Have mercy on us and the whole world, Jesus.

"Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy."  (Matthew 5: 7 NABRE)

Moses brought the law.  Experience shows that even for the best of us, it is impossible to observe the law totally.  Jesus Christ brought grace and mercy.  Grace is unmerited favor.  Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown to someone who expects or deserves punishment.  We have all sinned and fallen short of glory of God.  (Romans 3: 23)  We deserve severe punishment but God has chosen to show us great mercy.

How do we obtain and maintain mercy?   Remember the ABC OF MERCY?

ASK FOR MERCY
BE MERCIFUL
COMPLETELY TRUST JESUS FOR MERCY

Each step of this formula is essential.

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Faith in God's promises is more solid than most of the things we believe in.

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.  Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith."  (Hebrews 11: 1 -  2  TLB)

Abraham understood the very essence of faith.  He faithed, that is to say, he obeyed as a consequence of his faith.  If a friend accepts your dinner invitation, you do not wait until he knocks on the door before you start preparing the meal.  Whether it is faith in your friends, the family doctor or a product or process, you believe because you consider the promise trustworthy.

Why then do you consider your friends, doctors, government more trustworthy than God?  God's promises are coded in the Bible which never changes.  Jesus asked his excited disciples after He calmed the turbulent sea, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"  (Mark 4: 40)

Lord Jesus increase our faith.

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Take delight in the LORD, He will grant you the desires of your heart.

"Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests.

Commit to the LORD your way; trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm, and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the LORD sustains him.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him."
(Psalm 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 RM)

The above Scripture needs no commentary.  It is the pure word of God.  A most consoling truth.   Believe it and do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.  You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what He has promised.  (Hebrews 10: 37)

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Reject the spirit of fear, cowardice and indulgence.

"God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control."  (2 Timothy 1: 7 NABRE)

Do you watch the parades of the stars and  celebrities on television? Don't they all appear beautiful, content and very happy? What we do not see is the spirit of fear and cowardice that lurks in their hearts and minds.  St Paul reminds us that as Christians, Jesus Christ lives in our hearts and minds.  The spirit of Christ is opposed to the spirit of fear and cowardice which is the spirit of Satan.  We must be aware of this truth and reclaim fully our inheritance at all times.

Stir into flame constantly the gift of your sonship which you received when you became a member of the Household of God, Paul urged Timothy and us.
Reject the devil and all his lures and false promises.  Be ready at all times to bear your share of the the hardship for the new evangelization with the strength that comes from God.  (2 Timothy 1: 8)

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The Lord Jesus has designated something special for you to do.

"‘What shall I do, Lord?’"  (Acts 22: 10 NIV)

St Paul asked the Lord Jesus the above question in his dramatic encounter with Jesus on his road to Damascus to persecute Christians.  Some of us have asked the Lord the same question.  The Lord Jesus promised Paul that he would be told everything "appointed" for him to do.  Aren't you excited to know that there is something already appointed for you to do?  I am greatly excited.

Just as God designated a special mission for St Paul,  John Henry Cardinal Newman said that God has designated a special mission for you which no other person can do.

"I have chosen you to go and bear witness about Me in the world, says Jesus."  (John 15: 16)

"I will bear witness to You in the world O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of Your name among my brothers and sisters."  (Psalm 17: 50 ; 21:23 RM)

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Here I am Lord, I come to do Your will.

“Behold, I come to do your will.”   (Hebrews 10: 9 NABRE)

"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  (Matthew 6 : 10)
"Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."  (Luke 22: 42)
"Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."  (Mark 3: 35)

From the above Scriptures, we see that Jesus places God's will above everything else.   No wonder  the Father elevated Him so highly.  (Philippians 2: 5 - 11)

Which is more important to you?  God's will or your will?  Start by seeing and embracing God's will in every event in your life.

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If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

"But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”  (Mark 3: 22 NLT)

Two days ago, we reflected on how the relatives of Jesus said, "He is out of his mind."   (Mark 3: 21)

Today, we see a more serious charge against Jesus.   What do you know about spiritual warfare?  Reality or fiction?  We battle against evil everywhere.   St Peter teaches authoritatively "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."  (1 Peter 5: 8 NLT)  Do not be the one that is devoured.

Leave no open doors for the evil spirits.  One enters and invites all his buddies.  In the battle for Jesus, do not fear the words of the godless.   Trust and surrender and obey.

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