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Luke 9:23-62

A Conductor's Journey

"Self-doubt will undoubtedly make us less than our best selves."

Anthony Trecek-King is the conductor for the Boston Children's Chorus.  Listen to his journey and the life lessons that he has learned.  We are always making an impact on others...whether negative or positive....be aware and EAGER  for the opportunities that are put in front of you each day.  God is always at work in our lives.

I like what he says about giving people respect on THEIR own terms, not OURS.

The Servant Song

"I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I'll laugh with you."

A Fresh Breath...

Love this video by ThePetersonFarmBros.  The Peterson Farm Bros are made up of Greg, Nathan, and Kendal Peterson.  They have several videos to check out!  Life on the farm......refreshing!

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

"open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers..."

By Casting Crowns...

Jesus Forgives the Sinful Woman

A dramatic presentation of today's Gospel reading...
The full-length (2-hours) docudrama on the life of Jesus Christ based on Luke's Gospel, can be found here.
It can also be viewed in MANY different languages AND has a children's version!  Check those versions out on this page.  I LOVE the children's version...it's told from children's point of view...check it out if you have kids or grandkids!

Psalm 30 "Joy Comes In The Morning"

SING PRAISE TO THE LORD!

I Just Felt Like Dancin'!!

Take a trip down memory lane with this Mister Rogers remix by Symphony of Science's John D. Boswell for PBS Digital Studios.

God In Me, by Allan Scott

I'd never listened to Allan Scott before, I like him!  He hasn't had an easy life - a former drug addict and dropout, he ended up in jail where he invited God into his heart.  He now shares his experience in song, and with "God In Me", released on May 4 at iTunes® sings about God's redemption and hope. Check out his webpage and other songs.  You can also follow him on Facebook.

My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech

If you've already watched this, watch again.

UP UP UP

On May 20, 2013, cancer took the life of Zach Sobiech but his legacy will live on through the beacon of love and hope he delivered through infectious lyrics and memorable tunes have imprinted on the minds and hearts of millions around the world.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDC97j6lfyc&list=HL1370032967)
Love this.  



Also, check out this video, Fix Me Up. Zach and Sammy Brown are life-long friends, since toddlerhood.  They began playing music together when they were 12.  Since Zach's diagnosis, in 2009 they have remained together, and formed the band A Firm Handshake with another friend, Reed Redmond.  Such strength.

It's Not About the Nail...

Sometimes we simply fail to recognize the obvious....

The Supper Of The Lord

The Supper of the Lord is one of my most favorite songs!  Perfect for today's liturgy, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus.  It is written by Laurence Rosania.  Laurence Rosania is a composer, conductor, pianist/organist and singer who performs extensively in the New York City area.  He works with Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker.  Some of his other compositions include: As Grains of Wheat, Gather Us Together, Psalm 23, The Call of Micah and Ubi Caritas.

Blessed are the Persecuted

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12

What does it mean to be persecuted?  What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?  Here’s what Dietrich Bonhoeffer has to say about it:

In Bonhoeffer’s classic work The Cost of Discipleship he begins his concluding thoughts on the beatitudes with the following words,

Having reached the end of the beatitudes, we naturally ask if there is any place of this earth for the community which they describe. Clearly, there is one place, and only one, and that is where the poorest, meekest, and most sorely tried of all men is to be found – on the cross at Golgotha. The fellowship of the beatitudes is the fellowship of the Crucified. With him it has lost all, and with him it has found all. From the cross there comes the call ‘blessed, blessed.’” (113-114).

(http://mattdabbs.wordpress.com/2007/11/13/dietrich-bonhoeffer-on-the-beattitudes/)

So, we are called to be ON the cross with Jesus…not standing nearby, but ON that cross.  That is what true discipleship really is.  We are promised JOY as well…an inner joy that is not destroyed by external circumstances.  What is the cross in your life?  Do you experience the joy of God as you life out your life on this cross? 

This final verse completes the Beatitudes.  Below is the complete text.  Notice that in both the first and the last Beatitude, the promise for us is the same, the Kingdom of Heaven.  What a glorious day that will be!

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek,

    for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

    for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.