"Agrippa said to Festus, "I should like to hear the man myself." (Acts 25: 22)
When they put you before tribunals, do not worry about what to say. It shall be your opportunity to bear witness.
What opportunities would be created for me today to bear witness?
Most Holy Spirit lead me, guide me and use me today.
"Father, in glorifying Christ and sending us your Spirit, you open the way to eternal life. May our sharing in this gift increase our love and make our faith grow stronger…." (Prayer in Easter Season)
The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is the guarantee that eternal life is already within us. "Eternal life is knowing you the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." The Holy Spirit brings us the knowledge of God.
Father, Pentecost is near. We await eagerly the gifts of your Blessed Spirit. Increase our love and our faith.
"I pray not only for these but also for those who through their teaching will come to believe in me." (John 17: 20)
Christ the High Priest has prayed especially for me: "Emmanuel, Emmanuel, I pray that your faith will not falter. After the trial, when you are strong, strengthen your brothers."
Thank you Jesus.
Christ's prayer is very effective.
"Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope….. You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever." (Psalm 16: 1, 11)
The Holy Spirit has shown me the path to life – the 7-Way Plan.
"Father, you gave St. Bernadine a special love for the name of Jesus. By the help of his prayers, may we always be alive with the spirit of your love…." (Prayer on the feast of St. Bernadine – 05/20/2009)
Exactly ten years ago, I confided this brief reflection on the above prayer:
God gave St. Bernadine a special gift: Love of the name of Jesus. Everything is a gift from our Father.
St. Ignatius Loyola also had special love for the name of Jesus. He called the religious order he founded – The Society of Jesus.
"Father, let your Spirit come upon us with power to fill us with his gifts. May he make our hearts pleasing to you, and ready to do your will ……"
We are 12 days away from Pentecost 2009. We ask the Father to fill us with the awesome gifts of the Holy Spirit so that our hearts will always be pleasing to Him. With the Holy Spirit firmly in control of our hearts, He will dispose us to do God's will in all things.
"Let us come to God's presence with confidence, because we will find mercy and strength when we need it." (Hebrews 4: 6)
How to come into God's presence:
How to come into God's presence with confidence:
"When the Holy Spirit comes to you, the Spirit whom I shall send, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me, and you also will be my witnesses." (John 15: 26 – 27)
Yes Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word. I am your servant.
"Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17: 17)
O Holy Spirit, set me apart for service of the Truth, who is Jesus Christ. Amen!
"Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the guardians, to feed the Church of God which he bought with the blood of his own Son." (Acts 20: 28)
Be watchful. Be alert. Your enemy is constantly prowling, seeking for an opportunity to score a goal.
Be watchful too for your flock. Pray for them constantly. Be ready to alert them after prayers on the wiles of the evil one.
"The Holy Spirit who the Father will send in my name will teach you all things, and remind you of all I have said to you." ( John 14: 26)
The Holy Spirit and instructions
The Holy Spirit and memory
The Holy Spirit will teach me and remind me.
"I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do." (John 17: 4)
Father, help me to glorify you by finishing the work you gave me to do.
The Enterprise will glorify God. God will not oppose anything that will glorify His name. Emm-Del, Mary-HP, AD-8 will all glorify God because all have been dedicated to His service.
"Sing to God, O Kingdom of the earth ….. Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation." ( Psalm 68: 33, 20)
God bears our burdens day by day. God is there for us all the time.
"But I do not place any value on my own life, provided that I complete the mission the Lord gave me – to bear witness to the good news of God's grace." (Acts 20: 24)
Christ's work must come before our very lives. It must be number one in our priority.
The task is to bear witness to the good news of God's grace.
"Lord, send the power of your Holy Spirit upon us that we may remain faithful and do your will in our daily lives ….." (Mass Prayer in the Season of Easter)
We can do nothing without the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit.
I am favored by constant inspiration from my Precious Friend. I commit myself to acting as soon as I get the inspiration. O Holy Spirit, grant me the gift of discernment of spirits so that no open door will be left for the inspiration of the enemy. Amen.
"I am the beginning and end of all things. I have met death, but I am alive, and I shall live for eternity." (Revelation 1: 17-18)
I was dead but I am alive forevermore.
I conquered death by dying. You conquer fear by facing fears.
They conquered the enemy through:
(Revelation 12:10)
"Lord, may these gifts cleanse us from sin and make our hearts live with your gift of grace …."
The Eucharist increases the life in God in us. We call this life sanctifying grace. It also cleanses us from venial sins and enables us to live in grace.
"I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have hardship, but be courageous: I have conquered the world." (John 16: 33)
It gives me peace and comfort to know that Jesus knows everything that is happening in my life. Where has he told me all that will happen in my life? In the scriptures. The scriptures reproduce faithfully the profile of the disciple.
Be courageous in your witnessing. Be courageous in living the 7-Way Plan.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1: 8)
What type of people were the disciples of Jesus before Pentecost? They were people with weak faith, timid and unsure of themselves and their calling. Although they had been with Jesus for three years and had seen all His miracles and heard His great teaching. That was not enough to make them solid and trustworthy disciples.
What type of people were the disciples after Pentecost? They were full of faith, courage and enthusiasm for their calling. After Pentecost, they were so full of zeal for their calling that they were prepared to lay down their lives for Jesus.
What made the difference in the lives of the disciples before and after Pentecost? The gift of the Holy Spirit made all the difference.
"Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. …… The Father of orphans and defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads for the prisoners to prosperity." (Psalm 68: 5-7)
Father, I thank you for who you are. Help me to trust and appreciate you as Father. I ask for this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our brother. Amen!
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" (Acts 19:2)
St. Paul noticed that something is missing in the new believers. What was missing?
Wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is power. Where He is not, power is lacking. The discernment that the Holy Spirit was absent in some of the new Christians was apparent to Paul. Every Christian that has the Holy Spirit can make the same discernment. The discernment could be the first step in leading people to the Holy Spirit.
"Lord, send the power of your Holy Spirit upon us that we may remain faithful and do your will in our daily lives ….." (Prayer at Mass in Eastertide)
Without the power of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to do God's will day after day. Faithfulness in following Jesus every day is a sign that the Holy Spirit is resident in a soul.
I need the light and courage from the Holy Spirit to do God's will in my life every day.
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. You will be my witnesses to all the world." (Acts 1: 8)
The Holy Spirit will give me power to witness to Jesus wherever and whenever He pleases. When will this happen? At the appointed time. This is the time of discipleship. Project Canisius is practicum.
"I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do." (John 17: 4)
We glorify God by accomplishing His work.
What work has the Father given me to do today? Today, I start preparing candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday.
What are some of the tools of discipleship?
Prayer, Eucharist, word of God, Sacrament of Reconciliation, study.
Father, may I glorify you through my work.
"Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly." (1 Peter 4: 13)
Fruits of the Sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary: Grace to share in the sufferings of Christ.
"One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple." (Psalm 27: 4)
Jesus said to Martha, "Only one thing is necessary." For the psalmist, that one thing is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. Note that the psalmist does not just ask the Lord for the one thing. He seeks it. Jesus commands us to ask for the one thing; seek the one thing; knock on doors for the one thing until we find it.
What is the one thing that I need in my life right here and right now? That one thing is the Holy Spirit. This is the one thing that makes all things possible.
"All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and his brothers." (Acts 1: 12 – 14)
Wait for the promise of the Father in Jerusalem. Where is my Jerusalem today?
How did the apostles wait for the Holy Spirit? They devoted themselves with one accord to Prayer.
How do I wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Enterprise? Prayer! Prayer! Prayer! The 7-Way Plan.
Through prayer, we keep hope alive.
2 dimensions of prayer:
"Eternal Father, reaching from end to end of the universe, and ordering all things with your mighty arm: for you, time is the unfolding of truth that already is, the unveiling of beauty that is yet to be. Your son has saved us in history by rising from the dead, so that transcending time he might free us from death. May his presence among us lead to the vision of unlimited truth and unfold the beauty of your love….." (Mass Prayer)
God orders all things with His mighty arm.
History is the unfolding of truth that already is.
The Risen Christ is among us in the Church.
"Father, help us to keep in mind that Christ our Savior lives with you in glory and promised to be with us until the end of time….." (Mass Prayer in the 7th Sunday of Easter)
Christ our Emmanuel promised to be with us always. He also promised that His grace will always be sufficient for us. He will be with us in our journey and in every struggle.
Thank you Jesus. Bless me with the gift of keeping this in mind always.
"Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete." (John 16: 24)
"In all truth I tell you, anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name." (John 16: 23)
"When that day comes you will ask in my name…." (John 16: 26)
Most of our prayer is involved with asking. God created us to be completely dependent on him for everything. Why then be ashamed to ask for help in the time of need?
Ask and you shall receive and your faith will grow stronger.
"Apollos was accurate in all the details he taught about Jesus . …. Pricilla and Aquilla gave him more detailed instruction about the way." (Acts 18: 25 0 26)
Some teachers /TV evangelists are accurate in some details they teach about Jesus. Those that are open to the Spirit and thirst for the fullness of truth are given more instruction about the Way.
"You are a people God claims as his own, to praise him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2: 9)
God claims me as His own.
God is my portion and inheritance.
God designed me to praise Him.
God called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.
"Lord, you constantly give life to your people in this holy Eucharist. By the prayers of the apostle St. Matthias, prepare us to take our place among your saints in eternal life…" (Prayer in the feast of St. Matthias)
The Eucharist strengthens God's grace within us. The Eucharist constantly gives us spiritual life. The life of God within us is sanctifying grace.
The Eucharist prepares us to take our place among the saints in heaven.
"You are my friends, if you do what I command you." (John 15: 14)
The apostle is called to enjoy intimate friendship with Jesus.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to produce the Jesus character in the apostle.
"Out of the men who have been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was living with us, from the time when John was baptizing until the day when he was taken up from us, one must be appointed to serve with us as a witness to his resurrection." (Acts 1: 21-22)
Attributes of the apostle and the witness:
"Father, you called St. Matthias to share in the mission of the apostles. By the help of his prayers, may we receive with joy the love you share with us and be counted among those you have chosen….." (Prayer on the feast of St. Matthias)
The choice, the call and the anointed.
Every Christian has be chosen, called and anointed to share in the mission of the apostles. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of mission will lead and guide each one to his path.
"You have not chosen me; I have chosen you. Go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16)
Lord, lead me; guide me; use me.
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19 – 20)
Jesus Christ is Emmanuel – "God with us." He promises: "Behold, I am with you always."
At the beginning of his Gospel, St. Matthew writes:
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." (Matthew 1:21)
At the end of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Jesus promises: "Behold, I am with you always."
Jesus Christ is with us in the Eucharist. He is with us in all the mission fields in the world.
"Go and teach all nations, I am with you always, until the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 19, 20)
Lord, lead me, guide me and use me.
"May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your heart be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy one…." (Ephesians 1: 17-18)
Lord, bless me with the spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Bless me with a strong hope.
"It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1: 7-8)
You will receive power from the Holy Spirit.
You will be my witnesses everywhere.
When will these promises be fulfilled? Wait for the Lord. Wait patiently for the Lord.
"While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak, for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1: 4-5)
Wait for the promises of the Father. (122108)
Wait for the promises of the Enterprise.
Teach me to wait. Help me to wait.
How to wait: Wait with oil burning in your lamp: the 7-Way Plan.
"If our God, the one we serve, is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace and from your power, Your Majesty, he will save us; and even if he does not, then you must know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:17 – 18)
A good paraphrase of the above scripture which I like is this: "If we live, we live; if we perish, we perish."
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26: 39) Again, we can paraphrase Christ's sentiments thus: "If I live, I live; if I die, I die."
"For though the fig tree blossom not | nor fruit be on the vines, |Though the yield of the olive fail| and the terraces produce no nourishment, | Though the flock disappear from the fold | and there be no heard in the stalls, | Yet will I rejoice in the Lord |and exult in my saving God. (Habakkuk 3: 17 – 18) Prophet Habakkuk's word can me summarized with - "If we live, we live; if we perish, we perish."
"If you make my word your home |you will indeed be my disciples; | you will come to know the truth, | and the truth will make you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)
When we are faithful to the teachings of Jesus, we will have the faith and courage to appropriate the above scriptures. We will know that God is faithful come what may.
"Father in heaven, our minds were prepared for the coming of your kingdom when you took Christ beyond our sight so that we might seek him in his glory. May we follow where he has led and find our hope in his glory…." (Mass of the Ascension)
The ascension took Christ beyond our sight. Now we can see Christ with the eyes of faith. Where Christ is, there is the kingdom of God.
"The Lord says, I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16, 19)
Lord, if you have chosen me, I will go. Fill me with the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of evangelization so that I can go and bear spiritual fruits for you.
"Lord God, by this holy exchange of gifts you share with us your divine life. Grant that everything we do may be directed by the knowledge of your truth……" (Prayer in Mass)
The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gifts. God takes our bread and wine and transforms them into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ which is then given back to us.
"Grant that everything we do may be directed by the knowledge of your truth´ Knowledge of truth comes from the word of God. We pray that we gain genuine knowledge through the word of God. We pray also that this knowledge influence everything we do.
"However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth." (John 16: 13)
Spirit and the truth
Spirit of truth
Most Holy Spirit, come and teach me your truth. Remove from me all falsehood.
The Spirit leads the Church to the fullness of truth on the word of God
"Nor is [God] he in need of anything, that he should be served by human hands; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything – including life and breath to everyone." (Acts 17:25)
All blessings come from our God. All life, all breath come from God. God gives to everyone whatever he has. All talent, time and treasure come from God.
"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness, we have this bread to offer, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands. It shall become for us the bread of life." We answer this offertory prayer with the affirmation – "Blessed be God forever." So, even the gifts we bring to God are provided to us by God Himself.
"Father, we honor Saints Nereus and Achilleus for their courage in dying to profess their faith in Christ. May we experience the help of their prayers at the throne of your mercy….." (Prayer in the Mass of the feast of St. Nereus and Achilleus)
They showed courage in dying to profess their faith in Christ. Am I ready to resist temptation to the point of blood? The martyrs died for Christ through the power of Christ. I too can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
"I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers." (Psalm 18: 50; 21:23)
This is my desire.
O Lord, how, when? Wait! (Psalm 42 – 122108)
"Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead; and so enter into his glory." (Luke 24: 46, 26)
Those who suffered:
There is a divine necessity of suffering.
1 "Then 2 the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
3 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.
4 Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake, 5 for you know neither the day nor the hour.
The foolish virgins did not anticipate a delay and were unprepared when the bridegroom was long delayed. (v5)
St. Augustine in his Sermons, 93 wrote: "Watch with the heart, watch with faith, watch with love, watch with charity, watch with good works […]; make ready the lamps, make sure they do not go out […], renew them with inner oil of an upright conscience; then shall the Bridegroom enfold you in the embrace of his love and bring you into his banquet room, where your lamp can never be extinguished."
When I reflect on the above, I think of the message of 122108: Wait!
"6
Why are you downcast, my soul; why do you groan within me? Wait for God, whom I shall praise again, my savior and my God." (Psalm 42: 6)
"I will send you the Spirit of truth; he will lead you to the whole truth." (John 16: 7, 13)
Thank you Jesus. Open my heart and mind to learn all that I can from the Spirit of truth.
"Lydia listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying." (Acts 16: 4)
Lydia paid attention to the word.
She listened eagerly.
Lydia responded to what Paul said.
Lydia is a fertile and noble soul on which the seed of the word of God fell and yielded abundant harvest.
Lord Jesus, open our hearts to accept all that you will say to us today.
"God of mercy, may our celebration of your Son's resurrection help us to experience its effects in our lives….." (Prayer in Mass in the Season of Easter)
What are the effects of Christ's resurrection that we should experience in our lives?
How can we witness to these Easter effects without experiencing them?
"Christ now raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has power over him." (Romans 6: 9)
If I die to something in my life, I will never die again to the same thing. I have died to alcohol. I will never die to alcohol again. Alcohol no longer has power over me.
Things I want to die to:
"Lord, accept our prayers and offerings. Make us worthy of your sacraments of love by granting us your forgiveness…." (Prayer in Mass)
We are continually in need of God's forgiveness.
"Say but a word and I shall be healed."
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains in you, and will be in you." (John 14: 16 – 17)
Thank you Jesus for the Holy Spirit. Yes, I am beginning to know Him. And what I am learning about Him is very exciting.
"Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence." (1 Peter 3: 15-16)
What are the reasons for my hope on the Enterprise?
"Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts." (1 Peter 3: 15)
Enthrone Christ as King and Lord of your heart.
Make Christ your most cherished desire.
Give Christ the first place in your heart.
Seek Christ's kingdom and righteousness above everything else.
"God our Father, maker of all, the crown of your creation was the Son of Man, born of a woman, but without beginning; he suffered for us but lives forever. May our mortal lives be crowned with the ultimate joy of rising with him…." (Prayer in Mass in the Season of Easter)
Christ suffered and died for us but now lives forever more. If we suffer now with Christ, we too will live forever.
"Ever-living God, help us to celebrate our joy in the resurrection of the Lord and to express in our lives the love we celebrate……" (Prayer at Mass in Easter season)
What does the Resurrection of Jesus mean to me? Do I feel the joy of Easter? What are the fruits of the Resurrection?
The Resurrection means victory, triumph over the forces of evil.
"If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you do not belong to the world, because my choice of you has drawn you out of the world, that is why the world hates you." (John 15: 19)
The world recognizes its own and loves them.
Since those chosen by Christ and withdrawn from the world by His choice are not recognized by the world, all they can expect from the world are challenges, resistance and hatred.
"They traveled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, because they had been told by the Holy Spirit not to preach the word in Asia." (Acts 16: 6)
The Spirit and Mission
If we surrender our lives completely to the Spirit as Paul did, He would guide our work as He guided Paul's. He will reveal to us in due time:
Of our vocation.
Most Holy Spirit, help us to surrender completely to you.
"Loving Father, through our rebirth in Baptism you give us your life and promise immortality. By your unceasing care, guide our steps toward the life of glory…." (Mass Prayer)
Baptism gives us new life in God. All the sacraments increase this life or sanctifying grace in us. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation this life is renewed and refreshed.
God's care for us is unceasing. His perfect love for us casts out fear. Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.
"Merciful Lord, make holy these gifts and let our spiritual sacrifice make us an everlasting gift to you…." (Prayer at Mass)
We bring our gifts of bread and wine, representing our toils and all that we desire to offer to God. God accepts them and makes them holy.
"You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name." (John 15: 16)
Christ chose me. He commissions me to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last.
When I start bearing spiritual fruit in the Vineyard, whatever I ask the Father in the name of Jesus, I shall have.
Principles of fruit-bearing in the Kingdom:
When you have done these, have faith that the seed is growing and will yield fruit in due season.
Process of fruit-bearing in the Kingdom:
"You are my friends, if you do what I command you." (John 15: 14)
I want to be a friend and companion of Jesus. But there are conditions for this friendship and companionship. They are:
"keep my commands"
Lord Jesus, I cherish your friendship and want to keep your commandments. Help me to do so, Jesus.
"And so we have decided unanimously to elect delegates and to send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have committed their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 15: 25)
Paul and Barnabas committed their lives to Jesus. Lord Jesus, help me to commit my life to you as Paul and Barnabas did.
"Lord, by this Easter mysteries, prepare us for eternal life. May our celebration of Christ's death and resurrection guide us to salvation….." (Mass Prayer)
The Eucharist is the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection. Nothing prepares us better for eternal life than the Eucharist.
O Mother of the Son, obtain for me the favor of witnessing to the power of the Eucharist.
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Ten years ago, I confided to my journal the reflection below. Ten years after, I am amazed as to how things things have turned out. I now have a teaching ministry in my parish. Ten years ago, I saw it as a tiny speck in the future horizon. God is faithful.
God knows the best for me. He has seen the whole pattern of the weaving of my life. He has seen the finished product. He will make a strategic match between my:
1. What is my purpose? To learn and to communicate.
Sources of learning:
2. Personality: Jesus Christ describes Himself as the Truth, the Way and the Life. Who am I? A friend and companion of Jesus.
3. Position: Tx-06, STM, SFJ
I trust God to arrange the very best for me.
"I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love." (John 15: 9)
Lord Jesus, you do not need to tell me today to remain in your love. This is exactly what I want to do and where I want to be. What I want you to tell me is how to remain in your love. I know you love me dearly. Your intense love for me remains a mystery. I have come to accept it. I want to enjoy your love. Spoil me with your love.
But Lord, how do I respond to your love?
"The entire assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had worked through them among the gentiles." (Acts 15: 12)
God confirms the mission to the gentiles through signs and wonders. Every genuine ministry is confirmed by God through signs. My ministry of teaching is confirmed through such signs as attraction to the ministry of teaching, love of learning, lavish provision of books and materials that I need to fulfill the ministry. Occasional words of appreciation from those I minister to. God never tells you in advance how He plans to support your ministry. But the scripture encourages us to pray to see the hope He has reserves for those who serve Him. Without this encouragement from God, ministry might be difficult to undertake and persevere in. Just as through the Sacrament of Marriage, Christ empowers the married to live the sometimes difficult circumstances of the married state, so Jesus does for anybody called to a ministry.
"My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient; For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and God will help you; trust in him and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein." (Sirach 2: 1 – 6)
The above scripture is part of the powerful first reading on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday 2009. I prayed to the Holy Spirit to carve these words in my mind and heart. I ask Him to text me the above words as and when I need them. To undergo a trial and know what is happening is a plus. To go through adversity and not realize what is happening is fraught with dangers. Danger of discouragement, despair and quitting prematurely. Below is the Responsorial Psalm to the above scripture from Psalm 37.
"Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.| Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart's requests.
The Lord watches over the lives of the wholehearted; their inheritance lasts forever.| They are not put to shame in an evil time; | in days of famine they have plenty.
Turn from evil and do good, that you may abide forever; | For the Lord loves what is right, and forsakes not his faithful ones.
The salvation of the just is from the Lord; | he is their refuge in time of distress.| And the Lord helps them and delivers them;| he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." (From Psalm 37)
If you do your part, be sure that God is doing His part for He is faithful.
"Father, in your love you have brought us from evil to good and from misery to happiness. Through your blessings, give the courage of perseverance to those you have called and justified by faith…." (Prayer at Mass)
Thank you dearest Father for bringing me from evil to good and from misery to happiness. How different my life is today from what it was when I did not know or accept your plan for my life. You brought me from AJSUA to SFJ. You freed me from ZAN and showed me the joy of living in your plan. Thank you. Give me the courage to persevere in the good life your plan has called me to. Amen!
"Lord, restore us by these Easter mysteries. May the continuing work of our Redeemer bring us eternal joy…" (Prayer at Mass)
We need restoration from the wear and tear of everyday life. As we experience delays, disappointments and obstacles, our faith is challenged. We come to the altar of the word and the Eucharist to be nourished and restored.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for whatever you please and you will get it." (John 15: 7)
Today, I ask Jesus for the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the grace to surrender completely to Him. Ten years ago, when I reflected on the above scripture, I confided to my diary that my top need was for casa. How shifting are the desires of the heart. But in all the shifting sands that make up our desires, Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Isn't this comforting?
"Live in me and let me live in you, says the Lord. My branches bear much fruit. (John 15: 4, 5)
We live in Christ through prayer, His word and the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Christ lives in us through our participation in group worship, principally the Mass and group prayer. The key to bearing fruit in the kingdom is this symbiosis with Jesus Christ: Living in Him and He living in us.
"When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church and by the apostles and elders, and gave an account of all that God had done through them." (Acts 15: 4)
When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem, the Church saw clearly how God had used them and acknowledged that they were instruments of God for evangelization. We too can be instruments of God if we are open to the Holy Spirit.
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5 When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, "Do you see anything?"
Looking up he replied, "I see people looking like trees and walking."
Then he laid hands on his eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, "Do not even go into the village." (Mark 8: 22 – 26)
The above miracle story contains a remarkable sequence of events:
Why these sequences of events?
Is it possible that the man's blindness was caused by a demonic influence inside the village? Could there have been resistance to the man's healing if performed in the village? Was there a danger of relapse if the man went back to the village?
One of the lessons of the above scripture is to avoid unhealthy geographies.
"Father of all holiness, guide our hearts to you. Keep in the light of your truth all those you have freed from the darkness of unbelief…." (Prayer at Mass)
God is the Father of all holiness. Satan is the father of all lies.
How does God guide our hearts to Himself? The 7-Way Plan and the 7-War Zones are my special gift. Every day, I am growing in understanding that all times and seasons serve God. Similarly, everything that I experience during the day serves God as He guides my heart to him.
Unbelief keeps the mind in darkness.
"Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." (John 14: 27)
Peace is the special gift of Christ. How does one explain the peace of Christ? It is the quiet assurance that all is well, not matter what may be happening to the contrary. It is the certainty that there is a game plan. And everything is working according to that plan. It is the certain knowledge that "Perfect love casts out fear." And that love is God's perfect love for us here and now. The world is incapable of giving this peace. "Nemo dat quod non habet." Nobody gives that which he has not. The world does not have this type of peace and so cannot give it. This is the special gift promised the disciples by Jesus.
"But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you." (Acts 14: 26)
The Holy Spirit is my Teacher.
The Holy Spirit is my aide de memoire. He reminds me of everything that I need to remember. What He does not remind of does not matter.
"Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory." (Luke 24: 46)
Paul said: "We must all experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14: 22)
There is an inevitability of suffering. It cannot be avoided. Everybody must be salted by fire. In the face of this existential fact, the best attitude towards suffering is the Christian one: trust and surrender. It is useless to kick against the goad.
"As for you, prepare yourself for action." (Jeremiah 1: 17)
Preparing for action:
That the man of God may be equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3: 17)
The equipping of saints for service (Ephesians 4: 12)
Be dressed in readiness with your lamps burning (Luke 12: 35)
Be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2)
Be ready, for he is coming when you least expect (Matthew 24:44)
Be ready (Luke 12: 40)
I am ready to go to prison and death (Luke 22: 33)
I am ready to die for the Lord Jesus (Acts 21: 13)
Gird up your loins like a man (Job 38: 3; 40:7)
Gird up your loins (2 Kings 4: 29; 9:1)
Gird up your loins and speak to them (Jeremiah 1: 17)
Gird up your minds (1 Peter 1: 13)
Feet shod with preparation for the gospel (Ephesians 6: 15)
(Roget's Thesaurus of the Bible)
"On their arrival they assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the gentiles." (Acts 14: 27)
Apostolic work is God's work. God opens the door.
"I have opened a door before you which no man will be able to close." (Revelation 3:8)
God opened the door for Paul and Barnabas to evangelize the gentiles. The door opened by God will remain open come what may.
"Father, you restored your people to eternal life by raising Christ your Son from death. Make our faith strong and our hope sure. May we never doubt that you will fulfill the promises you have made…" (Prayer at Mass)
When man fell from grace and lost eternal life, God restored it to us through Jesus Christ.
We ask the Father to strengthen our faith in His word. Father, give us also sure hope.
When the Father asked me to wait on 122108, I have sure hope that I am waiting for something. May I never doubt that God will fulfill the promises made to me.
What are the causes of doubt?
What is the remedy to the problems of doubt?
"Father, by the holy gifts we have received, free our minds and hearts from sin. With the apostles Philip and James, may we see you in your Son and be found worthy to have eternal life…." (Mass on the feast of Apostles Saints Philip and James)
Although we strive for holiness, we still struggle against sins. Hence the prayer to the Father to free our minds and hearts from sin.
The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sins.
"May we see you in your Son…." May we see your goodness, mercy, compassion, long-suffering, gentleness and all your attributes in your Son, Jesus.
"Lord, let us see the Father, and we shall be content. And Jesus said: Philip, he who sees me, sees the Father." (John 14: 8,9)
Jesus is the image of the invisible Father. He shares all the attributes of the Father:
God is spirit. When you see the attributes of Jesus at work, you see those of the Father. When you hear the words of Jesus, you hear those of the Father.
"Whatever you ask in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14: 13-14)
Reading my journal entry on the above scripture of ten years ago, I am amazed to see a dramatic change in the things I ask for today. In 1999, I asked for a place, financial security, a job and protection from evil. Today, I still have all these needs. But what I ask for is different. It is also short-term. At the beginning of everyday, I ask for inspiration and power that I need to meet the blessings and challenges of the day. I can date this shift from preoccupation from daily bread to spiritual bread to the third quarter of 2004 after the Men's ACTS Retreat in Dickinson. I learned from that retreat to live one day at a time. I hope that lesson is irreversible. That lesson has brought much happiness and stability to my life.
Jesus Christ answers our prayers in His name. He answers them in the fullness of His wisdom and love.
"All times and seasons obey your laws." (Eucharistic Prayer)
All Times:
All Seasons:
God governs the world through laws: natural laws as well as supernatural laws.
Because all times and seasons obey God, we see how "all things work together for good to those who love God." (Romans 8: 28). Because "all things serve you" (Psalm 119:91), we see how ordinary and extraordinary providence work together for good for God's children.
"Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried; and that on the third day, he was raised to life, in accordance with the scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:4)
Christ's death on the cross was not an accident. It was ordained from eternity that Christ was to die for our sins.
The core of the apostolic preaching was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This message has a saving value. How are we saved by this message? What is the implication of this truth for our live today?
Avoid sin. Live for Christ.
"I am the vine and you are the branches, says the Lord; he who lives in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit." (John 15: 5)
Principle of productivity: Live in Christ.
We live in Christ through the Sacrament, particularly the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gift. Through it, God shares with us His divine life. Another word for God's divine life in us is sanctifying grace.
We also live in Christ through his words. "If you remain in my word, you will know the truth and the truth will make you free."
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling place." (John 14: 1)
Do not be troubled over the 7-War zones. Worry is useless. All that is necessary is trust.
The two scriptures which were read at Mass today as first reading and responsorial Psalm drastically changed my perspective during my Desert Experience. I came to understand through this 12th chapter of Hebrews that in God's pedagogy, discipline equals training; trials equals discipline. I now understand more clearly the message of Father Jean-Pierre Caussade, S.J. in Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence. While God uses carrots in His training, sticks form the bedrock or meat of his curriculum. Very much like in the classroom: the tough homework shows the difference between a good student and a mediocre one.
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In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."
Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
They disciplined us for a short time as seemed right to them, but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness.
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
3 See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled,
1 Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,
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As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on the faithful.
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For he knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust.
But the LORD'S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age. He favors the children's children
of those who keep his covenant, who take care to fulfill its precepts.
02/04/09
"Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2: 5)
We are living stones in the house of God.
QOP is a type and shadow of God building me into a spiritual house. How is God building me up?
The Seven-Way Plan
"See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and preserve them inspite of famine." (Psalm 33: 18-19)
God shows mercy on those:
"Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you."
"It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table….We shall devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word." (Acts 6: 2, 4)
A very important principle is established here.
First things first:
In the life of the apostle, there must be priorities. The most important things must be done first and the lesser things left to others or not done at all. Whatever is the ministry, priority must always be given to prayer the word of God.
