AUTHOR OF LIFE

       Last blog, I was talking about a book by Fr. Mike Scanlan called Titles of Jesus. Here is a  continuation of a few more. The name is given then the scripture verse then a key thought followed by my thoughts.

 

        AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: Scripture Hebrews 12:2  Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith Who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Key Thought: We would never be Christians with Christian faith but for Jesus Who first lived as the Father calls us to live. He showed us how to start and how to finish our life with God. My Thought: I mentioned in my book Small White Hearts, page 131, how I often feel Jesus holding my left hand - often during the Our Father during mass - and someone else holding my right hand.

 

         AUTHOR OF LIFE: Scripture Acts 3:15 You killed the Author of Life but God raised Him from the dead. To this we are witnesses. Key Thought: An author brings something into existence. Jesus, as Author of Life, brings into existence for us eternal life with God. He frees us from the sentence of death and offers us life. My Thought: Did I as an author bring Jesus as a living being to my readers inside their hearts?

 

          THE BEGINNING AND THE END (The Alpha and the Omega/The First and the Last): Scripture Revelations 22:13 I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Key Thought: All good begins and ends with Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1). The final action in the history of the world will be Jesus handing the Kingdom over to the Father. In the history of our personal lives, salvation begins with Jesus and ends with our standing before Him Who is our judge. My Thought: Fr. Joe Rodrigues in a retreat he gave in Globe, Arizona, said that the word history means His Story, how true. 

TITLES OF JESUS

      David, our music minister at Monday night Prayer Group often asks us to call out what our favorite names of Our Lord is. Mine are Wonderful and Counselor. I found a super book about the names of Our Lord Jesus by Fr. Mike Scanlan, from the Franciscan University at Steubenville. Father has fifty-two names, of which my favorites are not included because he is using the New Testament only. In the next few blogs, I'll cover some of them alphabetically as Fr. Mike does.
 

       ADVOCATE: Scripture 1John 2:1 If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. Key Thought: Jesus takes our case, represents us before the Father, pays the price for our redemption from sin, and intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. My Thought: The Holy Spirit is an Advocate also.

       the AMEN: Scripture Revelations 3:14 These things say the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. Key Thought: Jesus was the Amen, the yes to the Father's plan. He willingly became man, suffered and died on the Cross because that was the Father's will for Him. My Thought:  I am a better person because I understand what the Cross means to me.

     APOSTLE OF OUR PROFESSION: Scripture Hebrews 3:1 Therefore holy brethren who share in the heavenly calling, consider Jesus the High Priest and Apostle of our Profession. Key Thought: Jesus first gave His life as the Son of His Father, professing His faith, trusting all things from the Father's hands. He showed us the way and earned us the power and right to profess our faith as He did. My Thought: May I always say yes to His requests.