Voluntary Poverty

"Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the laborer deserves his keep." (Matthew 10: 9 – 10)

Peter Maurin the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement lived these words of Jesus to the letter. In doing so, he proved that it is possible to live the principle of voluntary poverty. Not everyman is called to this level of commitment. We are all called to make God first in all lives. This implies complete detachment from all material things. When we trust God completely for all our provision, He never disappoints.

Powerful Providence

"I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not grieve, do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here, since God sent me before you to preserve your lives." (Genesis 45: 4-5)

Jesus is a type of Joseph. Anybody who has experienced persecution is a type of Joseph. The brothers of Joseph intended evil but God's providence prevailed in favor of Joseph. The enemies of Jesus who crucified Him intended a final solution for Him but God raised Jesus to life and His Church bears witness to that truth today.

Those who dealt with me at CAUN intended suffering and hardship for me, but God had other plans.

"Everything becomes bread to nourish me, soap to cleanse me, fire to purify me. Everything is a means of grace for my necessities. The very thing that I seek everywhere else seeks me incessantly and gives itself to me by the hand of all creatures." Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence, Father Jean-Pierre Caussade, S.J.

Authority and Power

"He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness." (Matthew 10:1)

What has become of this authority and power today? Unclean spirits and all type of evil spirits are still with us. All kinds of disease and illness abound everywhere. In God's mysterious providence, He wills that other means be used today to solve these problems.

Human Survival

"People came to Egypt from all over the world to get supplies from Joseph, for the famine had grown severe throughout the world." (Genesis 41: 57)

Migration seems to be God's plan for the world. Look at the animals. They have no boundaries. They move with the times and seasons.

Rich harvest but few laborers

"The harvest is rich but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to his harvest." (Matthew 9: 38)

Today the mission field is vast and varied. One good development after the Second Vatican Council is the mobilization of the laity for mission work. Without this development and with the shortage of priests, the Church may not be able to fulfill the great commission. Every ministry in the Church is directly or indirectly mission oriented. The great mission is to take the good news to every person. Few are called to be directly involved in evangelization. All are called to build the kingdom of God here and now.

What can we do to support the missions? The missions need our time, talent and treasure but the best gift is prayer as Jesus said in Matthew 9: 38.

The Ministry of Jesus

"Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness." (Matthew 9: 35)

The ministry of Jesus: teaching, healing and feeding.

What is my ministry?

 

 

Wrestling with God

"I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Genesis 32: 27)

Jacob wrestled with God until God blessed him.

Jesus teaching on prayer speaks of perseverance as wrestling with God until He answers. I am today wrestling with God on a number of issues, some long term and others day to day concerns.

Strong Faith

"Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you." (Matthew 9:22)

Strong faith saves. Strong faith brings result. Am I capable of such a faith?

We begin a New Year, 2010 today. I have one New Year resolution: Trust. I will trust God more this year than I did in 2009. I will trust Him in all things, at all times and everywhere. I will trust Him one event at a time. I will trust Him one day at a time. At the beginning of the day, I declare my resolve to trust Him for everything throughout the day.

Sweet Promise

'Be sure, I am with you; I shall keep you safe wherever you go, and bring you back to this country, for I shall never desert you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28: 15)

Father, your word is very sweet and your promise such a comfort to the heart. I believe that you are faithful to your word. May I never doubt that you will fulfill the promises you have made to me.

If God is with me, then it is accomplished.

Putting into practice

"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11: 28 – 30)

How many times a year do I hear this invitation? How many times do I respond with similar words? "Lord, here I am."

What then is missing? It is the learning process and putting into practice what I learn. Lord, teach me. Show me how to put into practice what you teach me.

Life to mortal bodies

"If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the death dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through His Spirit that dwells in you." (Romans 8: 11)

Most Holy Spirit, I believe that you dwell in me. Give life to my body. Thank you O Holy Spirit.

Refinery

"But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord." (Malachi 3: 2-3)

"All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction." (Psalm 25: 10, 14)

God's providential designs for us are full of kindness and mercy.

Rejoice heartily

"Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your King shall come to you." (Zechariah 9: 9-10)

Rejoice, rejoice heartily. Christ is our King. He comes to us in His word; He comes to us in the Eucharist. He is so humble.

Asking for more evidence

"Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)

Jesus said the above to His disciple, Thomas who had the witness of His resurrection from his fellow disciples and still would not bring himself to believe. In this reproach, we can also see a reproach for asking for too much evidence.

Where do I need to believe more today? My life would be more joyful and peaceful if I believe that Jesus is in full control of my life and destiny. What stands in my way to believing this? When I consider how God's will is manifested in my life, that is, the time, place and manner, I find that paying attention to sense evidence robs me of solid faith. Like Thomas, the apostle, I ask for more evidence. When I do this, may I always hear Jesus say to me: "Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)

Components of the Divine Will

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." (Luke 1: 25)

Elizabeth recognizes one of the critical elements of God's modus operandi. God acts only in due season. When the fullness of time for that event has come, He acts swiftly. In discerning the will of God, I find these three elements very important:

• Time
  
• Place
  
• Manner
  

Manner refers to the way that God has chosen to act in a particular time and place. Often the manner is ordinary. The manner may be ordinary, but the providential design are operative nevertheless. God's ways are not our ways.

Building Up

"And you too, in him, are being built up into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2: 22)

God is building me up one block at a time.

How is God building me up?

The 7 Way Plan in concludes the following:

• Prayer
  
• Eucharist
  
• Word of God
  
• Reconciliation
  
• Ministry
  
• Spiritual reading
  
• Spiritual direction
  

Come to me

"Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)

What a great promise! But how do I know that I can trust Jesus? Trust unlike belief is not based on rational propositions. For example, in the Creed, we have a set of propositions presented to us by the Church. We give our assent to them because we know that the Church is trustworthy. How do we know that the Church is trustworthy? We know through a supernatural enablement that we share with other Christians that is call "Sensus Fidei." Sensus Fidei translates literally as sense of faith is the supernatural instinct that is placed in the soul by the Holy Spirit when we are baptized. This instinct can grow with exercise and practice.

Trust on the other hand calls for experience of trustworthiness in the person to be trusted. To answer the question – Can I trust Jesus when He promises to give me peace when I come to Him with my burdens? I do not know of a single incident when I trusted Jesus for anything and He disappointed. As far as I am concerned, Jesus is a very trustworthy person. The Church corroborates my personal experience and spiritual instinct in affirming with Sacred Scripture that Jesus is trustworthy. My heart rejoices when I hear Jesus say: "Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)

I know for certain that I can trust Jesus.

ABC of Mercy

"Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice." (Matthew 9: 13)

What does mercy mean? Unmerited favor. But I enjoy unmerited favor all the time from Jesus.

There is a pole in the grounds of St. Thomas More Church with a large human shaped heart transfixed with a spear. This reminds me of the open heart of Jesus on the cross from where blood and water flows. Jesus challenges us in the scripture above to go and learn the meaning of mercy. The ABC of Mercy is a good starting point for this lesson:

• A – Ask for mercy
  
• B – Be merciful
  
• C – Completely trust Jesus for mercy.
  

Plug into the Power

"A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for having given such authority to human beings." (Matthew 9: 8)

In Christ Jesus, God has given us awesome authority. He has truly subjected all things to us. In Christ Jesus, we are empowered to be fully active and alive. Because we do not see the evidence of this truth in our daily experience is not a reason to doubt it. The power is there. We need to connect into it. Plug in the power cord. The power is the Holy Spirit living within us.

The barriers to using this power are: sin, fear and ignorance. As we work to eliminate these from our lives, we begin to see the power.

Lord Jesus, empower us to plug into the Holy Spirit so that we can live fully for you every day.

God will provide

"My son, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering." (Genesis 22: 8)

God provides all the resources we need to please Him.

"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, let it become for us the bread of life."

Is this problem a test?

"It happened sometime later that God put Abraham to the test." (Genesis 22: 1)

"God said, 'Take your son, your only son, your beloved Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, where you are to offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I shall point out to you." (Genesis 22: 2)

What would you do if you know for certainty that your present financial, health, job problem is a test from God? If I know with absolute certainty that my critical problem is a test from God, I will predict victory. I will ask God again and again to give me the patience, courage and perseverance to overcome. When we commit ourselves to do God's will come what may and suffer the events in our lives which we cannot change, we can then be certain that God has a finger in whatever unpleasant event we may encounter.

Diamonds in the backyard

"Then God opened Haga's eye and she saw a well, so she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." (Genesis 21 : 19)

Haga was in distress over her son's terrible thirst. She cried. Her son cried. The cry was a prayer. And God heard the cry. Then the miracle happened. Suddenly Haga was aware of a source of cold water nearby. She gave the boy some drink.

Lord, are there diamonds in my back yard that I am failing to see? Open my eyes to see your precious provisions close to me.

Who is Jesus?

"But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16: 15)

Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.

You are the Son of God.

You are my Good Shepherd.

You are my King and my Boss.

You are the Prince of Peace.

You are my High Priest.

You are my best Friend.

You are the Bread of life.

You are the Light of the world.

You are the Truth, the Way and the Life.

You are the King of the Universe.

Jesus is faithful forever

"But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed for all the gentiles to hear; and so I was saved from the lion's mouth." (2Timothy 4: 17)

I love the above scripture very much. It confirms the fact that Jesus never abandons His servants. He is faithful forever. This is a great truth to remember during trials and persecutions.

The Lord will save me from all travails.

The Angel of the Lord

"The Lord really did send his angel to save me from Herod and from all the Jewish people were expecting." (Acts 12: 11)

The Lord will save me from all distress. When in deep crisis, I will call on my Guardian Angel for rescue.

Fox holes and Bird nests

"Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20)

The cost of discipleship is not uniform for everybody. Some people are called to follow Jesus more closely. No matter the degree of the calling, following Jesus is not a picnic. The Father wants us to imitate His Son, Jesus and model our lives after Jesus'.

Father, give us a heart and mind to know your Son Jesus well, to love Him intimately so that we can follow Him everywhere.

For the sake of ten

"For the sake of those ten," he replied, 'I will not destroy it." (Genesis 18: 32)

God is full of compassion. The above text encourages us to intercede for people. No cause is lost. Prayer is an ever present help in time of need.

Fruits of Redemption

"Lord God, through your sacraments you give us the power of your grace. May this Eucharist help us to serve you faithfully….."(Mass Prayer)

The fruits of redemption are mediated through the sacraments.

Lord give us the power of your grace through the sacraments.

A cup of cold water

"And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple – amen I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." (Matthew 10: 42)

The day this scripture became alive for me was the day I was given a cup of cold water when I needed it most. It was a blistering hot day in Houston. I had brought a guest to a hot lobby and was sweating. Without asking, the concierge handed me a cup of cold water. I have never forgotten the gesture. When I call on clients or prospects in the course of my worik, I have enjoyed similar gesture from a person in some offices. Whenever it happens, I remember Matthew 10: 42.

The little one is any disciple of Jesus in need of refreshment. O faithful God, bless all those who have given me a cup of cold water. Help me to be aware of your little ones who need a cup of cold water.

Consequence of our Baptism

"Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6: 3)

Consequence of our Baptism: "You too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus."

Am I dead to sin? I believe so even though I do not feel so. Have I rejected Satan with all his promises and gifts? Absolutely!

Proclaim God’s faithfulness

"The promises of the Lord I will sing forever, through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness." (Psalm 89: 2)

I want to be an apostle of God's faithfulness. I will proclaim God's faithfulness at every opportunity I have.

The Light of Jesus

"Father in heaven, the light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to the light we ask for your guidance. Form our lives in your truth, our hearts in your love….." (Mass Prayer)

The light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin in our hearts. We are now people of the light. We ask the Father to form our lives in the truth of the Gospel and our hearts in His love.

Radiance of truth

"Father, you call your children to walk in the light of Christ. Free us from darkness and keep us in the radiance of your truth…." (Mass Prayer on 13^th Sunday or Ordinary Time)

God our Father wants us to walk in the light of Christ, that is, in the light of the Gospel. God wants us to imitate Christ and obey His teaching.

We ask the Father to free us from darkness, that is, darkness with regard to God's will and plan. Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. He who believes in me shall never walk in darkness." Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ, says St. Jerome.

Faith demands

"Go back, then; let this be done for you, as your faith demands.' And the servant was cured at that moment." (Matthew 8: 13)

The centurion's faith demanded certain precise action. He believed in Jesus and that Jesus could make the object of his faith a reality. His faith produced a miracle.

What does my faith demand here and now? What should my faith demand?

My faith should demand the one thing that is necessary for me. That one thing is the filling of the Holy Spirit. This is the only thing that I need. If I have this, everything else will fall into place.

Lord strengthen my faith so that it becomes strong enough to demand the filling of the Holy Spirit here and now.

The Magnificent Magnificat

"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior." (Luke 1: 46 – 47)

When the Lord visited Abraham and Sarah, their spirit was filled with joy and they proclaimed the greatness of the Lord. Mary's spirit was also filled with joy in God her savior. She expressed her gratitude with the magnificent Magnificat.

The Lord remembered His mercy to Hannah and to David. David after singing his Magnificat, backslided and the Lord lifted him up. The Lord has also remembered His mercy to me. Like David, I backslided. The Lord will lift me up.

Nothing is impossible for God

"I shall come back to you next year, and then your wife Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 10)

Abraham and the wife prayed for a son for many years. And when it appears that they had given up on this hope, God visited them and promised: "I shall come back to you next year, and then your wife Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 10)

What have I stopped praying for and why? God remembers His covenant forever. Even if I forget the prayer and the promise, God remembers.

"Nothing is impossible for Yahweh." (Genesis 18: 14)

Thank you Father for being so faithful. Behold I am your child. Let your plan for my life be fully accomplished.

Be cleansed

"Lord if you are willing, you can cleanse me.' Jesus said to him, 'I am willing. Be cleansed." (Matthew 8: 1-4)

Jesus is always willing to cleanse us from our sins. Thank you Jesus. Oh that we will always remember this. Help us Lord to share this good news with people in most need of your mercy.

Covenant and Sign

"This is your covenant which you must keep between myself and you and your descendants after you: everyone of your males must be circumcised." (Genesis 17: 10)

Circumcision is the sign of the old covenant. This is a visible indelible mark. The Eucharist is the sign of the new covenant. It is also a visible concrete sign. Genesis 17:10 reminds me that I am covenanted to God.

The Desert

"Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. And he lived in the desert until the day he appeared openly to Israel." (Luke 1: 80)

The desert is a place of formation, temptations and trials. This is the abode of John the Baptist during his hidden life. He was prepared for his ministry in the desert. Great saints are also formed in the desert. I loved my desert experience.

John the Baptist finished his course

"Before John ended his course he said, "I am not one you imagined me to be; there is someone coming after me whose sandals I am not fit to undo." (Acts 13: 25)

John finished his course. He prepared the way for Jesus. He was the coming attraction before the main movie. He did his job very well. How well are we doing our job? Do we know what that job is?

Yahweh calls

"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name.

He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm

He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me." (Isaiah 49: 1 -2)

 

Yahweh called John the Baptist. He made John the Baptist what he was. Yahweh calls and makes saints and martyrs.

Yahweh called me. Yahweh will make me into what I will be. I will be docile and pliant so that Yahweh will form me into His design and purpose.

First Principle of Productivity

"Live in me and let me live in you; my branches bear much fruit." (John 15: 4, 5)

Live in Christ through His word and sacraments. This is the first principle of productivity in the Kingdom.

The branch lives through the sap it draws from the tree trunk. To be a healthy branch, it draws this sap constantly. When we attach ourselves to Christ through His word and sacraments, we draw on His life incessantly. With time, we begin to produce the same kind of fruits as Jesus. Fruits of faith, hope and love. Fruits of peace and joy.

Good fruits

"Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits." (Matthew 7: 15 – 16)

Lord, help me to produce fruits of peace, love, faith and hope wherever I go.

God remembers

"The Lord remembers his covenant forever." (Psalm 105: 8)

One of the attributes of God that I love most is His faithfulness. God is faithful forever. I like to reflect from time to time on all the promises from the Bible that I have claimed for myself. If do not think of them for some time, I forget them. How wonderful to know that even if I forget them, the Lord remembers every one of them.

"The Lord remembers his covenant forever." (Psalm 105: 8)

Trusting the word of God

"Do not be afraid, Abram! I am your shield and shall give you a great reward." (Genesis 15: 1)

"Abram put his faith on Yahweh and this was reckoned to him as uprightness." (Genesis 15: 6)

Yes, I trust in God's word. I am not afraid. God is my shield. He will take care of me in every circumstance.

"Blessed is she who believed that God's promise to her will be fulfilled." Mary believed the word of God and she is blessed.

Throwing pearls in front of dogs

"Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7: 6)

We must be enthusiastic for evangelization. The enthusiasm however must be moderated by wisdom. Let the Holy Spirit lead and we follow.

St. Ignatius Loyola counseled three essentials in any worker in God's vineyard:

• Knowledge of God
  
• Knowledge of man (Self-knowledge)
  
• Knowledge of the world
  

With these three essentials under our belt, it will be difficult to throw pearls in front of dogs.

The Promise to Abraham

"Look all round from where you are, to north and south, to east and west, for all the land within sight I shall give to you and your descendants forever." (Genesis 13: 14-15)

• I shall bless you Abraham and people shall be blessed by you.
  
• Ask and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. (Psalm 2)
  

The promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He is the King of the universe. Where the kingdom is, there is the king. Where the king is, there is the kingdom.

Do not judge

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgments you give are the judgments you will get, and the standard used for you." (Matthew 7: 2)

Do not judge.

Do not criticize.

Do not condemn.

Journey of faith

"Leave your country, your kindred and your father's house for a country which I shall show you." (Genesis 12: 1)

The Enterprise is a journey to a country which God has indicated.

Abraham is the father of faith. He heard God's word, believed it and obeyed it.

The Enterprise is a journey with Christ. Christ Jesus is our mighty champion.

Father, may we never doubt your word.

A Sacrifice of Praise

"Lord receive our offering, and may this sacrifice of praise purify us in mind and heart and make us always eager to serve you….." (Prayer over the Gifts)

The Eucharist is a sacrifice of praise par excellence. It purifies our hearts and minds from sin. The Eucharist renews the life of grace within us.

Do not be afraid

"Therefore do not be afraid of them…So do not be afraid" (Matthew 10: 26, 31)

Do not fear your persecutor.

Those not to fear:

• Devil
  
• Enemy
  
• Boss
  
• Friend
  
• Priest
  
• Thief
  
• Judge
  

Circumstances not to fear:

• Poverty
  
• No job
  
• Ill health
  
• No money
  

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27: 1-2)

Fear cripples the mind. The fruit of the First Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary is freedom from fear of suffering. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed and overcame the fear of suffering. We can do the same in intimidating circumstances and overcome the fear of suffering.

Bearing witness2

"The Spirit of truth will testify to me, and you also will testify." (John 15: 26, 27)

Yes Lord, I will testify to you. Lead me, guide me and use me.

When we bear witness to the truth, we expose ourselves to persecution. The spirit of the world hates the truth and resists it at all cost. Deliberate and transparent falsehood should not be permitted in the Household of God. The end never justifies the means. Falsehood and lies are the tools of the devil which we must reject vigorously.

Redemption surpasses the transgression

"But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many." (Romans 5: 2 – 15)

Adam sinned. Christ redeemed.

The gift of redemption surpasses the transgression. O felix culpa!

The restoration of man to God's favor accomplished through Christ's redemptive work went beyond the attributes of the old man. The new man is now an adopted child of God.

Cry of a desperate man

"Lord, in your great love, answer me….. I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me." (Psalm 69 …)

This is the cry of a desperate man. This is the cry of a man who knows the God whose favor he is seeking. Look at how he appeals to God: great love, great kindness, bounteous kindness, great mercy. Our problem is that we are like children who do not know their father. If we know God as our Father who has great love, great kindness, bounteous kindness and great mercy for us, what a difference that would make in our prayer. We approach Him with greater confidence.

The Mighty Champion is with us

"For the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph." (Jeremiah 20: 10 – 13)

How will you feel if you know for certain that the Lord is with you in that special project? First, you will not be afraid of the outcome. Then you will be certain that you will succeed. Rejoice for God is indeed with you.

Abba Father

"God of the universe, we worship you as Lord. God, ever close to us, we rejoice to call you Father. From this world's uncertainty we look to your covenant. Keep us one in your peace, secure in your love….."

God our Father is ever close to us. We rejoice to call Him Father. He is indeed our Father. We are His kids. Abba Father!

Nothing is certain in this world. But the word of God stands firm forever. The certainty of God's word is a covenant.

God is our guide and protector

"Father, guide and protector of your people, grant us an unfailing respect for your name and keep us always in your love……" (Opening Prayer – 12^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

God is our guide and protector. Love and respect for God's name is grace.

A hundred fold reward

"I solemnly tell you: those who have left everything and followed me will be repaid a hundred fold and will gain eternal life." (Matthew 19: 28 – 29)

What we can leave behind completely for Christ's sake?

• Family
  
• Property
  
• Status
  

Lord Jesus, help me to truly leave everything and follow you so that I may deserve your promise in Matthew 19: 27 – 29.

Be absent to your concerns

"So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 34)

Live one day at a time and gratefully accept all that God provides today:

• Food
  
• Shelter
  
• Health/medicine
  
• Eucharist
  
• Word of God
  
• Clothing
  
• Tools
  
• Work
  

Have absolutely no concern about anything beyond the present moment.

If you are absent to these concerns and present to the Lord everyday in prayer, praise and His word, all these things shall be yours at the appointed time.

The Lord is good!

"Learn to savor how good the Lord is; happy are those who take refuge in him." (Psalm 34: 9)

Other translations read: "Taste and see that the Lord is good.."

How do I know that the Lord is good to me? I take time and become aware of what is going on in my life. I realize the source of so many blessings in my life. God is the source. I give thanks. Connecting the dots of our experiences is a learning process. We can learn to savor how good the Lord is to us.

Boasting of weaknesses

"It is, then, about my weaknesses that I am happiest of to boast, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me; and that is why I am glad of weaknesses, insults, constraints, persecutions and distress for Christ's sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

Because I suffer temptations, because I have no health insurance, because I am poor, because I am a stranger, because I am unrefined, I depend completely on Christ for all these things. Because I trust Jesus to help me, He never fails to come through to me.

When I depend on Christ for everything, I rise to the top.

Surrendering weakness to gain power

"My grace is enough for you: for power is at full stretch in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

Power is the key attribute of the Holy Spirit.

• Power to witness to Jesus Christ
  
• Power to overcome evil in our lives
  
• Power of faith
  
• Power of knowledge
  
• Power of patience
  
• Power to endure persecutions
  

All types of power have their source and inspiration from the Holy Spirit.

Now to gain this power, we must surrender our weaknesses to the Holy Spirit. Our weaknesses are all our vulnerabilities. It is amazing how much we want to cling to these.

Lord help me to surrender my weaknesses to you so that I can gain your power.

My Reward

"The Lord is my inheritance and my cup; he alone will give me my reward. The measuring line has marked a lovely place for me; my inheritance is my great delight." (Psalm 16: 5-6)

"My grace is sufficient for you." God alone is my reward. I trust in Him. My destiny is secure. It is in His hand. He is my light and my salvation. What can mortal man do to me?

Storing treasures

"Do not store treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and woodworm destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them." (Matthew 6: 19)

How illusory are material treasures! They are there one minute. They are gone in a second. Does this truth of blessed experience prevent us from coveting material goods and storing them in every space of lives? Our Father in heaven gave us a pearl of wisdom when He taught us to ask Him each day for our daily bread.

Seekfirst the kingdom

"I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34: 5)

What are you afraid of?

• Ill health
  
• Lack of money
  
• No job
  
• No future
  

Psalm 34: 5 promises that if we seek the Lord, He will deliver us from all these fears.

Jesus promises that if we "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things will be given you  besides." 
(Matthew 6:33)

The inimitable St. Paul

"I have worked with unsparing energy, for many nights without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty, and often altogether without food and drink; I have been cold and lacked clothing." (2 Corinthians 11:27)

St. Paul's zeal for the Gospel is inimitable. When I consider the trifles that I call problems, I become ashamed of myself. True, I have not resisted to the point of blood. The only way to follow Christ and imitate the zeal of St. Paul is to be attentive to one day at a time. To use my strengths as I try to minimize my weaknesses in exploiting the opportunities I see to bear witness to Christ.

Forgiveness

"Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either." (Matthew 6: 14 – 15)

Forgive others and when you ask for forgiveness, be confident that God will hear you.

How to forgive: forgive as soon as the offence occurs. Forgive and if it is possible, inform the offending person that you have forgiven him and so you will not be tempted to go back on your word. Forgive and pray that God will bless the offender. Ask God also the grace to make your forgiveness true and genuine.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are two related important concepts in the kingdom.

Guard against heresy

"But I am afraid that, just as the snake with his cunning deduced Eve, your minds may be led astray from single-minded devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11: 3)

St. Paul warns here that it is possible for one to change his mind about who Christ is and what he did. It is also possible for one to change his mind as to key content of the doctrine of our faith. How can one protect himself from these dangers? By prayer and assiduous devotion to the Sacraments particularly the Eucharist and the Penance, one develops a sense of the faith, "sensus fidei." This is an interior light that alerts us to false doctrine. The collective 'sensus fidei" of the faithful is a sure bulwark against heresy.

Moreover the third promise of Mary to those who say the Rosary is: "The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresy."

Acting in secret

"Your almsgiving must be secret and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6: 4)

Do all things for the sake of God.

God sees everything.

God knows everything.

God rewards everything that is done for Him.

Generosity to the poor

"Happy the man who fears the Lord….

Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory." (Psalm 112: 1, 9)

God is amazingly generous to the poor. I was a witness to this at Casa Juan. The Church manifests the presence of Jesus in the world. The Church continues to minister to the needs of the poor everywhere.

Sowing and Reaping

"But remember: anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well – and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well." (2 Corinthians 9: 6)

What we sow:

• Time
  
• Talent
  
• Treasure
  

We can never outdo God in generosity.

Be perfect

"You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Do not be complacent. God wants us to strive for perfection. His will for everyone is holiness.

Eye for Eye

"You have heard how it was said: eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked." (Matthew 5: 38 – 39)

The Lord defends my life. He is the guardian of my rights. He knows how to defend me from the wicked. I offered no resistance when I was deprived of my rights in ncau.

Acceptable time

"In an acceptable time I heard you; on the day of salvation I helped you." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

There is a time for everything. A time to pray and a time to answer prayers.

Do not receive sacred gifts in vain

"Working together, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain." (2 Corinthians 6: 1)

Do not receive the word of God in vain.

Do not receive the Eucharist in vain.

Do not receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in vain.

How can we be sure that we do not receive these graces in vain? We can only be sure if we are open to the Holy Spirit residing in us.

The Plan

"Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

God knows the best and has seen the whole pattern of the weaving. He makes a strategic match between my:

• Purpose
  
• Personality
  
• Position
  

Trust in Him to arrange the best.

The House of the Lord and Casa

"One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." (Psalm 27:4)

From earliest memory, casa is always proximate to the house of the Lord. Is this a coincidence? Not at all. Thank you Lord.

Health of mind and body

"Lord God, in this bread and wine, you give us food for body and spirit. May the Eucharist renew our strength and bring us health of mind and body….." (Prayer after Holy Communion)

The Eucharist is a great mystery. We bring to the altar bread and wine made by human hands. It is transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Now it becomes not just the food for the body but food for the soul, mind and body. This divine food renews our strength as we march to eternal life. It also brings us health of mind and body. As we receive this food with good and generous spirit, we become little by little like him whom we receive. We become little by little like Jesus Christ.

Come Lord Jesus!

Few laborers, abundant harvest

"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." (Matthew 9: 37 – 38)

The work in the kingdom is more than the available human resources to do it. Can this possibly be the way that God has configured development in the kingdom? I think of Jesus' word: "My grace is sufficient for you. For power is at full stretch in weakness." The weakness here is the few resources to accomplish the work of the kingdom. St. Paul says, "I rejoice in my weaknesses. For when I am weak and I am strong." The Church can say the same with regard to resources for the kingdom. The Church affirms through liturgical prayers that God provides His flock whatever they need. God is our Shepherd, we have everything we need. We also ask God everyday to "Give us this day our daily bread."

 

Reconciled to God while sinners

"But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath." (Romans 5: 8 – 9)

Christ's death reconciled us to God. To see the fruits of this reconciliation, we must accept Christ into our hearts through Baptism. This makes us the children of God and the brothers of Jesus Christ. If we remain God's children, our salvation is guaranteed.

On Eagle’s Wings

"You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle's wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all the people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation." (Exodus 19: 4-6)

God bore me on eagle's wings to the Enterprise. I experienced a mighty deliverance. God set up the Enterprise so that I can serve Him and Him alone. All that I need is to continue with the 7-Way Plan and I will succeed.

Our Hope and Strength

"Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and live according to your will….." (11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Prayer)

How wonderful to realize that when we don't even think of it, God sustains our every action. How much I feel inspired by this promise of Jesus Christ:

"I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me." Lord, I want you to be my hope and my strength 100% at all times, in every situation and in all places.

Where is Jesus?

"My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been looking for you." (Luke 2: 48)

God in His providential designs did not shield Mary and Joseph from experiencing the pain of losing a child. For three days they did not know where Jesus was or what had become of him. Recalling the attempt of Herod to kill the child would have added to their pain.

How do we handle the loss of a loved one, money, job, health or home? This is a pain that every human being must experience sometime. When we reflect on the experience of Mary and Joseph, we feel inspired to imitate them in patiently trusting God until He brings us relief.

Sweeter than honey

"Approach me, you who desire me and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honey comb. They who eat me will hunger for more; they who drink me will thirst for more." (Sirach 24: 19-21)

Who is sweeter than honey and the honey comb? What do you eat and hunger for more? What do you drink and thirst for more?

Christian experience down the centuries could give one answer to the above questions: The Holy Spirit. Below are some of the reasons for this claim.

The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)

 

 

2. Wisdom
   
3. Understanding
   
4. Counsel
   
5. Fortitude
   
6. Knowledge
   
7. Piety
   
8. Fear of the Lord
   

 

 

What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)

 

2. Charity
   
3. Joy
   
4. Peace
   
5. Patience
   
6. Kindness
   
7. Goodness
   
8. Generosity
   
9. Gentleness
   
10. Faithfulness
    
11. Modesty
    
12. Self-control
    
13. Chastity
    

 

 

Sweeter than honey

"Approach me, you who desire me and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honey comb. They who eat me will hunger for more; they who drink me will thirst for more." (Sirach 24: 19-21)

Who is sweeter than honey and the honey comb? What do you eat and hunger for more? What do you drink and thirst for more?

Christian experience down the centuries could give one answer to the above questions: The Holy Spirit. Below are some of the reasons for this claim.

The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)

 

 

2. Wisdom
   
3. Understanding
   
4. Counsel
   
5. Fortitude
   
6. Knowledge
   
7. Piety
   
8. Fear of the Lord
   

 

 

What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)

 

2. Charity
   
3. Joy
   
4. Peace
   
5. Patience
   
6. Kindness
   
7. Goodness
   
8. Generosity
   
9. Gentleness
   
10. Faithfulness
    
11. Modesty
    
12. Self-control
    
13. Chastity
    

 

Immaculate Heart of Mary

"Father, you prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary to be a fitting home for your Holy Spirit. By her prayers may we become more worthy temple of your glory ……" (Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)

The heart of Mary is a fitting home for the Holy Spirit.

How can our hearts become a more worthy home for the Holy Spirit? We know three qualities that make Mary a very special human being. Mary is humble. Mary is faithful. Mary is pure. If we can imitate Mary in these virtues, our hearts will become little by little a fitting home for the Holy Spirit.

God’s goodness to me

"My heart rejoices in your saving power. I will sing to the Lord for his goodness to me." (Psalm 13:6)

God's goodness to me:

• He forgives all my sins.
  
• He heals me of my illness.
  
• He covers me with His kindness and compassion in:
  
  • Enterprise
    
  • Casa
    
  • Bread
    
  • Pax
    

The Yoke of Christ

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." (Matthew 11: 29)

Lord, what yoke do you want me to take up today?

• Patience
  
• Humility
  
• Meekness
  
• Trust
  
• Self-abandonment
  

Learn from me. Imitate me.

Take up this yoke one step at a time. Then one day at a time.

God’s love

"We have recognized for ourselves, and put our faith in the love God has for us." (1 John 4: 16)

One of the strong points of my spirituality is my complete confidence that God loves me. I claim this truth every morning in prayer. Perfect love drives out fear. O that I may remember this truth when my heart is buffeted by anxieties. Lord, shelter me from unnecessary worries.

Fear of the Lord

"The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him….." (Psalm 103: 17)

The blessings promised to those who fear the Lord are many in the bible. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who fear the Lord think right, talk right and act right. This is wisdom. Fear of the Lord means keeping all His commandments. Fear of the Lord also means trusting the Lord and waiting for His time.

How blessed is the man who fears the Lord and trusts in His ways.

Chosen and Called

"For you are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God; of all peoples on earth, you have been chosen by Yahweh your God to be his own people." (Deuteronomy 7: 6-11)

The Choice – the Call – the Anointed

Just as Israel was chosen and called by God to be His people, so every single Christian is chosen and called to be an adopted son of God and brother of Jesus Christ. God who calls us to such a lofty rank is faithful. He will complete what He has started.

How do we respond to such a God? Trust Him, obey Him.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

"Father we honor the heart of your Son broken by men's cruelty, yet symbol of love's triumph, pledge of all that man is called to be. Teach us to see Christ in the lives we touch, to offer him living worship by love-filled service to our brothers and sisters….."(Mass of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

Let me relish some of the 12 promises of the Jesus to St. Mary Margaret Alcoque:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary to their state of life.
   
2. I will give peace in their families.
   
3. I will console them in their troubles.
   

5    I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

9. I will bless homes in which the image of my Sacred Heart is exposed and honored.

There are five out of 12 promises that I appropriate every day. On Promise #9, whenever I move home, the first thing I set up in the new home is the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It occupies a prominent place where I can see it every time I leave the home or return.

 

 

 

Enabled for Upright Living

"For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5: 20)

This is a clear warning against complacency. Jesus expects more from His disciples. Uprightness is the principle of right thinking, right speaking and right acting every time, every place and in everything. Who could do that? Nobody. The Holy Spirit is the source of the enablement of the grace of uprightness in the soul.

Lord Jesus, you promised us the Holy Spirit in order to enable us to give more and live more, fill us then with this same Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in every thought, word and deed.

The call to serve

"Such by God's mercy is our ministry and therefore we do not waver." (2 Corinthians 4: 1)

Every call to service in the Church is from God. Whether the call is from direct inspiration or from a friend or brother, or sister in the Church, it is ultimately God who calls us. It is an act of mercy and love that God should call us to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ in serving His people. We respond to such call with deep gratitude and fervor. We know that He who calls us is faithful and will give us the wherewithal to fulfill our calling. Therefore we do not hesitate or waver. What God begins, He will end gracefully.

Built on Rock

"God our Father, Christ the living bread renews us. Let Christ our teacher instruct us that on this feast of St. Ephrem we may learn your truth and practice it in love…." ( Feast of St. Ephrem)

Jesus Christ renews us in the Eucharist. He also instructs us through the word of God proclaimed during the Eucharist and the prayers of the Mass. One recent lesson I learned is this: when we learn the truth that Christ is communicating to us and put it into practice, we become like the man who builds his house on rock. No hurricane could sweep it away. It is built on rock.

Keeping the Commandments

"Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5: 19)

The first benefit of keeping the commandments is that the peace of Christ controls one's heart. (Colossians 3: 15) Peace is the source of all spiritual and material blessings. The Prince of Peace promises that anybody who in addition to keeping the commandments, teaches other people to keep them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Spirit enables us to keep God's commandments.

Christ is our Competence

"Such is the confidence we have through Christ in facing God; it is not that we are so competent that we can claim any credit for ourselves; all our competence comes from God." (2 Corinthians 3: 4-5)

The Holy Spirit helps us to be confident when we face God in prayer through Christ.

Jesus Christ is our light and our salvation. He is also our Savior. Christ is our competence in everything. "My grace is sufficient for you."

Fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit

"Lord, in your love fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit, who inspired the deacon Ephrem to sing the praise of your mysteries and gave him strength to serve you alone." (Feast of St Ephrem)

• The only thing you need is the Holy Spirit.

St Ephrem

"The Lord opened his mouth in the assembly, and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory." (Scripture text on the feast of St. Ephrem)

The Lord made Ephrem deacon, saint and doctor of the Church. He filled him with a spirit of wisdom and understanding.

The Lord will fulfill too His purpose in my life.

Little light

"You are the light of the world. … In the same way, your light must shine in people's sight, so that seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5: 14, 16)

Lord, how do you want my light to shine on people's sight today? What do you want me to do? How do you want me to spend my time today? How do you want me to interact with those whom I meet today?

Lord, I desire that your light shine on every thought, every word and every deed of mine this day.