What Is Done and Not Done Scripture: And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear you, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse? For when the just turns himself away from his justice, and commits iniquity, he shall die therein: in the injustice that he has wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turns himself away from his wickedness, which he has wrought, and does judgment, and justice: he shall save his soul alive. Because he considers and turns away himself from all his iniquities which he has wrought, he shall surely live, and not die. ( Ezekiel 18:25-28 ) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any depths of commiseration: Fulfill my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment. Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves: Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are of other men. For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause, God also has exalted him and has given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. ( Philippians 2:1-11 ) But what think you? A certain man had two sons: and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work to day in my vineyard. And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went. And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering said: I go, Sir. And he went not. Which of the two did the will of the father? They say to him: The first. Jesus said to them: Amen I say to you that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of justice: and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him. ( Matthew 21:28-32 ) Reflection: What is wickedness but selfishness magnified by evil? It cares not for others or the consequences of desires. Wickedness yields strife to all within its reach. It fools the wicked one to believe they will not be held to account for what they do. In their blindness, they justify their works with twisted logic which hides in their mind the harm which they do. The evil one nurtures wickedness, for it divides, it destroys and it separates the children of His creation from one another and their Creator. It is sad for the wicked, for as is any child of His creation, they were created in His image; they yearn for, yet do not comprehend His ways. For this reason, they attempt to recreate the blessings of trust, yet remain untrustworthy. For this reason, they attempt to recreate their own morality, yet remain immoral. For this reason, they attempt to recreate the blessings of family, yet, such happiness eludes them. For this reason, they seek to recreate the blessings of love, but they do not comprehend that love is not about receiving, but giving. It is sad for the wicked, for they wander in blindness. The rules they make and seek to impose do not yield justice. They wander in search of blessings only to find that which is fleeting. They build nothing within their hearts; no matter what they gather, they stumble upon emptiness. It is sad for the wicked, for the darkness they have chosen need not be so. Blessed are those who turn to God, for He will light the path for them. Blessed are those who seek His ways, for they will find the blessings of His love and the blessings of loving one another. Blessed are those who seek the wisdom of His Word, for they shall find His truth and the blessings which await them in His kingdom. Blessed are those who invite the Holy Spirit within their hearts, for they shall be guided away from the path of the wicked and towards the joy only He can bring. And so it was, so the generations might comprehend the Alpha and the Omega, the only begotten Son of the One who is all powerful came down from heaven and became man. The Father of all, the Creator of all, gave His only begotten Son for the salvation of all. God from God, He became man, suffered in sacrifice for man, suffered death at the hands of man for the salvation of all who believe in Him, and was resurrected by the Father so that all may see what may be conquered through the hand of love. Though He is consubstantial with the Father and commands all within the heavens and all upon earth, He humbled Himself to live among the children of His creation. Through the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary to become human, the Alpha of the New Covenant. He is true God from true God, One in being with the Father, obedient to all which is asked by the Father. By allowing himself to be crucified, to suffer death for the sins of man, He is the Omega of what death brings. In rising as the conquerer of death, He is the Alpha, the new beginning, the new hope, the salvation of all who turn to Him as the One who will lead them to the kingdom of the Father. He is the One through which all may see the never ending glory of His love. If we are to believe in Him, we must also seek to live what He taught; the blessings of the commandments to love. If we are to understand love, we must comprehend the selflessness and charity we are called to share amongst one another. He does not call us to argue and sow divisions amongst ourselves, but to join hands in works through which blessings may be shared. The test before us of all which is done or not done is whether the final consequence fulfills His commandments to love. In so many little ways we are often diverted from this path. The evil one cares not by how much we miss the mark of charity and love, only that we do. And so it is, the children of His creation are revealed by what they say and what comes from their actions, but the final truth of what is within is revealed in what is done and what is not done. The self-righteous may demand justice, but do not deliver justice. They may preach charity, but do not deliver charity. They may call for honesty, but do not deliver honesty. They may cry out for peace, but do not deliver peace. They may profess love, but do not deliver love. The depths of the heart, then, are revealed less by lips and more by limbs. No one is justified by what they say or what they do, for the path to heaven is not paved by word or deed. The path to heaven is paved by the One who took upon His shoulders the sin of the world. The road is paved for those who believe in Him and the sacrifice made for them. The path, then, is not for those who only say they believe in Him, but ignore His will, for what they say is not seen in what they do; rather the path is for those who turn to Him. They may fail along the path, perhaps in all ways; but when they turn to Him and seek to turn themselves over to His will, He will see what is within the depths of their heart, forgive what asks to be forgiven and heal what needs to be healed. Though none are worthy, all are called. Blessed are those who respond to His call. May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always, Prayer Soldier
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 07:17:28 +0000
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