We are more than conquerors

"No, in spite of these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8: 37)

We are conquerors through Jesus Christ in spite of:

• Delays
  
• Obstacles
  
• Disappointments
  
• Sickness
  
• Persecution
  
• Poverty
  
• Hunger
  
• No job
  

We have more than enough resources in Christ Jesus to be victorious, to be overwhelmingly triumphant in any condition, in any situation, anywhere and at all times.

"For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realms of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in the heights or depths – nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38)

Just as we are absolutely confident of Christ's power to save us, so can we be of his love for us. Nothing can ever shake that love, that commitment of Jesus for our good and salvation. Not even our personal sins if we repent and believe in his mercy. So once again, we take consolation in the thought that these things cannot dislodge us from the love of Jesus:

• Hardships
  
• Trials
  
• Delays
  
• Disappointments
  
• Sickness
  
• Poverty
  
• Hunger
  

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)

The Enterprise 2

"If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will be unable to destroy them." (Acts 5: 38)

The Enterprise: Is it from God or from man?

What is the evidence?

"I myself shall lead you across. I will never forsake you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31: 6)

Other signs:

• Entrada
  
• Kinder
  
• Billete
  
• QOP
  
• Wagen
  
• Recon AZ
  
• Salgado
  
• Llegado
  
• Santé
  
• Opus Dei
  
• Bibliotheca
  
• SAM
  
• www
  

The Gift of the Spirit

"He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 5: 5) – NRSV

"It is for this destiny that God himself has been shaping us; and as a pledge of it he has given us the Spirit." – Revised English Bible

"Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment." – New American Bible

"It is God who designed us for this very purpose, and he has given us the Spirit as a pledge." – New Jerusalem Bible

For what "very thing" was the Holy Spirit given to you?

What "destiny" is God shaping you for?

What has God "prepared you for"?

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

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

 

 

Immanuel

"Yahweh Sabbaoth is with us, our citadel, the God of Jacob." (Psalm 46: 7)

If God is with me, it is accomplished.

Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7: 14; 8:10; Matthew 1: 23)

God is with us (2 Chronicles13: 12)

God is with you (Isaiah 45: 14)

The Lord is with us (Numbers 14: 9; 2 Chronicles 38: 8; Psalm 46:7, 11)

God will be with you (Exodus 3: 12)

I am with you (Haggai 1: 13; 2:4)

They will know that I am with them (Ezekiel 34: 30)

When we pass through the waters he will be with us (Isaiah 43: 2)

Do not be afraid for I am with you (Isaiah 41: 10; 43: 5; Jeremiah 42: 11; 46:28)

May the Lord be with you (Ruth 2: 4; 2 Samuel 14: 17; 1 Chronicles 22: 11, 16; Amos 5: 14)

May the Lord be with us (1 Kings 8: 57)

 

Perhaps the Lord will be with me (Joshua 14: 12)

I am always with God (Psalm 73: 23)

You are with me (Psalm 23: 4)

Son, you are always with me (Luke 15: 31)

Is not the Lord with you? (1 Chronicles 22: 18)

Is the Lord in our midst or not? (Exodus 17:7)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Turbulence

"They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are lost! And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Calm!' And the wind dropped, and there followed a great calm." (Mark 4 : 39)

He stills the roaring of the seas (Psalm 65 : 7)

He stilled the storm (Psalm 107:29)

When they threw Jonah overboard the sea grew calm (Jonah 1: 12, 15)

Jesus rebuked the sea and there was calm (Matthew 8: 26, Mark 4: 39, Luke 8: 24)

Even the winds and the sea obey him (Matthew 8: 27, Mark 4: 41, Luke 8: 25)

The wind was against them (Matthew 14: 24, Mark 6: 48)

When Peter saw the wind he was afraid (Matthew 14: 30)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Waiting

"Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7)

 

Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27: 14; 37:34)

Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)

 

I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)

For you I wait all day (Psalm 25: 5)

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130: 5-6)

I wait for God my savior (Micah 7:7)

I wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40: 1)

I wait in silence for God (Psalm 62: 1,5)

 

Those who wait for the Lord renew their strength (Isaiah 40: 31)

Those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land (Psalm 37: 9)

Blessed are those who wait for him (Isaiah 30: 18)

May those who wait for you not be ashamed through me (Psalm 69: 6)

 

This is our God for whom we have waited (Isaiah 25: 9)

The Lord is good to those who wait for him (Lamentations 3: 25-26)

 

We wait for:

• A savior from heaven (Philippians 3: 20)
  
• The revealing of our Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 1: 7)
  
• The appearing of our God and savior (Titus 2: 13)
  
• His son from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1: 10)
  
• The mercy of our Lord Jesus (Jude 21)
  
• The redemption of our bodies (Romans 8: 23 – 25)
  

 

Be like men waiting for their master (Luke 12: 36)

The creation waits for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8: 19)

 

Saul was told to wait 7 days (1 Samuel 10: 8; 13:8)

David would wait until word came (2 Samuel 15: 28)

Destiny

"Every moment of my life is in your hands, rescue me from the clutches of my foes who pursue me." (Proverbs 31: 15)

My destiny is in your hands

My times are in your hands

My fortunes are in your hands

Commit your destiny to Yahweh

"Commit your destiny to Yahweh, be confident in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37: 5)

Since my destiny is God's hands, why not commit it to him? (Psalm 31: 15)

Commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37: 5)

All my ways are before you (Psalm 119: 168)

A man's way is ordained by the Lord (Proverbs 20: 24)

A man's way is not in himself (Jeremiah 10: 23)

Make straight paths for your feet (Hebrews 12: 13)

He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3: 6)

 

I am the way (John 14: 6)

This is the way, walk in it (Isaiah 30:21)

 

Teach me your ways (Exodus 33: 13; Psalm 86: 11)

That he may teach us his ways (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4: 2)

That your way may be known on earth (Psalm 67: 2)

God made known his ways to Moses (Psalm 103: 7)

He who has promised is faithful

"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10: 23)

Perseverance – standing firm

Continue in faith, stable and steadfast (Colossians 1: 23)

Stand against the devil's wiles (Ephesians 6: 11-14)

Resist the devil, standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:9)

Stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16: 13; 2 Corinthians 1: 24)

We must hold fast our confidence (Hebrews 3: 6, 14)

Realize the full assurance of hope until the end (Hebrews 6: 11)

Stand firm in the teaching (2 Thessalonians 2: 15)

Stand firm in one spirit (Philippians 1: 27)

Stand firm in the Lord (Philippians 4: 1)

Persevering in tribulation (Romans 12: 12)

Hold fast our confession (Hebrews 4: 14)

Hold fast the confession of our faith (Hebrews 10: 23)

We boast of our perseverance (2 Thessalonians 1: 4)

You have endured (Revelation 2: 3)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Make Yahweh your joy 2

"Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart's desire." (Psalm 37: 4)

My soul thirsts for God (Psalm 42:2; 63:1; 143:6)

My soul yearns for the courts of the Lord (Psalm 84: 2)

At night my soul longs for you (Isaiah 26: 9)

There is nothing on earth I desire but you (Psalm 73: 25)

Your name and memory are our desire (Isaiah 26: 8)

Many desired to see and hear what you do (Matthew 13: 17; Luke 10: 24)

 

I long for your:

• Ordinances (Psalm 119: 131)
  
• Salvation (Psalm 119: 174)
  
• Precepts (Psalm 119: 40)
  
• Commandments (Psalm 119: 131)
  

The Lord will fulfill all my desires (2Sam 23: 5)

He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37: 4)

May he grant your heart's desire (Psalm 20: 4)

You have given him his heart's desire (Psalm 21: 2)

The desire of the righteous will be granted (Proverbs 10: 24)

The desire of the righteous ends in good (Proverbs 11: 23)

 

Delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart's desires (Psalm 37: 4)

Come, everyone who thirsts. (Psalm 55: 1)

If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink (John 7: 37)

To him who thirsts I will give the water of life without cost (Revelation 21: 6)

Whoever is thirsty, let him come (Revelation 22: 17)

Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again (John 4: 14)

Give me this water so I will not be thirsty (John 4: 15)

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5: 6)

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be fulfilled (Luke 6: 21)

He who comes to me will not hunger or thirst (John 6: 35)

Earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14: 1)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Make Yahweh your joy

"Make Yahweh your joy and he will give you your heart's desires." (Psalm 37:4)

Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

Then you will take delight in the Lord (Isaiah 58:14)

They drink from your river of delights (Psalm 36:8)

They delight to know my ways (Isaiah 58:2)

Will the godless take delight in the Almighty? (Job 27: 10)

 

He delights in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2)

I delight in your law (Psalm 119: 70, 77, 92, 174)

I delight in your commandments (Psalm 119: 35, 47)

I delight in your statutes (Psalm 119: 14)

Your testimonies are my delight (Psalm 119: 24)

Happy the man who delights in his commandments (Psalm 112:1)

(ROGET'S THESAURS OF THE BIBLE)

Liberation 5

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

No Compulsion:

If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed (John 8: 36)

The truth shall make you free (John 8: 32)

Freed from sin (Romans 6: 18)

He who has died is freed from sin (Romans 6: 7)

Set free from the principle of sin and death (Romans 8: 2)

Everyone who believes is freed from all things (Acts 13: 39)

He has freed us from our sins by his blood (Revelation 1: 5)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

 

Liberation 4

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion (Psalm 126: 1)

I broke the yoke of the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 28:2)

I broke your yoke and burst your bonds (Jeremiah 2: 20)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Liberation 3

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

Let my people go (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1,13; 10:3)

Let my son go (Exodus 4: 23)

Let them go (Exodus 6: 11; 7:2)

I will deliver you from their bondage (Exodus 6: 6)

I have come down to free them (Acts 7: 34)

I broke the bars of your yoke (Leviticus 26: 13)

I brought you out of the land of bondage (Deuteronomy)

Liberation 2

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

Bring me out of prison (Psalm 142: 7)

Peter's chains fell off (Acts 12: 7)

Everyone's chains were unfastened (Acts 16: 26)

The angel opened the prison doors and brought them out (Acts 5: 19)

The angel brought Peter out of the prison (Acts12: 7 -10)

I will walk at liberty for I seek your precepts (Psalm 119: 45)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Liberation 1

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

Theme of liberation:

The Lord sent me to proclaim the release of the captives (Isaiah 61: 1; Luke 4: 18)

To bring prisoners out of prison (Isaiah 42: 7)

The Lord releases those condemned to death (Psalm 102: 20)

God shattered their yoke (Isaiah 9: 4, Jeremiah 30: 8)

When I break the bars of their yoke (Ezekiel 34: 27)

I will break his yoke from off you (Nahum 1: 13)

God leads out the prisoners (Psalm 68: 6)

Four men loosed in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3: 25)

God breaks their bonds (Psalm 107: 14, 16)

God loosens the bond of kings (Job 12: 18)

You have loosed my bonds (Psalm 146: 7)

I will set your captives free (Zechariah 9: 11)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Take and Receive

"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this bread to offer,

which earth has given and human hands have made.

It will become for us the bread of life."

Liturgy of the Eucharist (Roman Missal)

Inspired by the above prayer, I say:

"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.

Through your goodness I have this delay, disappointment and obstacle to offer,

let it become for me the bread of life."

 

The holy Mass is very rich in symbols. In the Mass, during the offertory, I bring my prayers, desires, joys, hopes as well as pains, sufferings, delays, disappointments and obstacles. I bring also my disabilities, deaths, the loss of loved ones, the disappointment of broken dreams, the failure of relationships, my physical, emotional and spiritual pains. I place all in the outstretched arms of Jesus, my high priest. Jesus defeated death through his pains on the cross. My pains are united with his act of redemption on the cross.

 

We bring to the Mass our joy and sorrow and, as people of faith, come away changed and blessed with peace.

The Power of Lent

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

Lent calls us to reaffirm our participation in the victory of Christ over the powers of death, sin and evil.

Lent calls us to return to the power and victory of our baptismal experience.

Lent demands that we abandon the confidence we place in the things the world loves, which brings us weakness in the face of evil, sin and death. It is a provocation to return to our source of power and strength – the victorious Christ.

Lent returns us to the power of the word and of the cross.

Lent is a journey. It leads from the recognition of the weakness and powerlessness before the forces of evil and sin to victory over those forces through the cross and empty tomb.

The Purpose will be accomplished

"The Lord will complete what he has done for me." (Psalm 138: 8 -Roman Missal)

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me." (New Revised Standard Version)

"The Lord will accomplish his purpose for me." (Revised English Bible)

"The Lord is with me to the end." (New American Bible)

"Yahweh will do all things for me." (New Jerusalem Bible)

 

Ten years ago, I confided the following reflection to my journal:

"Insight I got last night at about 2 am:

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

The critical question in the Enterprise is this: Is God with me? Yes or No?

God communicates his presence at the beginning of an undertaking by words. Examples are: Moses, Joshua, David and Paul. He also communicates his presence in the course of the enterprise by signs. A good example is Joseph in Egypt.

How has God shown his presence with me in the Enterprise?

Words: "I myself will lead you across. I will not forsake you. I will not abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31: 6; etc)

Signs: Kinder, billet, QOP, wagen, October miracle, bibliotek, Eucharist, etc.

God is certainly with me in the Enterprise. Success is guaranteed. All I need to do is to be steadfast in the way that God is leading me and be patient.

Teacher

• They want to be teachers of the law, but are ignorant (1 Timothy 1:7)
  
• They love being called Rabbi (Matthew 23: 7)
  
• You are a teacher and do not understand? (John 3: 10)
  
• I have more insight than my teachers (Psalm 119: 99)
  

 

• A disciple is not above his teachers (Matthew 10: 24-25; Luke 6: 40)
  
• Do not be called Rabbi, for you have one teacher, for the Christ is your only Teacher (Matthew 23: 10)
  

 

• They will accumulate teachers after their own lusts (2 Timothy 4: 3)
  

 

• For many days Israel was without a teaching priest (2 Chronicles 15: 3)
  

 

• Jehiel was teacher of the king's sons (1 Chronicles 27: 32)
  
• A teacher called Gamaliel (Acts 5:34)
  

 

• You called me teacher and Lord (John 13: 13)
  
• Hail, Rabbi! (Matthew 26: 49)
  
• The teacher says, 'My time is at hand' (Matthew 26: 18)
  
• Mary called out Rabboni! Meaning Teacher (John 20: 16)
  

 

• God appointed teachers in the Church (1 Corinthians 12: 28)
  
• He gave some as pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4: 11)
  
• In the Church there are prophets and teachers (Acts 13: 1)
  
• You ought by this time to be teachers (Hebrews 5: 12)
  
• The Lord's servant should be an able teacher (2 Timothy 2: 24)
  
• As must elders (1 Timothy 3: 2)
  
• Not many of you should be teachers (James 3: 1)
  
• Let him who is taught share with him who teaches (Galatians 6:6)
  

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Disciple

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31)

Disciple – discipulus: I learn and I teach.

Disciple – pupil: one who receives instruction from another. One who accepts the doctrine of another and assists in spreading or implementing them.

Every true disciple of Christ must be free.

Disciple – learner:

• Jesus called his 12 disciples (Matthew 10: 1; Mark 6: 7; Luke 6: 13)
  
• His disciples came to him (Matthew 5:1)
  
• Jesus took the 12 aside (Matthew 20: 17)
  
• Jesus spoke to his disciples (Luke 6: 20)
  
• Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple (Matthew 27: 57), but secretly for fear of the Jews (Luke 14: 33)
  

Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28: 19)

Learning:

• Ezra determined to study the law of the Lord (Ezra 7: 10)
  
• Take my yoke and learn from me (Matthew 11: 29)
  
• You did not so learn (Ephesians 4: 20)
  

Always learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)