Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 478
Lectionary: 478
Brothers and sisters:
Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has freed you from the law of sin and death.
For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do,
this God has done:
by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us,
who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh
are concerned with the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the spirit
with the things of the spirit.
The concern of the flesh is death,
but the concern of the spirit is life and peace.
For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God;
it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it;
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh;
on the contrary, you are in the spirit,
if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you,
although the body is dead because of sin,
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus
has freed you from the law of sin and death.
For what the law, weakened by the flesh, was powerless to do,
this God has done:
by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh
and for the sake of sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
so that the righteous decree of the law might be fulfilled in us,
who live not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh
are concerned with the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the spirit
with the things of the spirit.
The concern of the flesh is death,
but the concern of the spirit is life and peace.
For the concern of the flesh is hostility toward God;
it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it;
and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh;
on the contrary, you are in the spirit,
if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you,
although the body is dead because of sin,
the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
the one who raised Christ from the dead
will give life to your mortal bodies also,
through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 24:1B-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
R.(see 6) Lord,
this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
AlleluiaEZ 33:11
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion that he may live.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion that he may live.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 13:1-9
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
He said to them in reply,
"Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!"
And he told them this parable:
"There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?'
He said to him in reply,
'Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.'"
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
He said to them in reply,
"Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!"
And he told them this parable:
"There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?'
He said to him in reply,
'Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.'"
Meditation:
"Unless
you repent - you will perish"
What
can a calamity, such as a political blood-bath or a natural disaster, teach us
about God's kingdom and the consequences of wrong-doing and turning away from
God? Jesus used two such occasions to address the issue of sin (wrong-doing)
and judgment with his Jewish audience. Pilate, who was the Roman governor of
Jerusalem at the time, ordered his troops to slaughter a group of Galileans who
had come up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice in the Temple. We do not know what
these Galileans did to incite Pilate's wrath, nor why Pilate chose to attack
them in the holiest of places for the Jews, in their temple at Jerusalem. For
the Jews, this was political barbarity and sacrilege at its worst!
The
second incident which Jesus addressed was a natural disaster, a tower in
Jerusalem which unexpectedly collapsed, killing 18 people. The Jews often
associated such calamities and disasters as a consequence of sin (doing what is
wrong and contrary to God's law). Scripture does warn that sin can result in
calamity! Though the righteous fall seven times, and rise again; the
wicked are overthrown by calamity (Proverbs 24:16).
The
time for repentance and forgiveness is right now!
The real danger and calamity which Jesus points out is that an unexpected disaster or a sudden death does not give us time to repent of our sins by acknowledging our wrong-doing and asking for pardon here and now before we die and are brought face to face with the Lord of heaven and earth when he calls us to his judgment seat. The Book of Job reminds us that misfortune and calamity can befall both the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Jesus gives a clear warning - take responsibility for your actions and moral choices and put sin to death today before it can poison your heart, corrupt your mind, and bring destruction to your body as well. Allowing sin and sinful attitudes to go unchecked in us is like a cancer which spreads and corrupts us from within and causes death if it is not cut off.We must honestly and humbly acknowledge our sins before God and ask for his forgiveness and for his healing grace to restore and change us so that we may grow day by day into the holiness he desires for us. Holding on to sinful attitudes, and refusing to confess our wrongdoing (sins) before God to receive his pardon and healing, can only lead to one result - a corrupt heart, mind, and soul that is dead spiritually. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "the wages of sin in death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death and separation from God is a far worse condition than any physical harm or loss we might experience in this present life.Choose today for the abundant life and grace which Christ has won for you through his victory over sin and death on the Cross.
The real danger and calamity which Jesus points out is that an unexpected disaster or a sudden death does not give us time to repent of our sins by acknowledging our wrong-doing and asking for pardon here and now before we die and are brought face to face with the Lord of heaven and earth when he calls us to his judgment seat. The Book of Job reminds us that misfortune and calamity can befall both the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Jesus gives a clear warning - take responsibility for your actions and moral choices and put sin to death today before it can poison your heart, corrupt your mind, and bring destruction to your body as well. Allowing sin and sinful attitudes to go unchecked in us is like a cancer which spreads and corrupts us from within and causes death if it is not cut off.We must honestly and humbly acknowledge our sins before God and ask for his forgiveness and for his healing grace to restore and change us so that we may grow day by day into the holiness he desires for us. Holding on to sinful attitudes, and refusing to confess our wrongdoing (sins) before God to receive his pardon and healing, can only lead to one result - a corrupt heart, mind, and soul that is dead spiritually. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "the wages of sin in death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Spiritual death and separation from God is a far worse condition than any physical harm or loss we might experience in this present life.Choose today for the abundant life and grace which Christ has won for you through his victory over sin and death on the Cross.
The
sign of the barren fig tree
Jesus followed his warning to turn away from sin and not allow it to corrupt our minds and hearts with an illustration and story (parable) from nature and farming which his listeners would have easily understood. Good land for growing crops and fruit trees were sparse in the arrid climate of Judae and the surrounding desert regions. One very common and important source of food for the people who lived in the region of Galilee and Judea was the fig tree. Its fruit was highly prized and became a symbol of God's fruitful blessing and provision for his people. A fig tree normally matured within three years, producing plentiful fruit. If it failed, it was cut down to make room for more healthy trees. A decaying fig tree and its bad fruit came to symbolize for the Jews the consequence of spiritual corruption caused by evil deeds and unrepentant sin.
Jesus followed his warning to turn away from sin and not allow it to corrupt our minds and hearts with an illustration and story (parable) from nature and farming which his listeners would have easily understood. Good land for growing crops and fruit trees were sparse in the arrid climate of Judae and the surrounding desert regions. One very common and important source of food for the people who lived in the region of Galilee and Judea was the fig tree. Its fruit was highly prized and became a symbol of God's fruitful blessing and provision for his people. A fig tree normally matured within three years, producing plentiful fruit. If it failed, it was cut down to make room for more healthy trees. A decaying fig tree and its bad fruit came to symbolize for the Jews the consequence of spiritual corruption caused by evil deeds and unrepentant sin.
The
unfruitful fig tree symbolized the outcome of Israel's indifference and lack of
response to God's word of repentance and restoration. The prophets
depicted the desolation and calamity of Israel's fall and ruin - due to her
unfaithfulness to God - as a languishing fig tree (see Joel 1:7,12; Habbakuk
3:17; and Jeremiah 8:13). Jeremiah likened good and evil rulers and members of
Israel with figs that were either good for eating or rotten and wasteful
(Jeremiah 24:2-8). Jesus' parable depicts the patience of God, but it also
contains a warning that we should not presume upon God's patience and mercy.
God's judgment will come in due course - very soon or later. Jesus' parable of
the barren fig tree illustrates his warning about the consequences of allowing
sin (wrongdoing) and moral corruption to take root in our hearts and minds. We
must turn away from sinful atttitudes and sinful habits and turn to God for his
transforming grace and power to change us.
Why
God judges
Why does God judge his people? He judges to purify and cleanse us of all sin so that we might grow in his holiness and righteousness (being in a right relationship with God). And he disciplines us for our own good, to inspire a godly fear and reverence for him and his holy word. God is patient, but for those who persistently and stubbornly rebel against him and refuse to repent and change their course, there is the consequence that they will lose both their soul and body to hell.
Why does God judge his people? He judges to purify and cleanse us of all sin so that we might grow in his holiness and righteousness (being in a right relationship with God). And he disciplines us for our own good, to inspire a godly fear and reverence for him and his holy word. God is patient, but for those who persistently and stubbornly rebel against him and refuse to repent and change their course, there is the consequence that they will lose both their soul and body to hell.
Are
God's judgments unjust or unloving? When God's judgments are revealed
in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (Isaiah
26:9). To pronounce God's judgment on sin is much less harsh than what will
happen if those who sin are not warned to repent and turn back to God.
Don't
tolerate sin
God, in his mercy, gives us time to get right with him, but that time is now. We must not assume that there is no hurry. A sudden and unexpected death leaves one no time to prepare to settle one's accounts when he or she must stand before the Lord on the day of judgment. Jesus warns us that we must be ready at all times. Tolerating sinful habits and excusing unrepentant sin and wrongdoing will result in bad fruit, painful discipline, and spiritual disease that leads to death and destruction. The Lord in his mercy gives us both grace (his gracious help and healing) and time to turn away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a day, we may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up. Do you hunger for the Lord's righteousness (moral goodness) and holiness?
God, in his mercy, gives us time to get right with him, but that time is now. We must not assume that there is no hurry. A sudden and unexpected death leaves one no time to prepare to settle one's accounts when he or she must stand before the Lord on the day of judgment. Jesus warns us that we must be ready at all times. Tolerating sinful habits and excusing unrepentant sin and wrongdoing will result in bad fruit, painful discipline, and spiritual disease that leads to death and destruction. The Lord in his mercy gives us both grace (his gracious help and healing) and time to turn away from sin, but that time is right now. If we delay, even for a day, we may discover that grace has passed us by and our time is up. Do you hunger for the Lord's righteousness (moral goodness) and holiness?
"Lord
Jesus, increase my hunger for you that I may grow in righteousness and
holiness. May I not squander the grace of the present moment to say
"yes" to you and to your will and plan for my life."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Lord's three visits through the
Patriarchs, Prophets, and the Gospel, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430
A.D.
"The
Lord also has something very fitting to say about a fruitless tree, 'Look, it
is now three years that I have been coming to it. Finding no fruit on it, I
will cut it down, to stop it blocking up my field.' The gardener intercedes...
This tree is the human race. The Lord visited this tree in the time of the
patriarchs, as if for the first year. He visited it in the time of the law and
the prophets, as if for the second year. Here we are now; with the gospel the
third year has dawned. Now it is as though it should have been cut down, but
the merciful one intercedes with the merciful one. He wanted to show how
merciful he was, and so he stood up to himself with a plea for mercy. 'Let us
leave it,' he says, 'this year too. Let us dig a ditch around it.' Manure is a
sign of humility. 'Let us apply a load of manure; perhaps it may bear fruit.' Since
it does bear fruit in one part, and in another part does not bear fruit, its
Lord will come and divide it. What does that mean, 'divide it'? There are good
people and bad people now in one company, as though constituting one
body." (excerpt from Sermon 254.3)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, LUKE 13:1-9
Weekday
(Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 24)
Weekday
(Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 24)
KEY VERSE: "But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did" (v. 3).
TO KNOW: Jesus cited two tragic events of his day in order to urge people to reform their lives while there was still time. The first case occurred when Pontius Pilate ordered the cold-blooded massacre of some Galileans who were offering sacrifice in the temple at Passover. The other misfortune was the accidental death of several construction workers when a water tower fell on them. These victims were no more sinful than anyone else, yet they perished, perhaps before they had time to reconcile themselves with God. Jesus then told a parable of God's patience. God gives us every chance to bear good fruit in our lives. But time eventually runs out. Hopefully, we will repent before it is too late.
TO LOVE: Am I able to see the trials in my life as opportunities for growth?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to heed your warning to repent of any sin in my life.
OPTIONAL
MEMORIAL OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Chapter V of the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, issued by the Holy See in December 2001, describes the Church's traditional dedication of Saturday to the Virgin Mary. "Saturdays stand out among those days dedicated to the Virgin Mary. These are designated as memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary" (218). The chapter also describes the importance of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in Catholic devotional life, in the Liturgy, and reflections on popular devotions to Mary, her feast days, and the Rosary.
Saturday 26 October 2019
Romans 8:1-11. Psalm 23(24):1-6. Luke 13:1-9.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face – Psalm
23(24):1-6
‘The Spirit of God dwells in you’
Paul writes to the Roman community about living life through the
Spirit. What we focus on in our life grows. Let us focus on love, compassion
and justice – those things that our God desires – then they will grow in our
life! Furthermore, when our focus is on love, compassion and justice, we will
experience fullness of life and peace. Indeed, this is what Patrick O’Sullivan
SJ writes in his book Prayer and Relationships: ‘where we focus our
attention colours all the other areas of our life. If we focus on negativity,
the negativity will spread; if we focus on grace, what is life-giving, the
grace will spread.’
Today’s psalm celebrates the blessings of a life lived in and
for God. It is not a life without difficulty or pain: the difference is God’s
steadfast presence with us. In our God we will find comfort and consolation.
Saint Peter of Alcantara
Saint of the Day for October 26
(1499 – October 18, 1562)
 |
| Saint Peter of Alcántara | Luis Tristán |
Saint Peter of Alcantara’s Story
Peter was a contemporary of well-known 16th-century Spanish
saints, including Ignatius of Loyola and John of the Cross. He served as
confessor to Saint Teresa
of Avila. Church reform was a major issue in Peter’s day, and he directed
most of his energies toward that end. His death came one year before the
Council of Trent ended.
Born into a noble family—his father was the governor of
Alcantara in Spain—Peter studied law at Salamanca University, and at 16 he
joined the so-called Observant Franciscans, also known as the discalced friars.
While he practiced many penances, he also demonstrated abilities which were
soon recognized. He was named the superior of a new house even before his
ordination as a priest, was elected provincial at the age of 39, and he was a
very successful preacher. Still, he was not above washing dishes and cutting
wood for the friars. He did not seek attention; indeed, he preferred solitude.
Peter’s penitential side was evident when it came to food and
clothing. It is said that he slept only 90 minutes each night. While others
talked about Church reform, Peter’s reform began with himself. His patience was
so great that a proverb arose: “To bear such an insult one must have the
patience of Peter of Alcantara.”
In 1554, Peter received permission to form a group of
Franciscans who followed the Rule of St. Francis with even
greater rigor. These friars were known as Alcantarines. Some of the Spanish
friars who came to North and South America in the 16th, 17th, and 18th
centuries were members of this group. At the end of the 19th century, the
Alcantarines were joined with other Observant friars to form the Order of
Friars Minor.
As spiritual director to Saint Teresa, Peter encouraged her
in promoting the Carmelite reform. His preaching brought many people to
religious life, especially to the Secular Franciscan Order, the friars, and the
Poor Clares.
Peter of Alcantara was canonized in 1669. His Liturgical
Feast Day is September 22.
Reflection
Poverty was a means and not an end for Peter. The goal was
following Christ in ever greater purity of heart. Whatever obstructed that path
could be eliminated with no real loss. The philosophy of our consumer age—you
are worth what you own—may find Peter of Alcantara’s approach severe.
Ultimately, his approach is life-giving while consumerism is deadly.
Lectio Divina: Luke 13:1-9
Lectio Divina
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and everlasting God,
our source of power and inspiration,
give us strength and joy
in serving You as followers of Christ,
who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our source of power and inspiration,
give us strength and joy
in serving You as followers of Christ,
who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Luke 13:1-9
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate
had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do
you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater
sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not
repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were
killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them– do you think they were more
guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you,
if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” And he told them this
parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the
gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said
to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the
ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you
can cut it down.’”
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today gives us information which is only found in
Luke’s Gospel. There are no parallel passages in the other Gospels. We
are meditating on the long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem and which takes
almost half of Luke’s Gospel, from chapter 9 to chapter 19 (Lk 9:51 to 19:28).
In this part Luke places most of the information on the life and teaching
of Jesus (Lk 1:1-4).
• Luke 13:1: The event which requires an explanation. “At that
time some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate
had mingled with that of the their sacrifices.” When we read the newspaper or
watch the news on TV, we receive much information, but we do not always
understand all its meaning. We listen to everything, but we really do not know
what to do with so much information and news. There are terrible news items,
such as tsunami, terrorism, wars, hunger, violence, crime, attacks, etc. This
is how the news of the horrible massacre which Pilate, the Roman Governor,
ordered regarding some Samaritan pilgrims had reached Jesus. Such news upsets
us, throws us off. And one asks, “What can I do?” To assuage their conscience,
many defend themselves and say, “It is their fault! They do not work! They are
lazy people!”
• Luke 13:2-3: Jesus’ response. Jesus has a different opinion.
“Do you suppose that those Galileans were worse sinners than any others that
this should have happened to them? I tell you ‘no’, but unless you repent you
will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam
fell, killing them all? Do you suppose that they were worse offenders than all
the other people living in Jerusalem? I tell you ‘no,, but unless you repent
you will perish as they did.” He seeks to invite to conversion and to change.
• Luke 13:4-5: Jesus comments on another situation. “Or those
eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell, killing them all; do you believe
they were worse offenders than all the other people in Jerusalem?”
It must have been a disaster which was much discussed in the
city. A thunderstorm knocked down the tower of Siloam killing eighteen people
who were seeking shelter under it. The typical comment was “punishment from
God!” Jesus repeats, “I tell you ‘no’, but unless you repent you will perish as
they did.” They were not converted, they did not change, and forty years later
Jerusalem was destroyed and many people died, being killed in the Temple like
the Samaritans and many people died under the debris or rubble of the walls of
the city. Jesus tried to warn them, but the request for peace was not accepted:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem!” (Lk 13:34).
• Luke 13:6-9: A parable to make people think and discover God’s
project. “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for
fruit on it but found none. He said to his vinedresser, “for three years now I
have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none.” Then he
said to the vinedresser, “Cut it down; why should it be taking up the
ground?” “Sir,” the man replied, “leave it one more year and give me time
to dig round it and manure it; it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you
can cut it down.” Many times the vine is used to indicate God’s affection for
His people, or to indicate the lack of response on the part of the people to God’s
love (Is 5:1-7; 27:2-5; Jer 2:21; 8:13; Ex 19:10-14; Hos 10:1-8; Mic 7, 1; Jn
15:1-6). In the parable, the landlord of the vine is God, the Father. The
vinedresser who intercedes on behalf of the vine is Jesus. He pleads with the
Father to extend the space, the time of conversion.
4) Personal questions
• God’s people, God’s vineyard. I am part of this vineyard. If I
apply this parable to myself, what conclusion do I draw?
• What do I do with the news that I receive? Do I seek to form a critical opinion, or do I continue to have the opinion of the majority and of the mass media?
• In today’s world, there are not only the traditional news sources with their political agendas, but there is also social media – Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. They also reinforce each other. One will pick up stories or ideas from another and spin it. Do I have the skill to discern truth from these outlets? What can I do or learn to be able to find the truth in world events?
• What do I do with the news that I receive? Do I seek to form a critical opinion, or do I continue to have the opinion of the majority and of the mass media?
• In today’s world, there are not only the traditional news sources with their political agendas, but there is also social media – Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. They also reinforce each other. One will pick up stories or ideas from another and spin it. Do I have the skill to discern truth from these outlets? What can I do or learn to be able to find the truth in world events?
5) Concluding prayer
Who is like Yahweh our God?
His throne is set on high,
but He stoops to look down on heaven and earth.
He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the dunghill. (Ps 113:5-7)
His throne is set on high,
but He stoops to look down on heaven and earth.
He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the dunghill. (Ps 113:5-7)
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