Saturday, November 30, 2019 - St. Andrew, Apostle - Andrew left everything to follow the Lord. How will you follow the Lord today?

To read the texts click on the texts: Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22

Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter (Mt 4:18; Mk 1:16; Jn 1:40; 6:8) and along with his brother was a fisherman. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist and was one of the first to follow Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark state that Andrew and his brother were the disciples to be called by Jesus to become “fishers of men”; a phrase which was used to probably link it with their trade.

Though not in the group of the three disciples (Peter, James and John) who seemed to have a special place in the ministry of Jesus, it was Andrew who brought the boy who had five barley loaves to Jesus in the Gospel of John (Jn 6:8) and who along with Philip told Jesus about the gentiles (Greeks) who wished to meet Jesus (Jn 12:22).

Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras. His crucifixion is believed to have been on Cross that was shaped like the alphabet X. This Cross is commonly known as “Saint Andrew’s Cross” today.

The Gospel text for the Feast is the call of the first four disciples as narrated by Matthew. It is Jesus who takes the initiative in this story and come to the brothers, Simon and Andrew. Jesus’ invitation is also a promise. The invitation which is “to follow” him, will result in the brothers becoming ‘fishers of men and women’. It is an invitation to participate in the saving work of Jesus.

The response of the brothers is immediate. They leave everything to follow Jesus. While it was surely a risk to act in such a manner, it is also true that the call of Jesus was so compelling, that they simply could not refuse.

What does it mean to follow Jesus and accept his invitation to follow? It means that one is willing to accept the challenge to see God in all things and all things in God. It therefore means continuing to follow when everything is going the way we want it to  and also when our plans go awry and we cannot understand why things happen the way they do. It means trusting at every moment that we have to continue to what is required of us and leave everything else (including the worrying) to God. It means trusting that God will never let us down and that all that happens to us is for God’s glory and our good.

Saturday, November 30, 2019 - Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22

Saturday, November 30, 2019 - Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22

1. From which OPsalm are the words “Their voice has gone out to all the earth,and their words to

Psalm 16
Psalm 19
Psalm 22


2. With what must one believe to be justified?

With the mind
With the lips
With the heart


3. Who was the father of James and John?

Zechariah
Zebedee
Simeon


4. From where are the words “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Isaiah 52
Psalm 42
Amos 4


5. What were James and John doing?

Casting their nets
Mending their nets
Folding their nets


6. Between whom does Paul say there is no distinction?

Between male and female
Between Jew and Greek
Between saint and sinner


7. Which prophet does Paul quote?

Jeremiah
Isaiah
Ezekiel


8. What were Simon and his brother doing?

Mending their nets
Casting their nets
Repairing their nets


9. Which sea was Jesus passing by?

Red sea
Sea of Jordan
Sea of Galilee


10. What is the message of the readings of today?

St. Andrew inspires us to follow Jesus unconditionally
St. Andrew was courageous in his following
In John's Gospel Andrew was the first disciple

Thanks for taking the Quiz. I hope it makes the word of God more relevant. Let me know on errolsj@gmail.com. Suggestions are always welcome.

Friday, November 29, 2019 - YouTube Reflections - Will you live today as if it were your last day on earth?

Our job as Christians is not to bother about when the end will be but to live fully in the present moment. If we do so then no matter when the end comes we will always be ready.

Friday, November 29, 2019 - Will you live today as if it were your last day on earth?

To read the texts click on the texts: Dan 7:2-14; Lk 21:29-33

The parable of the fig tree found in these verses is the last parable that Jesus tells in the Gospel of Luke. This parable is found also in Mark 13:28-29 and Matthew 24:32-33, but whereas Mark and Matthew speak only of the fig tree, Luke speaks of “the fig tree and all the trees” (21:29). 

When people can see for themselves that these trees have come out in leaf they know for themselves that summer is near, so when they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud (21:27) they will know that the kingdom is near. Since Luke probably thought that the end would come soon, he has added the last two sayings about what will not pass away until “these things” have taken place. They are “this generation” and the “words” of Jesus. These pronouncements must serve as a reminder of the assurance of redemption for the believer.

Our job as Christians is not to bother about when the end will be but to live fully in the present moment. If we do so then no matter when the end comes we will always be ready.

Friday, November 29, 2019 - Dan 7:2-14; Lk 21:29-33

Friday, November 29, 2019 - Dan 7:2-14; Lk 21:29-33

1. What did the second beast look like?

A lion
A tiger
A bear


2. How many horns were plucked from the roots to make room for the little one?

Three
Seven
Five


3. What colour was the clothing of the Ancient One?

Red as blood
White as snow
Green as the trees


4. What wings did the one like a lion have?

Eagle's wings
Pigeon's wings
Dove's wings


5. How many horns did the fourth beast have?

Five
Three
Ten


6. How many great beasts came up out of the sea?

Many
Four
Numerous


7. How many tusks did the beast which looked like a bear have?

None
Three
One


8. How many winds of heaven did Daniel see?

Four
Five
Two


9. What did the third beast look like?

A lion
A bear
A leopard


10. What is the message of the readings of today?

We must live every moment as if was our last
We must live constantly in the now
The present is all that matters

Thanks for taking the Quiz. I hope it makes the word of God more relevant. Let me know on errolsj@gmail.com. Suggestions are always welcome.

Thursday, November 28, 2019 - YouTube Reflections

As Jerusalem was faced with a crisis when Jesus appeared to teach there, so will the world be faced when he comes as the Son of Man. In contrast to the judgment to be passed on the world, Christian disciples will then realize that their deliverance is near. 

Thursday, November 28, 2019 - If the end were to come today would you be able to hold your heal high fearlessly? If No, what will you do about it today?

To read the texts click on the texts: Dan 6:12-18; Lk 21:20-28

The text of today, continues the Eschatological Discourse, but speaks now of the destruction of Jerusalem and other cosmological signs which announce the coming of the Son of Man. 

Josephus the Jewish historian recorded the horrors of the Jewish war, which lasted from April until August of the year 70 C.E. It was a terrible for all the inhabitants and many were killed during it. The Romans razed the whole city to the ground. 

Once this happens and the other signs have come to pass signalling the end that is at hand, the Son of Man will appear in a cloud, with great power and glory. When this happens others might faint from fear, but the disciples are asked to hold their heads up high, because their salvation has indeed come.

Thursday, November 28, 2019 - Dan 6:12-18; Lk 21:20-28

Thursday, November 28, 2019 - Dan 6:12-18; Lk 21:20-28

1. Who did the conspirators say paid no attention to the interdict?

Azariah
Abednego
Daniel


2. Where must those in Judea flee?

To the hills
To the mountains
To the desert


3. How did the king spend the night in his palace?

Feasting
Fasting
Asleep


4. Which place will be surrounded by armies?

Judah
Jerusalem
Samaria


5. What was laid on the mouth of the den?

A stone
A pillar of fire
A statue of bronze


6. Where will there be signs?

In the four corners of the earth
In the sun, moon and stars
In the north and south


7. How many times a day was Daniel saying his prayers?

Once
Three times
Five times


8. Where would the one would betrayed the interdict of the king be thrown?

From a high mountain
Into a den of thieves
Into a den of lions


9. Till when did the king make an effort to save Daniel?

Until the end of the year
Until the sun went down
Until dawn


10. What is the message of the readings of today?

We must live in the present moment and not worry about the future
The now determines the later
We must learn to live one moment at a time

Thanks for taking the Quiz. I hope it makes the word of God more relevant. Let me know on errolsj@gmail.com. Suggestions are always welcome.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019 - YouTube Reflections

The gospel offers not a way of predicting the end of the world but the spiritual resources to cope with the challenges of life. In times of distress the disciples of Jesus are called not to throw their hands up in despair, but to be unafraid. It is a fact that following Jesus who is The Truth will have repercussions and consequences, some of which may be disastrous. However, it is in these circumstances that perseverance and endurance is called for. This is the test of our faith and courage in the promises of the Lord.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019 - If someone witnessed your actions all through today, would they conclude that you are a disciple of Jesus?

To read the texts click on the texts: Dan 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28; Lk 21:12-19

These verses are part of Luke’s Eschatological Discourse. The Greek word “Eschaton” is translated as “the last things”, “the things of the next life”. The main point of these verses is to prepare the disciples for the coming trial by exhorting them to regard trials as an occasion for bearing witness. 

The text begins by telling the disciples what they (the persecutors) will do namely arrest you, persecute you etc. It then goes on to advise the disciples what they must do in the face of this persecution, namely that they must bear witness but not be obsessed with the anxiety of preparing their defence. The reason for this is because of what Jesus will do, namely, give the disciples wisdom to counter any argument of the opponents. 

The text ends with an assurance of God’s support and protection on those who endure.