Do not babble

"In your prayers do not babble as the gentiles do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him." (Matthew 6: 6-7)

Why do the pagans babble when they pray? They pray according to their knowledge and belief about their gods. Their gods are local, not omnipotent or omniscient. Their gods are not omnipresent or all-loving. The pagan prays to convince his god to act for him.

But our God is a Father who knows what we need even before we ask him. He has a loving and provident plan for our life. Jesus wants us to know God as a loving Father. He wants us to come to him not just begging for what we need, which will be provided anyway but to come to him in praise and thanksgiving. Animals have the instinct to care for their young ones. The human being who is created in the image of God has an elevated instinct when it comes to protecting and providing for his young ones. Now consider who God is. Jesus describes God as a Good Shepherd who provides all that we need.

Fruitfulness of God’s word

"For, as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before having watered the earth, fertilizing it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat, so it is with the word that goes forth from my mouth: it will not return to me unfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do." (Isaiah 55: 10-11)

I pray that God's word will be fruitful in my life. How can I prepare my heart and mind to be good soil to receive the seed of the sower? I will use the tools of prayer and study. I believe that God will complete what his word has started in my life.

Discipline of Lent2

"Father, look on us, your children. Through the discipline of Lent help us to grow in our desire for you ….. " (Opening prayer in Mass in the season of Lent)

God is our Father. He gave us the holy season of Lent as a time of favor to grow to know him more, to love him more and to serve him more. We grow through decreasing our dependence on the following:

• Food
  
• Drink
  
• Snacks
  
• Money
  
• Television
  
• Sightseeing
  
• Etc
  

As we decrease in our materiality, we grow in our spirituality.

The Indestructible Rock

"Peter said, 'You are the Christ, the son of the living God.' Jesus answered: 'You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church." (Matthew 16: 16, 18)

It is Christ's will that the papacy be the rock on which the indestructible foundation of the Church is built. Matthew 16: 16, 18 is the foundation scripture. Word and experience, theory and practice have confirmed this in 2000 years of Church history. The enemies of the Church had never been able to destroy the papacy. There had been many serious attempts in the past. There will continue to be attempts to do so till the end of time. But we know from the word of God that they will not succeed. Jesus Christ keeps his pledge come what may.

Dark Valley

"Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage." (Psalm 23: 4)

Christ was at my side when I walked the dark valley of:

• AJS84
  
• UEF86
  
• PAE91
  
• AJS94
  
• Desert95
  

What lessons have I learned from the above?

Dark valleys will be regular occurrences in the journey of life.

As Christ was faithful in the first dark valley, so will he be till the last.

As Christ was with me in the dark valley protecting and encouraging me, so will I be with my flock when they walk the dark valleys of the lives.

The Chief Shepherd

"When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory." (1 Peter 5: 4)

Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd. What are the qualities of Christ, the Shepherd?

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have no want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

Besides restful waters he leads me;

He refreshes my soul." (Psalm 23)

 

Christ the Shepherd provides all that we need for life and protects us from all dangers.

I am also a shepherd of the flock that the Lord has entrusted to me. In Psalm 23, Jesus proposes himself as a model. I am to shepherd my flock as Jesus Christ himself shepherds me. I will take the needs of my flock to the Chief Shepherd who has the resources to satisfy all living things.

 

"In due season, he gives food to all living things. When he opens his hand all are satisfied."

The Flock

"Give a shepherd's care to the flock of God entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it." (1 Peter 5:2)

Strengthen the faith of your flock as Christ has strengthened your faith.

Pray for your flock as Christ has prayed for you.

We may not be bishops but each of us is entrusted with a flock. Who is my flock? Who is my neighbor?

• Family
  
• Prayer partners
  
• Friends and benefactors
  
• All those whom God sends to me every day.
  

I prayed for compound faith in order to exercise my ministry. Today, I ask Jesus to grant me a compound knowledge of his word so that I can be effective in serving the flock that he has entrusted to me. Through daily reading and reflection on Sacred Scripture, I hope to gain the faith and knowledge I need to serve Christ in the ministry that he is calling me.

Robust Faith

"The Lord said to Simon Peter: I have prayed that your faith may not fail; and you in your turn must strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22: 32)

On the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22, 1999, I confided the following reflection to my journal.

Jesus said to Emmanuel: I have prayed that your faith may not fail; and you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.

Jesus prayed that my faith will remain strong. Lord, since you prayed that my faith may not fail, I have the boldness and confidence to ask you to grant me a compound faith. Strengthen my faith and grant me the ministry of encouragement. Anoint me for this, dear Jesus. Lord, I dare to believe NOW that I have what I have asked for. Thank you Jesus. May you be completely glorified through this gift. Amen!

Lessons from the Desert

"If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.' He said in reply, 'It is written:

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4: 3-4)

 

The Temptation of Jesus was the proximate preparation for his ministry. Jesus was led into the desert by the devil to be tried. Jesus was tested on the following points:

• Food
  
• Use of power
  
• Possessions /prosperity
  

The three temptations of Jesus are types and shadows of our struggle. If the enemy were to tempt me today, what will he say to me? What have I learned from the Temptation of Jesus?

• Man does not live on bread alone.
  
• Man does not live on money alone.
  
• Man does not live on salary alone.
  
• Man does not live on job alone.
  

"Man lives on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

It is through faith that we appropriate God's promise of provision.

Accused and Acquitted

"One single offence brought condemnation, but now, after many offences, have come that free gift and so acquittal!" (Romans 5: 16)

In February, 1999, I confided the reflection below on the above text to my journal.

"Once upon a time, a certain big man was tried for many offences and was acquitted by the senate.

Jesus Christ is the Senate who through his passion and death and resurrection acquitted us of so many offences. This acquittal is a free gift. I experienced a joy in the acquittal of the man tried by the senate. Do I realize the significance of this incident to my own acquittal?

The devil, the accuser of man goes before the Senate, Jesus Christ and presents a list of all my sins with proofs. After he had carefully presented his case, my Advocate swings into action. He overcomes his argument one by one. Then comes my acquittal.

Thank you Jesus. Now that I am acquitted, I will no longer submit to the yoke of slavery."

A Prayer for healing

"Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me …. " (Psalm 51: 1-2)

How many times in my life have I used this Psalm of David to find healing and peace at a moment of brokenness? Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding me to this effective prayer at the moment of great need. Yes, God is merciful and good. His compassion is great. He is always disposed to deploy his great compassion and love to meet our needs. The Church uses Psalm 51 a great deal in the holy season of Lent. Lent is a time of favor. When we show signs through our Lenten observances that we want God to act for us, he responds magnanimously.

Forbidden fruits

"We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die." (Genesis 3: 2-3)

• What are the fruits in my life that I am forbidden to eat under pain of death?
  
• What are the fruits that are tempting me today?
  

The word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword. It reveals the secrets of the heart. Reading and reflecting on the word of God constantly leads us to self-knowledge.

Walking by faith

I heard a great question from the Christian Radio during my lunch.

"What area of my life do I need to walk in faith today?"

 

I surveyed the 6 war zones:

1. Family
   
2. Job
   
3. Money
   
4. Health
   
5. Tools
   
6. Food
   

 

Then I rephrased the question: "What is the most challenging area of my life today?"

At first, I thought the clear answer was job. Then I considered the answer closely. I am self-employed in 3 areas I consider myself competent and enjoy. These 3 areas of my endeavor are:

• JSP
  
• CLI
  
• SFJ
  

 

If I say that I am challenged in these businesses, does that not imply incompetency? After considering the question more deeply, I settled for the 2 interrelated areas of job and money. How do I walk in faith in these 2 areas?

Think of the October 07 gift: "God is the source of all inspiration and power." He is the source of all inspiration for job as well as money. All the good things I have done in my life has come from God's inspiration and power. I have recognized and articulated this truth as early as 1982. I therefore resolved to trust God today to inspire me. I remember too that God is a good communicator. He not only inspires but provides the power to act on his inspiration.

He answered me

"When he calls on me, I will answer; I will rescue him and give him honor. Long life and contentment will be his." (Psalm 90: 15-16)

God is the guardian of my rights. In 1994 when I called on him to defend my rights, he answered in a storm cloud. Although it appeared that my rights were trampled upon, I knew he was with me by the peace I enjoyed. He rescued me from NCAU and ZAN and through the Enterprise gave me honor.

Yes, long life and contentment will be mine.

Desert Feast

"Lord, receive our sacrifice of praise and reconciliation. Let it free us from sin and enable us to give you loving service…." Opening Prayer of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the bloodless sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God.

God said to Pharaoh, "Let my people go, that they may celebrate a feast to me in the desert." (Exodus 5: 1) Whatever prevents us from the Eucharist is the Pharaoh in our life. The desert feast, worship or service foreshadows the Eucharist. The Eucharist frees us from sin enables us to offer to God loving service. The Eucharist is the anointing that breaks the yoke of Pharaoh.

“Follow Me”

"Follow me.' And leaving everything, Levi got up and followed him." (Luke 5: 27-28)

The Enterprise is a response to follow Jesus. Have I left everything to follow Jesus? Consider the things to leave behind?

• Family
  
• Job
  
• Money
  
• Health
  
• Tools
  
• Food
  

When I leave all these things behind and follow Jesus, I enjoy true peace, happiness and freedom.

True Happiness

"Then you will find true happiness in Yahweh, and I shall lead you in triumph over the heights of the land. I shall feed you on the heritage of your father Jacob, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken." (Isaiah 58: 14)

The Promises:

Our true happiness can only be found in God. The New Testament describes this as a state of being in Christ. "In you, O Lord, I have found my peace," is the response this morning to Psalm 131 in the Eucharistic Liturgy. God is the source of happiness and peace. Peace, Shalom represents the state of complete contentment. When we are in this state, we are docile to the Spirit who guides us triumphantly over the "heights of the land," over the valleys and hills in our pilgrimage to the City of God. When we are fed in Christ with Christ, we are fed with the best of "the heritage of Jacob."

Continuous Guidance

"Yahweh will always guide you, will satisfy your needs in the scorched land; he will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never run dry. Your ancient ruins will be rebuilt; you will build on age-old foundations. You will be called 'Breach-mender', 'Restorer of streets to be lived in." (Isaiah 58: 11-12)

The Promises:

• Continuous guidance
  
• Your needs will be met even in severe depression
  
• You will enjoy good health
  
• Your work will prosper
  
• God will rebuild your life; put you back on track with regard to your purpose
  
• You will be productive for God
  
• God will use you mightily
  

The spirit is willing

"Father, look upon our weakness and reach out to help us with your loving power … " Opening Prayer in Mass in the time of Lent.

"Our weakness" – The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. In our struggle against evil, we need God's help. We draw down this help through prayer. There is a favorable time for prayer and conversion. This period is Lent.

The Power of the Eucharist

"Lord, may our sharing in this mystery free us from our sins and make us worthy of your healing …" (Prayer after Holy Communion)

The Eucharist is a mysterion/sacramentum. It has the power to free us from our sins and prepare us to receive God's healing.