Endurance

Enduring to the end:

• Love endures all things (1 Corinthians 13: 7)
  
• He who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10: 22, 24:13; Mark 13: 13)
  
• By your endurance you will gain your lives (Luke 21: 19)
  
• If we endure we shall reign with him (2 Timothy 2: 11)
  
• They bear fruit with perseverance (Luke 8: 15)
  
• He who keeps my works to the end (Revelation 2: 26)
  
• I want to complete my course and my ministry (Acts 20: 24)
  

 

• We commend ourselves by much endurance (2 Corinthians 6: 4)
  
• We endure all things (1 Corinthians 9: 12)
  
• I endure all things for the sake of the elect (2 Timothy 2: 10)
  
• When persecuted we endure (1 Corinthians 4: 12)
  
• I know your perseverance (Revelation 2: 19)
  
• Here is the perseverance of the saints (Revelation 13: 10; 14: 12)
  

 

• God gives perseverance (Romans 15: 5)
  
• May the Lord direct your hearts into the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3: 5)
  

 

• Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial (James 1: 12)
  
• We count those blessed who endured (James 5: 11)
  
• The testing of your faith produces endurance (James 1: 3)
  
• Tribulation produces perseverance (Romans 5: 3)
  

 

• Endure hardship (2 Timothy 4: 5)
  

  
   

  
   

• You have need of endurance (Hebrews 10: 36)
  
• Pursue perseverance (1 Timothy 6: 11)
  
• Add to self-control perseverance (2 Peter 1: 6)
  

 

• Because of his friend's persistence he will give him what he needs (Luke 11: 8)
  
• The unjust judge will be worn out by the widow's persistence (Luke 18: 5)
  

ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE

Preparation is power

"The Lord is not being slow in carrying out his promises, as some people think he is." (2 Peter 3: 9)

There is meaning in delay. Could the meaning be that the delay affords us greater preparation time so that the crown will be bigger and more secure? Preparation is power.

• He who is coming will not delay (Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 10: 37)
  
• None of my words will be delayed any longer (Ezekiel 12: 25, 28)
  
• Will God delay over his elect? (Luke 18: 7)
  
• My salvation will not delay (Isaiah 46: 13)
  
• God will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16: 20)
  
• He will vindicate them speedily (Luke 18:8)
  
• Salvation is nearer than when we first believed (Romans 13: 11-12)
  
• There will be no more delay (Revelation 22: 6)
  
• I will come soon (Revelation 2: 16; 3 :11; 22:7, 12,20)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

God finishing his work

"He who began a good work in you will complete it." (Philippians 1: 6)

• God finished his work of creation (Genesis 2: 1-2; Hebrews 4:3)
  
• I have finished the work you gave me to do (John 17: 4)
  
• It is finished! (John 19: 30)
  
• Jesus knowing that all was accomplished (John 19: 28)
  
• The Lord will complete what concerns me (Psalm 138: 8)
  
• He who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1: 6)
  
• It is done! (Revelation 16: 17)
  

Lord, help me to be a finisher. Amen!

Instrument of punishment

"The instrument of one's sin are his instrument of his punishment." (Wisdom 11: 16) Revised English Bible

"One is punished by the very things by which one sins." (New Revised Standard Version)

"A man is punished by the very things through which he sins." (New American Bible)

"The agent of sin is the agent of punishment." (New Jerusalem Bible)

The above scripture came to me as a technical knockout when I read it during my desert experience 12 years ago. It sounded so true and I knew it was true. Reflections and observations of life since then have confirmed this gem of Bible truths. Although the scripture itself was etched into my memory, I lost the reference and did not discover it till today, 12 years after I discovered the scripture.

The full passage goes like this: "In return for the foolish imagination of those wicked people, which deluded them into worshiping reptiles incapable of reason, and mere vermin, you sent upon them in your vengeance mindless swarms to teach them that the instruments of someone's sin are the instruments of his punishment." (Wisdom 11: 15 – 16)

If the sin is love of money, money will be the instrument of punishment. If the sin is over indulgence with food or alcohol, food or alcohol will be the instrument of punishment.

 

No More Delay

"There will be no further delay in the fulfilling of any of my words. What I have said shall be done now – declares the Lord Yahweh." (Ezekiel 2: 28)

The Message:

• Prepare yourself for action
  
• Be always prepared
  
• Be sober and be alert
  
• Do not think or say "The vision concerns a distant future ….. for times ahead." (Ezekiel 12:27)
  
• Things may happen very suddenly
  

The Promise:

• God's plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11)
  
• I will lead you across (Deuteronomy 31: 6)
  
• I will open for you a door (Revelation 3:8)
  
• I will fight for you (Exodus 14: 14; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 20: 15, 17)

God guiding

"Then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land." (Isaiah 58:11)

 

You will guide me (Psalm 31: 3)

Let your good Spirit lead me (Psalm 143: 10)

Lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139: 24)

Lead me in your truth (Psalm 25: 5)

 

The Lord will guide you continually (Isaiah 58: 11)

With your counsel you will guide me (Psalm 73: 24)

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know (Isaiah 42: 16)

He will lead them to springs of water (Isaiah 49: 10)

I lead them with cords of love (Hosea 11: 4)

I lead you in the way you should go (Isaiah 48: 17)

The Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16: 9)

 

The Lord has guided me (Genesis 24: 27, 48)

However far away I go, your hand leads me (Psalm 139: 10)

You lead them to your holy habitation (Exodus 15: 13)

The pillar of cloud to guide them (Nehemiah (9: 12, 19)

He leads ne in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23: 3)

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1)

Led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 14)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

A Time of Favor

"Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am." (Isaiah 58: 9)

When is the "then?"

There is a time of favor when God answers prayers as it were automatically. When is this time? The Church teaches that the season of Lent is a holy season of grace. But there are conditions to be fulfilled in this special season of Kairos. Isaiah 58: 9 – 14 lists these conditions:

• Offer your food to the hungry (deprive yourself for the hungry)
  
• Satisfy the needs of the afflicted
  
• Refrain from breaking the Sabbath
  
• Desist from oppression
  
• Do away with the clenched fist and the malicious words
  

The favors promised are:

• Your light will rise in the darkness
  
• Your darkest hour will be like noon
  
• You will be like a watered garden
  
• Your ancient ruins will be rebuilt
  
• You will be called rebuilder of broken walls
  
• You will find true happiness in Yahweh
  
• You will triumph over conditions on earth
  

The Working of God’s Providence

"If one prays with faith, even today, the Lord does not fail to perform miracles of healing. But God's providence ordinarily works through responsible commitment, through the resources of intelligence, of science, of appropriate medical and social assistance." (Pope John Paul II)

How does God providence work?

God providence works through the most direct and natural medium available here and now. The working of God's providence is marked by utter simplicity. This simplicity can deceive the senses. It requires the eyes of faith to see and appreciate the operation of God's providence.

Character is destiny2

"It is for this destiny that God himself has been shaping us; and as a pledge of it he has given us the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 5: 5)

The destiny:

• Friend and companion of Jesus
  
• His ambassador
  
• Ministry of reconciliation
  

How has God been shaping me for this destiny?

SJC, CSSP, SJ, Ife, Kano, London, Lagos, Abidjan, Paris, Lagos, Houston, AJS, QOP, 1414, Enterprise.

The Real Presence of Christ in the Mass

Christ is present in the Mass:

• In the person of his minister
  
• Especially under the Eucharistic species
  
• He is present in his word, since it is himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church.
  

The Mass because it is an action of Christ the priest and his Body the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others. No other action of the Church can match its claim to efficacy, nor equal the degree of it.

The Liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the fountain from which all her power flows. The renewal in the Eucharist of the Covenant between the Lord and man draws the faithful into the compelling love of Christ and sets them afire. From the Eucharist as from a fountain, grace is channeled to us.

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH (Vatican Council II)

CONSTITUTION ON THE LITURGY (Vatican Council II)

The Laity in the Church

Christ is the Supreme and Eternal Priest.

Christ wills to continue his ministry and serve through the laity too.

He therefore vivifies them in the Spirit and unceasingly urges them on to every good and perfect work.

Christ intimately associates me too in his life and mission.

He also gives me a share in his priestly function of offering spiritual worship for the glory of God and the salvation of men.

During the celebration of the Mass, I have the opportunity to offer my:

• Works
  
• Prayers/desires
  
• Apostolic endeavors
  
• Home life
  
• Mental and physical relaxation
  
• Hardships of life
  

To the Father along with the Lord. Through this means, I consecrate the world to God.

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH (Vatican Council II)

Mind of Christ

"Put on the mind of Christ." (Philippians 2:5)

The basic point is this: We bring our thinking in line with Christ's understanding of life today.

How I wish I could say with St. Paul "But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2: 16)

The Mass

What is the Mass?

It is the great mystery of our faith. The word mystery comes from the Greek word, mysterion which is translated by the Latin, sacramentum. It signifies a secret, something hidden and unknown. It could be a secret religious rite to which only the fully initiated are admitted.

What happens in the Mass is that God's mysterious plan, conceived from all eternity and brought to its fulfillment in his Divine Son's passion, death and resurrection is made present.

The Mass is a marvelous drama jointly produced by Christ and his Church.

During the Mass, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion. "Communion" has its roots in the Greek koinonia, which includes the notions of fellowship, unity, sharing and community. Communion is first with the Lord and from that to all believers.

The Bible and the Mass, Stravinskas

Open Door

"I know about your activities. Look, I have opened in front of you a door that no one will be able to close – and I know that although you are not very strong, you have kept my commandments and not disowned my name." (Revelation 3:8)

The Lord knows about my activities. He knows everything about my job, the joys, the successes and the frustrations. Jesus knows all about me.

The Lord opened many doors in my life:

• UACN
  
• UEF
  
• QOP
  
• AJS
  

All these doors are now closed. There are many things in life that are transient. There are a few that are permanent. Jesus promises in Revelation 3:8 to open a door that will be permanently open for me. That door is Christ himself. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

The Lord also knows all about my weaknesses.

Weakness:

• Gideon's clan was the weakest in Manasseh (Judge 6:15)
  
• We have no power against their great army (2 Chronicles 20: 12)
  
• We are unable to build the wall (Nehemiah 4: 10)
  
• Without me you can do nothing (John 15: 5)
  
• I know you have only a little power (Revelation 3: 8)
  

  
   

• I will boast of my weakness (2 Corinthians 11: 30; 12: 5, 9)
  
• I am content with weakness, for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12: 10)
  
• They won strength out of weakness (Hebrews 11: 34)
  
• Christ's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12: 9)
  

  
   

• Help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5: 14)
  
• Strengthen the weak knees (Hebrews 12: 12)
  

  
   

• God chose what is weak (1 Corinthians 1: 27)
  
• The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 26)
  
• A high priest able to sympathize in our weakness (Hebrews 4: 15)
  

  ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE
  

A Shower of blessings

"God, you rained down a shower of blessings, when your heritage was weary you gave it strength. Your family found a home, which you in your generosity provided the humble." (Psalm 68: 9-10)

PROVISIONS:

• God richly supplies us with everything to enjoy (1 Timothy 6: 17)
  
• God will equip you with everything good to do his will (Hebrews 13: 21)
  
• The provisions of his Spirit (Philippians 1: 19)
  
• His divine power has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 3)
  
• The Lord will provide a lamb (Genesis 22:8, 14)
  

 

• God provided for his people in the wilderness (Psalm 105: 40-41)
  
• You provided for them in the wilderness (Nehemiah 9: 21)
  
• You provided for the poor (Psalm 68: 10)
  

Divine Help

God helps you (Genesis 49:25; 1 Chronicles 12: 18)

Eliezer, God was my help (Exodus 18:4)

God is my helper (Psalm 54: 4)

The Lord is my helper (Hebrews 13:6)

The Lord is your shield of help (Deuteronomy 33: 29)

A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46: 1)

Our help is in the name of the Lord (Psalm 124: 8)

Ebenezer, this far has the Lord helped us (1 Samuel 7:12)

The Lord helped David wherever he went (2 Samuel 8:6; 1 Chronicles 18:6, 13)

He has helped his servant Israel (Luke 1: 54)

You are the helper of the orphan (Psalm 10: 14)

My help is from the Lord (Psalm 121: 2)

Your help made me great (2 Samuel 22: 36; Psalm 18:35)

The Lord helped me (Psalm 118: 13)

With us is the Lord to help us (2 Chronicles 32: 8)

Christ is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2: 18)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 26)

We have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1)

If the Lord had not been my help (Psalm 94: 17)

 

God helped the Levites to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 15: 26)

The wall had been built with the help of God (Nehemiah 6: 16)

God helped Uzziah against his enemies (2 Chronicles 26: 7)

Jehoshaphat cried out and the Lord helped him (2 Chronicles 18: 31)

 

The hand of the Lord on them to help (Ezra 7: 6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31; Nehemiah 2:8, 18)

 

The Father will give you another helper (John 14: 16)

The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send (John 14: 26)

The helper whom I will send from the Father (John 15: 26)

I will send the helper to you (John 16: 7)

 

We have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Rejoice O highly favored One

"Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28)

The Angel Gabriel also said to Mary:

• Mary, do not be afraid, you have won God's favor.
  
• The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow.
  
• For God's promises can never fail.
  

Mary answered:

• You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.
  

I like very much the reminder that God's promises never fail. Here are a few other instances of this word:

• With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19: 26, Mark 10: 27)
  
• What is impossible for man is possible for God (Luke 18: 27)
  
• With God nothing is impossible (Luke 1: 37)
  
• Nothing will be impossible for them (Genesis 11: 6)
  
• Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17: 20)
  
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4: 13)
  

The battle of prayer

"Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings." (1 Peter 5: 8 – 9)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say on prayer:

"Prayer is a gift of grace but it always presupposes a determined response on your part because those who pray "battle" against themselves, their surroundings, and especially the Tempter who does all he can to turn them away from prayer. The battle of prayer is inseparable from progress in the spiritual life. We pray as we live because we live as we pray."

"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."

Blow at the head of Satan

"Then Uzziah said to her (Judith): 'Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the chief of our enemies. Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God." (Judith 13: 18 – 19)

The above scripture was read on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, 1997. On that day, I saw clearly the semblance of Judith to Mary, the Mother of Christ very clearly. Judith was the prototype of Mary. I scribbled the following in my journal:

"Mary is blessed by the Most High God above all other women on earth.

It is God, the Blessed One who has guided her to cut off the head of the leader of our enemies, Satan.

Your praises O Mary will never depart from the hearts of those who remember the power of God.

O Mother, your praises will endure forever."

 

Mary – Our Mother

"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her;

Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!

Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort,

That you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!

For thus says the Lord:

Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.

As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap;

As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort." (Isaiah 66: 10-14)

 

The above scripture was read at Mass on February 11, 1997 on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is clear that the Church intends us to turn our reflection to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ as we read and meditate on Isaiah 66: 10-14 on this day. I confided the reflection below to my journal on this occasion.

"I rejoice with Mary and I am glad for her. I love Mary. I share her joy with all my heart because I recognize her as the Mother of Sorrows.

I will suck fully of the milk of her comfort. I will drink deep with delight from her generous breasts.

God blesses her with prosperity which flows over her like a river.

O House of gold!

O Ivory Tower!

I will be suckled, carried on her lap.

As a mother comforts her son, so Mary, my mom will comfort me.

When this happens, my heart shall rejoice and my body flourish like the grass.

And everybody will know that the hand of the Lord is upon me. Amen!"