I just thought, after reading the latest threads, that we all need to look at the Gospel According to Matthew. Just to refresh. I read it last night, and I feel like a real idiot. How quick I am to judge others. How I try to pick the speck out of others eyes, but fail to see the log in my own. Yet, although I felt like an idiot, I really felt like I grew leaps and bounds closer to Christ. Because, now that I realize my stupid ways, I can ammend them.

Here are some tidbits of the Gospel that I thought correspond nicely with the most recent threads.

An Eye for an Eye

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[7] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[8] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[9] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Judging Others

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

St. Francis of Assisi, may we begin to live the Gospels as you did. Pray for us.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), May 31, 2002

Answers

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-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), May 31, 2002.

Jake - wonderful step forward in your journey. Humility and Wisdom are solid foundations which you are obviously beginning to acquire.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), May 31, 2002.

Thank you, Jake, we all need 'reminders' now and then...and what a great passage to read - Matthew. Your post says it all.

St. Francis of Asissi, is another one of my patron Saints. He has never failed me yet - especially when it comes to prayers for peace and for animals.

Has helped me many times to reunite with those I may have been at odds with.

When my dog was diagonsed with cancer and we knew she was going to die, even though she looked fine, I did a strange thing. On the afternoon of her death, (I did not know she was going to die that night), I got this strong urge to pray to St. Francis. I wrote a prayer to Him and asked that he would let Maggie die at home, when it was her time, surrounded by her family. I did not want to have to put my baby down.

When my husband came home that night, he told me that he stopped in to St. Francis of Asissi Church and said the 'same exact prayer' that I wrote in my journal.

That night, Maggie died peacefully on her favorite bed, surrounded by all those who loved her. I was so grateful that we did not have to put her down.

To make a long story short, someone I know had to get rid of a puppy they adopted because it just did not work out - she had no time to care for it. She was so upset about having to bring this puppy back, after all she did love it...but it was a bad decision in the first place.

She called me about l/2 hour before she was leaving to ask if I would go with her. I agreed, but said a prayer to St. Francis to please work something out for this poor little pup so he would not have to be brought back to the pound. 15 minutes later, I got a call - her step-dad has a friend whose dog died a week before, and they would take the pup - their dog was a black lab and so was this one. The dog is now living on a beautiful farm, loved by the family, has lots of freedom and is not stuck in a cage all day (while my friend worked)..I couldn't believe it! She went to see the dog the other day and the dog is doing fine...she could have gone back to the pound and put to sleep! Remember how much St. Francis loved animals and animals loved him - so, if you ever have a situation with an animal,please call on St. Francis, he will never let you down, (or the animal!)

Once again, I went on too long, but I just love sharing stories of hope - and how the Saints do work in our lives through their powerful intercession. MaryLu :)

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 31, 2002.

Thank you so much MaryLu! Don't be sorry for your long posts. As you like to tell the stories, I like to hear stories. St. Francis of Assisi is my patron too. In fact, for my graduation, one of my mothers friends, without even knowing my devotion to St. Francis, bought me a book that details the life, miracles, and events in St. Francis' life (almost like St. Francis wanted me to know him better). Thanks again for your inspiring posts.

In Christ.

P.S. I do have an intention for our patron: My fiance and I have a little chihuahua / german-shepherd mix puppy(if you can believe that - and the father was the shepherd!). However, we are both out working and it is hard to take care of her. My fiances parents do a lot of puppy sitting for us, but we can tell it is becoming a hasle for them. Mini is so cute and we don't want to give her away. I know that when my fiance and I get married and move in together we will have more time. I pray that our little 4-month old is potty trained quick (that is the hardest thing). She is usually good about going outside, but as she is so small she needs to be taken out every 30 minutes or so. Well, anyway, St. Francis pray for us. Amen.

Thanks again.

-- Jake Huether (Jake.huether@lamrc.com), June 03, 2002.

Dear Jake,

I will keep your puppy in my prayers and pray to St. Francis for a solution to your dilemma. It is so hard to have a pup when two people are working. St. Francis will come up with a solution. Perhaps you can find someone who loves pups to help out. A dog sitter/walker for you to give your fiances' parents a break. If anyone can come up with a solution for you, it certainly is St. Francis. He will come up with a solution that is best for your little Minni.

There is a site on the web you can go to - http://warreneckstein.com/ Maybe you can get some guidance to your problem. The puppy years are hard, those first few months especially.

We are getting a new pup at the end of the month and now I am having my doubts about it. It is the first time my husband and I are totally free and we are 13 years older now than when we had our first dog. Hope I have the patience to train a pup. The kids are grown and on their own and now we are going to tie ourselves down with another dog. But, then, I think of all the love they give and I love to nuture.

I do believe that every pet, especially dogs and cats, come into your life for a reason. They bring such happiness into your life, there is so much "they" teach us. So, I am focusing on the love part and then I think I am doing the right thing.

Again, you and your pup are already on my prayer list. St. Francis won't let you down.

Love, MaryLu :)

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), June 03, 2002.