'Be sure, I am with you; I shall keep you safe wherever you go, and bring you back to this country, for I shall never desert you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28: 15)
Father, your word is very sweet and your promise such a comfort to the heart. I believe that you are faithful to your word. May I never doubt that you will fulfill the promises you have made to me.
If God is with me, then it is accomplished.
"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11: 28 – 30)
How many times a year do I hear this invitation? How many times do I respond with similar words? "Lord, here I am."
What then is missing? It is the learning process and putting into practice what I learn. Lord, teach me. Show me how to put into practice what you teach me.
"If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the death dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through His Spirit that dwells in you." (Romans 8: 11)
Most Holy Spirit, I believe that you dwell in me. Give life to my body. Thank you O Holy Spirit.
"But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord." (Malachi 3: 2-3)
"All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction." (Psalm 25: 10, 14)
God's providential designs for us are full of kindness and mercy.
"Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your King shall come to you." (Zechariah 9: 9-10)
Rejoice, rejoice heartily. Christ is our King. He comes to us in His word; He comes to us in the Eucharist. He is so humble.
"Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)
Jesus said the above to His disciple, Thomas who had the witness of His resurrection from his fellow disciples and still would not bring himself to believe. In this reproach, we can also see a reproach for asking for too much evidence.
Where do I need to believe more today? My life would be more joyful and peaceful if I believe that Jesus is in full control of my life and destiny. What stands in my way to believing this? When I consider how God's will is manifested in my life, that is, the time, place and manner, I find that paying attention to sense evidence robs me of solid faith. Like Thomas, the apostle, I ask for more evidence. When I do this, may I always hear Jesus say to me: "Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)
"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." (Luke 1: 25)
Elizabeth recognizes one of the critical elements of God's modus operandi. God acts only in due season. When the fullness of time for that event has come, He acts swiftly. In discerning the will of God, I find these three elements very important:
Manner refers to the way that God has chosen to act in a particular time and place. Often the manner is ordinary. The manner may be ordinary, but the providential design are operative nevertheless. God's ways are not our ways.
"And you too, in him, are being built up into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2: 22)
God is building me up one block at a time.
How is God building me up?
The 7 Way Plan in concludes the following:
"Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
What a great promise! But how do I know that I can trust Jesus? Trust unlike belief is not based on rational propositions. For example, in the Creed, we have a set of propositions presented to us by the Church. We give our assent to them because we know that the Church is trustworthy. How do we know that the Church is trustworthy? We know through a supernatural enablement that we share with other Christians that is call "Sensus Fidei." Sensus Fidei translates literally as sense of faith is the supernatural instinct that is placed in the soul by the Holy Spirit when we are baptized. This instinct can grow with exercise and practice.
Trust on the other hand calls for experience of trustworthiness in the person to be trusted. To answer the question – Can I trust Jesus when He promises to give me peace when I come to Him with my burdens? I do not know of a single incident when I trusted Jesus for anything and He disappointed. As far as I am concerned, Jesus is a very trustworthy person. The Church corroborates my personal experience and spiritual instinct in affirming with Sacred Scripture that Jesus is trustworthy. My heart rejoices when I hear Jesus say: "Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
I know for certain that I can trust Jesus.
"Go and learn the meaning of the words: Mercy is what pleases me, not sacrifice." (Matthew 9: 13)
What does mercy mean? Unmerited favor. But I enjoy unmerited favor all the time from Jesus.
There is a pole in the grounds of St. Thomas More Church with a large human shaped heart transfixed with a spear. This reminds me of the open heart of Jesus on the cross from where blood and water flows. Jesus challenges us in the scripture above to go and learn the meaning of mercy. The ABC of Mercy is a good starting point for this lesson:
"A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for having given such authority to human beings." (Matthew 9: 8)
In Christ Jesus, God has given us awesome authority. He has truly subjected all things to us. In Christ Jesus, we are empowered to be fully active and alive. Because we do not see the evidence of this truth in our daily experience is not a reason to doubt it. The power is there. We need to connect into it. Plug in the power cord. The power is the Holy Spirit living within us.
The barriers to using this power are: sin, fear and ignorance. As we work to eliminate these from our lives, we begin to see the power.
Lord Jesus, empower us to plug into the Holy Spirit so that we can live fully for you every day.
"My son, God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering." (Genesis 22: 8)
God provides all the resources we need to please Him.
"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, let it become for us the bread of life."
"It happened sometime later that God put Abraham to the test." (Genesis 22: 1)
"God said, 'Take your son, your only son, your beloved Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, where you are to offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I shall point out to you." (Genesis 22: 2)
What would you do if you know for certainty that your present financial, health, job problem is a test from God? If I know with absolute certainty that my critical problem is a test from God, I will predict victory. I will ask God again and again to give me the patience, courage and perseverance to overcome. When we commit ourselves to do God's will come what may and suffer the events in our lives which we cannot change, we can then be certain that God has a finger in whatever unpleasant event we may encounter.
"Then God opened Haga's eye and she saw a well, so she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." (Genesis 21 : 19)
Haga was in distress over her son's terrible thirst. She cried. Her son cried. The cry was a prayer. And God heard the cry. Then the miracle happened. Suddenly Haga was aware of a source of cold water nearby. She gave the boy some drink.
Lord, are there diamonds in my back yard that I am failing to see? Open my eyes to see your precious provisions close to me.
"But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16: 15)
Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.
You are the Son of God.
You are my Good Shepherd.
You are my King and my Boss.
You are the Prince of Peace.
You are my High Priest.
You are my best Friend.
You are the Bread of life.
You are the Light of the world.
You are the Truth, the Way and the Life.
You are the King of the Universe.
"But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed for all the gentiles to hear; and so I was saved from the lion's mouth." (2Timothy 4: 17)
I love the above scripture very much. It confirms the fact that Jesus never abandons His servants. He is faithful forever. This is a great truth to remember during trials and persecutions.
The Lord will save me from all travails.
"The Lord really did send his angel to save me from Herod and from all the Jewish people were expecting." (Acts 12: 11)
The Lord will save me from all distress. When in deep crisis, I will call on my Guardian Angel for rescue.
"Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20)
The cost of discipleship is not uniform for everybody. Some people are called to follow Jesus more closely. No matter the degree of the calling, following Jesus is not a picnic. The Father wants us to imitate His Son, Jesus and model our lives after Jesus'.
Father, give us a heart and mind to know your Son Jesus well, to love Him intimately so that we can follow Him everywhere.
"For the sake of those ten," he replied, 'I will not destroy it." (Genesis 18: 32)
God is full of compassion. The above text encourages us to intercede for people. No cause is lost. Prayer is an ever present help in time of need.
"Lord God, through your sacraments you give us the power of your grace. May this Eucharist help us to serve you faithfully….."(Mass Prayer)
The fruits of redemption are mediated through the sacraments.
Lord give us the power of your grace through the sacraments.
"And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple – amen I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward." (Matthew 10: 42)
The day this scripture became alive for me was the day I was given a cup of cold water when I needed it most. It was a blistering hot day in Houston. I had brought a guest to a hot lobby and was sweating. Without asking, the concierge handed me a cup of cold water. I have never forgotten the gesture. When I call on clients or prospects in the course of my worik, I have enjoyed similar gesture from a person in some offices. Whenever it happens, I remember Matthew 10: 42.
The little one is any disciple of Jesus in need of refreshment. O faithful God, bless all those who have given me a cup of cold water. Help me to be aware of your little ones who need a cup of cold water.
"Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6: 3)
Consequence of our Baptism: "You too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus."
Am I dead to sin? I believe so even though I do not feel so. Have I rejected Satan with all his promises and gifts? Absolutely!
"The promises of the Lord I will sing forever, through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness." (Psalm 89: 2)
I want to be an apostle of God's faithfulness. I will proclaim God's faithfulness at every opportunity I have.
"Father in heaven, the light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to the light we ask for your guidance. Form our lives in your truth, our hearts in your love….." (Mass Prayer)
The light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin in our hearts. We are now people of the light. We ask the Father to form our lives in the truth of the Gospel and our hearts in His love.
"Father, you call your children to walk in the light of Christ. Free us from darkness and keep us in the radiance of your truth…." (Mass Prayer on 13th Sunday or Ordinary Time)
God our Father wants us to walk in the light of Christ, that is, in the light of the Gospel. God wants us to imitate Christ and obey His teaching.
We ask the Father to free us from darkness, that is, darkness with regard to God's will and plan. Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. He who believes in me shall never walk in darkness." Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ, says St. Jerome.
"Go back, then; let this be done for you, as your faith demands.' And the servant was cured at that moment." (Matthew 8: 13)
The centurion's faith demanded certain precise action. He believed in Jesus and that Jesus could make the object of his faith a reality. His faith produced a miracle.
What does my faith demand here and now? What should my faith demand?
My faith should demand the one thing that is necessary for me. That one thing is the filling of the Holy Spirit. This is the only thing that I need. If I have this, everything else will fall into place.
Lord strengthen my faith so that it becomes strong enough to demand the filling of the Holy Spirit here and now.
"My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my savior." (Luke 1: 46 – 47)
When the Lord visited Abraham and Sarah, their spirit was filled with joy and they proclaimed the greatness of the Lord. Mary's spirit was also filled with joy in God her savior. She expressed her gratitude with the magnificent Magnificat.
The Lord remembered His mercy to Hannah and to David. David after singing his Magnificat, backslided and the Lord lifted him up. The Lord has also remembered His mercy to me. Like David, I backslided. The Lord will lift me up.
"I shall come back to you next year, and then your wife Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 10)
Abraham and the wife prayed for a son for many years. And when it appears that they had given up on this hope, God visited them and promised: "I shall come back to you next year, and then your wife Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 10)
What have I stopped praying for and why? God remembers His covenant forever. Even if I forget the prayer and the promise, God remembers.
"Nothing is impossible for Yahweh." (Genesis 18: 14)
Thank you Father for being so faithful. Behold I am your child. Let your plan for my life be fully accomplished.
"Lord if you are willing, you can cleanse me.' Jesus said to him, 'I am willing. Be cleansed." (Matthew 8: 1-4)
Jesus is always willing to cleanse us from our sins. Thank you Jesus. Oh that we will always remember this. Help us Lord to share this good news with people in most need of your mercy.
"This is your covenant which you must keep between myself and you and your descendants after you: everyone of your males must be circumcised." (Genesis 17: 10)
Circumcision is the sign of the old covenant. This is a visible indelible mark. The Eucharist is the sign of the new covenant. It is also a visible concrete sign. Genesis 17:10 reminds me that I am covenanted to God.
"Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit grew strong. And he lived in the desert until the day he appeared openly to Israel." (Luke 1: 80)
The desert is a place of formation, temptations and trials. This is the abode of John the Baptist during his hidden life. He was prepared for his ministry in the desert. Great saints are also formed in the desert. I loved my desert experience.
"Before John ended his course he said, "I am not one you imagined me to be; there is someone coming after me whose sandals I am not fit to undo." (Acts 13: 25)
John finished his course. He prepared the way for Jesus. He was the coming attraction before the main movie. He did his job very well. How well are we doing our job? Do we know what that job is?
"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm
He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me." (Isaiah 49: 1 -2)
Yahweh called John the Baptist. He made John the Baptist what he was. Yahweh calls and makes saints and martyrs.
Yahweh called me. Yahweh will make me into what I will be. I will be docile and pliant so that Yahweh will form me into His design and purpose.
"Live in me and let me live in you; my branches bear much fruit." (John 15: 4, 5)
Live in Christ through His word and sacraments. This is the first principle of productivity in the Kingdom.
The branch lives through the sap it draws from the tree trunk. To be a healthy branch, it draws this sap constantly. When we attach ourselves to Christ through His word and sacraments, we draw on His life incessantly. With time, we begin to produce the same kind of fruits as Jesus. Fruits of faith, hope and love. Fruits of peace and joy.
"Beware of false prophets who come to you disguised as ravenous wolves. You will be able to tell them by their fruits." (Matthew 7: 15 – 16)
Lord, help me to produce fruits of peace, love, faith and hope wherever I go.
"The Lord remembers his covenant forever." (Psalm 105: 8)
One of the attributes of God that I love most is His faithfulness. God is faithful forever. I like to reflect from time to time on all the promises from the Bible that I have claimed for myself. If do not think of them for some time, I forget them. How wonderful to know that even if I forget them, the Lord remembers every one of them.
"The Lord remembers his covenant forever." (Psalm 105: 8)
"Do not be afraid, Abram! I am your shield and shall give you a great reward." (Genesis 15: 1)
"Abram put his faith on Yahweh and this was reckoned to him as uprightness." (Genesis 15: 6)
Yes, I trust in God's word. I am not afraid. God is my shield. He will take care of me in every circumstance.
"Blessed is she who believed that God's promise to her will be fulfilled." Mary believed the word of God and she is blessed.
"Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7: 6)
We must be enthusiastic for evangelization. The enthusiasm however must be moderated by wisdom. Let the Holy Spirit lead and we follow.
St. Ignatius Loyola counseled three essentials in any worker in God's vineyard:
With these three essentials under our belt, it will be difficult to throw pearls in front of dogs.
"Look all round from where you are, to north and south, to east and west, for all the land within sight I shall give to you and your descendants forever." (Genesis 13: 14-15)
The promise to Abraham was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He is the King of the universe. Where the kingdom is, there is the king. Where the king is, there is the kingdom.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgments you give are the judgments you will get, and the standard used for you." (Matthew 7: 2)
Do not judge.
Do not criticize.
Do not condemn.
"Leave your country, your kindred and your father's house for a country which I shall show you." (Genesis 12: 1)
The Enterprise is a journey to a country which God has indicated.
Abraham is the father of faith. He heard God's word, believed it and obeyed it.
The Enterprise is a journey with Christ. Christ Jesus is our mighty champion.
Father, may we never doubt your word.
"Lord receive our offering, and may this sacrifice of praise purify us in mind and heart and make us always eager to serve you….." (Prayer over the Gifts)
The Eucharist is a sacrifice of praise par excellence. It purifies our hearts and minds from sin. The Eucharist renews the life of grace within us.
"Therefore do not be afraid of them…So do not be afraid" (Matthew 10: 26, 31)
Do not fear your persecutor.
Those not to fear:
Circumstances not to fear:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27: 1-2)
Fear cripples the mind. The fruit of the First Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary is freedom from fear of suffering. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed and overcame the fear of suffering. We can do the same in intimidating circumstances and overcome the fear of suffering.
"The Spirit of truth will testify to me, and you also will testify." (John 15: 26, 27)
Yes Lord, I will testify to you. Lead me, guide me and use me.
When we bear witness to the truth, we expose ourselves to persecution. The spirit of the world hates the truth and resists it at all cost. Deliberate and transparent falsehood should not be permitted in the Household of God. The end never justifies the means. Falsehood and lies are the tools of the devil which we must reject vigorously.
"But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many." (Romans 5: 2 – 15)
Adam sinned. Christ redeemed.
The gift of redemption surpasses the transgression. O felix culpa!
The restoration of man to God's favor accomplished through Christ's redemptive work went beyond the attributes of the old man. The new man is now an adopted child of God.
"Lord, in your great love, answer me….. I pray to you, O Lord, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O Lord, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me." (Psalm 69 …)
This is the cry of a desperate man. This is the cry of a man who knows the God whose favor he is seeking. Look at how he appeals to God: great love, great kindness, bounteous kindness, great mercy. Our problem is that we are like children who do not know their father. If we know God as our Father who has great love, great kindness, bounteous kindness and great mercy for us, what a difference that would make in our prayer. We approach Him with greater confidence.
"For the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph." (Jeremiah 20: 10 – 13)
How will you feel if you know for certain that the Lord is with you in that special project? First, you will not be afraid of the outcome. Then you will be certain that you will succeed. Rejoice for God is indeed with you.
"God of the universe, we worship you as Lord. God, ever close to us, we rejoice to call you Father. From this world's uncertainty we look to your covenant. Keep us one in your peace, secure in your love….."
God our Father is ever close to us. We rejoice to call Him Father. He is indeed our Father. We are His kids. Abba Father!
Nothing is certain in this world. But the word of God stands firm forever. The certainty of God's word is a covenant.
"Father, guide and protector of your people, grant us an unfailing respect for your name and keep us always in your love……" (Opening Prayer – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
God is our guide and protector. Love and respect for God's name is grace.
"I solemnly tell you: those who have left everything and followed me will be repaid a hundred fold and will gain eternal life." (Matthew 19: 28 – 29)
What we can leave behind completely for Christ's sake?
Lord Jesus, help me to truly leave everything and follow you so that I may deserve your promise in Matthew 19: 27 – 29.
"So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 34)
Live one day at a time and gratefully accept all that God provides today:
Have absolutely no concern about anything beyond the present moment.
If you are absent to these concerns and present to the Lord everyday in prayer, praise and His word, all these things shall be yours at the appointed time.
"Learn to savor how good the Lord is; happy are those who take refuge in him." (Psalm 34: 9)
Other translations read: "Taste and see that the Lord is good.."
How do I know that the Lord is good to me? I take time and become aware of what is going on in my life. I realize the source of so many blessings in my life. God is the source. I give thanks. Connecting the dots of our experiences is a learning process. We can learn to savor how good the Lord is to us.
"It is, then, about my weaknesses that I am happiest of to boast, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me; and that is why I am glad of weaknesses, insults, constraints, persecutions and distress for Christ's sake. For it is when I am weak that I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)
Because I suffer temptations, because I have no health insurance, because I am poor, because I am a stranger, because I am unrefined, I depend completely on Christ for all these things. Because I trust Jesus to help me, He never fails to come through to me.
When I depend on Christ for everything, I rise to the top.
"My grace is enough for you: for power is at full stretch in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12: 9)
Power is the key attribute of the Holy Spirit.
All types of power have their source and inspiration from the Holy Spirit.
Now to gain this power, we must surrender our weaknesses to the Holy Spirit. Our weaknesses are all our vulnerabilities. It is amazing how much we want to cling to these.
Lord help me to surrender my weaknesses to you so that I can gain your power.
"The Lord is my inheritance and my cup; he alone will give me my reward. The measuring line has marked a lovely place for me; my inheritance is my great delight." (Psalm 16: 5-6)
"My grace is sufficient for you." God alone is my reward. I trust in Him. My destiny is secure. It is in His hand. He is my light and my salvation. What can mortal man do to me?
"Do not store treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and woodworm destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them." (Matthew 6: 19)
How illusory are material treasures! They are there one minute. They are gone in a second. Does this truth of blessed experience prevent us from coveting material goods and storing them in every space of lives? Our Father in heaven gave us a pearl of wisdom when He taught us to ask Him each day for our daily bread.
"I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34: 5)
What are you afraid of?
Psalm 34: 5 promises that if we seek the Lord, He will deliver us from all these fears.
Jesus promises that if we "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things will be given you besides."
(Matthew 6:33)
"I have worked with unsparing energy, for many nights without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty, and often altogether without food and drink; I have been cold and lacked clothing." (2 Corinthians 11:27)
St. Paul's zeal for the Gospel is inimitable. When I consider the trifles that I call problems, I become ashamed of myself. True, I have not resisted to the point of blood. The only way to follow Christ and imitate the zeal of St. Paul is to be attentive to one day at a time. To use my strengths as I try to minimize my weaknesses in exploiting the opportunities I see to bear witness to Christ.
"Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either." (Matthew 6: 14 – 15)
Forgive others and when you ask for forgiveness, be confident that God will hear you.
How to forgive: forgive as soon as the offence occurs. Forgive and if it is possible, inform the offending person that you have forgiven him and so you will not be tempted to go back on your word. Forgive and pray that God will bless the offender. Ask God also the grace to make your forgiveness true and genuine.
Forgiveness and reconciliation are two related important concepts in the kingdom.
"But I am afraid that, just as the snake with his cunning deduced Eve, your minds may be led astray from single-minded devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11: 3)
St. Paul warns here that it is possible for one to change his mind about who Christ is and what he did. It is also possible for one to change his mind as to key content of the doctrine of our faith. How can one protect himself from these dangers? By prayer and assiduous devotion to the Sacraments particularly the Eucharist and the Penance, one develops a sense of the faith, "sensus fidei." This is an interior light that alerts us to false doctrine. The collective 'sensus fidei" of the faithful is a sure bulwark against heresy.
Moreover the third promise of Mary to those who say the Rosary is: "The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresy."
"Your almsgiving must be secret and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6: 4)
Do all things for the sake of God.
God sees everything.
God knows everything.
God rewards everything that is done for Him.
"Happy the man who fears the Lord….
Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory." (Psalm 112: 1, 9)
God is amazingly generous to the poor. I was a witness to this at Casa Juan. The Church manifests the presence of Jesus in the world. The Church continues to minister to the needs of the poor everywhere.
"But remember: anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well – and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well." (2 Corinthians 9: 6)
What we sow:
We can never outdo God in generosity.
"You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
Do not be complacent. God wants us to strive for perfection. His will for everyone is holiness.
"You have heard how it was said: eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked." (Matthew 5: 38 – 39)
The Lord defends my life. He is the guardian of my rights. He knows how to defend me from the wicked. I offered no resistance when I was deprived of my rights in ncau.
"In an acceptable time I heard you; on the day of salvation I helped you." (2 Corinthians 6:2)
There is a time for everything. A time to pray and a time to answer prayers.
"Working together, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain." (2 Corinthians 6: 1)
Do not receive the word of God in vain.
Do not receive the Eucharist in vain.
Do not receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in vain.
How can we be sure that we do not receive these graces in vain? We can only be sure if we are open to the Holy Spirit residing in us.
"Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
God knows the best and has seen the whole pattern of the weaving. He makes a strategic match between my:
Trust in Him to arrange the best.
"One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." (Psalm 27:4)
From earliest memory, casa is always proximate to the house of the Lord. Is this a coincidence? Not at all. Thank you Lord.
"Lord God, in this bread and wine, you give us food for body and spirit. May the Eucharist renew our strength and bring us health of mind and body….." (Prayer after Holy Communion)
The Eucharist is a great mystery. We bring to the altar bread and wine made by human hands. It is transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Now it becomes not just the food for the body but food for the soul, mind and body. This divine food renews our strength as we march to eternal life. It also brings us health of mind and body. As we receive this food with good and generous spirit, we become little by little like him whom we receive. We become little by little like Jesus Christ.
Come Lord Jesus!
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." (Matthew 9: 37 – 38)
The work in the kingdom is more than the available human resources to do it. Can this possibly be the way that God has configured development in the kingdom? I think of Jesus' word: "My grace is sufficient for you. For power is at full stretch in weakness." The weakness here is the few resources to accomplish the work of the kingdom. St. Paul says, "I rejoice in my weaknesses. For when I am weak and I am strong." The Church can say the same with regard to resources for the kingdom. The Church affirms through liturgical prayers that God provides His flock whatever they need. God is our Shepherd, we have everything we need. We also ask God everyday to "Give us this day our daily bread."
"But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath." (Romans 5: 8 – 9)
Christ's death reconciled us to God. To see the fruits of this reconciliation, we must accept Christ into our hearts through Baptism. This makes us the children of God and the brothers of Jesus Christ. If we remain God's children, our salvation is guaranteed.
"You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle's wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all the people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation." (Exodus 19: 4-6)
God bore me on eagle's wings to the Enterprise. I experienced a mighty deliverance. God set up the Enterprise so that I can serve Him and Him alone. All that I need is to continue with the 7-Way Plan and I will succeed.
"Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and live according to your will….." (11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Prayer)
How wonderful to realize that when we don't even think of it, God sustains our every action. How much I feel inspired by this promise of Jesus Christ:
"I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me." Lord, I want you to be my hope and my strength 100% at all times, in every situation and in all places.
"My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been looking for you." (Luke 2: 48)
God in His providential designs did not shield Mary and Joseph from experiencing the pain of losing a child. For three days they did not know where Jesus was or what had become of him. Recalling the attempt of Herod to kill the child would have added to their pain.
How do we handle the loss of a loved one, money, job, health or home? This is a pain that every human being must experience sometime. When we reflect on the experience of Mary and Joseph, we feel inspired to imitate them in patiently trusting God until He brings us relief.
"Approach me, you who desire me and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honey comb. They who eat me will hunger for more; they who drink me will thirst for more." (Sirach 24: 19-21)
Who is sweeter than honey and the honey comb? What do you eat and hunger for more? What do you drink and thirst for more?
Christian experience down the centuries could give one answer to the above questions: The Holy Spirit. Below are some of the reasons for this claim.
The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)
What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)
"Approach me, you who desire me and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honey comb. They who eat me will hunger for more; they who drink me will thirst for more." (Sirach 24: 19-21)
Who is sweeter than honey and the honey comb? What do you eat and hunger for more? What do you drink and thirst for more?
Christian experience down the centuries could give one answer to the above questions: The Holy Spirit. Below are some of the reasons for this claim.
The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)
What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)
"Father, you prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary to be a fitting home for your Holy Spirit. By her prayers may we become more worthy temple of your glory ……" (Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)
The heart of Mary is a fitting home for the Holy Spirit.
How can our hearts become a more worthy home for the Holy Spirit? We know three qualities that make Mary a very special human being. Mary is humble. Mary is faithful. Mary is pure. If we can imitate Mary in these virtues, our hearts will become little by little a fitting home for the Holy Spirit.
"My heart rejoices in your saving power. I will sing to the Lord for his goodness to me." (Psalm 13:6)
God's goodness to me:
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." (Matthew 11: 29)
Lord, what yoke do you want me to take up today?
Learn from me. Imitate me.
Take up this yoke one step at a time. Then one day at a time.
"We have recognized for ourselves, and put our faith in the love God has for us." (1 John 4: 16)
One of the strong points of my spirituality is my complete confidence that God loves me. I claim this truth every morning in prayer. Perfect love drives out fear. O that I may remember this truth when my heart is buffeted by anxieties. Lord, shelter me from unnecessary worries.
"The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him….." (Psalm 103: 17)
The blessings promised to those who fear the Lord are many in the bible. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those who fear the Lord think right, talk right and act right. This is wisdom. Fear of the Lord means keeping all His commandments. Fear of the Lord also means trusting the Lord and waiting for His time.
How blessed is the man who fears the Lord and trusts in His ways.
"For you are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God; of all peoples on earth, you have been chosen by Yahweh your God to be his own people." (Deuteronomy 7: 6-11)
The Choice – the Call – the Anointed
Just as Israel was chosen and called by God to be His people, so every single Christian is chosen and called to be an adopted son of God and brother of Jesus Christ. God who calls us to such a lofty rank is faithful. He will complete what He has started.
How do we respond to such a God? Trust Him, obey Him.
"Father we honor the heart of your Son broken by men's cruelty, yet symbol of love's triumph, pledge of all that man is called to be. Teach us to see Christ in the lives we touch, to offer him living worship by love-filled service to our brothers and sisters….."(Mass of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
Let me relish some of the 12 promises of the Jesus to St. Mary Margaret Alcoque:
5 I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
9. I will bless homes in which the image of my Sacred Heart is exposed and honored.
There are five out of 12 promises that I appropriate every day. On Promise #9, whenever I move home, the first thing I set up in the new home is the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It occupies a prominent place where I can see it every time I leave the home or return.
"For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5: 20)
This is a clear warning against complacency. Jesus expects more from His disciples. Uprightness is the principle of right thinking, right speaking and right acting every time, every place and in everything. Who could do that? Nobody. The Holy Spirit is the source of the enablement of the grace of uprightness in the soul.
Lord Jesus, you promised us the Holy Spirit in order to enable us to give more and live more, fill us then with this same Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in every thought, word and deed.
"Such by God's mercy is our ministry and therefore we do not waver." (2 Corinthians 4: 1)
Every call to service in the Church is from God. Whether the call is from direct inspiration or from a friend or brother, or sister in the Church, it is ultimately God who calls us. It is an act of mercy and love that God should call us to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ in serving His people. We respond to such call with deep gratitude and fervor. We know that He who calls us is faithful and will give us the wherewithal to fulfill our calling. Therefore we do not hesitate or waver. What God begins, He will end gracefully.
"God our Father, Christ the living bread renews us. Let Christ our teacher instruct us that on this feast of St. Ephrem we may learn your truth and practice it in love…." ( Feast of St. Ephrem)
Jesus Christ renews us in the Eucharist. He also instructs us through the word of God proclaimed during the Eucharist and the prayers of the Mass. One recent lesson I learned is this: when we learn the truth that Christ is communicating to us and put it into practice, we become like the man who builds his house on rock. No hurricane could sweep it away. It is built on rock.
"Therefore, anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven; but the person who keeps them and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5: 19)
The first benefit of keeping the commandments is that the peace of Christ controls one's heart. (Colossians 3: 15) Peace is the source of all spiritual and material blessings. The Prince of Peace promises that anybody who in addition to keeping the commandments, teaches other people to keep them will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven.
The Holy Spirit enables us to keep God's commandments.
"Such is the confidence we have through Christ in facing God; it is not that we are so competent that we can claim any credit for ourselves; all our competence comes from God." (2 Corinthians 3: 4-5)
The Holy Spirit helps us to be confident when we face God in prayer through Christ.
Jesus Christ is our light and our salvation. He is also our Savior. Christ is our competence in everything. "My grace is sufficient for you."
"Lord, in your love fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit, who inspired the deacon Ephrem to sing the praise of your mysteries and gave him strength to serve you alone." (Feast of St Ephrem)
"The Lord opened his mouth in the assembly, and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding and clothed him in a robe of glory." (Scripture text on the feast of St. Ephrem)
The Lord made Ephrem deacon, saint and doctor of the Church. He filled him with a spirit of wisdom and understanding.
The Lord will fulfill too His purpose in my life.
"You are the light of the world. … In the same way, your light must shine in people's sight, so that seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5: 14, 16)
Lord, how do you want my light to shine on people's sight today? What do you want me to do? How do you want me to spend my time today? How do you want me to interact with those whom I meet today?
Lord, I desire that your light shine on every thought, every word and every deed of mine this day.
"It is God who gives us, with you, a sure place in Christ and has both anointed us and marked us with his seal, giving us as pledge the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Corinthians 1: 21 – 22)
I have a sure place in Christ Jesus. This is the special gift of the Father. But that is not all His gift to me. He has anointed me and sealed me with the Holy Spirit. Do I doubt the presence of the Spirit in me? Not at all! I know that God will complete the good work He has started in me. As long as I keep praying, I am winning. If God is with me, it is accomplished.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill." (Matthew 5: 6)
It is important to note that Jesus did not say: "Blessed are those who have righteousness…"
Righteousness is produced in the soul by the Holy Spirit. Our task is to sincerely desire and pray for it in season and out of season. In the fullness of God's time, our hunger shall be satisfied.
Father, grant me a great hunger and thirst for uprightness.
"Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God." (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4)
I am struck by two points in the above scripture:
For the past many weeks, I have been enjoying the consolations of the Father in these areas:
Thank you Father. Now, lead and guide me to those you want me to encourage and enable me to do so.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (John 6: 51)
This great promise of Jesus Christ is fulfilled everyday in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. It is also the memorial of His passion, death and resurrection. In one act, we encounter Jesus, the living bread that came down from heaven. In the same act, He invites us to feed on His flesh and blood. Blessed is he who is invited to the table of the Lamb.
"Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." (1Corinthians 10: 16-17)
The Eucharist is a sign of the unity of the Church. The Church is one because we are nourished from the same loaf world-wide.
One Shepherd, one body and one loaf.
"Do not forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery; who guided you through the vast and terrible desert with its seraph serpents and scorpions, its parched and waterless ground; who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock and fed you in the desert with manna, a food unknown to your fathers." (Deuteronomy 8: 14 – 16)
Do not forget God in your prosperity.
"O God, you have made us for yourself; our hearts are restless till they rest in you." Never allow us to prefer the gift to the giver of all gifts.
"Lord Jesus Christ, we worship you living among us in the sacrament of your body and blood. May we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit…." (Mass Prayer on the feast of Corpus Christi.)
We Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist species. We also believe in His real presence in the Blessed Sacrament where the consecrated Host is reserved. Why does Jesus make Himself so readily available? So that we can come to Him and find life, love and peace.
Lord Jesus, help us to come to you in the Eucharist and the Blessed Sacrament with deep faith and love. Enable us through the power of your presence to serve your people with love and perseverance.
"Lord Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood help us to experience the salvation you won for us and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen." (Mass Prayer on the feast of Corpus Christi)
The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ's suffering and death. The Eucharist celebrates our redemption. The Eucharist celebrates Christ's real presence with us in His Body and Blood.
Jesus Christ is everyday inviting everyone to come to the Eucharist. "Come and eat bread without money." The more we respond to this invitation, the more we experience the salvation Jesus Christ won for us.
The Eucharist brings us immense peace. Do you lack peace of soul? Then go often to the Eucharist. The Prince of Peace is waiting to immerse you in peace.
"The Lord fed his people with the finest wheat and honey; their hunger was satisfied." (Psalm 81: 17)
The Eucharist is "the finest wheat and honey."
The Eucharist completely satisfies our hunger for the abundant life. "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
"In truth I tell you, this poor widow has put more in than all who have contributed to the treasury; for they have all put in money they could spare, but she in her poverty has put in everything she possessed, all she had to live on."
This poor widow shows great faith. She understands that all things belong to God. She knew something else: No one can outdo God in generosity.
"Then Raphael took them both aside and said, 'Bless God, utter his praise before all the living for all the favor he has shown you." (Tobit 12: 6)
God deserves constant praise and thanks. He renews His favors every day. Without faith, it is impossible to appropriate God's promises. Faith gives us access to God's promise of:
"And the large crowd was listening to him with delight." (Mark 12: 37)
Jesus Christ was not just a great teacher but He also had great communications skills. He must have been witty in the way He narrated the parables in particular and His teachings in general.
Do we listen to the Gospel with delight? The seed that fell on good and fertile soil produced much harvest.
"I can see you, my son, the light of my eyes." (Tobit 11: 14)
God afflicted Tobit with blindness for a short time to try his faith. Tobit like job was steadfast in faith during his period of trial. God healed him of his blindness.
"For, having afflicted me, he has had pity on me and now I see my son Tobias." (Tobit 11:15)
Lord, your providential designs for my life encompass joys and trials. Help me during the period of trials to call upon you and to trust you completely.
"Lord, at this celebration of the triumph of your martyrs, we have received the sacraments which helped them endure their sufferings. In the midst of our own hardships may this Eucharist keep us steadfast in faith and love…." (Prayer in Mass)
The Eucharist helps us to endure suffering. The Eucharist helps to keep us steadfast in faith and love.
"Jesus replied, 'This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the One, only Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength ….. You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12: 29 – 30)
Single-minded love of God and neighbor is only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. If our heart and mind urge us to love God and neighbor in this manner, we ask God to pour the Holy Spirit in our hearts to enable us to fulfill this command.
"Tobias rose from the bed and said to Sarah, 'Get up, my sister, you and I must pray and petition our Lord to win his grace and his protection." (Tobit 8: 4)
Tobias shows here his faith in action. She got his bride to pray first for God's blessing before they consummate their marriage. God blessed them.
The Bible teaches us best practice. It shows us examples of good thought, good word and good deed. We are inspired to imitate these.
"Father, you have made the blood of martyrs the seed of Christians. May the witness of St. Charles Lwanga and his companions and their loyalty to Christ in the face of torture inspire countless men and women to live the Christian faith…." (Prayer on the feast of St. Charles Lwanga)
Blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians. We sow blood. We reap committed lives for Jesus. "It is necessary for the Christ to suffer." There is also a divine necessity for the seed to die in order to yield fruit.
'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will not die forever." (John 11: 25, 26)
Lord Jesus, grant us deep faith in you.
"He is God, not of the dead, but of the living." (Mark 12: 27)
God created man for eternal life. He is God of the living and not God of the dead.
"To you, O Lord I lift of my eyes. In you I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. No one who waits for you shall be put to shame; ……" (Psalm 25: 2-3)
I read the above scripture and I identify completely with the sentiments of the Psalmist. No wonder the Psalter is the prayer book of Israel and the prayer of the Church. The Psalms provide us with ready words in which to express our prayer. We can identify with much of the feelings and aspirations of the Psalmist.
I trust God for everything and I know that I will not be put to shame. He has been faithful every one of the almost 4700 days of the Enterprise. Surely my enemies cannot exult over me or ask: "where is your God?"
Reading 1
Nm 13:1-2, 25–14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35
The LORD said to Moses [in the desert of Paran,]
"Send men to reconnoiter the land of Canaan,
which I am giving the children of Israel.
You shall send one man from each ancestral tribe,
all of them princes."
After reconnoitering the land for forty days they returned,
met Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of the children of Israel
in the desert of Paran at Kadesh,
made a report to them all,
and showed the fruit of the country
to the whole congregation.
They told Moses: "We went into the land to which you sent us.
It does indeed flow with milk and honey, and here is its fruit.
However, the people who are living in the land are fierce,
and the towns are fortified and very strong.
Besides, we saw descendants of the Anakim there.
Amalekites live in the region of the Negeb;
Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites dwell in the highlands,
and Canaanites along the seacoast and the banks of the Jordan."
Caleb, however, to quiet the people toward Moses, said,
"We ought to go up and seize the land, for we can certainly do so."
But the men who had gone up with him said,
"We cannot attack these people; they are too strong for us."
So they spread discouraging reports among the children of Israel
about the land they had scouted, saying,
"The land that we explored is a country that consumes its inhabitants.
And all the people we saw there are huge, veritable giants
(the Anakim were a race of giants);
we felt like mere grasshoppers, and so we must have seemed to them."
At this, the whole community broke out with loud cries,
and even in the night the people wailed.
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:
"How long will this wicked assembly grumble against me?
I have heard the grumblings of the children of Israel against me.
Tell them: By my life, says the LORD,
I will do to you just what I have heard you say.
Here in the desert shall your dead bodies fall.
Forty days you spent in scouting the land;
forty years shall you suffer for your crimes:
one year for each day.
Thus you will realize what it means to oppose me.
I, the LORD, have sworn to do this
to all this wicked assembly that conspired against me:
here in the desert they shall die to the last man."
The above scripture was the first reading in today's Mass all over the world. I was fascinated by the lessons. For me the greatest lesson is that every challenge and every trial is a test of faith. Whom do you trust? It is clear that the Israelite scouts who gave the negative and discouraging report on the expedition never put God into the equation. They demoralized the people by their human-based wisdom. On the other hand, Caleb gave a report full of faith and hope because he knew that one with God is always a majority. As I reflected on this, I thought of the Enterprise and all my impediments. I took encouragement from the lesson that one with God is always a majority.
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life, going to Beer-sheba of Judah. He left his servant there
and went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death: "This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers."
He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat.
He looked and there at his head was a hearth cake and a jug of water. After he ate and drank, he lay down again,
but the angel of the LORD came back a second time, touched him, and ordered, "Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!"
He got up, ate and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb. (1 Kings 19: 3 – 8)
"There is no surer pledge or dearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth "in which righteousness dwells,' than he Eucharist. Every time the mystery is celebrated, 'the work of our redemption is carried on' and 'we break the one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1405)
I came today to the unshakeable conviction that frequent Eucharist is a major reason for maintaining me on course in this Journey. Thank you Jesus.
"This time the prayer of each of them (Tobit and Sarah) found favor before the glory of God, and Raphael was sent to bring remedy to them both." (Tobit 3: 16)
Prayer is the key to God's heart. Do not hang up on God. Hang in there. Persevere in prayer. Be assured that the time of answer will come.
"Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God." (Mark 12: 7)
To Caesar belongs taxes and civil obedience. To God belongs adoration, worship, love and service.
Through my taxes and work, I help to build up the city of man. When I build up the city of man in the spirit of Jesus Christ, I build up at the same time the city of God. Orare est laborare and laborare est orare.
"The heart of the just man is secure trusting in the Lord…… An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm trusting in the Lord." (Psalm 112:7)
Who is the just man? The man whose righteousness comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christ in us is our hope of glory.
About ten years, I confided the reflection below on Psalm 112: 7 to my diary:
The just man fears no bad news. When RD told me six weeks ago that he had bad news for me about casa, my heart did not fear. I trusted in the Lord to deliver me. And He did.
Our faith is supported by reason which in this case is evidence of experience. I have reason or experience to believe that God will deliver me from any crisis if I trust Him.
"The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the way to ruin, but for those of us who are on the road to salvation it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1: 18)
God's folly is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1: 25)
The message of the cross comes to us through God's providential designs for our lives every day. The cross and all it represents is God's wisdom. Trust in it completely.
"Father, through the folly of the cross you taught St. Justin the sublime wisdom of Jesus Christ. May we too reject falsehood and remain loyal to the faith…" (Mass Prayer on the feast of St. Justin Martyr)
St. Paul writing to the Corinthians on the paradox of the cross says: "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.
The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:17-18)
The cause of Christ is served more through faith and prayer than any other means. "I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me."
"The wicked tempted me with their fables against your law, but I proclaimed your decrees before kings without fear or shame." (Psalm 119: 85, 46)
What are some of the fables of the wicked?
How does one stand his ground against such fables?
"Lord, let the Church praise you for the great things you have done for your people. May we always recognize with joy the presence of Christ in the Eucharist we celebrate, as John the Baptist hailed the presence of our Savior in the womb of Mary…" (Mass Prayer on the feast of Visitation)
In this prayer, the Church recognizes the miracle of the recognition of Jesus still in the womb of Mary by John the Baptist who was in the womb of Elizabeth, the mother. Jesus Christ is truly present to us in every Eucharist. How do we recognize Him in the Eucharist? We recognize Him through the miracle of faith. Through faith, we see more than the physical eye is able to see. Faith enables us to see with the eye of the spirit.
"Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, for your firm believing, that the promises of the Lord would be fulfilled." (Luke 1: 45, Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
The angel of the Lord declared to Mary that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God. Although, eye had never seen nor ear heard of such a thing, Mary believed firmly in God's promise. She knew that He who made the promise is faithful. It became done unto her according to her belief.
How do I emulate Mary's firm belief? What are God's promises to me here and now?
Isaiah says that faith that is firm is also patient. Like Mary I believe that God who made the above promises is faithful. He is not a man to lie nor is His hand too short to perform. God accomplishes whatever He wills come what may.
"God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation …." (Isaiah 12: 2-3)
What is the fountain of salvation?
It is the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, Christ Jesus speaks to us through His word. We answer Him through our prayers. Then He offers us His flesh and His blood as food and drink.
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is the source, the center and the summit of our Christian life.
"Yahweh your God is there with you, the warrior-savior. He will rejoice over you with happy song, as on a day of festival. I have taken away your misfortune, no longer need you bear the disgrace of it." (Zephaniah 3: 17)
This is a happy prophecy. I rejoice whenever I see the promise of "God is with you." I respond: "If God is with me, then it is accomplished." All is well if God is with me; all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.
In the Old Testament, one of the greatest blessings comes from the promise "God is with you." The incarnation of this promise is the very person of Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel, "God with us." Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the one who stands at the door and knocks. He has promised to be with anybody who opens the door for Him and welcomes Him into His house.
Lord Jesus, come in! The house is yours!
"Father, you inspired the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your Son to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need. Keep us open to the working of your Spirit, and with Mary may we praise you forever…." (Mass Prayer)
The Holy Spirit inspired Mary to visit Elizabeth. God is the source of all inspiration and power.
How would you feel if the Holy Spirit were to inspire you today on what to do on your job and give you the courage to do it? You will succeed in everything you do today. The one thing I need, the one thing I pray for with tenacity is for inspiration and power. The best things I have done in my life have all come through inspirations.
Father, keep me open to the working of your Holy Spirit and grant that I may praise you forever with Mary.
"Come, all you who fear God, and hear the great things the Lord has done for me." (Psalm 66: 16)
What great things has the Lord done for me recently?
When I meet the Lord in prayer every Monday morning, I review the blessings of the past week. One constant blessing I thank Him week after week is the blessing of enjoying the weekend particularly Sunday. Sunday has become my favorite day of the week. I enjoy the full Sabbath rest. I have come to realize the wisdom and love of God in granting us the Sabbath rest. The Sabbath rest is for me a time of physical, mental and spiritual renewal. It is amazing how much inspiration I receive for my job on Sundays. The mind is relaxed and the strength of the mind seems to come to full power when it is relaxed and under no pressure of time and space.
"Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today. These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still." (Exodus 14: 13-14)
About fifteen years ago, I was in deep crisis with regard to my job and my future. I was in a hotel room and I could not sleep. I took up the Bible on the night stand, flipped it open and it fell on the above passage. I read it and was gripped by the message. I saw clearly my dire circumstances as the "Egyptians." I believed what I read. The "Egyptians" could be overcome with the help of God. I prayed and my conviction increased that God could help me to overcome the Egyptians. The critical moment of test arrived and God helped me to overcome the "Egyptians."
Since then, I had learned that prayer is the efficient cause for answer to our needs. I have also learned what faith means. It is the conviction that what God says is true. And growth in faith? It is the deepening of the conviction through experience that as God had acted previously in a crisis, He could act similarly in the present emergency.
"Lord God, we worship you, a Trinity of Persons, one eternal God. May our faith and the sacrament we receive bring us health of mind and body." (Mass Prayer)
Faith is the efficient cause of access to God's promises of:
This is because God is the first cause of all things. Prayer is the efficient cause of answer which comes in form of the above blessings. Prayer and answer form a loop in the divine plan of communication. When you prayer, expect an answer. I am often irked that some people send me an email without checking back for the reply. What do they expect? No reply?
"As a proof that you are children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" (Galatians 4:6)
As often as I am able to cry out from heart, "Abba, Father" I am reassured of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I should remember this each time I say the Lord's Prayer. Jesus Christ taught us to pray confidently to the Father. The Holy Spirit helps us to do so.
"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3: 16)
Thank you Father.
What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
To believe in Jesus means to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him.
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you." (2 Corinthians 13: 13)
Amen!
If the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with me today, then everything will be fine.
"Perfect love drives out fear." With the perfect love of God for me on my mind, I will fear nothing.
"Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, 'The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." (Exodus 34: 6)
God's self-revelation:
How reassuring! How comforting! I find my strength today in your self-definition, O God.
"God, we praise you: Father all-powerful, Christ Lord and Savior, Spirit of love. You reveal yourself in the depths of our being, drawing us to share in your life and your love. One God, three Persons, be near to the people formed in your image, close to the world your love brings to life….." (Opening Prayer on Holy Trinity Sunday)
God reveals Himself in the depths of our being. God draws us to share in His life and His love.
"Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you …." (Prayer in Mass)
Jesus Christ, the Word of God brought us the truth about God. The Holy Spirit makes us holy through the sacraments and the word of God.
The mystery of God's life could not be known without the gospel truths revealed by Christ. We worship God by proclaiming and living our faith in Him.
"I have chosen you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16)
The choice, the call and the anointing.
God's choice of Israel is a mystery. God choice of everyone of us also a mystery. But the reason for the choice is not mysterious: to go and bear fruit that will last.
In order to achieve this purpose, there are two steps that must be taken:
First, to be with Jesus.
Then, to be like Jesus.
Being precedes doing.
"I tell you, therefore, everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)
What do I pray for today?
Jesus promises that if I believe they are mine already, they are mine. Lord, help me to believe.
"Father in heaven, form in us the likeness of your Son and deepen his life within us. Send us as witnesses of gospel joy into a world of fragile peace and broken promises. Touch the hearts of all men with your love that they in turn may love one another ……." (Opening Mass Prayer)
Form in us the likeness of Jesus.
Deepen His life within us.
Send us as witnesses of gospel joy to our families, friends and work places.
Touch our hearts with your love so that we can love others.
"By the words of the Lord his works come into being and all creation obeys his will." (Sirach 42: 15)
All things obey God. (Psalm 119: 91)
I delight so much in this attribute of God. Whatever God wills, He accomplishes. I can trust Him.
"Father, by the preaching of St. Augustine of Canterbury, you led the people of England to the gospel. May the fruits of his work continue in your Church…" (Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury)
God inspired and blessed the preaching of St. Augustine of Canterbury and used it to convert England.
"Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." (John 15: 5)
"I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will raise up one shepherd who will pasture them. I, the Lord, will be their God." (Ezekiel 34: 11, 23-24)
God will always provide pasture for his flock.
One flock, one shepherd. One Church, one pastor.
"Lord, strengthen us with the bread of life. May we always imitate St. Philip by hungering after the sacrament in which we find true life…" (Communion Prayer in the feast of St. Philip Neri)
The Eucharist is one critical path to this abundance of life promised by Jesus Christ. The Eucharist strengthens our inner being. By diminishing and eventually eliminating desire for that which is material and transitory, it elevates that which is permanent, that is the true life in us.
We ask the Lord to increase our hunger for the Eucharist always.
"I solemnly tell you: those who have left everything and followed me will be repaid a hundredfold and will gain eternal life." (Matthew 19: 27 – 29)
Lord, I believe in your promise. Help me to leave everything and follow you with all my heart.
You also promised:
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." (Matthew 6: 33)
Lord, I also believe in this promise. Help me to seek you first in every thought word and deed. Let it be done to me according to your word.
"For look, today I have made you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze to stand against the whole country: the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests and the people of the country." (Jeremiah 1: 18)
How does God make us a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze? What resources does He provide us here and now to make these promises true?
Constant use of the above resources would constitute anybody into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze.
"Lord, help us who offer this sacrifice of praise to follow the example of St. Philip. Keep us always cheerful in our work for the glory of your name and the good of our neighbor…." (Prayer in the Mass of St. Philip Neri)
The Eucharist is a sacrifice of praise.
Cheerfulness is an important gift in ministry. I will be cheerful today. I resolve to be always cheerful.
"For the Son of Man himself came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
Lord, I am humbled by your servant spirit. Give me the same spirit. Teach me how to serve.
"Once more taking the twelve aside he began to tell them what was going to happen to him." (Mark 10: 32)
Jesus prepares His disciples for the future by telling them what was going to happen to Him. In another passage, He tells them what was going to happen to them when He was gone from their presence. I attended a retreat once where the retreat director prepared us for life after the mountain-top experience of the retreat. The warning helped me.
Every genuine Christian experiences the truth of mountain-top and down-the-valley experience in our walk with Christ. The crucial message is that one must always be prepared.
"Reward those who hoped in you and let your prophets be proved true. Hear the prayer of your servants, for you are ever gracious to your people. Thus it will be known to the very ends of the earth that you are the eternal God." (Sirach 36: 15-17)
Lex orandi, lex credendi. The rule of prayer is the rule of faith. Surely, God will reward those who wait for Him.
"The Lord is my inheritance and my cup; he alone will give me my reward." (Psalm 16: 5)
Father, grant me the patience and perseverance to wait for your reward. Amen.
How do I wait for God's kairos? Prayer / 7-Way Plan.
The apostles and Mary waited for the Holy Spirit in prayer.
"Father, you continually raises up your faithful to the glory of holiness. In your love kindle in us the fire of the Holy Spirit who so filled the heart of St. Philip Neri…." (Prayer on the feast of St. Philip Neri)
It is God who raises up saints. Our task is to cooperate with His grace. The path to sanctity runs across every single occupation and is completely accessible to every person. It is God's desire that everybody aspire to holiness. The Church provides the means of sanctification primarily through the Sacraments. The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier. He prompts us, He nudges us and inspires us to accept the means of holiness.
"The Lord is my inheritance and my cup; he alone will give me my reward. The measuring line has marked a lovely place for me; my inheritance is my great delight." (Psalm 16: 5-6)
I seek my reward only from God. I seek my salvation only from my God. I seek peace only from God. God says to me: "I am your inheritance and your cup. I alone will give you your reward." Why should I doubt God? Is He a man to lie? Is anything too difficult for Him to accomplish?
God further promises me: "The measuring line has marked a lovely place for you." What place has God marked for me here and now?
Thank you Father.
"Lord, by this celebration, may your Spirit fill us with the same light of faith that shines in the teaching of St. Bede." (Communion Prayer on the feast of St. Bede)
The Eucharist provides a point of contact with the Holy Spirit. The Eucharist is a formidable resource in spiritual, physical and mental renewal.
"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom." (Matthew 11: 25)
What are the mysteries of the kingdom?
The mysteries of the kingdom are the deposit of faith enshrined in the Creed we repeat on Sundays and feast days. The mysteries of the kingdom are also the seven Sacraments. The mysteries of the kingdom are the body of truth revealed by Jesus to His Church. God chooses to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to the humble.
How do we come by the knowledge of salvation? How do we learn the mysteries of the kingdom?
"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." (Luke 10: 16) Jesus gave to the apostles and their successors authority to teach the mysteries of the kingdom.
"In truth, I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land – and persecutions too – now in the present time and , in the world to come, eternal life." (Mark 10: 10: 29-30)
Whenever I read the above scripture, I think of the many priests, religious, missionaries and all those that live the consecrated life. Is the above promise true in their regard, I wonder? From what I can tell from those of them that I know, the promise is absolutely true. God is faithful. He is not a man to lie. But a few that are called, seem to overlook the fulfillment of this promise and present a sometimes sorry image to the world. Do they listen to word of man more than they listen to the word of God? Just as your heart follows your treasure, so does your mind follow the preponderance of the words it receives.