"And when your days are over and you fall asleep with your ancestors, I shall appoint your heir, your own son to succeed you…… Your dynasty and your sovereignty will ever stand firm before me and your throne be forever secure." (2 Samuel 7: 12, 16)
Jesus Christ is the Son of David, the promised Messiah.
"The Lord has put his faithful servant in charge of his house-hold." (Luke 12: 42)
Joseph, the husband of Mary is the model of the faithful servant. The Lord put him in charge of His holy family.
"Lord, may the sacraments we receive cleanse us of sin and free us from guilt, for our sins bring us sorrow, but your promise of salvation bring us joy…"
The sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Penance cleanse us of sins and free us from guilt.
Our sins bring us sorrow. How true! God's promise of salvation brings us joy.
"I will put my law within them, I will write it on their hearts; then I shall be their God, and they will be my people." (Jeremiah 31: 33)
It is the Holy Spirit within us that makes us to be God's people. He enables the divine filiation. Without His presence, we are unable to walk in God's ways.
"All you need is the Holy Spirit." - 0595
"John was a lamp lit and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave." (John 5: 35)
Lord Jesus, make me a lamp in your Church. Light me that I may shine for you. Sow your word in my heart. Grant me the grace to expose your word with simplicity and courage.
Today is the feast of St. Anslem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. This is a man who shone for Christ.
"Lord, remember us for the love you bear your people.
They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt, wondrous deeds in the land of Ham, terrible things at the Red Sea." (Psalm 106: 4, 21-2)
It is not that God does not perform wondrous deeds in our lives. We either do not make effort to remember or just choose to forget.
How easily I forgot what God did for me in:
From Swd91, I started taking note of God's wondrous deeds in my life.
Jesus gave us the Eucharist in order never to forget what He did for us in the Paschal Mystery. It is something to give thanks for that the Church has celebrated the Eucharist everyday for the past 2000 years.
"Yahweh then said to Moses, 'Go down at once, for your people whom you brought here from Egypt have become corrupt. They have quickly left the way which I ordered them to follow. They have cast themselves a metal calf, worshipped it and offered sacrifice to it, shouting, 'Israel, here is your God who brought you here from Egypt." (Exodus 32: 7-8)
The people have become quickly corrupt. The Exodus is the 'Enterprise' of the Israelites. They became corrupt even before they reached the Promised Land. They quickly left the way mapped out for them by God. Derailment in our journey of faith can come quickly and easily.
"They have cast themselves metal calf, worshipped it and offered sacrifice to it." What metal calf is tempting me today? Family, health, money, job, tools or food?
The Enterprise is journey with Christ. There are dangers on the way.
Lord Jesus, you have led me this far. Help me to persevere to the end. Amen!
"Father, through St. Cyril of Jerusalem you lead your Church to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of salvation. Let his prayers help us to know your Son better and to have eternal life in all its fullness …." (Memorial Mass of St. Cyril of Jerusalem)
St. Cyril of Jerusalem is known as Doctor of Catechesis. Concerning chastity, he wrote:
"….Let us not for a short pleasure defile so great, so noble a body: for short and momentary is the sin, but the shame for many years and forever. Angels working upon earth are they who practice chastity: the virgins have their portion with Mary the Virgin. Let all vain ornament be banished, and every hurtful glance, and all wanton gait, and every flowing robe, and perfume enticing to pleasure. But in all, for perfume let there be the prayer of sweet odor, and the practice of good works and the sanctification of our bodies: that the Virgin-born Lord may say even of us, both men who live in chastity and women who wear the crown, "I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."
"Lord, may we never misuse your healing gifts, but always find in them a source of life and salvation…." (Mass Prayer)
The Eucharist is the healing gift par excellence. The Eucharist heals us of our ills of mind and body and at the same time renewing us.
"Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses." (John 5: 21)
The Son gives life to anyone He chooses. Lord Jesus, grant me life. Fill me with your life. Grant me the power to communicate this life to others.
"The Lord is kind and merciful. The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works." (Psalm 145: 8, 13)
Yes, I can trust God.
Faith – hearing God's word and believing it
Faithing – putting this belief into action
"Can a woman forget her baby at the breast, feel no pity for the child she has born? Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you." (Isaiah 49: 15)
God will not forget me. I am constantly in his presence.
"The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. In green pastures he gives me rest; he leads me beside the waters of peace." (Psalm 23:1)
This Christ's word on my situation today. I believe it.
Christ is my shepherd, I lack nothing here and now. My pastures shall be green and abundant. I shall also enjoy rest in my labors. I shall be filled with the Holy Spirit. Amen! Amen! Amen!
"Do you want to be well again? 'Sir,' replied the sick man, 'I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is disturbed; …' Jesus said, 'Get up, pick up your sleeping mat and walk around." (John 5: 7-8)
Jesus seemed to say to the sick man: 'With me present, there is no need for you to go into the pool. I dispense the step for you. All things serve me. My word is enough.'
Lord Jesus, I believe. Say but a word and heal me. Lord, say but a word and grant my heart's desires. Say a word and heal my circumstances.
All that I need is a word from Jesus on my situation and everything is alright.
"Father, may our Lenten observance prepare us to embrace the paschal mystery and to proclaim your salvation with joyful praise ……." (Mass Prayer in Lent)
Our Lenten Observance:
When we pray, fast and give alms during Lent, we prepare ourselves to embrace more fully the paschal mystery. The paschal mystery is the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without adequate preparation, we cannot enter fully into this mystery. With good preparation, we come to identify more closely with Christ. If we die with Christ, we rise with Christ. We come step by step to appreciate the power of the cross in our daily lives.
"Come to the waters, all who thirst; though you have no money, come and drink with joy." (Isaiah 55:1)
Come and drink your fill of the Holy Spirit. It is free. I am thirsty. I ask for this water every day. When can I drink my fill of this water?
Do not ask for signs. Look for the fruits:
Who is invited to drink? Everybody is invited. Anybody who is thirsty should come and drink. Many are thirsty but instead of coming to the water, they go to personal development philosophy hoping to fill their thirst with its muddied water.
"At night fall, weeping enters in but with dawn, rejoicing." (Psalm 30: 6)
I wept during my Desert Experience. Today, I am rejoicing in the Lord. The Lord "changed my mourning into dancing."
O Lord, forever will I give you thanks.
"I will extol you, O Lord, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me. O Lord, you brought me up from the nether world; you preserved me from among those going down into the pit." (Psalm 30: 1-4)
I was first rescued from NCAU and then from ZAN. God transferred me from Egypt into His glorious kingdom and gave my enemies zero opportunity to laugh at me.
Today, we have the funeral Mass of Ngozi. May God also transfer her from this valley of tears into His glorious kingdom. Amen.
"They will build houses and live in them, they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit." (Isaiah 65: 21)
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. This person can build a house and enjoy it. He will enjoy the fruits of his labor.
"Rather be joyful, be glad forever at what I am creating, for look, I am creating Jerusalem to be "joy" and my people to be gladness." (Isaiah 65: 18)
I will be joyful; I will be glad in the Lord.
Thank you, Father.
"Father, creator, you give the world new life by your sacraments. May we, your Church, grow in your life and continue to receive your help on earth …."
The sacraments give us new life. As the plant sheds its old leaves and sprout new buds, so the sacraments renews our lives.
Oh, that everyone would come to the sacraments to be renewed.
"Come to the waters, all who thirst; though you have no money, come and drink with joy." (Isaiah 55: 1)
Lord, fill me with this water. Use me to bring people to this water.
The sacraments are the ordained means of growth for the Church. Destroy the priesthood, you destroy the sacraments and the Church.
"Lord, I put my trust in you; I shall be glad and rejoice in your mercy, because you have seen my affliction." (Ps 31: 7-8)
The Lord will show me mercy. He has seen my pain and poverty. He sees me; He hears me; He loves me.
"Father, you enlighten all who come into the world. Fill our hearts with the light of your gospel, that our thoughts may please you, and our love be sincere…" (Mass Prayer)
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a light to the world. When our hearts are filled with the light of the Gospel like the blind man in John 9: 1-41, our thoughts will be pleasing to God.
Blessed is the man who meditates on the word of God day and night.
"Lord, we offer you these gifts which bring us peace and joy. Increase our reverence by this Eucharist and bring salvation to the world …"
The Eucharist undoubtedly brings us peace and joy. I bear witness to this truth.
Reverence to God and sacred things increase our faith. I have experienced this.
"Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed, and came back able to see." (John 9: 7)
Jesus gave back sight to the man born blind. He gave him much more besides. He gave him wisdom and the courage to be a witness to God's marvelous works. So the man became better off than those who were born with sight but in fact are blind spiritually. Every disadvantage is a blessing.
"Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them." (Ephesians 5: 10-11)
Blessed is the man who meditates on the work of God day and night.
The word of God is alive and active. It exposes the fruitless works of darkness. It shows the fine lines between truth and falsehood.
The Power of the Cross:
Accept God's will
Accept your cross
Obtain your crown
Accept your thorns
Receive your triumph
This is the power of the cross.
"I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face id did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame." (Isaiah 50: 6-7)
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul." (Psalm 23: 1-2)
I know for certain that the Lord is my Shepherd. He provides me everything I need:
He provides me what I need every day as and when I need them. He who is faithful in little things will be faithful in bigger things. My Shepherd will provide me with my ministry.
"in verdant pastures, he gives me repose." I have seen the verdant pastures as the field of my ministry. "Cast your net to the right of the boat." I cast as Christ bid me and the haul of fish was so large; yet the net was not broken because it was miraculously sustained. I pray for a ministry that will stretch my resources without breaking me.
"God our Father, your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world and brought mankind the gift of reconciliation by the suffering and death he endured. Teach us, the people who bear his name to follow the example he gave us: may our faith, hope and charity turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, death to eternal life …" (Mass Opening Prayer)
Christ's message is peace to the soul; it is peace in the family. It is peace between men. It is peace to the world.
The Church opposes every kind of violence.
Christ reconciled us to His Father by His suffering and death. The power of the cross.
Teach us Father to use our faith, hope and charity to turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, death to eternal life. The power of the cross.
Believe and keep believing; hope and keep and keep hoping; love and keep loving until you turn hatred into love. Do not believe, hope and love for one day and expect the result the next day.
"Israel, come back to Yahweh your God. Your guilt was the cause of your downfall. Provide yourselves with words and come back to Yahweh. Say to him, take all guilt away and give us what is good, instead of bulls we will dedicate to you our lips." (Hosea 14: 2-3)
Sin causes one's downfall.
Only God can deliver us from our sins.
"A sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me."
"Merciful Father, fill our hearts with your love and keep us faithful to the gospel of Christ. Give us the grace to rise above our human weakness…." (Mass Prayer in Lent)
Our God is a merciful Father. We pray that He fills our hearts with the perfect love that drive out fear. At the Transfiguration, the Father urged us to listen to Jesus Christ. We ask here for the grace to be faithful to His gospel. Every action and every word of Jesus is part of His Gospel. But the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ is found in the Sermon on the Mount.
Finally in this prayer, we ask the merciful Father to give us the grace to rise above our human weakness. What are some of these human weaknesses?
St. John summarizes this beautifully in 1 John 2:16 –
"Lord, there is no god to compare with you; you are great and do wonderful things, you are the only God." (Psalm 86: 8, 10)
What god can be compared with our God?
These gods may have mouth but they do not speak. They may have ears but do not hear. They are powerless to save. Those who worship these gods bring much sorrow on themselves. These tiny gods are experts in taking advantage of their devotees. But our God saves. He provides all our needs in due season.
"Lord, take away our sinfulness and be pleased with our offerings. Help us to pursue the true gifts you promise and not become lost in false joys…." (Mass Prayer in Lent)
Take away our sinfulness = Take away our sinful tendencies
True gifts = Genuine gifts
The gifts that God promises are true and genuine. Some of them are:
"So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own home, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than himself attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil." (Luke 11: 21-22)
Satan is the strong man. Christ is the stronger man. Thank you Jesus for your word and your strength. I delight in your strength.
Jesus is stronger than Satan.
Satan guards his possession. When Jesus comes, He attacks, defeats Satan and frees the prisoner. He takes away all Satan's weapons and shares out his spoil.
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works." (Psalm 95: 8-9)
Meribah and Massah are type and shadow of the desert; the place for testing and refining our character. It is God who tests the hearts and minds of men. Do not reverse the role and test God. I have often wondered why God allowed His people to almost die of thirst in the hot and inhospitable desert and got to the point of rebellion before providing them that basic and vital necessity of life.
This morning, the Gospel reading was the story of the Prodigal Son. At the end of the homily, the priest asked us a question: "Why did it take the Father of the Prodigal so long to communicate to his elder son that he appreciated him?" As I reflected on the question, I remembered the incident at Meribah and Massah. I saw a parallel in the two incidents. Scripture teaches us to walk by faith and not by sight. The disgruntled Israelites in Meribah and Massah were also required to walk by faith and not by sight. God saved them from slavery in Egypt. God provided and protected them every step of their journey till Meribah and Massah. Why did they think He would abandon them at this point?
Similarly, the elder son of the Father lived in the comfort of his Father's house where he enjoyed every prerogative and privilege. Why did he judge his Father's love and affection for him by the gift of a mere small lamb? To paraphrase his thought, "My Father did not give me a small lamb to feast with my friends. Therefore he does not love me."
It is God who tests the hearts and minds of men. Do not reverse the role and test God. Do not complain; do not criticize; do not condemn.
"My one command to them was this: Listen to my voice, then I will be your God and you shall be my people. In everything follow the way that I mark out for you, and you shall prosper." (Jeremiah 7: 23)
Father, I will obey. I will listen to your voice. In everything Daddy, I will follow the way you have marked out for me. Help me with your grace in my weakness dearest Father. Sustain me with your strength. Be always my God and my Father. Prosper the work of my hands. Grant me your prosperity and blessing in everything. Make me a blessing to others.
"Follow the way that I mark out for you."
Christ is the way, the truth and the life.
The 7-Way Plan
"Father, help us to be ready to celebrate the great Paschal Mystery. Make our love grow each day as we approach the feast of our salvation …. " (Mass Prayer in Lent)
We ask God to help us to be ready for Easter. How does God prepare us to celebrate the great Paschal Mystery? He encourages us to pray more, to fast more and give more alms to the needy. When we respond to His word, He blesses us with greater Easter joy and peace.
"I am the Savior of all people says the Lord. Whatever their troubles, I will answer their cry, and I will always be their Lord." (Mass Prayer)
Whatever their troubles:
God answered me when I cried to him to save me from the above troubles one time or the other in my life. He was indeed my Savior. He is always my Lord. Today, I am crying to Him to let me experience His perfect love that drives out fear. I promise Him that when He answers my prayer, I will ask for a powerful ministry to help my neighbors to experience this powerful and perfect love too. I know whom I trust. I know that at the right time He will answer this prayer as He had done in the past.
Praise, honor and glory to You, eternal Father.
"In truth, I tell you, till heaven and earth disappear, not one dot, not one little stroke, is to disappear from the Law until all its purpose is achieved." (Matthew 5: 18)
All God's purposes are to be accomplished through the law.
The law is sacrosanct.
The law is alive and active.
The law tends towards its fulfillment. (Habakkuk 2: 2-4)
The law, the word of God cannot be returned to God without accomplishing its purpose.
"And now, Israel, listen to the laws and customs which I am teaching you today, so that, by observing them, you may survive to enter and take possession of the country which Yahweh, God of your ancestors is giving you." (Deuteronomy 4:1)
We are pilgrims on earth. We journey towards our permanent homeland. God's laws and customs are the road map and the signs on this great journey.
"Lord, during this Lenten season nourish us with your word of life and make us one in love and prayer ….." (Mass Prayer in Lent)
God nourishes us with His word especially in Lent. The selection of readings is excellent, designed to excite faith and conversion. Note how the Holy Spirit guides the Church in the planning of the Liturgy. The Church urges the faithful to attend daily Mass during Lent so that they could be nourished with the rich scriptures of this joyful season.
"Lord, direct my steps as you have promised, and let no evil hold me in its power." (Psalm 119: 133)
Where God has promised to lead and guide me:
Step by step guidance
Moment by moment protection from evil
Thank you Father.
"Then Peter went up to him and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as 7 times?' Jesus answered "Not seven, I tell you, but 77 times." (Matthew 18: 21-22)
If we forgive our debtors, God will forgive us our sins and answer all our prayers. Lord, teach me to forgive completely.
"Do not abandon us to shame but treat us in accordance with your gentleness, in accordance with the greatness of your mercy." (Daniel 3: 42)
God is supremely gentle and merciful.
"And now we put our whole heart into following you, into fearing you and seeking your face once more. " (Daniel 3: 41)
Lent is the time to put our whole heart into following God through:
In Lent, we demonstrate a greater keenness in observing the commandments.
"Lord, you call us to your service and continue your saving work among us. May your love never abandon us….." (Mass Opening Prayer)
It is the Father who called me to serve Christ Jesus.
Father, bring what you have initiated to a successful conclusion. Grant success to the Enterprise.
"I call upon you, God, for you will answer me; bend your ear and hear my prayer. Guard me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shade of your wings." (Psalm 17: 6,8)
Answer to prayer is certain.
Guard me as the apple of your eye: step by step guidance; moment by moment protection from all harms. Preserve me from every assault of the devil. Hide me in the shade of your wings.
If we open the eyes of our spirit, we see that we are engaged in continuous spiritual warfare. We need God's constant help in order to fight and keep standing. God promises us His guidance and protection. Faith gives us access to these promises.
"I hope in the Lord; I trust in his word; with him there is mercy and plenty of redemption." (Psalm 130: 5,7)
Yes, I trust in God's promise. I hope in the Lord. I wait on the Lord. Hope does not disappoint because it is built on faith in God's word. God honors his name and word/promise above all things.
Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
"And in the Prophet Elisha's time there were many suffering from virulent skin-diseases in Israel, but none of these were cured – only Naaman the Syrian." (Luke 4: 27)
The story of Naaman the leper is one of my favorites in the Old Testament. I gleaned a number of lessons from it. Some of the lessons are:
God's sovereignty is shown in His reaching outside Israel to show His mercy and power. I see also the loving providence of God in planting the Israelite slave girl in the household of Naaman. Naaman's servants persuaded him to act as Elisha the Prophet had instructed him to do. That is, to plunge seven times into the River Jordan. In the act of the servants, I perceive elements of sincere and loving evangelization. How this contrasts from what we see today where the servants might have said: "it is not our business to convince him. He is old enough to know what he wants. We do not want to appear intolerant or coercive. He is a free man; he should decide for himself.' Finally, I see the act of plunging into the water as a type and shadow of the Sacrament, especially Baptism. The Sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace that affects what it signifies. It is a small material sign that affects mighty works. The simple act of plunging into the River Jordan brought Naaman the healing that no other means was able to give him.
God favors those who trust in His ways.
"Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? All the more reason then, when he says to you, 'Bathe, and you will become clean." (2 Kings 5:13)
A Sacrament is an outward sign of inward grace, affecting what it signifies.
A sacramental can be described as a sacramentette, an external agent delivering the effects they promise.
Faith gives us the promise of God's peace, provision, protection, power, purpose and pardon. Faith also gives us the full effects promised by the Sacraments and sacramental.
Naaman's servants encouraged Naaman to have faith by their words.
God is pure spirit. He has left man some conditions and material agents through which we unleash his power on our behalf. Some of these are:
"The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, 'Set out at noon and go along the road that leads from Jerusalem down to Gaza, the desert road." (Acts 8: 26)
The Holy Spirit is the power behind the missionary activity of the Church. He is the main principle of apostolic productivity and fruitfulness.
Spirit and Mission
Spirit and Evangelization
"Father, you gave St. John of God love and compassion for others. Grant hat by doing good for others we may be counted among the saints in your Kingdom …." (Opening Prayer in the Mass of St. John of God)
St. John of God is one of my patron saints. He is my patron saint for book/pamphlet distribution ministry. St. John of God after his conversion spent his life doing good for others in book distribution and tending the sick.
"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in heaven a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4: 13-14)
The water that Jesus gives is the Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus for this incomparable gift. Grant me the grace to be totally open to the Holy Spirit during this coming Lent.
" 1 On that day, you will say: I give you thanks, O LORD; though you have been angry with me, your anger has abated, and you have consoled me.
God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation,
and say on that day: Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!" (Isaiah 12)
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans5: 5)
The Navarre Bible Commentary has the following commentary on the above text:
"The love which St. Paul speaks of here, at one and the same time, God's love for us – manifested in his sending the Holy Spirit – and the love which God places in our soul to enable us to love him. The Second Council of Orange, quoting St. Augustine, explains this as follows: "To love God is entirely a gift of God. He, without being loved, loves us and enabled us to love him. We were loved when we were still displeasing to him, so that we might be given something whereby we might please him. So it is that the Spirit of the Father and the Son, whom we love with the Father and the Son, pours charity into our hearts"
"Oh that today you would hear his voice: 'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works." (Psalm 95: 8-9)
Meribah and Massah are types and shadows of testing ground in the desert. Some spots in the desert are harsher than others. In your desert, transition experience, watch out for the Meribah and the Massah. No matter how tough the situation, listen to what God is saying to you. Harden not your heart.
"In those days, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?' ….'Is the Lord in our midst or not?'" (Exodus 17: 3-7)
Why did the Lord allow the people to be very thirsty without providing them water? God was testing them. The desert experience was essentially a period of training and testing for the people. But at Massah and Meribah, the people turned the table and tested God. If God was genuinely with them, he would surely have provided them with water. We too tend to equate God's presence in our lives with his gifts. If I have everything I need here and now, it means that God is with me. But when I experience delays, disappointments and obstacles, I ask: "Is the Lord with me or not?" The message of Exodus 17: 3-7 is that God is always with his people in thick or thin.
"God of all compassion, Father of all goodness, to heal the wounds our sins and selfishness bring upon us, you bid us turn to fasting, prayer and sharing with our brothers. We acknowledge our sinfulness, our guilt is ever before us; when our weakness causes discouragement, let your compassion fill us with hope and lead us thru a Lent of repentance to the beauty of Easter Joy." (Mass Prayer in Lent)
The Church always sees God as Father of all goodness and God of compassion. Whenever I read of God's infinite mercy and goodness, it brings joy to my heart. At a time of great challenges, these perennial and healing truths are refuge and stronghold for me. Today is one such occasion. I am in great need to know intimately God's perfect love for me. Scripture says that "Perfect love drives out fear." I want God's perfect love for me to drive out the fear I feel on a project.
The above prayer promises that God heals the wounds that our sins and selfishness bring upon us by bidding us turn to fasting, prayer and sharing our resources with our brothers. Lent is a favorable time for doing this. During this holy period of self-denial, we are guaranteed that our prayers will be heard. Finally, we are told that God does not want us to be discouraged by our weaknesses. Lent is a good time.
"Father, you have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer, fasting and works of mercy. When we are discouraged by our weakness, give us confidence in your love ….." (Mass Opening Prayer in Lent)
Lex orandi, lex credendi. We believe that we can overcome our sins by prayer, fasting and good works of mercy. Lord, teach me the truth of this.
"I will prove my holiness through you …. I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins. I will give you a new spirit within you, says the Lord." (Ezekiel 36: 23-26)
This is a great promise. Let it be done to me, Father, according to your word.
Through Baptism, God poured clean water over us and washed away our sins. Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, he continues to maintain us free from sin and the attachment to sin. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is like a house-cleaning agent.
God's promise to give us a new spirit was first fulfilled at Pentecost and then at our Confirmation.
"But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15: 32)
God our Father is a merciful, compassionate, long-suffering, faithful, omnipotent and great God who desires the lost to be found and the dead to sin to come to life of grace.
"When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine and now he began to feel the pinch; …. then he came to his senses." (Luke 15: 14-17)
Times and Seasons
There is a time for everything: a time for prosperity and a time for adversity. There is a time for growth and a time for recession. The prodigal son came to his senses in a time of adversity. Without the adversity, his life might have ended in dissoluteness. We thank God for the time of plenty and also for the time of adversity.
"Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He pardons all your iniquities; he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction; he crowns you with kindness and compassion." (Psalm 103: 1-4)
Forgetfulness of God's benefits is a terrible state to be in. Forgetfulness of God's benefits exposes us to the risk of despair and hopelessness. A crisis overcame yesterday may come back tomorrow. If we do not remember how we overcame, how do we handle the new crisis? It is a good habit to write down the steps employed by technical support to solve a computer problem. Why? The same or similar problem may pop up before you know it.
I keep a journal and try to write down all God's blessings. The act of writing etches the event deep inside my memory. When a new crisis develops, I search inside my memory for clues on how similar situations were handled in the past. This has helped me to see a pattern of God's interventions.
"Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He pardons all your iniquities; he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction; he crowns you with kindness and compassion." (Psalm 103: 1-4)
"With shepherd's crook lead your people to pasture, the flock that is your heritage, living confined in a forest with meadow land all around. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old! As in the days when you came out of Egypt, grant us to see wonders!" (Micah 7: 14-15)
I confided the following reflection on the above to my journal in 1999.
"3.30 am, I woke up and did not sleep again until I got out of bed at 4.30 am. I asked Christ again as I did before the BS yesterday to bless me enormously this jubilee year. I asked him to grant me to see wonders. I asked for light and guidance on my ministry."
"God our Father, by your gifts to us on earth we already share in your life. In all we do, guide us to the light of your kingdom…" (Opening Mass Prayer)
These gifts help us to share God's life here and now.
"The Lord is loving and merciful, to anger slow, and full of love; the Lord is kind to all, and compassionate to all his creatures." (Psalm 145: 8-9)
Attributes of God:
"Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and we marvel at it. " (Matthew 21: 42)
The great reversals: Joseph was rejected and sold into slavery by his brothers. God accepted him and promoted him the prime minister of Egypt. Jesus Christ was rejected and crucified. God promoted him by raising him from the dead and confirming him both Lord and God. Why then should we fear rejection? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own perception. In everything you do, acknowledge him and he will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5)
"They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver, and these men took Joseph to Egypt." (Genesis 37: 28)
They sold Joseph.
"To you Lord I look for protection, never let me be disgraced. You are my refuge; save me from the trap they had laid for me." (Psalm 31: 2, 5)
Once upon a time, my employer treated me badly. God became the guardian of my rights; he became my refuge and protector. I was "sold" by my "brethren," but God saved me.
"Merciful Father, may our acts of penance bring us your forgiveness, open our hearts to your love and prepare us for the coming feast of the resurrection …. " (Opening Mass Prayer in Lent)
I am reminded that God our Father is a merciful God. What a consoling and healing truth! Our Lenten acts of penance although insignificant in themselves produce immense spiritual benefits. Just as Namaan the leper was healed of leprosy by dipping himself seven times in River Jordan, so do our acts of penance capable of bringing forgiveness, healing from sin and opening our hearts to God's love.
"Happy are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance." (Luke 8: 15)
Harvest must surely come if we persevere in studying God's word and serving him in holiness and justice.
"Happy the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season; and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers." (Psalm 1: 1-3)
I believe in prayer.
I believe in the word of God.
I believe in miracles.
I leave the rest to God.
I delight enormously in God's promises; I covert them.
"Blessed is anyone who trusts in Yahweh, with Yahweh to rely on. Such a person is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: When the heat comes it has nothing to fear, its foliage stays green; untroubled in a year of drought, it never stops bearing fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 – 8)
To trust in Yahweh means to trust that his word is true; to trust that he will do what he says.
I trust God for everything and at all times.
"When the heat comes …" This refers to the inevitability of times and seasons. The Psalmist says that those who trust in Yahweh fear no bad news.
"All-powerful God, to serve you is to reign: help us to serve you in holiness and justice. …" (Opening Prayer in the Mass of St. Casimir on March 4)
When I read the above prayer, I wanted to make sure I understand the meaning of the verb to reign and so I searched the Merriam Webster's Dictionary and found the following definition:
1 a : to possess or exercise sovereign power : rule b : to hold office as chief of state although possessing little governing power
2 : to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch
3 : to be predominant or prevalent
Is Jesus Christ not prophet, priest and king? Is it not our destiny to share in this royal dignity of the Son of God as adopted sons and daughters of God. To serve God is indeed to reign.
"God of love, bring us back to you. Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith and active in good works …" (Mass Prayer in Lent)
In the Lent of 1999, I confided the following to my journal:
"Lent is a period of grace, a period of Metanoia, a time of returning to God in every area of our life. We call on the Holy Spirit to make our faith strong and enable us to be active in good works.
Where do I need my faith made strong this Lent? Where do I need to be more active in good works?
I need my faith strengthened in God's providence for me. I need to believe more in God's promise of:
In terms of good works, I need to be engaged in pamphlet apostolate."
After almost ten years of writing the above, I am still praying for stronger faith in God's loving and powerful providence for me. I did start the pamphlet apostolate and it is on-going.
"Test me, O God, and know my thoughts; see whether I step in the wrong path, and guide me along the everlasting way." (Psalm 139: 23-24)
How does God test me? Through his word. His word challenges every area of my life. Are my thoughts on family, health, job, money, tools and food formed by God's word?
Father, I want your word to completely form my thoughts so that when you test my thoughts, I will not be found wanting.
Correct thought is the key to correct action. To have the mind of Christ is to have correct thought on every issue.
"Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the son of man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised up again." (Matthew 18: 18-19)
Ezekiel was sent to "snakes and scorpions." Jeremiah was sent to rebellious Israel. Both prophets foreshadow Jesus' ministry. Just as Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Jesus were not sent to a nice party filled with well-groomed men and women, no Christian should expect such a ministry. Jesus says that if they persecute him, they will surely persecute his followers. St. Paul writes that the presence of persecution is a sign that we are following in the footpath of Jesus. When we are baptized, we die with Jesus so that we can rise with him.
"Come on,' ' Let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah, for the law will not perish for lack of priests, nor advice for lack of wise men, nor the word for lack of prophets. Come on, let us slander him and pay no attention to anything he says." (Jeremiah 18:18)
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the cause of right, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
If they persecute me, they will persecute you.
Persecution is a necessary ingredient in the mission of the Baptized.
"Ever-loving God, you called Blessed Katherine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the African American and Native American peoples. By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and the oppressed and keep us undivided in love in the Eucharistic community of the Church. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son. Amen" (Opening Prayer in the Memorial of St. Katherine Drexel, Virgin – March 3)
Saint Katherine Drexel, Virgin:
(1858 – 1955) Born into a wealthy Philadelphia family, Katharine took an avid interest in the material and spiritual well-being of African and Native Americans. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, and opened mission schools in the West for Native Americans and in the South for African Americans. In 1915 she founded Xavier University in New Orleans. At her death, there were more than 500 sisters teaching in 63 schools. (Roman Missal)
The mission of St. Katherine Drexel: Go and teach the message of the Gospel and bring the life of the Eucharist to African American and Native American people. St. Katherine was chosen, called and anointed for this mission. She was chosen for this mission at her Baptism, anointed for it in her Confirmation and at the fullness of time called to dedicate her life to it. She succeeded.
I am also called for a specific mission at my Baptism. I am anointed for it by the Holy Spirit. I am waiting for the fullness of time. In the meantime, I recognize that preparation time is part of the mission.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." (1 John 4: 18)
"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" (Mark 6: 50)
What are you worried about?
1 John 4:8 states that there is no fear in love. If I truly understand and believe in God's love for me, I would see that his love includes my family, job, money, health, tools and of course my future. When my love is imperfect, I think I deserve punishment from God and therefore my health or my money may not be covered by God's love. God's love for us is perfect and includes everything that we care for. How comforting to hear Jesus say to us: "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" How beautiful is the truth of God's loving providence for all of us.
"Father, teach us to lead good lives, encourage us with your support and bring us to eternal life …." (Mass Prayer)
How does God teach us to live good lives?
These are some of the elements in the divine pedagogy:
In the divine teaching plan, there are also sticks and carrots. The carrots are the many ways in which God supports or encourages us. Some of them are listed above and others are:
"The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore observe and obey what they teach you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they teach." (Matthew 23: 2-3)
Fruit of the fourth Joyful Mystery is Obedience.
Mary and Joseph obeyed all the laws, statutes and customs prescribed by God.
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Lord, I want to practice what I teach. Make me a teacher of the Eucharist. You bless me every day with this awesome gift. Let the Eucharist be the source, center and summit of my life. Give me the assignment of drawing people to the Eucharist. Then you will help me every day to practice what I teach. Amen!
"He that offers praise as a sacrifice glories me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God." (Psalm 50: 23)
What is a sacrifice of praise? A sacrifice of praise is the sacrifice of thanksgiving. It is the Eucharist, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, renewed daily at Mass. Why is this sacrifice the most pleasing to God? This is because in the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus Christ is the priest, the Lamb of God and the altar of sacrifice. Everything is pure and perfect and this is why a sacrifice of Thanksgiving (Eucharist) honors God more than any other.
"If you are willing to obey, you shall eat the good things of the earth. But if you refuse and rebel, the sword shall eat you instead – for Yahweh's mouth has spoken." (Isaiah 1: 19-20)
Obedience to God's law brings peace, prosperity and security.
In the 4th Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary, we ask God for the gift on an obedient heart. We ask Mary, the obedient handmaid of the Lord to intercede for us so that we may grow in obedience.
Father, I am willing to obey. Bend my will to your law. Create in me a new spirit.
Rebellion brings fear, pain, poverty and insecurity.
The life of David proves the truth of Isaiah 1: 19-20. When David obeyed, God was with him and for him. When he disobeyed God, he ate the bread of wrath and drank the water of bitterness.
"Lord, watch over your Church, and guide it with your unfailing love. Protect us from what could harm us and lead us to what will save us. Help us always, for without you we are bound to fail……" (Mass Prayer in Lent)
In the above prayer, the Church bares its soul to God and says it as she feels and believes it to be. Let us look at the components of the prayer.
Church: Ekklesia, sacred assembly, people of God. Jesus Christ says that wherever two or three are gathered in his name, he is there.
"Guide your Church with your unfailing love" - It is very comforting to know that God's love cannot fail. It is not like human love which is constrained by the weakness of flesh and blood.
"Protect us from what could harm us" These could be: false prophets, heretical ideas, associations, books, movies, places, media programs, entertainments, food, etc.
"Lead us to what will save us" There are: the Eucharist, Reconciliation, Word of God, Prayer, Ministry, etc.
"Help us always" – Help us right here, right now and every time and every place.
"Without you, we are bound to fail" – God is the source of all inspiration, power and success.
The constituent parts of this prayer flow from scripture. Lex orandi, lex credendi. The rule of prayer is the rule of belief. What does the Church believe? Watch her lips as she prays.
"Father of mercy, hear our prayer. May the grace of this mystery prevent us from becoming absorbed in material things ……." (Mass Prayer in Lent)
How comforting it is to be reminded that our God is Father of mercy. We know that he hears our prayer because Jesus has taught us so. But what we don't fully appreciate is how quickly and how deeply we can be absorbed by the material culture surrounding us. The antidote to his evil is ever present and accessible: the Eucharist, the great mystery of our faith.
The Eucharist is the great mystery that delivers us from pagan obsession with:
As frequent Communion delivers us from all the above, it transforms our heart and mind to seek God's kingdom and justice everywhere and every time.
"Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6: 36-37)
Your word, Lord, is spirit and life.
Holy Spirit, come and help me to understand these words.
Make me compassionate. Teach me not to judge, criticize and condemn. Teach me to be forgiving. Amen.
The ABC of Mercy:
A – Ask for mercy
B – Be merciful
C – Completely trust Jesus for mercy
"O my Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and show faithful love towards those who love you and who observed your commandments: we have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly, we have betrayed your commandments and rulings and turned away from them." (Daniel 9: 4-5)
In the Lent of 1999, I confided the reflection below to my journal on the above scripture.
"Paraphrase what God is saying to me in the above text:
I am the Lord, your God. I am great and to be feared. I keep the covenant and show faithful love to those who love me and who observe my commandments. You have sinned, you have done wrong, you have acted wickedly, you have betrayed my commandments and rulings and turned away from them.
Lesson: I started the first of March with great excitement about my forthcoming birthday on the 17th of the month. This is going to be a special birthday – a jubilee. I asked God for blessings and birthday gifts. In his word to me in Psalm 26: 11- 12, "But I walk without blame; redeem me, be gracious to me! My foot stands on level ground; in assemblies I will bless he Lord," and in Daniel 9: 4 – 10, God is saying to me that the greatest gift is redemption from sin.
God's greatest gift to us in Christ Jesus is redemption from sin. Sin deprives us of divine filiation. Freedom from sin means living in grace. This is God's greatest gift to man. When we live in grace, in divine filiation, then all things are ours. We discover and feel the truth of Christ's word in Matthew 6: 33-34:
"Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well. So do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow will look after itself. Each day has troubles enough of its own."
Seek first redemption and then all things are yours. This has been the consistent message of this Lent. Break the cycle of sin, slavery and suffering through the abundant grace of God at this season. This is also the means of getting what you want in life.
"Praise and honor to you Lord Jesus Christ. Your words, Lord, are spirit and life; you have the message of eternal life." (John 6: 63, 68)
Christ's words become spirit and life to me when I act on them in obedience of faith.
"God our Father, teach us to find new life through penance. Keep us from sin, and help us live by your commandments of love …. " (Mass Prayer in Lent)
During Lent, we find new life through penance. We ask God to keep us from sin. Sin is the enemy of our relationship with God. If through God's mercy, we are free from sin, then we can always call God our Father. Redemption is redemption from sin so that we can live with the confidence of adopted children of God.
"Redeem me, and have mercy on me; my foot is set on the right path, I worship you in the great assembly." (Psalm 26: 11-12)
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matthew 17:5)
Thank you Father for pointing Jesus to us. Open our hearts to listen to the words of your Son. Move our wills to obey him.
We listen to Jesus in the scriptures. St. Jerome says that ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ. We listen to Jesus especially as the scripture is proclaimed in the Eucharist. We also listen to Jesus in the prayers of the Church.
"Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God." (2 Timothy 8)
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary contemplates the passion of Jesus Christ from Gethsemane to Calvary. We pray for the grace to share in these sufferings in our daily life, starting in small things. We remember that he who is faithful in little things will be faithful in bigger things. If we cannot accept pinpricks for the sake of Christ, definitely, we cannot accept martyrdom.
"Our soul waits for the Lord,
who is our help and shield.
For in God our hearts rejoice;
in your holy name we trust.
May your kindness, Lord, be upon us;
we have put our hope in you.
(Psalm 33: 20-22)
I place my hope for the success of the Enterprise on God alone.
I started the Enterprise with the Lord; I am continuing it today with the Lord. And with God's grace, I shall conclude it with the Lord.
"Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father's house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you … " (Genesis 12: 1 – 4)
The Enterprise is a going forth from the land of my kinsfolk. It is leaving behind my father's house for the land that God has shown me. The Enterprise is journey with Christ and to Christ. God promises me abundant blessings.
Father, I hear your word again today and I believe it. Let it be done to me according to your word and not according to the smallness of my faith.
I hold firmly to this word. I never waver from this vision. My faith in this has been compounding since 0296. Thank you Father. As my faith compounds, my patience is strengthened. Faith that is firm is also patient.
"Father of light, in you is found no shadow of change but only the fullness of life and limitless truth. Open our hearts to the voice of your word and free us from the original darkness that shadows our vision. Restore our sight that we may look upon your Son who calls us to repentance and a change of heart …. " (Opening Prayer in Mass)
God is the Father of light. Satan is the father of lies. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Satan changes all the time like a chameleon to suit his agenda. In God is found fullness of life and limitless truth. In Satan is found death and empty lies.
Because we know that everything is a gift, we pray to God to open our hearts to the voice of his Son; without this grace, we cannot hear Jesus speak to us in his word. If we do not perceive clearly the light in God's word, it is because we still have darkness in us that clouds our ability to see. We ask God to free us from this darkness and restore our sight that we may see Christ in his word calling us to repentance and change of heart.
"God our Father, help us to hear your Son. Enlighten us with your word, that we may find the way to your glory … " (Mass Prayer in Lent)
God is our Father. I am never tired of repeating this because it is such a comforting truth. Jesus Christ in his ministry of the word paints the picture of a Father that is altogether loving and immensely compassionate. I need to remember that I have such a Father as I face struggles in my life. Jesus says that our Father already knows what we need and will provide fully for every need.
The Father wants us to know and accept his Son, Jesus. He gives us the grace to hear and understand his word. To understand and accept the words of Jesus Christ is to find the way to glory.
"Remember your mercies, Lord, your tenderness from ages past. Do not let our enemies triumph over us; O God, deliver Israel from all her distress." (Psalm 25: 6, 3, 22)
God's mercies and tenderness from ages past extend from age to age to those who fear him. The Bible is a record of God's faithful mercies and tenderness towards man from age to age.
We pray to God daily not to allow our enemies triumph over us because our enemies are constantly alert and prowling around seeking for whom to devour. Today is the day of favor. It is also the day of battle with the enemy. The Bible is also a record of man's struggle with the enemy of mankind. Our success or failure in life depends on our trust in God and his word.
Finally, we pray to God to deliver Israel from all her distress. The Church is the new Israel. The distress of Israel/Church is the distress caused by her own sins and the sins of the world.
"Lord, may the word we share be our guide in the kingdom. May the food we receive assure us of your constant love …. " (Mass Prayer in Lent)
In the Eucharist, God's word is broken open for our encouragement, light and guide. After the Mass, we go to our homes and our jobs to face issues concerning the family, job, money, health, tools and food. The word of God we hear at Mass should provide us light to deal with the various issues we face in the day.
In the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Christ as our food. This communion is a pledge of God's constant love for us. We find consolation in the truth that Jesus Christ is for us and with us because he gave himself freely to us in the Eucharist. This is the greatest gift.
"But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; so that you may be children of your Father in heaven for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike." (Matthew 5: 44-45)
Every word of God is a prophecy and a promise containing a prediction and a condition for fulfillment. In the above prophecy, Jesus is predicting that those who love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them will be free. They will also be children of God and enjoy everything that comes with that status. Now is this promise true? Ask anybody who has tried forgiving his enemies and praying for his persecutors. I raise my hand in testimony. This action of forgiving and praying for our enemies has the most cleansing and liberating effect possible in life. Why is this so? This is because every word of God contains a powerful agent to bring about that which is promised.
"Happy those whose way is blameless, who walk by the teaching of the Lord.
Happy those who observe God's decrees, who seek the Lord with all their heart.
They do not wrong; they walk in God's ways.
You have given them the command to keep your precepts with care. (Psalm 119: 1-4)
In reading through the Bible, I observe that a lot of blessings is attached to keeping God's commandments. Some of the Bible heroes may not be canonized by the Church because of the life they lived. Without exception, each of them lived with the fear of the Lord. They did their best to keep God's laws and when they failed, they were quick to repent. Every one of them was immensely blessed by God. King David is my star among the Bible heroes. He was a great sinner but he loved God intensely. He lived completely in a supernatural environment in which God is the first cause of everything. David sought the Lord with all his heart.
"Eternal Father, turn our hearts to you. By seeking your kingdom and loving one another, may we become a people who worship you in spirit and truth …" Mass Prayer in Lent
God is our eternal Father. Lent is a time of divine favor. One of our desires in the period of Lent is to turn to God with all our hearts, to seek his kingdom and to love one another. The disciplines of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving when undertaken with generosity enable us to attain this objective. We thus become who we are created to be – sons and daughters who worship our eternal Father in spirit and truth.
"Yahweh your God commands you today to observe these laws and customs; you must keep and observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 26:16)
Father, if I observe all your commands and customs, you promise me:
"That he will be your God, but only if you follow his ways, keep his statutes, his commandments, his customs, and listen to his voice … he will raise you higher than every other nation he has made, and you will be a people consecrated to Yahweh, as he has promised." (Deuteronomy 26: 17-19)
Thank you Father for this promise. The Holy Spirit in me will help me to observe all God's laws and customs.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; his commandments are the wisdom of the simple." (Psalm 19:8)
The 10 commandments as a system of law is perfect. The word of God revives the soul. When the soul is depressed, burdened, give it the tonic of the WOG.
How are the simple and uneducated to attain wisdom? Through the word of God. God's word is the school of wisdom for everyone but especially for the simple.
