Choose the Better Part

 

INNER PARKING - CONCRETING
October 06, 2020

"There is need of only one thing. 

Mary has chosen the better part 

and it will not be taken from her.” 

LUKE 10:42

Until the present day, we have been disobedient to the Lord, our God, and only too ready to disregard His voice (Bar 1:19). We have neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God, nor followed the precepts which the Lord set before us (Bar 1:18). Each one of us went off after the devices of our own wicked hearts, served other gods, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, our God (Bar 1:22).

Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. (Lk 10:13-15) If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Lk 11:13)

Did you experience so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard? (Gal 3:4-5) After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? (Gal 3:3)

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of His servant David. Through His holy prophets He promised of old that He would save us from our enemies, from the hand of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant. This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of enemies, free to worship Him without fear, holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life. (Lk 1:69-75)

All the nations You have made shall come and worship You, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For You are great, and You do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. (Ps 86:9-10) Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake (Ps 79:9). Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low (Ps 79:8).

Published:

October 06, 2024, 2:41 AM

October 06, 2023, 7:33 AM

Listen and Act

 

INNER PARKING - CONCRETING
December 07, 2020

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them 

will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."

MATTHEW 7:24

These words of the Lord resonate with timeless wisdom, echoing through the ages. They remind us that true wisdom lies not merely in hearing, but in action. Like a house built on solid rock, our lives find stability when we heed these teachings and put them into practice. Let us be architects of our destinies, constructing our foundations with purpose, integrity, and love. For it is in the doing that we find strength, resilience, and the unwavering ground beneath our feet. May our actions be the bedrock upon which our lives stand tall, weathering storms and embracing the sun’s warmth.

Jesus said to his disciples; “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” (Matthew 7:21, 24-27)

In the quiet chambers of faith, where shadows dance with light, we find solace. The eternal Rock stands unwavering, a refuge for weary hearts. Trust, like roots seeking water, anchors us to grace. Let the tempests rage, and the tides ebb and flow. We stand firm, for our foundation is unyielding. The Lord, our cornerstone, whispers courage to the winds. Trust, oh soul, in the symphony of ages. The Rock endures, and so shall we. 

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; he tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor. (Isaiah 26:1-6)

Let us give thanks to the Lord, not merely with words, but with lives lived in kindness, compassion, and love. With deep praise and gratitude, where whispers weave a tapestry of grace, we lift our voices. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. This gate is the Lord’s; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. O Lord, grant salvation! O Lord, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light. (Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27)

The Lord’s goodness, an eternal refrain, echoes across time and space. His mercy, like a gentle rain, falls upon parched hearts. It quenches our thirst, softens our edges, and paints hope upon our souls.

Pericope:

II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom

THE TRUE DISCIPLE/ THE TWO FOUNDATIONS

Matthew 7:21-23/24-29

IV: Apocalypse of Isaiah

THE DIVINE VINDICATOR

Isaiah 26:1-19

Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150

HYMN OF THANKSGIVING

Psalm 118:1-29

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing Chat

God Takes Action

 

INNER PARKING - CONCRETING
October 07, 2020

And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, 

My own special possession, on the day I take action. 

And I will have compassion on them, 

as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. 

MALACHI 3:17

The day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts. But for you who fear My name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays. (Mal 3:19-20)

Fear not, call out to God! As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him. (Bar 4:27-28) You will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked; between the one who serves God, and the one who does not serve Him. (Mal 3:18)

Jesus said, “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Lk 11:9-10) All things have been handed over to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.” (Lk 10:22)

See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts be revived! For the Lord hears the poor, and His own who are in bonds He spurns not. (Ps 69:33-34)

Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent,  but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers. Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked vanishes. (Psalm 1:1-6)

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned You have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been Your gracious will.” (Lk 10:21)

Great is the Glory of the Lord!

 

INNER PARKING - CONCRETING
September 28, 2020

All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O Lord, 

when they hear the words of your mouth; and they shall sing 

of the ways of the Lord: “Great is the glory of the Lord.”

PSALM 138:4-5

As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. (Dn 7:9-10)

As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when He reached the Ancient One and was presented before Him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; His kingship shall not be destroyed. (Dn 7:13-14)

Jesus said, “You will see greater things than this. Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (Jn 1:50-51) Here is a true child. There is no duplicity in him.” (Jn 1:47)

If one has duplicity or guile it means they are two-faced and cunning. They are skilled in the art of deception. This is a dangerous and deadly quality to have. But to say the opposite, that one has “no duplicity” or “no guile” is a way of saying that they are honest, straightforward, sincere, transparent and real.

Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel! (Jn 1:49) I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart, for You have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing Your praise; I will worship at Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name. Because of Your kindness and Your truth; for You have made great above all things Your name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. (Ps 138:1-3)