The Double Promise

"And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." (John 14: 13 - 14)

I call this the double promise.  Jesus is the Goodnews.  His name is a gold mine.  Ever since I had the dream of falling from a cliff and saved by calling the name of Jesus, I have cultivated this Name.

It was a breakthrough moment in my study of Sacred Scripture to realize that the Goodnews is Jesus and that Jesus is the Goodnews.   He is the truth, the way and the life.  He is the Lord of history.  In His hands are all our destiny.  Since the Giver of all good things includes Himself as the Object of gift, can we ask less than the supreme gift?

Lord, I ask that you fill me utterly with your Holy Spirit.  Give me also the gift to surrender completely to Him so that He will transform me into your image.

Do not let your heart be troubled

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?"  (John 14: 1-2)

What a beautiful word for this morning.  I will make a conscious effort to remember this today.   I have faith in the Father.  I believe He is a loving and merciful Father.  I believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior, my King and my best Friend.

But sometimes I let my heart be troubled when I forget these truths.  Is there anyway I can remember now and always that God is indeed my Father?  "Perfect love drives out fear."  (1 John 4:18).

Lord make me aware of your unconditional love for me so that my heart will not be troubled today by anything.

If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.

"And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."  (John 14: 13 - 14)

Thank you Jesus for this promise.  I take them very seriously.  Your word is true.  You are not man to lie.  Therefore with bold confidence, I ask for the filling of your Holy Spirit.  I ask that throughout this day, I will be conscious of the presence of your Holy Spirit.  I ask that I will trust absolutely in His complete guidance.  I want Him to lead, guide and use me fully this day.  All this I ask for dear Jesus in your name.  Amen!

Now, if I doubt that the Lord will do as He promised, where will the fault lay?  Squarely on me.

You did not choose me

"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)

The choice, the call and the anointing.

"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)

How do I accomplish this?  In the fullness of time, the Holy Spirit will tell me.  In the meantime, I wait.  While I wait, I live the 7-Way Plan.

The anointing provides the power.

You shall enjoy the fruits of your labor

"Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
and who walk in his ways.
What your hands provide you will enjoy;
you will be blessed and prosper."  (Psalm 128: 1-2)

This is the Entrance Antiphon for the feast of St. Joseph the Worker which is celebrated today, May 1.  Note the promise: your shall enjoy the fruits of your labor and it shall be well with you.  But don't forget the condition or the path to this blessing: Fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

When I read the above scripture this morning, I asked myself:  Can I honestly say that I enjoy the fruits of my labor and that all is well with me?  My initial reaction is to say no.  How can I say that I enjoy the fruits of my labor when it appears that I need money more often than not?  Then I remembered this scripture:

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness,* and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6: 33 - 34)

These are the very words of Jesus.  They are true.  As long as I seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, I should have absolutely no doubts that all that I need here and now is mine and that I enjoy what my hands provide.  Then I remember too this scripture:

"The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name."  (Psalm 23: 1-3)

Lord Jesus, I know your words are true.  I know too that you have been good to me.  Help me to see clearly your design for me with regard to provisions of my needs.  Give me the grace to embrace your plan so that I can feel that I enjoy the fruits of my labor and that all is well with me.  Amen!

More Abundant life

"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."  (John 10: 10)

Man is a composite of body and spirit.  To live fully, man must feed the physical and spiritual parts of his nature and draw strength from both.

"Man does not live on bread alone."  (Matthew 4:4).  We need also the Manna from Heaven in order to live a full, balanced and abundant life.  God in His divine providence provides man with all that he needs to live a full, balanced and abundant life.  These gifts are:
Pardon, Peace, Power, Purpose, Presence, Protection and Provision

Man and Bread

“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)

God’s loving providence provides man with everything that he needs to live a fully human life, viz:

1.       Pardon

2.      Peace

3.      Power

4.      Purpose

5.      Presence

6.      Protection

7.      Provision

Provision of bread, #7 is one element of the many provisions in that category that man needs to live a fully human life.  Abraham Maslow's principle of hierarchy of human needs teaches very much the same truth.

Into your hands I commend my spirit

The Responsorial Psalm of today’s Mass is so powerful that I decided to have it as my Blog.  I hope it will also minister to whomever happens to visit this page.

R. (6a) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
My trust is in the LORD;
I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from the plottings of men.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Courtesy of:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042412.cfm

Into your hands O Lord, I commend my family, health, finances, job, tools, food and future.  You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.  My trust is in you; I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy.

Fullness of life

“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4:4)

God’s powerful providence always and everywhere provides man with everything he needs for life.  If man does not live by bread alone, what else does he live by?  Because man is a composite of soul and body, he requires much more to satisfy his needs than only bread.  Man needs pardon and the consequent freedom from guilt; peace of soul to keep him sane.  Man needs the power that comes from outside himself to realize certain objectives.  If he has no purpose in life, his life will be aimless.  A purposeful life is a happy life.  One needs also to feel the presence of God in his life.  The world is full of hazards both spiritual and physical.  Therefore man needs protection from evil forces.  And finally, man needs provision of food, water, clothing and shelter.  No single individual can provide all these for himself.  The promises of God for a full life can be grouped under 7 P’s:

Pardon, Peace, Power, Purpose, Presence, Protection, Provision.

When Jesus says “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4), we recall the original text in Deuteronomy 8:

"Remember how for these forty years the LORD, your God, has directed all your journeying in the wilderness, so as to test you by affliction, to know what was in your heart: to keep his commandments, or not. He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your ancestors, so you might know that it is not by bread alone that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD. The clothing did not fall from you in tatters, nor did your feet swell these forty years. So you must know in your heart that, even as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD, your God, disciplines you. Therefore, keep the commandments of the LORD, your God, by walking in his ways and fearing him." (Deuteronomy 8: 2 - 6)

Maslow’s famed theory of hierarchy of needs teaches that man’s needs are more than food, shelter and clothing.  Unlike the animals, man needs intellectual, emotional and spiritual gifts in order to satisfy him completely and open the door to a  full life for him.  Jesus promises, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

If we trust God, He leads and guides us to the fullness of life.

The Presence of Jesus

“But he said to them, ‘It is I.  Do not be afraid.’  They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.”  (John 6: 20 – 21)

As soon as the disciples discerned the presence of Jesus, they realized that they have arrived where a little while ago, they wondered if they would ever make it.  So it is in all our struggles in life.  When we become aware that Jesus is with us and for us, we know that all is well.  If Jesus is with us, the task is accomplished.  

Consolation of the truth

The three scriptures below are the consolation of the truth from today's Mass reading - Second Friday of Easter

1. "So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him." (Acts 5: 38 - 39) 
2. "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? \ One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: To dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, To gaze on the LORD’s beauty, to visit his temple. / I believe I shall see the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!" (Psalm 27: 1, 4, 13-14)
3. "When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do." (John 6: 5 - 6)

Many are the trials of the saints

“Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him.”  (Psalm 34: 20)

Why are the saints not spared the troubles of life?  Why do they seem to have more problems in the areas of the 7-War Zones:  health, family, money, job, tools, food, and future?  This is a perplexing question.  Although Psalm 34:20 tells us that the Lord eventually delivers His holy ones from all troubles, the Psalm does not tell us why He allows them to go through the experience in the first place.   The Letter of St. James 1: 2-4  under the heading of “The Value of Trials and Temptation” gives us an acceptable answer:

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  And let perseverance be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  (James 1: 2-4) (NABRE)

Trials are the preordained means through which the Lord imparts to us the strength to persevere.  Without perseverance, nobody can make it to heaven.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

"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. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Philippians 4: 12 - 13)

Note that St. Paul says in Philippians 4: 13, “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”   The strength comes through perseverance in trials. 

The dictionary defines perseverance thus: 

1.        Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc. , especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

2.       Theol.  Continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Perseverance in trials is necessary for eternal salvation.

The Lord delivered me from my fears

“I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look for him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”  (Psalm 34: 4-5)

The Lord is delivering me from my fears, worries and doubts.  At first, I thought that this is a once and for all deliverance.  But I am finding out in this Easter season that it is a progressive deliverance.   Deliverance come as and when needed; it comes as and when we ask for it.  Deliverance comes in proportion to the trust we place on the Deliverer, Jesus.

In the desert, the Israelites were commanded to gather the manna they needed just for one day.  “Give us this day our daily bread,” Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer.  Learning to live one day at a time is the best way to live.   Blessings and challenges are distributed day by day.   “So do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow will look after itself.  Each day has troubles enough of its own.”  (Matthew 6:34)

Continual Guidance 4

"Then the LORD will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, will give strength to your bones And you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11)

"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)

"The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; 3 he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me." (Psalm 23: 1-4)

The Lord led me to freedom

“The Lord led his people to freedom and they shouted with joy and gladness, alleluia.”  (Psalm 105: 43)

This is Easter week.  I feel that the Lord is leading me to freedom from the slavery of fear, worry and doubt.  I have not felt as much joy and peace in the midst of circumstances that would have made me very nervous in the past.  Thank you Jesus.

Work of faith and labor of love

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  (1 Corinthians 15: 58)

How do I understand labor?  What is the work of the Lord?  Only paid employment?  By no means.  There is in society, much labor that is not paid for.  Take for example, the house wife who puts in 12 or more hours a day.  She does much useful and indispensable work at home but receives no salary for it.  Another good example is the work of the Church.  The paid employment in the Church is a tiny fraction of the multitude of ministries that provide different services to the Church.  If all the people that offer services to the Church are counted as employees, the Church may have more employees than the government. 

Any work that builds up the Kingdom of God qualifies as “the work of the Lord” or labor under 1 Corinthians 15: 58.  My work in the Church in the various ministries that I serve and my work in the world where I earn my daily bread may appear to be two different departments.  In reality, they are one.  I work in the Church where I obtain the graces I need to continue my work in the world.  The Lord who blesses labor blesses and prospers the work of our hand wherever the labor is done. 

In the light of the above, unemployment does not exist in the Kingdom.  Jesus says that the Father is always at work, so is He.  So should be the children.  There could a period of temporary unemployment without pay.  There is always plenty of opportunity for volunteer non-paid employment.

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen" (1 Thessalonians 1: 2 - 4)

God who is faithful and just always rewards our work of faith and labor of love.  He teaches us that “man does not live by bread alone.”  We should pray for our eyes to be open to the various ways that His divine providence always and everywhere meets our needs.

“Man does not live on bread alone………” (Matthew 4:4)

·         Man does not live on money alone………..

·         Man does not live on salary alone…………..

·         Man does not live on job alone………..

There are many ways God supports His man.

“Man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4:4)

Faith gives us the promise of the 7 P’s

1.       Pardon

2.       Peace

3.       Power

4.       Purpose

5.       Presence

6.       Protection

7.       Provision

Amen! Amen!! Amen!!

“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)

The 7 promises above show that we need more than money to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

God Himself will finish the job

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1: 6)

St. James advises us “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”  How do we do Philippians 1:6?  Not every word of God can be put into practice.  Some of them like Philippians 1:6, we give our assent of faith.  When I read this word this morning, I rejoiced in it.  I know that God started a good work in me in 1994.  I have never doubted it for a moment.  At times, the going gets really tough and doubts creep in.  This is when I need scriptures like Philippians 1:6 to remind me that God is faithful.  The message to me is clear.  Relax.  Believe.  Be steadfast and wait for God. God who started this journey will bring it to successful conclusion in His own time and manner.  Trust the system.  Trust the 7-Way Plan.  Thank you Jesus.

Why does the word of God affect us so deeply?  I read something from the Focolare Word of Life which answers this question excellently for me:

“The words of Jesus, in fact, are not like human words.  Jesus is present in them as he is present in the Eucharist, though in a different way.  Through his words, Christ enters us, and by accepting them and putting them into practice, we allow him to be born and grow in our hearts.

Pope Paul VI said: ‘How does Jesus become present in our souls?  Through the communication of the word, the divine thought is conveyed; the Word, the Son of God made man, is conveyed.  We could assert that the Lord becomes incarnate in us when we allow his word to come and dwell within us.’

The word of Jesus is also compared to a seed sown in the heart of the believer.  When it is welcomed, it penetrates deeply, and like a seed, it develops, grows and bears much fruit.  It “Christifies” us, making us similar to Christ. 

The word, which has entered a person’s life through the power of the Spirit, truly has the ability and strength to keep the Christian from evil: that is, as long as we allow the word to act in us, we will be free from sin and, therefore, pure.  We will sin only if we cease to obey the truth.” (Focolare Word of Life, April 2012)

Experience the power of the cross

“Father, in your plan of salvation your Son Jesus Christ accepted the cross and freed us from the power of the enemy.  May we come to share the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.”  (Opening Prayer Holy Week Wednesday)

To experience the power of the cross, accept God’s will  for your life in everything.  When you accept your cross, you obtain your crown.  Your cross may come in the form of thorns.  Embrace these thorns so that you can relish your triumphs.  God promises an excellent plan for our lives:  "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)  This plan is a made of roses and thorns.  To enjoy the best of God, accept His full plan for your life.

Approach the throne of God with confidence

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

Mercy and grace are waiting for us at the throne of God.  We receive as much as we dare to ask.  We receive in direct proportion to our trust and confidence.  When we come to the table hungry, we enjoy the food more.  When we come to the throne of grace hungry for mercy and grace, we receive in proportion to our hunger and trust. 

What then can prevent us from coming to the throne of grace with confidence?  When we feel no need for mercy and grace, we are like the overfed dog with another plate of food shoved before it.  The dog looks away in disgust. 

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5: 6)

Fruit of the First Sorrowful Mystery

“Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26: 42)

Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane teaches us one of the most important lessons in the Bible.  When we are ready to submit our fears, pains and future to the will of God without conditions, we win.  When we say the Rosary, we reflect on this truth in the First Sorrowful Mystery.  Our Enemy holds us in captivity through fears.  The biggest fear for everybody is the fear of death.  Christ conquered this fear for us by dying.  But before He was crucified, the first step He took towards Calvary was to submit His will unconditionally to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.   The same spirit of submission was exemplified by Daniel when he brushed aside the fear of death by answering Nebuchadnezzar in similar words:  If we live we live; if we perish, we perish.  We also see this when the Prophet Habakkuk writes:  Harvest or no harvest, food or no food, we shall praise the Lord.

Why do we dread the will of God?  I foolishly imagine that God is not for me but against me.  Even as adults, we still think of the lamp and the light that God provides for us in His Ten Commandments as constraint to our liberty.  “Thou shall keep holy the Lord’s Day” is one commandment that changed my perspective on all the other 9 commandments.  My appreciation for the Lord’s Day keeps growing.  Then one day, I asked, “Could this commandment be typical of the other nine?”   Of course, I answered after a brief reflection. 

When we are confronted by the unthinkable, it is not only safe but prudent to pray with Christ, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26: 42)