Gabriel's Trumpet

Jesus used parables to teach about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. However there was a deeper dynamic at work. The parables of Jesus challenge the conventional wisdom concerning who is good or evil, who is favored by God and who is punished, and who exercises real authority and those who rule by force fear or office . Jesus is dangerous because he troubles the comfortable. Jesus is the parable of God: that is Jesus saves not by the love of power but by the power of love - the cross.

On June 7th 1982 saint Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan meet face-to-face for the first time at the Vatican. Both men were United in their belief that God had a "divine plan" for their lives, both defended the dignity of the human person, shot to bring down atheistic communism, and both loved peace and detested war- especially the thought of a nuclear war.

In this parable. Jesus teaches three timely and timeless lessons from maturing in the Christian Life. First the importance of wise patience- a rush to action or judgment can destroy the good as well as the evil. Second; God's patience allows time for conversion; the good (church) has a responsibility to win over the wayward. Finally there will be a time of harvest: responsibility and accountability are essential to God's justice.

The first law of heaven is let there be order ( before the Earth was without form shape it was a void) the book of Genesis teaches that the Creator God established order, structure and form so light and life could be brought forth. God entrusted creation to the human person - hence each person is called to work for life not death; construction not destruction. Justice through law and not by mob violence and the true peace which God grants to all who advanced respect for the human person.

Jesus taught about the kingdom of God and what it meant to labor for the kingdom through parables. One such parable is presented in the gospel of Matthew concerning the vineyard - owner and workers : this parable challenges the human way of acting justly according to earthly standards. Jesus invites us to enter the ways of God in judging what is just. God's justice and generosity cannot be separated. We are most just when we show the greatest generosity.

Faith and doubt need not be understood as opposites. Dout can be the motivation to enrich Faith. Doubt can raise questions which leads one to start the great adventure of a living faith. Everyday life requires a natural faith if one is to survive and grow. The supernatural level - God desires we return the Divine love with our whole being heart, soul, strength and mind. Questions can be the mind at prayer.

Pentecost is the birthday of the church. As promised by Jesus to not leave the disciples orphaned: he sent the Holy Spirit to teach, guide and strengthen the "little flock of faith" that would remain in the world... but not be of the world. The holy church continues to empower each disciple, and the church as a whole body, to witness to the risen Christ. By loving God and the least among us the truth of Jesus is made visible.

In this program the topic of saints is presented as to what does it mean to be a saint? Are there any living saints? Do we worship the saints? Why pray to the saints- or do we pray through the saints-? Do pictures of the saints, statues and metals offend God and break the first commandment which forbids the worship of idols?

the woman caught in adultery (In. 8:2-12) is a story which speaks to us. Each person carries a past which influences the present and future. Too often sin and guilt burden today and darken tomorrow. The woman of adultery meets Jesus: he does not condemn- not lecture -Jesus liberates and challenges her to live past your past. Jesus offers each of us the same hope -live past your past.

The angel Gabriel is sent by God to inform Mary she is to give birth to the Messiah. Jesus will be conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary responds "let it be as you say". Jesus performs the first of his seven signs at the wedding at Cana. Mary reveals what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus. one of the most powerful scenes in the Bible Mary and the beloved disciple beneath the Good Friday cross of Jesus. taken together all three the Annunciation the wedding feast at Cana and Mary beneath the cross and Mosaic of Mary appears as the gift of womanhood Mary's assumption into heaven completes the mosaic.