The BreadCast

(Tb.2:9-14; Ps.112:1-2,7-9; Mk.12:13-17) "The heart of the just man is secure, trusting in the Lord." Today in our reading and gospel we find just men put to trial and testing. Our Lord is steadfast before the devious inquiry of the Pharisees and Herodians, answering them with a wisdom greater than Solomon's; for what can Jesus, who is Himself the Word made flesh, do but take refuge in the Father with whom He is one. And so wisdom is His to answer His foes, and He is unmoved, indeed moving with "amazement" those who would trap Him. The heart of Tobit does not remain as secure. We see in his anger that his trust in the Lord has been shaken. He has always been just, generously giving to those in need, taking the plight of his people to heart. Indeed, it is after performing a good work – "fatigued from burying the dead [I] went to sleep next to the wall of my courtyard" – that his trial comes upon him. Here is a man who has done all he could to help his fellow Jewish exiles suffering persecution at the hands of the Ninevites, and now he is stricken with blindness. But the Lord does not leave him alone; He does not cast him out. For two years his needs are cared for by Ahiqar, and then his wife is able to work to meet their expenses. And successful she is over and above expectations. Yet he is prodded into anger by her good reward. His response (in the words of St. Dorotheus, from today's Office of Readings) "breaks the cover on the passionate anger within him," an anger, an unease, he has likely been harboring for some time. It is an anger, we can surmise, that comes from the helplessness his blindness has brought upon him. He is no longer in control of his fate, but must depend on others for survival. And though the Lord provides, he finds it too difficult to trust in this provision. (He may indeed be particularly resentful that it is now his wife who provides for him, taking the role he believes in his heart he should play.) We can certainly understand Tobit's frustration over his condition. Few but Jesus would stand up well to such trial. But Jesus is our ideal. It is to be like Him that we are called. We shall always need to do battle against the sins that are ever with us, but as St. Dorotheus says of the Christian, "The more perfect he grows, the less these temptations will affect him. For the more the soul advances, the stronger and more powerful it becomes in bearing the difficulties that it meets." Let us set ourselves to trust in the Lord and so ever find security in Him. We must place all in His hands, even unto death, and then we shall be free. Let not the things of Caesar weigh upon you; you belong to God and not the world. ******* O LORD, only you can make us secure – let us trust in you and not in money. YHWH, with the things of this earth let us not be concerned; let us know that we are in your hands. To you let us trust our very lives, and we shall not be disturbed. The forces of the world close in on us, enticing us to fear and anger. But if we stand strong in the faith, the Spirit will be with us to save us. In you, O LORD, let us remain. The just man delights in your commands; the upright shall ever be blessed. Let us indeed remain steadfast, LORD, that we might look down upon our foes. And though persecuted for righteousness' sake, if afflicted for doing what is right let us not resent our fate, but continue to look to you to cure our blindness. Your Son, O LORD, has suffered the Cross though innocent – why should sinners like us complain? It is hard, LORD, and we do often break, but help us to return to you this day and stand before our accusers with the same faith your Son so peacefully displayed. Let us give ourselves entirely to you.

(Tb.1:1-2,2:1-9; Ps.112:1-6; Mk.12:1-12) "The stone rejected by the builders has become the keystone of the structure." First, Tobit is not a parable; it is not a "story". A parable begins, as does Jesus' own in our gospel, with a statement such as, "A man planted a vineyard…" It is always "a man", a generic man, never a particular man in a particular place at a particular time, as is the case with Tobit. For parables deal expressly with the universal. Though one may derive universal significance from the life of Tobit, it is his life itself which is related to us and not that of an "Everyman". (How this simple fact is overlooked I can only attribute again to a lack of faith which blinds reason.) This aside, today we see the persecution and mockery "a sincere worshiper of God" suffers before the face of the world. It is evident in Tobit's being "hunted down for execution" for performing the corporal work of mercy of burying the dead, as well as in the wagging of his neighbors' tongues; and it is, of course, fulfilled in the crucifixion of Christ, which the Lord speaks of today to the elders of the people in a thinly-veiled parable of their persecution of all the prophets. What a good man Tobit is, desiring to share his feast with the poor and rising even from table to do the work of God, always ready to serve Him. And how he weeps for the oppression of his people. Jesus is just the same, coming from the majesty of the Father's table in heaven to call us to His wedding feast, and weeping over those who, like Jerusalem, fail to hear His voice. Our lot in this world is one of suffering and persecution, but it is not without hope. For we know that as Job found greater wealth in his latter days and Tobit shall be rewarded for his patient endurance, so the Lord is resurrected from the grave. It is our psalm which reminds us of this promise despite any darkness around us: "The Lord dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright… the just man shall be in everlasting remembrance." So let us not lose heart on the hard road we tread, but endure all patiently with Jesus, for we shall find our place in His joyful kingdom; we shall drink the wine of His vineyard. ******* O LORD, how shamefully your servants are treated! – but Jesus rises from the dead, and we with Him. YHWH, you are a light in our darkness; you are with us in our tears and in our mourning, and so, from our graves we are raised. Has not your Son come among us and suffered at the hands of men? Has He not been beaten, dragged outside the walls of Jerusalem, and killed? And has He not been raised again – does He not sit at your right hand? The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. How marvelous are your works for your faithful to behold! Though Tobit weeps in exile, LORD, mocked by neighbors and friends, though he must bear the murdered body of his kinsman to a shallow grave; yet wealth and riches are in his house, for it is in your House he dwells, and his name you shall remember forever. Your Son bears His Cross before His accusers; though blessed at table in your House, He quickly comes to us at your Word… and we bear Him away. But the plans of men are thwarted by you, LORD, and all our evil you turn to good. Let us set our souls on the sacrifice of your kingdom.

(Sir.51:12-20; Ps.19:8-11; Mk.11:27-33) "When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom. She came to me in her beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her." Oh how Sirach speaks of his love, of the wisdom that is the light of his life! He is "resolutely devoted to her" and does "never weary of extolling her." To his teacher he gives "grateful praise," for he treasures her sweetness above all things. "I will ask you a question. If you give me an answer, I will tell you on what authority I do the things I do." So does wisdom speak. So does the Lord inquire as to what is in the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees and priests. But there He does not find wisdom's radiant beauty; there He finds nothing, for these leaders are so empty, so pitifully vain. Rightly do they say, "We do not know," for there is no light in them – only the dark connivings of the world's greed and pride. And can wisdom answer him who has no ears? Can she speak to those who do not listen to her voice whispering in their souls? She does not engage in useless activity and cannot wed herself to those whose spirits are impure, whose hearts are not set on her fruits. "In cleanness I attained to her," Sirach happily declares, for he "purified even the soles of [his] feet" to find her. But these men who weary so easily of her "great instruction," who would so readily look upon the riches of this world, how can they taste her sweetness? How can they gaze upon her infinite beauty…? And so the Lord turns away from them. He cannot tell them "on what authority [He] do[es] the things" they see displayed so powerfully before their eyes, for their eyes are blind and their hearts are turned against Him. They do not wish to know the answer to their question; they do not truly seek wisdom. And she does not come to those who do not desire "her secrets." "The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple." In silence, in obedience, in humility and purity you will hear the Lord speaking. And He will guide you to all His grace; and His name alone you will bless and praise. What great profit you shall find if from your innocence you cultivate wisdom until the end of time. ******* O LORD, open our eyes and minds to your light, that by the power of the Spirit we might be formed by wisdom into the image of your Son. YHWH, send your wisdom upon us; let her make her home in us. May we be distracted by nothing of this world as we seek her diligently and with a whole heart. You will be faithful in giving her to us if it is she we truly desire. The Pharisees could not know your wisdom, LORD, because your wisdom they did not really want. They cared only for their positions and their goods and what people would say or do to them, and not at all for the truth. And so the truth escaped them. Wisdom will settle in with none who do not have an open heart. O LORD, we recognize the authority of your Son, that all wisdom and power are with Him; indeed, that He is your only Son. Let us delight in His words and give Him grateful praise for all He has taught and done for us. More precious than gold is the light He brings to our eyes and to our minds, and the love that through Him makes its home in our spirits.

(Sir.44:1,9-13; Ps.149:1-6,9; Mk.11:11-26) "They are as though they had not lived, they and their children after them." This line from Sirach could refer well to the Jewish nation symbolized by the fig tree "withered to its roots." For "never again shall anyone eat of [its] fruits"; its temple now destroyed shall never be rebuilt. And yet Sirach speaks not of those who have perished in sin, and so are never to be known again in the sight of God, but of "godly men" of Jewish ancestry who, though "there is no memory" of the particulars of their actions in time – as there is with the great patriarchs and prophets of old – yet are of the race of those "whose virtues have not been forgotten": the memory of their goodness lives on in the heart of God, and "through God's covenant with them their family endures." The covenant is removed from the hands of the Jewish people. This is indicated clearly in our gospel today not only in the withered fig tree, but in Jesus' driving out those who had made their station in His Father's temple. These shall be replaced by the Lord's appointed servants, and the Church shall be built where the temple once stood. But this does not mean that the godly deeds of the godly men under the covenant of old are forgotten now that the New Covenant has been instituted; nor does it mean those in His Church are beyond reproach. Let us look more closely at the Lord's interaction with the fig tree, for it can teach us much. First, Jesus "felt hungry" – He desires our souls. Then He saw "a fig tree some distance off" – far removed are we from His sacred presence. He is attracted by its "foliage" – it has the appearance of fruit and life. But "when He reached it He found it had nothing but leaves…" There is no fruit upon it to satisfy His hunger; and so for its uselessness He curses it to dust. As He has done with the faithless Jews, so will He do with the faithless among us. But "it was not the time for figs," you say, as if to justify your emptiness. My brothers, in the Lord's kingdom it is always time for figs – we in His Church are ever called to bear fruit in His name, in season and out of season: our souls are required of us this very day. And if we satisfy not God's hunger for our fruits of prayer and charity, if we too have polluted His house with acts of "buying and selling" instead of the worship demanded of us… if we have gilded the temple to attract the eye but are utterly barren within, what shall He say when He enters our temple area? What action shall He take against those who serve as thieves of His love? They shall indeed be blotted from His Book of Life. But those who "put [their] trust in God," those who serve Him in spirit and in truth, shall not be forgotten by the Lord, whether their names are known in this world or not. "For the Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory." It is not the "acclamations from the crowd" in which Jesus puts His heart, but in doing the will of God. And so all who are like Him shall secure with Him their place in heaven. "Let the children of Zion rejoice in their King," for none "in the assembly of the faithful" is forgotten. ******* O LORD, let us trust in you and rejoice in you… let us bear fruit in your NAME. YHWH, we pray that we shall be remembered by you, that we shall not be cast out of your Temple for making it a den of thieves, for failing to worship you as we ought. Though we not be remembered by the world, though we perform no great deed worthy of history, yet let us find room in your memory, in your heart – in your Book of Life. The humble you look upon with favor, LORD. The godly of any age you bless. You will not remove your favor from any who remain faithful to your Word. But those who abuse their power, who take for granted your grace upon their souls, these you cannot but cast from your presence as you overturn the tables in which they trust. Let us bear fruit for you, dear LORD, fruit that will last unto Heaven. May our prayer be made in fidelity and sincerity that we may come to praise you in your kingdom with all those of holy heart. May our glory never be blotted out.

(Sir.42:15-25; Ps.33:2-9; Mk.10:46-52) "As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the Lord fills all His works." "How beautiful are all His works! even to the spark and the fleeting vision!" "Can one ever see enough of their splendor?" Yet how blind is man to their glory! How much we need to receive the Lord's vision. "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; by the breath of His mouth their host"; "at God's word were His works brought into being." And so, bathed in His grace what can heaven and earth be but a wonder to behold? Then why is it we see only darkness? Why are our eyes so blind to His presence in all the creatures He has made only for good? Is it not that we say "I see"? Is it not that we tell ourselves, "There. Now I have God in my hands. Now His ways I understand"? My poor friends, you can never plumb the depths of God's works, for "even God's holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the Lord." It is He alone who "plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; [your] innermost being He understands." And He sees as He looks into your soul that you are blind, that you do not see Him as He is… and He longs to call you up closer to Himself. "The Most High possesses all knowledge": He remembers the past, He sees the future – the moment is in His hand. And you yourself He would hold in His hand and move according to His will, if only you would let Him. Come to the Lord like the blind man you are; do not let the scolding of the world hinder your plea to His compassionate heart. "You have nothing whatever to fear from Him!" for He eternally asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" seeking always to grant you sight. Then when you feel His touch upon your eyes, be as Bartimaeus and "immediately… follow Him up the road." For on that road your vision will ever be increased. On that road you will learn to "pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness"; you will share in His wisdom and wonder as you "sing to Him [your] new song." On the road our Savior trod you will find "the strength to stand firm before His glory." Rise and walk with Him in faith this day. "He gathers the waters of the sea in a flask"; "not a single thing escapes Him" – and so He is certainly not blind to your needs. To His glory He calls you: shine with Him now more brightly than the sun. ******* O LORD, give us the vision to see the beauty of all your works, your presence in everything. YHWH, how blind we are to your glory shining in our midst! How we fail to recognize Jesus on the road He travels to you. Why do we not cry out? Why do we hesitate to proclaim our blindness? Are our hearts not made for your glory? No one can recount all your wonders, O LORD; we cannot penetrate the heart of all being. But if we but trust in you, if we but ascribe to you the awesome power and almighty wisdom that are yours alone, then the beauty of your works will become known even to our poor eyes… and we will be able to sing your praise with the stars and the sea and all you have created. At your Word, by the Breath of your mouth, all was made: you spoke and it came to be. Let us but call out to your Son for pity, LORD, and the glory of your Creation we shall live and see.

(Lv.19:1-2,17-18; Ps.103:1-4,8,10,12-13; 1Cor.3:16-23; Mt.5:38-48) "Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy." In the Book of Leviticus God says, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," and this is good. But in the gospel Jesus adds, "Love your enemies" – and this is better. In the old law we are commanded, "Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people"; but in the new we hear, "Offer no resistance to anyone who is evil," and even, "Pray for those who persecute you." For now it is revealed that all are God's children, and so all must be loved as brothers. "Is this wise?" you say, to love our enemies. "Is this not foolishness?" Indeed the wisdom of the world would call it so, but we are called to "become a fool, so as to become wise" in the eyes of God. For what the Lord calls us to in this is no less than to be like Him, to become the very "temple of God" where "the Spirit of God dwells." "Merciful and gracious is the Lord," and so are we called to be. "Not according to our sins does He deal with us," and so we should not deal with others according to theirs. Our "Father has compassion on His children," and we must have the same for all. Has any of you put the words of the Lord into practice? Has anyone sought to discover such love? If you have then you know the glory it holds, the glory of a love which surpasses all. And though justice is not wanting for those who reject it, His love cannot but be poured upon all. O the happiness of the soul that receives such grace! Oh the joy of him who knows the blessing of such utter sacrifice! What greater blessing can there be than to "be perfect, just as [our] heavenly Father is perfect"? With David the soul alight with God's love sings: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless His holy name." With Mary the Mother of God our soul proclaims His greatness as we come to know "all His benefits" in the service of His love. And our transgressions are put far from us; and the Lord's grace abounds within us – and like His Son do we become, who upon the cross forgave even those who nailed Him to this tree. Brothers and sisters, no greater love will we ever find. It is this gift of holiness our Lord calls us to this day. Let us love as He. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "True Love" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, how shall we be holy as you are holy if we do not love as you love? YHWH, you have redeemed our lives from destruction; you have not judged us according to our sins but looked upon us with compassion, offering forgiveness for our crimes, for you are love and mercy itself. And you call us to be like you. If we are to be your Temple, O LORD, if we are to reflect your glory, then we must go beyond the desire to strike those who strike us, to answer evil with evil. We must learn to listen to the blessed words of your Son and love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us… for only then will we come to know you, to be like you, who love us as we strike you repeatedly on the cheek, who ever open your arms to all your prodigal sons. We must transcend our own minds to find the surpassing grace and wisdom only you know. Blessed be your holy NAME, O LORD! Let us be holy as you are holy! Let us heed the wisdom of your Son, who calls us to eternal love.

(Heb.11:1-7; Ps.145:2-5,10-11; Mk.9:2-13) "Rabbi, how good it is for us to be here." In yesterday's gospel Jesus promised, "Among those standing here there are some who will not taste death until they see the reign of God established in power." And today we witness the keeping of that promise, as upon "a high mountain" Jesus is transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James, and John. In all His glory does the Christ appear, with Elijah and Moses standing near and the voice of God the Father speaking of the blessing of His only Son. Indeed, how good it is for these apostles to be here! But what these favored apostles see is not for their eyes alone; through them all shall come to believe and so find vision of our glorious Lord. Through them and their witness, faith is strengthened in all our hearts, faith which enables us to "perceive that the worlds were created by the word of God, and that what is visible came into being through the invisible." Yes, the invisible is made known to all our eyes by the power of God, and all the Lord's disciples join Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor, basking in the vision of the glorified Son. Know first though, brothers and sisters, that "anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him." Indeed, first one must have faith, or to one's eyes nothing will be revealed. Have faith and know that God is a loving God, that He desires greatly to share His glory with all His children of faith; even as He has with Peter, James, and John; even as He has with Abel, Enoch, and Noah; even as He has with Moses and Elijah. But it is only "because of faith the men of old were approved by God," only because of faith His apostles were able to see His Light shining – and only by your faith that you too will come into His presence. Have you their "confident assurance" burning in your souls? It is not far from you. O Lord, "let all your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might." Let all proclaim the favor with which you have deigned to grace their lives. Now that you have "risen from the dead," now that our cause for faith is made complete, now that its firm foundation is set… open our mouths to declare your glory. We know that you had to "suffer much and be despised" and that with Elijah, with the Baptist, "they did entirely as they pleased," but we do not fear the persecution which must come – only let us be where you are. ******* O LORD, make visible to us your invisible presence and let us live in the light of your glory. YHWH, if we had but faith in you, what might our eyes not see? What awe might we know in your presence if our hearts were but set on worship of your glorious majesty. And why should we not have faith, LORD? Are there not signs of your glory everywhere, and most of all within our souls? Can we not hear you speaking to us if we but listen? Could we not see you if we but opened our eyes? Why should we need the proof this world requires when the proof you give is so much greater? Are we not living in your Word, O LORD? Are you not hope itself? Then let us but live and we shall know you, and such knowledge will be undeniable. Reveal to us your glory, LORD. Let us know what your apostles know; let us be witness to your majesty. Now that Jesus is risen let all the ends of the earth declare that your glory has come among us.

(Heb.9:2-3,11-14; Ps.47:2-3,6-9; Mk.3:20-21) "Behind the second veil was the tabernacle call the holy of holies." To this holy of holies in the temple of Jerusalem only the high priest could come, and only once a year. So holy was it deemed. This tabernacle contained the ark of the Lord with the two tablets upon which the commandments of God were written, and some manna from the Israelites' travels through the desert. This was truly sacred ground for God's chosen people, a place they held in awe. In our gospel the people press upon Jesus; they gather in great numbers at the door of the house where He is staying, sensing that this place is a holy of holies, that there is something inside that makes it sacred. But from this holy tabernacle they are not excluded for its sanctity, but welcomed by Him who is inside, who makes it holy. So much does He welcome those who come to His door that He does not take time even to eat. Better He should feed those who come to Him with His sacred presence than that He should feed Himself, for He will not see any turned away. My brothers and sisters, Jesus has "entered once for all into the sanctuary, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation," and He Himself has become the "holy of holies": He Himself is the sacred sanctuary in which God reposes. And He is with us. To this day He is in our presence. Do you not know that He rests in every tabernacle of every one of our churches on this earth? Do you realize the holy of holies that is in our midst? And when He is exposed upon our altar for all to adore, do you realize that here "God sits upon His holy throne"? And do you come to Him? More than a mere image or reflection of the glory of heaven, truly that transcendent glory is present in this bread the angels consume, and which is offered us here. And so, should we not "shout to God with cries of gladness" or prostrate ourselves in absolute reverence at this the presence of "the Lord, the Most High, the awesome… the great King over all the earth" here in our midst? Should we not receive Him worthily, realizing that here is the holiest of holies whom we cannot reverence too greatly, whom we cannot worship enough? "God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts," and we should join in this celebration and "sing praise to our King" before the throne upon which He sits, before the Tabernacle in which He rests. Come to Him in sacred wonder. In this Sacrament He waits. May "the blood of Christ… cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God!" ******* O LORD, your Son has ascended into your presence carrying our sins and washing us clean in His own blood – how incomprehensible is your great love for us! YHWH, let us worship you, O living God, through Jesus your Son, who has entered into your sanctuary carrying all our sins that we might be cleansed of them and offer you holy praise. He is your Tabernacle in our midst. Let us come to Him and there find our healing, and there find our salvation. O LORD, your Son cares only for our salvation, not for feeding Himself. His very body He would make our food and so He offers all His life, every hour of His day, for our salvation. Never would He turn away from us or keep us waiting for your grace. Let us not fail to come to Him to find the blessing He imparts. The blood of the Christ cleanses our consciences and provides for our eternal redemption. It carries us to the Holy of Holies where you dwell, O Most High God. In awe let us sing your praise with Him who mounts His throne this day. Reign over us with your love; through the blood of your only Son may we stand unblemished in your presence.

(1Jn.5:14-21; Ps.149:1-6,9; Jn.2:1-12) "He hears us whenever we ask for anything according to His will." In our gospel, the waiters come to Mary; their misfortune is witnessed by her compassionate heart: "They have no more wine," she tells her Son. She knows what she is saying, she knows what she is asking… and Jesus knows, too. And though He seems not prepared to answer her concern (you see, our concern is her concern, and she makes it His), yet she says to the servants standing by the words which perhaps best exemplify the Mother's relationship to the Son – "Do whatever He tells you." Has Jesus a choice now? Can He rebuff her request to "reveal His glory"? It is a miracle she asks for the benefit of those in need, and the Lord cannot turn her down. Do you see this? Do you understand the significance of this scene, here at the very inception of Jesus' ministry, especially those who doubt our Blessed Mother's intercessory power with her Lord, her Son? And do you think the power for finding answer to prayer with her beloved Jesus, the Son of God, is somehow shortened in ensuing days? Does death conquer it? Is she no longer the blessed of all generations? Has this blessed generation come to an end? "We know that He hears us whenever we ask" and that "what we have asked Him for is ours." This is our confidence in God's compassion and love. And we know too that the Blessed Mother stands beside our Lord and prepares the prayers we would offer Him, putting them into the words, the Spirit, we cannot express. If we give them all to her, they will all be made effective, and we will taste of "the choice wine" which has been kept in store for us until these latter days. Through this miracle at Cana "His disciples believed in Him." Here He offers them a sign of His divinity – here they find "discernment to recognize the One who is true... the true God and eternal life." And so the wedding feast truly begins. And so we "praise His name in the festive dance" and "sing praise to Him with timbrel and harp." "The children of Zion rejoice in their king," for He has answered their deepest prayer: here in our midst is the Son of God. ******* O LORD, reveal yourself to us in your Son; hear our petition. YHWH, your Son has come and given us the grace to recognize Him. And so we have confidence to approach Him with our petitions, especially through His Blessed Mother. And we know that our petitions shall thus be granted and we shall sing praise to you in the assembly of all the faithful in your holy kingdom. From sin take us all, dear LORD, from that which holds us to this world. Your glory alone may we seek, the eternal life we find in your only Son. He is true, He is God, and if we are in Him we may rejoice in you. Increase our faith in Him this day; let our eyes not be blinded to His miraculous presence. O let us taste the water become wine! and the wine become the blood of your Son. Let us be inebriated with this fruit of the choicest Vine whose time has come and celebrate your glory in our midst. For by His flesh and by His blood we are wed to you, O God, and for what greater cause could we dance and sing? All sin He takes from us that life in you we may know.

(Is.56:1-3,6-8; Ps.67:2-3,5,7-8; Jn.5:33-36) "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." The Truth has come, and all nations are drawn to Him. None is excluded in the House of God; His holy Temple is a place where all take refuge, where all find fulfillment, where all find joy. He only asks that we heed His testimony, that we see the works which He performs and act in accordance with His holiness. "Observe what is right, do what is just, for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed," the Lord says to us all. Set yourselves on right paths with Him who has come, and you will be readily accepted into His presence. "Loving the name of the Lord and becoming His servants," this is what brings us into His house. No matter who we are, no matter where we are, no matter when we are, we will be brought "to [His] holy mountain and [made] joyful in [His] house of prayer," if we follow His ways. Exult in the light of the Lord, know that Jesus is the Temple to which your heart is drawn and your "holocausts and sacrifices will be acceptable on [His] altar." His justice is for all; His love extends to the ends of the earth. David's prayer is answered in Jesus: "May your way be known upon earth, among all nations your salvation." For now does He "rule the peoples in equity"; now "the earth has yielded its fruits." Now the blessing of our God falls upon all whose hearts turn to Him. "May all the ends of the earth fear Him!" Then will all be drawn into His house of prayer and know His love. This day shall not be long in coming; come now to "the lamp, set aflame and burning bright" for all eternity. Enter into the flesh of Christ. ******* O LORD, you sent your Son that the light of your face might shine upon us and all peoples might learn to love your NAME. YHWH, let us exult in the eternal light that is your Son. He has come among us to draw all souls into your House of prayer, that all might offer holy sacrifice to you on high. And you accept all who come through Him; those who do what is right and keep your day holy you join to yourself. O may all men know such blessing! May all the ends of the earth glory in your presence. All the nations you gather into your arms, O LORD, by the intercession of Jesus. Your works He performs in our midst to reveal your glory to us and so draw us to the truth, to your holy mountain – to the Heaven where you dwell. May we not be kept apart from your kingdom by any evildoing, by any ignorance of the Word your Son brings to us. Let us enter under your rule. If we wish to be your children, you will welcome us, LORD. If it is our desire to give you worship, if our hearts are set on prayer, you will bless us. In your Son we will find answer to our prayer, if we believe His testimony, if we believe in the divinity He shares with you.