Ark of Covenant

"Now have salvation and power come, the kingdom of our God and the authority of his anointed One." (Revelation 12: 10)

Salvation, power, kingdom and authority come through Jesus Christ, Son of Mary. One of the titles of Mary is Ark of Covenant.

Assumption of Mary into heaven

"Father in heaven, all creation rightly gives you praise, for all life and all holiness come from you. In the plan of your wisdom she who bore Christ in her womb was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven. May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness and join in her hymn of endless life and praise…" (Mass Prayer in the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary)

• All creation gives God praise and rightly so.
  
• All life and all holiness come from God.
  
• Mary's Assumption was according to God's plan and wisdom.
  
• Mary reflected in an eminent way God's holiness. May we imitate her in holiness.

Heaven as our final goal

"All powerful and ever-living God, you raised the sinless Virgin, Mother of your Son, body and soul to the glory of heaven. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory….." (Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary)

How I would love to see heaven as my final goal every day. What difference would it make? It gives a supernatural perspective to everything I do. It shows clearly the transitional nature of everything here on earth.

Merciful heart

"Mercy is what pleases me not sacrifice." (Matthew 9: 13)

Lord, grant me a merciful heart. Show me how to exercise mercy today.

Banish these gods

"So now, fear Yahweh and serve him truly and sincerely; banish the gods whom your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve Yahweh." (Joshua 24: 14)

Fear Yahweh

Serve Yahweh

Serve Him truly and sincerely

To serve God truly and sincerely, these gods must be banished:

• Money
  
• Health
  
• Job
  
• Tools
  
• Family
  
• Food
  

This is a hard saying. Who can do this? We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Hard teachings

"It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted." (Matthew 19: 11)

Some teachings of Christ are hard, for example:

• Chastity
  
• Simplicity
  
• Cost of discipleship
  
• Trusting God's providence
  

What percentage of the teachings of Jesus do I accept today? I know what I desire: to accept 100%. As God's kingdom expands its hold on our hearts, we accept more and more of Christ's teachings. Lord grant me the grace to accept all your teachings and live them.

Hard teachings

"It is not everyone who can accept what I have said, but only those to whom it is granted." (Matthew 19: 11)

Some teachings of Christ are hard, for example:

• Chastity
  
• Simplicity
  
• Cost of discipleship
  
• Trusting God's providence
  

What percentage of the teachings of Jesus do I accept today? I know what I desire: to accept 100%. As God's kingdom expands its hold on our hearts, we accept more and more of Chris's teachings. Lord grant me the grace to accept all your teachings and live them.

Journey through the wilderness

"And now I have given you a country for which you have not toiled, towns you have not built, although you live in them, vineyards and olive groves you have not planted, although you eat their fruit." (Joshua 24: 13)

Before the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, they fought and won many battles through the help of God. The Enterprise is a journey through the wilderness. I must fight and win many battles with the help of God. It is wonderful to know that God is on my side. Because God is on my side, the mission is accomplished. At the end of the journey, may I be blessed to hear God say to me, "Well done good and faithful servant."