When the Archangel Gabriel had visited Mary, and she heard the news that her “kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age” had “also conceived a son” and was in “her sixth month” (Luke 1: 26), Mary’s response was immediately attuned to the needs of Elizabeth. She did not spend time glorifying herself – oh I am the Mother of the Messiah, [...]
Luke chapter 1 presents to us the juxtaposition of Zechariah and Mary. Both had received an angelic revelation and message. Both had encountered the Divine as they were going about their ordinary activity – It was Zechariah’s turn for temple duties, and Mary was going about her every day. Yet the response that each person gave differed. Zechariah doubted despite [...]
The Farmer and the Pious Man | Quality over Quantity But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. ❤️” 1 Samuel 16:7 [...]
The Lord has blessed us abundantly for us to understand his love and providence. To be truly appreciative this, we should use these blessings to live in his presence. The blessings of material comfort can often turn us into jello. For comfort is what most of us seek. In this comfort, there is a letting down of our guard and [...]
The prophet Joel exhorts: “It shall come to pass I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 3:1) In a person’s typical day, the brain via its neural network of 80 billion neurons, produces five types of electrical activity known [...]
When the people came to become God's People, it was strictly prohibited to sacrifice to the pagan gods. God's laws were often broken, and as a result the Lord God permitted the people's own sins to overtake them. They were tormented by serpents, and put into exile, they lost their victories in battle, and the people became slaves to other [...]
“As disciples of the Petals Ministry, we humbly serve under the Holy Spirit's guidance, beautifying God's sacred banquets and worship events. With dedicated hands, we create an atmosphere of reverence and awe in the glorious presence of God.” Flower Arrangement Theme – “The Vineyard of the Lord” The bouquet serves as a reflection of the abundant grace bestowed upon [...]
In the medieval and less enlightened times, it was determined that a person’s health had to do with the composition of humours in the body. The four humours were thought and taught to be blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. These four humours needed to be in balance with each other and determined the type of personality that a [...]
“Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God." (Matthew 22:21) In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we see a futile attempt by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus with a politically charged question about paying taxes to Caesar. However, Jesus, in His wisdom, not only evaded their trap but delivered a profound [...]
In the Gospel this week, we are presented with a paradox in the story of the Prince’s wedding. First, the people who were invited, made excuses and did not turn up. They even went to the extent of mistreating the servants and the envoys who were sent. This incurred the king’s wrath who sent troops to destroy these towns. Second, [...]
