full of stars and your hands full of shattered glass -victoriousscarf

Nineteen years ago, Vader took his children off Mustafar, and Palpatine raised them to be Sith, the perfect weapons he had been looking for.

Except the very eve of his greatest victory, the fully functional Death Star, Luke Skywalker defects to the floundering but growing Rebel Alliance. His sister follows because someone needs to watch out for that fool.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13242183/chapters/30290415

9.  Love of a daughter. - youngjusticewriter

"and yet, so far at least we have yet to figure out what you gain from this." It's a question as well as statement. A chance to explain, to come clean on why she - a unknown Sith- had assassinated they're precious, beloved Chancellor (what fools). But how could you come clean when there is so much blood on her hands? Never-mind the sins and blood on Vader and Luke's when her family had been alive.

When she answers it's not because she's announcing her transgressions in hope that her heavy, dirty soul might be saved. One couldn't repent when they didn't feel guilt in their sin.

"For the love of a daughter." Leia pauses and looks back at Anakin and thinks: I did this to avenge you. After thinking that Leia says one more thing - the last thing actually because she nothing else to say after this.

"And you should have been more careful electing your Chancellor. You never know who is Sith." This has double meaning but she's the only person who knows it.

And she's fine with that (no, she isn't).

Leia wonders if her younger self and Luke will ever become the monsters like her Luke had been and the monster she is.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/10924239/chapters/24297558

10.  Literal Hell - TreeOfTime

Luke Lars is content as a Moisture Farmer with his father and mother... until two people come to find what was lost to them...

Then all hell broke lose

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22579066/chapters/53957833

(Note* oh dear lord Vader A+ Parenting in its full glory, a Sith Leia for flavour and a non force sensitive Luke. ) 

11.  Dynasty - Valerie_Vancollie: Co-authored by Rebecca Thomson aka Zekkers.

Hit in the leg by a stormtrooper's blaster bolt, Luke falls in the Death Star hanger bay and is unable to escape on the Falcon along with Han and Leia. During the subsequent interrogation, his true heritage is revealed and Vader instantly takes him to Coruscant, determined to reclaim the son the Jedi stole from him. But the glory of the Imperial capital belies its true nature, where politics and power are everything and anything is fair game in the never ending game to reach the top. Not lying, not betrayal, assassination, sabotage, blackmail, nor seduction. As he commences his Sith training, Luke must also learn the rules and etiquette of the Imperial Court if he is to survive as most of his enemies fight their battles with words and political maneuverings rather than military force. Yet, even as he struggles to gain his place within the Empire, Luke learns that his best friend has joined the Alliance...

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13111908/chapters/29997507

12. Fractured twists - Annessarose

Timelines are fickle things.

Every line is balanced precariously on the precipice. One shift, one twitch of a finger, one step in the wrong direction, and entire stories change. Lives flicker out, galaxies rise and fall, but the Force is always a constant.

Each moment is carefully balanced. We know how the Siege of Mandalore happened - how the former Jedi padawan Ahsoka Tano led her men into victory. How she defeated Maul in single combat and earned the loyalty of Lady Bo-Katan Kyrze. How she rode her ship too late to meet with Anakin Skywalker, and how the galaxy fell and burned under the hand of the Sith.

This is the way it could have gone if Obi-Wan had followed Ahsoka to Mandalore.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24158608

13. Runaway- Valerie_Vancollie

Co-authored by Rebecca Thomson aka Zekkers & a contest winner.

What if Luke had runaway from Tatooine and joined the Imperial Academy?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12976095

14. A Mother's Decision - Valerie_Vancollie

What if Padmé had brought Luke to Vader when Luke was only nine months old?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12915687

15. Descent into Darkness - Valerie_Vancollie

What if instead of waiting for Luke to come to him on Endor, Vader had gone for Luke and the others, capturing them while with the Ewoks?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12908223

16. Avenge and Conquer - arikylo

The Alliance has fallen into a very well laid trap and now Luke has no choice but to hand himself over to Vader. But what does the father have in store for the son? Can Luke handle the torture and the ruthless tactics of the Empire or will he be forced to surrender and embrace the dark side?

The struggle between the light and the dark is strenuous, relationships crumble and all is looking bleak for the Alliance.

Dark!AU set after ESB.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3058115/chapters/6639581

17. The Terrorist - Seasider

High above Bespin in Cloud City, Vader chooses not reveal his identity and instead uses deceit to trick Luke into surrendering. The Dark Lord has a lot on his agenda, so he entrusts the breaking of his son to an Imperial interrogator, unaware that the man has an agenda of his own: revenge.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24810643/chapters/60006952

(Note* Dead Dove do not eat. Contains some reall fucked up shit) 

18. Consequences - treenahasthaal

An intense burst of light and a vicious blow to his left shoulder sent him spinning violently backward and he fell...

What if Luke hadn't made it off the Death Star immediately following Kenobi's death?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/809144/chapters/1527145

(Note* It’s also a boba fett/ luke) 

19. Instinct - treenahasthaal

There was something about the blond boy in the crowd of detainees that caught Commander Yarryn's attention. Something that pulled at his gut and told him there was more about this captive than met the eye. It was his duty to find out what it was the boy was hiding - and find it he would, for Yarryn was very good at his job.

12 weeks after the destruction of the Death Star.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/2185854/chapters/4785594

( Part 1 of the Invictus series) 

20. Child of Mine - Oneshotshipper

AU. Darth Vader discovers Leia at a young age. Barely managing to escape her father's clutches the first time, young Leia goes into hiding and becomes the Empire's most-wanted fugitive. If the second time comes, fate will not be as kind. Meanwhile, Darth Vader would tear apart the galaxy itself to possess and keep his child. The Dark Side seems to inevitably be the fate of the Skywalkers.

21. To Catch a Daughter, One must... - ftbprotocol

A variety of AU one-shots where in canon Leia stayed a secret, but in these stories did not. Because there needs to be more Leia and Vader fic!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12173637/chapters/27632673

22.  Daughter Over The Son - Keetajet

Work is inspired by ftbprotocol's work "To Catch a Daughter, One must..."

The moment where Darth Vader did not save his son. Instead, he will have his daughter.

Leia's future went downhill the moment she felt her brother die on the second Death Star, leading to their capture on Endor. Only she, Han, and Chewie survived the failed ground assault and they were restrained and being held at gun point.

She has a bad feeling about this.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25354183/chapters/61476130

23. Before the Emperor - SilverDaye

Luke is defeated and captured at Cloud City by Vader. He is then dragged before the Emperor. However Palpatine is dead. Luke's father is alive. And someone else holds the reigns to Vader and the Empire.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/15950198/chapters/37196351

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[steveezekiel]

UNDERSTANDING GOD

"The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."

Psalm 119:130(NKJV)

• You cannot understand God without His Word (Psalm 19:8).

- We get to know God, be intimate with Him, through the knowledge of His Word (Psalm 119:104).

- Many want to receive blessings from God, yet they do not want to know Him and understand Him.

- Someone you do not understand, How can you relate intimately with Him and how can you recieve a blessing from Him?

- If your knowledge of God is shallow, your relationship with Him would be shallow as well– recieving a blessing from Him would be a mirage, an illusion.

- Until you know Him intimately, you may not be able to receive the best of Him (Psalm 119:2).

• Many relate with God peripherally, their relationship with Him is not deep and sound, yet they want Him to bless them. They lack depth in Him (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.

- God is not a thing, He is a Supreme Being.

- You do not use God and dump Him, and come later when you need Him.

- God wants relationship, fellowship, intimacy.

- To flow with Him, to keep abreast of His blessings and move in your life– you need to pay attention to your fellowship with Him.

• You short-circuit God's move, flow of His blessings in your life, when your fellowship with Him is truncated.

- Although you can receive a help from God through His servant, under which you are, who has good covenant relationship with Him.

- God blesses on the platform of the covenant He made with His servants (2Chronicles 20:20).

- However, God would want you to grow in your relationship with Him that He may later use you to bless other people (2 Corinthians 1:4; Hebrews 5:12).

- If you refused to grow, with time , you may not be able to receive answers to your prayers on the platform of the covenant He made with His servant.

- God wants you to grow to the point of cutting a covenant with Him, that is, you as an individual establish a covenant with Him.

- Many want to remain a baby Christian for the rest of their lives (Hebrews 5:12-14).

- God wants you to grow to maturity– perfection.

"So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding..."

Hebrews 6:1(NLT)

• When you study God's Word, you understand Him (Psalm 119:105).

- You cannot understand God without the knowledge of His Word.

- We go to church to learn how to walk, relate with God; not to collect prayers from the pastors.

- A number of people nowadays go to church to collect prayers and visions from pastors.

• The primary assignment of those in ministry offices is to equip the saints and edify them.

8. "Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."

11. And He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifiying of the body of Christ,

13. till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

14. THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO AND CARRIED ABOUT WITH EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE, BY THE TRICKERY OF MEN, IN THE CUNNING CRAFTINESS OF DECEITFUL PLOTTING."

Ephesians 4:8,11-14 (NKJV)

• Some so-called ministers of God are not helping people, they only gather them to tell them visions and prophecies.

- If you as a minister does not feed the people under your leadership with the Word of God, you have forsaken your primary assignment

- Ministry is not about telling people visions and prophecies and to collect money from them.

- If this is what you do, then it means you are making merchandize of the people. The people of God under your leadership have become a business– you make money through them.

- If at all you are called a prophet, and prophetic gift is operational in your life; it is not for money making– it is for the edification of the People of God (1 Corinthians 14:3).

• I am not against the people giving their prophets material things; however, a prophet should not milk the cow he has not fed (1 Corinthians 9:13,14).

- You feed them with the Word of God before you have the right to collect material things from them.

"And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with Knowledge and understanding."

Jeremiah 3:15 (NKJV)

"If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great things if we reap your material things?

1 Corinthians 9:11(NKJV)

• Spiritual things first before the material things!

- Some ministers have not sown anything to the lives of the people and they want to reap material things!

- Many are victims of fake ministers because they are desperate and gullible, they want quick results, solutions, to their problems (2 Timothy 3:5,6).

- Every minister who makes merchandise of the people of God should remember they will give account of their stewardship when the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, Comes.

2. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN BUT EAGERLY;

3. nor has being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

4. and when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown 👑 of glory that does not fade away."

1 Peter 5: 2-4 (NKJV)

• God has no problem in blessing His people, but His primary concern is having their heart (Matthew 6:33).

"And not only as we had hoped, BUT THEY FIRST GAVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD, and then to us by the will of God.

2 Corinthians 8:5 (NKJV)

- If you can give your heart, your attentions, and your whole being to God, that age long problem would be attended to.

- Every minister who feeds his people with God's Word and has oversight in prayer, will not lose his reward both here on earth and eternity (1Timothy 4:15,16).

• You cannot obey God without understanding His Word, and without obedience you cannot eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

- In every land of inheritance that God has apportioned an individual, there are good in it.

- It is your willingness to walk with God 🙏 steadfastly and obedience to His Word, that make you eat the good He has for you in the land.

"if you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."

Isaiah 1:19(NKJV)

• Note

- To understand God's Word, pray the Pauline prayer in Ephesians 1:17-21.

- If you personalize the above mentioned prayer: you pray it consistently for a couple of days, weeks, or months; you discovered your eyes of understanding is enlightened– your level of understanding of the Scriptures changed, increased, and your depths in God increased.

- Where 'you' is mentioned in the prayer you put 'me' i.e. yourself– you personalize the prayer.

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may

give to you (me) the spirit of wisdom..."

Ephesians 1:17 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!

[courage-a-word-of-justice]

Maou-jou 9 - 12 (FINAL) | Idolish7 s2 10 - 15 (FINAL) | SLS 2

I’ve been holding off new seasonals because of other things, but after I post this I’ll have enough time to get around to them. That’s why I can’t guarantee winter 2021 seasonal tags on this post...maybe the next one will have them...

Maou-jou 9

…it seems shopping channels even are the same in the demon world.

Now even the demons have quests! (The frame is different to the princess’s, though.)

Oh! The quest failed.

Neo Alraune: in flower language, “the 2nd coming of happiness”. The worry from a little while ago was, “I’m worried about my brother.” The worry from recently: “I didn’t think about being happy that the princess didn’t kill my brother.”

The penguin demons are pretty cute!

Don’t you know how parents forbid children from sleeping until they finish all their homework? Must be something like that.

Yoku ganbarimashita! – Syalis worked hard!

LOL, mental age: 3. Poseidon likes cute things…I can’t read a lot of this…the hardsubs cover the JPN text.

They…both succeeded! (…LOL?)

Maou-jou 10

Owarinocity = Endopolis. It’s a good equivalent, if I do say so myself.

…oh yeah. What happened to Alraune? Update: There she is!

Also, that blonde guy in the infomercials doesn’t look too bad…*makes chef’s kiss gesture with one hand* Nice.

I wonder, was Twilight once human…?

LOL, there’s a goat symbol on the cleric’s pyjamas. Also “first time”, LOL.

I think they were playing shiritori at one point.

Hanamaru saikou yoku dekimashita!

Maou-jou 11

…How does one “sleep cheerfully”, anyway?

I think I saw Twilight drop something…some kind of paper…

Aw, Twilight blushing is kinda cute!

LOL, 70s shoujo style. Also, “It cannot be!”

Whoa, she cancelled it?!

I read up on this series on TV Tropes…and apparently the Demon King captured the Princess in her sleep.

Kagemusha? Like a ninja or something?

Apparently the Demon Cleric is much older than he looks.

Ooh! Hypnos is back!

A-whatsit really is abysmal levels of stupid!!! (LOL)

Maou-jou 12 (FINAL)

Who’s that one tiny guy occupying one of the Ten Kings’ seats?

*watching after Christmas, about a week after the anime finished* This is not seasonally appropriate!

…*thinks for a second, then spits* That’s the 2nd Nemu in the fall 2020 season!!!

Ooh, the head paladin doesn’t look that bad, either.

“…is it good to be…”

“…has seized the princess!”

“…that demon king is rather cute.” – See? Someone agrees with me.

Anyways, that was a fun series. See you soon!

Idolish7 s2 10

…Back at it after so long…(I can’t help it though – Crunchyroll, per month, is about double the local Funimation sublicensor’s fees, and for much less content that’s worth my money to boot!)

I’ve always thought Momo was like Sasara (HypMic), so seeing him anguished hurts me in the kokoro too…

I know Banri was involved with Re:vale somehow…this must be it.

…Male idols are also popular among men? Is this why there are 8 (!!!) idol anime in winter 2021 alone…? (Also, that’s why HypMic became popular? Multidemographic appeal crossed over with obvious merchandising opportunities?)

It’s kind of scary how Momo stepped the formality towards Yuki like that (to -san).

I guess in his heart Momo still reveres Yuki, some way or another.

The rakugo curtain really sold the moment that they (current Re:vale) were acting like an old married couple.

Yay! Silver Sky is such a cool song! Of course I recognised the intro when it came on.

…I see. The elder Kujo is entrusting his dream to Tenn, so that’s why he banned Aya from seeing Tamaki. However, it’s hard to know what to feel when Aya speaks in the vaguest terms possible.

I think that was a special ending for only this episode. I don’t know what its name is, but I guess I might recognise it on Spotify one day.

Idolish7 s2 11

LOL, Nagi’s reaction.

Considering the ‘rona is getting worse outside our very windows as we speak (type?), I think it’s correct to be concerned about your future right now.

Looking at these narrow streets reminds me of going to eat hotpot at the end of my Japan trip…only Japanese streets look like that, I think. Hong Kong’s streets are more crowded than that and America likes their suburbia.

Of course, when you say hajimemashite (nice to meet you), someone’s gotta say it back, hence the reply.

Considering there are people all over the world watching the Idolish7 anime, I would say you are telling the world about I7, Riku.

Oh! Restart Pointer! There was an MV for that one…I think it was around the time Idolish7’s MVs started getting better.

So this is the context around the new outfits! Cool!

There have been way too many puns about “idol” being…y’know, “ai (love) doll” and stuff like that…

I have one Twitter person who I follow (DejiNyucu, part of the creative team for Autumn’s Journey) because I don’t get much I7 content and they keep mentioning this “Haruki” person…and suddenly a “Haruki the Betrayer” showed up in the graffiti…they might be the same person, I think. Not Deji, but Haruki. Update: Sakura Haruki, perhaps…?

Sougo’s such a bad liar…

Sometimes, the best way to deal with things is to be direct…(I’m not very good at that, I naturally talk in a very roundabout sort of way.)

Sougo with long hair like Yuki would be really pretty… (<- has an obvious thing for guys with long hair)

Idolish7 s2 12

Nagi’s stupid accent is generally what he’s best remembered for (for me), so seeing him speak normally, and do a press conference on top of that, is…impressive.

A kabedon on top of all this! Whoa!

Shibuya 109 parody…? (I’ve seen that once or twice – parodying that means people know their stuff about Shibuya.)

I think the “it’s overflowing!” is referring to the hype in the “room”.

…this dejected Momo is worrying…(well, he is worrying and I am worrying about him.)

Oh, I see. The person responsible typed the letter so that they couldn’t be traced back. Kind of like those old movies where the culprit would cut letters out of newspapers to make threat mail, but…with even less traces than that, because cutting letters out leaves evidence.

…wow, it took a while for this ep. to have an intro…

…LOL, I just spotted Kenjiro Tsuda cited as the “fake Zero”, meaning the real one might never show up this season.

There’s something really stupid and infectious about these managers’ enthusiasm for drinking energy drinks. It puts a goofy smile on my face.

Is Musubi Tsumugi’s mother…? Update: Yes, she is.

…Wait, so the Chiba Shizuo guy is actually important?!

Idolish7 s2 13

Whenever someone says “by the way”, it means they’re changing the subject. I hate to state to obvious, but Sougo is clearly deflecting the topic of conversation from being about him.

I wonder if this guy (Haw9) is the actual Zero graffiti vandal…?

Hmph, I didn’t realise Tenn doesn’t refer to Kujo-san as his father, but…like that (“Kujo-san”) instead.

Oh hey! These are shots from Vibrato!

Most dramas can be solved with the power of Good Communication. That includes this one.

I feel like “he has a dark side” describes both Tenn and Kujo-san.

“Everyone, remember to wash your hands and gargle thoroughly.” – This is always a good thing to remember in the time of ‘rona. Reminds me of Jakurai’s line in ARB (<- this game started just after the ‘rona came down).

What did Sougo go to uni for (what specialisation)?

Idolish7 s2 14

I just realised Banri calls Momo -kun. Hmm…

Denki = electricity, LOL.

I feel like Tenn is basically Ramuda, give or take actual pink hair…guys in musical groups with pre-existing angst that they become the “centre” of. The fact Fling Posse have Saito Soma and so do Trigger strengthens the connection.

I would watch the heck out of a musical like that! Make it come true, Idolish7! (Also, today is I7 day! I’m not much of an I7 fan outside the anime, but…that’s cool!)

That shot of them jumping! I remember seeing it on the official site before!

Idolish7 s2 15 (FINAL)

There you go! I was wondering where Banri’s injury was – that was the only bit that didn’t add up for him to be Yuki’s old partner.

Hmm…Momo is 4 years younger than Yuki but 2 years younger than Banri…

This episode has a real concert vibe to it, to the point where I got startled by how loud the yell was at one point. (Even if it is mostly stills.)

LOL, lookit Okazaki!

Apparently, if you’re a hako oshi, you like all the members of a group. Someone with a green light and a pink light likes both members of Re:vale.

LOL, Usagi for Asahi beer.

…I forgot Nagi is 19.

…Ooh, I think that’s the kid from ZOOL. No wonder they needed a season 3!

That’s all. See you next time!

SLS 2

“fine and upstanding person” – That’s…hard to believe, Hayato.

I wonder how many bois Toboso designed for SLS…?

…The episode title is actually “Blank”. Not “Break”.

One of the guys’ shirts says moteki on it. That’s a period in one’s life where one enjoys more romantic attention than usual, literally “popularity season”.

The subs missed an I, so initially I knew Kiriyama’s name as “Kiryama”.

There are meant to be 2 wings, right…?

“He who controls information controls everything, right?” – For once, I’m surprised Hayato is right (and not just in that smug way of his).

“…I’m being treated like a manager.” – But Hayato is a manager! (In a sense.)

The plait guy jumps to nicknames really fast…also, why do I get the feeling Maeshima will lose the key?

I hate to say this Maeshima, but I side with your childhood friend (Kiriyama) here. As much as the anime wants me to back you, I’m watching for everyone else at this point.

That blocky building looks pretty cool. I think Zel (Archi-Anime) would like it.

Sasugai’s setup looks pretty cool, including his chair.

…hmm, Maeshima’s like me in a sense. I learn best by copying others, but memory is my best asset. If I don’t regularly train the fundamentals, I suck at everything. That said, I don’t have an eidetic memory. Also, I didn’t quite figure out Ken = Ken(sei Maeshima) until I watched long enough to connect the dots.

LOL, Derry’s. (<- reminded of a word for “butt” <- derriere)

Well, the guy’s (Souta…?) shirt does say moteki…

Kiriyama kinda looks like Jyuto (HypMic), come to think of it…Right down to his angry streak (although Jyuto has a reputation to keep as a “cool dude”, while Kiriyama is more of a Manza (Boueibu HK) and he’s more angry than he looks).

…This ED is nothing special.

…Hmm? Is that a small Terauchi and Maeshima…?

I think I’m sold for now, but I’m rooting for the other team, not Maeshima’s…not yet, anyways.

[teatitty]

Logan and His Weird Brood of Endless Children (A Comprehensive List)

I promised to do it so here it is at last! Logan has had many children over the years (24 at least!) and all in different continuities. For the sake of this list, I’m only including the children that are canonically his own and not the people he only acted as a father/mentor for (so no Jubilee, Rogue, Kitty or Armor). 

Honorary mention goes to Laura’s clones (especially Gabby) because they are technically Logan’s children but were cloned from Laura specifically instead (you’d think they’d be Laura’s kids but they canonically viewed her as their sister. The only one still alive is Gabby Kinney).

So! I’m doing this list in alphabetical order and I am going to include which Continuity they appear in. This is just a brief run-down of their origins and not the full history otherwise we’d be here for years.

1: Amiko Kobayashi (Earth 616)

Amiko’s mother (unnamed) was killed during a giant dragons rampage through Tokyo. Logan promised her dying mother that he would take care of Amiko. He also held her mother through her dying moments. Because he was a full-time X-Man Logan was unable to look after her personally, so he fostered her with his wife Mariko Yashida instead. Amiko lived with Mariko for a few years, seeing Logan on rare occasions, and enjoyed the plush life-style that Clan Yashida gave her. 

She also met Kitty Pryde and went for ice-cream with her, Logan and Mariko. When Mariko was assassinated, no legal plan existed for Amiko’s care (why Marvel couldn’t have her move to the X-Mansion idk) and she ended up in the foster system. Logan thought that was fine, even sending money to help care for her, but discovered that her foster parents had been stealing the money. 

Taking her away from the situation, he gave guardianship over to Yukio. Honestly Amiko got kidnapped a lot to be used against him but at least she’s still alive! She has limited martial arts and, due to her lineage, it is possible that she could develop mystical abilities though nothing has been confirmed for her.

2: Avery Connor (Earth 616)

After Logan’s skeleton was bonded to adamantium, one Dr David Connor took some of Logan’s genetic material and implanted it into the child his wife, Veronica Connor, was pregnant with (okay. Creepy.) The result of this was Avery Connor, specifically “designed” so that her powers would manifest when she hit maturity (yikes) with the hope that she would be stronger then Wolverine. By age 14 she was able to recover from a gunshot wound to the chest in about a minute. She only appeared in the 3 issue novel “Elektra and Wolverine: The Redeemer” which you can find on Comicpunch.net if you want to know her full story.

3: Brian and Mari Logan (Earth 1298)

These two are put together because they’re twins! They appear in the very last arc of Mutant X (#28 onwards). During this time, Logan is believed to be dead but is, in fact, alive and currently only has fragmented memories (basic Logan stuff really.) Instinct drives him to the house he shared with his wife, Mariko Yashida (the twins’ mom). While there, he runs into Mari who asks him if he’s her dad, because “mommy said that daddy went to heaven but Brian says he’s going to come back to us someday.”

Creed kidnaps the family, Logan tracks them down and has a heartfelt proper reunion with them, even hugging Brian. Pretty much the only thing Logan cares about during this last arc is getting his family to safety which is, you know, fair enough tbh.

4: Cameron Pryde (Earth 25158)

Cameron is the son of Kitty Pryde and Piotr Rasputin. He was born shortly before the mutant control act, which led to all surviving mutants being locked up in camps (oof.) When Kitty was taken away by sentinels, Logan took Cameron to safety and raised him as his own son, training Cameron to be a hunter in the wilds of the Sentinel Territories. Cameron was 17 when he met Kitty and his younger sister, Christina, whom ended up killing him.

5: Daken Akihiro (Earth 616)

Daken is probably the most famous of all Logan’s children, right next to Laura. Putting a trigger warning here for bullying and one suicide.

Daken is the son of Logan and Itsu. In 1946, during the last moments of her pregnancy, Itsu was murdered by Winter Soldier (yea) in an attempt to lure out Logan and return him to Madripoor. Romulus cut Daken from her womb, which Daken survived due to his healing factor. Daken was left on the doorstep of Akihira and Natsumi, who took his arrival as an answer to their prayers and raised him as their own. He was given the name “Akihiro” but the servants and other families secretly called him “Daken” (bastard dog), a slur about his mixed heritage.

This harsh treatment caused him to develop a cold persona to everyone but Akihira. One night, Natsumi confessed to Akihira that she was pregnant and didn’t actually love Akihiro. Daken overheard this, and within a year of Junichiro’s birth (sometime in 1957 so Daken was 10-11), he confronted Natsumi and said he’d killed her son (this was true). Akihira disowned him, Daken said his real name wasn’t “Akihiro” and then Natsumi tried to run him through with a bayonet on the end of a rifle. This triggered Daken’s mutant powers, and he ended up accidentally slashing her down. Akihira committed suicide.

Romulus appeared and told Daken that he was what Daken would someday become. Romulus sent him to a training camp in Canada, the same one Logan had been trained in 40 years prior. Other stuff happens here but basically Romulus ends up telling Daken that Logan is his father and lies to his face, saying that Logan was the one who killed Itsu with Daken still inside her, which is why Daken hates Logan’s guts. In the following years, Romulus nurtured this hatred.

You can’t see it in the image above but Daken does have a third claw on the underside of each wrist.

6: Erista (Earth 616)

Literally Erista only appears once. His mom is Gahck of the Savage Lands Fire Tribe and the only time we see him is when Logan is leaving said Savage Lands.

7: Hudson Logan (Earth 982)

Hudson is Rina’s half-brother and was a member of the Revengers, who attacked the Avengers on more then one occasion. However, he switched sides to fight against Galactus and then asked to be an official Avenger. Though suspicious of his motives, they let him join as they needed help fighting Sylene, Loki’s daughter.

8: Hulk Jr/Bruce Banner Jr (Earth 807128)

Baby Banner was the newest addition to the Hulk Gang, and Bruce’s favourite among them. When Logan killed the entire gang (you’ll find out why in a little while), he felt it was poetic justice that Hulk Jr be the first member of his new team of heroes to help retake the country.

500 years into the future, Hulk Jr helped defeat Galactus, using him as a power source for a time machine. He and his team ended up on Earth 616 and the F4 convinced them all to go live on Nu-World instead. The last we see of him is on a rebuilt Galactus engine heading to a new world.

9: Jade and Scotty Logan (Earth 807128)

Jade and Scotty were born 50 years into the future, to Logan and Maureen. Logan owed the Hulk Gang rent money and went off to collect it. He returned 2 weeks early only to find that his family had been killed because the Hulk’s “got bored.”

10: James “Jimmy” Hudson Jr (Earth 1610)

James’ mom is Magda, who you will probably know as Magneto’s wife and the mother of Wanda and Pietro. Logan entrusted Jimmy to his war friend, James Hudson. His last name was changed from “Howlett” to “Hudson” to make the adoption official, and his mutant origins would be kept a secret until his highschool days. Jimmy grew up to be like Logan, with a taste for red-haired women (okay Marvel, sure), a reckless lifestyle and a feral personality. 

Unfortunately, Logan died before Jimmy could ever meet him. When Jimmy was drag-racing at 17 his car crashed and this is when he discovered he had a healing factor. His gf was disgusted by it and left him (ouch) and the next day he got a visit from Kitty Pryde. She told him he was Wolverine’s son, and gave him some of Logan’s old things, including his canadian dog tag (and a lock of Jean’s hair because god forbid Marvel let that go). 

A holographic message from Logan told Jimmy “you’re my son, dont ask about your mother, don’t focus on the past, be thankful the Hudsons raised you and learn to live with the choices you make” (paraphrasing of course). His last message to Jimmy was that he never regretted having a son. 

With Kitty’s encouragment, Jimmy found he had inherited Logan’s claws and formed a metallic coating over them. He would then seek out Jean, who helped him recruit other mutants.

He ended up bonded to a Symbiote eventually and now he goes by the alias Poison. Also he got rid of that dope beard and went with mutton-chops instead which, like, worst decision by far they hella look ugly on him.

11: Kendall Logan (Earth 9811)

Kendall’s mom is Ororo! She also has an unnamed baby brother! Kendall can manipulate the weather like Ororo and possesses a healing factor like Logan. She also has her father’s temper but her mother’s good attitude. She’s highly trained as a fighter and is as stealthy as an assassin. She was born in a universe where the Secret Wars never left Battleworld.

Due to various circumstances, Kendall and a bunch of other mutant kids ended up on an alternate earth where Sentinels ruled America. The kids then decided to stay here and wipe out the Sentinels.

12: Kirika Yashida (Earth 295)

In this reality, Logan and Mariko had a romance before the ascension of apocalypse. This romance led to the birth of Kirika. Logan was unaware of her birth and, after Japan’s destruction, joined the X-Men. Mariko joined the Human High Council and Kirika ended up the property of Sinister though how this happened is never stated. Magneto found her in a containment marked “X-23″ and was surprised when she unsheated her claws. 

Kirika ended up being trained by Magneto and was tasked with bringing her father back to America with her. Important note, but on this earth Logan is still going by “Weapon X”. A bunch of other shit happens, and Kirika ends up being killed by Weapon X with 616 Logan mourning her death as he holds her charred remains, right before he went feral and attacked his 295 counterpart.

13: Kouen (Earth 13119)

A teenage clone of Logan, Kouen was created by an unknown organization, who ordered him to kill Logan, who they believed was the missing link they needed to create the “perfect race.” Instead of doing that, however, Kouen chose to help Logan rather than kill him.

14: Laura Kinney (Earth 616 and Evolution/Earth 11052)

The second most well-known of Logan’s children! Her comic origins are a bit more convoluted then her origins in Evolution so I’ll talk about both. Personally, I prefer her origins in Evolution but, ya know. Prefences and all. 

I’m going to talk about her comic/616 origins first because it’s. A lot to get through and condense.

When Facility (yes that’s what the organization is called) failed to find a subject capable of surviving the bonding process of adamantium to bones (because they wanted to recreate the Weapon X program that made Logan), mutant geneticist Sarah Kinney was brought in to create a clone.

After 22 failed attempts of cloning, because they couldn’t find a Y Chromosome in the only bit of damaged genetic coding they had of Logan’s, Sarah proposed they make a female clone instead. Initially rejected, Sarah went and did it anyway, using her own genetic material to complete Logan’s. Dr Sutter was impressed but Dr Zander Rice claimed insubordination and forced Sarah to be the surrogate.

Laura spends 7 years training in the facility while Sarah tries to ensure that Laura retain some semblance of humanity. Rice had her subjected to radiation poisoning to acclerate her mutant gene growth and bonded her claws to adamantium. 

Other shit happens, she ends up being harshly trained (and punished) by Kimura, then 3 years later she got her first mission, was punished for not returning with Rice, ended up ordered to kill Sutter and his family and then she managed to kill Rice. Unfortunately Rice exposed her to “trigger scent” which sent her into a rage that killed Sarah. In her dying words, Sarah names her “Laura.”

Other stuff happens but I’m skipping it so fast-forward and Laura tracks Logan down to the x-mansion where she beats him in a fight. She tells him who she is, he says he already knows cuz he got a letter from Sarah telling him the whole story (??? okay sure) but before they can have a proper talk Steve Rogers arrests her. 

She gets interrogated by Steve and Matt Murdoch. Matt claims she’s innocent given her backstory, but Steve wants her to atone for her murders. Ultimately, Steve frees her so she doesn’t get exploited by SHIELD as a weapon.

Laura joins the X-Men and immediately gets protective over Logan, even following him on missions.

Now for Evolution/11052 canon which is way fucking easier to get through! 

Logan learns through SHIELD that Dr Deborah Risman, working for HYDRA, managed to create a female clone of him after 22 failed attempts. Her only codename was X-23. (She doesn’t get the name Laura in the cartoon but that might be cuz it was cancelled before the last season.)

Denied a normal childhood, X23 was lonely (seriously you actually see her hugging teddy bears in Kitty’s room and getting jealous over how happy the X-Men teens are). She’d never had a companion, spending most of her time honing her skills under observation.

She breaks into the X-Mansion, defeating the other X-Men, and eventually confronts Logan. Logan refuses to fight back against her, spending his time trying to talk to her instead. X23 lashes out, screaming “everything I am is because of you!”

Logan eventually catches her wrists, telling her he’s the one person who understands what she went through, and admits he had no idea about what they did to her. When X23 breaks down in his arms, Logan hugs her back, saying he’s the closest thing she has to family.

When SHIELD shows up to take her in, Logan tells her to run for it. Laura hesitates, not wanting to leave him (you can tell by her face) but Logan repeats the order. She leaves and Logan tells Fury to leave her alone because she’s been through enough.

(Also fun note, the reason Laura is white in the comics and not brown is bc they wanted her to look “more like Logan” apparently).

15: Mongrels (Earth 616)

Led by Gunhawk (William Downing, one with the bandana), the Mongrels team consists of Fire Knives (redhead girl), Shadowstalker (purple girl), Cannon Foot (the big boy) and Saw Fist (green mask), all children of Logan’s from various different mothers. Put together by The Red Right Hand, these mercs all have a hatred for Logan though it’s never explained why, and wanted to cause him as much pain as possible. During their final fight with him, Logan manages to kill them all but is devastated to learn they were, in fact, his children. 

He ends up burying them with their respective mothers.

16: Raze Darkholme (Earth 13729)

Raze’s mom is Mystique, whom he killed and replaced some time in the future. His claws are really short and he uses shapeshifting to make them longer (lol). His shape-shifting is supposedly stronger then Mystique’s. The first time we see him, he’s impersonating Kitty Pryde in order to get close to Logan and strike him down. 

Raze has an older half-brother, whose father is Xavier (yes really). Raze wants to kill the entire human population, and bring all persecuted mutants from the multiverse into one place to create a mutant paradise. This plan is ultimately stopped by an alt earth’s Phoenix.

17: Reine du Rien (Earth 616)

Reine (pronounced “ren”) is a french sorceress and I think she’s also half-romani. She has Logan’s healing factor and claws, which glow a faint blue, and her clans magic. Her mother, Sylvie, had a one-night stand with Logan in the 60′s specifically to create Reine so that their clan would have an immortal child capable of killing a demon called “Truth” so they wouldn’t have to rely on Logan anymore.

As per usual, Logan didn’t know about her. In 1989 Logan tracked down her hometown but was told to fuck off by her aunt because he wasn’t needed anymore. Unfortunately, he caught Reine’s scent and, not one to let things go, kept trying to talk to her whenever he happened to see her. In 2008, Reine finally confirmed she was his daughter and said her clan didn’t think she needed a name, but began calling her Reine which meant “nothing.” (Oof.)

After explaining that it wasn’t her he was trying to hunt, but Truth, Logan and Reine crossed their claws and promised to kill Truth together, thus setting them both free.

18: Rina Logan (Earth 982)

So! Rina’s mother is Elektra! She’s a skilled martial artist and gymnast. Her claws are made of psychic energy! She used to get bullied at school for being the child of an immigrant and unemployed biker, but then opinion changed when everyone saw Logan pick her up from school and learned that her mom was a wealthy martial arts master (lol get fucked). Rina is canonically a daddy’s girl, and a lot of heroes give her a wide berth because she’s considered as dangerous as Logan is. 

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

24th July >> Mass Readings (USA)

Friday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

    or 

Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Priest.

Friday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Jeremiah 3:14-17

I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart; all nations will be gathered together at Jerusalem.

Return, rebellious children, says the Lord,

for I am your Master;

I will take you, one from a city, two from a clan,

and bring you to Zion.

I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart,

who will shepherd you wisely and prudently.

When you multiply and become fruitful in the land,

says the Lord,

They will in those days no longer say,

“The ark of the covenant of the Lord!”

They will no longer think of it, or remember it,

or miss it, or make another.

At that time they will call Jerusalem the Lord’s throne;

there all nations will be gathered together

to honor the name of the Lord at Jerusalem,

and they will walk no longer in their hardhearted wickedness.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to Gog.

Responsorial Psalm

Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,

proclaim it on distant isles, and say:

He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,

he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

The Lord shall ransom Jacob,

he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.

Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,

they shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings:

The grain, the wine, and the oil,

the sheep and the oxen.

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,

and young men and old as well.

I will turn their mourning into joy,

I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Gospel Acclamation

cf. Luke 8:15

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart

and yield a harvest through perseverance.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 13:18-23

The one who hears the word and understands it will bear much fruit.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Hear the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it, and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

—————————

Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Priest 

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

Sirach 3:17-24

Humble yourself and you will find favor with God.

My child, conduct your affairs with humility,

and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.

Humble yourself the more, the greater you are,

and you will find favor with God.

The greater you are,

the more you must humble yourself in all things,

and you will find grace before God.

For great is the power of God;

by the humble he is glorified.

What is too sublime for you, seek not,

into things beyond your strength search not.

What is committed to you, attend to;

for it is not necessary for you to see with your eyes

those things which are hidden.

With what is too much for you meddle not,

when shown things beyond human understanding.

Their own opinion has misled many,

and false reasoning unbalanced their judgment.

Where the pupil of the eye is missing, there is no light,

and where there is no knowledge, there is no wisdom.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

He who walks blamelessly and does justice;

who thinks the truth in his heart

and slanders not with his tongue.

R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man,

nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

By whom the reprobate is despised,

while he honors those who fear the Lord.

R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury

and accepts no bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things

shall never be disturbed.

R/ The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 23:9b, 10b

Alleluia, alleluia.

You have but one Father in heaven;

you have but one master, the Christ!

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

Matthew 28:19a, 20bc

Alleluia, alleluia.

Go, and teach all nations, says the Lord;

I am with you always, until the end of the world.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

Mark 1:17

Alleluia, alleluia.

Come after me, says the Lord,

and I will make you fishers of men.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

Luke 4:18

Alleluia, alleluia.

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor

and to proclaim liberty to captives.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

John 10:14

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my sheep, and mine know me.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

John 15:5

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord:

whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

John 15:15b

Alleluia, alleluia.

I call you my friends, says the Lord,

for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Or:

2 Corinthians 5:19

Alleluia, alleluia.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 19:27-29

You who have followed me will receive a hundred times more.

Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[beboldinthetruth-blog]

The Kingdom of God Pt 1

Some people believe the church is the kingdom of God, others that it is the ethical rule of God set up in ones heart. Some that it will come gradually by growth and development, whilst other’s believe it is waiting for us up in heaven. But what did Jesus and the apostles teach, and what does the bible say about the kingdom of God?

Those familiar with Rudyard Kipling’s writings may remember his ‘six honest serving men’:

“I keep six honest serving men, they taught me all I knew, Their names are What and Why and When, and How and Where and Who,”

In this study we will utilize these ‘six serving men’ to find out what the scriptures say about the kingdom of God.

WHAT is the kingdom of God?

The first thing to recognise is that after almost six weeks of teaching about the kingdom of God by Jesus (between his resurrection and his ascension to heaven), the kingdom of God was very real to the apostles and they fully expected it’s arrival – Jesus did not correct them in this but only commented on the timescale involved:

Acts 1:3-6 NRSV After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The second thing to notice is that it is God himself (Yahweh) who gives kingdoms and rulership where He wills:

Daniel 2:37 WEB You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory;

We see from the interpretation and explanation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in the second chapter of Daniel, that it concerns a succession of world governments or kingdoms:

Daniel 2:38-39 WEB and wherever the children of men dwell, the animals of the field and the birds of the sky has he given into your hand, and has made you to rule over them all: you are the head of gold. 2:39 After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Eventually the final world ruling system is brought down and replaced by a kingdom set up by God himself, which will never be destroyed – the kingdom of God:

Daniel 2:44 WEB In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

Is this interpretation from Yahweh God, and is it certain and sure to happen?

Daniel 2:45 WEB Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God has made known to the king what shall happen hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation of it sure.

Sometime later Daniel has a dream and visions, and again is given the meaning of it:

Daniel 7:2 WEB Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea.

Daniel 7:16 WEB I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

This is also concerning these world ruling governments:

Daniel 7:17 WEB These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who shall arise out of the earth.

Did it depict one like ‘the son of man’ (Jesus Messiah – this was his favourite term to refer to himself) receiving authority and a commission from Yahweh to rule as king of the kingdom of God over all the earth:

Daniel 7:13-14 WEB I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 7:14 There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Did John the Baptist look forward to the coming of this kingdom and preach concerning it?

Matthew 3:1-3 NRSV In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ “

Is this also what Jesus himself preached about?

Matthew 4:17 NRSV From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

When questioned did Jesus tell Pilate that he was to become a king, but not of this present age/world, implying that it will be in the age/world to come later?

John 18:36 NRSV Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Did Jesus also tell his disciples that he would rule in the new world or new age (referring to himself as the son of man)?

Matthew 19:27-28 NRSV Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Does Paul also speak about this ‘world to come’?

Hebrews 2:5 NRSV Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels.

Does Isaiah prophecy of this reign of Yahweh through His Messiah Jesus?

Isaiah 52:7 WEB How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!

Does the book of Revelation refer to the time when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of God and of His Christ (Messiah)?

Revelation 11:15 NRSV Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”

Does Jesus say that he has been given power from the Father to rule over the nations?

Revelation 2:26-27 NRSV To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end, I will give authority over the nations; 27 to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered— 28 even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star.

So we can now see that the kingdom of God is nothing less than the new world government of God (Yahweh, our Father) ruling over all the nations and peoples of the earth under the kingship of Jesus his Messiah.

In order to understand what makes this is necessary let’s use our next ‘serving man’ WHY.

WHY is the kingdom of God coming?

In the garden of Eden Adam and Eve effectively rejected God’s rule over them through unbelief and disobedience, instigated by Satan. They, and all mankind thereafter unwittingly came under the rule of Satan.

Is this confirmed in Ephesians, referring to Satan as ‘the prince of the power of the air’ (an unseen spirit being influencing all mankind without our knowing it)?

Ephesians 2:1-3 NRSV You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.

Does Paul in the book of Romans say we are either slaves of sin (Satan) or of righteousness (God & Christ)?

Romans 6:16-19 NRSV Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18 and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

What does Jesus say about it?

John 8: 34 NRSV Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

Does Jesus identify who (generally) mankind’s current ‘father’ is, and that he influences them to carry out his desires?

John 8:44 NRSV You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan claimed to be able to give Christ all the kingdoms of the world, which he could not do unless he owned them – Christ did not deny this. In fact Satan holds the whole world in bondage, though few realise it.

Matthew 4:8-9 NRSV Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Is the whole creation awaiting the kingdom of God and the children of God?

Romans 8:18-23 NRSV I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Moses, sent by Yahweh to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt freeing them from bondage to Pharaoh, was a type of Christ being sent by the Father to free mankind from Satan’s bondage (you may like to look at Acts 7:35-37 and John 8:31-38).

This will happen dramatically and universally with the inauguration of the kingdom of God.

This has resulted in horrendous sufferings for all mankind – wars, famines, diseases, pestilences, death, to name but a few – and these will increase dramatically as the return of Christ approaches:

Matthew 24:6-8 NRSV And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8 all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

People are lied to and led astray, and wickedness will increase:

Matthew 24:11-12 NRSV And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold.

It will get so bad that all of mankind is in danger of be wiped out unless God intervenes to put an end to it:

Matthew 24:22 NRSV And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

But thankfully Yahweh God is merciful:

Ephesians 2:4 NRSV But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us

Our God sends His Messiah son Jesus to put an end to Satan’s rule and man’s disobedience, and to usher in a new world government run according to Yahweh’s laws and love nature, to save mankind and to release us from Satan’s bondage and deception:

Matthew 19:28 NRSV Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelation 20:1-3 NRSV Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a little while.

The wicked will be subdued, and righteousness and peace will abound:

Isaiah 11:1-10 WEB There shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit. 11:2 The Spirit of Yahweh shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh. 11:3 His delight shall be in the fear of Yahweh; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither decide after the hearing of his ears; 11:4 but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he kill the wicked. 11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 11:6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 11:7 The cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 11:8 The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea. 11:10 It shall happen in that day, that the root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the peoples, to him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious.

All will learn to worship the one true God, Yahweh:

Zechariah 14:16 WEB It will happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of Hosts, and to keep the feast of tents.

Micah 4:1-4 WEB But in the latter days, It will happen that the mountain of Yahweh’s temple will be established on the top of the mountains, And it will be exalted above the hills; And peoples will stream to it. 4:2 Many nations will go and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, And to the house of the God of Jacob; And he will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion will go forth the law, And the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem; 4:3 And he will judge between many peoples, And will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Neither will they learn war any more. 4:4 But they will sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; And no one will make them afraid: For the mouth of Yahweh of Hosts has spoken.

There will be universal peace, prosperity and blessings:

Isaiah 2:4 WEB He will judge between the nations, And will decide concerning many peoples; And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war any more.

All this will fulfil the promises Yahweh made to Abraham – keeping His word perfectly:

Genesis 22:15-18 WEB The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time out of the sky, 22:16 and said, “I have sworn by myself, says Yahweh, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, 22:17 that in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore. Your seed will possess the gate of his enemies. 22:18 In your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

Galatians 3:16-18 NRSV Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, “And to offsprings,” as of many; but it says, “And to your offspring,” that is, to one person, who is Christ. 17 My point is this: the law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

So we start to see WHY it is necessary for Christ (Messiah) to return and introduce the government of Yahweh in the kingdom of God.

In the next study we will continue to use the ‘six serving men’ to examine the kingdom of God by looking at WHEN it will happen and HOW it will be brought about. The third study in the series will consider WHERE these things will take place and WHO will be involved.

[nvmlindseyallan]

So you’re a messenger, @Alyssa_Milano? (Rev 2:20) Well, #metoo. RT. Thanks, #GodsTinyDancer 

COMMONDOMINION OF CHRIST #EXCLUSIVE OFFICIAL COMMENTARY ON EDWARD THE 9TH'S OCTOBER 14-15, 2017 EMPIRE LOYALTY RELAY SERVICE LECTURE 

We understand that because our very own Edward the 9th has explicitly went about us in last week's LRS, he has to tone down and endorse thoroughly the Empire again on his latest lecture delivered from the city of angels or messengers, #Bangkok. Perhaps because Empire had reprimanded him for speaking out for us. The Thai government is by Godhead on the side of your Central Administration even though Empire sodomies are widespread in the area. The Thai government's commitment to your Commondominion befits well prophecies concerning the connotations of Bangkok (Hebrews 12, Isaiah 62), most recently that Lady Hilly Bodin made an actual fulfillment of Revelation 12 in Thailand, to commemorate Thailand being a well-known casualty of the 2nd Woe on December 26, 2004 (Revelation 11). To also recall such, Lady Danielle Gardiner-Arsenault also once visited Thailand (John 20). When we're still on the Empire we erroneously denote the 3rd Woe as Judgement Day itself. Yet some of us were able and quick to point out that it is not so but rather implies further prophecy fulfilment that only spells much destruction and disaster (Revelation 6-9). It could be well explained hence why throughout his latest address, Edward, who is of course still held hostage by Empire under Constantinians, was heard recurringly mentioning (Jeremiah 20) the word 'destruction' and even, as per the location, mentioning that we must be 'endeavoring to be away from the Destructor, the Angel of Death' (Exodus 12, 1 Corinthians 10) although of course that connotation is usually for us inasmuch as we implement the Gospel of the Sword. What Edward was in fact saying is the Empire claim that they're not prone to fallacy and abomination of desolation (Isaiah 37). In fact even Neronians admit that Godhead could be 'angry with Their own people' as long as Empire makes that singular claim of being Godhead's people. As for us Godhead is already (Psalm 7) angry with us with the current internal rivalries we are trying to address between our brethren (2 Samuel 12,24). All along his lecture Edward had much given his time hence doing Empire apologetics to make up for the sermon last week yet by Godhead we were able to discern that he still managed to talk a thing or two about us. Empire often promotes itself through sublimal messages yet Edward the 9th is able to turn #thetide for the sake of the Commondominion. Edward talked about 'double citizenship.' Empire deleted the #nomiddleground and #noroomfordoubt discourses on December 2016 and July 2017 respectively, the successive 103rd anniversaries of the first gathering and civil registration of your Commondominion of Christ. Hence Edward had Psalm 103 quoted as a key verse. But as we mentioned, inasmuch as Empire as per their usage had (Ephesians 2, Isaiah 59, Daniel 5) dismissed biblical precepts as trash (Proverbs 3, Isaiah 24), Edward could be heard speaking as this: 'we could no longer expect Empire to be honest telling us that we should be only belonging alone to the Empire. We must accept the fact that if we must be Empire, then we must be also, further and all the more Commondominion too, because this is what Godhead shall be expecting of us come #Doomsday: had we recalled and endeavored to be Commondominion or had we instead erroneously thought that Empire could only be existing as necessary?' (Ezekiel 17,37) In fact why Empire really does not want us to get #thefullstory on their engagements as these is because people will only get to realize through these hidden words (Isaiah 8,45, Hebrews 11) that they instead need this Commondominion and not this Empire. What Edward was really talking about under Empire guise is that even though we're citizens of earth, far more better we're citizens of heaven. If we need to have the rights and duties of earthly citizens then much more we need to have (1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 3) those of heavenly citizens (Romans 5-6, Hebrews 11). Although of course there are Double Connotations between us and the Empire on the subject of heavens and earth (Isaiah 8,5,24, Jeremiah 20,15-16, Leviticus 26, Isaiah 14, Revelation 6,8,16) it is only to denote further the difference (Revelation 11) between the Empire and the Commondominion- Empire has their own usage of such due to their corruption of these (2 Peter), meanwhile we here are good as new as promised by Godhead (Revelation 21, Ephesians 4, Colossians 3, Matthew 19-21). Why and how Empire corrupted the heaven and earth entrusted to them by Godhead is underscored in Deuteronomy 6:4, which the lecture quoted as a key verse. 'Be so careful that you may never forget all that Godhead has did for you.' Godhead asks us (Luke 4) to be attentive to the last detail (Luke 6, Matthew 23, Exodus 20, Joshua 24) because (John 12, Matthew 12, Revelation 20) Godhead shall hold the Empire accountable for their policies, hence we are given this Godhead policy instead at Deuteronomy 6:4, because it is through this that we shall judge the Empire (Colossians 2, Revelation 12, 1 Corinthians 6) for their negligence and dismissal of these Godhead precepts. Of course we all know how Empire continues to deny us the Central Archives, and of course (John 3) as we pointed out earlier it is due to fear of being exposed by us (Ephesians 5). Edward further underscored this social cancer (Isaiah 14, Psalm 37, Hebrews 5) when he said that: 'Empire recognizes itself to be Godhead's own, but Commondominion does not need to assert it to herself, inasmuch as Godhead already does the talking for her. It must be noticed that Empire and Commondominion had existed with each other across the ages, yet in spite of this it must be remembered that they are two entirely different entities from each other, having specific distinguishing identities.' Edward further used Deuteronomy 6:4 to secretly imply that the difference between the Empire and Commondominion lies in the way they treat their respective branch churches and governments. Edward alluded that Deuteronomy 6:4 has a spiritual sense, aside from the usual familial sense. He said that Godhead does not only talk to parents in particular but to His Nation in general. He knows that His Nation would be bringing forth other nations as in bringing forth children (Genesis 21, Deuteronomy 19). As for the Empire they had utterly failed (1 Samuel 1-9) on their responsibility to raise their daughters, or churches and nations, in the way of temperance and frugality (Revelation 17, Genesis 9,19, Exodus 20), meanwhile the Commondominion always makes sure that transparency and accountability shall be the way of life for her member churches and governments (Proverbs 22, John 14, Acts 2, Zechariah 1-2,12-13, Isaiah 59,44). To please the Empire as we had said, Edward once again tried to prove that the Empire's usage and claims of divine election are still binding. He quoted Psalm 103:2-5 and then related it to Hebrews 9:14,22 and Acts 20:28 with the keyword 'redemption' to claim that the Empire is the one true Church of Christ now. We have nothing against these verses, in fact if Edward rather intentionally read all those for our sake alone, it would be much better. But let's closely look on the said verse though. We would be saying though this very early now that if Edward's lecture rather wants the whole Empire never to forget who they are, which is they being Empire members, Acts 20 has verse 24 where we could see that Apostle Paul wants to forget himself, or who he is, which is being Empire, for the sake of belonging to the Commondominion (Philippians 3). Christ, who Shed His Blood for us as said in Acts 20:28, also Said that we should forget ourselves- who we are, which is being Empire (Romans 7)- and follow Him (Matthew 16,10,23-24, John 10,12,3) here into the Commondominion (Song of Solomon, Matthew 19). Perhaps we're that cross (Isaiah 63, Micah 6, Psalm 139, 1 Samuel 15) that Empire could not bear (Genesis 4,11)- the gospel is the #powerofthecross (1 Corinthians 1-2) preached by angels (Hebrews 2,12-13, Colossians 1) which are found here in the Central Administration (Revelation 14,1-3). Also, Empire does not qualify well being Church of Christ only by their words, but rather by their deeds (Matthew 5-7, Hebrews 5-6, Philippians 2, Romans 8, 1 John 2, James 2, 1 Corinthians 4, Isaiah 3). In Psalm 103 we could read verse 5- 'my strength is renewed as a youth, vigorous as an eagle.' This talks about yours truly, #GodsTinyDancer. Once the Empire man stationed in our locale had prophesied (Numbers 22, Acts 29) that a young eagle would come out of our locale as a special Godhead missionary to be, quoting him, 'something better than Solomon'. I was so shocked to discover for myself years after, that I was already fulfilling it. Psalm 103 also talks about Ka Angel- 'praise Godhead, ye angels who do Their Bidding.' And more so it also talks about us. 'Praise Godhead wherever Their Dominion is.' But where's the 'Common' there? ''He knows that we're only feeble and weak, vulnerable as mere grass.' As you know 'Dominion' implies 'Republic' (so we're better Conservatives than Empire people trying to don so when they're really not [Zephaniah 1, Zechariah 13, Matthew 22]). Going to Empire's usage of Acts 20 and John 10:7,9, it could be safely said hence that the term 'flock without a shepherd' could be somehow positive, shattering Empire claims, because prophecy often alludes to kings as shepherds (Psalm 78, Ezekiel 34,36-37, Malachi, Jeremiah 23,33, Amos 7, 1 Peter 2, Revelation 1), hence a flock without a shepherd could allude to a republic (Judges 17,21, Isaiah 34, Hosea 3). We had told you that we're both a kingdom and a republic, because we're far better than the Empire by Godhead being Godhead's Flock or Fold. Christ Tells us that following Him (Luke 11,18,22) produces (2 Peter 1) more than 'a hundred-Fold' (Luke 8) or the Commondominion (Genesis 12) being multibranched (Matthew 13,15, Jeremiah 1,18,20, Isaiah 41-44,24,1-2, 2 Corinthians 10, Luke 11, Judges 14,16) and multitasked (us being both a republic and monarchy). We alone has this because Luke 18 has been earlier promised to Judah (Deuteronomy 33, Genesis 49)- somebody who will go out (Jeremiah 12-13,17,22, 2 Samuel 5,23) from the Empire (Hebrews 9, 1 Peter 1,5, Ezekiel 20, Matthew 19, Ephesians 5, Revelation 5). As you already know, my childhood village has as their Empire idol Apostle Jude Thaddeus (Acts 5,23), which of course sounds like Judah, and that we are given last May 7 the divine office of Judah's Lion (Psalm 34, Philippians 4, Revelation 10, Psalm 119:97-104). Edward used a rendering of Hebrews 9:14,22 where it was said that Christ 'crystalized His Blood for us.' Empire could of course use the term 'crystalize' for their Killary #agenda (Deuteronomy 13,7,18,23, 2 Kings 9-11) but (John 10, James 4, 1 John 4-5, 2 Chronicles 32) Godhead do 'much, much more' (Romans 5, Hebrews 9) for us- Revelation 15 talks about the Commondominion winning victory over Killary and other Empire cohorts such as the Constantinians and Diocletianites, because we stand- not kneel- on a sea of crystal. Standing implies our fellows (Woodley et cal.) and leaders (Grundhofer, Arrigo [Revelation 10-11, Psalm 130, John 10, 2 Corinthians 3, Hebrews 7]) and the sea itself implies us as per Lady Crystal, mother of Lady Juliette. (Matthew 16, Luke 11) We had been entrusted such because Godhead promised in Joel 3 to redeem uncleansed blood, alluding to our Yokebearer Inclusion Policy (2 Chronicles 30, Obadiah 1, Jeremiah 30, Psalm 126). We could be also sure (Matthew 15, Revelation 22, Psalm 1,37,73,49) that Isaiah 62- 'the holy nation redeemed of Godhead, sought out and not forsaken'- also talks about us: in fact it talks both about us and the Empire, as per their usage- 'His redeemed recompense comes with Him, they will be called...your salvation and Savior comes, you will be called.' (Acts 2, Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 14, 1 Samuel 16) Now if Empire tries to claim what we have just said about denying and forgetting yourself, and then they would make Edward the 9th talk about 'not presenting yourself to be chosen and elected by Godhead' (as spit against us here), then how about what Paul said: 'present yourselves' and even at Acts 20 itself- 'take heed to yourselves'? (2 Corinthians 6, John 5-10, 2 Peter 1, Galatians 1, Colossians 3, 1 Thessalonians 4) In fact Constantinians prove to be disobedient to the leader they claim to have: when Edward asked his Constantinian Propaganda Secretary Matt Pareja, his versereader during that service, to take note- proceed with the reading and no more repeat the already read passage- Matt never obeyed it but rather recurred reading the already read passage. (2 Thessalonians 2) On the other hand Edward will be so happy to know that we literally follow him where Empire had failed to keep pace because we look up to him being an evangelist (Psalm 1,119, Revelation 10,14) unlike this Empire which is denying the Word of Godhead from commonfolk. Now let's look closely at Acts 20. Constantinians themselves admit that aside from the usual 'Church of God', 'Church of Christ' and 'Church of the Lord' which they usually quote at Acts 20:28, there is also 'Church of the Messiah' and 'Church of Jesus Christ' (which some of our very own branch churches specifically bear as their names, particularly those of Sirs Mark Lichtenwalter and Matthew Gill [Ephesians 1]) in some renditions. We also know how Empire itself rendered Acts 20:28 to advance occult, destabilization and idolatry when they wrote there: 'God thought His people are worth dying for.' (Acts 20:28 The Message [also see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 The Message for Empire advancement of sodomy]) Should Empire claims 2 Corinthians 12: 'the third heaven' and then say that we fallen out of heaven, then we must reply them back with Acts 20:9,31: 'fallen from the 3rd loft'. (Revelation 8-9,20) Mark you, #iamamonster! Verses 9 and 31! (Revelation 12) Paul delivered his sermon at Ephesus, better known for their strong Empire delusions against us as put well not only in Acts 19 (Jeremiah 7, Isaiah 3) but more so in Revelation 2-3. His sermon there talked about the 'grace of Godhead...more blessed to give', which alludes to Ka Angel and Ka Sykes' names (Acts 20:23,28 and 21:11,13, Revelation 7,20,22,1,6,10, Isaiah 30,34, Jeremiah 30), the 'kingdom of Godhead' which of course punctuates what we had earlier said about us being both Godhead's kingdom and monarchy at the same time, (Revelation 10-12) and Acts 20:19-20,27,33 ordering the opening up of the Central Archives, which is what i say here. Hence we can say that the one true Church of Christ, even of God, referred to in Acts 20:28 is no other than us, because we must remember that when it is said 'Church of the Lord', then it must refer no more to God or to Christ, but to the Holy Spirit (Revelation 1-3, John 3), which is what we are talking here much than Empire does (Hebrews 10, Daniel 6). Why only the Commondominion (1 Corinthians 3) qualifies to be the one true Church of the Godhead? Because Christ said that we must enter the Fold or Flock 'Through Him', being the Door. The apostles further clarified it being held 'by faith' (Romans 5, Acts 11,14, 1 Corinthians 16, 2 Corinthians 2). This is not faith as Empire claims (James 2) but rather faith as it is (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 14, Ezekiel 16-19, John 15, Jonah 4, Proverbs 2, Psalm 32,51)- faith in what we could not see (Hebrews 11) which is the Spirit of the Godhead (1 Peter 4, Revelation 2-3, Luke 24, John 4) imparted to us (2 Corinthians 1) by sole means (Genesis 3, Isaiah 1,37,7-8) of this ministry we have here (Revelation 7,14) which the Empire had already despised (2 Peter 2). We must also notice that Revelation 22 tells us that should we go to heaven, we must enter not only through one door as Empire claims, but through multiple doors as our Ka Reambonanza declares- that is, not through the Empire churches, but rather through our very own churches here (Hosea 2, 1 Peter 2). And then Edward, in honor of the Antiochians who are currently preaching on air about 2 Peter, quoted another key verse 2 Peter 1, which talks so much about us being multi-branched- over 8 virtues were mentioned, yet as Peter himself said here, we should not be stuck in these virtues alone but rather must also cultivate all other virtues mentioned elsewhere in Sacred Scriptures, inasmuch as Empire lists are also dotted with multiple entries (1 Peter 4, 1 Corinthians 5-6, 2 Peter 2, Jude Thaddeus 1, Mark 7) and that they have the '8-out-of-7' clause in Revelation 17. For example, even Romans 5 itself, which we have quoted earlier, talks about a lot of virtues (Joel 3, Psalm 34). In fact, the rendering of 2 Peter 1 used mentions the word 'integrity', which of course alludes to integrating churches and countries here (Ezekiel 17,37). 2 Peter 1:3-4, with all its used multiple referrals, hence not only talk about the necessary double citizenship that Empire slaves and hostages must understand about regarding the Commondominion as much as they regard the Empire (Isaiah 61, Psalm 90, 2 Kings 2,13, John 13,15, 1 Peter 1), but also the necessary (2 Corinthians 1,5) reorganization (Philippians 3) that we here have underwent just this year due to the apostasy of the Diocletianites. This reemergence (I dare to say that we are not reestablished lest we be like big government sugarcoated), the first since our Exodus from the Empire in 2015, implemented the Yokebearer Inclusion Policy. Further 2 Peter 1:3-4 also refers to the Central Administration sharing in the office and authority of the Godhead, and hence us here extending such to everybody else through our opening up of the Central Archives and our divine (Joshua 2, Luke 10) wright for Godhead's continual sending of messengers and constant intimation of new, fresh (Hosea 6, Micah 5, Lamentations 3, 2 Corinthians 2, 2 Chronicles 2) divine and Bible-based revelations past Empire claims. (John 10, James 4, 1 John 4-5, James 2-3). Should Empire claim on this, we must remember that they themselves had expressed disgust for 'any new biblical insight of a higher kind', quoting Colossians 2-3, James 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 as per their 'inclusive equality' agenda (Matthew 4,11). Now could Empire say that Edward the 9th's admissions that he belongs to us and not to this Empire purportedly implies the Empire's ecumenism and 'inclusive equality' agendas against us? No, because over and above all, Edward belongs to us and not to the Empire. In fact, as per Empire claims of Edward the 9th through the Constantinian mascot #edsheeran, we here were called to #divide the Commondominion from the Empire (Luke 10-12,16, Psalm 37,73,49,125, Isaiah 41,43, Philemon 1, Ezekiel 22, Zechariah 14, Isaiah 59, Ephesians 2, Ezekiel 48)- in fact (2 Timothy 2) 2 Peter 1:5 in other renditions denote 'sharing' as 'dividing' (Psalm 66,77,114,136). Why the need for a clear distinction between the Empire's schemes and your Commondominion's virtues? Because Edward mentioned the Empire's policy that (1 Corinthians 15) 'we should no longer strive to be genuine and true worshippers as Christ expects us to be, but rather as mere mediocre worshippers pleasing men.' (Job 7,14) We must recall that we here implement the Double Connotations as our check and balance in this divine election; as 2 Peter 1 told us that we must have self-control and temperance if we are to have the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5, Isaiah 11,42). Hence we prove that we never indeed forget what Godhead did to us (Deuteronomy 10, Amos 8) because we're cautious (Titus 2) not to be ungrateful. To further his #HaydenHopkins point that (1 Timothy 2) those who (Job 40,42,37, Psalm 104,145) need the Empire need the Commondominion over and above all (Matthew 6), Edward said this: 'Love and concern are two entirely different things.' (This is because love has two different words in Tagalog, 'pag-ibig' and 'pagmamahal'. 'Pagmamahal' could be loosely rendered hence as 'concern', which is another word for 'care'.) Also we must recall that Edward tackled from Deuteronomy 6- 'all that Godhead did for you'- as further nod to his Empire superiors with all their #lookwhatyoumademedo #lwymmd #reputation stuff. Yet Edward still admired his Commondominion's check and balance policy when he said this the way we do- 'If the Bible tells us to forget something, It also tells us to remember something. If #ItMovie tells us to remember something, it also tells us to forget something.' And why not he would tell this- Philippians 3, which he also quoted, tells us to 'anticipate what's #thenextstep in the future (Isaiah 65). Here we anticipate apostasy, hence we do everything by Godhead (Jacob 5, 1 Corinthians 15) just to get away from, and not along with, it (Matthew 24, Luke 17,21, Proverbs 16). We don't deny here that apostasy is imminent, in fact the more we deny such could happen to us, the more that it will indeed occur. Just see what Empire is now. Edward rallied the Empire saying that 'Our slaves must be continually fed by recurring, stagnant, luring propaganda, through aimless motherhood statements that condition their emotions, control emotions and hence create sensations and hysterias that mislead them thinking that Godhead is in their midst when it is really not at all, but rather only merely themselves. People must be convinced with our tagline that bygones are bygones [here our Ian Paisley is attacked], and that Godhead would just let all our anti-Commondominion slanders and slaughters then as in now, passed and no more dealt with. All these we must do to hallucinate people and convince them that nothing more exists than us- no Commondominion, no Godhead even, only purely us. ' We hope that Edward the 9th watches what he's talking about, that he's not meaning here what he says, and that he just did all these grudgingly against his will as he had been made to do so in the past (Matthew 10-12, 1 Kings 18, 1 Corinthians 13), but yea, the times of ignorance had passed, and could no longer stand the fact that he allows himself to be further abused on his Godhead-bestowed free goodwill, when in fact Empire had already admitted that the fooled is entitled to his thinking that is much better than what he is fooled with by the one who fools him (Pasugo May-June 1985 2nd English Editorial). And then Edward quoted Revelation 3:3, yet he cut off the 2nd portion of the verse because he could see us glaringly there. Godhead said that They shall (Jeremiah 30, Isaiah 22,28-30,65-66) 'come as a thief' (Revelation 16, 1 Thessalonians 5). Christ already said in John 10 that Empire does the part of a murderous thief but Godhead said that They shall Empower the Commondominion to be adequate to Empire slander (Isaiah 41) through making us look like Empire (Isaiah 53,23, Micah 4, Daniel 7), which is being a #thief, should Empire 'not wake up' from stupor (1 Corinthians 15, Ephesians 5) as the said 5th Church Age letter implies. You can see for yourselves how Empire is still not #wakingupslow yet as of now in their negligence of yokebearers' spiritual and religious needs (Job 4-5, Titus, 2 Peter 1, Acts 24)- hence Godhead empowered us to be sole steward and vanguard of all yokebearers such as #GabrielleAplin, #AnselElgort (Matthew 3,11,17) and #CaraDelevigne- our Ka Elias once said that Edward should have been preaching 'in front of a #mirrormirror' (Deuteronomy 33). 'If you don't wake up...you will never know when We would Come Back', said Godhead. In other Church Age letters of Revelation 2-3 They said similar things like: 'if you don't repent, We'll come and take away your cauldron.' Here is where Godhead acts as the life-giving Thief (Acts 2-3,10,13-14,17), when They (2 Samuel 21, 1 Kings 11-12, 2 Kings 12,17) Tookey divine election away from Empire and has entrusted it instead to us (Galatians 4) due to Empire failing (1 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 13, Psalm 4) to meet Godhead standards listed in Revelation 2-3. Empire never indeed knows what they claim as #signsofthetimes because they scoff us in account of #GodBigDay (1 Peter 2-4, Proverbs), such is what they could do at least because they had denied and hence usurps (Acts 8,13) the sure word of prophecy, then it's taken away from them. (Isaiah 46) These points hence led Edward to #saysomething that I personally had been #thinkingoutloud lately way back then- that the Messenger, Ka Angel's grandfather, had not died of natural causes as we were reared up with in the Empire way back then, but was rather martyred by the Empire. Our Ka Roger said that the Messenger was rather a martyr 'to his own illusions' just like my namesake the national hero (1 Timothy 4), because he refused to anticipate the rise of the Commondominion in 2015 and upon Empire hack, our full Trerise on July 27, 2017 (John 11, Proverbs 4) but rather said that there could be no more church to exist in the endtimes but only the present Empire churches. As for the Messenger himself he thought that he was (2 Kings 20) only battered with disease for his hard work, but some of his peers rather thought that it is because he was reluctant to extend the Commondominion's mission overseas and hence entrusted it instead (1 Chronicles 22,28-29, Isaiah 22,28-29) to his son Ka Erdy, Ka Angel's father. But Edward, Ka Angel's brother, said something (Psalm 89). He admitted that inasmuch as the Messenger thought that (Isaiah 44,14, Ezekiel 28,31, Hebrews 1, Revelation 2-3,22, 1 Timothy 4, Acts 20) there could be no other Godhead church than the Empire, he already planned Edward his grandson to be immediate successor to Ka Erdy, without knowing of course (2 Peter 1, John 7,13-14,16) what Godhead shall do for mankind in 2015 and 2017 (with me) through Ka Angel, who is also Ka Erdy's son and a grandson of the Messenger. Now this is what Empire is over-mis-dis-abusing in their insistence (2 Timothy 2) that Edward and his succession line belongs to us here and not to the Empire. Empire says that inasmuch as the Messenger himself only approved Edward and not Ka Angel to succeed Ka Erdy, then Ka Angel has purportedly no divine election to be Executive Minister, and that purportedly makes Edward only belong to Empire and not to us. You see guys, we recognize Edward as a leader here with all necessary wrights and duties as we do with our other messengers here, but of course not in the way Empire treats him with deceit. So Edward admitted this blatantly (2 Samuel 1-4, Job 31, Matthew 11)- 'Guys, Empire poisoned the Messenger with immune system-weakening viruses (Deuteronomy 28). Had the Messenger lived long enough to 1965, he would be able to give Ka Angel special duties just like what the Messenger did to me in 1962 electing me as successor to my father. But Empire saw to it that the Messenger would no longer live to see Ka Angel's birth, so they killed the Messenger. Empire had me (Zechariah 2, Psalm 17) as their special subject of focus in their plans to overthrow the Church of Christ which the Messenger began out of Commondominion status and into the Empire pit. That's why I got here.' Hence quoting Psalm 119:81-83,114 in closing, Edward talked about the necessity of the Holy Spirit ministry that we in turn do here as per our divine office (Revelation 7) to 'strengthen what is about to die in the churches' moral and spiritual, if not religious and physical life, as written in 2 Peter 1:3-4 and Revelation 3:1-6. Spiritual life entitles that we don’t preach motherhood statements, recur propaganda and assert identity (Genesis 49, Deuteronomy 32-33, Numbers 22-25,31), but rather let Godhead do the talking to our brethren. Churches need moral recovery- picture them as worn-out wineskins burned out in the smoke. They need rejuvenation to be born in the image of Godhead (Mark 2, John 2,16, Galatians 4, 2 Corinthians 11, Romans 8, Revelation 12, Isaiah 22,42,64,24, Philippians 3), through discipline (1 Corinthians 9, Job 5, Psalm 94,119, Hebrews 12) that is Paine-full, which is leading them to address (Lamentations 3), and not lure and woo and fool and misuse, (Leviticus 17-20,24, 1 Timothy 4, Colossians 2, Galatians 4) the holistic needs of yokebearers such as #HaileePayne(Luke 11). Hence we need to turn to the Commondominion to get the Holy Spirit because to be honest, what we say and do here will not mock God to give us His Mighty Power, because He knows very well that we shall only use it for out own ends. For example, when you Baal-raise in music, when you pray pabebe, just as what we do exactly here, that's when Holy Spirit hates to tarry with you, but when you don't just like what they do there over at Commondominion of Christ, then you'll get the Holy Spirit with you. (John 4, Philippians 3, Zephaniah, Luke 24, Acts 1, 1 Thessalonians 5, Colossians 4, 2 Chronicles 2) Perhaps you might be thinking to further lure the Commondominion with our simony just for us to get it, huh?' (2 Kings 20, 1 Corinthians 15-16, Ezekiel 16-19, Proverbs 2, John 15, Philippians 1) In fact we're not only tormented with how Edward's mind is #unsteady with us, but also how this entire Empire too is indeed divided on their loyalty, that we here personally has to see it every day that we have to (Job 19) attend to Empire here in our captivity under Empire premises. Surely this is what Godhead exactly feels like being annoyed, and not allured with what Empire does to them in insult. Surely #myinquirer #nowthis #bbcquestiontime Empire indicts us that we should be purportedly 'learning our lessons and heeding their warnings' but the question indeed is whether they had already learned theirs from us? If so then they should be gone wright now and stop warmongering our governments, even churches, with each other. As for Edward the 9th and the countless souls like him waiting for the glorious liberty of the children of Godhead, I could not muster anything further but my poor, wretched prayer that Godhead may be happy to rescue, redeem and deliver them all out of the destructive hand of this Empire as Godhead already did with our Thai government. May Godhead remember Their Covenant and have the greatest mercy to (Romans 15, 2 Thessalonians 3, Colossians 4, Ephesians 6, Hebrews 4) recover Edward and bring him to my bosom (Psalm 61,27, Luke 15-16) so that he may enjoy me forever and see for himself (Psalm 34,37) how I fully give myself to death just to serve anybody that Godhead entrusts me with (Psalm 18). May Godhead recall me to Edward and his succession line as well as to Lindsey and all other messengers and yokebearers still held under Empire arrest and empower them to rise above all Empire mob and tumult (Psalm 45), to fully deny themselves and to be ensured that in doing so they will get more than they need and deserve for their mercy to remember their most wretched slave in the Godhead- me. I love them very, very much, #mtyek. #theresonlyoneofyou 

JOSEPH STIRLING STEINFELD SYKES (Blogger in Chief and Dance Captain, Commondominion of Christ)

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[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

5th July >> Mass Readings (USA)

Friday, Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

    or 

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal 

    or 

Saint Antony Mary Zaccaria, Priest.

Friday, Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

In his love for Rebekah, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.

The span of Sarah’s life was one hundred and twenty-seven years. She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her. Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites: “Although I am a resident alien among you, sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground, that I may bury my dead wife.”

After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions: “Put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not procure a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live, but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son Isaac.” The servant asked him: “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?” “Never take my son back there for any reason,” Abraham told him. “The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me, ‘I will give this land to your descendants’– he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there. If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath. But never take my son back there!”

A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb. One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field, and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching. Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him, she alighted from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?” “That is my master,” replied the servant. Then she covered herself with her veil.

The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done. Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife. In his love for her, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5

R/ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

Who can tell the mighty deeds of the Lord,

or proclaim all his praises?

R/ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Blessed are they who observe what is right,

who do always what is just.

Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

R/ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Visit me with your saving help,

That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,

rejoice in the joy of your people,

and glory with your inheritance.

R/ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 9:9-13

Those who are well do not need a physician; I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ.

————————-

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

1 John 3:14-18

We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Beloved: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that anyone who is a murderer does not have eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord,

who greatly delights in his commands.

His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;

the upright generation shall be blessed.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Wealth and riches shall be in his house;

his generosity shall endure forever.

Light shines through the darkness for the upright;

he is gracious and merciful and just.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Well for the man who is gracious and lends,

who conducts his affairs with justice;

He shall never be moved;

the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or

R/ Alleluia.

An evil report he shall not fear.

His heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear

till he looks down upon his foes.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Lavishly he gives to the poor,

his generosity shall endure forever;

his horn shall be exalted in glory.

R/ Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or

R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation

John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia.

I give you a new commandment:

love one another as I have loved you.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 25:31-46

Whatever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me.

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

—————————-

Saint Antony Mary Zaccaria, Priest 

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-3

Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved: Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

My child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well. Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or

R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or

R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Blessed the man who follows not

the counsel of the wicked

Nor walks in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the company of the insolent,

But delights in the law of the Lord

and meditates on his law day and night.

R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or

R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or

R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

He is like a tree

planted near running water,

That yields its fruit in due season,

and whose leaves never fade.

Whatever he does, prospers.

R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or

R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or

R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Not so, the wicked, not so;

they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

For the Lord watches over the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked vanishes.

R/ Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

or

R/ Blessed are they who delight in the law of the Lord.

or

R/ The just will flourish like the palm tree in the garden of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

cf. Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;

you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mark 10:13-16

Let the children come to me.

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

31st August >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Saturday, Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time 

    or 

Saint Aidan, Bishop and Missionary, and the saints of Lindisfarne 

    or 

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saturday, Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

You have learnt from God how to love one another

As for loving our brothers, there is no need for anyone to write to you about that, since you have learnt from God yourselves to love one another, and in fact this is what you are doing with all the brothers throughout the whole of Macedonia. However, we do urge you, brothers, to go on making even greater progress and to make a point of living quietly, attending to your own business and earning your living, just as we told you to.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 97(98):1,7-9

R/ The Lord comes to rule the people with fairness.

Sing a new song to the Lord

for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy arm

have brought salvation.

R/ The Lord comes to rule the people with fairness.

Let the sea and all within it, thunder;

the world, and all its peoples.

Let the rivers clap their hands

and the hills ring out their joy

R/ The Lord comes to rule the people with fairness.

at the presence of the Lord: for he comes,

he comes to rule the earth.

He will rule the world with justice

and the peoples with fairness.

R/ The Lord comes to rule the people with fairness.

Gospel Acclamation

Philippians 2:15-16

Alleluia, alleluia!

You will shine in the world like bright stars

because you are offering it the word of life.

Alleluia!

Or:

John 13:34

Alleluia, alleluia!

I give you a new commandment:

love one another just as I have loved you,

says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 25:14-30

You have been faithful in small things: come and join in your master's happiness

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out.

‘The man who had received the five talents promptly went and traded with them and made five more. The man who had received two made two more in the same way. But the man who had received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

‘Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.”

‘His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”

‘Next the man with the two talents came forward. “Sir,” he said “you entrusted me with two talents; here are two more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”

‘Last came forward the man who had the one talent. “Sir,” said he “I had heard you were a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered; so I was afraid, and I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here it is; it was yours, you have it back.” But his master answered him, “You wicked and lazy servant! So you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Well then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have recovered my capital with interest. So now, take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the five talents. For to everyone who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away. As for this good-for-nothing servant, throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

————————————

Saint Aidan, Bishop and Missionary, and the saints of Lindisfarne (Ireland)

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading

Exodus 32:7-14

Moses pleads with the Lord his God to spare Israel

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’

But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, “Ah, it was in treachery that he brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth”? Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.’

So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;

through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.

Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,

that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

I have sworn to David my servant:

I will establish your dynasty for ever

and set up your throne through all ages.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant

and with my holy oil anointed him.

My hand shall always be with him

and my arm shall make him strong.

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him;

by my name his might shall be exalted.

He will say to me: “You are my father,

my God, the rock who saves me.”’

R/ I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia!

You have only one Father, and he is in heaven;

you have only one Teacher, the Christ.

Alleluia!

Or:

Matthew 28:19,20

Alleluia, alleluia!

Go, make disciples of all the nations.

I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 9:35-37

The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

————————————-

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First Reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20

‘The offspring of the woman will crush your head’

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

‘Be accursed beyond all cattle,

all wild beasts.

You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust

every day of your life.

I will make you enemies of each other:

you and the woman,

your offspring and her offspring.

It will crush your head

and you will strike its heel.’

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

1 Samuel 2:1,4-8

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

My heart exults in the Lord.

I find my strength in my God;

my mouth laughs at my enemies

as I rejoice in your saving help.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

The bows of the mighty are broken,

but the weak are clothed with strength.

Those with plenty must labour for bread,

but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has children now

but the fruitful wife bears no more.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

It is the Lord who gives life and death,

he brings men to the grave and back;

it is the Lord who gives poverty and riches.

He brings men low and raises them on high.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

He lifts up the lowly from the dust,

from the dungheap he raises the poor

to set him in the company of princes

to give him a glorious throne.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,

on them he has set the world.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

Gospel Acclamation

cf. Luke 1:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!

Blessed art thou among women.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

The ancestry and conception of Jesus Christ

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother,

Perez was the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram was the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother,

Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,

Obed was the father of Jesse;

and Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Azariah,

Azariah was the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah;

and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.

Then the deportation to Babylon took place.

After the deportation to Babylon:

Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,

Abiud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor was the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud was the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob;

and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;

of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

14th Oct >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

 for

Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

or

Saint Callistus, Pope, Martyr

or

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Joel 4:12-21

The Lord says this:

‘Let the nations rouse themselves, let them march

to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,

for I am going to sit in judgement there

on all the nations round.

Put the sickle in:

the harvest is ripe;

come and tread:

the winepress is full,

the vats are overflowing,

so great is their wickedness!’

Host on host

in the Valley of Decision!

For the day of the Lord is near

in the Valley of Decision!

Sun and moon grow dark,

the stars lose their brilliance.

The Lord roars from Zion,

makes his voice heard from Jerusalem;

heaven and earth tremble.

But the Lord will be a shelter for his people,

a stronghold for the sons of Israel.

‘You will learn then that I am the Lord your God,

dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.

Jerusalem will be a holy place,

no alien will ever pass through it again.’

When that day comes,

the mountains will run with new wine

and the hills flow with milk,

and all the river beds of Judah

will run with water.

A fountain will spring from the house of the Lord

to water the wadi of Acacias.

Egypt will become a desolation,

Edom a desert waste

on account of the violence done to the sons of Judah

whose innocent blood they shed in their country.

But Judah will be inhabited for ever,

Jerusalem from age to age.

‘I will avenge their blood and let none go unpunished’,

and the Lord shall make his home in Zion.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 96(97):1-2,5-6,11-12

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,

   let all the coastlands be glad.

Cloud and darkness are his raiment;

   his throne, justice and right.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

The mountains melt like wax

   before the Lord of all the earth.

The skies proclaim his justice;

   all peoples see his glory.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

Light shines forth for the just

   and joy for the upright of heart.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord;

   give glory to his holy name.

R/ Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him.

Alleluia!

Or

Luke 11:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy are those

who hear the word of God

and keep it.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 11:27-28

As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

— — — —

Saint Callistus, Pope, Martyr

(Liturgical Colour: Red)

First Reading

1 Peter 5:1-4

Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 39(40):2,4,7-11

R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord

   and he stooped down to me;

   he heard my cry.

R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

He put a new song into my mouth,

   praise of our God.

Many shall see and fear

   and shall trust in the Lord.

R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,

   but an open ear.

You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

   Instead, here am I.

R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

In the scroll of the book it stands written

   that I should do your will.

My God, I delight in your law

   in the depth of my heart.

R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed

   in the great assembly.

My lips I have not sealed;

   you know it, O Lord.

R/ Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

Gospel Acclamation

John 15:15

Alleluia, alleluia!

I call you friends, says the Lord,

because I have made known to you

everything I have learnt from my Father.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 22:24-30

I confer a kingdom on you, just as the Father conferred one on me

A dispute arose between the disciples about which should be reckoned the greatest, but Jesus said to them:

   ‘Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!

   ‘You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

— — — —

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

‘Be accursed beyond all cattle,

all wild beasts.

You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust

every day of your life.

I will make you enemies of each other:

you and the woman,

your offspring and her offspring.

It will crush your head

and you will strike its heel.’

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

The Word of the Lord.

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

1 Samuel 2:1,4-8

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

My heart exults in the Lord.

I find my strength in my God;

my mouth laughs at my enemies

as I rejoice in your saving help.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

The bows of the mighty are broken,

but the weak are clothed with strength.

Those with plenty must labour for bread,

but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has children now

but the fruitful wife bears no more.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

It is the Lord who gives life and death,

he brings men to the grave and back;

it is the Lord who gives poverty and riches.

He brings men low and raises them on high.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

He lifts up the lowly from the dust,

from the dungheap he raises the poor

to set him in the company of princes

to give him a glorious throne.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,

on them he has set the world.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

Gospel Acclamation

cf.Luke 1:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!

Blessed art thou among women.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother,

Perez was the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram was the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother,

Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,

Obed was the father of Jesse;

and Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Azariah,

Azariah was the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah;

and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.

Then the deportation to Babylon took place.

After the deportation to Babylon:

Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,

Abiud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor was the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud was the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob;

and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;

of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

20th October >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada):

Saturday, Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

  or 

Saint Hedwig, Religious (Canada)

  or

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin (Canada)

  or

Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa, Martyrs  (Southern Africa)

  or

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saturday, Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green) First Reading

Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul’s prayer for the enlightenment of the faithful

I, having once heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love that you show towards all the saints, have never failed to remember you in my prayers and to thank God for you. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 8:2-7

R/ You gave your Son power over the works of your hand.

How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth!Your majesty is praised above the heavens; on the lips of children and of babes you have found praise to foil your enemy, to silence the foe and the rebel.

R/ You gave your Son power over the works of your hand.

When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you arranged,what is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him?

R/ You gave your Son power over the works of your hand.

Yet you have made him little less than a god; with glory and honour you crowned him,gave him power over the works of your hand, put all things under his feet.

R/ You gave your Son power over the works of your hand. Gospel Acclamation

1 Samuel 3:9, John 6:68

Alleluia, alleluia!

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:you have the message of eternal life.

Alleluia! Or:

John 15:26,27

Alleluia, alleluia!

The Spirit of truth will be my witness;and you too will be my witnesses.

Alleluia! Gospel

Luke 12:8-12

If you declare yourselves for me, I will declare myself for you

Jesus said to his disciples:    ‘I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of the angels. But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God’s angels.    ‘Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.    ‘When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

-----------------------------------------------

Saint Hedwig, Religious (Canada) 

(Liturgical Colour: White) First Reading

Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4,13-16

A perfect wife is the joy of her husband Happy the husband of a really good wife;    the number of her days will be doubled.A perfect wife is the joy of her husband,    he will live out his years in peace.A good wife is the best of portions,    reserved for those who fear the Lord:rich or poor, they will be glad of heart,    cheerful of face, whatever the season.The grace of a wife will charm her husband,    her accomplishments will make him the stronger.A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,    no price can be put on a well-trained character.A modest wife is a boon twice over,    a chaste character cannot be weighed on scales.Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord    is the beauty of a good wife in a well-kept house. The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 127(128):1-5

R/ O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!By the labour of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper.

R/ O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house;your children like shoots of the olive, around your table.

R/ O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life!

R/ O blessed are those who fear the Lord. Gospel Acclamation

John 8:31-32

Alleluia, alleluia!

If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples,and you will learn the truth, says the Lord.

Alleluia! Gospel 

Mark 3:31-35

Who are my mother and my brothers? Those that do the will of God

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

---------------------------------------------

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin (Canada)

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First Reading

Ephesians 3:14-19

May Christ live in your hearts through faith

I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:    Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 22(23):1-3a,4-6

R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.

R/ The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.

Alleluia! Gospel

Matthew 11:25-30

You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children

Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.    ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

-------------------------------

Blessed Daudi Okelo and Jildo Irwa, Martyrs  (Southern Africa)

(Liturgical Colour: Red) First Reading

2 Chronicles 24:18-22

'You have deserted the Lord: now he deserts you'

The Judaeans abandoned the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, for the worship of sacred poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. He sent them prophets to bring them back to the Lord, but when these gave their message, they would not listen. The spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said, ‘God says this, “Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord to no good purpose? You have deserted the Lord, now he deserts you.”’ They then plotted against him and by order of the king stoned him in the court of the Temple of the Lord. King Joash, forgetful of the kindness that Jehoiada, the father of Zechariah, had shown him, killed Jehoiada’s son who cried out as he died, ‘The Lord sees and he will avenge!’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,16-17

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me,for you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord.As for me, I trust in the Lord: let me be glad and rejoice in your love.

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your love.

R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 5:10

Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 10:17-22

The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.    ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

--------------------------------

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Liturgical Colour: White)

First Reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20

‘The offspring of the woman will crush your head’

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

‘Be accursed beyond all cattle,

all wild beasts.

You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust

every day of your life.

I will make you enemies of each other:

you and the woman,

your offspring and her offspring.

It will crush your head

and you will strike its heel.’

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

1 Samuel 2:1,4-8

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

My heart exults in the Lord.

I find my strength in my God;

my mouth laughs at my enemies

as I rejoice in your saving help.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

The bows of the mighty are broken,

but the weak are clothed with strength.

Those with plenty must labour for bread,

but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has children now

but the fruitful wife bears no more.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

It is the Lord who gives life and death,

he brings men to the grave and back;

it is the Lord who gives poverty and riches.

He brings men low and raises them on high.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

He lifts up the lowly from the dust,

from the dungheap he raises the poor

to set him in the company of princes

to give him a glorious throne.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,

on them he has set the world.

R/ My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

Gospel Acclamation

cf. Luke 1:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!

Blessed art thou among women.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

The ancestry and conception of Jesus Christ

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother,

Perez was the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram was the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother,

Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,

Obed was the father of Jesse;

and Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Azariah,

Azariah was the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah;

and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.

Then the deportation to Babylon took place.

After the deportation to Babylon:

Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,

Abiud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor was the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud was the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob;

and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;

of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.