Refinery

"But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord." (Malachi 3: 2-3)

"All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction." (Psalm 25: 10, 14)

God's providential designs for us are full of kindness and mercy.

Rejoice heartily

"Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your King shall come to you." (Zechariah 9: 9-10)

Rejoice, rejoice heartily. Christ is our King. He comes to us in His word; He comes to us in the Eucharist. He is so humble.

Asking for more evidence

"Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)

Jesus said the above to His disciple, Thomas who had the witness of His resurrection from his fellow disciples and still would not bring himself to believe. In this reproach, we can also see a reproach for asking for too much evidence.

Where do I need to believe more today? My life would be more joyful and peaceful if I believe that Jesus is in full control of my life and destiny. What stands in my way to believing this? When I consider how God's will is manifested in my life, that is, the time, place and manner, I find that paying attention to sense evidence robs me of solid faith. Like Thomas, the apostle, I ask for more evidence. When I do this, may I always hear Jesus say to me: "Do not be unbelieving anymore but believe." (John 20: 21)