One thing Jesus did was to confront those who did not believe Him. In His time it was the Pharisees. They were easy targets. He did not try to convince them as much as He used them as illustration for those who were open to the Truth. Otherwise, He would only be wasting His time because they just did not get it. When He told the story of the Prodigal Son, some have wondered why He added the character of the older brother. It was because He was talking directly to the Pharisees at that time. They teased Him, wondering why He would join the sinners and not their righteous group. He pointed out there was a party going on. You, like the older brother, are sitting outside bitter and angry and not coming in to celebrate. Read more
Year C Sixth Sunday After Pentecost Meditation
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Jun 20, 2013
God declared War on Legalism when He sent His Word into the World. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us … full of grace and truth. Legalism fought back against the grace believing the Bible, not Jesus, is the word of God. Grace is based on the Two Great Love Commandments. All the Law and the Prophets have now been changed into “do the loving thing.” The New Command is to be in His Presence in order to Love one another. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Read more
Year C Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Meditation
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Jun 13, 2013
There is a spiritual War going on between Grace and Legalism. The War was declared by legalism on the grace of God at the moment of the Incarnation when the Word of God became Flesh, full of grace and Truth. It is time to face the battle between grace and legalism by telling the truth. Read more
Trinity Sunday John 3:1-16
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on May 24, 2012
Nicodemus is in the dark by thinking rationally. He wants to know what Jesus is teaching. Jesus is teaching in the spiritual light. He wants Nicodemus to know how to do what He is saying. Nicodemus knows rationally, Jesus is a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs He is doing if God were not with him. He is thinking in the dark when Jesus says no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born from above. Read more
EPIPHANY IV Mark 1:21-28 Is this a new Teaching? The Authority of grace.
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Jan 19, 2012
Rational understanding attempts to love others so God will love us. Spiritual understanding knows Jesus loved us by being in the Fathers Love. We must be in the Love of God before we try to love others. Do you understand the difference between trying to love someone to be loved and being loved in order to love someone? Read more
Christmas Day, John 1:1-18
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 16, 2011
Today, we do not have the choir, the crowd or the candles. We have a mostly empty church, as most already went to the Mass last night. There are unlit candles circling the church, perhaps flowers that need watering, with pieces of paper the alter guild might have missed after going deep into the night sprucing things up. This is a wonder full time. I like to call it a "no frills service". Read more
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