"So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10: 32)
When and how do we declare for Christ before men? The Holy Spirit will lead and guide the soul that is open to His influence. When that time comes, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. The Holy Spirit will take care of everything.
Most Holy Spirit, lead me, guide me and use me. Amen!
"The evil you planned to do me has by God's design been turned to good, to bring about the present result: the survival of a numerous people." (Genesis 50: 20)
What a comfort to know that God's providential design is supreme in all situations. The enemies Jesus executed Him in their malice. God raised Him up for the salvation of the world. When we trust completely in God, we can say: "What can mortal man do to me?"
"But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you." (Matthew 10: 19 – 20)
Many times in my life, I have enjoyed the benefit of the promise in the above scripture. I have been provided with what to say in some tough situations. Most Holy Spirit, I thank you for your presence in me. Lead me, guide me and always use me.
"Do not be afraid of going down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I shall go down into Egypt with you and I myself shall bring you back again, and Joseph's hand will close your eyes." (Genesis 46: 3 -4)
Do not be afraid of the Enterprise. I shall go with you. I shall make you great. The Enterprise is a journey with Jesus. Do not fear. If Jesus is with me, it is accomplished.
"Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the laborer deserves his keep." (Matthew 10: 9 – 10)
Peter Maurin the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement lived these words of Jesus to the letter. In doing so, he proved that it is possible to live the principle of voluntary poverty. Not everyman is called to this level of commitment. We are all called to make God first in all lives. This implies complete detachment from all material things. When we trust God completely for all our provision, He never disappoints.
"I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not grieve, do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here, since God sent me before you to preserve your lives." (Genesis 45: 4-5)
Jesus is a type of Joseph. Anybody who has experienced persecution is a type of Joseph. The brothers of Joseph intended evil but God's providence prevailed in favor of Joseph. The enemies of Jesus who crucified Him intended a final solution for Him but God raised Jesus to life and His Church bears witness to that truth today.
Those who dealt with me at CAUN intended suffering and hardship for me, but God had other plans.
"Everything becomes bread to nourish me, soap to cleanse me, fire to purify me. Everything is a means of grace for my necessities. The very thing that I seek everywhere else seeks me incessantly and gives itself to me by the hand of all creatures." Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence, Father Jean-Pierre Caussade, S.J.
"He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness." (Matthew 10:1)
What has become of this authority and power today? Unclean spirits and all type of evil spirits are still with us. All kinds of disease and illness abound everywhere. In God's mysterious providence, He wills that other means be used today to solve these problems.
"People came to Egypt from all over the world to get supplies from Joseph, for the famine had grown severe throughout the world." (Genesis 41: 57)
Migration seems to be God's plan for the world. Look at the animals. They have no boundaries. They move with the times and seasons.
"The harvest is rich but the laborers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers to his harvest." (Matthew 9: 38)
Today the mission field is vast and varied. One good development after the Second Vatican Council is the mobilization of the laity for mission work. Without this development and with the shortage of priests, the Church may not be able to fulfill the great commission. Every ministry in the Church is directly or indirectly mission oriented. The great mission is to take the good news to every person. Few are called to be directly involved in evangelization. All are called to build the kingdom of God here and now.
What can we do to support the missions? The missions need our time, talent and treasure but the best gift is prayer as Jesus said in Matthew 9: 38.
"Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness." (Matthew 9: 35)
The ministry of Jesus: teaching, healing and feeding.
What is my ministry?
"I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Genesis 32: 27)
Jacob wrestled with God until God blessed him.
Jesus teaching on prayer speaks of perseverance as wrestling with God until He answers. I am today wrestling with God on a number of issues, some long term and others day to day concerns.
"Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you." (Matthew 9:22)
Strong faith saves. Strong faith brings result. Am I capable of such a faith?
We begin a New Year, 2010 today. I have one New Year resolution: Trust. I will trust God more this year than I did in 2009. I will trust Him in all things, at all times and everywhere. I will trust Him one event at a time. I will trust Him one day at a time. At the beginning of the day, I declare my resolve to trust Him for everything throughout the day.
'Be sure, I am with you; I shall keep you safe wherever you go, and bring you back to this country, for I shall never desert you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28: 15)
Father, your word is very sweet and your promise such a comfort to the heart. I believe that you are faithful to your word. May I never doubt that you will fulfill the promises you have made to me.
If God is with me, then it is accomplished.
"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11: 28 – 30)
How many times a year do I hear this invitation? How many times do I respond with similar words? "Lord, here I am."
What then is missing? It is the learning process and putting into practice what I learn. Lord, teach me. Show me how to put into practice what you teach me.
"If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the death dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through His Spirit that dwells in you." (Romans 8: 11)
Most Holy Spirit, I believe that you dwell in me. Give life to my body. Thank you O Holy Spirit.
"But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord." (Malachi 3: 2-3)
"All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction." (Psalm 25: 10, 14)
God's providential designs for us are full of kindness and mercy.
"Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your King shall come to you." (Zechariah 9: 9-10)
Rejoice, rejoice heartily. Christ is our King. He comes to us in His word; He comes to us in the Eucharist. He is so humble.
"Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)
Jesus said the above to His disciple, Thomas who had the witness of His resurrection from his fellow disciples and still would not bring himself to believe. In this reproach, we can also see a reproach for asking for too much evidence.
Where do I need to believe more today? My life would be more joyful and peaceful if I believe that Jesus is in full control of my life and destiny. What stands in my way to believing this? When I consider how God's will is manifested in my life, that is, the time, place and manner, I find that paying attention to sense evidence robs me of solid faith. Like Thomas, the apostle, I ask for more evidence. When I do this, may I always hear Jesus say to me: "Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)
"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." (Luke 1: 25)
Elizabeth recognizes one of the critical elements of God's modus operandi. God acts only in due season. When the fullness of time for that event has come, He acts swiftly. In discerning the will of God, I find these three elements very important:
Manner refers to the way that God has chosen to act in a particular time and place. Often the manner is ordinary. The manner may be ordinary, but the providential design are operative nevertheless. God's ways are not our ways.
"And you too, in him, are being built up into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2: 22)
God is building me up one block at a time.
How is God building me up?
The 7 Way Plan in concludes the following:
