The just man fears no bad news

"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 Cross

"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.

St. Justin Martyr

"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 Fables of the Wicked

"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?

• Quick prosperity schemes
  
• Eternal youth drugs
  
• Peace and happiness without responsibility
  
• Money can buy anything
  

How does one stand his ground against such fables?

• By asking for the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit everyday
  
• By reading and meditating on the word of God day and night
  
• By prayer
  

 

Miracle of faith

"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.