Paul, an example of God's great Mercy

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life."  (1 Timothy 1: 16 - 17).

Paul regarded himself as an example of a great sinner.  Why then did Jesus chose for such a lofty mission and place in His Kingdom? Precisely because of the marked weakness of St Paul.  We are rightly encouraged to believe that if Jesus wiped out the sins of Paul and filled him with grace and mercy, He will do the same for us.

Other examples of great sinners who were restored and filled with grace and mercy:
King David, St Augustine, St Mary Magdalene.

"God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners."  (Søren Kierkegaard).

St Ignatius of Loyola who was no stranger to sin and repentance said that it is impossible to recognize our sins unless we can perceive inwardly that the Redeemer is standing very close to us to embrace us.

The Miserere (Psalm 51)is God's inspired Prayer-Psalm for the sinner. I have used it often and I guarantee that it is effective.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2: 8).

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Mary stood under the cross to the end.

"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother."  (John 19: 25).

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Mary did not run away from the cross. She could not pull Jesus down from the cross. Mary could not attack the Roman soldiers with spears or sticks.  She just stood by the cross, absorbing everything; time passing so slowly. Yes, this is her destiny. This is the moment. She has become Sorrow personified. She has become prematurely Our Lady of Sorrows. She has become Mother of all the sorrowful.  "And a sword will pierce your own soul too."  (Luke 2: 35).  Simeon prophesied.

"Christ learned obedience and became the source of eternal salvation."  (Hebrews 5: 8 - 9).

O Mary, what did you learn standing under the cross?

"Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary;
without dying you won the martyr’s crown beneath the Cross of the Lord."  (Gospel Acclamation on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows).

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When I am lifted up, I will draw everyone to Myself.

"We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection,
through whom we are saved and delivered."  (Cf Galatians 6: 14).

Glorifying in the Cross? Glorifying in humiliation, suffering and pain? Really? Then tell me to glorify in Hurricane Irma and Harvey!!
That is the point.

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

"And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”  (John 12: 32).

"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world."  (Gospel Acclamation, Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross).

"O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race,
grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth,
may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect on the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, Thursday, September 14th).

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Share your bread with the hungry.

“Blessed are you who are poor,
 for the kingdom of God is yours."  (Luke 6 : 20).

What is your attitude to money? Are you scared to death of poverty? Don't be ashamed. I used to be in that club a little while ago. When you discover the truth of the real freedom and victory that Jesus came to give us, you will be laughing and jumping for joy.

Today is the feast of St John Chrysostom, Father and Doctor of the Church.  John was the Archbishop of Constantinople, now Istanbul (Turkey), then the 2nd most important city in the world. St John Chrysostom challenged the rich and powerful to find and enjoy genuine freedom and victory in their lives by sharing their wealth with the poor. He said among other things:

"Not to share our own wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life; we do not possess our own wealth, but theirs."
(Saint John Chrysostom).

The pathway to victory and freedom passes through the doors of the poor.

"Seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth."  (Colossians 3: 1- 2).

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Jesus healed everyone who came to Him in expectant faith.

"Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all."  (Luke 6 : 19).

God is the Father of all. (Ephesians 4: 6).  God loves everything He created. (Psalm 145: 9).  Jesus, the true image of Abba Father has no problem healing everyone who came to Him with faith. (Colossians 1: 15; Luke 6: 19).

Jesus desires everyone to be saved which is a bigger deal than being healed of the worst disease. (1 Timothy 2: 4). Because He desired everyone to be saved, He showed this by dying for everyone. (2 Corinthians 5: 15). He forgave all those who crucified Him not after the event but while still on the cross experiencing the excruciating agony. (Luke 23: 34). Even the Good Thief who was crucified with Jesus had all his sins wiped out and promised Paradise then and there. (Luke 23: 43).

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

"Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mary,
for he who is mighty has done great things for you."  (Cf Luke 1: 49).

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Show mercy when You judge me, Your servant.

"Lord, You are just, and the judgments You make are right. Show mercy when you judge me, Your servant." (Psalm 118: 137, 124 - Entrance Antiphon Monday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time).

As I considered my will and the final minutes in this world, I chose the above as my last prayer.

"Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed."

In God is my safety and my glory.

"Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!"  (Psalm 62: 6 - 7, 9).

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we love You. We trust in You. Have mercy on us and the whole world. Amen!

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Love does no evil to the neighbor.

"Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law."  (Romans 13: 10).

What is love?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,  it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,  it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  (1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7).

“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend." (Matthew 18: 15 MSG).

How can we share in the mission of reconciliation of Jesus? Practice the spiritual works of mercy:

1.Instruct the ignorant
2.Counsel the doubtful
3.Admonish sinners
4.Bear wrongs patiently
5.Forgive offences willingly
6.Comfort the afflicted
7.Pray for the living and the dead

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The Church of all nations.

"Brothers and sisters:
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds."  (Colossians 1: 21).

Who are the people who were once alienated and hostile in mind to the Church because of evil deeds?  I am one example. And today I know it was because of my evil deeds.

The government recently struck a mortal blow to 800,000 young Dreamers in revoking the DACA. The Catholic Bishops, the Voice of the voiceless appropriately condemned  the bizarre action.

Some of the misguided defenders of the DACA Revocation attributed the Bishops' action to self interest.  The Bishops they claim want the Dreamers to fill  pews and contribute money to the Church.

Why are these people so obsessed with money, sex and power? Please open your minds and learn the truth because only the truth shall make you free. (John 8: 32).

The Catholic Church pursues from the beginning with fidelity  the mission given to her by Jesus. The Church does not pursue success as this world reckons success. The accomplishment of this divine mission is not dependent on people power, hard work or money. It is already guaranteed by Jesus Christ Himself.  Unlike the world's political powers, we know the end already.
"I shall be with you till the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20). And again, "The gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church."  (Matthew 16: 18).

When I arrived in London many years ago for postgraduate studies, I did not know anybody in the huge city. The first thing I asked:  "Where is the nearest Catholic Church?" All over Europe today, the pews are being filled by migrants.  It is the divine predestination to revitalize the Church in Europe.  Is the same thing happening in the Church in America? The migrants need the Church. The Church needs them to fulfill her mission. 

For the ubernationalists, know that the Church is not national but above nation states. Catholic means universal. The Church has always been universal from the beginning. The Church is not European, American, African, Chinese, etc.  All these nations are part of the Church family. For the avoidance of doubt, this creed or belief is repeated by the Congregation every Sunday all over the world:
"I BELIEVE IN THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH."

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We have worked all night and have caught nothing.

"Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”  When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing."  (Luke 5: 4 - 6)

Simon Peter lowered his net at the command of Christ and the result was a great number of fish was caught. 
At the Wedding Feast at Cana, Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2: 5). They did and water was turned into wine.

I too like Simon Peter and his companions have toiled "all night" and many nights have caught nothing.  What is Christ's word to me?  I want to do whatever Jesus tells me?  But what must I do?  I want to act "at your word" Lord Jesus.  What is your word to me?

Trust and Obey!  There is no other way to have the best of Jesus!

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Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever.

"After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her....

"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”  (Luke 4: 38 - 41).

Luke, the physician narrates here a tale of illnesses, demonic possessions and healings by Jesus.  Where do disease, ignorance, demonic possession and poverty come from?  Ultimately the answer will be found in Genesis Chapter 3.

How does dealing with these problems core to the Messianic vocation of Jesus?
Isaiah forecast that the Messiah will do all the above and more.
"Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy."  (Isaiah 35: 5 - 6).

The three aspects of the ministry of Jesus are:
Teaching, Healing and Feeding. Jesus left these tasks to the Church when He ascended into Heaven. (Mark 16: 17 - 18).

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I have learned the secret of Times and Seasons. St Paul.

"Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you.  For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night."  (1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 2).

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).

The central message of Times and Seasons is the need to be vigilant at all times.

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

There is Times and Seasons in God's plan of provision for our needs.

"Thus says the Lord:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord."  (Jeremiah 17: 5).

If we want to enjoy change of seasons in our lives, we must trust in God with all our hearts.

"God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,
you may nurture in us what is good
and, by your watchful care,
keep safe what you have nurtured.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect Tuesday, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time).

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Is the Spirit of the Lord upon you?

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor."  (Luke 4: 18).

Is the Spirit of the Lord upon you or not? How do you know?

Have you a heart for evangelization or spreading the good news that Jesus is the LORD and not money, your job or family?
How much do you hunger for the Kingdom of God to come everywhere and reign in the hearts and minds of every man and woman?
What is your attitude to the gracious will of God? Casual, unimportant or wouldn't careless?

Jesus promises that His awesome Holy Spirit will be given at once to anybody who desires and asks for Him.  (Luke 11: 13).

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How do you read the Signs of the Times?

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."  (Romans 12:  2).

What are the signs of the times?
What are the characteristics of our age?

1. Lack of faith
2. Lack of reverence for God
3. Extreme materialism
4. Love of leisure and the soft life
5. Gluttony
6. Contentious spirit
7. Shallowness in communication
8. Unwillingness to make lasting commitment
9. Individualism
10. Love of money

The Bible warns us not to conform ourselves to this lifestyle but to oppose it by the daily renewal of our minds through prayer and the word of God.

"God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,
you may nurture in us what is good
and, by your watchful care,
keep safe what you have nurtured.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time).

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God has poured His love into our hearts.

"Brothers and sisters:
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.  (1 Thessalonians  4:9).

Paul teaches that the overwhelming love of Jesus compels us to imitate Him and do the right thing. (2 Corinthians 5: 15). In Romans 5: 5, Paul gives a great revelation: The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  Years ago, when I accused myself of an utterly selfish nature, my priest confessor said that was nonsense and reminded me of Romans 5: 5.  This is our hope and hope never fails.

Where there is love, there is God.
The Holy Spirit fills our heart with the love of God.  This needs repeating.

We Christians do not love as the world loves. The world loves in a quid pro quo manner, that is, if you love me, I love you. But Christians love as Jesus loves us and teaches us to love.  Jesus loves us when we have nothing, when we are nothing. Imagine loving a homeless, dirty and sick guy who is a jail bird? If you rely on human nature, the answer is NO! But what if God pours His love into your heart and teaches how to love and trains you until you learn how to love like Him, then you can do it.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  (John 13: 34)

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday in September.

September 1st , 2017 First Friday in September.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 9th month of the year, we look at Promise #9.

#9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be exposed and adore."

When I learned about this promise 21 years ago, I dashed to a Catholic Bookstore in downtown Houston and bought a beautiful picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  I prayed for an inspiration for the best place in my apartment to place this image after it was blessed by a priest.  This sacred image has blessed me for 21 years and will bless me till the end of the age.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, September 1st.

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On the day St Paul teaches about sexual purity, Jesus gives the parable of the Ten Virgins.

"This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality,...... not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things,.......For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.  Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who [also] gives his holy Spirit to you."  (1 Thessalonians 4: 3 - 8).

The Holy Spirit lays down the rules for sexual conduct in the community of the saints. What is the goal? Holiness of life. If you want the goal, you must adopt the means to get there. In the Gospel of today, Jesus our Teacher lays down the means to grow in sexual purity and chastity.

"Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps."  (Matthew 25:  1 - 4).

What is Jesus saying?
Always be prepared.
If you have a date, be prepared. Set your boundaries.
If you are visiting somebody of the opposite sex, be prepared.
If you have a ride in a car with a person of the opposite sex, be prepared.  Don't think: Nothing will happen in a car. Be ready for surprises because:
"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  (1 Peter 5: 8).

One way to prepare is prayer. Say a simple short prayer like this: "Lord Jesus Christ, I am going into this situation, protect me by your power and grace. Jesus I trust in You."  Fight the Enemy of your soul and life by invoking the holy and powerful Name of Jesus.

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Are you ready?

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.  (Psalm 90: 12).

He who prays daily and feeds on the word of God every day will surely know that life is short. What wisdom we gain from this truth.

The corporate world is obsessed by long-term plans:  20 year-plan, 15, 10,etc.

The word of God teaches the grace of the present moment. We are guaranteed only today.  Actually only this moment. Unforeseen events like Hurricane Harvey cause disruptions of plans.

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
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: 42 - 51).

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We are stewards of God’s beautiful creation.

"The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord;
you bring forth bread from the earth
and wine to cheer the heart."  (Psalm 104: 13 - 15).

We are all stewards of God’s beautiful creation. As stewards, we do not own these assets. We manage it for God.  We share the bread from the earth and distribute the wine to cheer the hearts of men and women everywhere.

"O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose,
grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world,
our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son."  (Collect Wednesday 21st Week).

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You know me thoroughly and you love me so much.

"You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

"O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar.

"Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain. 
(PSALM 139:1-3, 4-6)

Are you terrified by the thought that God knows you deeply? Knows your every move?  Knows even your secret thoughts?

It is good to feel and believe that God knows you thoroughly. This engenders humility and helps you to forgive yourself when you mess up. Remember God is not a human being that anything can surprise.
Everything you are, everything you do, everything you have are all gifts from Him, the ever knowing and ever loving God.

"You have searched me and you know me, Lord."

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The Lord filled St Augustine with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

"In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth,
and the Lord filled him
with the spirit of wisdom and understanding
and clothed him in a robe of glory."  (Sirach 15: 5).

Today is the feast of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Augustine without doubt would probably be one of the two or three that had the most impact on the Church.  You can see this impact in Church Councils throughout the centuries. He has great influence in the Liturgy as seen by his footprints all over the Roman Missal.

Augustine was not always a saint.  A lover of leisure and sinful pleasures, his mother St Monica shed many sorrowful tears over her wayward son.

Today the universal Church crows over her favorite son:

"In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth,
and the Lord filled him
with the spirit of wisdom and understanding
and clothed him in a robe of glory."

St Augustine pray for us.

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