How are you on this Soulful Sunday? This week has proven itself to be a trying week. It has reminded me how lucky I am to have such great people in my life who support me and keep me sane. I want to take a second to say I am extremely grateful for my boyfriend, Danny for helping me with the renovation of my parent's rental apartment. I truly believe that God works through this man. I hope that we all take a moment to be grateful for the people in our lives. Please don't forget to tell them.
This past Friday during Youth Group we watched a video created by Outside Da Box called Evidence. It reminded me that being a Christian is so much more than going to church on Sundays or wearing a cross around my neck. Being a true follower of Christ means that we live by his example. Last week we chatted about what it means to have faith and a small part of what Catholics receive in Who's watching you? Today we'll talk about what we must do.
First we have the ten commandments. In the book of Exodus, in the Bible, Chapter 20 tells of us of Moses' being given the ten commandments on Mount Sinai by God.
- I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
- Honor your father and mother.
- You shall not kill.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
- You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Next is the Five commandments of the Church.
- You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
- You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
- You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
- You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
- You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
Lastly there are fourteen works of mercy.
Spiritual:
- Counsel the doubtful.
- Instruct the ignorant.
- Admonish sinners.
- Comfort the afflicted.
- Forgive offenses.
- Bear wrongs patiently.
- Pray for the living and the dead.
Corporal:
- Feed the hungry.
- Give drink to the thirsty.
- Clothe the naked.
- Shelter the homeless.
- Visit the sick.
- Visit the imprisoned.
- Bury the dead.
Once upon a time, people were crucified and killed if they admitted to being followers of Jesus Christ. In some countries this still exists. I am fortunate to live in a country that has freedom of religion. Regardless of what religion you are, if you were brought into trial for being a believer in your faith, would you be convicted. This is what the video Evidence is about, a girl being put on trial for her belief. It is a video to evoke an emotion in you. To say that I am Catholic is one thing, but if someone observed me would I be found guilty? Today I am not looking to give convictions. I am not in charge of judgements. I only ask that you reflect upon what you say and do, and if you were in a trial what would the verdict be. We find the defendant __________.
I leave you with one of today's readings to let it marinate for the rest of the week.
Jer 31: 7-9 [God's Deliverance]
Jermiah's hymn opens with joy for God has bestowed salvation on his people. He has delivered his people and will guide and bless them so none will go astray.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah
Thus says the Lord:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:
The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with children;
they shall return as an immense throng.
They departed with tears, but I will console them and guide them;
I will lead them to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my first-born.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let it marinate!
Until then,
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