Chapter 14

You have often heard me say in these writings, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, this saying is called the Lords prayer. I've come in this chapter to discuss the Lords supper, that we may better understand the taking of Christ in the Eucharist. The Lords prayer and the Lords supper are one in the same.

"Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...Mat. 6-9-10. These words are a profession of faith for those who believe in the one true God.

Did not Abraham believe in God, and because he believed, God credited him with justice, Romans 4-3-5. Abraham having done no work to warrant this due from God, was given justice for his belief. Therefore, because Abraham confessed his belief in what God had told him. Abraham was justified be believing in faith.

So, whoever (as Abraham) confesses in believing, or having faith in God, should ponder the Lords prayer. "Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, they kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." The Lords prayer is a profession of one's faith. Through this profession we may be credited with justice.

"Give us this day our daily bread", the Lords prayer continues, Mat. 6-11. Bread is the food for the body that it sustains life. "It is done on earth as it is in heaven," Mat. 6-10. So that food must come for our flesh, as well as for our spirit. So that the Lords prayer having said, "Give us this day our daily bread...(for our flesh), the Lords supper likewise says, 1 Cor. 11-23-24, "Jesus on the night that he was betrayed took bread, broke it, and said, 'This is my body which shall be given up for you, do this in remembrance of me, ' " (for our spirit).

In like manner Jesus took a cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me, 1 Cor. 11-25. Line 26 tells us, "For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes."

In this dear reader I say, if you par-take of the Eucharist (the body and blood of Christ) you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes, 1 Cor. 11-26. In so doing you proclaim that you believe in Jesus the Christ. Through this proclamation, (or your belief in He who died for our sins) this is credited to you as justice. For it is not of a just due that we make this proclamation, but on an act of faith alone.

The next line of the Lords prayer says, "And forgive us out trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us," Mat. 6-12. Then we are told that if we forgive those who trespass, our heavenly Father will also forgive us, Mat. 6-14. This is so that we may say in truth, the Lords Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven," It is also done that we may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins, Mat. 9-6.

So if we forgive those who trespass against us, in the way of this world, then we shall also be forgiven our trespasses, in the way of heaven. It shall be done on earth as it is in heaven, for this is the natural order of things.

How then are we forgiven our sins? Certainly not by works! On faith alone are we forgiven, by which we stand justified. What then is our faith by which we stand justified by faith? We who proclaim the death of the Lord Jesus until be comes, 1 Co. 11-26, this is how we are forgiven our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, or this is how we stand justified by faith, in Christ.

So, as we return to the Lords supper, Mat. 26-26-29, we hear of the same supper, as Saint Paul speaks about in 1 Co. 11-23-26. Yet, Mat. 26-28 tells us, "For this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many, for the forgiveness of sins." Again we stand justified by faith in Christ.

Through out His whole life Jesus took on the sins of the world. Even Christ crucified said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do," Luke 23-34. Jesus was and is the greatest gift ever presented to man, and to the throne of God. All the gifts presented at the throne of God combined, through out all eternity, could not match the gift of Jesus the Lamb of sacrifice who took upon Himself the yoke of our sins.

Mat. 7-7, says, "Ask and it shall be given" Who is more worthy than Jesus the Christ to ask that it may be given? So that, if Christ asks for forgiveness even for those who crucified Him how much more so shall Christ ask for you or I?

Mat. Chapter 7, continues with, "What man who if his son asks for a loaf of bread would hand him a stone...? Therefore if you evil as you are, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good things to those who ask him? Jesus being the true son of God, would then be most worthy to be granted that for which He asks.

So again we see that by faith we are justified without works. Jesus is the justification by which we who believe in Him, are credited justice without works.

Now remember it is written, take this bread and this cup in remembrance of me. This proclaims our belief in his (Jesus) death, until he comes, (again). So with the taking of communion (bread and wine) we profess our belief in the true son of God. To those who profess these things, they shall obtain the gift of salvation. Through this, by faith, death is made void unto resurrection of eternal life.

The Israelites being tested with hunger, by God, were fed with manna in the desert, (food from heaven) Exodus chapter 16. In Deuteronomy 8-2-3, we find, "Remember how for forty years now the Lord, your God, has directed all your journeying in the desert, so as to test you by affliction and find out whether or not it was your intention to keep his commandments. He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does man live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.".

In John 1-1, we here, "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God." In verse 14, we hear; "And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us." In John 6-33, we learn that the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and in John 6-35, Jesus says, "I am the bread of life."

So if Deuteromony tells us, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God," and John tells us that, the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and the word of God was made flesh, and Jesus said, "I am the bread of Life," then, the word of God which is God, John 1-1, was as bread come down from heaven, John 6-33, because the word which is God, John 1-1, was made flesh, John 1-14, so that Jesus said, I am the bread of life, (or I am God) John 6-35.

So if man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God, then the word of God which is God, is as bread come down from heaven. So the words which come from the mouth of God is as bread come down. In this Jesus who is God come down, is the word of God and the word of God is life giving. In this Jesus who said, "I am the bread of life," is proclaiming, "I am God come down."

We learn in Luke 8-11, that the seed is the word of God, (or the word of God is a seed). In Luke 11-27-28, "...A certain woman from the crowd lifted up her voice and said, 'Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the breasts that nurses thee.' But Jesus said, " Rather blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it." John 5-24, says, "Amen amen, I say to you, he who hears My words, and believes in Him who sent Me, has life everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to life.

So the word of God is like a seed, Luke 8-11, and he who hears the word of God has everlasting life, Luke 5-24, because, as Mary who was full of grace, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it, Luke 11-28, for the word of God is the bread of everlasting life, John 6-35.

We have talked at some length about the word of God and the fact that God's word is bread. Here I must ask a question to you the reader, How do we know the word of God? We would not know the word of God if an account had not been kept. In this I say that the word of God is the Bible.

Now for those who diligently seek God in His word, they come to receive the bread of life, who is Jesus. For it is Jesus alone who has been anointed to teach the gospel to the poor, Luke 4-18. In this, reading our Bibles and having been taught by Jesus, we come unto life everlasting. Jesus poured out on the cross, is the justice by which we obtain salvation, unto everlasting life. As Abraham, we who believe in the word of God are credited with justice (who is Jesus crucified on the cross for our sins). In this we obtain salvation not by works or deeds but by faith alone.

So why do so many not take of bread and wine in celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ? It was asked of us to do so in the Scripture. Has the practice of the Lord become abhorrent to you? What salvation is there in this? Do you not take in food for your body, which dies? Why not then take in food for your spirit, which lives? You must remember, it is done on earth as it is in heaven. It is the natural order.

Now to those who say why do you lecture us on such practices. You single us out, say we are wrong and insinuate that those of certain faith may stand alone in justification. Not so, I single no one out in particular. No one is perfect, except for God. In this I say as well to my Catholic brothers and sisters, things which may be turned against me.

By what authority my brothers and my sisters of the Catholic faith, do we forbid those not Catholic, the right to take of the hidden Christ in our celebration of bread and wine? I believe this is a great injustice. If we say that you must be Catholic to share in the Eucharist, then we deny those who are being called to share in the supper. What right have we to refuse Christ in the celebration of bread and wine to those who visit us who are not Catholic? I tell you we have no right, justified!

If we do not share our celebration with others, not Catholic, we create division between them, and us. More then this we may be held liable for having taken some of these little ones from the very salvation that we profess. So then, if we are visited by such ones who in their hearts are moved to take bread, we have no right to refuse them our table. For if one is so inclined to take the hidden Christ in bread, it is done so because they have been moved to do so. One who has been moved by such goodness has been touched by the spirit, or do we confess here, the spirit is not from God?

So let those who visit us not be absent in our celebration, less God may count us absent from His table, as well. Yet, let us together share in this God given mystery, one and all. Let us not be divided, for divisions of such things are according to men and not God.

Now we were Gentiles and were divided against the chosen, yet, we were grafted into the tree of life, with the new covenant, Romans Chapter 11. So that we who are Gentiles, were outcasts. Did we not receive salvation when we were grafted into the tree of life? Now do we then cast out those who come to celebrate with us? No. Let all celebrate in the mystery of the Eucharist. If we cast down our brothers on earth, we may be libel and cast down from heaven? We will then be cut off as useless branches on the tree of life and cast into the fire? Again, we must remember, it shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is the natural order.

I see no distinction in Scripture that says do not share the blood and body of the spiritual Christ with others who are not of the Catholic fold. I see only, "Do this in memory of me." So again I beseech thee my brothers and sisters of the Catholic faith, open your doors, as well as your hearts, please take in those who have no food for their spirit. Give them spiritual bread that nourishes the soul.

There is but one other thought of which I must speak of here. I do not look lightly upon saying this, for much suffering shall come of it. Yet, for those who have ears it is written, for your heart has been touched by truth. To others shall come the hardening of your hearts. None the less as I have said, I write according to that which has been given me. That not given me, I do not speak of. So come what may, I fear not any recourse for it is a cup of which I drink of, freely, for the sake of those who have ears.

I speak in all boldness and proclaim, I do not eat, and drink the flesh and blood of my Lord. Not in the literal earthly sense. I do so in remembrance of our Lord in proclamation that I believe in Him and in faith I await His return. Now when the flesh and blood is taken away from a man in this world what is left, but bone. What becomes of bone when time has had its way? dust I tell you!

If we say that the blood and body (which was sacrificed through Christ for our sins), we take in remembrance of Christ, we then by this taking, proclaim our belief before men and more so before God. In this we who believe are justified as Abraham, by faith, and not by works.

Though I may eat the flesh of the animals of this earth, I by no means eat of the flesh of my brothers and sisters. The thought of this is abhorrent to me. So then if I confess that I do not eat of the flesh of my brothers and sisters in this world, how can I make such a claim in heaven? It is clear and I repeat again, it shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.

However if I eat of the body and the blood of my brothers and sisters who are in the spirit, I am the better for it. For if one is in the spirit, then the birds of the air can come and rest on its branches and eat of the fruit. In this I say that one who is in the spirit has heard the gospel and has learned from Jesus who has been anointed to teach the gospel to the poor. Having then been instructed in the gospel truth, your brother or sister then comes to teach others that they may share in the fruit of knowledge. In this the one in the spirit who has learned from the gospel is the tree and the one's who listen to that spirit are the birds of the air who come to rest on the branches of the tree and eat of the fruit. Now if we come to hear and believe the spirit who is the tree, then we who listen and believe become the branches of the tree, or the birds of the air who spread the message of what we have learned.

So I repeat, we are Gentiles and we were divided against God's chosen people but with the new covenant we were grafted into the tree of life. For before we were grafted into the tree of life we were outcasts. But, having been grafted into the tree, we have come to receive salvation. In this we the outcasts have become chosen. The chosen were the Israelites who did not follow God, so that the Israelites who are the branches of the tree of life, have been broken off. We who are the outcasts have then been grafted into the tree of life, Romans Chapter 11.

In this we the Gentiles were denied the celebration of joy of the chosen Israelites. Now that we the outcasts have become chosen, should we then cast out those who come to celebrate with us? No. Let all who come to celebrate in the mystery of the Eucharist, rejoice. For if we cast out our brothers and sisters on earth, will we not be cast out from heaven? Will we not be cut as useless branches from the tree of life and cast into the fire? Again we must remember, it shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is the natural order.

So again, let all who come in the celebration of the Eucharist share in our table. Yet before one eats of the spiritual body and blood of Christ, one should examine oneself. If the spirit inside of you tells you that you are unworthy, then do not take of the communion, until you have examined yourself, then take of the communion. Having examined oneself in this manner one should pray, "Oh my God I am heartfully sorry for having offended thee. I detest my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell but most of all because I have offended thee my God who art all good and deserving of all of my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life, amen. In this we conclude the Lord's prayer, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, amen."

Yet, of ourselves we can deliver nothing good, so we have Christ who should dwell in our heart, mind and body. We can not save ourselves, either deliver ourselves, so it is through our faith in Jesus Christ (who asks forgiveness on our behalf) that we have come to understand salvation and receive justification by faith alone.

So open your hearts one and all and proclaim Jesus Christ until He comes again. Do this in celebration of the mystery of Bread and Wine, which has been given us in Scripture. Do this in remembrance of Him and stand with your brothers and sisters in unity and not division. For such divisions are creations of men and not of God, for God is harmonious and such division is not.

In 1 Cor. Chapter 12, Saint Paul talks about the body. Yet, what is the body in the flesh? The body is the main stay that holds the members, arms legs, head, eyes, ears, nose, and the like. So we see that the body has many members.

1 Cor. 12-15-21, talks of division of the body saying, if the whole body was an eye, where would the hearing be? (other examples are also given). I say if your arm was taken from your body, then the body and the arm is divided. Such is the case should any member be lost from the body, there would be division, the body from the member. Is it not better that the body should remain intact and not a single member be lost? In the spirit, Christ is the body. 1 Cor. 12-12, "For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, many as they are, form one body, so also is it with Christ." So we are the members, those of us who proclaim Him Lord, until He comes again. Now this as all things are done according to the natural order. As I endlessly repeat, it shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.

So if we say that we are members of the body of Christ, we speak in the spirit. Yet, does this also apply on earth as it is in heaven? Yes. If there is an organization of some sort, the organization needs a leader, or a president. The president speaks on behalf of the whole organization. The president is then the body which speaks for all the members. So in this I say, it is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Now if a member of the organization should revolt against the body, then the body would not be whole. In this, division has come where there was harmony. Although it is not written here consider reading 1 Cor. 12-1-31. It will be helpful in understanding the body and its members.

Now because of division, the members from the body, God has sent into the world His only begotten son. Christ is the body, as we are the members. Let us view this in a different context.

John 10-11, tells us, "I Am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." John 10-14-15, "I Am the Good Shepherd, and I know mine and mine know Me, even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father, and I lay My life down for My sheep."

John 10-16, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd." John 10-17-18, "For this reason the Father loves Me, that I lay down My life, that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take It back up again. Such is the command I have received from my Father."

Let us look at Mat. 18-12-14, "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them stray, will he not leave the ninety-nine and go in search for the one that has strayed? And if he finds it, truly, I tell you he rejoices over it more then the ninety-nine that never went astray. Even so, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that a single one of these little ones be lost.

The Good Shepherd is indeed Jesus Christ, (Christ who is the body). He lays down His life for His sheep, (we who are the members of the body). Jesus know His sheep and His sheep know Him, (we who proclaim Christ until he comes again.) Even as He know the father, and His Father knows Him, (so that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ) Jesus goes on to say, "And other sheep I have not of this fold," (the Gentiles)."

Saint Paul tells us in chapter 11, of Romans that he (Paul) has been sent to the Gentiles. He was sent because the chosen people had offended God, and they had fallen away. So that the Gentiles may now come to be grafted into the olive tree as branches, (the tree of life) in place where the chosen had fallen away. So the body which is this case is the olive tree, has lost many members, (because of revolt). The members that revolted were of the chosen people. So as Scripture says, Mat. 18-14, "It is not the will of your Father in heaven that a single one of these little ones (sheep or members) be lost. In this the Gentiles were grafted in, so the body may have all its members.

Now the Good Shepherd lay down His life for the sheep. So then Jesus crucified, lay down His life, that He may take it up again. He had brought us (the sheep or members) unto the pasture of eternal life. The Good Shepherd desires that not one sheep is lost. So Jesus the Good Shepherd lay down His life in a sorrowful passion. Passion in the human sense is bliss, on fire for something that pleases. Yet, Jesus the Good Shepherd, suffered a life of sorrow. How can passion be bliss if Jesus lived a life of sorrow?

Jesus so loved His Father in heaven and His Father so loved the world, so that God gave His only begotten son. Jesus came in the flesh not to do His will but to do the will of His Fther. So as the definition of passion means to be on fire for something that pleases, Jesus has passion to please the Father.

Now the Father so loved the world that had gone astray, so He sent His Son, the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd shoulders the burden to tend the flock, (the members of the body). So Jesus shoulders the burden of the flock, and having passion to please His Father therefore suffers a sorrowful passion. This is how sorrow becomes passion. The Good Shepherd desires the Fathers will to be done, that not a single sheep, member or branch should be lost.

Now having viewed this in a different context we again discover that Christ is the Good Shepherd, (the Body) which we proclaim in the Eucharist, by faith. He is most worthy in honor So we the sheep, (members) stand justified as did Abraham, by faith and not by works or deeds. In this we the Gentiles, (wild olive tree branches, not the chosen people) have been grafted into the cultivated olive tree (the tree of eternal life) Romans 11-11-24.

Here again is another example. We, the Gentiles having been grafted into the tree of life is the thought of the example.

Mat. 22, "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who made a marriage feast for his son, and he sent his servants to call those invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come. Again he sent out other servants saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner... and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast. But they made light of it, and went off one to his farm, another to his business, and the rest took hold of his servants and treated them shamefull and killed them.

When the king heard of this, he was angry, and he sent his armies to destroy those murderers, and burnt their cities. Then he said to his servants, the marriage is indeed ready but, those who were invited are not worthy, go therefore to the crossroads, and invite to the marriage feast whoever you may find. And his servants went out and gathered all that could be found, both good and bad, and the marriage feast was filled with guests.

Now the king went to see the guests and he saw a man not wearing a wedding garment. He asked the man why, but the man was speechless. Then the king said to his attendants, bind his hands and feet and cast him out into the darkness outside where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for many are called but few are chosen.'

In this I say, the chosen were invited to a feast in heaven, when the prophets came with the invitation, the chosen were caught up in their everyday lives, (in the flesh). One went to his farm another to his business, etc.. So that their spirits paid no mind to the invitation given by the prophets.

The prophets were calling the chosen by the spirit, to the spirit, but the chosen were caught up in the things that are according to the flesh of this world. So being much annoyed by the prophets, the chosen did the prophets harm.

Having been called twice, the king (God) judged those who were invited to the wedding feast unworthy. So that the prophets were sent to the crossroads to invite whoever they found, both good and bad. Having been called to the marriage feast is the same as being a Gentile, (the wild olive tree branches, Romans Chapter 11) who was grafted into the tree, (of life).

Now God invited the chosen to the wedding feast, but they did not hear the prophets calling to their spirits. So that God said I will send My Son, they will listen to Him. Yet the chosen rejected Jesus as well, so to be rid of Jesus they killed Him. Now the stone which is rejected by the builder, becomes the corner stone, Mark 12-10.

Mark tells us in chapter 12, the story of the vineyard, "A man planted a vineyard...(God) and let it out to tenants...(the chosen). When the time for the harvest came he (God) sent his servants (the prophets) for his due. Instead the tenants (the chosen) became greedy desiring the fruit of the harvest all for themselves, so that they sent away the servants (the prophets) who came to invite the chosen to the feast.

Having become annoyed by the servants who returned, the chosen killed the servants. So that the owner of the vineyard (God) said I will send My Son (Jesus) they will respect Him. Yet the chosen out of greed killed the son (Jesus). Saint Mark asks here, what will the owner (God) do? The owner (God) will then destroy the tenants (the choosen) and give the vineyard to others (the Gentiles)." So then we the Gentiles having heard the servants, (the prophets) are now invited to the wedding feast, having been grafted into the olive tree.

For the Gentiles who believe that God sent His Son, we may come to have life eternal, which is a wedding feast indeed! Yet as we learned in the parable of the wedding feast, we must come dressed in a wedding garment, or we will be cast out, for many are called but few are chosen, Mat. 22-11-14.

The chosen were called but they did not come because of their unbelief, so they were broken off the tree (of life). How much more so will you as a Gentile be broken off if you are also caught up in the things according to the flesh in this world, one to his farm and one to his business, and so on. (reference: Romans Chapter 11 & Mat. Chapter 22.)

So for the Gentiles who come to the feast having been called, and are dressed in a wedding garment, you shall come to share in the inheritance of the harvest, which is life everlasting. Yet, for those who crucify Christ by their unbelief, woe to you, for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, who has been brought to wrath.

By this you have brought God to wrath, you do not hear the cries of the prophets calling you, so that you send away some and kill others. Yet because the prophets have built their foundation of rock (the word of God) they do not waver in the message, they proclaim even unto death. For Jesus is the foundation, the rock, He is the word of God come down. He is the stone that has been rejected. Even the builders of this world know that the stone which the builder rejects becomes the corner stone.

The corner stone is the support of the building. So that we the Gentiles are as a wall built by the builder, (God) and Jesus is the corner stone on which we are supported. In this we are justified by faith, we who are members of the Body. For we the Gentiles who hear the words of the servants (the prophets) and believe, are invited to the wedding feast where only the chosen may enter, for many are called but few are chosen.

Yet again I say, even as the chosen were cut from the cultivated olive tree (of life), by unbelief, Romans 11-20, how much more so the wild olive tree branches, (Gentiles) if we do not become part of the cultivated olive tree, (the tree of life) Romans 11-24.

It is written that we having been invited to the feast must come with a wedding garment, less we be cast out into darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. So in this I say that we the Gentiles must tend the vineyard until the Son comes again. We must keep ourselves prepared that we know the servants who speak to our spirits inviting us to the wedding feast. So be prepared, for if you go to a wedding you must prepare a garment. So spend much time in the spirit, that you may hear the calling to the feast. If not, then you become as the tenants of the vineyard, who killed the master's son. What then shall the Master do when he hears of it? I tell you there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for this will be your just due. So then which due is for you, to be cast out, or to be invited in?

Now if we the Gentiles (wild olive tree branches) have been grafted into the cultivated olive tree, we must become as part of the whole tree. If we revolt we will be cut off even as the chosen were cut off because of revolt (unbelief). Now if a member revolts against the body it is cut off from the body. So having been grafted or having become a member, we must not revolt, but we must be harmonious in thought, that the tree may be whole and the body one. This is the garment which is worn to the wedding feast. You will be cast out into darkness if you come to the wedding feast unprepared.

We can not obtain this garment by works or deeds, yet by faith alone. Through this, we may be credited with justice by believing in God alone. All others may be cast out when entering the feast as they have come unprepared.

So brothers and sisters, become a member of the body. Christ is the Body and the Body is Christ. As a member proclaim by an act of faith (not deeds or works) that you believe in Him. So that through faith you access justice, for your faith.

So then why are there so many who do not take of the bread and wine turned into the body and blood of Christ (in a spiritual way)? Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me." You must feed the body as well as the spirit. For it shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. This is the natural order. Do these things that you may be grafted into the tree of life. Do not these things and you may be cast out because you have come to the wedding feast unprepared.

The spiritual body and blood of Christ has been made manifest in the Flesh that in seeing, we of little faith, may believe. In this I say, who among us would believe if we took the spiritual body and blood which is not tangible. So comes a great mystery which defies the Law, for the sake of our little faith.

Mat. Chapter 25, talks about the ten virgins, "The kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to see the bridegroom, five were foolish, and five were wise, for when the foolish came they took no oil with them, but the wise took oil for their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed they slept, but at midnight there was a cry saying, behold the bridegroom comes. Then the virgins awoke and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out, but the wise replied, there may not be enough for us and you, go then to the dealers and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding feast, and the door was shut. After wards the other virgins came saying, sir open the door for us! But he replied and said, Amen, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore for you know neither the day or the hour."

So in this I say you must be ready, (prepared). For we proclaim Christ is Lord, until He comes again. Yet, what if He should come, and we do not hear the cry of His coming. Then we shall not enter the wedding feast, even as the man who did not have a wedding garment, (who was speechless) or the virgins who were not prepared. They shall be cast out where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Why is it so important that we are prepared when Christ shall come again? We know if we are not prepared we will be as the man cast out of the wedding feast, or the virgins who knocked on the door hearing the reply: "Amen I say to you I do not know you." So why is it so important that we are prepared?

If we are prepared (for anything) we are then ready and lie in wait. In this we are available to take action immediately when the event we are waiting for takes place. In this we now have three questions, why must we be prepared? What is the event for which we are preparing? And, where are those who are not prepared?

In 1 Cor. 11-23-26, Again, Saint Paul tells us of Christ at the Last Supper, where He gives the disciples bread and wine turned into the Body and Blood. Verse 26, tells us, "For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes, (again).

So we who are the members of the body, (Christ) who take the Bread and Wine, confessing in an act of faith, (by which we are justified) that we believe Christ died and will come again. In this we proclaim that Christ has overcome death.

In John 10-15, Jesus tells us, "I lay down my life for My sheep." In verse 17, He tells us, "I lay down My life that I may take It up again. In verse 18, Jesus says, ..." I have the power to take It (His life) up again..." In John 5-24, Jesus says, "Amen, amen, I say to you he who hears My words, and believes in Him who sent Me, has life everlasting, and does not come to judgment, but has passed from death to life." In this we are told that Jesus Christ has overcome death and we are also invited to pass from death to life everlasting, to share in the inheritance of the harvest.

In 1 Co. 11-26, (again) "For as often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes. " So we are told Jesus will come again. Yet, until the second coming of Jesus we are to celebrate His death and resurrection in the feast of the Bread and Wine.

So, in waiting for the second coming of Jesus we must be prepared or we will not enter into the feast of everlasting life. Scripture tells us the second coming of Jesus is like a thief in the night. 2 Peter 3-10. " But the day of the Lord will come as a thief..." 1 Ths.5-2 ... "The Lord is to come as a thief in the night."

Saint Luke tells us in chapter 12-35-46, "Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master's return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straightway open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master on his return shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and it in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants!

"But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming."

And Peter said to Him (Jesus), "Lord do you speak this parable for us or for all alike?

And the Lord said, "Who do you think, is the faithful and prudent steward who the master will set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time? Blessed is that servant who his master, when he comes shall find him so doing. Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his goods. But if that servant says to himself, ' My master delays his coming,' and begins to beat the men servants and the maids, and to eat and drink, and to get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day he does not know, and will cut him asunder and make him share the lot of the unfaithful.' "

"Therefore take up the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and stand in all things as perfect as possible. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of justice and having you feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, that is, the word of God," Ephesians 6-13-17.

Saint Mark 13-32-37, "But of that day or hour no one knows neither the angels in heaven nor the Son , but the Father only. Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is: just as a man, when he leaves home to journey abroad, puts his servants in charge, to each his work, and gives orders to the porter to keep watch. Watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow or early in the morning; lest coming suddenly he finds you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all, 'Watch.' "

Mat. 24-36-51, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but the Father only. And as it was in the days of Noe, even so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day when Noe entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and swept them all away; even so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the millstone; one will be taken, and one will be left.

"Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord is to come. But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. Who do you think is the faithful and prudent servant who his master has set over his household to give them their food in due time? Blessed is that servant who his master, when he comes, shall find him so doing. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master delays his coming,' and begins to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect, and in as hour he does not know, and will cut him asunder and make him share the lot of the hypocrites. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Revelation 3-3 "Remember therefore what thou have received and heard, and observe it and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you shall not know at what hour I will come upon you.

So, now knowing Jesus will come as a thief in the night, we see the importance in keeping ourselves prepared for his coming. In this we have answered our first question, "Why must we be prepared?" Now lets answer the second question; "What is the event for which we are preparing?"

We have learned in Mat. 24-36-51, that we do not know the day and time of the Lord's coming. So we must be ready! We also learned that as in the days of Noe, many will be enjoying their lives, so they will not notice the signs of the time. For verse 40-41, tells us, ""Two men will be in the field; one will be taken; and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the millstone; one will be taken, one will be left.

A great mystery seems to be taken place here, as people will suddenly seem to vanish. So that the one who remain behind will not understand where the other (who was with them) have gone.

In 1Thess. 4-13-17, we learn where they have gone. "But we would not, brethren, have you ignorant concerning those who are asleep, lest you should grieve, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so with him God will bring those also who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we who live, who survive until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself with cry of command, with voice of archangel. and with trumpet of God will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise up first. Then we who live, who survive, shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord."

Mat. 24-30-31, "And then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then will all tribes of the earth mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with great power and majesty. And He will send forth His angels with a trumpet and a great sound, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1 Cor. 15-50-58, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood can obtain no part in the kingdom of God, neither shall corruption have any part in incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall all indeed rise, but we shall not all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise incorruptible body must put on incorruption, and this mortal body must put on immortality. But when this mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory! O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?

Now the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the Law. Yet, thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my brethren be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

So a great mystery shall come where those who are prepared will be taken up from the face of the earth. This mystery is a promise from Christ, John 12-26. "If anyone serves me let him follow me; and where I am there also shall my servants be." John 14-3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you; I am coming again, and I will take you to myself; that where I am, there you also may be." John 17-24, "Father, I will that where I Am, they also who You have given Me may be with Me..."

Mat. 16-27 "For the Son of Man is to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will render to everyone according to his conduct." So in this we have answered the second question, what is the event for which we are preparing? Note: this event in which we shall be caught up to Jesus in the clouds has been labeled "The Rapture" by some Christians. The last question is, "Where are those who are not prepared (who are cast out) go?

Revelation 22-14-15, "Blessed are they who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life, and that by the gates they may enter into the city. Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murders, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practice falsehood."

1 Cor. 6-9-10, "Or do you not know that the unjust will not posses the kingdom of God? So not err; neither fornicators, not idolaters, nor adulterers, not the effeminate, not sodomites, not thieves, nor the covertous, not drunkards, nor the evil tongued, nor the greedy will posses the kingdom of God."

Galatians 5-19-21, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are immorality, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, witchcraft's, enmities, contentions, jealousies, anger, quarrels, factions, parties envies, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and suchlike. And concerning these I warn you, as I have warned you, that they who do such things will not attain the kingdom of God. "

Ephesians 5-5-6 "For know this and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covertous one has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one lead you astray with empty words; for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience."

Revelation 21-8, "But as for the cowardly and unbelieving, and abominable and murders, and fornicators and sorcerers, and idolaters and all liars, their portion shall be in the pool that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Finally for those who have prepared their way, great has been your journey. For first; we seek the kingdom, secondly; we learn that the kingdom is inside of us thirdly; we must become as a child to enter, fourthly; the first thing you do for a child is to feed the child, fifthly; Jesus has been anointed to teach (feed) the gospel to the poor.

In the journey of the five steps we shall come to: (first) tribulation, which (secondly) becomes endurance, which (thirdly) becomes tried virtue, which (fourthly) becomes hope which (fifthly) does not disappoint, because the charity of God is poured forth into our heart by the Holy Spirit who has been given us. In these things we who are prepared, lay in wait for the day of the Lord, which comes. Then shall we be brought up to Him in victory, and we shall come to celebrate in the feast of life everlasting. Amen.

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