Be faithful. Be consistent.

Be faithful. Be consistent.

"Go on, and you cannot but go forward; believe it, though you do not see it.  Do the duties of your calling, though they are distasteful to you.  Educate your children carefully in the good way, though you cannot tell how far God's grace has touched their hearts.  Let your light shine before men, and praise God by a consistent life, even though others do not seem to glorify their Father on account of it, or to be benefited by your example." (Blessed John Henry Newman)

I believe, help my unbelief!

"Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”

Jesus says that everything is possible to one who has faith.  When we look at  life here and now, what are the things we want faith to impact?  Health, family, money, job, tools, food and future. Many would not be particularly interested in moving a mountain from its location into the sea.  Is our faith today impacting our health, family, money, job, tools, food and future?  If we are to be honest, we would answer:   Not completely.  Why not?  Because we still experience  anxiety over these matters.  This  anxiety tells us that our faith is still far from perfect.

The faith that is perfect is the faith that trusts completely in God's promises come what may.  It is  faith that has no anxiety at all but in everything, by prayer and petition mingled with thanksgiving commits all needs to God. (Philippians 4: 6 - 7).  This type of firm faith is also patient. (Isaiah 28: 16)  This is the faith that conquers the world. (1 John 5:4)

Since faith is a supernatural gift of God who encourages us to ask, seek, knock and we shall receive, find and enter, (Matthew 7:7)  let us approach the throne of grace with confidence to ask for this faith now and at every time of need.  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Do not be anxious

Matthew 6:25-26

Do Not Be Anxious

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

Devotion to St Joseph

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

"I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I know from long experience the benefits he obtains from God. I have never known anyone who was truly devoted to him and performed particular services in his honor, who did not advance greatly in virtue... I only ask, for the love of God, that anyone who doubts what I say make a test of it himself, and he will see, from actual experience, the great benefit it is to commend oneself to this glorious Patriarch, and to have devotion to him." (St Teresa of Avila, LIFE)

Hope delayed

Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." The pure joy of answered prayer. I will rejoice in hope. I will bear my trials as discipline from a loving Father. I will pray constantly.

Trust in God's Providence - St Teresa of Avila

St Teresa had complete trust in God’s Providence. "To those who give up everything for Him, God gives Himself," she wrote. "Nothing is insignificant in our lives. Every event represents a divine opportunity, a divine call, a definite contribution to the intricate design of God's Providence." She says that God is watching and will care for you; therefore she advises: "Cease to be anxious for yourselves, for He bears your anxiety and will bear it always." (St Teresa of Avila)

Productive Moments

"All our moments are made productive by our obedience to the will of God, which reveals itself in a thousand different ways, each of which successively becomes our immediate duty. Together they mold and perfect within us that "new self." (John-Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

The hope of our calling

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones."  (Ephesians 1: 17 - 18)

Matthew Henry comments on the subject of Paul's prayer for the Ephesians:
"Now what is it that Paul prays for in behalf of the Ephesians? Not that they might be freed from persecution; nor that they might possess the riches, honors, or pleasures of the world; but the great thing he prays for is the illumination of their understandings, and that their knowledge might increase and abound: he means it of a practical and experimental knowledge. The graces and comforts of the Spirit are communicated to the soul by the enlightening of the understanding. In this way he gains and keeps possession. Satan takes a contrary way: he gets possession by the senses and passions, Christ by the understanding." (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Present Moment

"What God arranges for us to experience at each moment is the best and holiest thing that could happen to us." (John-Pierre de Caussade)

Do you still not understand?

"When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened?"  (Mark 8: 17)

What do I need to understand and remember today about Jesus that will enhance my faith?
First, whenever I remember the wonderful things Jesus has done for me, my faith is boosted.  When I understand that Jesus did these awesome things for me because He loves me and also because He is sending a signal through His actions, I become not just full of trust but even courageous as I confront the world.

Memory and understanding are important abilities in the life of faith.  Every believer has the responsibility to develop these two faculties.  I keep a daily journal of  events in my life.  I guess that these journals capture 90% or more of significant events.  The act of writing helps memory.  But how often do I forget the wonderful things God does for me.  If it were not for the work of the Holy Spirit, I will remember so little of these amazing things.  My faith in God today is in direct proportion to my awareness of what God is doing in my life.  For this, I owe all the thanks to the Holy Spirit who reminds me always.

Endure your trials as discipline

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

"Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.  Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.  But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing."
(James 1:2-4 AMP)

"Everything is bread to nourish me, soap to cleanse me, fire to purify me."  (John-Pierre de Caussade)

Be my rock of safety

"For you are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me."  (Psalm 31: 4)

Do I know God as my rock and fortress?  Where do I run to in crisis?  Where do I place my hope for rescue and safety?

O Lord my God, You are all that I have.  For the sake of Your Name, lead me, guide me and use me.

They ate and were satisfied!

Matthew 4:4

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Man does not live on money alone..
Man does not live on salary alone..
Man does not live on job alone..

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart

"Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will act."  (Psalm 37: 50

How do you know the Lord will act for you when you need Him?
Trust His word.  Then walk by faith.

God keeps faithfully His covenant of mercy

"Solomon said, “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep covenant and love toward your servants who walk before you with their whole heart."  (1 Kings 8: 23)

How happy I am to be reminded  that our Father keeps His covenant and love toward His servants.  His covenants are His solemn promises.  There is one covenant of God that is specially close to my heart:

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides"  (Matthew 6: 33)
How do I understand this covenant?  If Jesus Christ comes first in my life; if He reigns over my family, health, job, finances, tools and toys, food and future; if I allow the Holy Spirit to produce in me the fruits of righteousness, then God will keep His covenant of mercy and love for me.  This is consoling and exciting.  I love Matthew 6;33 so much that I have this scripture verse pinned all over my apartment.  My Blog is named after this promise: Seekfirst.blogspot.com.  I own the domains:  Seekfirstweb.Com, Seekfirstweb.Net and Seekfirstweb.Org.  This shows how much I need to be reminded of this covenant promise.

In Sacred Scripture, every covenant has a sign.  The covenant of God with Abraham was sealed with circumcision. Circumcision is therefore the sign of the Old Covenant.  What is the sign of the New Covenant?  It is the  Eucharist.

"TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.  DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME."

The above words of consecration in Holy Mass affirms the Eucharist as the sign of the New Covenant.  Every single promise in Sacred Scripture is sealed in this Eucharistic sign.  The logic is simple.  If the Father can swear to His trustworthiness by giving us the Flesh and Blood of His Only Begotten Son, what can He not give us as well.

"What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?"  (Romans 8: 31 - 32)

What is the conclusion?  Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice and you shall find everything you need for life and happiness.

You are the light of the world

"Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8: 12)

The Church exists to be the light of the world.  How is the Church the light of the world?
"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last." (John 15: 16, 19)
The Church responds:
"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers."  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

"The origin and purpose of mission. The Lord's missionary mandate is ultimately grounded in the eternal love of the Most Holy Trinity: "The Church on earth is by her nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, she has as her origin the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit." The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church #850)

When we evangelize, we become who we are, Christians.  The essence of a salt is to be salty. The essence of light is to illuminate.

Lord, I want the little light in me to shine, shine shine.  Thank you Jesus.

Let us thank God for the blessed rest of Sunday

"Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat."  (Mark 6: 31)

Sunday is God's great gift to humanity.  Let us thank God for the gift of Sunday.  As we enjoy the blessed rest of Sunday every week, we prepare to transition from Sunday rest to eternal rest.  As we worship God on Sunday, our faith in heaven grows.  As our faith in heaven grows so does our desire to please in everything.

Don't grow weary of Jesus

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance."  (Luke 8: 15)

"Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.
So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all,h but especially to those who belong to the family of the faith."  (Galatians 6: 9 - 10)

Is it possible to get weary of Jesus?  The answer is yes if we do not nurture the relationship.  On His part, Jesus is always present and trustworthy.  We can be sure that He always does His own part of the equation.  Jesus does not force us to do own part of the relationship.  We have our free will.  A mutually loving relationship is nurtured through constant communication.

For the Christian, the path of growth in relationship with Jesus may pass through daily prayer, daily reading of the word of God, frequent Communion, faith sharing and others.  Love seeks the maximum and not the minimum practice.

Trust in Jesus with all your heart

"He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic."  (Mark 6: 8 -9)

How do we grow in trusting God?  In Mark 6: 8 - 9, we see Jesus training His disciples to learn to rely on their hidden source of supply.   The alternative is to encumber themselves with unnecessary baggage.  Our faith is put on spot when we have to trust Jesus to deliver on His promises.  The promises of Jesus is unerring and fire-tried.  How about our trust?  Here lies the problem.  God makes it easy to trust Him by helping us with His instructions:
"He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic."  (Mark 6: 8 -9)

I confess my faults to the Lord

"David answered Gad: “I am greatly distressed. But let us fall into the hand of God, whose mercy is great, rather than into human hands.”  (2 Samuel 24: 14)

David, faced with a most distressing situation falls back on his knowledge of God.  He knows that God is most merciful.  He knows that he can rely on this mercy.  If David's knowledge of God comes to his rescue at the moment of his greatest need, what we know about God can save us from great distress at the moment of our greatest need.

Cultivate your knowledge of God through prayer and the word of God.

We overcome by faith

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith."  (Mark 5: 366)

Fear is useless.  All that is needed is trust.

Jesus wants us to trust Him completely in everything, always and everywhere.  But how do you trust Jesus in anything?  You trust that He will do what He promises to do in His word.  You trust that He has the power to accomplish anything that He wills.  You trust in His love and mercy for you.  You trust that Jesus knows what is best for you.

To maintain and grow your faith in Jesus, pray always.  Read the word of God everyday.

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith."  (Mark 5: 366)

Disregarding the doctor's report...
Disregarding the empty bank account...
Disregarding the teacher's evaluation of your child...
Disregarding the supervisor's evaluation and the pink slip..
Disregarding the empty pantry...

We walk by faith and  not by sight.  Sense evidence means nothing.  Only the word of God stands forever.

Go and tell what the Lord has done for you

“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed."  (Mark 5: 19 - 20)

What I like about this story is how a man went from being possessed to being an evangelist.  In this narrative, we see the best content for evangelization.  When people are challenged to share their faith, you hear often:  "I don't know what to say"; 'I have not studied the faith or the catechism."  

Listen to what Jesus told the man who has just been set free from demonic possession:
“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”  How did the man respond:  "Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed."

How then do we evangelize?  Start with your family and friends.  Share with them the simple touches of goodness you experience from the Lord during the day.  Don't wait for the big ticket items like being cured of cancer or winning a lottery.  During the day, we experience many blessings from the Lord such as.  A hot shower, a nice breakfast, the humble car that took you to work, a beautiful smile.  The strongest way to evangelize and may be your strongest act of witness to Jesus Christ is a constant joyful and cheerful expression.  Sooner or later people will  notice and ask what makes you bubble.  Be ready with your answer.

Why are you terrified?

"Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still! The wind ceased and there was great calm."
"Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
 (Mark 4: 38 - 40)

Lord Jesus, You ask me:  “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
Lord, when I face troubling situations with regard to family, health, finances, job, tools and property, food and future, I am terrified because my faith is very small.  I know You are God and present everywhere.  But I still wonder whether You will leave me to sort out things by myself. This is why I am terrified.  If only I can believe Your promise that You will never fail me; You will never forsake me.  Lord, if You strengthen my faith in Your promises, I will no longer be terrified.

Lord Jesus, increase my faith.

Why are you terrified?

"Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still! The wind ceased and there was great calm."
"Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
 (Mark 4: 38 - 40)

Lord Jesus, You ask me:  “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
Lord, when I face troubling situations with regard to family, health, finances, job, tools and property, food and future, I am terrified because my faith is very small.  I know You are God and present everywhere.  But I still wonder whether You will leave me to sort out things by myself. This is why I am terrified.  If only I can believe Your promise that You will never fail me; You will never forsake me.  Lord, if You strengthen my faith in Your promises, I will no longer be terrified.

Lord Jesus, increase my faith.

St Catherine of Sienna on Suffering

"In Jesus crucified all things are possible to us, and God never lays a burden on us beyond our strength. We ought to rejoice when we receive a heavy burden, for it is then that God bestows on us the gift of fortitude. It is by the love of suffering that we get to lose the feeling of suffering." (St Catherine of Sienna)

Stop striving!

Be Still! Hold your peace!
You strive too much.

Abortion!

An interesting thought!

Abortion is the coverup for fornication, adultery and promiscuity within marriage. Deal with the sin and there will be no need for a coverup.

David to coverup his adultery with Bethsheba had to kill her husband, Uriah.

No sin - No coverup. But where sin has occurred, the Divine Mercy is always available.

A Sower goes out to sow

"But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."  (Mark 4: 20)

Jesus is the Sower.

One thing I ask the Father

"I believe I shall see the LORD’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD, take courage;
be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!"  (Psalm 27: 13 - 14)

Yes, I believe too I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.  Therefore, I have no fear, no worry and no doubt.

Tell the Good News Everywhere

John 15:16

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."

The Good News is Jesus Christ!

"Every soul with Christ is a missionary ; every soul without Christ is a mission field."  -  (Our Daily Bread)

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Jesus entrusts us with the message

"He went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him.
He appointed twelve [whom he also named apostles] that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons:"  (Mark 3: 13 - 15)

The apostles were the close companions of Jesus who would be with Him all the time and later would be equipped to act like Jesus.

But the apostles were not the only people that were called by Jesus.

"And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,"  (Ephesians 4: 11 - 12)

Jesus chose, called and anointed His members to use their gifts in building up of the Church.

Effective Prayer of the Righteous

Psalm 56:9-11

"Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"

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God trains my hands for battle

"David continued: “The same LORD who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with you.”  (1 Samuel 17: 37)

If God did it once, God will repeat what He has done before.  David knew that his source of inspiration and power is God.  This awareness gives him considerable calm and courage.

"All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle belongs to the LORD, who shall deliver you into our hands."  (1 Samuel 17: 47)

God is sovereign, almighty and the First Cause of everything.  He does not need spear or sword to affect any outcome.  "Let there be light."  And there was light.  "Stretch out your hand.'  He stretched it out and his hand was restored."  (Mark 3: 5)  If God wills David to overcome Goliath, He inspires the means and gives David the power to accomplish God's purpose.

Years later, David was to include in his memoir (the Psalms) the following thought:

"Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle,
my fingers for war;

My safeguard and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me."  (Psalm 144: 1 - 2)

How does God train our hands for battle, our fingers for war.

The answer is plain in Hebrews 12: 7:  "Endure your trials as 'discipline.'"
Every disappointment, delay, pain, suffering is a blessing.  Our disappointment is God's appointment.  Our pain is our tutor.

God sees the heart

1 Samuel 16:7
"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

The Choice, the Call and the Anointing!

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Obedience is better than sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:22

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams."

Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.

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God loves us first

1 John 4:16

"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

God's perfect love for us drives out all fear.

We are called and chosen

"We too must be like all the nations, with a king to rule us, lead us in warfare, and fight our battles”  (1 Samuel 8: 20)

The Lord God chose and established Israel as a unique and exceptional nation.  But this choice and calling came with a set of responsibilities.  Israel, unique and exceptional must have integrity and morality.  The people found this very burdensome.  They looked at other nations and compared their fortune with theirs.  They admired their easy lifestyle and they wanted to be like them.  They wanted to be like their neighbors and they rejected the kingship of God.

Father, grant us the grace to know who we are, your children called to a unique and exceptional destiny.

Put on the full armor

"Why has the Lord permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines?"  (1 Samuel 4: 3)

All warfare prefigures spiritual warfare.  The Israelites did not ask for the blessings of God before they engaged the Philistines in battle.  If they done this, they would have learned that there was sin in the camp which they needed to deal with in the first place.

The Lord permitted them to be defeated because they  did not put on the full armor.

Before you go into Battle against Evil:

"Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,
and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.."  (Ephesians 6: 10 - 18)

My sheep hears my voice

"Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."  (1 Samuel 3: 9)

How much do I listen to the Lord?  I know that listening to the Lord is good because the Lord speaks of peace.
"I will listen for what God, the LORD, has to say;
surely he will speak of peace
To his people and to his faithful.
May they not turn to foolishness!"  (Psalm 85: 9)

The word of the Lord is not just perfect, but for simple souls like myself, it gives wisdom.
"The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye."  Psalm 19: 8 - 9)

Why then do I not listen to the Lord more often through His word and through prayer?  The silly reason is "I don't have enough time."  Yet if I truly believe what the Bible claims for the word of God, I must find time to read it more.  Suppose I know that if I go to a certain place, I pick up $1000 without hassle, the only thing that would prevent me from going is severe incapacity.  I want to face the truth in order to shame the devil.  I don't completely believe the claim of the Bible as I pretend to do.

What must I do to believe more?  First, I must ask the Lord to give me more faith.  Then I must start acting as if the faith is there.  When I keep doing the action, faith follows.  The action is a daily commitment to listen to the Lord for a specific amount of time.

Anxious thoughts

"None of the thoughts that render us anxious and agitated in spirit in any way  comes from God, who is the Prince of Peace. These are the temptations of the enemy and consequently one must reject them and not take them into account."  (St Francis de Sales)

Repent and believe in the Gospel

"After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1: 14 - 15)

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

There is a time for prophecy and a time for fulfillment.  There is a time for waiting and a time for rejoicing in answered prayers.

Jesus cleanses a leper

"Now there was a man full of leprosy* in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean. ”And the leprosy left him immediately."  (Luke 5: 12 - 13)

In the Bible and Christian tradition, mortal sin is seen as leprosy of the soul.  While leprosy is an external and horrible disease, mortal sin reproduces similar effects on the soul but is invisible to human eyes.  The leper horribly disfigured by his disease is rejected by society. On his part, he  tends to hide himself for shame of his condition.  The person that goes about with a leprous soul may mingle in society and shows no outward sign of his interior disposition. But he enjoys no peace and is tormented by a relentlessly fighting conscience.

Jesus Christ says to the leper in the above scripture, “I do will it. Be made clean.”  He then stretched out His hand, touched the man and he was healed instantly.  In His public ministry, Jesus Christ has taught by word and example that the life of a soul is more important than flesh and blood.  God in His mercy continues to use medical science to heal our  bodies.  But for  our souls, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession/Penance to heal the soul burdened and leprous with mortal sin.

When the penitent hears this words after his Confession, "I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," It is Christ Himself who speaks in the person of the priest.  The effect is the same as we see in Luke 5: 12 -13: ”And the leprosy left him immediately."  (Luke 5: 12 - 13)  This is the effect of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one of the seven Sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ and bequeathed to His Church by which He continues the work of salvation on earth.  Through the power of Christ operating through the words of the priest in the Sacrament of Confession, souls are cleansed instantly and freed from the leprous pollution.  Angels and saints rejoice in heaven.  The Church welcomes back the sinner with sincere embrace and the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are magnified.

We can overcome the world

"For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith."  (1 John 5: 4)

A big and bold claim:  We can overcome the world!  If the promise that we can overcome the world is not in the word of God, I would have dismissed the claim.  But indeed, we can overcome the world because God  says so.  We cannot overcome the world by our own strength or from borrowed strength from the world, but through faith in the power that comes from God Himself.

Father, give us the faith that overcomes the world.

God has given us the Holy Spirit

"This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4: 13)

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love."  (1 John 4: 18)

The Lord said to me:  “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”  I rejoiced when I heard these words in my spirit O Lord.  I will remember your  indwelling Spirit as I go about my business today.  I will not be afraid of anything because of your word.  If I forget O Lord, whisper into my ears, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 

Jesus knows their deepest needs

"When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things."  (Mark 6: 24)

Jesus was moved with pity for the welfare of those who followed Him seeking to hear the word of God.  When we seek Jesus, we shall find Him.  When we knock on His door, He shall open for us.

The wise old man in gave this testimony worthy of notice:

"Neither in my youth, nor now in old age
have I seen the righteous one abandoned
or his offspring begging for bread."  (Psalm 37: 25)

If you follow Jesus, trust Him for your welfare and all your provisions.  Jesus knows your deepest needs.

We receive from Him whatever we ask

"He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people."

We see here the exercise of two ministries of Jesus:  healing every disease and teaching the people about the Kingdom of God.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is still in the business of healing and teaching. To enjoy the fruits of the ministries of Jesus, faith is still a necessity as it was yesterday and today and forever.

Lord Jesus heal your people.

The Magi recognized Jesus by faith

"They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  (Matthew 2:  10 - 11)

When the magi saw the Child Jesus and Mary, they prostrated themselves and did Him homage.  They recognized Him as a Divine King.  They were not ashamed or hesitated to adore and worship Him.  The magi were kings in their own rights.  God who moved their hearts to make the long and often treacherous journey to see His Son guided them through a star and gave them the faith to recognize Jesus even though disguised as a humble child of humble parents in a humble home.

The priestly class did not recognize Jesus when He was brought to the temple for presentation to God.  But He was recognized by Simeon and Anna through faith.

While the leaders of the people stood close to the cross on Calvary to mock Jesus and gloat in His pains and weakness, the Good Thief suffering the same fate as Jesus recognized Him as the Son of God.

In this side of eternity, we can only recognize Jesus through faith.  "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

The God who speaks

"In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets;  in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe."  (Hebrews 1: 1 - 2)

When God called Abraham to start His family with him, He spoke to Him. Then He spoke to Moses in the burning bush.  But He had communicated to man through forces of nature.  Hebrews 1: 1 - 2 describes God's manner of communication in the past as "in partial and various ways."

Today God speaks to us through one Word, Jesus.  This Word contains the entire promise of salvation.  Father, you have spoken to us through your Son Jesus.  He is the Word of life, the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Open our ears to hear His message.

Jesus Savior of all mankind

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world"  (John 1: 29)

How do we see Jesus, know Him and love Him today?  By Faith.  Remember the Sign of the babe in the manger, the Sign of the Bread of life, the Sign of the dying Man on the cross.  People were able to recognize Jesus disguised in these Signs.  Today, just as John the Baptist recognized the Lamb of God in His humble garb, people continue to recognize Jesus today in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament and in the Poor and Needy.

Lord Jesus, help us not to fail to recognize you in your various disguises.

"In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him."  (1 John 4: 9)

Jesus Savior of all mankind

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world"  (John 1: 29)

How do we see Jesus, know Him and love Him today?  By Faith.  Remember the Sign of the babe in the manger, the Sign of the Bread of life, the Sign of the dying Man on the cross.  People were able to recognize Jesus disguised in these Signs.  Today, just as John the Baptist recognized the Lamb of God in His humble garb, people continue to recognize Jesus today in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament and in the Poor and Needy.

Lord Jesus, help us not to fail to recognize you in your various disguises.

"In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him."  (1 John 4: 9)

What I heard in the beginning

"Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father."  (1 John 2: 24"

A voice I became familiar with later told me that all that I needed is the Holy Spirit.  The timing was at the height of my Desert Experience.  I was so deeply impressed by this message that I wondered how all that I needed could ever be the Holy Spirit.  I needed health, job, money, food, car, computer, telephone, etc.

After wondering about the appropriateness of this message, I started immediately to research Who the Holy Spirit is.  Providentially, I bought a big book on the Holy Spirit which I had not even opened.  I took the well-written book from my bookcase and poured over the pages voraciously.  It did not take many days before I discovered one curious fact.

For many years prior to this, I bought and read almost everything I could find on self-development.  America excels in this motivational genre.  I was familiar with all the major authors.  I read biographies and autobiographies of the principal political and business leaders.  I was seeking one formula:  how to quickly get to the top in my company.

What I discovered from the book on the Holy Spirit was at every promise of gifts of mind, body, wealth and fame were gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It was like traveling across the world to search for diamonds while there are acres of the precious metal in your very backyard.

"Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father."  (1 John 2: 24"

What did I hear from the beginning of my spiritual journey?  "All that you need is the Holy Spirit."  In Desert 2.0, the truth still remains.  Abide in the Holy Spirit and you will abide in Jesus.  When I am afraid in 2014, I will remember another truth.  I am the adopted son of God.  I will not forget the privileges and in any distress will cry out ABBA FATHER.

Abba Father!

"The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them."  (Numbers 6: 24 - 27)

When I become afraid in 2014, I will cry out ABBA FATHER!  O Father, when I cry out to you ABBA FATHER in my distress, hear and answer me speedily.  Amen!

Jesus gives us power to become the children of God

"And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us."  

"But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name."  (John 1: 14, 12)

Lord Jesus, I want to enjoy the privileges of the children of God.  I want to know the Father and do His will.  Grant me faith that overcomes the world.  Help me to accept you as you come to me everyday.  Help me never to reject the cross you have designed for me.

Do not love the things of the world

1 John 2:17

"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

The enticements of the world:
Sensual lust
Enticement for the eyes
Pretentious life

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The family can be a path to holiness

"The shepherds hastened to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger."  (Luke 2:16)

Eternal Father, we want to live as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, in peace with you and one another.

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Baptism of James

Baptism of the infant James within the 9am Mass today Saturday the Octave of Christmas.
Father TJ the Pastor of St Thomas More Church is flanked by the delighted godparents.

St Thomas More Church is family of families on Hillcroft St in Houston,  Texas.

Christ is the Light of the World

1 John 1:5

"This is the message we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you:  God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

Walking in the light of the Gospel

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Sanctuary of St Vincent de Paul Church in Houston, Texas

We have seen and we have heard the Mystery

"What we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ"  (1 John 1:3)

The testimony of St. John the Evangelist is an eyewitness account.  Every authentic proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must be what we have seen and heard.  What have we seen and heard over the Advent season and Christmas?  We have seen food distributed to the poor in our parishes.  We have seen clothing and money given to the needy.  We have heard about the genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of Abraham and Son of David, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

In all that we have seen and heard over the past several weeks, we have the content for our own proclamation of Jesus, the Savior of all mankind.  Lord Jesus, fill us with your Spirit and enable us to bear witness to you.

A Child is born for us

"And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth."  (John 1: 14)

May the simple Joys and Peace of Christmas remain with you today and every day of 2014!

O Radiant Dawn, sun of justice

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and brought redemption to his people."  (Luke 1 : 68)

Thank  you Father for the salvation you brought us through your Son, Jesus Christ.  Father fill us with the joy and peace of His presence during this Christmas season.

God is with us

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means “God is with us."  (Matthew !: 22 - 23)

The Virgin Mary, one of our race is the sign.  She is the sign that God's promise to be always with us is true, fulfilled even here and now.  Have you claimed it?  How do you claim the gift of the Emmanuel?  Ask the Father.  Ask the Virgin Mother to intercede for you.  As Mary placed her Infant Jesus in the hands of the Magi, Simeon and Anna, she would place in your hands the awesome gift of the Emmanuel.  How awesome it will be for you to know for certainty that always and everywhere Emmanuel, God-with-us is with you.

Come Lord Jesus!

O Emmanuel, Our King and Giver of Law

"The Lord and Ruler will be coming soon, and His name will be called Emmanuel, because He will be God-with-us."  (See Isaiah 7: 14; 8:10)

O Come Emmanuel!
How do we know that Jesus is truly with us as He promised?  Because He said so.  We walk by faith and not by sight.  If Jesus is not with us, we would not have any peace.  Our problems will completely overwhelm us.  If Jesus is not with us, there will be no hope for the future.  There will be no hope of rising from illness or recovery from a serious financial crisis.  No hope of finding a new job after losing one.   It is because of His abiding presence that we can sing with joy.  It is also because of His presence that demons have not made mince meat of us.

Thank you Jesus for your presence.

The Sign of Emmanuel

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel."  (Isaiah 7: 14)

King Ahaz had already decided to seek foreign against the coalition massed against Judah. The situation was not just critical but an emergency.  The prophet Isaiah appeared and told the King not to seek any foreign aid.  God had promised to help him.  For King Ahaz at this stage of the crisis, it was like a parent who had already decided that surgery was the last option for a critically sick child. If you are such a parent, what would you do if a prophet comes along to urge the surgery not to proceed because God will miraculously heal your child.  That was the situation of King Ahaz.

God realizing that Ahaz was in a difficult situation offered him an incentive to faith.

"Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as Sheol, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"  (Isaiah 7: 10 - 12)

King Ahaz refused to ask for a sign.  He had already made up his mind what to do. The Lord God was determined however to give one of the greatest signs in the Bible.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel."  (Isaiah 7: 14)

The Virgin Mary is a sign.

"And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  (Luke 2: 12)

The Infant Jesus wrapped in a swaddling clothes is another sign that points to the life and work of this Child.

What sign do we have today that what we believe is true?  The Catholic Church is the sign. It is the sign of the presence of Jesus in the world.  There are four marks that point to this sign always and everywhere in the world:  The Church is one; the Church is holy; the Church apostolic; the Church universal.  These four marks have always been the means of recognizing the Catholic Church everywhere.

Christ our King is coming

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1: 20 21)

Joseph had three good reasons to be worried.  First, was his deep disappointment that after what he considered a prayerful discernment his choice of Mary as a wife was a failure.  Second was his deep regret with Mary herself.  Mary was reputed as the holy, chaste and wise virgin of the town.  Now, she appeared to be like everyone else.  Finally, Joseph was saddened with the  failure of divine guidance.  Divine guidance is promised in the scriptures especially for those who walk in God's ways.

Amidst such forebodings, Joseph went to bed for another restless night.  But this night was different from other nights.  It was the night of the second Annunciation.  The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and revealed that Mary was with child by the power of the Holy Spirit.  And with this, the peace and faith of Joseph in God was fully restored.

It happens that in our own life, we might go through a period of severe test of faith like Joseph.  The test could be in the areas of family, finances, job, health, property and tools.  In such period, wouldn't it be wonderful to enjoy a visitation of an angel telling us that everything is alright and urging us to be patient for a little time because what is going on is a set up by God.  Alas, most of us would never enjoy any such visit by an angel.  This is because the message of God for us has been communicated in the scriptures.  Here are a few examples:

God is with us.  He is Emmanuel.(Matthew 1: 23)
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  (Exodus 14: 14)
"Endure your trials as 'discipline.'"  (Hebrews 12: 7)
"Be still, and know that I am God."  (Psalm 46: 10)
"Do not be afraid and do not dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's."  (2 Chronicles 20: 15)
"Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."  (Zechariah 4: 6)

There are many such scriptures in the Bible which we can appropriate and apply to our situation.
"Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire."  (2 Peter 1: 4)

Come to us Jesus and bring us peace

"Hear the word of the LORD, you nations,
proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:
The One who scattered Israel, now gathers them;
he guards them as a shepherd his flock."  (Jeremiah 31: 10)

By divine providence, Israel was scattered as the sower scatters the seeds.  In the nations were they were scattered, they became the foundation for the sowing of the Gospel.  As harvest is gathered in due season, Israel will be gathered up by the Lord.

"I will bear a witness to you in the world, O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers,alleluia!"  (Psalm 17: 50; 21: 23)

"Say to the fearful of heart:
Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you."  (Isaiah 35: 4)

Come Lord Jesus!  Come quickly!

Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice."

Isaiah 35:4
"Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”

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Thank you Lord for my Disappointments

http://uniqueministry.blogspot.com/2009/11/disappointment-disguise-for-blessing.html?m=1

Our Interdependence

God in His immense wisdom and power could have made us independent instead of Interdependent. Each person has something to give to another in our symbiotic ecosystem. (Idea before the Blessed Sacrament)

What is my cross?

Matthew 16:24

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ.

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Come Lord Jesus!

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself."  (Philippians 3: 20 - 21)

Are your eyes permanently pointed to the skies or downwards?  Jesus says:
"For where your treasure is, there also will your heart."  (Matthew 6: 21)

Our Top Prize is in heaven.  There also is our heart. We live therefore in this world as pilgrims not holding anything too tightly because we know full well that our Lord and Bridegroom shall come any time.

Come Lord Jesus!

Mary's Sign

"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God." (Luke 1: 36 - 37)

Some people receive revelations, word of knowledge and word of wisdom from God.  Some of these people claim that God confirms these communications with  signs.  My personal reaction is not to doubt.  Why should I?  I experience inspirations from God all the time.  In fact, I cannot survive without inspirations.  The inspirations make up for my lack of high intelligence quotient.

When the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the Mother of the Christ, Mary did not ask for any sign.  But God gave her a sign nevertheless.  That sign was a living person, her relative Elizabeth.  Elizabeth who desired to be a mother for most of her life was now old and her barrenness was absolute.  But God for whom nothing is impossible, infused strength and fruitfulness to Elizabeth.  Mary on hearing this would have said to herself, "If this is possible, then it is also possible for me a virgin to conceive to be a mother by the power of the Holy Spirit."

The confirmation of our signs could come from what God does for other people.  Such signs need no further communication from God.  When we receive the word or promise of God and consent to it, we look for examples of such fulfillments either from scripture, history or from our contemporary experience.  They are all signs.  Everything is scripture.

The word of God stands forever

"The grass withers, the flower wilts,
but the word of our God stands forever.”  (Isaiah 40: 8)

Your word leads to eternal life.  Teach us to love your word.

On the Occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

On the Occasion of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

"I will rejoice heartily in the LORD,
my being exults in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation,
and wrapped me in a robe of justice,
Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."  (Isaiah 61: 10)


"For nothing will be impossible for God."  (Luke 1: 37)

O Most Immaculate Virgin and Mother, your Son took maximum care to adorn you with the gifts appropriate to you great Mission.  Remember us, who approach you in our distress.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit

"The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide."  (Isaiah 11: 2 - 3)

Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with your gifts.  Lead us, guide us and use us as you wish.  We will not rebel against your total control of our lives.

Our home is in heaven

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 3: 20)

Lord Jesus, strengthen our hearts this season of Advent as we wait for you.

Teach us to love heaven

Titus 2: 12-13
"Let our lives be honest and holy in this present age, as we wait for the happiness to come when our great God reveals Himself in glory. "

May your word teach us to love heaven.  May its promise and hope guide our way on earth.

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Great Way to see life by Cardinal John Newman

God has created me to do Him some definite service.  He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission.  I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.  He has not created me for naught.  I shall do good

     ---I shall do His work

     ---I shall be an angel of peace

     ---a preacher of truth

in my own place while not intending it, if I but keep His commandments.

Therefore I will trust Him.

Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.  If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him...

He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, he may shorten it; He knows what He is about.  He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers; He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me ---still,

He knows what He is about.

 Cardinal John Newman

Salvation comes from Jesus

"On that day it will be said:
“Indeed, this is our God; we looked to him, and he saved us!
This is the LORD to whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"  (Isaiah 25: 9)

Lord Jesus we waited for you.  At long last, you take pity and answer us.  We rejoice in hope.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me."  (Psalm 23: 4)

Lord Jesus, we hope in you.  Deliver us from all distress - all fears, all worries and all doubts. Amen!

The Kingdom of God belongs to the childlike

"At that very moment he rejoiced [in] the holy Spirit and said, I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.* Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will."  (Luke 10: 21)

What does it mean to be childlike?
I am childlike when I trust your promises.
I am childlike when I live for the moment.
I am childlike when I do not take myself too seriously.
I am childlike when I am content to be carried and not to carry.

The childlike believes in miracles.  He delights in the simple manifestations of nature - rain, sunshine, snow and wind.

If the kingdom of God belongs to the childlike, I want to be childlike.

Give us faith Lord Jesus

“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.
He said to him, “I will come and cure him."  (Matthew 8: 6 - 7)

Lord Jesus, grant us the faith of the Centurion and have mercy on us and heal our sick.

Multiple Signs of the Times

"And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."  (Romans 13: 11)

You know the time. What time? What are the signs of the times?  The season of Advent, the four weeks preparation for Christmas is a perfect time to reflect on the signs of the times.

What are the signs of this time and this season?
Extreme secularization
Shame in professing faith publicly
Persecution of Christianity in different parts of the world
Tolerance of same sex marriage
Tolerance of abortion
Profanation of the sacred character of Sunday
Hypercritical attitude towards any kind of authority
Universal availability of affordable mobile technology
Materialism

Romans 13: 11 teaches that because we know these signs, this knowledge and understanding should provoke extreme alert for all Christians.  We should be prepared for the coming of Christ anytime to take us home.

Come Lord Jesus!

Our faith comes from the word of Christ

"Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ."  (Romans 17: 17)

Our action flows from what we believe.  Our belief comes from preaching and teaching the word of Christ.

"And by Your Word You will light every step.  You are ever faithful Jesus.  You are ever faithful.
You will not be shaken, God of our salvation.  You are the Rock we stand on."  (CCLI Song)

What are the signs of these times?

"In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.  Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."  (Luke 21: 31 - 33)

Jesus implies that the signs of the times can be observed with certainty.  We can interpret the signs in nature.  How can we not interpret the signs concerning our destiny.  The  implication here too is that the spiritual signs or the signs concerning our destiny can be interpreted with certainty.

We can observe the chain of secondary causes in action. For example:
Martin needs financial assistance.  Why does Martin need financial assistance?
Martin lost his job.  Why did Martin lose his job?
There was exodus of customers from his company.  Why?
A more cost-effective technology replaced the services the Martin's provided. Why?
Because of recent escalation in investment in technology.

We see how the chain of secondary causes can continue ad infinitum until they stop at the Primary Cause, God.

In religion, secondary causes also terminate with the Primary Cause, God.  This is what is called Providence.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Divine Providence thus:  "Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end."  (CCC 321)

There could be either accident or providence.  According to the above quoted Catechism, there are no accidents.  Everything is providence.

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

Thanksgiving 2013

Revelation 19:9

"And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

"God our Father, from your hand we have received generous gifts so that we might learn to share our blessings in gratitude. Draw us closer to all our brothers and sisters in the family of man."

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Trust in Jesus with all your heart

"He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."   (Luke 21: 3 - 4)

As you trust Jesus, your generosity to Him grows.  You cannot undo Jesus in generosity.  He is King of kings, the Alpha and Omega. All the gold, all the silver belong to Him.  All the central banks,all the commercial banks belong to Him.  He is free to give whatever He likes to anybody.  But to His beloved, He gives the very best.  He gives the Holy Spirit.  He who has the Holy Spirit has everything.

I will praise you with all my heart

"I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will declare all your wondrous deeds.
I will delight and rejoice in you;
I will sing hymns to your name, Most High."  (Psalm 9: 2 - 3)

Thank you Jesus for renewing your favors day by day.  Thank you for your promise of pardon, peace, power, purpose, protection, provision and presence. Thank you for that sacred space where your presence is tangible.  I will declare your wondrous deeds and share the knowledge of your name among my brothers.

I will find my delight in you O Lord and you will give me my heart's desires.  I will sing hymns to your Name for your Name is sweet and glorious.

Jesus Christ is our Teacher

"And every day Jesus was teaching in the temple area."  (Luke 19: 47)

It is interesting to observe the work habit of Jesus  in the Gospel.  He is a relentless worker.  Sometimes, He had no time to eat or rest.  He worked so hard that when He got into a boat at the end of the workday, He slumped into a seat and fell soundly asleep.  On one occasion, His relatives heard about how He worked for long hours without food or rest and became concerned about his mental health.  But as hard as He worked, He was a most compassionate and selfless boss.  He thought more of the welfare of His disciples than Himself.

"He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat."  (Mark 6: 31)

You know what makes for peace

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

Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace tell me what it is that makes for peace.  Or better still, give me the understanding and the power to do all that make for peace.

THE BEATITUDES

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
 Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me.
 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  (Matthew 5: 3 - 12)

This is what makes for peace of soul, heart and body and peace among men of goodwill.
"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."  (John 13: 17)
Change happens not because of what you know but because of what you do daily.

Ask the Father in My Name

"It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."  (John 15: 16)

"I will bear a witness to you in the world,O Lord.  I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, alleluia.!" (Psalm 17: 50;21: 23)

Lord come to my house

Fear is useless; what is needed is trust.

"But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  (Matthew 14: 30 - 31)

How can we escape fear, worry and doubt?

When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened.  Fear entered through his eyes.  Fear, worry and doubt enter into us through our physical senses.  The first order of business in combating fear, worry and doubt is to control our senses. The best defense in this case is offense. Make a habit of feeding your mind with God's word.  Learn to pray constantly.  An army who waits until the enemy is at the city gate to start ordering the weapon needed to defend the city has already lost the war.

One lesson I loaned as a boy scout will serve me well if I remember it always is:  Be Prepared.
How can we escape fear,worry or doubt?  Bring the fear, worry or doubt to Jesus in prayer.  Remember His promises in scripture. Remember instances in your life when Christ has saved you in crisis.  Trust Him completely and cry out desperately to Him to save you. He will. After Jesus has saved you, write down the experience in your journal.  If you don't, you may forget it.

God's excellent plan for us

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

How to know the plan?
Prayer and Discernment

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Blessed be the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

Ask and keep asking

"Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them?"  (Luke 18: 7)

God is the Guardian of my rights.  Trust Him forever!

Give us abundant life

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

We have here a great paradox.  How can you lose your life by taking every sensible and possible measures to preserve and secure it?  How can you keep your life by doing the opposite of what is common sense?  Jesus reveals the answer to this paradox by His life and teaching.  He, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  By choosing to move away from Jesus in our thoughts, words and lifestyle, we move away from the life that we yearn for and that He offers.

"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."  (John 10: 10)  To be alive in Christ is to enjoy the abundant life He promises.

Give me Wisdom

Wisdom 7: 22- 23

"For in her is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Never harmful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle." (Wisdom 7: 22 - 23)

I want Wisdom.

James 1:5
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

Wisdom is the one gift we can be absolutely certain of obtaining from God.  We know for sure that Wisdom is completely in His will for us.  When Solomon asked for wisdom, God said to him: "Here and now, I give you what you ask for."  How then do we pray for wisdom?

Ask for it and keep asking.
Seek for it and keep seeking.
Keep knocking on the doors of heaven till you get it. When you get it, you will say:  "I can't believe the joy!"

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It is good to give thanks to God

"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."  (1 Thessalonians 5: 18)

If God is always and everywhere good, if His wisdom is infinite and His love unconditional, it follows that all His actions must be loving and good.  The so-called negative and bad events in our life are not more than the disguises of God.  When we walk by faith and not by sight, we look past events and look straight to the First Cause, God.  Because we know God's attributes of love, goodness, wisdom, power, mercy, omnipresence, we know for certain that God is in control of the situation.  If knowledge of His attributes is not enough to make us to "ceasing from striving,"  we look to His promises in His word.

It is good to give thanks to God always and everywhere for His mercies last forever.

• I believe in prayer.
• I believe in the word of God.
• I believe in miracle.
• I leave the rest to God. 

The Lord hears the cry of the poor

"The righteous cry out, the LORD hears
and he rescues them from all their afflictions.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,
saves those whose spirit is crushed."  (Psalm 34: 18 - 19)

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.  Thank you Father.

"But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner."  (Luke 18: 13)

"My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn."  (Psalm 51: 19)

"Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted."  (Matthew 5: 4)

God strengthens our hearts through His word and the Eucharist

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace,
encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word."  (2 Thessalonians 2: 16 - 17)

God loves us so much that He always and everywhere strengthens our hearts through His word and Sacraments.  Without these graces, it will be impossible for you to encourage one another or even to perform the least good deed.

To God be all the glory and honor forever and ever.  Amen!