Journey through the wilderness

"And now I have given you a country for which you have not toiled, towns you have not built, although you live in them, vineyards and olive groves you have not planted, although you eat their fruit." (Joshua 24: 13)

Before the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, they fought and won many battles through the help of God. The Enterprise is a journey through the wilderness. I must fight and win many battles with the help of God. It is wonderful to know that God is on my side. Because God is on my side, the mission is accomplished. At the end of the journey, may I be blessed to hear God say to me, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Give as you are given

"You wicked servant, I canceled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servants just as I had pity on you?" (Matthew 18: 32 – 33)

Forgive others as the Father forgives you.

Give to others as the Father gives to you.

Do for others as the Father does to you.

If the Lord does not build the house

"Yahweh said to Joshua, 'This day, I shall begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israel so that they will know that, as I was with Moses, so shall I be with you." (Joshua 3: 7)

God appointed Joshua to succeed Moses. In Joshua 3:7, we see God equipping Joshua for the job. He is made great in the eyes of the people to facilitate the work of his leadership. He was not made great for his sake. All gifts come from God. God is the source of all inspiration and power.

"If the Lord does not build the house, they labor in vain who builds it." (Psalm 27: 1)

Answer to Prayers 2

"In truth I tell you once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them." (Matthew 18: 19 – 20)

When I meditated on the above scripture in 1999, I had a hot wish. Filled with faith, I called a number of friends to pray in agreement with me for an answer to that desire. Today, 2010, I am still waiting for an answer. What happened? What went wrong? Is Jesus unfaithful to His promises?

My understanding of prayer has grown since I responded to this scripture the way I did in 1999. Looking back at my frantic prayer and the apparent No Answer to that prayer, I feel like somebody who knows the mind of Jesus better today than I did in 1999. I feel that Jesus is saying to me: "I have heard your prayer. Just trust me completely with your life. You will have nothing to regret." I know and believe that Jesus is in control. I have come to see and believe that He knows what is best for me. I have peace and I surrender. Answer or no answer does not matter as much as knowing that Jesus is with me here and now. My devotion to Jesus has not lessened. On the contrary, it has increased.

The Spirit of Mission2

"Joshua son Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him and him the Israelites obeyed, carrying out the order which Yahweh had given to Moses." (Deuteronomy 34: 9)

Where the Holy Spirit is, there is the power to perform great tasks. We see this in the lives of Moses, Joshua, David, the prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter and Paul and so on. The Spirit is the source of inspiration and power for big tasks and big missions.

"All you need is the Holy Spirit." Dearest Mother of the Redeemer and Most Beautiful Spouse of the Holy Spirit, obtain for me great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

St. Clare

"God of mercy, you inspired St. Clare with the love of poverty. By the help of her prayers may we follow Christ in poverty of spirit and come to the joyful vision of glory in the kingdom of heaven….."

St. Clare embraced the gift of God to love the poverty and simplicity of Jesus Christ.

What am I inspired to love?

• Eucharist
  
• Word of God
  
• Prayer
  
• Church
  

God is the source of inspiration and power

Those who love their lives

"Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12: 25)

The world holds up for us models of people who love their lives and enjoy life. They have the following characteristics:

• Lots of money
  
• Good health
  
• Good food
  
• Large homes
  

The Gospel on the other hand presents us with models of people who "hate" their lives in this world. They too have their characteristics:

• Poverty
  
• Ill health
  
• Any food is good
  
• Small homes
  

If one lives and clings to his life in this world, he loses the real life. "It is the spirit that gives life. The flesh as nothing to give."

God is able

"God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for every conceivable need, and your resources overflow in every kind of good work." (2 Corinthians 9: 8)

Every good gift comes from God. Our time, talent and treasure all come from Him. Whenever God asks us to do something or give something, He wants us to remember the above promise. God is able to enrich us with every grace. He is able to provide all the resources we need for every kind of good work. Therefore let us respond to God with open and generous spirit. Can we ever outdo God in generosity? Never!

Release the shekel

"Go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth and there you will find a shekel; take it and give it to them for me and for yourself." (Matthew 17: 27)

Jesus has shown before that He knows where all the fish are hiding. In the above scripture, He shows that He knows the particular fish that had swallowed a shekel. Now He commands the fish to release the shekel.

All things serve God. All things are possible for God. To know that my destiny is safely in the hands of God gives me a lot of comfort.

Fear God alone

"The Lord, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve; hold fast to him and swear by his name." (Deuteronomy 10: 20)

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?" (Psalm 27: 1)

What we fear:

• People in authority
  
• Disease
  
• Poverty
  
• Death
  

The Lord wants us to fear Him alone. If we have fear of God in our hearts, we fear nothing. If we do not have the fear of God, we tend to fear everything.

 

 

 

All gifts come from God

"God of power, giver of the gifts we bring, accept the offering of your Church and make it the sacrament of our salvation……." (Offertory Prayer at Mass)

God is the giver of every gift. The offering we bring to Mass comes from Him. He inspires the work and gives the power that earns the money. Therefore, we should not be mean in offering Him our first fruits. We should remember that we can never outdo God in generosity.

The Eucharist is a great exchange of gifts. We bring our offering. God accepts it and in exchange gives us the Body and Blood of His Son, Jesus.

Taking the eyes off Jesus

"Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14: 29 – 30)

How we become frightened in projects when we take our eyes off Jesus to focus on strong wind, earthquake and fire. But all is not lost, if we recover our senses and cry out like Peter, 'Lord, save me!"    

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you, in God, whose word I praise, in God I put my trust and have no fear, what power has human strength over me?" (Psalm 56: 3 – 4)

A tiny whispering sound

"After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave." (1 Kings 19: 12 – 13)

Notice how God chose to reveal Himself to Elijah – "a tiny whispering sound."

"Be still and know that I am God."

"My salvation is in tranquility, my strength in confidence."

"My ways are not your ways."

Elijah first perceived loud wind, earthquake and fire. But when he heard the tiny whispering sound, he knew the difference. He probably knew the difference by the application of the gift of discernment. The servant of God knew the attributes of his Master.

Our Promised Inheritance

"Almighty and ever-living God, your Spirit made us your children, confident to call you Father. Increase your Spirit within us and bring us to our promised inheritance….." (Opening Prayer at Sunday Mass)

The Spirit makes us God's children. We rejoice to call God Father. We are confident that God is our Father. God our Father is not inferior to our human father in any way. If our human father can provide us bread when we ask for it, God our Father can provide us much more.

We also pray that God increase His Spirit within us. Jesus promises that this is a prayer that the Father will grant as a matter of priority and urgency. How do we recognize n increase in the Holy Spirit within us? If we notice an increase in faith, patience, humility, wisdom, courage, we know the source is the Holy Spirit. By His fruits, we shall know Him.

Consoling truths

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life's refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

 

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.

 

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD"

Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

Two consoling truths from the Responsorial Psalm of today:

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." (Luke 8: 50; Mark 5: 36)

"Wait for the Lord with courage." (Psalm 27: 14)

 

 

I am with you always

"I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world, alleluia." (See Matthew 28: 20)

If the Lord is with me, it is accomplished."

Emmanuel!

Bearing fruit that lasts

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

"I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia." (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

Conquering through faith

"In truth I tell you, if your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17: 20)

Faith is simply believing that God's word is true; that God will do what He promises. In the Gospels, the evangelists emphasize again and again that things turn out exactly as Jesus had said. I am delighted when I read this. God's faithfulness to His promises is one of His attributes that I love very much. We cannot live a victorious life without faith. This is the message of the whole of Chapter 11 of Hebrews. The author gives a list of all the Old Testament giants that overcame daunting odds through faith. The message is clear. If they overcame by faith, we too can overcome by faith.

Forgetting

"When Yahweh has brought you into the country which he swore to your ancestors …. That he would give you, ..... be careful you do not forget Yahweh who has brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slave labor." (Deuteronomy 6: 10 – 13)

Is it possible to forget Yahweh when He brings us into our Promised Land? The answer is an unequivocal Yes. If this is impossibility, scripture would not have warned us of it.

My God, your word is true. I know you will lead me to the PL. I know too that I can forget you in the PL. Father of mercies, may your grace forbid this from happening.

The Gang of Three

"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves." (Matthew 17: 1)

The gang of three, Peter, James and John are representatives of the Church who became witnesses to the Transfiguration of the Christ. Jesus Christ strengthened their faith through this experience.

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see your glory and give us the grace to bear witness to it in our lives.

Morning Star

"So we have confirmation of the words of the prophets; and you will be right to pay attention to it as to a lamp for lighting a way through the dark, until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds." (2 Peter 1: 19)

What is the evidence that the word of God in scripture is true?

The Church as the Body of Christ is the visible sign and confirmation of the words of scripture. The Church is what scriptures foretold it would be:

• Universal
  
• Historic
  
• Relevant
  
• Invincible
  

Trust the word of God.

All honor and kingship belongs to Christ

"On him was conferred rule, honor and kingship, and all peoples, nations and languages became his servants." (Daniel 7: 14)

The "Him" is Jesus Christ to whom all honor, power and majesty belongs. I want to publish this truth with all my time, talent and treasure.

Lead me, guide me and use me, dear Lord Jesus Christ.

My King and my Boss

"But you,'he said,' who do you, say I am?" (Matthew 16: 13: 15)

You are Jesus Christ:

• My Lord and my God
  
• My Savior and my Redeemer
  
• My King and my Boss
  
• My Friend and my Companion
  

Lord Jesus, that I may know you more, love you more and serve you more. Amen

Meribah

"These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites laid blame on Yahweh and where by their means, he asserted his holiness." (Numbers 20: 13)

In the desert, the Israelites were stretched to the breaking point at the Waters of Meribah. They failed the test and murmured against God. Every crisis is a test of faith. Where do you go first for help? Whom do you trust? Are you prepared to wait for God for deliverance?

Meribah is the type of all testing grounds. Where is your desert or Meribah?

• Home
  
• Workplace
  
• School
  
• Church
  
• Playground
  

The geography is the theology.

Always with you

"I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20)

Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. But in Matthew 28: 20, He promises to be with us always till the end of our life. Consider this for a moment. A medical doctor can be very powerful and highly competent. But can he promise to be with you always until the end of your life? Of course not! Only Jesus can make this promise and keep it.

Let your desire be granted

"Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted." (Matthew 15: 28)

My simple definition of faith is putting our trust in God's word. This happy woman has just heard that her desire is granted. Her faith led her to ask confidently. She went away believing that it would be done to her according to what Jesus said. I want to exercise my faith like this woman. I want to hear Jesus say to me: "Let your desire be granted."

Milk and honey

"We have made our way to the country where you sent us. It does indeed flow with milk and honey; here is what it produces. At the same time, its inhabitants are a powerful people…." (Numbers 13: 27 – 28)

The Enterprise is a journey to the Promised Land. Indeed milk and honey flow here. At the same time, it is occupied by the Anakims, that is very powerful demons. In the name of Jesus I will conquer. I came, I saw and in the name of Jesus I conquered.

Blind leaders

"They are blind leaders of the blind and if one blind person leads another both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15: 14)

Who are the blind leading the blind? Many journalists today are blind leaders leading the blind. Many pretend that are guardian of public morality. But in fact their self-interest is evident and it betrays their pretension. They act as if they are neutral and unbiased commentators in the public domain but in fact are narrow minded with entrenched self-interest. The recent attacks on Pope Benedict XVI are vile and selfish. They want to silence him and thought they found a good cause in the so-called sexual abuse of minors which they claim occurred over a generation ago. They will not succeed in intimidating him. They win this game with politicians. Pope Benedict is not a politician.

The humility of Moses

"Is Moses the only one through whom Yahweh has spoken? Has he not spoken with us too? Now Moses was extremely humble, the humblest man on earth." (Numbers 12: 2 – 3)

The trials and tribulations of Moses

Even Aaron and Miriam joined the rebels. They became part of the problem and not the solution.

Those that ate with me raised their heels to strike me. Moses allowed God to fight for him. God was the guardian of his rights. Moses exemplified the leadership principle. The leader is a servant and not a master.

Doubt versus Trust

"You have so little faith. Why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 31)

This is a well merited reproach from Jesus. After all that He does for me every day, why do I still doubt? Why does doubt instead of trust seem to have been ingrained as a second nature? Why does it seem easier to doubt than to trust God?

Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Make me always aware of your presence.

The Journey and Patience

"Would that we have meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumber, the melon, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now, we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna." (Number 11: 4 – 6)

The journey to the Promised Land was a test of patience, endurance, faith, courage and humility for the Israelites. It was a very severe test. They failed. They lost their patience in spite of the fact that they still had the manna to eat. They looked back to former days in Egypt. They complained against God and Moses.

The Enterprise is also a severe test. To succeed, I must rely on God for everything. I must trust God to lead and guide me according to His designs. I will depend on God to fight my battles.

Five loaves and two fish

"Five loaves and two fish are all we have here. Then he said, 'Bring them here to me." (Matthew 14: 17 – 18)

Bring whatever you have to the Lord. He can multiply it. "Silver and gold I do not have to give. What I have, I give you." Nobody can give that which he has not. We are expected to work with what we have. God is a creator, a multiplier. Small or big before God is the same.

Lord, take and receive all that I am, all that I have. Lead me, guide me and use me.

Nothing can separate us from Christ

"What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?" (Romans 8: 35)

Even if the figs do not blossom, even if all support systems fail, I will never doubt God's love for me.

If we live we live, if we perish, we perish.

Essentials of life

"Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?" (Isaiah 55: 2)

We work very hard and spend what we earn on what does not satisfy. Advertising is great in encouraging us to spend our money on what is not bread. What is essential for life and happiness have been adequately provided by God. Our responsibility is to make sure that everybody gets a fair share.

Free and Abundant

"All of you who are thirsty, come to the water. You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat. Come, without praying and without cost, drink wine and milk." (Isaiah 55: 1-3)

The best things in life are not only free but abundant. For example:

• Air
  
• Word of God
  
• Eucharist
  
• Holy Spirit
  

Father, make us appreciate your gifts. May we never minimize them because they are free and abundant. Teach us to share them with those who need them.

Gifts without measure

"God our Father, gifts without measure flow from your goodness to bring us your peace. Our life is your gift. Guide our life's journey, for only your love makes us whole. Keep us strong in your love…." (18^th Sunday)

As I write this blog today Sunday, it is very beautiful outside. It is sunny, dry and cool.

God's gifts this day:

• Sunday
  
• Eucharist
  
• Daily bread
  
• Rest
  

Thank you Father. Lead me and guide me and use me.

Our sure guide

"Father of everlasting goodness, our origin and guide, be close to us and hear the prayers of all who praise you. Forgive our sins and restore us to life. Keep us safe in your love…." (Opening Prayer on the 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

What does it mean to believe that God our Father is of everlasting goodness? It means that He is of the same character yesterday, today and tomorrow. As we trusted Him in the past and He performed, so can we trust Him today and tomorrow and count absolutely on His performance. He is unchanging in His essence of goodness. I rejoice to call such a God, my Father.

We come from God and we are going home to this God. His Son, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is our sure guide to this new life. Lord Jesus, lead us, guide us and use us as you wish.

An ever-present help

"God, come to my help. Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming." (Psalm 70: 2,6)

It is God who helps me in everything. Whenever I call upon Him, I am assured of a timely help.

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

"God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea." (Psalm 46: 2 – 3)

Paying the price

"Give me John the Baptist's head here , on a dish." (Matthew 14: 8)

John the Baptist paid the supreme price for his calling. Every vocation has outputs and consequences. How much are you willing to pay for yours? He who is faithful in little things will be faithful in more consequential ones.

I am the Resurrection

"I am the Resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11: 25 – 26)

Yes, Lord. I do. Increase my faith. I believe everything you teach and have revealed. Help me to grow in faith today through prayer, your word and the Eucharist.

Love one another

"My dear brothers, let us love one another, since love is from God and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God." (1 John 4: 7)

• How do I love?
  
• Whom do I love?
  
• When do I love?
  
• Where do I love?
  

The Holy Spirit in me will direct me. O Holy Spirit, fill me with the spirit of genuine love for my brothers and sisters.

The Fine Pearl

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it." (Matthew 13: 45 – 46)

Christ is the fine Pearl of great value. If we are genuinely searching for great value in life, our search will lead us sooner or later to Christ. 'Seek and you shall find." When we find this pearl, the price we pay for it is a true reflection of our estimation of the value. If we believe the pearl is the finest quality, then we shall sell all that we possess to buy it.

Number One

"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, as he was coming down the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin on his face was radiant because he had been talking to him." (Exodus 34: 29)

Jesus Christ is the new Moses. On Mount Trebor, He talked with the Father face to face. Not only His face but His clothing was radiant. Now in heaven, He talks to God on our behalf every day. He is the first among many brothers and sisters. Although He is God, by virtue of His humanity, he is number One in the list of saints.

The Farmer and the Soil

"The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man." (Matthew 13: 37)

Christ is the farmer who cultivates me. I am the soil. How does Christ cultivate the soil? For me, He uses the 7-Way Plan as tools.

• Prayer
  
• Eucharist
  
• Penance
  
• Word of God
  
• Examen
  
• Ministry
  
• Spiritual reading
  

Whenever I sow the good word, I am acting like Christ and for Christ.

God of tenderness and compassion

"Yahweh, Yahweh, God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in faithful love and constancy, maintaining his faithful love to thousands, forgiving fault, crime, sin." (Exodus 34: 6-7)

Before Moses representing humanity, God Himself declared the above words as who He is.

Father, I believe every word You have said above. You are a compassionate and loving Father. How wonderful it is to know Your character. I know You love me dearly. I place my life entirely in Your hands. I will not be afraid today.

The Mustard Seed

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air can come and shelter in its branches." (Matthew 13: 31 – 32)

The mustard seed represents a small beginning. The Enterprise is a mustard seed. It is growing. Thank you Jesus.

Leadership Principles

"They said to me, 'Make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt – we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32: 23)

Aaron led the people into sin. He lacked the wisdom and courage to lead.

Wisdom and courage are fundamental leadership principles. These are also the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, grant me wisdom and courage in the area you want me to lead today.

Leadership Principles

"They said to me, 'Make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt – we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32: 23)

Aaron led the people into sin. He lacked the wisdom and courage to lead.

Wisdom and courage are fundamental leadership principles. These are also the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, grand me wisdom and courage in the area you want me to lead today.

A Pearl of Great Value

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price he agreed and sells all that he has and buys it." (Matthew 13: 45 – 46)

I am the merchant searching for the pearl of great value. Jesus is the pearl. Am I prepared to sell everything to follow Jesus?

Lord Jesus, may you equip me with a generous spirit and a courageous heart to respond to you fully.

The Image of Jesus

"For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the first born among many brothers and sisters." (Romans 8: 29 – 30)

God knew me before I was born. He predestined me to be conformed to the image of Jesus. The initiative is God's. It is none of my cleverness.

Daddy, your plan for me is too lofty. I am frightened. But your word encourages me. You called me to serve your Son, Jesus. Now justify me Father according to your promise.

Spirit of love

"Ask something of me and I will give it to you." (1 Kings 3: 5)

Father, today I will ask for this: Fill me with your Holy Spirit and through your Holy Spirit fill me with the spirit of love, holiness, wisdom and power.

The splendor of creation

"God our Father, open our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation, in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand our world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround us, to share our blessings with our brothers and sisters and to experience the joy of life in your presence…." (Prayer on the 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Where do I enjoy the splendor of creation? A couple of times in a year, I go to the Hermann Park in Houston near the Texas Medical Center and enjoy some hours relishing the splendor of creation. I thank God for the gift and the opportunity. My bedroom from where I work faces the east and right across is the Early Childhood Center. I do not how many times I had gasped at watching the sun rise. I have enjoyed walks round the Early Childhood Center in the early hours of the morning and have seen early birds like myself chirping happily. From the above prayer, it is obvious that God wants us to enjoy the beauty of creation and to see His hands in it.

Where can we experience and enjoy life in the presence of God if not in the Eucharist and before the Blessed Sacrament? We thank God for the faith He has given us in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament.

Jesus Christ is the Model of Simplicity

"God our Father and protector, without you nothing is holy, nothing has value. Guide us to everlasting life by helping us to use wisely the blessings you have given to the world…" (Mass Prayer on the 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

God our Father is our reliable protector. His loving and powerful providence arranges everything for us with an eye to maximum protection of all our interests. We pray confidently to our Father to teach us the wise use of all that He has blessed the world with. Not everything in the world is good for us.

Jesus Christ is the model of how to use the goods of this world. He is our model of simplicity.

The garden and the weed

"Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?" (Matthew 13: 27)

The word of God sown in our hearts is good seed. Where does the weed come from?

They come from:

• The enemy
  
• Concupiscence
  
• Lust
  
• Greed
  

Who will help us weed the garden? Jesus Christ, the farmer who sows the good seed will help us weed our garden if we ask Him. The practical tools He gives us for this job is daily examination of conscience and regular Confession.

Today I shall hear and do

"We shall do everything that Yahweh has said; we shall obey." (Exodus 24: 7)

Faith and obedience are keys that obey the heart of God every time.

Today, I shall hear His voice and not harden my heart. I shall do everything that Yahweh has commanded. So help me God.

No Rivals

"I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you lived as slaves! You shall have no other gods to rival me." (Exodus 20: 1-3)

Yahweh brought me out of Egypt. Before He gave me His commandments, He presented His credentials. I owe Him love and loyalty because He first loved and called me. I am resolved that there will be no rivals to Yahweh in my life.

Messenger

"But go to the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." (John 20: 17)

Mary Magdalene saw Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus sent her as a messenger to His disciples. One other point to note: Jesus calls His disciples His brothers. Every day, we have the opportunity to meet Jesus in His word and the Eucharist.

Lord Jesus, may we recognize you in your word and in the Eucharist. Empower us to be your messenger.

Wrapped in Smoke

"Mount Sinai was entirely wrapped in smoke, because Yahweh had descended on it in the form of fire." (Exodus 19: 18)

In the Eucharist, Christ descends on us in the form of bread and wine. In the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ is present in the form of the consecrated Host.

Lord Jesus, grant me deep faith and reverence for the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament.

Manure for rich soil

"Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matthew 13: 8)

Some seed fell on rich soil. What is a rich soil? A rich soil is a soil prepared by faith and obedience.

Lord Jesus, prepare my soil. Sow your word in me. I want to produce rich harvest.

Manure for rich soil: The 7-Way Plan.

Complainer

"And the whole community of Israelites began complaining about Moses and Aaron in the desert…." (Exodus 16: 2)

The Enterprise is a journey through the desert. Things may get rough and tough on the way. My principle is never to complain, criticize or condemn. Instead, I take whatever problem to Jesus in prayer. Have I always lived up to this declaration? I wish I could answer in the affirmative. But alas, my record here is abysmal. I am not discouraged. I keep working to eliminate complaining, criticizing and condemning from my character.

The New Fraternity

"Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12: 49 – 50)

Jesus Christ defines here the principle of the new fraternity. In His Church it is spiritual and not biological. The first Christians understood this principle and called each other brother or sister. Anybody who does God's will is a brother or sister to each other.

Faith and Obedience Produces Miracle

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh drove the sea back with a strong easterly wind all night and made the sea into dry land." (Exodus 14: 21)

Moses obeyed God and did what he was told to do and a great miracle took place. After some hesitation, Naaman obeyed God and did what the Prophet Elisha asked him to do and he was healed. The servants obeyed Jesus and filled the empty jars with water and Jesus turned the water into wine in the wedding feast.

Faith and obedience produces miracle. Lord, help me always to trust and obey you.

Sufficient Sign

"It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah." (Matthew 12: 39)

What is Christ's sign for me today?

• The Church
  
• The Eucharist
  

Lord, this is enough. I ask for no more sign than pray you bless me with deep trust in you every moment, every step of this day.

Multiple Exoduses

"Do not be afraid! Stand firm, and you will see what Yahweh will do to rescue you today: the Egyptians you see today you will never see again. Yahweh will do the fighting for you; all you need to do is to keep calm." (Exodus 14: 13-14)

Father, you have consoled me in the past with this scripture. Console me again today with it. I recall EUF86. Thank you Father. Father you have placed me in casa with SFJ as my means of daily bread. You know that it is for me like an Exodus experience. At times, I am very frightened. Father, fight for me. I surrender.

In life, we experience multiple Exoduses. The journey of faith is made up of many Exoduses. Exodus 14: 13-14 is the answer to all Exoduses.

Uplifting Remembrances

"The Lord keeps in our minds the wonderful things he has done. He is compassion and love; he always provides for his faithful." (Psalm 110: 4-5)

God Himself reminds us of the wonderful things He accomplishes in our life. I try through journaling to keep a list of these wonderful interventions of God in my life. I have found that this is the greatest insurance against discouragement. Whenever I am under attack, I walk round my apartment where I have pinned to walls some of these uplifting remembrances.

The Supper of the Lamb

"Lord, bring us closer to salvation through these gifts which we bring in your honor. Accept the perfect sacrifice you have given us, bless it as you blessed the gifts of Abel…." (Offering Prayer on the 16^th Sunday)

The Eucharist is the perfect sacrifice. It is a wonderful privilege to participate. "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" (Revelation 19: 9)

Good Seeds and Weeds

"He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil." (Matthew 13: 37 – 39)

Christ is the farmer who sows the good seed. Heresy is the instrument of the devil in sowing weeds among wheat. The mass media also sow weeds by offering alternative message to the knowledge of salvation.

How do we know the good seeds from the weeds? "By their fruits you shall know them." The word of God is the template for the discernment of spirits. I pray continuously for the gift of discernment of spirits. I now understand that the more I am into sacred scripture, the more capable I will be in discerning spirits. Discernment of spirits in this context means applied Scripture.

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For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh, ⁵

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for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments

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and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ,

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and we are ready to punish every disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10: 3-6)

 

Inexpressible groanings

"The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings." (Romans 8: 26)

How comforting it is to know that we have such a giant helper in our prayer. Not only does the Holy Spirit bless us with the gift of prayer, but He helps us to use this gift appropriately. Since I learned this truth, I never start any prayer without the invocation of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we can get the light, guidance and courage to pray well if we ask the Holy Spirit.

Watchful in Prayer

"Father let the gift of your life continue to grow in us, drawing us from death to faith, hope, and love. Keep us alive in Christ Jesus. Keep us watchful in prayer and true to his teaching till your glory is revealed in us…." (Alternate Prayer, 16^th Sunday)

When God's gifts grow in us, we tend towards life. When we grow in negative gifts, we tend towards death. We either tend towards life or we tend towards death. When we grow in faith, hope and live, we become more like Jesus.

How do we wait on God? Like the disciples waiting for Pentecost. In prayer. Prayer gives us the power to wait from day to day. Prayer releases the power of perseverance to work for us. God is the first cause of all things. Prayer is the efficient cause of answers, favors and blessings.

Eagerness to serve God

"Lord, be merciful to your people. Fill us with your gifts and make us always eager to serve you in faith, hope and love….." (Opening Prayer on the 16^th Sunday)

Mercy is the most fundamental attribute of God. Asking for mercy is therefore our most fundamental prayer. This is because we absolutely depend on God for mercy.

Lord make us always to serve you always and everywhere. God will give us the eagerness to serve Him if we ask for this in faith and sincerity.

Not by might and power but..

"Look! My servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delights, I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will present judgment to the nations." (Matthew 12: 18)

In the above scripture, the Lord God did not say: "I will send divisions of well-trained and armed soldiers to my servant so that he can easily impose his will on the nations." Instead, it is the Holy Spirit that is promised the Servant. The Holy Spirit is all that He needs. When Christ was baptized, the Spirit came down upon Him and confirmed Him in His mission.

What do I need to accomplish the mission given to me? The Holy Spirit. It will not be by might and power that I will succeed but by the Holy Spirit.

Liturgical Calendar

"The night when Yahweh kept vigil to bring them out of Egypt must be kept as a vigil in honor of Yahweh by all Israelites, for all generations to come." (Exodus 12: 42)

The liturgical calendar celebrates the timeline of the saving works of Jesus on our behalf. For example: Christmas, Easter and Pentecost.

Why can't I create my own liturgical calendar to celebrate God's wonderful interventions in my life?

Grace and Technology

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

Grace does for us in the supernatural order what technology does for us in the natural order. It extends our abilities.

My technology is sufficient for you

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

Grace does for us in the supernatural order what technology does for us in the natural order. It extends our abilities.

My technology is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. God supplies a bunch of actual graces to help us make it through our day. These graces (technologies) are given irrespective of our standing with God. The same benevolence is extended to all living things. But more of the actual graces are provided to those who are ready and ask for them. Prayer for actual graces are answered in real time.

Our weakness is the optimal environment for the operations of the grace of God. In the environment of weakness, the grace of God delivers a solution which makes a clear difference in the before and after of the incident.

Be merciful 2

"Mercy is what pleases me not sacrifice." (Matthew 12: 17)

Lord give me a merciful heart. May your Holy Spirit lead and guide me to a place and time to exercise mercy today. May He also bless me with courage so that I may please you in being merciful.

The Passover and the Eucharist

"This day must be commemorated by you, and you must keep it as a feast in Yahweh's honor." (Exodus 12: 14)

The Passover is a feast in Yahweh's honor. The Eucharist is the new Passover. Just as Yahweh instructed the Israelites to commemorate the Passover, so Christ instructed His disciples to celebrate the Eucharist in memory of Him. The Eucharist commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

When we eat "this bread and drink this cup", we commemorate the death of Christ until He comes again in glory.

Heavy Crosses

"Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light." (Matthew 11L 28 – 30)

• Come to me all you who are overwhelmed by your heavy crosses. I will teach you how to bear them. If you are in me and me in you, you will be able to carry your crosses. Sometimes I take away crosses but more often I teach you how to carry them. Come to me.
  

Compelled to Comply

"I am well aware that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless he is compelled by a mighty hand." (Exodus 3: 19)

God's purpose in life is paramount. To accomplish this, God is ready to compel people, events and things to bend to His will.

"All things serve You." (Psalm 119: 91). Nothing can resist God's will.

Little Children2

"I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children." (Matthew 11: 25)

God's plan of salvation is filled with mysteries. The learned professors may speculate but the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to little children like St. Therese of the Little Flower.

If God is with me

"Moses said to God, 'Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?' 'I shall be with you." (Exodus 3: 11 – 12)

Who am I to do the work of God? - I shall be with you.

If God is with me, then it is accomplished. If God is with me in the Enterprise, then it is accomplished.

And surely God is with me.

Mortal Struggle

"All powerful God, may the gifts we present bring honor to your saints, and free us from sin in mind and body."

The experience of the Church is that in spite of our Baptism and participation in the sacraments, we still struggle with sins in our mind and body. St. Paul experienced the same thing when he cried out for deliverance from this struggle. Only the Holy Spirit entrenched in us can help us overcome in this struggle.

Reciprocal Favors

"Then he began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles has been worked, because they refused to repent." (Matthew 11: 20)

I have two thoughts on the above scriptures:

1. I am like a town where Jesus worked many miracles. When I count my blessings, I am amazed. Yet, I am struggling to show reciprocal favors to the Lord.
   
2. When I make investments in business and the returns are negligible, I fume and I am very disappointed. Can I compare business investment to the investment of Jesus in His ministry with sometimes disappointing results?

A fine child

"There was a man descended from Levi who had taken a woman of Levi as his wife. She conceived and gave birth to a son and , seeing what a fine child he was, she kept him hidden for three months." (Exodus 2: 1 – 2)

God's choice begins very early. God formed and chose Moses right from the womb. He endowed him with features that ensured his survival. (Exodus 2: 1 – 2)

Other fine boys from the Bible:

• Joseph
  
• David
  
• Daniel

Take up your cross

"Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footstep is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10: 38)

David said to Goliath: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the Lord shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head…… All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves. For the battle is the Lord's and he shall deliver you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17)

Everyone has a Goliath to face. Each person has his own cross to carry. With God's grace, we shall vanquish the Goliath and bear our own cross.

Constant Labor

"Accordingly, they put taskmasters over the Israelites to wear them down by forced labor." (Exodus 1: 11)

Constant labor wears down the body and the spirit. God who created human beings understands this very well. This is why He prescribes the Sabbath rest. The Sabbath rest is God's gift to humanity.

The Triumph of God’s Providence

"Almighty and ever-present Father, your watchful care reaches from end to end and orders all things in such power that even the tensions and the tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plans. Help us to embrace your will, give us the strength to follow your call, so that your truth may live in our hearts and reflect peace to those who believe in your love. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord." (Alternate Opening Prayer on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

How comforting it is know that God's providence triumphs over the tensions and tragedies of sins. Thanks be to God's power, we are not captives by our past sins. Once we reconcile with God, our path to salvation continues and God uses our past sins in a creative way to enhance our ministry.

Hundredfold Harvest

"But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold" (Matthew 13: 8)

The rich soil produced abundant harvest. The rich soil is the soil prepared with faith and obedience.

Valley of Tears

"We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." (8: 22 – 23)

Although we are saved and liberated by Christ, the full fruits of the redemption will take place at the Parousia. This is why even we who have the firstfruits experience sickness, sin and ignorance. The Church understands this very well and articulates it in her prayers, for example:

"Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail our lives, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee to we send up our tears, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears…."

Yes, we still live in the valley of tears.

The word of God is fruitful

"Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55: 10 – 11)

God's word makes us fertile and fruitful. The seed is the word of God. The word of God is fruitful and productive. The word of God is bread for the soul.

Trust and obedience are the essential ingredients that make the word of God very fruitful.

Father, may your word achieve your purpose in my life.

Declaring for Christ

"So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10: 32)

When and how do we declare for Christ before men? The Holy Spirit will lead and guide the soul that is open to His influence. When that time comes, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. The Holy Spirit will take care of everything.

Most Holy Spirit, lead me, guide me and use me. Amen!

Powerful Providence of God

"The evil you planned to do me has by God's design been turned to good, to bring about the present result: the survival of a numerous people." (Genesis 50: 20)

What a comfort to know that God's providential design is supreme in all situations. The enemies Jesus executed Him in their malice. God raised Him up for the salvation of the world. When we trust completely in God, we can say: "What can mortal man do to me?"

Do not worry about what to say

"But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you." (Matthew 10: 19 – 20)

Many times in my life, I have enjoyed the benefit of the promise in the above scripture. I have been provided with what to say in some tough situations. Most Holy Spirit, I thank you for your presence in me. Lead me, guide me and always use me.

The Enterprise Journey

"Do not be afraid of going down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I shall go down into Egypt with you and I myself shall bring you back again, and Joseph's hand will close your eyes." (Genesis 46: 3 -4)

Do not be afraid of the Enterprise. I shall go with you. I shall make you great. The Enterprise is a journey with Jesus. Do not fear. If Jesus is with me, it is accomplished.

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.