"But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift." (Ephesians 4: 7)

"But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift."  (Ephesians 4: 7)

This grace which is given to us by the generosity and abundance of Christ is given to build up His Body, the Church.  What are these graces?  The principal one is the Holy Spirit, the One and Only thing we truly need.  But then we are given different ministries in the Church.  Some of these ministries are:  evangelization, teaching, outreach to the poor and needy in our parishes, lector, art and environment, Holy Communion ministers.  Each ministry provides a unique opportunity to serve Jesus and build up the Church.

In order to use our gifts and fulfill our mission, Jesus provides us with other gifts:  prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Penance, spiritual books.

Thank you Jesus for all these gifts.  Help me to make the best use of your gifts in building up your Church.

The Father chooses to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to little children

"At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike."  (Matthew 11: 25)

The Father chooses to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to the childlike in spirit.  The saints are saints because they know the mysteries of the kingdom.  They understand something of the inner workings of the kingdom which the rest of us don't know.  This truth is exemplified in the life of the Little Flower, St Therese of Lisieux.  Although she died at the age of twenty-four, her spiritual autobiography is a classic.  Her complete trust and abandonment to God has a lot to teach the world.  St. Therese was declared a doctor of the Church because of the profundity of her spiritual insight and the simplicity with which she taught this lesson to the world.

Lord, give me a childlike mind and heart and fill me with the mysteries of the kingdom.

God is able to accomplish far more than we ask or imagine

"Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."  (Ephesians 3: 20 - 21)

God is able to give us far more than we ask or could imagine possible.  When I reflect on the Enterprise, I find that God's blessings have exceeded expectations in almost every area:  Casa, SFJ, STM, EDU.

The two areas where things have not worked out according to plan, I now fully accept and embrace as God's will for me.  Because I accept and embrace God's will in these two areas, I see and I appreciate God's wisdom.  "Let it be done to me according to your word."

"O God, grant me the serenity to to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Amen!"

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5 )

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Amen!

My destiny is in your hands

"Riches and glory are from you,
and you have dominion over all.
In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give greatness and strength to all."  (1 Chronicles 29: 12)

O My God! What a joyful truth.  All riches and glory come from you.  You are the source of all inspiration and power.  You give everything its place and nobody can make it otherwise.  In your hands are all power and might and you share it with whomsoever you please.  What you start you finish, come what may.  All things serve you.

Dearest Father, why do I allow my heart to get troubled after considering the above truth?  Grant me your peace always and everywhere in all things.  Thank you Father.

"Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  (Colossians 3: 15, 16)

"Incline your ear to me;
make haste to rescue me!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me.

For you are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.

My destiny is in your hands;
rescue me from my enemies,
from the hands of my pursuers."
(Psalm 31: 3-4, 16)

You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you

"But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God."  (Luke 12: 20 - 21)

Lord, grant me a heart for your genuine riches.  Fill me with faith, patience, wisdom, humility, courage, peace and contentment.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

Lord, may you exercise absolute reign and authority in my life.  100%!   Help me to trust your providence completely and never doubt that you will always and everywhere provide all that I need.

"The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack."  (Psalm 23: 1)

Thank you Jesus for the roof over my head and the food on the table this day.

"Unless the LORD build the house,
they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch."  (Psalm 127: 1)

I like this promise.  Build my house O Lord.  Watch over all my assets.

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

O My God, how you have blessed me today with so many good promises.  Help me to remember all of these in the course of this day.

Approach the throne of grace with confidence

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 15 - 16)

My Lord and God, I approach your throne of grace with humility and confidence at this moment of need to ask for your peace and comfort.  Thank you Jesus.