We destroy false arguments

"The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strong-holds. We destroy false arguments; we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5)New Jerusalem Bible.

God gave us in His word a powerful weapon. With this weapon, we can destroy strong-holds, false arguments and pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God. How do we use God's word as a weapon in spiritual warfare? Jesus told us to make His word our home if we want to be His disciples. Only trained disciples can participate in the war. When the word is in our hearts and on our lips, the Holy Spirit will inspire us when and what to use. Jesus Christ must reign on the internet. Below are links to some Christian sites on the web. Write, publish and blog.

St. Vincent de Paul

"Come you whom my Father has blessed....For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me" (Matthew 25: 34-36)

St Vincent de Paul was born in 1580. As a priest, he devoted his life to the care of the poor and the sick in Paris. Vincent founded the Congregation of the Missions, the Sisters of Charity. He found also orphanages, and hospitals. The Lord opened the hearts of wealthy women to support his work. A charity bearing his name, St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in his name in Paris in 1833 and this society is active in most countries of the world today. St Vincent de Paul died in 1660 and his feast day is September 27. St Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of charitable societies and hospital workers.

What I love about this saint is his absolute trust in God's providence. He learned this secret after many years in the ministry.

What is in 10?

What is in 10?

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten girls who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise "(Matthew 25: 1-2).

"Or suppose a woman who had ten silver coins loses one of them - what does she do?" (Luke 15:8)

"As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease " (Luke 17: 11-120.

The number Ten has always fascinated me. There are ten fingers and ten toes. There are Ten Commandments. Robert Schuller's , in his book, TOUGH TIMES DO NOT LAST BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO teaches how to count to ten and win. My dream is to write a Blog on each of the ideas below:

My top 10 Scriptures
My top 10 Saints
My top 10 Spiritual books
My top 10 Bible characters
My top 10 reasons for hope

My top 10 tricks of the Devil
My top 10 journeys
My top 10 inspirational writers
My top 10 holidays
My top 10 historical events

 

St. Therese

"The Lord nurtured and taught her; he guarded her as the apple of his eye. As the eagle spreads its wings to carry its young, he bore her on his shoulders. The Lord alone was her leader"(Deut 32: 10-12)

St Therese of the Child Jesus was born in Alencon, France in 1873. As a young girl, she entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux, where she developed rapidly into a spiritual adult. She burned these words of Jesus into her heart: "Unless you change and become like little children, says the Lord, you shall not enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 18:3) St Therese of the Child Jesus modeled her life to that of the little child of Matthew 18:3. This explains her popularity and immense appeal to countless devotees all over the world. She died on September 30, 1897. Her feast day is the 1st of October.

Quotes from St Theresa

"The Doctor of doctors teaches us without the sound of words. I have never heard Him speak, and yet I know He is within my soul. Every moment He is guiding and inspiring me, and, just at the moment I need them, `lights' till then unseen are granted me. Most often it is not at prayer that they come but while I go about my daily duties" ("The Story of a Soul", Chapter 8).

Found in the Temple

"My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you."(Luke 2: 48).NJB

Jesus had remained behind in Jerusalem to listen to the teachers of the Law. The incidence teaches us a number of lessons about Mary and Jesus. Mary was not omniscient. She did not know that Jesus was in the temple. Mary also felt acutely the pain of a mother who had lost a son. We admire Mary's patience and perseverance. Jesus already shows a singleness of purpose with regard to His mission even at the age of twelve.

The Documents of Vatican II, Lumen Gentium comments: "When the Child Jesus was lost and they had sought Him sorrowing, His parents found Him in the temple, taken up with the things which were His Father's business. They did not understand the reply of the Son. But His Mother, to be sure, kept all these things to be pondered over in her heart (cf. Lk2: 41-51).

Journaling

"Furthermore, my child, you must realize that writing books involves endless hard work, and that much study wearies the body." (Ecclesiastes 12: 12)NJB

The desire to write is one of my earliest ambitions. I started the habit of keeping journals towards in the end of my high school and discontinued this habit when I left college. . During my desert experience, I went back to serious journal keeping. There was no particular method to my journal writing. I tried to jot down something every day.

What are the contents of my journal? Reflections on scripture passages, insights from my desert experience. Events that I consider significant during the course of the day have always been an important component of my journal experience. When I have nothing to write, I write down the mundane activities of the day. Some years ago, I installed the LifeJournal software that has now become my main journaling tool. I still keep the book diary as a backup. The advantage of electronic journaling is immense. One can retrieve information quickly. The LifeJournal has many tools and resources which I have not gathered enough courage to explore. I plan to do it one day. One habit I would like to form is to review my journal entries on a systematic basis. Whenever I did this, I have derived some pleasure and sometimes insights from it.

Spiritual Guide

"How could I, unless I have someone to guide me? (Acts 8:31)

Do we need a human guide in our journey of faith? If the Holy Spirit leads and guides us, why should we need a spiritual director? 

While the Holy Spirit can lead and guide us directly, it would appear from ancient tradition of the Church that there is a place for the spiritual guide. It is the Holy Spirit who would lead you ultimately to a good spiritual guide.

A good spiritual guide in our journey of faith is better than no guide at all.  A good spiritual guide would act like a human guardian angel.  The guide points out the way to make progress in the spiritual life.  He encourages and when necessary reprimands.  In the secular world, they call the guide an accountability partner.  But a good spiritual guide is much more than an accountability partner.  While an accountability partner could help overcome the problems like alcohol or pornography, the spiritual guide helps in everything that touches the Way, the Truth and the Life.  In other words, he guides you to Jesus.

Your spiritual guide is your mentor and your friend.

10 Impactful Books

"Dear Theophilus:

In my first book, I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work until the day he was taken up to heaven. (Acts 1:1-2)

God in His wisdom decided to put His words in a book. Throughout the centuries, God's book, the Bible has given birth to other scriptures or biblettes. Holy men and women who had fed and digested God's word had shared their personal reflections on this word with their fellow men. Some of these works have become classics. Below are 10 books in my reading list.

1. The Bible

2. Mary of Nazareth by F. Suarez

3. Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis

4. Francis De Sales : Introduction to the Devout Life

5. . The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

6. St Therese of Lisieux: The Story of a Soul

7. St Josemaria Escriva: The Way

8. St Louis de Monfort: The Secret of the Rosary

9. Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence by Father J.P. de Caussade, S.J.

10. Mary, Mother of the Church by Fr. Francis Ripley

 

Contentment

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

We all labor and are heavily burdened with problems of money, health, family, job, cars, etc. Jesus knows us individually and is aware of our situation. He invites us to come to Him to find solution to our many problems. We come to Jesus in the Eucharist. We meet Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. When the Church gathers in prayer in His name, He is there. When we accept the word of God with faith, it changes our lives and our circumstances.

Prayer for genuine contentment

"My God, in your creation of this world you made all things to be very good. I thank you, Lord, for all the goods of this world, and especially all those who have provided for me and my loved ones.

But remind me, Lord, that only you are the true Good, and that all earthly goods are but shadows of you. And should I become very attached to any fleeting good, and let it obstruct my love for you, grant me the holy desire to have it taken from me. Through Christ Our Lord, the King of glory who has no pillow to lay his head. Amen."

Listen to Jesus Christ, the faithful Witness.

"Set your mind on God's kingdom
and His justice before everything else,
and all the rest will come to you as well.
So do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow
will look after itself. Each day has troubles
enough of its own."

(Matthew 6: 33-34)

Perseverance and faith of saints

"Let anyone who can hear listen: Those for captivity to captivity; those for death by the sword to death by the sword. This is why the saints must have perseverance and faith" (Revelation 13:10)

Who are the saints? These are holy men and women who had patterned their lives after the life of Jesus. They practiced the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are saints above all because they have solid faith in Jesus Christ and persevered in following the Lamb wherever He goes. Their example is relevant for us today. They show us that in every age and culture, it is possible to imitate Jesus. We learn a great deal from the study of the lives of the saints.

These men and woman inspire us by their heroic lives. Their reward was rich in faith, love, hope, peace and tranquility during their lives and after death, they inherited everlasting life.

Put on Jesus Christ

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans 13:14).

We "put on" Jesus in baptism (Galatians 3:27). After we have been configured to Christ through baptism, frequent reception of the sacraments, particularly the sacrament of reconciliation molds us into the image of Christ.   St. José Maria Escriva writes: "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ', says St Paul to the Romans. It is in the Sacrament of Penance that you and I put on Jesus Christ and his merits" (The Way, 310).

"So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first." (Matthew 5: 23-24)

"He is the Beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that he should be supreme in every way; because God wanted all fullness to be found in him and through him to reconcile all things to him" (Colossians 1:18)

"What is more, we are filled with exultant trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation."(Romans 5:11)

 

Top 10 Reasons for Hope

"But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2: 9).

1. God has given everything its place in the world and no one can make it otherwise. (Esther 13:9)

2. Jesus is the light of the world. He who follows Him will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

3. God's word is always there to give us hope and console us when we are downcast. (Psalm 119:49-50)

4. God is always good to those who hope in Him, to those who are searching for His love. (Lamentations 3:25)

5. The rich may suffer want and go hungry, but nothing is lacking to those who fear the Lord. (Psalm 33:11)

6. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours, says the Lord. (Mark 11: 23-24)

7. God has reserved a depth of kindness to those who love Him. (Psalm 30:20)

8. Those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways shall enjoy the fruits of their labor, they will prosper and be happy. (Psalm 127: 1-2)

9. We did not choose Christ. He chose us to go and bear fruit that will last. (John15:16)

10. Jesus did not come to call the virtuous but sinners. (Matthew 9:13)

Born for one purpose

"I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth" (John 18: 37).

Jesus defined His purpose on earth as bearing testimony to the truth. The truth is the business of these pages.

Jesus promises:" I have opened a door in front of you which no one can close" (Revelation 3:8).  This promise is for all of us and the internet could be that door. The net provides us with a stupendous opportunity to spread and receive the healing truth of Jesus Christ.

This Blog shares personal reflections on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

"Go and preach to all nations: baptize them and teach them all I have commanded you"(Matthew 28: 19-20).

Man of Sorrows and Woman of Sorrows

"..and a sword will pierce your soul too "

" Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce your soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare.'"(Luke 2: 33-35)NJB

Mary heard explicitly the prophecy of the part she was to play in the life and death of the 'suffering servant of Yahweh.' The sword which would pierce the heart of Jesus would not spare that of Mary. Mary must have repeated her words at the annunciation: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word."

The Church expounds in The Documents of Vatican II (Lumen Gentium): "When Mary presented Jesus to the Lord in the temple, making the offering of the poor, she heard Simeon foretelling at the same time that her Son would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would pierce the mother's soul, that out of many hearts thoughts might be revealed" (cf Luke 2:34-35).

Man of Sorrow and Woman of Sorrow

"..and a sword will pierce your soul too "

" Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce your soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare.'"(Luke 2: 33-35)NJB

Mary heard explicitly the prophecy of the part she was to play in the life and death of the 'suffering servant of Yahweh.' The sword which would pierce the heart of Jesus would not spare that of Mary. Mary must have repeated her words at the annunciation: 'Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word."

The Church expounds in The Documents of Vatican II (Lumen Gentium): "When Mary presented Jesus to the Lord in the temple, making the offering of the poor, she heard Simeon foretelling at the same time that her Son would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would pierce the mother's soul, that out of many hearts thoughts might be revealed" (cf Luke 2:34-35).

The power of prayer

God provided us with prayer as one of the tools to help us achieve our life's purpose. Jesus' teaching on prayer is precise. What are the lessons from Jesus' teaching on prayer?

* Prayers of petition show our dependence on God as supreme provider of all good things. It is a very important subject to Jesus.

* God answers prayers.

* Jesus committed Himself that prayers in His name will be answered.

What are the conditions for appropriating Christ's promises on prayer?

1. Listen and understand what God's word is saying to your need.

2. Believe in God's promise.

3. Obey the word, i.e. act on the word.

Jesus on Prayer

"Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always find; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him." (Matthew 7: 7-9)

"Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11)

 "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:9)

"Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and his righteousness, and all other things will be given you as well."(Matthew 6:33)

 "And I tell you more:  whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."  (Matthew 18: 19)

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask for it." (Luke 11:13)

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they shall always pray and never be discouraged." (Luke 18: 1-8)

"And if you have faith, everything you ask for in prayer you will receive." (Matthew 21: 22)

"I tell you therefore: everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours. And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too. (Mark 11:24)

"Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back." (Luke 6:38)

"Whatever you ask for in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13)

"If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:14)

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it." (John 15: 7)

"The Father will give you anything you ask him in my name." (John 16:23)

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so your joy will be complete." (John 16:24)

"When that day comes, you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, because the Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I come from God." (John 16: 26-27)

God’s Plan for us

"Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

What will you do if you know for certain that God has a plan for your life? I seek it till I find the plan. God's word tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that God's plan for our welfare is a reality and that the plan is good.

Our welfare is first and foremost our spiritual welfare, that is, the eternal life that Jesus gave His life to bring us. God has a plan on how we are to obtain and enjoy this life. Our welfare also concerns our physical welfare: family, health, job, money, food and all the things we need for our life. God has a plan for each of us concerning these things.

If you are going to build a home, you need good tools and material for a solid foundation. If you are going to build your future, you need the best tools and material. God provides for our welfare through His plans. These plans are like excellent tools.  We use the tools to find and achieve our purpose in life. Some of these tools are listed below. When we use these tools faithfully, God's plan of peace and prosperity for us will unfold.

        The Eucharist

        The Sacrament of Reconciliation

        Prayer

        The Word of God

        Ministry Service

        Examination of Conscience

        Spiritual Direction

Mary and Pentecost

 

" With one heart all these joined constantly in prayer, together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.(Acts 1: 14)

Mary was over-shadowed by the Holy Spirit at the incarnation of the Son of God. She was present with the Disciples of Christ at Pentecost. With them, she was filled again with the Holy Spirit. With this gift, Mary was led to the fullness of the truth about her Son and his mission.

Leo XIII wrote in his Encyclical, Adiutricem Populi, of September 5, 1895,"With a generous heart Mary undertook and discharged the duties of her high but laborious office, the beginnings of which were consecrated in the Cenacle. With wonderful care she nurtured the first Christians by her holy example, her authoritative counsel, her sweet consolation, her fruitful prayers. She was, in very truth, the Mother of the Church, the teacher and queen of the Apostles, to whom, besides, she confided no small part of the divine mysteries which she kept in her heart."

Paul Set Apart Before Birth

"Go and preach to all nations: baptize them and teach them all I have commanded you"(Matthew 28: 19-20).

Paul pondered the meaning of these words for his life. He understood the specific demands of Christ in calling him to be an apostle of the gentiles and responded fully to its pressures.

Paul's autobiography in his letter to the Galatians reveals the depth of his commitment.

"But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood"(Galatians 1:15-16).

PAUL: The Man

Paul, a child of Jewish parents was born a Roman citizen in Tarsus. He became a tentmaker by profession and studied under Gamaliel. Paul opposed vehemently the young Christian movement and persecuted the Christians. On his way to Damascus to arrest Christians, he encountered Christ Jesus. This dramatic incident marked his conversion. After this event, Paul traveled to Jerusalem where he met the apostles. From there, he began his missionary journeys. He traveled to Europe and Asia Minor. He was the apostle of the gentiles and was responsible for the conversion of thousands of people. Paul wrote fourteen of the New Testament letters. Paul and Peter were arrested in Rome under the persecution of Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded while Peter was crucified upside down.

Sean Kelly & Rosemary Rogers in their book: SAINTS PRESERVE US! describes Paul humorously thus: "He was a convert and, like many converts, 'more Catholic than the pope.' In Paul's case, the pope was Saint Peter, with whom he frequently disagreed. Paul was God's own CEO, a motivator, an organizer, a hands-on manager, a tireless leader-by-example, a Take-Charge Guy with his eye on the Big Picture. He bought into a tiny Hebrew cult, and personally transformed it into a Multi-National, the biggest and richest in the world."

Fulton Sheen wrote in Treasure in Clay on the conversion of St Paul: "It is hard for you to kick against the goad.' In other words, 'It's no use trying to resist my grace. For a long time I have had great things in store for you. Try no longer to be a rebel. I have marked you out to be a great apostle. It is hard. I have struck you down as a rebel, but I will raise you up as a chosen vessel unto me." Paul is the patron saint of public relations and tentmakers and his feast day is June 29.

The Spirit of St. Patrick

"He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob." (Psalm 24: 5-6)

Every 17th of March is remembered as St Patrick's Day in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and some other countries. Why is this saint who was born in 386 AD still remembered and honored today? St Patrick is remembered in history for bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is the patron saint of Ireland, a small country with great influence in the world. For me, Ireland is best known for its missionary spirit. St Patrick survived many hardships and achieved his life's purpose because of a spirit of strong faith and tenacity.

Patrick was abducted from his home in Kilpatrick in England at the age of sixteen and enslaved in Ireland. He worked as a herdsman for six years before he got an opportunity to escape into Gaul, modern France. There he prepared for the priesthood and was ordained a priest. After his ordination, Patrick returned to Ireland and worked for the conversion of the Irish people.

St. Patrick died in 461. March 17 is the feast of St Patrick. March 17 is also my birthday. I was born on St. Patrick's Day in St. Patrick's parish at a time when the feast of St. Patrick was a school holiday in my country. But I was not baptized Patrick but Emmanuel. I had often wondered why. I never had the opportunity to ask my parents before they died. Most probably the reason may be that my parents chose the name Emmanuel before I was born.

Prayer of St Patrick

Christ is with me,

Christ is before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.