DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED.

WHY ARE YOU TROUBLED? 

"The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

"While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

"But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

"Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?

“Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

"And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them,

“Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

"He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

"And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24: 35 - 48).

Sunday April 14th, 3rd Sunday in the Season of Easter.

As I reflect on the Sunday Gospel from Luke 24: 35 - 48, I was struck by this:

“Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?"

Earlier this afternoon, I felt sick and wobly and asked the Lord Jesus for healing. I reminded Him of the powerful promise of today: "It is I. Do not be afraid."

"Lord if You initiate or authorize this illness, remove it because I have work to do."

Then I went to the kitchen to brew tea and heard from the Audible book I was listening to: "Your problem is that you walk by sight and feeling and not by faith." I knew immediately that Jesus has spoken to me through the book. I was hilarious with delight. 

This is my spiritual problem. I want to see and touch like the Apostles. I have not learned to accept the word of Jesus as truth even when it is contradicted by circumstances. 

"Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?"

Lord Jesus deepen my faith. Remove the fears, worries and doubts in my heart. Amen! 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

THE FEAST OF ST MARTIN I, POPE AND MARTYR.

Feast of St Martin I, Pope & Martyr.  

"When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.

"It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 

"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. 

"But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

"They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading." (John 6: 16 - 21).

Saturday 13th April 2024, in the 2nd Week of Easter is the feast of Pope St Martin 1. Italian. Pope and Martyr. 

St Martin suffered martyrdom because of his defense of the truth that Jesus Christ is 100% God and 100% Man. Emperor Constans II got him arrested and exiled him to Crimea where he suffered much abuse and humiliation. Martin wrote from prison: “For forty-seven days, I have not been given water to wash in. I am frozen through and wasting away…. But God sees all things and I trust in him.”

One of the most consoling verses uttered by Jesus in the Gospels is: “It is I. Do not be afraid.”

In today's Gospel from (John 6: 16 - 21), the Disciples of Jesus were very frightened when they saw Jesus walking on the sea along their boat.

The sea in the Scriptures represent the world, unpredictable and menacing. We are the disciples without the least control over the incidents in our lives.

Companies rise and fall in the stock market. Russia attacks Ukraine. Hamas seizes captives. Flood devastates California. Election is won and lost.

Man does not control his destiny. 

Yet the Lord can say calmly:

“It is I. Do not be afraid.”

What does this mean? It means: You are not God. I AM. 

When we learn that God controls all events and that what God permits to happen in our lives is for our good and not our woes, we begin to appreciate and enjoy the truth and power of Religion. 

God is in control. You are not. 

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

THE GAMALIEL PRINCIPLE.

GAMALIEL PRINCIPLE 2024

"A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin,

 “Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing. 

"After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

"So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. 

"But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

"They were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.

"So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus." (Acts 5: 34 - 42).

Gamaliel was one of the most important Doctors of Sacred Scripture at this time in Israel. He was the teacher of St. Paul the Apostle. He enunciated a principle, a word of wisdom to guide the Supreme Court of Israel on how to handle Peter and John.

 

Their options may be: Torture and kill them? Torture and long prison sentences with heavy labor? Below is the counsel of Gamaliel:

"So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him." (Acts 5: 38 - 39).

I have used the Gamaliel Principle for discerning God's will. It has often brought me wisdom and peace. 

Every year after Easter, I look forward to the Gamaliel Principle from  Acts 5: 34 - 42.  It reinforces my faith.  I heard it first at the beginning of my Journey of Faith and I relish to hear it again at this time in the Easter Season.

Gamaliel was a famous teacher in Israel at the time of the death of Jesus.  He was the teacher of St Paul and a member of the Sanhedrin.  He laid down a principle of discerning God's will in complex situations based on astute historical analysis.

Divine action in history is predictable, he opined. It is governed by God's sovereign, powerful, merciful and mysterious Providence. 

Gamaliel was a teacher schooled in the mystery of Divine Providence. 

Members of the the Sanhedrin accepted Gamaliel's advice but went ahead to flog the Apostles in order to intimidate them.  You may call this state terrorism.  Read on to see if they succeeded. 

"After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them." (Acts 5: 40).

"So they [Apostles] left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name." (Acts 5: 41).

These men have tasted the Holy Spirit and were transformed by the experience.  Instead of quitting.... 

"All day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus."  (Acts 5: 42).

"What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"  (Acts 8: 31).

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]."  (Romans 8: 37 AMP). 

How I came to know about Gamaliel Principle:

Over thirty years ago, I was discerning a very important project.  After sometime, I decided to consult a spiritual director.  He acknowledged that the project was tough and near impossible. The only support he offered was this Scripture (Acts 5: 38 - 39).

I read and reread the Scripture for over a week. At the end, I concluded that God has spoken to me through Rabbi Gamaliel. I embarked on the project without hesitation. Years after the consultation, I started to call the inspired Scripture the "Gamaliel Principle" after the main character, Rabbi Gamaliel.  The Scripture turned out to be one of my key Scriptures in spiritual discernment. 

What I learned from the Gamaliel Principle:

1.  If God is with you, it is accomplished.  No matter the obstacles, delays, disappointments or personal weaknesses.

2.  No fear. No worry. No doubt as long as the Lord is with you. 

3.  God will finish what He started. (Exodus 14: 13-14; Isaiah 13: 15; 2 Chronicles 20: 15;  Philippians 1: 6) 

"Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"  (Psalm 27: 14)

God does His best actions when we show we trust Him. 

Is the present situation from God or not? Use the Gamaliel Principle. 

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39 NIV)

Today we see the vindication of the wisdom of Gamaliel.  In spite of the opposition of the Jewish leaders, we see the growth of the Faith through the power of God.  Gamaliel Principle is true. As it was then, so it is now and forever.

Do not be afraid that God will forsake you or abandon you in your calling.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

IN THE SEASON OF EASTER. FEAST OF ST STANISLAUS OF CRACOW, BISHOP & MARTYR.

ST STANISLAUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR. 

"The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 

Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.

He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. 

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." (John 3: 31 - 36).

Thursday April 11th 2024, Thursday in the 2nd Week in the Easter Season. 

Feast of St Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr. (1030 - 1079).

St Stanislaus was the Bishop of Cracow in Poland. He was a brave and courageous preacher. 

St Stanislaus confronted King Boleslaus over his scandalous life. The King murdered him while St Stanislaus was celebrating Mass. 

The Holy Spirit and Peace are the dominant themes of the Easter Season.

We are told in the Gospel of today that God does not ration His Holy Spirit. When you ask for the Holy Spirit in faith, be sure you will receive what you ask for.

God told Solomon when he asked for wisdom and not for riches and power: "Here and now I grant you what you ask for and more." (2 Chronicles 1: 1 11 - 12).

Jesus promises: Ask and you shall receive. If you ask for the Holy Spirit, your Father will be so delighted that He will give you what you ask for at once.

The Father does not ration the Holy Spirit. It means you receive in direct proportion to your desire and capacity to receive. The Holy Spirit is the source of abundant life.

Ask for the Holy Spirit today.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH. THE CHURCH IS THE EUCHARIST. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1

GOD SO LOVED YOU!

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD. 

"God so loved the world that he gave his only-­begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

"Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

"And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God." (John 3: 16 - 21).

Wednesday 10th April 2024 in 2nd Week of Easter Season. 

We have for our reflection one of the most known verses in the Bible. 

"God so loved the world that he gave his only-­begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." 

The proof of God’s love is the crucifixion and death of Jesus. 

Our response to this love is to be constrained or to be controlled by this love to love God back. 

The beginning of this loving relationship between God and man is the initiative of God. Our response is faith. Obedience follows faith. In Baptism, we become the children of God and the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith and not by sight or feeling. 

Every Sunday, the Church proclaims the Creed to remind us of what we believe. This repetition of the Credo is life transforming if we enter into it in the spirit of faith. 

The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL. 

For Teachings, Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-holy-eucharist_31.html?m=1