You are Jesus the Christ. You are Peter the Pontiff.

 “But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?”  (Matthew 16: 15).

"Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16: 16).

Abba Father revealed to Peter the identity of His Son Jesus the Christ.
What is a revelation? A revelation is the spontaneous flash of truth in the mind.  Some examples:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."  (Ephesians 1: 17).

"When I saw that man/woman, I knew immediately that was he/she."
We all enjoy revelation from time to time.

And Jesus said to Peter: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16: 18).

God gives us knowledge of Himself and His works that we may come to know Him, love Him and serve Him so that we can enjoy eternity with Him forever.

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I live among you as a servant.

"The greatest among you must be your servant."  (Matthew 23: 11).

The tale of two Lords.
Jesus is Lord. Caesar is Lord.
One Lord rides into cities on chariots driven by soldiers with whips used to control the crowd. The other Lord rides into the city on a humble donkey.  One Lord waits to be served by numerous servants.  The other Lord says:  "But I am among you as one who serves." (Luke 22: 27).

One Lord dies, is buried and eaten by worms in his grave. The other Lord dies on the cross and after three days rose from the dead as predicted.
After death, one Lord is forgotten by history while the other Lord is Lord of history and continues to live and reign forever.

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  (Matthew 23: 12).

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Where you go, I will go.

"But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." (Ruth 1: 16 - 17).

These are the immortal words of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi.  I say immortal because these words have been read over the years with great emotion and consolation. Who would not like to have the like of Ruth as a daughter-in-law?

Be that as it may, St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits had similar ideals in his relationship with Jesus. He stated his objectives as follows:
#1.  To know the Heart of Jesus intimately.
#2. To love Him passionately.
#3.  To follow Him everywhere.

Ruth lived out her ideals and became the great grandmother of King David, and in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.  St Ignatius lived out his ideals and became the founder of the Society of Jesus, an Order that continues to have impact in the Church and in the world.

Here are other idealists:
St Francis Xavier opened India, Japan and China for Christ.
Billy Graham (still alive) preached to some 215 million people in 185 countries.
Mother St Teresa of Kolkata impacted the world with her service of the poor and the rejected.
Martin Luther King gave his life for the cause of racial harmony.

Someone said that great desire or great ideal make great people.

What are your desires? What are your ideals?

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Can anything good come from Nazareth?

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”  (John 1:  46).

When Nathaniel heard from Philip that he believed that Jesus is the Messiah, Nathaniel quipped: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” 

We all suffer from prejudice. We profile human beings all the time. We discriminate based on the outcome of our profiling. Scripture says that Jesus Christ experienced all the vicissitudes of the human condition except sin.  (Hebrews 4: 15).

We wonder at times:
Can anything good come from suffering?
Can anything good come from delays, disappointments, obstacles?
Can anything good come from profiling and discrimination?

God says Yes to all the above. You may call this:  the Mystery of Divine Providence. 

Jean Pierre de Caussade, an 18th century French spiritual writer teaches:
#1. Accept all that has happened.
#2.  Accept everything that is happening.
#3.  Cooperate with everything except what is sinful.

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The Lord is a generous Employer

"Why have you been standing here idle all day? You go into my vineyard too.”  (Matthew 20: 6 – 7).

In the vineyard, there is much work to be done. The owner of the vineyard pays fair wages to all the workers. The Lord Jesus is a generous employer.

"The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”  The Church is the vineyard of the Lord. (Isaiah 5: 7).

There is always and everywhere abundant work in the Lord’s Company.

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him."  (Matthew 9:9 NLT).

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Many who are first will be last.

"Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” 

After the rich young who was possessed by his wealth walked away in utter sadness from Jesus, Jesus seized the opportunity to warn His disciples of the dangers of excessive love of money, pleasure and leisure.

Answering Peter's question, Jesus said:  "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29).

I have seen this promise fulfilled in the lives of so many people. Do you believe in this promise?

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  (Luke 1:  45).

I believe Lord Jesus.  Strengthen our faith.

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The rich young man went away sad.

Jesus answered a young man who kept all the commandments and wanted to know what more he could do to become an intimate friend of God:

"Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions."  (Matthew 19: 21 - 22).

Are your possessions about to possess you? I looked into the open garage of my neighbor and was surprised by how it was packed with stuff. I wondered what would be in the storage at the back of the home.  Is this the American dream I wondered.

"But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her."  (Luke 10: 42), Jesus said to Martha.

Strive to choose the more perfect part of all the gifts of God.

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The gifts and call of God are irrevocable.

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."  (Romans 11: 29).

Which gifts?

"The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide."  (Isaiah 11: 2 - 3).

Which call?

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19).

"To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,
 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ."  (2 Thessalonians 1: 11 - 12).

"I will bear a witness to you in the world,O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers and sisters, Alleluia!"  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23).

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Do you want to be like the little one? Ask Jesus.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom."  (Matthew 11: 25).

How do you see yourself before God?  Wise and learned or childlike and little one? 

Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  (1 Corinthians 8: 1).  God prefers to reveal the secrets of the Kingdom to the childlike.   You may call this: Preferential option for the little ones.

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.  The Lord gave the little ones the gifts of Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom.  With these core gifts they are able to understand the mysteries of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus the Christ, the Church, Sacraments, etc.

St. James 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 gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.  While earthly wisdom bears all the signs of Satan, Father of lies. (James 3: 13 - 18).

Do you want to know some of these little ones, check them out by googling "Doctors of the Church" and "Church Fathers".

Dear Jesus Christ, I want to be a little one. If You want me to be a little one, You have to make me one Yourself.  Remember Lord that all things are possible for You and nothing is too marvelous for You to do for me. Amen.

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Give an honest try to Praise and Thanksgiving.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the LORD of lords,
for his mercy endures forever."

His mercy endures forever.  Absolutely true!

"Who led his people through the wilderness, for his mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136: 1 - 4).

What do you know about the power of praise and thanksgiving? Praise and Thanksgiving is probably religion's best kept secret of all times. Just a few of the things that Praise and Thanksgiving can do for you:
#1.  Banish depression.
#2.  Wipe out the threat of opioid.
#3.  Heal marriages.
#4.  Fill your soul with contentment.
#5.  Put joy and smile on your face.
#6.  Renews your youth like the eagle's.

The word of God Never underperforms. Why do people refuse to check it out completely and then share their honest testimony?

"Bless the Lord, my soul;
all my being, bless his holy name!Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts."  (Psalm 103: 1 - 2).

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I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.

"Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan."  (Matthew 18: 26 - 27).

This servant certainly knew how to beg for relief. He knelt down and asked his Lord.  He knew something else for which we commend him.  He knew his master was compassionate and kindly.  How much do we know the Heart of Jesus?  The Sacred Heart waiting for us to come and to shower us with His forgiveness and love.

"Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan." (Matthew 18: 27).

Forgive the wasteful servant probably something like a million dollars?  If the master had forgiven 50% of the debt, he would be hailed as a most generous man.

"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).

Do not miss this very important phrase: "I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to." Asking for forgiveness is very important.

Look! This unforgiving servant is me and you. Consider how much God has forgiven us throughout our lives. Yet we bear all types of grudges. Lord have mercy!

Remember the ABC of Mercy?
A.  Ask for Mercy.
B.  Be Merciful.
C.  Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

Do this and you will never have to fear this:
"So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”  (Matthew 18: 35).

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Shout joyfully to God, all the earth.

"Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!"

If God fills your soul with fire, what would you do?

If God fills my soul with fire, I will
Shout joyfully to God; sing praise to the glory of his name; I will proclaim his glorious praise.
and say to God: “How tremendous are your deeds!”

I will say to you my brothers and sisters: Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
I will urge you: Bless our God, you peoples; loudly sound his praise.

I will always remember: Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!

I will shout like a crazy man: Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue.

Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire.
(Adapted from Psalm 66)

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Her Feast Day O Most Blessed Virgin Mary on Solemnity of your Assumption.

 “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?"  (Luke 1: 42 - 43).

Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist greeted Mary thus on the occasion of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.

Today, August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  The Church throughout the world celebrates and rejoices in Mary's prerogatives and privileges.  What Mary enjoys today shall be ours sooner or later.  Mary is "Mother of the Lord" to be sure. Let us remember that this title was first given to Mary by Elizabeth when she was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out as a prophet.  (Luke 1:  41-42).

The Church Fathers had seen Mary as the Woman of Revelation 12: 1.
"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."

Mary did not seek her extraordinary privileges.  They were conferred by her Son Jesus the Christ for our sake. We rejoice in this truth.

Happy Feast Day O Most Blessed Mother.  Your Son Jesus Christ has made you our Queen, Mother and Teacher.  Your children will continue to love you Now and Forever!  Who dare say nay?

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You too must befriend the alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.

"For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes,  who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing." (Deuteronomy 10: 17 - 18).

Who should you share your bread with?  The orphans, widows and immigrants.

"So you too should love the resident alien, for that is what you were in the land of Egypt."  (Deuteronomy 10: 19).

Whom should you not persecute?
Those you insult as illegal immigrants.

"The Lord, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve; to him hold fast and by his name shall you swear.  He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you those great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.  Seventy strong your ancestors went down to Egypt, and now the Lord, your God, has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven."  (Deuteronomy 10:  20 - 22).

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Peter beginning to drown, cried out, Jesus save me!

"When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified."  (Matthew 14: 26).

The disciples were afraid to see Jesus walking on a violent sea as their boat was tossed about by the strong wind. In this state of confusion, they heard the familiar voice:
"“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”  (Matthew 14: 27).

Now the real drama is about to start:
Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”   (Matthew 14: 28 - 30).

The Lord Jesus reveals here that He is Master of nature.  All things serve Him. (Psalm 119: 19).
Do you believe this?
Yes Lord, I believe. Increase my faith.

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I love You, O Lord, my strength.

"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!  Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength.  (Deuteronomy 6: 4 - 5).

What does it mean to love the LORD with all your heart? Like you love your wife, children or friends with all your heart?
No. There is an important difference. Your wife or your husband can never claim to be the First Person in your life. He or she will be claiming to be God who has made that claim already for Himself. This is why the Church teaches that we worship and honor God with with a special level of worship called LATRIA. But for saints and angels, we honor them with DULIA. LATRIA WORSHIP Or ADORATION is reserved for God alone.

We love God with all our heart when we love Him above all things in heaven and on earth. We prefer Him to everything in heaven and on earth.  Always and Everywhere.

"I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer." (Psalm 18: 2 - 3).

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Call upon Me at the time of need and I will answer you.

"I remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I remember your wonders of old.
And I meditate on your works;
your exploits I ponder."  (Psalm 77:  12 - 13 RM).

How often do you pause to remember and celebrate God's wonderful deeds in your life?
For example:
Your Baptism, Wedding.
Unexpected healing, Financial emancipation and  relief from Debt crisis.  And so forth and so on.

Why is remembering God's wonderful works in our life so powerful in lifting us up from despondency? We know that what happened before can happen again. The fire of hope is lighted. And we feel gratitude and love for the one who relieved us in the past at the moment of dire need. We are emboldened to ask for help in the present crisis. God's standing promise can be claimed: "Call upon me at the time of need and I will answer you."  (Psalm 50: 15) 

Satan being the father of lies and deception will give anything to cause us to forget God's merciful deeds.

The Holy Spirit causes us to remember God's wonderful deeds in our lives.  Ask Him every day to remind you.

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Sow abundantly and reap likewise.

"Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."  (2 Corinthians 9: 6)

The Lord Jesus says that pagans and unbelievers are always thinking of what to eat and clothes. In order words, they are preoccupied with money all day long. (Cf Matthew 6: 31 - 32).

Consider sowing and reaping genuine riches not just money or material things:
If you sow Prayer, you reap peace and calmness.
If you sow the Word of God, you reap wisdom and discernment.
If you sow Eucharist, you reap intimacy with Jesus.
If you sow Reconciliation, you reap a clean conscience.
If you sow Examination of conscience, you reap purity of heart.
If you sow Ministry, you will be ministered to when in need.
If you sow Spiritual Reading, you will reap understanding and spiritual insight.

Sow! Sow! Sow!

"Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]."  (2 Corinthians 9: 7 AMP).

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O woman, great is your faith!

"Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour."  (Matthew 15: 28).

Who is this woman of great faith?
"A Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”  (Matthew 15: 21).

Wherever Jesus meets great faith, He is full of praise.  Is faith the secret missing ingredient in your life? It certainly appears to be so in my life.  I desire great faith. I pray for stupendous faith. And now, I leave the rest to God.

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured." (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

Your faith can save you for Heaven, the ultimate goal and reward. And while here on earth, through your faith, you can taste Heaven even here on earth.

Since faith is a supernatural gift of God who encourages us to ask, seek, knock and we shall receive, find and enter, (Matthew 7:7)  let us approach the throne of grace with confidence to ask for this faith now and at every time of need.  (Hebrews 4: 16)

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Why, then, did you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?

"Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses..... They complained, “Is it through Moses alone that the Lord has spoken? Has he not spoken through us also?”  (Numbers 12: 1, 2).

There are all types of sins. But questioning God's authority is to be avoided at all cost. There are men and women in the Church today who question the authority of Jesus over His decision that the priesthood is a reserved ministry for men.  Is this attitude borne of culpable ignorance or presumption?

"And the Lord heard this.  Now the man Moses was very humble, more than anyone else on earth."  (Numbers 12: 2, 3)
Why, then, do you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?  And so the Lord’s wrath flared against them, and he departed."  (Numbers 12: 8-9).

Many of us will leap to defend ourselves. Why not allow God to defend us as He defended Moses.  This is the quality in the lives of saints that I admire the most. Take for example: The 35 Doctors of the Church, men and women had outrageous slander against each and every one of them. The crimes they were charged with were invariably sex or money. Even Mother St Teresa of Kolkata who was canonized about a year ago was accused of being greedy for money. This is a person whom everybody knows was as poor as a Church mouse. The attack was to make her quit begging for money for the poor. She did not fall for such trap.

Today is the Memorial of St Dominic, the holy founder of the Order of St Dominic, officially known as Order of Preachers. St Dominic had more than his fair share of all types of accusations inspired by the Satan.

St Dominic pray for us.

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