For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified."  (1 Corinthians 2:2)

This is an extraordinary single minded focus on Christ.  Is this just an ideal and only possible for a strong character and personality like St. Paul?  By no means!  Every single saint has exhibited the same singleness of purpose with regard to Jesus.  Jesus Himself said that it is impossible to serve God and mammon.  Read the Gospels between the lines and you find that in every page, Christ requests 100% commitment to Himself.

"But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."  (1 Corinthians 1: 23 24)

A single minded focus on Christ engender a single minded commitment to the mission of Christ.  That mission is to proclaim season and out of season, whether opposed or not the Good News that is Jesus, in whom resides fully the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The means to accomplish this is through a thorough understanding of the mystery of the cross and embracing this truth always and everywhere

Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."  (Luke 12: 6 - 7)

Our Gracious Father gives us each day the awesome gift of the Eucharistic Food, the Body and Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Now think for a moment:  If God Our Father, gives us this day the Eucharistic Food, how much more will He give us our daily bread, job, money, cars, homes, etc?

"For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  (John 6: 33)

What the Father provides us without cost and without conditions is inestimably much more valuable and durable.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6:  33 - 34)

Lord, grant this great grace to trust completely in your loving and all powerful providence.

I will bear a witness to you in the world

"How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the one bringing good news,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”  (Isaiah 52: 7)

Lord Jesus, help me to discern accurately my purpose in life.  Your grace makes all things possible.  Remember my desire for W & P.  As time go bye, I wonder if this is still possible.  I know that all things are possible for you.  Help me to trust you completely that if this is your purpose for me, it shall be accomplished.

"Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching."  (2 Timothy 4: 2)

"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia!"  (Psalm 17: 59; 21: 23)

I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me

"Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me."  (Galatians 2: 20)

St. Paul has grown spiritually to the level where he can say, I have understood what Jesus is all about.  He likes what he hears.  To walk in the footsteps of Christ is humanly speaking impossible, Paul knows that he could do that with the empowerment that comes from Christ.  We call this grace.

In the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, we ask for the following graces:

1. First Mystery - The Agony in the Garden: We ask for the grace to overcome all fears of suffering and to imitate Jesus in using the power of prayer at the moment of crisis.
2. Second Mystery - The Scourging at the Pillar:  We ask for the grace to accept pains and sufferings.  
3. Third Mystery - The Crowning with Thorns:  Lord grant us the grace to accept humiliations, insults, contempt and rejections.
4. Fourth Mystery - Lord help us to discern today the cross you have personally designed for us.  Grant us  the courage to pick it up and follow you.
5. Fifth Mystery - Jesus dies on the Cross:  We ask for the grace to die completely to ourselves and to accept God's will in our life in every situation.

In every one of the five Sorrowful Mystery, we ask for grace to be like Christ.  What is grace?  Grace is God's free gift or favor.  Grace makes what is impossible, possible; what is difficult,  easy; what is unpleasant, pleasant.  God is the source of all inspiration and power.  God is the source of all grace.  He is always willing and able to give grace.  Now we know the secret of St. Paul in Galatians 2: 20.  St. Paul desired and asked for abundant grace to fulfill his mission and God gave to him lavishly.  May we desire this grace and ask for it in faith.

I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ

"But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you."  (Luke 11: 41)

" Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk."  (Acts 3: 6)

Lord Jesus, what do you want me to give?  How do you want me to give?  I want to do what you say.  I want everything to be clean for me.  I know that all that I am and have are gifts from you.  I do not want to hold anything back from you.  But you must help me.  Please Lord, unfasten my tightly clasped hands and take all my time, talent and treasure.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.  Through your goodness I offer all that you have given me.  Let it become for me like the bread of life and a spiritual drink.

"And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."  (Matthew 25: 40)

Perfect love drives out fear

"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."  (Galatians 5: 1)

"Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4: 18).  Jesus Christ has set us free from the slavery of fear, worry and doubts.  We receive this freedom when we are baptized and become members of His Body.  We lose this freedom when we compromise with what we know that is the will of God.  The taste of this freedom is heaven on it.  It is all important to do everything in our power to preserve this freedom.  The first step is the firm resolution not to do anything that will compromise this privilege in any way.

I preferred her to gold and silver

"Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
Because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and beauty I loved her,
And I chose to have her rather than the light,
because her radiance never ceases.
Yet all good things together came to me with her,
and countless riches at her hands;"  (Wisdom 7: 7 - 11)

O Great and Generous God and Father, grant me wisdom.  I ask for this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen!