The following are words given by participants at the streamed meeting. 1 Corinthians 14:29 says that "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others weigh carefully what is said." 1 Thess 5:19-21 tells us not to despise prophecies, but to test everything and retain what is good.
Scripture Reading Wisdom 2:6-13 - Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that exist, and make use of the creation to the full as in youth. Let us take our fill of costly wine and perfumes, and let no flower of spring pass us by. Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither. Let none of us fail to share in our revelry; everywhere let us leave signs of enjoyment, because this is our portion, and this our lot. Let us oppress the righteous poor man; let us not spare the widow or regard the gray hairs of the aged. But let our might be our law of right, for what is weak proves itself to be useless. Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training. He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord.
Vision - I had this vision and it looks like it was God and it was these very large, almost looks like bronze hands. And these hands, which I have the sense was God's hands, was holding what looked like a man. It was almost like the parable of the potter and the clay, where God is shaping someone. It was like he was shaping someone.
Scripture Reading Sirach 2:1-6 - When you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great. Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient; for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.
Scripture Reading Deuteronomy 7:9-11 - Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. He will keep his covenant and show his constant love to a thousand generations of those who love him and obey his commands, but he will not hesitate to punish those who hate him. Now then, obey what you have been taught; obey all the laws that I have given you today.
Scripture Reading Psalm 16:8-11 - I have set the Lord continually before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will you allow your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasure forever.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 51:6 - Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies, but my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.
Prophecy - Never forget, my children, how much I love you, never forget why I created you, to love you. Remember, I don't need you. I have my own hands and feet and mouth. I can declare to the world my love. Yet I chose you before time to be my mouthpiece, to speak my word, share my love, to go out for those people who don't know me, to all the needy, the hungry, the poor, the outcast. Just be there and let your love flow, my love flow through you. But remember I loved you first and I will never, even when you don't serve me, I love you. Even if you choose to go against my will, I still love you. I am a God of love. There is nothing else. Therefore let me love you because you cannot give to anyone what you haven't received yourself. So, let me love you and let that love renew you and let that love flow. Thank you for answering my call. Thank you, you are such a blessing. You are so precious. Let me love you.
Prophecy - Rejoice in the Lord for he is good and his love endures forever.
Fr. Sam Argenziano spoke on the Scripture reading from Matthew 11:25-30. Jesus is God's gift to everybody, not just a few, not just the wise and intelligent. Everybody who opens themselves up in faith, receives the teachings of God and receives the wisdom of God. Study the Scriptures, read the commentaries, bible study. Open up the Word of God to understand where Jesus is pointing.
Jesus stretches the law, the commandments. i.e. "You have heard do not kill, but I don't even want you to be angry with your brother or sister." Are we going to follow Jesus? Are we going to live this in our life?
The yoke of Jesus is we have to live together in community. It's not easy. We are a spiritual family. We are to live in harmony. We are nourished by each other. We are a gift to each other.
Jesus says, "Take my Yoke upon you and learn from me."
Taken from July 5 Meditation in Word Among Us: According to ancient tradition, observant Jews were encouraged to take up the "yoke of the Torah," or the "yoke of the law of the Lord." This meant placing their highest priority on study and contemplation of the Law. So, when Jesus told his disciples to take his yoke upon them, they would have understood what he meant: Take up my teaching. Immerse yourself in my words. Let what I have taught you become your highest priority and greatest treasure.
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