The Seed is the Word of God
“What the sower is sowing is he word. Those on the edge of the path where the word is sown are people who have no sooner heard it than satan comes and carries away the word that was sown in them. Similarly, those who receive the seed on patches of rock are people who, when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root in them, they do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, they fall away at once. Then there are others who receive the seed in thorns. These have heard the word, but the worries of this world, the lure of riches and all the other passions come in to choke the word, and so it produces nothing. And there are those who have received the seed in rich soil: they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mar 4: 15 – 20)
This is one of my favorite parables in the Gospel. I see the lessons of the parable so true in myself and in other people in the Body of Christ. For me the core message is that where you are when the word of God comes to you may determine your response and eternal destiny.
The first group in the parable lives “on the edge of the path.” They exist in physical and psychological environment that gives no chance to the word. The demonic influences in their environment are simply overwhelming. What can they do? Seek help and move out of the environment.
The second group lives “on patches of rock.” These are very shallow people. The reason why “they have no root in them” is because they have no understanding of the word that they heard. What can they do? They need to hear the word again and again and study it in order to gain some understanding of the message.
The third group lives “in thorns.” The people in this group are still very much in love with the world. They hear the word and like it and believe that the word can help them to get more out of this world. What can they do? Scripture advices us: “Do not conform to the world.” We need the word of God to renew our minds.
The last group was ready for the word when they heard it. They accept it and put it into practice in their life and the word transforms them. They yield rich harvest.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Friday, May 05, 2006
Intuition
Intuition
“Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that; since a person’s soul often gives a clearer warning than 7 watchmen perched on a watchtower. And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.” (Sirach 37: 13 – 15)
How strong is my desire for the Enterprise? Nobody attains more than he desires. I learned from St. Ignatius that desire makes the man. Is my desire for the Enterprise as strong as to make me sell all that I have in order to purchase this “pearl of great value?”
Yes indeed. My desire for the Enterprise is very strong. It represents the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life. My intuition tells me that this risk is worth taking. Scripture says that my intuition cannot be faulted. I stick to the advice that my own heart gives me because I know that no one can be truer to me than that.
My intuition tells me that the Enterprise is God’s answer to my prayer to discover my purpose in life. The search started in 0193. The same intuition tells me that it is worth risking everything because I will succeed.
“Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that; since a person’s soul often gives a clearer warning than 7 watchmen perched on a watchtower. And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.” (Sirach 37: 13 – 15)
How strong is my desire for the Enterprise? Nobody attains more than he desires. I learned from St. Ignatius that desire makes the man. Is my desire for the Enterprise as strong as to make me sell all that I have in order to purchase this “pearl of great value?”
Yes indeed. My desire for the Enterprise is very strong. It represents the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life. My intuition tells me that this risk is worth taking. Scripture says that my intuition cannot be faulted. I stick to the advice that my own heart gives me because I know that no one can be truer to me than that.
My intuition tells me that the Enterprise is God’s answer to my prayer to discover my purpose in life. The search started in 0193. The same intuition tells me that it is worth risking everything because I will succeed.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
The Secret of the Kingdom
The Secret of the Kingdom
“The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parable, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand.” (Mark 4: 11-12)
To understand the words and works of God, one must be an insider. The process of becoming an insider is analogous to the process of initiation into a cult. We call this process the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The inquirer comes to the Church and declares his interest in becoming a member. He or she is then instructed in the basics of the Christian faith for a period between one year and three years. The inquirer is taught the main events of salvation history from the Bible, the person and the life of Jesus Christ and the Sacraments of the Church. When he is ready, he declares publicly his intention to proceed to full initiation into the “secret of the kingdom of God” through Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Then he becomes an insider who has received the secrets of the kingdom of God.
I thank God for having initiated me into the secrets of his kingdom. I believe the words of Jesus that the kingdom of God is now within me. The seed of the word of God is in my heart. This word is active and dynamic. If I tend it, it will grow and yield harvest in proportion to my desire and faith. Today’s word of life reminds me of my call by Christ to a life of friendship and companionship with him. Jesus spoke the words in Mark 4: 11 – 12 when he was alone with his disciples.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your call to a life of friendship and companionship. I need to feel your presence very close at this moment. I know you will tell me that you are always very close. Make me believe it keenly every moment.
“The secret of the kingdom of God is given to you, but to those who are outside everything comes in parable, so that they may see and see again, but not perceive; may hear and hear again, but not understand.” (Mark 4: 11-12)
To understand the words and works of God, one must be an insider. The process of becoming an insider is analogous to the process of initiation into a cult. We call this process the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The inquirer comes to the Church and declares his interest in becoming a member. He or she is then instructed in the basics of the Christian faith for a period between one year and three years. The inquirer is taught the main events of salvation history from the Bible, the person and the life of Jesus Christ and the Sacraments of the Church. When he is ready, he declares publicly his intention to proceed to full initiation into the “secret of the kingdom of God” through Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Then he becomes an insider who has received the secrets of the kingdom of God.
I thank God for having initiated me into the secrets of his kingdom. I believe the words of Jesus that the kingdom of God is now within me. The seed of the word of God is in my heart. This word is active and dynamic. If I tend it, it will grow and yield harvest in proportion to my desire and faith. Today’s word of life reminds me of my call by Christ to a life of friendship and companionship with him. Jesus spoke the words in Mark 4: 11 – 12 when he was alone with his disciples.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your call to a life of friendship and companionship. I need to feel your presence very close at this moment. I know you will tell me that you are always very close. Make me believe it keenly every moment.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
The Sower, the Seed & the Harvest
The Sower, the Seed and the Harvest
“Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow …… as he sowed …..some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded 30, 60, even a 100 fold.” (Mark 4: 1 – 9)
The seed is the word of God. When it falls into a rich soil, it produces rich harvest. What is a rich soil? A rich soil is a soul that has been prepared and conditioned to receive the word of God. Who has the responsibility for preparing and conditioning this “soil”? Each person prepares himself using all the means provided by a God who knows no favorites.
The means for preparing the soul to receive the word of God are prayer, the sacraments, study and a desire for God. When the soul is prepared, it becomes like a watered garden. It becomes expectant and receptive. So when it hears the word of God (Rhema), it is ready for it. It recognizes its opportunity when it comes because it has been expecting it. When the word of God is received with faith, it germinates, grows and yields rich harvest.
“Listen! Imagine a sower going out to sow …… as he sowed …..some seeds fell into rich soil and, growing tall and strong, produced crop; and yielded 30, 60, even a 100 fold.” (Mark 4: 1 – 9)
The seed is the word of God. When it falls into a rich soil, it produces rich harvest. What is a rich soil? A rich soil is a soul that has been prepared and conditioned to receive the word of God. Who has the responsibility for preparing and conditioning this “soil”? Each person prepares himself using all the means provided by a God who knows no favorites.
The means for preparing the soul to receive the word of God are prayer, the sacraments, study and a desire for God. When the soul is prepared, it becomes like a watered garden. It becomes expectant and receptive. So when it hears the word of God (Rhema), it is ready for it. It recognizes its opportunity when it comes because it has been expecting it. When the word of God is received with faith, it germinates, grows and yields rich harvest.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Who is my mother?
Who is my mother?
“Who are my mother and my brothers? Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 34)
Jesus seizes the opportunity of the visit of his mother to teach us an important lesson about a new kind of relationship in the kingdom. If I do the will of God, I can truly call Jesus, my brother. Jesus praises his mother because she does the will of God. Christ is saying here that spiritual maternity is of a higher order than a mere physical one. Mary is the mother of Jesus in the order of nature and in the higher order of grace.
Jesus gave us his mother on the cross even when we were still sinners. This is so that the mother will lead us to our brother, Jesus.
I turn to Mary, the one full of grace and pray: Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus, you were praised because you do the will of God. I too am your son. Teach me to hear the word of God today and to do it.
“Who are my mother and my brothers? Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 34)
Jesus seizes the opportunity of the visit of his mother to teach us an important lesson about a new kind of relationship in the kingdom. If I do the will of God, I can truly call Jesus, my brother. Jesus praises his mother because she does the will of God. Christ is saying here that spiritual maternity is of a higher order than a mere physical one. Mary is the mother of Jesus in the order of nature and in the higher order of grace.
Jesus gave us his mother on the cross even when we were still sinners. This is so that the mother will lead us to our brother, Jesus.
I turn to Mary, the one full of grace and pray: Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus, you were praised because you do the will of God. I too am your son. Teach me to hear the word of God today and to do it.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Criticisms
Criticisms
“I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mark 3: 28 – 30)
Jesus reacts here to an unfair and severe criticism. Instead of gratitude for his miracles, his enemies used his benevolence as a point of attack in order to demoralize Jesus and his followers. If Jesus had unclean spirit, he would be regarded as a sinister magician.
What is my attitude to criticisms? Do I feel crushed by them? Do I succumb to a well-planned trap by being discouraged and abandon some good work? The first thing to do when faced with a severe criticism is to pause and understand the nature of the attack. Who is the attacker? Try to see the motive. If you determine that this is a spiritual warfare, then follow the advice of the spiritual masters. “Agere contra.” To the exact opposite of what the enemy is urging. If the enemy’s intention is for you to abandon prayer, double your prayers.
Lord Jesus, help me never to overreact to criticism. Let me always remember that you who are goodness and wisdom was also criticized.
“I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies; but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness: he is guilty of an eternal sin.” (Mark 3: 28 – 30)
Jesus reacts here to an unfair and severe criticism. Instead of gratitude for his miracles, his enemies used his benevolence as a point of attack in order to demoralize Jesus and his followers. If Jesus had unclean spirit, he would be regarded as a sinister magician.
What is my attitude to criticisms? Do I feel crushed by them? Do I succumb to a well-planned trap by being discouraged and abandon some good work? The first thing to do when faced with a severe criticism is to pause and understand the nature of the attack. Who is the attacker? Try to see the motive. If you determine that this is a spiritual warfare, then follow the advice of the spiritual masters. “Agere contra.” To the exact opposite of what the enemy is urging. If the enemy’s intention is for you to abandon prayer, double your prayers.
Lord Jesus, help me never to overreact to criticism. Let me always remember that you who are goodness and wisdom was also criticized.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Jesus summoned those he wanted
Jesus summoned those he wanted.
“He now went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed 12; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils.” (Mark 3: 13-14)
Jesus summoned those he wanted. He wanted me and therefore he called me. Like the second call of Jonas, this is also my second calling. Lord Jesus, I have heard. Now tell me what to do.
Those Christ called, he made his companions. What is a companion? A companion is a friend that is always there, sharing everything with his friend. Availability is a characteristic of companionship. Christ wants me to be his companion. He wants me to make a permanent room in my heart for him. Lord, thank you for this honor. I accept.
He sent out the 12 to preach with power to cast out devils. Although they had not become knowledgeable in kingdom principles, in personal holiness or their commitment to him, he trusted them enough to send them out to preach in his name. How about me? Today I yearn for power to publish Christ. I believe that Jesus will give me this power.
“He now went up into the hills and summoned those he wanted. So they came to him and he appointed 12; they were to be his companions and to be sent out to preach, with power to cast out devils.” (Mark 3: 13-14)
Jesus summoned those he wanted. He wanted me and therefore he called me. Like the second call of Jonas, this is also my second calling. Lord Jesus, I have heard. Now tell me what to do.
Those Christ called, he made his companions. What is a companion? A companion is a friend that is always there, sharing everything with his friend. Availability is a characteristic of companionship. Christ wants me to be his companion. He wants me to make a permanent room in my heart for him. Lord, thank you for this honor. I accept.
He sent out the 12 to preach with power to cast out devils. Although they had not become knowledgeable in kingdom principles, in personal holiness or their commitment to him, he trusted them enough to send them out to preach in his name. How about me? Today I yearn for power to publish Christ. I believe that Jesus will give me this power.
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