What are the 7 Habits for Abundant life?

"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]."  (John 10: 10 AMP)

What is Abundant life?
Jesus revealed Himself as the Bread of life. (John 6: 35).  In Isaiah, He promised that we shall eat bread without money and drink choice wine without worrying how we pay for it.  (Isaiah 55: 1 - 3). This time is now.  Are you still dreaming and waiting for Abundant life?

Abundant life consists of:
Faith, Patience, Wisdom, Humility, Courage, Peace, Contentment.

How do you form the habit that leads to and maintains Abundant life?
Prayer, Word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Maintaining a clear conscience through daily examination of conscience, Ministry or sharing your gifts, Spiritual reading.
You may call this: The 7 Habits of a saint.

Where does this Abundant life apply in your life?
Health, Family, Money, Job, Tools and Possessions, Food and Peace over your Future.
You may call this:  The 7 War Zones, the areas where Satan wars against you to deprive you of Faith, Peace and Abundant life.

To capture an image of Abundant life, look no further than the life of Jesus and the saints.  They radiate pure joy, peace and contentment.

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The Church was at peace and walked in the fear of the Lord.

"The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers."  (Acts 9: 31 NABRE)

Jesus gave the Apostles a blueprint on the Church. He gave them the authority to build it up as they see fit.   He promised to approve their plan. (Matthew 28: 18 - 20).  Just like the awesome authority God gave to Adam and Eve:

"God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”  (Genesis 1: 28)

Imagine the incredible truth that Jesus entrusted His most important work to the weak and fallible Apostles.
The Church has been called by many names, all pointing to its divine and super human identity:
The Body of Christ
Temple of the Holy Spirit
People of God
The Universal Sacrament of Salvation
Mystical Body of Christ

The Church is a credible witness of the life and work and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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John, John, why are you persecuting Me?

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.    Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”  (Acts 9: 4-6 NABRE)

I call the above scene in the life of St Paul and the life of the infant Church, a turning point. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this incident.  I want to focus on one:  Jesus Christ our Lord is not unaware of what is going on in the life of the Church or your personal life. He knows every detail.  He knows when you are honoring Him, working with Him for the salvation of the world or when you are persecuting Him.  Don't be deceived by His silence.

The full drama of the confrontation between the Risen Jesus and St Paul can be read in Acts 9: 1-20.

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May 5, 2017 - First Friday in May.

May 5, 2017:  First Friday in May.
How do you plan to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus today?

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

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

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

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The Flesh and Blood of Jesus is the medicine of immortality.

 "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”  (John 6: 51 NABRE)

1.  What is this Bread?
This Bread is truly the Flesh and Blood of Jesus Christ.
2.  When was it given?
It was given on the night before He died with these words: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."  (Matthew 26: 26; Mark 14: 22; Luke 22: 19; 1 Corinthians 11: 24) And then, "Do this in memory of me."
3.  Why did Jesus give us this Bread?
Just as bread nourishes our body and sustain our lives, the Flesh of Christ nourishes our souls and sustains our lives.  St Ignatius of Antioch calls the Body and Blood of Jesus "the medicine of immortality."
4.  How is it available to us today?
The Body and Blood of Jesus is available to us today through the Eucharistic Feast, also known as the Holy Mass.
5.  Where can we find this Bread?
In the Eucharistic Feast or Holy Mass.
6.  Who can receive this Bread?
To receive Holy Communion one must be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and be in the state of grace, that is, not conscious of any serious sin.
7.  Who is the Minister of this Sacrament?
A Bishop or a priest.

No Eucharist, no Church. No Church, no priesthood.

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The Greatest Sign and Work of Jesus is the Church.

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.  And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the  Son.  If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."  (John 14: 12 - 14 NABRE).

Note that the condition to ask and receive is linked to "belief" and "works."   You believe in Jesus, the Only Son of the Father.  You become  active in working for God.  God sees your work for the Kingdom and God works for your interests. (Cf Matthew 6: 33 - 34).

St Maria Faustina, the mystic and the Apostle of Divine Mercy in her Diary records:  Jesus is sad because His children (us) do not ask for big gifts.  He wants us to come to Him and ask for the big items.  What are the big things? What does the Bible say?

"If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”  (Luke 11: 13 AMP).

The Holy Spirit is the Mother of all gifts.

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Be my Rock of refuge, O Lord my God.

"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep."  (Acts 7: 59 - 60 NABRE).

This is how the first Christian martyr, St Stephen died.  He died exactly as Jesus died, forgiving his persecutors while still in agony.  Jesus promises unlimited Mercy to all who call on Him in trust.  But this is contingent on our being merciful to others.  The ABC OF MERCY. Yes!
A: Ask for Mercy.
B: Be Merciful.
C: Completely Trust Jesus for Mercy.
Yes. All 3 steps are essential.

"Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
My trust is in the LORD;
I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy."  (Psalm 31: 6-8)

The more you trust Jesus for Mercy, the more you receive mercy.

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Do not labor for food that perishes.

"Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” (John 6: 27 NABRE)

What a great Scripture for today, feast of St Joseph the Worker.  St Joseph is the Patron saint of workers.  Today is public holiday in most of the world.  Workers celebrate human labor.  God Himself promises:

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord and walk in His ways! By the labor of your hands you shall eat;  blessed are you, and blessed will you be. "  (Psalm 128: 1-2 RM).

Let all the workers of the world raise up their hearts and minds to God in prayer and thanksgiving because He has promised to provide for us and to protect us:

" O God, Creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage we may complete the works you set us to do and attain the rewards you promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."  Amen.

St Joseph the Worker, Pray for us.

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