Evelyn Joe

Date Added: Saturday, April 28th, 2007

msjoe21st@aol.com -- WHATEVER YOU DID UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST, YOU DID UNTO ME

The Second Commandment Sisters
Through the Potter's Vessel Parable

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me."

Anybody can say it, but the lip service is enough for us to say: "I love God," without demonstrating the love to those you can afford not to because they are less than your equal or you have nothing to gain or at inconvenient times. St. John says that you are a liar if you claim to love God and you don't love your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live?

The practical application is, how can you love God when you can be insensitive to, and inconsiderate of, to the needs of those you interact with and prefer those from whom you can benefit? What God do you pray to when you cannot reconcile and live in harmony with those you know? And what does it mean to pray when we lie to gain an edge and hurt others? How can there be a nation of plenty and sophistry and there is so much misery?

An all volunteer assembly of non-denominational faith-oriented women, we believe in actualizing our Christianity by doing from non-judgmental understanding and response. From the truthfulness of the heart and preserving the privacy and holistic dignity of the recipients of God's will, The Second Commandment - do unto others - is the basic tenet of our faith.

In faith, the individual is genuine because there is no broadcast and assignment of praise and she remembers that Jesus came to bring the good news to the poor. He told us the good news when He said: "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." He came to give the peace of heart which comes from doing good to others.

The Second Commandment Sisters demonstrate Christian teachings by practical outreach. Just like the Biblical Potter restored the broken vessel into a vital, strong instrument of purpose and appreciation - it could be a sick person or bedridden who needs an errand; a despondent person who is bereaved; an inmate with lost hopes; a helpless family in need of food or clothing; teaching youths; to ensure justice and fairnness - we believe a genuine commitment of care can restore purpose in the lives of those in need, assuring those who are voiceless, and assist in making transitions from despair and disbeliefs to faith in the goodness of humankind through God's grace.

At all times, all can find peace in God because He is more durable and in Him is the stability and permanence that inspire confidence and strength in doing unto the least among us Regardless of the trials and challenges, He is ever the same, unaffected by forces that work changes in others. Time or task does not alter His person or His character. He endures ''from everlasting to everlasting" (Ps 90:1-2). He is the Covenant Friend who never changes and He motivates us to do unto others, as the treasured old poem reflects:

"Unlike our friends by nature,
Who change with changing years,
This Friend is always worthy
The precious name He bears."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ gave the apostles the Great Commission, and then told them to return to Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. "After that they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet near Jerusalem. Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer" (Acts 1:12, 14). Nine days later, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Perhaps, this "nine day period of prayer" of the apostles is the basis for the Novena, a period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors or make special petitions to affirm our faith in doing unto the least.

You may choose:

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; The New Novena to the Black Nazarene; Novena to the Divine Mercy Novena to Our Father Saint Augustine; Novena Prayer to Jesus, the Way the Truth and the Life; Novena in Honor of St. Anthony de Padua; Novena to the Immaculate Conception Novena Prayers to St. Jude Thaddeus;
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Novena to
Saint Joseph.