"As a proof that you are children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" (Galatians 4:6)
As often as I am able to cry out from heart, "Abba, Father" I am reassured of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I should remember this each time I say the Lord's Prayer. Jesus Christ taught us to pray confidently to the Father. The Holy Spirit helps us to do so.
"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3: 16)
Thank you Father.
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
To believe in Jesus means to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." (2 Corinthians 13: 13)
Amen!
If the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with me today, then everything will be fine.
"Perfect love drives out fear." With the perfect love of God for me on my mind, I will fear nothing.
"Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, 'The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." (Exodus 34: 6)
God's self-revelation:
How reassuring! How comforting! I find my strength today in your self-definition, O God.
"God, we praise you: Father all-powerful, Christ Lord and Savior, Spirit of love. You reveal yourself in the depths of our being, drawing us to share in your life and your love. One God, three Persons, be near to the people formed in your image, close to the world your love brings to life….." (Opening Prayer on Holy Trinity Sunday)
God reveals Himself in the depths of our being. God draws us to share in His life and His love.
"Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you …." (Prayer in Mass)
Jesus Christ, the Word of God brought us the truth about God. The Holy Spirit makes us holy through the sacraments and the word of God.
The mystery of God's life could not be known without the gospel truths revealed by Christ. We worship God by proclaiming and living our faith in Him.
"I have chosen you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16)
The choice, the call and the anointing.
God's choice of Israel is a mystery. God choice of everyone of us also a mystery. But the reason for the choice is not mysterious: to go and bear fruit that will last.
In order to achieve this purpose, there are two steps that must be taken:
First, to be with Jesus.
Then, to be like Jesus.
Being precedes doing.
"I tell you, therefore, everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)
What do I pray for today?
Jesus promises that if I believe they are mine already, they are mine. Lord, help me to believe.
"Father in heaven, form in us the likeness of your Son and deepen his life within us. Send us as witnesses of gospel joy into a world of fragile peace and broken promises. Touch the hearts of all men with your love that they in turn may love one another ……." (Opening Mass Prayer)
Form in us the likeness of Jesus.
Deepen His life within us.
Send us as witnesses of gospel joy to our families, friends and work places.
Touch our hearts with your love so that we can love others.
"By the words of the Lord his works come into being and all creation obeys his will." (Sirach 42: 15)
All things obey God. (Psalm 119: 91)
I delight so much in this attribute of God. Whatever God wills, He accomplishes. I can trust Him.
"Father, by the preaching of St. Augustine of Canterbury, you led the people of England to the gospel. May the fruits of his work continue in your Church…" (Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury)
God inspired and blessed the preaching of St. Augustine of Canterbury and used it to convert England.
"Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." (John 15: 5)
"I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will raise up one shepherd who will pasture them. I, the Lord, will be their God." (Ezekiel 34: 11, 23-24)
God will always provide pasture for his flock.
One flock, one shepherd. One Church, one pastor.
"Lord, strengthen us with the bread of life. May we always imitate St. Philip by hungering after the sacrament in which we find true life…" (Communion Prayer in the feast of St. Philip Neri)
The Eucharist is one critical path to this abundance of life promised by Jesus Christ. The Eucharist strengthens our inner being. By diminishing and eventually eliminating desire for that which is material and transitory, it elevates that which is permanent, that is the true life in us.
We ask the Lord to increase our hunger for the Eucharist always.
"I solemnly tell you: those who have left everything and followed me will be repaid a hundredfold and will gain eternal life." (Matthew 19: 27 – 29)
Lord, I believe in your promise. Help me to leave everything and follow you with all my heart.
You also promised:
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." (Matthew 6: 33)
Lord, I also believe in this promise. Help me to seek you first in every thought word and deed. Let it be done to me according to your word.
"For look, today I have made you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze to stand against the whole country: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the people of the country." (Jeremiah 1: 18)
How does God make us a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze? What resources does He provide us here and now to make these promises true?
Constant use of the above resources would constitute anybody into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze.
"Lord, help us who offer this sacrifice of praise to follow the example of St. Philip. Keep us always cheerful in our work for the glory of your name and the good of our neighbor…." (Prayer in the Mass of St. Philip Neri)
The Eucharist is a sacrifice of praise.
Cheerfulness is an important gift in ministry. I will be cheerful today. I resolve to be always cheerful.
"For the Son of Man himself came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
Lord, I am humbled by your servant spirit. Give me the same spirit. Teach me how to serve.
"Once more taking the twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him." (Mark 10: 32)
Jesus prepares His disciples for the future by telling them what was going to happen to Him. In another passage, He tells them what was going to happen to them when He was gone from their presence. I attended a retreat once where the retreat director prepared us for life after the mountain-top experience of the retreat. The warning helped me.
Every genuine Christian experiences the truth of mountain-top and down-the-valley experience in our walk with Christ. The crucial message is that one must always be prepared.
"Reward those who hoped in you and let your prophets be proved true. Hear the prayer of your servants, for you are ever gracious to your people. Thus it will be known to the very ends of the earth that you are the eternal God." (Sirach 36: 15-17)
Lex orandi, lex credendi. The rule of prayer is the rule of faith. Surely, God will reward those who wait for Him.
"The Lord is my inheritance and my cup; he alone will give me my reward." (Psalm 16: 5)
Father, grant me the patience and perseverance to wait for your reward. Amen.
How do I wait for God's kairos? Prayer / 7-Way Plan.
The apostles and Mary waited for the Holy Spirit in prayer.
"Father, you continually raises up your faithful to the glory of holiness. In your love kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit who so filled the heart of St. Philip Neri…." (Prayer on the feast of St. Philip Neri)
It is God who raises up saints. Our task is to cooperate with His grace. The path to sanctity runs across every single occupation and is completely accessible to every person. It is God's desire that everybody aspire to holiness. The Church provides the means of sanctification primarily through the Sacraments. The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier. He prompts us, He nudges us and inspires us to accept the means of holiness.
