"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.