Work of faith and labor of love

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  (1 Corinthians 15: 58)

How do I understand labor?  What is the work of the Lord?  Only paid employment?  By no means.  There is in society, much labor that is not paid for.  Take for example, the house wife who puts in 12 or more hours a day.  She does much useful and indispensable work at home but receives no salary for it.  Another good example is the work of the Church.  The paid employment in the Church is a tiny fraction of the multitude of ministries that provide different services to the Church.  If all the people that offer services to the Church are counted as employees, the Church may have more employees than the government. 

Any work that builds up the Kingdom of God qualifies as “the work of the Lord” or labor under 1 Corinthians 15: 58.  My work in the Church in the various ministries that I serve and my work in the world where I earn my daily bread may appear to be two different departments.  In reality, they are one.  I work in the Church where I obtain the graces I need to continue my work in the world.  The Lord who blesses labor blesses and prospers the work of our hand wherever the labor is done. 

In the light of the above, unemployment does not exist in the Kingdom.  Jesus says that the Father is always at work, so is He.  So should be the children.  There could a period of temporary unemployment without pay.  There is always plenty of opportunity for volunteer non-paid employment.

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen" (1 Thessalonians 1: 2 - 4)

God who is faithful and just always rewards our work of faith and labor of love.  He teaches us that “man does not live by bread alone.”  We should pray for our eyes to be open to the various ways that His divine providence always and everywhere meets our needs.

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

·         Man does not live on money alone………..

·         Man does not live on salary alone…………..

·         Man does not live on job alone………..

There are many ways God supports His man.

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

Faith gives us the promise of the 7 P’s

1.       Pardon

2.       Peace

3.       Power

4.       Purpose

5.       Presence

6.       Protection

7.       Provision

Amen! Amen!! Amen!!

“Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said, ‘I will never fail you; I will never forsake you.’   That is why we can say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  (Hebrews 13: 5-6)

The 7 promises above show that we need more than money to live a healthy and fulfilled life.

God Himself will finish the job

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1: 6)

St. James advises us “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”  How do we do Philippians 1:6?  Not every word of God can be put into practice.  Some of them like Philippians 1:6, we give our assent of faith.  When I read this word this morning, I rejoiced in it.  I know that God started a good work in me in 1994.  I have never doubted it for a moment.  At times, the going gets really tough and doubts creep in.  This is when I need scriptures like Philippians 1:6 to remind me that God is faithful.  The message to me is clear.  Relax.  Believe.  Be steadfast and wait for God. God who started this journey will bring it to successful conclusion in His own time and manner.  Trust the system.  Trust the 7-Way Plan.  Thank you Jesus.

Why does the word of God affect us so deeply?  I read something from the Focolare Word of Life which answers this question excellently for me:

“The words of Jesus, in fact, are not like human words.  Jesus is present in them as he is present in the Eucharist, though in a different way.  Through his words, Christ enters us, and by accepting them and putting them into practice, we allow him to be born and grow in our hearts.

Pope Paul VI said: ‘How does Jesus become present in our souls?  Through the communication of the word, the divine thought is conveyed; the Word, the Son of God made man, is conveyed.  We could assert that the Lord becomes incarnate in us when we allow his word to come and dwell within us.’

The word of Jesus is also compared to a seed sown in the heart of the believer.  When it is welcomed, it penetrates deeply, and like a seed, it develops, grows and bears much fruit.  It “Christifies” us, making us similar to Christ. 

The word, which has entered a person’s life through the power of the Spirit, truly has the ability and strength to keep the Christian from evil: that is, as long as we allow the word to act in us, we will be free from sin and, therefore, pure.  We will sin only if we cease to obey the truth.” (Focolare Word of Life, April 2012)

Experience the power of the cross

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

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

Approach the throne of God with confidence

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

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

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

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

Fruit of the First Sorrowful Mystery

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

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

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

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

The joy of answered prayer 2

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

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

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

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

Seek the Lord in His strength

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

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

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

The truth will set you free

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

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

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

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

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

Take courage and be strong 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I waited patiently for the Lord

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

c.    I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One does not live on bread alone

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

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

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

Thank you Lord!

God's time of favor2

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

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

Waiting for the Lord

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

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

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

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

c.    I wait for you (Psalm 25: 21)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Come to the waters

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

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

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

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

Remember all His kindnesses 2

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

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

·         My birthday

·         Thanksgiving

·         New Year

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

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

Beyond compare

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

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

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

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

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

Love is patient

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

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

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

God promised it

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

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

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

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

Naaman the Leper 2

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

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

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

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

The stone rejected by the builders

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

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

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

Your Security Your Destiny

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

Where is your security?

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

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

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

Destiny 2

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

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

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

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

Man does not live on bread alone...

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

Man does not live on Money alone….

Man does not live on Salary alone….

Man does not live on Job alone….

Man does not live on Cars alone….

Man does not live on Health alone….

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

Faith gives us God’s promise of provision.

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

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

That is why we can say with confidence,

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

Absorbed in material things

“Father of mercy, hear our prayer.  May the grace of this mystery prevent us from becoming absorbed in material things.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.”  (Prayer Over the Gifts – 2^nd Monday in Lent)

Two things strike me in the above prayer. 

First, it is a reminder that the Eucharist is the great mystery of our faith.   Second, the Eucharist effectively helps us from becoming absorbed in material things.  It is the great Meal that puts in perspective every other material good and  helps us realize finally that “man does not live on bread alone.”  Only God’s loving and powerful providence could have made the Eucharist possible.

How Satan triumphs over us

“Remember your mercies, Lord, your tenderness from ages past.  Do not let our enemies triumph over us; O God, deliver Israel from all her distress.”  (Psalm24: 6, 3, 22)

Our enemy Satan triumph over us through the 4 D’s of Distraction, Discouragement, Disrespect for God and holy things and Disbeliefs.

No trial has come to you but what is human

“No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.^”  (1 Corinthians 10: 13)

The authority of the word of God teaches that any trial, disappointment, obstacles, delays, frustrations that we experience in life is what is common to humanity.  This is a sobering truth.  Without this divine authority, we are inclined to consider the severity of our personal crisis as very unique.  To know that the word of God is true and authoritative helps us to develop perspective in our trials.  The other lesson from 1 Corinthians 10:13 is also striking.  God is faithful and He will not allow us to be tried beyond our strength.  Based on this authority, we can say:  “This crisis!  I can handle it because God Himself says that I can and I believe Him.”  Do not forget what the verse says about God’s faithfulness.  The scripture that I like very much about God’s faithfulness is the one that says:  “Faithfulness is the essence of his name.”  In other words, you can call God, the Faithful One.

Have you ever thought of the truth that for every temptation or crisis, God Himself provides a way of escape?  Without the divine authority in 1 Corinthians 10: 13, I would not believe this.  But it is true.  Remember that God taught in Deuteronomy 8: 3 that “Man does not live on bread alone.”  God is able and willing to provide livelihood through any means.  His all powerful and divine providence is a mystery.  After all, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.  His ways are not our ways.  All that He asks of us is to trust Him.

Ask and Receive Thursday

“Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord.   She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you.  Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand.  As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you.  Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God.

“And now, come to help me, an orphan.  Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.  Save us from the hand of our enemies, turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”   (Esther C: 12, 14-16, 23-25)

The above scripture  is the first reading today, Thursday – First Week in Lent.  I made this note in my Missal about today’s scripture readings for the Mass:  “Ask and Receive Thursday.”  The first reading, the responsorial psalms, the gospel and the antiphons all have one unifying theme:  PRAYER.  For me, this is a rare occurrence.  Before looking at other scriptures in today’s liturgy, I want to point out a couple of things from the powerful passage from Esther.

First, note what Esther did when seized by the mortal anguish.  She knew where to seek help.  She had recourse to God in prayer.  Next note her posture.  She lay prostrate on the ground.  Was she alone?  She understood the concept of prayer partnership.  Her handmaids were prostrate in prayer with her.  This is a big crisis.   How long did they pray?  From morning to evening.  How did Esther pray?  After invoking the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (similar today to invoking the name of Jesus), she blessed God.  In Philippians 4: 6-7, we are advised to bring our request to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving.   Esther tells God twice that she is alone and has nobody to help her except God.  She recalls from Scripture that God always helps those who are pleasing to Him.   She pleads to God to help her and reminds God that she is an orphan.  God after all is the Father of the fatherless and orphans.    Then finally, she was specific about what she wants:  “persuasive words” when she meets the king;  “turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.”

I find this a great prayer and a model of prayer in crisis.

The Response verse is very appropriate:  “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”  God answered the prayer of Esther and delivered her people in a powerful way.    The rest of the Responsorial Psalm 138 continues with the theme of gratitude for answered prayer.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the infallibility of prayer.

“Jesus said to his disciples:
"Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 7: 7-12)

The Gospel of today is a master-piece in its teaching on prayer.  Prayer as noted above is declared an infallible resource by the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  The Church confirms from experience what the Lord teaches here.  

The Wedding Supper of the Lamb

“Father, you never fail to give us the food of life.  May this Eucharist renew our strength and bring us to salvation.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.”  (Prayer after Communion, Wednesday First Week in Lent)

The Eucharist is a sign of God’s faithful provision.  “Man does not live on bread alone.”  (Matthew 4:4)  It is also a mark of His abundance.  It is the Bread that never gets exhausted.  “"All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, buy grain and eat; Come, buy grain without money, wine and milk without cost!" (Isaiah 55:1)

"Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)       

                                                                                                                                                              

Jesus Christ who is our security and our stability uses the Eucharist to strengthen us. 

The Eucharist is the sign of the New Covenant.  He fulfils His age old promise by giving us the Eucharist.  " Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.k " (Luke 22: 19-20)

God declares blessed everyone who is invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

The Lord delivered me from all my fears

“I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”  (Psalm 34: 5)

Fears that keep us awake at night are some of these:  health, family, money, job, tools (cars, homes, computers, etc), food and future.  From personal experience, David bore witness to the fact that confronted by these fears, he sought the Lord.  He did not hide his fears as he did not cover his sins.  Some weeks ago, I was attacked by fears over money and job.  Providentially, I read Psalm 34 early that morning and I knew what to do.  I listed my fears on a piece of paper and took it to the Lord in the Chapel.  Standing very close to the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, I placed the piece of paper at the base of the Monstrance and surrendered my fears to the Lord.  The Lord delivered me from my fears.

“I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”  (Psalm 34: 5)

Exactly three weeks after this deliverance, the fears returned.  I remembered the Chinese proverb:  “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.  Teach him how to fish and you feed him for life.”  Because I had learned the lesson of what to do with my fears, I returned with the list to the good place.  I stood again very close to the Presence of the Lord and surrendered the fears once more.  Once more, the Lord relieved me of my fears. 

Then I wondered:  Why doesn’t the Lord deliver me once and for all from all my fears?  I understood that there just as some illnesses are cured by surgery, others like are managed by medications.  God Himself taught us in Matthew 4:4:  “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”  This means that God in His all loving and powerful providence is both able and willing to use the necessary means to satisfy all living things.  His ways are not our ways.  His thoughts are not our thoughts.

The acceptable time of 2012

"For he says: “In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)

This is Lent 2012.  For many years now, Lent has become my favorite season of the year.  Most of the richest blessings in my life occurred during Lent.  For example, God healed me of addiction to tobacco during Lent.  My prayer habit and life were sown during Lent.  The fast from food and soda is good for my body.  The increased prayer time is good for my soul.  The almsgiving is good for my pocket.  It helps to convince me that God is a faithful provider and delivers me from the fear of want. 

For many years, I have fasted from television and this fast is wonderful and helps me focus on Lent and protects me from unnecessary distractions.  While I fasted in the past from television for the 40 day period of Lent, I had not necessarily fasted from news.  I could not resist the curiosity to know what is happening in the world, especially in an election year.   Both the radio and the Internet are rich sources of news today.

 Although my domain is in religion, I have known for a longtime that I am a political animal.  As I help to build the City of God, I am aware that I still live in the City of Man and must contribute my quota in making it good.  So it has been very difficult to fast from news.  Some years ago, I started the fasting on news and it was great for my soul.  At the end of Lent, joyful and light in mind and body, I wish I could continue the fast from news.  I know that like the other types of fast, it must now be controlled rather than totally eliminated so that I can do the greatest good with all the resources provided to me.

Be my Alpha and Omega

“Lord, may everything we do begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.”

This is the Opening Prayer for today, Thursday After Ash Wednesday.  This prayer delights my heart.  I make it mine because it exactly what I need.

I have very firm conviction today that God is the source of all inspiration and power.  I believe also very strongly that God is the first cause of everything.  The Bible repeats this lesson in many places and in various forms.  If God is the source of all inspiration and power and if I cannot cause anything good on my own, it makes sense to look up to God for His inspiration and power for all my needs.

“Without me, you can do nothing.”  Yes, Jesus.  I believe you.  Grant me the grace to seek your inspiration in everything.  Be always my Alpha and Omega in all things.

Renew within me a steadfast spirit

 "A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your holy spirit. Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51: 12 - 14)

The above scripture is part of the Responsorial Psalm in the Liturgy of today, Ash Wednesday.  The Deacon who preached at the early 6.30 am Mass in my parish touched on it in his homily.  He advised the congregation to pray Psalm 51 everyday of this Lenten season.  At the end of his homily, he repeated the entire Psalm 51 slowly.

Earlier this morning when I read the Mass readings for today as part of my preparation for the Ash Wednesday liturgy, I was moved especially by the verses above.  I told my RCIA class a couple of weeks ago that every Christian should be armed with Psalm 51 ready to use it when the unthinkable happens.  The unthinkable is falling into mortal sin especially the type you imagined you could never do.  If that happens and you are not prepared, your situation could be similar to a man who fell into a deep river and does not know how to swim.  The Liturgy of the Hours of today describes Lent as the beginning of our spiritual warfare.  How appropriate this description is when we reflect on the Original Lent:  Jesus Christ’s 40 days in the desert.  During Lent, we find ourselves in the spiritual desert.   My most trying time in the entire year comes either during Lent or immediately after Lent.  How well I handle the crisis depends on how prepared I am.  How prepared I am depends on how well I use all the tools of grace which Holy Mother Church has constantly provided her children.  These are the tools of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

As we begin this holy and grace-filled season, I pray with David:

"A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your holy spirit. Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51: 12 - 14)