"The learned will shine like the brilliance of the firmament, and those who train many in the ways of justice will sparkle like stars for all eternity." (Daniel 12: 3)
The above scripture was read on the feast of St. Bede the Venerable, doctor of the Church.
Purpose in life: to learn and to teach.
You become learned like the Venerable Bede by learning. You become a teacher by teaching.
"I the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20)
These are the very last words of Jesus Christ to His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. They are also the very last sentence in the entire Gospel. What a powerful promise these parting words are. How much the disciples would need these words in their subsequent struggles to build the kingdom of God. 2000 years after, we the current disciples of Jesus need these words no less than the original disciples. This promise of Jesus Christ brings to full circle the promise of God that His Son would be Emmanuel, "God with us."
What difference does this promise make to me here and now? It can only make a difference to me if I understand the spiritual meaning and appropriate the promise by an act faith. If Jesus is with me always, why do I forget this fact most of the time? How can I remember this truth most of the time? Having a credit card in your pocket does you no good unless you are aware that it is there. It is critical in life's emergencies to remember the promise of Jesus: "I the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20)
The way I try to help my memory is to type out the critical scriptures I need in emergencies and spread them out on the walls all over my apartment. In emergencies, I walk round the apartment reading the promises of God. I have found that this practice calms my anxiety and restores perspective to whatever is troubling me.
"By human resources it is impossible but not for God: because for God everything is possible." (Mark 10: 27)
I know and believe that everything is possible for God. Thank you Father for giving me such a big picture of yourself.
The God I worship is a very powerful God. He accomplishes whatever He wills, come what may. This is the faith that powers me. I confess that sometimes I am not sure what God's will is for my life. But I do not doubt that His will or plan is good because His word says so unequivocally – "I know for sure the plan I have for you. Plan for your good and not for disaster. Plan to give you a future full of hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
"Thus should all your faithful pray in time of distress. Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach them. You are my shelter; from distress you keep me; with safety you ring me round." (Psalm 32: 6-7)
Whenever I am in distress, I cry to God and He hears my prayer. Though deep waters overflow, they will never reach me. God Himself is my shelter. From all distress, He will preserve me.
"But to those who repent he permits return, and he encourages those who have lost hope." (Sirach 17: 24)
God encourages all who have lost hope. Be a witness of the Gospel of joy and hope.
"Father in heaven, form in us the likeness of your Son and deepen his life within us. Send us as witnesses of gospel joy into a world of fragile peace and broken promises. Touch the hearts of all men with your love that they in turn may love one another ….." (Mass Prayer)
What a profound prayer. First of all, we ask our Father in heaven to produce in us the likeness of Jesus. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. His most cherished task is to form the likeness of Jesus in us and deepen the life of Jesus with us. How does He accomplish this? Primarily through the Eucharist. Also through the Sacraments and His word.
It is only when we have remained with Jesus for a long time and begin to reflect His character can we be sent as witnesses of the gospel joy into the world marked by fragile peace and broken promises. Any person who places his trust in what the world offers and promises places his life on a moving sand.
The only reliable promise is God's Word, Jesus Christ our Lord
"Lord, guide the course of world events and give your Church the joy and peace of serving you in freedom ……" (Prayer at Mass)
God guides world history by his wisdom and power.
Father, guide too the course of my life this day. I put my life and future into your hands.
"The Lord has been my strength; he has led me into freedom. He saved me because he loves me." (Psalm 18: 19-20)
The Lord has been my strength all the days of my life. He delivered me from the shackles of the enemy and led me into freedom. He saved me because He loved me. He is still saving me today because he loves me.
"Father, may the food we receive in the Eucharist help our eternal redemption. Keep within us the vigor of your Spirit and protect the gifts you have given your Church….." (Communion Prayer on the Feast of Pentecost)
One important fruits of the Eucharist which I love is that it keeps within us the vigor of the Holy Spirit. That is to say, as we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are refilled with the Holy Spirit.
We ask the Father in the above Communion prayer to protect the gifts He has lavished on the Church. Some of these gifts are:
"They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of great things God had done." (Acts 2: 4, 11)
Perhaps the easiest way to evangelize is to speak of the great things God has done for you. Testimonies rarely fail. When I hear one, I say aloud or to myself: " I love testimonies." Testimonies build up your faith.
O Holy Spirit, remind me the great things you have done for me and let me know when to use them to promote the Kingdom of God.
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20: 21)
Lord thank you for your gift of peace. I need it very much today. I want your peace. I do not want to worry for anything.
Lord if you send me, I will go.
Left: The Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Thomas More Church in Houston, Texas.
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is the home of peace. It is not possible to come into the presence of Christ and seriously ask Him for peace and leave His presence without the gift. Impossible!
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20: 21)
Lord thank you for your gift of peace. I need it very much today. I want your peace. I do not want to worry for anything.
Lord if you send me, I will go.
"To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." (1 Corinthians 12: 7)
How does the Holy Spirit manifest in my life for the benefit of the Church? What are my gifts?
I learn and I teach
Faith
Obedience
Prayer
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim." (Acts 2: 4)
The Spirit enabled them to exercise their different gifts. May the Holy Spirit also empower me to exercise my own gift. I trust He will in the fullness of time. I walk by faith and not by sight.
"Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise in words beyond the power of speech, for without your Spirit man could never raise his voice in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord…." (Prayer on Pentecost Sunday)
Every good gift comes from God.
Open the horizons of our minds by the flame of your wisdom.
Loosen our tongues to speak your praise.
Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing.
"God our Father, let the Spirit you sent on your Church to begin the teaching of the gospel continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe…" (Prayer on Pentecost Sunday)
The Spirit ushers in the work of the Church. Has he ushered in your work?
Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit. May he lead and guide me to my work. Amen!
"The love of God has been poured into our hearts by his Spirit living in us." (Romans 5: 5; 8:11)
I accept this as true. I walk by faith and not by sight. I do not worry whether I love God or my neighbor. I know that the Holy Spirit who lives in me produces the fruit of love. I may fail sometimes but I do not doubt that my permanent disposition is to love.
"Father of mercy, hear our prayers that we may leave our former selves behind and serve you with holy and renewed hearts….." (Prayer at Mass in the Season of Easter)
Our hearts are renewed this Easter season through the celebrations of the Easter Sacraments. We ask the Father for the grace to leave our former selves behind and serve Him with holy hearts.
"This disciple [John] is the one who vouches for these things and written them down, and we know that his testimony is true." (John 21: 24)
John wrote what he saw, heard and touched. His testimony is true.
How do I experience Christ so that I can testify to what I see, hear and touch?
"[Paul] He spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete fearlessness and without any hindrance from anyone." (Acts 28: 30 – 31)
Even as a prisoner, Paul proclaimed the good news. For anyone who is willing, there is always an opportunity to proclaim the good news.
Most Holy Spirit, lead me, guide me and use me.
