Jesus said to them: Fear no one.

"Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one."  (Matthew 10: 26 RM).

Who are you afraid of? Children fear strangers and anyone whom they do not know. Consider these three persons who feared no one: Jesus, John the Baptist and Paul. They told truth to power.  The reason why they feared no one is because they were conscious at all times of the presence of God with them.

God is with us. It is true. God is really with us. You need to practice the presence of God with you and before long, it becomes a habit. What peace and joy will be yours.

"Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."  (Isaiah 41: 10).

No fear. No worry. No doubt. 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧

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June 23rd: The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

June 23rd, 2017:  The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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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Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust You. We love You. Have mercy on us and the whole world.

The Church celebrates this Friday the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"The designs of his Heart are from age to age, to rescue their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine."  (Psalm 33: 11, 19).

"One of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and at once there came forth blood and water."  (John 19: 34).

"Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who glory in the Heart of your beloved Son
and recall the wonders of his love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from that fount of heavenly gifts.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son."  (Collect in the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus).

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Holy Spirit, teach us how to pray.

"Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."  (Matthew 6: 8)

"Your will be done, on earth as in heaven." (Matthew 6: 10).

"Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6: 11).

"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6: 12)

The above Scripture verses are lifted from Jesus' teaching on Prayer.  Jesus did not teach anywhere that hard work is a necessity. But He taught expressly that Prayer is a vital necessity.  (Cf Luke 18: 1).  Investing time and resources to learn how to pray is perhaps the most rewarding experience.

Abba Father promises to answer our prayers:  "If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”  (Luke 11: 13).

But why are our prayers sometimes not successful?

"You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."  (James 4: 3).

Father, give us Your Holy Spirit to teach us how to pray.

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We give to God from what we receive from Him.

Brethren, consider these truths about giving:
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountiful.  (2 Corinthians 9: 6)

"Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  (2 Corinthians 9: 7)

"God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work."  (2 Corinthians 9: 8).

"The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9: 10).

"You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God."  (2 Corinthians 9:11).

To summarize,
#1.  We give from what we receive from God.
#2.  We can never outdo God in generosity.
#3.  God knows exactly what you need and when you need it.  So do not be afraid to give until it hurts.

Father, create in us a generous spirit.

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Be perfect according to God's unique design for your perfection.

 "So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."  (Matthew 5: 48).

"I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you."   (John 13: 34).

We have above two seemingly impossible commands from our Lord in today's Liturgy.

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."  (Genesis 1: 31).

Everything God is perfect. God created every human person unique and irrepeatable. My own perfection is unique to me. The perfection of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a singular gift for her alone.
With this insight, it is not impossible to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.

"O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas,
and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen."  (Collect:  Tuesday in the 11th Week).

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This is the acceptable time. This is the day of salvation to begin to use your gifts.

"Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says:
“In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.”  (2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 2)

The grace you need to share the Gospel has already been given to you.  The Scripture above proves the point without doubt.

The question is:  what are you doing with your gifts, with the grace given to you?
Use it or lose it.

Grant us O Lord to follow the example of St Paul and the saints and begin to use our gifts.

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