"Take heed that you are not led astray"



Tony and Joey say: "Do not pass up, even for one day, God's invitation of grace and mercy to seek first his kingdom of righteousness and peace."

Scripture: Luke 21:5-11 - And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, "As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and, `The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven."

Meditation: How would you respond if someone prophesied that your home, land, or place of worship would be destroyed? Jesus foretold many signs that would shake peoples and nations. The signs which God uses are meant to point us to a higher spiritual truth and reality of his kingdom which does not perish or fade away, but endures for all eternity. God works through many signs and events to renew and purify us to set our hearts firmly on him and him alone.

To the great consternation of the Jews, Jesus prophesied the destruction of their temple at Jerusalem. The Jewish people took great pride in their temple, a marvel of the ancient world. The foretelling of this destruction was a dire warning of spiritual judgment in itself. They asked Jesus for a sign that would indicate when this disastrous event would occur. Jesus admonished them to not look for signs that would indicate the exact timing of impending destruction, but rather to pray for God's intervention of grace and mercy. Jesus said there would be many signs of impending conflicts and disasters – such as wars, famines, diseases, tidal waves, and earthquakes – which would precede the struggles of the last days when God's anointed King would return to usher in the full reign of God over the earth. In that day when the Lord returns there will be a final judgment of the living and the dead when the secrets of every heart will be brought to light (Luke 12:2-3; Romans 2:16).

Jesus' prophecy of the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem was a two-edged sword, because it pointed not only to God's judgment, but also to his saving action and mercy. Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and the dire consequences for all who would reject him and his saving message. While the destruction of Jerusalem's temple was determined (it was razed by the Romans in 70 A.D.), there remained for its inhabitants a narrow open door leading to deliverance. Jesus said: "I am the door; whoever enters by me will be saved" (John 10:9).  Jesus willingly set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing that he would meet betrayal, rejection, and death on a cross. His death on the cross, however, brought about true freedom, peace, and victory over the powers of sin, evil, and death – not only for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but for all – both Jew and Gentile alike – who would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ?

Sometimes we don't recognize the moral crisis and spiritual conflict of the age in which we live, until something "shakes us up" to the reality of this present condition. God reminds us that a future judgment and outcome awaits every individual who has lived on this earth. The reward for doing what is right and pleasing to God and the penalty for sinful rebellion and rejection of God are not always experienced in this present life; but they are sure to come in the God's day of final judgment. The Lord Jesus tells us that there will be trials, suffering, and persecution in this present age until he comes again at the end of the world. God intends our anticipation of his final judgment to be a powerful deterrent to unfaithfulness and wrongdoing. God extends grace and mercy to all who will heed his call and his warning.

 

 

Refection: Do not pass up, even for one day, God's invitation of grace and mercy to seek first his kingdom of righteousness and peace. This day may be your only chance before that final day comes.

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, your grace and mercy abounds even in the midst of trails and difficulties. Help me to seek your kingdom first and to reject whatever would hinder me from pursuing your way of righteousness and holiness. Fill me with the joy and hope of your everlasting kingdom." Amen.
 

Happy Birthday Billy!

Many thanks for all the kind and loving gifts you bring to so many in your religious life!

You are gift and Eucharist for so many!

May the Lord continue to bring "Good News" to your heart so that you can continue to teach us the way to Jesus!

The TAU House faith community bless you this day and all days!

 With much love and happiness on this your special day!

The Tau Community!

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Announcements:

The old Tau House 1029 Gov. Nicholls - will be emptied out of all its belongings on Monday, December 16, 9:00 A.M., if anyone would like to help, it would be most appreciated. Bring plastic bags, paper bags, medium size boxes. Packing tape and markers, and most of all your love, heart and a story to share.

Poor Clare Monastery: During the week of December 15-18 the Genenbacher family from Quincy, IL will arrange the memorial garden in front of the St. Rock shrine outside the enclosure of the monastery. A date will be planned in the future (2014) for the re-dedication of the garden. We want to be able to do this at a time when Michael Jennrich, OFM, Ralph Parthie, OFM and other Tau members who moved away can come down for the celebration. The Poor Clare's will let us know when that will happen - stay tuned! 

4th Sunday of Advent, December 22, 2013 - Evening prayer 5:00 P.M. place TBA

Over night retreat: Please let Billy Edwards know who would like to make an overnight retreat at St. Mary of the Pines in the early spring - near Easter? Brother Ed is in contact with the sisters for prices and arrangements. If its a go - who would like to help in the preparation? Contact Billy or Ed - we hope to get one of the friars to come down and help with the retreat.

St. Mary of the Pines

For further information on retreats, contact 

Sister Helen Roper, SSND
St. Mary of the Pines Retreat Center
PO Box 38, Chatawa, MS 39632
Phone Numbers:

Home: 601‐783‐0801; Cell: 601‐341‐9447
Home: 601‐783‐3494; Fax: 601‐783‐3984
Directions: St. Mary of the Pines is two miles
east of I‐55. It is about a two‐hour drive from
Jackson, MS, and from New Orleans and Baton
Rouge, LA .


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Prayers:

For the poor and needy during this Thanksgiving week
For the sick and dying
For all first responders
For doctors, nurses, hospital staff
For all farmers
For the members of the Tau House communities