The Gospel according to Matthew chapter 10

MATTHEW

 CHAPTER

 10

1. Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 1)

Instead of sending the apostles to graduate school  or university in philosophy and theology, Jesus gave his apostles all the tools that they needed in order to proclaim Your message of love and repentance and a radical change in our lifestyle based on Your Word. According to Mr Pawar the author of this chapter, on calling Your disciples You gave them the authority to help others. As Christians we are also bound by the moral obligation to be of help and service to others. Apart from helping others or empower others to seek medical help, we are in a never ending war against the forces of evil that have the capacity of even inflicting physical harm and illness and even psychological disorders on us. 

2. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, also known as Peter; and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4. Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 2 to 4)


On reflecting You chose twelve men with different personalities and characteristics, of which some were extroverts having an outgoing personality as in the case of Peter who later on became the leader, while others such as his brother Andrew the somewhat introvert type who chose to follow under the protection of his brother. On the other hand there was James who formed part of Your inner circle who was nicknamed as being one of the 'Sons of thunder". John who was the other 'Son of thunder' is said to have a fiery temperament, while Philip is described as being a very practical and task oriented person who on being assigned the task of spreading the 'Word of God' set his heart and soul on fulfilling the task to the point of giving himself up as a martyr. On the other hand there were those such as Nathanael or Bartholomew who was rather cautious and sceptical in his first encounter with you oh Jesus. In this group of personality types we also find Thomas who did not believe that You rose from the dead before he was presented with the evidence. There also apostles such as James the less and Simon the Zealot who were sort of less popular when compared with Peter and Matthew the dishonest tax collector who although having such a shrewd character was still chosen to be an apostle.


Among the twelve apostles there are you and me who are praying on this scripture. We are the extended Church of today. As in the case of the twelve we also have the task of spreading the 'good news' of our salvation based on the 'Word of God'. As in the mentioned selection personality types everyone has a place in the body of Christ. God is welcoming new members and is still calling us even today. We are all sinners and therefore we are all in need of salvation even if we are fervent Christians, protestants, homosexuals, bishops or cardinals among others. God is God of all or none of all. Even if you are a member of a terrorist group and are not yet aware of God as your God He is still your God and is patiently waiting for You in heaven to welcome You in His arms. God is our creator, He knows human nature and is aware why some people become abusers, murderers, ninjas, thrill seekers, explorers while others become Popes, Cardinals, leaders of Protestant groups or Churches. God has all under control and loves us for whom and what we are. So if You ever feel that You are not part of the body of Christ, if you ever feel that you are an outcast refer to the twelve apostles and consider yourself as being one of the group.


5. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 5)


According to Mr. Pawar the apostles were so obedient to You oh Jesus that they were ready to venture to foreign lands where nobody knew them, like wise we must also be ready to venture beyond our safety zones in order to proclaim the good news of God. Even today we are called and requested to obey in proclaiming the good news. As the great master mind God is aware of the great benefit that will benefited by all who receive and accept to live according to the way of life that You planned for us.


Oh Jesus in Your infinite wisdom You were aware that there would be people and nations who would not accept the apostles and their message and therefore You gave them strict instructions not to go to such places. You love us so much that You do not want us to endure unnecessary hardship in any thing we undertake especially in the proclamation of Your good news. You do not want us to take unnecessary risks.


6. but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 6)


Jesus seems to be telling his apostles that He wanted to give priority to Hebrews who for some reason had left Jerusalem. Oh Jesus those people who form part of Your inner circle seem to be precious to You. As Christians may we all form part of this inner circle! May we always be candidates to receive the graces of the good news. Even though Malta is a small island in the middle of nowhere You still wanted us to receive the 'good news' of the Gospel marking our salvation.


According to Mr. Pawar with whom  I totally agree We are all lost sheep in our life. At times we also go astray especially when we are determined to go our way instead of following yours. As humans we may not have any particular motive in life but You oh Jesus are always there as master of the cattle in order to keep us united as one herd under one shepherd even those sheep that are in different churches and religions that are not yet part of the Roman Catholic church..


7. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near. 8.Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 7 to 8)


According to verses 7 to 8 it is a fact that there will always be people who are in need of help, therefore as followers of Jesus, we are bound to give a helping hand according to our abilities. Moreover as stated by Mr Devain Ajit Pawar  the author of this chapter, if we all contributed positively to the needs of others society would be a paradise.


 Moreover when sending Your apostles You did not give them a pastoral dogmatic decree or theology. We already had the ten commandments as a point of reference. What was lacking was the awareness of the need of repentance, the going against the sinful ways of the world and the beginning of a new  life, based on the love of God and our neighbours. You gave Your apostles the authority to banish Satan everywhere they went and to cure disease. Although our priests and pastors as far as I know have not been given the faculty of performing such miracles, the healing of sins as in the case of priests, gives a new boost of energy and a strong will to live that is able to cure any disease if it is according to the will of God.


9. Take no gold or silver, or copper in your belts, 10. no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for laborers deserve their food.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 9 to 10)


Oh Jesus You wanted your apostles to travel really light on their first mission. Their primary concern was that of spreading the 'Good News' and not of filling their stomachs or making material gain from their service to the people. Jesus did not want them to make provisions for themselves, because He would be making provisions for them Himself. You told them that the labourers, deserved their food and therefore those labouring in Your fields such as missions or other projects are all catered for by Your divine providence both spiritually and even physically. In some way either directly or by means of the generosity of others You provide your labourer's with the much needed resources.


As referred to by the author of this chapter God caters for our needs and is always ready to listen to our prayers that is when our requests are not a source of harm instead of good. Therefore we are to be great full for having such a caring and loving father.


11. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12. As you enter the house, greet it. 13. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 11 to 13)


Jesus instructed his apostles that on finding a person who is worthy of welcoming them and the presence of God in them, they were to dwell in that household during the time of their ministry. As a thanksgiving token they were to bless the house and all who dwell in it, however if on the contrary they were not accepted they were to move on and take back their blessings so that it would not be wasted among those who would not accept it. Oh Jesus may we all found worthy of receiving Your blessings in our dwelling places. May we always be ready to welcome You in our homes and in our hearts. May we never be denied of Your presence. During these times the evil one is causing divisions in our families by creating barriers between husbands and wives and even children to parents. We are living in a state of chaos because we are not accepting You as a member of our family. We are even changing the original model of a family that consisted of one man for one woman to a model consisting of two men or two women! Please oh Jesus Son of God do not hold this great sin against us for we know not what we are doing! Forgive us as You forgave us at the time of Your passion for we are greatly sinning by implementing laws such as divorce that all go against Your will. Please have mercy and forgiveness even though we do not deserve it as sinners, but only as Your loving children.


14. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 14 to 15)


Oh Jesus time is so precious! It is best to invest time in the spreading of Your Word to holding petty arguments in relation to social issues or dilemmas that often have no possibility of a solution. When giving the apostles these instructions You told them to avoid arguments with those who did not welcome Your 'Good News' and simply to move away permitting such people to fall under Your judgement instead of ours. You love us so much that You do not want our souls to be stimulated to a state of confusion or emotional involvement which in turn leads to to commit one sin after another. In our relations with others You wish us to show respect to others and not be harsh and irritable.


16. "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 16)


During our times oh Jesus we are still surrounded by serpents, people who are ready to twist the truth in order to try and persuade others that You and Your Word are not the truth, are old fashioned during these sinful times. There are those who are making use of social medias on line and even offline in order to spread negative messages that go directly against Your will and values. Give me the Spirit of Truth oh Jesus so that in such circumstances my testimony about You will be true and valid. Please help me not to get involved in petty arguments but testify with both words and moreover by means of positive actions. As Christians we are at risk and exposed to hazards concerning both the body and the soul. Even today our brothers and sisters are being beheaded and thrown into open sea left to die because they believe in You oh Jesus.


17. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18. and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20.  for it is not you who speak; but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 17 to 20)


According to Mr.Pawar during the times of Jesus superstition and corrupt practises were applied and whoever opposed this corrupt system would be strictly punished. Jesus was fully aware of this situation and of the persecutions that they would experience when proclaiming His Word, however oh Jesus You always encourage us and empower us by reassuring us that You will speak up for us and therefore we are not to be troubled or over concerned when enduring such situations.

With reference to persecution during our times please click on the following link:_

The experience of persecution


21. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22. and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 21 to 22)


We are living in world where sin has taken over our brains so much that we are living in a typical state of nature, where our egoistic self is getting the better of us. During situations where we are asked to make important decisions our focus is becoming simply on ourselves or according to what we feel more than what is right according to Your Word.


This has been reflected by the introduction of atrocious laws such as that of abortion and other laws such as divorce in Malta and recently that of spring hunting. We are approving death over life, so much that we are approving and supporting a legal framework that encourages and approves of such sinful acts. As You said anybody who stands up in favour of Your Word by proclaiming Your good news verbally or even on line is subject to ridicule and opposition. Oh Jesus I pray that you give me and others to continue and never be dissuaded by the negative power of those who do not approve of You and Your values.


23. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 23)


Oh Jesus today many Christians are being forced to flee from their hometown and nation in persecution. Many have already accepted to be beheaded instead of rejecting their faith in You. In a spirit of solidarity with our brothers and sisters whose life and death are a living testimony of what it means to be a true and totally convinced Christian I offer this prayer for their souls. I invite you to join in the following prayer by clicking on the following link:-

Prayer for 21 Coptic Christian Martyrs

Coptic Priest offers prayers for victims and even the killers


24. "A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25. it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 24 to 25)


Oh Jesus You set us a good example by which to follow in your ways and be like You. As in the case of the mentioned 21 Coptic Christian martyrs and many more to come, we are to forsake our lives and not renounce our faith even at the point of death. As You said if You were called slanderous names and You forgave such people, we are also not to retaliate but pray for such people who trespass against us. During such an early stage of the formation of Your Church, you already envisaged persecution for those who believe, live and proclaim Your word. Therefore all is Your control. You know what is going on and when it is Your will You are able to bring these negative events to an end. You are our the whole truth and are the only person who is able to inflict justice on this situation that seems to be far away but can without warning be close to home. I pray oh Jesus that like the martyrs mentioned we are found ready to face such persecution for Your name.


26. "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 26)


By means of the Holy Spirit the apostles would be given knowledge beyond knowledge that would outsmart and be able to silence that of their oppressors, therefore the apostles had no reason to fear the opposition. When in a tight corner, especially when speaking in the name of the truth and are confronted or opposed by non-believers, refer to the Holy Spirit of God instead of solely on logic and the Holy Spirit of God will enlighten you with the much needed details in your testimony.


27. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered proclaim from the housetops. 28. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 27 to 28)


According to Mr. Pawar the author of this chapter during these times we are more afraid of natural and  materialistic things than they are of those evil elements that can harm more the soul than the body. Today we are not realising that our real enemy is the Devil and not material sources such as illness and suffering, or capitalism.The sinful world that we live us causes us to worry about the future and installs in us a spirit of depression and fatality with the consequences that our focus shifts from God on to ourselves. The devil makes our world and our crisis appear more desperate and our lives more meaningless to the point of persuading us not to live this world and attempt suicide so that he can take our souls and deprive us of the chance of becoming aware of the love of God and turn to Him in a spirit of love, hope and repentance. When we give up to the snares of the devil our lives become more difficult and meaningless more than they were before because our hope is to be found only in You oh Jesus because it is only in You that our soul can ever experience true love peace and tranquillity.


29. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father. 30. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31. So do not be afraid; you are more of value than many sparrows.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 29 to 31)


According to the author of this chapter with whom I totally agree Jesus is assuring us that we are worth more than sparrows even though we might be people of low self-esteem, however as sons and daughters of God our esteem in His eyes is abundant, so much that even if we give up on ourselves and on life, You oh God will never give up on us.


32. "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 32 to 33)


When we accept You are as our God and Saviour, we are committing ourselves to You. On the other hand You are committing Yourself to our salvation, however if we profess that we deny You publicly or even in private we are like a soldier who is sent to battle without a sword or a shield are subject to be destroyed by the enemy, the evil one for in doing so we have denied the protection of the most high God and decided to wage ware according to our own sinful ways and devices.


34. "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36. and one's foes will be members of one's own household.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 34 to 36)


Oh Jesus I understand what you meant by divisions among us. This is due to the fact that among families, there are those who believe in You and there are others who simply have decided not to accept You as their God both by their words and more by their actions. Therefore this creates stress on the family system and indeed divisions may be created.


37. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38. and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 37 to 39)


Oh Jesus there is nobody but You who can ever love me as much as You do. Not even my mother who in the flesh gave me life. Life would have no meaning if I ever lost your presence and love in my life. Indeed it would not be worth living. Please help me oh Jesus to carry my cross as You did. Please help me to deny my sinful self, by placing other people's needs before that of my own in total humility. This is something I have tried, however my sinful nature at times rebels and gets the better of me. I pray for help in this area of my life.


40. 'Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

(Matthew chapter 10 verse 40)


On reflecting I can say the same thing. I share these reflections on line that God gives me in a spirit of prayer. Nobody is forced to receive them. Anybody who does not wish to receive these posts can either unsubscribe or send me an email. God does not force Himself on us and neither do I. However those who refuse to accept the Word of God (not my posts ok!) are refusing Him and those who really accept You oh God know whom they are loving and welcoming. Nothing but pure love in its purest form. I Thank You God for loving me so much that You prompted me to share these insights and prayers with others.


41. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward."

(Matthew chapter 10 verses 41 to 42)


Oh Jesus, may we never expect a reward from each other for what we do in our daily interactions among each other. However I prefer to receive the reward from You my Father. Among ourselves today we thank each other and tomorrow we argue and may even hate each other. Our thanksgiving is like the wind that is always on the go and unreliable! However Your thanksgiving is true and worthy of praise.



I would like to end this chapter by thanking You for all the support that You have been giving me throughout all these years of my life both online and offline. Thanks for giving me Your Word and the strength to reflect on Your Word even though at times I am tired especially in the mornings. Thanks for all the insights that You share with me. I would also like to thank You for all the people on G+ Facebook and even Twitter who are receiving these posts. They are gifts to me. I thanks both You and them for accepting You, Your Word and even the posts that I share online. Please excuse me all if I ever hurt anybody unintentionally by anything that is included in these posts.

Thank You Jesus

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