#list of the parables of jesus

[cinderpresss]

The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book: A Practical and Easy-to-Understand Perspective

Discover the timeless wisdom and profound teachings of Jesus through His parables with "The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book: A Practical and Easy-to-Understand Perspective." This study guide is designed for readers of all backgrounds, offering a fresh and accessible approach to understanding the parables that have inspired and guided millions for centuries.

Features:

Explore the deeper meanings and contexts of each parable with simple and clear explanations.

Engage with thought-provoking questions that encourage personal reflection and group discussion, making it perfect for individual or small group study.

Gain a better understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of Jesus' time, enhancing your appreciation of His teachings.

Incorporate the teachings into your spiritual practice with prayers and suggestions for worship related to each parable.

Continue your study with recommended readings and resources for deeper exploration of the parables' themes and messages.

Why You'll Love This Book:

"The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book" offers a clear and practical guide to understanding and applying the wisdom of the parables. Each chapter is designed to be engaging and easy to follow, ensuring that readers of all levels can benefit from the profound lessons contained within these timeless stories.

Unlock the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven and discover how the parables of Jesus can transform your life with this essential study book. Dive into the teachings that have shaped faith and spirituality for generations, and see how they can speak to you today in a fresh and meaningful way.

Get your copy of "The 30 Parables of Jesus Study Book: A Practical and Easy-to-Understand Perspective" and embark on a journey of spiritual growth and enlightenment!

[blackswaneuroparedux]

If Caravaggio were alive today today, he would have loved the cinema; his paintings take a cinematic approach. We filmmakers became aware of his work in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he certainly was an influence on us. The best part for us was that in many cases he painted religious subject-matter but the models were obviously people from the streets; he had prostitutes playing saints. There’s something in Caravaggio that shows a real street knowledge of the sinner; his sacred paintings are profane.

Martin Scorsese on Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi, known to most of us as “Caravaggio,” was born on September 29, 1571 in Milan, Italy, to parents who were from the small town of Caravaggio. In the span of his 38 years long life he revolutionised painting with innovations like a unique use of chiaroscuro - with dark shadows contrasting with dramatic areas of light - and a deep sense of realism that later inspired the Baroque movement. But most of all, he developed such an iconic style that most of us can probably look at a painting and know if it’s a Caravaggio, or Caravaggio-inspired. 

Merisi spent the first few years of his life in Milan, studying painting, and later moved to Rome, where his early talent impressed Cardinal Del Monte, who introduced the young painter to other high-profile Catholic figures who became commissioners of some of Caravaggio’s best work. It seemed there was no end to the artist’s creative genius. Caravaggio, much to his patron’s delight, would pump out one masterpiece after another. It seemed the more out of control his personal life became (cheating, brawling and murder were standard fare), the more his art would become more refined, more potent.

In the long list of masterpieces he left behind, both secular and religious works stand out. But it is perhaps in his religious works that the artistic transition of the master is more evident. Caravaggio is, in fact, known to have changed his style after harsh personal life experiences led him to reassess his outlook on life.

In May of 1606 Caravaggio took part in a deadly brawl in Rome and was charged with murder. He fled to Malta, in search of asylum from the Order of Saint John, a Catholic order dedicated to helping the sick and the poor. The order commissioned some of the most important late life works of the Milanese artist.

It is in these works that we notice the shift in Caravaggio’s art, from a strong focus on aesthetics to an interest in the spirituality of his subjects, which critics believe was motivated by his own introspection.

On the streets surrounding the churches and palaces, brawls and sword fights were regular occurrences. In the course of this desperate life Caravaggio created the most dramatic paintings of his age, using ordinary men and women - often prostitutes and the very poor - to model for his depictions of classic religious scenes.

By representing biblical characters in a naturalistic fashion, typically through signs of aging and poverty, Caravaggio's populist modernisation of religious parables were little short of trailblazing. Although not without his critics within the church, by effectively humanising the divine, Caravaggio made Christianity more relevant to the ordinary viewer.

For some, though, his art was too real. Bare shoulders, plunging necklines, severed heads; this raw humanity didn’t always fly in 17th century Rome. As a result, many of his pieces were rejected as altar pieces and as church hangings. One such piece, the Madonna of Loretto (now hanging in a church in Rome) was widely criticised upon its unveiling. The people of the day were shocked to behold the Mother of God leaning nonchalantly against a wall in her bare feet while holding baby Jesus in her arms.

It is ironic that the very art that today we consider “classical” and “iconic” to the Catholic faith was considered questionable and perhaps void of modesty and virtue. Yet, the fact remains that no individual artist has made such a lasting impression on the world of modern art. Truly, many have called Caravaggio the “first modern artist”. It is no surprise, then, that his style has sparked both widespread admiration and imitation throughout the centuries.

Before Pope John Paul II refined a theology of the body beautiful, Caravaggio's paintings suggested a reverence for the inherent beauty of human form.

Troubled though he may have been, his art speaks eloquently of the dignity of the mundane. Though the original medium may be weathered and cracked, the message of beauty still echoes down the centuries. And this same beauty still fuels, escapes and reduces artists to relentless seekers as surely and as forcefully as it did in Caravaggio's life.

[jessicalprice]

adventures in christian opinions about judaism

(reposted from Twitter)

So a while back I started writing a thing on the trio of parables that ends with the prodigal son (which I still need to finish) and like MAN OH MAN do Christian commentators insist that Jews hate shepherds.

Like, I can't even count the number of commentaries that insist that shepherds were "despised figures" for first-century Jews and the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin were designed to insult the Pharisees by comparing them first to a shepherd and then to a woman.

So, as is my wont whenever Christian commentators make a claim about what was normal for first-century Judaism, I decided to try to hunt down their source on this.

As I've said many times, when it comes to Christian parable interpreters' claims about what attitudes/beliefs/etc. were normal for first-century Jews, get used to the phrase "no sources are cited."

I mean, first off, as a 21st-century Jew, the insistence that 1st-century Jews hated shepherds rings odd, given that <checks notes> Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rachel, all of Jacob's kids (the founders of the tribes), David, etc. were all sheep-tenders. The image of God as a shepherd is pretty consistent throughout the Tanakh. That image reappears in the Qumran texts, which as far as I know, are one of the few Jewish sources we have from 1st-century Judaea.

The term "despised" gets used a lot, so I decided to dig into that one.

When I was able to find citations, I traced them back to an 1882 commentary by a guy named Frederic Farrar.

Farrar cites Heinrich Meyer as a source for this, but when I looked up THAT citation, it's Meyer saying that shepherds were a "lowly but patriarchally consecrated class" -- in other words, poor, but with a distinguished history and status.

So that's why everyone's tossing the term "despised" around--because Farrar just made it up. But what about primary sources? I went back on the hunt.

Surprisingly, in a number of reference works, like glossaries and Jeffers's "Greco-Roman World of the New Testament," I found similar assertions about the common attitude toward shepherds, for which they cited...

<drum roll>

Aristotle. You know, the Greek guy who lived 300 years before Jesus? Definitely a reliable source for Jewish attitudes of the time.

Some people cited Philo's On Agriculture. Okay, Philo was at least Jewish and lived when Jesus would have, although he was a wealthy Hellenized Jew living in Alexandria rather than a Pharisee living in the Galilee. But okay, at least it's the right culture and time period. (The reference in Philo turns out to be talking about the section of Genesis in which Joseph's brothers come visit him in Egypt. It talks about how they were proud to be shepherds, and criticizes (gentile) kings who look down on shepherds.)

Then we've got Mishnah Kiddushin, in which a bunch of rabbis are having a debate about which professions make you trustworthy vs untrustworthy, and one rabbi lists everyone from camel-drivers to herders to barbers to shopkeepers as untrustworthy. Another rabbi comes back and is like, nah, all those people are fine upstanding folks; it's doctors and butchers you've gotta watch out for. So they're citing one cranky dude with a LONG list of people he doesn't like, who immediately gets shot down, as evidence of the normative attitude for Jews about a century earlier.

Oh, and we've got a citation of Midrash Tehillim which says that God-as-shepherd doesn't have any of the failings of humans-as-shepherds, which... sure. Also, it was codified in the 1300s?

The most compelling citation is from the Talmud (Sanhedrin 25b), in which the rabbis discuss who's qualified to be a legal witness. They exclude shepherds, because shepherds graze their animals on other people's land, which some of the rabbis see as a type of theft.

The Talmud is a record of debates, but this passage definitely makes it sound like this is a majority opinion. (It should be noted that the passage disqualifies all KINDS of people, from those who lend with interest to those who fly pigeons, as having conflicts of interest.)

But the important thing here is that the Talmud includes records of debates from as late as the 4th or 5th centuries CE (300-400 years after Jesus's time), and the passage makes a point of noting that the disqualification of shepherds as witnesses is a later development.

So in other words, the idea that the Pharisees hated shepherds and would have been insulted by Jesus telling a story in which the protagonist was a shepherd is based either on Greek attitudes that are 300 years too early or Jewish ones that are 300-400 years too late.

But people will twist themselves into citation knots (or just not bother citing a source at all) to insist that this was a common attitude so they can position the Pharisees as hating those charming humble shepherds and their fuzzy little lambs.

As to WHY this idea seems to be so important to them, well, you cannot read about Luke 15 without encountering the word "outcast" roughly 90 times per page.

The framing is Jesus was friend to The Outcasts while the Pharisees despised The Outcasts and the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Sons are all parables about accepting The Outcast.

Never mind that neither the sheep, the coin, nor either of the sons got kicked out of their communities. The sheep wandered off, as sheep are wont to do, the coin was lost by its owner, and the younger son decided to leave to go on a spending spree while the older son declined to attend the welcome back party for him after his dad managed to hire a band and caterers but never thought to let his own son know what was going on and he had to find out from a hired hand.

Moreover, the term "outcasts" gets used as a synonym for "tax collectors and sinners." Tax collectors were usually pretty well-off because they ran a protection racket for the Romans. Outcasts? I mean, I guess? But hardly in the "marginalized and powerless" sense.

As far as "sinners," the NT doesn't usually bother telling us what, exactly, they did to "sin," but on the rare occasions when it does offer that context, it's almost always wealthy people.

But why talk about that when they can present the objection the Pharisees had to Jesus's dining with "tax collectors and sinners" as the Pharisees despising lowly outcasts, and insist that the Pharisees hated the idea of such people repenting and returning, and so Jesus was tweaking their noses by comparing them to shepherds and women.

As if, you know, teshuvah wasn't something the Pharisees were ALL ABOUT. If you want to actually understand, consider that the iconic tax collector in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows no inclination to STOP being a tax collector.

The objection wasn't you're having a friendly dinner with poor lowly outcasts for whom we have contempt. It was you're having a friendly dinner with people who are extorting their neighbors on behalf of the invaders who kill us for looking at them funny and have expressed no intention to stop doing that.

Now, there's a good discussion to be had about whether shunning Trump lawyers and Marjorie Taylor-Greene donors or inviting them to dinner and trying to win them over with compassion is more effective, more ethical, more compassionate (to whom?), etc.

But presumably we can see why people of intelligence and goodwill might disagree on which of those approaches is the right thing to do, and why such people might might object to the strategy they don't agree with.

But what really gets me is that Christians have the utter fucking NERVE to paint the Pharisees as inhumanly awful for not wanting to have dinner with tax collectors while viewing Corinthians as Holy Writ:

I mean, Paul's all YOU MUST SHUN ALCOHOLICS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE GREEDY and Christians are like yes, that makes sense, but if the Pharisees are like, no, I don't want to have dinner with that guy who narced on my cousin and got him crucified, Christians are like, they're monsters.

Cool, cool.

Anyway, this has been your weekly edition of Christians Need To Stop Just Making Shit Up About Jews And Then Citing Each Other Like It's Fact.

And there were a lot of "I've never heard anyone say Jews of Jesus's time hated shepherds..." responses: Maybe you haven't, but that doesn't make it uncommon.

Sources in which I've found it:

Craig Blomberg (Denver Seminary, Society of Biblical Literature, Tyndale House, NIV translation committee)

Jared Wilson (professor at multiple Baptist seminaries)

Stephen Wright (Spurgeon College (British evangelical college))

Arland Hultgren (Luther Seminary (ELCA))

Kenneth Bailey (Presbyterian/Episcopalian)

Joachim Jeremias (Lutheran, cited EVERYWHERE)

Bernard Brandon Scott (Disciples of Christ, the Jesus Seminar)

Klyne Snodgrass (Evangelical Covenant Church)

Barbara Reid (Catholic Biblical Association)

That particular trope spans denominations, decades, etc. It's not a fringe viewpoint.

[momentsbeforemass]

The list

I get to hear a lot of peoples’ ideas about God. It’s a privilege when someone shares that. I’m humbled by their trust.

For many of them, their ideas about God are the source of some of the greatest suffering in their lives.

All you can do is grieve with them, for all that they’ve suffered. When the way that someone used God against them, they ways they internalized it, and the harm that it’s done to them, all comes tumbling out.

When someone who’s been hurt like that is ready to, I ask them to make a list. Of all the things they’ve been told about God that are hurting them, that are driving them away.

If that list has things like not being good enough, never doubting, not making any mistakes, never hurting anyone, never drifting away from God on it? I ask them to pray today’s Gospel with me.

Here’s what I mean – as Jesus heals him, He tells Bartimaeus, “Your faith has saved you.”

When Jesus talks about faith, He’s not talking about perfect faith. Having no doubts.

As He shows us in the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus is talking about the smallest crumb of faith. Even faith born of desperation. If it’s only the forlorn hope of “I wish it were so.”

“Your faith has saved you.”

That’s it. That’s what God wants from you. That’s God’s complete list.   

If your list has things like not being good enough, never doubting, not making any mistakes, never hurting anyone, never drifting away from God on it?

Compare your list to God’s list. None of that is on God’s list.

Because God loves you far too much to let any of that get in the way.

Today’s Readings

[divinum-pacis]

This is an opinion article by Thomas Reese.

Read below:

"Many people give up on religion when what they really need to do is change their image of God and how they relate to him. Too many people, when they grow older, give up on the God they learned about as children. What they really need to do is think about God in a more mature way. 

This can be a crisis of faith for many people, especially young people who can no longer relate to the God they learned about as children. Too often, priests will tell them that this is a temptation. They are told to have greater faith. Hold on to their God and don’t let go.

In truth, when someone is undergoing a crisis of faith, they may need to leave their old image of God for a new one. We need to change our understanding of God as we mature, just as we need to change our understanding of our parents as we mature.

Psychologists, like Erik Erikson, teach us that humans go through stages of development as they mature. The great Catholic mystics taught the same thing for centuries when they wrote of the purgative, contemplative and unitive ways. More recently, spiritual writers like James Fowler have used modern psychology to enrich our understanding of spiritual development.

My own simplified vision of spiritual development has three stages: turning away from sin, the practice of virtue and being embraced by God’s love. These stages are not airtight compartments but more a matter of emphasis. All our lives involve turning away from sin and practicing virtue, but the emphasis will be different as we mature.

Many of the greatest saints were first great sinners. They had to go through a conversion, reject sin, do penance and accept God’s mercy. Many Christian ministers put a great emphasis on this process, focusing on sin and the need for conversion in their preaching. Their God is a lawgiver and judge and sometimes even a policeman. God’s wrath will fall on sinners, but his mercy will come to those who turn away from sin.

Pentecostals, Baptists and conservative Catholics are good at challenging sinners and calling them to repent. This approach can be especially successful in dealing with prisoners and those with addictions.

Knowing that God is watching can also keep ordinary Christians from falling into sin. The fear of getting caught and punished keeps many people from doing wrong. We are like children who behave because we don’t want to be spanked.

The prayer life of a person at this stage of development is all about contrition, recognizing we are sinners and saying we are sorry. If we hear the parable of the prodigal son, we identify with  the prodigal and his brother, and how we are just like them. We spend a lot of time examining our conscience and listing all the sins we have committed in confession.

At this stage, God can sometimes come across as arbitrary and vindictive. When I was a child in the 1950s, we were taught that it was a mortal sin to eat meat on Friday or miss Mass on Sunday. Adolescents were told that they would go to hell if they enjoyed a “dirty thought.” Wives were told to stick with their husbands, even in cases of abuse.

For many, it seemed absurd to burn in hell alongside Hitler for eating a hamburger on Friday. This was a God who could be easily rejected.

At some point after turning away from serious sin, a Christian needs to move on from a focus on sin to a focus on the practice of virtue. If you are no longer a great sinner, it is time to move from the negative to the positive. We need to move from “How can I stop sinning?” to “How can I be a better Christian?” Scrupulosity is a sure sign that it is time to move on.

In this second stage of spiritual development, God is not so much a judge as a coach. We ask him for help to be a better Christian. He urges us on to greater and greater virtue. When we pray and read the Gospels, we don’t focus on sin, but on Jesus as the person we want to follow and imitate. “What can I do for the Lord?” “How can I be better?”

Most Christians spend most of their lives at this stage of spiritual development. We are not great sinners, but neither are we saints who practice the virtues perfectly. We try to be better but frequently fail. We don’t pray well, we don’t love as much as we should, we struggle and don’t seem to get better.

This can get tiresome after a while. The coach wants us to run faster, but we know we are never going to win a gold medal. We begin to resent the coach for asking too much of us.

At this stage of development, we are like a teenager trying to win someone’s love with the perfect clothes, hairstyle, makeup, conversation and social media. We are looking in the mirror all the time, not at the person we are with. By being good, we think we will earn God’s love.

In the third stage of spiritual development, we focus not on ourselves but on God. We look less at the prodigal son and his brother than at their father. Many Scripture scholars call the story the parable of the prodigal father because of the love that he showers upon his sons.

When we look at Jesus in the Gospels, we see someone who will not just tell us to stop sinning and follow him. Rather he is someone who is wonderful and who tells us about his Father, who is loving and compassionate. In this stage of development, we are not looking for sin or ways to be better; we are looking at the Scriptures to learn how awesome and wonderful God is.

I sometimes think that the hardest act of faith is not to believe a particular dogma but to believe that God loves us unconditionally, that above, behind and in the universe is a benevolent God.

In each stage of spiritual development, our prayer life is different. In the first stage it is mostly contrition (I am sorry), in the second stage it is mostly petition (help me) and in the third stage it is mostly thanksgiving and adoration (you are amazing).

To truly fall in love, we must forget ourselves and focus on the person in front of us. God is amazing and we give thanks to him for all that he has done for us. In the final stage of spiritual development, we fall in love. We aren’t good out of fear or to win God’s love; we are loving and kind because God has first loved us."

[awideplace]

Walking Away From The Truth: How Does Apostasy Happen?

As believers, we love Jesus, we follow Him, we’re all in. We’re so thankful for the gospel—for being transformed and given new life. So we don’t understand how anybody who’s tasted that could ever walk away from it. How does apostasy happen? I’ve discovered about thirty different reasons the Bible has for why it happens. Here are a few.

Number one, persecution. People just do not want to pay the price to follow Jesus, especially publicly. Popularity and other people’s opinions are just way too important to them. “If I made a big deal about Jesus publicly, it could hurt my business or my status in the community.”

In Jesus’ parable about the sower and the seed, there are different hearts of people who heard the message. Jesus said that when persecution or tribulation arises because of the Word, some fall away. They stumble (see Matthew 13:20-21).

Another reason is mixed devotion. Some people come to church, but they’re fence-sitters. They think, “I’m attracted to the Jesus who forgives me for my sins and gives me joy and purpose, but there’s a lot of fun stuff to do in this world.” They’re earthbound. They’re after momentary comfort rather than Jesus and discipleship.

The Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). In the sower parable, Jesus said, “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

A third reason it can happen is because it’s just plain hard to follow Jesus for some—probably for all of us—at one point or another. Have you ever read something and thought, “I have to live that? That’s hard!” I certainly have.

When people heard Jesus’ sermon in John 6, it was a tough message to receive. They said, “This is [a] hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60, KJV). And then we’re told, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). The demands were too difficult.

Another reason people apostatize is because they’re not paying attention. Sounds like something your teacher would say, right? But it’s possible to fall away because you’re not really grabbing hold of the truth. Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

Another reason it can happen is laziness. Some people just aren’t interested in coming to church. They distance themselves from it because they don’t want that accountability of having other believers around them.

But Hebrews 10:25 says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

These are just a few reasons. The Bible lists many more, including Satan’s devices, an unbelieving heart, a hardened heart, rebellion, bitterness, immorality, disrespect of leadership, not mixing God’s promises with faith.

In fact, the majority of those exposed to the Gospel will turn away from it. Look at the math from the parable of the sower and the seed. Of all the people that heard the truth, only twenty-five percent bore any kind of fruit, and a very small percentage bore what Jesus called hundred-fold fruit (see Matthew 13:23).

It’s no wonder that Jesus said, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction…. Narrow is the gate…which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Not most, not a lot—few. No wonder Jesus will say to many, “I never knew you; depart from Me” (Matthew 7:23).

Skip Heitzig

[semidecentpoet]

Queer Christian "mini" ramble :P

I'm a nonbinary lesbian and a practicing Catholic Christian, and ik that Christianity has been and continues to be used as a justification for queerphobia (by people who have clearly never read a Bible smh), but that hasn't stopped me from thinking ab how even just the themes of faith and queerness collide and intersect and come together and shit in such,,,,, just,,,,, beautiful ways imo???

Even going beyond the whole "Love thy neighbor as thyself" and Jesus just being a Swell Guy—The Swell Guy—it can get really fucking interesting, especially considering the context of modern times (I'm a little coo-coo for literary analysis, so just allow me to get my energy out here lol)

Like, Isaiah 49:15 says, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (wording varies based on the version of Bible, but you get the picture)

God is literally saying, "I love you even if your own mother doesn't," and somehow, in the context of so many queer kids getting kicked out/disowned by their parents—to the point where 28% of queer youth have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives as of 2021—too many fucking Christians think God hates gays??? Pick up the damn Book, bitches???

God is an ally, you fake motherfuckers. Leave Their kids alone, goddamn.

(As an aside, I don't want to make anyone feel like I'm pushing my faith onto them, especially when it comes from a religion and institution that has done a lot of fucking harm. I'm not trying to convert anyone—that would be a bitch move. I just get really excited about these two parts of my identity that are very important to me lol)

I feel like this adds up to the bigger point that God is all ab the OutcastsTM, those who mainstream society has marginalized and all that. Several examples from the Gospel to support this come to mind immediately, but listing them all would take a Hot Minute.

But this line from Isaiah is one I think ab a lot. In a text that relies heavily on parable—to the point where you'd think more Christians would understand what metaphors are by now—this line hits especially hard in the context of today bc it's something that literally happens frequently to a specific group of people.

It's eery, at the very least, how on-point it is.

To anyone that's read this far—not to be that cheesy Christian, but I'm gonna be that cheesy Christian—God loves you. Even if you're not religious or have a rocky relationship with religion, I want you to know that God loves you. I have textual evidence and everything. Take it or leave it, doesn't matter <3

At the very least, I, some okay-ish poet on Tumblr (who rarely posts any actual poetry lol), am in your corner. Should you ever need it <3

Ok, ramble over, go drink some water. Hydrate or die straight, you sexy bitches

[christianbelievers]

PREPARE TO BECOME GOD’S NEW MINISTERS

PREPARE TO BECOME GOD’S NEW MINISTERS (NOW…AND IN THE 1000 YEARS REIGN)

If you are a born again believer, the Bible says that you will rule and reign with Christ. Are we prepared for that? I don’t think many of us can truly fathom what that means, but it still remains a fact written in God’s Word.

Perhaps I should have asked “Is God preparing you for that?” I believe that’s exactly what He’s doing. There are parables that God uses to help us understand how He’s doing it. You can find one of them in Matthew 25:14-30, and there is a similar parable in Luke 19:11-27, among others.

In the Parable of the Talents, from Matthew’s Gospel, a man going on a journey left three of his servants with some of his money, presumably to care for their master’s estate while he was gone. Each was given a certain amount “each according to his ability”. One man was given 5 bags of gold, the second 2 bags, and the third 1 bag.

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:19) The first man used his 5 bags of gold to gain another 5. The second man used his 2 bags to gain 2 more. The master was thrilled. To both he said 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” In the parable from Luke, the 2 men were given charge of cities, 5 for the one, and 2 for the second man.

In both of the parables, the 3rd men that were called in said that they had buried, or hidden the money that they were entrusted with. They both called their master a “hard man”, and claimed to be “afraid” of him. They said “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.” (Matthew 25:24) Both of these men’s share of the money was taken from them and given to the ones who had gained 5 bags more. But, not only were the bags of gold taken from the two men, they were also thrown out of their masters estates, and considered “worthless”.

So, what can we learn from these two parables? What did Jesus want the disciples, and us, to understand?

I believe the Lord wants us to understand first, that He wasn’t really talking about money, but knowledge, wisdom, and gifts that are to be used for His kingdom, such as evangelizing, and teaching. These gifts will help us to increase and build God’s kingdom. But there are many other gifts that God has endowed us with, but each according to our abilities. The list is long, but here are some of the gifts that some say are available within God’s Kingdom.

Prophecy, Pastor, Teaching, Wisdom, Knowledge, Exhortation, Discerning of Spirits, Giving, Helps, Mercy, Missionary, Evangelist, Hospitality, Faith, Leadership, Administration, Miracles, Healing, Tongues, Interpretation, Voluntary Poverty, Celibacy, Intercession, Exorcism, and Service. (This list is taken from the Wagner-Modified Houts Questionnaire)

Several of these gifts are disputed among some denominations, such as Miracles, Healing, Tongues, and Interpretation of Tongues. But I’m not going to debate any of the gifts. I only want to show the different ways that God uses us. One thing that I was surprised to see, is that Prayer was not in the list above. I personally think it’s one of the most important gifts of all. And is truly something that each of us can do, no matter what our abilities are.

In our preparation for ruling and reigning with Christ, I believe that these gifts will somehow help us now, and in the millennium, and perhaps even throughout eternity, but that is purely speculation on my part.

The first gifts that every believer receives from God are…the Holy Spirit, righteousness, grace, and eternal life. Glory to God and Amen for these wonderful gifts!

The Apostle Paul wrote on some of these gifts listed above. He said…

“In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."(Romans 12:5-8)

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” (1st Corinthians 12:27-31)

In that 12th chapter from 1st Corinthians, Paul also tells us how important it is for all of us to work together, as one body in Christ. We all need each other, and the gifts that each of us has. That’s why he said “Are all prophets? Are all teachers?” God’s Kingdom needs ALL the gifts, not just those of prophet and teacher, and so on. And there are no small gifts in God’s Kingdom. Now, no matter how inconsequential your gift might seem, it is priceless to God, and should be used to the best of your ability. To do this, we must remain open and connected to the Holy Spirit who works in us to accomplish these things. One thing that we should remember, is that it is God who is accomplishing our good works in the Spirit. So, as the Word says…

“It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." (1st Corinthians 1:30-31)

Notice the last verse of chapter 12… “And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” Now, turn the page… “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1st Corinthians 13:2)

Probably the most important trait that you and I can have as members of the Body of Christ is love, especially when it comes to using our gifts. We must try to have the same compassion for people that Jesus had.

God’s love often tears down barriers between people. And one important thing to remember, is that many in this world have not experienced a lot of love in their lives. I think that’s why Jesus was so successful when He talked with “tax collectors and sinners”. He didn’t look down on them, and neither should we. At one time we were all sinners, so we should have sympathy for others, no matter what.

Now, the man who went on the journey is a picture of Jesus when he ascended to Heaven. As Matthew Henry pointed out, these men knew that the “master” would be coming back, so they wanted to make sure that whether he came back in a couple of days, or a couple of months, they would be able to show him how diligent they were in putting his money to work.

I believe the Lord wants us to realize that being a Christian is not about just reading the Bible. It’s about becoming the Bible. It’s about learning to become more like Jesus. We should pray that our faith will be expressed in good deeds toward our fellow man, and especially towards our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for God’s glory, not our own. I remember being on a repair job several years ago, when a woman, in her 80’s, walked up and gave me a glass of water. She knew I was a Christian so she said…

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." (Matthew 10:42)

It may not seem like a lot, but in God’s eyes she was being obedient to His Word. This is all that He asks us to do…to be obedient to His Word. Remember…

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

Many think that being a Christian means “rules and regulations”. The men who were only given one talent must have thought their masters were the same, all about “rules and regulations”, hard men. So they hid their talents, so they wouldn’t lose them. (Matthew Henry) Why these men thought this way about their masters is hard to say. But in this parable Jesus is comparing these men to people in the world who think being a Christian is hard, and that God is a God who throws lighting bolts at us every time we goof up. If that were the case I would be scorched beyond recognition.

But our God is a God of love. So, as the chapter about love says…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1st Corinthians 13:4-8)

As I said, God’s love breaks down barriers. Perhaps you and I can break down a few of them before it’s all over.

The Apostle Peter wrote…

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1st Peter 4:7-11)

Note Peters first words above… “The end of all things is near.” How much closer can we be now to the end of all things if Peter said the end was near almost 2000 years ago?

It’s time for us to be preparing for God’s Eternal Kingdom. We can start by spending quality time with God each day in prayer and Bible study. I say study, because we need to go beyond just reading what the Word says, now we need to understand how to apply its teachings to our lives. The more we do that, the more we will begin to look and act like Jesus.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Are you one of the few? Are you ready? Are we preparing ourselves for what God has planned for us? Will we rule over 10 cities, or maybe 5? With Christ in us we will rule and reign with love and compassion.

Right now, take a moment to pray. Ask the Lord how you can use your gifts. Is it by helping others, teaching them, encouraging them? The Lord knows the plans that He has for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Ask Him to show you where, to whom, and how you can use your gifts. It won’t be long now until we hear those words… “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!”

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1st Corinthians 13:13)

God Bless!

[14carrotghoul]

24 for 24

Thank you @read-and-write- and @myheartalivewrites for tagging me! One of my resolutions is to read more books bc last year I finished a whopping one (1) book! My goal for several years now has been 26 books (one every two weeks) and I want to try a few different things to hopefully meet it because I have progressively been getting worse at meeting my goal!

So here are some books that have been rotting on my bedside bookshelf or in my sprawling TBR in no particular order

Freedom is a Constant Struggle - Angela Y. Davis (50% done already!)

Bad Mormon - Heather Gay (~25%)

Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler

Mexican Gothic (reread in Spanish)(~10%) - Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Severance - Ling Ma

Cantoras - Carolina de Robertis

Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner

Hacienda - Isabel Cañas

Open Water - Caleb Azumah Nelson

In the Dream House - Carmen Maria Machado

Jesus and John Wayne - Kristin Kobes Du Mez OR White Too Long - Robert Jones

Silver, Sword, and Stone - Marie Arana OR Open Veins of Latin America - Eduardo Galeano

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat - Samin Nosrat

They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us - Harif Abdurraqib (This year's designated travel book!)

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name - Audre Lorde

Passing - Nella Larsen

Frankenstein (reread) - Mary Shelley

Pride and Prejudice OR Emma - Jane Austen

Darius the Great is Not Okay - Adib Khorram

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fannie Flagg

Tipping the Velvet OR The Paying Guests OR Fingersmith - Sarah Waters (I got copies of the first 2 for a STEAL at a used bookstore, and one of them had a sticky note covered in cat hair - really felt like a passing of the wlw torch lol)

Fun Home - Alison Bechdel

Persepolis - Marjane Satrapi

Maus 1 & 2 - Art Spiegelman

No pressure tagging because this is pretty extensive and this is a list I like to make at the beginning of the year anyway (although usually a shortlist of 10 books) but I'm curious about y'all's prospective reads if you decide to share! Part of the fun of reading for me is hearing all about new books! @happiness-of-the-pursuit @cha-melodius @orchidscript @inexplicablymine @indomitable-love @affectionatelyrs @ssmtskw @dumbpeachjuice @daisymae-12 @cultofsappho @suseagull04 @firenati0n @kiwiana-writes

[bills-bible-basics]

God's Will or Your Own? Graphic 02 #Christian #BibleStudy #Jesus Visit https://www.billkochman.com/Graphics-Library/ to see more. Article: "What is God's Will for My Life?": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/godwill1.html "Will of God" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse076.html "God Working in Us by His Spirit" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse313.html "Happy is He, Happy Are Ye" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse338.html Article: "So You Really Think You Are So Humble?": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/humble-1.html "Be Humble Before the Lord" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse297.html "Price of Discipleship" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse223.html "Forsaking All for Jesus Christ" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse350.html Article: "Are You Crucified With Christ?": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/crucify1.html Article: "Parable of the Sower: Salvation and Service": https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/parsowr1.html "Look Forward and Stay on the Path" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse300.html "Abide in Your Calling" KJV Bible Verse List: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse243.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/gods-will-or-your-own-graphic-02/?feed_id=238884&God%27s%20Will%20or%20Your%20Own%3F%20Graphic%2002

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

26th July >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

on

Friday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time.

Friday, Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the feria (Friday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Jeremiah 3:14-17 Come back, my disloyal children.

Come back, disloyal children – it is the Lord who speaks – for I alone am your Master. I will take one from a town, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and these shall feed you on knowledge and discretion. And when you have increased and become many in the land, then – it is the Lord who speaks – no one will ever say again: Where is the ark of the covenant of the Lord? There will be no thought of it, no memory of it, no regret for it, no making of another. When that time comes, Jerusalem shall be called: The Throne of the Lord; all the nations will gather there in the name of the Lord and will no longer follow the dictates of their own stubborn hearts.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

O nations, hear the word of the Lord, proclaim it to the far-off coasts. Say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him and guard him as a shepherd guards his flock.’

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, has saved him from an overpowering hand. They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion, they will stream to the blessings of the Lord.

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Then the young girls will rejoice and dance, the men, young and old, will be glad. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give gladness for grief.

R/ The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Gospel Acclamation James 1:21

Alleluia, alleluia! Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. Alleluia!

Or: cf. Luke 8:15

Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 13:18-23 The man who hears the word and understands it yields a rich harvest.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are to hear the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom without understanding, the evil one comes and carries off what was sown in his heart: this is the man who received the seed on the edge of the path. The one who received it on patches of rock is the man who hears the word and welcomes it at once with joy. But he has no root in him, he does not last; let some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, and he falls away at once. The one who received the seed in thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this world and the lure of riches choke the word and so he produces nothing. And the one who received the seed in rich soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; he is the one who yields a harvest and produces now a hundredfold, now sixty, now thirty.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

------------------------------

Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

(Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Friday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Ecclesiasticus 44:1,10-15 Their name lives on for all generations.

Let us praise illustrious men, our ancestors in their successive generations. Here is a list of generous men whose good works have not been forgotten. In their descendants there remains a rich inheritance born of them. Their descendants stand by the covenants and, thanks to them, so do their children’s children. Their offspring will last for ever, their glory will not fade. Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their name lives on for all generations. The peoples will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly will celebrate their praises.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 131(132):11,13-14,17-18

R/ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

The Lord swore an oath to David; he will not go back on this word: ‘A son, the fruit of your body, will I set upon your throne.’

R/ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling: ‘This is my resting-place for ever; here have I chosen to live.

R/ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

‘There David’s stock will flower; I will prepare a lamp for my anointed. I will cover his enemies with shame but on him my crown shall shine.’

R/ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Luke 2:25

Alleluia, alleluia! They looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested upon them. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 13:16-17 Prophets and holy men longed to hear what you hear.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[walkswithmyfather]

The Most Important Commandment.

“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Parable of the Good Samaritan.

“Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” —Luke 10:25‭-‬37 (NLT)

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.10.25-37.NLT

“Caring for Others” By In Touch Ministries:

“Are generosity and service habits in your life?”

“So many people in the world are in need today and serving them is one of the highest callings of the Christian faith. Therefore, it’s essential for believers to commit to give of themselves on behalf of others.

There are countless ways to serve people. For example, a man might decide to pray for and come alongside a friend until a burdensome situation is resolved. Or a woman could make herself available to answer a neighbor’s questions about the faith. If we prayerfully look around, we may see other opportunities, such as driving an elderly friend to medical appointments, mentoring a teenager through a local outreach program, or helping a single parent check some things off a to-do list.

Before you become overwhelmed by the variety of needs in your area, remember that loving your neighbors is meant to be a church-wide effort. One person can’t do it all. Instead, join a small group of fellow believers committed to serving those God brings into your sphere of influence. In order to care for them, you may be asked to surrender resources and time—but when you do, the Lord will bless you with the joy and contentment that come only from Him.”

[carmelitesaet]

Download #CelebratingAtHome for the Feast of Christ, King of the Universe at https://carmelites.org.au/celebratingathome

Being the living presence of God

Only Matthew tells us this story of final judgement in the Kingdom of God. He paints a picture of the glorious arrival of the King and the assembly of all the nations of people who are then separated into two groups, sheep and goats.

Judgement is then pronounced - not on the basis of physical beauty, wealth, power, status or even religious practice.

What determines who will inherit the eternal life of the Kingdom are the works of service done to fellow human beings in need: the hungry, the thirty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.

Perhaps surprisingly, there is no mention in the list of religious duties like prayer, liturgical worship, fasting, giving tithes or indeed any identifiably religious practice.

Very likely these things are presumed to be present in all the assembled people. But, the difference between the two groups is how they responded to fellow human beings in need.

At the end of the day, the disciple is called to be the Kingdom (living presence) of God in the world and to transform the suffering of its people into joy by deeds of loving kindness. The goats appear to have made horrible situations suffered by human beings worse by their neglect, their lack of love.

The virtuous disciple is the living presence of Jesus in the world. He or she realises that Jesus has entrusted the kingdom into his/her hands. In the Kingdom of Jesus, the disciple is not master but ‘servant’ - remember how frequently we have heard about the first being last and the last first?

The whole idea of ‘kingdom’ has been thoroughly re-written in the teaching of Jesus: there is only one master and you are all brothers… The disciples are indeed kings – they have the power of Jesus’ spirit in them. But this power is not to be exercised in the classical sense ‘having power over others’, but by being true servants. The power of the spirit of Jesus fuels deeds of loving kindness for the brothers and sisters of Jesus – reversing horrible human conditions, and bringing healing and salvation.

This is, once again, a ‘warning’ parable for disciples to make sure that they are living the life of the Kingdom properly. It is not meant as a ‘prophecy’ about the last day. It is meant for careful consideration by the disciples in their attempt to live the life of the kingdom which has been entrusted to them.

Disciples of Jesus are not to repeat the mistake of the Pharisees in objectifying faith in God and reducing it to external observance.

Disciples are to seize the life (grace) of the Kingdom within them, to work industriously with this great gift so that the life of Jesus at work in them overflows into deeds of loving kindness; so that, becoming one in heart and mind with Christ (as St Paul puts it), the disciple becomes Christ in his/her moment of history - seeing, thinking and acting as Jesus would.

[momentsbeforemass]

The list

I get to hear a lot of peoples’ ideas about God. It’s a privilege when someone shares that. I’m humbled by their trust.

For many of them, their ideas about God are the source of some of the greatest suffering in their lives.

All you can do is grieve with them, for all that they’ve suffered. When the way that someone used God against them, they ways they internalized it, and the harm that it’s done to them, all comes tumbling out.

When someone who’s been hurt like that is ready to, I ask them to make a list. Of all the things they’ve been told about God that are hurting them, that are driving them away.

If that list has things like not being good enough, never doubting, not making any mistakes, never hurting anyone, never drifting away from God on it? I ask them to pray today’s Gospel with me.

Here’s what I mean – as Jesus heals him, He tells Bartimaeus, “Your faith has saved you.”

When Jesus talks about faith, He’s not talking about perfect faith. Having no doubts.

As He shows us in the parable of the mustard seed, Jesus is talking about the smallest crumb of faith. Even faith born of desperation. If it’s only the forlorn hope of “I wish it were so.”

“Your faith has saved you.”

That’s it. That’s what God wants from you. That’s God’s complete list.   

If your list has things like not being good enough, never doubting, not making any mistakes, never hurting anyone, never drifting away from God on it?

Compare your list to God’s list. None of that is on God’s list.

Because God loves you far too much to let any of that get in the way.

Today’s Readings

[santmat]

Spiritual Guidance from the Great Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast @ Youtube, (Now at Youtube Music), also Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, etc...

"The goal is to catch and rise up on the Sound Current to our Eternal Home. The Saints have only one message to give and that they give in the manner that suits the times. Their message is: "Soul! Thou has forgotten thy Source. That Source is Sach Khand. The Sound Current within you is the way to it, and we guide you to That." (Hazur Baba Sawan Singh Ji)

Today, the wisdom of the Great Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh covering several major subjects central to the spiritual journey of the soul back to God: prayer to, and faith in, the Supreme Being Radhaswami (The Lord of the Soul, also spelled Radhasoami); Each Soul is a Drop from the Ocean of God, a Soul-Drop from the Ocean of Love; A Discourse on the Spheres of Kal, the Demiurge, Ruler of the Lower Planes of Time, Samsara, Impermanence and Illusion, and the Means of Salvation, of the Liberation of the Soul Through the Word, also Known as the Logos, the Shabda, The Sound Current; Why Does Sant Mat Follow Vegetarian Ethics? The Fleshless Diet of Those Whose Goal is God-Consciousness, to… in Spirit… Rise above the Flesh, to Rise Above Body-Consciousness and Make Heavenly Ascents Upwards via the Third Eye Center; The Way of the Sound Current: Our Duty to Follow the Sound Current Back to Sach Khand During Meditation Practice (Surat Shabd Yoga); Hazur Baba Sawan Singh on Our Spiritual Mission During This Life to Find the Pearl of the Soul and the Soul's Natural Habitat: Sach Khand, the Sphere of the Soul, and Ascend Back to that Heavenly Spiritual Realm Again Through The Hymn of the Pearl, The Audible Life Stream, The Holy Stream of Sound, also called The Sound Current, the True Name or Naam of God. (राधास्वामी)

Other texts quoted during today's satsang podcast include: the Gnostic Parable known as the apocryphal Hymn of the Pearl, The Hymn of the Soul, embedded in The Acts of Saint Thomas in India, the 2023 edition of the Sant Mat Glossary, Rumi, Kirpal Singh, Baba Devi Sahab of Hathras and Moradabad, and a saying of Jesus from an unknown Coptic language gospel fragment discovered in Egypt: "Now therefore have faith in the love of My Father." (RadhaSwami)

Spiritual Guidance from the Great Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast @ YouTube: https://youtu.be/qTj3EdpNz2k

@ YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqzXkcs_2TwAvbR6ev3goFSbDBj8FnRS8

Spiritual Guidance from the Great Master Hazur Baba Sawan Singh - Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast - Listen and/or Download MP3 @: https://traffic.libsyn.com/spiritualawakeningradio/Spiritual_Guidance_from_Sawan_Singh_Sant_Mat_Radhasoami.mp3

& @ Wherever You Subscribe and Follow Podcasts (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon, Audible, PodBean, Overcast, Jio Saavan, iHeart Radio, Podcast Addict, Gaana, CastBox, etc…): https://linktr.ee/SpiritualAwakeningRadio

In Divine Love (Bhakti), Light, and Sound, At the Feet of the Masters, Radhasoami, James Bean Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts A Satsang Without Walls

[childofchrist1983]

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. - Mark 4:30-32 KJV

Jesus Christ gives us many different parables concerning God's Kingdom of Heaven. He uses this one, the king's banquet, yeast, and others. Parables were used to teach with stories to help people understand by using things they were familiar with.

Aesop did the same with his fables using animals to illustrate the messages he was trying to convey. I often do the same with these devotionals because stories stick in our minds more than a list of facts. So, what can we make of this parable? We are used to hearing the parable that compares faith the size of a mustard seed that can move mountains, but the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is both here and hereafter. The seed needs to be planted here on Earth in the hearts of people. As it grows and matures, it goes from one person to another because it becomes impossible for us to keep it in, our faith overflows into our actions which are noticed by others who want the same thing and so it goes on and on creating the beginnings of the kingdom on earth. We are some of the beneficiaries of the seeds planted in the hearts of the Apostles and their followers so many years ago.

May all Christians and our children and their children continue to be the beneficiaries of the seeds of faith that have been planted in us by God Almighty and Jesus Christ. The wider the circle of faith, the brighter His light and the greater the evidence of God's Kingdom can be seen on Earth. The goal is exactly what we pray for in the Lord's Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven". The fullness of the kingdom will be achieved in the eternal Kingdom of God in Heaven. God willing, the seeds planted in us and those that we keep sowing in those around us will increase the numbers whom we shall meet in the fullness of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.

We are forever grateful for all those in whom He has saved and planted His seed of Gospel Truth. Let us continue to do our duty to Him in spreading the seeds of His Good News so that more souls will be saved and spiritually reborn and help His Kingdom to grow.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time daily to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful Lord, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in the Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!