The BreadCast

(Jas. 4:13-17; Ps.49:2-3,6-11,Mt.5:3; Mk.9:38-40) "Anyone who is not against us is with us." And whoever is not with the Lord is against Him. There are only two ways by which a man may walk. We choose to place our lives in the hands of God, or we worship the things of this earth. Indeed, anyone who "perform[s] a miracle in [His] name" is with Him, for a tree is known by its fruit. If indeed we commend our lives into the care of the Lord, saying, "If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that," then we shall find His blessing at work within us, and we shall be His children, doing His will. And demons shall be expelled at our words. And we shall never "fear in evil days when [our] wicked ensnarers ring [us] round." But if instead we "make arrogant and pretentious claims," boasting reprehensibly of the profits this earth shall bring us by the power of our own hands, we are in utter danger of the destruction we think can never touch us. For "in no way can a man redeem himself, or pay his own ransom to God." If we "have no idea what kind of life will be [ours] tomorrow" – and who knows the turns this earth does take? – what can we do at all by our own wills? We are, in fact, utterly dependent upon God for each breath we draw, and He may withdraw such life from us at any moment. What fool is there among you who "trust[s] in [his] wealth"? Who are they for whom "the abundance of their riches is their boast"? Have you no eyes in your head? Is there no sense in your mind? "Hearken, all who dwell in the world, of lowly birth or high degree, rich and poor alike," and from all lands and of all times – it is in Jesus alone that you find strength to draw your next breath; it is He alone who brings light to your eyes. Your riches will rot. Even prophecies will cease. There will not be a stone here left upon another. Consecrate yourself now to the Lord of all and begin to find His grace at work within you. And each day renew the power of God at work in you for that day. In His name do all things, and you shall be with Him, and He shall not leave you. ******* O LORD, let us be for you, living perfectly in your will. YHWH, let us be with you; let us give our lives to you, doing your work in accord with your will and not following the vain path our own desires mark out for us. Let us be your own; let us be your own, your disciples in this world. How can we do anything if you do not bless it, LORD? Where shall we end if apart from you? For we indeed are as vapor that quickly vanishes, and empty are all our plans. But with you and in your NAME, miracles we can perform. Great works we may accomplish if in humility we follow your way; for you are great and all powerful, and we become as you are when we walk with you. O LORD, we do not know what tomorrow may bring. Even this day is a mystery to us. Let us but place this day into your hands, and tomorrow will care for itself in your will. Let us not die seeking the vain riches of this earth but come to life by your saving grace.

(Jas.4:1-10; Ps.55:7-11,23; Mk.9:30-37) "In the city I see violence and strife; day and night they prowl about upon its walls." The violence this world holds is known most poignantly, of course, in "the Son of Man… [being] delivered into the hands of men who… put Him to death," but exists most pervasively and fundamentally in our own bodies, insofar as they are conformed to the spirit of the world. For as James asks so pointedly, "Where do the conflicts and disputes among you originate? Is it not your inner cravings that make war within your members?" It is indeed the evil desire in our bones, the "envy," the "love of the world [that] is enmity to God" which causes us to "quarrel and fight," which is the source of all sin, and so death, and so war. That "the spirit He has implanted in us tends toward jealousy" is evident even in the apostles, whom we find in today's gospel "arguing about who was the most important." Even these, who have yet to receive the "greater gift" – the Holy Spirit of God who serves to cleanse His children of the evil in them – even these are divided by the cravings that make war in our members. Even these contribute to the crucifixion of Christ. Brothers and sisters, if you would "find shelter from the violent storm and the tempest" at work in you and about you, you must "cast your care upon the Lord, and He will support you." "Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight." "Purify your hearts" of all that is not in conformity with the Spirit of God and you will find safe haven from the violence of this world and the violence of your own hearts. For "never will He permit the just man to be disturbed." And both James and the Lord teach what it is to be just, what it is to excel before God. If you desire the goodness of the Lord, rend your hearts; "be humbled in the sight of God and He will raise you on high." You cannot raise yourself, for you are but dust; and dust you must be if you desire holiness in the presence of the Most High: "If anyone wishes to rank first, he must remain the last one of all and the servant of all," as is Jesus, the suffering Son crucified for the sins of each of us. Brothers and sisters, let our hearts be so docile as to welcome His children openly – as His humble children we ourselves must be. For then we shall welcome Him; for then we shall be sons of the Father, free from sin and so no longer subject to the violence known in the city that is this world of sin. May our own members and all the members of the Church be cleansed of all strife by the power of the Holy Spirit. ******* O LORD, help us to be humble before you, that you might raise us up from our sin. YHWH, should we not be as children before you? Is your Son not like a Child, O LORD? Is He not the humblest of all? O let us be like Him, and you! Is there some other image in which we should be made, LORD, than your own? What of this world should beguile our soul? To whom should we aspire but our heavenly Father, and how shall we find you except through your Son? Does He not show us the way by His death on the Cross? O LORD, let us not be deaf to your speaking to us in His words and actions, for He reveals to us who we must be. Help us to leave the example of the world behind, to abandon all hatred and jealousy, all the sinful pride and insatiable greed wrought into our fallen nature, and come to you even this day that we might be redeemed by your Son's sacrifice and our sharing therein. O help us to be humble, LORD, to find the humility only you know. With all our hearts let us serve you, and your glory will be ours.

(Jas.3:13-18; Ps.19:8-10,15; Mk.9:14-29) "The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye." What is the wisdom of which James speaks in our first reading but this enlightening of the eye and the mind by following the command of the Lord? It is the words and the wisdom of Jesus, reflected clearly in the Lord's own life, James relates to the waiting ear this day. What does he instruct but to practice "a humility filled with good sense" and to "cultivate peace," not to "nurse bitter jealousy in [our] hearts" but to "refrain from arrogant and false claims against the truth"? We must be as "innocent" as the Lamb of God, and as forgiving. Then we will realize that "the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple," for "wisdom from above" will then fill us, and lead us by its sacred light. How clear the command of the Lord is in our gospel, and how powerfully it enlightens the eye. As He comes down from the mountain where He has been transfigured before His principal apostles, "a large crowd… on catching sight of Jesus" is immediately "overcome with awe. They [run] up to greet Him." Being presented with the boy possessed by a spirit that often "throws him into the fire and into water," Jesus "reprimanded the unclean spirit by saying to him, 'Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: Get out of him and never enter him again!'" And the boy is healed; he is freed from bondage to the devil, and now in his right mind, he can see. Though perhaps not always so dramatic, every command of the Lord casts out just such darkness which pervades our souls. Coming in faith before Him as the father who trusts in God and in His Son, the same healing do we know. Following His words, our eyes and ears are opened, too, and we discover that indeed "the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul." So, brothers and sisters, let us pray with David today: "Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer," that we might remain ever in His enduring purity and light. ******* O LORD, if we but lived lives of prayer in all humility, never could we be separated from you and always you would work through us. YHWH, how shall our words and thoughts match those of your Son, who commands and the devils flee, whose heart is set always on your will… who sacrifices His life for our sakes? Help our unbelief, our lack of trust in you and in your power, that we might by your grace come to share in that power with Jesus, even as we share in His humility. How can we live in your perfect innocence, LORD, we who are such a faithless lot, we who lack prayer in our heart? O how easily we are overcome! But you are our hope. You come down from the mountain, from the glory on high, to dwell with the likes of us and save us from the devil's grasp, which has such a dire hold upon us and upon our children. Only by the grace of your presence will this generation be saved – leave us not till your work is accomplished. Teach us, O LORD; give us your wisdom, that your peace might be ever in our souls and we might serve you with all our thoughts and words. Save us, dear God, from all darkness.

(Acts 2:1-11; Ps.104:1,24,29-31,34; Gal.5:16-25; Jn.15:26-27,16:12-15) "The time for Pentecost was fulfilled." A driving wind comes from the sky. It fills the house. Tongues of fire come to rest on the disciples, and they speak in tongues of every nation. The gathered crowd of "Jews from every nation under heaven" ask in wonder, "How does each of us hear them in his native language?" How is such perfect communication possible? How could such light fall upon mankind? How can we be made one? "The Advocate comes." "The Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father," sent by the Son to "guide [us] to all truth," declares the glory of God in our midst, fulfills the Word among us, making us brothers and sisters in the light of the Lord. "O Lord, my God, you are great indeed!" What wonders you work before the eyes of man! What glorious speech you bring to our ears! So far are your ways above our ways; so little of the truth can we weak human beings bear. But you strengthen us. You give us your Word. You anoint us with your Spirit to destroy this sinful flesh and prepare our hearts to receive the grace that comes only by your power. We praise you, Lord, for the glory you impart to our souls. "May the glory of the Lord endure forever," and we endure forever in Him. Let us never be separated from the blessing which comes from the One who never dies, the One who brings life to every creature upon the face of the earth, and in the heavens above. "Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit" now. Hold closely to the gifts He offers freely and powerfully forth this holy day and every day of your lives. In no other way will you be fulfilled; by no other means will you come to heaven. The Spirit is the source of all truth and only by His guidance you will hear of the glory of God. And only by His power will you keep it. In the Church now the Spirit dwells, teaching all her children. From the four corners they come to receive the bread of life. Let us be fed well for the time is at hand when all the Lord's words will be fulfilled, when the Son shall return again. Our refuge now is the Spirit. In Him let us place our trust. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "There Is No End to Life" (final part) from Thoroughfare, seventh album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us be baptized in your Spirit, renewed for the proclamation of your love. YHWH, comes the driving wind from Heaven, the Spirit Jesus breathes upon His apostles, and so we are made your sons, dear Father, and declare your glory unto all. May your Church with one voice offer you due praise and teach the nations of your eternal call. We must leave our sins behind and accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit, living as one with the Son of God. If we keep His commandments, we shall dwell with you forever, O Father God. For He is with you and through Him you send the Spirit; all who desire to be your children you bless with purging fire this holy day. Now the promised gift of the Spirit falls upon our immortal souls and we are refreshed and made new creatures, formed in the image of Jesus, your Son. One you make us in Spirit and Body, free from all the works of the flesh. Your Son stands in our midst and offers us His peace; the Advocate now testifies to all Truth… Come and make your dwelling in us, O glorious LORD and God.

(Acts1:15-17,20a,20c-26; Ps.103:1-2,11-12,19-20; 1Jn.4:11-16; Jn.17:11b-19) "As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world." Jesus sent the apostles forth, and "none of them was lost except the son of destruction"; and Judas was lost only "that the Scripture might be fulfilled," that the betrayal of the Christ might be accomplished. Otherwise, those whom He sent He also protected, He also guarded well from the evil one, that what must be accomplished in them should likewise be brought to fulfillment – that they be one with Jesus in the Father and bring His holy Name to the world, that all might be gathered together as one in God's truth and His love. To begin the accomplishment of this mission after the departure of the Christ, the principal soul whom Jesus sends stands up in the midst of all his brothers and calls for the replacement of Judas, that Scripture – "may another take his office" – continue to be fulfilled. Matthias is chosen by the Lord to become the twelfth "witness to His resurrection," and so "the apostolic ministry" is now in place; and so the army of God can now go forth to reveal that "His kingdom rules over all." And what is His kingdom, brothers and sisters, but a kingdom of love? Our beloved John ever makes this clear, ever emphasizes this essential word of truth, and we must declare in truth his essential word of God's love: "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us." His proclamation must be our own. We must see and know how the Lord guards us, how He protects us from the snares of the world and preserves us in His love by putting "our transgressions [far] from us," that we might praise His name in faith even unto heaven. We must say with John, "We have seen and testify that the Father sent His Son as savior of the world." In genuine recognition of this basic truth we shall find the love of God living in us. And "if God so loved us" by sending His only Son to us, "we must love one another" by heeding His call to be sent to others. Like Matthias and the apostles, we too have a blessed vocation in Christ to bring His love and His truth to this dying world. To this let us consecrate ourselves as freely as has our Jesus, as freely as the Twelve… "that we might share [the Lord's] joy completely." We "do not belong to the world any more than [He] belong[s] to the world": let us find our place in His kingdom. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Can You Love?" (part B of "Liars Don't Love, Lovers Don't Lie") from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, keep us in your Name from the evils of the world that we might remain in your love. YHWH, send us forth in your Name and that of your Son; you are God and Father of all and Jesus shares in your glory. May we come to share in that same glory by the love you have shown us in sending your Son, and may we share that love with all. Your Word of truth take not from our souls, dear LORD, but let it be spoken in our every breath. Your love dwell ever in us that we might dwell ever in you and do your will in all things. O let us be consecrated to you with your Son! Let us be made sacred in your sight, that indeed we might be your children, your apostles of love and truth. Count us among your disciples, LORD, you who are mighty and rule over all, that freed from our sins your love might be perfected in us and we become one with you in Heaven. For us has Jesus laid down His life in perfect love – may we acknowledge His Sonship and so share in your love.

(Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48; Ps.98:1-4; 1Jn.4:7-10; Jn.15:9-17) "This I command you: love one another." And so we hear the Lord's essential instruction: love. If we keep His commandments we will love, and if we love we will keep His commandments. His commandment is to love. But what is love? John gives us the simple answer, of course: "God is love," but also indicates further the nature of love, corroborated by the Lord Himself. It is "not that we have loved God, but that He loved us." Love comes not from us but from God, because, as we have said, God is love; we are not love. It is God the Father who has sent His Son to reveal His love by dying for our sins; without this sacrifice we would not know love, could not comprehend the love that is God, that is willing to lay down His very life for the sake of His children. Apart from this love we remain in the dark about love – any love separated from this offering is not love at all. And as it is not we who love but He who gives love, who is love, so it is not we who choose Him but He us. We did not contrive the sacrifice of the Son: we could never have imagined it. We have, in fact, great difficulty in simply accepting it, so beyond our concept of love it is. But there it is. There He is, calling us to His love, to this love, to the sacrifice of our own selves for one another, that we might thoroughly share in the gift of love. We need but respond to know love. And who may share in this love? Let us come to Peter's realization: "In every nation whoever fears Him and acts uprightly is acceptable to Him." There is none from whom the Spirit can be withheld, for, as John confirms, "Everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God." So we need but love. We need but put our hope in Him and in His love. We need but keep His command, and His love shall be our own, and we shall find ourselves "speaking in tongues and glorifying God"; whomever we are and wherever we come from, we know "the salvation by our God" by living in the love of the Spirit and being "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Alleluia! There is not much else to say. Alleluia! Praise the Lord! Let us forever live in His love. Let us forever die for one another. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Love, the Meaning of: Can You Love?" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, thank you for sending us your Son, for sharing with us your love – may we also share Him with others. YHWH, help us to love one another, to die for one another, that we might find the love you offer us in the sacrifice of your Son, that we might live ever in your love. What more could we want than to be begotten by you and know you by living in your love? What greater call can there be for our lives than to be united with you who are love? O LORD, all who fear you and act uprightly, all who love you and love their neighbor, all who desire you and your love you come to in your Son – may all be baptized in His Name! Pour out your Spirit upon all souls, dear LORD, that all might be conformed to your will and made in the image of your Son. As Jesus let us all be, laying down our lives for one another in the Spirit of love. We are all but men, LORD, but your Son calls us His friends as He draws us into union with you and your love. Alleluia!

(Acts 9:26-31; Ps.22:26-28,30-32; 1Jn.3:18-24; Jn.15:1-8) "Let the coming generation be told of the Lord..." Let the vine that is Christ continue to grow; let its branches extend to the ends of the world. Anointed by the Spirit, let all His children proclaim the name of Jesus, that "all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord," that in our midst the call upon the Church of God shall be fulfilled. Brothers and sisters, we should all be like Paul, who "spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord." Though it brought him the threat of death, he did not mind; his sole concern was for greater growth of the people of God – that all might become branches of the vine of Jesus. And so, by apostles like Paul, "with the consolation of the Holy Spirit [the Church] grew in numbers" and spread to the four corners of the world, and "a people yet to be born," including ourselves, have heard of the salvation that comes only by the Lord. And so this growth must continue. Those who are still yet to be born, whether because they are still in their mother's womb or because their hearts have not been touched by the Spirit of God, must also come to be grafted upon the holy vine. And so, can we fail to speak of Jesus our God? Can we fail to perform the deeds to which our Father calls us? Would you see any deprived of the blessing of "the true vine"? "By this is [the] Father glorified, that [we] bear much fruit and become [His Son's] disciples," bringing others to that same discipleship, that the house of the Lord might be filled to overflowing. "The lowly shall eat their fill," hearts hungry for the word of God shall find their joy, only if we "fulfill [our] vows before those who fear the Lord," only if we do the will of Him who sends us forth. Brothers and sisters, let us "remain in Him, and He in [us]"; let "the Spirit He gave us" preserve us in His love… Let it be His blood which courses through our veins as we drink His cup. And let us call all souls to share in this cup, that we might be assured all our "descendants shall serve Him." Lord, let your Church be built up in your truth and your love. May all believe in your name. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Branch of the Vine" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let your Spirit be with us to strengthen us to speak out in the Name of your Son. YHWH, let us go out to the ends of the earth preaching your Name fearlessly among the nations. Let us be true branches of the holy vine that is your Son Jesus. If in truth we live before you, then we shall be blessed with doing your will. Help us, O LORD, to love one another, to believe in your Son and be as He was. If we live in Him, He shall live in us and we shall bear fruit in His Name. Let us never be separated from Him, becoming branches fit for the fire, but ever have His blood coursing through our veins. Yes, let your Church be built up now, LORD, in the power of the Holy Spirit; let all be well fed on your Word, that every soul might bow humbly before you. We ask in the Name of your Son that your glory become known in us all.

(Acts 4:8-12; Ps.118:1,8-9,21-23,26,28-29; 1Jn.3:1-2; Jn.10:11-18) "There is no salvation through anyone else." Do not "trust in princes" or in any man; it is by Jesus alone "we are to be saved." Though "the builders rejected" Him, though the princes of this age saw fit to crucify the Lord – yet "God raised [Him] from the dead" and exalted Him above every power on earth and in heaven. And so He is indeed now the foundation of our salvation, the only shepherd who will lead us to the Father… the one who "lays down His life for the sheep." Many wolves there are who fat themselves, scattering the sheep to desolate places. Their care is for the "pay" they receive and not the welfare of the flock they fail to tend. Only Jesus cares for the human race; only the Christ serves His sheep in love – only He dies that we might live, that we might indeed become members of His flock. And so, "blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"; "what love the Father has bestowed on us" in Jesus, His only Son, for now we can be like Him – now we are God's holy children. Taking "refuge in the Lord" by His Son, we come at once to our salvation. Oh what glory is ours following in our Savior's wake! Listen to what our Good Shepherd states: "I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father." Realize to what union with the Father of all you are called by the Child He has borne to us for our redemption. Oh how "wonderful in our eyes" this should be! And consider if you will that one day we His children "shall see Him as He is." How shall our souls bear such blessing? Brothers and sisters, like the cripple seemingly doomed to a life of incapacity are we all. But what Peter has effected by a word in Jesus' name is now ours by that same name and through the ministry of His apostles. How? you say. How shall I discover such salvation? How shall this lame man leap like a stag? Faith. Faith in the Son draws the Father's mercy from above. And if I must tell you further, I shall, you wayward soul. Confess your sins! Kneel before the priest the Lord has ordained as His instrument of salvation and bare your heart to God on high. What graces are yours if only you have faith in the Lord and the Church He alone has founded. Turn from the wolves that besiege you, and come to Him who "is good." Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Souls at a Carnival" from All One, sixth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, your Son has died that we might be saved; let us listen to His voice and follow Him. YHWH, your Son lays down His life for us that we might be as He is, that we might be your children. In His Name all are healed from their sins, raised from the dust to be seated with Him. Help us to take refuge in Him and so in you; let us trust in this stone the builders have rejected. Jesus dies for us; for the sake of your sheep He is crucified, O LORD. Yet He takes up His life again, and thus we are raised with Him. He does not run from the sacrifice you call Him to make, but knowing well it is the only way we shall be saved, fully embraces your command. O let us be as He is! willing to lay down our lives. Then truly we shall be your children. There is no other name by which we are to be saved; there is no other way. In the Cross let us find our life this day, dear God. May your Son shepherd us to your kingdom.

(Acts 3:13-15,17-19; Ps.4:2,4,7-9; 1Jn.2:1-5a; Lk.24:35-48) "He is expiation for our sins." Brothers and sisters, "we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one." For us this Savior has come; for our sins He has died on the cross. Even as it is written of Him in Scripture, so all has been accomplished in His Name. And so we need fear no more. We need not be "startled and terrified" at the sight of Him in our midst. He has come to us and has taken His place among us, even as He sits at the right hand of God. And His place among us is the cross, even as God announced – "that His Christ would suffer" – and by His sacrifice He has been greatly blessed, and we greatly blessed with Him. Now His blood, once shed by our own hands, pours upon us for "the forgiveness of [our] sins." David once cried, "When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress," and so in Christ his prayer is answered; for in this Jesus, our greatest distress – that inflicted by our transgressions – has been washed clean from our murderous souls. He lives. He lives now, brothers and sisters, to make intercession for our sins "and for those of the whole world." Let us all come to Him in truth and find "the light of [His] countenance shin[ing] upon us!" The light the Lord is, the salvation He affords to each of our souls, must "be preached in His name to all the nations"; all must come to know the blessing embodied in the risen Christ: all must see Him, that in His redemptive wounds all might take refuge. It is the will of God that all sins "be wiped away," that all hearts be converted to truth and light, that all might live before Him in eternal peace. Do not delay your repentance in His sight; freely forgiveness pours from His side. For this alone He has died, but to receive His mercy you must reform your lives. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Wish I'd Never Done It" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, may the blood of your Son cleanse us of sin, and may our own death glorify you. YHWH, Jesus was killed by being hung on a tree, but you preserved Him from among those going down into the pit, you brought Him up from the netherworld, and with Him all those obedient to His Word. Now in glory He sits with you upon the throne, and the angels and all creatures in Heaven and on earth and under the earth praise His holy Name. And, yes, those who follow Him here unto death shall come to such glory with Him in Heaven. To the Lamb who was slain belong all honor and glory and blessing; and to His disciples, to those who lay down their lives that His sheep might be fed, comes the blessing that rests upon Him. O LORD, make us fruitful in your sight! May we help turn the mourning of mankind into dancing and singing before your throne. Forever let us give you thanks for having been found worthy to suffer dishonor here for the sake of your Name.

(Acts 4:32-35; Ps.118:1-4,16-18,22-24; 1Jn.5:1-6; Jn.20:19-31) "His mercy endures forever." Our psalmist "was hard pressed and was falling, but the Lord helped" him. The disciples were locked in their rooms for fear, but "Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" Thomas was hardened in unbelief, but His God appeared to him and said, "Bring your hand and put it into my side." We are all sinners, but to us each, Christ offers mercy. From that side into which Thomas placed his hand "blood and water" poured forth for the cleansing of souls and the realization of new life. The institution of Baptism and the Eucharist had come, and so the Church is born from the side of its Savior. And so all souls are justified; and so all souls find new life. And so all of the "community of believers" become "of one heart and mind." This is Divine Mercy Sunday, so proclaimed by the Spirit who testifies through Holy Church, and that to which the Spirit testifies is truth. God's encompassing mercy our Mother and our Lord would have us celebrate this day – of that which Jesus thirsts to share with us, she and He would have us drink. Let none be unbelieving. Let none despair. Let all be blessed to own that faith which "conquers the world," that makes us "children of God." The Lord is ready to forgive men's sins; He is desirous of this above all things. He has given power to His disciples to forgive in His name… Let all come and share in His mercy. Let us love God and one another, my brothers and sisters. Let us love the Father by accepting the grace that comes from His Son, and let us love one another by sharing that grace and mercy with everyone. We keep His Word when we share in His mercy, when we swim in the ocean of love the water and blood from His side create. And new life will be our own as it was for the first disciples; there is nothing lacking for "those who have not seen but believed." In fact, more blessed may we be now, for we must have the greater faith. Forever the Lord's mercy endures. Every day it is poured forth. And today we declare in truth its great graces, that all might be one in the Lord. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Cleansing" from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, your risen Son stands before us and calls us to touch His hands and enter into the wounds in His side that we might believe in Him and be cleansed of sin. YHWH, Jesus is the Christ, your only Son: let us believe in the preaching of the apostles and become one in His Name. May all have their sins forgiven, their doubt washed away in His blood, that all might declare with Thomas, "My LORD and my God!" Jesus is God as you are God, O LORD, and we desire to be one with you by the grace and mercy that come to us through His death and resurrection. If we had but faith in Him, we would conquer the world; all sin falls by the wayside when His Spirit is upon us, and we can but shout in victory at the glory in our midst. O may His peace indeed be with us, the peace which passes not away, the peace that comes to us in the Breath of the Holy Spirit. O LORD, let His nail marks be in our hands and His wound in our side that your love we might know to the depths of our souls.