SeekFirst

SeekFirst

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”  (Matthew 6:33)

On the 1st of November 1996, I confided the following to my journal:
[Yesterday at Mass, I made the resolution to attend daily Eucharist as from 11/01/96.  I regard this development as a big grace and I thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for it.  I see it as the first fruit of the October devotion.  My prayer to God is that since I am not capable of carrying out such a lofty resolution on my own, that he should provide me with all the physical and spiritual strength I need to carry it out.

I recall the miracle of my friend, Carrena who told me in 1992 that for over 10 years, he had attended Mass everyday without missing one day.  May God give me the same blessing not just for 10 years but for the rest of my life.

The October devotion was concluded yesterday with the Mass novena in the last 9 days and the extra Rosary during the month.  How do I feel now about my prayer request?  Very confident.  For one thing, I have come to know more about the Blessed Virgin Mary form the book of Fr. Francis Ripley, “Mary, Mother of the Church”, which I bought on October 25th.  I came to realize as I never did before that it is God’s will that all graces come to us through Mary.  I also learned of the constant teaching of the Church articulated so well by many pontiffs that Mary is very powerful in her intercession on our behalf.  

I started the devotion this October asking for one favor and one favor only:  the total success of the Enterprise.  In the concrete, I seek for the following graces:

• A burning zeal to see the will of God accomplished in my life with regard to the Enterprise.


• To seek God’s will and not mine in every detail of the Enterprise.


• Faith that is firm, unwavering and constant that God is for me and with me in this project and therefore success is guaranteed.


• Patience to wait for God’s time, realizing that everything that happens takes place when God chooses.


• Wisdom to know what to do and when in every step in this project.  


• Humility to totally depend on God for everything vis-à-vis the Enterprise.

I have sought for these graces through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  I believe I will get everything I asked for and more.

I feel deeply encouraged by the grace for the daily Eucharist.  To me it is like “seeking first the kingdom of God and all that he requires of me” and then challenging God to fulfill his promise to supply all my needs.

Today marks two weeks since the commencement of the Enterprise.  Looking back at everything that has happened so far, I thank God that I am benefitting from the preparation I made.  I am following my scripts closely.  Considering how things have gone so far, it appears as if the Holy Spirit is in a hurry to establish for me his priority in the Enterprise.  The thrust and emphasis of my effort have been spiritual development.  Although I have spent time thinking of money and security, these thoughts are clearly secondary.

With the blessing of the daily Eucharist, I know for certain that I am heading in the right direction.  God will fulfill his word to me at the right time.  “All other things shall be mine without the asking.  For the Father knows that I need them.  And indeed, for this reason, he has placed me here.”  This is my belief.  Praise the Lord.  Alleluia!]

It has been 10 years since I wrote the above reflection.  Reading this again today in 2006, I marvel at God’s faithfulness.

Rejoice in Hope

Rejoice in Hope

“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”  (Romans 12: 12)

Have peace!  Be calm!  Enjoy the peace that Christ offers you every morning in the Eucharist.  That is his gift and he wants you to have it.  God is surely for you and with you in this Enterprise.  Be thoroughly convinced of this fact.  

Wait patiently for God’s time.  God has time for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)   Let your hope make you joyful, calm and patient.  Know that this hope is built on the word of God and not on changeable man.  No word of God is impossible for him and his word is enduring.  Trust in God’s disposal of events.  Things may change.  People may change.  Laws may change.  The weather may change.  But God is faithful.  He remains the same forever.  

In this journey, just as he was with Abraham, Moses and Joshua, he is surely with you.   Never doubt that.  God will not abandon you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)  This is the promise of one who is true and faithful.  God is guiding you every step in this project.  You know his presence through the faith you have in the Enterprise, the peace and calm you feel.  God’s guidance is peace.

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

“For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh, for the weapons of our battle are not of the flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10: 3 – 5)

Where are we hitting him? Where is his soft spot?
Where are we wasting armor?
What are the most strategic weapons in our arsenal?
Faith
Eucharist
Prayer/Rosary
Word of God
What are the most powerful weapons in the enemy’s arsenal?
Discouragement
Spiritual Information Warfare: Competitive Strategy
What is the enemy doing? Do you fully understand his strategy and tricks?
What is he planning to do? Can you predict his moves from past experiences?
W
Doubts
Misinformation
Worry
Fear
What are the strategic war zones?
Family
Health
Job
Money
Tools
Food

God is light

God is light

“God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.  If we say that we share in God’s life while we are living in darkness we are lying, because we are not living the truth.  …….  The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 5 – 7)

God is light and sin is darkness.  As I prepare for the Sacrament of reconciliation this last Saturday of the month, I find the first reading for today’s Mass most appropriate.  To live God’s life is to live in the light.  The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)  Powerful stuff!  I will remember this particularly this morning as I go to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the upright.  He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins, and not only ours, but also those of the whole world.”  (1 John 2: 1 – 2)

What are the areas of my life where God’s light has not penetrated?  Where does the word of God needs to shine in my life?  O Holy Spirit, please show me.

Do not panic

Do not panic

“Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.” (Acts 6: 8)
What do we need for ministry above everything else?  The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit provides all the resources and tools we need for the mission.  My number one task is to cultivate the person of the Holy Spirit.

“They found they could not stand up against him because of his wisdom, and the Spirit that prompted what he said.” (Acts 6: 10)
I find here a fantastic fulfillment of the promise of Christ in Matthew 10: 17 – 20.
“Be prepared for people to hand you over to the Sanhedrims and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, and evidence to them and the gentiles.  But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.”  (Matthew 10: 17 – 20)

What is the message in today’s scripture?  When you find your faith challenged, do not panic for full help will be given.  “I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place in me.”  Jesus, I want to trust you 100%.

Glad Tidings

Glad Tidings

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brought glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!”  (Isaiah 52: 7)

This scripture seems to point to the mission of John the Baptizer.  John was the messenger with glad tidings.  He was the chosen herald who announced the coming of Jesus and all it brings:  peace, salvation and good news.

John the Baptizer has done his work and is gone.  But the work of announcing the good news and glad tidings continue to this day.  I believe that the Father draws me near to Jesus in order to participate in this work.

How do I respond to those I meet who are hungry for the word of God?  

• I ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide my response.


• I ask Mary, Queen of the Apostles to help me.


• I give them a short personal testimony relating to their situation.