Naaman the Leper

Naaman the Leper

“Go and bathe in the Jordan, and your flesh will become clean once more. But Naaman was indignant and went off, saying, ‘Here was I, thinking he would be sure to come out to me, and stand there, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the spot and cure the part that was diseased.” (2 Kings 5: 10)

Naaman had his own ideas about how he would be healed. His preconception and programming nearly deprived him of his cure. Naaman did not know that:

· For God everything is possible. “All things serve you.” (Psalm 119: 91)

· God’s ways are not our ways.

· God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.

· God is master of means.

· God is the Lord of times and seasons.

When I compare Naaman’s behavior with that of the Centurion in Matthew 8: 5 – 13, I understand that faith is a simple and childlike trust in God’s word. The centurion knew that the power of God can work through words and through space. Naaman wanted something more tangible as in pagan practices, for example: incantations, rituals, etc.

God’s word is always sufficient.

Intuition

Intuition

“Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no good like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, as loyal to the covenant and faithful in love to your servants as long as they walk wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept the promise you made to your servant, my father David, as you promised him you would. Today you have carried it out by your power. And now, Yahweh, God of Israel, keep the promise you have made to your servant David….” (1 Kings 8: 23 – 25)

The attributes of Yahweh from the above prayers of Solomon are:

· Loyal

· Faithful

· Loving

As long as I walk wholeheartedly in his way, Yahweh will keep his promises to me. What are these promises?

· Success of the Enterprise

· Health

· Famille

What does walking wholeheartedly in the way of Yahweh mean to me today?

· Total surrender to Yahweh

· Openness to the Holy Spirit

· Knowing God’s word

· Confessing God’s word

· Holding firmly to God’s word

How strong is my faith in:

· Christ

· Prayer

· Eucharist

· Word of God

· God’s wisdom

· God’s power

· The Enterprise

How do I strengthen my faith in the Enterprise?

· Prayer

· Eucharist

· Word of God

· Writing

· Patience

· Affirmative action

I believe strongly that God is an excellent communicator.

How do I know that the Enterprise will succeed?

· Word of God

· My own intuition (Sirach 37: 13 – 15)[i]

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[i] “Then, too, heed your own heart’s counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more? A man’s conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower. Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.” (Sirach 37: 13 – 15)

Ask and keep Asking

Ask and Keep Asking

“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; anyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, would hand him a snake? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11: 9-13)

I recall the event of 060195. I desired strongly for the Holy Spirit. At the end of nine day novena, I knelt down at 11 am and pleaded for the Holy Spirit. God answered my prayer. The event of 060195 at 11.26 am changed my life completely. That event still drives my life. My personal experience confirms Christ’s words in Luke 11: 9 – 13.

Solomon had a similar experience:

“So give your servant a heart to understand how to govern your people, how to discern between good and evil, for how could one otherwise govern such a great people as yours?’ It pleased Yahweh that Solomon should have asked for this. ‘Since you have asked for this,’ God said, ‘and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies but have asked for a discerning judgment for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as no one has had before and none will have after you….” (1 Kings 3: 9 – 12)

Solomon asked for wisdom and it pleased God. He did not ask for long life, riches or power. Some prayers are more pleasing to God than others. Prayers that ask for spiritual favors are absolutely certain to be answered. Christ taught “how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Ask for anything that is good for you and God will give it to you. Ask for the Holy Spirit and you shall receive it at once.

What am I asking for today?

· Deep faith

· Patience

· Wisdom

· Humility

I ask also for strong desire to see God’s will accomplished in every detail of my life. Luke 11: 9 – 13 and 1 Kings 3: 9 – 12 are a big encouragement to all who ask.

Ask and keep asking; seek and keep seeking.

This is Success

This is Success

“Be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of Yahweh your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, and his ordinances and his decrees, as stands written in the Laws of Moses, so that you may be successful in everything you do and undertake, and that Yahweh may fulfill the promise which he made to me.” (1 Kings 2:2)

Ten years ago, when I was obsessed with success, I wrote the following reflection on the above scripture:

“Here, I am given once again the secret of success: This is to be found in the word of God. What is the word of God? It is:

• The injunctions of God


• His ways and his laws


• His commandments, ordinances and decrees.

Everything I need to be successful in everything I do and in all my undertakings is in the word. Today, I seek for success in the Enterprise and the Holy Spirit is pointing to me where and how this success is to be achieved.

Where is the secret of success? The word of God.
How can I get this power from the word of God?

• Read the word and understand it spiritually


• Confess the word


• Stand firm on the promise of the word


• Exercise faith in the word of promise and be patient

In my situation today, this is what it means to, “observe the injunctions of Yahweh, my God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments and ordinances and decrees.”
Christ has given us his Body and Blood as a seal to this relationship. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness.”

Fast forward ten years to 2006. I see success entirely in a different light. Success today means to me: understanding who I am and my mission; growing in this understanding everyday and accomplishing my mission one step at a time.

Lately, I have learned different tools for success from the Liturgy of the Church. The catechumens and candidates received into the Church are asked this question:
“What do you ask of God’s Church?”
The candidate may answer in these words:
Faith, joy, peace, knowledge, success, etc.
The celebrant presents the candidate with a cross and calls his name as says something like:
“Mary, this is faith….” Or joy, peace or success. In order words, the cross is the fulfillment to all our aspirations. The Paschal Mystery satisfies everything we shall ever desire in this life.

Today, the secret of success is not just knowing and keeping the word of God. It is something much more sublime: embracing the paschal mystery of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who am I?

Who am I?

“Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my lineage, for you to have led me as far as this? Yet, to you, Lord Yahweh, this seems too little.” (2 Samuel 7: 18)

When I think of the Enterprise and how far I have gone, I praise and thank God. I have the strong belief that more goodness and kindness await me. Like David, I have the feeling that Yahweh is saying to me: “But this is too little.”

Who am I and what is my lineage for Yahweh to have led me as far as this?

“How rich and deep are the wisdom and knowledge of God! We cannot reach to the root of his decisions or his ways. Who has ever known the mind of the Lord?” (Romans 11: 33-34)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways, declares Yahweh. For the heavens are as high above earth as my ways are above your ways, my thoughts above your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 8-9)

“Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my lineage, for you to have led me as far as this?”

The answer is hidden in the mind of God, in his “wisdom and knowledge”, in his “thoughts and ways.” Praise the Lord!

“Such is human destiny, Lord Yahweh. What more can David say to you, since you, Lord Yahweh, know all about your servant? Because of your promise and since you were so inclined, you have had the generosity to reveal this to your servant.” (2 Samuel 7: 19-21)

Yahweh knows everything about me.

He has made many promises to me.

He has revealed to me my destiny. To be a friend and companion of his Son, Jesus. To be with Jesus, learn about him and communicate this lesson to others.

“Is there another people on earth like your people, like Israel, whom a god proceeded to redeem, to make them his people and to make a name for himself by performing great and terrible things on their behalf, by driving out nations and their gods before his people? For you constituted your people Israel your own people forever and you, Yahweh, became their God.” (2 Samuel 7: 23-24)

In my days of oppression, Yahweh proceeded to redeem me.

He made me his own: his portion and inheritance.

He did great things on my behalf: the Enterprise.

“Now, Yahweh God, may the promise which you have made for your servant and for his family stand firm forever as you have said, so that your name will be exalted forever and people will say, ”Israel’s God is Yahweh Sabaoth.” (2 Samuel 7: 25-26)

Yahweh’s Promises to me:

· Genesis 12: 1-4

· Exodus 14:14

· Deuteronomy 8: 1-10

· Deuteronomy 30: 19-20

· Deuteronomy 31: 3

· Deuteronomy 31: 6

· Joshua 1:9

· Psalm 23

· Isaiah 12:3

· Isaiah 45: 2-5

· Jeremiah 29:11

· Malachi 3: 10

· Romans 8: 28

· Revelation 3:8

The Armor of God

The Armor of God

“Saul dressed David in his own armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head, dressed him in a breastplate and buckled his own sword over David’s armor. David tried to walk but, not being used to them, said to Saul, ‘I cannot walk in these; I am not used to them.’ So they took them off again.” (1 Samuel 17:38)

What are the big fights facing me at the moment? Which Goliath am I facing? Which armor am I putting on for the battle? How does God see my situation today? Which armor is God offering?

“That is why you must take up all God’s armor, or you will not be able to put up any resistance on the evil day, or stand your ground even though you exert yourselves to the full.

So stand your ground, with truth a belt round your waist, and uprightness a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to quench the burning arrows of the Evil One. And then you must take salvation as your helmet and the sword of the Spirit, that is, the word of God.” (Ephesians 6: 13 – 17)

Which armor are you putting on in your struggles today? God’s armor or man’s? To fight Goliath, David rejected man’s armor and put on God’s armor.

Do I have instances in my life where the choice between God’s armor and man’s mad a critical difference?

These scripture passages are a few of the many scriptures that represent God’s armor when I faced Goliath in the areas of job, finance, health, etc in my life:

“Yahweh your God himself will lead you across.” (Deuteronomy 31: 3)

“The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I want.” (Psalm 23:1)

Finally, David answered Goliath defiantly:

“But I come to you in the name of Yahweh Sabaoth, God of the armies of Israel, whom you have challenged …. So that the whole world may know that there is a God in Israel, and this whole assembly know that Yahweh does not give victory by means of sword and spear – for Yahweh is Lord of the battle and he will deliver you into our power.” (1 Samuel 17: 45 – 47)

Appearances

Appearances

“But Yahweh said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him; God does not see as human beings see; they look at appearances but Yahweh looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Appearances can be deceptive. The tiny Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem was certainly an appearance that was deceptive. The bloodied Jesus on the cross was another. The bread and wine transformed at Mass into the Body and Blood of Jesus retain their accidents and deceive many. But note that those who walk by faith and not by sight are not deceived by appearances. Jesus was recognized by his parents, the shepherds, the magi, Simeon and Anna as the Son of God. As bloodied as he was on the cross, the Good Thief still recognized Jesus as divine. Millions everywhere recognize the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. What all these people have in common is faith.

How do I see people, institutions and events? Am I influenced by appearances? Is it possible for me to see as God sees, that is, “look at the heart?”

O Jesus, help me to see myself as you see me. Help me to see my neighbor as you see him. Let me see the world as you see it.

What do I need to see today as God sees it?

• The Enterprise


• Family


• Money


• Health


• Food

Where can I look for answer? In the word of God.

The Choice, the Call, the Anointing

The Choice, the Call, the Anointing

“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness. I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42: 6-7)

Lord, if you call me, I answer and say: “Here I am Lord, I will go.”

You promise to be my strength in proportion to the trust I place on you. Lord, who would not like to place 100% trust in you so that he may enjoy your strength and your resources to the full? Lord, help me to trust you 100%.

Promise of Provision

Promise of Provision

“Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.’ Let us be bold, then, and say,

‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” (Hebrew 13:5)

The above scripture has brought me immense peace again and again with regard to money. My interpretation of it is as follows:

Do not worry about money. Have no anxiety whatsoever about money.

Whatever you find that you have at any material time, be content with it. It may be a large amount or a small amount, let not that bother you.

God promises: I will always provide for you and be your sufficiency and you will never be embarrassed by money. You will always have what you need.

Because God has made the above promise and I know that he is faithful, I am very bold and confident as I say: ‘The Lord is my helper in financial needs. Why should I be afraid? Nobody can threaten me or embarrass me because of money.’

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have everything I need.” (Psalm 23: 1)

“The Lord is my light and salvation; I will fear no one.” (Psalm 27: 1)

“Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you.” (Psalm 16:1)

Character is Destiny

Character is Destiny

“For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes; who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and befriends the alien, feeding and clothing him.” (Deuteronomy 10: 17 – 18)

God’s Character:

• · Omnipresence
• · Omnipotence
• · Omniscience
• · Grandeur
• 
  
• · Goodness
• · Love
• · Truth
• · Faithfulness
• · Mercy
• · Compassion
• · Holiness
• · Purity
• · Eternity
• · Longsuffering
• · Just

Man’s Character: this is how God sees the new man liberated by Jesus Christ. We are continually evolving into this.

• · Created in God’s image and likeness
• · Righteous
• · Son of God
• · Temple of the Holy Spirit
• · New creation
• · Reflection of God
• · Heir
• · Good
• · Strong
• · Rich
• · Beloved
• · Chosen
• · Holy

Trust God

Trust God

“For there is nothing that God cannot do.” (Luke 1: 37)

I believe in the Bible
I believe in prayer
I believe in miracle
I leave the rest to God.
I have faith in God’s disposal of events.

Your Word is my life

Your Word is my life

“Take all these words to heart; …..  You must not think of this as empty words, for the Law is your life, and by its means you will live long in the country which you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”  (Deuteronomy 32: 46 – 47)

“In the scroll of the book it is written of me, my delight is to do your will, your law, my God, is deep in my heart.” (Psalm 40: 7 – 8)

“If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciple; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31 – 32)

Your word O God is:

• My life


• My delight


• My joy


• My food


• My home


• My treasure


• My passport


• My freedom.

If I cling to the word, I will succeed in everything I do. (Psalm 1: 3)

The Word and Success

The Word and Success

“Have the book of this law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may carefully keep everything that is written in it.  Then your undertakings will prosper, then you will have success.  Have I not told you:  Be strong and stand firm?  Be fearless and undaunted, for go were you may, Yahweh your God is with you.”  (Joshua 1: 8 – 9)

How do I succeed in the Enterprise?

• By always confessing God’s word.  


• By meditating on the word of God

The word of God makes me strong and enables me to stand firm.  The word makes me fearless and undaunted by any delays, obstacles and disappointments.  It makes me realize that Yahweh is a true God who keeps his promises.  He has promised to be with me wherever I go.  I believe him.

Witness

Witness

“The Lord says, ‘I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last, alleluia.” (John 15: 16, 19)

I reply:  “I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia.”  (Psalm 18: 50; 21:23)
Liturgy of Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter.

The Vine

The Vine

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 5)

Christ is the big tree trunk. I am the healthy branch at his side, sapping life and vitality from him with which I bear abundant fruits.

The Builder

The Builder

“Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.  Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.”  (Psalm 127: 1)

The Lord is building the Enterprise step by step, one day at a time.  Thank you Jesus.

Consider it all joy

Consider it all joy

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.   And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1: 2 – 4)

Show me O Lord, how the negative circumstances of my life are part of your  loving providence for me.

Through the negative circumstances of my life, God is training me.  Training me for what?
Training me to be a patient man.
Training me to have a mature faith.
Training me in obedience.
Training me to be merciful.
Training me to be complete and prepared for the work he has called me.

Thank you Lord.  Train me as you see fit.

SeekFirst

SeekFirst

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”  (Matthew 6:33)

On the 1st of November 1996, I confided the following to my journal:
[Yesterday at Mass, I made the resolution to attend daily Eucharist as from 11/01/96.  I regard this development as a big grace and I thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for it.  I see it as the first fruit of the October devotion.  My prayer to God is that since I am not capable of carrying out such a lofty resolution on my own, that he should provide me with all the physical and spiritual strength I need to carry it out.

I recall the miracle of my friend, Carrena who told me in 1992 that for over 10 years, he had attended Mass everyday without missing one day.  May God give me the same blessing not just for 10 years but for the rest of my life.

The October devotion was concluded yesterday with the Mass novena in the last 9 days and the extra Rosary during the month.  How do I feel now about my prayer request?  Very confident.  For one thing, I have come to know more about the Blessed Virgin Mary form the book of Fr. Francis Ripley, “Mary, Mother of the Church”, which I bought on October 25th.  I came to realize as I never did before that it is God’s will that all graces come to us through Mary.  I also learned of the constant teaching of the Church articulated so well by many pontiffs that Mary is very powerful in her intercession on our behalf.  

I started the devotion this October asking for one favor and one favor only:  the total success of the Enterprise.  In the concrete, I seek for the following graces:

• A burning zeal to see the will of God accomplished in my life with regard to the Enterprise.


• To seek God’s will and not mine in every detail of the Enterprise.


• Faith that is firm, unwavering and constant that God is for me and with me in this project and therefore success is guaranteed.


• Patience to wait for God’s time, realizing that everything that happens takes place when God chooses.


• Wisdom to know what to do and when in every step in this project.  


• Humility to totally depend on God for everything vis-à-vis the Enterprise.

I have sought for these graces through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  I believe I will get everything I asked for and more.

I feel deeply encouraged by the grace for the daily Eucharist.  To me it is like “seeking first the kingdom of God and all that he requires of me” and then challenging God to fulfill his promise to supply all my needs.

Today marks two weeks since the commencement of the Enterprise.  Looking back at everything that has happened so far, I thank God that I am benefitting from the preparation I made.  I am following my scripts closely.  Considering how things have gone so far, it appears as if the Holy Spirit is in a hurry to establish for me his priority in the Enterprise.  The thrust and emphasis of my effort have been spiritual development.  Although I have spent time thinking of money and security, these thoughts are clearly secondary.

With the blessing of the daily Eucharist, I know for certain that I am heading in the right direction.  God will fulfill his word to me at the right time.  “All other things shall be mine without the asking.  For the Father knows that I need them.  And indeed, for this reason, he has placed me here.”  This is my belief.  Praise the Lord.  Alleluia!]

It has been 10 years since I wrote the above reflection.  Reading this again today in 2006, I marvel at God’s faithfulness.

Rejoice in Hope

Rejoice in Hope

“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”  (Romans 12: 12)

Have peace!  Be calm!  Enjoy the peace that Christ offers you every morning in the Eucharist.  That is his gift and he wants you to have it.  God is surely for you and with you in this Enterprise.  Be thoroughly convinced of this fact.  

Wait patiently for God’s time.  God has time for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)   Let your hope make you joyful, calm and patient.  Know that this hope is built on the word of God and not on changeable man.  No word of God is impossible for him and his word is enduring.  Trust in God’s disposal of events.  Things may change.  People may change.  Laws may change.  The weather may change.  But God is faithful.  He remains the same forever.  

In this journey, just as he was with Abraham, Moses and Joshua, he is surely with you.   Never doubt that.  God will not abandon you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)  This is the promise of one who is true and faithful.  God is guiding you every step in this project.  You know his presence through the faith you have in the Enterprise, the peace and calm you feel.  God’s guidance is peace.

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

“For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our battle are not of the flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10: 3 – 5)

Where are we hitting him? Where is his soft spot?
Where are we wasting armor?
What are the most strategic weapons in our arsenal?
Faith
Eucharist
Prayer/Rosary
Word of God
What are the most powerful weapons in the enemy’s arsenal?
Discouragement
Spiritual Information Warfare: Competitive Strategy
What is the enemy doing? Do you fully understand his strategy and tricks?
What is he planning to do? Can you predict his moves from past experiences?
W
Doubts
Misinformation
Worry
Fear
What are the strategic war zones?
Family
Health
Job
Money
Tools
Food

God is light

God is light

“God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.  If we say that we share in God’s life while we are living in darkness we are lying, because we are not living the truth.  …….  The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 5 – 7)

God is light and sin is darkness.  As I prepare for the Sacrament of reconciliation this last Saturday of the month, I find the first reading for today’s Mass most appropriate.  To live God’s life is to live in the light.  The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)  Powerful stuff!  I will remember this particularly this morning as I go to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the upright.  He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins, and not only ours, but also those of the whole world.”  (1 John 2: 1 – 2)

What are the areas of my life where God’s light has not penetrated?  Where does the word of God needs to shine in my life?  O Holy Spirit, please show me.

Do not panic

Do not panic

“Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.” (Acts 6: 8)
What do we need for ministry above everything else?  The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit provides all the resources and tools we need for the mission.  My number one task is to cultivate the person of the Holy Spirit.

“They found they could not stand up against him because of his wisdom, and the Spirit that prompted what he said.” (Acts 6: 10)
I find here a fantastic fulfillment of the promise of Christ in Matthew 10: 17 – 20.
“Be prepared for people to hand you over to the Sanhedrims and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, and evidence to them and the gentiles.  But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.”  (Matthew 10: 17 – 20)

What is the message in today’s scripture?  When you find your faith challenged, do not panic for full help will be given.  “I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place in me.”  Jesus, I want to trust you 100%.

Glad Tidings

Glad Tidings

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brought glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!”  (Isaiah 52: 7)

This scripture seems to point to the mission of John the Baptizer.  John was the messenger with glad tidings.  He was the chosen herald who announced the coming of Jesus and all it brings:  peace, salvation and good news.

John the Baptizer has done his work and is gone.  But the work of announcing the good news and glad tidings continue to this day.  I believe that the Father draws me near to Jesus in order to participate in this work.

How do I respond to those I meet who are hungry for the word of God?  

• I ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide my response.


• I ask Mary, Queen of the Apostles to help me.


• I give them a short personal testimony relating to their situation.

He worked by their side

He worked by their side

“After the Lord Jesus had talked with them, he was taken up to heaven and sat at the right hand of God.  The disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and proved that their preaching was true by the miracles that were performed.”  (Mark 16: 19 – 20)

Jesus went up to heaven after he completed the work his Father gave him.  Before he did so, he commissioned his disciples to carry out the work the Father entrusted to them through Jesus.  The great commission continues to this day.  

I too believe that I have been called to serve in the Kingdom by the side of Jesus.  I feel deeply encouraged to know that the Lord is working by my side.  Even as a disciple,  Jesus is there working by my side.  The scripture today says that Christ proved that the work of the disciples was true by the miracles they performed.  What can b e the proof right here and right now that Christ is working by my side and that all that I am doing is true, that is, of Christ?  “By their fruits you shall know them.”

He Scolded Them

He Scolded Them

“Last of all, Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating.  He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen me alive.  He said to them, ‘Go throughout the whole world and preach the Gospel to all mankind.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Believers will be given the power to perform miracles:  they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues; if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, who will get well.”  (Mark 16: 14 – 18)

Jesus did not scold his disciples for deserting him during his passion.  Peter was not rebuked for denying him during his trial.  But he scolded them for not believing those who witnessed to his resurrection.  Unbelief could be hardness of heart.  “O that we may hear his voice today and not harden our hearts. “ Faith gives us access to all God’s promises.  Unbelief locks the door to God’s blessings.

Note that after scolding them, Jesus commissioned the same unbelieving disciples to “preach to all mankind.”  Very interesting.  He did not say:  “You have failed the final test.  Now let me start afresh and recruit men who are capable of faith and the work of the kingdom  which all depends on faith. “  Is this an instance of divine realism?

One other thing to note in the above scripture is that Jesus appeared only to his disciples after he rose from the dead.   He did not show himself to everybody.  Today like then, only those who believe in him “see” him.  To all his disciples, he gives power.  Power to overcome the world.  Power to preach the gospel.  For Jesus, the work of building the Kingdom of God is always a priority.  

He was buried

He was buried

“Joseph bought a linen sheet, took the body down, wrapped it in the sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of the solid rock.  Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb.”  (Mark 15: 46)
When I reflected on the above scripture ten years ago, I wrote the following:
“We see in the burial of Jesus the completion of his life cycle as a man.  He was born, grew up and became a man.  He died and now he is buried.  He experienced every event of our humble human nature.  

Yesterday at Mass, the genealogy of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of St. Matthew was read.  For the first time, I felt I understood the message of the genealogy.   Christ Jesus descended from ordinary men and women and not from angels.  A good number of his ancestors were rascals.   All the four women mentioned in the genealogy had skeletons in their  cupboard.  David, the man after God’s heart was not perfect.  Solomon fell from grace.  Rehoboam fell into open rebellion.  But these are men and women whom it pleased God to use to prepare for the coming of Christ.  

In Mark 15: 46, we meet Joseph of Arimathea, the man chosen to bury Jesus.  Jesus died like all his ancestors.  He was buried but he rose again on the third day.  Praise God!

Trust love and obedience

Trust, love and obedience

“It was 9 o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. …..At noon the whole country was covered in darkness, which lasted for three hours.  At 3 o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why did you abandon me?”  (Mark 15: 25, 33)

According to Mark in the above passage, Jesus spent 6 hours on the cross.  I had always thought he spent 3 hours.  For 6 hours, he endured excruciating pain and agony.  On top of this, he was mocked and insulted all the time.  

How is it that I tend to take lightly what happened on the cross?  I think the reason is spiritual darkness.  I remember St. Ignatius Loyola saying that if it is possible for us to gain an insight into what happened on the cross, we will hate sin forever.  Lord Jesus, grant me this insight.  Grant me the grace to see what you did for me on the cross.

What happened on the cross?  Jesus suffered for 6 hours and died.
Who is Jesus?  The Son of God.
Why did he die on the cross?  To save me from sin.  
What should be my response to this truth?  Trust, love and obedience.

Things will Happen

Things will Happen

“The soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus, made a crown out of the branches, and put it on his head.  Then they began to salute him:  ‘Long live the King of the Jews!’   They beat him over the head with a stick, spat on him, fell on their knees, and bowed down to him.  When they had finished mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes back on him.”  (Mark 15:  17 – 20)

Jesus knew what he would go through during his passion.  He predicted it.  He did so in order to strengthen the faith of his disciples and to remove the element of surprise as his passion starts to unravel.  

Jesus speaks to us in Holy Scripture.  He knows already everything that will happen to us in life.  He is saying:  “Look at my word.  Look at what I have said about my disciples.  Believe it.  So do not be surprised when things start happening to you.”

What is certain is that things will happen to us as disciples of Jesus.  What is comforting is that Christ knows about it already.    What is required of us is faith in Jesus.  

Trust Him

Trust Him

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests know to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4: 6 – 7)

“Be still my soul:  the Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of seeking his will.  Leave to thy God to order and to provide.  You are going through a change in your life and life style.  Know that in every change, he faithful will remain.  
Be still my soul:  thy best thy heavenly Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”

“Have peace!  Be calm!  Relax!  Be assured that God is for you and with you in the Enterprise.  Look right and left, the signs are everywhere.  Wait patiently for God’s time.  He has a time for everything.  Let your firm hope make you joyful and patient.  Have complete trust in God’s disposal of events.  God is faithful.  He will not abandon you nor forsake you.  He is guiding you every step in this project.  And his guidance is peace.  Trust him.”

Do not be afraid!

Do not be afraid!

“Then Peter said, ‘I swear that I am telling the truth!  May God punish me if I am not!  I do not know the man you are talking about.’  Just then a cock crowed a second time, and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will say three times that you do not know me.’  And he broke down and cried.”  (Mark 14: 71 – 72)

Jesus predicted Peter’s behavior but Peter did not believe him.  As followers of Jesus, we face on daily basis many dangers and temptations.  The New Testament is full of warnings on the need to be vigilant and alert.  The New Testament is also full of remedies to the various dangers and temptations we face in our Christian walk.

What particular door was open in Peter through which the devil walked in unchallenged?  Fear!  Fear of suffering.  What does Jesus say on the subject of fear?  
Don’t fear those who do no more than cause you physical suffering?
You can only retain your life by losing it.
Do not be afraid.
Take up  your cross everyday and follow me.

Lord, grant us the grace to overcome fears in our lives.

The Crowd and Justice

The Crowd and Justice

“Pilate spoke again to the crowd, ‘what, then, do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?’  They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’  Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barnabas free for them.  Then he had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be crucified.”  (Mark 15: 12 – 15)

We meet Jesus again under the control of the powers of darkness.  Can there be true justice in the world?  Pilate knew very well that Jesus was handed over to him out of malice.   The right thing was for him to set him free.  He chose to please the crowd.  

Christ had predicted that in the world his followers will be persecuted.   For any Christian to expect otherwise is to doubt the words of Jesus.  The process of justice has not changed since the time of Pilate.  The people responsible for administering justice are still motivated to pleasing whatever “crowd” they happen to serve at the material time.  

Peace and justice shall reign in full measure in the kingdom of God.

They Slapped Him

They Slapped Him

“They all voted against him:  he was guilty and should be put to death ….  Some of them began to spit on Jesus, and they blindfolded him and hit him.  ‘Guess who hit you?’ they said.  And the guards took him and slapped him.” (Mark 14: 64 – 65)

This is the moment of the reign of darkness and the forces of evil are at their best game:  lies, condemnation, insults, cruelty, torture and death.   Who is the victim in this case?  A man who is absolutely innocent.  Why are they doing this to Jesus?  His Father decreed that he should go through this in order to save us from these same forces of evil.  

Through the passion and death of Christ, we gain strength to overcome the forces of evil in our own lives.  We do not succumb to threats of lies, insults, torture and death.   How did Christ behave as a captive of the forces of darkness?  He behaved with calm dignity and acceptance.  He had prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for strength to endure and now he enjoys that strength.  

As a disciple of Jesus, temptations will surely come.  It could come in many guises.  As a good soldier, I prepare for the worst through faith and prayer.  We draw inspiration from Jesus Christ, our model.  We follow his example.  

Scriptures Must be Fulfilled

Scriptures Must be Fulfilled

“Did you have to come with swords and clubs to capture me, as though I were an outlaw?  Day after day, I was with you teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest me.  But the scriptures must come true.” (Mark 14: 48 – 49)

“But the scriptures must come true.”  God’s word is true and must be fulfilled.  Christ’s food is to do the will of his Father.  His Father’s will for his earthly life is spelt out in the scriptures.    Jesus delighted in the will of his Father and embraced his plan for his life.  He never opposed his Father’s will even when it is unfavorable to him.   His Father willed that he came into the world to save it through suffering and humiliation.  Since his Father is all powerful and all wise, his chosen method for saving the world is the best.

The Father also has a plan for my life.  That plan is good.  The Father’s plan for my life can also be found in the scriptures.  Lord Jesus, grant me deep faith and courage to embrace the Father’s plan for my life.

Your Will and Not Mine

Your Will and Not Mine

“The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me.  Stay here and keep watch ……. Father, my Father!  All things are possible for you.  Take this cup of suffering away from me.  Yet not what I want, but what you want ……  ‘Simon, are you asleep?  Weren’t you able to keep awake even for one hour? …..  Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14: 32 – 38)

The hour has come for Jesus to suffer.  How did he handle the situation?

• He went to a secluded place, his “closet” and prayed.


• It was a moment when he had to confront reality all alone.  He did not waste time being disappointed that Peter, James and John were sleeping.


• He bared his heart to the Father.  He was afraid of what he saw coming.  But if it is his Father’s will, he will accept it.  


• He drew strength and power from the knowledge that his suffering had been sanctioned by his Father.

Knowing Christ

Knowing Christ

“More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3: 8)

To know Christ intimately, to love him passionately and to follow him everywhere is a goal I work on everyday.  To know Christ  intimately, I must associate with him frequently through:

• Prayer


• Word of God


• Sacraments:  Eucharist & Reconciliation


• Visit to the Blessed Sacrament


• Devotion to his Mother


• Writing


• Teaching


• Spiritual Reading

To know Christ intimately is a major purpose of my life.  It is the 50% of the mission.  It is the learning component of the mission.  The other 50% deals with the communicating part of my ministry:  sharing Christ Jesus.

Lord Jesus, that I may know you and the power of your resurrection.   Amen!

Watch and Pray

Watch and Pray

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written:  ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed.’ ……’Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.”  (Mark 14: 27 – 30)

Why did Jesus make this prediction?  Was it to intimidate or humiliate the disciples?  No!   It was to make them prepared for what is to come.  He knows his disciples very well.  He knows the future.  The disciples did not believe him.

Jesus who knows us very well says:  “Be sober, be awake, be on your guard.  Be vigilant at all times so that you cannot be surprised.  I warn you.  The enemy is always looking for an opportunity to drag you down.  Do not give him any loop hole.”
But what are we to be watchful over?  This must be our most precious possessions, our treasures.  For the heart will always be where the treasure is.   Our treasures are:  the Holy Spirit living in us, faith, hope, love, the Eucharist, prayer, the word of God.  We watch over them through prayers.  We watch over them through using them everyday.

The Eucharist

The Eucharist

“While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples.  “Take it,” he said, “this is my body.”  
“Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and handed it to them; and they all drank from it.  Jesus said, “This is my blood which is poured out for many, my blood which seals God’s covenant.” (Mark 14: 22 – 24)

As I reflect on the above passage, I come to realize that for us, the Eucharist represents not just a great mystery but also one of the greatest acts of faith we are called upon to make.  I have the great privilege to take part a couple of times a week in the reenactment of this act in obedience to Christ.

In the Eucharist, I receive a piece of white host looking no different from what it looked like before the consecration.  It tastes and feels exactly the same before and after the consecration.  Then I receive the cup of wine, in every material way similar before and after the consecration.   Yet I believe that the host and the wine are the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  

What is the authority for such an amazing confession?  The above passage, Mark 14: 22 – 24 is one.  Similar passages in Matthew and Luke is another.  A very important authority for this belief is the chapter 6 of the Gospel of St. John.  To crown it all, is the constant belief and practice of the Church in the Eucharist in the past 2000 years.   The Tradition with regard to the Eucharist is rock solid.  Is it possible that the Holy Spirit who has been promised to lead and guide the Church into all truth will deceive the Church in such an important matter?   And for so long?   If the faith and practice of the Church in this one act is an error, where do we have a guarantee of truth?

Thank you Jesus for the gift of the Eucharist.

Everything happens Just as Jesus Says

Everything happens Just as Jesus Says

“The disciples left, went to the city, and found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.”  (Mark 14: 16)
“I tell you that one of you will betray me – one who is eating with me.” (Mark 14: 18)

The message today is simple:  Believe and obey the words of Jesus.  In the above passages from Mark, Jesus predicts two events:  
What the disciples will see when they went to make plans for the last supper.
The betrayal of Judas.
The disciples found that  everything happened “just as Jesus had told them.”

Jesus makes so  many promises to me in the Scripture.  If I believe in them and act on them in obedience, will everything not happen “just as Jesus had told me?”

Lord, your word is true.  Grant me more faith and help me to act on your word.

Open Doors

Open Doors

“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them.  They were pleased to hear what he had to say, and promised to give him money.  So Judas started looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them.” (Mark 14: 10 – 11)

Love of money was the open door through which Satan tempted Judas to betray Jesus.  Peter also betrayed Jesus.  Fear of the world, fear of suffering and love of security was the open door through which Satan overcame Peter.  

All “alien gods” of whatever nature, be they money, health, family, job, tools, food or love of security and comfort could take “take advantage of us” (Psalm 16) and become open doors for the devil to enter our lives.  Complacency is also an “alien god” and therefore an open door.

What are the open doors in my life today?  O Holy Spirit reveal them to me.
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.