Jeremiah,
Chapter 30, Verse 5
Thus
says the LORD: We hear a cry of fear: terror, not peace.
Do you always believe what
you hear? Is our God a God of terror or peace? God promised His people the Jews
that he would restore them in the Promised Land. Israel exists today as a
fulfillment of that promise. The only terror God gave was on Himself by the
sacrifice of Christ. Pray for the conversion of Israel that they may know the
truth being like Rahab.
In her time Rahab saved
the spies of Israel. Why? She knew
the truth that God was with Israel. Rahab was a survivor and a sinner; she knew
God had given the land to Israel. If you know the truth you do not swerve from
it. Rahab was saved from the fate of Jericho because of her action not just
good will toward Israel. James in his epistle puts it this way: 20Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith
without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham
our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his
works, and faith was completed by the works. 23 Thus
the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was
credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.”24 See how a person is justified by works and not
by faith alone. 25 And in the same way, was
not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers
and sent them out by a different route?
Rahab was saved by her
faith and actions by the God of Israel and as a result she is not only saved
but the Christ the Messiah descends from Boaz her son.
Palm Sunday[1]
Christ's triumphant
entrance into Jerusalem and the account of His Passion according to St.
Matthew.
Why is this day called Palm Sunday?
1. In memory of the triumphant
entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when He was received by the devout people with palms.
2. Because the Church to-day blesses palms, with which a solemn procession is held.
Why are the palms blessed?
1. To protect in body and soul
those who carry them with devotion. 2. To bless the dwellings into which the palms
are brought. 3. To bring before us how God, by the entrance into Jerusalem with
palms, has represented the victory of Jesus over the prince of darkness. Our Savior,
and says, “O Lord, remove not Thy help to a distance from me, look towards my defense,
save me from the lion’s mouth, and my lowness from the horn of the unicorn. O God,
my God, look upon me; why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words
of my sin.” (Ps. xxi.)
Why did Jesus enter with so much solemnity into Jerusalem?
To present Himself as the promised
Messiah and King of the Jews, Whose triumphant entry into Jerusalem the prophet
Zachary had predicted.
Why did the people go to meet Jesus with palms in their hands?
It was done by a divine inspiration,
to show that Jesus, as the victor over death, Satan, and hell, would gain for us
the palm of peace with God, our neighbor, and ourselves, and that He would open
to us the heavenly Jerusalem. And yet these same people, five days later, desired
His death, crying out, “Crucify Him!” Learn, therefore, to confide in God alone,
and not in man for he who is with you today may be against you tomorrow. Be cautious,
therefore, and watchful, lest, imitating the changeableness of the people, you at
Easter receive your Savior with joy, and then after a little by new sins crucify
Him again (Heb. vi. 6).
Prayer
O almighty and eternal God,
Who wouldst have Our Savior take flesh and undergo the cross, for man to imitate
the example of His humility, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may both deserve
the instruction of His patience and the fellowship of His resurrection. Through
the same Jesus Christ, etc.
Holy Week
WHY is this week called holy week?
It is because during this week
we celebrate the most important mysteries of our religion with touching and holy
ceremonies.
How should we spend this week?
According to the intention
of the Church, by meditating on the sufferings and death of Our Savior, by fasting
more strictly, by praying often and devoutly, and leading a holy life.
So we can by offering ourselves be like the good thief and gain heaven. "The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God,for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.” (Lk. 23:40)
So we can by offering ourselves be like the good thief and gain heaven. "The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God,for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.” (Lk. 23:40)
Aspiration. O Jesus, I thank Thee for all Thou hast done and suffered
for me. Oh, by Thy blood, give me grace to conquer my passions, and never to betray
Thee by any sin. Amen.
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