In all times and seasons

"I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live in abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, and of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Philippians 4: 12 13)

The most important lesson that Paul learned from the Lord Jesus is how to adjust to times and seasons. Times and seasons in our life are not arbitrary. They are divine appointment. All times and all seasons belong to Jesus. He is the Master of all history. Our destiny is in His hands. Therefore, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust." (Luke 8: 50, Mark 5: 36)

Spirit and Liturgy

But the hour is coming - indeed is already here – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4: 23 – 24)

There is an intimate relationship between the Holy Spirit and liturgy. Liturgy is the total expression of our worship of God. Is it surprising that the Holy Spirit will be central in the act of worship? He leads and guides it.

Provide me only the food that I need

Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6

Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be exposed as a deceiver.

7

Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die:

8

Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; (provide me only with the food I need;)

9

Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God.

 

The above scripture was the first reading at Mass this morning. When I read it before Mass, my reaction was: Yes Lord, I agree with the ideas. Give me exactly my daily bread. Shelter me from all anxiety, all fears and doubts about your willingness and ability to provide me all that I need as and when I do.

At the 6.30 am Mass, our Deacon preached on this theme. He recalled how he experienced a power outage the evening before as he ate dinner. Confident in the automatic generator he has, he waited for it to kick into service in seconds. But nothing happened. He went to his garage and found that the battery of his generator was dead. Lesson? Trust in the Lord completely for all your needs. Be diligent to provide all that you can. God, who is the first cause of everything ultimately has the final say.

Times and season may change but God’s love is constant

57

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

58

Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

59

You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

60

All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

61

All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

62

Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

63

Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

64

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

65

All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

66

Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

67

[Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

68

Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

69

Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

70

Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

71

Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

72

Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

73

Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

74

Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

75

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

76

Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

77

You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

78

Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

79

You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

80

All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

81

All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

82

You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

83

O Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

84

Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

85

Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

86

Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

87

Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

88

Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. For he has delivered us from the nether world, and saved us from the power of death; He has freed us from the raging flame and delivered us from the fire.

56

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.

Times and seasons are divine appointment. Times and seasons my change, but God's love is constant and unchanging.

The Spirit leads us to conversion

"For your imperishable Spirit is in everything! And thus, gradually, you correct those who offend; you admonish and remind them of how they have sinned, so that they may abstain from evil and trust you, Lord." (Wisdom 12: 1-2)

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. He admonishes us when we offend God. The Spirit teaches us the ways of God and invites us to trust God.