FaithICSFT

 December 15, 2014 Gospel
When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">He himself said to them, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.” <span style="color: #f22e17; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The gospel passage says that the chief priests and the elders of the people go to Jesus and ask "By what authority are you doing these things?" Then Jesus says that if they answer his question, then he will answer their question. Jesus asks if John the baptist is of heavenly or Human origin and when they discuss about heavenly origin, they know that it is the answer but they are scared to say it because they don't want Jesus to have more power then anyone else. Then they were afraid to say human origin because they know John was a prophet and not a God. So the prophets say that they do not know, even though they know he is heavenly. Then Jesus says that since they did not answer his question then he will not answer theirs. <span style="color: #0a441f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In the gospel writing, Jesus is teaching us that If we want an answer in life, then we need to choose the right answer. What I mean by that is like, if you want God to protect someone that is sick in your family or in a friends family, then you should help them. When you have free time, you should go to a children's hospital and see if you can help anyone there. That is the right answer, the wrong answer is if you just ask to protect your family and then going home after and laying down and watching the television. Another way of putting it is if you want something in your life, then you need to earn it. This passage also shows that if you know what the answer is to something but chose not to say it, then that will not help you later when you need an answer from God. An example is that God does not want you killing someone because they hurt you in some way, you know that killing is something wrong to do but you still chose the wrong answer. When you kill another human on earth, that is like someone killing your child that you care for and love so much. Also you are killing one of your brothers or sisters.
 * <span style="color: #1a17bf; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Matthew 21:23-27 **
 * <span style="color: #1a17bf; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Summary **
 * <span style="color: #1a17bf; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Reflection **

<span style="color: #0a441f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">People can live out the teaching of this gospel just by making right choices. If someone comes up to you and ask's you, "Hey dude, I just heard that the banks security cameras are broken. Do you want to come with me and get some free money?" What you should do right of the start is say "No," but if you are having those feelings of yes and no, then just think of what God would want you to do and what the right answer is. Another thing is that God knows what is going to happen to you if you say yes, but if you make the right choice, then God will love you even more then he does right now and he loves you a lot. Why do we need to live this message? Well, we need to live this massage to live longer on earth and live better in paradise. When you live better in paradise, you are closer to God and Jesus. You can live this message by making right choices, doing what is expected of you, and living a better life. How do these examples show that people are living the message? You can tell that someone is living the message because if you spend one day with them, then you will see that the person is living life to the fullest. They wake up with a smile on there faces and they go to sleep with a smile on there face. <span style="color: #0a441f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">They are making the best choices for themselves and the love of God

<span style="color: #9222bc; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Dear God, Help us through our day to chose the right choices and to do what is expected with our best ability. Please give us the courage to answer Jesus' question. Also, protect us from harm and fear. Let us live life to the fullest and be with you in eternal life. We will help your children and you protect our family members. <span style="color: #9222bc; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Amen.
 * <span style="color: #1a17bf; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Prayer **