“When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I do not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2: 1 – 5)
If I can imbibe the spirit of 1 Corinthians 2: 1 – 5, then my ministry will be successful. Here I see the concept of “agree contra” at work: Move to the opposite direction to the spirit of the world. Don’t just conform but do the opposite.
The world loves sublimity of words and wisdom. Go for simplicity and intelligibility.
The world wants Jesus Christ the prosperous, the miracle wonder, the multiplier of loaves. Preach Jesus Christ crucified.
The world admires power, strength and show of confidence. Go in weakness, fear and trembling. Both St. Vincent de Paul and Cardinal Manzarin were often at the table of the king of France. But each had different spirit. One became a saint and the other a small dot in history.
The world goes for persuasive words of wisdom. Go for a demonstration of Spirit and power.
Everything the man of God does is to show that the glory should go to God and not to us.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The harvest is plenty
“So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.” (Mark 6: 34)
The world is full today with many sheep without shepherd. The harvest is plenty but where are the laborers?
O Lord, send many laborers into your vineyard. Here I am, Lord. Lead me; guide me; send me.
The world is full today with many sheep without shepherd. The harvest is plenty but where are the laborers?
O Lord, send many laborers into your vineyard. Here I am, Lord. Lead me; guide me; send me.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Lead me and guide me
“He guides me in the right path for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23: 3)
One prayer that I make every day and in fact several times a day is: “Lead me and guide me.” I believe that without the constant guidance of God I am lost. I am self-employed and I have come to depend on light and guidance for my survival. For me today, no detail is too small to seek for guidance.
It is perhaps less than four years ago that I began to understand the mysterious nature of God’s guidance. Before this time, if things went according to plan and expectations during the day, I considered myself led and guided. If not, then God did not lead and guide me during that day. The change came after I attended ACTS Retreat. I found out that God’s guidance is constant and it is part of his powerful and loving Providence. Today, I pray for light to see how God guides me every day and the faith to believe it.
One prayer that I make every day and in fact several times a day is: “Lead me and guide me.” I believe that without the constant guidance of God I am lost. I am self-employed and I have come to depend on light and guidance for my survival. For me today, no detail is too small to seek for guidance.
It is perhaps less than four years ago that I began to understand the mysterious nature of God’s guidance. Before this time, if things went according to plan and expectations during the day, I considered myself led and guided. If not, then God did not lead and guide me during that day. The change came after I attended ACTS Retreat. I found out that God’s guidance is constant and it is part of his powerful and loving Providence. Today, I pray for light to see how God guides me every day and the faith to believe it.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My Good Shepherd 2
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Besides restful waters he leads me;
He refreshes my soul.”
(Psalm 23: 1-2)
Where are my green pastures? Since 1992, while still employed by Unilever, I had yearned to do my own thing. The answer to that yearning took many years in coming. Today, I know that my Good Shepherd has answered the prayer. My means of livelihood constitute my green pastures. I use my training and talents in marketing, advertising and information technology. These are areas I received training and experience in paid employment. It may not be all rosy financially but I enjoy using my talents in these areas. Self-employment opens the door for me study Scripture and theology. This is an area I have great interest at the moment. One green pasture leads to another. Self-employment makes it possible for me to be present at the Eucharist more than once a week. This pasture is greener than all the green pastures because the Eucharist is both a banquet and a school for life. Thank you Jesus. The Eucharist is also the “restful waters” where the Lord refreshes my soul time and time again. Thank you Jesus.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Besides restful waters he leads me;
He refreshes my soul.”
(Psalm 23: 1-2)
Where are my green pastures? Since 1992, while still employed by Unilever, I had yearned to do my own thing. The answer to that yearning took many years in coming. Today, I know that my Good Shepherd has answered the prayer. My means of livelihood constitute my green pastures. I use my training and talents in marketing, advertising and information technology. These are areas I received training and experience in paid employment. It may not be all rosy financially but I enjoy using my talents in these areas. Self-employment opens the door for me study Scripture and theology. This is an area I have great interest at the moment. One green pasture leads to another. Self-employment makes it possible for me to be present at the Eucharist more than once a week. This pasture is greener than all the green pastures because the Eucharist is both a banquet and a school for life. Thank you Jesus. The Eucharist is also the “restful waters” where the Lord refreshes my soul time and time again. Thank you Jesus.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Jesus Christ Our Great Shepherd
“I pray that the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood that sealed an eternal covenant, may prepare you to do his will in every kind of good action; effecting in us all whatever is acceptable to himself through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.” (Hebrews 13: 20 21)
Jesus Christ is our great Shepherd. By his blood, he redeemed us and sealed an eternal covenant.
God is using the 7-Way plan and his grace working in my soul to prepare me to do his will in every kind of good action.
Jesus Christ is our great Shepherd. By his blood, he redeemed us and sealed an eternal covenant.
God is using the 7-Way plan and his grace working in my soul to prepare me to do his will in every kind of good action.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
The Vine and the branches
“I am the vine and you are the branches, says the Lord; he who lives in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit.” (John 15: 5)
Jesus Christ is still the Vine today.
His principle of productivity” “Live in me.”
But how do I live in Christ?
The 7-Way Plan:
• Prayer
• Word of God
• Eucharist
• Penance
• Examen
• Ministry
• Spiritual reading/ spiritual direction
The above means expose one to Christ’s action and grace. The result: Great harvest.
Jesus Christ is still the Vine today.
His principle of productivity” “Live in me.”
But how do I live in Christ?
The 7-Way Plan:
• Prayer
• Word of God
• Eucharist
• Penance
• Examen
• Ministry
• Spiritual reading/ spiritual direction
The above means expose one to Christ’s action and grace. The result: Great harvest.