"But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath." (Romans 5: 8 – 9)
Christ's death reconciled us to God. To see the fruits of this reconciliation, we must accept Christ into our hearts through Baptism. This makes us the children of God and the brothers of Jesus Christ. If we remain God's children, our salvation is guaranteed.
"You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle's wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all the people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation." (Exodus 19: 4-6)
God bore me on eagle's wings to the Enterprise. I experienced a mighty deliverance. God set up the Enterprise so that I can serve Him and Him alone. All that I need is to continue with the 7-Way Plan and I will succeed.
"Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and live according to your will….." (11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Prayer)
How wonderful to realize that when we don't even think of it, God sustains our every action. How much I feel inspired by this promise of Jesus Christ:
"I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me." Lord, I want you to be my hope and my strength 100% at all times, in every situation and in all places.
"My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been looking for you." (Luke 2: 48)
God in His providential designs did not shield Mary and Joseph from experiencing the pain of losing a child. For three days they did not know where Jesus was or what had become of him. Recalling the attempt of Herod to kill the child would have added to their pain.
How do we handle the loss of a loved one, money, job, health or home? This is a pain that every human being must experience sometime. When we reflect on the experience of Mary and Joseph, we feel inspired to imitate them in patiently trusting God until He brings us relief.
"Approach me, you who desire me and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honey comb. They who eat me will hunger for more; they who drink me will thirst for more." (Sirach 24: 19-21)
Who is sweeter than honey and the honey comb? What do you eat and hunger for more? What do you drink and thirst for more?
Christian experience down the centuries could give one answer to the above questions: The Holy Spirit. Below are some of the reasons for this claim.
The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)
What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)
"Approach me, you who desire me and take your fill of my fruits, for memories of me are sweeter than honey, inheriting me is sweeter than the honey comb. They who eat me will hunger for more; they who drink me will thirst for more." (Sirach 24: 19-21)
Who is sweeter than honey and the honey comb? What do you eat and hunger for more? What do you drink and thirst for more?
Christian experience down the centuries could give one answer to the above questions: The Holy Spirit. Below are some of the reasons for this claim.
The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)
What are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit? (CCC #1832)
"Father, you prepared the heart of the Virgin Mary to be a fitting home for your Holy Spirit. By her prayers may we become more worthy temple of your glory ……" (Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)
The heart of Mary is a fitting home for the Holy Spirit.
How can our hearts become a more worthy home for the Holy Spirit? We know three qualities that make Mary a very special human being. Mary is humble. Mary is faithful. Mary is pure. If we can imitate Mary in these virtues, our hearts will become little by little a fitting home for the Holy Spirit.
"My heart rejoices in your saving power. I will sing to the Lord for his goodness to me." (Psalm 13:6)
God's goodness to me: