Universal Utterings

for March 16, 2025

A Godcast

UniversalUtterings.Com

03-16-25 Luke 9 v2637 Witnessing the Kingdom of God

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The Gospel of Luke Chapter 9 V- 26 and 37

26 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” 28 About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. 29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents,* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 34 While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” 36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. 37 On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

In Luke 9:26-37, we witness a profound moment known as the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory to His chosen disciples—Peter, James, and John. This biblical passage invites us to contemplate not only the majesty of God's presence but also our call to share that glory with the world. When we look closely at these verses, we understand that experiencing the glory of God is not just a moment of personal revelation; it is an empowerment to proclaim the truth of salvation through our lives and actions.

The Transfiguration acts as a divine spotlight that pierces through the mundane, illuminating the reality of God’s glory. Reflecting on this extraordinary event, Bishop Barron gives a compelling analogy of a fish out of water. When a fish is caught and brought to the surface, it is momentarily struck by the light, revealing the beauty of the world beyond its watery confines. However, if it wriggles away and plunges back into the depths, it returns to darkness. Similarly, the Transfiguration provides us with glimpses of heaven on earth, showing us the majesty of God, but we must resist the temptation to retreat back into the depths of our ordinary lives without sharing this transformative experience.

Just as Jesus instructed His disciples to descend the mountain after the Transfiguration, we too are called to come down from our spiritual highs, equipped with the joy of salvation. To experience the glory of God is to recognize our role as bearers of that light in a world often shrouded in darkness. Our encounters with divine glory compel us to share the Gospel, extending the grace we have received to others.

Our prison ministry embodies this call as we bring the Eucharist into the lives of those who feel alienated from the light. In the Eucharist, we encounter the true presence of Jesus—His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, equivalent to the glory revealed at the Transfiguration. Through this sacred sacrament, we not only witness the beauty of God but also become conduits of His grace, offering hope and the promise of eternal life as we too descend down the mountain of Transfiguration sharing Redemption of your sins. 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.

We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. Today we pray for a family and their son Brady, an 8-year-old boy we met in a restaurant leading prayer for his family before their meal. This is the letter I got from his mother Nicole yesterday evening.

Hi Mr. Thomas,

My family met you one Sunday at Tijuana Flats in Winter Haven. My son was blessing our meal and after he prayed, you commended him and gave us your business card.

My son, Brady (8), has been FAITHFUL to pray for you almost daily at our family meals, he has shared with his Sunday school teachers & bible class leaders.

He always remembers, "Mr. Thomas and his jail ministry." He prays for your safety and the "kids & adults" you are sharing the gospel with.

I think it is so special how the Lord put you in our lives that day and I think it is even more special that you made such an impact on my little boy that he has felt compelled to pray for you every day since.

We have kept your business card on our prayer board and I kept telling Brady I would send you an email and let you know he has been praying for you.

I pray you are blessed and your ministry is thriving. Please know our family & specifically Brady are still praying for you and your ministry.

God Bless you, Mr. Thomas!

Amen.

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

03-16-2025 Luke 9 v2637

**Witnessing the Kingdom of God**

Upon the mountain, visions gleam,

A glimpse of glory, a holy dream.

Jesus stood, radiant in light,

With Moses and Elijah, a divine sight.

The voice of God in a cloud did speak,

“Listen to Him,” both strong and meek.

The truth revealed, the heavens shown,

A moment of grace, for them alone.

The disciples fell, with fear and awe,

In presence of glory, they marveled and saw.

Yet, soon enough, they’d head back down,

To share the joy, to wear the crown.

Like fish above water, caught in the light,

We too are invited to bask in His might.

But do not retreat to shadows that bind,

For glory awakens, a truth to find.

We bear the gift of salvation's embrace,

In our hearts, we hold a sacred place.

The Eucharist shared, His body and blood,

A channel of mercy, a wellspring, a flood.

So let us descend from the mountain today,

With echoes of glory, let His love to stay.

In lives transformed, in hope we proclaim,

The truth of salvation, forever His name. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

March 16, 2025 @ 04:33 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. †**