Knowledge of truth

"Lord God, by this holy exchange of gifts you share with us your divine life. Grant that everything we do may be directed by the knowledge of your truth……" (Prayer in Mass)

The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gifts. God takes our bread and wine and transforms them into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ which is then given back to us.

"Grant that everything we do may be directed by the knowledge of your truth´ Knowledge of truth comes from the word of God. We pray that we gain genuine knowledge through the word of God. We pray also that this knowledge influence everything we do.

The Spirit and the truth

"However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth." (John 16: 13)

Spirit and the truth

Spirit of truth

Most Holy Spirit, come and teach me your truth. Remove from me all falsehood.

The Spirit leads the Church to the fullness of truth on the word of God

God gives everything

"Nor is [God] he in need of anything, that he should be served by human hands; on the contrary, it is he who gives everything – including life and breath to everyone." (Acts 17:25)    

All blessings come from our God. All life, all breath come from God. God gives to everyone whatever he has. All talent, time and treasure come from God.

"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. Through your goodness, we have this bread to offer, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands. It shall become for us the bread of life." We answer this offertory prayer with the affirmation – "Blessed be God forever." So, even the gifts we bring to God are provided to us by God Himself.

Saints Nereus and Achilleus

"Father, we honor Saints Nereus and Achilleus for their courage in dying to profess their faith in Christ. May we experience the help of their prayers at the throne of your mercy….." (Prayer in the Mass of the feast of St. Nereus and Achilleus)

They showed courage in dying to profess their faith in Christ. Am I ready to resist temptation to the point of blood? The martyrs died for Christ through the power of Christ. I too can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

A Witness

"I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers." (Psalm 18: 50; 21:23)

This is my desire.

O Lord, how, when? Wait! (Psalm 42 – 122108)

Divine Necessity of Suffering

"Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead; and so enter into his glory." (Luke 24: 46, 26)

Those who suffered:

• Peter and Paul
  
• James and John
  
• Pope John Paul II and Pope Paul VI
  
• All the Saints
  

There is a divine necessity of suffering.

Watch and Wait

1

¹ "Then ² the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2

³ Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

3

The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them,

4

but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.

5

Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6

At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7

Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

8

The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

9

But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'

10

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked.

11

⁴ Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'

12

But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'

13

Therefore, stay awake, ⁵ for you know neither the day nor the hour.

 

(Matthew 25: 1 – 13)

 

The foolish virgins did not anticipate a delay and were unprepared when the bridegroom was long delayed. (v5)

St. Augustine in his Sermons, 93 wrote: "Watch with the heart, watch with faith, watch with love, watch with charity, watch with good works […]; make ready the lamps, make sure they do not go out […], renew them with inner oil of an upright conscience; then shall the Bridegroom enfold you in the embrace of his love and bring you into his banquet room, where your lamp can never be extinguished."

When I reflect on the above, I think of the message of 122108: Wait!

"6

Why are you downcast, my soul; why do you groan within me? Wait for God, whom I shall praise again, my savior and my God." (Psalm 42: 6)