This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me

Lord, save me from my own hypocricy

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.  (For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders.  And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves.  And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)  So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, "Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?"   He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."  He went on to say, "How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!  For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother, and Whoever curses father or mother shall die.  Yet you say, 'If someone says to father or mother, "Any support you might have had from me is qorban"' (meaning, dedicated to God), you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.  You nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.  And you do many such things."

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me

Lord,
This is a hard one to accept or look at squarely in the face because I have been a hypocrite so many times when it has come to religion.  And my primary sin in this area has been against love of neighbor.
I have been self righteous following all the "rules" while I was looking at those around me judging them for not 'doing' the rules  I have shared the faith and stood up for life with animosity toward others.  I have refused specifically to pray for my enemy.   I have put myself above those "unfaithful" Catholics instead of loving them where they were and lovingly sharing your truth.  I have allowed anger to spew out of my mouth toward others that I deemed mislead about the faith.  I have cared more about being right than loving a person regardless of what they believe and gently leading them to you.  That alone has probably lead some farther from you.  Lord, I'm sure there is more, but this is a good start on how I've been a hypocrite and how I have not loved my neighbors.

Yes and you have confessed those things, received absolution and although you have not perfectly removed them from your life you have acknowledged a need to repair this fault and have made much progress just in these past months of 'enlightenment'.  You need to continue to be honest with yourself, make amends when you offend and let go, forgive yourself.

Lord, continue to help me and let me catch myself before I commit this grievous sin against love and my neighbor.

begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed

Lord, may I never let go of you

Matthew 6:53-56
After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there.  As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.  They scurried about the surrounding country  and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.  Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed

Lord,
You healed these people without even touching them.  They reached out and touched you, not even your person but your clothing. (OK I see, second class relic)  As many as touched your clothing were healed.  They came after you, they followed you.  I wonder what happened after they were healed.  Were they changed?  Did they change their ways?  What makes so many people who have experienced your miracles, your gifts forget so quickly and go back to their old ways?

Doubt, ingratitude, the world's disbelief, their  intellect, their free will, all of those things and more

Lord, how do we hold on to it?

Faith, you have the gift of faith, all do, but they have to hold on to it.  You have to hold on to it.  There are many ways for it to wriggle out of your grasp.  To hold on to it, you must focus on me, persevere, persevere in what you know in your heart.  Hold tight because the world is struggling to loosen your hands on it and make you drop it.  They don't usually pull it away, they just struggle with you to loosen your grip and YOU will let it fall and when it does, you have a choice to pick it back up or to kick it around like society does.  You can talk yourself into anything and out of anything.  Ultimately it is your choice.  I give you many chances to pick it back up.   I never give up.  I persevere because you mean that much to me.  Ultimately all I want for you is to spend eternity with me in heaven, but that is in your hands as well.  Will you, can you hold on to that gift?  The devil works night and day to pry it out of your hands, but he can  only do what you allow him to do.

Hold fast to the faith, keep the gifts and miracles in the front of your mind, stay close to me.  Follow me as the crowds did.  I loved them and I love you.  Not one person do I want to lose.  I died for ALL.   I am stingy in that way.  I want all my children with me for eternity, including you....and J.

She will come around, but give her time.

he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him

do you want it in the head or the belly?

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.  Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.  They immediately told him about her.  He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.  Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.  The whole town was gathered at the door.  He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.  Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.  Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."  He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also.  For this purpose have I come."  So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him

Lord,
The demons knew you.  I don't quite understand your objection to being known to others.  The demons knew you because they were fallen angels but the people did not.  It seems that the demons could only bring more credibility to you.

This makes me think about the Susan G Komen and Planned Parenthood alliance.  The devil is working through both of thees organizations putting a pretty little facade out front for the world to see, fooling and lying to the world about their intentions all the while they are together killing more babies and women while they get rich.  Maybe Komen is the worse of the two because they are the most deceitful of the two.  For two days the veil that hid the darkness of their lies fell down in front of the world and your light shown there for a short time.  It is interesting how the devil instantly worked to put the veil back up.   Public excuses were made.  More lies were told to cover the lies that were revealed and as quickly as they could they replace the curtain, but the truth was out and many who knew the truth were given the credibility then have been working for to help move the fight for life forward.

Lord, we know that you are on the side of life and yet we struggle in this battle seeing so little progress on the grand scale, the national level where the power to continue the slaughter remains.

Lord, I know that you have the power to end it at any second.  You could reach your hand out and help this country to it's feet like you did with Simon's mother in law.

She had faith and a desire for healing.  This country does not.  This country is controlled by the demons.  It is not that different than the Israelites wandering in the desert, going from one idol to the next while the true God, the true living God who continuously shows up in times of need, is right in their midst.  Yes the good are perishing along with the bad.  That is the consequence of evil.  No one, no human is immune from it.  This evil is like a virus, spreading throughout the world, infecting and killing more and more people, my children, faster and faster as time goes on.  Free will, everyone has free will, the choice to choose good or evil.  And evil has been disguised to look so enticing, like the apple in the garden or the apple to Snow White, who was fooled by it's beauty and outward appearance of goodness.


Lord, what can we do.  It is so discouraging to continue to fight, not seeing results.

That SGK/PP ordeal was a glimpse of the fruits.  That was an example of a house divided and a spotlight showed some of it's ugliness for a time.  The public cannot forget what it saw even if they want to forget.  The truth is engraved on their memory which they can recall as more truth is revealed to them.  It is a catalyst for some and a nail the coffin to others who have previously been enlightened by people like you.  People who know the truth and are not afraid to share it.  See how fear works against you, against truth, against life and light?


Fear is pure evil from the evil one to stop the light from shining and he uses it in every area of your life.


You need to get back to the illumination.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd

Lord, when, Lord?

Mark 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.  He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."   People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.  So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.  People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.  They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd

Lord,
They were like sheep without a shepherd.   You saw how lost they were and even though you were tired, your compassion moved you to 'feed' them.

How long did I wander lost?  A long time.  So why do I grieve so much for her (my daughter)?  I believe she will return to you.  I actually have no doubt and there is not much that I have no doubt about.

Impatient, you said it in confession today.  You are impatient with me.  Your impatience gains you nothing.  It does not move me faster, it does not change circumstances.  It does not change facts or anything, but it does cause you anxiety and anguish and grief.   It steals your peace and joy.  If you know she'll be back and you know it will be the perfect timing, then why not hand it over to me completely and live in the present.  Life is passing you by as you are stuck in your head going around and around getting nowhere.

It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife

a sure way to stop human population

Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him."  Others were saying, "He is Elijah"; still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets."  But when Herod learned of it, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up."
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.  John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."  Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.  Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody.  When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.  Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.  His own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.  The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."  He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom."  She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"  Her mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist."  The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist."  The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her.  So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head.  He went off and beheaded him in the prison.  He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.  The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife


Lord,,
It can be so difficult to speak the truth to someone who does not want to hear it.  That is exactly what I was thinking about on my way here this morning.

How do I tell C that sex outside of marriage is wrong for homosexuals and heterosexuals when she has already decided it is not, when she works to advance the gay agenda?  Might her response be that  that is why they should be allowed to marry and be committed to each other like any heterosexual person?  She has already told me they (her gay friends) are way better parents than their own parents were.  What do I say to her?  There is nothing I can say that will change her mind and I fear that anything I do say will only increase her judgement of me.  Lord, I don't want to get into a battle of wits.  I know the truth is on my side and the devil is working to the other side.

Plant seeds with love and confidence.  That's all you can do, along with prayer.  It is not your job to convince her or change her mind.  That is mine.  You just do your part.

Lord, what do I say that will not shut her down more to your truth?  I can already tell by her words that she believes she is the righteous one because she is tolerant and loving and accepting of the choices of others.  I believe she believes adultery is wrong, but what words can I use to make the correlation.  That is what started this conversation and even then she had her facts about what the Church teaches wrong.

All you can say is truth in love.  Do not expect an instant conversion and you will not be disappointed when it does not happen.  It often takes years to change a hardened heart and mind.  You know that.


Just plant seeds, someone else will come along to water and tend to them.  Do not be anxious.  Lower your expectations for instant results and be happy that you are willing to risk coming across in a way that she chooses to believe.  She has already bought the lie.  If you expect that she will come back with, "you are right.  I never thought of that" and thank you for enlightenment, you will surely be disappointed and afraid to speak the truth again.  Remember that perception has no automatic link to truth.  Truth is not subjective.  Truth is truth and like John the Baptist, you are called to speak it no matter the risk.

you yourself a sword will pierce

Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.  He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.  She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.  And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.  The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

 you yourself a sword will pierce 


Lord,
This is exactly what I was thinking of as I drove here this morning, the sword that pierces my heart.


You know how much I love her and how my heart aches when I think of her choice to reject you and your Church and all that she once embraced.  As I look back, I can see that it was in her head.  She knew the faith very well.  I know it is still there under all the selfish sin that she doesn't acknowledge.  It hurts me so deeply to see her in that state right now.  She will be coming home in a few weeks and I am not looking forward to it.  This is the first time time that I am not looking forward to seeing her.  My heart is not joyful, but filled with sorrow.  Lord help me to change this attitude and these feelings.

I have put distance between us, not consciously but I think out of self preservation.  Lord, help me fill the gap without intensifying the pain.  Help  me be joyful and not allow one minute with her to pass without me living in the present and enjoying it.  Help me accept every second with her as a gift from  you, the gift that it is, because I know it is a gift from you.  Please be with her and open her heart to hear you calling her back.  I know you are showing yourself  to her.  This puppy, the exact one she's been looking for, is a specific gift from you.  Help her see it, acknowledge it and accept it with thanksgiving to you.  Lord, what can I do?

Love her, love her right where she is.  If you want to be like me, you have to accept her where she is right now and show my love to her in your words, actions and attitude.  You have to be gentle.  She loves you and respect you and your faith in me.  She needs that role model, the one where you show her my love, your love without judgement.  Pure love, unconditional love is what will bring her back, that and your constant prayers.  Sacrifices won't do it.  Yes they help along with prayer, but to reach her heart, you must love her no matter what and continue to show her that love and be joyful about what you do have even thought she disappoints you...and me...and my mother, our mother who is with her protecting her every day.  She will come around but it will take more time.  Look how long it took you and those on earth were not praying for you like you are for her.

A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house."

Lord, can I trust you to catch me when I fall?

Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.  When he sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished.  They said, "Where did this man get all this?  What kind of wisdom has been given him?  What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!  Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?  And are not his sisters here with us?"  And they took offense at him.  Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house."  So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.  He was amazed at their lack of faith.

A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house."


Lord,
How true this is.  If it was true for you, how much more true is it for me?  I am amazed at the disregard I get from those closest to me while others will give me some credit.  


Maybe that is what I do to B.  I reject his ideas and his way of doing things.  I am rejecting him.  And no matter how I've tried to change, he still doesn't trust me.  He has built a wall around himself to protect himself from me.  And I am unreliable to be completely consistent even thought I have tried and I have changed.  My moods control me.  I know that now.  Thank God there is medication.  But even so, I have to change habits I've built for decades.  Lord, I am impatient.  I expect him to change along with me.  I expect him to see the new me and to trust the new me and he is very cautious.  Lord, what can I do about it?  How can I gain his trust?


Be consistent, take your meds, be patient with yourself and with him.  This will take time and care.  You are rebuilding a relationship that has been estranged, in a way.  You know trust doesn't just return automatically.  


Look at your trust issues with 'them'.   Only one of them hurt you but you don't trust any of them.  You don't completely trust the ones you trust, do you?  


No Lord, I don't.  I keep waiting for them to hurt me.  The closer I get or the more familiar I get to them, the more the fear and mistrust grows, instead of the trust building.  I guess that is because that is how it happened before.  I didn't trust him for a long time and when I finally did, when I believed he was different, I gave him all my trust and that is when I opened myself up to the most devastating pain of my life.  Yes I went from one extreme to another and that is what gets me in trouble so  much.


Balance, you know that is what you lack.  It has been so for a long time.  It is like a virgin who holds on to her virginity for a long time and then finally gives it up to some guy, then after that, she gets the physical gratification out of it and even the emotional high if only for a short time.   She feels loved so she gives herself away again and again to satiate some desire that she had never known before.  Even though it is not good for her body or soul or emotions.  She  shuts that out and does it any way, even thought she regrets it afterward.   


You did that with him.  And how often did you regret being open and want to clarify or take it back, only to do it again?  And why did you do it?  For the temporary way it gratified your need for love, acceptance, affirmation, approval and all the other things he gave you.  You were addicted to those good feelings and they did you in,  like any addiction would.