You too can be patient.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials."  (James 1: 2 NABRE)

Is it possible to consider troubles pure joy?  Well the scripture says so.

I finished reading recently a book about the lives of 35 men and women who are Doctors of the Church.  These people shaped the doctrines that Christians believe today.  In my opinion, they are the greatest and brightest.  One day, I asked myself:  "What is the common factor among these 35 Greats?

Each of them suffered horribly in body, mind or soul.  We still remember the sufferings of Pope St John Paul II and Mother St Teresa?  Now consider this act of Divine Providence:  Each of these 35 Greats accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.

Suffering did not prevent Jesus Christ or St John the Baptist from accomplishing what God planned and willed for their lives.  No amount of suffering can prevent us from fulfilling our destiny.

Come O Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

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Come and show us Your face, O Lord.

'Behold, I am coming soon
and my recompense is with me, says the Lord,
to bestow a reward according to the deeds of each."  (Revelation 22: 12  RM)

What deeds will be the basis of the reward of Jesus?

Feeding the hungry
Clothing the naked
Sheltering the homeless
Visiting the sick and the imprisoned
Admonishing the sinner
Forgiving offenses willingly
Comforting the afflicted  (Cf Matthew 25: 34 - 46)

Lord Jesus, do not judge us according to our deeds or merits but according to your unfailing Mercy.

Come O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law. 

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I promise to prosper the work of your hands if you learn my lessons.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow."  (Isaiah 48: 17 NLT)

Abba Father provides all that we need.  But He is also our Teacher.  How does Abba Father teach us His children?

#1.  Through His word.
#2.  Through our daily experiences especially our trials. (Hebrews 12: 7)
#3.  Through the authoritative teaching of the Church.

What are the rewards for learning the lessons?
#1.  "Your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea."  (Isaiah 48: 18)
#2. You will be like a tree planted near running water certain to yield its fruit in due season.  (Psalm 1: 3)
#3.  God will prosper the work of your hands.  (Psalm 1:  3)

Is God a man to lie or is anything too difficult for God?

Come O Prince of Peace.

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Happy Feast Day O Mother and Queen! We love you so much.

"I will rejoice heartily in the Lord,
my being exults in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation, and wrapped me in a robe of justice,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  (Isaiah 61: 10  NABRE)

Today the Church throughout the world celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jesus created her Mother so beautiful, so graceful and so loving.  On the cross, Jesus said, "Behold your Mother."  (John 19: 17)  Thank You Jesus.   Let us join all generations in calling Mary blessed.  (Luke 1: 48)

Happy Feast Day, O Mother and Queen!  We your grateful children love you so much.

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Has my God forgotten me?

"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  "(Isaiah 40: 31 NABRE)

Like many of us, the Israelites were no strangers to discouragement in their Journey of Faith.  Listen to their complaint:  “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?  And on another occasion: 
"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”  (Isaiah 49: 14)

God is consummate patience and answered them:  "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you."  (Isaiah 49: 14 - 15)

God knows exactly where we are, what we need and when we need it.
Be confident and wait for the Lord.

Come O Sun that never sets.

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The Day of the Lord is near.

“All flesh is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.”  (Isaiah 40: 6 - 7 NABRE)

If you are like myself, you seek and appreciate some stability in life.   Have you been able to find it in anything?  A new car quickly goes out of fashion.  A new home becomes creaky.  The beauty and innocence of the little child turns into a vicious teenager.   "Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity."  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2)

The grass may wither and the flowers wilt, but we are certain that the word of God will never change.

Come O Morning Star.

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Rejoice with joyful song O People.

"Strengthen hands that are feeble,
 make firm knees that are weak,
 Say to the fearful of heart:
 Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you."   (Isaiah 35: 3-4 NABRE)

Hear the word of God, O People!

Are you weary, heavy of heart or afraid?  Do you want to experience the simple joys of Christmas like a child?  Open your heart and mind to Jesus in faith and prayer.

Come O Dawn from on High.

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