"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
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 NABRE)
"Only in God is my soul at rest;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all." (Psalm 62: 2 - 3)
"Trust in God at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him." (Psalm 62: 9)
"He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name." (Luke 1: 49 RM)
The above verse is from the Magnificat, Mary's hymn of praise to God when she visited Elizabeth.
Jesus did not honor Mary during her earthly life and at times seemed even to ignore her. Mary's life here below may be described as ordinary and even insignificant. Mary was probably known to a handful of disciples and her relatives. Then one day she died and then the cult of Mary burst on the world like a nuclear force. Consider a few of what happened after Mary died:
#1. Basilicas, Cathedrals, Churches, Universities, Institutes sprout up all over the world in her name.
#2. Prayers and intercessions began simultaneously everywhere in her name.
#3. The Holy Rosary believed to be a gift from God to the Church began to be used as a popular devotion around AD 1000 and rapidly spread everywhere. Today probably some 20 Billion Hail Marys are said round the clock all over the world every day.
#4. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ (Christology) becomes illuminated when seen through the mystery of Mary. New doctrines and dogmas were defined to honor Mary.
Some people ask: Don't you honor Mary too much? Her children rush to answer without hesitation: NOT ENOUGH for the Mother of our God and Savior.
Is our God a faithful God? Remember: the best is yet to come for you. God has reserved the best wine to the last. (Cf John 2: 9)
"He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name." (Luke 1: 49 RM)
"He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name." (Luke 1: 49 RM)
The above verse is from the Magnificat, Mary's hymn of praise to God when she visited Elizabeth.
Jesus did not honor Mary during her earthly life and at times seemed even to ignore her. Mary's life here below may be described as ordinary and even insignificant. Mary was probably known to a handful of disciples and her relatives. Then one day she died and then the cult of Mary burst on the world as a nuclear force. Consider a few of what happened after Mary died:
#1. Basilicas, Cathedrals, Churches, Universities, Institutes sprout up all the world in her name.
#2. Prayers and intercessions began simultaneously everywhere in her name.
#3. The Holy Rosary believed to be a gift from God to the Church was launched around AD 1000 and rapidly spread all over the world. Today probably around 20 Billion Hail Marys are said round the clock all over the world.
#4. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ (Christology) becomes illuminated when seen through the mystery of Mary. New doctrines and dogmas were defined to honor Mary.
Some people ask: Don't you honor Mary too much? Her children rush to answer without hesitation: NOT ENOUGH for the Mother of our God and Savior.
Is our God a faithful God? Remember, the best is yet to come for you. God has reserved the best wine to the last. (Cf John 2: 9)
"He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name." (Luke 1: 49 RM)
"A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings."
"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself." (Sirach 6: 5, 15 - 17 RM)
This word of God touches me to the core. I need desperately to learn the art of making and keeping friends. Lord Jesus, You are my best Friend and constant Companion, help me to make human friends.
"A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings."
"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself." (Sirach 6: 5, 15 - 17 RM)
This word of God touches me to the core. I need desperately to learn the art of making and keeping friends. Lord Jesus, You are my best Friend and constant Companion, help me to make human friends.
"Say not: “I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?”
for the Most High bides his time.
Of forgiveness be not overconfident,
adding sin upon sin.
Say not: “Great is his mercy;
my many sins he will forgive.”
For mercy and anger alike are with him;
upon the wicked alights his wrath.
Delay not your conversion to the LORD,
put it not off from day to day.
For suddenly his wrath flames forth;
at the time of vengeance you will be destroyed." (Sirach: 4 - 7 RM)
2 weeks to the great Season of Mercy: LENT 2017: March 1, 2017. Be Prepared!
"But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22: 32 NIV)
Is this a Scripture you can claim for yourself? At the beginning of my conversion, I was naive and saw every promise in the Bible as mine. I read the above promise thus: "I have prayed for you, Emmanuel, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Though not as naive today as I was then, I decided to keep this formula. After all, Jesus Christ is our able and eternal High Priest who is constantly interceding for us at God's Throne of Mercy. (Hebrews 4: 14-16; 6: 20)
Praise our Chief Shepherd and Able and Eternal High Priest!
"My son, when you come to serve the LORD,
stand in justice and fear,
prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
incline your ear and receive the word of understanding,
undisturbed in time of adversity.
Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not;
thus will you be wise in all your ways.
Accept whatever befalls you,
when sorrowful, be steadfast,
and in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold and silver are tested,
and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and God will help you;
trust in him, and he will direct your way;
keep his fear and grow old therein.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy,
turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the LORD, trust him,
and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the LORD, hope for good things,
for lasting joy and mercy.
You who fear the LORD, love him,
and your hearts will be enlightened.
Study the generations long past and understand;
has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed?
Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken?
has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the LORD;
he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble
and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth." (Sirach 2: 1- 11 RM)
This is the word of God.
Thanks be to God.
“O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you?" (Mark 9: 19 NABRE)
Jesus uses a tough language to describe people of His generation. They have no faith. They are riddled with unbelief and doubt. He identified this as their core problem.
What are the symptoms of faithlessness, unbelief and doubt?
#1. No Prayer
#2. No Church
#3. No Sunday Rest
#4. Ignorance of the Scriptures
#5. Dependence on money for security, etc, etc, etc.
Do you recognize our generation? Pope Benedict XVI said that lack of faith is the fundamental problem of this generation.
Listen to what Jesus says about Faith: "Everything is possible to one who has faith.” (Mark 9: 23)
When the man who provoked the conversation heard the above, he cried out: “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24) A great prayer for everyone.
Later on the same day, the disciples asked Jesus: “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”
Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.” (Mark 9: 28 - 29 NLT)
We notice here the tight integration between faith and prayer. One cannot exist without the other. Prayer is a vital necessity for the life of faith. (Cf Luke 18: 1) And Faith is the secret ingredient for all the great heroes of the Bible. (Hebrews 11:13, 39)
