A time of adversity

"When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine and now he began to feel the pinch; …. then he came to his senses." (Luke 15: 14-17)

Times and Seasons

There is a time for everything: a time for prosperity and a time for adversity. There is a time for growth and a time for recession. The prodigal son came to his senses in a time of adversity. Without the adversity, his life might have ended in dissoluteness. We thank God for the time of plenty and also for the time of adversity.

Remembering

"Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He pardons all your iniquities; he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction; he crowns you with kindness and compassion." (Psalm 103: 1-4)

Forgetfulness of God's benefits is a terrible state to be in. Forgetfulness of God's benefits exposes us to the risk of despair and hopelessness. A crisis overcame yesterday may come back tomorrow. If we do not remember how we overcame, how do we handle the new crisis? It is a good habit to write down the steps employed by technical support to solve a computer problem. Why? The same or similar problem may pop up before you know it.

I keep a journal and try to write down all God's blessings. The act of writing etches the event deep inside my memory. When a new crisis develops, I search inside my memory for clues on how similar situations were handled in the past. This has helped me to see a pattern of God's interventions.

"Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He pardons all your iniquities; he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction; he crowns you with kindness and compassion." (Psalm 103: 1-4)

 

Grant us to see wonders

"With shepherd's crook lead your people to pasture, the flock that is your heritage, living confined in a forest with meadow land all around. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old! As in the days when you came out of Egypt, grant us to see wonders!" (Micah 7: 14-15)

I confided the following reflection on the above to my journal in 1999.

"3.30 am, I woke up and did not sleep again until I got out of bed at 4.30 am. I asked Christ again as I did before the BS yesterday to bless me enormously this jubilee year. I asked him to grant me to see wonders. I asked for light and guidance on my ministry."

God’s Gifts to us

"God our Father, by your gifts to us on earth we already share in your life. In all we do, guide us to the light of your kingdom…" (Opening Mass Prayer)

• God's gifts to us:
  
• The Holy Spirit
  
• The Church
  
• The Sacraments
  
• Faith, Hope and Love
  
• Communion of Saints
  

These gifts help us to share God's life here and now.

Attributes of God

"The Lord is loving and merciful, to anger slow, and full of love; the Lord is kind to all, and compassionate to all his creatures." (Psalm 145: 8-9)

Attributes of God:

• Loving
  
• Merciful
  
• Slow to anger (long-suffering)
  
• Kind
  
• Compassionate
  
• Omnipresent
  
• Omniscient
  
• Great
  
• Forgiving
  
• Pure
  
• Holy
  
• Eternal
  

The Great Reversals

"Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the Lord's doing and we marvel at it. " (Matthew 21: 42)

The great reversals: Joseph was rejected and sold into slavery by his brothers. God accepted him and promoted him the prime minister of Egypt. Jesus Christ was rejected and crucified. God promoted him by raising him from the dead and confirming him both Lord and God. Why then should we fear rejection? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own perception. In everything you do, acknowledge him and he will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5)

They sold Joseph

"They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver, and these men took Joseph to Egypt." (Genesis 37: 28)

They sold Joseph.

"To you Lord I look for protection, never let me be disgraced. You are my refuge; save me from the trap they had laid for me." (Psalm 31: 2, 5)

Once upon a time, my employer treated me badly. God became the guardian of my rights; he became my refuge and protector. I was "sold" by my "brethren," but God saved me.

 

Immense Benefits from Small Acts

"Merciful Father, may our acts of penance bring us your forgiveness, open our hearts to your love and prepare us for the coming feast of the resurrection …. " (Opening Mass Prayer in Lent)

I am reminded that God our Father is a merciful God. What a consoling and healing truth! Our Lenten acts of penance although insignificant in themselves produce immense spiritual benefits. Just as Namaan the leper was healed of leprosy by dipping himself seven times in River Jordan, so do our acts of penance capable of bringing forgiveness, healing from sin and opening our hearts to God's love.

 

Harvest and Perseverance

"Happy are they who have kept the word with a generous heart, and yield a harvest through perseverance." (Luke 8: 15)

Harvest must surely come if we persevere in studying God's word and serving him in holiness and justice.

I delight in God’s Promises

"Happy the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season; and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers." (Psalm 1: 1-3)

I believe in prayer.

I believe in the word of God.

I believe in miracles.

I leave the rest to God.

I delight enormously in God's promises; I covert them.

Trusting in Yahweh

"Blessed is anyone who trusts in Yahweh, with Yahweh to rely on. Such a person is like a tree by the waterside that thrusts its roots to the stream: When the heat comes it has nothing to fear, its foliage stays green; untroubled in a year of drought, it never stops bearing fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 – 8)

To trust in Yahweh means to trust that his word is true; to trust that he will do what he says.

I trust God for everything and at all times.

"When the heat comes …" This refers to the inevitability of times and seasons. The Psalmist says that those who trust in Yahweh fear no bad news.

To Serve God is to Reign

"All-powerful God, to serve you is to reign: help us to serve you in holiness and justice. …" (Opening Prayer in the Mass of St. Casimir on March 4)

When I read the above prayer, I wanted to make sure I understand the meaning of the verb to reign and so I searched the Merriam Webster's Dictionary and found the following definition:

1 a : to possess or exercise sovereign power : rule b : to hold office as chief of state although possessing little governing power

2 : to exercise authority in the manner of a monarch
3 : to be predominant or prevalent

Is Jesus Christ not prophet, priest and king? Is it not our destiny to share in this royal dignity of the Son of God as adopted sons and daughters of God. To serve God is indeed to reign.

 

 

Active in good works

"God of love, bring us back to you. Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith and active in good works …" (Mass Prayer in Lent)

In the Lent of 1999, I confided the following to my journal:

"Lent is a period of grace, a period of Metanoia, a time of returning to God in every area of our life. We call on the Holy Spirit to make our faith strong and enable us to be active in good works.

Where do I need my faith made strong this Lent? Where do I need to be more active in good works?

I need my faith strengthened in God's providence for me. I need to believe more in God's promise of:

• Peace
  
• Provision
  
• Protection
  
• Power
  
• Purpose
  
• Pardon
  

In terms of good works, I need to be engaged in pamphlet apostolate."

After almost ten years of writing the above, I am still praying for stronger faith in God's loving and powerful providence for me. I did start the pamphlet apostolate and it is on-going.

 

Correct Thought

"Test me, O God, and know my thoughts; see whether I step in the wrong path, and guide me along the everlasting way." (Psalm 139: 23-24)

How does God test me? Through his word. His word challenges every area of my life. Are my thoughts on family, health, job, money, tools and food formed by God's word?

Father, I want your word to completely form my thoughts so that when you test my thoughts, I will not be found wanting.

Correct thought is the key to correct action. To have the mind of Christ is to have correct thought on every issue.

Going up to Jerusalem

"Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the son of man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised up again." (Matthew 18: 18-19)

Ezekiel was sent to "snakes and scorpions." Jeremiah was sent to rebellious Israel. Both prophets foreshadow Jesus' ministry. Just as Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Jesus were not sent to a nice party filled with well-groomed men and women, no Christian should expect such a ministry. Jesus says that if they persecute him, they will surely persecute his followers. St. Paul writes that the presence of persecution is a sign that we are following in the footpath of Jesus. When we are baptized, we die with Jesus so that we can rise with him.

Persecution

"Come on,' ' Let us concoct a plot against Jeremiah, for the law will not perish for lack of priests, nor advice for lack of wise men, nor the word for lack of prophets. Come on, let us slander him and pay no attention to anything he says." (Jeremiah 18:18)

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the cause of right, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

If they persecute me, they will persecute you.

Persecution is a necessary ingredient in the mission of the Baptized.

Baptism and Mission

"Ever-loving God, you called Blessed Katherine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the African American and Native American peoples. By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and the oppressed and keep us undivided in love in the Eucharistic community of the Church. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son. Amen" (Opening Prayer in the Memorial of St. Katherine Drexel, Virgin – March 3)

Saint Katherine Drexel, Virgin:

(1858 – 1955) Born into a wealthy Philadelphia family, Katharine took an avid interest in the material and spiritual well-being of African and Native Americans. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored People, and opened mission schools in the West for Native Americans and in the South for African Americans. In 1915 she founded Xavier University in New Orleans. At her death, there were more than 500 sisters teaching in 63 schools. (Roman Missal)

The mission of St. Katherine Drexel: Go and teach the message of the Gospel and bring the life of the Eucharist to African American and Native American people. St. Katherine was chosen, called and anointed for this mission. She was chosen for this mission at her Baptism, anointed for it in her Confirmation and at the fullness of time called to dedicate her life to it. She succeeded.

I am also called for a specific mission at my Baptism. I am anointed for it by the Holy Spirit. I am waiting for the fullness of time. In the meantime, I recognize that preparation time is part of the mission.

 

 

 

God’s Perfect Love

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." (1 John 4: 18)

"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" (Mark 6: 50)

What are you worried about?

• Family
  
• Job
  
• Money
  
• Health
  
• Tools
  
• Future
  

1 John 4:8 states that there is no fear in love. If I truly understand and believe in God's love for me, I would see that his love includes my family, job, money, health, tools and of course my future. When my love is imperfect, I think I deserve punishment from God and therefore my health or my money may not be covered by God's love. God's love for us is perfect and includes everything that we care for. How comforting to hear Jesus say to us: "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" How beautiful is the truth of God's loving providence for all of us.

 

Divine Pedagogy

"Father, teach us to lead good lives, encourage us with your support and bring us to eternal life …." (Mass Prayer)

How does God teach us to live good lives?

These are some of the elements in the divine pedagogy:

• Word of God
  
• The Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  
• Family
  
• Friends
  
• Circumstances
  

In the divine teaching plan, there are also sticks and carrots. The carrots are the many ways in which God supports or encourages us. Some of them are listed above and others are:

• Good health
  
• Peace
  
• Music
  
• Books
  
• Job
  

 

Practice what you teach 2

"The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore observe and obey what they teach you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practice what they teach." (Matthew 23: 2-3)

Fruit of the fourth Joyful Mystery is Obedience.

Mary and Joseph obeyed all the laws, statutes and customs prescribed by God.

Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Lord, I want to practice what I teach. Make me a teacher of the Eucharist. You bless me every day with this awesome gift. Let the Eucharist be the source, center and summit of my life. Give me the assignment of drawing people to the Eucharist. Then you will help me every day to practice what I teach. Amen!