Universal Utterings

for May 14, 2025

A Godcast

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05-14-25 John 15 v0917 What Ever You Ask the Father

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The Gospel of John Chapter 15 Verses 9 thru 17

9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you: love one another.”

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew, one of the original twelve disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ. Known for his transformative encounter with the Lord, Matthew is often depicted in scripture as a tax collector who answered Jesus’ call to discipleship. His Gospel, the first book of the New Testament, provides a detailed account of the life and teachings of Christ, emphasizing Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy.

In John 15:9-17, we find profound teachings that echo the heart of Christian discipleship and love. Jesus begins by expressing, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” This verse encapsulates the essence of divine love, inviting us to receive and abide in His love. Jesus’ love serves as the foundation for our relationship with Him, urging us to remain connected to Him, much like branches on a vine. To abide in His love is not a passive task but an active invitation to live lives characterized by obedience, love, and mutual support.

As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded that Jesus calls us friends, not servants. “I have called you friends,” He states, “for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” This intimate revelation signifies that our relationship with Christ is not one of mere obligation but rather a deep, personal bond. St. Matthew exemplifies this as he transitioned from a life of collecting taxes to being a devoted follower of Christ, fully embracing his identity as a friend of Jesus. His commitment exemplifies how a transformative relationship with Jesus can lead to a powerful response in our lives and communities.

Moreover, Jesus’ command to love one another “as I have loved you” reinforces the notion that our love should be sacrificial and self-giving. In doing so, we bear witness to our discipleship and echo the love that Jesus extends to us. As we ponder these truths on the Feast of St. Matthew, let us be inspired by his life and example.

Did you know that St. Matthew is often represented in art with a pen and inkwell? This symbolizes his role as an evangelist and writer of the first Gospel, reflecting the importance of sharing the Good News and the necessity of documenting Christ’s teachings for future generations. Matthew’s transformation from a tax collector to a cherished apostle reminds us all of the radical change that faith can bring in our lives. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany.. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

05-14-25 John 15 v0917

**What Ever You Ask the Father**

In the garden where the vine does grow,

A whisper flows from heart to heart,

“As the Father loves, so I love you so,

In this love, let our lives never part.”

Abide in Me, let your spirit remain,

In the shadows, in the light,

With every joy, in every pain,

Stay close to Me, hold on tight.

You’ve been called, no longer a thrall,

But a friend who knows the way,

In My truth, you will stand tall,

For I share with you each day.

What I’ve learned from the heavens above,

I have shared, each secret unfurled,

To live in love is a gift, a treasure trove,

Transforming hearts, changing the world.

And as I laid down My life for you,

So cast aside your fears and strife,

In loving service, let compassion break through,

A testament of My eternal life.

For when you love, you truly live,

In each act, let His spirit flow,

A bond so deep, you will surely give,

In the name of love, let His grace grow.

So remember the vine and its sacred thread,

From the root flows grace divine,

In every action, let His love be spread,

Friendship with Christ, our heart’s true design. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

May 14, 2025 @ 04:50 AM EST

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