You are gods

"So it uses the word 'gods' of those to whom the word of God was addressed – and scripture cannot be set aside." (John 10: 35)

God addresses His word to His sons. Thank you Father.

Blessed are you who hear the word and keep it.

Struggle against Evil

"The breakers of death surged round me, the destroying floods overwhelmed me. The cords of the nether world enmeshed me, the snares of death overtook me." (Psalm 18: 5-6)

Breakers of death, destroying floods, cords of the nether world and snares of death are all figures of speech depicting the epic struggle with the forces of evil.

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice." (Psalm 18:7)

In periods of temptation, cry out like Peter in the storm: "Lord, save me. I am drowning."

You shall overcome through:

• Blood of the lamb
  
• Your word of testimony – Cry out in your distress
  
• Be prepared to "cut off the hand or pluck out the eye" if necessary.

Mighty Hero

"For Yahweh is at my side like a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, vanquished, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs." (Jeremiah 20: 11)

Yahweh is at my side like a might hero: It is Yahweh is at my side, it is accomplished. One with God is a majority. If Yahweh is at my side, I will be victorious.

Enslavement to sin

"Lord, grant us your forgiveness, and set us free from our enslavement to sin…." (Mass Prayer)

Is it possible to be freed from enslavement to sin while we are alive? Spiritual writers believe that total freedom from the effects of concupiscence comes with death. The enslavement to sin that is referred to in the above prayer is enslavement to venial sins. While it is possible for the committed Christian to fall into mortal sin, such an isolated mishap cannot be described as enslavement. Most of us keep confessing the same venial sins year after year. This is a definition of enslavement to sin.

Rescue me

"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress; rescue me from the hands of my enemies. Lord, keep me from shame, for I have called to you." (Psalm 31:10, 16, 18)

Actual grace is the grace that God provides us here and now to deal with any crisis. We tap into the flow of this grace through prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes Actual grace as "God's interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification." (CCC ##2000)

Our Own Annunciation

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow." (Luke 1: 35)

The Annunciation is the anointing of Mary for her mission.

Those who were called and anointed:

• Moses
  
• David
  
• Isaiah
  
• Jeremiah
  
• Jesus
  
• Paul
  

All the above depended on the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission.

What mission am I anointed for? To learn and to communicate. When I wrote the above in 1999, I confided to my diary the following limitations:

• I have no qualification
  
• No ability
  
• No money
  

Today, the hesitation has vanished. I know for certain that I can do all things with the help of the Holy Spirit.

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow." (Luke 1: 35)

I am the Lord's servant. May it be done to me according to His word.

Each of us has a vocation. When we experience our annunciation, if we surrender to God like Mary, then the Holy Spirit will use us to achieve incredible things for the Kingdom of God.