"Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves." (Matthew 17: 1)
The gang of three, Peter, James and John are representatives of the Church who became witnesses to the Transfiguration of the Christ. Jesus Christ strengthened their faith through this experience.
Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see your glory and give us the grace to bear witness to it in our lives.
"So we have confirmation of the words of the prophets; and you will be right to pay attention to it as to a lamp for lighting a way through the dark, until the dawn comes and the morning star rises in your minds." (2 Peter 1: 19)
What is the evidence that the word of God in scripture is true?
The Church as the Body of Christ is the visible sign and confirmation of the words of scripture. The Church is what scriptures foretold it would be:
Trust the word of God.
"On him was conferred rule, honor and kingship, and all peoples, nations and languages became his servants." (Daniel 7: 14)
The "Him" is Jesus Christ to whom all honor, power and majesty belongs. I want to publish this truth with all my time, talent and treasure.
Lead me, guide me and use me, dear Lord Jesus Christ.
"But you,'he said,' who do you, say I am?" (Matthew 16: 13: 15)
You are Jesus Christ:
Lord Jesus, that I may know you more, love you more and serve you more. Amen
"These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites laid blame on Yahweh and where by their means, he asserted his holiness." (Numbers 20: 13)
In the desert, the Israelites were stretched to the breaking point at the Waters of Meribah. They failed the test and murmured against God. Every crisis is a test of faith. Where do you go first for help? Whom do you trust? Are you prepared to wait for God for deliverance?
Meribah is the type of all testing grounds. Where is your desert or Meribah?
The geography is the theology.
"I, the Lord, am with you always, until the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20)
Jesus is Emmanuel – God with us. But in Matthew 28: 20, He promises to be with us always till the end of our life. Consider this for a moment. A medical doctor can be very powerful and highly competent. But can he promise to be with you always until the end of your life? Of course not! Only Jesus can make this promise and keep it.
"Woman, you have great faith. Let your desire be granted." (Matthew 15: 28)
My simple definition of faith is putting our trust in God's word. This happy woman has just heard that her desire is granted. Her faith led her to ask confidently. She went away believing that it would be done to her according to what Jesus said. I want to exercise my faith like this woman. I want to hear Jesus say to me: "Let your desire be granted."
"We have made our way to the country where you sent us. It does indeed flow with milk and honey; here is what it produces. At the same time, its inhabitants are a powerful people…." (Numbers 13: 27 – 28)
The Enterprise is a journey to the Promised Land. Indeed milk and honey flow here. At the same time, it is occupied by the Anakims, that is very powerful demons. In the name of Jesus I will conquer. I came, I saw and in the name of Jesus I conquered.
"They are blind leaders of the blind and if one blind person leads another both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15: 14)
Who are the blind leading the blind? Many journalists today are blind leaders leading the blind. Many pretend that are guardian of public morality. But in fact their self-interest is evident and it betrays their pretension. They act as if they are neutral and unbiased commentators in the public domain but in fact are narrow minded with entrenched self-interest. The recent attacks on Pope Benedict XVI are vile and selfish. They want to silence him and thought they found a good cause in the so-called sexual abuse of minors which they claim occurred over a generation ago. They will not succeed in intimidating him. They win this game with politicians. Pope Benedict is not a politician.
"Is Moses the only one through whom Yahweh has spoken? Has he not spoken with us too? Now Moses was extremely humble, the humblest man on earth." (Numbers 12: 2 – 3)
The trials and tribulations of Moses
Even Aaron and Miriam joined the rebels. They became part of the problem and not the solution.
Those that ate with me raised their heels to strike me. Moses allowed God to fight for him. God was the guardian of his rights. Moses exemplified the leadership principle. The leader is a servant and not a master.
"You have so little faith. Why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 31)
This is a well merited reproach from Jesus. After all that He does for me every day, why do I still doubt? Why does doubt instead of trust seem to have been ingrained as a second nature? Why does it seem easier to doubt than to trust God?
Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Make me always aware of your presence.
"Would that we have meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumber, the melon, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now, we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna." (Number 11: 4 – 6)
The journey to the Promised Land was a test of patience, endurance, faith, courage and humility for the Israelites. It was a very severe test. They failed. They lost their patience in spite of the fact that they still had the manna to eat. They looked back to former days in Egypt. They complained against God and Moses.
The Enterprise is also a severe test. To succeed, I must rely on God for everything. I must trust God to lead and guide me according to His designs. I will depend on God to fight my battles.
"Five loaves and two fish are all we have here. Then he said, 'Bring them here to me." (Matthew 14: 17 – 18)
Bring whatever you have to the Lord. He can multiply it. "Silver and gold I do not have to give. What I have, I give you." Nobody can give that which he has not. We are expected to work with what we have. God is a creator, a multiplier. Small or big before God is the same.
Lord, take and receive all that I am, all that I have. Lead me, guide me and use me.
"What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?" (Romans 8: 35)
Even if the figs do not blossom, even if all support systems fail, I will never doubt God's love for me.
If we live we live, if we perish, we perish.
"Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?" (Isaiah 55: 2)
We work very hard and spend what we earn on what does not satisfy. Advertising is great in encouraging us to spend our money on what is not bread. What is essential for life and happiness have been adequately provided by God. Our responsibility is to make sure that everybody gets a fair share.
"All of you who are thirsty, come to the water. You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat. Come, without praying and without cost, drink wine and milk." (Isaiah 55: 1-3)
The best things in life are not only free but abundant. For example:
Father, make us appreciate your gifts. May we never minimize them because they are free and abundant. Teach us to share them with those who need them.
"God our Father, gifts without measure flow from your goodness to bring us your peace. Our life is your gift. Guide our life's journey, for only your love makes us whole. Keep us strong in your love…." (18th Sunday)
As I write this blog today Sunday, it is very beautiful outside. It is sunny, dry and cool.
God's gifts this day:
Thank you Father. Lead me and guide me and use me.
"Father of everlasting goodness, our origin and guide, be close to us and hear the prayers of all who praise you. Forgive our sins and restore us to life. Keep us safe in your love…." (Opening Prayer on the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
What does it mean to believe that God our Father is of everlasting goodness? It means that He is of the same character yesterday, today and tomorrow. As we trusted Him in the past and He performed, so can we trust Him today and tomorrow and count absolutely on His performance. He is unchanging in His essence of goodness. I rejoice to call such a God, my Father.
We come from God and we are going home to this God. His Son, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is our sure guide to this new life. Lord Jesus, lead us, guide us and use us as you wish.
"God, come to my help. Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming." (Psalm 70: 2,6)
It is God who helps me in everything. Whenever I call upon Him, I am assured of a timely help.
"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 6 – 7)
"God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea." (Psalm 46: 2 – 3)
"Give me John the Baptist's head here , on a dish." (Matthew 14: 8)
John the Baptist paid the supreme price for his calling. Every vocation has outputs and consequences. How much are you willing to pay for yours? He who is faithful in little things will be faithful in more consequential ones.
