Wednesday, April 1st 2026
Of Holy Week
• Isaiah 50:4-9
• Psalms 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 & 33-34
• Matthew 26:14-25 Christians, what is this betrayal of Christ Jesus: is it Judas looking to pick up some money so he can go out and have a party weekend; is it Judas simply being Judas -- the devil that Christ Jesus identified him as; is it Judas being down right despicable; is it Judas, a man which was said about him: woe to the person who betrays the Son of man, it would have been better for him, if he had never been born. Is it the kind of person who puts money before human life; is it the kind of person who was tagging along with the Apostles because he had nothing better to do? Still, Christians, what about his office of Apostleship, his bishopric that was desolate, which became uninhabited because of Judas’s self-destruction. Moreover, what about the two prophecies from the psalms: let his habitation be desolate and then: let another take his office. As well, do we not read that although Matthias was elected by the Apostles as Judas’s replacement – this was the earthly office being filled; whereas, the heavenly office, where the twelve Apostles sit in judgment of humankind -- this office was vacant still. Yet, it is suggested, by what we have read, that it is filled by the Apostle Paul. One step further, we still do not know, with anything other than surmise -- what actually will become of Judas and his office of Apostleship, his bishop-rick. Now Christians, when we read about Judas and his betrayal of the Lord Christ Jesus we are filled with emotion. Still, Christians, this is the exact place to learn and to remember that we do not live by the flesh and its emotions, but we live by the spirit and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul testifies: if we walk by the spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Moreover, Christians, this is a sharp place to contrast and understand that it is not only the lust of sexual immoralities that our sin and sinfulness, to wit: pride, arrogance, bearing false witness, idolatry, blasphemies – these are all lust of the flesh, but in different occasions of sin. Again, the fruits of the spirit are: charity-love, joy, faith, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, generosity, and self-control. Christians, notice in this list of the fruits of the spirit there is no permission for idolatry nor adultery nor fornication nor homosexuality nor the mutilation of people – children or otherwise nor murder, which includes abortion nor stealing: in short there are no sinful activities that are acceptable in the fruits of the spirit. Now Christians, this brings us to make a clear distinction: the difference between things that are against the law, but are not sinful and the things that are against the law and are sinful. To understand: circumcision or not being circumcised: there is no sinfulness in either of these, but it was against the covenant, God made with Abraham; to eat certain things was against the covenant law, that God made with the Israelites, but Christ Jesus has fulfilled these things with his coming and so, put an end to these covenant laws. However, adultery is not only against the Law of Moses, but it is also sinful and therefore, now, if we commit adultery -- in no way will we enter into the kingdom of heaven; unless, we make a complete and sincere repentance, which is turning away from adultery and going and sinning no more. Same too with homosexuality; it is against the Law of Moses; and it is sinful and those who practice it -- will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven; unless, they make a complete and sincere repentance that being turning away from homosexuality and going and sinning no more. Therefore Christians, we clearly see the distinction: of how the things that were sinful before Christ Jesus are still sinful in Christ Jesus, but that some things that were against the covenant law: such as, circumcision and eating certain foods or eating with certain people that this covenant law was brought to fulfillment and now, in the kingdom of light that we were translated too in Christ Jesus these things of that covenant were fulfilled; moreover, so too were putting to death people for adultery and the likes: for we do not have God's authority to kill a person for committing sin. For these sinful things will all be rewarded rightly, when Christ Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead. Still even in this, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are not to sit down to eat with those who are choosing to believe that we do not have to repent of our sinful deeds; moreover, nor are we to be among those who choose to advocate that we do not have to believe in the gospel nor repent of our sin and sinfulness. Irrevocably, Christians, we now see that when the Apostle Paul is talking about our great liberty, he is not testifying of freedom to sin but that he is addressing the fact, that being circumcised or not circumcised makes no difference. For such things as circumcision and dietary restrictions were fulfilled by Christ Jesus’s New Testament covenant with humankind. Still, Christ Jesus’s New Testament covenant, with humankind, does not give place or permission to sin or for sinfulness. Moreover, if we do sin, then we must repent of that sin or we will perish. Clearly, when the Apostle Paul testifies that all things are lawful to him, it is because he walks in the spirit and not the flesh. The Apostle Paul is not saying that the flesh and its sin will make things perfect: the law did not bring anything into perfection or again, having begun in the Spirit, are we now made perfect by the flesh? Truly, when the Apostle Paul is talking about things that are not beneficial, he is talking about: blasphemy, adultery, murder, certain foods, certain behaviors, fornication, idolatry, homosexuality, all of the things that will keep us from entering the kingdom of heaven are not beneficial for us. Again, the Apostle Paul is testifying: if we walk in the Spirit then we are not to fulfill the lust of our flesh, but are to overcome these lusts by calling upon the Holy Spirit to take away our desires that lead to sin. In a metaphor we may see: if we have a glass and it is filled with desires, desires that will lead to sin, but if we call upon the Lord Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, our comforter: these desires are taken away, and the glass is filled with the Holy Spirit instead of the desire. Moreover, Christians, this is always the case that is, if we choose Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Now Christians, one meditation about Jeremiah, the prophet of God the Heavenly Father; for clearly, Isaiah ushers in Jeremiah. Still, both of these Prophets of God the Heavenly Father loved God first, but they also love the people of Israel too. Jeremiah goes as far as to say: that he cursed the day he was born for having to bring the truth unto the people: Jeremiah tried to not testify of God's word, but it burned within side of him and he had to testify the words God gave him to witness. Yes, also in this we see that Jeremiah loved his brothers and sisters, the Israelites, but that they hated Jeremiah for testifying God's truth: the truth that God, the Heavenly Father had witnessed from the beginning and especially from the time that he brought the Israelites out of Egypt. We also clearly see that the Apostle Paul loved his brothers and sisters, but that he too was obligated to testify to the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus. Moreover, the Lord Christ Jesus did not hate the Pharisees nor the elders nor the Sadducees, he was aware that they were desolate: that they had exchanged the glory of God for their doctrine. In other words, they did not testify of the Gospel of spirit and life; rather, they were imbued -- they were filled with the doctrine of the institution of men -- and since the sheep only recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ was not known to them. Now, Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, April 8th 2026
Of the Octave of Easter
• Acts 3:1-10
• Psalms 102:1-9
• Psalms 118:24
• Luke 24:13-35 Christians, the very first day – the very day was a busy day for the Apostles: Mary Magdalene visiting and finding the empty tomb; her running home to tell what she saw; and Peter running back to the tomb to the directives of his conscience. The meeting of Jesus in the garden, and then we see something about these two disciples who were going about this very first day: they were talking about what happened — likely all that had happened. From the very first moment Jesus the Nazarene walked out of the baptismal water and the Spirit of the Lord descending upon him and remaining. To the first miracle of changing water into wine. The heartbreak of Lazarus being dead and then the absolute incomprehensibleness of Lazarus walking from the tomb after four days with tens to hundreds of witnesses all standing in awe of the moment, realizing that Jesus, the Christ had just called back from the dead a man and there was no explanation! There was only disbelief even though their eyes witnessed the happening; there was marvel and hearts and minds were in shock over the events! There were the Pharisees in a state of panic; for they knew their entire world was about to be turned head over heels, and nothing would ever be the same, again. So as Cleopas and the other disciple of the Lord Christ Jesus walked toward Emmaus, the unrecognized Christ drew near, and then he asked what is this you are discussing? Then Christians, we may with much more natural dramatics than Luke writes, say: "Wow, excuse me; do you sojourn in Jerusalem and do not know the things that have come to pass there in these days!" Then the Lord Jesus in almost a comical or nonchalant sense, asks: "what sort of things – like if he did not know?" Now with a tension that is emphatic, we read that Cleopas and his brother disciple narrate the things that happened to the Lord Jesus, the Nazarene, the Christ. It is interesting to the dimension, structure and agency: these two disciples participating, how they were responding, the decisions they were making, the witnessing of events, what they failed to realize, what they eventually understood and then, those outside who refused to understand. Yet, the moment that Cleopas and the unnamed disciple who was with him recognized, the Lord Christ Jesus, these two disciples in obedience turned away from their likely important and necessary duties in Emmaus. For they immediately knew, the most important thing at that moment was to turn back and tell their brother disciples and the Apostles that the Lord Jesus Christ had walked with them, stood in their presence, talked with them, ate with them, and then with the breaking of the bread, they came to understand and realize that this was Jesus the Nazarene, the Risen Savior the Son of God the Heavenly Father, the creator of heaven and the earth. Wow, what tremendous awe they must have felt! If we juxtapose such an event in today's world; these disciples would have been ridiculed to scorn for saying that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and that they talked with him, walked with him, and broke bread with him. Yet, even given the times they lived, they were likely being tempted by the wiles of temptations to remain silent and not say anything: that would be the safe thing to do. Now Christians, next we see the tremendous reception Cleopas and the unnamed disciple received: by the Apostles, the Disciples and the People who were gathered. For they unwittingly burst in upon the joyous thunders, of exalted hearts and minds – all emotions teeming on high. For the brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus were talking about what had happened at the tomb: Mary Magdalene filled with the awe and wanting to touch Jesus, who had not yet risen to His Father, our Father; the witnessing of the Angels of God saying, why do you look for the living among the dead – go to where you first met and you will see the Risen Savior Jesus there; and yes, Simon either Simon the Canaanite or the Apostle Peter, whose name was Simon too had also witnessed the Risen Savior the Lord Jesus Christ! So Christians, the Road to Emmaus historical happening is much more in depth than we may see at first glance, first reading and first hearing. In truth and revelation, we will likely continue to understand this event in new and unrealized ways, up until the time that the Lord Christ Jesus comes again to judge the living and the dead. One such realization may be that Caiaphas was the high priest that year, and the thing he prophesied does not fit with the standard of the day – that Israel was at rest under Roman rule: something God the Heavenly Father would never allow to remain nor do we realize that Caiaphas has given to the Lord Jesus Christ credit to his being the Son of God and sent by God the Heavenly Father. To consider: Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation of Israel. Yet, it was not only the children of Israel that Jesus would gather, but that he would gather all the children of God, together – and not necessarily only Israel but all the Children of God: as in not the children of the wicked one, which is how Jesus describes them in the understanding of the parable of the wheat and tares. Christians, it is also as the Apostle Peter testifies in the Book of Acts, saying: for the promise is unto you, and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord God shall call; prophecy being fulfilled by God and not controlled by men in exactness. Still, again, we can also go back to the prophecy of Jeremiah, where he testifies: they shall be my people, and I will be their God. God will give us one heart and one way, and those who are his children will fear him forever – it being for the good of us and for our children! So Christians, because of Christ Jesus's New Testament, we realize that the children of God are those who keep his word and believe in him and repent of their sins, always first seeking his kingdom and God the Heavenly Father's righteousness. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, April 15th 2026
Of the Second Week of Easter
• Acts 5:17-26
• Psalms 34:2-9
• John 3:16
• Luke 3:16-21 Christians, let us not take the love of God in isolation of this verse, in the Gospel of John, and ignoring the rest of the testimony of God's love for his creation! For truly, there is the entirety of the Old Testament that testifies of God's love for his creation; yet, in the love expressed from these books, we cannot fabricate God's love into something that it is not, but must come to understand God: as he is and not as we want him to be. Truly, when we look at the testimony from Jeremiah, we see exactly that king Zedekiah is doing this fabricating -- a false love for God and thus, Zedekiah acts out in hate and is harsh against Jeremiah: for Jeremiah bringing to light the ways and the doings of Judah. Therefore, yes, Christians, God loves us; God loves his creation, but God does not let the guilty go unpunished. Yes, Christ Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but this does not mean that there is no sin, since Jesus took a way the sin of the world. If there was no sin in the world, we would not then have the verse: the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Again, Christians, we would also not have the verses: be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Therefore, Christians, let us not fabricate a gospel to suit our ears and to give place to our sinful flesh; do not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God our Heavenly Father. Again, if God was going to make sin acceptable to his creation; why even destroy the people in Noah's time. The same is true of the time of Jeremiah; if God was going to make sin acceptable, why even go through with causing the dispersion; rather, he would have just allowed and permitted their sinfulness and called it good. Also, if God was going to pretend sin was acceptable, why allow the crucifying of his Son the Lord Christ Jesus – why go through such a curse. Moreover, why does Saint Paul testify: brethren, you have been called unto liberty: but do not use this liberty for an occasion to be sinful according to the flesh, but in the love that is God, Christ Jesus serve one another. As well, walk in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Truly, Christians, there is no double meaning in this testimony from Saint Paul; the Apostle Paul is not saying: if we are in the spirit that we can do all sorts of immoralities because -- wink, wink -- we are pretending to be in the spirit. Rather, the Apostle Paul is saying: if we are in the Spirit then we do not do the things of the sinful flesh. Again, if are ways and doings are of the sinful flesh, then we are not in the spirit. For the ways of the spirit are charity-love, joy, faith, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and self-control: these are the fruits of Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit that he sent unto us. Whereas, the fruits of the flesh are adultery, fornication, uncleanness – this being the abominations of homosexuality, and then lasciviousness -- the selling of ourselves to sin. Then also the works of the flesh are idolatry, witchcraft – the cursing and coveting of others, hatred, variance – this being doing what is unnatural, and as well there are many other things. Furthermore, Saint Paul testifies almost the entire first chapter of Romans teaching us that we must acknowledge God as God and give glory to God as God and that God is of his word; yes, Jesus is the word made flesh. Truly, the Apostle Paul warns us about reprobate minds: those who refuse to acknowledge the word of God as Jesus and that Jesus is the word made flesh. Rather, they look for a manner so as to indulge their sinful flesh and then pretend to be in right standing with the word of God. Now Christians, the Apostle Paul's testimony and Christ Jesus's Gospel is the way of our salvation; whereas, the magisterium and doctrine and Rabbinic law, and then also, ritual observances are the writings of institutions! So then see and understand: King Zedekiah believed that he was walking hand in hand with God, while harlotry: prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, the murder of children, and then idolatries: burning incense, pouring drink oblations and the falsifying God's word were the course of the day. Yet, kings Zedekiah: in his pridefulness and his arrogance, these being on full display and yes there were many eyes in Judah that were choosing to be blind to these sins against God, the taking his word in vain. Yet the king having the human authority, Jeremiah was thrown into prison for testifying the truth, the truth that king Zedekiah did not want to hear! So yes, Christians, God loves his creation and Jesus is Lord, and Jesus testifies that the Holy Spirit will convict and convince us of sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because some do not believe in the Son of God; righteousness, because Jesus is at the right hand of God the Heavenly Father; and condemnation, because the prince of this world: the devil has been condemned to eternal damnation. Therefore Christians, as the Lord Christ Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and he has the Gospel of spirit and life. Yet, also, let us realize that the children of the wicked one have their way and their way is of the flesh, but we know that the flesh is of no avail and that its way leads to death. Whereas, Christ Jesus's gospel of spirit and life is the only way to eternal life. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, April 22nd 2026
Of the Third Week of Easter
• Acts 8:1-8
• Psalms 66:1-7
• John 6:40
• Luke 6:35-40 Christians, the Lord Christ Jesus is the bread of life, and this is a blessed thing to remember: while during eating and praying and being. Praying also that we will not be led into temptation and that we will be delivered from evil. Still, Christians, let us not miss the realization that is part of the very truly words of the Lord Christ Jesus: that if we come to the Lord Christ Jesus, we will never hunger again and also in the same manner; whoever believes in the Lord Christ Jesus will never thirst again. Now Christians, we have three agencies here: one, while we are physically eating and are praying; two, Jesus being the bread of life; and three, Jesus being the water of life that quenches all thirst. Therefore, Christians we also readily realize that when the Lord Jesus Christ is testifying that we will never hunger again, he is not referring to eating breakfast, lunch or dinner but that he is referring too: through the Holy Spirit we will never hunger for the desires of the flesh and all such thirst are quenched: for in Christ Jesus, we are no longer slaves to our flesh. Yes, Christians this is a tremendous gift given to us by and through the Holy Spirit, that is it is a given gift, if we do not prefer the darkness, but choose the way, the truth, and the life of the Lord Christ Jesus. Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ, he through the Holy Spirit, who does and will deliver us from all sinful desires, temptations, and sinful lusts; as well as our: greed, pride, and arrogance; if we but faithfully seek Christ Jesus. Then yes, through prayer do the calling upon the Holy Spirit, the advocate that the Lord Christ Jesus sent unto us at Pentecost. Now Christians, as we look at this reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we read: Saul the Pharisee, who later became the Lord Jesus Christ's chosen Apostle Paul, who was to bring the gospel of spirit and life -- repent and believe in the gospel for the kingdom of heaven is at hand -- to bring Jesus's gospel of spirit and life to the gentiles, but as well to other individuals throughout Asia Minor and this Saul of Tarsus had stood over the death of the Disciple Stephen; Saul, the Pharisee had consented to his stoning, consented to Saint Stephen's death. Yet, right within this same time period of this tragedy and reality of life that did happen to the Disciple Stephen; elsewhere, one happening that was in the same time sequence: there was a great joy happening with other disciples and Apostles. For the Apostle Philip was testifying of the gospel of spirit and life, and many miracles came to be: unclean spirits were healed, those who had palsies were healed, and the lame were healed, by their faith they were healed. They, the people of Samaria, these individuals had heard the Apostle Philip, the bringing of Christ Jesus to them, and they believed in the Lord Jesus: they were healed; it was miraculous! So Christians, understand this: while Saint Stephen, disciple of the Lord Christ Jesus was being stoned to death with the consent of the Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, Saul was also causing havoc and disturbing the domestic tranquility of the people throughout Judea. Yet also, the Apostle Philip was bringing Christ Jesus to the people of Samaria, and the Holy Spirit was working miracles. Truly, the contrast of these two sequences of events can be identified in truth, in half-truths, through hate, through insight, through forgiveness, and through hope. Still, the Lord Christ Jesus being truth, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, we testify thus: we again see three things happening regarding people and individuals. A devoted man took the dead body of the Disciple Stephen and prepared it for burial. There were no doubt funeral services for Stephen, his beloved friends available attending. Then there were the people who had stoned him, with Saul of Tarsus approval, and consent. Then we have, the people of Samaria receiving the Gospel of the Lord Christ Jesus with great joy: with healings, with spirit, with the joy of love -- people realizing love: as these life-giving generous moments hold. Yes, the stoning to death of Saint Stephen, disciple of the Lord Christ Jesus happened because men, brethren, and fathers hearken not to God the Heavenly Father, but to what they had imagined of God: what they had created unto themselves. Yes Christians, we know this truth, for the Lord Christ Jesus tells us that he is the good Shephard and that those who try to enter into the flock from some other way than through his word, the gospel of spirit and life are thieves and robbers. Moreover, the Lord Jesus says to the rabbis, the Pharisees, and to all people: you know me not, because, you do not have the word of God abiding in you: Jesus Christ is the word of God, and he was sent by God the Heavenly Father, God the Father of Jacob; as God is the Father of all. Yes, these men who were stiff-necked and uncircumcised in their hearts and ears, they who always resist the Holy Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost of God the Heavenly Father. Yes, they who like their fathers -- Stephen their brethren points out: as your fathers did, so do you; you killed the prophets and persecuted the prophets and now you have betrayed the Just One and yes, they were murderers of him. Truly Christians, in this moment let us consider what the Apostle John testifies: John testifies, Whosoever hates their brother is a murderer: and we know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in them. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.

Wednesday, April 29th 2026
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena
• Acts 12L24-13:5
• Psalms 67:2-6 &8
• John 8-12
• Luke 12:44-50 Christians, Jesus is testifying to a people who were misled by their leaders, these leaders causing them to error, and more than once in the history of Israel did these leaders cause them to error – not all leaders, mind you, but leaders who were permissive of disobedience to God's word; in other words they indulged sin and sinfulness not admonished it. Truly Christians, from the Prophet Jeremiah we learn: that cursed be the person that does the work of the Lord Christ Jesus deceitfully, and cursed be the person that keeps back his sword from blood. Christians, now, in Christ Jesus the measure of these are far more grave, than in the Old Testament. For now they correspond to being eternally condemned into the pits of hell, and as Jeremiah testified; we see, Christ Jesus testifies this: that whosoever shall confess the Lord Christ Jesus before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but the person that denies the Lord Christ Jesus before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Then, Christ Jesus says this: that whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven them; however, the person that blasphemes against the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit that they will not be forgiven! So, what we see in this faith to faith, from the Old to the New covenant and testament is that in the old, it was: if we did not use our sword, when the Lord God our Heavenly Father demanded, and there are many examples of this, but now in the new, it is: when we do not speak Christ Jesus's Gospel and deny the Lord Christ Jesus's Gospel before men, and yes, there are many examples of this, too. Christians, let us take a look at this statement, for it is of the most importance: the person that blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven; now what can this mean and what do we understand this to mean. First we understand it to mean that the person that does this blaspheming, whether it be: a person writing at their computer, a Pope speaking in public or private, a President speaking in public or private, and other individuals speaking in public or private; as well, let us remember that God the Heavenly Father did destroy High Priests – Aaron's sons, Kings, Pharisees and other nations for idolatry, bearing false witness and sodomy – for we are all responsible, and in final judgment, we will all be held to account for every careless word that we may say and every sinful thing that we do not turn away from; so this is the second part of this statement: the what that will happen. Now, the first part of this statement is not as clear to etch out, but we do see the meaning, in part, from the very statement that Jesus Christ testifies: the person that denies the Lord Christ Jesus before people in public, they shall be denied before God and his angels. Then Christians, we realize and know that Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and that his word is spirit and life; they being the holy God. Therefore, when we blaspheme the Holy Spirit what this is, is the bearing of false witness against Christ Jesus's Gospel of spirit and life and this includes both the Old and the New Testament for before the world was created Christ Jesus was. Moreover, Christians, in certain passages from John, the Apostle, he testifies: little children, it is the last time! You have heard that antichrist will come even now are there many antichrist; therefore, we know that it is the last time. Yes, Christians, this is the age of the Lord Christ Jesus! Now Christians, when you come to know some of the clergy, you will realize that they do not believe in Christ Jesus, but that they believe in the political power of the church. Then Christians, we have this verse from the Apostle John: who is the liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ. This then is the antichrist: the person who denies Jesus Christ is, the Messiah, and by denying Christ Jesus; they also deny God the Heavenly Father. Then Christians, this is the third reference testified from the Apostle John about the antichrist: every spirit must confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and those who do not confess Jesus was of the flesh is not of God: and this: not confessing that Jesus came in the flesh, that he died, and that he rose again from the dead is the spirit of the antichrist; moreover, this testifying cannot be simply repetition of reciting but must be believed in the heart and the mind and in the soul and in our strength, which is the same manner that we are to love God the Heavenly Father. Yes Christians, we have heard that the antichrist will come and truly, as the Apostle John testifies: the antichrist was among them, meaning the first disciples and the Apostles, and he warns us, it is also among you. Now Christians, in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus let us pray and be thankful. Amen.