We saw His star at its rising. We are here to do Him homage.

 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”  (Matthew 2: 2 NABRE)

The Church celebrates this Sunday the Solemnity of the Epiphany.  Epiphany means the manifestation of divine effect or power.  This is the day when the Divine Child Jesus was shown or revealed to Gentiles represented by the three Wise Men.

What lessons does the mystery of the Epiphany hold for us?   Consider these three :

#1.   Salvation is for all people, Jews and Gentiles.
#2.  The power and sovereignty of God is universal.  All people and all things obey Him. (Psalm 119:  91)
#3.  The three Wise Men brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus.  Bring your sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus in the Sunday Eucharist.

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Do whatever Jesus tells you.

"And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."  (1 John 5 : 14 NABRE)

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray: "Thy will be done."  Can you compare Abba Father in wisdom, power and love with your earthly father?  There is no way your dad will give you a poisonous snake when he knows you intended a fish.

When wine ran out at the Wedding at Cana, Mary's advice to the servants was simple and precise:  "Do whatever He tells you."  (John 2: 5)  Mary did not know what Jesus would do.  But her motherly instinct knew that Jesus would do the best thing under the circumstances.   She taught the disciples to open their hearts to Jesus in confident trust.

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Whoever possesses the Son has life.

"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."  (1 John 5: 5 NIV)

We can overcome this evil world.  But we do so only through our faith.  (1  John 5 : 4)  Faith is the greatest armor the Christian needs to live the victorious life. 

How do we acquire faith?  How do we nourish and grow in faith?  God gives us the free gift of faith when we are baptized and become member of His Family.  Thereafter, we nourish it through daily prayer and feeding on the word of God.   As we exercise our faith, it grows and start to manifest.

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."  (1 John 5 : 12)

When you possess the Son through faith, you possess also life of God which comes with peace, power, purpose, awareness of the presence of Jesus, protection and provision.

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First Friday in January 2017

First Friday in January 2017.

12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

#11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

How do you promote the Sacred Heart devotion?
#1.  Go to Mass every First Friday.  Soon your family and friends will notice.
#2.  Distribute the Sacred Heart Promises picture cards.
#3.  Hang an image of the Sacred Heart in your living room and office.  This is a powerful testimony.
#4.  Memorize the 12 Promises and focus on one every month.  As you are blessed, share your testimony with family and friends.

Remind the Lord often of these promises. Jesus loves to be reminded.  Not that He forgets.  It is important for you to know deeply that the Lord is faithful.

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Who is your security Manny? Lord Jesus, my destiny lies in Your Hands alone.

"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 NABRE)

If you can come in your heart to own the above Scripture, nothing can ever defeat you in life.   If God Himself has carved out your portion and Inheritance, who can take it from you?  Consider again this consoling truth:  "OUR DESTINY LIES IN THE HANDS OF GOD."  (Psalm 31: 5)

No enemy, no economic situation, no tyrant, no world event can snatch it from the Mighty Hands of God.
Can you say ALLELUIA to the Mighty Power of God?

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Behold the Lamb of God.

 “Behold, the Lamb of God.”  (John 1: 36 NABRE)

A number of key Beholds in the Gospel presages a big announcement.  "Behold the Man."   (John 19: 5), Pilate said while pointing to Jesus after he was bloodied by the cruel scourging.   "Behold, thy Mother."   With blood shut eyes on the cross, Jesus nodded to John as He looked at the Mother.   "Behold, the Lamb of God."   John the Baptist said as he pointed his disciples to Jesus.   The three Beholds and the three occasions are defining moments in our Salvation History.  At Exodus, we encounter the spotless lamb sacrificed to save a nation.  Jesus is the true Lamb of God.

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In the Name of Jesus

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2: 10 - 11 NABRE)

Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.   What is in a name?  Consider the following:
#1.  "Hallowed be Thy Name." (Matthew 6: 9)
#2.  "Thou shall not invoke the Name of the Lord thy God in vain." (Exodus 20: 7)
#3.  "At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bend.."  (Philippians 2: 10 - 11)

The Name of Jesus means a big deal.  Jesus is His Name.  That Name means Savior.  Jesus means what it signifies and signifies what it means.   According to St Bernard of Clairvaux, Father and Doctor of the Church, "The sweet name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, and nourishes pure affections.... This name is the cure for all diseases of the soul."

Jesus we trust in You.  Have mercy on us and the whole world.

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Remain in Jesus.

"Remain in Him."  (1 John 2 : 27 & 28)

One of the words the Spirit gives the Churches today is:  (1 John 2 : 22 - 28)  Several places in this Scripture, the Spirit urges us to "remain in Him."   (1 John 2 : 27,28)
That is to say: please, please do not forget Jesus.

How do we remain in Jesus?
#1.  We remain in Jesus when we remain in His word every day.  Jesus is in His word.
#2.  We remain in Jesus when we converse with Him in prayer.  When we pray, we talk to Jesus.  When we read the Word or a spiritual book, Jesus talks to us.
#3.  We remain in Jesus when we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist.  The Eucharist is the source, center and summit of the Christian life.
#4.  We remain in Jesus when we serve Him in the poor and needy.

"And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming."  (1 John 2: 28)

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