by Faith Central & Steve Welsh
“… ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you Rest.
Take My Yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am Meek and Humble of Heart;
and you will find Rest for yourselves.
For My Yoke is easy, and My Burden light.’ …”
“… We are called to follow Christ as missionary disciples by seeking the truth, serving others, and living our faith in all that we do. …”
“As Jesus got into a boat, His Disciples followed Him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,
… They came and woke Him, saying,
‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’
He said to them, ‘Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?’
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was great calm. …”
“Continuing our encounters with the Twelve Apostles chosen directly by Jesus, today we will focus our attention on Thomas. … “
“… Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’
… He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see My Hands,
and bring Your Hand and put it into My Side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.’
Thomas … said … ‘My Lord and my God!’
Jesus said to him, ‘… Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.'”
“I … am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the Crown of Rrighteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the Just Judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for His Appearance. …”
“Jesus said to the Twelve:
‘Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed ….
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
* * *
Even all the hairs of your head are counted. …
* * *
Everyone who acknowledges Me before others
I will acknowledge before My Heavenly Father. …”
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”89 John was “filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb”90 by Christ himself, whom the Virgin Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth thus became a visit from God to his people.91
718 John is “Elijah (who) must come.”92 The fire of the Spirit dwells in him and makes him the forerunner of the coming Lord. In John, the precursor, the Holy Spirit completes the work of “[making] ready a people prepared for the Lord.”93
719 John the Baptist is “more than a prophet.”94 In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah.95 He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the “voice” of the Consoler who is coming.96 As the Spirit of truth will also do, John “came to bear witness to the light.”97 In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels.98 “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. and I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God…. Behold, the Lamb of God.”99
“… ‘Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take My Yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am Meek and Humble of Heart;
and you will find Rest for yourselves.
For My Yoke is Easy, and My Burden Light.”
“Jesus said to His Disciples:
‘… When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as well. …'”