Thursday, February 14, 2013
Jesus before the Sanhedrin
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Luke’s Gospel (22:66-71):
When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought [Jesus] before their Sanhedrin. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”
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Yesterday was Ask Wednesday, the beginning of the Season of Lent. I received the ashes and I suppose most of you received them too. We are called to follow Jesus in the desert. He spent forty days in the desert without eating and this points to the fact that the Jewish people spent forty years in the desert after they came out of slavery in Egypt. We are called to be in the desert for forty days to repent of our sins and to return to Jesus, Our Lord and Our Savior. Let us pray every day during this time of Lent.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Do not fear to show your faith in Me My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who are baptized and follow Me. I was arrested by the Jewish leaders and brought first to the religious court called the Sanhedrin. I answered their questions and especially I told them that I was the Son of God. The leaders did not believe Me and they used My answer to bring Me to Pilate to condemn Me to death.
“Today many who believe in Me suffer greatly because so many people are against Me. They have rejected My Church and all I have done when I was on earth. However, do not worry about these people who follow Satan but remain united to Me and you will be blessed. I will bring you one day to heaven with Me. During this period of Lent, I would like you all to contemplate My suffering, which I underwent out of love for you to atone for your sins. I am always ready to help you if you come to Me and ask for My help. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin