Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church.

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1: 1 NABRE)

In the final week of Advent, the Church throughout the world listens to the Genealogy of Jesus Christ according to Matthew.   (Matthew 1: 1 - 17)  What lessons does this contain?

#1.  The men and women that made up the ancestry of Jesus were not perfect.  There were murderers, adulterers, liars, etc.
#2.  God was faithful to His plan to form a family in spite of human weaknesses.
#3.  Jesus Christ is faithful to the New Family of God, the Church in spite of the foibles of the men and women that made up the Church.
#4. Jesus protected the integrity of the Church by an Oath:  THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST THE CHURCH.  (Matthew 16: 18)
#5. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide the Church always, Jesus Christ promises.
#6.  The Church therefore cannot fail.  If the Church fails, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have failed.
#7.  Is there any good reason for the existence of over 60,000 churches?
See the Prayer of Jesus for Unity of His Family.  (John 17)

Come O Head of the Church.

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The Sunday Rest is a Rehearsal for Eternal Rest.

"Blessed are all those who are careful to do this.
Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong."  (Isaiah 56: 2 NLT)

What is your attitude to the third Commandment?  "Thou shall keep holy the Sabbath day."
Why is this Commandment loaded with so many blessings in Sacred Scripture?  The Sabbath day comes once a week and reminds us of creation and the Resurrection of Jesus in a weekly rhythm that forces us to pause our hectic addiction to activity.  The Sabbath Rest is a rehearsal for Eternal Rest.

He who keeps holy the Lord's Day is blessed in accordance with the promises.  He who fails to observe it has nobody to blame but himself.

Come O Lord of the Sabbath.

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I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me.

"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you."  (Isaiah 54: 9 NIV)

Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  Lord God of Hosts.  You blow our mind with this tremendous promise.  We respond by saying:
"Sing praise to the Lord, you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy Name.  For His anger lasts but a moment; a lifetime His good will."

Come O Most Merciful Savior.

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Come O Son of the Eternal Father.

"I am the Lord, there is no other.
I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well being  and create woe; I, the Lord, do all these things."  (Isaiah 45:  6 -  8 NABRE)

The Bible is the Text Book of God who teaches us what is good for us.  (Isaiah 48: 17)

Many places in the Bible, Abba Father reveals Himself as in Isaiah 45: 8 above.    In Exodus 34: 6, He describes Himself thus: The Lord, the Lord, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding  in love and fidelity."  And in Psalm 145: 8,  "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy."  In Psalm 103: 8, "Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in mercy."

The self-revelation of Abba Father goes on and on throughout Scripture.  Why?  He wants His children to know Him well and stop fearing Him.  God created us to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him so that we can live with Him forever.

Come O Little One of Bethlehem.

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Come and set us free O Face of the Mercy of God.

"She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the Lord she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near."  (Zephaniah 3: 1-2 RM)

The Prophet Zephaniah castigates the rebellious and polluted city with woes.  The "city" is you and I.  Then the prophet painted her ugly character.  She is deaf to admonition and rejects every correction.  She trusts in princes and flatterers rather than the Lord.  As the Lord calls her, she runs further and further from Him.

Do you know anybody like this?   This is Advent.  A time of repentance and grace.  The Lord is waiting today in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.   O that today you will hear His voice, harden not your heart.  (Psalm 95:  8)

Come O Face of Divine Mercy.

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Let it be done to me according to Your promise.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  (Luke 1: 38 NIV)

What will you do if God gives you a very big job or mission, so big that you consider yourself totally unqualified for it.  You would consider it reasonable to decline.  But God is not put off by your self deprecation.  He pursues you.  He piles up the arguments:  The Holy Spirit will help you.  (Luke 1: 35)  Nothing is impossible for God.  (Luke 1: 37)  The battle is not yours but the Lord's.  (2 Chronicles 20: 15)  At last you succumbed to the charm offensive of God.  And bowing your head you murmured "You have spoken Lord, now let it be done.  (Cf Luke 1: 38)

God spoke.  Mary believed.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, she predicted "All generations shall call me blessed."  True or false?

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Happy Feast Day, O Patroness of the Americas.

Come O rising Sun.

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You too can be patient.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials."  (James 1: 2 NABRE)

Is it possible to consider troubles pure joy?  Well the scripture says so.

I finished reading recently a book about the lives of 35 men and women who are Doctors of the Church.  These people shaped the doctrines that Christians believe today.  In my opinion, they are the greatest and brightest.  One day, I asked myself:  "What is the common factor among these 35 Greats?

Each of them suffered horribly in body, mind or soul.  We still remember the sufferings of Pope St John Paul II and Mother St Teresa?  Now consider this act of Divine Providence:  Each of these 35 Greats accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.

Suffering did not prevent Jesus Christ or St John the Baptist from accomplishing what God planned and willed for their lives.  No amount of suffering can prevent us from fulfilling our destiny.

Come O Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

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Come and show us Your face, O Lord.

'Behold, I am coming soon
and my recompense is with me, says the Lord,
to bestow a reward according to the deeds of each."  (Revelation 22: 12  RM)

What deeds will be the basis of the reward of Jesus?

Feeding the hungry
Clothing the naked
Sheltering the homeless
Visiting the sick and the imprisoned
Admonishing the sinner
Forgiving offenses willingly
Comforting the afflicted  (Cf Matthew 25: 34 - 46)

Lord Jesus, do not judge us according to our deeds or merits but according to your unfailing Mercy.

Come O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law. 

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I promise to prosper the work of your hands if you learn my lessons.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow."  (Isaiah 48: 17 NLT)

Abba Father provides all that we need.  But He is also our Teacher.  How does Abba Father teach us His children?

#1.  Through His word.
#2.  Through our daily experiences especially our trials. (Hebrews 12: 7)
#3.  Through the authoritative teaching of the Church.

What are the rewards for learning the lessons?
#1.  "Your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea."  (Isaiah 48: 18)
#2. You will be like a tree planted near running water certain to yield its fruit in due season.  (Psalm 1: 3)
#3.  God will prosper the work of your hands.  (Psalm 1:  3)

Is God a man to lie or is anything too difficult for God?

Come O Prince of Peace.

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Happy Feast Day O Mother and Queen! We love you so much.

"I will rejoice heartily in the Lord,
my being exults in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  (Isaiah 61: 10  NABRE)

Today the Church throughout the world celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jesus created her Mother so beautiful, so graceful and so loving.  On the cross, Jesus said, "Behold your Mother."  (John 19: 17)  Thank You Jesus.   Let us join all generations in calling Mary blessed.  (Luke 1: 48)

Happy Feast Day, O Mother and Queen!  We your grateful children love you so much.

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Has my God forgotten me?

"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  "(Isaiah 40: 31 NABRE)

Like many of us, the Israelites were no strangers to discouragement in their Journey of Faith.  Listen to their complaint:  “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?  And on another occasion: 
"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”  (Isaiah 49: 14)

God is consummate patience and answered them:  "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you."  (Isaiah 49: 14 - 15)

God knows exactly where we are, what we need and when we need it.
Be confident and wait for the Lord.

Come O Sun that never sets.

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The Day of the Lord is near.

“All flesh is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.”  (Isaiah 40: 6 - 7 NABRE)

If you are like myself, you seek and appreciate some stability in life.   Have you been able to find it in anything?  A new car quickly goes out of fashion.  A new home becomes creaky.  The beauty and innocence of the little child turns into a vicious teenager.   "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2)

The grass may wither and the flowers wilt, but we are certain that the word of God will never change.

Come O Morning Star.

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Rejoice with joyful song O People.

"Strengthen hands that are feeble,
 make firm knees that are weak,
 Say to the fearful of heart:
 Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you."   (Isaiah 35: 3-4 NABRE)

Hear the word of God, O People!

Are you weary, heavy of heart or afraid?  Do you want to experience the simple joys of Christmas like a child?  Open your heart and mind to Jesus in faith and prayer.

Come O Dawn from on High.

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Come O Lamb of God, Savior and Redeemer.

"In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  (Matthew 3: 1-2 NABRE)

Who is John the Baptist?
Isaiah describes him as “A voice of one crying out in the desert,
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."  (Isaiah 40: 30)

John the Baptist has a simple profile.  Although born into the priestly nobility, he forsook the privileges that were his by birth to serve Jesus.
"John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."  (Matthew 3: 4) In order not to compromise his mission, he took extraordinary steps to safeguard his independence.
He was direct and bold in his preaching, fearing no one.
"Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance."  (Matthew 3: 8) He urged the great and the powerful who came to him at the River Jordan.  His humility was profound.
"I am not worthy to carry his sandals."  (Matthew 3: 11) He said of Jesus.  Jesus returned the compliments by calling John the greatest of the prophets.

Lord Jesus grant us the singleness of purpose, courage and humility of John the Baptist.

Come O Lamb of God, Savior and Redeemer.

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I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.

 “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few." (Matthew 9: 37 NABRE)

The world needs desperately the word of God.  How do I know?  Listen to Jesus:  "At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd."  (Matthew 9: 36)

Isaiah wrote: 
"The Lord will give you bread in adversity and water in affliction." (Isaiah 30: 20 NABRE)  But how can we hear of this promise if there is no one to preach and teach the word?  How can one preach or teach unless he is sent?  How can one be sent unless his heart is open and generous?

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  (Isaiah 52: 7)

 "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."  (Hebrews 3: 15)

Come O Sign of God's love.

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Do you believe that I can do this?

“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  (Matthew 9: 29 NABRE)

Jesus touched the eyes of two blind men with the above words and they recovered their sight. 
What is the greatest desire of your heart at this moment?  “Do you believe that I can do this?” Jesus asks you.  What if your faith does not measure up?
Then pray the following or similar prayer:
"Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers, and since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy."

When merits fail, always trust Mercy.

Come O Son of God and Son of Mary.

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It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."  (Matthew 7: 24 NABRE)

Several places in His teaching, Jesus stresses that what brings life, healing, prosperity and salvation is not hearing the word of God, or knowing or teaching the word.  It is doing or acting on the word.  Why?  Because it is not what you know that transforms you.  It is what you do daily.  Salvation comes from conversion which happens every day.  The will of the Father must be obeyed not just every Sunday, or once a month but daily.  This is what opens the door of the Kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 7: 21)

God keeps in peace a person of firm purpose.  This person trusts in the Lord forever as eternal Rock.  (Isaiah 26: 4)

Come O Lamb whom John proclaimed.

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Yes Lord, here I am.

"Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men."  (Matthew 4: 19 NABRE)

What does it take to become a fisher of men?  
"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 17)   You have heard the invitation from Jesus.  What is keeping you from saying Yes?

Some are called to be full time evangelist.  Others are called to be part-time.  Everyone is called to spread the word of God.  Start small.  Grow steadily.  Become a pro.  Start by forwarding scripture verses that touch your heart to family and friends.  Then create a group list.  Go to social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.  Not difficult.  All you need is faith and yes to Jesus.
All things are possible to one who has faith.  (Mark 9: 23)

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He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of His mouth.

"The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him."  (Isaiah 11: 2 NABRE)

Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah sketched accurately His profile.  One attribute or sign marked Jesus above others.  Jesus possessed the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  But that is not all.  The Spirit He is endowed is  "a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord."   (Isaiah 11: 2 - 3 NABRE)

As we wait for the Coming of Jesus at Christmas, let us remember that we too are blessed with the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Without the Spirit, it is impossible to live the Christian life.  This season of Advent is the right time to be refreshed with the Holy Spirit so that buds shall blossom from withered stumps.

Come O Root of David!

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I want You to heal my servant right here, right now.

 “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith."  (Matthew 8: 10 NABRE)

Why does Jesus praise so lavishly the faith of the Centurion?  Faith is a rare commodity and one of the greatest gifts of God.  The opposite of faith is Unbelief and Doubt.

How does faith work?  Jesus said to the Centurion:  “I will come and cure him.” The Centurion heard this and believed.  The faith of the Centurion is much deeper.  He said to Jesus: No need to come to my house.  Just heal my servant with a word from here.  Right here, right now.

What gave the Centurion such an elevated faith?  He extrapolated  his experience as a senior Roman officer.

Faith comes from hearing and believing the promises of God.  As you exercise your faith every day, it grows.

Happy Advent!

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Be prepared. Stay awake.

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into."  (Matthew 24: 43 NABRE)

If I know what time the thief is coming, I would alert the police and hire security guards.   Everyone will like to know his final hour on this earth.  Alas, it is hidden from us. 

Scripture counsels us:  "It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."  (Romans 13: 11) And then:  "Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armor of light."  (Romans 13:12) And finally, we are to put on as a garment the Lord Jesus Christ and make zero provision for the desires of the flesh.  (Romans 13: 14)

Nothing is more helpful here than the motto of the Boys Scout:  "Be Prepared!  You do not know when it will happen.  (Matthew 24: 44)

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11-27

"Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into."  (Matthew 24: 43 NABRE)

If I know what time the thief is coming, I would alert the police and hire security guards.   Everyone will like to know his final hour on this earth.  Alas, it is hidden from us. 

Scripture counsels us:  "It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."  (Romans 13: 11) And then:  "Let us then throw off the works of darkness [and] put on the armor of light."  (Romans 13:12) And finally, we are to put on as a garment the Lord Jesus Christ and make zero provision for the desires of the flesh.  (Romans 13: 14)

Nothing is more helpful here than the motto of the Boys Scout:  "Be Prepared!  You do not know when it will happen.  (Matthew 24: 44)

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Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord.

"Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!"   (1 Corinthians 16:22b; see Rev 22:20  NABRE)

"Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides." (Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab)

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

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11-26

"Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!"   (1 Corinthians 16:22b; see Rev 22:20  NABRE)

"Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides." (Psalm 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab)

Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!

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My words will never pass away.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."   (Luke 21: 33)

Which two things does God exalt simultaneously always and everywhere?
#1. His Name
#2.   His Word

God's word is also His Law, Decree and Promise.  It cannot pass away.
Has God promised you anything?  Be confident with great expectation.  It will be fulfilled in the fullness of time.  Do not behave like Saul who waited for seven literal days and abandoned his promise. (1 Samuel 13: 8)  Behave rather like David who after he was already anointed king, waited for over 15 years living in exile until the fulfilment of the promise in his coronation.  Like David, use the tool of prayer, psalms and songs to water the seed of your promise.

St Monica prayed for the conversion of her son, Augustine and watered the seed with her tears for about 30 years before God answered her prayer.  St Augustine turned out to be one of the greatest Fathers and Doctors of the Church in the 2000 year history of the Church.

Wait for the Lord.  Be confident.  Wait for Him.  (Psalm 27: 14)

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We give You thanks Almighty Father for these gifts and all Your benefits.

"Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (Ephesians 5: 19-20)

What to give thanks for this Thanksgiving Day and Season.  Consider the following:
The gift of Faith
Eucharist
Word of God
Mercy
Health
Family
Job
Your home, cars, smartphones
Peace of heart
Food
Etc, Etc.

Let us pray:
Father all-powerful
Your gifts of love are countless
And Your goodness infinite;
As we come before You on Thanksgiving Day with gratitude for Your kindness,
Open our hearts to have concern
For every man, woman, and child,
So that we may share Your gifts in loving service.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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You are not to prepare your defense before hand.

"They will seize and persecute you."  (Luke 21: 12)

When you contemplate the signs of the times, do you see signs that the age of comfortable Christianity is over?  Are you ready?

The warning of Jesus is full of foreboding but they are also full of comfort.  Don’t worry about what to say when you are handed over to civilian authorities.  The battle we face are not against flesh and blood.  We square off against principalities and powers, high ranking officers in the army of Satan.  (Ephesians 6: 12)  Armor of flesh will be completely useless.  We will be equipped with the weapons forged in heaven which will dismantle satanic strongholds.  (2 Corinthians 10: 4)

The battle is not yours but the Lord's.  (2 Chronicles 20: 15)  Therefore do not be afraid.

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Teacher, when will this happen?

"The Lord comes to judge the earth."  (Psalm 96 : 13)

We are in the last days of the Church Year.  The Holy Spirit who inspires the scriptures that are read in the Church throughout the year, throughout the world focuses our attention on two themes:
#1. Second Coming of Jesus
#2. Judgment

What do you think of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Final Judgment? Remote and far fetched!  Then listen to this:
"Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the time to reap has come, because the earth's harvest is fully ripe."  (Revelation 14:15)

The clusters were harvested and thrown into the great wine press of God's fury.   (Revelation 14: 19)
Are you paying attention to the signs of the times?
Those who remain faithful until death, will be given the crown of life.  (Revelation 2: 10)

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This poor widow put in more than all the rest.

“This poor widow has put in more than all the others."  (Luke 21: 3)

Why did Jesus praise the poor widow in the Temple?  She understood the spirit of offering.  God gave her everything she has.  Why offer to God a paltry 10%? She understood that God deserves all.  100%.  She knew that nobody can outdo God in generosity.  How could a poor widow be full of such spiritual understanding?  

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."  (Matthew 5:3 NLT)

The wealthy who made their offerings alongside the widow offered their surplus, their leftover to God.  Not good enough, says Jesus.

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Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

“If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  (Luke 23: 37)

Today is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the last Sunday in the Church calendar.  Next Sunday begins the New Church Year with the first Sunday in Advent.  Christmas is near.  The humble King is coming!

Kings are born in palaces or world class hospitals.  Our King was born in a stable where animals for sacrifices were kept.  Kings die in their highly ornamented bedrooms surrounded by adoring families and nobility.  Our King died on the cross surrounded by criminals and jeering crowd.

Jesus was challenged to come down from the cross.  He refused.  He was determined to drink the last drop from the Chalice of affliction.  What type of King is Jesus?  A humble Shepherd King.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23: 42)

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O God, You give victory to kings.

"Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."  (Psalm 144: 1 NIV)

God our Father is the Teacher of all mankind.   He teaches us what is good for us.  He teaches us through trials and urges us to accept trials as discipline from a loving Father.  (Hebrews 12 : 7).

He trains us to be strong, to fight and win as priest, prince and prophet.  He gives us spiritual understanding to know that all sunshine makes a desert.

Alleluia to our glorious Father who is our mercy and fortress, our stronghold, our deliverer, our shield in whom we trust.  (Psalm 144: 2)

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Your promises are more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"  (Psalm 119 : 103 NABRE)

Do you cherish the promises of God?  Do you know what God has exalted above all things? 
#1.  His Name
#2.  His Word

God's word, law and promise are all the same thing.  They never fail.
"The LORD's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over."  (Psalm 12: 6 NLT)

There is a word /promise for every occasion.  When the word of God meets the owner of the word, change happens.

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"  (Psalm 119 : 103)

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Jesus wept.

"Jesus wept."  (Luke 19: 41)

Why did Jesus weep when He surveyed Jerusalem?  When you look at the state of the world today, does it move you to tears?  Or are you one of the crowd that is busy buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage, refurbishing and selling homes?

Jesus wept because this crowd does not recognize the time of their salvation.  (Luke 19: 44) Then Jesus sighed and said:  "If this day you only knew what makes for peace -  but now it is hidden from you." (Luke 19: 42) Jesus talks urgently of this Day, Today and not next week or next year.

The Lion of Judah, the Root of David who triumphed through His Precious Blood is coming.
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."  (Psalm 95: 8)

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Worthy are You, LORD our God to receive glory and honor and power.

"Why did you not put my money in a bank?"  (Luke 19: 23 NABRE)

Are you fully aware of all your gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure?  Do not bury the gifts.  Develop them to the maximum or else deposit them in the bank where they can be used by more responsible stewards for Kingdom business.

Do you see your life and gifts from God's perspective?  Consider this:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  (Jeremiah 29: 11 NLT)   This is the word of God and not word of man.  God is not a liar.  God is a merciful and just Manager.  He created all things and owns everything.

Take and receive O Lord all my time, my talent, and treasure as well as all my weaknesses.  You gave them to me.  Take all and use them for Your Kingdom work.  Amen.

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Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise.

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."  (Revelation 3:  20 NIV)

Jesus is standing at the door of our heart pleading for repentance.
The common message to the Seven Churches in Asia in the Book of Revelation by the Holy Spirit is REPENTANCE.
Whatever spiritual deficit of the Church, the prescription is the same :  REPENT!
The unique message of St John the Baptist is REPENTANCE.  The Prophets, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Amos all preached REPENTANCE.  Jesus Christ started His ministry by inviting men and women to REPENTANCE.

O Jesus Christ, the Amen, the Faithful and true Witness, the Source of God's creation come and help us to repent.

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Have sight; your faith has saved you.

“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” 
“What do you want me to do for you?” 
"Lord, please let me see.”
“Have sight; your faith has saved you.”  (Luke 18: 35 - 43 NABRE)

Consider faith as sight. 
Consider faith as light that illuminates the mysteries of God.
Faith can also be seen as spiritual understanding.
Faith brings peace to our lives.  Obedience of faith brings total liberation.  You see God in action in everything.  Do you have faith in God's mysterious and loving Providence?

Lord, increase our faith.

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To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord.

"It will lead to your giving testimony."   (Luke 21:  13 NABRE)

Have you ever seen adversity as opportunity in disguise?  Jesus says that when you are arrested for being a Christian,  it will open a door to your bearing witness.

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

"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 18:50;  22 :23 RM)

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I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

"Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers, especially for strangers."  (3 John 5 NABRE)

The Church in America exhorts the faithful to support strangers, that is, immigrants in our midst.  It reminds all of us that we are all children of immigrants.  Our forebears came to America either as economic refugees or fleeing from religious persecution.  As you were welcomed, welcome others.

If you are kind to the "strangers"  among us, they will testify to your love before God.  (3 John 6)  "Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey."  (3 John 6)

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me."  (Matthew 25 : 35)
Consider some famous immigrants in history:  Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

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May our life be always directed by Your Holy Spirit whether in tribulation or in prosperity.

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it."  (Luke 17: 33 NABRE)

What can be the signs that you may be working over time to preserve your life?  Do you have excessive concern for your health, job and money?  Do you postpone the things of God till tomorrow or later?

Watch out.  You may be working too hard to preserve a life that is ebbing every second.  

May neither death nor life separate us from the love of Christ.

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Where to look for King Jesus.

"The Kingdom of God is among you."   (Luke 17: 21 NABRE)

In truth, the Kingdom of God is already here and now.  In the fullness of time, the Kingdom of God will be manifested in its fullest glory.  How is the Kingdom of God here and now?  Where is it?  Jesus Christ is the King.  Wherever He is, there is His reign.  He reigns already in every heart, mind and soul that welcomes Him.

How do you know if King Jesus is the Lord of your heart, mind and soul?  Peace, joy, contentment, etc are a few of the signs of His presence.   All these will transcend material circumstances and will surpass all understanding.  (Philippians 4: 7)

When you seek first King Jesus and His manner of doing right, He promises to provide all your needs.  (Matthew 6 : 33)

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The River of God flows through the Sanctuary of the living God.

"Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them."  (Ezekiel 47: 12 NIV)

Ezekiel describes a vision of the future Church of God in Chapter 47. What in fact is the Church? 
The Church is the People of God.
The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Church is the Body of Christ.
The Church is the Bride of Christ.

We can now understand why Christ says that the gate of hell shall never prevail against the Church.  (Matthew 16: 17 - 19l

What is the life principle of the Church?  Ezekiel describes it as the water from the Sanctuary which flow from it.  This water is the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit is the life principle of the Church.  In the Creed, He is called the Lord and Giver of life.

Come O Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your faithful.  Come and kindle in us the fire of Your love.

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Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and fed in security.

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  (Psalm 37: 4)

How does a child take delight in her mother?  When I was a kid, I enjoyed visiting my mother's shop on my way from school.  I was rewarded with cookies and peanuts which I still enjoy to this day.   I dashed in and out of the kitchen to the displeasure of my sisters when my mom prepared meals.  Reward: little pieces of meat and fish.

It is good to take delight in the LORD.  The rewards are higher and varied: peace, faith, understanding and presence.

King David took delight in the LORD through prayer, worship, psalms and songs.  He meditated often on the word of God.  The Lord called David "a man after my heart" (1 Samuel 13: 14) and forgave David his sins.

"The Lord makes firm the steps
 of the one who delights in him;
 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."  (Psalm 37: 23 -  24)

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To be forgiven and to receive favors from God, you must learn to forgive.

"If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him."  (Luke 17: 3 AMP)

Brother here means also sister, father, mother, children, wife, neighbor, stranger.  Sin means all actions against the  Commandments, brotherly love, gossips, calumny, etc.  Forgiveness means letting go of a hurt completely, no revenge, no grudges, no shunning, etc.

There are two core messages in the entire Bible that affects our salvation and life after death:
#1. Repentance /Conversion
#2. Forgiveness

If they seem impossible, ask for grace and mercy.  All things are possible for God. (Mark 10: 27)

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Jesus Christ is faithful and trustworthy.

"The Lord is faithful."  (2 Thessalonians 3 : 3 NABRE)

What is to be faithful?  Simply, reliable, trustworthy, a person of your word.  Faithfulness, reliability, trustworthiness is a human character trait I admire most.  I keep far from people who are not.  Pardon me.  I am not yet a saint.  I am working on it.

No wonder, of all divine attributes, His faithfulness is the one I love most.   In the Bible, there are thousands of promises.   Scripture reminds us that these promises are for us and our children.  (Acts 2: 39)

How do you appropriate these promises? First, be aware of them.  Desire them.  Confidently ask for them.  One of the first promises I appropriated is:  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  (Matthew 6: 33 KJV)   I was incredulous when I read it for the first time.  This is too easy.  Too good to be true.  Then I believed it.  I use it as my business name, Blog name and eventually bought the song from Amazon Music.

Grab your Scripture today.  When the word meets its owner, life is changed.

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I have learned an amazing secret.

"I have learned the secret of.... living in abundance and of being in need."  (Philippians 4: 12 RM)

Have you learned this great secret of contentment?  Or do you subscribe to the notion that life must be always and everywhere trouble free, full health, full stomach and full fun?

Before St Paul learned this secret of   God's Providence, he felt insecure about his needs.   After he learned the secret, he knew that God Never Fails.  God's loving Providence has designed for us to experience joys and frustrations, pleasures and pains in life.  Jesus Himself experienced the ups and downs of daily life.  Think of the four seasons:  spring, summer, autumn and winter.  Each of them brings richness to our life.

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4 : 19 NLT)

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Prepare a full account of your stewardship.

"What is this I hear about you?"  (Luke 16:  2 NABRE)

Are you ready at all times to render an account of your stewardship?  Are you confident that the Just and Merciful Judge will approve your management of your gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure?  Or are you one of those whose god is their stomach?  (Philippians 3: 19)

If you have received more gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure, God will demand more of you.  (Luke 12: 48)

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11-3

"We do not put confidence in flesh."  (Philippians 3: 3 RM)

When crisis strikes, where do you put your confidence? Where do you instinctively run to for solace?
Countries may think of their nuclear weapons; businessmen may think of their huge cash deposits; others may think of their family.  Everyone has a backup in the moment of great distress.  What is yours?

The word of God warns us not to put our trust in princes, chariots, Assyria or Egypt. (Psalm 146: 3-5)  Rather, we are to put all our trust and confidence in God alone.   So as we approach this critical weekend, remember this truth:  Neither Assyria or Egypt will save us.  Our salvation shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.  (Psalm 121: 2)
Whatever the outcome, you will just be fine because God is on His throne.

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Our hope for eternal life shall not disappoint.

How do you imagine life after death?  Remember the 4 Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.
The Scriptures give us the consolation of the truth.

The souls of the just are in peace.
"For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself."  (Wisdom 3: 4 - 6 NABRE)

God promises that His faithful ones shall abide with Him in love,  "Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect."   (Wisdom 3:  9 NABRE)

Our hope for eternal life shall not disappoint.  (Cf Romans 5: 5)

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Be a Saint.

Who are the saints?

“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  (Revelation 7: 14 NABRE)

The Church celebrates today the Solemnity of All Saints.  The Church teaches that these Four Last Things are certain:  Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.

The saints persevered during their life here on earth in following Jesus.  Their hands were sinless, their hearts clean; they did not desire what is vain. 

Everybody can be a saint.  Be a saint.  That is the best thing.

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I am the way and the truth and the life.

"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth."   (John 8: 31 - 32 RM)

A disciple is a student.  Why is knowledge of the truth so important in our Journey of Faith?  First, the Truth is Jesus Christ Himself.  "I am the way, and the truth and the life."  (John 14: 6)  Secondly, a knowledge of Jesus Christ as Truth,  that is, as ultimate reality sets us free from false truths that enslave us.  The sun gives the constellation of stars their relative positions in the sky.  So is Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega.  (Revelation 1: 8)

"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."  (St Jerome)
The first step in knowing Jesus is spending time in the Scriptures every day.

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