Approach the throne of grace with confidence

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 15 - 16)

My Lord and God, I approach your throne of grace with humility and confidence at this moment of need to ask for your peace and comfort.  Thank you Jesus.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified."  (1 Corinthians 2:2)

This is an extraordinary single minded focus on Christ.  Is this just an ideal and only possible for a strong character and personality like St. Paul?  By no means!  Every single saint has exhibited the same singleness of purpose with regard to Jesus.  Jesus Himself said that it is impossible to serve God and mammon.  Read the Gospels between the lines and you find that in every page, Christ requests 100% commitment to Himself.

"But we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."  (1 Corinthians 1: 23 24)

A single minded focus on Christ engender a single minded commitment to the mission of Christ.  That mission is to proclaim season and out of season, whether opposed or not the Good News that is Jesus, in whom resides fully the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The means to accomplish this is through a thorough understanding of the mystery of the cross and embracing this truth always and everywhere

Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."  (Luke 12: 6 - 7)

Our Gracious Father gives us each day the awesome gift of the Eucharistic Food, the Body and Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Now think for a moment:  If God Our Father, gives us this day the Eucharistic Food, how much more will He give us our daily bread, job, money, cars, homes, etc?

"For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  (John 6: 33)

What the Father provides us without cost and without conditions is inestimably much more valuable and durable.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6:  33 - 34)

Lord, grant this great grace to trust completely in your loving and all powerful providence.

I will bear a witness to you in the world

"How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the one bringing good news,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”  (Isaiah 52: 7)

Lord Jesus, help me to discern accurately my purpose in life.  Your grace makes all things possible.  Remember my desire for W & P.  As time go bye, I wonder if this is still possible.  I know that all things are possible for you.  Help me to trust you completely that if this is your purpose for me, it shall be accomplished.

"Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching."  (2 Timothy 4: 2)

"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia!"  (Psalm 17: 59; 21: 23)

I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me

"Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me."  (Galatians 2: 20)

St. Paul has grown spiritually to the level where he can say, I have understood what Jesus is all about.  He likes what he hears.  To walk in the footsteps of Christ is humanly speaking impossible, Paul knows that he could do that with the empowerment that comes from Christ.  We call this grace.

In the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, we ask for the following graces:

1. First Mystery - The Agony in the Garden: We ask for the grace to overcome all fears of suffering and to imitate Jesus in using the power of prayer at the moment of crisis.
2. Second Mystery - The Scourging at the Pillar:  We ask for the grace to accept pains and sufferings.  
3. Third Mystery - The Crowning with Thorns:  Lord grant us the grace to accept humiliations, insults, contempt and rejections.
4. Fourth Mystery - Lord help us to discern today the cross you have personally designed for us.  Grant us  the courage to pick it up and follow you.
5. Fifth Mystery - Jesus dies on the Cross:  We ask for the grace to die completely to ourselves and to accept God's will in our life in every situation.

In every one of the five Sorrowful Mystery, we ask for grace to be like Christ.  What is grace?  Grace is God's free gift or favor.  Grace makes what is impossible, possible; what is difficult,  easy; what is unpleasant, pleasant.  God is the source of all inspiration and power.  God is the source of all grace.  He is always willing and able to give grace.  Now we know the secret of St. Paul in Galatians 2: 20.  St. Paul desired and asked for abundant grace to fulfill his mission and God gave to him lavishly.  May we desire this grace and ask for it in faith.

I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ

"But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you."  (Luke 11: 41)

" Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk."  (Acts 3: 6)

Lord Jesus, what do you want me to give?  How do you want me to give?  I want to do what you say.  I want everything to be clean for me.  I know that all that I am and have are gifts from you.  I do not want to hold anything back from you.  But you must help me.  Please Lord, unfasten my tightly clasped hands and take all my time, talent and treasure.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.  Through your goodness I offer all that you have given me.  Let it become for me like the bread of life and a spiritual drink.

"And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."  (Matthew 25: 40)

Perfect love drives out fear

"For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."  (Galatians 5: 1)

"Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4: 18).  Jesus Christ has set us free from the slavery of fear, worry and doubts.  We receive this freedom when we are baptized and become members of His Body.  We lose this freedom when we compromise with what we know that is the will of God.  The taste of this freedom is heaven on it.  It is all important to do everything in our power to preserve this freedom.  The first step is the firm resolution not to do anything that will compromise this privilege in any way.

I preferred her to gold and silver

"Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
Because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and beauty I loved her,
And I chose to have her rather than the light,
because her radiance never ceases.
Yet all good things together came to me with her,
and countless riches at her hands;"  (Wisdom 7: 7 - 11)

O Great and Generous God and Father, grant me wisdom.  I ask for this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen!

God is sovereign Ruler of the world

"He the LORD, is our God
whose judgments reach through all the earth."  (Psalm 105 : 7)

"Father in heaven, the hand of your loving kindness powerfully yet gently guides all the moments of our day.  Go before us in our pilgrimage of life, anticipate our needs and prevent our falling.  (Opening Prayer, 28 Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Divine Providence gives us step by step direction and moment by moment protection.
God is sovereign Ruler of the world He created.  He gives everything its place.  Nobody can make it otherwise.

And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself

"And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."  (John 12: 32)

When Christ was lifted up on the cross, He drew back first the disciples who had fled at the moment of His trial.  His passion and death were only the prelude to His Resurrection.  By the time of the Last Supper, His disciples had known that with more or less degree of certainty that He is the Messiah.  That conviction was shattered by the gruesome event of the crucifixion and death.

When Christ rose on the third day as He predicted, the faith of the disciples were born again.
"While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak."  (Acts 1: 4).
The coming of the Holy Spirit launched the mustard seed to become the giant tree that draw everyone to Christ.  Today, the Church is over 2 billion people strong.  The Church has not completed its mission until everyone is drawn to Christ.

Asking and keep asking and you shall receive

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."  (Luke 11: 9 - 10)

What a great promise from the mouth of God. Man does not live on bread alone.  There is life for man in every promise from the word of God.

Lord Jesus, I believe you.  I am a beggar.  Help me to persevere and to learn how to wait for your time.  I know you keep your promise come what may.

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame."  (Psalm 34: 5 - 6)

Give us each day our daily bread

"Give us each day our daily bread."  (Luke 11: 3)

"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)

"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”
Thus we may say with confidence:
“The Lord is my helper,
[and] I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?"  (Hebrews 13: 5 - 6)

Lord, help me to trust  you completely to provide for all my needs everyday as you promised.

"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  

There is need of only one thing

"The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Like Martha, we are anxious and worried about many things:  health, family, money, job, tools/property, food and future.
But Jesus says:  Only one thing is necessary.
What is the one thing that is necessary?
"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

The kingdom of God is the reign and authority of Jesus Christ.  Mary, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit understood that where Jesus is, there is the kingdom.

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

Mary chose Jesus and His kingdom as her allotted portion and cup.

The Gospel came to me through a revelation of Jesus Christ

" Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ."  (Galatians 1: 11 - 12)

The entire Gospel was revealed to Paul by Jesus Christ.  We learn the faith by catechesis starting from home, in school and especially in the Liturgy all our life long.  Not Paul.  Paul did not make any effort to learn the Gospel.  Christ delivered the message to him as a gift.

Christ promises the revelation of the mysteries of the Kingdom to the childlike.  Although we learn the faith, there are many mysteries we cannot understand.  But if we become childlike, Jesus Christ will reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to us.  St. Therese, the Little Flower is an example of this truth.  She died at the age of 24.  She never attended high school but she is one of the 35 doctors of the Church.  She was taught by Christ Himself.

He is not ashamed to call them "brothers"

"He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” (Hebrews 2: 11)

Thank you Jesus for not being ashamed to call me your brother.  Help me always to remember this.
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50;22: 23)

No purpose of yours can be hindered

"I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be hindered."  (Job 42: 2)

Our God is almighty.  Whatever He wills, He does, come what may.  Nothing can resist Him.
Father, I delight in the truth that all things serve you.  (Psalm 119: 91)

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8: 28)
All things serve your plans O Great God and Father!

Whoever rejects you rejects me

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”  (Luke 10: 16)

Whoever rejects my ambassador rejects me.  The bishops and priests act in persona Christi.
Whoever rejects my cross rejects me.  I come to you in my words and my sacraments.  I come to you too in the crosses I send you.

St. Francis of Assisi - Gave away his wealth

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 3)

Today is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. His feast day is today.  He lived the above scripture.  The Entrance Antiphon of the Mass of his feast reads:

"Francis, a man of God, left his home and gave away his wealth to become poor and in need.  But the Lord cared for him."
And Jesus fulfilled for him this promise:
"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29)

The poor in spirit are promised the kingdom of God.  Christ also promises to those who seek first His kingdom and righteousness the fulfillment of all their needs.  (Matthew 6:33)  St. Francis of Assisi got the best of both worlds.

The Opening Prayer of the Mass of St. Francis reads:

"Father, you helped St. Francis to reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility.  May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, and by imitating his joyful love..."

Francis left everything to follow Christ.  Therefore, he can say:

"LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.
*Pleasant places were measured out for me;
fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus

"More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ"  (Philippians 3: 8)

Jesus Christ is the Good News.  The Good News is Jesus Christ.  He is the top price, the pearly of extraordinary value.  The idols that compete with Christ Jesus - health, family, money, job, property/tools, food are all considered as dung compared with the genuine and priceless Pearl which is Christ Jesus.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."  (Matthew 13: 44 - 46)

To know the heart of Jesus intimately, to love Him passionately and to follow Him everywhere is to have found and enjoy the pearl of greatest value.

"O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.  For me, the measuring lines have fallen on pleasant sites, fair to me indeed is my inheritance."  (Psalm 16: 5 - 6)

Unless you become like children, you cannot experience life to the full

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18: 3)

What do you admire about little children?  They live the here and the now.  Most of the problem in life is not in the here and the now.  Many people would say that the here and the now is alright and adequate.  The problem for most people is living in the future.  Shall I have enough money for retirement?  Shall I be healthy enough when I retire?  Will my home and cars still be there when I retire?  Little children live one day at a time.  They play and have fun as if there is no tomorrow.

Little children experience the joy of surprises.  Ability to experience the joy of surprises opens one to the mysterious in life.  We are immersed in the the mysterious.  We live and move in God and He is touching our lives all the time.  Openness to surprises and the mysterious disposes us to seek and accept the miraculous in life.  The miraculous is simply the awareness of the touch of God.

"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."  (John 10: 10)  To live life to the full, you must become like children.  O Jesus, grant me the grace to become like a little child.  St. Therese the Little Flower, pray for me to receive this remarkable gift that you have in abundance.