Deliver my soul from all distress

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him,
upon those who count on his mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive through famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
he is our help and shield.j
For in him our hearts rejoice;
in his holy name we trust."  (Psalm 33: 18-21)

My God, I count on your mercy.  Deliver my soul from all distress and provide all my needs even in time of deep economic depression.  Everyday I wake up, I look forward to enjoying your favors.

Answer me when I cry to you

"Incline your ear, LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and oppressed.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God;
be gracious to me, Lord;
to you I call all the day."  (Psalm 86: 1 - 3)

Answer me O God when I call to you.  You hear the cry of the poor.  Be merciful and answer my prayer.  I have nothing but you.  I have nobody but you.  O merciful and faithful God.  I know you will answer my prayer.  Thank you Father.

I will declare your greatness

"One generation praises your deeds to the next
and proclaims your mighty works.
They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory,
tell of your wonderful deeds.
They speak of the power of your awesome acts
and recount your great deeds.
They celebrate your abounding goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice."  (Psalm 145: 4 - 7)

I will declare your greatness.
"I will bear witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

Blessed are those who fear the Lord

"Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
and who walk in his ways.
What your hands provide you will enjoy;
you will be blessed and prosper"  (Psalm 128: 1 - 2)

The Church celebrates today the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist.  Jesus praised John as the greatest of all born of woman.  John the Baptist, the privileged and only child of a priest was anointed in the womb.  John would rank high among those that are blessed.

The above brief biography makes me reflect on Psalm 128: 1 - 2 and ask myself, "What does it mean to be blessed?"  John lived an austere life in the desert.  He ended his life in death row and was beheaded.  Where is the blessing in the life of John?  Then I got the insight.  The blessed of God are not to be compared like the blessed of the world.  When the TV evangelist says that one is blessed, he probably means that one has lots of money, good family, good health and all creature comforts.

The blessed of God are those whom Jesus says possess genuine riches.  According to the Lord, there are two types of riches: riches that can rust or lost and riches that  cannot never rust and which no man can take from you.  John possesses the latter.  He is rich in faith, hope and love.  He is rich in patience, wisdom, humility, courage, peace and contentment.  He is rich in what matters most.  He is genuinely rich.

What type of riches do you prefer?

We are called to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ

"To this end he has [also] called you through our gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours."  (2 Thessalonians 2: 14 - 15)

The Choice, the Call and the Anointing.  We are called to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we shall not fear, worry or doubt.  We believe in prayer; we believe in the word of God; we believe in miracle.  We trust God and leave the rest to Him.

It is the Spirit that gives life

"It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."  (John 6: 63)

Father, sealed with the Holy Spirit, may your love make me what you have chosen, called and destined me to be. Amen.

We will serve the Lord

"If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24: 15)

As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.  So help me God.