Build yourselves up in your most holy faith

"But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."  (Jude 1: 20 - 21)

How do I build up myself in the most holy faith?  I build up myself by means of the 7-Way Plan received from The Way Himself.  The 7-Way Plan has 7 elements:

1. Prayer
2. Word of God
3. Eucharist
4. Penance
5. Examen
6. Ministry
7. Spiritual Reading

"For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,  as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ,"  (Titus 2: 11-13)

Through the means of the 7-Way Plan, the Lord trains me to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.  Fortified with grace, I wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed hope of His coming.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart in all the areas of your struggle

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;
In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths."  (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Trust completely in the supreme and powerful providence of God over you.  Do not try to figure out the whys and the hows of His ways.  His ways are not your ways because His thoughts are not your thoughts.  Embrace without questions His disposal of events in your life.  This is the way you guarantee the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Commit to God unresolved issues in the areas of your health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.  His divine providence offers step by step direction and minute by minute protection.   God has promised His children always and everywhere His pardon, peace, power, purpose, presence, protection and provision.

Trust God with all your heart.

The Story of 2 Women - Mary and Elizabeth

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,  where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,  cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  (Luke 1: 40 - 45)

This is the story of two women, Mary and Elizabeth that was proclaimed in the Gospel of today, the feast of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.  As I heard this Gospel at the morning Mass today, my thoughts explored the differences between these two great Giants of our faith.

Mary is young.  Elizabeth is old.
Mary is newly pregnant.  Elizabeth is in her 6th month of pregnancy.
Mary is married to Joseph.  Elizabeth is married to Zechariah.
Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth.  Elizabeth and Zechariah live in a town of Judah.
Mary is conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Elizabeth owes her pregnancy to her husband.
Mary was visited by an angel before her conception.  Elizabeth's husband was visited by an angel before her pregnancy.
Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing her Magnificat.  Elizabeth was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing her Hail Mary.
Mary is the Mother of Jesus.  Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ.

I saw clearly for the first time that the Gospel passage of Luke 1: 39-56 may well be one of the most important in the entire New Testament.  It bears a number of revelations and prophecies that continue to be true and inspire to this day.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth foretold the future place of Mary in salvation history.  The same Holy Spirit inspired Mary to predict that all generation shall call her blessed.  All generations indeed starting from apostolic times to this day continue to call Mary blessed always and everywhere.  After the name of Jesus, which is the most pronounced name everyday, the name of Mary is second.  Each time we say the Rosary, we pronounce the name of Mary at least 106 times.  Consider how many Rosaries are said all over the world everyday.  When you add them up plus the name of Mary in the liturgies and other prayers, that is a huge number.  Faced with this critical mass of data, who can deny that all generations are hailing her blessed.  Is this a coincidence or arbitrary?  No!  It is the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Magnificat of Mary.  God is faithful.

(2000th Blog - 053112)

You do not know what you are asking

"Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"  (Mark 10: 38)

Prayer is both praise and petition.  In my own case, most of my prayer is petition.  We are so burdened by the weight of flesh that the spirit in us barely has room to soar in praise.

What makes up my prayer of petition ?  I pray for good health, for job and financial success, for family, my daily bread and protection from evil.  Jesus reminds me today, "You do not know what you are asking of."  Yes Lord, you are right.  I do not know what I am asking of.  I should trust you completely with every area of my life.  You know what is best for me.  I trust you to take care of me.

Your word to me, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well," is true.  Help me never to doubt it.

For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike

"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Matthew 11: 25)

Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  God's modus operandi is to reveal the secrets of the kingdom to the childlike.  What are these secrets?  They are mysteries which the mind of man cannot fully understand.  Yet once they are revealed are found to be reasonable.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul often compares the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes from above.  Although the wisdom of this world deals only with the material creation, they tend to puff up those who have it.  Those who possess this wisdom pretend that they know everything.

St. James in his letter writes of two types of wisdom:  Wisdom that comes from above and the earthly wisdom.  The wisdom that comes from above bears the marks of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  While earthly wisdom bears all the signs of the Father of lies.

The hidden things of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike.  The childlike are those who have hearts and minds disposed to God.

Lord Jesus, make me childlike.

Jesus Christ became poor so that I might become rich

"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich."  (2 Corinthians 8: 9)

In order to appropriate the promises designed for us in the word of God, we must understand the meaning of the word.  I realize lately that I do not understand the meaning of many scriptures that I thought I did.  An example is 2 Corinthians 8:9.  What does it mean that Christ became poor so that by His poverty, I may become rich?

Early this morning, I read a couple of commentaries on the scripture and was surprised by what I discovered.  Christ is the Son of God, creator of heaven and earth and all that is seen and unseen.  He is the Lord of history.  The destiny of the entire world is in His hands. He owns all the silver and gold, all the banks and deposits.   Can you get richer than that?  Yet, Christ chose to be born in a stable in Bethlehem.  Born of poor parents, he learned carpentry as His trade.  Throughout His public ministry, He depended on women to provide for His needs from their meagre resources.  When He died, He had no wealth to bequeath to His mother.  On the cross, He entrusted the care of His mother to his disciple, John.  He was buried in a borrowed grave.

Out of His passion, death and resurrection, He bestowed freely on us the greatest gift of redemption, the person of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the source of all inspiration and power.  He is resourcefulness Himself.  If we have the Holy Spirit, we are potentially rich in every resource, of which the most important is faith.  Gold though tested by fire perishes.  Faith never perishes.  With faith all is possible.

Lord, open my eyes to see how rich you have made me.  Amen!

St. Philip Neri - Cheerful disposition

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5: 5)

May 26, Feast of St. Philip Neri - From the Roman Missal, we have the following:

"(1515 - 1595).  Born in Florence, he was ordained in 1551, and in 1564 he founded the Congregation of the Oratory.  He is noted for his zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance, and for his cheerful disposition.  He was a catechist and a spiritual guide of extraordinary talent.  He was canonized in 1622."

St. Philip Neri had four gifts I want for myself:

1. Zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance
2. Cheerful disposition
3. Catechist
4. Spiritual guide

As St. Philip the Apostle is the model of my mission in his relation to the Holy Spirit, St. Philip Neri is the model of the gifts I need to fulfill my purpose.

Opening Prayer on the feast of St. Philip Neri:

"Father, you continually raise up your faithful to the glory of holiness.  In your love kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit who so filled the heart of Philip Neri.  We ask his through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son..."

Without this fire of the Holy Spirit, our ministry will only be mediocre.

The Holy Spirit will remind you of all that I told you

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."  (John 14: 26)

Thank you Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for His activities in my life.  I bear witness to the truth that the Holy Spirit is the best Teacher.  I depend on Him when I want to learn anything.  Today I am praying to Him to make me as great a teacher as Jesus.  O Divine Spirit, give me the gift of teaching with simplicity.

Thank you O Holy Spirit for reminding me of the favors God has bestowed on me.  Without this reminding, I would forget many blessings I enjoy from God.  I love all your gifts O Spirit of God.  One of the gifts I love most is your reminding me of the good things that God has done for me.  This constant reminding makes me constantly thankful and constitutes a solid wall of protection during hard times.

Come O Holy Spirit.

Approach the throne of grace with confidence

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Those who dare to approach the throne of grace with confidence receive abundant favors.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,* and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1)

"Blessed* are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19: 9)

The Power to testify

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.
And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."  (John 15: 26 - 27)

Lord, fill us with you Holy Spirit that we will bear witness to you in the Lord.  Empower us with your Spirit of truth that we shall spread the knowledge of your name among our brothers.  Without you, we can do nothing.

The Mediator

"On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God."  (John 16: 26 - 27)

Prayer should be in the name of Jesus for He is our Mediator and Intercessor.  In the past few weeks, the Gospel readings at daily Mass have been taken largely from St. John's Gospel.  We read again and again Jesus urging us to ask in His name and we shall receive.  The promise today goes one step further.  The engaged disciple is now no longer a baby.  He loves Jesus.  This love is evidence of the Holy Spirit who has made a home in the disciple's heart.  This disciple starts to enjoy the full benefits of his love for Jesus.  Jesus knows his needs and takes them to the Father and the Father graciously obliges.  Thank you Jesus.

The Peace of Jesus

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33)

The peace of Christ surpasses all understanding.  (Philippians 4: 7)
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts."  (Colossians 3:15)  When the peace of Christ keeps guard over the heart, then the person is peaceful under every circumstance.  He is not at the mercy of events and circumstances.  We come to this condition by accepting in faith the peace offered to us by Jesus in John 16: 33.  Before this, we reject the flippant and conditional peace offered by the world.  A peace that depends on the weather is no peace at all.   Whatever is the event or circumstance, we refuse to be anxious but by prayer and petition mixed with thanksgiving, we make our requests known to God.  Whenever I live this word of God, I have felt the peace promised by Jesus Christ.  It is peace that the world cannot understand or replicate.

Jesus Christ wants His followers to enjoy peace.  I am amazed at the number of times the word peace is repeated during holy Mass.

I am with you always

"Behold, I am with you to the end of the ages." (Matthew 28: 20)

What if we know for certain that Jesus is with us always?  If we know for certain that Jesus is with us always, we will act with more courage on His word that "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  We are more likely than not  obey His commands.

God's word is true.  If Jesus says that He is with us always, that is what it is.  He is not a man to lie.  Lord, grant me the grace to act here and now as if you are truly with me.  Amen!

I am with you always

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28: 19-20)

"I am with you always."  What a promise!!  What will you do if you know that this promise is absolutely true?  If I know with absolute certainty that this promise is true, I will not walk but run everywhere to announce the Goodnews.  How sad that there should even be a doubt on this!

"The promises of the LORD are sure, silver refined in a crucible, silver purified seven times."  (Psalm 12: 7)

Dear Jesus, help me to trust completely in your promises.  Let your words drive my life.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to surrender completely to all His actions in me.

God is not far from us

"He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us."  (Acts 17: 26 - 27)

God is not far from any of us.  But we can recognize His presence only if we seek Him.  If we grope for Him we shall surely find Him.  Times and seasons are there to teach us that God is not only faithful but very close.  When we seek Him in prayer, He hears us instantly and often answers without delay.

The Spirit of truth

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...."  (John 16: 13)

Lord, the Spirit of truth has come.  You have fulfilled your promise.  I need your precious and loving Spirit to guide me to the whole truth on your plan for me with regard to the work, finances, family, tools, food and future.  Bless me also with the gift of discernment of spirits so that I can know your will for me in everything.  Fill me with the fruits of your Holy Spirit so that I can bear much fruit for you in the world.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15:, 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

He raises the needy from the dust

"He raises the needy from the dust,
lifts the poor from the ash heap,
Seats them with princes,
the princes of the people,
Gives the childless wife a home,
the joyful mother of children." (Psalm 113: 7 - 8)

My Lord, you are the hope of the poor.  You always hear the cry of the poor.  Look upon me with mercy.  Do not allow that I succumb to the influence of evil in sadness, discouragement, auto-criticism, regrets or impatience.   Rather let me remain true to your gift of life.  Amen

The Spirit of truth

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate  to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you."  (John 14: 15 - 17)

Lord, I love you and want to keep your commandments.  Since I cannot keep them without your Holy Spirit to help me, please ask the Father to fill me with your precious Spirit.  Then I will keep all your commandments.
Then I will bear witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers.

Lord, you also promise that your Spirit will be with me always.  This is terrific.  If He is with me always, will He always guide me continually?  Sometimes I have problem in recognizing His continual guidance.  As we approach the celebration of Pentecost in two weeks time, I ask you to grant me the grace to always recognize the presence of your Spirit in me and to discern and accept His guidance in all things.

They grow stronger in faith

"Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number. " (Acts 16: 5)

What is growth in faith?  It is the growth in the understanding and acceptance of the truths of faith.  It is also growth in appropriating God's generous promises in His word.  As we appropriate these promises and watch the fulfillment in our lives, our faith grows.

Lord Jesus, you brought us the consolation of the truth.  Thank you Jesus.

Go and bear much fruit

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." (John 15: 16)

Yes, Lord.  I know you chose me.  I did not choose you.  I remember at time when I thought that I chose you.  Thank you for your patience.  Thank you for teaching me.  You chose me to go and bear fruit that will last.  Today more than ever, I want to do this.

"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)