Sunday, January 24, 2021

Part-time Jesus?

 Once, several years ago, our parish priest, during one of his homilies told us that we cannot pick and choose the teachings of Jesus.  If you are going to profess that you are a Christian, then you have to take all of Jesus, not just part of Him.

This stayed with me, as you can  see.   As a professed Christian, actually a Roman Catholic Christian, I have made it my priority to read the bible daily, read the readings of the liturgical year and know the teachings of our Lord. Do I  adhere to all His teachings?  Yes, as humanly possible. 

The Ten Commandments is the place to start:

1.    I am the Lord your God:  You shall not have strange gods before me.

2.    You shall not take the name of the Lord  your God in vain.

3.    Remember to keep the holy the Lord's Day.

4.    Honor your father and mother.

5.    You shall not kill.

6.    You shall not commit adultery.

7.    You shall not steal.

8.    You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9.    You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10.   You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

After looking over these commandments and seeing where you are good with these, next,

the Beatitudes are the next good place to study.

The text of St. Matthew runs as follows:

  • Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  • Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

  • Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.

  • Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

  • Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

  • Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

  • Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

  • Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
Being a Christian is NOT an easy life.  The above guidelines are plain and simple in reading, however following them is not.



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