Scale of Justice

Deacon Ed:

 Thank you for your fine contribution on the murals on the inside wall of our church.  You said that the scale of justice tilts towards the cross.  I have never heard that before and it seems to me to an ideal pregnant with meaning.  What does it mean? 

Hi Obi

I would like to have the words of St. Thomas More himself on this, but I don't. As I understand it, it represents Thomas More's vision of justice tempered with God's mercy. He was a lawyer, but he emphatically regarded his service to his country within the context of his service to God and the Catholic Church. This, of course, cost him his head but gained him sainthood.

It is truly pregnant with the ideal of life-giving justice. This is the whole area of "social justice" in church teaching. We can peel the onion many, many times as we reflect on the implications of mercy and justice as taught by the Church. It is extremely practical and, for some, very challenging. I should probably say, for ALL, very challenging. The gospel challenges us all. Some persons and/or religious groups are more challenged than others. The whole issue of immigration in this country is awash with questions to which Thomas More's spirituality could speak volumes, if only we, as a nation, would read them.

Pax, Ed

 

 

Systems failure

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the field, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exalt in the Lord, I will rejoice in God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me walk on my high places." (Habakkuk 3: 17 – 19)

If all support systems fail, I will still trust in the Lord.

What are the support systems?

• Family
  
• Health
  
• Job
  
• Money
  
• Food
  
• Tools
  

What are my support systems today?

• Prayer
  
• Word of God
  
• Eucharist
  

 

 

Spiritual Warfare2

"But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]. This is the righteousness or vindication which they obtain from Me – this is that which I impart to them as their justification – says the Lord." (Isaiah 54: 17) Living Bible

Those whose lives proved the above scripture:

• Jesus
  
• Paul
  
• Stephen
  
• Ignatius
  

Shining light

"Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5: 16)

My light was very dim for about twenty years till 1995. What happened in 1995? What are the key experiences that made me what I am today? I confided the answer below to my diary ten years ago.

• UAC 1194
  
• Health 0495
  
• HS 0695
  
• Money 95
  
• Food 95
  
• Tools 95
  
• Job 95
  
• Family 96
  
• Enterprise 96
  

I describe 1995 as the year of my Desert Experience. If it is true that we are the sum total of our experiences, then 1995 was the year where profound experiences in key areas of my life came together in a critical mass to shape once and for all my views of reality. All the above experiences represent experiences of dying to old forms, old ideas of reality and rising to the new life, new forms and new ideas.

From the death of UAC in 1994 arose Enterprise 1996. From health crisis in 0495 came health management system96. From the death of Money95 rose Joy of Simplicity96. The key experience of my life was however HS0695. Without this one experience, I could not comprehend the other experiences nor could I have been able to transmute them into positive assets.

Every day and every hour, I am becoming more and more ready to shine for Christ.

Obedience of faith

"It was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call to set out for a country that was the inheritance given to him and his descendants, and that he set out without knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)

Abraham obeyed God (Genesis 22: 18; 26: 5; Hebrews 11:8)

Noah did all that God commanded (Genesis 6: 22; 7:5)

Through one man's obedience many are made righteous (Romans 5: 19)

Christ was obedient to death (Philippians 2:8)

Though a son, he learned obedience by what he suffered (Hebrews 5: 8)

 

The obedience of faith (Romans 1:5; 16: 26)

Obedience to your confession of the gospel (2 Corinthians 9: 13)

Taking every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10: 5)

Obedience to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1: 2)

The source of salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5: 9)

You were obedient to the teaching (Romans 6: 17)

The obedience of the gentiles (Romans 15: 18)

Even wind and wave obey him (Matthew 8: 27; Luke 8: 25)

Evil spirits obey Jesus (Mark 1: 27)

May God incline our hearts to keep the commandments (1 Kings 8: 58)

 

I have carried out the Lord's commands (1 Samuel 15: 13)

I have kept the ways of the Lord (2 Samuel 22: 22 – 3; Psalm 18: 21 – 22)

I have not departed from his commands (Jobs 23: 12)

I observe your testimonies (Psalm 119: 22)

David kept my commands (1 Kings 11: 34; 14: 8; 15: 5)

Hezekiah kept the commands (2 Kings 18: 6)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE GOSPEL)

God is my helper

"My help comes only from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121: 2)

God helping:

God helps you (Genesis 49: 25; 1 Chronicles 12: 18)

Eliezer, God was my help (Exodus 18: 4)

God is my helper (Psalm 54: 4)

The Lord is my helper (Hebrews 13: 6)

The Lord is your shield of help (Deuteronomy 33: 29)

 

He is their help and shield (Psalm 33: 20; 115:9, 10, 11)

A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46: 1)

Our help is in the name of the Lord (Psalm124: 8)

Ebenezer, this far has the Lord helped us ( 1 Samuel 7: 12)

The Lord helped David wherever he went (2 Samuel 8: 6; 1 Chronicles 18: 6, 13)

 

He has helped his servant Israel (Luke 1: 54)

You are the helper of the Orphan (Psalm 10: 14)

My help is from the Lord (Psalm 121: 2)

Your help made me great (2 Samuel 22: 36; Psalm 18: 35)

The Lord helped me (Psalm 118: 13)

With us is the Lord to help us (2 Chronicles 32: 8)

 

Christ is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2: 18)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 26)

We have an advocate with the Father ( 1 John 2: 1)

If the Lord had not been my help (Psalm 94: 17)

The hand of the Lord was on them [to help] (Ezekiel 7: 6, 9, 28; 8: 18, 22, 31; Nehemiah 2: 8, 18)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Psalm 16

"Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord, I have no other good apart from you." (Psalm 16: 1 – 2)

Psalm 16 is one of my favorite psalms. I love the themes which are so real life in their applications. Here are some of the themes of Psalm 16 that I love:

• I have no other good apart from God. True or false? True.
  
• From God alone comes the good things I enjoy in life.
  
• You are my only good.
  
• My happiness is in none of the sacred spirits of the earth.
  

What are the sacred spirits of the earth, these other gods?

• Money
  
• Health
  
• Job
  
• Family
  
• Tools
  
• Food
  

Those who place these gods above the Creator multiply their sorrows.

Accursed are all who delight in false gods, they multiply their sorrows.

The sacred spirits of the earth take advantage of all who love them.

Jesus Christ is the Open Door

"I know what you are doing. I have set before you an open door which no one can shut. I know your strength is small, yet you have observed my command and have not disowned my name." (Revelations 3: 8)

God knows what I am doing here and now.

Jesus Christ is my open door.

Hope

"We are led by the Spirit to wait in the confident hope of saving justice through faith." (Galatians 5: 5)

What is hope?

Be joyful in hope (Romans 12: 12)

The God of hope fill you with joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope (Romans 15: 13)

That you might know what is the hope of his calling (Ephesians 1: 18)

By faith we wait for the hope of righteousness (Galatians 5: 5)

This hope is an anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6: 19)

In his name will the gentiles hope (Matthew 12: 21)

The hope laid up for you in heaven (Colossians 1: 5)

Your steadfastness of hope (1 Thessalonians 1: 3)

Looking for the blessed hope (Titus 2: 13)

A better hope through which we draw near to God (Hebrews 7: 19)

 

Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27)

Christ Jesus, our hope (1Timothy 1:1)

 

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Be Strong

"Be strong, stand firm; have no fear, do not be afraid of them, for Yahweh your God is going with you; he will not fail you or desert you." (Deuteronomy 31: 6)

Be strong and bold

Be strong and resolute

Be brave and steadfast

 

Be strong! (Deuteronomy 31:6, 7, 23; Joshua 1: 6, 7,9, 18; 10:25; 1 Samuel 4:9; 2 Samuel 10: 12; 1 Kings 2:2; 1 Chronicles 19:13; 22: 13; 28: 10, 20; 2 Chronicles 15:7; 25: 8; 32:7; Isaiah 35:4; Daniel 10: 19; Haggai 2:4; Zechariah 8:9, 13; 1 Corinthians 16: 13)

Strengthen yourself! (1 Kings 20:22)

Be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6: 10)

Be strong in grace (2 Timothy 2: 1)

 

"He will not fail you or desert you."

• Do not forsake me (Psalm 27:9, 38: 21, 119:8)
  
• I am old yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken (Psalm 37: 25)
  
• I will not leave you. (Genesis 28: 15)
  
• I will not forsake my people (1 Kings 6: 13)
  
• The Lord will not abandon his people (Psalm 94: 14)
  
• Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by God (Jeremiah 51: 5)
  
• God will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1: 5; I Chronicles 28: 20; Hebrews 13:5)
  

May he not leave us nor forsake us (1 Kings 8: 57)

I will not forsake them (Isaiah 41: 17)

You did not forsake them (Nehemiah 9: 17, 19, 31)

We are persecuted but not forsaken (2 Corinthians 4: 9)

I will not leave you as orphans (John 14: 18)

 

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Our troubles are temporary

"Our troubles are slight or short-lived, and their outcome is an eternal glory which far outweighs them, provided our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen; for what is seen is transient, what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4: 17)

Our delays, trials, disappointments though slight and temporary are nevertheless preparing us for an eternal joy. Fix your eyes on Christ and his grace and offer up your sufferings in union with his sufferings for our redemption.

Are things created in pair and opposites?

• Temporary – eternal
  
• Visible - invisible
  
• Trouble - glory
  
• Transitory - permanent
  
• Suffering - joy
  
• Present - future
  
• Cross - crown
  
• Trouble - triumph
  

 

Principle of 2 creations

"By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible." (Hebrews 11: 3)

All things are created twice:

• First creation is invisible.
  
• Second creation is visible.
  

We can choose what we create in our world through the principle of first creation.

"We look not to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4: 18)

We are the clay

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64: 8)

We are the clay, you are the potter.

You are like clay in the hand of the potter (Jeremiah 18: 6)

Can the pot criticize the potter? (Isaiah 29: 16; 45: 9; Romans 9: 20 – 21)

Sufferings Now

"I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us." (Romans 8: 18)

What are the sufferings of the present time?

• The delays
  
• The doubts
  
• The birth pangs
  
• Dwelling in tent
  
• The humiliations
  

What is the glory?

• The destiny to which God is calling me

We are more than conquerors

"No, in spite of these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Romans 8: 37)

We are conquerors through Jesus Christ in spite of:

• Delays
  
• Obstacles
  
• Disappointments
  
• Sickness
  
• Persecution
  
• Poverty
  
• Hunger
  
• No job
  

We have more than enough resources in Christ Jesus to be victorious, to be overwhelmingly triumphant in any condition, in any situation, anywhere and at all times.

"For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realms of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in the heights or depths – nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38)

Just as we are absolutely confident of Christ's power to save us, so can we be of his love for us. Nothing can ever shake that love, that commitment of Jesus for our good and salvation. Not even our personal sins if we repent and believe in his mercy. So once again, we take consolation in the thought that these things cannot dislodge us from the love of Jesus:

• Hardships
  
• Trials
  
• Delays
  
• Disappointments
  
• Sickness
  
• Poverty
  
• Hunger
  

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8: 28)

The Enterprise 2

"If this enterprise, this movement of theirs, is of human origin it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact come from God you will be unable to destroy them." (Acts 5: 38)

The Enterprise: Is it from God or from man?

What is the evidence?

"I myself shall lead you across. I will never forsake you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31: 6)

Other signs:

• Entrada
  
• Kinder
  
• Billete
  
• QOP
  
• Wagen
  
• Recon AZ
  
• Salgado
  
• Llegado
  
• Santé
  
• Opus Dei
  
• Bibliotheca
  
• SAM
  
• www
  

The Gift of the Spirit

"He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee." (2 Corinthians 5: 5) – NRSV

"It is for this destiny that God himself has been shaping us; and as a pledge of it he has given us the Spirit." – Revised English Bible

"Now the one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a first installment." – New American Bible

"It is God who designed us for this very purpose, and he has given us the Spirit as a pledge." – New Jerusalem Bible

For what "very thing" was the Holy Spirit given to you?

What "destiny" is God shaping you for?

What has God "prepared you for"?

The 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are: (CCC #1831)

1. Wisdom
   
2. Understanding
   
3. Counsel
   
4. Fortitude
   
5. Knowledge
   
6. Piety
   
7. Fear of the Lord
   

 

 

Immanuel

"Yahweh Sabbaoth is with us, our citadel, the God of Jacob." (Psalm 46: 7)

If God is with me, it is accomplished.

Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7: 14; 8:10; Matthew 1: 23)

God is with us (2 Chronicles13: 12)

God is with you (Isaiah 45: 14)

The Lord is with us (Numbers 14: 9; 2 Chronicles 38: 8; Psalm 46:7, 11)

God will be with you (Exodus 3: 12)

I am with you (Haggai 1: 13; 2:4)

They will know that I am with them (Ezekiel 34: 30)

When we pass through the waters he will be with us (Isaiah 43: 2)

Do not be afraid for I am with you (Isaiah 41: 10; 43: 5; Jeremiah 42: 11; 46:28)

May the Lord be with you (Ruth 2: 4; 2 Samuel 14: 17; 1 Chronicles 22: 11, 16; Amos 5: 14)

May the Lord be with us (1 Kings 8: 57)

 

Perhaps the Lord will be with me (Joshua 14: 12)

I am always with God (Psalm 73: 23)

You are with me (Psalm 23: 4)

Son, you are always with me (Luke 15: 31)

Is not the Lord with you? (1 Chronicles 22: 18)

Is the Lord in our midst or not? (Exodus 17:7)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Turbulence

"They woke him and said to him, 'Master, do you not care? We are lost! And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet now! Calm!' And the wind dropped, and there followed a great calm." (Mark 4 : 39)

He stills the roaring of the seas (Psalm 65 : 7)

He stilled the storm (Psalm 107:29)

When they threw Jonah overboard the sea grew calm (Jonah 1: 12, 15)

Jesus rebuked the sea and there was calm (Matthew 8: 26, Mark 4: 39, Luke 8: 24)

Even the winds and the sea obey him (Matthew 8: 27, Mark 4: 41, Luke 8: 25)

The wind was against them (Matthew 14: 24, Mark 6: 48)

When Peter saw the wind he was afraid (Matthew 14: 30)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Waiting

"Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him." (Psalm 37:7)

 

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

Wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)

 

I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)

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

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130: 5-6)

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

The Lord is good to those who wait for him (Lamentations 3: 25-26)

 

We wait for:

• A savior from heaven (Philippians 3: 20)
  
• The revealing of our Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 1: 7)
  
• The appearing of our God and savior (Titus 2: 13)
  
• His son from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1: 10)
  
• The mercy of our Lord Jesus (Jude 21)
  
• The redemption of our bodies (Romans 8: 23 – 25)
  

 

Be like men waiting for their master (Luke 12: 36)

The creation waits for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8: 19)

 

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

David would wait until word came (2 Samuel 15: 28)

Destiny

"Every moment of my life is in your hands, rescue me from the clutches of my foes who pursue me." (Proverbs 31: 15)

My destiny is in your hands

My times are in your hands

My fortunes are in your hands

Commit your destiny to Yahweh

"Commit your destiny to Yahweh, be confident in him, and he will act." (Psalm 37: 5)

Since my destiny is God's hands, why not commit it to him? (Psalm 31: 15)

Commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37: 5)

All my ways are before you (Psalm 119: 168)

A man's way is ordained by the Lord (Proverbs 20: 24)

A man's way is not in himself (Jeremiah 10: 23)

Make straight paths for your feet (Hebrews 12: 13)

He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3: 6)

 

I am the way (John 14: 6)

This is the way, walk in it (Isaiah 30:21)

 

Teach me your ways (Exodus 33: 13; Psalm 86: 11)

That he may teach us his ways (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4: 2)

That your way may be known on earth (Psalm 67: 2)

God made known his ways to Moses (Psalm 103: 7)

He who has promised is faithful

"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10: 23)

Perseverance – standing firm

Continue in faith, stable and steadfast (Colossians 1: 23)

Stand against the devil's wiles (Ephesians 6: 11-14)

Resist the devil, standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:9)

Stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16: 13; 2 Corinthians 1: 24)

We must hold fast our confidence (Hebrews 3: 6, 14)

Realize the full assurance of hope until the end (Hebrews 6: 11)

Stand firm in the teaching (2 Thessalonians 2: 15)

Stand firm in one spirit (Philippians 1: 27)

Stand firm in the Lord (Philippians 4: 1)

Persevering in tribulation (Romans 12: 12)

Hold fast our confession (Hebrews 4: 14)

Hold fast the confession of our faith (Hebrews 10: 23)

We boast of our perseverance (2 Thessalonians 1: 4)

You have endured (Revelation 2: 3)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Make Yahweh your joy 2

"Find your delight in the Lord who will give you your heart's desire." (Psalm 37: 4)

My soul thirsts for God (Psalm 42:2; 63:1; 143:6)

My soul yearns for the courts of the Lord (Psalm 84: 2)

At night my soul longs for you (Isaiah 26: 9)

There is nothing on earth I desire but you (Psalm 73: 25)

Your name and memory are our desire (Isaiah 26: 8)

Many desired to see and hear what you do (Matthew 13: 17; Luke 10: 24)

 

I long for your:

• Ordinances (Psalm 119: 131)
  
• Salvation (Psalm 119: 174)
  
• Precepts (Psalm 119: 40)
  
• Commandments (Psalm 119: 131)
  

The Lord will fulfill all my desires (2Sam 23: 5)

He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37: 4)

May he grant your heart's desire (Psalm 20: 4)

You have given him his heart's desire (Psalm 21: 2)

The desire of the righteous will be granted (Proverbs 10: 24)

The desire of the righteous ends in good (Proverbs 11: 23)

 

Delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart's desires (Psalm 37: 4)

Come, everyone who thirsts. (Psalm 55: 1)

If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink (John 7: 37)

To him who thirsts I will give the water of life without cost (Revelation 21: 6)

Whoever is thirsty, let him come (Revelation 22: 17)

Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again (John 4: 14)

Give me this water so I will not be thirsty (John 4: 15)

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5: 6)

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be fulfilled (Luke 6: 21)

He who comes to me will not hunger or thirst (John 6: 35)

Earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14: 1)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Make Yahweh your joy

"Make Yahweh your joy and he will give you your heart's desires." (Psalm 37:4)

Delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)

Then you will take delight in the Lord (Isaiah 58:14)

They drink from your river of delights (Psalm 36:8)

They delight to know my ways (Isaiah 58:2)

Will the godless take delight in the Almighty? (Job 27: 10)

 

He delights in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2)

I delight in your law (Psalm 119: 70, 77, 92, 174)

I delight in your commandments (Psalm 119: 35, 47)

I delight in your statutes (Psalm 119: 14)

Your testimonies are my delight (Psalm 119: 24)

Happy the man who delights in his commandments (Psalm 112:1)

(ROGET'S THESAURS OF THE BIBLE)

Liberation 5

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

No Compulsion:

If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed (John 8: 36)

The truth shall make you free (John 8: 32)

Freed from sin (Romans 6: 18)

He who has died is freed from sin (Romans 6: 7)

Set free from the principle of sin and death (Romans 8: 2)

Everyone who believes is freed from all things (Acts 13: 39)

He has freed us from our sins by his blood (Revelation 1: 5)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

 

Liberation 4

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion (Psalm 126: 1)

I broke the yoke of the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 28:2)

I broke your yoke and burst your bonds (Jeremiah 2: 20)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Liberation 3

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

Let my people go (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 20; 9:1,13; 10:3)

Let my son go (Exodus 4: 23)

Let them go (Exodus 6: 11; 7:2)

I will deliver you from their bondage (Exodus 6: 6)

I have come down to free them (Acts 7: 34)

I broke the bars of your yoke (Leviticus 26: 13)

I brought you out of the land of bondage (Deuteronomy)

Liberation 2

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

Bring me out of prison (Psalm 142: 7)

Peter's chains fell off (Acts 12: 7)

Everyone's chains were unfastened (Acts 16: 26)

The angel opened the prison doors and brought them out (Acts 5: 19)

The angel brought Peter out of the prison (Acts12: 7 -10)

I will walk at liberty for I seek your precepts (Psalm 119: 45)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Liberation 1

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31 – 32)

Theme of liberation:

The Lord sent me to proclaim the release of the captives (Isaiah 61: 1; Luke 4: 18)

To bring prisoners out of prison (Isaiah 42: 7)

The Lord releases those condemned to death (Psalm 102: 20)

God shattered their yoke (Isaiah 9: 4, Jeremiah 30: 8)

When I break the bars of their yoke (Ezekiel 34: 27)

I will break his yoke from off you (Nahum 1: 13)

God leads out the prisoners (Psalm 68: 6)

Four men loosed in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3: 25)

God breaks their bonds (Psalm 107: 14, 16)

God loosens the bond of kings (Job 12: 18)

You have loosed my bonds (Psalm 146: 7)

I will set your captives free (Zechariah 9: 11)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Take and Receive

"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this bread to offer,

which earth has given and human hands have made.

It will become for us the bread of life."

Liturgy of the Eucharist (Roman Missal)

Inspired by the above prayer, I say:

"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.

Through your goodness I have this delay, disappointment and obstacle to offer,

let it become for me the bread of life."

 

The holy Mass is very rich in symbols. In the Mass, during the offertory, I bring my prayers, desires, joys, hopes as well as pains, sufferings, delays, disappointments and obstacles. I bring also my disabilities, deaths, the loss of loved ones, the disappointment of broken dreams, the failure of relationships, my physical, emotional and spiritual pains. I place all in the outstretched arms of Jesus, my high priest. Jesus defeated death through his pains on the cross. My pains are united with his act of redemption on the cross.

 

We bring to the Mass our joy and sorrow and, as people of faith, come away changed and blessed with peace.

The Power of Lent

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

Lent calls us to reaffirm our participation in the victory of Christ over the powers of death, sin and evil.

Lent calls us to return to the power and victory of our baptismal experience.

Lent demands that we abandon the confidence we place in the things the world loves, which brings us weakness in the face of evil, sin and death. It is a provocation to return to our source of power and strength – the victorious Christ.

Lent returns us to the power of the word and of the cross.

Lent is a journey. It leads from the recognition of the weakness and powerlessness before the forces of evil and sin to victory over those forces through the cross and empty tomb.

The Purpose will be accomplished

"The Lord will complete what he has done for me." (Psalm 138: 8 -Roman Missal)

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me." (New Revised Standard Version)

"The Lord will accomplish his purpose for me." (Revised English Bible)

"The Lord is with me to the end." (New American Bible)

"Yahweh will do all things for me." (New Jerusalem Bible)

 

Ten years ago, I confided the following reflection to my journal:

"Insight I got last night at about 2 am:

If God is with me, it is accomplished. If God is with me in the Enterprise, it is accomplished.

The critical question in the Enterprise is this: Is God with me? Yes or No?

God communicates his presence at the beginning of an undertaking by words. Examples are: Moses, Joshua, David and Paul. He also communicates his presence in the course of the enterprise by signs. A good example is Joseph in Egypt.

How has God shown his presence with me in the Enterprise?

Words: "I myself will lead you across. I will not forsake you. I will not abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31: 6; etc)

Signs: Kinder, billet, QOP, wagen, October miracle, bibliotek, Eucharist, etc.

God is certainly with me in the Enterprise. Success is guaranteed. All I need to do is to be steadfast in the way that God is leading me and be patient.

Teacher

• They want to be teachers of the law, but are ignorant (1 Timothy 1:7)
  
• They love being called Rabbi (Matthew 23: 7)
  
• You are a teacher and do not understand? (John 3: 10)
  
• I have more insight than my teachers (Psalm 119: 99)
  

 

• A disciple is not above his teachers (Matthew 10: 24-25; Luke 6: 40)
  
• Do not be called Rabbi, for you have one teacher, for the Christ is your only Teacher (Matthew 23: 10)
  

 

• They will accumulate teachers after their own lusts (2 Timothy 4: 3)
  

 

• For many days Israel was without a teaching priest (2 Chronicles 15: 3)
  

 

• Jehiel was teacher of the king's sons (1 Chronicles 27: 32)
  
• A teacher called Gamaliel (Acts 5:34)
  

 

• You called me teacher and Lord (John 13: 13)
  
• Hail, Rabbi! (Matthew 26: 49)
  
• The teacher says, 'My time is at hand' (Matthew 26: 18)
  
• Mary called out Rabboni! Meaning Teacher (John 20: 16)
  

 

• God appointed teachers in the Church (1 Corinthians 12: 28)
  
• He gave some as pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4: 11)
  
• In the Church there are prophets and teachers (Acts 13: 1)
  
• You ought by this time to be teachers (Hebrews 5: 12)
  
• The Lord's servant should be an able teacher (2 Timothy 2: 24)
  
• As must elders (1 Timothy 3: 2)
  
• Not many of you should be teachers (James 3: 1)
  
• Let him who is taught share with him who teaches (Galatians 6:6)
  

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Disciple

"If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8: 31)

Disciple – discipulus: I learn and I teach.

Disciple – pupil: one who receives instruction from another. One who accepts the doctrine of another and assists in spreading or implementing them.

Every true disciple of Christ must be free.

Disciple – learner:

• Jesus called his 12 disciples (Matthew 10: 1; Mark 6: 7; Luke 6: 13)
  
• His disciples came to him (Matthew 5:1)
  
• Jesus took the 12 aside (Matthew 20: 17)
  
• Jesus spoke to his disciples (Luke 6: 20)
  
• Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple (Matthew 27: 57), but secretly for fear of the Jews (Luke 14: 33)
  

Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28: 19)

Learning:

• Ezra determined to study the law of the Lord (Ezra 7: 10)
  
• Take my yoke and learn from me (Matthew 11: 29)
  
• You did not so learn (Ephesians 4: 20)
  

Always learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

 

 

Endurance

Enduring to the end:

• Love endures all things (1 Corinthians 13: 7)
  
• He who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10: 22, 24:13; Mark 13: 13)
  
• By your endurance you will gain your lives (Luke 21: 19)
  
• If we endure we shall reign with him (2 Timothy 2: 11)
  
• They bear fruit with perseverance (Luke 8: 15)
  
• He who keeps my works to the end (Revelation 2: 26)
  
• I want to complete my course and my ministry (Acts 20: 24)
  

 

• We commend ourselves by much endurance (2 Corinthians 6: 4)
  
• We endure all things (1 Corinthians 9: 12)
  
• I endure all things for the sake of the elect (2 Timothy 2: 10)
  
• When persecuted we endure (1 Corinthians 4: 12)
  
• I know your perseverance (Revelation 2: 19)
  
• Here is the perseverance of the saints (Revelation 13: 10; 14: 12)
  

 

• God gives perseverance (Romans 15: 5)
  
• May the Lord direct your hearts into the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3: 5)
  

 

• Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial (James 1: 12)
  
• We count those blessed who endured (James 5: 11)
  
• The testing of your faith produces endurance (James 1: 3)
  
• Tribulation produces perseverance (Romans 5: 3)
  

 

• Endure hardship (2 Timothy 4: 5)
  

  
   

  
   

• You have need of endurance (Hebrews 10: 36)
  
• Pursue perseverance (1 Timothy 6: 11)
  
• Add to self-control perseverance (2 Peter 1: 6)
  

 

• Because of his friend's persistence he will give him what he needs (Luke 11: 8)
  
• The unjust judge will be worn out by the widow's persistence (Luke 18: 5)
  

ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE

Preparation is power

"The Lord is not being slow in carrying out his promises, as some people think he is." (2 Peter 3: 9)

There is meaning in delay. Could the meaning be that the delay affords us greater preparation time so that the crown will be bigger and more secure? Preparation is power.

• He who is coming will not delay (Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 10: 37)
  
• None of my words will be delayed any longer (Ezekiel 12: 25, 28)
  
• Will God delay over his elect? (Luke 18: 7)
  
• My salvation will not delay (Isaiah 46: 13)
  
• God will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16: 20)
  
• He will vindicate them speedily (Luke 18:8)
  
• Salvation is nearer than when we first believed (Romans 13: 11-12)
  
• There will be no more delay (Revelation 22: 6)
  
• I will come soon (Revelation 2: 16; 3 :11; 22:7, 12,20)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

God finishing his work

"He who began a good work in you will complete it." (Philippians 1: 6)

• God finished his work of creation (Genesis 2: 1-2; Hebrews 4:3)
  
• I have finished the work you gave me to do (John 17: 4)
  
• It is finished! (John 19: 30)
  
• Jesus knowing that all was accomplished (John 19: 28)
  
• The Lord will complete what concerns me (Psalm 138: 8)
  
• He who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1: 6)
  
• It is done! (Revelation 16: 17)
  

Lord, help me to be a finisher. Amen!

Instrument of punishment

"The instrument of one's sin are his instrument of his punishment." (Wisdom 11: 16) Revised English Bible

"One is punished by the very things by which one sins." (New Revised Standard Version)

"A man is punished by the very things through which he sins." (New American Bible)

"The agent of sin is the agent of punishment." (New Jerusalem Bible)

The above scripture came to me as a technical knockout when I read it during my desert experience 12 years ago. It sounded so true and I knew it was true. Reflections and observations of life since then have confirmed this gem of Bible truths. Although the scripture itself was etched into my memory, I lost the reference and did not discover it till today, 12 years after I discovered the scripture.

The full passage goes like this: "In return for the foolish imagination of those wicked people, which deluded them into worshiping reptiles incapable of reason, and mere vermin, you sent upon them in your vengeance mindless swarms to teach them that the instruments of someone's sin are the instruments of his punishment." (Wisdom 11: 15 – 16)

If the sin is love of money, money will be the instrument of punishment. If the sin is over indulgence with food or alcohol, food or alcohol will be the instrument of punishment.

 

No More Delay

"There will be no further delay in the fulfilling of any of my words. What I have said shall be done now – declares the Lord Yahweh." (Ezekiel 2: 28)

The Message:

• Prepare yourself for action
  
• Be always prepared
  
• Be sober and be alert
  
• Do not think or say "The vision concerns a distant future ….. for times ahead." (Ezekiel 12:27)
  
• Things may happen very suddenly
  

The Promise:

• God's plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11)
  
• I will lead you across (Deuteronomy 31: 6)
  
• I will open for you a door (Revelation 3:8)
  
• I will fight for you (Exodus 14: 14; Joshua 1:9; 2 Chronicles 20: 15, 17)

God guiding

"Then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land." (Isaiah 58:11)

 

You will guide me (Psalm 31: 3)

Let your good Spirit lead me (Psalm 143: 10)

Lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139: 24)

Lead me in your truth (Psalm 25: 5)

 

The Lord will guide you continually (Isaiah 58: 11)

With your counsel you will guide me (Psalm 73: 24)

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know (Isaiah 42: 16)

He will lead them to springs of water (Isaiah 49: 10)

I lead them with cords of love (Hosea 11: 4)

I lead you in the way you should go (Isaiah 48: 17)

The Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16: 9)

 

The Lord has guided me (Genesis 24: 27, 48)

However far away I go, your hand leads me (Psalm 139: 10)

You lead them to your holy habitation (Exodus 15: 13)

The pillar of cloud to guide them (Nehemiah (9: 12, 19)

He leads ne in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23: 3)

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1)

Led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 14)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

A Time of Favor

"Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am." (Isaiah 58: 9)

When is the "then?"

There is a time of favor when God answers prayers as it were automatically. When is this time? The Church teaches that the season of Lent is a holy season of grace. But there are conditions to be fulfilled in this special season of Kairos. Isaiah 58: 9 – 14 lists these conditions:

• Offer your food to the hungry (deprive yourself for the hungry)
  
• Satisfy the needs of the afflicted
  
• Refrain from breaking the Sabbath
  
• Desist from oppression
  
• Do away with the clenched fist and the malicious words
  

The favors promised are:

• Your light will rise in the darkness
  
• Your darkest hour will be like noon
  
• You will be like a watered garden
  
• Your ancient ruins will be rebuilt
  
• You will be called rebuilder of broken walls
  
• You will find true happiness in Yahweh
  
• You will triumph over conditions on earth
  

The Working of God’s Providence

"If one prays with faith, even today, the Lord does not fail to perform miracles of healing. But God's providence ordinarily works through responsible commitment, through the resources of intelligence, of science, of appropriate medical and social assistance." (Pope John Paul II)

How does God providence work?

God providence works through the most direct and natural medium available here and now. The working of God's providence is marked by utter simplicity. This simplicity can deceive the senses. It requires the eyes of faith to see and appreciate the operation of God's providence.

Character is destiny2

"It is for this destiny that God himself has been shaping us; and as a pledge of it he has given us the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 5: 5)

The destiny:

• Friend and companion of Jesus
  
• His ambassador
  
• Ministry of reconciliation
  

How has God been shaping me for this destiny?

SJC, CSSP, SJ, Ife, Kano, London, Lagos, Abidjan, Paris, Lagos, Houston, AJS, QOP, 1414, Enterprise.

The Real Presence of Christ in the Mass

Christ is present in the Mass:

• In the person of his minister
  
• Especially under the Eucharistic species
  
• He is present in his word, since it is himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church.
  

The Mass because it is an action of Christ the priest and his Body the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others. No other action of the Church can match its claim to efficacy, nor equal the degree of it.

The Liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the fountain from which all her power flows. The renewal in the Eucharist of the Covenant between the Lord and man draws the faithful into the compelling love of Christ and sets them afire. From the Eucharist as from a fountain, grace is channeled to us.

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH (Vatican Council II)

CONSTITUTION ON THE LITURGY (Vatican Council II)

The Laity in the Church

Christ is the Supreme and Eternal Priest.

Christ wills to continue his ministry and serve through the laity too.

He therefore vivifies them in the Spirit and unceasingly urges them on to every good and perfect work.

Christ intimately associates me too in his life and mission.

He also gives me a share in his priestly function of offering spiritual worship for the glory of God and the salvation of men.

During the celebration of the Mass, I have the opportunity to offer my:

• Works
  
• Prayers/desires
  
• Apostolic endeavors
  
• Home life
  
• Mental and physical relaxation
  
• Hardships of life
  

To the Father along with the Lord. Through this means, I consecrate the world to God.

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH (Vatican Council II)

Mind of Christ

"Put on the mind of Christ." (Philippians 2:5)

The basic point is this: We bring our thinking in line with Christ's understanding of life today.

How I wish I could say with St. Paul "But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2: 16)

The Mass

What is the Mass?

It is the great mystery of our faith. The word mystery comes from the Greek word, mysterion which is translated by the Latin, sacramentum. It signifies a secret, something hidden and unknown. It could be a secret religious rite to which only the fully initiated are admitted.

What happens in the Mass is that God's mysterious plan, conceived from all eternity and brought to its fulfillment in his Divine Son's passion, death and resurrection is made present.

The Mass is a marvelous drama jointly produced by Christ and his Church.

During the Mass, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion. "Communion" has its roots in the Greek koinonia, which includes the notions of fellowship, unity, sharing and community. Communion is first with the Lord and from that to all believers.

The Bible and the Mass, Stravinskas

Open Door

"I know about your activities. Look, I have opened in front of you a door that no one will be able to close – and I know that although you are not very strong, you have kept my commandments and not disowned my name." (Revelation 3:8)

The Lord knows about my activities. He knows everything about my job, the joys, the successes and the frustrations. Jesus knows all about me.

The Lord opened many doors in my life:

• UACN
  
• UEF
  
• QOP
  
• AJS
  

All these doors are now closed. There are many things in life that are transient. There are a few that are permanent. Jesus promises in Revelation 3:8 to open a door that will be permanently open for me. That door is Christ himself. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

The Lord also knows all about my weaknesses.

Weakness:

• Gideon's clan was the weakest in Manasseh (Judge 6:15)
  
• We have no power against their great army (2 Chronicles 20: 12)
  
• We are unable to build the wall (Nehemiah 4: 10)
  
• Without me you can do nothing (John 15: 5)
  
• I know you have only a little power (Revelation 3: 8)
  

  
   

• I will boast of my weakness (2 Corinthians 11: 30; 12: 5, 9)
  
• I am content with weakness, for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12: 10)
  
• They won strength out of weakness (Hebrews 11: 34)
  
• Christ's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12: 9)
  

  
   

• Help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5: 14)
  
• Strengthen the weak knees (Hebrews 12: 12)
  

  
   

• God chose what is weak (1 Corinthians 1: 27)
  
• The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 26)
  
• A high priest able to sympathize in our weakness (Hebrews 4: 15)
  

  ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE
  

A Shower of blessings

"God, you rained down a shower of blessings, when your heritage was weary you gave it strength. Your family found a home, which you in your generosity provided the humble." (Psalm 68: 9-10)

PROVISIONS:

• God richly supplies us with everything to enjoy (1 Timothy 6: 17)
  
• God will equip you with everything good to do his will (Hebrews 13: 21)
  
• The provisions of his Spirit (Philippians 1: 19)
  
• His divine power has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 3)
  
• The Lord will provide a lamb (Genesis 22:8, 14)
  

 

• God provided for his people in the wilderness (Psalm 105: 40-41)
  
• You provided for them in the wilderness (Nehemiah 9: 21)
  
• You provided for the poor (Psalm 68: 10)
  

Divine Help

God helps you (Genesis 49:25; 1 Chronicles 12: 18)

Eliezer, God was my help (Exodus 18:4)

God is my helper (Psalm 54: 4)

The Lord is my helper (Hebrews 13:6)

The Lord is your shield of help (Deuteronomy 33: 29)

A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46: 1)

Our help is in the name of the Lord (Psalm 124: 8)

Ebenezer, this far has the Lord helped us (1 Samuel 7:12)

The Lord helped David wherever he went (2 Samuel 8:6; 1 Chronicles 18:6, 13)

He has helped his servant Israel (Luke 1: 54)

You are the helper of the orphan (Psalm 10: 14)

My help is from the Lord (Psalm 121: 2)

Your help made me great (2 Samuel 22: 36; Psalm 18:35)

The Lord helped me (Psalm 118: 13)

With us is the Lord to help us (2 Chronicles 32: 8)

Christ is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2: 18)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 26)

We have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1)

If the Lord had not been my help (Psalm 94: 17)

 

God helped the Levites to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 15: 26)

The wall had been built with the help of God (Nehemiah 6: 16)

God helped Uzziah against his enemies (2 Chronicles 26: 7)

Jehoshaphat cried out and the Lord helped him (2 Chronicles 18: 31)

 

The hand of the Lord on them to help (Ezra 7: 6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31; Nehemiah 2:8, 18)

 

The Father will give you another helper (John 14: 16)

The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send (John 14: 26)

The helper whom I will send from the Father (John 15: 26)

I will send the helper to you (John 16: 7)

 

We have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Rejoice O highly favored One

"Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28)

The Angel Gabriel also said to Mary:

• Mary, do not be afraid, you have won God's favor.
  
• The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow.
  
• For God's promises can never fail.
  

Mary answered:

• You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.
  

I like very much the reminder that God's promises never fail. Here are a few other instances of this word:

• With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19: 26, Mark 10: 27)
  
• What is impossible for man is possible for God (Luke 18: 27)
  
• With God nothing is impossible (Luke 1: 37)
  
• Nothing will be impossible for them (Genesis 11: 6)
  
• Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17: 20)
  
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4: 13)
  

The battle of prayer

"Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings." (1 Peter 5: 8 – 9)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say on prayer:

"Prayer is a gift of grace but it always presupposes a determined response on your part because those who pray "battle" against themselves, their surroundings, and especially the Tempter who does all he can to turn them away from prayer. The battle of prayer is inseparable from progress in the spiritual life. We pray as we live because we live as we pray."

"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."

Blow at the head of Satan

"Then Uzziah said to her (Judith): 'Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the chief of our enemies. Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God." (Judith 13: 18 – 19)

The above scripture was read on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, 1997. On that day, I saw clearly the semblance of Judith to Mary, the Mother of Christ very clearly. Judith was the prototype of Mary. I scribbled the following in my journal:

"Mary is blessed by the Most High God above all other women on earth.

It is God, the Blessed One who has guided her to cut off the head of the leader of our enemies, Satan.

Your praises O Mary will never depart from the hearts of those who remember the power of God.

O Mother, your praises will endure forever."

 

Mary – Our Mother

"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her;

Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!

Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort,

That you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!

For thus says the Lord:

Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.

As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap;

As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort." (Isaiah 66: 10-14)

 

The above scripture was read at Mass on February 11, 1997 on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is clear that the Church intends us to turn our reflection to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ as we read and meditate on Isaiah 66: 10-14 on this day. I confided the reflection below to my journal on this occasion.

"I rejoice with Mary and I am glad for her. I love Mary. I share her joy with all my heart because I recognize her as the Mother of Sorrows.

I will suck fully of the milk of her comfort. I will drink deep with delight from her generous breasts.

God blesses her with prosperity which flows over her like a river.

O House of gold!

O Ivory Tower!

I will be suckled, carried on her lap.

As a mother comforts her son, so Mary, my mom will comfort me.

When this happens, my heart shall rejoice and my body flourish like the grass.

And everybody will know that the hand of the Lord is upon me. Amen!"

EXAMPLE

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps." (1 Peter 2: 21)

• Christ washed their feet as an example (John 13: 15)
  
• Christ suffered, leaving us an example (1 Peter 2: 21)
  
• In me Christ demonstrated his patience as an example (1 Timothy 1: 16)
  
• Observe those who live according to Paul's example (Philippians 3: 17)
  
• We offer ourselves as a model for you (2 Thessalonians 3: 9)
  
• The Thessalonians were an example to all believers (1 Thessalonians 1 : 7)
  
• The prophets were an example of suffering and patience (James 5: 10)
  
• Be an example to believers (1 Timothy 4: 12)
  
• Show yourselves to be an example of good deeds (Titus 2:7)
  
• Elders should be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5: 3)
  

(ROGETS THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Be anxious for nothing

"So do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 34)

• Be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6)
  
• Do not be anxious about what to say in your defense (Matthew 10: 19, Mark 13: 11, Luke 12: 11)
  
• Do not worry about what to eat or drink (Matthew 6: 25-31, Luke 12: 22)
  
• Who by being anxious can add a cubit to his life? (Matthew 6: 27, Luke 12: 25)
  
• The worries of this world choke the word (Matthew 13: 22, Luke 8: 14)
  
• Do not be weighed down by the worries of life (Luke 21: 34)
  
• Do not let your heart be troubled (John 14: 1)
  
• Do not be anxious (Luke 12: 29)
  
• I want you to be free of anxiety (1 Corinthians 7: 32)
  
• Cast your anxiety on him (1 Peter 5: 7)
  

ROGETS THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE

Faith Gives Us Access

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the Promised Land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God." (Hebrews 11: 8-10)

By faith I embarked on the Enterprise. I set out without knowing what I was going to do. By faith I stayed in the land as if it was not the Promised Land. I lived in "tents." I looked forward to the city with foundation, designed and built by God.

Abraham went out not knowing where he was going: But God knows the destination. Abraham showed the obedience of faith and God counted it in his favor. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived in "tents." Jesus Christ lived in "tents." (Matthew 8: 20; Luke 9: 58). No condition is permanent and this world is a tent for every living person. God has prepared a homeland for all of us. (Hebrews 11: 16)

Prepare yourself for action

"As for you, prepare yourself for action." (Jeremiah 1: 17 – 19)

When I read the above scripture ten years ago, I appropriated it immediately and confided the reflection below to my journal:

"How do I prepare myself for action?

• Prayer
  
• Eucharist
  
• Word of God
  
• Ministry
  
• Study
  

What is the fruit of preparation?

• At the right time, you will stand up and tell them all that I command you.
  
• You will have no fear of them for God will make you fearless in their presence.
  
• They will certainly try to terrorize you and discourage you. Resist it for if you let yourself be broken before them, I will break you before their eyes. I rebuke temerity in those who know me.
  
• You will be a pillar of iron.
  
• You will be a wall of bronze.
  
• Be prepared to stand against the whole country if I ask you.
  
• They will fight against you but will never overcome you.
  

For I am with you to rescue you, Yahweh declares."

Give

"Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you." (Luke 6: 38)

I discovered only recently that I have the gift of intercessory prayer. A couple of months ago, I attended a weekend workshop called "Call and Gift." During the workshop, participants were encouraged to make an inventory of their gifts. I have known for some time that I love to pray. I love the Mass; I love saying the Rosary. I enjoy communal prayers like the Divine Office. But it never occurred to me to add up all these likings and draw their appropriate conclusion from it: gift. Reviewing my journal entry of 1997, ten years ago, I found that I confided the reflection below on Luke 6: 38.

"What can I give now?

• Compassion, forgiveness
  
• Prayers/Intercession
  
• Talent in publishing Christ
  
• Time
  
• Letter apostolate
  

Daniel, a captive in Babylon gave to his people at their hour of great need a noble gift. He interceded for them before God. Prayer is the key. I can imitate Daniel."

 

Intercessory Prayer

"O my Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and show faithful love towards those who love you and who observe your commandments." (Daniel 9: 4)

In Daniel 9: 4 – 10, I see the young prophet exercising the office of the priest. He intercedes on behalf of his people and stood in the gap for them. I can do the same. O Holy Spirit, use my gift of intercessory prayer as you wish. Lead me, guide me and use me.

If God is for us

"If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?" (Romans 8: 31 – 32)

This is an incredible logic. To demonstrate his love and concern for you, God gave up his son, Jesus Christ. Now, what can be more valuable than his son, Jesus? In other words, God wants us to put his Son on one side of the scale and whatever desire or hope we have on the other side. How does that tally? The answer is clear. In giving us his Son, Jesus, God has given us everything.

I know for certain that God is for me in the Enterprise. I will fear nothing. I trust his wisdom and power. Every day, I am getting more and more ready to trust and to obey.

Temporary or Permanent Residence?

"Rabbi, how good it is for us to be here. Let us erect three booths on this site, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Mark 9: 5)

Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to the mountaintop to experience his Transfiguration. They experienced joy and comfort and wanted the incident to be permanent. But there is work for them elsewhere. The Enterprise has been marked by immense spiritual and material favors. Am I tempted like Peter to cling to this at all cost? Is there work for me elsewhere?

Offering Everything

"I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing – all this because you obeyed my command." (Genesis 22: 15 – 18)

God is faithful. We can never outdo him in generosity. Trust him at all times. He rewards faith. He rewards obedience. In his recompense, he goes further than our desires and hopes.

Behold the Lamb

"But the Lord's messenger called to him from heaven, 'Abraham, Abraham!' 'Yes, Lord,' he answered. 'Do not lay your hand on the boy,' said the messenger. 'Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son." As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son." (Genesis 22: 9 – 13)

Isaac said to the Abraham, his father: We have the priest, the altar and everything for the sacrifice. But where is the lamb? Abraham answered him: God will provide the lamb at the appropriate time.

When John the Baptizer saw Jesus, he said to the crowd: Behold the Lamb of God, who is the true sacrifice for our sin.

The Church teaches that Jesus is not only the Lamb for the sacrifice, he is also the priest and the altar.

Readiness for Test

"God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, 'Abraham!' 'Ready!' he replied. Then God said: 'Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you." (Genesis 22: 1-2)

God tested Abraham's faith and his readiness to obey. It was a severe test but Abraham was ready for the test. He believed in God's goodness, wisdom and power. And because of this, it was easy for him to obey. In the Annunciation story, Mary's faith and readiness to obey were also tested. We know from Mary's Magnificat that she knew her God very well. Faith that is firm is born from experiential knowledge of God's goodness, wisdom and power.

Am I prepared to undergo a severe test in my life if it comes now? What do I fear most to lose in life? Family, health, money, job, property or tools, daily food? Jesus says: we find our life only when we are ready to lose it. The more detached we are from things, the more free we are.

Easter Monday 2007

"My heart has prompted me to seek your face; I seek it, Lord; do not hide your face from me." (Psalm 27: 8 – 9)

Ten years ago, I confided to my journal this reflection on the above scripture:

"My heart has prompted me to seek God with a singleness of purpose this Lent. I know he will not hide his face from me. I can never forget the Lent of 1988. I had not observed Lent for a very long time. My heart prompted me to give up smoking just on Ash Wednesday. After Ash Wednesday, the desire to smoke dried up. God healed me of smoking addiction. Praise God!"

Today is Easter Monday. Since the miraculous healing I experienced at the beginning of Lent 1988, Lent has become my favorite season in the liturgical calendar. Today, my manner of living before and after Lent has synchronized. Thank you Jesus.

Peter the Rock

"Peter said: you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered: You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church." (Matthew 16: 16 – 18)

Just before Easter 2007, I ordered the 2000 Years of Papal History from Peter to Pope Benedict XVI. Recorded by an eminent Harvard trained historian, Fr. John O'Malley, S.J., the precious gem came to me in 12 CDs. As I listened with awe to this incredible story, at times it did not seem to me that the papacy was the rock on which Christ built his Church. But certainly rock it was, rock it had been and rock it is still today. How do I know this? Build a house on rock and it stands. Build it on sand and it is washed away in a fierce storm.

Thank you Jesus for your wisdom and power.

A Promise fulfilled

"The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." (Psalm 23: 1)

Ten years ago, I confided to my journal the reflection below on the above scripture:

"How true this is in my life today. Everything I need I have. Those things the Lord in his wisdom and goodness sees that I do not need, he does not provide. This is the way it is supposed to be. I trust the Lord in all things and at all times.

Psalm 23 which I repeated and visualized for two years (1995 and 1996) is now fulfilled in my life. God has indeed given me repose in green pastures. Originally, I saw the promise of a green pasturage as a successful information systems company. But God has better plans for me – the Enterprise. He has restored my spirits through the tranquil streams by which he leads me.

I know for certain that nothing now frightens me: no support or security issues intimidate me. This is because his goodness and faithful love will pursue me every day of my life. One of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me in the Enterprise is the fulfillment of unexpected promise:

"I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come" (Psalm 23: 6)

I am in the house of Yahweh every day.

Strengthen your brothers

"The Lord said to Simon Peter: I have prayed that your faith may not fail; and you in your turn must strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22: 23)

"…. And the gates of the underworld can never overcome you." (Matthew 6: 18)

 

How I love to claim the above scriptures. But why not? Jesus Christ has prayed for me too. I may be tempted, the storms may rage, the underworld may unleash it most severe fury, the assurance of the protection of Christ is my bulwark. A thousand may line up behind me and ten thousand face me, I will not be afraid.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom do I fear?

The lord is my life's refuge; of whom am I afraid?" (Psalm 27: 1)

My Good Shepherd

"Who do people say the Son of Man is? …… But you, who do you say I am?" (Matthew 16: 13, 15)

• You are my Lord and my God.
  
• You are my Savior and my Redeemer
  
• You are my King and my Boss
  
• You are my best Friend and my Companion
  
• You are my Good Shepherd.
  
• You are my Security and my Doctor.
  

Thank you Jesus for being all these to me and much more.

My flock

"Give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it." (1 Peter 5: 2)

God has made me my brother's keeper. He has also entrusted everybody with a flock. Who is my flock today?

• Family
  
• Ministry
  
• Friends
  
• People I intercede for
  
• Clients
  

These are people I meet every day in thought, word or person.

God instructed man to be his brother's keeper. Since the Christian is called to a higher standard, we are commanded to do it not as a "duty but gladly."

Higher Standard

"For I tell you, if your uprightness does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5: 20)

• Do not be angry with your brother.
  
• Forgive your brother completely from the heart.
  

The new standard is higher than the old. For a friend and companion of Jesus, this standard will still be higher.

Knowledge of God 2

"You have made heaven and earth, and all the marvels that are under heaven. You are the Master of the universe and no one can resist you, Lord." (Esther 4: 17c)

Esther's knowledge of God reminds me of two other biblical characters: Hannah, mother of Samuel and Mary, Mother of Jesus. In a prayer of thanksgiving, these two women poured forth their knowledge of God and faith in him. How empowering it is to know God. To know that God our Father is almighty, all wise, all loving and to act on this knowledge everyday is to live a truly victorious life.

How can we come by this knowledge of God?

The word of God, the Bible is the source of true knowledge of God.

Sovereign God

"Lord, Lord, Almighty King, everything is subject to your power, and there is no one who can withstand you in your determination to save Israel." (Esther 4: 17b)

"For in putting all things under him he made no exceptions." (Hebrews 2: 8)

God made no exceptions to the law that "All things serve him." (Psalm 119:91)

He made no exceptions to the law that "All things work together for good to them that love him." (Romans 8: 28)

Jesus Christ has absolute power to save us. There are no exceptions in this. Everyone is included.

 

"It follows, then, that his power to save those who come to God through him is absolute, since he lives forever to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7: 25)

Christ's power to save is absolute. The power of Jesus is not bound by the limitations of geography or time. He has absolute power in the truest sense of the word. He is therefore worthy of absolute trust.

Example of Jonah

"The word of Yahweh was addressed to Jonah a second time. 'Up!' he said, 'Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to it as I shall tell you.' Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of Yahweh." (Jonah 3: 1 – 3)

Jonah had learned his lesson after the experience of disobeying God the first time he heard God's command. His trying to escape God was futile. Because the gifts and call of God are irrevocable (Romans 11: 29), the call came a second time. This time, Jonah was ready to do what he was commanded. He set out in obedience to Yahweh to preach 'what Yahweh shall tell him,' no more, no less. The Ninevites were also ready for God's word and responded to the call for conversion.

Lord, your gifts and call are irrevocable. Thank you for your faithfulness and mercy. May your gifts and call to me not be in vain. Amen!

The Rain and the Snow

"For, as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not return before having watered the earth, fertilizing it and making it germinate to provide seed for the sower and food to eat, so it is with the word that goes from my mouth: it will not return to me unfulfilled or before having carried out my good pleasure and having achieved what it was sent to do." (Isaiah 55: 10 – 11)

As I write this, I look out of the window and gazed at the rain and thunder blasts. I thought to myself: "It is true that God himself sends the rain and snow." This something that no government or human can claim to do. God sends the rain and the snow to water the earth, fertilize it and make it provide the food we need. Human beings claim to produce the food. But they cannot claim to produce the land on which the food grows or the water that fertilizes the land.

God says to me in the above scripture: The rain and snow carry out the divine order faithfully. So does every word of God.

O God, grant me the grace never to doubt your word. May all your word to me come be fulfilled. Amen!

Corporate Works of Mercy

"Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me." (Matthew 25: 34 – 35)

Corporate works of mercy:

• Feed the hungry
  
• Give water to the thirsty
  
• Welcome the stranger
  
• Clothe the naked
  
• Visit the sick
  
• Visit the prisoner
  

Lord, help me to see you in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the prisoner. And when I have seen you in them, inspire me on what to do. Amen!

Enticing Promises

"Yahweh will always guide you, will satisfy your needs in the scorched land, he will give strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never run dry." (Isaiah 58: 11)

• Continual guidance (Joshua 1:9; Proverbs 3:5)
  
• Total and sufficient support (Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 6:34)
  
• Healing (Matthew 8: 17; Psalm 103: 2)
  
• Fresh and renewed (Psalm 3: 5)
  

God promises continual guidance, total and sufficient provision even when resources are generally scarce. Good health and renewal of mind and body are also promised. My God, these are very generous and very enticing promises. Who am I not to fall for them? Bless me lavishly with all of them. Amen!

Time for Temptation

"The Spirit sent Jesus out toward the desert. He stayed in the wasteland 40 days, put to the test there by Satan. He was with wild beasts, and angels waited on him." (Mark 1: 12 – 15)

What does the temptation of Jesus teach me?

For forty days, Jesus was tempted by Satan. He overcame the temptation and angels ministered to him. There is a time for everything says the Book of Ecclesiastes:

• A time to be born and a time to die
  
• A time to kill and a time to heal
  
• A time to cry and a time to laugh
  

There is also a time for spiritual consolation and a time for temptation.

Lord, help me to realize the period of temptation and enable me to put on the full armor you gave me in Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

The Blood of Christ

"See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you ….. " (Genesis 9: 8 – 15)

The blood of Jesus Christ is the sign of the new covenant.

The Eucharist recalls this deed. The Eucharist is the supreme promise of our salvation.

Awesome Promises for Lent

"Then you will cry for help and Yahweh will answer; you will call and he will say, 'I am here.'"(Isaiah 58:9)

I call the whole of Isaiah 58, the covenant statement for Lent.

God promises: If you truly turn to me with all your heart during this Lent, ask and I will give you anything. But first of all, listen to what I am asking of you:

• Do away with the yoke
  
• Do away with clenched fist
  
• Do away with malicious words
  
• Deprive yourself for the hungry
  
• Satisfy the needs of the afflicted
  

Now listen to my promises to you:

1. Your light will shine in the darkness
   
2. I will always guide you
   
3. I will satisfy your needs in the scorched land
   
4. I will give strength to your bones
   
5. You will be like a watered garden:
   
6. Like flowing spring whose waters never run dry
   
7. Your ruins will be rebuilt
   
8. You will build on age-old foundations
   
9. You will be called 'Breach-mender'
   
10. Restorer of streets to be lived in
    

Wow! Very powerful message for Lent.

Lord God, your promises are awesome and they delight my heart. I believe every one of them. Help me to live according to your word so that I can enjoy these promises.

 

Health for service

"And going into Peter's house Jesus found Peter's mother-in-law in bed and feverish. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him." (Matthew 9: 14 – 15)

Good health is one of God's great blessings in life. One blessing that I thank God for with regard to health is the healing of the fear of ill-health. There was a time in my life when I look at the future and wonder what sort of health misfortune might befall me. Then little by little, I came to understand that my good health today was not an accident but a purposeful gift of God. Whatever God gives, he can maintain. So I started praying for the grace to overcome fear of ill-health. It took a longtime for me to notice that I am free of self-imprisonment of unruly imagination with regard to health. God will always provide as much health as I need to do his work. This is enough for me.

Share your food

"Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me: to break unjust fetters, to undo the thongs of yoke; to let the oppressed go free, and break all yokes? Is it not sharing your food with the hungry, and sheltering the homeless poor; if you see someone lacking clothes, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own kin?" (Isaiah 58: 6 – 7)

Lord, you are all powerful, all wise and all loving. Why do you allow the conditions of injustice to exist and even flourish? Why do you allow some people to go without food and clothes? Lord, what will you have me do?

Continue to follow your Lenten program. I will speak to you at appropriate times.

When I am afraid

"Master! Master! We are lost!' Then he woke up and rebuked the wind and the rough water; and they subsided and it was calm again. He said to them, 'Where is your faith?" (Luke 9: 24)

When I become afraid in the face of trials, I will call on the Lord to help me. I remember Psalm 56: 3 – 4:

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,

in God, whose word I praise,

in God I put my trust and have no fear,

What power has human strength over me?" (Psalm 56: 3-4)

 

Help me Jesus to realize that you are always near.

Promised Land

"Look, today I am offering you life and prosperity, death and disaster …. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live, in the love of Yahweh your God, obeying his voice, holding fast to him; for in this your life consists, and on this depends the length of time that you stay in the country which Yahweh swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that he would give them." (Deuteronomy 30: 15, 19 – 20)

I confided the reflection on the above scripture to my journal in 1997.

"This is one of my PL scriptures. What is Yahweh, my Lord saying to me today?

His provision for me here and now is life and prosperity. Father, thank you.

To obtain this provision, I must:

• Obey his voice, that is, listen t and comply to what he says to me. I know I can do it by God's grace. I feel I can do. And I want to do it.
  
• Love Yahweh, my God. But how do I love Yahweh? What does the scripture say on this? Love your neighbor whom you see. Do to him in every occasion as you would like him to do to you. For example, I love people to pray for me. Do likewise to your neighbor. I enjoy gifts from people. Give gifts to your friends. I like receiving emails and letters from friends. Send friends emails and letters. Show that you love God by doing to your neighbor as you want him to do to you.
  
• Hold fast to God, that is, hold fast to his words and promises. Let no delay shake you. Nor obstacles and disappointments dislodge you from the chosen path. Affirm God's promises all the time. Be patient as you wait for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life."
  

 

Lent and Food

"For God says, 'In an acceptable time I have heard you; on the day of salvation I have helped you.' Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Ten years ago, I confided the reflection on the above scripture to my journal:

"Lent is the time acceptable to God for 'rending the heart.' Does that mean that in seeking God, certain times are more acceptable than other times? Likewise, are some places more acceptable than others?

Lent is a time of grace. I recall that I experienced the miracle of healing from tobacco in the Lent of 1988. My great desire during this Lent is to overcome and neutralize the attraction of food in my life. God healed me of tobacco and alcohol. Now I want to be totally healed of food. But food is unlike alcohol and tobacco. It is a necessity. I want to overcome the inordinate attachment to food."

I am happy to report that God has totally healed me of attachment to food. I cannot recall the exact time of this healing. But without doubt, the healing started during the period of Lent.

 

A Clean heart

"A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me." (Psalm 51: 12)

Lenten objective

"Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me." (Psalm 51:14)

Without God, I can do nothing. O Lord, if you open my lips, my mouth shall then proclaim your praise. I am willing. Open it, dear Lord.

I read, I believe, I teach, I practice

"Keep your deeds of mercy secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you." (Matthew 6: 1-6)

"Whenever you pray, go to your room, close your door, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees what no man sees, will repay you."

"When you fast, see to it that you groom your hair and wash your face. In that way no one can see you are fasting but your Father who is hidden; and your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you." (Matthew 6: 16 – 18)

We are mid way in Lent 2007 and it is a good time to remember what we heard at the beginning of Lent.

Lord, help me to believe what I read, to teach what I believe and to practice what I teach.

I read, I believe, I teach, I practice.

 

Rend your hearts

"Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God." (Joel 2: 13)

We hear this scripture usually on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. How do I rend my heart?

Jesus supplies the answer in another Ash Wednesday reading from Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18:

1. Pray
   
2. Fast
   
3. Almsgiving
   

When we do this in response to the word of God in Joel 2:13, we die with Christ during Lent and therefore are qualified to rise with him at Easter.

Oh Blessed Sunday

"God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day he rested after all his work of creating." (Genesis 2:3)

"Thou shall keep the Sabbath day holy." This is today my best commandment. I love the weekends and especially Sundays. I cannot have enough of a Sunday. I enjoy the communal Mass with more people. I enjoy the festival atmosphere of the sacred assembly when we gather for Sunday worship. I like the more solemn nature of the Mass. I dress my best for the occasion. My Sunday meals are different, richer and tastier. I take a long walk along the Bayou. I indulge myself in a long siesta. These are some of the reasons why I love Sunday.

It was not always so. The gift of Sunday is one of the major gifts of the Holy Spirit when he called me back to the companionship of Jesus Christ. Before this, I regarded Sunday as a work free day. That means the day I don't go to the office to be bothered by the boss. Sunday was the day I could do my own thing. But my perspective on Sunday changed when I embraced the word of God. I discovered with some amazement that Sunday is God's gift to man. But because it is couched in the language of command and law, many of us miss the point. The next step in my reflection was to look at the rest of the nine commandments and wonder whether God also intended every one of them as gift for the fulfillment of man.

• "Thou shall not steal."
  
• "Thou shall not commit adultery."
  
• "Honor thy father and thy mother."
  

Can the above commandments and the rest of them be for the enjoyment and benefit of man? The answer is a big yes. Who says so?

• The Bible
  
• The Church
  
• The best of our race
  

And today, I believe it.

 

Copy of God

"God, created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them." (Genesis 1: 27)

I am created in the image of God. What is an image? I would say that an image is a visual representation of the original. The synonyms of image are: copy, picture, representation, icon, figure, likeness, illustration, reflection. It is mind boggling to think of myself as a picture, copy, icon of God. But scripture says this is who I am. Not just me, but every man and woman. What can limit the potential of man? Who can limit the potential of man? The answer to both questions is: Nothing and Nobody. The creator himself designed man for life everlasting.

Touching Jesus

"And wherever he went, to village or town or farm, they laid down the sick in the open spaces, begging him to let them touch even the fringe of his cloak. And all those who touched him were saved." (Mark 6: 56)

I thank you Jesus for your healing ministry. I have benefited from it and your healing hand sustains me every day. This is why even when I had health insurance, I knew that you are my best Doctor. I depend on you to keep me healthy enough to do the work you have allotted me every day. You have never failed in this. Even when I feel unwell and unable to work, I know that it is a downtime and I do not worry at all. Every day, you allow me to touch you in the Eucharist and as I do, you infuse new life into me. Thank you, Lord.

God created everything

"In the beginning, God created heaven and earth." (Genesis 1: 1)

God created everything and saw that everything he created was good. I have been impressed by the truth of scripture that God equipped the human mind with the ability to know him. This truth is confirmed by anthropology. Everywhere on earth, ancient man knew of the existence of God. He did not need teachers or missionaries to tell him about the creator of the universe. He looked, he saw, he observed and he believed. The Church teaches that this faith in God through his acts of creation is what makes it possible for man to accept revelation.

Thank you Lord for your goodness that you manifested everywhere in creation.

All things to all men

"Although I am not bound to anyone, I made myself the slave of all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became a weak person with a view to winning the weak. I have made myself all things to all men in order to save at least some of them." (1 Corinthians 9: 22 – 23)

To paraphrase Paul: "I can glory in my weakness because through it I can be all things to all men. In the past, I tended to project a too strong a personality and it frightened and alienated people." Paul used his rich and varied background and experiences to win souls for Christ. To those who boast that they knew Jesus in the flesh and had seen him, he revealed his own credentials. To the weak who are depressed by their sins, he shows his uncomplimentary past and tells them how the grace of Jesus saved him from that fate. Biography can be a powerful tool in evangelization.

If Paul used his rich and varied background to promote Christ Jesus, so can I. I know what it is to be addicted to tobacco and alcohol. I have experienced ill health for a long period and I have also enjoyed the sweetness of complete recovery. I have been jobless for years and I have the experience of having three jobs at the same time. God's wonderful providence has permitted me to experience the ups and downs of life so that I can be all things to all men.

Lord Jesus, may your graces to me not be ineffective. Amen!

I am under compulsion

"Preaching the gospel is not a subject of a boast; I am under compulsion and have no choice. I am ruined if I do not preach it! If I do it willingly, I have my recompense; if unwillingly, I am nonetheless entrusted with a charge." (1 Corinthians 9: 16 – 19)

This is a classical statement of purpose: "I was created to do this."

My purpose is to learn and to teach. If I do this willingly, I have my recompense. Today, I try to do this willingly and with joy. Help me Lord never to boast about it.