#the train of his robe filled the temple with glory

[semperreformanda]

the God I serve is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who is enthroned in the heavens, who is so glorious that the train of His robe fills the temple; who laughs at His enemies and makes them a footstool for His feet; who is sovereign over every single thing on His earth (His earth!); and the majesty of the heavens declare His glory (His glory!) and yet what do I do?? be anxious about silly things that He already promised me He will provide me with? GIRL be so for real

[strangeshoepatrolbandit-alt]

Saudade.

Warnings: Being a hostage, waking up after being unconscious, swimming(in a lake), mentions of asphyxiation, mentions of mechanical limbs, mentions of being a killer.

Body Description: Hair that is usually pinned and tied back(past tense).

Part three.

Series Masterlist.

~☆~

He speaks to you when you sleep. He's been doing it since he died

It's not that he visits you from the afterlife, no, he visits you in memories that feel a little too real.

This time, you're eighteen years old, a small braid still behind your ear. You're two Padawans, swimming in a Naboo lake, laughing as he holds your waist, lifting you and throwing you further into the water.

You were clad in garments that Queen Padmé Amidala had graciously given the both of you, seeing as neither of you had swimming attire appropriate for just going out and having fun.

His hair was chopped short, and he had a matching braid behind his right ear. He had not lost his arm to Count Dooku, nor did he have his iconic scar that went from his right eyebrow down to his cheekbone.

The memory isn't tainted by the other memories you'd have later in life, you're oblivious in this dream. It's just you re-living your time as a Padawan.

Your robes and lightsabers are up on the land, under a tree. Anakin swims the small distance over to where he threw you, a big grin deepening his smile lines. Your own smile mirrored his own. The two of you were happy, not having to bend to the Jedi rules while you're out swimming in some clear water. A break.

Peace.

Tranquility.

You're jolted awake by a beeping sound, so your eyes snap open. You're back in your private chambers, no longer out on the rocky terrain of Mustafar like you last remember. Did Vader take you back himself? Did he get a stormtrooper or a Droid to retrieve you?

You sit up and pat your body, seeing if anything has been done to it. Everything is normal. You're even still in the clothes you dressed yourself in.

The beeping sound coming from your door finally stopped, only for the sound of compressed air to momentarily replace it. A stormtrooper takes a step in. You think its the same one who has been delivering your food, but it's hard to tell, considering the fact that they all look the same.

"Lord Vader has requested that you change your attire and join him in the dining room." The Stormtrooper stands straight, permanently at attention.

"Tell Lord Vader that I have no interest in his... request." That was no request from him. It was a demand.

The Stormtrooper stands still, staring. For a second, you think he is going to drag you out of the room, but he just leaves. The metal door closes behind him, locking automatically, making you sigh and flop back on your bed.

You turn your head to the side, staring at the gray sheets. Your hand reaches up, and you rub the fabric between two of your fingers. Your sheets back at the Jedi Temple were almost the exact same shade of gray. The sheets you grew up sleeping with curled up in a ball on most nights after an intense training session with your old Master.

A sense of loss fills you...

You've lost everything.

Your home, your rank, your friends, your freedom... You've lost it all.

You don't feel that for long, because a feeling of dread replaces it. He's close. You can feel the dark presence of him. He is angry. He is frustrated.

Your answer was a mistake. You should have just done what you were told.

Mechanical doors open, and the air lock breaks yet again. In all of his terrifying 6'8 glory, Darth Vader stands.

In this moment, you realize that the lenses on his helmet are red, not black like the rest of his attire. It's silly, really... noticing something so small when you could possibly die in this moment.

Would he do the signature move you hear stories of? Use the force to wrap an invisible hand around your throat, crushing your trachea, cutting off the part that makes oxygen go to your lungs, leaving you dead by asphyxiation?

"You were told to join me!" His modulated voice raises, making you blink a few times as you stare up at him with wide eyes. This is it. "Why can't you do what you are told?"

The spit that had collected under your tongue was now going down your throat thickly, making you feel like you swallowed a stone. "I do not obey your kind." You fix your posture in a second, speaking in a strong voice to try and hide whatever you feel.

Darth Vader stares back at you for a second, only the sounds of his modulated breath escaping him.

"My kind?" He speaks right before a dark and deep chuckle can be heard. "A Sith? An Emperor? The most powerful being in the galaxy? A killer? Do explain, Y/N."

You ball up your fists as you swallow again. "A tyrant. A Sith. A killer without cause. Call it what you will."

His steps were loud against the metal floor as he approached you, standing right in front of you. His large hand grabs your face with slight force, but not roughly. You've heard whispers about how he is just a machine. That his hands are just made of wires, screws, and the metal that holds it together. You don't know if you believe that because whatever he's holding you with is not as hard as metal. You can feel it under his leather gloves.

"We are one of the same." He tells you. "The sooner you see that, the sooner I can get what I want."

"We are not the same!" You yell stupidly. Who would yell at the most powerful Sith that is known for killing without remorse?

He's silent again, just staring down at you.

"Wear the wine colored dress. I'll be waiting."

~☆~

Taglist: @songbirdcannabe @sonnensplitter @divxnee @anakinslvt @sweetcheesecakesblog @artemissunn @valsarchives @bunnylovesani @luvvfromme @sterredem @mariamyousef702 @icantkickthefangirladdiction @bunnylovesani

[sundaypenacony]

HSR LEAKS SUNDAY

OKAY WE'RE SO BACKKK SO BACK OH MY GODDD

They put his old halo design as a pattern on the back of his coat :D

Also he now officially has 6 wings , 2 on his head and 4 on his back ;; I am so happy

Also on his clothes he has 12 eyes + 2 of his actual eyes (There might also be eyes on his rings but I cannot tell due the quality of the picture sadly ;;

Once again I am Atheist, I get this knowledge from things I was taught but this may not be completely correct so feel free to correct me :)

When drawing biblically accurate angels they usually give them a lot of eyes. But, it isn't specifically mentioned for Seraphims:

Isaiah 6:1-8 MSG

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Master sitting on a throne—high, exalted!—and the train of his robes filled the Temple. Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew. And they called back and forth one to the other, Holy, Holy, Holy is GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies. His bright glory fills the whole earth. The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke. I said, “Doom! It’s Doomsday! I’m as good as dead! Every word I’ve ever spoken is tainted— blasphemous even! And the people I live with talk the same way, using words that corrupt and desecrate. And here I’ve looked God in the face! The King! GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!” Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with the coal and said, “Look. This coal has touched your lips. Gone your guilt, your sins wiped out.” And then I heard the voice of the Master: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” I spoke up, “I’ll go. Send me!”

I think, when people refer to the angel with a lot of eyes they refer to Ezekiel 1. Ezekiel 1 is the first chapter of the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book, and it contains visions and prophecies from the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest and a captive in Babylon. In here he described something called the Ophanim (AKA auphanim, ofanim or galgalim). The ophanim refer to the wheels seen in Ezekiel's vision of the chariot in Ezekiel 1:15-21. One of the Dead Sea scrolls construes them as angels but in the Book of Enoch they are a class of celestial beings who along with the Cherubim and Serpahim never sleep and guard the throne of God. In Christian angelology, they are one of the choirs of angels, and are also called Thrones (Wikipedia contributors, 2023).

These "wheels" have been associated with Daniel 7:9 (mentioned as galgal, traditionally "the wheels of galgallin", in "fiery flame" and "burning fire") of the four, eye-covered wheels (each composed of two nested wheels), that move next to the winged Cherubim, beneath the throne of God. The four wheels move with the Cherubim because the spirit of the Cherubim is in them. The late Second Book of Enoch (20:1, 21:1) also referred to them as the "many-eyed ones". - Wikipedia

Nowadays the many eyes also get put into many other designs that have anything celestial / angel-like which is honestly so cool :') I love it.

Sources:

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, 28 november). Ophanim. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophanim

[marysittingathisfeet]

Don’t Drink, Smoke, Or Chew, Or Go Out With Those Who Do

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.- Hebrews 12:14

The verse above tells us that without holiness we will not see God. So what is holiness and how do we get it?

Remember that old saying parents told their sons; “Don’t drink, smoke, or chew or date girls who do.” The idea of holiness involved outward actions and appearances. You had to avoid short skirts, low shirts. Woman were not supposed to wear pants, makeup had to minimal if not at all, and tattoos were a definite No. Avoiding certain activities was also encouraged. No dancing, no going to the movies, and no gambling for example. Many rules, but is this what makes us holy? That is what the Pharisees thought. They thought that all the rules they meticulously followed made them righteous.  

Jesus tells this parable in Luke – “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’”- Luke 18: 9-12

Following outward rules for holiness made the Pharisees self-righteous. Yet Jesus called them whitewashed tombs. OUCH!

What is holiness? Holiness means to be set apart or separate.

Holiness is an attribute of God. God is separate from everything that is NOT God, thus God by His very nature is holy.

 Samuel 2:2 “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you;       there is no rock like our God.” 

Thus, for there is none besides you states that there is no absolutely holy being besides the Lord; moreover, only the Lord is God.

Isaiah 6:1–5-In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

God is holy because He is separate from anything that is not holy; anything that is not God himself. Not only is God Holy by His very nature. He is also holy because he His separate from His creation. The earth is not holy even though God created all. Perhaps this is because of the fall of man when sin was brought into God’s creation. When Satan became prince of this world.

Evil is the absence of good just as darkness is the absence of light. (Jesus is the light in the darkness) Add even a match flame and the darkness is dispelled. The presence of God dispels the darkness. This is why when Moses faced the burning bush God told him to remove his shoes because Moses was standing on holy ground.

Exodus 3:5-8 says, "Don't come any closer. Take off your sandals—the ground where you are standing is holy. I am the God who was worshiped by your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob". 

The ground becomes holy because God, the essence of holiness, is present. What made the Holy of Holies holy? - it was the presence of God who resided above the ark.

Chronicles 13:6 David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name.

So only certain places on earth are holy. Sin separates us from God’s holiness.

Romans 3:23- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God-

So how can we attain holiness if we are not sinless, and it cannot be earned? Holiness, like God’s grace, is a gift that God can share with mankind. Gift means a thing given willingly to someone without payment. Thus God freely gives it so we can freely receive it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast"

So do we hold no responsibility in being holy?  No.

1 Peter 1:14–16: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

We must resist the temptations of our flesh while we walk this earth. By resisting sin, we are obeying God’s command that we be holy as He is holy. Will we fail at times? Of course, but it is our heart’s desire to be like God that God honors.

Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

So as God changes us, sets us free from sin, holiness radiates from within us and changes us outwardly. Like a light shining through a hand carved lantern, God’s light shines through. So keep your eyes on God. The rest will follow.

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of Saturday, July 13, 2024

Reading 1

IS 6:1-8

In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they hovered aloft. They cried one to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it and said, “See, now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” 

Responsorial Psalm

PS 93:1AB, 1CD-2, 5

R./ The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

The LORD is king, in splendor robed; robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R./ The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

And he has made the world firm,  not to be moved. Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O LORD. R./ The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O LORD, for length of days. R./ The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Gospel

MT 10:24-33

Jesus said to his Apostles:  “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

[ongolecharles]

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Sat July 13th, 2024 ... Saturday of The Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B

Reading 1

---------

Is 6:1-8

In the year King Uzziah died,

I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne,

with the train of his garment filling the temple.

Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings:

with two they veiled their faces,

with two they veiled their feet,

and with two they hovered aloft.

They cried one to the other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!

All the earth is filled with his glory!”

At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook

and the house was filled with smoke.

Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed!

For I am a man of unclean lips,

living among a people of unclean lips;

yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me,

holding an ember that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

He touched my mouth with it and said,

“See, now that this has touched your lips,

your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,

“Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?”

“Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

Responsorial Psalm

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

Ps 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

R. (1a) The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

The LORD is king, in splendor robed;

robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

And he has made the world firm,

not to be moved.

Your throne stands firm from of old;

from everlasting you are, O LORD.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:

holiness befits your house,

O LORD, for length of days.

R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

Alleluia

--------

1 Pt 4:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you,

for the Spirit of God rests upon you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

---------

Mt 10:24-33

Jesus said to his Apostles:

“No disciple is above his teacher,

no slave above his master.

It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,

for the slave that he become like his master.

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,

how much more those of his household!

“Therefore do not be afraid of them.

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

nor secret that will not be known.

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;

what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;

rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy

both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reading this text, I wonder what the disciples did following their missioning and Jesus’ departure to teach others (Mt 11:1).  I imagine them talking about what they heard and how they felt.  What follows is one possibility.     

Gathering around the table, the disciples ponder the meaning of their commissioning.  Matthew broke the silence.  I do not know what to think about our commissioning.  Sheep sent into the midst of wolves, both shrewd and simple (Mt.10:16).  How is that even possible?  Jesus tells us not to be afraid, but I am unsure I am ready.  Thomas reminds the group that Jesus called each of them.  I, too, have doubts, but I trust Jesus knows what he is doing.  Judas replied in a somewhat cynical tone, The twelve of us are only going up against the Roman army and the temple priests.  What is there to worry about?  Thaddeus responds we are to become like our Master.  Although the work might be difficult, like Jesus, we should not be afraid of anyone (Mt10:26).  Simon the Cananean joins the conversation.  You surely remember the Sermon on the Mount and his other teachings.  He wants everyone to hear the message of salvation.  We must do this if we are his workers in the vineyard (Mt. 9:37-38).  The conversation continues late into the night.  The disciples share more questions, words of encouragement, and fears.  Peter, known for his take-charge attitude, remains uncharacteristically silent. 

As the oil lamps dim and the conversation slows, Peter speaks up.  My friends, do I need to remind you who we are following?  The Messiah.  The One promised by the prophets.  Andrew and I left our father to follow him, as did you, James, and John.  Matthew, you left behind financial security, fine clothes, and a beautiful house.  We all made sacrifices because we know we have found the One to free our people – perhaps free the whole world.  I hear your questions and uncertainty about our ability to do his work.  We have seen Jesus cast out demons, heal the sick, teach, and stand firm against anyone who uses the law to oppress the poor.  We will never be greater than him, but it is enough that we become like him (Mt 10:24).  He has assured us we only need to fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna (Mt 10:28), but we can put aside that fear if commit to serving God.  It is getting late.  We can talk more about this tomorrow.  For now, I leave you with one more question for your reflection.    

If we are true believers, even if we have doubts and fears, how can we not accept the gift of this commission and everything else that comes with following Him? 

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for

the Spirit of God rests upon you.  (1Pt 4:14).

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint Henry II

A.D. 973–1024

The Story of St Henry II

“My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) 

This is one of Jesus’ teachings that is so easy to forget in an overly politicized culture.

It would be relatively easy to follow if we could abandon the politics of this world altogether. We cannot. For the Gospel places demands upon us to participate in public life. It requires us to engage as citizens. 

We are not called to embrace heaven and reject earth; we are called to embrace both. That takes incredible courage and wisdom, especially if you’re a leader looking to make real-world change. 

Saint Henry II is one leader who had that courage and wisdom.

Henry II was emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the royal leader of the Christian world. Unlike previous emperors, Henry showed his unwavering support of the papacy, recognizing the pope as the spiritual leader of Christianity. 

Also unlike his predecessors, Henry showed no special favor to the nobles of the empire—they had to abide by Church teachings just like everybody else. That caused a lot of problems. 

Duke after duke rebelled against Henry. It is actually difficult to list the number of nobles who rebelled against him, and the battles that ensued. But somehow Henry prevailed and remained emperor, probably due in large part to the loving support of his wife Saint Cunigunde.

Towards the end of his life, Henry seriously considered resigning from his office as emperor to become a monk. But he knew that Jesus called him not to forsake the world, but to do everything in his power to improve it. He fulfilled his earthly duties and reigned over a prospering kingdom until his death in 1024.

It is so easy and tempting to focus on worldly politics and neglect the non-political realities of eternity. It is so easy to get so caught up in political engagement that we neglect our spiritual needs and responsibilities. And if the reason we give ourselves for our political involvements and obsessions are themselves religious, it is easy to find ourselves justifying our neglect of the spiritual life, or indeed confusing political engagement with spiritual engagement. All the time Jesus keeps reminding us that His Kingdom is not of this world.

Don’t forget about heaven or earth. Embrace them both.

***

【Build your Faith in Christ Jesus on #dailyscripturereadingsgroup 📚: +256 751 540 524 .. Whatsapp】

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

13th July >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

or

Saint Henry 

or

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II).

First Reading Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah's lips cleansed with a burning coal.

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings: two to cover its face, two to cover its feet, and two for flying. And they cried out to one another in this way,

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’

The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:

‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said:

‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:

‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’

I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 92(93):1-2,5

R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power.

R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old. From all eternity, O Lord, you are.

R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord, until the end of time.

R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.

Gospel Acclamation 1 John 2:5

Alleluia, alleluia! Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. Alleluia!

Or: 1 Peter 4:14

Alleluia, alleluia! It is a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the name of Christ, for the Spirit of God rests on you. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 10:24-33 Everything now hidden will be made clear.

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. It is enough for the disciple that he should grow to be like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household? ‘Do not be afraid of them therefore. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Henry 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(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 Micah 6:6-8 The Lord asks only this: to act justly, to love tenderly, to walk humbly.

‘With what gift shall I come into the Lord’s presence and bow down before God on high? Shall I come with holocausts, with calves one year old? Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand, with libations of oil in torrents? Must I give my first-born for what I have done wrong, the fruit of my body for my own sin?’

– What is good has been explained to you, man; this is what the Lord asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 1:1-4,6

R/ His delight is the law of the Lord. or R/ Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or R/ The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night.

R/ His delight is the law of the Lord. or R/ Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or R/ The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that he does shall prosper.

R/ His delight is the law of the Lord. or R/ Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or R/ The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

Not so are the wicked, not so! For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind: for the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

R/ His delight is the law of the Lord. or R/ Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. or R/ The just will flourish like the palm-tree in the courts of our God.

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!

Gospel Matthew 7:21-27 The wise man built his house on a rock.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘It is not those who say to me, “Lord, Lord,” who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?” Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men! ‘Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(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)

Either

First Reading Genesis 3:9-15,20 The mother of all those who live.

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.

OR: --------

First reading Genesis 12:1-7 All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you

The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.

‘I will bless those who bless you: I will curse those who slight you. All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.’

So Abram went as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had amassed and the people they had acquired in Haran. They set off for the land of Canaan, and arrived there. Abram passed through the land as far as Shechem’s holy place, the Oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘It is to your descendants that I will give this land.’ So Abram built there an altar for the Lord who had appeared to him.

OR: --------

First reading 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-11,16 The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House

Once David had settled into his house and the Lord had given him rest from all the enemies surrounding him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, ‘Look, I am living in a house of cedar while the ark of God dwells in a tent.’ Nathan said to the king, ‘Go and do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.’ But that very night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: ‘Go and tell my servant David, “Thus the Lord speaks: Are you the man to build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader of my people Israel; I have been with you on all your expeditions; I have cut off all your enemies before you. I will give you fame as great as the fame of the greatest on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel; I will plant them there and they shall dwell in that place and never be disturbed again; nor shall the wicked continue to oppress them as they did, in the days when I appointed judges over my people Israel; I will give them rest from all their enemies. The Lord will make you great; the Lord will make you a House. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’

OR: --------

First reading 1 Chronicles 15:3-4,15-16,16:1-2 They brought in the ark of God and put it inside the tent that David had pitched for it

David gathered all Israel together to bring the ark of God up to the place he had prepared for it. David called together the sons of Aaron and the sons of Levi. And the Levites carried the ark of God with the shafts on their shoulders, as Moses had ordered in accordance with the word of the Lord. David then told the heads of the Levites to assign duties for their kinsmen as cantors, with their various instruments of music, harps and lyres and cymbals, to play joyful tunes. They brought the ark of God in and put it inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and they offered holocausts before God, and communion sacrifices. And when David had finished offering holocausts and communion sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

OR: --------

First reading Proverbs 8:22-31 Before the earth came into being, Wisdom was born

The Wisdom of God cries aloud:

The Lord created me when his purpose first unfolded, before the oldest of his works. From everlasting I was firmly set, from the beginning, before earth came into being. The deep was not, when I was born, there were no springs to gush with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I came to birth; before he made the earth, the countryside, or the first grains of the world’s dust. When he fixed the heavens firm, I was there, when he drew a ring on the surface of the deep, when he thickened the clouds above, when he fixed fast the springs of the deep, when he assigned the sea its boundaries – and the waters will not invade the shore – when he laid down the foundations of the earth, I was by his side, a master craftsman, delighting him day after day, ever at play in his presence, at play everywhere in his world, delighting to be with the sons of men.

OR: --------

First reading Ecclesiasticus 24:1-4,8-12,18-21 From eternity, in the beginning, God created wisdom

Wisdom speaks her own praises, in the midst of her people she glories in herself. She opens her mouth in the assembly of the Most High, she glories in herself in the presence of the Mighty One: ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and I covered the earth like a mist. I had my tent in the heights, and my throne in a pillar of cloud. Then the creator of all things instructed me, and he who created me fixed a place for my tent. He said, “Pitch your tent in Jacob, make Israel your inheritance.” From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall remain. I ministered before him in the holy tabernacle, and thus was I established on Zion. In the beloved city he has given me rest, and in Jerusalem I wield my authority. I have taken root in a privileged people, in the Lord’s property, in his inheritance. Approach me, you who desire me, and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honeycomb. They who eat me will hunger for more, they who drink me will thirst for more. Whoever listens to me will never have to blush, whoever acts as I dictate will never sin.’

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10 The maiden is with child

The Lord spoke to Ahaz and said, ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign for yourself coming either from the depths of Sheol or from the heights above.’ ‘No,’ Ahaz answered ‘I will not put the Lord to the test.’ Then Isaiah said:

‘Listen now, House of David: are you not satisfied with trying the patience of men without trying the patience of my God, too? The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign. It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel, a name which means “God-is-with-us.”’

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 9:1-6 A Son is given to us

The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.

For the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian.

For all the footgear of battle, every cloak rolled in blood, is burnt, and consumed by fire.

For there is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 61:9-11 I exult for joy in the Lord

Their race will be famous throughout the nations, their descendants throughout the peoples. All who see them will admit that they are a race whom the Lord has blessed.

‘I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in the cloak of integrity, like a bridegroom wearing his wreath, like a bride adorned in her jewels.

‘For as the earth makes fresh things grow, as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord make both integrity and praise spring up in the sight of the nations.’

OR: --------

First reading Micah 5:1-4 He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord

The Lord says this:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel; his origin goes back to the distant past, to the days of old. The Lord is therefore going to abandon them till the time when she who is to give birth gives birth. Then the remnant of his brothers will come back to the sons of Israel. He will stand and feed his flock with the power of the Lord, with the majesty of the name of his God. They will live secure, for from then on he will extend his power to the ends of the land. He himself will be peace.

OR: --------

First reading Zechariah 2:14-17 'I am coming', says the Lord

Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion; for I am coming to dwell in the middle of you – it is the Lord who speaks. Many nations will join the Lord, on that day; they will become his people. But he will remain among you, and you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you. But the Lord will hold Judah as his portion in the Holy Land, and again make Jerusalem his very own. Let all mankind be silent before the Lord! For he is awaking and is coming from his holy dwelling.

Responsorial Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1,4-8

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.

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.

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.

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.

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

Gospel Acclamation cf.Lk1:28

Alleluia, alleluia! Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women. Alleluia!

Or: cf.Lk1:45

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled. Alleluia!

Or: cf.Lk2:19

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who treasured the word of God and pondered it in her heart. Alleluia!

Or: Lk11:28

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it. Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, for the sun of justice, Christ our God, was born of you. Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy is the Virgin Mary, who, without dying, won the palm of martyrdom beneath the cross of the Lord. 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.

[wolint]

HOLINESS, THE ESSENCE OF GOD!

HOLINESS, THE ESSENCE OF GOD

1 Peter 1:15

 

Essence is the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character. Holiness is the intrinsic nature of God; the indispensable quality that determines God’s character. His total being. Holiness can evoke both reverence and unease.

God’s character never changes according to James 1:17, because God is completely perfect and holy. God’s holiness refers to an unparalleled majesty and He’s incomparably blameless, faultless, unblemished moral purity. Holy also refers to something or someone that has been separated from the common or set aside for God’s use.

Holiness is the essence of God! Hebrews 7:26 declares that Christ is the kind of high priest we need because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honour in heaven. Christ is completely holy because he is completely free from sin. God is separate from sin and evil. He is perfect and has no sin in Him.

We, as Christ followers, must therefore be holy to serve a holy God. Holiness is the chief attribute of God and a quality to be developed in His followers. Holiness and the adjective holy occur many times in the Bible.

Isaiah 6:1-5 puts God’s holiness in perspective, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’”

There is no human on the surface of the earth that can fit this mould. None! Only God is the Holy of holies.

Yet, it’s one aspect of God that the church does not promote. They seem to go as far from holiness as they can but Hebrews 12:14 says we can’t see God without holiness - no wonder there’s so much immorality and impurity in Christendom today. Holiness should be part of the faithful endurance that is encouraged throughout Christianity.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-16 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 should always remind us that we deal with a God so pure that not even our “spirituality” and “religiosity” can please Him. The church of God has gone far from holiness to extreme vulgarity, blasphemy, immorality and heresy - so far from the Holy God they are meant to represent. God is dazzling and glorious in His absolute purity. His holiness is so glorious it fills heaven and is reflected in nature on earth as stated in Isaiah 63:13 and can’t be compared to what is offered today in churches as acceptable holiness.

Holiness is God’s essence; we cannot separate Him from it much as we try, and that holiness should caution us about what we accept and practice from the contemporary church growth movement going on today. The appropriate response to the holiness of God is reverential fear (reverence), and the outworking of that fear is obedience. Holiness and the fear it should produce in our hearts, would and should lead us to reverence God’s sovereignty and majesty. The fear of the Lord is the result of understanding God’s holiness. Fear is the beginning of knowledge according to Proverbs 1:7, which causes us to hate and to avoid evil according to Proverbs 8:13, and 16:6.

Be holy, just as your Father is holy! All who believe in Jesus Christ are made holy by the holy God.

PRAYER: Holy God, help me to walk in holiness and allow your holiness to govern my thinking and self-esteem in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT. PRAYER MIN.

[graciousheaven]

Man’s chief purpose in life

     There is an undue confusion in the world today about the purpose of our existence. But the God who made the heavens and their host, the earth and all its inhabitants, and who also sustains all that exists, is not a God of confusion. For, not only has God plainly revealed Himself to us, but He has also distinctively made known to us all that we ought to know, that we may do all that we ought to do and abstain from that which ought not to be done. God did not leave us in a vacuum, with the expectation that we would somehow sort things out on our own. Even the very purpose of our existence, God has made it known to us. The Holy Scriptures clearly express that all things in heaven and on earth exist for the glory of God, to “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name” (1 Chronicles 16:29a). In other words, glorifying God is the ultimate purpose for which the host of heaven, the creation itself and all the inhabitants of the earth exist. And glorifying God, as defined by John Piper, means, ‘Feeling and thinking and acting in ways that reflect His greatness, that make much of God, that give evidence of the supreme greatness of all His attributes and the all-satisfying beauty of His manifold perfections.’ 

     The Apostle John’s vision in Revelation 4 gives us a glimpse of the heavenly host ascribing glory and honour to God. John was in the Spirit when he was taken to the throne room of heaven, where he saw the Lord God Almighty sitting on the throne. “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads” (v.4). V.6b, “On each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind.” V.8-11, “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”

     Human existence is not a cosmic accident as some suppose, nor is it devoid of purpose. We were made by God for the glory of God. We do not exist for ourselves but for God our Creator. The Bible not only clearly tells us that all things, man being no exception, are created by God for His own glory, but it also bears witness that the universe is a glorious display of the Majestic Glory (God). “In the year of King Uzziah’s death [Isaiah] saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:1-3). 

     These words spoken by God’s angelic ministers are a testimony that all things on earth are a glorious display of the beauty and excellencies of God. By His spoken Word, God brought into existence all creatures and assigned to each one usefulness, and to all a purpose: to glorify their Maker – each according to the ability He has given them – and to rejoice in Him alone. In other words, as creatures of God, the purpose of our lives is to glorify God and glory in Him – He is the object of our worship and the object of our joy. We are here on earth to exalt God, to display His beauty, and to delight in His person and works. The key verses that substantiate the affirmation that we exist for the glory of God are from Isaiah 43:6b-7, where God says: “Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.” 

     We, the inhabitants of the earth, and everything else on earth exist for the glory of God, to declare His praise (v.21) and to rejoice in Him and His works – just like the angels in heaven give glory and honor to the Lord and rejoice in Him. Thus 1 Chronicles 16:28-34 enjoins the whole universe, “Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy  before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” 

     Nothing and no one in all creation should exalt themselves before God, not even the angels of heaven. For the Lord alone is God, and all glory belongs to Him. Nehemiah 9:6 says of the Lord, “You are the LORD, You alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships You.” 

     The angels not only worship God, but they also glory in His work of creation – when the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, He asked Job in Job 38:4-7, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you know understanding, who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” And apart from praising the power and wisdom of God revealed in the things He has made, the angels of the LORD also glory in His work of redemption – the Lord Jesus says in Luke 15:10, “I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

     We ourselves, like the angels, exist to ascribe glory to God – the same is true of the creation. Psalms 19:1-6 reads “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” 

     The manifold of God’s works reveals to us who God is. Through the infinite vastness and the beauty and diversity of the creation, God reveals to us His infinite wisdom, beauty, power, goodness, uniqueness, greatness and transcendent majesty. Moreover, God has revealed Himself to us in a very special way through His incarnate Son Jesus Christ, “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), so that we may know Him more and greatly glory in Him. “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross” (v.19-20).     

As God’s creatures, in all things we must give glory to Him alone. That is to say, all our thoughts and actions and all the words of our mouths must always be a reflection of God’s perfection of beauty and goodness, and God must always be the only object of our worship and joy. For we exist for the glory of God and to glory in Him alone. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” Let us therefore earnestly pursue the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ and glory in Him alone, for to this we have been called. And may the Lord grant us His grace.

[coptorthodox]

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6:1-3

[the-drokainian]

‭Isaiah‬ ‭6:1‭-‬5‬ ‭NIV‬

[1] In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. [2] Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. [3] And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” [4] At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. [5] “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

[jfarvin]

Isaiah 6:1-6 1It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!

The whole earth is filled with his glory!”4Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.5Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”6Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”

Just when you think it's all over, and doom and gloom try to overtake you. Remember, you were atoned for and it cost God, His Son Jesus. Look up,  and declare He is Holy.  Worship Him and give Him thanks. Thank You, God, we lift up the name of Jesus and this temple, my temple is filled with Your Spirit and I cry Holy, Holy, Holy are You Lord!

jfa

[faithsnippets]

Isaiah 6:1-8 NIV - Isaiah had this wonderful experience of God,

“I SAW”: Deeper Comprehension and Contemplation

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“I CRIED”: Deeper Confession and Compassion

““Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“I HEARD”: Deeper Challenge and Call

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

In order to hear God speak, we need to tune our ears (and heart) to Him.

“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭50‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“I SAID”: Deeper Commitment and Consecration

Behold who you are worshipping;

In the light of his glory, what do you see about yourself; and

The more we recognise our bankruptcy, our frailty and our sinfulness, the more we will lean upon God.

I want to see you, Lord.

I want to hear you, Lord.

I want to commit to you, Lord.

[foresightofthelakes]

"Shout on, pray on, we’re gaining ground; Glory Hallelujah! The dead’s alive, and the lost is found; Glory Hallelujah! He lives to bless me with His love; Glory Hallelujah! He lives to plead my cause above; Glory Hallelujah!"

"Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” -Psalm 35:27

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity." -Psalm 98:4‭-‬9

"Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.” Selah" -Psalm 66:1‭-‬4

"And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." -Ezra 3:11

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!” -Isaiah 12:2‭-‬6

"Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!" -Zephaniah 3:14

"“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey." -Zechariah 9:9

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke." -Isaiah 6:1‭-‬4

[onlinebiblecommentary]

Here Am I! Send Me

The prophet Isaiah witnessed the God of Glory on His throne in a vision (Isaiah 6). Imagine this majestic scene. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had […] https://www.abiblecommentary.com/christianwoman/here-am-i-send-me/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[childrensbread]

Practices of Faith: Holiness

Isaiah’s Commission

💜 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. 

Above Him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 

And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” ~ Isaiah 6:1-5 ✝️

Devotional

What brings a believer into God's Kingdom, and what sustains them to the end, is undeserved grace. However, a common misconception of this truth is that we can do what we like, sin how we want, and grace will always be a safety net to catch us.

Grace is never a license to sin. It is an empowerment to live a holy life. God is holy, and He calls us, His children, to live holy lives.

To be holy means to be set apart. It is not primarily about renunciation or rejection of certain behaviors. It is about choosing Jesus above all else. Choosing to love Him, obey Him, worship Him and serve Him every day of our lives.

In Isaiah's vision in today's passage, as the Lord was seated on a throne, high and exalted, the seraphim were crying out: "Holy, holy, holy." This passage is written in the context of disruption, disappointment and death. Israel was in a time of crisis as a nation, then their king Uzziah died. He was on the throne from age sixteen and reigned for fifty-two years. He was the only ruler the people had ever known. Under his rule, Israel experienced security and stability. They prospered and were provided for. Now they were vulnerable and fearful about the future.

Yet amid their heartache, a holy God appears. God shows up and reveals Himself to Isaiah in a powerful vision. Uzziah the king might be dead, but the ultimate king is here - high and lifted up. The throne of Uzziah may now be empty, but the throne of Heaven is very much occupied.

God's holiness reveals that He doesn't abandon His throne. He will never abdicate His responsibility. He is ruling as a Sovereign ruler and supreme judge in the courts of heaven.

This is why we choose to be holy, because God has revealed Himself through Christ, as the holy one, who is all-powerful, ever-present, and forever pursuing our hearts.

Today, be confident: God is holy and is seated on the throne. May the revelation of how holy God is create a revolution in our lives to live a holy life and seek justice from Him! 🙏💜😃

Source: Glorify App

Image: JinjooHat