We all know temptation surrounds us. The 3 most common ones are power, pride, and pleasure. The seven DEADLIEST sins are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. We are often tested in our daily life with these tempting temptations. Jesus was also tempted. He fasted 40 days and nights after His
baptism. 40 is a significant number it can also be found in the flood(40days), Israel and the desert(40 years), and Moses on Mt. Sinai(40days). 40 represents a time of trial, and testing in preparation of something epic. Satan kept tempting Jesus to turn a rock into bread, jump off buildings so angels could catch Him and will viewed as the Son of God, and he recommended Jesus to bow before him. With all of those events Jesus said “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”, “ Do not put your lord your God to the test”, “If you bow down and worship me” and my personal favorite “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” There were tons of falls throughout the Old Testament such as Adam & Eve eating off the “tree of Forbidden Fruit”, but until Adam Jesus remained obedient. He is the New Adam, perfecting and redeeming the fallen human nature. Sin is always around, but so is peer pressure. We try to guard things that are precious to us, but in the end get caught up in the luxuries of life. Everyone wants power no matter how big or small the amount. It helps us establish control, influence, and sense of authority. Pleasure is another one. Everybody wants to feel good at all times so why not glutton, take drugs, and be promiscuous. Pride is one thing that 1 out every 3 people struggle with including myself. Complements, popularity , and glory is one thing everyone searches for so that we can have satisfaction. I’m not condoning that you go out, and do these tasks, but I’m simply saying that it sin is all around, but even if you fall God will be right there to raise you up. There is one thing about sin…it is always here. Even though we are baptized and ridden of original sin we are still stuck in obstacles of this just to make it across the finish line. I pray for all the teenagers out there because everyone gets hit with sins, but teenagers get hit the worst I would have to say because your trying to recognize what's real and what's imaginary. We are gulliable, but that’s why we pray hard, and ask for God’s guidance every second of the day because without him we would all be truly lost. Now here’s a little prayer to get you through the week: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you Lord for blessing me more and more each day. Thank you for waking me up and allowing me to live another day. Your Grace is enough Oh Lord. I praise you worship you, and adore you. As the day goes on please keep em inside the palm of your hand, and guide me to make the right choices. Let me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. Through faith in Christ Our Lord, Our King, Our Savior Amen. This Friday we will be vocalizing belief systems for religion. There is Monotheism, Polytheism, Atheism, and Agnosticism. Monotheism is the belief of one God. This includes the religions of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. Polytheism is belief of multiple gods for instance of Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, and Wicca. The difference between atheists and agnostics are that atheists deny God's existence all together, and agnostics belief that God's existence can be known. There will be times when you have to pick your side. Its like when your committed to your favorite football team. You don't want to see them fail so you go to the extremes with weird superstitions hoping that it helps them win. You stay faithful to that team no matter what, and defend them when they are being talked about lowly. Same applies for religion. I chose Christianity and because of that I'll do anything and everything to make sure I stay faithful to it, and defend when times get tough. I do not do weird superstitions, but I do go to Mass and receive the Eucharist. There is one God The Eternal Father. He has been here before all ages. I don't like the fact that people take God for granted... they just use Him whenever feels convenient for them expecting a miracle. If there is one thing I have learned is that even though we do that "God doesn't want anything from us...He simply wants us..." C.S Lewis. He is an amazing person, and brings our lives into perspective. Whenever your going through trials and tribulations just say will fullest of heart " Jesus Got This.... or I give you full control do with me what you will. Let not mine but your will be done...." and He will intercede for you. It may feel like its taking a while, but its because He wants to do it when you least expect it. God is here, even when we mess up and feel as if we have failed Him, He reminds us we never failed we need to correct the wrong.
Starting today I am going to post audios called "Saint of The Day" from americancatholic.org. Here's today's saint! http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday
Today we are going to Focus on the calling of the apostles and proclamation of the Kingdom. John the Baptist sent his disciples John and Andrew to follow Jesus (Jn 1:38-39). Andrew told his brother Peter.(Jn 1:40-42). Then, Jesus found Phillip (Jn 1:43) and Phillip told Nathanael (Jn 1:45). Nathanel was very skeptical(Jn 1:46). Phillip: "Come and see." Jesus convinced Phillip ( Jn 1:48-49). The special thing about the apostles is that they were each called by name. He said John "follow me.", Peter..."follow me.." Jesus speaks to us through people who have encountered Him: "Follow me." He has a plan for each and everyone of us. The conditions for the entering the Kingdom is you MUST be poor in spirit, believe Jesus is God, have an interior conversation, accept Jesus' word, be willing to sacrifice everything for Him, and lie by His commandment of Love. The apostles recognize that this was tough( Mt 19:25-26). Jesus promised to share them in His Kingdom. Everyone knows about the ginormous rallie that are taking part in Texas right? Awesome! For those who don't it is a battle to keep Texas prolife and to rid abortions. It's called #Stand4Life. Prolife means you believe life begins at conception, and do NOT believe abortion is ever a solution. Pro choice on the other hand they believe you have the right to your own body, ad no one can instruct you to do anything. I do not understand why people have abortions. The unborn are our future generations to come. Mary said yes to have Our Messiah. Children are a precious gift from God. "Jesus loves me yes I know for the Bible tells me so.." God is the way, the truth, and the light. When I think of abortion I think of the first Chapter of Exodus during the slaughter of the innocent. Remember we only have one life to live, so live it to the fullest, and have God in every aspect. He wants us to be obedient to Him. Give and you shall receive. |