Jesus Christ Our Hope of Glory is Waiting for Us

"To this end he has [also] called you through our gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (2 Thessalonians 2: 14)

Jesus Christ calls us to fellowship and promotion to glory through the Gospel.  The means through which we work out our salvation is through daily sanctification by the Holy Spirit and consecration to the truth.

The daily work of sanctification entails pain but we already know the expected end:  glory.
Let us therefore persevere in the race because Jesus Christ our hope of glory is waiting for us.

The Eucharist is the Food for the Journey

"But the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you!
He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb."  (1 Kings 19: 7-8)

Elijah ate and drank and became strengthened by the food and was able to walk 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb.

The Christian life is a journey towards Heaven.  Elijah needed the food and drink provided by the angel to walk to Horeb.  So do Christians need the Eucharist in our walk to heaven.  The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ given to strengthen our journey to Heaven.

Write down the vision

"Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision;
Make it plain upon tablets,
so that the one who reads it may run.
For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late."  (Habakkuk 2: 2-3)

The Prophet Habakkuk questioned God about his governance and providence in the world.  My understanding today of God's answer to Habakkuk is paraphrased thus:

• I have a plan, a good plan.  Trust in the plan.

Considering that God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, I am prepared to accept His word and trust Him.

The man who trusts in the Lord fears no bad news

"It is good for the man gracious in lending,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
For he shall never be shaken;
the righteous shall be remembered forever.
He shall not fear an ill report;
his heart is steadfast, trusting the LORD.
His heart is tranquil, without fear,
till at last he looks down on his foes."  (Psalm 112: 5 - 8)

The man who is gracious and lends to those in need, who conducts his business with justice shall fear no bad news.  God promises that would not fear:

• Doctor's bad report
• Stock market implosion
• Family upheavals
•  and more..

There is no end to the list of things that can instill fears into the heart of the man who places his trust in anything but God.  Trusting in God means trusting in His perfect love for you.  Awareness of this perfect love drives out fears.  You realize that nothing can separate you from this love.  Trust is the antidote to fear.

Create in me a pure and clean heart

"A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit."  (Psalm 51: 12 NABR)

Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain if we build it. (Psalm 127:1)  Unless the Lord creates for us and in us a pure and clean heart, we labor in vain to create it.

A steadfast and persevering spirit is also a great gift of God.  Without it, we cannot be saved.  In the kingdom, if you start a house, you must finish it.  If you start a race, you must complete it.

I have loved you with an everlasting love

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." (Jeremiah 31: 3 NIV)

Father, I delight in your statement of everlasting love and mercy for me.  This is sweet music to my ears.  Help me to remember this always.  Help me also to respond to love with love.  I ask for this in the name of Jesus your Son.  Amen.

But when he saw how strong the wind was he became afraid

"He said, “Come.” 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)

But when Peter how strong the wind was he became frightened.
Consider things that tend to frighten us and diminish our faith:

But when he saw the doctor's report he became frightened.
But when he saw the bank statement...
But when he saw the weather report...
But when he saw the poll numbers...
But when he saw the pink slip...
But when he saw the statistics...

Peter took his eyes off Jesus.  Whenever this happens in our lives, we begin to sink into fear.  Peter wisely and providentially applies the antidote to fear which is prayer.  "Lord, save me."

"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)

I will test them to see if they will follow my instructions

"Then the LORD said to Moses: I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not."  (Exodus 16: 4)

Depending on God and trusting in Him to supply our daily bread one day at a time is a great test of faith.  Yet, the ultimate proof that God is able and willing to do this is the Eucharist itself.  The Eucharist is the Bread of life.  It is the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ provided daily for our consumption.  It is the fulfillment of the Covenant of peace and mercy that Jesus Christ instituted the night before He died.

• The Eucharist is a profound mystery.
• It is the medicine of immortality.
• The Eucharist is the antidote for death.
• It is the pledge and sign of the great hope of our resurrection.

If God can give us freely the Eucharist, what else can He not provide for us?  He who did not spare His Son to prove His love for us cannot deny us anything that is good for us.

Man does not live by bread alone

"He said in reply, “It is written:
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’”

Bread alone cannot satisfy the hunger of man for more life.
God who created man in His image and likeness knows what man needs to satisfy this hunger.  The answer for man's hunger for more is the Eucharist.  It is not more money or more family or more health or more job or more food or more length of days on earth.

The Eucharist is a profound mystery.
It is the medicine of immortality.
The Eucharist is the antidote for death.
It is the pledge and sign of the great hope of our resurrection.

God always hears the cry of the poor

"But here I am miserable and in pain;
let your saving help protect me, God,
*That I may praise God’s name in song
and glorify it with thanksgiving.
That will please the LORD more than oxen,
more than bulls with horns and hooves:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, take heart!" (Psalm 69: 30 - 33)

God always hears the cry of the poor. Trust Him always and everywhere.

Put no trust in princes; they have no power to save you.

"Put no trust in princes,
in children of Adam powerless to save." (Psalm 146: 3)

In whom do you put your trust?

"God indeed is my salvation;
I am confident and unafraid.
For the LORD is my strength and my might,
and he has been my salvation.
With joy you will draw water
from the fountains of salvation" (Isaiah 12: 2 - 3)

Do you repose your trust in good health, family, money, good job, your property and tools or your bright future?

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
“The Lord is my helper,
[and] I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?"  (Hebrews 13: 5 - 6)

I am being initiated into the mystery of peace and contentment

"I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need."  (Philippians 4: 12)

Peace and contentment do not depend on circumstances.  No, they do not depend on money, good health, great family, good job, nice home and tools.  Peace and contentment depend on what Jesus, our hope of glory is doing inside us here and now.  Where Jesus abides, there abide peace and contentment.

Jesus is the direct and efficient cause of peace and contentment in the heart.  Any other presumed cause or agent is there to exploit our weakness and insecurity.


"I say to the LORD,
you are my Lord,
you are my only good.
They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."  (Psalm 16: 2, 4)


"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)

When he finds a pearl of great price...

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

Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price.  What must we sell in order to acquire in the fullest sense this priceless treasure?

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29)

What is our response to the above challenge?

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
*Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

In the Name of Jesus

"that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2: 10-11)

Jesus means Savior.  The name says what it is and it does what it says.  The Savior has absolute power to save man from sin and from every distress.  The name of Jesus puts Satan to flight.  It is the most potent one word prayer:  Jesus!  The power of the Jesus Prayer has been universally recognized.  It has the power of the sacramental.

Jesus!  Amen!

The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

"The eyes of all look hopefully to you;
you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing."  (Psalm 145: 15 - 16)

The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. 
Lord Jesus, grant me deep faith in the above truth.  May I never doubt your willingness and power to provide me with everything that I need.

My home is by your altars

"As the sparrow finds a home
and the swallow a nest to settle her young,
My home is by your altars,
LORD of hosts, my king and my God!
Blessed are those who dwell in your house!
They never cease to praise you.
Blessed the man who finds refuge in you,
in their hearts are pilgrim roads."  (Psalm 84: 4-6)

Thank you Jesus for the access to your Sanctuary.

"God indeed is my salvation;
I am confident and unafraid.
For the LORD is my strength and my might,
and he has been my salvation.
With joy you will draw water
from the fountains of salvation" (Isaiah 12: 2-3)

The seed sown on rich soil yields rich harvest

"But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."  (Matthew 13: 23)

• Understand what you hear and read.
• Believe what you read.
• Teach what you believe.
• Practice what you teach.

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."  (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."  (John 13: 17)

Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

I chose you to go and bear fruit that will last

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."  (John 15: 16)


"I will bear 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)

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." (Hebrews 4: 16)

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Who can be confident to approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace at a time of dire need?  The Psalmist in answer to this says that it is the man whose heart is pure and whose hands are clean.  I am lost for I do not feel that my heart is pure and that my hand is clean.  What shall I do because I am desperately in need of favor from God?  Then the Spirit whispered to me:  Take courage!  Come along and approach the throne of grace through Jesus Christ in faith and you shall receive the mercy and favor that you seek.  The righteousness of Jesus covers my impurity and my uncleanness.  Thank you Jesus.

The Holy Spirit helps us to remember what God is doing in our lives

"He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.  He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant for ever."  (Psalm 111: 4 - 5) 

The Holy Spirit causes us to remember God's wonderful deeds in our lives.  When I welcomed this amazing truth into my heart many years ago, it changed how I looked at memory.  Remember is an active verb that we find all over scripture.  The act of remembering is critical in forming a loving relationship with God.  If we do not remember what God does for us, we may either give the credit to some other cause or not at all.  Because God wants us to give Him the credit for his wondrous works in our lives, He causes us to remember His deeds.  The Holy Spirit helps us to remember these deeds.  For me, this is one of most beautiful works of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  Thank you O Holy Spirit.

There is no God

"In their insolence the wicked boast:
“God does not care; there is no God."  (Psalm 10: 4)

The above scripture captures the attitude of the human heart a couple of thousands of years ago.  Is this different from the attitude of many today?  Not at all.  What causes man to turn his back on God and say in his heart, "There is no God?"

God created man in his image and likeness.  That means, God stamped man with His own DNS at creation.  But God created man with a free will.  Man is free to accept or reject God's loving initiatives in his life.  When man accepts God's love, the life of God in him grows.  But when man rejects God's love, the rejection weakens and diminishes the divine center and influence in his life.  This diminution of the divine in him may come to a point of extinction when man says in his heart, "There is no God?"

"Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near streams of water,
that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither;
whatever he does prospers."  (Psalm 1: 1 - 3)

You have given me health and restored my life

"Those live whom the Lord protects; yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and restored my life."  (Isaiah 38: 16)

When I read the above scripture this morning, my mind flew back to 1995.  Like Hezekiah, I was very sick and thought I was going to die.  I thought that the Lord was ready to take me in the noon time of my life.  Hezekiah cried to the Lord to spare his life and the Lord saw his tears and heard his prayer.  He healed him and gave him fifteen more years of life.

What was my reaction when I believed that I was about to be consigned to the gates of sheol for the rest of my years; when I saw my dwelling being plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd's tent?  Strangely, I was very calm.  I informed all of mine to be calm and that I was ready to go.  But God had other plans.  He healed me and I realized that those live whom the Lord protects.  The Lord gave me health and restored my life.  I resolved to serve the Lord with all my time, talent and treasure.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

"“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, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."  (Matthew 11: 28 - 30)

Gracious invitation from Christ.  But how do we come to Christ?  We come to Christ in prayer, in His word, and in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance.

What are the labors and burdens that we bring to Christ, the Doctor to heal?  We bring our burdens of sin.  We are overwhelmed with fears, worries and doubts about our health, family, finances, job, tools, food and the future.  We bring all these to Jesus.

How does Christ give us the promised rest?  He cancels our sins and relieves us once and for all from guilt.  Sometimes He heals our bodies and finances.  At other times, He gives us a supernatural perspective from which to view our woes.  This is in depth perspective therapy.  People go to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France for physical healing.  Many such people receive the in depth perspective therapy and decide to stay in Lourdes to minister to pilgrims sicker than themselves..

What yoke does Christ invite us to take upon ourselves?  The yoke of Christ is the Gospel of Christ.  The yoke of Christ is the Sermon on the Mount.  Christ Himself says that this yoke is both easy and light.  John says that to keep the commandments is not burdensome.  Paul writes of the weight of glory that awaits us after some light suffering.

"Learn from me," pleads Christ.  Christ is the Teacher and the Lesson.  Learn to be with me.  Learn to be like me.

You cannot serve God and mammon

"“No one can serve two masters.m He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."  (Matthew 6: 24)

What is mammon?

• The lust of the flesh
• The lust of the eye
• The pride of life
• Belly
• Comfort
• Sports and pastimes
• Riches
• Honors
• Praise of men

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  (Matthew 22: 37)

"Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!" (Isaiah 7: 9)

"Unless your faith is firm,  you shall not be firm!"  (Isaiah 7: 9)

Since I upgraded to  Lifejournal 3.0, I try  to use often the Pulse Input feature to measure how I stand on any particular day.  The Pulse Input measures the following variables on a scale of 1 to 10:  Mood, Stress, Energy, Health, Faith, Charity, Purpose, Contentment, Obedience.  After doing this exercise for several months, a pattern began to emerge.  I discovered that my mood, stress, energy, health, charity, purpose, contentment and obedience level is directly related to my faith level.  If my faith is high like 8 or 9,  my mood, energy, health, charity, purpose, contentment and obedience will be at least 7 and above.  My stress level is almost constant at 2.

Why is faith so important in influencing everything that goes on in the inner man?  The answer may well be found in Isaiah 7:9 where the word of God states, "Unless your faith is firm,  you shall not be firm!"  (Isaiah 7: 9)

Faith gives us access to God's promises of: Pardon, Peace, Power, Purpose, Presence, Protection and Provision.  You can call this, the 7 P's .  You receive in direct proportion to your faith.

Is there a way to increase faith?  Masters of the spiritual life have identified two key means:  Prayer and the Word of God.

I have no job, no money and no idea

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

O Israel, why do you complain, "I have no job, no money and no idea?"
But seek you first His kingdom and His righteousness and trust completely in Jesus to do the rest.

Chosen, Called, Destined and Sealed with the Holy Spirit

"In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ."  (Ephesians 1: 11 - 12)

Ephesians 1: 3 - 14 was read as the second reading today, 15th Sunday of the Ordinary Time.  I am excited by the theme:  Chosen, Called Destined and Sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Father, may your love make me what you have chosen, called, destined and sealed with your Holy Spirit to be.  Amen!

Even all the hairs of your head are counted

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.: (Matthew 10: 29 - 31)

What beautiful and precious words are these, Lord Jesus.  They appear just too much for the mind of man to accept as true.  But I believe they are true.  Lord, the doctrine of your divine providence is the sweetest teaching for me in all of scripture.  How I pray that you help me to remember and live this every step and every moment of this day.  O thank you Jesus.

Wait for the Lord with courage

"They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint." (Isaiah 40: 31)

I wait for you O Lord.  Renew my strength.  Do not allow me to be tired of waiting.  I stand on your word.  I will wait for you till you come.

The laborer deserves his keep

" no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep."  (Matthew 10: 10)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In every step of your journey, trust Him and He will direct your path.  If the Lord says that the laborer deserves his keep, so it is, so shall it be forever.

Keep the Lord's promises constantly before your eyes.  Review always His favors and provisions.  Use journaling to make a list of His new favors everyday.

I sought the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and He answered me

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him." (Psalm 34: 5 - 7)

What an affirmation of confidence in God's faithfulness.  I confess that I too have sought the Lord many times in the Blessed Sacrament and He answered me.  When my soul is troubled by many fears worries and doubts, I have sought the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  I have left His Presence completely healed.  My experiences of the power of the Lord's Presence in the Blessed Sacrament make me say again and again that the Blessed Sacrament is a resource that never fails.

Look to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and be radiant and your face may not blush for shame.  Yes, I am the poor one who cried out to Jesus present in the Most Holy Sacrament and Jesus heard me and saved me from all my distress.  Thank you Lord.

The instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment

"They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."  (Psalm 16: 4)

"With their silver and gold
they made idols for themselves,
to their own destruction."  (Hosea 8: 4)

The instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment.  You make money your god.  The money god  overcomes you and then oppresses you.

She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured."  (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

"Those who dare approach my throne of mercy will receive mercy."  I felt these words in my heart one day kneeling close to the Blessed Sacrament.  Nearing close to the Blessed Sacrament apparently was not good enough.  I must imitate what I notice women and men do.  They walk up right in front of the Monstrance, place their hands on the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and pour out their hearts to Jesus.  Before I felt these words of encouragement in my heart, I too had stood in front of the Blessed Sacrament to ask for special blessings.  But I have not made it a habit.  Those words of inspiration that I felt invite me to make it a habit to approach the throne of grace to find mercy at a time of need.

The woman with the issue of blood in the scripture above (Matthew 9: 21 - 22) felt strongly the unusual and powerful inspiration to touch the cloak of Jesus.  Faith is a response to God's initiative.  God is the source of all inspiration and power.  Because of her profound needs, she succumbed to the pull of this inspiration and dared touch the cloak of Jesus.  The result was instant healing for her.

At the early morning Mass today, I thought of what the woman did.  I will not only touch Jesus in the Eucharist but will receive Him in my hand, my tongue and my heart.  Why am I not healed of my ills and the burdens of my heart?  It is said that man's extremity is God's opportunity and man's security is Satan's opportunity.  Why do we appear afraid to approach God with our desperate needs?  Lord Jesus, grant me the grace always to dare approach your throne of mercy.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

" but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.  I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."  (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

G o d

g r a n t

 m e   t h e

serenity   to   accept   the

 things   I   cannot   change;

the   courage   to   change 

the things

I can,

and the

wisdom

to know

the 

difference.

AMEN!

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."  (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
I celebrate the faithfulness of God.  I live everyday by this promise.  I see many instances of God's faithfulness in my life everyday.  Yet, sometimes I am anxious.  I am fearful.  I am doubting Thomas.  Why?  Why do I see and forget?  Why am I so slow of heart?  Why do I still doubt?

Lord Jesus, you say:  "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8:50; Mark 5: 36)
Help me to trust in you today always and everywhere.  Amen!

Man does not live on money alone

"He said in reply, “It is written:
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4: 4)

"Man does not live on bread alone......."
Man does not live on money alone...
Man does not live on salary alone...
Man does not live on job alone...
Man does not live on health alone...
Man does not live on family alone...

There are many ways God supports His man.

"Man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God." 

Faith and only faith gives us God's promise of:

1. Pardon
2. Peace
3. Power
4. Purpose
5. Presence
6. Protection
7. Provision

What is your favorite form of physical exercise? Why?

“Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.”  ( 1 Timothy 4: 7-8)

What is your favorite form of physical exercise? Why? ,,

Today, my favorite form of physical exercise is walking.  I thank God for my good legs.  I have enjoyed walking as long as I can remember but it has not always been my favorite exercise.  Some years ago, it was bicycling until I discovered that I missed something vital when I cycle.  I miss the joy of reflection.  You cannot do quality reflection during cycling.  You risk accident.  So, with walking, I kill two birds with one stone.  I exercise and I reflect. 

What do I reflect on during exercise?  Generally, what God is doing in my life.  I will be writing more on this.

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith." (Mark 5: 36)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."
"On hearing this, Jesus answered him, “Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved." (Luke 8:50)
"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith." (Mark 5: 36)

Statistics, expert information, poll numbers, clinical diagnosis, bank statements, etc are some of the "facts" and "numbers" that terrorize the heart and mind of man.  In Mark 5: 36. we are told that Jesus disregarded the message that the little girl is dead and said, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  And with this, He confirmed the biblical principle that faith kills fear.  So when you receive that terrible diagnosis from your doctor, you know what to do.  Take it to Jesus and lay it out before Him.

"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."  (Philippians 4: 4 - 7

You are no longer a temporary resident

"So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone."  (Ephesians 2: 19 - 20)

The Church is the household of God where all the members are full and fellow citizens.  We are citizens by choice and not by birth.  When we made the decision to be baptized or the decision was made for us by our parents, we become adopted children of God and members of God's household.  We become citizens of God's Kingdom.  As citizens, we have privileges and obligations.  Baptism makes us members of the Church and opens the door to full sacramental life.  The sacraments nourish the life of God in us and confirm and strengthen our citizenship.  As children, we love Our Father and obey His commandments.  We also love the Church and our fellow citizens in the Kingdom.

Thank you Father for the gift of your Son, Jesus.  Thank you for the Church.  Thank you for making us citizens of your Kingdom.

God indeed is my Rock of Refuge and my Stronghold. I shall not be put to shame.

"In you, LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me;
incline your ear to me;
make haste to rescue me!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me." (Psalm 31: 1-2)

God indeed is my Rock of Refuge and my Stronghold.  I shall not be put to shame.  I will trust Him because faithfulness is the essence of His name.

Last night I got one of the flashes of insight that I enjoy so much.  My three Mormon friends visited me and for a second Sunday, we had over an hour of discussion.  The foundation of Mormon doctrine and theology is the so-called apostasy committed by the Church after the death of the last apostle.  God waited till the mission of Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800 to renew His covenant with the world.  Elder Flowers saw a parallel with the Old Testament.  I was reflecting on this just before going to be at 11 pm last night when I was suddenly hit by the thought of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.  I asked myself the question:  What is the central point of the Genealogy?  First to show that God is faithful to His promises and has the power to bring His design to fruition.  Secondly,   to demonstrate that sins and evil cannot derail the plan of God for the world.  There was just not one apostasy but many apostasies by the Chosen People in the Old Testament.   Inspite of this, God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ at the appointed time to save the world.

Just as God was faithful in the Old Testament, so is He in the New Testament and in the Church Age and ever shall be world without end.  Amen!

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

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

Jesus overheard what was said to Jairus about the death of his 12 year old daughter and said to him, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  I met people today who are terrified of end of life issues.  I said to them, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  I also added, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own perception.  In everything you do, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

The Christian has a silver bullet in his armor against fear: Faith!  Faith is generated by prayer and the word of God.  Faith destroys fear, worry and doubt.

The Lord will guard your coming and going

"The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your soul.
The LORD will guard your coming and going
both now and forever." (Psalm 121: 7-8)

What a gracious and precious promise.  Thank you Gracious Father for this comforting word.  How it gives me a feeling of well-being and security
St. Paul must  be thinking of this scripture when he says:

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen." (2 Timothy 4: 18)

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit

"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)

How do we bear much fruit?  Abide in Christ.  What is the principle of productivity?  Abide in Christ.  What does abiding in Christ mean?  Abiding in Christ means that we are solidly and completely attached to Christ just as a branch is attached to the trunk of a tree.  The detached branch has no life of its own.  It withers and dies.

How do we abide in Christ? When we are baptized, Christ lives in us as our hope of glory.  The most Holy Trinity takes it abode in our soul.  We sustain this supernatural life in us by means of prayer and feeding on the word of God.  Jesus Christ gives us His flesh and blood for our food. This is the most direct and concrete way in which Christ abides in us.  We respond with faith and use prayer and the word of God to keep this communion alive.

If the communion with Christ is  broken by sin, Christ has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a means of cleansing us and reestablishing the communion.

Our fruitfulness depends therefore on this dynamic relationship with Christ in us our hope of victory and glory.

"For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people." (1 Peter 2:15)

"For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people."  (1 Peter 2:15)

The world is constantly scrutinizing every action of the believer in order to have some ground to criticize.  There is the suppressed rage that the Christian carries himself loftily as if superior to other men.  They will be delighted to pull him down a notch or two.

"Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," Jesus stipulates.  In the Gospels and other parts of the New Testament, we see similar counsel to be irreproachable in behavior. I tend to cringe when I come across these prescriptions of behavioral standard for Christians.   I cringe because I fear that I may not be able to live up to the high standard.  And the idea of constant scrutiny of your every move is discomforting to me.

What shall we do in order to live this word of God with joy and peace?  The answer is to trust the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is in us to help us to live the Christian life.  If we practise every day acts of surrender to Him, He will lead, guide, teach and use us.

Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts

"Bless the LORD, my soul;
and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins,
and heals all your ills,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who fills your days with good things,
so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."  (Psalm 103: 2 - 5)

 The topic of our RCIA class today is Grace.  The presenter asked the class of any example of how God's grace has touched our lives.

I gave an example of how God's grace healed me of four addictions.  The healing from alcoholism was the most dramatic.  I received the grace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  After a long confession in which I felt the confessor gave me a rather long counseling on the evil effects of alcoholism, I got back to my pew.  As soon as I knelt down to pray, I heard this  voice clearly:  "Do you want to be healed?"  "Yes Lord, I answered."  And with that, the craving for alcohol dried up.  When I finished my testimony, BAM said, "It is a miracle."  I said I knew it was a miracle.

"Bless the LORD, my soul;
and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins,
and heals all your ills,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who fills your days with good things,
so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s."  (Psalm 103: 2 - 5)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I dedicated you,
a prophet to the nations I appointed you"  (Jeremiah 1: 5)

Jeremiah received sanctifying grace in the womb for his prophetic mission.

"Before birth the LORD called me,
from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.*
He made my mouth like a sharp-edged sword,
concealed me, shielded by his hand.
He made me a sharpened arrow,
in his quiver he hid me."  (Isaiah 49: 1 - 2)

Isaiah is another prophet who received supernatural grace in the womb for his mission.  Supernatural or sanctifying grace is the unmerited favor and permanent disposition God places in or soul that enables us to love God, respond to His love, love our neighbor and be god-like.  This is the same grace given to every Christian in Baptism. In the scriptures, we see instances of this in Isaiah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist.

Do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you

"Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly."  (1 Peter 4: 12 - 13)

Times and seasons are divine appointment.

"1 There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. 2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. 6 A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. " (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8) 

The Lord's acts of mercy are not exhausted

"The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted,
his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning—
great is your faithfulness!"  (Lamentations 3: 22 - 23)

How good it is to know that God's acts of mercies are not exhausted and that God will never be tired of being the Father of Mercies and the God of all consolations.  Father, thank you for giving us the consolation of the truth in your word.  I wake up every morning knowing that with the new day will be new favors.  Like David, I look out for them as the Day unfolds.  Faithfulness is the very essence of your name, O Father.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
on your own intelligence do not rely;
In all your ways be mindful of him,
and he will make straight your paths."  (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Lord I need to trust you completely today with all my finances and jobs.  You have been good to me.  Help me not just to trust you but always and everywhere to know that I trust you.  Lead and guide every thought, word and action today.  I need also to trust you completely today with my family, health, tools, food and future.

Lord Jesus, let trusting you completely in everything today drive out all fears, worries and doubts from me.  You say:  "Perfect love drives out fear."  (1 John 4: 18).  You also say:  "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8:50; Mark 5: 36)  Lord, I want to trust you more than I want to do anything today.  Help me!

My yoke is easy and my burden is light

" 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, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."  (Matthew 11: 28 - 30)

Lord Jesus, thank you for this beautiful and generous invitation.  I run to you to give me the promised rest from my labors and burdens.  I labor and find nagging questions about my productivity and fruits.  I am burdened by debt and my inadequacies.  You say, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.'  What do you want me to learn from you?  Your meekness and humility of heart?  So this is the price to pay for the promised rest?  I am prepared to pay it but you will help me.  Just as you cover me with your righteousness, give me as an act of mercy and grace a meek and humble heart.  Remember that you promise to give us anything we ask in your name.  I accept your yoke and your burden because I believe that your yoke is easy and your burden light.  I reject the alternative.

Every perfect gift comes from God the Father

"All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change."  (James 1:17-18)

Every good gift we enjoy comes from God, who is the perfect Father.  He knows the needs of each of of His children.  Yesterday was Sunday and I enjoyed one of God's good gifts, a full Sabbath rest.  During my morning prayer on Monday, I gave thanks to God for the wonderful weekend He gave me to enjoy.  Less than an hour later, I was getting ready to leave the house.  I caught myself worrying about what the new day will  bring.  Then this scripture hit me:
"All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change."  (James 1:17-18)

How could I think that the same God who dealt so mercifully with me during the weekend will abandon me on Monday?  Are there two Gods?  One for the weekend and the other for the weekday?  No there is only one God, the Father of mercies and God of all consolations who is the Father of lights who never changes.

My God, you are an excellent Father.  Help me to trust you on Monday as I trust you on Sunday.

Walk by faith and not by sight

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)

When fears, anxieties and doubts assail my heart, I try to counteract them by remembering the precious promises of God in His word.  I hear this little voice in my head asking, "Can they be true?  They sound too good to be true."  When this happens, I remember this master word from Isaiah:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)

Yes indeed!  God's thoughts are not our thoughts.  His ways are not our ways.  Look at Sacred Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.  They are filled with stories of where God's thoughts and ways confound our little minds.  The greatest instances of these are found in the Gospel.  Jesus Christ, Son of God was born of a Virgin in a stable.  He was crucified and died.  On the third day, He rose again from the dead.  Although it is difficult for the human mind to comprehend these events, they are nevertheless true.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
my thoughts higher than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55: 8 - 9)

If we want to enjoy the precious promises of God in our life, we must do what the Holy Spirit asks us to do - Walk by faith and not by sight.

The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes

"When Israel was a child I loved him,
out of Egypt I called my son.
The more I called them,
the farther they went from me,
Sacrificing to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
who took them in my arms;
but they did not know that I cared for them."  (Hosea 11: 1-3)

In the above scripture, the message could be:  God does all the work.  Baal takes all the credit.  How said!   The New American Bible titles the above scripture - 'The Disappointment of a parent.'  Mother and Father do all the work and the credit goes to an unknown friend of the child.  One important lesson I learned about the Holy Spirit is that He reminds us the marvelous things that God is doing in our lives.  Without this constant reminding, it is impossible to know.  If if you do not know, how can you give thanks?

Lord thank you for the Holy Spirit who reminds me of the wonderful things you do for me. (Psalm 118: 23)

How important is money to you?

How important is money to you?

Money has never  been very important to me.  All that I had ever wanted of money is what is sufficient for my need.  But the experience of debt which came  late in my life has made me more aware of the usefulness of money.  I have wondered from time to time what life would be like if I have no debt.  I know the answer.  If I have no debt, I would  be proud of my achievement.  Also absence of debt would make me more frivolous in my expenses.  Frivolity with spending of money come with much waste of time.

See what  debt has done for me:

1. Humility
2. Prudence with money
3. More time to enjoy life instead of constant windows hopping or bargain hunting. 

With the above, I can almost say with Paul:

"but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

Do you believe that you are earning what your job is worth? If not why not?

My believe today with regard to job and money is governed by three  scriptures particularly and many other scriptures in the word of God.

1. "Man does not live on bread alone.  There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God."  (Matthew 4:4)

2. "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)

3. "Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.  for God has said, 
'I will never fail you.  I will never forsake you.'
That is why we can say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?"  (Hebrews 13: 5 - 6)

Do I believe that I am earning what my job is worth?  In the light of the three scriptures above, the answer is yes.  I ask the Holy Spirit  every day to grant me inspiration and power for my work.  Recently, I have added a prayer for deeper trust in the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is one thing for God to guide you every step.  It is a totally different thing to believe in that guidance.
God's thoughts are not our thoughts.  God's ways are not our ways.  We are asked to walk by faith and not by sight.

"Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you." (1 Kings 17: 9)

"Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you."  (1 Kings 17: 9)

God's powerful and loving providence is in full play in the above scripture.  God who appointed ravens to bring food to Elijah when he was in hiding has now appointed a poor widow of Zarephath to fulfill the task.

In the Temptations in the Desert, Jesus gave us a scripture rich in God's providence.  He answered Satan who tempted Him to turn stones into bread:  "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."  (Matthew 4: 4)

God is the first cause of everything.  Every other cause is a secondary cause.  It is up to the Primary Cause to use any cause He chooses to accomplish an objective.  Man can be fed with whatever means God chooses.  Bread is only one of the options.

In the case of the widow of Zarephath, God shows here  as throughout the bible and history His consistent predilection to use weak secondary causes to achieve mighty events.

"Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.  Accompanying him were the Twelve  and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,  Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources."  (Luke 8: 1 - 3) 

Lord Jesus, help me to trust completely in your divine providence.

"All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, buy grain and eat; Come, buy grain without money, wine and milk without cost!" (Isaiah 55: 1)

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1)

The offer of salvation is universal and free.  Everyone is invited. Although it is free, it is not cheap.  Juicy rich food is promised and not "wretched food."  Choice wine is made available for this Banquet of the Lamb.

Grain, water, wine and milk are types of the Eucharist.

In Numbers 21: 4 -5, the Israelites rejected the food given to them by God.
"From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the people’s patience was worn out by the journey; so the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!"  (Numbers 21: 4 - 5).

The wretched food they complained about is the manna, a type of the Eucharist.  In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ offers us Himself to be our food and drink.  The Church describes the Eucharist as "the sum and summary of our faith. 'Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1327)

The Church commemorates the gift of the Eucharist in the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ)

Do you like to take risks in investing your money?

Do you like to take risks in investing your money?

Today, I have little or no money to invest.  I am not a gambler by nature.  I do not take unnecessary risk in life.  If I have money to invest, I will never take risk on it.  This is because risk taking comes with fear and anxiety.  There are two scriptures that come to me right now on this topic:

"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)

"Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said,
'I will never fail you / I will never forsake you.'
That is why we can say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?'  (Hebrews 13: 5-6)

Risky investment creates the condition for anxiety and rejects the counsel of Philippians 4: 6-7.  Taking risk in investing money could also be a symptom of a heart that loves money.  This person has no trust in the loving and powerful providence of God.

The widow contributed everything because she understood that God is responsible for all her time, talent and treasure

"For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." (Mark 12: 44)

How much are you prepared to contribute to the Lord's work?  3%, 5%, 10% or more?  Jesus Christ praised the widow who was not content to contribute her leftovers but everything.  Although all she had is what has come to be known as the widow's might, she was willing to give it all.

The widow contributed everything because she understood that God is responsible for all her time, talent and treasure.  She trusted in God and knows that she would not be deprived by contributing all her worth.

Lord Jesus, take and receive all my time, talent and treasure as well as all my weaknesses.  I offer them all.  Help me by your grace to hold nothing back.  Amen!

By waiting and by calm you shall be saved

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength.
But this you did not will."  (Isaiah 30: 15)

When I feel insecure, I run the Lord.  I do not run to Egypt.
The ever changing environment in which we live involves the following dynamics:  Health, family, money, job, tools, food, future.  The only constant in all these factors is change.  Things change and they can change rapidly.  The other thing that is constant in a world of frequent changes is Jesus Christ.  He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

"Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other!"  (Isaiah 45: 22)

True security exists only in God.  "By waiting and by calm, you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength."  

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you

"In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
But wicked people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived.
But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it"  (2 Timothy 3: 12 - 14)

The idea of trials, persecutions and suffering being part and parcel of our Christian vocation is not surprising to anybody who is familiar with the scriptures.  This idea is as prevalent in the Old Testament as it is in the New.  Examples from the Old Testament are Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David and the prophets.  In the New Testament, the principal example is Jesus Christ Himself.  He asks anyone who wants to follow Him, to pick up his cross and come along.  The Church of the Pentecost understood immediately that what was true for Jesus in His earthly journey would be true of the early Church and down through the centuries to our day.  This is as inevitable as the divine necessity for the Messiah Himself:
"And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!  Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

Why then does the persecution that comes with the Christian calling always a surprise to us?  Our surprise is in inverse proportion to our understanding of Sacred Scripture.  The more of Sacred Scripture we understand, the less we are surprised at the mystery of suffering.  The less Sacred Scripture we understand, the more we are surprised at the sufferings in the world including the big suffering in the life of  disciples of Jesus.
"Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.  And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."  (John 15: 20 21)

Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand the mystery of suffering.

No trial has come to you but what is human

"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it."  (1 Corinthians 10: 13)

I find the above scripture very helpful especially  periods of trial.  There are a number of truths here that if grasped will enable us to sail through any trial without too much collateral damage.  Let us look at the truths one by one:

First, we have the assurance that no matter the trial, some other human being has already faced it.  It is not unique to you.  It means much more if God says this in his word.

Secondly, we are reminded of God's faithfulness, wisdom, power, love and knowledge.  We know that if God permits this trial, we can be sure that it is measured to fit.  Once you discern that this trial is for you, acceptance becomes easier.

Finally, you are told to look for the way of escape provided by God in this trial.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 is a great scripture in a period of trial.

Stir into flame the gift of God

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control."  (2 Timothy 1: 6-7)

What are the gifts that I can stir into flame right here and right now?  I know that the Holy Spirit has blessed me with many gifts.  I know that today, I have been blessed with the gifts of feeding on the word of God.  I have also enjoyed the quiet time with the Lord which is a blessing.  Most importantly, I have been with the Lord in the Eucharist and have received His Precious Body and Blood.  How do I go about sharing these gifts?

I do not know how I can stir into flame these gifts.  But I know that the Holy Spirit who is the author of these gifts will help me if I ask Him.  If I trust Him to lead, guide and use me today, He will not disappoint.  O Holy Spirit, you have blessed me so much today.  I pray you to lead, guide and use me today.  I will trust you completely today for your continual guidance

May the glorious Father give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones,"  (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18)

What difference does it make if I know for certain that our glorious Father has given me a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of Him?  This question brings to  mind  this word from Jesus:  Eternal life is to know the One true God and Jesus Christ, His Only begotten Son.  Do I feel that I have the seed of eternal life in me right here and right now?  I know for certain that the Holy Spirit dwells in me.  The scripture calls the Holy Spirit the down payment of the full gift of eternal life.  Christians can grow in the size of this deposit or down payment.  We grow in this by means of prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Sacrament of Reconciliation and other sacraments.  This is the prayer of St. Paul for the early Christian community in Ephesus.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!"  (Romans 8: 14 - 15)

Most Holy and Adorable Spirit, I believe that you are in me.  I know that I am led and guided by you.  But I pray you to help me to trust completely in your continual guidance.  My greatest desire today is for you to lead me, guide me and use me.  I want to depend on you always and everywhere  in all things.  I want you to be my teacher.  I am teachable.  I want to learn from you everything that I need to know about my life's purpose.  Lead me to the fullness of truth promised by Jesus Christ.  I believe that my purpose in life is to learn and communicate the faith.  Open doors of opportunities for me.  Keep me simple and humble like Jesus Christ.  Protect me always from the attacks of the evil one.

The spirit of slavery is the spirit of fears, worries and doubts.  This mean spirit is opposed to the Holy Spirit. It seeks to control the mind and heart through fears, worries and doubts.  Resist him. Cry out to the Holy Spirit to expel him from your domain.  Soak yourself in sacred scriptures.  Remember always your divine sonship.  Have a close relationship with God the Father.  If you cry out often enough, Abba, Father! which means, "My own dear very Father" the Holy Spirit in you will use this cooperation to dislodge completely the spirit of slavery from your mind and heart.

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith

"But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."  (Jude 1: 20 - 21)

How do I build up myself in the most holy faith?  I build up myself by means of the 7-Way Plan received from The Way Himself.  The 7-Way Plan has 7 elements:

1. Prayer
2. Word of God
3. Eucharist
4. Penance
5. Examen
6. Ministry
7. Spiritual Reading

"For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,  as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ,"  (Titus 2: 11-13)

Through the means of the 7-Way Plan, the Lord trains me to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.  Fortified with grace, I wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed hope of His coming.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart in all the areas of your struggle

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;
In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths."  (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

Trust completely in the supreme and powerful providence of God over you.  Do not try to figure out the whys and the hows of His ways.  His ways are not your ways because His thoughts are not your thoughts.  Embrace without questions His disposal of events in your life.  This is the way you guarantee the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Commit to God unresolved issues in the areas of your health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.  His divine providence offers step by step direction and minute by minute protection.   God has promised His children always and everywhere His pardon, peace, power, purpose, presence, protection and provision.

Trust God with all your heart.

The Story of 2 Women - Mary and Elizabeth

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,  where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,  cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  (Luke 1: 40 - 45)

This is the story of two women, Mary and Elizabeth that was proclaimed in the Gospel of today, the feast of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.  As I heard this Gospel at the morning Mass today, my thoughts explored the differences between these two great Giants of our faith.

Mary is young.  Elizabeth is old.
Mary is newly pregnant.  Elizabeth is in her 6th month of pregnancy.
Mary is married to Joseph.  Elizabeth is married to Zechariah.
Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth.  Elizabeth and Zechariah live in a town of Judah.
Mary is conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Elizabeth owes her pregnancy to her husband.
Mary was visited by an angel before her conception.  Elizabeth's husband was visited by an angel before her pregnancy.
Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing her Magnificat.  Elizabeth was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing her Hail Mary.
Mary is the Mother of Jesus.  Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ.

I saw clearly for the first time that the Gospel passage of Luke 1: 39-56 may well be one of the most important in the entire New Testament.  It bears a number of revelations and prophecies that continue to be true and inspire to this day.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth foretold the future place of Mary in salvation history.  The same Holy Spirit inspired Mary to predict that all generation shall call her blessed.  All generations indeed starting from apostolic times to this day continue to call Mary blessed always and everywhere.  After the name of Jesus, which is the most pronounced name everyday, the name of Mary is second.  Each time we say the Rosary, we pronounce the name of Mary at least 106 times.  Consider how many Rosaries are said all over the world everyday.  When you add them up plus the name of Mary in the liturgies and other prayers, that is a huge number.  Faced with this critical mass of data, who can deny that all generations are hailing her blessed.  Is this a coincidence or arbitrary?  No!  It is the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Magnificat of Mary.  God is faithful.

(2000th Blog - 053112)

You do not know what you are asking

"Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"  (Mark 10: 38)

Prayer is both praise and petition.  In my own case, most of my prayer is petition.  We are so burdened by the weight of flesh that the spirit in us barely has room to soar in praise.

What makes up my prayer of petition ?  I pray for good health, for job and financial success, for family, my daily bread and protection from evil.  Jesus reminds me today, "You do not know what you are asking of."  Yes Lord, you are right.  I do not know what I am asking of.  I should trust you completely with every area of my life.  You know what is best for me.  I trust you to take care of me.

Your word to me, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well," is true.  Help me never to doubt it.

For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike

"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Matthew 11: 25)

Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  God's modus operandi is to reveal the secrets of the kingdom to the childlike.  What are these secrets?  They are mysteries which the mind of man cannot fully understand.  Yet once they are revealed are found to be reasonable.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul often compares the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes from above.  Although the wisdom of this world deals only with the material creation, they tend to puff up those who have it.  Those who possess this wisdom pretend that they know everything.

St. James in his letter writes of two types of wisdom:  Wisdom that comes from above and the earthly wisdom.  The wisdom that comes from above bears the marks of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  While earthly wisdom bears all the signs of the Father of lies.

The hidden things of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike.  The childlike are those who have hearts and minds disposed to God.

Lord Jesus, make me childlike.

Jesus Christ became poor so that I might become rich

"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich."  (2 Corinthians 8: 9)

In order to appropriate the promises designed for us in the word of God, we must understand the meaning of the word.  I realize lately that I do not understand the meaning of many scriptures that I thought I did.  An example is 2 Corinthians 8:9.  What does it mean that Christ became poor so that by His poverty, I may become rich?

Early this morning, I read a couple of commentaries on the scripture and was surprised by what I discovered.  Christ is the Son of God, creator of heaven and earth and all that is seen and unseen.  He is the Lord of history.  The destiny of the entire world is in His hands. He owns all the silver and gold, all the banks and deposits.   Can you get richer than that?  Yet, Christ chose to be born in a stable in Bethlehem.  Born of poor parents, he learned carpentry as His trade.  Throughout His public ministry, He depended on women to provide for His needs from their meagre resources.  When He died, He had no wealth to bequeath to His mother.  On the cross, He entrusted the care of His mother to his disciple, John.  He was buried in a borrowed grave.

Out of His passion, death and resurrection, He bestowed freely on us the greatest gift of redemption, the person of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the source of all inspiration and power.  He is resourcefulness Himself.  If we have the Holy Spirit, we are potentially rich in every resource, of which the most important is faith.  Gold though tested by fire perishes.  Faith never perishes.  With faith all is possible.

Lord, open my eyes to see how rich you have made me.  Amen!

St. Philip Neri - Cheerful disposition

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5: 5)

May 26, Feast of St. Philip Neri - From the Roman Missal, we have the following:

"(1515 - 1595).  Born in Florence, he was ordained in 1551, and in 1564 he founded the Congregation of the Oratory.  He is noted for his zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance, and for his cheerful disposition.  He was a catechist and a spiritual guide of extraordinary talent.  He was canonized in 1622."

St. Philip Neri had four gifts I want for myself:

1. Zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance
2. Cheerful disposition
3. Catechist
4. Spiritual guide

As St. Philip the Apostle is the model of my mission in his relation to the Holy Spirit, St. Philip Neri is the model of the gifts I need to fulfill my purpose.

Opening Prayer on the feast of St. Philip Neri:

"Father, you continually raise up your faithful to the glory of holiness.  In your love kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit who so filled the heart of Philip Neri.  We ask his through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son..."

Without this fire of the Holy Spirit, our ministry will only be mediocre.

The Holy Spirit will remind you of all that I told you

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."  (John 14: 26)

Thank you Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for His activities in my life.  I bear witness to the truth that the Holy Spirit is the best Teacher.  I depend on Him when I want to learn anything.  Today I am praying to Him to make me as great a teacher as Jesus.  O Divine Spirit, give me the gift of teaching with simplicity.

Thank you O Holy Spirit for reminding me of the favors God has bestowed on me.  Without this reminding, I would forget many blessings I enjoy from God.  I love all your gifts O Spirit of God.  One of the gifts I love most is your reminding me of the good things that God has done for me.  This constant reminding makes me constantly thankful and constitutes a solid wall of protection during hard times.

Come O Holy Spirit.

Approach the throne of grace with confidence

"So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Those who dare to approach the throne of grace with confidence receive abundant favors.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,* and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1)

"Blessed* are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19: 9)

The Power to testify

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.
And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."  (John 15: 26 - 27)

Lord, fill us with you Holy Spirit that we will bear witness to you in the Lord.  Empower us with your Spirit of truth that we shall spread the knowledge of your name among our brothers.  Without you, we can do nothing.

The Mediator

"On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God."  (John 16: 26 - 27)

Prayer should be in the name of Jesus for He is our Mediator and Intercessor.  In the past few weeks, the Gospel readings at daily Mass have been taken largely from St. John's Gospel.  We read again and again Jesus urging us to ask in His name and we shall receive.  The promise today goes one step further.  The engaged disciple is now no longer a baby.  He loves Jesus.  This love is evidence of the Holy Spirit who has made a home in the disciple's heart.  This disciple starts to enjoy the full benefits of his love for Jesus.  Jesus knows his needs and takes them to the Father and the Father graciously obliges.  Thank you Jesus.

The Peace of Jesus

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33)

The peace of Christ surpasses all understanding.  (Philippians 4: 7)
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts."  (Colossians 3:15)  When the peace of Christ keeps guard over the heart, then the person is peaceful under every circumstance.  He is not at the mercy of events and circumstances.  We come to this condition by accepting in faith the peace offered to us by Jesus in John 16: 33.  Before this, we reject the flippant and conditional peace offered by the world.  A peace that depends on the weather is no peace at all.   Whatever is the event or circumstance, we refuse to be anxious but by prayer and petition mixed with thanksgiving, we make our requests known to God.  Whenever I live this word of God, I have felt the peace promised by Jesus Christ.  It is peace that the world cannot understand or replicate.

Jesus Christ wants His followers to enjoy peace.  I am amazed at the number of times the word peace is repeated during holy Mass.

I am with you always

"Behold, I am with you to the end of the ages." (Matthew 28: 20)

What if we know for certain that Jesus is with us always?  If we know for certain that Jesus is with us always, we will act with more courage on His word that "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  We are more likely than not  obey His commands.

God's word is true.  If Jesus says that He is with us always, that is what it is.  He is not a man to lie.  Lord, grant me the grace to act here and now as if you are truly with me.  Amen!

I am with you always

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28: 19-20)

"I am with you always."  What a promise!!  What will you do if you know that this promise is absolutely true?  If I know with absolute certainty that this promise is true, I will not walk but run everywhere to announce the Goodnews.  How sad that there should even be a doubt on this!

"The promises of the LORD are sure, silver refined in a crucible, silver purified seven times."  (Psalm 12: 7)

Dear Jesus, help me to trust completely in your promises.  Let your words drive my life.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to surrender completely to all His actions in me.

God is not far from us

"He made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us."  (Acts 17: 26 - 27)

God is not far from any of us.  But we can recognize His presence only if we seek Him.  If we grope for Him we shall surely find Him.  Times and seasons are there to teach us that God is not only faithful but very close.  When we seek Him in prayer, He hears us instantly and often answers without delay.

The Spirit of truth

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...."  (John 16: 13)

Lord, the Spirit of truth has come.  You have fulfilled your promise.  I need your precious and loving Spirit to guide me to the whole truth on your plan for me with regard to the work, finances, family, tools, food and future.  Bless me also with the gift of discernment of spirits so that I can know your will for me in everything.  Fill me with the fruits of your Holy Spirit so that I can bear much fruit for you in the world.

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15:, 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

He raises the needy from the dust

"He raises the needy from the dust,
lifts the poor from the ash heap,
Seats them with princes,
the princes of the people,
Gives the childless wife a home,
the joyful mother of children." (Psalm 113: 7 - 8)

My Lord, you are the hope of the poor.  You always hear the cry of the poor.  Look upon me with mercy.  Do not allow that I succumb to the influence of evil in sadness, discouragement, auto-criticism, regrets or impatience.   Rather let me remain true to your gift of life.  Amen

The Spirit of truth

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate  to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you."  (John 14: 15 - 17)

Lord, I love you and want to keep your commandments.  Since I cannot keep them without your Holy Spirit to help me, please ask the Father to fill me with your precious Spirit.  Then I will keep all your commandments.
Then I will bear witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers.

Lord, you also promise that your Spirit will be with me always.  This is terrific.  If He is with me always, will He always guide me continually?  Sometimes I have problem in recognizing His continual guidance.  As we approach the celebration of Pentecost in two weeks time, I ask you to grant me the grace to always recognize the presence of your Spirit in me and to discern and accept His guidance in all things.

They grow stronger in faith

"Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number. " (Acts 16: 5)

What is growth in faith?  It is the growth in the understanding and acceptance of the truths of faith.  It is also growth in appropriating God's generous promises in His word.  As we appropriate these promises and watch the fulfillment in our lives, our faith grows.

Lord Jesus, you brought us the consolation of the truth.  Thank you Jesus.

Go and bear much fruit

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you." (John 15: 16)

Yes, Lord.  I know you chose me.  I did not choose you.  I remember at time when I thought that I chose you.  Thank you for your patience.  Thank you for teaching me.  You chose me to go and bear fruit that will last.  Today more than ever, I want to do this.

"I will bear 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)

The Witness

"And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts."  (Acts 15: 8 - 9)

The Holy Spirit in us bears witness that we are indeed here and now the children of God.  It is amazing how people from different Christian traditions experience and express this same reality.  The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is the sure guarantee of the life of God in the soul.   We call it sanctifying grace.  It is sanctifying because the function of the Holy Spirit in us is to make us holy.  He convicts us of sin and leads to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  He renews our mind through His living word and makes us conform to Christ and not to the world.  He reminds us what Jesus has taught us through His word and through the Eucharist.  He is also the voice that "speaks in court."  Court here meaning any place where we need to bear witness to Jesus.

O Most Beloved Holy Spirit, fill me with your precious Self.  Fill me also with your gifts.

Bear much fruit

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."  (John 15: 7-8)

The Father will be glorified when I bear much fruit.  What fruits are expected of me here and now?  Mango trees do not bear apple fruits.  Apple trees bear apple fruits and mango trees bear mango fruits.  As one baptized in Christ, I am called to holiness.  I bear fruits that bear evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in me.  I bear fruits of love, joy, kindness, purity, gentleness, etc.

The Holy Spirit also equips me with special charisms to enable me to build up the Body of Christ.  These charisms are faith, teaching and prophecy.  I use these charisms to bear fruit in the area of my purpose:

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16, 19)
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21:23)

The Divine Necessity of the Cross

"Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (Luke 24: 26)

At the heart of the Paschal Mystery is the Cross.  The Cross is a divine necessity.  It was so for Christ.  It is so for every one of us.  To reject the cross is to reject Jesus Christ.  To embrace the cross is to embrace life and glory.

My Peace I leave with you

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."  (John 14: 27)

Let the promised peace of Christ control my heart and mind today.  Let the word of Christ dwell in me richly.  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)   I will trust in Jesus completely today and enjoy His peace no matter whatever happens.  The Lord's peace will abide in me and with me even if war is raging in all the 7 war zones of health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.

I will have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make my requests known to God.  The peace of Jesus Christ which surpasses all understanding will guard my heart and mind always throughout this day.  (Philippians 4: 4 - 6)  Thank you Jesus.

Bearing abundant fruit

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

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15, 16, 19)

The choice, the call and the anointing all have one objective:  to bear much fruit.  We are chosen, called and anointed to bear abundant durable fruit.  How do we achieve this lofty objective?  Remain in Christ and allow Christ to remain in us.  We achieve this principally through the word of Christ and through the Eucharist.  Jesus Christ is present in His word.  This is why His word is alive and powerful.  The Eucharist is the real body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.  When we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we achieve a level of communion and intimacy with Jesus that is beyond compare with any experience we could ever have with God.

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