Sign Language

“Why does this generation demand a sign? In truth I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” (Mark 8: 12)

10 years ago, reflecting on the above scripture, I confided to my journal the reflection below.

“God’s sign to me in the Enterprise is the 7-Way Plan especially the Eucharist and the word.
Project Casa is God’s word and sign to me. Campaign-2000 is another sign to me.

God filled my pantry this weekend:
• Money
• Coffee, eggs, bread, cheese, cornflakes, milk, moi-moi.

Thank you Father for all the beautiful signs from you. God is faithful.

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life

I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14: 61)

Christ is the way, the way to the Father. The 7-Way Plan leads to Christ.
Christ is the truth; the truth I seek to proclaim, the object of my study.
Christ is the life; the life in me. He is the life I receive every morning in the Eucharist.
Thank you Jesus.

The Acceptable Offering

“Yahweh looked with favor upon Abel and his offering. But he did not look with favor on Cain and his offering, and Cain was angry and downcast.” (Genesis 4: 4-5)

Themes: Offering, acceptable sacrifice, first fruits, pleasing sacrifice.

Two types of people who make offerings: Type Abel and Type Cain

Abel offered his first fruits and his offering was acceptable and pleasing to Yahweh. The widow in the Gospel offered everything she had and it pleased God.
Cain offered “some produce of the soil” to Yahweh. It wasn’t his best. His offering did not please God.

The type of Cain: First, he sinned by offering an imperfect or second-class gift to God. When God showed preference for Abel’s gift, Cain became jealous. He did not repent and correct his offering. Jealousy in the heart moved him to murder. God’s reproach of his behavior was a second opportunity for repentance but he missed it.

Father, grant me the grace to offer you the best in everything and at all times. This is the acceptable sacrifice. What can I offer to God here and now? I can make a qualitative and quantitative offering of my time, talent and treasure. To make this kind of offering, I need strong faith that everything comes from God and belongs to him. I am only a steward. Father grant me this type of faith.

To Obey and to Teach

“But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5: 19)

Who can teach these commandments? In principle anybody. But the above promise is for those who practice what they teach. The Church encourages everybody to:

• Believe what you read in the word of God
• Teach what you believe
• Practice what you teach

When this is done, one is assured a great status in the kingdom of God.

Little Children

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.” (Matthew 11: 25)

God’s kingdom is hidden and mysterious. God chooses to reveal his mysteries to little ones. For those who are sophisticated and learned, those who pick and choose what to believe, God’s mysteries remain hidden. While the little ones enjoy the benefits of the fullness of faith, the learned pick and choose. Unless you become like little children …..

Martha was anxious and worried about many things but Mary has chosen the better part. Little children choose and keep the better part.

Wisdom from God versus Worldly Wisdom

“We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather, we speak of God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predestined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for, if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2: 6 – 8)

There are two types of wisdom:
• Wisdom from God
• Worldly wisdom

Wisdom from God is given to those who know God and fear him. Worldly wisdom inculcates the know-how of getting along in this world. This is the type of wisdom described as “wisdom of this age” and already sentenced to pass away.
God’s wisdom is mysterious and hidden. It has to be discovered with the help of the Holy Spirit. The highest wisdom of God revealed to us is Jesus Christ crucified. This wisdom will not pass away.

Fire and Water

“If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses, shall be given him.” (Sirach 15: 15 – 17)

Scripture stresses again and again that it is good to keep God’s commandments. In the above scripture, keeping the commandment is described as both life and water. Water sustains life and no life can exist without water.
Father, train my heart to always keep your commandments.

God has set before me:
• Fire and water
• Life and death

Father, I choose water; I choose life. May your mercy be upon me to help me in the choice I have made. Open my eyes to the hope your call has for me. Keep me steady in your path. Amen.