Universal Utterings

for July 4, 2025

A Godcast

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07-04-25 Matthew 9 v0913 I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice

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The Gospel of Matthew 9 Verses 9 thru 13

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. 11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. 13 Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Matthew 9:9-13 narrates the calling of Matthew, the tax collector, and reveals Jesus’ heart for the marginalized. When Jesus invites Matthew to follow Him, it breaks societal norms, as tax collectors were despised for their betrayal and greed. In response, Matthew leaves everything behind, embracing a new life of discipleship. Jesus’ declaration, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” underscores God’s yearning for compassion and connection over mere ritual adherence. This passage beautifully illustrates the transformative power of grace, where even the most unlikely individuals are invited into fellowship with the Lord.

Today, as I celebrate 16 years of marriage with my soul mate in Christ, Toni, I see parallels between our journey and Matthew’s. Together, we have dedicated ourselves to living out the Gospel, following Jesus as Disciples of love, faith, and hope. Through our ministry, God First Ministries, we have intentionally sought the lost, the lonely, and the languished, embodying His mercy in a world that often feels harsh and disconnected.

In every interaction, we strive to reflect the heart of Jesus, seeking out those who feel ostracized, just as He did for Matthew. We believe that when we place God first in all we do, everything else will fall into place—GUARANTEED! This principle has been the bedrock of our marriage. Our commitment to each other and our calling has flourished under the guiding light of Christ’s love.

As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our dedication to each other and to our ministry. Love, rooted in faith and grace, has strengthened our bond and allowed us to be vessels of hope for others. May our journey continue to reflect God’s mercy, leading more sinners to become saints. 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

07-04-25 Matthew 9 v0913

**I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice**

In a crowded town, by the tax booth he stood,

Matthew, the sinner, misunderstood.

With coins in his hand, a life wrapped in shame,

But Jesus passed by, calling his name.

"Follow me now," the Redeemer did say,

Leaving his riches, he brightened the way.

No longer defined by the weight of his sin,

Embraced by the Savior, a new life begins.

The murmurs around him, they whispered and sneered,

For the One who received him was truly revered.

Yet with eyes full of mercy, He stood for the meek,

His love for the broken was what they should seek.

“I desire compassion, not sacrifice made,

For the lost and the weary, My heart will not fade.”

So He dined with the lowly, the losers and outcasts,

Transforming their stories, their futures recast.

Now we, like Matthew, can answer the call,

To seek and to serve, to uplift and to draw.

In the arms of His grace, may the broken find peace,

For love knows no limit, and mercy won’t cease. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

July 4, 2025 @ 04:44 AM EST

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**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using [email protected], or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**