Even all the hairs of your head are counted

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.: (Matthew 10: 29 - 31)

What beautiful and precious words are these, Lord Jesus.  They appear just too much for the mind of man to accept as true.  But I believe they are true.  Lord, the doctrine of your divine providence is the sweetest teaching for me in all of scripture.  How I pray that you help me to remember and live this every step and every moment of this day.  O thank you Jesus.

Wait for the Lord with courage

"They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint." (Isaiah 40: 31)

I wait for you O Lord.  Renew my strength.  Do not allow me to be tired of waiting.  I stand on your word.  I will wait for you till you come.

The laborer deserves his keep

" no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep."  (Matthew 10: 10)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In every step of your journey, trust Him and He will direct your path.  If the Lord says that the laborer deserves his keep, so it is, so shall it be forever.

Keep the Lord's promises constantly before your eyes.  Review always His favors and provisions.  Use journaling to make a list of His new favors everyday.

I sought the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and He answered me

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him." (Psalm 34: 5 - 7)

What an affirmation of confidence in God's faithfulness.  I confess that I too have sought the Lord many times in the Blessed Sacrament and He answered me.  When my soul is troubled by many fears worries and doubts, I have sought the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  I have left His Presence completely healed.  My experiences of the power of the Lord's Presence in the Blessed Sacrament make me say again and again that the Blessed Sacrament is a resource that never fails.

Look to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and be radiant and your face may not blush for shame.  Yes, I am the poor one who cried out to Jesus present in the Most Holy Sacrament and Jesus heard me and saved me from all my distress.  Thank you Lord.

The instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment

"They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."  (Psalm 16: 4)

"With their silver and gold
they made idols for themselves,
to their own destruction."  (Hosea 8: 4)

The instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment.  You make money your god.  The money god  overcomes you and then oppresses you.

She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured."  (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

"Those who dare approach my throne of mercy will receive mercy."  I felt these words in my heart one day kneeling close to the Blessed Sacrament.  Nearing close to the Blessed Sacrament apparently was not good enough.  I must imitate what I notice women and men do.  They walk up right in front of the Monstrance, place their hands on the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and pour out their hearts to Jesus.  Before I felt these words of encouragement in my heart, I too had stood in front of the Blessed Sacrament to ask for special blessings.  But I have not made it a habit.  Those words of inspiration that I felt invite me to make it a habit to approach the throne of grace to find mercy at a time of need.

The woman with the issue of blood in the scripture above (Matthew 9: 21 - 22) felt strongly the unusual and powerful inspiration to touch the cloak of Jesus.  Faith is a response to God's initiative.  God is the source of all inspiration and power.  Because of her profound needs, she succumbed to the pull of this inspiration and dared touch the cloak of Jesus.  The result was instant healing for her.

At the early morning Mass today, I thought of what the woman did.  I will not only touch Jesus in the Eucharist but will receive Him in my hand, my tongue and my heart.  Why am I not healed of my ills and the burdens of my heart?  It is said that man's extremity is God's opportunity and man's security is Satan's opportunity.  Why do we appear afraid to approach God with our desperate needs?  Lord Jesus, grant me the grace always to dare approach your throne of mercy.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

" but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.  I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."  (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

G o d

g r a n t

 m e   t h e

serenity   to   accept   the

 things   I   cannot   change;

the   courage   to   change 

the things

I can,

and the

wisdom

to know

the 

difference.

AMEN!