Project Canisius

“Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses.” (Mark 6: 7 -9)
In 1998, I started a website as a journal of my reflections on Sacred Scripture. That was some years before Blog. I called the adventure Project Canisius. I confided this reflection to my journal on the above scripture:
“Jesus sent out the Twelve on practicum. Project Canisius is practicum. As part of practicum, the Apostles were to learn apostolic simplicity and trust in God to provide all their needs. They were to stay in the same house until they leave the district.
Project Canisius is practicum.
Lord, teach me apostolic simplicity. Teach me to depend on you to provide all my needs. Remove from me unnecessary worries. Amen

Mount Zion

“What you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole church of the first born sons, enrolled as citizens of heaven.” (Hebrews 12: 22-23)

Through our Baptism, we are enrolled as citizens of Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. We already enjoy full sacramental privileges as citizens of heaven. We can participate fully in the Eucharistic festival, the Supper of the Lamb. The new covenant is spiritual and more effective. We appropriate its fruits through faith. Jesus Christ is the High Priest and mediator of this covenant.

Qualifications

“With the coming of the Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him?” (Mark 6:2)

Why were the people astonished at the teaching and miracles of Jesus? They knew Jesus as one of them. They knew his parents and knew the fact that he did not go to any big school. While Jesus lived among them, his manner of living was ordinary. There was nothing in the background of Jesus that prepared them for what they were seeing.

God took the poor things of this world to make them strong in order to show where the power was coming from. God can use any of us to do great things for himself. No need to worry about lack of qualifications or prestigious background.

Perseverance

“Perseverance is part of your training; God is treating you as his sons. Has there ever been any son whose Father did not train him?” (Hebrews 12:7)
During my desert experience, God worked to change my attitude to the following:
• Family
• Job
• Money
• Health
• Tools
• Food
To achieve his purpose, he used these resources:
• Eucharist
• Penance
• Word of God
• Prayer
• Examen
• Ministry
• Spiritual Reading/Spiritual Direction
Later, he made me aware that there were other things in his training program:
• Perseverance
• Simplicity
• Chastity
Thank you Father.

God's School

“My son, do not spurn correction from the Lord, do not resent his training, for the Lord trains those he loves, and chastises every son he accepts.” (Hebrews 12: 5 – 6)
My desert experience was both correction and training from the Father. The Father revealed this to me through the above scripture. When I saw the light, I decided to behave in the Father’s classroom.
During the desert experience which lasted for about four years, my attitude changed profoundly vis-à-vis the following:
• Family
• Job
• Money
• Health
• Tools
• Food
When I emerged from the desert, these weapons of warfare had been firmly placed in my armory:
• Eucharist
• Reconciliation
• Word of God
• Prayer
• Examen
• Spiritual Reading/Direction
Father, I thank you very much for the Desert Experience. You knocked me down but you raised me up again. I submit myself completely to whatever program you have for me. Correct me. Teach me. Use me. Amen!

Fight against sin

“In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of bloodshed.” (Hebrews 12: 41)
The martyrs are those who fought to the point of bloodshed. Peter and Paul, Athanasius, Maximillian Kolbe, Justin the Martyr, Cecilia and clouds of other witnesses fought to the point of bloodshed to witness to Christ. They did not compromise their faith. How far am I prepared to fight against sin?
Some cost of witnessing to Jesus Christ today:
• Job
• Money
• Suffering
• Illness
• Inconvenience
• Imprisonment
• Family
When we contemplate the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, we ask for the gift to overcome all fears of suffering in order to witness to Jesus Christ when challenged. The martyrs looked forward to this challenge and when it came, they embraced it with the grace they had stored for it.
Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to overcome the fears of suffering so that I can witness to you when challenged.

The Power of God's Word

"The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

(Psalm 119: 72).

How do we know for certain that God's word is more precious than silver and gold? God's word transforms ordinary humans into extraordinary beings. There are abundant proofs from the lives of many people. Their heroic lives had been recognized and many of them canonized as saints. The proof also come from the lives of dedicated Christians living among us. These individuals have the courage to test the life-changing principles in the Bible and confirm that they work. Their highly successful lives and achievements bear testimony to the power of God's word. God’s word contains many promises each of which is may be worth more than silver and gold, depending on our needs.

To discover the gold and silver in the word of God, read it as a personal letter. Read the word in order to act on its principles and so obtain what it promises.

How Apply the Word of God to your Problem:

· Define the problem.

· . State two or more key words that are contained in your problem.

· Get a Bible Concordance and list all the references to your keywords.

· Take your Bible and write out all the references that bear directly on the problem.

· Focus on a number of texts that apply directly to you.

· Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to apply the scripture.

The last step is critical: Understand what the scripture is saying to your actual situation. If you are not satisfied with the answer that you are getting, keep working on it until you are enlightened.

Believe the Bible text that God has revealed as answer to your problem. Belief may not come automatically. Like Peter, you can say again and again: "Lord I believe; increase my faith."

When you get a clear idea on concrete steps to take to solve your problem, act without hesitation. If you are not sure, wait until you get this clear signal. This is the most important step. "Faith that is firm is also patient." (Isaiah 28:16)