"May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may his face shine upon us.
So shall your way be known upon the earth,
your victory among all the nations." (Psalm 67: 1 - 2)
Why did my heart latch onto this word as my scripture verse for today? Because this phrase "His face shine upon us" catches my attention always and everywhere. I noticed this phrase several years ago from the liturgy of the first of January, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The word is contained in the first reading for the solemn Mass, the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:
"The LORD said to Moses:
Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!" (Numbers 6: 22 - 26)
I appropriated the blessing then and had repeated it in my own words before I leave my home.
Again, I find the same phrase coming after my favorite Psalm 31:16 in Psalm 31: 17:
"My destiny is in your hands;
rescue me from my enemies,
from the hands of my pursuers.
Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your mercy." (Psalm 31: 16 - 17)
We find it also in that great Psalm that extols the word of God, Psalm 119.
"Let your face shine upon your servant;
teach me your statutes." (Psalm 119: 135)
With all the above, it is hardly surprising that I would jump on the phrase when I encountered it this morning. I pray to Christ every time I leave my home thus, "Let your face shine upon me graciously and grant me abundant mercy, peace and prosperity. Protect me from all evil and anxiety. Bless and protect Casa." After this prayer, I always step out with confidence.
Saturday, August 03, 2013
Friday, August 02, 2013
The Carpenter's Son
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?" (Matthew 13: 54)
Where do we get the wisdom and power to share the word of God? We get the wisdom from the Holy Spirit. He is the best Teacher. He gives us words and vocabulary suited to our audience.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." (Matthew 7: 28 - 29)
Jesus taught and performed mighty deeds in the power of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit firmly in control of our ministry, our performance will always be in line with the measure of God's gifts to us.
Where do we get the wisdom and power to share the word of God? We get the wisdom from the Holy Spirit. He is the best Teacher. He gives us words and vocabulary suited to our audience.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
"1845 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Christians are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.""When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." (Matthew 7: 28 - 29)
Jesus taught and performed mighty deeds in the power of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit firmly in control of our ministry, our performance will always be in line with the measure of God's gifts to us.
Thursday, August 01, 2013
EXACTLY
"Moses did exactly as the Lord had commanded him."
(Exodus 40: 16)
Why is my pain continuous?
Seekfirst.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Diamond is forever
"When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it." (Matthew 13: 46)
Diamond is forever.
Jesus Christ is the pure DIAMOND.
I found the real Pearl and not counterfeit.
All that you need is the Holy Spirit. He is the one thing that is necessary.
O Lord Jesus Christ, you are all that I have. Do not allow me to have a buyer's remorse.
Diamond is forever.
Jesus Christ is the pure DIAMOND.
I found the real Pearl and not counterfeit.
All that you need is the Holy Spirit. He is the one thing that is necessary.
O Lord Jesus Christ, you are all that I have. Do not allow me to have a buyer's remorse.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Lord come to my house
"As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him." (Luke 10: 38)
Lord come to my house.
"“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)
Lord, the door is always open for you. Do not stand at the door. No need to knock. Come right in.
"The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8: 8)
Your word O Lord is sufficient. You exalted your name and your word above everything. I rely on your word. It is all that I have. I have no Plan B. I have no Alternative. You are all that I have, O lord.
Lord come to my house.
"“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)
Lord, the door is always open for you. Do not stand at the door. No need to knock. Come right in.
"The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8: 8)
Your word O Lord is sufficient. You exalted your name and your word above everything. I rely on your word. It is all that I have. I have no Plan B. I have no Alternative. You are all that I have, O lord.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
He answered me
"I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
in the presence of the angels to you I sing.
I bow low toward your holy temple;
I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness.
For you have exalted over all
your name and your promise.
On the day I cried out, you answered;
you strengthened my spirit." (Psalm 138: 1 - 3)
in the presence of the angels to you I sing.
I bow low toward your holy temple;
I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness.
For you have exalted over all
your name and your promise.
On the day I cried out, you answered;
you strengthened my spirit." (Psalm 138: 1 - 3)