Defending the Kingdom

In today’s Gospel verses, Jesus is teaching all about John the Baptist and his vital mission here on earth. Jesus also explains the impact of others’ attitudes and behaviors of violence to the kingdom of God and affirms that John the Baptist is the greatest by saying, “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women, there has been none greater than John the Baptist.”

As we know and understand from the Gospel readings, John began preaching until this point when Jesus was speaking and sharing that God’s kingdom rule is being attacked and subjected to evil and violence, apparently by people like Herod (Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18). In other words, Jesus is teaching that people here on earth will hate the kingdom of God with such odium and evil that they will make every effort to obstruct its progress and to stop any attempts of goodness, kindness and love.

As children of God, we understand how critical it is for us to walk in the path of kindness and love as John the Baptist. As we reflect on this Gospel reading, we understand that we have been asked to be disciples of Jesus, like John the Baptist, to share the good news of the Lord and to be loving and kind to all of God’s children.

In verses 14-15, Jesus continues to preach that “all the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah, who is to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” At this point, one realizes and can clearly understand that John’s role is the pinnacle of all the prophets; John the Baptist is the one who is to come to prepare the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:1-17), our Lord, the King.

Apologetics 101: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Father and Victoria share their favorite mind-blowing facts about this famous Marian apparition:

· Our Lady of Guadalupe is the only Marian apparition in which the Blessed Mother is visibly pregnant!

· The number of people who converted to the Catholic faith after the apparition (nine million Aztecs with seven years) was almost identical to the number who left the faith in the Protestant reformation!

· The tilma on which the image is seen is made of coarse, rough material completely unsuitable for painting. It is virtually impossible that such a precise image who have remained intact for centuries!

· Scientists cannot locate one single brush stroke in the entire image. It is more like a photograph than anything else, which did not exist in 1531!

· The Blessed Mother appears to have two different skin tones when seen from up close and far away – scientists have no way to explain this!

· Some of the best artists in the world have made reproductions of the image of Our Lady and were kept in the same conditions as the original. The copies deteriorated within a few years while the original is still in pristine condition, even though it was exposed to the air and the public for 116 years without any covering!

· The tilma somehow always keeps a constant temperature of 98.6 degrees – the average temperature of a human being!

· The tilma depicts a woman who is quite close to giving birth. It was unveiled on December 9, about two weeks from the birth of Christ at Christmas!

· And the most mind-blowing fact of all. When scientists zoomed in on the eyes of Our Lady at 2500 times magnification, they were able to see 13 figures in what appears to be a snapshot of the exact moment Juan Diego first opened the tilma to his Archbishop!

For more incredible facts about Our Lady of Guadalupe, please see:

https://cruxnow.com/faith/2014/12/four-awesome-facts-about-our-lady-of-guadalupe/

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2016/12/12/10-things-know-about-virgin-guadalupe

Check out the video version of this post here: https://youtu.be/MjH_1OWMpN4

Let Him Carry You

Most of us are tired and weary. This past year has proven to be a burden and difficult at best. Not the kind caused by working too hard, being too busy or not taking care of ourselves, but that which comes from anxiety, pain, sorrow and fear. We are all experiencing spiritual, physical and emotional fatigue. And no matter how hard we try to balance our lives, fix situations or wish things were better, something is missing.

Today, Jesus invites us to: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

It could be we are overwhelmed by some sickness, or pain in life, or just plain tired by the routines in life. Whatever our fear, anxiety or worry, Jesus asks us to believe and trust in Him.

If only we could abandon our fear and come to Him without hesitation. If only we could come to Him with open hearts, ready to experience His Peace, His Rest!

What does it mean when Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest.” Does it mean, all your burdens, trials and sufferings will disappear? Probably not, but what it does mean is that Jesus is there for us, to empower us and give us the strength to face our difficulties with courage and grace. That the joy Jesus promises is ours.

Reflect today upon this beautiful invitation from Jesus! Let Him carry your cross and let us take His yoke! Let His compassion and love fill you with the love and peace He promised.

Can we trust, and truly believe – “Here I am, Lord”

- Lynn Krieg