“Come you to the waters.”

"Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear to me, and come to me; listen so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David." (Isaiah 55: 1 – 3) NRSV.

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." (Matthew 5: 6) Hunger and thirst for God's kingdom are essential prerequisite for salvation. They are also the vital conditions for receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone is invited to the feast but the qualification is thirst. Where God gives grace, he first gives the thirsting after it. Where he has given a thirsting after grace, he will give it.

All people are invited to "come you to the waters." Come to Jesus Christ in the: Eucharist, Blessed Sacrament, Sacrament of Reconciliation, word of God and prayer. "Come and buy; come and eat" implies full possession. Christ Jesus outperforms our expectations in his provisions. "Come and buy wine and milk." The gifts are priceless. The giver does not need our money.

Isaiah 55: 1-3 foreshadows the incredible and invaluable gifts of the Sacraments which flow out of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Wait patiently for your turn

"A furnace for silver, a foundry for gold, but Yahweh for the testing of hearts!" (Proverbs 17: 3)

How is Yahweh testing me today?

I recall pre-1195, I was sorely tested by money problems and job. At the inception of the Enterprise in 1096, I was tested by money, shelter and little needs. I learned through all these tests that Yahweh wants me to trust him in everything. One area that is a big testing ground for me today is the need to develop patience in every situation, every time and every place. The message for me every day is "wait patiently for your turn."

School of Wisdom

School of Wisdom

“The fear of Yahweh is a school of wisdom, before there can be glory, there must be humility.” (Proverbs 15: 33)

Fear Yahweh – obey Yahweh.

Obedience to the word of God is what opens our personality fully to wisdom. God humbles us before he raises us up to whatever glory he has destined us.

Some of the too many examples attesting to this truth are:

• · Jesus Christ
• · Blessed Virgin Mary
• · Saints Peter and Paul

Discipleship

Discipleship

“If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31)

“Discipleship involves constancy as learners and [constancy] gains the promise of knowledge of the truth and freedom. Real discipleship leads to real freedom.

“The truth shall make you free.’ The truth which Christ teaches tends to make men free, (Isaiah 61: 1). It makes us free from our spiritual enemies, free in the service of God, free from all fears, free to the privileges of sons.

Secondly, the knowing, entertaining, and believing of this truth does actually make us free, free from prejudices, mistakes and false notions, free from the dominion of lust and passion; and restores the soul to the government of itself. The mind, by admitting the truth of Christ is vastly enlarged, and has scope and compass given it and never acts with so true a liberty as when it acts under divine command.” (2 Corinthians 3: 17)

(The Pulpit Commentary)

Keeping Watch

Keeping Watch

“Blessed, whoever listens to me, who day after day keeps watch at my gates to guard my portals. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of Yahweh.” (Proverbs 8: 34 – 35)

I am encouraged by the above scripture. Day after day, I keep watch at God’s gates waiting for his word on the Enterprise. I am reassured that at the fullness of time, he will answer me with life and his favors. Thank you Lord.

“Fear of Yahweh means hatred of evil.” (Proverbs 8: 13)

Love of truth means hatred of lies, dishonesty.

Give and there will be gifts for you

Give and there will be gifts for you

“Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you.” (Luke 6: 38)

Give what? Your –

· Time

· Treasure

· Talent

· Prayers

· Thoughts

· Counsels

Give to whom?

· Family

· Fellow Christians

· Neighbors

· Children in need

Why give?

· God has given us everything we have

· He gives us that we may give others

· Giving is divine

· It makes us rich in spirit

· When we give, we receive more

When give?

· Every time we confront human need.

“Give and it shall be given to you. Men shall return it into our bosom; for God often makes use of men as instruments, not only for his avenging, but of his rewarding justice. God will incline the hearts of others to give to us when we need, and to give liberally, ‘good measure pressed down and shaken together.’ Whom God recompenses he recompenses abundantly.

We must expect to be dealt with ourselves as we dealt with others. “With the same measure that ye mete it shall be measured to you again.” Those that deal harshly with others may expect to be paid in their own coin; but they that deal kindly with others have reason to hope that God will raise them up friends who will deal kindly with them.”

Scope of Prayer

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

"Whatever: the scope of prayer.

Ask: The condition of prayer.

In my name: The ground of prayer. This involves at least two things:

1. Praying in the authority Christ gives (Cf Matthew 28: 19, Acts 3: 6)
   
2. Praying in union with him, so that one does not pray outside his will.
   

That the Father may be glorified in the Son: The purpose of prayer."

(The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)