Measuring line

"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?

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Thank you Father.

A formidable resource

"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.

Mysteries of the kingdom

"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.

The Call and the Promise

"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.

Praise is the key

"Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High. Then call on me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall honor me….

Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; to the obedient I will show the salvation of God." (Psalm 50: 14-15, 23)

Praise and thank God at all times. Fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Praise is the key to God's heart.

A Generous God

"Give to the Most High as he has given to you, as generously as your means can afford; for the Lord is a good rewarder, he will reward you seven times over." (Sirach 35: 9-10)

Who can rival the Lord in generosity? Nobody. Always remember that nobody can out do God in generosity.

Be generous to God with your time, talent and treasure. God is a generous rewarder

 

A cheerful giver

"Add a smiling face to all your gifts, and be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes." (Sirach 35: 8)

Be joyful in giving. God loves a cheerful giver.