A Raven perched high Picture by Jerry Torres
Our Blog is inspired by The Holy Spirit.
Wednesday of the First Week in Lent
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Emphasis mine Luke 11:29-32
We are going to do something different this week, and as I think about it, this is what we have also said the past few weeks, and I Love it!
In the first reading God finally has Jonah walking through Nineveh proclaiming, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” Jonah 3
The people and king believed Jonah and put on sack cloth, and sat in ashes repenting of their sins, with the hope God might relent.
And God did!
The Responsorial Psalm response was, A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. Psalm 51
In the Gospel reading we see Jesus, I believe, very sad. I originally typed frustrated, but quickly realized that’s a satan statement, because all that He, Jesus, has accomplished so far has been met with a yawn.
Think we’re kidding? Compare.
The first day Jonah went out to the citizens, they and the King believed Jonah, and repented.
Jesus spent three years talking about the Kingdom of Heaven, and they crucified him, which of course we, thank God Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit for, or do we?
Is Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent just another day or six weeks?
Or,
Is it a time you use to try and make some substantial changes in your life?
There is an old saying that you only get out what you put in,
But
With God this isn’t true, I’ve found that I get out much more than I put in, and I come out wondering why I hadn’t done this sooner.
Celebrate that you have Lent this year to change something in your life you’re not happy with.
And,
Don’t let satan take this opportunity away.
Prayer:
If you want to grow in Love, Joy and Peace, this is a result of growth in Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
Sidebar:
Every year we have talked about Good Friday, and how we should reclaim this most important day.
Fr. Feeney, decades ago, said at a Faith Group Meeting, “Let’s take back Good Friday.” He further pointed out that the Jewish people stop working for their important holidays, as do the Muslims.
Many Christians treat Good Friday as just another work day.
What a shame!
On Good Friday Jesus was Crucified, Died, and was Buried.
Yes, Jesus, the Beloved Son of The Father, your Brother, climbed up on a Cross so you might be Justified, and for many Christians in our world today this is met with a yawn.
In the jail we frequently spend the time explaining the entire process of the death of Jesus.
Whips with hooks on the end to tear off His skin.
A Crown of Thorns pushed down on His Head.
He was forced to carry His cross.
Nails driven threw his Precious Hands.
A single Nail driven through His Precious Feet.
The Crucifixion forced Jesus to push up on His feet,
which are nailed to the cross, to continue breathing.
If all of this is greeted with the thought, “Big Deal,” and you won’t change for that day, we feel sorry for you.
We are writing this now so you will have no excuse, you have five weeks to change any plans you may have on Good Friday, and consider how you will live this day differently.
Decades ago we made the change, and once again I, yes I, will never go back.
The citizens of Neveneh were told of their destruction, we are celebrating our salvation, a huge difference.
Or is it!
Picture:
I noticed this bird perched high in the tree as I was taking in the view and decided to get a picture of it.
“Who prepares the raven for its nourishment…” Job 38:41 Picture by Jerry Torres
Please keep Snapping!
And if you want the ten calling cards shown above, email me and I will send you my address, send me a STAMPED self-addressed envelope and I will send you ten cards.
The offer for the cards is for American readers only. The Post office won’t accept foreign stamps.
If you want a copy of the prayers we discussed.
Send an email to: fprince101@gmail.com
Remember, if you want to submit a picture, please do not include people. We have to get permission from that person to use their photograph.
