by Faith Central & Steve Welsh
“Jesus said … ‘… At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.'”
“The Sunday Gospel invites us to wrestle with these fundamental, essential, focal questions: ‘What does Heaven cost?’ and ‘Am I willing to pay it?’ …”
“… It is the sad thing that we Homines sapiens sapiens are not always wise in dealing with the
reality of our human situation, our mortality and accountability to our neighbor and our
Maker in the world we find ourselves in. We heard Jesus telling his disciples, and any
who will listen to him, that it is hard for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of
God. Why? Because love of riches can give a false sense of security and control over
immediate needs and comforts, and nest egg for the future. How easily that castle of cards
is blown away by market crashes, losses from natural disasters, wars, sicknesses and
random accidents. …”
“Jesus answered … ‘You know the Commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’ … ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ … ‘It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ …”
“… Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and observe it.'”
“… ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. * * * … [I]f it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. * * * … Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters. …”
“‘… ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. … If you … 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?'”
“She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at His Feet listening to Him Speak. * * * The Lord said to [Martha] in reply, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.'”
“‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. … a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion … poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. … lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. … Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?’ … ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.'”
“‘… what God has joined together, no human being must separate.’ … ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'”