Sunday Sermons

Give to God What Belongs to God. What does that mean?

Isaiah 45:1,4-6; 1Thes 1:1-5; Mt. 22: 15-21

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

Story:  A Little Boy desperately wanted $100.00 to buy some toys and prayed to God for a whole week, but nothing happened. So, he decided to write a letter to God requesting the $100.00. When the Post Office got the letter addressed to God, they forwarded it on to the White house. The President surprisingly received it was very impressed, touched and amused so he instructed his aid to send the boy $5.00. He thought $5.00 would be a lot to the little boy. And the boy was, indeed, delighted by the money. He sat down and immediately wrote a thank you note, which read: Dear God, thank you very much for sending the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you had to send it through Washington DC and, as usual, they kept most of it.

Understanding the Bible on Money: Sixteen of the 38 parables were concerned with how to handle money and possessions. In the Gospels, an amazing one out of 10 verses deal directly with the subject of money. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2000 verses on money and possessions. (Howard L. Dayton Jr.)

Understanding The Tax System: The Romans levied several taxes on the Jews. There was something called the ground tax, it was a tax of 10% of whatever came out of the ground such as grains, wine and oil. Then there was the income tax, just 1% of one’s cash income with no deductions, of course. And, finally, there was the poll tax. It amounted to a denarius which was approximately the wage of a common labourer for one day’s work. And it was levied on every male from age 14 through 65 and on ever female from age 12 through 65. It was this poll tax that was the subject of the question. It was a special tax, because it had to be paid in Roman silver coinage. Other business and tax matters could be paid in copper coinage, gold bullion, or other acceptable currency. But the poll tax had to be paid with the Roman silver denarius. And, these coins bore the image of the emperor, and they were inscribed with an inscription “Tiberius Caesar, Son of the divine Augustus.” Now, this tax was a point of great controversy among the Jews.  The Herodians, of course, were united in favour of the tax. In fact, they were in favour of all the Roman taxes. The Pharisees, on the other hand, were very much opposed to paying Caesar any taxes at all. But it was the poll tax that irritated the Pharisees the most. Because they had to use a coin which bore a graven image of someone who claimed to be a descendant from a god.

Understanding the Trap- Now, what’s odd about this question is that it was posed by a group of Pharisees and Herodians The Pharisees hated Rome and the Herodians wanted better relations with Rome and approved Roman taxation. The only reason they joined forces was because they both hated Jesus and wanted Him destroyed. Jesus knew what these men were thinking long before they showed up. Can you see the trap laid by the Pharisees and the Herodians? If Jesus answered that the people had to pay their taxes the Pharisees could condemn Him to the crowds as a friend of the hated Romans. BUT if Jesus replied that people should Not pay their taxes the Herodians would brand Him an enemy of Rome and had Him arrested.

Understanding Jesus’ Answer: Jesus’ response, of course, put their conspiracy to flight. He began by calling them what they are.  “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?”. The charge of hypocrisy was aimed directly at the Pharisees, for they paid the poll tax even though they judged it to be a violation of two of the ten commandments. The Herodians couldn’t accuse Jesus of being a revolutionary because He’d just endorsed paying the Roman taxes. He said: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Understanding our Responsibility: How do we know what to give to the government? By the images on the bills and coins. So, then, what do I give to God? Where do I find God’s image? Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…’” We were made in God’s image/likeness. We need to give what belongs to Him – back to Him. We need to give ME to God. Now how do we do that? How do we give ourselves to God? First, we need to BELONG to Him, and to do that we need to believe in Jesus. Ephesians 1:13 tells us. “Having believed (in Jesus), you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”.

Conclusion: Dear brothers and sisters we are the coins. We are the image of God’s realm. We owe God our whole being for we are created in His Image. You know the Pharisees would not have missed what Jesus was really saying about them. He had been hammering them for days for exactly this failure. In parables, Jesus told them that they are God’s workers in the vineyard, who refuse to give to God the fruit of the vineyard. They are God’s sons who say they will serve him, but then refuse. They are the sons of God’s Kingdom who refuse to come to the marriage of the King’s Son.

Jesus does not speak about two kingdoms. He speaks about two images. We were made in God’s image therefore Jesus is calling us to “Give to God… what is God’s!” In other words, we who carry God’s image to what degree and in what ways are we giving ourselves to God what belongs to God? To what degree and in what ways is the image of Christ evident in our life? As Christians how do we portray God’s image to the world? The Bible tells us:  “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Mat 22:37-40). Are we following God’s command?

Répondez s’il vous plaît, (RSVP)

Isaiah 25:6-10A; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14

Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

Introduction: The eastern weddings were several days long and were a highlight of social activity, the banquet was the climax of the festivities, royal weddings lasted for several weeks and the banquet was the key social event of the decade, invitations were made well in advance and people would boast about the invitation. A wedding feast was the highlight of all social life. And a wedding feast that a king prepared for his son would be the “mother of all feasts”.  This was the ultimate party. Now in that place and time, there was a two-stage process of being invited to a wedding. The invitation was actually sent out well in advance of the banquet and everyone sent back their RSVP. Then, those who had said “yes” received a courtesy reminder on the day of the banquet itself. So, the king sent out his servants to tell everyone to come join the party, but those who had been invited wouldn’t come. And you know how the king felt, don’t you? We’ve all had that happen to us at some time or another. You spend hours and hours getting everything ready. You work hard and you’re excited about what you’ve got planned. The big day comes. But very few turn up. You know how it feels. You want to cry. It makes you angry and frustrated. You know how the king in this parable felt.

Story: Several years ago Nicole Contos was scheduled to be married in a Manhattan church. She showed up. 250 invited guests showed up, but the groom didn’t.  So, there she was with a $100,000 reception and no wedding. What did she do? She did the only thing she could do. She said, “The food is ready, the drink is ready. We’re gonna have a party. And she did.” Ms. Contos, 27, changed from her wedding gown into a black dress and turned what had been planned as her wedding reception into a party. Her brother gave a toast, and she danced to the disco hit ”I Will Survive.” (For a Jilted Bride, No Wedding Bell Blues by James Barron, Nov. 25, 1997)

Reflection: That’s what the king does here in this parable. He says, “The food is ready. The drink is ready. We’re gonna have a party.” And he did. He invited everybody. Anybody who wanted to come was welcome to enjoy the feast — good and bad. When the respectable folks refused, he invited the disreputable and despised. The banquet hall was filled with people.

The king in this parable obviously is God, and the invited guests were his chosen people, the Jews, who had already been called by him. The servants God sent to them again and again were John the Baptist, Jesus himself, and the New Testament apostles and prophets. But John the Baptist was rejected and beheaded, Jesus was rejected and crucified, and the apostles and prophets were rejected and persecuted, many being put to death.  When the Jews rejected the kingdom, the invitation was then extended to anyone and everyone who wanted to come. In Acts 13:46, Paul and Barnabas said to the Jews of Antioch, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” And that’s exactly what they did.

The king came in to see how the banquet was going, and he spotted someone without a wedding garment and he was furious. Commentators tell us that in that day and time the king supplied the wedding garment himself. All the guests had to do was just put it on. But here was a man who didn’t even make the small effort involved in putting on the proper clothing. It’s important for us to remember that accepting an invitation means accepting the terms of the invitation. If you go for a party and the invitation card clearly mentions the dress code respect the invitation. Accepting an invitation means accepting the terms of the invitation. At first glance, it seems a small thing, but it’s not. This guy without a wedding garment thought he could come to the king’s feast on his own terms, thinking his own clothes were good enough. A lot of people want to be a part of the feast, but they don’t want to submit themselves to God’s terms.

This story teaches us (God’s workers) involved in inviting people to Lord’s banquet some important truths about inviting people to God’s party. When inviting people to the party we will experience…

• Rejection (vv. 3-7). Stubbornness. The Jewish people were the first to be invited. Christ came to this earth as a Jew. John 1:11 says that Jesus came to His own people, but His own people did not receive Him. They were so proud of their own goodness and religious heritage that they saw no need of His grace. (Rom 9:31-10:4.) It’s the same today.  Invite people to the party and you’ll know rejection.
• Busy-ness. Others have been too busy to come. (vv. 4-5). “Everything is ready.” We don’t have to make ourselves ready for the party.  Christ has done it all. He met every condition for our salvation.  All we have to do is come. But some don’t come. Many would rather chase after the things of this life. They are indifferent. They were not concerned about the king’s desires, but only about what they thought was in their own best interests. That’s the way it is with people today. They think, “How’s that Jesus stuff going to help me in the here and now? I have kids to raise! I have a degree to earn! I have a business to run! Don’t bother me with an invitation to a party that isn’t going to happen for a long, long time – if it’s going to happen at all!” Invite people to the party and you’ll know rejection in the form of busy-ness.
• Abusiveness-Some have persecuted those who have invited them to come. (vv. 6-7). This was aimed right at the Jewish religious leaders. Prophets had been persecuted and killed for their message of repentance to the Jewish people. Telling people to repent and get ready for the party is never a popular message. And Jesus is looking into His own future here, too. He knew that a cross was coming. Invite people to God’s part there is possibility that abuse will come.
• Some will respond. (vv. 8-10)-The Jews for the most part rejected Jesus. So, God sent the good news out to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. Other people were brought in. God is calling out a people from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation. Notice who comes to the party: people both evil and good. God is making no distinction between open “sinners” and the “morally correct.” Everyone is invited. No matter who they are. The reason that some will respond is because the gospel – the good news about Jesus – has power. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

Our responsibility as you can see it in verse 9 is to go, to find and teach them to dress rightly.

To go-Wherever people are, that’s where we are to go. We don’t wait for people to come to us. We go to them.  “Go.” Sounds like the great commission, doesn’t it? Matthew 28:19 says, ” Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” That command is for every disciple. Are you doing something to obey that command from Jesus?

To find-Find the people who will come. Don’t give up! Don’t call yourself a passionate follower of Jesus unless you are seeking to find the lost! People will come if we just looking for the responsive ones. My responsibility is to go and to find.

To dress rightly. (vv. 11-12) You might be wondering, “How could the king expect these people from the byways and highways to come properly dressed? They had been rounded up from everywhere. Many had come from the streets. But think with me. If we want to be dressed for this heavenly party we must put on some new clothes. Isaiah 64:4 says that all of our righteousness is as filthy rags. But God knows we need forgiveness and a righteousness that isn’t our own. He provides it. When Christ died on the cross, He took our sin, our rebellion, our dirt and gave us His holiness, His submission, His clean-ness. The old hymn says, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” To be dressed rightly means that we are covered by His blood! When that happens, it’s joy! we’re ready for the wedding! It’s party time! Listen to Isaiah 61:10. “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.” When we are covered by His blood, we are made righteous in God’s sight. 2 Cor 5:21 says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Conclusion-As we prepare ourselves to be part of God’s banquet let’s not forget to invite our family, our friends and relatives to God’s party.

Taking Care of the Kingdom of God 

Isaiah 5:1-7; Phil 4:6-9; Mt 21: 33-43

Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

 Introduction:  The vineyard immediately brings to mind Israel (Is 5:1-7). The landowner who planted the vineyard is God. The wicked vinedressers [husbandmen] represent Israel’s leaders (Mt 21:45). The servants who were sent on behalf of the landowner represent the prophets. As a nation, Israel rejected many of her prophets (2 Chr. 36:15-16). Note the cry of Jesus over Jerusalem later on in (Mt 23:37). The landowner’s son is Jesus Christ Himself. The Pharisees knew he was talking about them. They had been given a vineyard to work in. Overtime, they claimed the vineyard as their own, No longer open to the outsider, but instead, a closed fraternity of “holy” people. Other prophets were beaten, maimed, and murdered so that the assumed authority of the Pharisees would not be challenged.

This was God’s plan thwarted by His chosen people.  Jesus reminds the pharisees. God sent Noah, the Flood and Death. The sin that began in the Garden of Eden grew until it covered the whole world. God saved Noah and his family, mankind began over again, but man was going down into sin’s dungeon again. He sent Moses, the Law, and the Blood Sacrifice. One would think they would be grateful, but less than a hundred miles in their journey, they already sinned against Almighty God. He sent David with songs of assurance and forgiveness. The testimonies of David did not move the people, they went on and on in their sins. He sent Isaiah with his loving invitations but the people went on in sin. He sent the Kings of the earth, with captivity and chastisement. Last of all He sent His Son (Mat 21:33-4). God told his people if they sinned, he would send them into captivity, they lived right for a while but soon forgot. Cruel Kings with armies came and took them into slavery. Every plan seemed to fail; it was always man’s fault. Then God did the greatest thing he ever did.  Last of all he sent His Son.  Here are some things to help us understand why God sent his Son.

GOD SENT HIS SON TO REVEAL HIS OWN HEART-Through the years people had heard about God, they had felt his judgements. But really did not know his great heart or how much he really loved them. So, when Jesus came, God said “This is my beloved Son, hear him” In saying this he was telling them My son and me are one.  To love God and Know God’s love, one has to look into the face of Jesus Christ.

GOD SENT HIS SON TO BE A PICTURE OF HIS POWER-When he saw a blind man, he gave him his sight. To a cripple he gave his walk, to a leper he gave cleansing, He brought the dead to life, gave comfort and hope to broken hearts, He stilled the storms and fed the hungry. All this he did to show how God cared for his people.

GOD SENT HIS SON TO BECOME A BLOOD SACRIFICE-Christ is the only and final sacrifice for sin. Rivers of animal blood could never do what Jesus did. The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

GOD SENT HIS SON TO BE A NEW AND LIVING WAY-The only way to heaven is through Jesus. He is the ladder from earth to heaven.

Conclusion: The first reading is a message from God’s prophet to His people Israel. It is a parable with a terribly sad ending. You see, Israel had failed God again. And we shrug our shoulders and sigh. We shake our heads. Why? Why would Israel reject God and His call to Holiness again and again. If only we had the signs and wonders they had, we’d never fall away! But The Church the new Israel like the old Israel listens but she doesn’t learn.

Like the pharisees we come to think of the vineyard as something we own. The church, our jobs, our money, our possessions, and yes, even our bodies. None of this stuff is ours actually. We are merely stewards in the vineyard not the owners. God desires to order our lives. To make it manageable, even prosperous if we will trust him. If we put him first, these other things take on a far different perspective. God gives us a certain order to our lives if we are willing to be obedient, faithful stewards of the gifts he has given us. When we recognize that what we have is not ours in the first place, it frees us from having to constantly try and control and worry about everything, It allows God to be God the master of the vineyard.

Jesus told the religious leaders of his time and he is telling us his followers of modern times that if do not take proper care of the kingdom of God it would be given to others. And those others could be anyone irrespective of religion, culture or country who believes that Jesus is the son of God. So, let’s be responsible and faithful in taking care of the kingdom of God producing good fruits that build the kingdom of God.

Good Son vs Bad Son

Ez 18:25-28; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

This Sunday the master teacher changes his method of teaching. It’s no longer an exciting street lined with many people. Today it is a kind of classroom teaching. Not a classroom with desks and chalkboards. But a classroom with a teacher and students. Jesus the master teacher talking to his disciples, religious leaders, and crowds. Today’s lesson plan contains a story of two sons.

The first son when requested to go to the vineyard says “no,” dishonouring his father in public, even though he changes his mind later. The second son politely says, “yes,” but then doesn’t do what he says. Even though the Pharisees say the son who eventually goes to the vineyard is the better of the two, in my opinion neither of them deserve any awards.  The one son dishonours his father, the other son is disobedient.

So, to whom does this parable refer to?  Who were they who wound up doing the father’s will? They were the so-called bad guys. They were the ones who had spent their whole lives previously saying NO to God. They wound up getting it right! The First Son represents the tax collectors and harlots who believed John the Baptist and repented. They had spent their entire lives saying NO to God. At John’s preaching, they repented/changed their minds/regretted their actions and believed.

The Second Son represents the Chief Priests and elders. Made their livelihood out of convincing everyone that they had done a marvelous job of saying YES to God. Had failed to really understand what God was calling them to thus failed to really obey. If ever a nation was called to do the work of God in the world, it was Israel, and they spent a lot of time performing ceremonies in which they said YES to God. Yet, by the time Christ came, the judgment of God upon them was this: “This people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” They said YES with their mouths, but their feet walked in the direction of NO.

Like most of Jesus’ parables, this story isn’t really about the two boys. It’s about you and me. It’s about two kinds of people in this world. The one kind professes faith in God, but doesn’t live a faithful life. The other does the will of God while saying “no” to belief in God.

The bottom line, in Jesus’ explanation to the chief priests and elders — and probably to anyone else who will listen — is that we can no longer make excuses because of birth or background or culture.  All that matters is who we are and whose we are. Christianity is about saying YES to God, not only with our mouths, but with our hands, our feet, our hearts, our check books, our priorities, our passions, our relationships, our occupations.  You see this world influences our thoughts and actions and even our belief system. But God tells us our intentions and our motives matter despite what this world is teaching and preaching to us. What we believe will change who we are. Obedience is the key to do God’s will.

Living for Christ & Dying for Christ

Isaiah 55: 6-9; Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20: 1-16

Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

When the Apostle Paul originally wrote the letter to the church of Phillipi, he was in prison – under house arrest in Rome – chained to a Roman soldier as his guard. Paul was a prisoner and yet this entire letter is about joy. It is filled with the words “joy” and “rejoicing”. The Christian life is meant to imitate Christ in all circumstances. You see, God has a purpose for life – for His glory. For Paul, life was not about getting things. For Paul, life was about pointing others to God. For him life was all about Jesus. It was about giving God the glory for everything. For good times, because they are a blessing. For bad times, too, because God uses them to make us stronger and wiser.

God has a purpose for each of our lives. He did not play dice when he created us. The purpose is to bring honour and glory to our God through our Christian way of living.  In order to live our faith faithfully sometimes persecution and death even becomes part of our faith journey.  St. Paul is the best example. So, St. Paul tells that…

SOMETIMES CHAINS ARE NEEDED TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL.

Paul certainly could have written an entire book to the Philippians about his hardships but he sums them up by calling them “the things that happened to me.” (Also read Acts 21:17-28:31). Paul was chained to a Roman guard 24/7. The shifts changed every 6 hours. So, Paul was able to witness to at least four men a day. Don’t you imagine it had an effect on these guys to know that he was in prison for preaching and yet to see him, full of joy, still telling others about Christ? You might say “Well that worked in Paul’s day but we don’t face the same type of persecution.” You would be right for the most part. But persecution does exist today in many countries in various forms.

SOMETIMES DEATH IS NEEDED TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

It’s a real possibility that Paul’s imprisonment will end in death. The death sentence hasn’t been passed, but it’s possible. Now this has got to be the most frightening of all Paul’s problems. Anything else he could get over. He’s in prison – well, maybe he’ll be let free eventually. People are rubbishing him – well, he can tell people the truth sometime. But death – well, there’s no reversing that, is there. So how does he respond to the possibility of dying? Verse 20 says: I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

So Paul’s not even worried about death. In fact, he’s more worried about letting Jesus down. Whatever happens, whether in life or death, he wants Jesus to be honoured. You know what this means? It means Paul would rather die than let Jesus down. Someone beautifully said, “Life without Christ is a hopeless end, but with Christ, it’s an endless hope.” There is always hope in Christ: hope of a better day, a better life, and a better everything. So, what do we learn today? Paul gives important advice for victory in this war against the enemy.

CONSISTENCY IN LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

1. 27a “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.”

Story: Some convicted drunken drivers in the Florida Panhandle were ordered to put bumper stickers on their cars asking, “How’s my driving? … The judge wants to know!” The judge said, “We want to influence people to correct their behavior rather than just use this as sort of a monitoring system.” The application for us is: HOW’S MY LIVING? And the world is watching. Our conduct should be worthy of the gospel.

The story is told that Alexander the Great once met a lazy, good-for-nothing soldier in his army and asked his name. The soldier replied, “Alexander, sir.” Alexander the Great then said, “Either change your name or change your ways.” It’s possible that Christ could say these words to some of us today. Consistent living for Christ is needed in order to overcome the enemy.

Dr. James Boice once said, “We do not have a strong church today nor do we have many strong Christians… We have forgotten what God is like and what He promises to do for those who trust Him. Ask the average Christian to talk about God. After getting past the expected answers you will find that his god is a little god of vacillating sentiments…” That’s the sad reality of today. If our faith is weak, how can we live and die for Christ?

A small boy riding a bus home from Sunday school was very proud of the card he had received, which had a picture and a caption that read: “Have Faith in God.” Then to his dismay the card slipped from his hand and fluttered out the window. “Stop the bus!” he cried. “I’ve lost my ‘faith in God!’” The driver pulled the bus to a stop, and as the lad climbed out and went to retrieve his card, one of the adult riders smiled and made a comment about the innocence of youth. A more perceptive adult observed, “All of us would be better off if we were that concerned about our faith.”

Conclusion: Our final inheritance is not here it’s in heaven. It’s only beyond the gates of death that we even hear the precious words of our Lord “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of your Lord” Matt 25:21.  If for me to Live is Christ then to die is gain. If for me to live is money, to die is a loss, If for me to live is pleasure, to die is a loss, if for me to live is self, to die is a loss, if for me to live is ambition, to die is a loss, if for me to live is sin, to die is a loss. if for me to live is this world, to die is a loss. But if for me to live is Christ to Die is gain.

Forgiveness is a Journey, not a One Time Event.

Sir 27:30—28:7; Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35

Fr Nelson Lobo OFM cap

Story of The Fall of Troy-A Trojan horse sits just outside the gate of your heart. Its name is anger, resentment, and bitterness. It is a monument to every attack you have endured from your fellowman. It is a gift left by the people who have wronged you. It is a monument to the pain, sorrow and devastation they have caused you. But to accept the gift is to invite ruin into your life. It is only a lure. The celebration is short-lived. Once inside the walls of your heart, it releases its agents of destruction. Its plot quietly unfolds from the inside out. It is the Trojan horse of destruction. You must never bring it inside.

How People Protect Their Wounds

• Standing Back – anger, bitterness, hate, fear.
• Striking Back – anger and revenge
• Sharing It – same story of hurt and anger retold.
• Stuffing It – Denial, negativity caused by suppressed anger.

The Necessity of Forgiveness

• Because We Have Been Forgiven by God
• Because We Have Been Commanded by God Col 3:12-13

The Danger of Un-Forgiveness.

• We ourselves will not be forgiven.
• Carrying An Unnecessary Burden
• Giving the Devil a Foothold
• A Hindered Relationship

Conclusion–I believe that the sin that may keep more people out of Heaven than any other is the sin of unforgiveness. I believe that there are many Christians who for some reason refuse to let go of grudges. Throughout the course of our life we can expect to be wronged from time to time by others. We may even feel strongly that what another did was wrong. We though cannot hold onto that anger and bitterness, but we must forgive. Whenever we sin and mess up and then come to God in sincere repentance, we expect God to forgive us. It is often different for us though when we are wronged. We often have a hard time letting go and forgiving. The easy thing to do is to stay angry, it takes much more effort and much more trouble to forgive and let go of something. But as Christians we are not requested but commanded to forgive.

“A wounded heart that doesn’t receive healing is an open door for evil spirits”.                   (Eph 4:26-27, I Pet 5:8, Gen 4:4-7, Mat 18:21-35)

Prayer Partners 

Ezekiel 33: 7-9; Romans 13: 8-10; Matthew 18: 15-20

Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

Introduction: God tells Ezekiel in the first reading to tell the wicked man, that he may be converted from his ways otherwise he shall die in his iniquity. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that we should love our neighbour. In the gospel Jesus says “if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven.  For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.

When we love our neighbour, we often come into conflicts. We come across various types of people as our neighbours. Sometimes we are happy other times we are angry with our neighbours.  My own family member can be a neighbour with whom I struggle to live my Christian values and faith. So, in this context today’s readings invite us to recognize the problem and start a prayer crusade even with just two or three members.

John Maxwell author of many books says “When confronting a person about a conflict issue, I have discovered that 50% don’t realize there is a problem. 30% realize there is a problem but don’t know how to solve it. 20% realize there is a problem but don’t want to solve it. Notice that 80% of the time there is potential to solve the conflict.” The Bible says “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath”.  (Eph 4:26). “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Prov 18:13). “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you” (Prov 9:8). “Successful confrontation usually changes both people, not just one” writes John Maxwell.

Christians need to manage the conflict constructively. Matthew 5:25 says “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him”. “Unsolvable conflict is almost always because of a wrong attitude…not because of the issue”  once again writes John Maxwell. So, when Christians face difficult situations of any kind we are invited to pray even if we are only two.  Therefore, I have themed this reflection as “Praying Partners’. It can also be themed as “Prayer of Agreement”.

WHY THE POWER OF TWO?

Paul and Silas demonstrated the power of two as they sang in the jail at Philippi. In response, God sent angels to shake the foundations of that jail. Paul and Silas walked out of the jail with the keys in one hand and the converts in the other. They knew the power of two. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two. He gave them the authority to bind and loose things on this earth, and if they did so, this would be honoured in heaven through the power of two.

Two signifies: 1. Strength (Ecc. 4:12) 2. Encouragement (Ecc. 4:10). 3. Success.  (Ecc. 4:9) 4. Defense. (Ecc. 4:11) 5. Added Faith (Mat. 18:19; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:6). 6. Overcomes our limitations (I Cor. 12:21).

“Agree together” means to have a kind of symphony. In the music world to have a symphony you must have as someone said:  A Score = Word of God, A Conductor = The Holy Spirit and Musicians/ those who play the music = You and Me! The Greek word “agree”, is “sumphoneo”, the word from which is derived the English word, “symphony.” One of the powerful aspects of a symphony orchestra is the way such a large number of instrumentalists work together to bring out the composer’s work. Jesus is teaching us to likewise work together and harmonize with other Christ followers in our prayer lives. This gives our prayers great power. Together we achieve the work of our heavenly composer. Christ also taught us to enter our prayer closets and pray alone. (Mat 6:6) But there are times when we should seek out others who agree with our prayer requests and pray with them. Praying with others fine tunes our prayers just like rehearsing together perfects the work of the symphony.

Conclusion: 2 Chron. 7:14 reads: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV). Prayer is an awesome force. The Prayer of Agreement has the greatest potential in our world. But for this prayer to be effective there has to be elements of Conversion. (Mt. 18:1-3, 2 Chron. 7:14), of Humility. (Mt. 18:4, 2 Chron. 7:14) and of Reconciliation. (Mt. 18:15-18, 2 Chron. 7:14) Only when these elements are found together can the Prayer of Agreement be made with power.

What area of your life is under attack? Your marriage? Your children? Your business? Your finances? Your health? Your emotions? Your relationships? Find a prayer partner and start praying together.

Understanding the Cost of Discipleship

Jer 20: 7-9: Rom 12: 1-2; Mat 16: 21-27

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Introduction: Everybody wants to go to Heaven but not many are willing to pay the price to get there. Just “desiring” or “wanting” to be like Jesus and to be with Jesus aren’t enough. There is a price of discipleship that must be paid if we are to experience God’s heaven. The cost of discipleship can be summed up in three commands when Jesus said Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.

The life of a disciple is the life of surrender to a cause greater than our own. The life of a disciple is a life of discipline to force our will to conform to the will of God and not to be conformed into the image of this world. Disciples of Christ live according to a completely different mindset than what the world has. Jesus never picks His disciples according to the standards of the world. Jesus picks us according to the standards of His desires and according to the person that we can become if we will only surrender to His will and answer His Call.  Jesus can see in you and I what no one else can see. He sees the end result of what we will become and not the unlearned and ignorant person that we are. Just being chosen isn’t enough though. If we are to really be a disciple of Christ there is a path of life that we must walk that is far different from anyone around us who doesn’t serve God.

The Cost of Discipleship involves DENYING OURSELVES. That means that we must put God’s work and the call of God upon our lives ahead of everything else in life.  The Cost of Discipleship involves FOLLOWING JESUS! Following Jesus entails getting to know Him in a very personal and intimate way. That kind of relationship only comes by spending time in the Word of God and in a constant attitude of prayer, talking to Jesus. It’s learning the heart of God and learning to love Him and other people the way that God loves them. Following Jesus means to learn to be like Him in every way. Learning to trust Him, learning to believe in Him, learning to hear and know His voice, learning to know His will for your life, and learning His Word.

The Cost of Discipleship involves LIVING HOLY LIFE-To be holy is to be Christ-like; to be holy in thought, word and deed is to be Christ-like in thought, word and deed. To have a holy heart is to have a heart like Jesus. To be holy in our attitudes, ambitions and activities, is to be Christ-like in our attitudes, ambitions and activities. In short, to be Christ-like necessitates having the mind of Christ! (Phil. 2:5-8)

There is a DECISION one must make. The decision to become a true disciple of Christ is characterized by three attributes: the RECOGNITION of Jesus’ identity, the RECEPTION of Jesus’ invitation and the REQUIREMENT of commitment. It is a commitment to persevere. Jesus is not saying “Try following Me for a while to see if you like it.” Jesus is clearly stipulating that His requirements for discipleship involves a call to full-time commitment! His call to follow involves a commitment to keep on following no matter where He leads, no matter who else is willing to follow, and no matter what happens to you as you follow. A personal relationship with Jesus is based upon COMMITMENT, not experience. Commitment is a choice, not a feeling! It is a choice of your heart, mind and will. Commitment is the glue that holds a relationship together.

Conclusion: Dear brothers and sisters, Your personal relationship with Jesus will be uniquely DIFFERENT from that of any other believer. A personal relationship with Jesus must grow through NURTURE or will be destroyed through neglect. Placing before you a Martyr’s Measure of Commitment: “I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still…I won’t give up, shut up or let up until I have prayed up and paid up for the cause of Jesus Christ. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till he stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear!” (A note found in the office of a young Pastor in Zimbabwe, Africa, following his martyrdom for his faith in Jesus Christ. Found in ’the signature of Jesus’ by Brennan Manning)

“A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing”. – M. Luther.

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

Isaiah 22:19-23; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20

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Although Jesus Christ did not come to please people like the politicians; we find Jesus in Mat 16:13 taking a poll amongst His disciples. At this point in Jesus ministry, the news of His preaching and miracles had spread all around. The religious leaders had also heard about Jesus Christ and they didn’t like what they had heard. He was a threat to their power and prestige amongst the Jews. The Pharisees had accused Jesus of getting His power from Satan. He had been rejected by His home town. So in the midst of growing opposition and surrounded by crowds of people who liked Him but did not understand Him, He took his disciples and left Israel. He went north out of Israel into Gentile territory, to a place called Caesarea Philippi. Jesus knew that it would not be long before He would be crucified. He knew that He would be leaving this earth. This was the time that Jesus was going to find out where the disciples stood. Jesus asked His disciples 2 questions. The first question is in verse 13, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Jesus wanted His disciples to acknowledge what other people were saying. So they gave him the four most popular answers about who Jesus is. “Some say John the Baptist (that was Herod’s answer); others say Elijah (that was very popular because the Jews expected Elijah to return); and still others, Jeremiah (he was the greatest of the later prophets) or one of the prophets (that is, he was a spokesman for God).”

Jesus then asked His disciples a more important question. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”. Peter¡¦s answer is very specific. Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  This is a very important statement for us to catch. Peter did not figure Jesus identity out on his own. This was revealed to him by God.

The church is made up of men and women who confess this truth. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Things haven’t changed much. Some people today still think Jesus was just a prophet – non-Christian religions for example recognize that He was a good teacher and a fine religious leader, but surely not the only begotten Son of God. Some think He’s just a myth, a figment of our imagination. He’s a crutch for weak-minded people.

Others think that He was a great historical figure, certainly a good man, a good teacher, a man of character and integrity but not God. He can be any number of things to an endless number of people, and it is easy to become appalled at what many think about Jesus. He was hated and ridiculed then and He is hated and ridiculed today.  People always have and always will be confused about who Jesus is.

The name Christ is the official title of our Lord, occurring 514 times in the New Testament. It means that He was anointed or consecrated to His great redemptive work as Prophet, Priest, and King of his people.  To Abraham He was the ram. To Israel He was the lamb. To Ruth He was a Redeemer. To Nehemiah He was a Master Builder. To David He was the Tender Shepherd. To Solomon He is the Wise and All-Knowing God. To Amos He was the Burden Bearer. To Malachi He was the Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings. To Mark He was the Suffering Servant. To John He was the Light of the world. To Paul He was a Wonderful Savior.

The Bible says that Jesus is… our Lord, our Comforter, our Advisor, our Mediator, our Strength, our Inspiration, our Protector, our Provider, our Shepherd, our Master·

If you really want to know who Jesus is, then you need to get into the book that identifies who He is! We’ve considered who other people say Jesus is, and more importantly we’ve considered who the Bible says Jesus is, but now let’s consider the third and most important question of them all.

WHO DO YOU SAY HE IS?

• He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
• Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
• Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.
• Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
• Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
• Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears. Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
• Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
• Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.

Conclusion: A lot of people name the name of Jesus, but what does that really mean for you? The devil names the name of Jesus, but what does that mean? The devil is not an atheist. He knows that Jesus is real. He knows there is a God, but operates as if there were no God. He believes in God, but he doesn’t love Him.  He acknowledges God, but he doesn’t glorify Him. Jesus wants to be real in your life but it’s up to you whether He will be or not. You see, Jesus already knows who you think He is – He is asking you this question today so you might recognize whether He has the pre-eminence in your life like He deserves! Who is Jesus to you? Is He your magic genie or is He the Christ, the Son of the living God in your life? Is He your sugar daddy in the sky? Or is He God, the Lord and Master of your life?

“My House will be called a House of Prayer for all Nations.”

Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28

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FIRST READING: R. Scott Richards wrote in his book, “Myths the World Taught Me” that every one of us starts life as a little savage, selfish and self-centered. We want what we want when we want it. Deny us these once, and we seethe with rage which would be murderous were we not so helpless. We are, in fact, dirty; no morals, no knowledge, no skills; children born delinquent. And if permitted to continue every one of us would grow up a criminal – a thief, a swindler, or a rapist. That’s what we all are except that God, by his grace and mercy, intervenes in our life by the power of His word for help and salvation, for positive change.

The first reading tells us “for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” It’s part of the joy of the Gospel. None of us are excluded – not for our past, not for our family history, not because of our caste or creed or culture. God’s promise is that we’re all welcome, that we all belong, by virtue of our faith. Sinners all, made righteous in Christ’s blood; and in this gracious righteousness we look at others in new ways. We see them as we are, another sinner for whom Christ died, another one lost who needs God’s grace, a potential brother or sister in God’s house forever.

God’s plan is to gather still more besides us whom he already has gathered. And the joy of it is that he would use you; once lost but now found and fashioned into tools of the Spirit to gather even more – people of every walk-in life, peoples of every nation in the world – He would use to gather them all to the joys of knowing Christ Jesus and the eternal blessings that spill forth from His Church, His House of prayer.

SECOND READING: The church at Rome had some inter-cultural and inter-racial difficulties between the Jews and the Gentiles.  Some of the Jews looked down on the Gentiles because their ancestors had not been part of covenant God had with His people in the Old Testament. So, a major part of the Letter to Rome focused on this conflict. In the first few chapters Paul addresses to the Jews saying they sinned just like the Gentiles had. And they needed God’s grace and mercy just as much as the Gentiles did.  Paul addresses a ticklish question that some might have asked: “Did God reject his people?” “Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?” Paul says – NO! God hasn’t rejected His people. No – they haven’t stumbled so far that they can’t be restored. God Never Forgets His People! That’s the MAIN MESSAGE of this chapter.

GOSPEL: An unnamed Syro-phoenican woman/mother came to Jesus pleading for help.  Her situation was quite complicated and delicate. She had a problem-her daughter was demon possessed. She had great pain – she was grievously vexed – both mother and daughter. She was dealing with a power beyond herself – it was supernatural, suppressive, and satanic. But she has a plan. She heard about the power of Jesus.  She is going to meet Jesus no matter what. In her desire for healing her daughter she has a simple cry – to catch the Lord’s attention and a sincere cry from the heart.  But she encounters unexpected hurdles:

(a) The silence of the Saviour – her test – do you really know who I am?

(b) The selfishness of the disciples v. 23 “send her away, for she crieth after us”

(c) The sinfulness of her past v. 24 “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.  Paul says Ephesians 2 v. 12, she was without hope, without promise, and without God in the world

Inspite of her hurdles she decided not to give up.  Continued to pray and plead. Her pleading was short, humble, fervent, desperate, rational, respectful, worshipful, persevering, determined, and full of faith and humility.  This impressed the Lord.  The Lord answered her prayer. Her request was granted. Her daughter was healed.

CONCLUSION: Prayer is the umbilical cord of intimacy with the Father. Prayer is the lifeblood of the believer. Robert Murray McCheyne once said, “What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more.” The father of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, wrote, “If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith.”  God invites all to his house to pray and to worship.  Let’s forget our differences and our backgrounds and pray and worship the Lord as one people of faith. Amen!