Ezekiel 17:22-23, Acts 15:1-6, John 15:1-8, Psalm 122:1-5

Daily Meditation:  Ezekiel 17:22-23

Ezekiel 17:22-23

 22 Thus says Yahweh: “At the top of the cedar I will take one of its uppermost branches, a tender twig and plant it. 23 On a lofty, massive mountain, on a high mountain of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a magnificent cedar. Birds of all kinds will nest in it and find shelter in its branches.

My Beloved, Your Father willed that You leave heaven to descend to earth for a while.  You are the 'tender twig' plucked from the heart of God and planted on God's holy mountain.  Your Church now resplendent, shines a mighty beacon of light so that people of every race, color, language and nation may find their way to her and rest on her bosom and be nourished.  My Beloved, You are the 'mighty  cedar' and in You we nest and are fed and nourished.  Evey one can come to You and find in You Beloved, perfect rest.

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Daily Mass Readings:  Acts 15:1-6, John 15:1-8, Psalm 122:1-5

Acts 15:1-6

Beloved, here is a clear example in the early Church of how error and heresy can be taught by well intentioned people who refuse give up the old and the familiar, even if it runs counter to the truth.  Six short verses but one can feel the tension in it among the faithful.  Paul and Barnabas are right, they have understood that the law of Moses is now superseded by the salvation obtained not through circumcision, but through Your Passion, Death and Resurrection. They accepted with humility the decision that they should go the apostles and elders to settle the matter - unlike Martin Luther whose pride and self righteousness caused such a deep rift, it tore Your Body asunder. 

A council was called, the Church continues to call councils of the hierarchy to ensure that the Good News is preached without error.  Obedience and humility bring with them wonderful fruit.  As they journeyed to Jerusalem they preached all the way and many were converted enroute.  Finally they arrived and both Paul and Barnabas with the help of the Holy Spirit convinced the council that they were right.  All one needs to be saved is to repent, believe in the Good News and be baptized into Your Body.

May I always stand up with courage and passion for the truth just like Paul and Barnabas.

John 15:1-8

Salvation is a very serious business.  If we cease to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, the Father will cut us off from the Vine.  Those who do bear fruit He will prune through suffering and self-denial in order that we can bear greater fruit.,  It is the Father who does the cutting and the pruning.  We are the Body of Christ and we are called to glorify the Father in Him.  This is only possible if we have the life of the Holy Spirit in us.  Apart from Jesus, we will rot and die.  Only as a member of his Church, can we remain vibrant and full of the life that pours from Him to us.  The sap that runs in us is the Holy Spirit.  He keep us united to the Beloved for He is the Spirit of Truth and Love who leads us into all Truth that resides in its fullness only in the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Verse 7  "If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will be given to you."  Let us approach You boldly and make our needs known to You for You  have promised that the Father will give us everything we need in order that our joy may be complete.  Our purpose in life is fulfilled when God is glorified.

Psalm 122:1-4

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

2 And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem, just like a city,

where everything falls into place!

4 There the tribes go up,

the tribes of the Lord, the assembly of Israel,

to give thanks to the Lord’s name.