Do not babble

"In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6: 6-7)

Why do the pagans babble when they pray? They pray according to their knowledge and belief about their gods. Their gods are local, not omnipotent or omniscient. Their gods are not omnipresent or all-loving. The pagan prays to convince his god to act for him.

But our God is a Father who knows what we need even before we ask him. He has a loving and provident plan for our life. Jesus wants us to know God as a loving Father. He wants us to come to him not just begging for what we need, which will be provided anyway but to come to him in praise and thanksgiving. Animals have the instinct to care for their young ones. The human being who is created in the image of God has an elevated instinct when it comes to protecting and providing for his young ones. Now consider who God is. Jesus describes God as a Good Shepherd who provides all that we need.

Fruitfulness of God’s word

"For, as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before having watered the earth, fertilizing it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat, so it is with the word that goes forth from my mouth: it will not return to me unfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do." (Isaiah 55: 10-11)

I pray that God's word will be fruitful in my life. How can I prepare my heart and mind to be good soil to receive the seed of the sower? I will use the tools of prayer and study. I believe that God will complete what his word has started in my life.

Discipline of Lent2

"Father, look on us, your children. Through the discipline of Lent help us to grow in our desire for you ….. " (Opening prayer in Mass in the season of Lent)

God is our Father. He gave us the holy season of Lent as a time of favor to grow to know him more, to love him more and to serve him more. We grow through decreasing our dependence on the following:

• Food
  
• Drink
  
• Snacks
  
• Money
  
• Television
  
• Sightseeing
  
• Etc
  

As we decrease in our materiality, we grow in our spirituality.

The Indestructible Rock

"Peter said, 'You are the Christ, the son of the living God.' Jesus answered: 'You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church." (Matthew 16: 16, 18)

It is Christ's will that the papacy be the rock on which the indestructible foundation of the Church is built. Matthew 16: 16, 18 is the foundation scripture. Word and experience, theory and practice have confirmed this in 2000 years of Church history. The enemies of the Church had never been able to destroy the papacy. There had been many serious attempts in the past. There will continue to be attempts to do so till the end of time. But we know from the word of God that they will not succeed. Jesus Christ keeps his pledge come what may.

Dark Valley

"Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage." (Psalm 23: 4)

Christ was at my side when I walked the dark valley of:

• AJS84
  
• UEF86
  
• PAE91
  
• AJS94
  
• Desert95
  

What lessons have I learned from the above?

Dark valleys will be regular occurrences in the journey of life.

As Christ was faithful in the first dark valley, so will he be till the last.

As Christ was with me in the dark valley protecting and encouraging me, so will I be with my flock when they walk the dark valleys of the lives.

The Chief Shepherd

"When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory." (1 Peter 5: 4)

Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd. What are the qualities of Christ, the Shepherd?

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have no want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

Besides restful waters he leads me;

He refreshes my soul." (Psalm 23)

 

Christ the Shepherd provides all that we need for life and protects us from all dangers.

I am also a shepherd of the flock that the Lord has entrusted to me. In Psalm 23, Jesus proposes himself as a model. I am to shepherd my flock as Jesus Christ himself shepherds me. I will take the needs of my flock to the Chief Shepherd who has the resources to satisfy all living things.

 

"In due season, he gives food to all living things. When he opens his hand all are satisfied."

The Flock

"Give a shepherd's care to the flock of God entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it." (1 Peter 5:2)

Strengthen the faith of your flock as Christ has strengthened your faith.

Pray for your flock as Christ has prayed for you.

We may not be bishops but each of us is entrusted with a flock. Who is my flock? Who is my neighbor?

• Family
  
• Prayer partners
  
• Friends and benefactors
  
• All those whom God sends to me every day.
  

I prayed for compound faith in order to exercise my ministry. Today, I ask Jesus to grant me a compound knowledge of his word so that I can be effective in serving the flock that he has entrusted to me. Through daily reading and reflection on Sacred Scripture, I hope to gain the faith and knowledge I need to serve Christ in the ministry that he is calling me.