The Call

Vocation: Called by God.

From the womb the Lord called me. (Isaiah 49: 1)

The king called those who were invited. (Matthew 22:3)

Calling them to the wedding feast (Matthew 22:9)

Many are called but few are chosen. (Matthew 22: 14)

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners. (Matthew 9: 13; Mark 2: 17; Luke 5: 32)

Those whom he predestined he called and those whom he called, he justified. (Romans 8: 30)

Called according to his purpose. (Romans 8: 28)

Not because of works but of God’s call (Romans 9: 11)

The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11: 29)

Confirm your calling and election. (2 Peter 1: 10)

Those with him are called and chosen and faithful (Revelation 17: 14)

God called through his grace (Galatians 1: 15)

He called you so to obtain the glory of our Lord. (2 Thessalonians 2: 14)

He has called us with a holy calling. (2 Timothy 1: 9)

Brethren who share in holy calling (Hebrews 3:1)

The hope of his calling (Ephesians 1: 18)

To those who are called (1 Corinthians 1: 24, Jude 1)

You are called of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1: 6)

(Roget’s Thesaurus of the Bible)

Absolute Trust

"It follows, then, that his power to save those who come to God through him is absolute, since he lives forever to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7: 25)

Christ's power to save is absolute. The power of Jesus is not bound by the limitations of geography or time. He has absolute power in the truest sense of the word. He is therefore worthy of absolute trust.

Every kind of faith is a gift of God. Absolute faith in Jesus Christ is a great gift of God. This is a faith that trusts Christ at all times, in every circumstance and everywhere. Lord, give me this faith!

"The principal point of all that we have said is that we have a high priest of exactly this kind. He has taken his seat at the right of the throne of divine majesty in the heavens, and he is the minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tent which the Lord and not any man, set up." (Hebrews 8: 1 – 2)

Christ is the minister of the sanctuary and he is the true Tent. I want to remember this when I go to Mass.

God fulfills His Promises

"Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not a single word has gone unfilled of the entire generous promise he made through his servant Moses." (1 Kings 8: 56)

"But Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for his blessing before it happened. He was completely sure that God was well able to do anything he promised." (Romans 4: 20 – 21) Living Bible

"And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:15)

"Thus it was that Abraham, after patient waiting, obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6: 15)

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)

"And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans." (Romans 8: 28) Living Bible.

Two joyful lessons emerge from the above scriptures:

1. God fulfills his promise come what may.
   
2. Nothing that happens to me is insignificant. Everything that happens is part of God's plan for my life.
   

The Divine Pedagogy

The Divine Pedagogy

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21: 45)

“In a class at school, what the teacher says to one is intended for the information of all. And what the Almighty has done to one individual or nation is for the instruction, refreshment, consolation of all.” (Pulpit Commentary)

Properity

Prosperity

“Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, nor go to the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers.

Rather, the law of the Lord is their joy;

God’s law they study day and night.

They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in due season;

Its leaves never wither;

Whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1: 1 – 3)

“Regard prosperity, first, as the natural consequence of acting on good advice. He who steers by God’s compass and chart is preserved from many rocks and shallows, and is most likely to reach the haven of his legitimate desire.

Regard prosperity as a promised result. He who consults omniscience is helped by omnipotence.”

(The Pulpit Commentary)

Keep up your courage

Keep up your courage

“Therefore, keep up your courage, men; I trust in God that it will turn out as I have been told.” (Acts 27: 25)

“Courage is the supreme requirement of God’s saints and strength goes with it. “Add to your faith, courage” says Peter.

Fear is the parent of every kind of vice; fear of conflict, fear of shame, fear of failure, fear that God will leave fidelity unrewarded and prayer unanswered.”

To Faith

To faith

“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)

Isaiah said that faith that is firm is patient. Faith that is firm and is exercised can be seen. The friends of the paralytic exercised their faith and Jesus saw it.

Where do I need to exercise my faith today? What circumstances today are challenging my faith?

· Support

· Security

How do I exercise my faith on the above every day? The first thing is prayer. The second thing is to faith. I do this not on a global basis but one day at a time, one step at a time.

To Faith

To faith

“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)

Isaiah said that faith that is firm is patient. Faith that is firm and is exercised can be seen. The friends of the paralytic exercised their faith and Jesus saw it.

Where do I need to exercise my faith today? What circumstances today are challenging my faith?

· Support

· Security

How do I exercise my faith on the above every day? The first thing is prayer. The second thing is to faith. I do this not on a global basis but one day at a time, one step at a time.

The Power Within

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1: 8)

We have from Christ Jesus the power and authority to be his witnesses. (Acts 1: 8) This power and authority is not limited to witnessing but extends to overcoming evils in our lives. The first step in overcoming evil is to say No unequivocally to suggestions of sin. We have the power and authority to become overcomers and winners.

About ten years ago, I prayed constantly for an entire year to feel this power and authority in my life. One day, I heard from a homily that the power and authority that I prayed for was already there but dormant, waiting to be activated. Why have I not realized this truth? How can I exercise faith in the power of Christ within me? Lord Jesus, teach me.

Glorious Deeds of the Lord

Glorious Deeds of the Lord

“Declare to the generation to come the glorious deeds of the Lord and his strength and the wonders that he wrought.” (Psalm 78: 3 – 4)

After three months of the inception the Enterprise, I confided to my journal the following thoughts:

“The Lord has done glorious deeds for me in the first three months of the Enterprise:

· Daily Eucharist

· Deeper study of the word

· Prayer

· Library

· SAM

· Lector

· Blessings of home

· Health

· Opus Dei

· Spiritual direction

· Friendships

The Lord did these things for me that “I too might put my trust in God, and not forget the works of God, keeping his commandments.” (Psalm 78: 7)

How to Succeed

How to succeed

“Keep this book of the law on your lips. Recite it by day and by night, that you may observe carefully all that is written in it; then you will successfully attain your goal. I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1: 8 – 9)

“Constantly remind the people about these laws, and you yourself must think about them every day and every night so that you will be sure to obey all of them. For only then will you succeed. Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Living Bible)

“Keep this book of the law on your lips. Recite it by day and night, that you may observe carefully all that is written in it; then you will successfully attain your goal. I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” (New American Bible)

“My courage, hope of victory, and wisdom necessary for success are dependent upon my constant attention and inflexible adherence to the word of God.” (Wycliffe Bible Commentary)

“The only true wisdom is that obtained from God, whether in answer to prayer, or in meditation on his law.”

“Men,” says Calvin, “never act skillfully, except in so far as they allow themselves to be ruled by the word of God.”

“The Christian warrior of today, who contends not for himself but for his master may emulate Joshua’s courage and confidence, for the same promises are his as were Joshua’s.

The Christian who would conquer in his conflict with the powers of evil must be diligent in his study of God’s word, and careful to frame his life by its precepts.”

“The great ones have gone; that which made them great remains.” Some of the great ones: Paul, Peter, John, Augustine, Ignatius, Vincent de Paul, etc.

God's Plans

God’s Plans

“Yes I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, plans for peace, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) – New Jerusalem Bible.

“For surely I know the plan I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not your harm, to give you a future with hope.” (The New Oxford Bible)

“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare not for your woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.” (Catholic Study Bible)

Key words in Jeremiah 29: 11 – plan, welfare, know, hope, future.

Plan:

• · No plan of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)
• · The Lord has planned and who can annul it? (Isaiah 14: 27)
• · The plans of the Lord stand forever. (Psalm 33: 11)
• · I will accomplish all my purpose. (Isaiah 46: 10)
• · God planned it long ago. (2 Kings 19: 25; Isaiah 22: 11; 25: 1; 37: 26)
• · The Lord planned it. (Isaiah 23: 9)
• · I know the plans I have for you. (Jeremiah 29: 11)
• · The people did whatever your hand predestined to occur (Acts 4: 28)
• · God prepared our good works beforehand (Ephesians 2: 10)
• · A man’s lifespan is predestined (Job 14: 5)

Thesaurus of the Bible

The Almighty shall be your gold

The Almighty shall be your gold

“And treat raw gold like dust and the fine gold from Ophir as pebbles from the brook. Then the Almighty himself shall be your gold and your sparkling silver.” (Job 22: 24 – 25)

“Let one who seeks not stop seeking until one finds.” (Gospel of St. Thomas)

Exciting Moment of truth

"If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry…" (Matthew 6: 30 31)

"While I plan to get an accommodation, God was weaving together another design and preparing a place of ministry for me. I saw it happen several times. There is no "No Vacancies" with God. I have a healthy respect for God's Placement Department as I look back over my life.

It's an exciting moment of truth to find out that God has put you in your house, in your apartment, on your street, in your town with an eternal plan in mind. It totally transforms the nuisance of inadequate urban planning, noise, pollution and even the strangeness of a new town.

It's easy to "care" for a whole town, a whole continent, or the people who live across town. It's not so easy to look on our block or in our own apartment. That is, until we catch hold of the idea that God has placed us where we are with a purpose in mind. And finding that purpose makes life sing!"

(Gladys Hunt, "You Can Start a Bible Study Group")

“Come you to the waters.”

"Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear to me, and come to me; listen so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David." (Isaiah 55: 1 – 3) NRSV.

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." (Matthew 5: 6) Hunger and thirst for God's kingdom are essential prerequisite for salvation. They are also the vital conditions for receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone is invited to the feast but the qualification is thirst. Where God gives grace, he first gives the thirsting after it. Where he has given a thirsting after grace, he will give it.

All people are invited to "come you to the waters." Come to Jesus Christ in the: Eucharist, Blessed Sacrament, Sacrament of Reconciliation, word of God and prayer. "Come and buy; come and eat" implies full possession. Christ Jesus outperforms our expectations in his provisions. "Come and buy wine and milk." The gifts are priceless. The giver does not need our money.

Isaiah 55: 1-3 foreshadows the incredible and invaluable gifts of the Sacraments which flow out of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Wait patiently for your turn

"A furnace for silver, a foundry for gold, but Yahweh for the testing of hearts!" (Proverbs 17: 3)

How is Yahweh testing me today?

I recall pre-1195, I was sorely tested by money problems and job. At the inception of the Enterprise in 1096, I was tested by money, shelter and little needs. I learned through all these tests that Yahweh wants me to trust him in everything. One area that is a big testing ground for me today is the need to develop patience in every situation, every time and every place. The message for me every day is "wait patiently for your turn."

School of Wisdom

School of Wisdom

“The fear of Yahweh is a school of wisdom, before there can be glory, there must be humility.” (Proverbs 15: 33)

Fear Yahweh – obey Yahweh.

Obedience to the word of God is what opens our personality fully to wisdom. God humbles us before he raises us up to whatever glory he has destined us.

Some of the too many examples attesting to this truth are:

• · Jesus Christ
• · Blessed Virgin Mary
• · Saints Peter and Paul

Discipleship

Discipleship

“If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31)

“Discipleship involves constancy as learners and [constancy] gains the promise of knowledge of the truth and freedom. Real discipleship leads to real freedom.

“The truth shall make you free.’ The truth which Christ teaches tends to make men free, (Isaiah 61: 1). It makes us free from our spiritual enemies, free in the service of God, free from all fears, free to the privileges of sons.

Secondly, the knowing, entertaining, and believing of this truth does actually make us free, free from prejudices, mistakes and false notions, free from the dominion of lust and passion; and restores the soul to the government of itself. The mind, by admitting the truth of Christ is vastly enlarged, and has scope and compass given it and never acts with so true a liberty as when it acts under divine command.” (2 Corinthians 3: 17)

(The Pulpit Commentary)

Keeping Watch

Keeping Watch

“Blessed, whoever listens to me, who day after day keeps watch at my gates to guard my portals. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of Yahweh.” (Proverbs 8: 34 – 35)

I am encouraged by the above scripture. Day after day, I keep watch at God’s gates waiting for his word on the Enterprise. I am reassured that at the fullness of time, he will answer me with life and his favors. Thank you Lord.

“Fear of Yahweh means hatred of evil.” (Proverbs 8: 13)

Love of truth means hatred of lies, dishonesty.

Give and there will be gifts for you

Give and there will be gifts for you

“Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you.” (Luke 6: 38)

Give what? Your –

· Time

· Treasure

· Talent

· Prayers

· Thoughts

· Counsels

Give to whom?

· Family

· Fellow Christians

· Neighbors

· Children in need

Why give?

· God has given us everything we have

· He gives us that we may give others

· Giving is divine

· It makes us rich in spirit

· When we give, we receive more

When give?

· Every time we confront human need.

“Give and it shall be given to you. Men shall return it into our bosom; for God often makes use of men as instruments, not only for his avenging, but of his rewarding justice. God will incline the hearts of others to give to us when we need, and to give liberally, ‘good measure pressed down and shaken together.’ Whom God recompenses he recompenses abundantly.

We must expect to be dealt with ourselves as we dealt with others. “With the same measure that ye mete it shall be measured to you again.” Those that deal harshly with others may expect to be paid in their own coin; but they that deal kindly with others have reason to hope that God will raise them up friends who will deal kindly with them.”