2nd Sunday in Lent, 2018
Kathy Christianson

Remember when we were little and our Moms and Dads, but mostly our Moms, were always telling us what to do? Go wash your hands. Don’t ride your bike too fast or you’ll get hurt. Do all your homework. Take out the garbage.

Today’s Moms and Dads might say – put that phone down and do your homework. Maybe talk to their children about the harm of doing drugs, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.

Did we always listen to them? You know we didn’t. And why? Because we thought that we knew more than they did. We thought, “I’m just going to try it. They’ll never find out, “They’re always telling me what to do. What do they know?”

I’ve been thinking a lot about my Mom lately. And one thing I’ve been thinking about was how Mom had it right all along. Although I never thought it at the time, she wasn’t just telling us what to do to be mean. She loved us and was trying to protect us. She was trying to prevent us from experiencing pain, hurt, addiction, and hate. Mom would always tell us to forgive people who were mean to us or started a fight. My mother shared words of wisdom based upon her own experiences, her faith in God, and her belief in Jesus.

In today’s Gospel we hear God telling the 3 disciples, “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!” And it hit me. All my religious life, I have been aware of Jesus and his story but I always disregarded his words. I’d say, “Oh that was a long time ago. What does that have to do with today?” I’d say, “You just can’t love everybody ALL the time. Not possible.” So, I didn’t listen.

Through my spiritual journey, I have come to realize and believe to be true that Jesus had it right all along.

A long time ago, I think that God looked down upon His creation and saw that we human beings just didn’t seem to be getting how to live a happy life. He saw that we humans worried a lot and hated a lot. We thought that happiness was ours if we accumulated wealth (even if it meant taking from others). I believe God saw that we were buying into the rhetoric that He was vengeful, filled with anger and watching us constantly to see if we made a mistake (of which, if we did, he would never forgive us). We were afraid of God.

So, He sent us Jesus, His Beloved Son to teach us, to guide us, to provide examples of how the straightest path to happiness for ourselves and our world is through love.

Jesus’ words of wisdom were to try our very best to always come from a place of love. And this doesn’t mean putting ourselves in a position to be hurt – only to be hurt time and time again. That’s what I used to think. “Turn the other cheek” only to be hurt again. That’s not what Jesus meant. And it doesn’t mean being a fool or a sucker.

Coming from a place of love means quickly forgiving someone who has wronged you or quickly forgive yourself for having wronged yourself. This does not mean to stay in a position to be wronged again. It means that you don’t talk about the person. It means that you don’t spend time thinking how to get the person back. It means not telling them off. And it also might mean quietly stepping away from the person or people so as not be hurt again.

Coming from love means not taking advantage of people’s generosity or kindness. Coming from love might mean learning how to separate a person’s hateful actions from the person – hating the actions but loving the person.
Being irritated but not saying a word. Not wanted to go somewhere but another person wants to go, so you do it anyway because it benefits them. Having a choice to make and making the decision based on what’s truly best for you and the other person. Coming from love means not worrying and not being burdened with guilt.

And as we practice coming from love and we keep practicing, that’s when transfiguration occurs. We are transfigured when we listen to that voice within that tells us to let something go instead of reacting, to be patient in a time of irritation or boredom, to say “Hello” to that stranger, to not complain, or to not tell that gossip story. As we listen and obey that voice – might it be our soul talking? – we are transformed because we now allow ourselves to live a life of peace and a life of happiness – free from sorrow, free from anger free guilt.

There was a movement at one time and you could buy bracelets that said “What would Jesus do?” It is such a good question to ask before taking an action or before speaking. I often think of this question. Do I always do what I know the answer to be? No, I don’t. But as human beings, our part in the journey is to keep asking that question and try as hard as we can to listen to God’s beloved because, like Mom, Jesus had it right all along.

Gospel of Matthew – Chapter 22 verses 15 – 21
October 22, 2017
Kathy Christianson

This incident occurred close to the time that Jesus would be executed. He had become very popular. There were some people who did not like how popular Jesus was for various reasons.

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and Herodians were trying to trip up Jesus. They start out by buttering him up by telling Jesus how sincere he is, that he teaches the truth about God and that they know that Jesus loves everyone. Then they ask, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (See they had taxes also in those days. Like us, some taxes seem very unfair. This particular tax was a census tax which only applied to certain people. Not to Roman citizens.)

This question put to Jesus was double edged. If Jesus said ‘yes’ it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, then he would have been perceived as being in collusion with Rome which would have been interpreted as justifying Roman oppression of the Jews. If Jesus said ‘no’, then that could have been interpreted as words to start a revolution against Rome. He could have been arrested.

Jesus, in his wisdom, knew what these people were doing. He never answers the question directly and leaves us with a great lesson. Give to the emperor that which is the emperor’s and give to God that which belongs to God.

I believe that ‘giving to the emperor’ is symbolic for our lives here on Earth and that which we acquire. Things like money, clothes, promotions, car, houses. Yes, we need to make money in order to live – to buy food, pay our taxes!, pay a mortgage or rent. But sometimes people get caught up in getting and getting – more and more.

But God does not care about any of this. God only cares about us. Period. Just us. Not what we’re wearing. Not how much money we have. Not if we clean floors or a CEO of a corporation. If you notice, when we die we can’t take any of this stuff with us. Every bit of it is left behind. It is earthly “stuff”. It belonged to us but it never belonged to God; because God doesn’t care about any of it. He only cares about us. Just us – each one of us. Because we are His children. We are one with Him.

We belong to God. We are made by God, in His image and likeness. We are His.

In John, Chapter 4 he says, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

It may seem that that new leather jacket we just bought fills us with joy because ‘boy, do we look good!’ And we may feel pride that we just got a promotion with a raise. But the great joy, the greater fulfillment, the greatest love is that which resides within us. God. And if we believe that we have that connection first and foremost, then we have everything we need.

So, thank you Jesus for that reminder in your words of wisdom. I will still pay my taxes, giving to the government that which is the government’s but I offer up all that I have and all that I am to God as I seek to become a better person and build a deeper connection to God because that’s where I belong. I belong to God.

Homily from Matthew 17:1-9
3/16/14
Jean Gilbert

I have heard the account of the Transfiguration many, many times in my life but I did not really know what it all meant.

We know that Jesus went up the mountain with three of his disciples, his appearance changed while being visited by Moses and Elijah. The disciples heard a voice coming from the clouds saying, ‘This is my beloved Child, with whom I am well pleased; to this one you shall listen.” I didn’t see beyond the words that were given in this gospel, so I prayed for guidance to understand the meaning.

What the apostles saw was Jesus’ face shining like the sun and his garments becoming brilliant but what they did not see was the brilliance came from within Jesus. At that moment, the Heavenly Father taught Jesus to look at the world in God’s eyes. It was the power of God’s love that changed him. He was still an ordinary man but God gave him the power to heal people, understand people at the root of their feelings…their makeup. He saw his purpose was to teach God’s love, and to teach people to be on a higher mind. It was to open people’s minds and open their hearts. Jesus saw and understood the depth of God’s love for all of us.

Jesus had the gift of understanding. We are asked to understand with our heart not just with our minds. People
have their own opinions, they perceive things differently and we are to respect their opinions even if it doesn’t coincide
with what we think. How many times do we try to change another’s person’s opinion to the point of getting angry.

Jesus went from town to town telling whoever would listen about the love God has for them. He did not yell at them with his information but gave it with love for he understood where the individuals were coming from. He did not take things personally if people did not listen to him. He now asks us to not stand in judgment of another’s belief but to search our own soul and try to understand. I now have to start asking myself, “Why am I imposing my will on someone else?” It is necessary for us to be kind to others even, if at times, it seems impossible.

In my work, I so often meet people who don’t see God’s hand in their lives. It reminds me of a story about a man who had the experience of being lost in the desert: Later, he described his ordeal to his friends. He told them how, in sheer despair, he had knelt down and cried out to God to help him find his way home.
“Did God answer your prayer’s,” he was asked.
“Oh no,” the man replied, “Before God could help, an explorer appeared and showed me the way home.”

We don’t always take the time to see God’s work in our daily lives but God is truly with us always. No matter what.

During the time of the Transfiguration, Jesus saw all of God’s creatures, and really understood that all are to be honored and respected and that not one is mightier than another. We are all connected to God. The connection is never lost. God holds on to every single one of us even if we shut God out.

It is hard for me to totally comprehend the magnitude of what Jesus saw through God’s eyes but it is clear to me that I am to make a daily effort to try and understand another person’s view-point and their way of doing things without judgment.

Jesus saw people with his heart and did not impose his views on others for he was able to let it go. What a better world we would have to live in if we all took the time to understand another human being’s point of view before getting angry. Jesus would like us to try, for it is in the trying that we can change.

Jesus lived so we can see God’s love through him. He lived that love, and we are asked to do the best we can without any judgment. Transfiguration — well, we have that light within us, all we are to do is to let it shine.

God Bless

Homily for John 2:13-25
Jean Gilbert
3/4/18

The last statement in this gospel really caught me. The gospel says, “Jesus never needed evidence about people’s motives; he was well aware of what was in each one’s heart.”

Our heart is God’s Temple. It is where God resides; God doesn’t live in a building. The song, “This is Holy Ground” we are the holy ground; we carry God and Jesus in our hearts. This room, at this moment, is Holy Ground because we are here this morning to worship God. Before we entered this room, it was only a room.

When I read about Jesus going to the Temple and telling the moneychangers and the pigeon sellers to: “Take all this out of here and stop turning God’s house into a market!” Jesus was telling us to take the unloving feelings like judgment, hatred, greed, all things that take up room in our hearts. He is instructing us to take all that is unloving out from our inner temple and make room for God to be present in our daily lives.

Jesus came to teach us the power of LOVE, of COMPASSION, of CHARITY, of KINDNESS, of FORGIVENESS. These are our
challenges in this life, and for me maybe for all of us, it is work.

Jesus said, “Take all this out of here” meaning take all negativity out of your heart; “In three days, I will raise it up” meaning by our living by Jesus’ example, our heart will be renewed and become the temple where God resides and then become aware of God’s presence in ourselves again feeling God’s love within.

Two weeks ago, I experience the healing power of unconditional love. I was eating almonds and I suddenly felt one of my back teeth click and I started to feel pain. I prayed for it to just go away. But 2 days later, I woke up in pain and was not able to bite down on anything. I knew then that this was not going to heal on its’ own so I called my dentist. He said he was booked for the day and was leaving for vacation the next morning. I told them that I can’t take any antibiotics because of my allergic reaction to it in the past. I knew from how it felt that the infection had already started. Hearing this, they said if I got to the office right away, the dentist would see me. I was so grateful. The dentist said I needed a root canal done right away because through xrays they saw that infection had already started. This wonderful compassionate dentist placed three calls to other dentist he knew to do the root canal but they had no room for me for another week. I prayed as I sat there in the chair feeling helpless but hopeful.

The dentist came back to say he was calling in a favor from a dentist friend. They were able to see me right away. This new dentist was so kind and gentle and I surely needed that at the time. After the work was done, he told me I needed pain medication and antibiotics for a few days. I told him I couldn’t take medication and went to my car. I immediately called my friends to say healing prays for my quick recovery and to have this infection gone. By 10:00 that night, I was able to bite down and by the next morning, I had no more pain and I could even bite down hard and felt nothing. The area was healed and I so praised God for the quick work. I realized that the pure unconditional love my friends had for me and the prayers they sent for my healing was so strong that it healed in less then 12 hours. God is good.

Jesus came here to live among us to show us the power of God’s love within us. We are asked to take time to be aware of our inner temple and if we have days that are more difficult than another, we are asked to pray to Jesus to help build it up again so we can feel the strength of God’s love within ourselves. As is written in the gospel, Jesus is well aware of what is in each one’s heart all we need to do is ask for his help

Homily for Mark 1:1-8
Jean Gilbert, Deacon

12/10/17

John the Baptist WAS that herald’s voice in the desert who came to make ready, for all, the way to God; a straight path to Our God. He was also preparing everyone for Jesus’ mission here on earth.

When I hear a path, I think of a road to somewhere. But, it has nothing to do with geographical location but has everything to do with making ourselves ready to receive God into our heart, mind and soul. The path that Isaiah was talking about was the path to our inner selves. God did not and does not want us to live in darkness. Without God, that is exactly where we would be, in darkness. With God in our lives, we elevate to a place of joy and hope and peace.

Jesus came to show us just that. How to find joy and hope through having and believing that God is all about love and compassion.

A long time ago in my life, I knew only the God of judgment. I lived in fear of that judgment as did my mother. I now realize that she could not be happy because she kept thinking of all the things she did that God would judge her for and that there was no way she would ever go to heaven. I, also, grew up believing just that. So, I lived in fear.

As I have studied and learned so much more about Jesus and his mission here on earth, I’ve come to realize that people were the ones who wrote about God judging us. Jesus came to change that; to change how we see God. Jesus talked about God’s love for all of us. How God has unending compassion for every single person here on this earth. This knowledge has changed my life for I don’t live in fear anymore, but I am filled with hope. This hope has finally brought joy in my heart and I am forever grateful for Jesus who came to give us the good news about our God.

My wish and prayer for all people is for all to listen to what Jesus said about the loving God, the compassionate God, the non-judgmental God. I wish I could snap my fingers and have everyone believe this but this is what our journey is all about. It is about the path that we choose to take that will hopefully bring us to what Jesus knew, and that was, for us to trust in the ever loving God. Take to heart what Jesus has said to us because we are not meant to suffer or live in fear. We are to clear the path for when we do, that path will be smooth for there will be no pebbles, no weeds. Our hearts will then have a safe journey to God’s love.

Jesus wanted us to know that we are safe and well. We are to have compassion for ourselves and others. We are then to spread love and joy that is coming from our heart. For what God has given us, we are to pass it on. We are not to keep that joy just for ourselves. A smile will go a long way for someone who is in need.

John the Baptist spoke of Jesus’ coming. Jesus came and told us how to open our heart to God’s love for us. Christmas is a reminder of what is to come with Jesus in our lives. Trust what Jesus came here to tell us.

God Bless all of you.

Rev Kathy Christianson, Deacon

Matthew 21: 28-32
The gospel of Matthew seems to have two messages. One message refers to the audience that Jesus is addressing. Jesus felt that his cousin, John the Baptist, preached the true word of God. In this parable Jesus was delivering the message that here you had tax collectors and prostitutes who believed and followed the message of love and humility preached by John the Baptist. But then there were religious leaders who considered themselves virtuous and holy men of God but did not follow a life of love. Most were heavily focused on themselves – their status in society and how much power they had and also how they could increase their wealth. Jesus was referring to being a hypocrite – saying that they believe one way but then act the complete opposite of that belief. He was always referring to making a promise and then not acting on that promise.

The second message from Jesus is asking us to be impeccable with our word. Our words can make someone feel great or make someone feel bad. Since we have that power, it is up to us to speak with love and to use words that will:

• communicate goodness and love

• support others

• help make someone feel good about themselves, including ourselves.

It’s important that when we chose to use words that make a promise, that we carry through with that promise or explain to the other person why the promise cannot be fulfilled. Not just not do it, as it was in today’s gospel. The second son said that he would go work in the field and just never did.

Remember the fable about the boy who cried wolf? The shepherd boy was watching a flock of sheep that belonged to the members of a village. He cried out on two separate occasions that a wolf was among the sheep. Each time the villagers came, they found that there was no wolf. The shepherd boy, who thought it was very funny couldn’t stop laughing. The villagers were very angry for being lied to. Then when there was really a wolf among the sheep and the shepherd boy cried out “Wolf. Wolf.”, no one came because no one believed him. That is a fable of lack of integrity – not being impeccable with your word.

Words can also hurt when we use angry words, name calling, speaking ill of others, speaking ill of yourself even, or making a promise that you have no intention of keeping. If we engage in this kind of word exchange, we are not only potentially hurting the person to whom we are speaking but we are also hurting ourselves. We hurt our reputations. Maybe we become a person that other people cannot count on to do what they say they are going to do or to do the right thing. We carry the burden of having inflicted pain on someone else. Maybe we suffer the loss of a friend because of the words we chose.

For us humans, words are our primary source of communication. Words come to represent who we are. Jesus’ message is that when we use the words that we have selected to voice to ourselves or another, speak the words with honesty, truth, commitment and

Rev Jean Gilberte, Deacon

Jesus truly trusted God’s will. John speaks of the many close friends and family members of Jesus; Mary, Martha and Lazarus were his closest friends. Jesus knew his ability to heal but when he heard that Lazarus, whom he loved dearly, was deathly sick, he didn’t just leave right away but continued his work where he was. Jesus always listened to the guidance from God before doing anything. He was not guided, at the time, to go immediately even though he so loved Lazarus. Jesus trusted God and knew it would be all right.

When Jesus arrived home, Martha met him and was angry. She was angry with him for not arriving sooner. Jesus did not let his ego take in the anger. In his wisdom, he knew the depth of her sorrow and he consoled her.

One thing that Jesus said that I love and will try to remember on my daily journey is: “Those who are alive and believe in me will never die.” I understand this to mean that our spirit will not die during times of difficulty. Trusting in God and Jesus will make the difficulties doable. All I have to do is to trust but I have to say that it is not always easy to do. Don’t you agree?

Without God, we would go into fear and fear clouds our thinking. We are then unable to process things because our minds get muddled which might lead us to take the wrong direction and do what is not in our best interest.

Jesus trusted God fully. He knew deep down that if it was God’s will for Lazarus to live, it would be done. He had no doubt. Before he even asked God to bring Lazarus to life, Jesus gave thanks to God for listening and being with him. Jesus is giving us this example to show us how to ask God to help in our times of need. We are to make it simple. God hears us.

God says: “I am always with thee, my children.” “I love thee no matter what has happened. Every smile you give, every little deed you do (no matter how small) I am grateful to thee.” “I love you all. You are My Precious Children.

Do not fear for I am with thee always. Ask Me anything, give Me your worries, I hear your heart’s desires. If you think you are not worthy, please forgive yourselves as I love thee and see the beauty of who you really are. Remember that I am always with thee.”

God does not desert us, we might forget God’s presence at our most difficult moments but we are to remember that God never, never leaves us.

God had Jesus wait days before leaving to see Lazarus. Through Jesus, God showed everyone present that day and even today 2000 years later, that God’s presence is always here in our hearts to help and guide us. Whether we believe it or not, it is the truth.

Jesus is our greatest teacher. He taught us how to trust; to look at someone’s soul and not just concentrate on the anger that person might be throwing at us. This is our life work and it is work but with God in us, all is possible. Three simple words, “Trust In God” I hope you take it with you when you leave this room today because it is the truth.

I love you all. God bless.

Rev Jean Gilberte, Deacon

How scared the apostles and the followers of Jesus must have been after they witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. We are told they had gone to a room and locked the door. There must have been so much fear that went through them while in that room. Then, without any doors opening, they saw Jesus in the room. Jesus, who could feel their fears said to them, “Peace be with you and then breathes on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Don’t we wish that Jesus could be here with us in earthly body and say those words to us?

Life can be great but there are times when life is not so easy. Often when life does get tough, maybe from the loss of a loved one or things happen that might fill us with anger or we might be afraid. In those trying times, we might do what the apostles did in that room and that is to lock the door. But the door that we lock is the door to our heart. When that happens, love can’t get in. Without feeling love, we can then go into despair.

Jesus wants us to know that he comes into the locked places in our everyday life. Jesus stands among us even if we don’t see him.

Jesus comes by our side and whispers, “Peace, for you are loved.” Maybe some of us are just like Thomas and want to feel the wounds before we believe. I tell you, Jesus is here with us and I know that, without Jesus to help me through some tough times, I would not be here today. He gave me the strength to go on when I thought I had no more strength. I have learned to ask Jesus to help whenever I need support and support is given. I am so very grateful every day and I voice that gratitude on a daily basis.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe! You have become a believer because you saw me. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.” Every time we ask Jesus to help us, we are saying to Jesus and God that we do believe. We are all here today because we believe without seeing. Because of our belief, we are to always remember to ask Jesus to help us feel the peace that he always talked about. Jesus went through so much suffering, and as he did, he showed us the importance of asking God for strength and strength was given to him. Jesus knew this was part of his journey in this worldly life. His journey to teach the world forever about God’s unconditional love for all of us— from the beginning of time. Jesus always trusted God to

be with him no matter what. Jesus always gave prayers of gratitude. He taught us by example. To be kind to others, to forgive ourselves so we can forgive others, to love ourselves so we can love others, to trust God to be with us always and how to say thank you. When we fully trust God, fear will slowly leave our lives. We will then be able to live in peace.

Jesus is saying to all of us today, “Peace be with you. As God sent me, so I am sending you.” “Receive the Holy Spirit” and hopefully we will say to him, “I believe without seeing. Thank you Jesus for teaching us how to trust without seeing.” Can we all give Jesus a big THANK YOU right now. Let’s say it all together. THANK YOU, JESUS.

May the Peace of God be always with all of you.

Rev Jean Gilberte, Deacon

Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me and obey the command I give you… “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

When Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was still alive, she took care of the poorest of the poor. Someone once asked her how they could prepare to do the work that she did. Mother Teresa said to first start with your immediate family, and when that is well, you can go to your next door neighbor if help is needed. Once all is well, you help someone in your town and when that is well you can expand and go further. She always thanked God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for giving her the strength every day to bring peace to the people in Calcutta.

Jesus said, “I will ask the One who sent me to give you another Paraclete to be with you always.” Paraclete means “advocate.” Jesus said, “another advocate” would be sent to us. This would indicate that Jesus is an advocate for us. He did not just give us the Holy Spirit as an advocate or helper but himself also. Of course, God is always with us.

Think about all the help we have every day of our lives. So often I hear people say they have no one, that they are all alone. Jesus wants you and everyone to know that we are NEVER alone. The Holy Spirit is always with us to help guide us on our journey in this life. Remember, Jesus said, “I will not leave you orphaned.” When times are hard; when we might feel so much pain or so much sadness, remember to ask for guidance to give you strength for they will be there supporting you.

There had been a lot of traumatic events that happened to me as a child, as a young teenager, and as a married women of 37 years. This week someone asked how was I able to survive all that happened? I answered this person that from the time I can remember, around three years old, I knew God and our Blessed Lady (Jesus’ mom, Mary.) As little as I was, I always prayed (I would now call it talking) to them to help me through what was happening as I lived in fear.

I would not be here today if I had not believed in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit when I was married. Life was difficult but I always received strength to overcome the trauma when I asked. The help I received was strength to keep going, to keep my spirit up for my three children. I knew I was loved because I could feel it in my heart and in my soul. God was present; Jesus was present; the Holy Spirit was present; and so was Mary always present to help me.

Jesus said that he will love us and reveal himself to us. Faith can be a difficult concept. Jesus is with every single one of you. Some of you might want to say that because you don’t feel him or the Holy Spirit, that they are not around. Just know that is not so.

I am now a retired Massage Therapist but I still see, to this day, people who are sick emotionally or physically and I practice Reiki (energy healing.) My business is in my home and I have a room that is set apart from the rest of the house and it has such a peaceful feel to the space. I have had quite a few clients who came and as they relaxed they would look at me in utter surprise and say that Jesus was in the room with us. I would just say that He is always in the room while I work.

They would keep on saying, “NO, NO, I really see Him.” All I could do at the time was just smile. I use to say, “I wish I could see Jesus like some others do.” But today, I am happy just knowing that He really is with me as He is with you. Some say that Jesus would not want to be around them because of the terrible things they did in the past. I know that the Holy Spirit and Jesus is always around us to give us the strength to forgive ourselves. God loves us and does not judge; we tend to judge ourselves not God. That is why we are given the Holy Spirit to give us the strength so we can live with a peaceful heart.

When we have peace in our hearts, it makes it so much easier to know that Jesus is around because Jesus is peace. That peace will follow you and people will feel it around you helping them to also feel the peace. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have that peace vibrate from you and spread throughout the world.

We are to remember what Jesus said, “I am in God, and you in me and I in you.” He is telling us that we are all one. We are all connected. God loves you, I love you all and peace be with all of you.

Rev Jean Gilberte, Deacon

In the parable of the land owner who paid the same wages for someone who worked probably 12 hours and the other only 1 hour. I use to think how unfair that was. But the land owner thought it to be totally fair especially when every worker had agreed to work for the wages that was told to them. Jealousy set in, didn’t it? Then the person who worked more hours for the same pay started to feel that he was cheated out of more money.

Jesus would tell us that circumstances are not always fair, life is not always fair. Who decides if something is fair or not? Is it our neighbor, is it us, is it God? So who makes that decision? How do we live in a world that seems not always fair? If Jesus came today, he would advise us to love ourselves and by doing that, we would find justice and fairness and be treated well. For if we deny ourselves self-love, others will not treat us fairly because we do not treat ourselves with fairness. Jesus spent his life teaching everyone self-love for that was how he lived. By loving who he was while on earth, he was able to love all. Jesus lived by example. He would ask us how do we see ourselves? Is it with love and tenderness or with harshness and not thinking we are deserving. If we do not see ourselves as deserving then injustice will come our way.

We are told to honor ourselves as God honors us and to care for ourselves. If we can do that, then we won’t care what people say or do. If we don’t care about ourselves, we might find ourselves to be in a state of anger, or lack understanding. We might be living a life of

sadness, unhappiness. But if we treat ourselves well, we will reap all the just rewards. Can you imagine a world where everyone loved themselves and wanted the same for all. It would be a world filled with peace.

Jesus came to let all people know that God loves us, hears our cries for help. Jesus would say that God’s world is just. Make choices; make positive choices with God in our heart and soul. That is where the help comes from. Jesus again would say, “change our attitude’ and see all the miracles that’ll come forth because of that change.

At the end of Jesus’ parable, it said “the last will be first and the first will be last”

I will explain it this way as it was explained to me:
There was a man huddled in a corner and there were other people all around him. He is first in line to get food but because he didn’t feel he deserved the food (sounds as if he had very low self-esteem) he hid in a corner letting everyone go before him. Because of the lack of self-love, he did get to the place early but ended up eating last. He placed himself last God did not do that nor anyone else. We are all deserving of first place as we are all first in the eyes of God.

God’s message; Jesus’ message is always the same, for over 2000 years and for the next 2000 years, “love ourselves as God loves us.” Then, peace will exist throughout the world. How beautiful will that be.

God bless all of you.