December 11, 2013
Dear Friends,
The Christian in a Hostile World
A reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter 2, 11 – 25:
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good. For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people. Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king.
Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and equitable but also to those who are perverse. For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace. But what credit is there if you are patient when beaten for doing wrong? But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
I got up Tuesday morning and was surprised that the ground was all white covered in a blanket of snow. There was only about an inch of snow spread everywhere. The day was very nice and some snow melted.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Be imitators of Me My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters. I came into the world to do the will of My Heavenly Father and I was faithful to Him all the days of My life. I suffered much at the hands of the Roman Governor as he had Me scourged and My whole body was bleeding at the end. To make fun of Me, they place a crown of thorns on My head and they pressed it into My head so that much blood flowed out from all over My head. Yet I respected Pontus Pilate and also the Jewish leaders. So you too must respect your leaders those who govern your country. If however they should pass a law that is against what I taught, you are not to follow it. You must show to all My followers that those who follow those laws commit sin. As an example in many countries they allow abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage. Do not do these things because they are terribly sinful and no one can be saved if he or she follows these things.
Some of My followers suffer because they do good because the laws do not accept what they do. If you suffer for doing good, then you are blessed because you are identified with Me, your Savior. Offer yourselves to the Father every day to do what is good. You will be in heaven one day for following your Creator and Lord. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. Please continue to pray that the intentions of Our Blessed Mother will soon be fulfilled.