“WHEN JOHN CAME TO YOU IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, YOU DID NOT BELIEVE HIM.” MT 21:28-32
Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary and Joseph.
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’
The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.
Which of the two did his father’s will?”
They answered, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him.” MT 21:28-32
Today, Jesus says, “I am giving you every sign you need to know the Messiah is among you.” He rarely uses words but the Jews should easily be able to see the prophecies that Christ is fulfilling in front of their eyes. Today, even if Jesus was being videotaped and posted on Facebook and on YouTube there would be people saying that those miracles are fake, it’s magic, that is being photo-shopped.
We must keep in mind that the 1st century Jews are human and sinners just like you and I. Second, they are not free, they are being ruled by the Roman government. Third, there is religious corruption. All of these powers and burdens still exist today. The most educated Jews believe the Messiah that God promises to fulfill His covenant will be a warrior, a political king. They are blindsided when Jesus comes as a peaceful warrior, a poor carpenter’s son from a small town, and explains the Kingdom of God is a spiritual realm.
Fast forward to today and we have hindsight. Jesus has risen from the dead. We have eyewitnesses and we are an Apostolic faith. We have the Old Testament explained to us by God Himself in Jesus AND we have Apostles who witnessed His teachings, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension. THE STORY of our salvation can’t be made any clearer in the present day END TIMES. We have the prophecies that point to Jesus explained and we have eyewitnesses that saw the empty tomb.
We have the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, who has preserved and defended the faith against any false teachings that have tried to creep into these 12 men’s testimonies. Where are these taught and preserved? The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in which only about 25% of Catholic Americans attend each Sunday. It is an absolute tragedy! On top of that, I don’t know how many years I went to Mass because I had to, checking off another box on my to do list.
The Mass is where THE STORY of the meaning and purpose of life are read, responded to, and we ask God to do something good for us like He did the Israelites (Bishop Barron-The Mass video series). He does, He gives us Himself! Do we really need anything else in life, then God Himself, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
I don’t know about you, but I am a sinner who keeps beating his head against the wall for committing the same sins over and over. I keep hurting people in my relationships. I keep wondering when the pain and suffering are going to stop! I need a Savior every day and I have One! God is so amazing in His agape love for us! He is always with us. He understands our sin and suffering. He wants nothing more than to be our best friend and help us get back to the Father.
Even if Jesus came into our home, school, or business and preached and performed miracles in front of us, when He left we would still have to believe and follow Him. We would have to seek the Old Testament prophecies by what power He was doing these things. We would want to know if this is really the truth and what He was doing was real.
Belief begins in our hearts and then follows through with our intellect and will (actions)-Peter Kreeft. This is why silent prayer is necessary to gain heaven. God is in our heart because we are baptized and have the Holy Spirit in us to guide and interpret the Scriptures. ”When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.”
Jesus is telling us that no matter what our past entails, if we open our heart and believe, God’s grace can do the impossible. It is only by God’s grace and doing His Will that we believe, this is the gift of faith. Be bold and believe in the One who is trying to love you. This brings great peace and joy! Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:29
Today’s challenge: Learn to be still. Increase the time you spend in silence if possible in a Church or the Adoration chapel, if not in a silent place in the home (if you can find one) or in nature. Open your heart up and believe. Open your heart up and allow God to heal you in confession.
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO
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