By waiting and by calm you shall be saved

"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength.
But this you did not will."  (Isaiah 30: 15)

When I feel insecure, I run the Lord.  I do not run to Egypt.
The ever changing environment in which we live involves the following dynamics:  Health, family, money, job, tools, food, future.  The only constant in all these factors is change.  Things change and they can change rapidly.  The other thing that is constant in a world of frequent changes is Jesus Christ.  He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

"Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other!"  (Isaiah 45: 22)

True security exists only in God.  "By waiting and by calm, you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength."  

If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you

"In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
But wicked people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived.
But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it"  (2 Timothy 3: 12 - 14)

The idea of trials, persecutions and suffering being part and parcel of our Christian vocation is not surprising to anybody who is familiar with the scriptures.  This idea is as prevalent in the Old Testament as it is in the New.  Examples from the Old Testament are Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David and the prophets.  In the New Testament, the principal example is Jesus Christ Himself.  He asks anyone who wants to follow Him, to pick up his cross and come along.  The Church of the Pentecost understood immediately that what was true for Jesus in His earthly journey would be true of the early Church and down through the centuries to our day.  This is as inevitable as the divine necessity for the Messiah Himself:
"And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!  Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

Why then does the persecution that comes with the Christian calling always a surprise to us?  Our surprise is in inverse proportion to our understanding of Sacred Scripture.  The more of Sacred Scripture we understand, the less we are surprised at the mystery of suffering.  The less Sacred Scripture we understand, the more we are surprised at the sufferings in the world including the big suffering in the life of  disciples of Jesus.
"Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.  And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."  (John 15: 20 21)

Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand the mystery of suffering.

No trial has come to you but what is human

"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it."  (1 Corinthians 10: 13)

I find the above scripture very helpful especially  periods of trial.  There are a number of truths here that if grasped will enable us to sail through any trial without too much collateral damage.  Let us look at the truths one by one:

First, we have the assurance that no matter the trial, some other human being has already faced it.  It is not unique to you.  It means much more if God says this in his word.

Secondly, we are reminded of God's faithfulness, wisdom, power, love and knowledge.  We know that if God permits this trial, we can be sure that it is measured to fit.  Once you discern that this trial is for you, acceptance becomes easier.

Finally, you are told to look for the way of escape provided by God in this trial.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 is a great scripture in a period of trial.

Stir into flame the gift of God

"For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control."  (2 Timothy 1: 6-7)

What are the gifts that I can stir into flame right here and right now?  I know that the Holy Spirit has blessed me with many gifts.  I know that today, I have been blessed with the gifts of feeding on the word of God.  I have also enjoyed the quiet time with the Lord which is a blessing.  Most importantly, I have been with the Lord in the Eucharist and have received His Precious Body and Blood.  How do I go about sharing these gifts?

I do not know how I can stir into flame these gifts.  But I know that the Holy Spirit who is the author of these gifts will help me if I ask Him.  If I trust Him to lead, guide and use me today, He will not disappoint.  O Holy Spirit, you have blessed me so much today.  I pray you to lead, guide and use me today.  I will trust you completely today for your continual guidance

May the glorious Father give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones,"  (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18)

What difference does it make if I know for certain that our glorious Father has given me a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of Him?  This question brings to  mind  this word from Jesus:  Eternal life is to know the One true God and Jesus Christ, His Only begotten Son.  Do I feel that I have the seed of eternal life in me right here and right now?  I know for certain that the Holy Spirit dwells in me.  The scripture calls the Holy Spirit the down payment of the full gift of eternal life.  Christians can grow in the size of this deposit or down payment.  We grow in this by means of prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Sacrament of Reconciliation and other sacraments.  This is the prayer of St. Paul for the early Christian community in Ephesus.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!"  (Romans 8: 14 - 15)

Most Holy and Adorable Spirit, I believe that you are in me.  I know that I am led and guided by you.  But I pray you to help me to trust completely in your continual guidance.  My greatest desire today is for you to lead me, guide me and use me.  I want to depend on you always and everywhere  in all things.  I want you to be my teacher.  I am teachable.  I want to learn from you everything that I need to know about my life's purpose.  Lead me to the fullness of truth promised by Jesus Christ.  I believe that my purpose in life is to learn and communicate the faith.  Open doors of opportunities for me.  Keep me simple and humble like Jesus Christ.  Protect me always from the attacks of the evil one.

The spirit of slavery is the spirit of fears, worries and doubts.  This mean spirit is opposed to the Holy Spirit. It seeks to control the mind and heart through fears, worries and doubts.  Resist him. Cry out to the Holy Spirit to expel him from your domain.  Soak yourself in sacred scriptures.  Remember always your divine sonship.  Have a close relationship with God the Father.  If you cry out often enough, Abba, Father! which means, "My own dear very Father" the Holy Spirit in you will use this cooperation to dislodge completely the spirit of slavery from your mind and heart.

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith

"But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."  (Jude 1: 20 - 21)

How do I build up myself in the most holy faith?  I build up myself by means of the 7-Way Plan received from The Way Himself.  The 7-Way Plan has 7 elements:

1. Prayer
2. Word of God
3. Eucharist
4. Penance
5. Examen
6. Ministry
7. Spiritual Reading

"For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,  as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ,"  (Titus 2: 11-13)

Through the means of the 7-Way Plan, the Lord trains me to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.  Fortified with grace, I wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed hope of His coming.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart in all the areas of your struggle

"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)

Trust completely in the supreme and powerful providence of God over you.  Do not try to figure out the whys and the hows of His ways.  His ways are not your ways because His thoughts are not your thoughts.  Embrace without questions His disposal of events in your life.  This is the way you guarantee the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Commit to God unresolved issues in the areas of your health, family, finances, job, tools, food and future.  His divine providence offers step by step direction and minute by minute protection.   God has promised His children always and everywhere His pardon, peace, power, purpose, presence, protection and provision.

Trust God with all your heart.

The Story of 2 Women - Mary and Elizabeth

"During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,  where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,  cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  (Luke 1: 40 - 45)

This is the story of two women, Mary and Elizabeth that was proclaimed in the Gospel of today, the feast of the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth.  As I heard this Gospel at the morning Mass today, my thoughts explored the differences between these two great Giants of our faith.

Mary is young.  Elizabeth is old.
Mary is newly pregnant.  Elizabeth is in her 6th month of pregnancy.
Mary is married to Joseph.  Elizabeth is married to Zechariah.
Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth.  Elizabeth and Zechariah live in a town of Judah.
Mary is conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Elizabeth owes her pregnancy to her husband.
Mary was visited by an angel before her conception.  Elizabeth's husband was visited by an angel before her pregnancy.
Mary was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing her Magnificat.  Elizabeth was inspired by the Holy Spirit to sing her Hail Mary.
Mary is the Mother of Jesus.  Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ.

I saw clearly for the first time that the Gospel passage of Luke 1: 39-56 may well be one of the most important in the entire New Testament.  It bears a number of revelations and prophecies that continue to be true and inspire to this day.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth foretold the future place of Mary in salvation history.  The same Holy Spirit inspired Mary to predict that all generation shall call her blessed.  All generations indeed starting from apostolic times to this day continue to call Mary blessed always and everywhere.  After the name of Jesus, which is the most pronounced name everyday, the name of Mary is second.  Each time we say the Rosary, we pronounce the name of Mary at least 106 times.  Consider how many Rosaries are said all over the world everyday.  When you add them up plus the name of Mary in the liturgies and other prayers, that is a huge number.  Faced with this critical mass of data, who can deny that all generations are hailing her blessed.  Is this a coincidence or arbitrary?  No!  It is the fulfillment of the prophecy in the Magnificat of Mary.  God is faithful.

(2000th Blog - 053112)

You do not know what you are asking

"Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"  (Mark 10: 38)

Prayer is both praise and petition.  In my own case, most of my prayer is petition.  We are so burdened by the weight of flesh that the spirit in us barely has room to soar in praise.

What makes up my prayer of petition ?  I pray for good health, for job and financial success, for family, my daily bread and protection from evil.  Jesus reminds me today, "You do not know what you are asking of."  Yes Lord, you are right.  I do not know what I am asking of.  I should trust you completely with every area of my life.  You know what is best for me.  I trust you to take care of me.

Your word to me, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be yours as well," is true.  Help me never to doubt it.

For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike

"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Matthew 11: 25)

Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  God's modus operandi is to reveal the secrets of the kingdom to the childlike.  What are these secrets?  They are mysteries which the mind of man cannot fully understand.  Yet once they are revealed are found to be reasonable.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul often compares the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes from above.  Although the wisdom of this world deals only with the material creation, they tend to puff up those who have it.  Those who possess this wisdom pretend that they know everything.

St. James in his letter writes of two types of wisdom:  Wisdom that comes from above and the earthly wisdom.  The wisdom that comes from above bears the marks of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  While earthly wisdom bears all the signs of the Father of lies.

The hidden things of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike.  The childlike are those who have hearts and minds disposed to God.

Lord Jesus, make me childlike.

Jesus Christ became poor so that I might become rich

"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich."  (2 Corinthians 8: 9)

In order to appropriate the promises designed for us in the word of God, we must understand the meaning of the word.  I realize lately that I do not understand the meaning of many scriptures that I thought I did.  An example is 2 Corinthians 8:9.  What does it mean that Christ became poor so that by His poverty, I may become rich?

Early this morning, I read a couple of commentaries on the scripture and was surprised by what I discovered.  Christ is the Son of God, creator of heaven and earth and all that is seen and unseen.  He is the Lord of history.  The destiny of the entire world is in His hands. He owns all the silver and gold, all the banks and deposits.   Can you get richer than that?  Yet, Christ chose to be born in a stable in Bethlehem.  Born of poor parents, he learned carpentry as His trade.  Throughout His public ministry, He depended on women to provide for His needs from their meagre resources.  When He died, He had no wealth to bequeath to His mother.  On the cross, He entrusted the care of His mother to his disciple, John.  He was buried in a borrowed grave.

Out of His passion, death and resurrection, He bestowed freely on us the greatest gift of redemption, the person of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the source of all inspiration and power.  He is resourcefulness Himself.  If we have the Holy Spirit, we are potentially rich in every resource, of which the most important is faith.  Gold though tested by fire perishes.  Faith never perishes.  With faith all is possible.

Lord, open my eyes to see how rich you have made me.  Amen!

St. Philip Neri - Cheerful disposition

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5: 5)

May 26, Feast of St. Philip Neri - From the Roman Missal, we have the following:

"(1515 - 1595).  Born in Florence, he was ordained in 1551, and in 1564 he founded the Congregation of the Oratory.  He is noted for his zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance, and for his cheerful disposition.  He was a catechist and a spiritual guide of extraordinary talent.  He was canonized in 1622."

St. Philip Neri had four gifts I want for myself:

1. Zeal in converting sinners through the Sacrament of Penance
2. Cheerful disposition
3. Catechist
4. Spiritual guide

As St. Philip the Apostle is the model of my mission in his relation to the Holy Spirit, St. Philip Neri is the model of the gifts I need to fulfill my purpose.

Opening Prayer on the feast of St. Philip Neri:

"Father, you continually raise 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 Philip Neri.  We ask his through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son..."

Without this fire of the Holy Spirit, our ministry will only be mediocre.

The Holy Spirit will remind you of all that I told you

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."  (John 14: 26)

Thank you Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thank you for His activities in my life.  I bear witness to the truth that the Holy Spirit is the best Teacher.  I depend on Him when I want to learn anything.  Today I am praying to Him to make me as great a teacher as Jesus.  O Divine Spirit, give me the gift of teaching with simplicity.

Thank you O Holy Spirit for reminding me of the favors God has bestowed on me.  Without this reminding, I would forget many blessings I enjoy from God.  I love all your gifts O Spirit of God.  One of the gifts I love most is your reminding me of the good things that God has done for me.  This constant reminding makes me constantly thankful and constitutes a solid wall of protection during hard times.

Come O Holy Spirit.

Approach the throne of grace with confidence

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

Those who dare to approach the throne of grace with confidence receive abundant favors.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,* and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)

"All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, buy grain and eat;
Come, buy grain without money,
wine and milk without cost!"  (Isaiah 55: 1)

"Blessed* are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19: 9)

The Power to testify

"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.
And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."  (John 15: 26 - 27)

Lord, fill us with you Holy Spirit that we will bear witness to you in the Lord.  Empower us with your Spirit of truth that we shall spread the knowledge of your name among our brothers.  Without you, we can do nothing.

The Mediator

"On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God."  (John 16: 26 - 27)

Prayer should be in the name of Jesus for He is our Mediator and Intercessor.  In the past few weeks, the Gospel readings at daily Mass have been taken largely from St. John's Gospel.  We read again and again Jesus urging us to ask in His name and we shall receive.  The promise today goes one step further.  The engaged disciple is now no longer a baby.  He loves Jesus.  This love is evidence of the Holy Spirit who has made a home in the disciple's heart.  This disciple starts to enjoy the full benefits of his love for Jesus.  Jesus knows his needs and takes them to the Father and the Father graciously obliges.  Thank you Jesus.

The Peace of Jesus

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33)

The peace of Christ surpasses all understanding.  (Philippians 4: 7)
"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts."  (Colossians 3:15)  When the peace of Christ keeps guard over the heart, then the person is peaceful under every circumstance.  He is not at the mercy of events and circumstances.  We come to this condition by accepting in faith the peace offered to us by Jesus in John 16: 33.  Before this, we reject the flippant and conditional peace offered by the world.  A peace that depends on the weather is no peace at all.   Whatever is the event or circumstance, we refuse to be anxious but by prayer and petition mixed with thanksgiving, we make our requests known to God.  Whenever I live this word of God, I have felt the peace promised by Jesus Christ.  It is peace that the world cannot understand or replicate.

Jesus Christ wants His followers to enjoy peace.  I am amazed at the number of times the word peace is repeated during holy Mass.

I am with you always

"Behold, I am with you to the end of the ages." (Matthew 28: 20)

What if we know for certain that Jesus is with us always?  If we know for certain that Jesus is with us always, we will act with more courage on His word that "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  We are more likely than not  obey His commands.

God's word is true.  If Jesus says that He is with us always, that is what it is.  He is not a man to lie.  Lord, grant me the grace to act here and now as if you are truly with me.  Amen!

I am with you always

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28: 19-20)

"I am with you always."  What a promise!!  What will you do if you know that this promise is absolutely true?  If I know with absolute certainty that this promise is true, I will not walk but run everywhere to announce the Goodnews.  How sad that there should even be a doubt on this!

"The promises of the LORD are sure, silver refined in a crucible, silver purified seven times."  (Psalm 12: 7)

Dear Jesus, help me to trust completely in your promises.  Let your words drive my life.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to surrender completely to all His actions in me.