A fortified city

"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?

• Holy Spirit
  
• Eucharist
  
• Blessed Virgin Mary
  
• Word of God
  
• Communion of the Saints
  
• Sacrament of Reconciliation
  

Constant use of the above resources would constitute anybody into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze.

Cheerfulness

"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.

The Servant

"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.

Be Prepared

"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.

Patience and Reward

"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.

St. Philip Neri

"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.