"Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived." (1 John 2: 6)

"Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived."  (1 John 2: 6)

How did Jesus live?  He lived the Beatitudes.
Lord, this is not easy.  Jesus knows that this is not easy.  This is why He gave us the means.  The means to live the Beatitudes are prayer, word of God and the Sacraments.

They followed the Lamb wherever He goes

"These are they who were not defiled with women; they are virgins and these are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the firstfruits of the human race for God and the Lamb."  (Revelation 14: 4)

God loves purity and chastity.  Virginity in the above scripture may be a symbol for corporal or spiritual virginity and purity.  Apostasy and adulteration of doctrine is considered spiritual adultery.  The pure and wholesome milk of  Christ's teaching is fully contained in the deposit of faith which is guarded by the Church's Magisterium.  From the first beginning of the age of the Church.  this body of truth has been under attack by heretics and apostates.  But thanks to the promise of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church has remained the bulwark of truth to the present day.

He saw and believed

"Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed."  (John 20: 8)

Lord, let me tell you what I want today.  I want to see many of your little signs and believe.  I know you reach out to me constantly through little signs.  The big signs come once in a while and I appreciate these very much.  But  it is the little sign that oils the wheel of life for me.  From time to time during the day, I notice these little signs and I give you thanks.  What I ask for now is that I notice more of them if not most.

Thank you Lord for little signs.  You give them in order to connect us to you.

The Holy Spirit of your Father will speak through you

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  (Matthew 10: 19 - 20)

December 26 is the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.  Stephen's life and death shows the faithfulness of Jesus to His promise in Matthew 10: 19 - 20.  What encouragement this is to all Christian disciples.  Stephen's life and death also proves another truth from St. Augustine:
"If you pray well, you live well.  If you live well, you die well.  If you die well, all is well."
Stephen was filled with faith, fortitude and the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, on this day we remember the life of your servant, Stephen, grant us who honor his memory deep faith, courage and fill us with your precious Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The Child born today is the Savior of the world

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9: 5)

"Father, the child born today is the Savior of the world.  He made us your children.  May He welcome us into your kingdom where He lives and reigns with you for ever and ever."  (Opening Prayer - Mass of Christmas Day)

Save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us

"He has raised up a horn for our salvation
within the house of David his servant,
even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us"  (Luke 1: 69 71)

Salvation is all about deliverance "from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us."

Who are these?  Let us ask St. John the Evangelist:
"For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world."  (1 John 2: 16)

Our enemies are our natural concupiscence, the attractions of the world and Satan.

When the Son sets us free from the above, we are truly saved.

Do not stand at the door and knock

"“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3: 20)

Dear Jesus, please do not stand at the door and knock.  My  home is always open to you.  If the door is not ajar for you when you arrive, here is the spare key so that you can let yourself in.  Whether the door is opened for you or let yourself in, you will be always welcome in my home.  I have resolved have nothing but 100% devotion and commitment to you.  Never allow this desire to weaken for any reason.  I ask for this in your name Jesus.