Experience the power of the cross

“Father, in your plan of salvation your Son Jesus Christ accepted the cross and freed us from the power of the enemy.  May we come to share the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.”  (Opening Prayer Holy Week Wednesday)

To experience the power of the cross, accept God’s will  for your life in everything.  When you accept your cross, you obtain your crown.  Your cross may come in the form of thorns.  Embrace these thorns so that you can relish your triumphs.  God promises an excellent plan for our lives:  "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)  This plan is a made of roses and thorns.  To enjoy the best of God, accept His full plan for your life.

Approach the throne of God with confidence

“So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.”  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Mercy and grace are waiting for us at the throne of God.  We receive as much as we dare to ask.  We receive in direct proportion to our trust and confidence.  When we come to the table hungry, we enjoy the food more.  When we come to the throne of grace hungry for mercy and grace, we receive in proportion to our hunger and trust. 

What then can prevent us from coming to the throne of grace with confidence?  When we feel no need for mercy and grace, we are like the overfed dog with another plate of food shoved before it.  The dog looks away in disgust. 

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5: 6)

Fruit of the First Sorrowful Mystery

“Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26: 42)

Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane teaches us one of the most important lessons in the Bible.  When we are ready to submit our fears, pains and future to the will of God without conditions, we win.  When we say the Rosary, we reflect on this truth in the First Sorrowful Mystery.  Our Enemy holds us in captivity through fears.  The biggest fear for everybody is the fear of death.  Christ conquered this fear for us by dying.  But before He was crucified, the first step He took towards Calvary was to submit His will unconditionally to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.   The same spirit of submission was exemplified by Daniel when he brushed aside the fear of death by answering Nebuchadnezzar in similar words:  If we live we live; if we perish, we perish.  We also see this when the Prophet Habakkuk writes:  Harvest or no harvest, food or no food, we shall praise the Lord.

Why do we dread the will of God?  I foolishly imagine that God is not for me but against me.  Even as adults, we still think of the lamp and the light that God provides for us in His Ten Commandments as constraint to our liberty.  “Thou shall keep holy the Lord’s Day” is one commandment that changed my perspective on all the other 9 commandments.  My appreciation for the Lord’s Day keeps growing.  Then one day, I asked, “Could this commandment be typical of the other nine?”   Of course, I answered after a brief reflection. 

When we are confronted by the unthinkable, it is not only safe but prudent to pray with Christ, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26: 42)

The joy of answered prayer 2

"I love you, LORD, my strength,  LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!  Praised be the LORD, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my enemies." (Psalm 18: 2-4)

David experienced the joy of answered prayer when the Lord delivered him from the hands of his enemies and from Saul who was in hot pursuit to take David's life. The joy of answered prayer is the most intense joy I have ever experienced.  It is the joy of having waited with longing and expectation to see the moment of fulfillment arrive.  The scripture says that answer to prayer delayed makes the soul sick.  The joy of answered prayer is not unlike the joy a woman experiences at the moment when the baby is handed to her in the delivery room and the doctor beaming with smile says, “This is your baby.”

This week, I experienced the joy of answered prayer twice.  I needed money to meet due bills at two different times this week.  Just before I woke up on Monday, I was inspired to call a certain client.  I called the client at 8.45 am.  We talked for some 15 minutes.  My pitch was inspired.  At the end of the conversation, the client asked me to see him at 6.30 pm the same day.  I saw him and walked away with an amount twice what I needed to pay my bills.  After dinner the same day, I paid the two bills online.  Their due date was the following day.  Yesterday Thursday, I needed money to pay for rent and utilities looming on the first of the month, a few days from then.  I besought the Lord in prayer.  “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.” (Psalm 18: 7)  At about 1 pm on Thursday, a client called and asked me to come at 4 pm.  I went and did a business that covered my bills for the beginning of the month.

I can sing honestly with David:  "I love you, LORD, my strength,  LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!  Praised be the LORD, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my enemies." (Psalm 18: 2-4)  We know that God is able to do anything.  It is only when He does something that we prayed for, something that touches us critically that we know that He is also willing.   Faith is trusting that God is both able and willing to help us and then surrendering our desire to His loving and powerful providence.  Like Daniel in the Lion’s Den, we can say after prayer:  “If we live, we live; if we perish, we perish.”   (Daniel 3: 17 – 18)

Seek the Lord in His strength

“Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him continually.  Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.”  (Psalm 105: 4-5)

O Lord, teach me to come to you in my weakness so that you can clothe me in your strength.  Help me not to be ashamed of all my areas of weakness whether in health, family, money, job, tools, food or insecurity about the future.  Help me to trust your promise:  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Help me to boast and rejoice in all my weaknesses so that your power may rest fully on me. 

Psalm 105: 4-5 also urges us to “seek to serve him continually.”  This injunction to serve the Lord continually reminds me of the new Dismissal at Mass:  “Go and glorify God with your life.”  We glorify God with our life when we seek to serve Him continually with all our time, talent and treasure.  No more dichotomies between work in the office and work in the garden or service in the Church and service in our community. 

The truth will set you free

"Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, 3 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 31 - 32)

To remain or abide in the word means to be faithful to the teachings of Christ always and everywhere.  When I fellowship with the word of Christ as I fellowship with Christ Himself, the great promise is that I get to know the truth.  The truth is not a philosophical concept but a person, the Person of Jesus Christ.

A true knowledge of Jesus Christ frees us from the worst possible fear – fear of death.  When we are freed from the fear of death, the big stronghold of Satan in the mind is broken.  Every other fear pales in comparison.  Freedom from fear of death gives perspective to the fear of ill health, no money, no job, no peace in the family and the fear of the future.  We come to appreciate what St. Paul means when he says, “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”  (Hebrews 12:4)

The fear of death keeps many Christians in bondage and victory over this fear is assured through knowledge of the truth.

"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night.   They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death." (Revelation 12: 10 - 11)

Take courage and be strong 2

“Put your hope in the Lord.  Take courage and be strong.”  (Psalm 27: 14)

I have always put my hope in the Lord.  What I need is to take courage and be strong.  Waiting for the Lord to answer what we consider a very urgent need can be a trying experience.  It is very easy to lose perspective and not see the big picture.  We allow our situation to become the center of gravity.

"From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to bypass the land of Edom, but the people’s patience was worn out by the journey; so the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!” (Numbers 21: 4-5)

The Israelites on a long journey from Egypt to the Promised Land had their patience worn out by the hardship of the journey and unmet expectations and needs.  Instead of being steady in their hope in the Lord, they developed a negative attitude and complained.  This made matters worse.

How do we maintain our hope?  How do we take courage and be strong while waiting for God to answer our prayer?

These seven areas of struggle in the human condition:  health, family, money, job, tools, food, and future must be met head strong with the 7-Way Plan of: prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Penance, Examination of Conscience, Ministry and Spiritual Reading.  This is one way to put on the full armor of God in spiritual warfare.  By immersing ourselves deeply in seeking God at the lowest period in our lives, we strengthen our hope; we take courage and become strong.

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing* of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1: 2-4)

I waited patiently for the Lord

“I waited patiently for the Lord, he inclined to me and heard my cry.”  (Psalm 40:1)

David waited patiently for the Lord to answer his prayer, after what seemed like an interminable delay, the Lord answered his prayer.    Why did it take the Lord so long to respond?  Is the Lord hard of hearing?  Is the Lord simply insensitive to the cries of David?

The Lord makes the ear, therefore He hears everything.  The Lord hears the cry of the poor and delivers him from all his distress.  There is a deeper reason why David waited and waited for the Lord.

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word. My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. More than sentinels for daybreak," (Psalm 130: 5 - 6)

How long can we wait for the Lord to answer our prayer?  The scriptures below say that we wait until the Lord answers.

a.   Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27: 14; 37:34)

b.   Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37: 7)

c.    I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)

d.   For you I wait all day (Psalm 25: 5);

e.   I wait for the Lord more than a watchman wait for the morning (Psalm 130: 5-6);

f.     I wait for God my savior (Micah 7:7)

g.    I wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40: 1)

h.   I wait in silence for God (Psalm 62: 1, 5)

i.     We wait for you (Isaiah 26: 8, 33: 2)

j.    Those who wait for the Lord renew their strength (Isaiah 40: 31)

k.    Those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land (Psalm 37: 9)

l.     Blessed are those who wait for him (Isaiah 30: 18)

m.  May those who wait for you not be ashamed through me (Psalm 69:6)

n.   This is our God for whom we have waited (Isaiah 25:9)

o.   The Lord is good to those who wait for him (Lamentation 3: 25)

p.   Be like men waiting for their Master (Luke 12: 36)

q.   Saul was told to wait 7 days for Samuel (1 Samuel 10: 8; 13:8)

r.    David will wait until word came (2 Samuel 15; 28)

One does not live on bread alone

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

When I struggle over God’s ability to provide my needs, the Lord says to me:  “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4: 4)  When I allow insecurity to disturb my peace of mind, the Lord reminds me: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4: 4)  When I ask, ‘Is the Lord still with me, Yes or No?’, the Lord simply says: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4: 4)

“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4: 4) is all that I need to live on when I experience any doubts about God’s presence, protection or provision.  The promise says and contains everything:  “I am with you; I am for you:  so do not be afraid.  My thoughts are not your thoughts; my ways are not your ways.  I own all the gold and all the silver.  I own all the animals and all the fish.   I am your Good Shepherd.  I provide all you need.  Just trust me.”

Thank you Lord!

God's time of favor2

"Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; I form you and set you as a covenant for the people, To restore the land and allot the devastated heritages " (Isaiah 49:8)

Wait for God’s time of favor.  Waiting is critical to possessing the promise.

Waiting for the Lord

 “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word. My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. More than sentinels for daybreak," (Psalm 130: 5 - 6)

How long must we wait for the Lord to answer our prayer?  The scriptures below are very revealing.  In summary, they say that we wait until the Lord answers.

a.   Wait for the Lord (Psalm 27: 14; 37:34)

b.   Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37: 7)

c.    I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)

d.   For you I wait all day (Psalm 25: 5);

e.   I wait for the Lord more than a watchman wait for the morning (Psalm 130: 5-6);

f.     I wait for God my savior (Micah 7:7)

g.    I wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40: 1)

h.   I wait in silence for God (Psalm 62: 1, 5)

i.     We wait for you (Isaiah 26: 8, 33: 2)

j.    Those who wait for the Lord renew their strength (Isaiah 40: 31)

k.    Those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land (Psalm 37: 9)

l.     Blessed are those who wait for him (Isaiah 30: 18)

m.  May those who wait for you not be ashamed through me (Psalm 69:6)

n.   This is our God for whom we have waited (Isaiah 25:9)

o.   The Lord is good to those who wait for him (Lamentation 3: 25)

p.   Be like men waiting for their Master (Luke 12: 36)

q.   Saul was told to wait 7 days for Samuel (1 Samuel 10: 8; 13:8)

r.    David will wait until word came (2 Samuel 15; 28)

Come to the waters

“Come to the waters, all who thirst; though you have no money, come and drink with joy.” (Isaiah 55:1)

In the above scripture, we see a generous invitation of God to His children to come without money and have their fill of His blessings.  What blessings are being referred to here?  The temple of God from where flow the waters of life is filled with the blessings of His word, the Eucharist, His Presence and other sacraments of the Church.  The Church here is analogous to a huge supermarket where you can purchase everything you need.  But in a supermarket, you need cash or your credit card.  In the house of God, come without money and you can still get everything you need.  It is amazing and true.  What does one need to take up God on this incredible offer?  One needs faith that comes through hearing and understanding the word of God. 

"Wherever it flows, the river teems with every kind of living creature; fish will abound. Where these waters flow they refresh; everything lives where the river goes........Along each bank of the river every kind of fruit tree will grow; their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fresh fruit because the waters of the river flow out from the sanctuary. Their fruit is used for food, and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47: 9, 12)

In the above scripture from Ezekiel, we see the promise of the waters of God flowing from the temple.  The Church is the sacrament of the presence of Jesus Christ in the world.  From the Church flow the blessings of the word of God and the sacraments to the world.  Wherever they flow, they refresh. 

Remember all His kindnesses 2

“Bless the Lord, my soul, and remember all his kindnesses, for he pardons all my faults and heals all my ills.”  (Psalm 103: 2-3)

My birthday was this past Saturday, same day as  the feast of St. Patrick.  Three times a year, I try especially to remember God’s kindnesses to me.

·         My birthday

·         Thanksgiving

·         New Year

On each occasion, I am overwhelmed by God’s kindness to me.   I thank the Holy Spirit for this gift of dynamic remembrance.  Following the cue of the psalmist, on top of my list for the kindnesses of God is always the pardon for my sins.  This is followed by the gift of good health.  To be able to function 95% of the year is a cause for much gratitude as far as health is concerned. 

For this year’s birthday, I did not just remember past favors, but I asked for a birthday gift from Jesus.  I asked for deeper faith in His provisions.  I know that He has never failed to provide everything I need.  But I sometimes worry.  I prayed for faith strong enough to deliver me from worries, fears and doubts.  In the evening of my birthday, I was inside the Church listening to a message from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola when I heard this message:  “Ask God for what you need.”  I have asked for deeper faith for a birthday gift.  Now it is for me to believe and the gift is mine.  I believed.  And the belief brought joy.  

Beyond compare

“Lord, there is no god to compare with you; you are great and do wonderful things, you are the only God.”  (Psalm 86: 8, 10)

God is greater than the sum of all that the human heart hankers after:  fame, power, money, health, science, technology, etc, etc, etc.

“Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; We shall say no more, ‘Our god,” to the work of our hands; for in you’re the orphan finds compassion.”  (Hosea 14: 3)

Even when we abandon our God and Father who made us, He never abandons us:

“I relieved his shoulder of the burdens; his hands were freed from the basket.  In distress you called, and I answered you.”  (Psalm 81: 6-7)

Love is patient

"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7)

Here is the question we had to grapple with in our Bible Study on the above scripture:  “Think of past examples in your own life for each of these characteristics of love, either when you have practiced them or when you have been the recipient of another practicing them.  Now think of a specific, concrete way to employ each of the attributes of love in the future.”

Looking back at my experience, I found it difficult to categorize love in its different characteristics.  I see love as a single act which encompasses all the elements listed by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7).  God is the source of every gift.  Every act of love that I receive from people is God loving me through the person.  Every act of love that I give is God loving someone through me.  I do not always recognize all the loving acts of God during the day.  “Man does not live on bread alone.” (Matthew 4:4)  There is multiplicity of ways in which God extends His love to us during the day.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55: 8)   Expect God’s pleasant surprises every day.  Remember too that no matter whatever happens, “All things work together for good to those who love God.”  (Romans 8:28) God’s loving and powerful providence provides all that we need always and everywhere.

God promised it

“Lord, direct my steps as you have promised, and let no evil hold me in its power.”  (Psalm 119: 133)

Direct my steps in the Church, at work, at home and everywhere.

God promised it.  Therefore He is able and willing to do it.

When I pray according to God’s promise, I know I am praying according to His will.  I claim continual guidance and power today.

Naaman the Leper 2

"Elisha sent him the message: “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.” But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand there to call on the name of the LORD his God, and would move his hand over the place, and thus cure the leprous spot." (2 Kings 5: 10 - 11)

“Go and wash seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will heal and you will be clean.”  It is not surprising that Naaman found this instruction simplistic and ridiculous.  Who has ever heard of someone healed of leprosy through such simplistic command?  To make matters worse, Elisha did not even honor the general by delivering this message himself.  He sent his servant to give it.  Our deacon called the story one of the most beautiful in the bible.  I agree.  The story reminds me of God’s self revelation in these words: 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8-9)

As I reflect on the story of Naaman and the scripture from Isaiah 55: 10-11, my mind is taken the seven sacraments of the Church:  Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick.  They are described as outward signs that convey inward grace.  The more realistic description might be: “simplistic and ridiculous signs that claim to accomplish mighty miracles.”  Indeed, the sacraments accomplish mighty miracles. If they do not, then the Church could be accused of falsehood.  This has been the claim on the Church for 2000 years.  Generation after generation bears witness that the sacraments accomplish what they signify.    Faith is needed to accept the teaching.   If obedience is added to faith, then Naaman the leper would become Naaman with the skin of a baby.

The stone rejected by the builders

“Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42)

In the first reading of the Mass of Second Friday in Lent, we heard the story of how the brothers of Joseph in an act of demonic jealousy, sold Joseph into slavery.  The Gospel reading is the parable of Jesus on how the people said, “This is the heir; let us kill him.”  Rejection is the unifying theme between the first and second reading today.  What is the final fate of the rejected?  Joseph, a type of Jesus Christ became a prince in Egypt and redeemed his brothers who sold him into slavery.  Jesus, the princely heir that was rejected and killed, rose from the dead and redeemed His brothers. 

In God’s all powerful and loving providence, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes”  It is a done deal.  Nobody can do otherwise.

Your Security Your Destiny

“Thus says the Lord:  ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 17:5)

Where is your security?

If your security is in money, investments, insurance policies, property, savings account, etc, then Jeremiah has some bad news for you today.  He declares you “cursed”.  Why this very strong language?  It is not a mere hyperbole.  It is to jolt you into the conversion mood.  The original word for conversion in Greek is metanoia.  Metanoia implies a complete change of direction.  You are traveling north at 70 miles an hour.  You suddenly see a Road Closed sign in front of you.  You stop and head south. 

Personal conversion is the business of Lent.  Lent is declared by God a time of favor and grace.   O that we may listen to His voice today and not harden our hearts.  Jeremiah leaves us with some big consolation in the same 17^th Chapter:

"Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit." (Jeremiah 17: 7 - 8)

Destiny 2

“But my trust is in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”  In your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.”  (Psalm 31: 15-16)

My destiny is in your hands O Lord.  Thank you Lord for this.  This truth tells me that the clutches of my enemies and persecutors cannot touch me unless God permits it.  If God is for me, who can be against me?  Nobody!  The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Whom can I fear?  Nobody!

The word of God is filled with healing truths about God and His powerful and loving providence over us.  I read of these scriptures everyday for many years now.  I believe what I read.  I teach what I believe.  But I do not always practice what I teach.  When my faith is tested, I fail many times.  I say to myself:  “If only I remember these scriptures at the crucial moment, I could do better in the inevitable trials of life.”  Sometimes things happen so fast that before you know that a trial is a test, you have failed.  This may be why the Psalmist cried out: “Hide your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.”  If the word is on your heart and on your lips, you will remember it at the moment of need.

No matter whether you pass or fail the test, it is still true that “All things work together for good to those who love God.”  (Romans 8: 28)

Man does not live on bread alone...

“Man does not live on bread alone…..” (Matthew 4:4)

Man does not live on Money alone….

Man does not live on Salary alone….

Man does not live on Job alone….

Man does not live on Cars alone….

Man does not live on Health alone….

“Man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4: 4)

Faith gives us God’s promise of provision.

“Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said,

“I will never fail you | I will never forsake you.”

That is why we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  (Hebrews 13: 5 – 6)