A Thanksgiving delayed is a Thanksgiving denied.

"Please accept a gift from your servant.”  (2 Kings 5: 15 NABRE)

How important is giving thanks for favors received in your hierarchy of virtues?  Is expressing gratitude a second nature or something that is forced out of you?  Expressing thanks must be very important because one of the first lessons mothers teach their infants is:  "Say thank you."

After Naaman was healed of leprosy, he came back to the Prophet Elisha to do thanks not just to say "Thank you."  First, he offered gifts.  Though a 5-star general, he called himself a servant of the humble prophet.  Last but not the least,  he vowed to worship forever the God that healed him.

One of the first lessons I learned in religion is that God does not eat steak or chicken.  He feeds on Thanksgiving.

In the Sunday Eucharistic celebration, the people of God gather to do Thanks for all Jesus did to set us free.  Do you gather with your community or are you like one of the the nine lepers who walked away and made Jesus say:
“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”  (Luke 17: 17 - 18 NABRE)

Even God is hurt by ingratitude.

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God speaks to you too through His loving Providence.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."  (Luke 11 : 28  RM)

God’s word is God's laws, His will and His Providence.

The word of God is found in Sacred Scriptures.  The word of God is found in Sacred Tradition.  The word of God is also found in the definitive and authoritative teaching of the Church.

All three sources are like a tripod that is interconnected, interlocked and complimentary, each supporting the other for the fullness of truth.   (Cf 1 Timothy 3:15)

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."  (Luke 11 : 28  RM)

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Have you experienced the power of the Holy Rosary?

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.  Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."  (Cf Luke 1: 28, 42 RM)

Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary, a feast instituted in 1571.

At the beginning of my conversion in 1994, I read the anointed classic St Louis Marie de Monfort, THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY.  I remember clearly his claim that saying the Rosary every day will result in either you stop sinning or you stop saying the Rosary.  Both cannot coexist.  I found it incredulous and decided to try it.  I have said the Rosary every day since 1994. It is a prayer of incalculable power.

The devil succeeded in luring me into sin a number of times.  But he was unable to hold  the ground because his victory lasted less than 24 hours.  A force greater than he would counter attack and led me home through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of the Holy Rosary.

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I asked and the Holy Spirit was given to me.

"How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”  (Luke 11: 13 NLT)

I asked and received.  Before I asked, I prayed for nine days in order to build up my faith and desire for the Holy Spirit.
On the 9th day, I woke up with an intense longing for the Holy Spirit.

At noon, I knelt down in the center of my bedroom and stretched out my hands.  I cried out to God to give me the Holy Spirit.  I opened wide my mouth and breathed in.  Then I started giving thanks for the Holy Spirit.  When I got up, I went to my study, opened a Bible at random.  It fell on a page that speaks of receiving wisdom from God.  That was my confirmation.  Soon after, I experienced an immense desire to read the Scriptures always.  This marvelous event happened on 06/01/1995.

Our God is a Father who keeps His promises.

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Give us each day the food we need.

"You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry:  Abba! Father!"   (Romans 8: 15 bc RM)

Abba Father, I believe that You are a Father to me at every moment of my life, and that I am Your child.  Teach me always to see Your love as my guide in every event in my life.   Amen.

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Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.

 "But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things;  but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10: 41 - 42 AMP)

Why is fear, worry and restlessness so part of the human condition?  Will you buy one pill that promises to provide definitive relief from this malady?  There will never be such a pill.  Thanks be to God.  We have the promise of Jesus.  "There is need of only one thing."  Luke 10: 42)   TRUST IN JESUS!

"Fear is useless.  What is needed is trust."  (Mark 5: 36; Luke 8: 50)

Jesus also promises that we shall be blessed if we take His word to heart and observe it.

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The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth.

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"  (Galatians 1: 9 NIV)

A very grave warning and anathema for those who distort the Gospel of Jesus.  It appears an extreme retribution but Paul repeats the cursing in the very next verse.  (Galatians 1: 10)

Preacher beware!

In Galatians 1: 11, Paul discloses his authority for being so bold.

 "I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human  origin.   I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."  (Galatians 1: 11 - 12)

Where is the source of the Gospel you hear?

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How long, O Lord? I cry for help but You do not answer!

“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time.
It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail.
Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it,
Because it will certainly come; it will not delay."  (Habakkuk 2: 3 AMP)

The above promise from the Prophet Habakkuk should make your heart leap for joy if you are waiting on God for any favors.
You should do well to anticipate delays.  Do not act like Saul, the first king of Israel.  He waited for seven days and quit.  David waited until the Lord came.  Waiting is the normal.  But God promises that no matter how long it takes, your answer will surely come.  It will be punctual.  Not a moment late.

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Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in You. Have mercy on us and the whole world.

"All things serve you."  (Psalm 119 : 91 NIV)

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

The two scriptures above express the most profound insight into who God is and how He works in the world He created.
Note that everything serves Him in some mysterious way. (Psalm 119 : 91) There is no exception to this.  God is all powerful, so powerful that He can do anything He wants.  Nobody can say to Him, "What are You doing?  Why are You doing this?"  He is not accountable to anybody.
Inspite of His incredible might and power, God prefers to be known for His weakness, that is His Mercy and tender love.
Jesus revealed to St Maria Faustina the image of His Divine Mercy.  He instructed her to have written at the bottom of the image:
"JESUS I TRUST IN YOU."

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O Lord, You read all my thoughts!

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me."  (Psalm 139: 1 NLT)

Does the thought that God knows everything about you make you uncomfortable?  Do you feel like some dark force is standing behind you watching every move you make?  I felt this way in the days of my shame.  Now my best scriptures are those which reveal how intimately God knows me.  (Cf Revelation 3: 8).  God is familiar with all our ways.  (Psalm 139 : 3)

"Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding."  (Proverbs 3: 5 AMP)

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Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.

"Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in power, fulfilling his word and heeding his voice."  (Cf Psalm 103: 20 RM)

We celebrate today the feast of the Archangels: Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

PRAYER TO
SAINT MICHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..

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Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny himself.

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9: 62 NIV)

What do you depend on security in life?  Spouse, family, money, job, etc?   Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is a pearl of greatest price.  (Matthew 13: 46)  Seek first the kingdom with all your heart, mind, will and strength, then ask for anything and it shall be given you abundantly.  (Matthew 6 : 33)

“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9: 60)

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Trials produce perseverance and hope of glory.

“Why did I not perish at birth,
and die as I came from the womb?"  (Job 3: 11 NIV)

These are words of Job, a man who experienced terrible suffering. 
Have you ever wondered why there is so much suffering in the world? Job was a good godly man who nevertheless tasted the bitter waters of tribulations.   Jesus, the sinless Son of God cried from the cross "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  (Matthew 27: 46)

God wants us to consider all trials as discipline.  (Hebrews 12: 7)  God is training you as a son,  preparing you for glory like Job and Jesus.

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Watch out for those who are against you in the Journey to eternal life.

"Whoever is not against you is for you.”  (Luke 9: 50)

Who are those people who may be against you?
Anyone keeping you away from Jesus, from His grace and mercy is against you.  That person may be the boss who schedules you to work on Sunday.  The spouse who keeps you from Eucharistic celebration on Sunday to go shopping, watching games, fishing or some other frivolity.  Devious friends who show little respect for Jesus and indulge much in gossiping.  They are against you and your eternal salvation.   Some places that are against you include casinos and night clubs.

Many who are for you are to be found in the Household of God, the foundation and pillar of truth.   (1 Timothy 3: 15)

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The Lord protects strangers and immigrants - Psalm 146

"If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead."  (Luke 6: 31 NLT)

Who are the Moses and the prophets of today?  Jesus founded the Church as the Sacrament of Salvation to continue His saving work which is not finished.

 “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.   Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28: 18 -  20 NLT)

He also assured them that whoever listens to them listens to Him.  (Luke 10: 16)

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Pay attention to what I am telling you.

"They were afraid to ask him about this saying."  (Luke 9: 45 NABRE)

When Jesus spoke about His passion and death, the apostles did not understand but at same time were afraid to ask Him for clarification.  Are you afraid when you hear phrases like "no cross, no crown; no thorns, no triumph?"
Don’t be afraid to ask Jesus about anything.  He is waiting to give you understanding into any perplexing situation.  Ask and you shall receive.  (Matthew 7: 7, Luke 11: 9)

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart."  (Psalm 90: 12)

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Lord send the time to laugh and dance.

"There is an appointed time for everything,  and a time for every affair under the heavens."  (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 NABRE)

Are you waiting on God for any special favors?  Perhaps on health, family, finances, job, home, car, etc.
Do not be frustrated because it may not be the right time.  God does nothing except in the fullness of time.  Now may be a time to weep.  But the time to laugh is round the corner. (Ecclesiastes 3: 4)

Open your heart to Jesus in faith.  He knows exactly what you need and when you need it.  (Matthew 6: 8)

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If you seek Me with all your heart you will find me.

”And he kept trying to see him." (Luke 9: 9 NABRE)

Herod the Tetrach who beheaded John the Baptist kept trying to see Jesus.  Do you have a burning desire to encounter Jesus?  In spite of disappointments, obstacles and delays, do you still keep trying to see Jesus?

Jesus promises that those who seek Him will find Him.   (Matthew 7: 7-8, Jeremiah 29: 13, Proverbs 8: 17)

What do you seek most in your life?  Money, fame, pleasure, health?
Seek first Jesus and His Kingdom and you will have everything you need.   (Matthew 6: 33 - 34)

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I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.

[Jesus] said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him."  (Matthew 9: 9 NABRE)

Was Matthew qualified to be an apostle?  He was chosen and qualified by Jesus.  We have hope.

"And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified."  (Romans 8 : 30 NABRE)

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Hear the word and do the word. Know the word and do the word.

“My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”  (Luke 8: 21 NKJV)

What is it that produces change/transformation in us?  It is not what we know that produces transformation.  It is what you do every day.

Sow a thought and you reap an act.  Sow an act and you reap a habit.  Sow a habit and you reap a character.  Sow a character and you reap your destiny. 
Watch out!  Your character is your Destiny.

Everyone who hears the word of Christ and does it is a wise man. (Matthew 7: 24)

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