The Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 9

MATTHEW 

CHAPTER 

9

1. And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 1)

Oh Jesus you are so humble! Although You love us so much You do not force yourself upon us. You give us the opportunity either to believe in You or to choose the ways of the world. Instead of showing resistance or trying to use some form of persuasion You humbly obeyed the request of the people of Gadarene and went back to Your boat and headed for home. I pray oh God that You spare me from the moment of ever closing the doors of my heart to You in rejection. These people and others like them surely are not aware of whom they are rejecting. Even today many are choosing the ways of darkness instead of the ways of light. I pray for such people so that one day Your light will penetrate the darkness of their life and they will make an in depth experience of You and Your love to them as much and more than I have personally experienced to this very day.



2. And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 2)


Jesus you always amaze me! Your ways are so different from my ways. On seeing the paralytic You did not command the illness to leave, but You referred to the forgiveness of the persons sins. It is as if sickness is directly related to sin. However You are aware, that sin is far greater of a harm than physical illness. Moreover purity and sin do not mingle together. In order to physically heal us, Jesus needs to give us spiritual healing. This explains at times why we do not heal from long term illness. The problem is not with God but with us. If we decide to remain in our sinful ways, we can never receive Your healing, because our sins block the healing power of Jesus. In light of verse 2 from the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew I invite you to click on the following link:-


Relation of sin to illness



3. Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."4. But Jesus perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5. For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven, 'or to say, 'Stand up and walk'?.6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-he then said to the paralytic-"Stand up, take your bed and go to your home,".7 And he stood up and went to his home.


(Matthew chapter 9 verses 3 to 7)


Our world has become a one of contrasts, belief versus unbelief. As in the case of the scribes at times we also do not understand Your ways, forgiveness and healing powers. We try to find a reason in order to make sense of situations but we do not always find an answer because our human intellect is limited. Therefore we end up raising questions and judge both You and Your Holy Word. Instead of letting You and Your Word judge us. However in order to protect us from losing our faith You still perform miracles in our lives in order to prove to us that You are the first and all the causes of our lives and that all is under your control.


In order to view the scenario that Jesus found himself in please click on the following link.


Jesus heals paralytic



8. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 8)


We can also be filled with awe my Jesus by seeing you simply as a healer or a magician, however when viewing You in this distorted way we see You only as a means to satisfy our ends, and not as a loving father as in truth You really are. Although they glorified You, oh Jesus they only saw You as a human being and not as the Son of God..


9. As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 9)


On reflecting we all can go back and remember that precious peak moment in our lives when You oh Jesus made a strong impact on our lives by attracting our attention so that our hearts may be drawn to You. Oh Jesus You have a particular way that You apply differently with each and every one of us. I would like to share my own experience of one of the peak moments of my life that were so strong that it changed my life forever. I do not mean that I am not a sinner any more, but that my relationship with You oh Jesus became more personal and intimate. Oh Jesus You call us every day, however as in the case of the drug addict who starts experimenting with hard drugs and who never forgets the first time he or she induced the drug the same applies to that sacred moment when You manifest Yourself to us.


When I was in my youth I had been brought up on sound Christian values, I was taught how to pray, and was also given ample knowledge of who You were oh Jesus, however this was never enough to satisfy my thoughts. I wanted more. When I was 17 and a half I joined a  group of people who also wished to know You better. During the first week I was taught about Abraham. When I went home that evening I kept on thinking about this person and how nice it would had been to have a strong relationship with You. During the night I felt a strong breeze in the room however I did not have a fan switched on. I had a vision of the sacred heart of Jesus on my left side and the sacred heart of Your mother Mary on my right. I heard a strong authoritative voice commanding me to leave all I had in order to follow Him.


On waking up I felt that You wanted me to join the priesthood or religious life. I felt my heart was going to burst in two. The dream was a trauma that left its mark to this very day. I spent two years in a convent and was about to start my novitiate as an Augustinian Friar. However You did not want me to give my life to You according to this way of life. During that same week that I had to submit my application I had an accident and ended up with a concussion that left me semi conscious in a dark room. The bump on the head or the whole circumstances made me aware that although I had left my family and my belongings I had become richer than I was before. I was far better than I was at home. On having opened my bible and meditated on the issue you showed me that this was not what You meant when You told me to leave all I had so I decided to leave the convent. On leaving the convent I was still wondering what Your call could have meant. On seeking the counsel of a friar in the convent I made contact with a community of brothers of Mother Theresa in Noto Sicily and planned to spend a month there in order to see if You wanted me to live a life of poverty in this community. You were with me all the time.


On arriving at Sicily the person who was to meet me never appeared at the meeting place. To make matters worse my Italian was terrible so I had a problem in communicating with the locals. I did not know where I actually was and where I was to go. I lifted up my eyes to You my God and prayed for Your help. I decided on praying that if I did not find the way till 12.00 am I would find my way back to the ferry and get the first ship for Malta. In the vicinity there was a vegetable vendor and in broken Italian I asked the customers if they knew where the convent of the brothers of Mother Theresa in Noto was but nobody answered me, (Probably nobody understood me). To make a long story short as I walked away with a heavy heart and luggage case I heard footsteps following me and a couple offered to take me to the convent. In good faith I accepted the invitation and about an hour and a half of travelling we arrived at the convent. After having spent a month in Sicily the vocation promoter told me that I was not strong enough to endure the harsh conditions that the brothers experienced. With a heavy heart I headed back for Malta.


 On praying You showed me that the married life was a possible option. I told God that I would only marry a woman who would lead me to him. He found me a woman who took her spiritual life seriously and we got married. Today I realize that my call is to leave my past that had scarred me so much and start a new life walking in the ways of God. This blog is the fruit of that call. My new call is that of sharing my prayers online and spreading the Word of God. The other part of my call is that of being a good husband and father to my seven year old daughter and being an instrument in God's hands to whom I pledge full obedience love and respect.



10. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples.

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 10)


Oh Jesus what a lesson You give us. You do not wait for us sinners to come to You. On the contrary You come to us in order to save us. If we want to catch fish we go to the areas where there is a high possibility of catching fish. Thanks Jesus for humbling yourself and venturing into areas that may have been considered as negative by others in order to save us. I pray that You give me the strength and courage to work with people of different walks of life in order to be of service to others.



11. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 11)


At times we do good acts to others as in Your case oh Jesus, however we are misunderstood. We might help others who may have a strong bias on their heads such as illegal immigrants, or people having a negative reputation, and because of our help we may be judged by others and spoken negatively of. However You never stopped doing good acts and was never discouraged by the opposition made by others and neither should we.


12. But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. ' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."

(Matthew chapter 9 verses 12 to 13)


As a sinner oh Jesus I am greatly in need of You. Throughout my life as a physician You have cured me of 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome' a condition that is considered as being non curable, as a counselor or psychologist you are still treating me in order to help me fully recover from all my past hurts from people who have and at times are still hurting me. You are every thing to me. This is why I love You so much because I have received alot from You and You are still loving and caring for me.


14. Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?"

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 14)


The difference between the God that the Pharisees and the disciples of John worshiped was the God of the old Testament, however the disciples of Jesus were in the presence of the Son of God who came to update the teachings and commandments of the Old Testament. At times as humans we tend to get stuck in our past, and even though we are exposed to something new, we still cannot accept the current times, because we may still be living in the past. Oh Jesus, there was a time when my hurts were so strong that they blocked me in experiencing You as a loving Father. Thanks for healing me of these hurts and offering me a better future as your loving son.


15. And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 15)


This verse explains why we fast only during the time of Easter, because during this time, we re-enact or celebrate the most important time of our Christian life, that is the binding stone of our faith, the death and resurrection of You oh Jesus! During the beginning of your ministry You are already referring to Your death. During our every life while we are still alive we are always to keep in mind that our home is not on earth but in heaven.



16. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloth, for the patch pulls away from the cloak and a worse tear is made. 17. Neither is new wine put into old wine skins, otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the wine is destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins and so both are preserved."

(Matthew chapter 9 verses 16 to 17)


Oh Jesus indeed You are the 'New Wine' and therefore one cannot stop and judge You or considered you only as being the God as portrayed in the 'Old Testament', although even during these times You were loving kind and merciful with Your people and also with us. However You came in order to update the teachings of the Old Testament and make the wine and the skins more refined and of better taste. Therefore the two 'Testaments' are to be viewed in their own individual contexts and are not to be used to contradict each other because as in the case of fruit, they are more appreciated during their harvesting season, however, Your fruit oh Jesus remains forever. Your Word both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament are valid for all times, because the Holy Spirit enlightens my mind and that of others in order to unfold the message of the text which is then applied in my life and then shared with others as in the case of this blog and the ministry of the Church who preaches Your Word till the farthest regions of the earth, so that nobody can say that he or she has never heard of Your name.



18. While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying. "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 18)



Oh how beautiful are the people who believe in you oh Jesus. In humility they come before You and in faith they lay their prayers before you. In good faith the leader of the synagogue believed in Your healing power and even risked being thrown out of the synagogue administration in order to receive Your healing. On reflecting we can ask our selves if we are ready to take risks for You oh Father.


19. And Jesus got up and followed him with his disciples. 20. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21. for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." 22. Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.

(Matthew chapter 9 verses 19 to 22)


This is a situation oh Jesus that as humans we call a dilemma. On the one hand you have the priority of going to the house of the leader of the synagogue however, on the other hand comes this woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years and who had the courage to approach you and in faith touch the helm of your cloak. You acted on the here and now and chose the lady over the so called dead daughter who in her situation could wait for You the giver of life. This is a perfect lesson in decision making oh Jesus. Help me to always turn to You when making my decisions You are the perfect model.


23. When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24. he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26. And the report of this spread throughout that district.

(Matthew chapter 9 verses 23 to 26)


Oh Jesus how gentle and calm You are. You do not like commotion and disorder. Where there is Your presence there is no room for chaos and disorder. You make fun of the ways of the world especially death, because You have power over it and it is powerless against You. Thanks oh Jesus for being as You are, may I always refer to You in both the good times and the not so good times, for You are my only healer. In relation to my Irritable bowel Syndrome the world did not prove successful but You did and You healed me.


27. As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, "Have mercy on us, Son of David! 28. When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord" 29. Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you." 30. And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, "See that no one knows of this." 31. But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

(Matthew chapter 9 verses 27 to 31)


On reflecting on Jesus I wonder whether the blind men where spiritually or physically blind. It seems that even You viewed them with an attitude of suspicion for You did not respond immediately to their request for healing. Another thing that makes me doubt their sincerity is the fact that You told them that their faith healed them. It is as in the case of the woman who had touched Your cloak. The healing power was sort of stolen of You in the sense that You did not give it freely. Oh Jesus may I never be misguided and interpret the dark as being light.


32. After they had gone away a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. 33. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said. "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel." 34. But the Pharisees said, "By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons."

(Matthew chapter 9 verses 32 to 34)


According to human logic, the Pharisees statement is correct and valid, however Your logic oh Jesus Son of God the Most High is totally different from human logic. It seems that when You started your public ministry all hell broke loose. Many people started harassing You from all angles with their issues. However You always catered for the genuine sinners and did not even deny Your healing powers to people such as the two blind men who one being healed did You more harm than good. Thanks oh Jesus for being so kind and generous to us sinners.


35. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and curing every disease and every sickness.

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 35)


Oh Jesus even to this very day You are still in the process of visiting persons, villages, countries and even nations. Anybody who is open to Your healing grace will receive Your healing. I pray oh Jesus that nobody will harden their hearts in Your presence and miss out on this great and healing opportunity. I pray that You will never stop giving us Your healing grace. In a spirit of prayer I invite you to join me in this prayer that is for me and for you who happen to be meditating on the Word of God. Please click on the following link:-

God's healing grace


36.When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38. therefore ask the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest

(Matthew chapter 9 verse 36 to 38)


Oh Jesus thanks for having compassion for us humans. This is exactly our condition harassed by the evil one from all sides, however we have You and Your Church to guide us along the crooked pathways of life. Thanks for being our shepherd.

 I pray in name of all Roman Catholics and even Christians of all churches to keep on sending shepherds that help us in keeping on track according to Your ways. I invite you to join me in the following prayer for vocations;-


Prayer for vocations


As Christians we all have a role to fulfill. On hearing the word 'Vocation' we may associate it with becoming a Priest, Friar or living in a community. However the connotations are much wider than we may possibly think. Wherever we may go, in what environment You oh God may be sending us, we have the opportunity of spreading Your Word and being fishers of people who on following our way of life based on Your Word and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and even the teachings of other Churches may make a U turn in one's life and experience Your love in their lives. We are all given the role of missionaries with the God given task of helping but not convincing others to change their ways. Although we may use many nice words and cite scriptures from both the New and Old Testaments the best way to transmit our faiths is to live according to what we believe so that others will see Jesus in us in a more concrete and credible way. Our way of life based on the Word of God and on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church is enough to set a good example even if we do not utter one word. The saying actions speak louder than words is very meaningful but Jesus told us that if we remained silent the stones could be given voices to spread Your Word. I pray oh Jesus that You keep on giving me insights to share in a spirit of prayer so that Your word will continue spreading throughout the World. Amen



I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer.


Oh God we are living hard times. The enemy is attacking from all sides both inside Your Church and outside. Non believers are launching one attack after another. Christians are being beheaded for whom they believe. Cancer and other fatal conditions are on the increase. We are living a culture that is pro death instead of pro life. Please may Your light shine brighter so that it can penetrate more the darkness of our heart. Please send more vocations because if not our spiritual lives are at stake. Life without You is meaningless oh God. I would have no reason to live if You no longer had a place in my life. Thanks for being my God and my Father.










   

The Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 8

MATTHEW 

CHAPTER

 8

1. When Jesus had come down from the mountain great crowds followed him;

(Matthew Chapter 8 verse 1)

On witnessing your teachings on the mountain oh God I also feel the craving for more of You and Your Word. The more I reflect on Your word, the more I feel urged to follow in Your ways, however try as I might I still manage to put my foot in it and mess up. Although I have Your presence in me, by nature I am still flesh and blood and subject to sin and therefore I am still i need of your grace and mercy and the guidance of Your Word.

2. and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean."

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 2)

Oh God on reflecting I am also that leper. That is why the leper did not have a name because my name and that of all who are sinners fits the description of this person who did not wait for Jesus to come to him but on having seen Jesus, broke the rules that forbid him from interacting with 'clean' people and went to Jesus.

If you are separated, divorced or in some way excluded by some law in society Jesus can give you hope, if you are a sinner like me, sick with irritable bowel syndrome, stress and anxiety, Jesus is your and my healer. He is our only hope. He cured me from Irritable some say the symptoms may reappear but I have faith in You my God that I have been healed by You forever.

If you and I feel unworthy to appear before Jesus because people know you as being gay or lesbian or homosexual do not fear because if the world fears, hates and sticks a label of stigma on You Jesus loves you and has carried the stigma in his body and crucified it on the cross for you and me. Jesus did not criticise the leper for violating the laws concerning lepers. The Leper made the leap of faith that superseded the risks of fear, humiliation and even risk of life if he were to be judged by the Pharisees of his time. So do not be afraid to risk with Jesus. Place your and my present and previous life in the custody of Jesus and go before him and ask Jesus the same question of the Leper; "Jesus if you want you can heal me"


3. He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, "I do choose. Be made clean! "Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 3)


Thanks Jesus for always answering our acts of faith. When you see that like the leper we do what is possible for us to do as humans within the parameters of our limitations, you add the finishing touch that even the science or medicine can ever do. Thank you Jesus for having healed me of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, I know that if you want you can heal me from my chest pains, that nobody seems to know what is causing them. I pray to You not to take away the pain if this leads to my salvation, however my greatest illness is my sins a condition that only You can cure.


4. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 4)


Oh Jesus how humble You are, not like the ways of the world. Instead of craving for popularity You preferred that your acts remain in secret. On the other hand You want us to be obedient both to you and also to our superiors and the authorities. You order the Leper to offer the sacrificial offering as a thanksgiving for his healing. Oh God all healing comes from You. I also for having healed me from my symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome. Thanks Jesus You indeed are my healer.


5. When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress." 7. And he said to him, "I will come and cure him." 8. The centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant be healed. 9. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one , 'Go,' and he goes and to another 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it."

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 5 to 9)


Oh Jesus what a manifestation of humility versus authority! A high rank official of the Mighty Roman Empire comes to you for help. The powers of the world although appear strong mighty and advanced in technology and science as in the medical world, come before You in humility and seek Your help. As humans we do not have all the answers. We are to admit to our selves that try as we might, we are not self-sufficient and we depend on your healing grace mercy and power and not simply on our own weak devices


In response to such a humble act oh God, you humbly respond to our request. You are moved by our prayers, when the objective is appropriate and according to Your will. You love us so much that You will not deny us of yourself. The powers of the world admit that they are not worthy to welcome the pure presence of God in our lives, because we are all sinners contaminated by our sin. It is a sin to use a white towel to wipe an engine that is leaking oil. It is better to use one that is already stained. The centurion acknowledges the authority of Jesus and respects it. He says to Jesus that they were both under authority and both had power over others. However the power of the world cannot be compared to yours oh God. The centurion dwells on the fact, that as much as he pledged his obedience to his superiors in the mighty Roman Empire Jesus pledged his obedience towards God His father.


At times we end up caught in a dilemma between the ways of the world and the ways of God. This is an important moment in our lives, for by means of such moments we can make the leap of faith and in humility admit that there is none like You oh God and that our well physical, spiritual, psychological and social well being as even our financial well being depends totally on You my father.


10. When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, "Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 10)


It is nice of You oh God to make such a positive comment on the faith of the centurion. I hope that when I appear before You oh God You have the same positive outlook on my accomplishments and also speak positively of me. In the eyes of the people of this world, I may not be spoken positively, however what matters most is how I am viewed by You.


11. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12. while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."13. And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith,". And the servant was healed in that hour.

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 11 to 13)


Oh Jesus you praise the centurion for his faith and have harsh words for those of us who consider themselves making part of your inner circle, but are not living according to their faith. Oh Jesus may it never be that we are accounted for as hypocrites. Have mercy oh Jesus and permit us to change our ways before we come before You.


14. When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; 15. he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him.

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 14 to 15)


In the case of the centurion, You just spoke the word and your healing power was in effect and a person was healed. In the case of verses 14 to 15 you touched the hand of the sick person and she was healed. Therefore oh Jesus you used your word to heal the servant of the centurion, and the laying of You hands in the case of Peter's mother-in-law.Oh Jesus all healing comes from You. In times of tribulations we are to place the problem before You and I am to rest assured that in time You will give Your healing, or solve the problem at hand. Help me oh Jesus to place my trust in You and not in the ways of the world.


16. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 17. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our disasters."

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 16 to 17)


In the name of all sinners such as myself I thank You oh Jesus for never stopping to cure our illness and help us in our problems. Day and night Your phone is always ringing and patiently but lovingly You answer our queries, giving healing, blessings and solving our problems. Thanks for never going out on shutdown or working on an 8.00 to 5.00 office hours shift basis. You are always there for us.


18. Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 18)


It seems that you were surrounded by so many people that the situation became unhealthy and people could be harmed due to the lack of space. At times it is good to retreat to our comfort zone with You oh Jesus. Due to the time involved in work and family life, at times life becomes suffocating and there is the need to go to the other side for some time of personal freedom and space. I pray oh God that this time of prayer will always be available. You are my comfort zone. This time of prayer is so precious that I do not imagine how I can live without it and You. Thank You Jesus for giving me this opportunity to be with you.


19. A scribe then approached and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20. And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 19 to 20)


Oh Jesus many people accept you on different terms. Some acknowledge You as a healer, or a miracle maker, others as a philosopher or problem solver, I acknowledge You as my loving father who loves me beyond all measures of the world, so much that You decided to die for my sins in order to claim my salvation.


21. Another of his disciples said to him,, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 22. But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 21 to 22)


In order to follow You my father I am to be so committed that You become my number one priority Moreover as in verse 20 of this same chapter, following You means moving in areas where I never ever considered before.


23. And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24. A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25. And they went and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!" 26. And he said to them, "Why are you afraid you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27. They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 23 to 27)


On reflecting the situation of Matthew Chapter 8 verses 23 to 27, is our situations. There are moments when the waves as in the following link which I invite you to click on, start beating upon our lives. Our lives start as if to be falling apart in the sense that one situation, a family crisis, separation, accident happen in a way that leave us breathless! In such situations we also turn on You oh Jesus and ask if You care that we are experiencing such harsh trials and tribulations. We question Your presence as in the case of the 'Twin Towers' or the current situation re this Islamic terrorist group. We ask You to wake up and help us battle this wave of onslaught that is threatening to eradicate Christianity and life as we have come to know it to the present day. However You oh Jesus are in control of all these situations and therefore we do not need to worry for our well being or that of our family. When You want to You can take control and speak the ultimate word 'Stop' or 'Enough bloodshed' and the waves will calm down again, for both the human and the natural world are under Your control.


Jesus and storm during lake crossing



28. When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 28 to 29)

In order to picture such a situation when Jesus came face to face with evil impersonated in the person of the demoniac please click on the following link:-

Jesus and the demoniac


Strangely enough the demoniac makes a profession of faith when defending himself from the might presence of Jesus. On the one hand the demoniac or possessed person fears the presence of God. The man is in a position of no escape. Its either fight or flight. We also end up in similar situations where we end up having to face our reality that although we try our best to take control over our life we end up messing up. Jesus you try to help us many times but we try to have our own ways. However you never give up on us and keep on trying to attract our attention in order to cleanse us from the presence of evil dwelling in us due to our sinful nature. You look us in the eye either directly or by means of people who are close to You, and in those eyes we see Your eyes and experience Your loving kindness and we break down and let our defences down, so that as in the case of the possessed man You can overcome the negative presence that is controlling our lives.

30. Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31. The demons begged him, "If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine." 32. And he said to them, "Go" So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water.

(Matthew chapter 8 verses 30 to 32)


Oh Jesus how merciful You are! You had mercy on the evil demons and even more You have mercy on us Your sinful creatures. Even though You knew that like the demons we repay Your kindness with evil and negative acts, You still love us and have mercy on us. Thanks for being so loving, caring and merciful.


33. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs.

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 33)


The swineherds and the pigs had been far away from the demoniacs and therefore it had been very difficult to grasp a complete perception of the situation and the state of events that led to the destruction of the herds. In life the same thing happens. We follow a theory or hearsay that we may not understand fully or even a teaching about You oh Jesus, and we spread the false or misunderstood interpretation to others and do more harm than good, so much that others will be discouraged from following You. Oh Jesus I pray that You protect us from such misunderstandings so that You are Your Word are praised and not criticised or ridiculed.


34. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.

(Matthew chapter 8 verse 34)

On reflecting I understand why the person became a demoniac. The Gadarenes where more focused on material gain than on their spiritual lives. On assessing the situation they cared  more for the loss of their herds than for the healing of the demoniac. There priorities were messed up and on experiencing the light of God they could not perceive it from the darkness that they were living in and therefore they refused You oh Jesus. In truth they did not know what they were doing. I pray that as you showed mercy on the demons, You show mercy on those who reject You, on those as in the case of this Islamic terrorist group and forgive them for the negative acts that they are committing. As humans they think that what they are doing is right like many of us, however in truth it is totally wrong. May Your light shine oh God so strong in their lives that it destroys the darkness that is present in the hearts of these people and even that of our own.

I would like to end this chapter with a prayer kindly given to us by Mary Geveetha who for reasons that I respect has decided not to contribute to this blog any more prayers. I wish to thank her for her contributions and tell her that in Your name when she is ready she is more than welcome to continue contributing as before, however either way I still respect her courageous decision.

 I would like to invite anybody who wishes to share a prayer in relation to Matthew Chapter 9 to send it on the following email address:- needforspeedvkm@gmail.com.

Heavenly Father, We thank You greatly for Your beloved Son Lord Jesus Christ, one clothed in Divine power, a great Physician who walked upon the earth, curing the sick, delivering the many tormented by evil spirits, making the lame walk and the blind to see. What great authority He had over the demons and what great power He had over those who needed His healing.

Lord Jesus Christ, You bore our sufferings and carried our sorrows, and to You was revealed the powers of heaven and might, we call upon Your blessed name to come upon with power on our bodily diseases and heal them in Your spirits. Like You made clean the leper,  heal those with diseases that affect the body and make them clean and whole again. Heal us too from our spiritual leprosy as we humble ourselves under Your feet and seek forgiveness for all we have done against the word of the Father and His will.  

We pray and we believe that no guilt is so great, that which Your precious blood cannot  atone, no corruption so strong, that Your grace cannot subdue, no illness that is incurable in Your blessed name Lord Jesus.

Help us Lord Jesus to have great faith like the centurion. Help our unbelief and our excuse to sin. Help us humble ourselves before You at all times in all circumstances, bringing our supplications and prayers,  bringing before You those who need Your power of healing and recovery. Lord Jesus, like You cast out the demons, pour out Your spirits on those who minister in the ministry of deliverance. May Your power of deliverance work through their hands as they bring those affected by demons and captivation of evil spirits and relieve them of Satan's trap and antagonism.

Lord Jesus, may nothing come in the way of following Your will and way. May our earthly duties and cares never take over the call of You to follow You in service and to do Your will.  In the times we are away on our feet, may no harm or tragedies scare us away from Your comfort and saving strength.  Help us Lord to always rely on Your strength and Your saving grace as we remember that even the waves and winds obey Your  orders. 

May we keep the light of faith burning in all the troubles and afflictions that we face. May we always remember and have great faith in Your words, "Believe, and ye shall receive, only believe". In our faith and belief, we will see Your power Lord Jesus Christ healing our souls and may we rejoice and give God all glory in Your blessed name,  Amen!

The Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 7

MATTHEW

 CHAPTER 

7

1. "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2. For with the judgement you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.

(Matthew Chapter 7 verse 1)

Oh Father you made us in such a majestic way. You gave us the faculty of making an assessment on people and situations, however as humans we tend to pass negative judgement on others and at times we create labels to place on others that are hard to remove once they are attached. We do it on ourselves and even on others. The funny things is that once we become aware or somebody makes us aware of our weaknesses instead of praying to God to help us overcome that weakness in order to improve our spiritual, social and psychological being we project our weaknesses on to others by calling them names and projecting our weakness as a label. Some people are called slow coaches, dumb, silly and many other negative words. In other cases we place labels people whom we might fear such as illegal immigrants or people of different skin or race and we create a social bias that is sure to spread like a disease with negative consequences, however at heart we do so because such groups raise our fears and therefore we use labelling and judgement as negative means of 'self-defense' which is not Christian or Catholic at all.

In this respect I would like to share with you a very sweet story by Max Lucado that is very appropriate with the message of Matthew Chapter 7 verse 1. I invite you to click on the following link.

Max Lucado and labelling story


3. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4. Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? 5. You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.

(Matthew Chapter 7 verses 3 to 5)


At times we tend to put aside our own weaknesses and put on a mask of superiority on those who happen to be in a weaker position than us, and adopt the role of God, by saying what should be done from a human point of view in the situation and never leading the person to God who has all the answers to our problems.


6. "Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.

(Matthew chapter 7 verse 6)


God is telling us to be very cautious about what we may share with unbelievers. We are to be very careful in what is precious to us as Christians. Many sects are taking verses from your Word oh God and try to disprove the authenticity of Your Word. Others are making films  and writing books that also distort the message of Your Word. In this respect we are to protest against such measures in order to protect what is Holy and precious and protect it from ending up in the possession of those who do not believe in You and Your Word. The current greatest threat is this terrorist group that is threatening to destroy all traces of Christianity. We are to unite in prayer in order to preserve the Pope and all that is Christian while there is still available time.


7. "Ask, and it will be given you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9. Is there anyone among you who if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10. Or if the child asks for a fish will give a snake? 11. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

(Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7 to 11)


Oh God how loving you are and how generous and considerate You are to humanity. Yo not only gave us instructions on how to lead a life that gives you pleasure but You also gave us the means of reaching that end. When we have questions in life about both spiritual and material issues You told us to ask. Today more than before knowledge is at our finger tips, a click away. On the other hand God and His Word are always available to answer all the issues of our life. In order to find what we want we need to ask questions that God will surely answer when He considers as being the proper time.


When You oh God father of all love and knowledge has the right answer in Your own good time You will give us the answer by means of Your Word, people of God and other means and situations that You consider as being appropriate to the given situation.


12. "In everything do to others as you would have them to to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

(Matthew chapter 7 verse 12)


Indeed oh God this is the law of laws. If we reflect on the consequences of the actions that we plan to inflict on others or even wish to in our hearts we may think twice on that action especially when considering the consequences that we would endure if the same action was done to us. In the same way from a more positive point of view we can conclude oh God, that we have a great wish to be loved by You and by others, therefore likewise in the light of this dictum that is verse 12 of chapter 7 of the Gospel of Matthew we are to love others beforehand. If we always thought on this structure we would never even think of hurting others or doing a negative action. Our lives would be totally the reflection of You our Father and Master Creator.

13. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

(Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 to 14)

Jesus instructs us that if we want to follow Him we are to go on a diet of the ways of the world. We are to renounce values and practises that are held as a must or a rule or a value, that in substance in in contrary to Your Word oh God. In light of verses 13 to 14 I would like to share with you the following insights. I invite you to click on the following link:-

Insights on Wide and Narrow Road


15. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 

(Matthew chapter 7 verse 15)


The world offers us many situations that appear to be good but in truth they, may have evil connotations. Mother technology promises an easy click and push button way of life which if used in a correct manner is priceless, however, these same means can be easily used wrongly.


16. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17. In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20. Thus you will now them by their fruits.

(Matthew chapter 7 verses 16 to 20)

Jesus is advising us to analyse the actions of those persons who come to us under the disguise of holiness or goodness, for in truth they may not be as genuine as they appear. The criteria that Jesus gives us in order to carry out this task is the person's actions. Mother Theresa would never have been involved in a multimillionaire dollar fraud in Calcutta, St.Francis of Assisi would never have been involved in a scam that would destroy any living creature, or a scam that would drain the rich from their resources in order to feed the poor. However on reflecting on God we can easily turn the focus on ourselves and reflect if our actions match what we say and what we believe.

I can easily start from myself oh God. You explain to us that we need not worry, however when I was informed that our 7 year old daughter needed glasses, I was worried sick. I started blaming myself of having produced a defective child, instead of accepting the fact that I also have glasses and that this is surely the will of God and that I would have had better given thanks to You oh God that by means of competent people you illuminated us in time to take the necessary action. On reflecting even though I reflect on Your Word oh Jesus my action of worry still did not reflect Your presence in my life. Although the tree appears to be good, the fruit produced was sour and bad.

I pray for Your forgiveness oh Jesus because my actions did not reflect my belief. If You were to reap my produce You would not have found good fruit, and you may even have decided to throw my tree into the fire. However it seems that You have had mercy on me and still love me, because although I am a weak and sinful person You are still giving me the chance of placing my trust in You and changing my sinful ways.

21. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name? 23. Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'

(Matthew chapter 7 verse 21 to 23)


This is one of my greatest fears oh Jesus. Although I sincerely love You, I always fear that I do not love You enough. I am aware of why I have this great concern oh Jesus. This is because I have lived circumstances as You well know that although I have loved people such as my father but in time he has rejected me as his son by means of the annulment that he has applied and is about to get. I understand that as a loving father You stand in the same boots. Not all who profess their love for you are genuinely believers in You, even though they may have taken vows in order to dedicate their life to You. I pray oh Jesus that You have mercy on me and the world, so that our lives will not be better than that of those who profess to love and believe in You and then go against Your Word and the faith that You have given to us.


It is better oh Jesus for me not to have been born at all, if at the time of my leaving this world I will not merit your grace of after being exposed to the state of purification of my sins will not be allowed to spend the rest of my life in Your presence. It would truly be a waste of a life and time on earth. However oh Jesus I am in no position to make such a gross statement me who am only the dust of the earth. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.


24. "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock. 26. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell-and great was its fall.

(Matthew chapter 7 verses 24 to 27)


On reflecting Jesus is plain and simple. Your statements are so true and down to earth. You never promised us a life without tribulations just because we pray on Your Word or because we are regular Church goers. Tribulations may still befall us, however the major difference between those who have their lives built on the Rock that is the 'Word of God' and those who have built their lives on the world, and its teachings, is that the attitude of those who have built their lives on God is more positive. Therefore even when the strong winds blow on their situations and although some walls or ceilings may cave in or are completely destroyed people of God simply accept all that has happened as being according to the Will of God and adopt an attitude of thanksgiving instead of one of depression, anger or condemnation of God.


28. Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29. for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

(Matthew chapter 7 verse 28 to 29)

Oh Jesus you have a special way of delivering Your message. When speaking Yo do not need to cite other people's prayers or speeches or philosophical or theological arguments, because all knowledge has its roots in you. You are an authority in Yourself unlike the scribes of your time and therefore You do not need to cite other sources or authorities.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:-

Thanks Jesus for all the messages that you have given me throughout these seven chapters of the book of Matthew and even in the chapters of the 'Old Testament' I pray that you help me to live each and every word and insight that You shared with me and put it into practise. I pray that my fruits reflect the type of person who I am and that when my time is up You will reap good fruit from my tree. Thanks Jesus.

 .

The Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 6

MATTHEW 

CHAPTER 

6

1."Beware of practicing your piety before others to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your father in heaven.

(Matthew chapter 6 verse 1)

Oh father this is something that  I am always aware of. At times people may consider me as being a pious person however, although I do my best with Your help to be a good person I am still a sinner and prone to sin. Try as I might to be a person who always does good deeds I always end up messing up and at times hurt others as a consequence.

As a rule of thumb I ask myself, if the action that I am doing has the aim of helping others, or if it has the intention of boosting my self image, or the way others may view me. On reflecting I remember a situation when You made me aware that what I was doing had ended up being a negative act, even though it was of a spiritual nature. I used to read scripture during mass. One day a youth approached me and told me that he liked the way I read and that he was attending mass because of me. I explained to him that he was attending mass for the wrong reasons and it was right to attend because of me. 

When I was reading scripture the following week You intervened by creating a situation that made my reading be read so bad that even a toddler would have had a better pronunciation. When I started reading something strange happened. I could not understand or recognise the words of the scripture before me. It was as if it was a foreign language. In order to save my face I started inventing words that I thought matched that of the scripture before me and tried to make a good job of it. I was not reading for You my God or for the benefit of those attending mass. I was doing it for myself and I was making a mess of it. From that day on wards I learnt my lesson and even stopped reading during mass. I learnt that what I do I do for the love of God to seek the reward from God and not the praise and gratitude of mankind.

2. "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4. so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 2 to 4)


Oh Father you are so humble. You want us to be like You in the sense of doing our good acts in secret and not to obtain the praise and popularity of others. When giving donations of money to others who may be asking it of us, we are not to think whether the person is really in need or if he is faking with the intention of bleeding us of our money to go and buy drugs. We are to give freely because we have been given freely from God our father. We are to give of what we have as in the following example that may bring a smile on our face:-

Donation of water


5. "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 5 to 6)


 Oh God how nice it is of You to give us guidelines on how to offer our prayers to You. Thanks for giving us these precious guidelines. It is very helpful to find a quiet place or go to Church before the Holy Sacrament or even meditate on the Word of God in a quiet environment where you and I can be alone in the presence of Jesus enclosed within our selves and discuss with Him all that has made us happy and thank Him for it, and also that which is still on our minds and is troubling us.


At this moment in time oh Father I am concerned about this terrorist group that is causing much harm everywhere it goes and is threatening to come to Malta. However I know that my life and that of my family is in Your hands and in the worst scenario the worst thing that can happen to us is to be beheaded or shot because we are Christians and believe in You. Indeed for me it would be the greatest end that I could have that of dying because of my faith for what I believe. However if the rest of my family is not ready to appear before You please spare them this terrible experience.


7. "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9. "Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11. Give us this day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 13. And do not bring us to the time of trial but rescue us form the evil one. 14. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15. but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 7 to 15)

Jesus explains to us that we are to discard our prayer books and open our hearts personally to Him and offer Him prayers containing our prayers instead of those of somebody else. God is craving for relationship with us. In order to be of help to us, He gave us this particular prayer which contains all we need to live and believe.


The first verse confirms that You oh God are our father. Therefore no other physical father such as parents can ever replace you in our lives. You are our one and only father. This verse is followed by another verse which gives You praise oh God. Halowed be thy name. There is no other name that is worthy of power love and praise in the world. Instead of cursing your name we are to give You praise and worship. This is followed by the fact that Your Kingdom will come. When You came into the World Your Kingdom came in the presence of Jesus and it is still here in the presence of Your Holy Spirit. However Your Kingdom will be reinstated or authorised at the time of Your second coming on earth which is known as the time of Judgement, however Your kingdom comes into our heart at any time especially, during times of prayer, praise and worship to You.


Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Even though oh God we do not always understand why certain things or events are taking place on earth, we are to rest assured that You are in control and even if I make a mess of a given situation at times without having a bad intention Your will in that situation will still unfold on a personal level and even on a global level.


Give us this day our daily bread. Our aim is not that of having long term riches and plans to gain more and more riches. We are to to be happy with what God gives us every single day, for every day is a gift, and that is why we call it the present.


Forgive us our debts oh God, however, I still find it a challenge to forgive those who have hurt me. In my mind oh God I try and convince myself that I am also a sinner and that as much as others have hurt me, I have also hurt those others. I am also aware that as human beings we are prone to hurt others and be hurt by them, however to sincerely forgive is a goal that I need Your help to accomplish. Throughout my my life both past and present as You know, there were and are people who have deeply hurt me. The level of my self-esteem had become so low that I had a negative perception of myself. However today I realise that when I am viewing myself negatively I am subjecting to disgrace even Your presence that dwells in me.


I thank You God for your love and healing care that restores my soul. I pray that you continue to heal me and strengthen me in my areas of weakness. I pray today and always that You deliver me from my moments of weakness and forsake me from placing both my body and my soul in harm.


 In a spirit of prayer I invite you reader of this blog to join me in the praying of the Lord's prayer by clicking on the following link-


The Lord's prayer


16. "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."


(Matthew chapter 6 verses 16 to 17)


As is found many times oh God You do not like it when we do things or acts, simply in order to impress others and not to give praise and worship to You. As You said when we try to impress others we receive the merit from others, therefore I if at any point I have tried to impress others, I am also not worthy to receive the mercy of God. I pray oh God that You help me remain in a state of humility and help me never to consider myself above others. Help me please to always be available to others and consider their needs even before that of my own.


18. So that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

(Matthew chapter 6 verse 18)


Jesus is insisting that we do we do in secret. Nobody needs to know if we are being of help to an elderly person who needs our support, or maybe a person who is going through a bad patch in ones life. When helping others we are helping You oh God. Therefore what we do we do in secret and not make it a public scene so that others may praise us for our efforts.


19. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. 20. but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 to 21)


Oh God many material goods or even people and even our careers can become our treasures. We easily end up investing more on earthly achievements than on our spiritual lives. The funny thing is that we say we invest in the future and talk about long term goals, however in reality we invest in things and investments that pass instead of investing in things that remain forever such as our life in heaven. A career has a beginning and an ending. We can achieve the peak in our career, however a simple or fatal accident can easily bring our career to an end. If what we aim for is not according to God's will and plan, it will never be a success or will end up leading us to follow the pathway to our destruction as is the case of many who have even reached stardom and ended up committing suicide because God was not in their choice of career.


22. "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light; 23. but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 22 to 23)


All the images that we see by means of our eyes are sent to the brain. The images are stored in different parts of our memory located in our brain. Different parts of the image such as colour and related connotations such as love, fear and anger, or arousal are also stored in different parts of the brain. On the other hand oh God You gave us a computer in our head that forgets nothing. However the eyes are the keyboard of this magnificent computer. If we focus on positive images, our brain will have in it positive images that sends positive feelings, thoughts and behaviour to the rest of the body thus giving it a positive attitude to both the body mind and spirit. However if our eyes are contaminated by negative images such as porn, beheading, crime and other negative situations our brain is going to be contaminated by such images. In time if exposed to such a negative perception such as is viewed on line or on Television we might start considering this reality and or virtual reality as being real and justified. Playing simulated war or fighting games that destroy another opponent may convince us that fighting is justified over seeking a solution to peace.


The following scene from the film 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' is a typical example of how our perceptions can become contaminated, sinful and aggressive. One of the children who found the golden tickets hidden in the Wonka Bars was a child who as in Matthew chapter 6 verses 22 to 23 had his eye contaminated. The violent war games that he played left feelings of aggression in him so much that when he was in a beautiful valley where everything was made of chocolate, the child started destroying all the beautiful chocolate fruit and grass where he was standing. His father who was nearby was amazed by his sons behaviour. Like you oh Jesus the father tried to make the child aware that what his son was doing was wrong, however the child was so brainwashed that what he was doing was right that he kept on destroying his environment. I invite you to click on the following link and move to the scene that starts from 3.00 to 3.13 on the time bar of this video clip where the son considers violence as means of enjoyment..

When our eyes become contaminated    


24. "No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other: You cannot serve God and wealth."

(Matthew chapter 6 verse 24)


Jesus is asking us today to make the great big decision that of either following Him and His ways and even the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church that has been given the mandate or permission to practise and uphold the ways of God, or else to choose to adopt ways of the world that may appear to be good but in substance are humanistic and not always according to the ways of God. Typical conflicting issues are those of divorce and abortion, avarice and selfishness that blocks all love and sentiment towards others.


25. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26. Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 25 to 26)


Oh God thanks for thinking about all our needs. Thanks for being our source of salvation, our source of care and love and our safety valve in moments of danger. Thanks for caring so much for me and the human race. You assure me that if you care so much about the birds of the air, how much more will you care for us. By means of verses 25 to 26 you make me aware of the need to have healthy priorities in my life in order to be able to discern what is of you and is therefore of a priority to what is of the world which may not always be of a priority. In the mentioned example you gave me a typical example when you asked us about which was the most important life or food and clothing. On reflecting other questions come to mind, such as what is the most important giving birth to a baby or choosing to abort it in order to pursue a career? Aborting a child that is the result of rape or giving it a chance to be born and learn how to love. What is best being rich mighty and powerful at the risk of a huge downfall that may bring the career and life in danger or leading a simple life that depends on an honest living and God's divine providence.


27. And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

(Matthew chapter 6 verse 27)



On reflecting this verse is meant typically for me, who according to my sinful nature when acting according to the flesh am a born worrier instead of a born warrior. Worry used to be my first name, however God is helping me handle this barrier however I am still a building site that is under construction. Today I have a different response. Instead of automatically letting my stress response fight or flight get the better of me as before, I am trying to stop and pray on the situation and accepting any event in my life as being according to the will of God. Your Word oh God is a perfect manual. In situations when I feel that I was treated unfairly I remember that You source of all justice and goodness was cheated, lied against and even crucified on my behalf. Therefore if my Master was treated in this way, how can  I His servant expect to be treated any better?


28. And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29. yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30. But if God so clothes the grass of the field which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith?

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 28 to 30)


Oh God You love us so much that you care for us from a wide perspective, and therefore we need not worry. I totally agree with You oh Jesus that stress or worry is related to sin or lack of faith which breeds in us strong feelings of insecurity. Therefore the next time we find ourselves anxious or worrying we stop and ask ourselves about the source of our worry. Is it the source of fear and if yes of what? At times we are afraid and worried about things that have not yet happened or have a high chance of not happening at all. Therefore the best thing is to place our trust in God and cross the bridges when we come to them.


31. Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?" or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?"32. For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

(Matthew chapter 6 verses 31 to 33)


Oh how generous You are oh God. You ask of us to place our focus particularly on 1% of our lives with the  promise that You will help us in the provision of the remaining percentage. However although you made this promise this does not mean that we are to retire from our employment and spend our days praying on the work of God. A healthy balance is to be found. When God sees that we have our focus on Him our life changes and we are then open to receive His divine providence which is in both graces and at times even material goods according to the given situation. Jesus may not come personally with a blank check but may stimulate somebody to place an advert for a job vacancy to you and me are able to apply for as eligible candidates.

 34. "So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

(Matthew chapter 6 verse 34)

When we worry we increase our stress and even have a negative impact on those around around us. Worry can only breed further worry, therefore in order to free ourselves from this vicious circle we are to place our trust in God and live the day. In his sermon on the mount Jesus instructs us not to be burdened with demands that do not actually concern the given moment or time. This does not mean that we are to be lax in our duties, but on the other hand if we place our faith and trust in Him we will not end up biting more than we can chew. One thing we can keep in mind is that if everything fails in life God is our safety net and He is able to provide us with all we need. He has already given us a social system that caters for our needs from the cradle to the grave, on the other hand if we die at least we know that we have a Father in heaven who is ready to welcome us as His sons and daughters, therefore on reflecting we have really nothing to worry about.

In order to remain on this positive note in light of verse 34 which brings us to the end of chapter 6 of the book of Gospel of Matthew I invite you to click on the following link and reflect and maybe even join Bob Marley in his song in a spirit of prayer that like Jesus invites us not to worry.

Song Don't Worry be happy

The Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 5

 MATTHEW

 CHAPTER

 5

1. When  Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 1 and 2)

Before addressing the waiting crowds Jesus went alone to pray on the mountain. When he felt empowered by the Holy Spirit of God his disciples came to him and He began teaching the people. What a nice thing it is to pray to You oh God before deciding to embark on a project that may bring changes in our lives or even in that of others. If You oh God felt the need to pray, how much more do we need to pray for Your guidance.

Before continuing our prayer on Matthew chapter 5 we are also going to pray to the Holy Spirit of God so that He will illuminate us so that we get the message of His Word.

Oh God inflame my mind so that I can receive the message that is in Your Holy Word. Give me a brain that is open to receive from You and also to share with others. Please give the insights, feelings and motivation so that I can apply in my life all the teachings that You are going to pass on to me. I pray that You empty me of my concerns and fill me up with Your Divine Holy Spirit so that I can be a channel of Your love.

Amen

In order to become familiar with the teachings of Jesus on the mountain and maybe even consider us as being among the crowd please click on the following link.

Sermon on the Mountain

3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew Chapter 5)


Blessed are the poor in spirit for they are empty of themselves and are full in You Oh Father. Today I realise more than ever that, if I am full with myself, meaning that I am envious, proud and full of aims and personal agenda to be ahead of others, I have no space for You in my heart and self. However this does not mean that I am not to love my self or hate my sinful self, but that the focus of my life is to be on You and not based on my self and on my aspirations and personal ambitions. My main aim in life is to live according to Your ways and be an example for both my family and others in my inner and outer circles, so that through my way of life based on Your Word and on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (Others may follow their own churches no problem) we can all reach our ultimate end that is the salvation of our souls by the grace of God and one day we may be all reunited together in the presence of God.


4. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 4)


For all those who used to think oh God that those who experience negative events are cursed or under a bad omen, they are in for a surprise. Nothing is beyond the control of you my father. As much as humans such as psychologists, bereavement therapists or social workers try to give us comfort and understanding it is only God who can give us the necessary support. A very efficient way is to go in the Holy Presence of God in the Eucharist or at our prayer corner and pour out our troubles to You my God. God gives us comfort that the world cannot ever dream of offering to our troubled souls He is our comforter and our healer.


In this respect I would like to share the following reflection that was given to me to publish by Patricia Bailey a long time ago. Patricia Bailey is a follower of this blog

                                                   May you know that God loves you. 

                                                   May you know that you are saved by Jesus.

                                                   May you know that He cares for you, always.

                                                   May you sleep deeply and peacefully.

                                                   May you wake with gratitude.

                                                   May you know you are worthy

                                                   May you glow with happiness.

                                                   May God bless you, day after day,

                                                   in the name above all names, in Jesus Name.

                                                                            Amen!

5. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 5)


Blessed are those who are not full of themselves with pride and vain glory. Blessed are those who do not consider themselves better than others. When we are humble we are ready to receive and also to give. When we are proud we can neither receive because we are to proud to accept that we are in need and too selfish to share with others.


6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 6)


Oh father may we all experience hunger for You and your 'Word'. You are not speaking of a hunger that can be satisfied with the food and drinks of the world. Whoever eats of this food will experience hunger through lack of food once they have consumed their food, however those who experience You will have a larger craving not because they would desire more and more of You. May we always experience more of this craving and receive the fulfillment that only You can give.


7. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 7)


Love breeds love oh God, and hatred breeds never ending hatred, however if we show mercy to those who have harmed us or who have been unfair or even hurt us this would be more considered worthy in God's eyes. Moreover Jesus showed just this up to the very last breath of his life. He kept on forgiving us and is still offering us forgiveness by means of the sacrament of reconciliation. 


8. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 8)


Indeed blessed are the pure in heart, a heart that is focused on You and free from the desires and contamination of this sinful world that is becoming corrupted with each passing day. Even our food is no longer pure but contaminated by chemicals and preservatives and additives. Gradually we are losing the sense and meaning of the word pure because many things that existed in their natural state as You created are being modified and have become totally artificial.


9. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 9)

It is considered a fact that children are similar in particular traits to their parents therefore we are similar to God who is also our parent. You oh God are the only peacemaker that the world cannot do without. The devil master of discord and confusion does all to create disharmony and sin in the world and even within our brains thus causing us to sin against You and others by stimulating our drives, needs and even emotions in heated situations in order to get us into trouble and sin against You. Therefore blessed are those who try to focus on the positive even in a situation that appears to be totally negative and attempts to solve the issue and thus creates order again.


10. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 10)

Blessed are those who were beheaded during our times because they were Christians, blessed are they when they had to decide to either renounce their belief or flee their homeland. Blessed are we when we lose our jobs because of our belief in You oh God. Blessed are we when we forgive others who attempted to kill us, destroy our marriages even abuse our children.


11. "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 11)


Oh God when making such a declaration You may have already been picturing Your passion and those who would give false witness against You. Oh father make us more like You especially in such situations. In verses 12 You teach us what our attitude is to be during such moments.


12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 12)


Oh God unlike the world You want us to adopt an attitude of thanks giving to You and still be happy even during trials and tribulations. For even if we are unjustly denied of what is due to us, You will generously compensate us with something better and bring out the good even from what appears to be a tragic situation. You are able to turn the situation into our favour if our attitude is like yours. You love us so much and You like it when Your children thank You for the never ending means of support that You give to Your children.


13. "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 13)


We are those that have faith in You oh God, however if we do not set an example of our faith in You oh Father we would be worthy to face the disgrace of humiliation. This does not mean that if we feel that we are not giving testimony of our faith we place ourselves on the floor and tell somebody to walk all over us. In this respect this means that if we who consider ourselves as believers stop giving witness of our faith we would be no better than those who wilfully do not believe in God.


14. "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 14 to 16)


We have received the light of faith, therefore our light must shine and not be hidden and blocked from letting forth its light. As Christians we must charge our batteries by means of the sacraments and shed our light others by means of the way we live and the faith that we practise.


17. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 17)

Although Your message was that of the truth, from that very moment the evil one was already sowing the seeds of doubt and unbelief in the hearts of the people who were present. As much oh God as we welcome innovations in technology and scientific research as humans we have a fear of the unknown. In our spiritual journey this is also the case. We wish to follow You, however we might be afraid of the changes that we have to make in our lives in order to follow You. The question that comes to mind is whether we will be able to make the necessary adjustments in our ways, norms, beliefs and values that govern our lives like a personal constitution.


God is promising a way of life that upgrades our present way of life to one that that is compatible with the ways of God.


18. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 18) 


God assured his audience that up to the moment of his passion and after that,  meaning the time when He would rise again and send us His Holy Spirit none of their laws would be changed. Oh God sometimes You speak in a way that I do not understand. I am sure that when You said, 'all is accomplished' many people did not understand the meaning of what you were referring to, however even though at times we lack understanding we still are to place our faith and trust fully in You.


19. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.


(Matthew chapter 5 verses 19 to 20)


Jesus assures the listeners and even us He did not intend to destroy our values that are according to His Will, however on the other hand we are to remain in obedience to His commandments and not do actions that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus and the Roman Catholic Church, for anybody who wilfully violates the will of God and teaches others to do the same is guilty for his own recklessness and even for leading others on the wrong path. Therefore people who teach the Word of God and even myself have the responsibility of not only writing things that are according to the will of God but even the responsibility of even living according to the will of God.

I pray to You oh God that You give me the strength and faith to live according to Your ways and not live the life of a hypocrite who writes and says one thing and lives a way of life that is contrary to that same belief as did the scribes and Pharisees at the time of Jesus.


21. "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'Whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.' 22. But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 21 to 22)


What was said during the ancient times is still valid for our times. If one commits murder one is subject to judgement. When referring to murder we are referring to the death of the body. However when we hurt each others emotions by using harsh words we are also committing murder. This is the destruction of ones self esteem and of ones positive image of oneself. In the long run such negative feedback can have long term consequences on the part of the victim who if the person believes such feedback may end up hating and even hurting oneself and may even be the cause of suicide, During this long speech or sermon Jesus refers to the old traditions and customs and gives an update instead of abolishing the old ways that God had given to Moses and his descendants. God dose not make us abolish our ways and beliefs, but enlightens us with means that help us improve our relationship with Him and others.


23. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24. leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 23 and 24)


According to Jesus what really matters is our relationships with others above anything else. He considers as being more important to reconcile with those who have wronged us than to go to a prayer meeting and give praise to Him while being in a state of anger with somebody. When in a state of anger we block out the presence of God from our lives and as, soon as God is out the Devil moves in and causes great harm and injury between those concerned.


25. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 25 to 26)


Oh God You love us so much that You keep on giving us lessons in order to live a life that is in harmony with Your will and that is according to the well being of social order. When we become angry we create a state of disorder both within us and even beyond us, and this may have a negative impact both within ourselves and even on those making part of our inner and outer circles. Personally our emotions are stimulated so we may become angry and aggressive, Therefore wen in such a state it is best to calm down by referring to God in a spirit of prayer, realise that if someone has wronged us, at some time in our lives we have also hurt and wronged other people and that the pattern never ends, however God has given us the power to make that difference and become peace makers instead of trouble makers.


27. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 28. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 27 and 28)


When we look at someone and fix our eyes on its beauty we form an image of beauty and love in our mind nevertheless if the source of beauty is not ours, however if the image becomes a need and a want so much that we have an intimate relationship with another person's wife or husband that is really against the will of God. So the best thing is to either avoid looking or at least make the look a one time affair and  not stare or wink at the woman or man as an invitation.


29. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 29)


By no means does God want us to pluck out our eyes or cause physical bodily harm to our selves. The underlined message is to do our best to avoid all situations that may be of temptation and cause us to commit one sin after another. The reference made by Jesus to the eye can be applied to other members of the body such as the tongue which is also a very dangerous weapon if given the occasion to be used in a negative way.


Oh God forgive me, for as a human I have let my tongue and other senses take the better side of me and have also been a source of injury to others. Although I meditate on Your Word each day I am still not spared from the temptation of committing such sins with my tongue and other members of my body.


30. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 30)


If I come across many one handed people I would be sure that they are Christians or maybe people who have followed this blog. Excuse my joke oh God, but I feel sure that You do not wish us to cut off our hands but to make sure that we use our hands to do positive actions instead of negative ones.


31. " It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him giver her a certificate of divorce.' 32. But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 

(Matthew chapter 5 verse 31 to 32)


With reference to the issue of divorce and the only grounds of divorce please click on the following link

Grounds for divorce

God and divorce


33. "Again, you you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord,' 34. But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35. or by earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 33 to 35)


In His sermon on the mount Jesus gives us another important update concerning the taking of oaths. The law especially in courts compels us to say the truth under oath and we are to obey such legal instruction. Jesus also respected the authority of His time. In His sermon Jesus was aware of the antagonism that existed between the Romans's and the people of His time. However He still demanded that oaths may not be taken by Jerusalem in order not to show disrespect to the authorities even though they may have been corrupt and unjust. Moreover Jesus was referring to oaths taken on ones children, self, Job and even family as is done by some. When taking oaths we are commanding God to justify us in situations that may be a times corrupt or unjust or only as a means to sustain our arguments which may have nothing to do with God all. Therefore in order to show our respect to God, ourselves and to others it is best not to take such oaths at all.


36. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37. Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No,; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 36 to 37)

Jesus strictly demands that at all times under every circumstance we are to stick to the truth. However although saying will set us free, it is not easy to accomplish because significant others or delicate situations may hinder us from being completely honest with ourselves and even with others. When constantly compelled or adopt the bad habit of saying lies or as some call them white lies we may end up living a lie even with ourselves.

In relation to the issue of saying the truth I would like to share with you the following video clip about saying the truth. Please click on the following link:

Always say the truth


38. "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,' 39. But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40. and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41. and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42. Give everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 38 to 42)


According to the will of God as found also in the book of genesis, a negative action is not to be followed by another negative action. Following this vicious circle, the negativity will keep on spreading. In His sermon on the mount Jesus challenged or updated this old belief by introducing the issue of forgiveness. On reflecting on this verse oh father I commented 'so much ado and fuss on self-defense' because in truth You do not want us to retaliate in self-defence but as you did when physically assaulted, You turned the other cheek. Thank You my father for setting me such a good example to follow. I pray that if I ever end up in such a situation I will not refer to my instincts but keep your teaching in mind and humbly turn the other cheek.


In this respect I would like to share with you the following song by my favourite Country singer Kenny Rogers. The song is called 'Coward of the County'


Song Coward of the County


I have also included an illustrated version showing the action behind the words that helps us to grasp the message behind the song.

Illustrated version of the coward of the county


43. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy,' 44. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45. so that you may be children of your Father in heaven;for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 43 to 45)


In his sermon Jesus challenges for the second time the old issue of hitting back at our enemies. What is so hard about Your Word oh Father is that at times it goes against human logic and the instincts of our corrupt nature, which dictates that we love only those who love us. This is one of the greatest challenges of all times that compels us to go against our thinking and even our instincts. This requires of us to adopt a new updated attitude to life that is based on Your Word instead of on our sinful and carnal nature.


46. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47. And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(Matthew chapter 5 verses 46 to 48)


When I was a student at the university of Malta one of my lecturers had a sticker having the following message; 'If you want to drive your enemies nuts love them'


We drive our enemies crazy because it is illogical to love a person who is totally against us, however as already mentioned Jesus is giving us this command to go against our own nature and love those whom we find it difficult to mingle with. This is one of the greatest challenges to humanity because as humans our sinful nature tends to create barriers against those who hurt us. It is only with the grace of God that a human ever succeeds in forgiving or loving a person who has hurt us or is making life difficult for us.


Oh Father I confess in Your presence that even though I love You and meditate on Your word every day, there are still people whom I still cannot forgive. Such people have either hurt me in the past or are still hurting me even at the present time of my life. I also admit oh father that as a human being I am still far from being perfect, and as a consequence there are people whom I have hurt in my life, both in my inner circles at home and in my extended family and even in my outer circles at work and other environments. I pray for your forgiveness oh Father for I am a great sinner. Although I do my best to control my self meaning my tongue in what I say and my brain in what I think, I am still facing difficulties and am still hurting others in the process. I pray for your forgiveness oh God and I pray that You help me in overcoming my sinful self by making me more aware of myself and more sensitive to others and their thoughts and feelings.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer, that was generously donated to us by Mary Geveetha who although is a very busy person still found time to send me this prayer via email. I thank her my wife Shirley who is meditating on the gospel of St Mark, and Mr. Devain Ajit Pawar for they are my right and left hand in the continuation of this blog. In Your name oh Father please send your blessings and care and please help them in all their needs. I also wish to pray for a person who is also following this blog so that You oh father can intervene in the relationship issue that he and his loved one are facing so that they will be reunited if it is according to Your Will.

Heavenly Father,

In our profession of faith, we pray to be wise people who have our lamps of faith lit and be awake with sound knowledge of Your word and settled resolution in all trials and tribulations.


Create in us a steadfast spirit O Father, so that we shine in goodness,  in our love for You and our brethren. May we never grow remiss and slackened in our spiritual growth and development. As we keep ready oil for our lamps, may we keep pursuing repentance and a righteous living and be ever ready to meet You at Your judgement seat. As many are called but few chosen, we pray to be the chosen to receive the crown of inheritance of Your Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bless us Father with the Holy Spirit that we may be become prudent and diligent servants of Jesus Christ our Lord. May we realise that nothing we inherit upon earth is our own except sin, which is the outcome of our desires of flesh and wants of the worldly pleasures. Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions in the ways of the world but desire the great inheritance of heaven.


We pray to understand and succumb to the fact that it is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as His servant, in promoting His glory, and the good of His people.  We pray that we no longer selfishly live for ourselves but in love of Christ who died for us and serve in His great commission towards the well being of His people. May our selfless giving to the poor and needy, the care for the sick and lonely, and the acceptance of the abandoned and those set aside by society be our prime concern in love and service. May the love of Christ flow through our hearts in perfect peace as we radiate His love in our love for our brethren who are in need.

Father, we await in faith and hope the great coming of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice in our hearts knowing that He will come again in reign as King of Glory and mediator and the ultimate judge of the living and dead. We pray that we make ourselves aware that there is a judgement to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery.


The wicked and godly who now dwell together will be parted on the day of judgement. Jesus Christ is the great judge who will shortly distinguish between those that are His, and those that are not. All other distinctions will be done away with, but the great one between saints and sinners, holy and unholy, will remain for ever. We earnestly pray that we will be a people who will share in the great Grace of Lord Jesus Christ.

We pray this prayer in the blessed name of Jesus, Amen

(Prayer by Mary Geveetha)