predication.net

Where does sin come from? How to interpret the biblical narrative
of the serpent in paradise?
The third chapter of the Book of Genesis tells the history of the first sin – the temptation to eat the forbidden fruit, Eve’s conversation with the serpent-dragon, Adam’s consent, the expulsion from Eden. The Fathers hold that everyone’s experience confirms and prolongs in history what Genesis tells in the early chapters. Each of us owns paradise, a heart created by God in a peaceful state. And every one of us experiences the serpent that penetrates the heart to make us
seduce us. The snake takes the form of wrong thoughts. Origen writes
Many other Fathers agree with him that “the source and beginning of every sin are thought” (Greek logos).
And how can a simple thought be the cause of evil? It is not a simple thought but an impure, evil thought. In truth, what we call temptations are not even true thoughts, but rather images or fantasies that are accompanied by the temptation to do something wrong. St. Maxim the Confessor explains this situation with examples taken from everyday life, saying, for instance, that neither the ability to think nor thinking is evil. It is not hostile to be a woman. Nor is it cruel to think of a woman.
And yet, in the mind of a man inclined to sensuality. The image of a woman does not always remain pure but mixes with a carnal instinct that tempts one to act against the law of God. In the same way, money is not, and wine is not evil, yet they can become a stone on which a man stumbles because of the impure motives attached to them. So we say “pure.” Nothing else is added as we speak. For example, pure gold, pure water, etc. So are even thoughts pure until some motive is said to them that induces one to do evil?

Whence comes such impulses to do evil?
The Fathers liken the human heart to the “promised land” in which the Philistines, Babylonians, and other peoples cast spears and arrows, namely, evil temptations. These “evil,” “carnal,” “impure” thoughts cannot come from our heart, for God created it. They come, therefore, from “without.” They do not belong to our natural way of thinking. And as long as they remain “outside.” of us, they are not sinning. They become evil only at the moment when we consciously and willingly accept them when we identify with them. But the gospel says that evil comes from the heart and not from things (Matthew 15:19)
Certainly, but we must be careful how we interpret this text. Sin comes from a man’s heart because the consent to evil is given in the heart of man, his free will. Evil thoughts and passionate desires are almost always circling us. They often fill our imagination and our minds. They form man’s weakness for sin, of our ancestors. But they are not in themselves genuinely evil. The Church claims that lust comes from sin and tempts us to sin, but it is not a sin. And so we live in a dangerous state, constantly exposed to temptations. ..

How do we cleanse our hearts?
Man’s life on earth is a struggle, says Job (7:1). And one proverb adds: He who does not want to fight should not …nor live. But we must not exaggerate the difficulty of this struggle. The ancient mystical author, Pseudo-Macarius, compares our soul to a great city. In the middle is a beautiful castle, next to it in the marketplace, and then the periphery.
The enemy, namely original sin, has occupied the periphery, namely
our senses. And that is why we are often troubled there. But these disturbances typically penetrate the marketplace as well, …where we begin to debate whether we should accept an idea as our own or instead reject it. But into the castle of the heart, where our freedom is master, sin cannot penetrate unless we open the gates by our free consent. Even St. Teresa of Ávila speaks of the “castle of the interior” of our soul, where we can talk about our Lord, the divine Guest, without being hindered by outside interference. Despite this, we are inwardly divided. This is not pleasant.

Surely you know the words, “From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). After all, we had often witnessed the truth of another statement: “If you were silent, I thought that you were a philosopher, but when you spoke, I saw that you were a fool.” Another proverb says this: “You know a bird by the lips and a man by the words.” We know the truth of these words from everyone’s privacy and the society we live in. And we are convinced of their truthfulness in the Gospel as well.

Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit when she visits Mary, who rushes to greet and help her. Mary glorifies God and, filled with the Holy Spirit, calls out a wonderful hymn, which we call M a g n if i cat. Mary’s words of the Magnificat sound like an echo and reverberation of deep contemplation. He does not ask for anything; he just thanks and praises God’s mercy, power, justice, generosity, faithfulness. It is the first magnificent and most magnificent chord of the praise of God that gushes from the depths of her excited heart, which is overflowing with gratitude and love. Penetrated by the prophetic spirit, it penetrates even into the gloom of future ages; he predicts that what has happened in the Nazarene room will be placed in the centre of world interest. She will be the subject of attention and respect until the end of the world. “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home” (Luke 1.56).

In her beautiful M a g n If I k a t e, Mary primarily thanks God and praises him for the great deeds he has caused in her life.

Even though none of us wants and cannot compare to the Virgin Mary, we can still learn from her and follow her even in thanksgiving to God because God also gives us many graces and blessings. We take many things for granted, which is why they have become clear to us. Not only can we not thank them, but when God takes them away from us for a while, we behave like little children: we grumble, grumble, show dissatisfaction with him. And doesn’t God deserve us to honour Him properly? Let’s look at our lives. Let’s start with our awakening. How often is it closer to us to stay in bed two minutes longer than to find time and thank you, albeit briefly, for a night spent, a rest, a new day? Ask for reinforcement for yourself and your loved ones. We know from personal experience that it is essential how we start a new day. Not with my left or right foot to get out of bed, but to realize: I am a child of God, and I have this day as a gift from God; I also use this day to glorify God and save my immortal soul. We forget that not everyone had a happy night, not everyone rested. How many people spent the night awake with the sick, on the road, at work? How many sick suffered! How many brothers and sisters did not live this morning and died! Isn’t it a new day for us believers to be able to control ourselves regularly and kneel for a brief conversation with God in prayer? Let’s not rely on us on the way… Such a meeting requires its place and time.

Let us not underestimate the morning prayer, which should be carried in a spirit of thanks and supplications. The day is full of duty, excitement, tension. If we can find a place and a time to insult God, a place to sin, to utter the name of God in vain, why can’t we find a place and time to meet God in a short fire prayer? Why don’t we find time to bless when we leave the house when we start work or time for a blessing of prayer when we go around the cemetery or the cross: Give them eternal rest, Lord, and let the eternal light shine on them. Crucified Christ, have mercy on us! Instead of anger, let us ask in words: God, come to my aid! Sir, hurry to help me! Surely there will be an opportunity to hear insulting God with inappropriate remarks and expressions. Let’s try to ask God for that insult, even like this: God, forgive him because he doesn’t know what he’s doing! God, be merciful to me, a sinner! And end the day again with an encounter with God. Best in common prayer. If that doesn’t work, then in person. Indeed, you have tried it, what an impact the ideas in which you sleep have on the quality of rest. For us believers, it is beautiful to end the day by questioning conscience and apologizing for our sins and neglect of good. Save your commitment, pay more attention to the shortcomings the next day, and eliminate them.

These are short minutes, and yet they greatly enrich our lives not only mentally but also physically. They are small meetings, but with great blessings and rich fruit.

Annunciation
Anyone responsible for someone or something knows that there is fear and joy. Responsibility presupposes that a person will be honest, characteristic, reliable, and trustworthy.

When we proclaim the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, we see that Mary does not give the Angel an answer right away. Mary first asks, can she explain everything, and only then will she answer, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). From these words, we feel that Mary approaches the events to follow. God chose one of his daughters – Mary, who is full of honesty and character.

During the proclamation, Mary realizes that her life will be joy and pain if she gives consent. However, she does not have to be afraid or worried; on the contrary, Mary can be glad that she has found so much favor with God. The Angel tells her what she knows well from the scriptures of the prophets, for the whole nation eagerly awaits, longs for the Messiah. The Angel tells her what she understands and that God calls her to great things. She knows that God’s message is an order to her. And so he Jews two things that seem to contradict each other: “How will this happen, because I do not know a man?” (Lk 1:34). The Angel explains to her that the other events are the work of the Holy Spirit, who, not only in her case but also in her relative Elizabeth, showed his power: “It is already in the sixth month. And they said she was barren! For nothing is impossible for God” (Lk 1: 36-37).

Mary realizes that if she is to become the mother of the Messiah, she must break the promise she has made to God. The Angel gives her an explanation. After this explanation, Mary is willing to give her consent. However, the Angel also gives her another sign, which she does not even ask for, namely her relative Elizabeth. Mary says, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).

At this point, the incarnation took place. The Angel pays homage to the Mother of God and the Queen of Angels. The one who will be worshiped as the Virgin, Mother, Queen, is called the Servant! Leaving. In her spirit, Mary sees, at least for a moment, the future glory of the kingdom of God, which, at the end of the world, will establish the earth as a descendant of David.

The event of the proclamation, which we commemorate in the Church and through the prayer of the Angel of the Lord when hearing the bells, draws our attention not only to the greatness of Mary’s consent given to the Angel but also to the fact that we must also give consent in our lives for God to be in us. At the Annunciation, Mary became a vessel that contained the most precious content, if we can use such comparison words. No other ship can match it. And yet, remembering this event for us who are marked by inherited sins and personal sins is a reminder to keep our insides clean and maintain a friendly relationship with God. It is aware that we are sanctifying grace and can approach the Sacrament of the Altar.

There are several encouragements for our practical life. We often witness that someone is insulting God and committing sin in our presence. The reaction from us is usually interesting. Instead of preventing God from insulting us, we often join in and think we are doing well.

The man comes home drunk; the woman does not stay and scolds him ugly. Someone steals; we soothe our conscience that he is better and pockets, so I can steal too because I consider myself weaker. He does not want someone to go to Church on Sunday, and another sends him there with insults and even insults, and we are also witnessing that instead of attending the whole Mass, he leaves earlier or does not go to Church at all and walks around it. Someone makes a mistake, a mistake in their carelessness and weakness – and we are already judging, gossiping, gossiping … This is said to be “sin is sin.”

However, we must be aware that when another insult God expels him from the family, the house, and the parish, we must not help him. We must keep God from leaving. We do this by pleading for the sins of others. A good example is praying for hardened sinners, loving them, but not for their sins! I know that so little is enough; an excellent example of a restrained attitude, and more will be done. Even one who has not valued his relationship with God will feel after our model that he too must have responsibility for his soul. In this way, a man improves his spiritual life and becomes more honest.

Let us not be afraid of our responsibility, but on the contrary, we look forward to expanding God’s kingdom on earth. Let us encourage each other with good words and examples.

And personal sins to keep our inward parts pure and, as well as secret sins, to keep our inward parts pure, to maintain a friendly relationship with God.
Those who have responsibility for someone or something know that both fear and joy come from it. Responsibility presupposes that the person will be honest, characterful, can be relied upon, and trusted.

In the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, we see that Mary does not immediately give the Angel an answer. Mary first asks questions, has everything explained to her, and then answers: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38). We sense that Mary approaches the events to follow responsibly from these words. God has chosen one of his daughters, Mary, who abounds in honesty in a character.

Mary, in her Annunciation, realizes that when she gives her consent, her life will be not only a joy but also a pain. However, she need not be afraid and apprehensive; on the contrary, Mary can rejoice that she has found so much favor with God. The Angel tells her what she knows well from the writings of the prophets, for the whole nation is eagerly awaiting, longing for the Messiah. The Angel tells her what she also understands; God calls her to great things. She knows that God’s message is a command to her. And so the Jew has two seemingly contradictory things to say, “How shall this be, for I do not know the man?” (Luke 1:34). The Angel gives her the explanation that other events are the work of the Holy Spirit, who not only in her case but also in that of her relative Elizabeth, has manifested his power: “It is already in the sixth month. And they said of her that she was barren! For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:36-37).
Mary realizes that if she is to become the mother of the Messiah, she must break the promise she has made to God. The Angel gives her an explanation. After this explanation, Mary is willing to give her consent. However, the Angel also gives her another sign, which she does not even ask for, namely her relative Elizabeth. Mary says: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38).

At this moment, the Incarnation took place. She who will be venerated as Virgin, Mother, Queen, is called the Handmaid! The Angel pays the created things’ homage to the Mother of God and the Queen of Angels. She leaves. Mary sees in her spirit, at least for a moment, the future glory of the Kingdom of God, which she will establish on earth at the end of the world as a descendant of David.

The event of the Annunciation, which is also commemorated in the Church by the Angel of the Lord’s Prayer at the sound of the bells, reminds us of the greatness not only of Mary’s consent given to the Angel but also of the fact that we, in our lives, must also give our consent for God to be in us. Mary at the Annunciation became the vessel that held within her the most precious contents if we can even use such words of simile. No other ship can compare to her. And yet, the commemoration of this event is a reminder to us who are marked by original sin and personal sins to keep our inward parts pure and maintain a friendly relationship with God. For us, it is the knowledge that we are in sanctifying grace and can approach the Sacrament of the Altar.

For our practical life, there are several encouragements. We often witness someone offending God and sinning in our presence. The reaction on our part is usually interesting. Instead of avoiding offending God, we typically still join in and think we are doing good.

A man comes home drunk; his wife doesn’t stick around and gives him a nasty scolding. Someone steals; we salve our consciences by thinking he is better and steals; therefore, I can steal too because I consider myself weaker. Someone does not want to go to Church on Sunday, and another sends him there with insults, even insults, and we also witness that instead of attending the whole mass, he leaves early or does not go to Church at all and walks around the Church. Someone makes a mistake, an error in his carelessness and weakness – and we are already judging, slandering, gossiping… This is what is called “sin as sin.”

But our effort must be aware that when another offends God, casts him out of the family, the home, the parish; we must not help him in this. We must restrain God from leaving. We do this by atoning for the sins of others. By praying for hardened sinners, setting a good example, loving sinners but not their sins! I know from my own life that all it takes is so little; a good example of a restrained attitude, and more will be done, and even those who have not valued their relationship with God will feel, after our model, that they too must have responsibility for their souls. Thus, not only does a man improve in his spiritual life, but he also becomes a more honest man.

Let us not be afraid of our responsibility, but on the contrary, let us rejoice that we can work for the extension of God’s kingdom on earth. Let us encourage one another with good words and examples.

Beginning today, we start to experience in the liturgy of the Church the immediate preparation for the feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. At this time, the saints’ feasts are not celebrated; if they are, it is with some modifications. Votive Masses and Masses for various needs are permitted only from a severe condition for pastoral benefit. Nor are daily Masses for the dead permitted. This preparation begins with the enumeration of a long series of names, which we call the genealogy. “All the tribes from Abraham to David were fourteen, from David to the Babylonian captivity fourteen, and from the Babylonian captivity to Christ fourteen.” (Matt. 1:17).

The genealogy of the Lord Jesus passes through three periods of the history of the chosen people, namely, the period of development from Abraham to King David. In the first period, Israel receives a temporal king; then it continues through the time of the kings until the extinction of kingship. Israel is to await another king. This is followed by the post-captivity period in which the eternal King-Messiah is expected to come, and that King is Jesus. Some genealogy members have been demandingly omitted, probably because of their sinfulness. In turn, on the other hand, only sinful women are mentioned in the genealogy, except Mary, so that the pride of the Jews might be cooled and that it might stand out that Jesus came to save sinners.

The genealogy begins with Abraham, to whom God promised that the Messiah would be born of his lineage, as we read in the Book of Genesis: “In you, all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:3). This is what God promised Abraham because of his faith with which he left his homeland and went to an unknown land. He promises that his barren Sarah will bear a son who will be one of the lineages the Messiah will be taken. Later still, God promises that the Messiah will be born of the lineage of David.

The Son of David is a popular name for the Messiah among the prophets. The Jews also used this name to refer to the Messiah. The word Christ is a Greek word. It translates the Hebrew word Messiah, which means Anointed One. The anointed were kings and prophets ordained and commissioned in the Old Testament. When we read in today’s Gospel in Matthew of the Messianic rank of Jesus, with the double designation of Christ and Son of David, he meant to emphasize especially the Messianic dignity of the Lord Jesus. Jesus, the descendant of Abraham and David, is at the center of all that God has done in history for the salvation of humanity.

It takes preparation for salvation back to Jesus. Jesus, in turn, accomplishes salvation, that is, the new order of salvation. And so, the promised kingdom of God comes into the world.

The text of this Gospel does not wish merely to list austerely a kind of succession of families and generations from Abraham to Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus Christ was born. This part of the Gospel wants to inspire our trust in God. What God has once promised, he will never take back. It is necessary to trust God completely.

And we are to do what God asks of us and not worry that the reward does not come immediately. We see that Abraham did not see the Messiah, nor did his son Isaac, nor even King David, and yet centuries later, the Messiah comes. For with God, it is not a decisive time but our trust. God knows no division of time in His eternity. God sees only our love for Him. We need to remember this also, preparing for the feast of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus.

Too bad we are so cordial to each other over the holidays and so often cold and distant over the year! Trust should remove these sharp boundaries of the year. The elders should have more confidence in the problems of the young, and the young should be more understanding of the elders. The elders should remember that they too were young, and the young should remember that one day they too will grow old. To unite among ourselves by considering our conditions and understanding the interests of others, typically different in age. We see encouragement in many who can be young even though advanced in years. They are interested, know how to enjoy themselves, don’t typically take things tragically, and learn how to forgive, forgive, and forget… But we also see encouragement in the young who enjoy getting along with grandpa, grandma, enjoy being in their presence, etc. To these and similar thoughts, today’s Gospel family tree may appeal to us.

Mary comes to us and brings us the child of Jesus (Luke 1: 39-45)
The service of Our Lady related to Elizabeth is a challenge for us to know how to serve each other.

Would we say when a person will announce the happiest message to a person? Your mothers would say it most beautifully when a woman reveals to her husband and others that a new man, a child, is born. Actual, only they can enjoy what they have in their hearts. A father who does not want a child will not rejoice. Foreigners can be indifferent.

Today we commemorate the event when Elizabeth, in the greeting of the Virgin Mary, replies: “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (Lk 1:42).
These words are the final preparation for the feasts of the Nativity. The Gospel reminds us of the event of Ain Karin, about 150 km from Nazareth, where the Virgin Mary rushes for the angel’s proclamation – when she told her that she would be the mother of God and that her relative Elizabeth is in a blessed state.

This event culminates our liturgical Advent. It reminds us that Jesus is already among us. His mission has already begun. There is the first contact of God in the human body with man, whom God himself has chosen as his forerunner, which is to prepare people to accept Jesus as their God, the expected Messiah. It’s an exciting meeting. They were both not born yet. Figuratively, they can be said to be still safe in the “sanctions” of their mothers. However, the first meeting is taking place, and a line of understanding begins. Their discussion will take thirty years. Jesus came to open all that was closed. When he is born, he finds closed human hearts, and the only place he can be taken is a beast. He will come into the world of the Virgin and will not disturb her virginity. However, he will come out of the grave, even though they guard his tomb. He comes to dinner, even though the door is locked.

At the proclamation, Mary opened her human heart so that the God-Man could come into the world. Mary rushes to her relative Elizabeth so that every person can become a brother and sister of God. Mary carries God in her womb, and this event can be compared to the Old Testament event when King David wants to transfer to Jerusalem the Ark of the Covenant, where God himself dwelt over the cherubim. We also give Mary, Mother of God, the adjective Ark of the Covenant. How do you explain it? God commanded Moses to make the Ark and impose the law God would give him (cf. Ex 25: 1-22). They placed Aaron’s priest’s staff and a vessel with manna in it. The Ark was on site for a time near Elizabeth’s last residence. The Virgin Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, just as much as the Ark at the gates of Jerusalem. And for this striking resemblance, we call the Virgin Mary the title of the Ark of the Covenant in the litany. When David learned that God had blessed the house to Abinadab, he brought the Ark to Jerusalem (cf. 2 Sam 6: 23-23).

The Virgin Mary brings God to the world. Mary is the sign of God. A visit to Elizabeth after the incarnation of the Son of God under her heart is an excellent gesture of goodness and love on the part of the Virgin Mary. This is the Advent of the Virgin Mary. It serves and brings joy.

And that is what Mary expects of us today. She gave us an example. With her joy, she was not left alone. Just before the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the current words for us are that “Mary set out on a journey and hurried” (Lk 1:39). We are to realize that our Advent is to be marked by a deepening of faith and joy over the coming of God into the world. Elizabeth’s words: “What have I earned for my Lord’s mother to come to me?” (Lk 1:43) reveal the faith of Elizabeth. It is a challenge for us to be more aware of the responsibilities we have accepted at the sacrament of baptism and the commitments of the Holy Mass.
We are obliged to develop what began at baptism; deepen and communicate to our surroundings. We must spread the faith to work on our sanctification and the growth of God’s friendship within us. Faith is not just taking, or taking only when convenient, but faith is the duty to work with the Holy Spirit, to be fulfilled by him as Elizabeth so that we can be God’s instrument and announce God’s great love to the world. Being silent when we realize the duties and commitments of baptism will not only not enrich us, but on the contrary, we will not receive the gifts and graces that are offered to us to be our wealth. Mary shows the duty of a Christian. A Christian who has accepted faith is committed to professing and living the faith in his life. He who hides the faith does not know, does not want to share it, does not follow the example of the Virgin Mary from today’s Gospel. Before His Ascension, Jesus commanded us: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mk 16: 15-16). Words of praise were also heard during the meeting. “Blessed is she who believed that what the Lord had said to her would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:45). These words can be spoken of as the first “blessings.” God comes to become man, brings joy, and comes through faith, that is, through opening up to one’s neighbor. We realize this when we think about the meeting of two women, mothers who carried their great sons in their wombs—the Virgin Mary of Jesus Christ and St. Elizabeth of St. John the Baptist. About St. The Lord Jesus testified to John: “I say unto you, There is none greater than those that are born of women than John” (Lk 7:28). Sv. John the Baptist earned this recognition for his faith. His life, deeds, and words spoke of what Christ required of him. But it was his free speech. No one, not even Jesus, forced John to do so. Although he died a martyr’s death at Herod’s palace, he did not die unhappy. He said of his relationship with Christ: “I am not worthy to lose his shoelaces” (Lk 3:16).

These last days and hours of the fourth week of Advent, as we listen to and reflect on the Gospel as the Mother of God rushes to serve the relative Elizabeth, who is also in a blessed state, we realize that God rightly asks each of us to do one another in faith. , helped live the positive message of the Gospel. We need each other. Even today, Christians praise unbelievers for saying what we believe in Christ, “Behold how they love one another!”
The fairy tale from the carpentry workshop is informative not only for children but also for adults. Let’s think about its content.

There was an argument between the carpenter’s tools as to which was essential and not. The quarrel went so far that they began to be mutually exclusive. Someone said. “We must exclude Mrs. Pile because she crossbows and grits her teeth. Her character is the most biting in the world.” Another said: “The Planer has nothing to do with us because he is an ever-sharpened punctuality and makes everything come his way.” “What about Mr. Hammer?” Another protested. “She is tough and wild. He’s still beating, and he’s getting on our nerves. Let’s exclude him!”
“What about the Nail brothers? Can anyone live with them? They keep pricking. Let’s exclude them as well. And when I say, I also ask to exclude Mr. File and Mrs. Rašpľa. Life with them is a constant trick. And let’s say goodbye to Mr. Emery’s paper because he probably lives to wipe everyone!” And so the carpenter’s workshop was shared. They talked to each other, shouting at each other until they excluded each other. Then a carpenter entered the workshop. They fell silent. The carpenter picked up the board and cut it with a serrated saw. He wiped it out with the Planer. Then it came to Mrs. Rasp and Mr. Emery-paper and finally Mr. Hammer and the brother’s Nail. The carpenter used all the tools to build a beautiful cradle. Namely, a baby was needed at any moment, which requires a cradle …

The fairy tale wants to remind us that it is not God who requires us, but we all need God. Everyone is essential in God’s eyes. We each have our irreplaceable place. God expects each of us to fulfill our mission faithfully. It is fitting that we want this, and thank you for the Virgin Mary, St. Elizabeth, and St. John the Baptist.

We will remember the most wonderful news that God himself came into the world in a few hours. Love in our hearts will be a guarantee that the holidays will be an enrichment for us personally, but also for those with whom we sit at the Christmas Eve table, whom we give as a gift, to whom we shake hands or write a greeting. We pray during Holy Mass that we will be among ourselves brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

A proverb says of a man who likes to boast: “Praise stinks out of his mouth!” We know that a good job praises itself. But we also know how well it suits us when someone notices the good we are doing and compliments us or loses the word of recognition.

However, we are also aware that praise robs us of merit. Therefore, the asceticism of our religion teaches us not to do our duty just for the glory of the people. As believers, we should commit so that God will reward us for them once, not the world here.

However, as we listened carefully to the passage from the Gospel of John, we did not think of anything wrong, sinful when Jesus’ words sounded like praise. It’s just a bad and straightforward look, so let’s stop at them and learn. Jesus said to the Jews, “I have a greater testimony than that of John: the works that my Father has given me. These works that I do testify to me that the Father has sent me ”(Jn 5:36). The text of the words of the Lord Jesus tells us that his testimony of himself is accurate because it is supported by the testimony of John the Baptist and especially by the testimony of God himself.

These are the wonders and miracles by which Jesus has accomplished his divine mission and good news in the name of God.

We do not doubt the deity of the Lord Jesus. Therefore, we will use the time before the holidays to grow in love for him when we commemorate his birth. We know from his mouth that we were his brothers and sisters when he said, “For everyone who does the will of my Father who is in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother” (Mt 12:50). Who carries out the will of our Father. We know what the typical Heavenly Father wants from us. As a father, he only wants his children well. We must keep this in mind when we are to do his will. To do it with joy, with a pure heart, with love, as Jesus himself taught us in many parables. Furthermore, we must make sure that we are talking about the celebration of God, not our celebration here on earth.

Paul advises us, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Thus, with our hands, over our mouths, over our eyes, our feet, we are to bear witness to Christ.

If this is not enough for us, let us recall the rich man’s words and the toll booth: Which of them went home justified? Is it not a toll for your humility? Or who has earned the praise of Jesus: Thou that hast cast a lot into the treasury because they had many? Not! She was a poor widow who threw only two small drachmas. Why? Because she did not expect a reward from people but God. And this woman will be talked about until the end of time, as a positive example, even though she gave the temple only two small money. The Lord Jesus emphasized this on another occasion, saying, “But when you give alms, let not your left hand know what the right one is doing …” (Mt 6: 3). He said that when it came to charity. Jesus did not like the example of the Pharisees. They displayed the admiration of praying for a long time, standing on the corners of the streets. Indeed, Jesus did not be deceived by the long tassels on their clothes.

From this, we know that God does not like praise, pride. God opposes the proud but gives His grace to the humble! For Jesus, they mean more words: “But when you go to pray, go to your room, close the door behind you and pray to your Father, who is in secret …” (Mt 6: 6).

A careful reading of the Scriptures is a sufficient supply for us to live a rich life before God as we put it into practice. Let’s not build airlocks that can’t be done. We live an authentic life here on earth today because, until this time, God has called us into this environment. Here he wants us; here he decides our eternity. This is what we mean in preparation for the feasts of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus. Let us not know Jesus only sometimes, but still.

May the Lord Jesus be our light. Let’s be like the three kings who went to the star. May Jesus, his teachings, lead us to a correct understanding of our lives. So we will not have a problem with praise, pride, but we will receive an eternal reward.

We know that not everyone has the same word. The proverb says, “The word makes the man.” This means that the expression of an honest, respected, and respected person is of more excellent value than one who has tarnished their reputation somehow. And when a well-known person gives a good testimony, no one doubts it.

So we take the testimony of the Lord Jesus to the address of John the Baptist. “What did you go out into the desert to see? A wind-blown reed? Or what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? … So what did you go out to see? The Prophet? Yes, I tell you more than a prophet. For it is written of him, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, and he shall prepare the way before thee” (Lk 7: 24-27).

This testimony of John the Baptist is given by the Lord Jesus to the audience when the messengers of John departed from Jesus. John was not unknown. By washing with water, many received the “baptism of repentance” from John in the Jordan River. They knew that John was a personality. However, John did not show the same power as Jesus. Jesus already has more authority than John, and therefore Jesus’ testimony of John has value. There was no competition between Jesus and John as teachers or prophets. They did not attack each other; they did not make disciples, followers.
On the contrary, we see a great interplay that only the infinitely wise God could have planned. Jesus knew Malachi’s prophecy: “Behold, I will send my angel, and he shall prepare a way before me …” (Mal 3s, 1). Similarly, Isaiah says, “Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness. Make a way in the wilderness for our God” (Isaiah 40: 3). The image of this verse is taken from the custom that the preacher announced the arrival of the monarch and made sure that the paths that the king would follow were level and passable.

God has removed all obstacles that his people will face in the way they will return from captivity. At the same time, Jesus identifies with the Messiah here. So Jesus gave testimony of trust in John and at the same time revealed his mission.

John had a solid character. It didn’t look like a reed swept here and thereby the wind. John fulfills his mission as a predecessor, regardless of whether anyone has an illegal marriage. John was preparing for his mission in the silence and hospitality of the desert. Without an intoxicating drink, he was dressed in a rough robe. John is telling the truth. We can say that the Holy Spirit, who was still unknown, was already speaking through John. Jesus has not yet mediated it. However, John has been full of the Holy Spirit since his mother. Yes, no one doubts that John is a prophet. And yet, the Pharisees and the scribes did not accept John’s baptism to their detriment. They wanted to thwart God’s intentions, which turned against them.

We know from the teachings of Jesus Christ that one day we will be glad to bear witness to us. Whether it is positive or negative depends only on ourselves. Let us remember this in the words of the Lord Jesus: “Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, he will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven. But he that denieth me before men, I will also deny him before my Father which is in heaven” (Mt 10: 32-33). This testimony will be crucial for us. We know that our eternity will depend on this. We believe in eternal life, but often as if we have forgotten to put this theory into practice. We believe that our lives will not end so quickly that we will have time to put everything in order or that God will give us moderation.

However, we, brothers and sisters, must make sure that we bear witness to Christ here on earth like John. Our lives only make sense in connection with Christ. Nothing will happen in our lives, every thought in our mind; everything is subject to the reward and punishment of God. As true believers, we realize that we must not live our lives empty, superficially, without a goal or sitting on two chairs. After all, Jesus also disagrees: “You cannot serve both God and mammon” (Mt 6:24). Our testimony will one day be rewarded with an affidavit.

In physics, we know the lesson that action evokes a reaction. Yes, our life here on earth is a harbinger of how we want to live a new life after death. We all want the best testimony for ourselves, so let us care that as long as our lives are put to the test, we will use everything to gain merit before God. Therefore let our speech be: yes-yes, no-no. Let us be an example of St. John the Baptist and the words by which the Lord Jesus gives him a model.

A sense of security is a good thing. However, it must be based on sound principles. It is not right to always believe in everything and everyone. The proverb says, “Trust, but check!”

John the Baptist knew that he was preparing the way for the future anticipated Messiah. You have done your duty, honestly. However, when Jesus, whom he had previously baptized, began to move through Palestine when this Jesus began to behave quite differently than an ordinary man when people began to speak of Jesus: “A great prophet has risen among us” and: “God has visited his people” (Luke 7, 16) the people praised God. And there was a report of him throughout all Judaea, and all his disciples; John wanted to be sure that he was the one who was preparing the way, so he called his two disciples and sent them to Jesus with the question: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another” (Lk 7:19). The question is justified. We have already explained John’s actions, the meaning of his life. John wants nothing more than to fulfill what God has set for him in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth. John wants to do the will of God more faithfully than his father, Zechariah, who died for John’s birth due to doubt.

Not only did Jesus have his disciples-apostles, but they always gathered around the prophet once more, sometimes fewer men and women, and formed a kind of school around them. We know that Ondrej and certainly Filip also belonged to John’s disciples. After the baptism of the Lord Jesus, John said, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:35). And the two disciples heard these words, and they followed Jesus. Even now, John sends two disciples with a question that they will say to Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another” (Lk 7:19). Indeed, Jesus did not give a verbal answer at once because, as this meeting is described by the evangelist Luke: “At that very hour he healed many ailments, diseases, and evil spirits and gave sight to many blind people” (Luke 7:21).

Indeed, Jesus also wanted to show John’s disciples his power in deeds. They saw all this. They were involved in miracles that John had never done. Thus he convinced them to tell John the testimony of the truth, not second hand. But then he will turn to the messengers and say, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are clean, the deaf hear, the dead rise, the gospel is preached to the poor. And blessed is he who does not offend me” (Lk 7: 22-23). So John receives a message that Jesus only spoke once. After all, Jesus will say more often after healing: “… go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing the sacrifice that Moses prescribed for them” (Mark 1:44). And it shall be when the bread is multiplied that they shall make him king. When he heals a blind man, he forbids him to talk about it. It will tell Jesus to thank John for his work, which was done honestly. Jesus knew that John did not have it easy, and yet he fulfilled his mission as excellent. Jesus’ words also evidence this: “Verily I say unto you, He was not born greater than John the Baptist among children and women” (Mt 11:11). This proof of certainty, given to Jesus John, is serious proof for us. Often, even in our lives, events take place that, in weakness, we would quickly question this or that command, the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ miracles, which we often fail to explain with our natural reason, are a lesson for us to accept things in our lives today that are beyond our comprehension. We cannot allow us to believe only in something, and not in everything that the Church presents to us, as an orthodox teacher of the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Whenever we do not know many things, but when we accept them, they will enrich us, not to our detriment. In life, we ​​could be convinced of the power, truth, goal, value of Jesus’ teaching, as John’s disciples. Even immediately, Jesus does not show us anything but gives us evidence of his love. It gives us time to learn, to understand his teachings. He does not do violence; he does not force. He wants to bring us to the certainty of his teachings slowly and our mentality in an acceptable way. However, we must not stand with our hands folded. Jesus wants us to try to learn about his teachings, that is, to move forward in a theory of faith and to slowly put his teachings into practice. This obliges parents to allow their children to become more familiar with the teachings of Jesus Christ in religion lessons, where the theory is taught so that they can see this theory in practice as an example in the family and other church societies.

These are the words of James the Apostle. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). Or the terms of the Lord Jesus: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only he that doeth the will of my Father …” (Mt 7:21).

We are not wrong to say that no one and never any company or person has been able to give as much certainty and certainty as Jesus Christ.

In families where at least two children live side by side, we often see that they grow up in the same circumstances although they have the same parents. Yet, their natures, opinions, and attitudes toward duty are often different. Science – genetics tells us that these are inherited talents, talents, gifts from our ancestors. Usually, we can acquire other equally positive and negative qualities by using our reason and free will.

Jesus used this for his instruction in the Gospel. He pointed to a man who had two sons. By approaching the father’s request to work in the vineyard, we can understand many other spiritual events. The Gospel is directed against that part of the Jewish people who were convinced of their perfection. It was the Pharisees and the leaders of the nation who thought it was enough to say at God’s call, as the son said to the father when he sent him to work in the vineyard, “Yes, I’m coming!” But he didn’t go. The Lord Jesus contrasts this part of the nation, the so-called better-believing people, with those despised. And He predicts to these self-confident Israelites that those despised tax collectors and harlots will precede them into the kingdom of God.

If we think seriously and honestly about ourselves, we will very quickly come to see that this is about us, too. This is an accurate picture of many Christians who respond to their father’s call, “Go work in the vineyard,” with, “I’m coming, Lord!” but then don’t go. Let’s consider and evaluate this well. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we promise to renounce evil, to live as befits children of God in union with God, to do God’s will, and to live according to God’s laws. So we all said: “Yes.”

Let us see, what is the reality? Often an unfortunate one. It happens that many do not tell this answer to God truthfully. They have failed; they have betrayed. We say of God that He is Love. We are convinced of the validity of these words even now because God does not stop caring about us; He calls us back. Some come to their senses, question their consciences, and after the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to which they accede; they want to amend their lives. Then they go to work in the vineyard, and they respond to him with many good resolutions. They have goodwill. But they are weak. They quickly return to the old ruts of their lives. But some lack any charity.

Some have promised God correction and do not take it seriously. Then their words are false and untrue, which is how we understand their whole lives. It happens that God, in His mercy, wants to rouse them from their deadly sleep and speak to them through an event. It may be sickness, misfortune, the death of a neighbor, failure, and so on. Often it is the last call to go to work in His vineyard. What happens is that some see, obey, and begin to live a new life. But many remain deaf, oblivious, to their detriment and destruction.

Our lesson is to strive to be truthful in thought, but above all in action. The man who thinks and judges based on correct principles and lives by them deserves respect. And a faithful Christian believes and rules based on the principles of the Gospel and lives consistently according to those truths. He faithfully and uncompromisingly carries out his baptismal promises at every step; he puts into practice his resolutions, he catches the voice of God in his heart and strives to act upon it. He responds to God’s voice with consent and acts accordingly. And such a Christian is respected by everyone because he can be relied upon. He knows how to be honest with God and with people. He is always as he is. That is why he is pleasing to God and men.

Jesus Christ is the most excellent model for us. Let us turn more often and be interested in his teachings. Then let us also see the pattern in our saints who answered God, “I am coming, Lord,” and indeed, though the road to holiness was hard and long, they persevered. We also have an example in this pre-Christmas season in John the Baptist, who by his life brought sinners, harlots who believed in him, to the right path. But the so-called “godly” did not think—their pity.

Yes, this is best seen in families, as in the little Church. One child believes, and the other leaves. This means for all to step up to help. Not by force, coercion, or command, but by love, the example of life, and especially by persistent prayer. May Our Heavenly Lady help us in this