Happy feast of ‘Christ the King of the Universe’!! And if that’s not enough to move the needle on your Joy-Meter… ALL of our Words today, each one, has an element of Joy in it. You know me, Joy-Joy-Joy!
Before I get started, please indulge me, because I am having an incredibly joyful week! FIRST, is all of YOU!! Your generously loving comments last week have truly gladdened my heart. You strengthen my thankfulness to God for using me. 2) I was able to wellness visit my best friend Domenic, who is in poor health. We actually laughed together & bolstered each other. 3) My video-blog, motivational reflections on YouTube, are gaining traction. Man-o-man, I love being used by God!!
So, Here we go again, joy, joy, joy! Our first reading is from 2Samuel 5:1-3, In those days all of the tribes of Israel came to David and the Lord said, “You shall shepherd my people Israel and you shall be commander of Israel.” When the ‘elders’ of Israel had come to David, King David made an agreement with them there before the Lord. They then anointed David king of Israel! JOY.!!
Psalm 122:1-5, Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord! I rejoiced when they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord!” JOY, Again.!!
2) Colossians: 1:12-20, “Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light! He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son….” Even MORE Joy.!!
ALLELUIA, Mark 11:9, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!” **This refrain reminds me of Palm Sunday with Jesus riding into Jerusalem. The folks were so excited to see Jesus as the fulfillment of Messiah. Oh, how joyful this Alleluia is!!
Gospel, LUKE 23:35-43, The last moments of Jesus’ crucifixion. “The rulers sneered at Jesus saying, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” and then…. The ‘good criminal’ shows Jesus love and respect and then asks, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied to him, “Amen, Today, you will be with me in paradise!” ***OH, my goodness, how much more joyful can you get than receiving forgiveness of sin and a seat in paradise by the mouth of Jesus Himself.!? Whew, it’s mind-blowing! ***My Treasured friends may all of God’s Joy & Love be yours… I’ll see you next week. P.S. Don’t forget to catch me live, but recorded, on YouTube. just type Bro BLU in the search bar. Thanx-a-bunch!! I am Mark Gates, your servant. I currently live with my wife in Peosta, Iowa and have retired. I have spent my whole life as a God-fearing Christian, Mass Lector and cradle Catholic. In 1996 after a Charismatic Conference, My Spirituality ‘Exploded’. The Holy Spirit has since, blessed me with personal revelations and events in times of needed admonishment, teaching or encouragement. Having a personal belief and true affection for The Real Presence of Christ in Eucharist, and also a very sweet, tender, and special relationship with our Holy Spirit, I believe that our world is in dire need of Good News. I want my spirituality to create conversations! I pray that you allow these musings to start your own conversations.
