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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 16, 2015 17:33:16 GMT
In this thread, I will list the reading for today and give a few short insights on it. You could say I am taking advantage of the fact that we are all Catholic. And you'd be right. If you have any insights, fell free to share them.
Mark 12, 1-12, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants
This is an obvious allegory of the entire history of the Jews up to the time of Jesus. Near the end, Jesus says, "What will the master do? He will take the vineyard away from those tenants and give it to others." Who has he given it to instead? He has given it to each and every one of us. Let us take care of what God has given us, and produce good fruit.
And I know I may not be the prelate, I just thought this would be a good idea.
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Post by Sir Benedict on Jan 16, 2015 18:13:31 GMT
Great idea, Kristoff! I'm sure I'll enjoy this thread at least. And besides, at the moment we don't have a Prelate (still working on getting one).
This parable has always been one of my favorites because it is painfully simple to understand. Us Christians replaced the Jews as the people of god after the Jews messed up and killed their would-be savior. Simple as that.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 17, 2015 20:13:07 GMT
Luke 6, 17-23. This is the Beatitudes, don't think I need to say much more. We must all keep in mind the hope this passage promises, and not lose sight of it. However, there is more to this section than is read. the next three verses are the antipodes to the Beatitudes: the Woes. "Woe to you who are rich, who are full who are laughing, when all speak well of you. For their ancestors treated the false prophets in the same way." Let us not get prideful in our elite class, but remember our humility.
It's hard for even me to do, I am by no means perfect.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 19, 2015 17:43:50 GMT
Mark 12, 13-17, The Question about Paying Taxes. We must all remember this, caught up in our micronational politics as we are. We need to make room for God, or even dedicate our entire life to him. If we do this, each act will become a prayer, each word will glorify God. Our life, our soul, our love, belongs to him.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 20, 2015 18:08:27 GMT
Funnily enough, today's reading is the Beatitudes again, and I have no new insights. If you want, you could just read Saturday's post over again.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 21, 2015 22:59:08 GMT
Mark 12, 28-37. There are two parts to this reading; first is the greatest commandment, followed by Jesus asking the people, "If David calls the Messiah 'Lord', how can the Messiah be the son of David?"
The Greatest Commandment is something that we should all strive to obey so that we may enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the greatest of all, and by obeying it, we make the greatest spiritual progress.
The second half of the reading is easily explained. David called the Messiah "Lord," because the Messiah is the Son of God. He is also the son of David, of the root of Jesse. We see here both the human and divine natures of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 22, 2015 18:02:30 GMT
Mark 12, 38-44. This is also in two parts. First, Jesus tells his disciples to beware the Pharisees and not to be like them. Second, a woman contributes two pennies to the treasury. Jesus, however, says that she has given more than those who were wealthy and gave, for she gave all she had. Let us also live good Christian lives and give all we have to God.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 23, 2015 17:48:53 GMT
Mark 13, 1-8. Today's reading is saddening for us as micronationalists, but we must take it into account. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple to those who say "Look how strong it is!" All that we do not in God's name will be in vain, and it will come to ruin. But all that we do to glorify him will last. Let us live a life pleasing to God.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 26, 2015 17:41:31 GMT
Mark 13, 9-13. Here Jesus foretells the persecution. The message in here is quite clear: persevere and you will be saved. Even now, we as Catholics are persecuted, though we aren't being killed in the arenas. But we are made fun of, and in other subtle ways we are persecuted. But if we have faith in the Lord, and hope in him, we shall be saved.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Jan 30, 2015 22:47:59 GMT
My apologies for neglecting this so long.
Matthew 5, 14-19. This is also in two parts. First are the Beatitudes. Enough said (it surprises me how often they come up. People must have been really depressed in January). Then Jesus compares Christians to salt and light. Now, I think that being both Catholics and micronationalists we certainly give some flavor to our communities. But what Jesus was referring to was our faith. If we lose our faith, than what use are we to Him? Secondly, the comparison to light. Often is it said that "Christ is the light of the world." Since the word Christian means "little Christ," should we not imitate him in this also and by our good works be lights to our little slice of the world. Don't hide your light under a basket. Let it shine, so all come to it out of the darkness!
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Feb 23, 2015 18:06:40 GMT
Now that the Great Fast has started, in the Byzantine Catholic Church, which is the calendar I'm using, there are only Old Testament readings for weekdays. But I will continue anyway with Proverbs.
Proverbs 3:34-4:22. The main jist of this reading is that we should constantly adhere to wisdom, for she (wisdom is always referred to as she in the Old Testament) will guide us to God. This is good to remember. Foolish acts are the way of the wicked, but the just are wise. As we abstain from food, let us also abstain from foolishness, which, unlike meat and cheese (thank goodness!) is something we should constantly abstain from. Let us use this time of prayer and meditation to get back in shape spiritually. We all need it. I as well. In fact, the spiritual preparation is actually more important then not eating meat and cheese. Anybody can go without meat and cheese. But no one can go without God. We can definitely use our abstinence to improve our spiritual well-being, but if we don't eat meat and cheese while also not truly repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness, then the Fast has no help for us.
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Feb 24, 2015 18:22:21 GMT
Today is a feast day: the 1st and 2nd findings of the Head of John the Baptist. So there actually is a gospel reading for today.
Mark 11:12-15. This is the cursing of the fig tree. Now, at first glance it may look like Jesus sort of has a temper, because he expected figs even though it was out of season. But we can still learn a lesson from this. We are the fig tree, and we must be constantly prepared for the coming of the Lord. We must bear fruit even if to us it seems out of season. The Church probably chose this reading for the feast of John the Baptist because that's what John was always harping on: "Repent! repent! repent! and prepare yourselves, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!" It would do well to remember this doing this time of preparation, for we never know when Jesus will come again. We must be prepared, for "no man knows the day or hour when the Son of Man shall come again."
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Post by Pan Kristoff Drevo on Mar 3, 2015 18:21:15 GMT
Proverbs 8:32-9:11. This begins by saying what a good idea it is to be wise, not foolish. Simple enough. The beginning of chapter nine paints a beautiful picture I have always enjoyed: Wisdom has prepared her house for a feast, and all is now ready. Come eat of her bread, and become wise. It is truly wonderful, to think that if we simply search for wisdom, we shall receive it. The final part says that if you correct a wicked man, he will hate you, but if you correct a just man, he will love you. The foolish person is never going to take us seriously, and we can't change his mind. It's no use to throw pearls to the swine. It is better to teach those who will accept it. But this also gives us a look at ourselves. Do you snap back when someone corrects us, or do we try and do our best not to repeat the mistake? For many of us, it's a mixture of both. But we should try to receive all admonition and correction graciously, even if it is given somewhat harshly. The Golden Rule is good to keep in mind, but it doesn't mean we should snap back at whoever snaps at us; that'll just start a fight.
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Post by Sir Benedict on Mar 3, 2015 19:57:48 GMT
Proverbs 9 is probably my one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Not only does it give great, practical advice and use a meaningful, easy to understand allegory, but there is another reason why it has stuck with me. Last year when I got Vigil (it would take too long for me to explain, read about it here), I was given the Native American name of Heylapan Hosamwen, which translates as Pillar of Wisdom, as quoted from this passage.
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Post by Paolo Emilio I of Trebia on Mar 4, 2015 2:20:46 GMT
I love many of the proverbs in the book of Proverbs
My favorite is:
Along with a whole list:
22:29 22:17-19 22:22-23 22:29 23:10-11
This one is very special, mainly because it reminds me the chances Trebia has to fail, and it also helps personally:
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