Scripture: Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44 (NIV)

Every week we take an offering during the worship service. As you know, the ushers walk up and down the aisles and pass the offering plate down each and every row. People place their offerings to God in the plate. When they have finished passing the offering plate, it may look like this one that I have with me this morning. Here is a twenty dollar bill, and a ten. Here is a five and there are a lot of one dollar bills. Down in the bottom of the plate there are even some coins, Look, someone even put in some pennies.

Who do you think gave the most? Was it the person who put in the twenty dollar bill? The ten? The five? We can be sure it wasn’t the one who put in the pennies, can’t we?

One day, Jesus went to the synagogue. He sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the people as they put their money in the treasury. Many of them were very rich and put in large sums of money. A poor widow came by and put in two small copper coins which were worth a penny. Jesus called is disciples to him and said to them, “This poor widow has put in more than all those who are giving to the treasury. They gave out of their wealth, but she gave all that she had.”

I heard a story about a little boy who went into a church one Sunday morning to get out of the cold. He had been trying to sell newspapers, but not a single customer had passed by. He entered the church, hoping to pass an hour unnoticed on the back row. The preacher delivered a powerful sermon about Jesus and his love for us. At the end of the service, they took an offering.

The ushers went from row to row until, finally, one came near to the little newspaper boy. He stopped right in front of the little boy and held out the offering plate. The boy stared at the offering plate, and after a long pause, he asked the usher to place the offering plate on the floor. Then the little boy did something very unusual. He stepped into the offering plate — first one foot and then the other. He slowly looked up with tears streaming down his cheeks and said, “Mister, I don’t have any money; I haven’t sold a single newspaper today, but if Jesus did all that preacher said he did just for me, I will gladly give my life to Him.”

I don’t know if that story is true, but I do know that God wants us to give him our all — our hands, our feet, our hearts, our voices, our silver and our gold. Remember these pennies in the offering plate? Maybe they were the greatest gift given after all.

Prayer: Dear Father, like the widow, we desire to give all that we have to you. For all that we have comes from you. Amen.

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 16:1-8)

Nagsugid si Jesus sang isa ka paanggid sa iya mga sumulunod. Siling niya, “May isa ka manggaranon nga may suluguon nga gintugyanan niya sang iya mga pagkabutang. Karon may nagsugid sa manggaranon nga ang iya mga pagkabutang ginausikan lang sang iya tinugyanan nga suluguon.

Gani ginpatawag niya siya kag ginhambalan, ‘Ano ining nabatian ko nga ginausikan mo lang ang akon pagkabutang? Maayo pa magsumahay kita parte sa akon pagkabutang kay halin karon pahalinon ko na ikaw.’

Tungod nga ginapahalin na siya sang iya agalon, nagsiling siya sa iya kaugalingon, ‘Ano bala ang akon himuon? Indi ako makasarang sang mabug-at nga obra pareho sang pagkutkot sang buho, kag nahuya man ako nga magpakilimos.

A, nahibaluan ko na kon ano ang akon himuon agod nga bisan pahalinon ako sang akon agalon may makadtuan ako nga mga tawo nga magabaton sa akon sa ila mga balay.’

Ang iya ginhimo, isa-isa niya nga ginpatawag ang mga may utang sa iya agalon. Nagpamangkot siya sa nahauna, ‘Pila ang imo utang sa akon agalon?’

Nagsabat siya, ‘100 ka lata nga lana sang olibo.’ Nagsiling ang tinugyanan sa iya, ‘Sige, yari ang imo resibo, pungko kag isulat 50.’

Pagkatapos nagpamangkot siya sa ikaduha, ‘Pila ang imo utang sa akon agalon?’ Nagsabat siya, ‘100 ka sako nga trigo.’ ‘Sige, yari ang imo resibo, isulat nga 80 lang ka sako.’

Pagkahibalo sang agalon sang iya ginhimo, gindayaw niya ang dayaon nga tinugyanan sa iya kaalam tungod nga nakapreparar na siya para sa iya palaabuton. Kay ang mga tawo nga nagapasulabi sa mga butang diri sa kalibutan mas maalam magpakigbagay sa ila isigkatawo sang sa mga tawo nga ginpasanagan na sang Dios.

***

Meditation:

Do you make good use of your money and possessions? Jesus seemed to praise a steward (a manager entrusted with his master’s goods) who misused his employer’s money. What did the steward do that made Jesus praise him? The steward was responsible for managing his wealthy landowner’s property. The steward very likely overcharged his master’s tenants for their use of the land and kept more than his fair share of the profit. When the landowner discovers the steward’s dishonest practice he immediately removes him from his job, leaving him penniless and ashamed to beg or do manual work. Before news of his dismissal becomes public knowledge, the shrewd steward strikes a deal with his master’s debtors. In discounting their debts he probably was giving up his generous commission. Such a deal won him great favor with the debtors. Since he acted as the landowner’s agent, such a deal made his master look very generous and forgiving towards those who owned him money. Surely everyone would praise such a generous landowner as the town hero! Since the master could not undo the steward’s cancellation of the debts without losing face and making his debtors resent him, he praises the steward for outwitting him as a generous and merciful landowner.

Jesus obviously thought that the example of a very clever steward would be a perfect illustration for a spiritual lesson about God and how God treats those who belong to his kingdom! What’s the point of Jesus’s parable? The dishonest steward is commended not for mishandling his master’s wealth, but for his shrewd provision in averting personal disaster and in securing his future livelihood. The original meaning of “shrewdness” is “foresight”. A shrewd person grasps a critical situation with resolution, foresight, and the determination to avoid serious loss or disaster. Jesus is concerned here with something more critical than a financial or economic crisis. His concern is that we avert spiritual crisis and personal moral disaster through the exercise of faith and foresight. If Christians would only expend as much foresight and energy to spiritual matters which have eternal consequences as much as they do to earthly matters which have temporal consequences, then they would be truly better off, both in this life and in the age to come.

Ambrose, a 4th century bishop said: The bosoms of the poor, the houses of widows, the mouths of children are the barns which last forever. True wealth consists not in what we keep but in what we give away. Possessions are a great responsibility. The Lord expects us to use them honestly and responsibly and to put them at his service and the service of others. We belong to God and all that we have is his as well. He expects us to make a good return on what he gives us. God loves generosity and he gives liberally to those who share his gifts with others. The Pharisees, however, had no room for God or others in their hearts. The gospel says they were lovers of money (Luke 16:14). Love of money and wealth crowd out love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus makes clear that our hearts must either be possessed by God’s love or our hearts will be possessed by the love of something else. What do you most treasure in your heart?

“Lord Jesus, all that I have is a gift from you. May I love you freely and generously with all that I possess. Help me to be a wise and faithful steward of the resources you put at my disposal, including the use of my time, money, and possessions.”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 15:1-10)

Madamo nga mga manugsukot sang buhis kag iban pa nga mga tawo nga ginakabig nga makasasala ang nagpalapit kay Jesus sa pagpamati sang iya mga pagpanudlo.

Nagkumod ang mga Pariseo kag ang mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan. Siling nila, “Ini nga tawo nagabaton sang mga makasasala, kag nagaupod sa ila sa pagkaon!”

Gani ginsugiran sila ni Jesus sang mga paanggid. Siling niya, “Halimbawa, may tawo nga may 100 ka karnero. Ang isa nadula. Ti ano ang iya himuon? Siyempre bayaan niya anay ang 99 sa halalban kag pangitaon ang nadula hasta nga makita niya ini.

Kon makita na niya magakalipay siya kag pas-anon niya ini pauli.

Pag-abot niya sa ila balay panawgon niya ang iya mga abyan kag mga kaingod kag magsiling, ‘Dali kamo, magkalipay kita, kay nakita ko na ang akon karnero nga nadula.’ “

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, “Kaangay man sina didto sa langit. Mas dako ang kalipay tungod sa isa ka makasasala nga nagahinulsol sang sa 99 nga mga matarong nga indi kinahanglan nga maghinulsol.”

“Ukon halimbawa may isa ka babayi nga may napulo ka sinsilyo. Ano ayhan ang iya himuon kon madula ang isa? Siyempre sindihan niya ang suga kag silhigan sing maayo ang iya balay agod pangitaon ang sinsilyo hasta nga makita niya ini.

Kon makita na niya ini, panawgon niya ang iya mga amiga kag mga kaingod kag magsiling, ‘Magkalipay kita, kay nakita ko na ang akon sinsilyo nga nadula.’ “

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, “Kaangay man sina ang kalipay sang mga anghel sang Dios sa langit kon ang isa ka makasasala maghinulsol.”

***

Meditation:

Do you ever feel resentful or get upset when someone else gets an unearned favor or gets treated better than you think they deserve? The scribes and Pharisees took great offense at Jesus because he went out of his way to meet with sinners and he treated them graciously like they were his friends. The Pharisees had strict regulations about how they were to keep away from sinners, lest they incur ritual defilement. They were not to entrust money to them or have any business dealings with them, nor trust them with a secret, nor entrust orphans to their care, nor accompany them on a journey, nor give their daughter in marriage to any of their sons, nor invite them as guests or be their guests. They were shocked with the way in which Jesus freely received sinners and ate with them. Sinners, nonetheless, were drawn to Jesus to hear him speak about the mercy of God. Jesus characteristically answered the Pharisees’ charge with a parable or lesson drawn from everyday life.

What does Jesus’ story about a lost sheep and a lost coin tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd’s grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. The housewife who lost a coin faced something of an economic disaster, since the value of the coin would be equivalent to her husband’s daily wage. What would she say to her husband when he returned home from work? They were poor and would suffer greatly because of the loss. Her grief and anxiety turn to joy when she finds the coin. Both the shepherd and the housewife “search until what they have lost is found.” Their persistence pays off. They both instinctively share their joy with the whole community. The poor are particularly good at sharing in one another’s sorrows and joys. What was new in Jesus’ teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God.  Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you persistently pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?

“Lord Jesus, let your light dispel the darkness that what is lost may be found and restored. Let your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you. May I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful.”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 14:25-33)

Sang nagapadayon si Jesus sa iya paglakat pakadto sa Jerusalem, madamo nga mga tawo ang nag-upod sa iya. Ginbalikid niya sila kag nagsiling, “Kon may tawo nga luyag magsunod sa akon, pero mas palangga pa niya ang iya mga ginikanan, asawa, mga bata, mga utod, ukon ang iya kaugalingon sang sa akon, indi siya takos nga mangin akon sumulunod.

Ang bisan sin-o nga indi magsunod sa akon tungod kay kamatayon ang iya atubangon indi takos nga mangin akon sumulunod.

Ang tawo nga luyag magsunod sa akon kaangay siya sang isa ka tawo nga nagaplano nga magpatindog sang mataas nga balay. Una, bantaon niya anay kon pila ang magasto niya kag kon bala makaigo ang iya kuwarta nga gastuhon hasta mahuman ini.

Kay kon indi niya ini paghimuon basi pundasyon pa lang ang iya maobra kag maubos na ang iya kuwarta kag indi na niya mahuman. Gani kadlawan gid siya sang mga tawo nga makakita.

Magasiling sila, ‘Nagsagi lang patindog sang balay nga indi man lang makapahuman.’

Pareho man sa isa ka hari nga magapakig-away sa iban nga hari. Kinahanglan planohon niya anay kon bala ang iya mga soldado nga 10,000 makasarang magpakig-away sa hari nga may 20,000 ka mga soldado.

Kon banta niya nga indi siya makasarang, maayo pa nga samtang wala pa ang away magsugo siya sang pila sang iya mga tinawo sa pagsiling sa iya kontra nga hari nga luyag na lang niya nga magpakighusay.

Amo man ina ang dapat ninyo nga himuon. Binagbinagon ninyo anay ang inyo pagsunod sa akon, kay kon indi ninyo pagbayaan ang tanan nga inyo ginapasulabi diri sa kalibutan, indi man kamo takos nga mangin akon sumulunod.”

***

Meditation:

Why does Jesus say we must ‘hate’ our families and even ourselves? The expression ‘to hate’ often meant to ‘prefer less’. Jesus used strong language to make clear that nothing should take precedence or first place in our lives over God. Jesus knew that the way of the cross was the Father’s way to glory and victory over sin and death. He counted the cost and said ‘yes’ to his Father’s will. We, too, must ‘count the cost’ and be ready to follow Jesus in the way of the cross if we want to share in his glory and victory. What is the ‘way of the cross’ for you and for me? When my will crosses with God’s will, then his will must be done. The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus’ sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and “sweet” for us is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). We can never outgive God. He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love of God?

What does the parable of the tower builder and a ruler on a war campaign have in common? Both risk serious loss if they don’t carefully plan ahead. In a shame and honor culture people want to avoid at all costs being mocked by their community for failing to complete a task they began in earnest. This double parable echoes the instruction of Proverbs: “By wisdom a house is built” and “by wise guidance you can wage a war” to ensure victory (Proverbs 24:3-6). Every landowner who could afford it walled in his orchard as a protection from intruders who might steal or harm his produce. A tower was usually built in a corner of the wall and a guard posted especially during harvest time when thieves would likely try to make off with the goods. Starting a building-project, like a watchtower, and leaving it unfinished because of poor planning would invite the scorn of the whole village. Likewise a king who decided to wage a war against an opponent who was much stronger, would be considered foolish if he did not come up with a plan that had a decent chance of success.

Jesus tells his would-be disciples that they, too, must count the cost if they want to succeed as his disciples. Jesus assures success for those willing to pay the price. All it cost is everything! What does Jesus have to offer that’s worth giving up everything else? More than we can imagine! Jesus offers the gift of abundant life and everlasting peace and happiness with God. (See the parable of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-45).  It’s natural to ask what will it require of me or cost me before I sign up or agree to pay for something. Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after him. There can be no room for compromise or concession with God. We either give our lives over to him entirely or we keep them for ourselves. Paul the Apostle says, “We are not our own. We were bought with a price” ( 1 Corinthians 6:19b,20). That price is the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed for us upon the cross to redeem us from slavery to sin and death.

The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. Jesus’ way to glory and power is opposite the world’s way of glory, power, and success. The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him. Does the love of Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (see 2 Corinthians 5)?

“Lord Jesus, may your love transform me that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. May you always be first in my thoughts and intentions, and in my words and actions.”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 14:15-24)

Sang pagkabati sadto sang isa nga nakaupod kay Jesus sa pagkaon, nagsiling siya, “Bulahan yadtong mga tawo nga magakaon sa ginharian sang Dios!”

Dayon gin-istoryahan siya ni Jesus, “May isa ka tawo nga nagpreparar sang dako nga punsyon, kag madamo ang iya ginpang-imbitar.

Pag-abot sang oras nga inugkaon na, ginsugo niya ang iya suluguon nga kadtuan ang mga ginpang-imbitar kag silingon, ‘Magkadto na kamo kay preparado na ang tanan!’

Pero kada isa sa ila nagbalibad nga indi sila makakadto. Nagsiling ang isa, ‘Bag-o lang ako nakabakal sang duta kag kinahanglan nga kadtuan ko kag tan-awon. Gani pasensyaha lang anay ako.’

Nagsiling pa gid ang isa, ‘Indi ako makakadto kay bag-o lang ako nakabakal sang napulo ka baka kag tilawan ko na kon bala maayo iarado. Gani pasensyaha lang anay ako.’

Nagsiling pa gid ang isa, ‘Bag-o gid lang ako ginkasal, gani indi ako makakadto.’

Pagkatapos, nagbalik ang suluguon sa iya agalon kag ginsugiran niya siya kon ngaa indi sila makakadto. Pagkabati sang agalon naakig siya. Gani nagsiling siya sa iya suluguon, ‘Kadto didto sa mga karsada kag mga kalye sang aton banwa kag dalha diri ang mga imol, mga pingkaw, mga bulag, kag mga piang.’

Sang mahimo yadto sang suluguon, nagsiling siya sa iya agalon, ‘Sir, natuman ko na ang imo sugo, pero may bakanti pa gid sa kalan-an.’

Gani nagsiling ang agalon sa iya, ‘Kadto didto sa mga dalan sa guwa sang banwa kag piliton mo ang mga tawo nga imo makita nga magkadto diri agod mapuno ang akon balay.

Sugiran ko kamo sang matuod, sa mga tawo nga akon gin-imbitar, wala gid sing may makatilaw sa ila sang akon ginpreparar nga pagkaon.’ “

***

Meditation:

What does it mean to “eat bread in the kingdom of heaven”? In the ancient world the most notable sign of favor and intimate friendship was the invitation to “share bread” at the dinner table. Who you ate with showed who you valued and trusted as your friends. A great banquet would involve a lavish meal of several courses and a large company of notable guests and friends. One of the most beautiful images of heaven in the scriptures is the royal  wedding celebration and banquet given by the King for his son and close friends. We, in fact, have been invited to the most important banquet of all! The last book in the bible ends with an invitation to the wedding feast of the Lamb and his Bride, the church: The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! (Revelations 22:17). The ‘Lamb of God’ is the Lord Jesus Christ and his bride is the people he has redeemed by his own precious blood which was shed upon the cross for our salvation.

Jesus’ “banquet parable” must have startled his audience. If a great lord or king invited his friends to a banquet, why would the guests turn down his invitation? A great banquet would take many days to prepare. And personal invitations would be sent out well in advance to the guests, so they would have plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming event. How insulting for the invited guests to then refuse when the time for celebrating came! They made light of the King’s request because they put their own interests above his.

Jesus probes the reasons why people make excuses to God’s great invitation to “eat bread” with him at his banquet table. The first excuse allows the claims of one’s personal business or work to take precedence over God’s claim. Do you allow any task or endeavor to absorb you so much that it keeps you from the thought of God? The second excuse allows our possessions to come before God. Do you allow the media and other diversions to crowd out time for God in daily prayer and worship? The third excuse puts home and family ahead of God. God never meant for our home and relationships to be used selfishly. We serve God best when we invite him into our work, our homes, and our personal lives and when we share our possessions with others.

The second part of the story focuses on those who had no claim on the king and who would never have considered getting such an invitation. The “poor, maimed, blind, and lame” represent the outcasts of society – those who can make no claim on the King. There is even ample room at the feast of God for outsiders from the highways and hedges – the Gentiles who were not members of the chosen people, the Jews. This is certainly an invitation of grace –undeserved, unmerited favor and kindness! But this invitation also contains a warning for those who refuse it or who approach the wedding feast unworthily. Grace is a free gift, but it is also an awesome responsibility.

Dieterich Bonhoeffer contrasts cheap grace and costly grace: “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves ..the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance ..grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. ..Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.” [Excerpt from the Cost of Discipleship]

God invites each of us to his banquet that we may share in his joy. Are you ready to feast at the Lord’s banquet table?

“Lord Jesus, you withhold no good thing from us and you lavish us with the treasures of heaven. Help me to seek your kingdom first and to lay aside anything that might hinder me from doing your will.”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 25:31-46)

“Kon ako nga Anak sang Tawo mag-abot na bilang Hari, nga ginaupdan sang tanan nga mga anghel, magapungko ako dayon sa akon trono nga harianon.

Ang tanan nga mga tawo sa kalibutan pagatipunon agod mag-atubang sa akon. Dayon painon ko sila sa duha ka grupo pareho sang pagpain sang manugbantay sa mga karnero sa mga kanding.

Ang mga tawo nga kaangay sang mga karnero ibutang ko sa akon tuo kag ang mga tawo nga kaangay sang mga kanding ibutang ko sa akon wala.

Kag bilang Hari, magasiling ako sa mga tawo sa akon tuo, ‘Kamo nga ginpakamaayo sang Dios nga akon Amay, panublia ninyo ang ginharian nga ginpreparar para sa inyo halin pa sang pagtuga sang kalibutan.

Kay sang gin-gutom ako ginpakaon ninyo ako, kag sang gin-uhaw ako ginpainom ninyo ako. Sang nangin dumuluong ako ginpadayon ninyo ako sa inyo balay; sang wala ako sang bayo ginpabayuan ninyo ako; sang nagmasakit ako gin-atipan ninyo ako; kag sang ginpriso ako ginbisitahan ninyo ako.’

Dayon magasabat ang mga matarong sa akon tuo, ‘Ginoo, san-o ka bala namon nakita nga gutom kag ginpakaon namon, ukon nauhaw kag ginpainom namon?

San-o ka bala namon nakita nga nangin dumuluong kag ginpadayon ka namon sa amon balay, ukon wala sing bayo kag ginpabayuan namon?

San-o ka bala namon nakita nga nagmasakit ukon napriso kag ginbisitahan namon?’

Ako nga Hari magasabat, ‘Ang matuod, kon inyo ini ginhimo sa akon pinakakubos nga mga utod, pareho man nga ginhimo ninyo ini sa akon.’ “

“Dayon magasiling ako sa mga tawo sa akon wala, ‘Halin kamo diri sa akon, kamo nga ginpakamalaot sang Dios! Didto kamo sa kalayo nga nagadabadaba nga wala sng katapusan nga ginpreparar para kay Satanas kag sa iya mga anghel.

Kay gin-gutom ako pero wala ninyo ako ginpakaon, gin-uhaw ako pero wala ninyo ako ginpainom.

Sang dumuluong ako wala ninyo ako pagpadayuna sa inyo balay; sang wala ako bayo wala ninyo ako pagpabayui; pagmasakit ko kag sang pagkapriso ko wala ninyo ako pag-atipana.’

Dayon magasabat sila, ‘Ginoo, san-o ka namon nakita nga gin-gutom ukon gin-uhaw, ukon wala dalayunan, ukon wala bayo, ukon nagmasakit, ukon napriso nga wala kami nagbulig sa imo?’

Kag ako nga Hari magasabat, ‘Ang matuod, kon wala ninyo pagbuligi ang akon mga utod, bisan ang labing kubos sa panulok sang mga tawo, pareho lang ina nga wala ninyo ako pagbuligi.’

Kag ini sila pahalinon kag silutan sa wala sang katapusan. Pero ang mga matarong hatagan sang kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan.”

***

Meditation:

What kind of future are you preparing for? What about the life to come after our death? God puts in the heart of every living person the desire for unending life and happiness with him. While death claims each of us at the appointed time, God gives us something which death cannot touch – his own divine life and sustaining power. In the Old Testament, one of the greatest testimonies of faith and hope in the midst of great suffering and pain is that of Job: For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another (Job 19:25-27). Jesus made an incredible promise to his disciplies and a claim which only God can make and deliver: Whoever sees and believes in Jesus, the Son of God, shall have everlasting life and be resurrected!

How can we see Jesus? He is present in his word, in the breaking of the bread, and in the church, the body of Christ. Jesus reveals himself in many countless ways to those who seek him with eyes of faith. When we read the word of God in the bible Jesus speaks to us and reveals to us the mind and heart of the Father. When we approach the table of the Lord, Jesus offers himself as spiritual food which produces the very life of God within us (I am the bread of life, John 6:35). He promises unbroken fellowship and freedom from the fear of being forsaken or cut off from everlasting life with God.  And he offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection.  Is your hope and desire to see God face to face?

Jesus’ parable of goats and sheep invites his audience to consider their lives in view of the age to come. What happens when you put sheep and goats together? Jesus’ audience readily understood the need for separating the two. In arid lands, like Israel, goats and sheep often grazed together during the day because green pasture was sparse. They were separated at night because goats needed shelter. Goats were also less docile and more restless than sheep. They came to symbolize evil and the term “scape-goat” has become a common expression for someone bearing blame for others.  (See Leviticus 26:20-22 for a description of the ritual expulsion of sin-bearing goat on the Day of Atonement.) What’s the point of this story for us? The kind of life we choose to live now and the moral choices we make will have consequences that determine our future – for better or for worse. Separation is an inevitable consequence of judgement. The Day of Judgement will reveal who showed true compassion and mercy toward their neighbor. As much as we might like to judge the parables, the parables, nonetheless, judge us. Jesus teaches us a very important lesson about loving our neighbor and taking responsibility for others. God will judge us not only for the wrong we have done but also for what we have failed to do. Now is the time of God’s mercy, for seeking his help and grace to turn away from sin, and to walk in his way of love. We can love freely, generously, and unconditionally because God has already poured his love into our hearts through the gift and working of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 5:5). Ask the Holy Spirit to purify your heart and to free you from hurtful desires that you may love as God loves and live charitably with all.

This parable is similar to the parable about Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man let Lazarus die on his doorstep and was doomed to crave for drops of cold water he had not thought of giving to the poor man. When Martin of Tours (who lived in the 4th century), a young Roman soldier and seeker of the Christian faith, met an unclothed man begging for alms in the freezing cold, he stopped and cut his coat in two and gave half to the stranger. That night he dreamt he saw the heavenly court with Jesus robed in a torn cloak. One of the angels present asked, “Master, why do you wear that battered cloak?” Jesus replied, “My servant Martin gave it to me.” Martin’s disciple and biographer Sulpicius Severus states that as a consequence of this vision Martin “flew to be baptized.” God is gracious and merciful; his love compels us to treat others with mercy and kindness. When we do something for one of Christ’s little ones, we do it for Christ.  Do you treat your neighbor with mercy and love as Christ has treated you?

The scriptures present us with the choice between two kingdoms – the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. The choice is ours. Which kingdom do you serve?  God’s kingdom lasts forever because it is built on the foundation of God’s love and justice. To accept Jesus as Lord and King is to enter a kingdom that will last forever where righteousness, love, truth, and peace dwell. Is your life submitted to the Lordship of Jesus?

“Lord Jesus Christ, you are my King and there is no other.  May your love rule in my heart that I may think and act with charity towards all.”

Scripture: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

Do you enjoy playing games? I do. I especially enjoy getting together with family or friends and playing games. Sometimes we play card games or board games. This is one of the games I like to play. (Show the game.) Before we play, we always explain the rules so that everyone will know how to play the game. Every game comes with its own special set of rules. To really enjoy the game as it was intended, everyone must play by the rules. Have you ever played a game with someone who didn’t follow the rules? Do you always follow the rules?

There are rules that we must follow in the game of life too. Look, I have the rulebook right here. The Bible is the rulebook we must follow in life. To really enjoy life the way God intended, it is important to follow His rules.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day liked to sit around and discuss the law. They would sometimes ask Jesus questions about the law to try to trick him into saying something that would cause people to turn against him. One day they were questioning Jesus and he answered them with one good answer right after another. A Jewish teacher of the law came in and heard that Jesus was giving good answers and he asked him, “Of all of the commandments, which is the most important?”

Jesus answered him, “The most important one is this, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

There are a lot of rules in this Book. It may sometimes be difficult to remember all of them. If we can just remember and obey the two commandments that Jesus said were the most important, all of the rest would follow. Then we would enjoy life the way God intended it.

Prayer: Dear Father, help each of us to love you with all our heart and to love others as we love ourself. Amen.

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 14:1-6)

Isa sadto ka Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, gin-imbitar si Jesus sang isa ka manugdumala sang mga Pariseo nga magkaon sa iya balay. Pag-abot ni Jesus didto, ginbantayan siya sang mga tawo nga nagakontra sa iya kon bala lapason niya ang Kasuguan.

Karon, may tawo didto nga nagapalamanog ang bug-os niya nga lawas.

Nagpamangkot si Jesus sa mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan kag sa mga Pariseo, “Ginatugot bala sang aton Kasuguan nga magpang-ayo sang mga masakiton sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway ukon wala?”

Pero naghipos lang sila. Dayon ginkaptan ni Jesus ang tawo kag gin-ayo. Pagkatapos ginpalakat niya.

Kag nagsiling siya sa mga tawo didto, “Abi kon kamo may bata ukon baka nga mahulog sa bubon sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, pabay-an lang bala ninyo kay Adlaw nga Inugpahuway?”

Pero wala gid sing may nakasabat sa iya pamangkot.

***

Meditation:

How do you approach the commandment to observe the sabbath as a day of rest? The Pharisees were convinced that Jesus was a reckless Sabbath-breaker. The gospels record seven incidents in which Jesus healed on the Sabbath – the seventh day of the week set apart for rest and worship. You would think Jesus’ miracles on the Sabbath would draw admiration and gratitude from all. Unfortunately, each incident seemed to incite increasing hostility from the religious leaders who held an interpretation that went beyond God’s intention for the Sabbath rest. They were certain that Jesus was a dangerous and irreligious man, a Sabbath-breaker, who must be stopped at all costs! Why did the Pharisees invite Jesus to dinner on the Sabbath, after he had already repeatedly broken their Sabbath regulations?

Luke, a physican and keen observer of the human condition, notes the disposition of the Pharisees as they bring Jesus into their table fellowship. Body language often communicates more truthfully than words. Luke says the scribes and Pharisees were watching Jesus, no doubt with great suspicion. They wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God’s law and find some way to discredit him. Jesus’ attention and affection quickly turned to a person who had a physical ailment called dropsy. How did such a pitiable person get into this dinner party? In the hot arid climate of Palestine, homes were open and people freely dropped in without much fuss or attention. For the religious minded it was considered uncharitable to exclude beggars. And if a rabbi came to dinner, it would be expected for him to speak a few words. So, famous rabbis obviously drew crowds of bystanders wherever they went.

Jesus already knew that his hosts wanted to catch him in the act of breaking their Sabbath rituals. So when Jesus gave his defense for healing on the Sabbath, they treated him with cold silence. They were ensnared in their own legalism and could not understand or see the purpose of God in allowing a work of healing to take precedence over rest. Why did God give the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath and enjoined his people to refrain from work on that day? The “Sabbath rest” was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God’s goodness and the goodness of his works, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. It was not, however, intended to put a stop to love of God and love of neighbor. The law of love supercedes the law of rest! Jesus shows the fallacy of the Pharisees’ legalism by pointing to God’s intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to heal. God’s word has power to heal and to set us free from ignorance, error, intolerance, and prejudice. Do you honor the Lord’s Day with appropriate rest and worship, and do you treat your neighbor with love and compassion at all times?

“Lord Jesus, may I always honor you, both  in my work and in my rest, and in the way I treat my neighbor. Fill me with your love and keep me free from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor in every situation.”

Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddeus,
Apostles and Martyrs
Feast Day: October 28
Patron of:
Symbol: Saint Simon: a middle-aged man with a saw and a book. An oar or fish.
Saint Jude: always portrayed with a club. occasionally may be shown holding an axe or halberd ; holding a book (which may have “Judas” written on it); with a scroll, his epistle,or holding a carpenter’s rule

Saint Simon the Zealot

The apostle called Simon Zelotes, Simon the Zealot, in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13; and Simon Kananaios or Simon Cananeus (“Simon” signifying שמעון “hearkening; listening”, Standard Hebrew Šimʿon, Tiberian Hebrew Šimʿôn), was one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus. Little is recorded of him aside from his name: few pseudepigraphical writings were connected to him (but see below), and Jerome does not include him in De viris illustribus.

The name of Simon occurs in all the passages of the synoptic gospels and Acts that give a list of apostles, without further details.

Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas ["the son" is interpolated] of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16, RSV)

To distinguish him from Simon Peter, he is called Kananaios, or Kananites (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18), and in the list of apostles in Luke 6:15, repeated in Acts 1:13, Zelotes, the “Zealot”. Both titles derive from the Hebrew word qana, meaning The Zealous, though Jerome and others mistook the word to signify the apostle was from the town of Cana (in which case his epithet would have been “Kanaios”) or even from the region of Canaan. As such, the translation of the word as “the Cananite” or “the Canaanite” is purely traditional and without contemporary extra-canonic parallel.

In the canonic New Testament, Simon the Zealot is never identified with Simon the brother of Jesus mentioned in Gospel of Mark 6:3 :

“Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?”" —New International Version.

It is believed by some that this is the Simeon of Jerusalem who became the second bishop of Jerusalem, although he was born in Galilee.

In later tradition

St. Isidore of Seville drew together the accumulated anecdotes of St. Simon in De Vita et Morte; the fully-developed aura of legend is presented in the Legenda Aurea (ca 1260).

In later tradition, Simon is often associated with St. Jude as a proselytizing team; they share their feast day on 28 October. The most widespread tradition is that after evangelizing in Egypt, Simon joined Jude in Persia and Armenia, where both were martyred. This version is the one found in the Golden Legend.

Later traditions expand on an independent personality for Simon and speculate about his fate. One tradition states that he travelled in the Middle East and Africa. Christian Ethiopians claim that he was crucified in Samaria, while Justus Lipsius writes that he was sawn in half at Suanir, Persia. However, Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Caucasian Iberia. Tradition also claims he died peacefully at Edessa. Another tradition says he visited Britain — possibly Glastonbury — and was martyred in modern-day Lincolnshire. Another, doubtless inspired by his title “the Zealot”, states that he was involved in a Jewish revolt against the Romans, which was brutally suppressed.

The 2nd century Epistle of the Apostles (Epistula Apostolorum), a polemic against gnostics, lists him among the apostles purported to be writing the letter (who include Thomas) as Judas Zelotes and certain Old Latin translations of the Gospel of Matthew substitute “Judas the Zealot” for Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in Matthew 10:3. To some readers, this suggests that he may be identical with the “Judas not Iscariot” mentioned in John 14:22: “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” As it has been suggested that Jude is identical with the apostle Thomas, an identification of “Simon Zelotes” with Thomas is also possible. The New Testament records nothing more of Simon, aside from this multitude of possible but unlikely pseudonyms.

In art, Simon has the identifying attribute of a saw because he was put to death by a saw.

In the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, Simon Zealotes sings to persuade Jesus to attack the Roman occupiers.

Sainthood

St. Simon, like the other Apostles, is regarded as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Anglican Church and the Lutheran Church.

Saint Jude Thaddeus

Jude was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus , Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. He is sometimes identified with Jude, brother of Jesus, but is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, another disciple and later the betrayer of Jesus.

The Armenian Apostolic Church honours Thaddeus along with Saint Bartholomew as its patron saints. In the Roman Catholic Church he is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes.

Saint Jude’s attribute is a club. He is also often shown in icons with a flame around his head. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles. Occasionally he is represented holding an axe or halberd, as he was brought to death by one of these weapons. In some instances he may be shown with a scroll or a book (the Epistle of Jude) or holding a carpenter’s rule.

Identity

New Testament

Jude is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot another disciple and later the betrayer of Jesus. Both “Jude” and “Judas” are translations of the name Ιούδας in the Greek original New Testament, which in turn is a Greek variant of Judah, a name which was common among Jews at the time.

“Jude of James” is only mentioned twice in the New Testament: in the lists of apostles in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13.

The name by which Luke calls the Apostle, “Jude of James” is ambiguous as to the relationship of Jude to this James. Though such a construction sometimes connotated a relationship of father and son, it has been traditionally interpreted as “Jude, brother of James,”^[Lk. 6:16] though Protestants (for instance, the New International Version translation) usually identify him as “Jude son of James”.

The Gospel of John also once mentions a disciple called “Judas not Iscariot.”^[Jn. 14:22] This is often accepted to be the same person as the apostle Jude, though some scholars see the identification as uncertain.

In some Latin manuscripts of Matthew 10:3, he is called Judas the Zealot.

Possible Identity with Thaddeus

In the comparable apostle-lists of Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18, Jude is omitted, but there is a Thaddeus (or in some manuscripts of Matthew 10:3, “Lebbaeus who was surnamed Thaddaeus”) listed in his place. This has led many Christians since early times to harmonize the lists by positing a “Jude Thaddeus”, known by either name.

Some Biblical scholars reject this theory, holding that Jude and Thaddeus did not represent the same person. Scholars have proposed alternate theories to explain the discrepancy: an unrecorded replacement of one for the other during the ministry of Jesus due to apostasy or death; the possibility that “twelve” was a symbolic number and an estimation; or simply that the names were not recorded perfectly by the early church.

However, some conservative Christian writers argue that, because the name “Judas” was so tarnished by Judas Iscariot, it was reasonable for Mark and Matthew to refer to him by his alternate name.

Thaddeus the apostle is generally seen as a different person from Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy Disciples.

Possible Identity with Jude brother of Jesus

Opinion is divided on whether Jude the apostle is the same as Jude, brother of Jesus, who is mentioned in Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55-57, and is the traditional author of the Epistle of Jude.

Generally Catholics believe the two Judes are the same person, while Protestants do not.

Tradition and legend

Tradition holds that Saint Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya. He is also said to have visited Beirut and Edessa, though the emissary of latter mission is also identified as Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy. Jude is reported as suffering martyrdom together with Simon the Zealot in Persia. The 14th century writer Nicephorus Callistus makes Jude the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana.

The legend reports that St. Jude was born into a Jewish family in Paneas, a town in Galilee later rebuilt by the Romans and renamed Caesarea Philippi. In all probability he spoke both Greek and Aramaic, like almost all of his contemporaries in that area, and was a farmer by trade. According to the legend, St. Jude was a son of Clopas and his wife Mary, a sister of the Virgin Mary. Tradition has it that Jude’s father, Clopas, was murdered because of his forthright and outspoken devotion to the risen Christ. After Mary’s death, miracles were attributed to her intercession.

Although Saint Gregory the Illuminator is credited as the “Apostle to the Armenians”, when he baptized King Tiridates III of Armenia in 301, converting the Armenians, the Apostles Jude and Bartholomew are traditionally believed to have been the first to bring Christianity to Armenia, and are therefore venerated as the patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Linked to this tradition is the Saint Thaddeus Monastery (now in Northern Iran) and Saint Bartholomew Monastery (now in southeastern Turkey) which were both constructed in what was then Armenia.

Death and remains

According to the Armenian tradition, Saint Jude suffered martyrdom about AD 65 in Beirut, Lebanon together with the apostle Simon the Zealot, with whom he is usually connected. Their acts and martyrdom were recorded in an Acts of Simon and Jude that was among the collection of passions and legends traditionally associated with the legendary Abdias, bishop of Babylon, and said to have been translated into Latin by his disciple Tropaeus Africanus, according to the Golden Legend account of the saints.^[10][11] Saints Simon and Jude are venerated together in the Roman Catholic Church on October 28.

Sometime after his death, Saint Jude’s body was brought from Beirut, Lebanon to Rome and placed in a crypt in St. Peter’s Basilica which is visited by many devotees. According to popular tradition, the remains of St. Jude were preserved in an Armenian monastery on an island in the northern part of Issyk-Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan at least until mid-15th century. Later legend either denounce remains as being preserved there or moved to yet more desolate stronghold in the Pamir mountains. Recent discovery of the ruins of what could be that monastery may put an end to the dispute.

Iconography of Saint Jude

St. Jude is traditionally depicted carrying the image of Jesus in his hand or close to his chest, betokening the legend of the Image of Edessa, recorded in apocryphal correspondence between Jesus and Abgarus which is reproduced in Eusebius’ History Ecclesiastica, I, xiii. According to it, King Abgar of Edessa (a city located in what is now southeast Turkey) sent a letter to Jesus to cure him of an illness that afflicts him, and sent the envoy Hannan, the keeper of the archives, offering his own home city to Jesus as a safe dwelling place. The envoy painted a likeness of Jesus with choice paints, or impressed with Abgar’s great faith, Jesus pressed his face into a cloth and gave it to Hannan to take to Abgar with his answer. Upon seeing Jesus’ image, the king placed it with great honor in one of his palatial houses. After Christ had ascended to heaven, St. Jude was sent to King Abgar by the Apostle St. Thomas. The king was cured and astonished. He converted to Christianity along with most of the people under his rule. Additionally, St. Jude is often depicted with a flame above his head. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles.

Veneration

St. Jude Thaddeus is invoked in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them. Therefore, he is the patron saint of desperate cases. (The epithet is also commonly rendered as “patron saint of lost causes”.) However, there is another reckoning to this epithet. Many Christians have mistakenly reckoned him as Judas Iscariot and thus avoided veneration. Therefore he was also called the “Forgotten Saint”. Because veneration was avoided, only people in the most desperate circumstances would call upon him.

The Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) began working in present day Armenia soon after their founding in 1216. There was a substantial devotion to St. Jude in this area at that time, by both Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians. This lasted until persecution drove Christians from the area in the 1700s. Devotion to Saint Jude began again in earnest in the 1800s, starting in Italy and Spain, spreading to South America, and finally to the U.S. (starting in the area around Chicago) owing to the influence of the Claretians and the Dominicans in the 1920s. Novena prayers to St. Jude helped people, especially newly arrived immigrants from Europe, deal with the pressures caused by the Great Depression, World War II, and the changing workplace and family life.

Saint Jude is the patron saint of the Chicago Police Department and of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (a popular football (soccer) team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). His other patronages include desperate situations and hospitals. One of his namesakes is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, which has helped many children with terminal illnesses and their families since its founding in 1962. His feast day is October 28 (Roman Catholic Church and Lutheran Church) and June 19 (Eastern Orthodox Church). A common Roman Catholic prayer is:

Alternative prayers are :

and

To encourage devotion to St. Jude, it is common to acknowledge in writing favours received. “Thank you for favours granted”. He is frequently thanked in the personals column of many daily newspapers such as the Daily Telegraph, Private Eye and other newspapers. A simple such as above and here “Thank you St.Jude for favours granted” is all that is required.

Courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 6:12-19)

Sa sadto nga panahon nagtaklad si Jesus sa bukid agod magpangamuyo. Kag nagpangamuyo siya didto sa sulod sang isa gid ka gab-i.

Pagkaaga gintawag niya ang iya mga sumulunod, kag nagpili siya sa ila sang dose, kag gintawag niya sila nga mga apostoles.

Ang ila mga ngalan amo si Simon (nga ginhingalanan ni Jesus nga Pedro), si Andres nga iya utod, si Santiago, si Juan, si Felipe, si Bartolome, si Mateo, si Tomas, si Santiago nga anak ni Alfeo, si Simon (nga sang una rebelde sa gobyerno sang Roma), si Judas nga anak sang isa pa ka Santiago, kag si Judas Iscariote nga amo ang nagluib kay Jesus.

Pagkatapos nga nakapili na siya sang iya mga apostoles, nagdulhog sila sa patag. Nagtilipon didto ang iya mga sumulunod kag ang madamo nga mga tawo nga halin sa mga banwa nga sakop sang Judea kag sa siyudad sang Jerusalem. May mga tawo man didto nga halin pa sa siyudad sang Tiro kag Sidon nga malapit sa dagat.

Nagkadto sila didto agod magpamati sa mga ginatudlo ni Jesus kag magpabulong sang ila mga masakit. Ang mga tawo nga ginapaantos sang malaot nga mga espiritu gin-ayo man niya.

Kag ang tanan nga mga tawo didto nagatinguha gid nga makatandog sa iya, kay may gahom nga nagaguwa sa iya nga nagaayo sa ila tanan.

***

Meditation:

What is God’s call on your life? When Jesus embarked on his mission he chose twelve men to be his friends and apostles. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God’s work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrug back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Is there anything holding you back from giving yourself unreservedly to God?

Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard all the things he did. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Even demons trembled in the presence of Jesus and left at his rebuke. Jesus offers freedom from the power of sin and oppression to all who seek him with expectant faith. When you hear God’s word and consider all that Jesus did, how do you respond? With doubt or with expectant faith? With skepticism or with confident trust? Ask the Lord to increase your faith in his saving power and grace.

“Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All.”