The Lamp-Stand

“Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bed? Surely to be put on lamp-stand?” (Mark 4: 21)

Is Jesus Christ forming me to put me under the bed? Surely not! I believe he is forming me to become a lamp. The place of the lamp is on the lamp-stand and not under the bed. At the appointed time, he will place me on a lamp-stand. This is my firm hope. “Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the One who made the promise is trustworthy.” (Hebrews 10: 23)

The Hope I profess

“Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is trustworthy.” (Hebrews 10: 23)

What hopes do I profess today?

· To know Jesus intimately
· To be friend and companion of Jesus
· To serve Christ with distinction
· To publish Christ everywhere
· To succeed totally in the Enterprise

These desires come from the Holy Spirit. The desires are implicit promises. The Holy Spirit is faithful. I profess this hope and keep it firmly in my heart.

The New Sanctuary

“We have then, brothers, complete confidence through the blood of Jesus in entering the sanctuary, by a new way which he has opened for us, a living opening through the curtain, that is, his flesh.” (Hebrews 10:19)

Jesus Christ, the priest, the victim and the altar has given us a new way of entering God’s holy presence in the new dispensation. That new way and better promise is the Eucharist. The blood of Christ shed for me makes me confident as I go to drink with joy from the spring of salvation flowing from the living opening, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ.

In this same Jesus, “We have the high priest over all the sanctuary of God.” (Hebrews 10:21). Jesus Christ is the high priest who celebrates the Eucharist. Thank you Jesus for fulfilling this better promise.

Sown among thorns

“Some seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain…. Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.” (Mark 4: 7, 18-19)

Why does our spirituality not support us? Because the word we receive maybe sown in thorns. The thorns come very tiny like the mustard seed. But they grow rapidly with time. They grow to become worries of the world, lure of riches and cravings for other things. They become masters and may take complete control of our lives. No wonder they choke the word.

Jesus said that in order for the word to produce a harvest, it must be sown in a good and rich soil. Our soul is like a garden. We must cultivate it and maintain it everyday. An unmaintained garden is soon overgrown with weed. Jesus has given us abundant means for maintaining the soil of our soul. Some of these means are:
· Word of God
· Prayer
· Eucharist
· Sacrament of Reconciliation
· Frequent examination of conscience
· Spiritual reading

What are the fruits of the word that falls on a good soil?
Peace, tranquility, joy, consolations, light and guidance, confident and victorious living. We recognize that these are also the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

When trials come

“Similarly, those who are sown on patches of rock are people when first they hear the word, welcome it at once with joy. But they have no root deep down and do not last; should some trial come, or some persecution on account of the word, at once they fall away.” (Mark 4: 16 – 17)

When I first heard the word, I received it with joy. But I had no depth of understanding. The theology was inadequate. There was no anticipation of trials and persecutions which came in the form of delays of desires and plans, obstacles and disappointments. Temptations to sin were not anticipated. The concept of the cross before the crown was not known.

As I tried to walk in the light, trials came. The foundation could not support the building. I felt disappointed and discouraged. Then Jesus Christ came a second time into my life. This time, I am beginning to understand. I came to realize that trials and patience in trials equip me with enduring power. Every morning, I offer to Jesus through Mary all my trials, sufferings and delays of the day. When delays, obstacles and disappointments come during the day, I try to remember the offering I had made in the morning and I ask for strength to cope. Because I anticipate trials, I am more prepared to meet them. Thank you Jesus.

One Single Sacrifice

“By virtue of the one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10: 14)

In Calvary, Christ offered satisfactions for us to the Father. From this single act, he made it possible for us to have the purity and sanctity to see and enjoy God forever. At Mass, we commemorate in an active and living way the one single sacrifice of Jesus in Calvary. The Mass becomes therefore the most potent prayer of intercession.

Who is my mother?

“Who are my mother and my brothers? And looking up at those sitting in circle around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. And anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 33)

Jesus defines the new rule for fraternity and intimate relationship. It is based in the spirit and not the flesh. I therefore can find my mother, brother or sister anywhere I go.