Christian Art | King James Audio Bible KJV | Christ’s Hymn Of Joy | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
Luke 10: 21-24 | Advent Tuesday Week 1 | King James Audio Bible KJV
21 ¶ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23 ¶ And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Jesus, as he journeys to Jerusalem, has dispatched seventy disciples to go on ahead to preach and heal. The seventy have returned with wonderful news, that Christ’s name is power over demons, and, we sense, that the Gospel is preached and received; the harvest is truly plentiful.
This is, then, a great evangelizing moment, even as people are still confused, many preferring to focus on the miracles only rather than on the life everlasting which is to be in heaven, and even while there is disbelief. Still, there is so much belief swelling in the land, so prompting Christ’s hymn of joy.
Jesus rejoices that, while the so-called wise and educated have failed to see the truth of his teaching, such that salvation remains hidden from them, the truth has been revealed to babes – The humble people understand and accept the word of God in ways the wise scholars cannot. We are reminded that we are to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18: 3) This does not imply a regression to weakness, softness, and infantilism; rather a relinquishing of pride, conceit, worldly knowledge and standing, and claims to spiritual self-sufficiency. It is the recognition that we absolutely need God’s grace.
Jesus now announces himself as the Son of God, in such close relationship with the Father, consubstantial with the Father, and able also to reveal God the Father to us. Jesus rejoices in the custodial role that the Father has given him. This is the fulfilment of history the prophets longed for.
‘He who enriches others becomes poor. He took to himself the poverty of my flesh so that I might obtain the riches of his godhead. He who is full empties himself. He emptied himself of his godhead for a brief time so that I might share in his fullness… It was necessary that holiness be conferred on man through the humanity of God took to himself. In this way, conquering the tyrant by force, he freed us and led us back to himself through his Son, the mediator. The Son brought this about to the honour of the Father to whom, in all things, he is seen to defer.’ St Gregory Nazianzen
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
Luke 10:21-24, often referred to as the ‘Hymn of Joy’, is a powerful passage that highlights the importance of joy and gratitude in our lives as followers of Christ. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI have both spoken about the significance of this passage and its impact on our spiritual journeys.
Pope Francis has emphasized the idea that true joy comes from within, and is not dependent on external circumstances. He states, ‘Joy is a gift from God, and it is the fruit of our relationship with Him. When we are connected to Jesus, we are filled with a deep sense of peace and contentment, even in the midst of trials and difficulties.’
Pope Benedict XVI also reflects on the importance of joy in our lives as Christians, saying, ‘Joy is not just an emotion or a feeling, but it is a state of being that is rooted in our relationship with God. It is a sign of our connection to the divine, and it is a powerful witness to the world.’
Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit and gives thanks to God for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to the lowly, rather than the wise and powerful. This passage teaches us that true joy is found in humility and in recognizing the blessings that God has given us.
Pope Francis emphasizes this message, stating: ‘Joy is not something that we can manufacture or attain on our own. It is a gift from God, and it is only by embracing His love and surrendering ourselves to Him that we can experience true joy.’
Pope Benedict XVI similarly notes: ‘The Hymn of Joy in Luke 10:21-24 reminds us that our joy is rooted in our relationship with God and our recognition of His love for us. When we are focused on God, we are able to find joy in all circumstances, and we are able to share that joy with others.’
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
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