Enter into the spirit of Advent with hope.

"The days are coming—oracle of the Lord—when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah."  Jeremiah 33: 14).

As Advent begins today, let us give some thought to the concept of Waiting and God's Faithfulness.  What have you waited for in your life?  What are you waiting for now?   Use the Scripture from Lamentations below to enter into the spirit of Advent.

"The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent;
They are renewed each morning — great is your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him.

The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the Lord’s deliverance." 
(Lamentations 3: 22 - 26).

To hope in the Lord is to wait for the Lord.

I hope your heart will be warmed by the truth that God fulfills His promises in the fullness of time.

As we wait with expectant faith for God to fulfill His promises to us, we do well to take note of obstacles and barriers that may stand in our way.

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap."  (Luke 21: 34).

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What are your plans for Advent?

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap."  (Luke 21: 34).

Today is the last day before Advent, the beginning of the New Year of the Church.  What is the above Scripture saying to me?  Be careful not to spend the next four weeks before Christmas like the Unredeemed. Parties, shopping, games, etc.  If you do, you will miss out on a lot of graces that Jesus Christ has prepared for you this Advent.

You ask: What should I do?

"Be vigilant that you may have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent." 
(Luke 21: 34 - 36).

"Be vigilant" means: Be alert and watchful through prayer, worship, songs and praises like someone waiting for the arrival of a very important guest.

"Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22: 20).

“These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”  (Revelation 22: 6 - 7).

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Go bring someone to Jesus.

"Beside the Sea of Galilee,
the Lord saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, and he said to them: Come after me and I will make you fishers of men."  (Cf. Matthew 4: 18-19).

Today is the feast of St Andrew the Apostle.  One of his biographers describes St Andrew thus:
"Andrew went through life leading people to Jesus, both before and after the Crucifixion."  This is the ultimate accolade.  Sacred Scripture puts it this way:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!”  (Romans 10: 15).

Indeed!
“Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 
(Romans 10: 18).

Jesus may be calling you today to be an Evangelist. Andrew, Simon Peter and the rest of the Apostles have sown the seed. It is up to us to finish the harvesting:

"And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?  And how can people preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10: 14 - 15).

Go bring your brother, cousin, neighbor, friend, colleague to Jesus as Andrew did:
"Andrew told his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus."  (Cf. John 1: 41-42).

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The Wedding Feast of the Lamb is the Eucharist.

"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”
(Revelation 19: 9).

3 days to go before the beginning of Advent.  The Readings are frightful, urgent and escathological, pointing us to the end of the world. In the midst of the grim scenario, we receive a blessing and a hope:
"Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

The wedding feast of the Lamb is understood by Church militants here on earth as the Eucharist.  We come to this feast by summons or invitation.  Those who receive the invitation of the King to the Eucharist and turn it down with scorn will miss the blessings pronounced in Revelation 19: 9.

Those who cling to deceitful attractions and distractions of the world are warned of what will happen to their beloved kingdom:

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.  She has become a haunt for demons.  She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast.”  (Revelation 18: 2).

What do you think of this warning of Jesus?
"Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  (Cf Luke 21:20-28).

The Redeemed marked by the sign of the Lamb are encouraged to:
"Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock."

Advent is the Season of expectation, praise and singing. Let us not hold back. Our Redeemer is coming.  He will redeem us from these dire predictions.

"O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.  (Psalm 117: 1, 2).

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Join the army of martyrs.

"Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you... because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony."  (Luke 21: 12, 13).

Is your faith growing? Are you persevering in daily prayer, Reconciliation, Eucharist and works of mercy?  If your answer is Yes, then your faith is growing.  Your faith will be tested so that it becomes mature and bear fruit.  The branch that shows potential will be pruned.
You may consider your pruning season a very severe trial.  But be comforted by this truth:  "Man's extremity is God's opportunity."

One thing to remember in your period of trial is to be steadfast and constant in your determination not to give up.  At the end of every year, many people make New Year Resolutions.  The person that succeeds in forming the precious new habit is the one that breaks the resolution many times and refuses to give up.  He starts all over again. He or she is the one who will smile at the end of the year.  "By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”  (Luke 21: 19).

Join the army of martyrs (witnesses) by resolving today through your daily witness to the power of God to shock the conscience of the unbelievers.
How many years will the Lord require you to witness? The secret is to take one day at a time as if that day is your last.

"Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life."  (Revelation 2: 10).

And never forget this priceless promise:
"Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age, says the Lord."  (Matthew 28: 20).

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Remain faithful until death.

"Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life."  (Revelation 2: 10).

As we listen to the End Times Scriptures from Revelation and Luke, it cannot be exaggerated that the counsel to persevere in the Christian life is the most important message today. In a culture of dictatorship of relativism, nothing is sacred anymore.  Not the vow to stick to marriage vows "till death do us part."  Not the perpetual vows of the priests and those in Consecrated life. Not the civil contract between the governed and the governors. We cannot forget that God loves constancy and faithfulness because faithfulness is the essence of who He is.

Although the Lord will come to judge the earth as Scripture teaches, we can never forget that God is full of mercy and always "speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones
and to those who turn to him." (Cf Psalm 85: 9).

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

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Who shall see the face of the Lord?

"Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come." 
(Matthew 24: 42, 44).

We are in the last week of the Church Year. One week to go. Does it occur to you that these may be the last days on earth for some people?  The message of the Holy Spirit to the Churches these days are urgent and simple:  "Stay awake!  For you do not know when the Son of Man will come."  (Matthew 24: 42, 44).

How much do you long to see the face of the Lord?   (Cf Psalm 24: 6).

But "Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain."  (Psalm 24: 3-4).

Sacred Scripture continues in Revelation 14 to refine the profiles of men and women who desire to see the face of the Lord and pray with constancy and sincerity: "Thy Kingdom come!"

"These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.  They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished."  (Revelation 14:  4 - 5).

As we wait with eager hearts for the coming of the Lord, we are comforted by this unshakable truth of Sacred Scripture:
"Behold, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age, says the Lord."  (Matthew 28: 20).

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Celebrate the Solemnity of Christ Our King.

 “My kingdom does not belong to this world."  (John 18: 36).

This Sunday is the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  It is logical that our key Scripture for today asks the question to Jesus:  If Your Kingdom does not belong to this world, where does it belong?

The answer to the question takes us to the magnificent obsession of Jesus throughout His public ministry:  the King and the Kingdom.  What are the characteristics of the King and His Kingdom?

According to Daniel, the King who receives dominion, splendor and power will be an everlasting King.  "All nations, peoples and tongues will serve him." His reign and His Kingdom will enjoy everlasting security. (Cf Daniel 7: 13 - 14).

But the King who stood before Pontius Pilate as a prisoner is the Son of the lowly Virgin of Nazareth, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor,
sent to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free."  (Cf Luke 4: 18).
Jesus Christ our King reigns from the Cross. This is the mysterious truth Pilate could not understand. (Cf John 18: 37).
The Ruler of the kings of the earth will inaugurate His Kingdom from the Cross. (Revelation 1: 5).

Our King is the Prince of Peace!

"The Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will bless his people with peace."  (Psalm 29: 10-11).

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Where are all the martyrs that died for Christ?

"They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise."  (Luke 20: 36).

Today's Scripture Readings by a peculiar arrangement of Divine Providence correspond to the feast of today.  Today is the feast of St Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions.  St Andrew, a Vietnamese priest was martyred in 1839 along with 117 others, 96 of whom were Vietnamese. Has any other religion the same experience of martyrdom as the Christian faith?  In other words, why is it easier for Christians to accept martyrdom?  Because of the hope of Resurrection!  Christians know that death is not the end of their life.

"Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death, and brought life to light through the Gospel." 
(2 Timothy 1: 10).

Just as death of Jesus Christ happened according to the plan and foreknowledge of God so was it for the Vietnamese martyrs and every martyr throughout history.  In his vision, John testified that the 2 martyrs were allowed to complete their appointed work before God allowed them to be killed.

"When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will wage war against them and conquer them and kill them." 
(Revelation 11: 7).

Brothers and sisters, millions of Christians have laid down their lives for Christ.  Do not be unbelieving and think it was in vain.  "May we never boast, except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For the word of the Cross is the power of God to us who have been saved." 
(Cf. Galatians 6: 14; cf. 1 Corinthians 1: 18).

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 10).
This is true and faithful word.

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The Promises of God and the Joy of Answered Prayer.

"How sweet to my tongue is your promise, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119: 103).

Many years ago, after I moved to a new parish, I found myself one Saturday morning in a Bible Study group. The pastor was the teacher.  "What is the most important concept in Sacred Scripture?" He asked. Many answers were proffered.  When it came to my turn, I said: "Promises."  For better or worse, Promise has been my key to understanding and applying the Sacred Text to my life. As years go by, God's promises become sweeter and sweeter to me.  Often in my prayers, I play a little chess game with God.  I raise my hands up and say:  "What I am asking for is what You promised. What I am waiting for is what You promised."  Then I make a sweet surrender of the request as to how and when of it to God.

I believe firmly that:
"The law of your mouth is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold."  (Psalm 119: 72).
All the heroes of the Bible fed exclusively on the word of God.

Here are a few Scriptures that have sustained my life in mortal spiritual warfare:

"God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble."  (Psalm 46: 1 AMP).

"Never forget your promises to me your servant, for they are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!" (Psalm 119: 49 - 50 TLB).

“If this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them – in that case you may even be found fighting against God!” (Acts 5: 38 - 39).
Are you discerning the viability of a project? This may be your Scripture.

"Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!"  (Psalm 27: 14).

The summary of what Sacred Scripture does for me in times of spiritual desolation and warfare is below:

1.  If God is with you, it is accomplished.  No matter the obstacles, delays,
disappointments or personal weaknesses.
2.  No fear. No worry. No doubt as long as the Lord is with you. 
3.  God will finish what He started. (Exodus 14: 13-14; Isaiah 13: 15; 2 Chronicles 20: 15;  Philippians 1: 6)
4. "The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need." (Psalm 23:1).
 5. "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." (Philippians 4: 13).

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Do you know what makes for peace?

“If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes."  (Luke 19: 42).

Jesus wept before He said the above words.  At this point in His public ministry, He had labored for three years teaching by words and examples the truth and the ways of God.  He taught them the 8 Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3 - 12).  The Beatitudes is the Magna Carta for the New World Order that Jesus Christ calls the Kingdom of God.  Unfortunately, Jerusalem over which Christ shed tears ignored His teachings and warnings thereby making the prophecy below inevitable in 70 AD.

"They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”  (Luke 19:  44).

How can we repay the Lord for all His goodness to us, especially for His crucifixion, Resurrection and the Church? Let us aspire to join the Choirs of Heaven and sing Him a new song:

“Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.” 
(Revelation 5: 9 - 10).

As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, we thank You Lord Jesus for the prosperity and peace You have given us.  Help us by Your grace to be mindful of the poor, the homeless and the immigrants in our midst.

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What have you done with the talent entrusted to you?

“A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return."  (Luke 19: 12).

This is how Jesus started the a parable that is called the Parable of the 10 Gold Coins. 
His fellow citizens rejected the nobleman and his kingship. When he had obtained his crown and returned home, there was reckoning for everyone.  Each person has to answer a simple question:  how did you use the Time, Talent and Treasure that was entrusted to you? Some showed profit on their investment while others failed completely and blamed their Master for their failure.  Those who showed profit were rewarded while those who failed were punished and lost everything.  Jesus then concluded by saying:
"I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."  (Luke 19: 26).

"I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord."  (Cf John 15: 16).

Jesus was rejected as our King during His earthly life, a rejection that has continued till today in many quarters.  But soon we shall see Jesus glorified and see the Court of Heaven honor Him.

“Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”  (Revelation 4: 11).

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Is God training you as a daughter or a son?

"Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise."  (Revelation 3: 19).

Years ago at the beginning of my conversion, everything I held dear came crashing down at once.  I was bewildered because I thought I heard Jesus say to me:  “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” I came down quickly and received him with joy."  (Luke 19: 5 - 6).

I remained in a state of material and spiritual desolation for months until one Sunday in August, the Lord took pity on me and spoke to me directly from the Sanctuary during the Liturgy of the Word. This is what I heard: "Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?" 
(Hebrews 12: 7).   This gift of Understanding of this particular word of God to me transformed my Desert Experience, which by the way lasted for more than five years. I knew my trials and tribulations had a purpose: God was training me as a son.  Are you in the Desert? Is God training you as a daughter or a son?  Do not quit. The reward will be unbelievable.

“The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels."  (Revelation 3: 5).

Do not be Lukewarm but be very enthusiastic like Zacchaeus so that you may not hear this reproach:
"So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."
(Revelation 3: 16).

Be ready at all times to open the door for Jesus at the first knock:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3: 20).

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Jesus is passing by.

"They told [Bartimaeus], “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”  He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”  (Luke 18:  37 - 38).

A year ago, I attended the Pre-Advent Mission at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Mission Preacher used the Gospel of today (Mark 13: 24 - 32).  It is without doubt one of the most impactful Advent Mission I have ever experienced. What did I learn?

#1. Jesus may be passing by you every day. Could be at Mass, work, grocery store, hospital, gas station, etc. Are you alert? Are you prepared to engage him like Bartimaeus?

#2.  "Jesus asked Bartimaeus,  “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”  (Luke 18: 41).

Have you prayed and discerned your greatest need?  It will be unforgivable to miss such lifetime opportunity.

#3. "Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”  He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. (Luke 18: 42 - 43).

I like this fellow Bartimaeus a lot.  He seems to know what to do in every moment.  I depend constantly on inspiration and power to know how to react in sudden and surprising situations.  If you are like me, befriend the Holy Spirit and ask Him always to give you the inspiration and power you need.

#4.  "To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord." (Psalm 73 : 28).

Bartimaeus had desired and prayed to be near God, he got his chance today.

#5. "Amen, I say to you: Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive, and it shall be given to you, says the Lord."  (Mark 11: 23 - 24).

Bartimaeus is a man of deep faith and prayer.  You can be the same. ASK: Ask. Seek. Knock. And Receive!

#6.  "Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near."  (Revelation 1: 3).

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My words will not pass away.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."  (Mark 13: 31).

As we enter the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, we notice that the emphasis of the Readings from the Holy Scriptures has shifted to the End Times. This world is not our permanent residence. One day, the world will end. But before that, we are invited to consider our own individual end and face to face meeting with the One who is called "The Faithful and True Witness."  (Revelation 3: 14).

Let us capture some quotes from today's Sacred Scriptures.  Can you trust Jesus who is "The Yes and Amen" (2 Corinthians 1: 20)?  I hope these Scriptures will boost your faith in the unfailing promises of Jesus Christ.

#1.  "The Lord said: I think thoughts of peace and not of affliction.
You will call upon me, and I will answer you." 
(Jeremiah 29: 11, 12, 14).

#2.  "But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”  (Daniel 12: 3).

#3. "O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed."  (Psalm 16: 5).

#4.  "Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man."  (Luke 21: 36).

#5.  "And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory,  and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky."  (Mark 13: 26 - 27).

#6.  "To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord."  (Psalm 73: 28).

#7.  "Amen, I say to you: Whatever you ask in prayer,
believe that you will receive,
and it shall be given to you, says the Lord."  (Mark 11: 23 - 24).

Brothers and sisters, I hope this Buffet of Sacred Writings will warm your heart this Sunday and propel you to seek the prize of everlasting happiness.

"Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
(Revelation 22: 20).

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The Persistent Widow floors the corrupt Judge.

"Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary."  (Luke 18: 1).

This first line of the Parable of the Persistent Widow teaches us to build our understanding and faith in Prayer:

#1.  Prayer is a vital necessity.
#2.  We must persevere in Prayer.
#3. Prayer must be made always.

Why is Prayer a vital necessity?  Prayer is a vital and absolute necessity because it is God's ordained means for the flow of grace and mercy.

Why must we perservere in Prayer? Nothing happens in God's universe until the fullness of time ordained by God.  So there is absolute necessity to wait for God's time.  I like the rendition of Romans 8: 24 - 25 by the MSG. 

"That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a  mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy."  (Romans 8: 24 - 25 MSG).

Our waiting is not in vain as explains St Augustine:
"God grants us not always what we ask so as to bestow something preferable."..... “The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.”   (St Augustine).

This may well be the raison d'etre for Novena.  The disciples of Jesus made the first Novena waiting for the the gift of the Holy Spirit.

"All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."  (Acts 1: 14).

Do you know how to pray without ceasing? (1 Thessalonians 5: 17).  Then learn the Jesus Prayer. What is the Jesus Prayer?  Simply the Name of Jesus.  "Jesus" is a complete prayer. You can say it constantly. Jesus, Yeshua means Savior.  It signifies what it means and affects what it signifies when uttered with faith.  It is a very powerful Prayer.

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Let go and live!

"Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it." (Luke 17: 33).

When you deny yourself anything, you lose your life a little.  The Church encourages us during Lent and in a lesser degree in the Advent Season to lose our life a little through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. As we do this, we recall the example of Jesus:
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  (John 15: 13).

"Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it."  (Luke 9: 23 - 24).

How might you respond?

"I let go of my desire for security." 
"I let go of my desire for affection ."
"I let go of my desire for control ."
"I let go of my desire to change the situation ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect health ."
"I let go of my desire for perfect family harmony ."
"I let go of my desire for the perfect job."

I let go and live!!

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Is the Kingdom of God truly among us?

"The Kingdom of God is among you.”  (Luke 17: 21).

What did you hear and see when you accompanied Jesus, Peter, James and John to the Mountain of Transfiguration?  I saw the Apostles sleeping and suddenly a booming voice rang out and everybody was suddenly alert.  The voice of the Father said:  "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him." (Matthew 17: 5).
Jesus looking at me said: "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  (Matthew 6: 33).

"Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come..."  (Luke 17: 20).
The Kingdom of God is already here and now but will be ushered in its fullest splendor in the Second Coming of Jesus.
I objected that what is proclaimed as the Kingdom and as already among us and what I see with my 2 eyes does not look like a Kingdom at all.   An Angel whispered to me: "You do not apprehend the Kingdom by sight or by feeling but by Faith."  I thought for a minute and exclaimed:  "I now understand!"  I am absolutely sure the Holy Spirit is in me. I do not see Him and sometimes do not even experience His activities in me.  I know that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist but I am sometimes distracted after receiving Him.  So not by sight or feeling but by faith. Thank You Jesus.

"The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia."  (Psalm 146: 10).
"But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."  (Luke 17:  25).
Lord help us to walk by faith and not by sight or feeling.

Today is the feast of St Albert the Great:  (1206 - 1280). Dominican priest, Bishop, first class scientist, Doctor of the Church and teacher of St Thomas Aquinas.  God made Bishop St Albert great by his joining of human wisdom to divine faith.

St Albert the Great pray for us.

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A word about Thanksgiving.

“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” (Luke 17: 13).

The story of the Cleansing of the 10 Lepers is rich in lessons of God's great mercy and our response and gratitude for mercy.

“Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?" 
(Luke 17: 17).

The other nine did not come back to give thanks.  Why? They had more pressing agenda. When they were done with them, they would come back and give thanks to the Master.  But Jesus did not stay to wait for them to return at their convenience and render thanks.  To the one who came back, Jesus says to him:
“Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”  (Luke 17:  19).

And so is fulfilled this word of God:  "Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."  (Matthew 13: 12).

Let us turn to the 9 cleansed and ungrateful lepers for a moment. Why did they miss out on the more enduring and lasting effects of the healing of Jesus? Consider the clue from the first Reading from Titus:  "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another." (Titus 3: 3).

The Scripture says that you and I are exactly like the 9 cleansed and ungrateful lepers.  Count your blessings and make a list of them.  Count your thanksgiving and make a list of them. Which list is longer?

Now decide to mend your ways and resolve:
"In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." 
(1 Thessalonians 5: 18)

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There is no chaos in our destiny.

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will grant you your heart’s requests."  (Psalm 37: 4).

Why do I love the above Scripture so much?  The promise fulfills my deepest desires.  I know and believe today that God knows exactly what I need and when I need it. In the past I wasn't so sure of this. I know too that God Never Fails!

A few months ago, I recorded the landmarks in my life starting from the age of 3 upto today and made a Timeline spanning several decades.  I was astonished.  I see today a remarkable order in what I had seen as chaos all over the place.  Are you familiar with the Chaos Theory?  In brief, there is No Chaos in our destiny. Everything is Providence!  I did not notice this Providence working in my life but it was there in every moment and every step I took.
Paul put it this way in the first Reading from Titus:  "For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age."  (Titus 2: 11 - 12).  And John the Divine says:  "Whenever our conscience condemns us, we will be reassured that God is greater than our conscience and knows everything." (1 John 1: 20). 

So brothers and sisters,
"Trust in the LORD and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security." 
(Psalm 37: 3).

Today is the feast of St Frances Xavier Cabrini, Apostle of poor immigrants. She will be shocked at the hostility to immigrants by children of poor immigrants.  St Frances Xavier Cabrini pray for us.

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