The Lamp-Stand

“Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bed? Surely to be put on lamp-stand?” (Mark 4: 21)

Is Jesus Christ forming me to put me under the bed? Surely not! I believe he is forming me to become a lamp. The place of the lamp is on the lamp-stand and not under the bed. At the appointed time, he will place me on a lamp-stand. This is my firm hope. “Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the One who made the promise is trustworthy.” (Hebrews 10: 23)

The Hope I profess

“Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is trustworthy.” (Hebrews 10: 23)

What hopes do I profess today?

· To know Jesus intimately
· To be friend and companion of Jesus
· To serve Christ with distinction
· To publish Christ everywhere
· To succeed totally in the Enterprise

These desires come from the Holy Spirit. The desires are implicit promises. The Holy Spirit is faithful. I profess this hope and keep it firmly in my heart.

The New Sanctuary

“We have then, brothers, complete confidence through the blood of Jesus in entering the sanctuary, by a new way which he has opened for us, a living opening through the curtain, that is, his flesh.” (Hebrews 10:19)

Jesus Christ, the priest, the victim and the altar has given us a new way of entering God’s holy presence in the new dispensation. That new way and better promise is the Eucharist. The blood of Christ shed for me makes me confident as I go to drink with joy from the spring of salvation flowing from the living opening, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ.

In this same Jesus, “We have the high priest over all the sanctuary of God.” (Hebrews 10:21). Jesus Christ is the high priest who celebrates the Eucharist. Thank you Jesus for fulfilling this better promise.

Sown among thorns

“Some seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain…. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.” (Mark 4: 7, 18-19)

Why does our spirituality not support us? Because the word we receive maybe sown in thorns. The thorns come very tiny like the mustard seed. But they grow rapidly with time. They grow to become worries of the world, lure of riches and cravings for other things. They become masters and may take complete control of our lives. No wonder they choke the word.

Jesus said that in order for the word to produce a harvest, it must be sown in a good and rich soil. Our soul is like a garden. We must cultivate it and maintain it everyday. An unmaintained garden is soon overgrown with weed. Jesus has given us abundant means for maintaining the soil of our soul. Some of these means are:
· Word of God
· Prayer
· Eucharist
· Sacrament of Reconciliation
· Frequent examination of conscience
· Spiritual reading

What are the fruits of the word that falls on a good soil?
Peace, tranquility, joy, consolations, light and guidance, confident and victorious living. We recognize that these are also the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

When trials come

“Similarly, those who are sown on patches of rock are people when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root deep down and do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, at once they fall away.” (Mark 4: 16 – 17)

When I first heard the word, I received it with joy. But I had no depth of understanding. The theology was inadequate. There was no anticipation of trials and persecutions which came in the form of delays of desires and plans, obstacles and disappointments. Temptations to sin were not anticipated. The concept of the cross before the crown was not known.

As I tried to walk in the light, trials came. The foundation could not support the building. I felt disappointed and discouraged. Then Jesus Christ came a second time into my life. This time, I am beginning to understand. I came to realize that trials and patience in trials equip me with enduring power. Every morning, I offer to Jesus through Mary all my trials, sufferings and delays of the day. When delays, obstacles and disappointments come during the day, I try to remember the offering I had made in the morning and I ask for strength to cope. Because I anticipate trials, I am more prepared to meet them. Thank you Jesus.

One Single Sacrifice

“By virtue of the one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10: 14)

In Calvary, Christ offered satisfactions for us to the Father. From this single act, he made it possible for us to have the purity and sanctity to see and enjoy God forever. At Mass, we commemorate in an active and living way the one single sacrifice of Jesus in Calvary. The Mass becomes therefore the most potent prayer of intercession.

Who is my mother?

“Who are my mother and my brothers? And looking up at those sitting in circle around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. And anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 33)

Jesus defines the new rule for fraternity and intimate relationship. It is based in the spirit and not the flesh. I therefore can find my mother, brother or sister anywhere I go.

Blood of Christ

“Bulls’ blood and goats’ blood are incapable of taking away sins, and that is why he said, on coming into the world:
‘You wanted no sacrifice or cereal offering, but you gave me a body. You took no pleasure in burnt offering or sacrifice for sin; then I said, ‘Here I am, I am coming,’ in the scroll of the book it is written of me, to do your will, God.’
He says first you did not want what the law lays down as the things to be offered, that is: the sacrifices, the cereal offerings, the burnt offerings and the sacrifices for sins, and you took no pleasure in them; and then he says: Here I am! I am coming to do your will. He is abolishing the first sort to establish the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ made once and for all.” (Hebrews 10: 4 – 10)

It is God’s will for me to be made holy through the Mass. The Mass is for me the source of sanctification. It is the Mass which fulfills for me the promise of Isaiah 12: 3, “Joyfully you will draw water from the springs of salvation.” During the epiclesis, I will ask the Holy Spirit to make me holy as he consecrates the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Scatter Seeds

Scatter Seeds


“This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the land. Night and day, while he sleeps, when he is awake, the seed is sprouting and growing; how, he does not know. Of its own accord the land produces first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain of in the ear.” (Mark 3: 26)

The seed is the word of God. The seed contains life and dynamism. We do not know how it sprouts and grows but it does.
Lord Jesus, make me one who scatters seeds.

Smile at Jesus

“Look up at the Lord and smile; your face will never be ashamed.” (Psalm 33:6)

Where can we look up at the Lord today? We know and we believe that the Lord is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. We know and we affirm that he is truly present body, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. These things we know by faith.

How can we smile at the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in the Eucharist? Sometimes I come to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Eucharist with a lot of burden. But I make it a rule that before I step into the presence of the Lord, I leave my despondency behind. I recognize him whom I am going to meet.

Being self-employed has helped me appreciate the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in a very concrete manner. As a salesman, I have ‘often toiled the whole day and caught nothing.’ I know how looking up to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament at the end of my day has restored my spirit again and again. Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness. Surely no one who looks up at the Lord and smile will ever be ashamed. I have experienced this and I guarantee it.

Parallel Text

"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and trust shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30: 15)

New Revised Standard Version

"These are the words of the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
In calm detachment lies your safety,
your strength in quiet trust."
Revised English Bible

"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved,
in quiet and in trust your strength lies."
New American Bible

"For Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says this,

'Your salvation lay in conversion and tranquility,

your strength in serenity and trust."

New Jerusalem Bible

Inventory of Gifts

"Go out to the whole world, proclaim the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16: 15)

This is the great commission.

'But Lord, how am I to do this?'

'You are learning now. You will be told what to do at the right time.'

What are the gifts I am likely to need to fulfill the great commission in my life?

• Knowledge
  
• Teaching
  
• Writing
  
• Faith
  
• Prophecy
  
• Discernment of Spirits
  
• Wisdom
  
• Evangelical simplicity
  
• Administration
  
• Intercessory prayer
  
• Encouragement
  

'Lord, this is a long list. Bless me with these gifts and help me to deploy them in the work of my life.'

The Mission of Paul

"The Lord replied, 'Go, for this is my chosen instrument to bring my name before gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he will suffer for my name." (Acts 9: 15)

The mission of Paul:

• Bring the name of Jesus before 'gentiles and kings'
  
• Bring the name of Jesus before the people of Israel
  
• Suffer much for the name of Jesus
  

Did people fulfill this commission? Read the Acts of the Apostles. Read the letters he wrote to the churches.

The Witness

"The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the upright One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all humanity, testifying to what you have seen and heard." (Acts 22: 14)

Ananias communicates to Paul his vocation. Christ had promised Paul: "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do" (Acts 22:10)

• Paul was chosen to know God's will.
  
• Paul was chosen to be a witness to Jesus before all humanity.
  
• Paul was chosen to testify to what he saw and heard.
  

He carried out his life's work admirably through preaching, teaching and writing.

What is my mission? I learn and I teach. Has God really chosen me to be a friend and companion of Jesus? If this is so, God will confirm his call at the appropriate time. Can I appropriate Acts 22: 14? Lord Jesus, I am completely yours. Lead me, guide me and use me. Amen.

"I will open before you a door that no man can shut." (Revelation 3: 8)

"What am I to do, Lord?"

“I said, ‘What am I to do, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” (Acts 22: 10)

What am I to do Lord? “Get up and go to Aston, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.”

As I wait for the Lord’s word to be fulfilled in my life, I need patience. Surely, I will be told what I have been appointed to do at the right time. Thank you Jesus. I think of the Chinese proverb: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the teacher is ready, the student appears.”

Companions of Jesus

"He now went up onto the mountain and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed twelve; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to proclaim the message, with power to drive out devils." (Mark 3: 15)

Jesus Christ chose those he wanted. The choice was not based on status, wealth or education. It appears that he chose them in direct contradiction to human "wisdom."

• Those chosen were to be companions of Jesus.
  
• They were appointed to proclaim the message.
  
• They had power to deal with the devils.
  

These are promises of the New Testament which are superior to anything found in the Old Testament.

Better Promises

"As it is, he has been given a ministry as far superior as is the covenant of which he is the mediator, which is founded on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)

The above scripture refers to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is priest, king and prophet. Priest, king and prophet describe who he is according to scripture. But what he does for our salvation is his ministry. These are according to scripture: teaching, feeding and healing. In his teaching ministry, he acts as both priest and prophet. As a priest, he is our supreme high priest and sole mediator before the Father.

We are told in Hebrews 8:6 that Christ's mediation is founded on better promises. Which promises? I think of this:

"Take this, all of you, and eat it:

this is my body which will be given up for you.

Take this, all of you, and drink from it:

this is the cup of my blood,

the blood of the new and everlasting covenant.

It will be shed for you and for all

so that sins may be forgiven.

Do this in memory of me."

This promise is the summit of our faith. Christ Jesus gives us himself as our food and drink. What can be more sublime! The foolishness of God is greater than all the wisdom of man, scripture teaches. So is the weakness of God greater than all human strength and power. In the gift of the Eucharist, the "better promise", we see the foolishness and weakness of God made so for our salvation.

Keep Holy the Lord’s Day

"Is it permitted on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil, to save life, or to kill?" (Mark 3: 4)

"Lord Jesus, I look around and see a lot of things happening on the 'Sabbath'. I do not know how to interpret your commandment regarding the observance of the Sabbath. How do I know the difference between the work that means "doing good and saving life" and work that is done purely for profit or lack of trust in your promise to provide adequately for our needs? I do not know how to counsel my friends. I need your light and guidance, Lord."

I confided the above reflection to my journal exactly ten years ago in 1997. Today, I am still struggling with the issue of understanding the command of keeping the Lord's Day holy. God in his mercy has blessed me with the gift of the 'Sabbath.' I do not work on Sunday. I try to enjoy a full day of rest. Sunday is my best day of the week. But unfortunately, I cannot say the same for some of my friends. Some of these friends who also love Jesus work on Sundays. They work on Sunday because their schedule obliges them to work on Sunday or because they are self-employed and Sunday is their best day of doing business. More and more businesses are opening on Sunday. Which of these businesses open in order to "do good or save life" or just for pure greed?

Lord, give me an understanding heart for these issues. Help me not to condemn or to complain.

Enthusiasm

"Our desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same enthusiasm till the ultimate fulfillment of your hope, never growing careless, but taking as your model those who by their faith and perseverance are heirs of the promises." (Hebrews 6: 11 – 12)

"Fill me Lord, with the unsurpassable knowledge of yourself. As I know your more every day, let my love for you grow more intense and passionate. Then I will be ready to follow you everywhere."

Jesus Christ gives us a lot of aids to help us maintain our enthusiasm. These are the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, prayer, the word of God, spiritual reading and spiritual direction. He also provides us with so many sacramental like holy water. We have also a crowd of saints as model for our faith and perseverance.

God Remembers

"God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services that you have done, and are still doing, for the holy people of God." (Hebrews 6: 10)

God remembers. He remembers every good deed we have ever done in our life. He uses this for our benefit. This truth should encourage us to continue in the way of goodness. How and when does God apply our good works to our benefit? It is a mystery but one thing is certain. It does not follow a cause and effect sequence. Where does God's mercy, that is, unmerited favor come into the picture? Which blessings are attributable to God's remembrance of "all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services that you have done, and are still doing, for the holy people of God" or purely to God's mercy?

It is obvious that goodness is rewarded in this life. It is also a fact of faith that without God we can do nothing.