A Pearl of Great Price

"Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls, Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it."
(Matthew 13:45-46 AMP)

When you find the Pearl of Great Price, all these things will be added to you!

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The One Thing Necessary

"But the Jesus said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41-42 NLT)

Ask for the One Thing Necessary: The Holy Spirit!

All things work together

Everything is as it should be.
No fear. No worry. No doubt.

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

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

      

The Holy Spirit is the Source of Power

"That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
(1 Kings 3:5  NLT)

Ask for the Holy Spirit.  Again ask for the Holy Spirit!

My grace is sufficient for you

"Blessed the men whose strength you are!  They go from strength to strength."  (Psalm 84: 5, 7)

"I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on me."  -  Jesus

Restore our fortunes

Psalm 126: 1-2

"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

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Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Atlanta

Sanctuary of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Atlanta Georgia.  Old style beauty and integrity.

With Jesus is the fountain of life

Jeremiah 2:12-13

"Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Beware of the temptations to wealth and comfort.

Chosen and appointed before birth

Jeremiah 1:5-6

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”

Say not: I am too young or I am too old.  Or too poor or too rich. Or too sick or too healthy. Mission comes with power.

Mary Magdalene has seen Jesus

John 20:15

"Jesus said to Mary Magdalene , “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

"Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” 
You too be an evangelizer today

Come Lord Jesus

Revelation 3:20

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Come right in Lord Jesus!

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Jesus the humble servant

Matthew 12:18

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."

God reconciled the world to Himself in Jesus.

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You saved my life

Isaiah 38:5

"I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears."

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

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We are nothing without You, LORD

Isaiah 26: 12

"Lord, You will ordain peace (God’s favor and blessings, both temporal and spiritual) for us, for You have also wrought in us and for us all our works."
(Isaiah 26:12 AMP)

We depend completely on Jesus for Peace, Pardon, Power, Purpose, Presence, Protection and Provision.

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Children know some secrets

Matthew 11:25

"At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children."

What does God reveal to the little ones?  The mystery of the death of Jesus Christ.

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God upholds His city.

"If you will not believe and trust and rely [on God and on the words of God's prophets instead of Assyria], surely you will not be established nor will you remain."  (Isaiah 7:9 AMP)

Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm.

Lift up the Cross

Matthew 10:38

"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

Where is your cross?  Family, Finances, Job, Health, Property, Worrying about the Future?   Rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Sower of the seed

Matthew 13:23

"As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.  (Luke 8:8)

Jesus is the Evergreen Cypress Tree

Hosea 14:8

"O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress;
from me comes your fruit."

"I will be like dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily."  (Hosea) - Blossom/Restoration comes from Jesus.

Do not be afraid of them or of anything

Matthew 10:29-31

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

No fear, No worry, No doubt.

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Seek always the face of the Lord

Hosea 10:12

"I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
(Hos 10:12 NLT)

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  (Matthew 6 :33)

The House of Israel trusts in the Lord

"Our God is in heaven
and does whatever he wills.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands."  (Psalm 115: 3 - 4)

Everyone who trusts in silver and gold shall be like them.  (Psalm 115)

Behold the Woman

Matthew 9:20-22

"And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,  for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”  Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well."

"With God, all things are POSSIBLE. " (Mark 10: 27)

Yoke tailor made to fit exactly

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Your yoke, your burden is yours.

For everything there is a season

Amos 9:14

"I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit."

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Mercy and Not Sacrifice

Matthew 9:12-13

"But when Jesus heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Lord Jesus, show us your mercy today.

My Lord and my God

"So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  (John 20: 25)

Doubt no longer, but believe.

Don't be tired of doing good

Amos 5:14

"Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as you have said."

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."  (Hebrews 3: 15)

Storms of Life and Trust in Jesus

Matthew 8:25-26

"And they went and woke Jesus, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”  And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."

«Fear is useless; what is needed is trust» (Luke 8:50, Mark 5:36)

No fear, no worry, no doubt!

The Cost of Following Jesus

Matthew 8:20

"And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Jesus became poor for us.  No home, no donkey, no servant.

The Lord delivered me from all fears

2 Timothy 4:17-18

"But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.... So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Luke 2:19

"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."

"All generations shall call me blessed."  (Luke 1:48)

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

"“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

"Forget not all His benefits."  (Psalm 103: 2)

Build your life on the Rock

"“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.s But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock."  (Matthew 7: 24 -25)

Jesus is the Rock.  If you build your life on Jesus, come what may, you will stand.

By their fruits you will know them.

"“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves."  (Matthew 7: 15)

Fruits of the Spirit:  "Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."

They believed not in the Lord their God

"The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and seer: Give up your evil ways and keep my commandments and statutes, in accordance with the entire law which I enjoined on your ancestors and which I sent you by my servants the prophets."  (2 Kings 17:  13)

Save us Lord from the hardness of heart.

God fed you with manna

"He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna,c a food unknown to you and your ancestors, so you might know that it is not by bread alone* that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD."  (Deuteronomy 8:3)

What is manna?  Pure Grace / Divine Providence

Prayer is the key

"God is very ready to give us His help, but we must ask for it in prayer.  It is the lantern which lights our way to eternity." (St Alphonsus Ligouri)

You are my inheritance O Lord

Do you need grace and mercy?
Then come to the source with confidence!
You are my inheritance O Lord!

Psalm 16: 1-2
"Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

"I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me." ( Psalm 16:7)

Remembering Answered Prayer

The Pure Joy of Answered Prayer is Unbelievable!

R.  I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just.

R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet he has not delivered me to death.

R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.

R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

Love covers a multitude of our sins

A beautiful image taken this morning in the little Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Peace at St Thomas More Church.
Peace in our hearts
Peace in our families
Peace in our neighborhoods
Peace in our nation
Peace among people of goodwill
Peace in the world

Love covers a multitude of our sins.

John 13:34

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

"God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5 :5)

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Commandments of love and life

Matthew 5:19

"Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Lord, may Your Holy Spirit enable us to obey Your laws.

God is the Guardian of my rights

"The LORD will guard you from all evil; he will guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever." (121:7-8)

Indeed He neither slumbers nor sleeps, the Guardian of Israel.

Elijah fed by ravens

1 Kings 17:3-4

3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”

This is Pentecost

John 20:22

"And when he had said this, Jesus breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

The disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke of the great things God had done.  (Acts 2: 4, 11)

Keep within us the vigor of Your Spirit O Lord.

The Day Before Pentecost

Acts 1:14

"All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."

Ask for the Holy Spirit and you will receive.  Jesus promised.

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Prepare us for the gifts of the Spirit.

John 16:7

"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you."

Let Your Spirit come upon us with power to fill us with His gifts.

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Times and Seasons

Times and Seasons are divine appointments.  They are not haphazard ; they are not accidents. Winter, spring, summer and autumn are not accidents.
Rainy and dry seasons are not accidents.

All times and all seasons are in the hand of Jesus Christ.

Christ yesterday and today+
The Beginning and the End+
The Alpha and the Omega+
All times belong to Him+
And all ages+
To Him be glory and power through every age forever and ever.  Amen!!!

"Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert."( Isaiah 43:19)

All Power belongs to Jesus

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of thee earth."  (Acts 1: 8)

"And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age."

"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; 22:23)

The Pure Joy of Answered Prayer

"When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world."  (John 16: 21)

No trials, No triumphs. No testimonies.
Wait for the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is the Infallible Guide

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate* to be with you always."  (John 14: 16)

The Holy Spirit is the sure promise of the Father.

Veni Sancte Spiritus:

Come, O Holy Spirit, come!
From your bright and blissful Home
Rays of healing light impart.

Come, Father of the poor,
Source of gifts that will endure
Light of ev'ry human heart.

You, of all consolers best,
Of the soul, most kindly Guest,
Quick’ning courage do bestow.

In hard labor You are rest,
In the heat You refresh best,
And solace give in our woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Let Your radiance in us shine,
And our inmost being fill.

Nothing good by man is thought,
Nothing right by him is wrought,
When he spurns Your gracious Will.

Cleanse our souls from sinful stain,
Lave our dryness with Your rain
Heal our wounds and mend our way.

Bend the stubborn heart and will,
Melt the frozen, warm the chill,
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful who in You,
Trust with childlike piety,
Deign your sevenfold gift to send.

Give them virtue’s rich increase,
Saving grace to die in peace,
Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

Finding God in all things

"Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work."  (John 4: 34)

"All that happens to me therefore will be food for my nourishment, water for my cleansing, fire for my purification, and a channel of grace for all my needs.  That which I might endeavor to find in other ways seeks me incessantly and gives itself to me through all creatures."  (John Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

Bearing abundant fruit

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Remain in Jesus through His word and prayer.

"We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us."  (Saint Teresa of Avila)

Seek ye first the kingdom and then ask

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."  (Matthew 6: 33)

According to an apocryphal saying of our Lord, repeated by Origen, "Jesus said to his disciples, Ask great things, and the small shall be added to you; ask heavenly things, and the earthly shall be added to you."

"Father, make our faith strong and our hope sure.  May we never doubt that you shall fulfill the promises You have made." (Tuesday, 5th Sunday of Easter)

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."  (St. Augustine)

Come and dwell in us O Holy Spirit!

"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you."  (John 14: 26)

O Promise of the Father, grant us the grace to faithfully and eagerly respond to the awesome gift of Your personal, passionate presence.  Amen!

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, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

God cannot lie.  (Numbers 23: 19)

The truth that sets us free is the word of Jesus; the teaching of Jesus that we hear or read and believe.  Day in and day out, we practice this word.  We abide, remain in the word, not abandoning the word come what may.  This is the truth that  sets  free from fear, worry and doubts.

Application of the above point:

'Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail)."  (Psalm 55: 22 Amplified Bible)

What are your burdens?  Family, finances, job, health, tools and property, food, worries about the future?

Ancient traders in the Middle East cast their burden (heavy load) upon the camel.  The camel carried the burden and the trader on the desert route to their home.  Jesus invites us in Psalm 55: 22 to do the same everyday.  Jesus becomes our Camel.   At the beginning of a new day, we cast all our burden on Him.

The truth that sets us free is not the truth we know as  fact or  piece of information.  It is the truth that we practice consistently everyday.  This is the truth that slips into the mind and settles in our subconsciousness.  This truth sets us free from worry, fear and doubts.  It is written.  It is true.

Complete Redemption

 "By your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."  (Revelation 5: 9)

Note the scope of the redemptive work of Christ:  Universal.  Note too the extent of the power of Jesus to save us from every distress:  Absolute.  Because of the following, "Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."  (Hebrews 4: 16)

Our God is Emmanuel

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  (Matthew 28: 20)

Jesus Christ Always, Everywhere in All Things is with us.

"I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.
I have the strength for everything through Christ who empowers me"  (Philippians 4: 12 - 13)

Who is with us and in us always?
"It is Christ in you, the hope for glory."  (Colossians 1: 27)

We did not choose Jesus

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 Choice, the Call and the Anointing.

Remain faithful to Jesus

"When Barnabas arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord."  (Acts 11: 23 - 24)

Encourage the brethren to remain faithful to Jesus.

Jesus Always, Everywhere in All Things!

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"The life of faith is nothing less than the continued pursuit of God through all that disguises, disfigures, destroys and, so to say, annihilates Him." (John Pierre de Caussade, SJ)
      

Jesus overcame death

"We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him."  (Romans 6: 9)

What do you fear most?  Death?  Jesus overcame death to free us of the fear of death.
No fear, No worry, No doubt.

Good Shepherd and Good Mother's Sunday

"I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me,"  (John 10: 14)

My mother was a good shepherd to me.

Happy Mothers Day to all my friends who are mothers!

Your words are Spirit and life

"It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."  (John 6: 63)

The Holy Spirit is Lord and Giver of life.

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit:

Lord of life, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fills all thing, O Bringer of every good gift:  Come and dwell in us and make us whole.

Holy and life-giving breath of God, fill our hearts and minds with your love, assist us to be faithful disciples of Jesus, always open to hear His call.  O promise of God, grant us the grace to faithfully and eagerly respond to the awesome gift of Your personal, passionate Presence.  Amen.

Jesus died for all

"He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."  (2 Corinthians 5: 15)

Although Jesus died for every human being.  Not every human being who is alive today is benefiting from the death of Jesus.  It is by His death and resurrection that we are saved.   We that have appropriated the fruit of salvation have the responsibility of living in such a way that would make the unsaved desire what we have.

Jesus has freed us from the darkness of error and sin. Help us Jesus to cling to your truths with fidelity.

Jesus is the Bread of life

" Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."  (John 6:  35)

When we eat the Bread of life with faith, we shall be freed of dependency on family, money, job, health, tools, property, food, etc.  Dependency on these creatures is what enslaves us.

Psalm 16: 1 - 2 puts it this way:

"Keep me safe, O God;
in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD,
you are my Lord,
you are my only good."

The psalmist asks God to keep him safe and acknowledges that God is his only good.  Psalm 16: 4 hammers away at dependencies that may enslave us:

"They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."

Every kind of dependency (other god) is an addiction which brings its particular sorrows.  Each  of them urges us to pour libations to it.  This is  why addiction of any kind is idolatry.

What is the cure?

"Jesus replied, 'I am the Bread of Life.  He who comes to me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)  (John 6: 35 AMP)

Do not work for food that perishes

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

God's powerful and generous Providence fulfills all our needs in a timely manner."
"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50; Mark 5: 36)

Jesus Christ is the Top Prize

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."   (John 14: 6)

You want abundant life?  Jesus is abundant life.

If God is with us, it is accomplished

"For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him."  (Acts 5: 38 - 39)

No fear, No worry, No doubt.  God is in control.

Is Jesus not the son of the carpenter?

"Unless the LORD build the house,
they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch.
It is vain for you to rise early
and put off your rest at night,
To eat bread earned by hard toil—
all this God gives to his beloved in sleep."  (Psalm 127: 1 - 2)

Lord, prosper the work of our hands.

Believers were of one heart and mind

"The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common."  (Acts 4: 32)

Our time, talent and treasure come from God.

Tested by fire

"In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."  (1 Peter 1: 6 - 7)

Endure your trials as discipline.  (Hebrews 12: 7)

What wonderful truths to contemplate on Divine Mercy Sunday.   My faith is being tried in the crucible of fire.   God is most merciful and loving.  The purpose of the testing is not to prove me a failure.  Just as God does not rejoice in the destruction of a wicked man, so does He not want the failure of His children. In my trials, scripture encourages me with these words:

"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)

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you are the most merciful.  Grant me the grace to persevere to the end.  You are the One Thing Necessary.  At the end of my testing, may you become all that I need.  May I say:  Jesus Christ has truly become my Good Shepherd.  I have everything I need.

Give thanks for answered prayer

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. My strength and my courage is the Lord, an he has been my savior.  
The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just."  (Psalm 118: 1, 14-15)

The pure joy of answered prayer is unbelievable.  Have you experienced it?  Keeping a list of answered prayers could provide a strategic shield in the next warfare which is just round the corner.  It occurred to me recently that the reason why I forget answered prayers is that I do not sufficiently etch them into my memory.  I keep daily journal to be sure and have done so for a longtime.  But journals and diaries could be like books stacked on the bookcase gathering dust.   The written word has been called a dead letter.  The living word is the one in your heart that you can use here and now.  That word that makes you leap up and dance.  That is what I want the list of answered prayer to do for me.  I want to dance with every answered prayer.

But how do I accomplish this?  I will from hence forth celebrate every answered prayer.  I placed an order on Amazon for a bell after searching for one in vain in the Houston area.  I received the bell with joy some days ago.  Once I have a prayer answered, I will ring the bell and dance around my apartment singing a praise song to God.  This I hope will reinforce the journal entry and makes forgetfulness more difficult.  I hope it works.  I will ring the bell not just for the big favors.  Small, medium and big favors will all be celebrated with the chiming of the bell.

The Name of Jesus is a Strong Tower

Acts 4:11-12 "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10) Seekfirst.blogspot.com

Scripture cause our heart to burn with faith

"He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”  (Luke 24:  44)

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

Dear Jesus, you opened the minds of your disciples to understand the Scriptures after your Resurrection.  Do the same for us, O Lord.  Open our minds to understand the Scriptures so that our hearts will burn within us as we listen to you. Teach us Lord and help us to share what we learn from you.  Amen!

I was dead but now I am alive forever

"Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”  Matthew 28: 10)

This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Today is the day of Easter joy!

This is the morning on which the Lord appeared to men who had begun to lose hope and opened their eyes to what Scripture foretold:  that first Jesus must die, and then He would rise and ascend into His Father's glorious presence.

May the Risen Lord open our eyes to recognize Him in the Scriptures and in the Breaking of Bread.

Do this in remembrance of me

 "For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,k that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  (1 Corinthians 11: 23 - 24)

"How can I repay the LORD
for all the great good done for me?"  (Psalm 116: 12)

St. Paul shares with the Corinthian Church a personal revelation from the Lord Jesus on the Eucharist.  Summary of this revelation:  the Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  How can we repay the Lord for this great gift?  Let us approach the throne of grace in the Eucharist with joy and thanksgiving and we shall and we shall receive more gifts.

Do this in remembrance of me

1 Corinthians 11:23-24

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,  and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Psalm 116:12
"What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits to me?"

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The Disciples Never Washed the Feet of Jesus

"Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom* for many.”  (Matthew 20: 28)

We never read in the Gospels that the disciples washed the feet of Jesus.  Jesus, the King of kings on the other hand washed the feet of the disciples.  He whom "All things serve."  (Psalm 119: 91) and at whose name "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2: 10) became our Servant.
Dear Jesus, give me a genuine spirit of humble service.

In the Name of Jesus

"Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,"  (Philippians 2: 6 - 9)

Hosanna to the Son of David.

Jesus was sacrificed for our salvation

"Caiaphas did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,"  (John 11: 51)

The Church is the Family of the Father, the Body of the Son and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
For His Body, Jesus gave His flesh and blood.  Scripture says that nobody hates his body.  Jesus loves His body unconditionally.

In my distress I called and He heard me

"But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.  They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten."  (Jeremiah 20: 11)

God is the Guardian of my rights.

The Truth shall make you free

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

"If the Son makes you free, then you will be free indeed."  (John 8: 36)

The strong attraction of the Cross

"And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."  (John 12: 32)

"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  (1 Corinthians 1: 18)

Jesus predicted that men would be strongly attracted to the cross.  This prediction has proved true.  From the first instance of Christianity till this very day, the Cross has been a magnet to men.  Of all signs, it is the most unlikely to attract me.  But it sure does.  It reminds me of the sign of the manger:  a baby boy wrapped in swaddling clothes in a dismal environment.  Yet this is the sign by which the shepherds were to recognize the Child Jesus.  The Cross is the sign of salvation.  Acceptance of the Cross is acceptance of Jesus while rejection of the Cross is rejection of Jesus.

In your kindness blot out our sins

"Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, [and] from now on do not sin any more."  (John 8: 10 - 11)

Let the person without sin be the first to throw a stone.

"Forgiveness is the remission of sins.  For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again."  (St. Augustine)

I am the resurrection and the life

"When Jesus heard this he said, “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."  (John 11: 4)

Delay is not denial.  Delay may glorify God.

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of the faith is to see what you believe."  (St. Augustine)

Endure your trials as discipline

"Blessed are those who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance."  ( See Luke 8: 15)

God rewards faithfulness, loyalty, steadfast love.

Create in us a pure heart

"In Christ we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace."  (Ephesians 1: 7)

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.

Our sins bring us sorrow

"So the LORD changed his mind about the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people." (Exodus 32: 14)

Your promise of salvation bring us joy, O Lord.

Answer us O God

"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."  (Isaiah 49: 8)

At the break of day, God will answer us.

The Lord of hosts is with us

"God is our refuge and our strength,

an ever-present help in distress.

Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea,

Though its waters rage and foam

and mountains totter at its surging."  (Psalm 46: 2 - 4)

Psalm 46 is one of my favorite.  It is loaded with juicy promises.  Verses 2 - 4 is what I call crème de la crème of the Psalter.  Just consider the promises: 

When we are on the run from any distress, God is the Rock of Refuge to dash to.  When we are weak and exhausted by constant fighting in the family, pressure at work, debt, etc, God provides the strength to sustain us.

God is our present help in distress.  Note carefully the promise.  It is not - God is our future help in future crisis.  God provides His help here and now.  There is an immediacy to this promise.  Two days ago, I had a walk out in my favorite park.  At one moment, I wanted to exit the park to take a different route.  The edges of the ground were covered by ankle high grasses.  It was until I turned the corner that I saw a foot path.  Sometimes, God keeps us in suspense until the last moment.

Verses 3 and 4 state the perennial truth:  If God is in control, why worry.  He provides step by step guidance and moment to moment protection. If God is with me, it is accomplished.

These scriptures verses have ministered to my spirit today. I hope they minister to you too.

Come O Holy Spirit

"I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them."  (Ezekiel 26: 27)

The Holy Spirit is the final solution for unrighteousness.

The Lord is my Shepherd

"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)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8: 50)
The darkest valleys in my life's journey will not terrify me.

Let us strive to know Jesus

Hosea 6:6

"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."

Abba Father, grant us the grace to know the Heart of Jesus intimately, to love Him passionately and to follow Him everywhere.

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The Blessed Sacrament is the Throne of Mercy in our midst

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured."  (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

"Those who dare approach my throne of mercy will receive mercy."  I felt these words in my heart one day kneeling close to the Blessed Sacrament.  Kneeling close to the Blessed Sacrament apparently was not good enough.  I must imitate what I notice women and men do.  They walk up right in front of the Monstrance, place their hands on the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and pour out their hearts to Jesus.  Before I felt these words of encouragement in my heart, I too had stood in front of the Blessed Sacrament to ask for special blessings.  But I have not made it a habit.  Those words of inspiration that I felt invite me to make it a habit to approach the throne of grace to find mercy at a time of need.

The woman with the issue of blood in the scripture above (Matthew 9: 21 - 22) felt strongly the unusual and powerful inspiration to touch the cloak of Jesus.  Faith is a response to God's initiative.  God is the source of all inspiration and power.  Because of her profound needs, she succumbed to the pull of this inspiration and dared touch the cloak of Jesus.  The result was instant healing for her.

At the early morning Mass today, I thought of what the woman did.  I will not only touch Jesus in the Eucharist but will receive Him in my hand, my tongue and my heart.  Why am I not healed of my ills and the burdens of my heart?  It is said that man's extremity is God's opportunity and man's security is Satan's opportunity.  Why do we appear afraid to approach God with our desperate needs?  Lord Jesus, grant me the grace always to dare approach your throne of mercy

The Lord our God is Lord alone

"And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12: 33)

There is no God to compare with you, Abba Father!  No money, No technology, No health, No property.  You alone are God and our Father.  We shall not tolerate any idolatry.

Whatever your troubles

"I am the Savior of all people,says the Lord.  Whatever their troubles, I will answer their cry, and I will always be their Lord."  (Antiphon, Thursday 3rd week in Lent)

If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Do not forget the blessings of Jesus

"However, be on your guard and be very careful not to forget the things your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart as long as you live, but make them known to your children and to your children’s children."  (Deuteronomy 4: 9)

The Holy Spirit reminds us of all the blessings of Jesus.

God provides for all living things

"As the sparrow finds a home
and the swallow a nest to settle her young,
My home is by your altars,
LORD of hosts, my king and my God!
Blessed are those who dwell in your house!
They never cease to praise you."  (Psalm 84: 4 - 5)

Even the tiny and most insignificant birds are provided the best of homes by God - near His altars.  How much more will God take care of us, man and woman created in His image and likeness.  Jesus says to us, no need to fear, worry or doubt, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 3: 33)