Saturday, September 09, 2017

Love does no evil to the neighbor.

"Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law."  (Romans 13: 10).

What is love?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,  it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,  it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  (1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7).

“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend." (Matthew 18: 15 MSG).

How can we share in the mission of reconciliation of Jesus? Practice the spiritual works of mercy:

1.Instruct the ignorant
2.Counsel the doubtful
3.Admonish sinners
4.Bear wrongs patiently
5.Forgive offences willingly
6.Comfort the afflicted
7.Pray for the living and the dead

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Friday, September 08, 2017

The Church of all nations.

"Brothers and sisters:
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds."  (Colossians 1: 21).

Who are the people who were once alienated and hostile in mind to the Church because of evil deeds?  I am one example. And today I know it was because of my evil deeds.

The government recently struck a mortal blow to 800,000 young Dreamers in revoking the DACA. The Catholic Bishops, the Voice of the voiceless appropriately condemned  the bizarre action.

Some of the misguided defenders of the DACA Revocation attributed the Bishops' action to self interest.  The Bishops they claim want the Dreamers to fill  pews and contribute money to the Church.

Why are these people so obsessed with money, sex and power? Please open your minds and learn the truth because only the truth shall make you free. (John 8: 32).

The Catholic Church pursues from the beginning with fidelity  the mission given to her by Jesus. The Church does not pursue success as this world reckons success. The accomplishment of this divine mission is not dependent on people power, hard work or money. It is already guaranteed by Jesus Christ Himself.  Unlike the world's political powers, we know the end already.
"I shall be with you till the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20). And again, "The gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church."  (Matthew 16: 18).

When I arrived in London many years ago for postgraduate studies, I did not know anybody in the huge city. The first thing I asked:  "Where is the nearest Catholic Church?" All over Europe today, the pews are being filled by migrants.  It is the divine predestination to revitalize the Church in Europe.  Is the same thing happening in the Church in America? The migrants need the Church. The Church needs them to fulfill her mission. 

For the ubernationalists, know that the Church is not national but above nation states. Catholic means universal. The Church has always been universal from the beginning. The Church is not European, American, African, Chinese, etc.  All these nations are part of the Church family. For the avoidance of doubt, this creed or belief is repeated by the Congregation every Sunday all over the world:
"I BELIEVE IN THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH."

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Wednesday, September 06, 2017

We have worked all night and have caught nothing.

"Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”  When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing."  (Luke 5: 4 - 6)

Simon Peter lowered his net at the command of Christ and the result was a great number of fish was caught. 
At the Wedding Feast at Cana, Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2: 5). They did and water was turned into wine.

I too like Simon Peter and his companions have toiled "all night" and many nights have caught nothing.  What is Christ's word to me?  I want to do whatever Jesus tells me?  But what must I do?  I want to act "at your word" Lord Jesus.  What is your word to me?

Trust and Obey!  There is no other way to have the best of Jesus!

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Tuesday, September 05, 2017

Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever.

"After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her....

"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”  (Luke 4: 38 - 41).

Luke, the physician narrates here a tale of illnesses, demonic possessions and healings by Jesus.  Where do disease, ignorance, demonic possession and poverty come from?  Ultimately the answer will be found in Genesis Chapter 3.

How does dealing with these problems core to the Messianic vocation of Jesus?
Isaiah forecast that the Messiah will do all the above and more.
"Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy."  (Isaiah 35: 5 - 6).

The three aspects of the ministry of Jesus are:
Teaching, Healing and Feeding. Jesus left these tasks to the Church when He ascended into Heaven. (Mark 16: 17 - 18).

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Monday, September 04, 2017

I have learned the secret of Times and Seasons. St Paul.

"Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you.  For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night."  (1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 2).

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).

The central message of Times and Seasons is the need to be vigilant at all times.

"I have learned the secret of.... living in abundance and of being in need."  (Philippians 4: 12 ).

There is Times and Seasons in God's plan of provision for our needs.

"Thus says the Lord:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord."  (Jeremiah 17: 5).

If we want to enjoy change of seasons in our lives, we must trust in God with all our hearts.

"God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,
you may nurture in us what is good
and, by your watchful care,
keep safe what you have nurtured.
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."  (Collect Tuesday, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time).

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Sunday, September 03, 2017

Is the Spirit of the Lord upon you?

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor."  (Luke 4: 18).

Is the Spirit of the Lord upon you or not? How do you know?

Have you a heart for evangelization or spreading the good news that Jesus is the LORD and not money, your job or family?
How much do you hunger for the Kingdom of God to come everywhere and reign in the hearts and minds of every man and woman?
What is your attitude to the gracious will of God? Casual, unimportant or wouldn't careless?

Jesus promises that His awesome Holy Spirit will be given at once to anybody who desires and asks for Him.  (Luke 11: 13).

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