You too can be patient.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials."  (James 1: 2 NABRE)

Is it possible to consider troubles pure joy?  Well the scripture says so.

I finished reading recently a book about the lives of 35 men and women who are Doctors of the Church.  These people shaped the doctrines that Christians believe today.  In my opinion, they are the greatest and brightest.  One day, I asked myself:  "What is the common factor among these 35 Greats?

Each of them suffered horribly in body, mind or soul.  We still remember the sufferings of Pope St John Paul II and Mother St Teresa?  Now consider this act of Divine Providence:  Each of these 35 Greats accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.

Suffering did not prevent Jesus Christ or St John the Baptist from accomplishing what God planned and willed for their lives.  No amount of suffering can prevent us from fulfilling our destiny.

Come O Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

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Come and show us Your face, O Lord.

'Behold, I am coming soon
and my recompense is with me, says the Lord,
to bestow a reward according to the deeds of each."  (Revelation 22: 12  RM)

What deeds will be the basis of the reward of Jesus?

Feeding the hungry
Clothing the naked
Sheltering the homeless
Visiting the sick and the imprisoned
Admonishing the sinner
Forgiving offenses willingly
Comforting the afflicted  (Cf Matthew 25: 34 - 46)

Lord Jesus, do not judge us according to our deeds or merits but according to your unfailing Mercy.

Come O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law. 

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I promise to prosper the work of your hands if you learn my lessons.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow."  (Isaiah 48: 17 NLT)

Abba Father provides all that we need.  But He is also our Teacher.  How does Abba Father teach us His children?

#1.  Through His word.
#2.  Through our daily experiences especially our trials. (Hebrews 12: 7)
#3.  Through the authoritative teaching of the Church.

What are the rewards for learning the lessons?
#1.  "Your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea."  (Isaiah 48: 18)
#2. You will be like a tree planted near running water certain to yield its fruit in due season.  (Psalm 1: 3)
#3.  God will prosper the work of your hands.  (Psalm 1:  3)

Is God a man to lie or is anything too difficult for God?

Come O Prince of Peace.

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Happy Feast Day O Mother and Queen! We love you so much.

"I will rejoice heartily in the Lord,
my being exults in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  (Isaiah 61: 10  NABRE)

Today the Church throughout the world celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jesus created her Mother so beautiful, so graceful and so loving.  On the cross, Jesus said, "Behold your Mother."  (John 19: 17)  Thank You Jesus.   Let us join all generations in calling Mary blessed.  (Luke 1: 48)

Happy Feast Day, O Mother and Queen!  We your grateful children love you so much.

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Has my God forgotten me?

"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  "(Isaiah 40: 31 NABRE)

Like many of us, the Israelites were no strangers to discouragement in their Journey of Faith.  Listen to their complaint:  “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?  And on another occasion: 
"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”  (Isaiah 49: 14)

God is consummate patience and answered them:  "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you."  (Isaiah 49: 14 - 15)

God knows exactly where we are, what we need and when we need it.
Be confident and wait for the Lord.

Come O Sun that never sets.

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The Day of the Lord is near.

“All flesh is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.”  (Isaiah 40: 6 - 7 NABRE)

If you are like myself, you seek and appreciate some stability in life.   Have you been able to find it in anything?  A new car quickly goes out of fashion.  A new home becomes creaky.  The beauty and innocence of the little child turns into a vicious teenager.   "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2)

The grass may wither and the flowers wilt, but we are certain that the word of God will never change.

Come O Morning Star.

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Rejoice with joyful song O People.

"Strengthen hands that are feeble,
 make firm knees that are weak,
 Say to the fearful of heart:
 Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you."   (Isaiah 35: 3-4 NABRE)

Hear the word of God, O People!

Are you weary, heavy of heart or afraid?  Do you want to experience the simple joys of Christmas like a child?  Open your heart and mind to Jesus in faith and prayer.

Come O Dawn from on High.

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Come O Lamb of God, Savior and Redeemer.

"In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  (Matthew 3: 1-2 NABRE)

Who is John the Baptist?
Isaiah describes him as “A voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."  (Isaiah 40: 30)

John the Baptist has a simple profile.  Although born into the priestly nobility, he forsook the privileges that were his by birth to serve Jesus.
"John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."  (Matthew 3: 4) In order not to compromise his mission, he took extraordinary steps to safeguard his independence.
He was direct and bold in his preaching, fearing no one.
"Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance."  (Matthew 3: 8) He urged the great and the powerful who came to him at the River Jordan.  His humility was profound.
"I am not worthy to carry his sandals."  (Matthew 3: 11) He said of Jesus.  Jesus returned the compliments by calling John the greatest of the prophets.

Lord Jesus grant us the singleness of purpose, courage and humility of John the Baptist.

Come O Lamb of God, Savior and Redeemer.

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I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.

 “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." (Matthew 9: 37 NABRE)

The world needs desperately the word of God.  How do I know?  Listen to Jesus:  "At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9: 36)

Isaiah wrote: 
"The Lord will give you bread in adversity and water in affliction." (Isaiah 30: 20 NABRE)  But how can we hear of this promise if there is no one to preach and teach the word?  How can one preach or teach unless he is sent?  How can one be sent unless his heart is open and generous?

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  (Isaiah 52: 7)

 "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."  (Hebrews 3: 15)

Come O Sign of God's love.

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Do you believe that I can do this?

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  (Matthew 9: 29 NABRE)

Jesus touched the eyes of two blind men with the above words and they recovered their sight. 
What is the greatest desire of your heart at this moment?  “Do you believe that I can do this?” Jesus asks you.  What if your faith does not measure up?
Then pray the following or similar prayer:
"Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers, and since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy."

When merits fail, always trust Mercy.

Come O Son of God and Son of Mary.

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It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."  (Matthew 7: 24 NABRE)

Several places in His teaching, Jesus stresses that what brings life, healing, prosperity and salvation is not hearing the word of God, or knowing or teaching the word.  It is doing or acting on the word.  Why?  Because it is not what you know that transforms you.  It is what you do daily.  Salvation comes from conversion which happens every day.  The will of the Father must be obeyed not just every Sunday, or once a month but daily.  This is what opens the door of the Kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 7: 21)

God keeps in peace a person of firm purpose.  This person trusts in the Lord forever as eternal Rock.  (Isaiah 26: 4)

Come O Lamb whom John proclaimed.

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Yes Lord, here I am.

"Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men."  (Matthew 4: 19 NABRE)

What does it take to become a fisher of men?  
"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 17)   You have heard the invitation from Jesus.  What is keeping you from saying Yes?

Some are called to be full time evangelist.  Others are called to be part-time.  Everyone is called to spread the word of God.  Start small.  Grow steadily.  Become a pro.  Start by forwarding scripture verses that touch your heart to family and friends.  Then create a group list.  Go to social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.  Not difficult.  All you need is faith and yes to Jesus.
All things are possible to one who has faith.  (Mark 9: 23)

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He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of His mouth.

"The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him."  (Isaiah 11: 2 NABRE)

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah sketched accurately His profile.  One attribute or sign marked Jesus above others.  Jesus possessed the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  But that is not all.  The Spirit He is endowed is  "a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord."   (Isaiah 11: 2 - 3 NABRE)

As we wait for the Coming of Jesus at Christmas, let us remember that we too are blessed with the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Without the Spirit, it is impossible to live the Christian life.  This season of Advent is the right time to be refreshed with the Holy Spirit so that buds shall blossom from withered stumps.

Come O Root of David!

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I want You to heal my servant right here, right now.

 “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith."  (Matthew 8: 10 NABRE)

Why does Jesus praise so lavishly the faith of the Centurion?  Faith is a rare commodity and one of the greatest gifts of God.  The opposite of faith is Unbelief and Doubt.

How does faith work?  Jesus said to the Centurion:  “I will come and cure him.” The Centurion heard this and believed.  The faith of the Centurion is much deeper.  He said to Jesus: No need to come to my house.  Just heal my servant with a word from here.  Right here, right now.

What gave the Centurion such an elevated faith?  He extrapolated  his experience as a senior Roman officer.

Faith comes from hearing and believing the promises of God.  As you exercise your faith every day, it grows.

Happy Advent!

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Be prepared. Stay awake.

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into."  (Matthew 24: 43 NABRE)

If I know what time the thief is coming, I would alert the police and hire security guards.   Everyone will like to know his final hour on this earth.  Alas, it is hidden from us. 

Scripture counsels us:  "It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."  (Romans 13: 11) And then:  "Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armor of light."  (Romans 13:12) And finally, we are to put on as a garment the Lord Jesus Christ and make zero provision for the desires of the flesh.  (Romans 13: 14)

Nothing is more helpful here than the motto of the Boys Scout:  "Be Prepared!  You do not know when it will happen.  (Matthew 24: 44)

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11-27

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into."  (Matthew 24: 43 NABRE)

If I know what time the thief is coming, I would alert the police and hire security guards.   Everyone will like to know his final hour on this earth.  Alas, it is hidden from us. 

Scripture counsels us:  "It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."  (Romans 13: 11) And then:  "Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armor of light."  (Romans 13:12) And finally, we are to put on as a garment the Lord Jesus Christ and make zero provision for the desires of the flesh.  (Romans 13: 14)

Nothing is more helpful here than the motto of the Boys Scout:  "Be Prepared!  You do not know when it will happen.  (Matthew 24: 44)

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Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord.

"Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!"   (1 Corinthians 16:22b; see Rev 22:20  NABRE)

"Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides." (Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab)

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

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11-26

"Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!"   (1 Corinthians 16:22b; see Rev 22:20  NABRE)

"Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides." (Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab)

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

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My words will never pass away.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."   (Luke 21: 33)

Which two things does God exalt simultaneously always and everywhere?
#1. His Name
#2.   His Word

God's word is also His Law, Decree and Promise.  It cannot pass away.
Has God promised you anything?  Be confident with great expectation.  It will be fulfilled in the fullness of time.  Do not behave like Saul who waited for seven literal days and abandoned his promise. (1 Samuel 13: 8)  Behave rather like David who after he was already anointed king, waited for over 15 years living in exile until the fulfilment of the promise in his coronation.  Like David, use the tool of prayer, psalms and songs to water the seed of your promise.

St Monica prayed for the conversion of her son, Augustine and watered the seed with her tears for about 30 years before God answered her prayer.  St Augustine turned out to be one of the greatest Fathers and Doctors of the Church in the 2000 year history of the Church.

Wait for the Lord.  Be confident.  Wait for Him.  (Psalm 27: 14)

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We give You thanks Almighty Father for these gifts and all Your benefits.

"Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (Ephesians 5: 19-20)

What to give thanks for this Thanksgiving Day and Season.  Consider the following:
The gift of Faith
Eucharist
Word of God
Mercy
Health
Family
Job
Your home, cars, smartphones
Peace of heart
Food
Etc, Etc.

Let us pray:
Father all-powerful
Your gifts of love are countless
And Your goodness infinite;
As we come before You on Thanksgiving Day with gratitude for Your kindness,
Open our hearts to have concern
For every man, woman, and child,
So that we may share Your gifts in loving service.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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