Fr. Paul's Meditations for Church Year A

This story is a “one shot” miracle. It is for one person for one time only. After he had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. He now had His special time to work through the loss of His friend and comrade. The lesson here is about priorities. If he had gone off alone to grieve He would not have had the chance to manifest the Power of God and who He was and why He came. In this way He was able to do both. It is called Wisdom that comes from being in the Presence of God. He is open to all of us when we are willing to be open to Him.  Read more

OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Literal Religion: Understands dreams are about real life. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “They said to one another, ‘here comes this dreamer.’” Spiritual Grace: Knows dreams are spiritual from God and need interpretation. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “They said to one another, ‘here comes this dreamer.’” Did you feel the Grace?  Read more

What to do with miracles? Some miracles are one shot occasions, such as the changing water into wine. Other miracles are for individuals only and mostly only for one time. Peter’s walking on water was just for him at that one moment. Some miracles are done by empowering the followers of Jesus such as healings by the disciples. Some miracles are done on several occasions only by Jesus. It is to show forth His glory and that He is God incarnate.  Read more

OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 32:22-31 Literal Religion: Thinks Jacob is wrestling with an angel. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. The man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Spiritual Grace: Knows it was Esau. The angel wrestled with Jacob to overcome his fear of Esau. The angel won. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. The man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Did you feel the Grace?  Read more

While the parables are about the value of the Kingdom if read literally; it is their spiritual meanings that yield the real information about the Kingdom. The clue to what it is about is found in the last verse. It is not a matter of the value of the Kingdom; it is a matter of being trained to see it.  Read more

OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 29:15-28 Literal Religion: Leah did not see too well. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.” Spiritual Grace: Understands this is a compare and contrast: Leah was not attractive and Rachel was beautiful. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful.” Did you feel the Grace?  Read more

The Kingdom is compared to someone who sows good seed in his field. An enemy sows weeds. The plants came up with the weeds. The decision is to let them grow together until the harvest when the weeds will be burned and the wheat stored in the barn. Rationally this story is quite simple. The Son of man sows the good seed which are the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the devil. The field is the world. The reapers are angels who gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers. The righteous will shine in the Kingdom of their Father at the end times.  Read more

OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 28:10-19a Literal Religion: Cannot see the unseen. Read this scripture literally for the religious meaning. “Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!” Grace: Knows the difference between the seen and the unseen. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read it again: “Surely the LORD is in this place--and I did not know it!”   Read more

There is a difference between the Greek rational mind and the Hebrew Spiritual mind. The Greek mind comes from a background of rational philosophy, such as Aristotle and Plato. The Hebrew mind comes from a background of spiritual experiences such as Abraham and David. This causes some problems. Jesus spoke to the spiritual mind while the Greek words were written for the rational mind. It is up to the reader to make the transition from the rational to the spiritual.  Read more

OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 25:19-34 Literal Religion: Believes Esau was about to die. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. Esau said to Jacob, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Spiritual Grace: Sees Esau as too weak to be a leader. Jacob knows he would not die. He is just letting his hunger control his birthright. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. Esau said to Jacob, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Did you feel the Grace?  Read more