Remember Your promises and Your mercies O Lord!

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

"For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him; therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory." (2 Corinthians 1: 20).

Jesus is the reason for our hope.

"At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2: 11).

Jesus I trust in You.

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Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ - St Jerome.

"Lord God, your words were found and I consumed them;
your word became the joy and the happiness of my heart." (Cf Jeremiah 15: 16).

Today is the Feast of St Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

"O God, who gave the Priest Saint Jerome a living and tender love for Sacred Scripture, grant that your people may be ever more fruitfully nourished by your Word and find in it the fount of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever." (Collect, Saturday 25th Week in Ordinary Time - Feast of St Jerome).

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the Lord is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever he does prospers."  (Psalm 1: 1 - 3).

"Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."  (St Jerome).

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St Michael the Archangel, defend me this day of battle.

"Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in power, fulfilling his word and heeding his voice."  (Psalm 103: 20).

Today is the Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

The Archangels are God’s special stormtroopers in a manner of speaking. They are charged with very important and delicate missions:

"God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  (Luke 1: 26 - 28)

"Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven."  (Revelation 12: 7 - 8).

"I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord.” (Tobit 12: 15)

"The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition." (CCC #328).

We honor the angels through devotion and prayers.

"O God, who dispose in a marvelous order ministries both angelic and human, graciously grant that our life on earth may be defended by those who watch over us as they minister perpetually to you in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect on the Feast of the Archangels).

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What return shall I make to the Lord for His goodness to me?

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: This people has said: “Now is not the time to rebuild the house of the Lord.”  (Haggai 1: 2).

The People of God who came back from a long and arduous exile gave all sorts of lame excuses for not  rebuilding the crumbling Temple.
Are we any different? We say:
After I finish my home....
When my children graduate from college...
When I retire...

Who are we deceiving?

"Then the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet:  Is it time for you to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1: 3 - 4).

Sometimes God plays tit for tat, quid pro quo with us. Fair game?

"Now thus says the Lord of hosts:
Reflect on your experience!
You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not become intoxicated; you have clothed yourselves, but have not been warmed;
And the hired worker labors for a bag full of holes.  (Haggai 1: 5 - 6).

God asks them to reflect on their experiences, their self-interest to decide what is best for them.

Jesus teaches the most direct way for getting what we want from life:

"But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness,  and all these things will be given you besides.   Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." (Matthew 6: 33 - 34).

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I fell on my knees stretching out my hands to the Lord my God.

"Then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, I rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the Lord, my God."  (Ezra 9: 5).

These are the words of Ezra, the priest scribe who shepherded  Israel at the return from the Babylonian Exile.  He was making a heart wrenching prayer of intercession for his people. This is one of the key tasks of the priest.

Did you notice the posture of Ezra?
"I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the Lord, my God."  (Ezra 9: 5).

In Real Estate, they talk of location, location, location. In Prayer, we might say: posture, posture, posture.

"Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker." (Psalm 95: 6).

Why is posture critical in revealing our faith? Our posture before any person reveals the attitude of our heart toward the person.
All throughout the Bible, posture in prayer matters a great deal. Examples:
People prostrate, kneel, bow, raise their hands, sit still before the LORD.  If you find yourself before the President, how do you stand? With your hands in your pockets chewing gum?  Does God deserve less respect when you are before Him in Prayer?

Postures symbolize humility, subservience and dependence.

“Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.  The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity... ......... 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: 10 13).

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Mother and Son - 2 Hearts: One Heartbeat!

"The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  (Luke 8: 19 - 21).

Mother and brothers of Jesus:  People had wondered, disputed and fought over the meaning of "brothers and sisters" of Jesus. Now did Mary have any other children apart from Jesus.  Nowhere in the Scriptures is this affirmed. 2000 years of Church tradition has maintained unanimously that Jesus is pure and simply the Only Son of Mary. All the Church Fathers, all the 35 Doctors of the Church, all the 266 Popes have all affirmed the truth that the Blessed Virgin Mary enjoys the unique privilege of perpetual virginity which means that Mary was virgin before the birth of Jesus, she remained virgin during the birth of Jesus and she was virgin after the birth of her Only Son. One of her many titles is Queen of Virgins. In Heaven, there is an Order of women who lived and died virgins during their earthly life. Many of them are canonized saints. Mary is their Queen.

Today's Scripture (Luke 8: 19 - 21) reads brothers [and sisters] of Jesus. The term simply means relatives.  There was no controversy about the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary till the 5th century. Fortunately, the foremost biblical scholar of all times, Church Father and Doctor of the Church, St Jerome was still alive at the time. He despatched the problem so decisively that the issue was not heard of again till the 16th century at the time of the Reformation.  Martin Luther and most of the early Reformers believed in the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Now think of this:  About 50% of Christians believe in the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the other 50% do not. Why does this matter? Because who Mary is helps us to understand  Jesus the Son of Mary. You can not separate these two realities.

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  (Luke 8: 21).

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When the Lord delivered us from Babylon, it seemed like a dream!

"The LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing:
“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia:
‘All the kingdoms of the earth
the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah."  (Ezra 1: 1 - 2).

What is going on here? The Israelites were in exile in Babylon when Cyrus, king of Persia defeated Babylon and God asked Cyrus, a pagan king to free the Israelites.
You may ask: Can God work through anybody or anything? Of course He can and does it all the time. Never forget that all power comes from God.

"When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

"Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed."  (Psalm 126: 1-6).

Are you waiting for restoration, deliverance, healing, renewal?
The above Scripture will give you immense hope. What God did once, He can do again and again.
"All things serve God."  (Psalm 119: 91). Your deliverance, restoration may come suddenly. Be alert!

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My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are My ways your ways.

"These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat."  (Matthew 20: 12).

The Lord paid exactly the same wage to workers who worked from 4 pm to 5 pm as those who worked from 9 am to 5 pm. If you are one of those who sweated for 8 hours, would you be aggrieved? I certainly would.

Jesus answered us:
"Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”  (Matthew 20:  15 - 16).

This calls for a sombre reflection on divine logic. The answer to this puzzle is started in the first reading today from Isaiah:

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

The Divine Providence is inscrutable and yet fair and just. Consider the following:
#1. Jesus came and founded one Church. Yet His holy will allowed the Church to be splintered into thousands of factions.
#2.  Six centuries after the beginning of Christianity, Mohammed came along, founded Islam and destroyed Christianity in North Africa, Middle East and other areas. God permitted it.
#3. Why did God allow Hitler to commit the Holocaust?
#4. Why did Hurricane Harvey, Irma, Maria, earthquakes happen?
#5. Why did God permit His only Son, Jesus who is completely sinless to be hated without cause, then tortured and crucified?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways."  (Isaiah 55: 8).

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

There will be no answers for you if you do not love God. So if you want to understand, you must believe.

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How do you deal with anxieties?

"Some seed fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew with it and choked it." (Luke 8: 7).

You must identify the thorns choking your spiritual life and move away from them. Not easy. With Jesus everything is possible. (Matthew 19: 26).

"As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit."   Lk 8: 14).

Among the chokers of life mentioned here are:
#1 Anxieties
#2 Riches
#3 Pleasures of life

Most spiritual writers would say that anxieties is the worst of the 3. If the other two choke the spiritual life out of you quick and easy, anxieties act like a giant python that wraps you in a deadly embrace and kill you by slow motion.  No wonder our master and teacher, St Paul warns us:
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4: 6 - 7 NLT).

“For the love of money is the
root of all kinds of evil. Some
people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and
pierced themselves with
many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6: 10)

If you do not worry about money here and now, thank God for the grace of the present Moment. Have you worried in the past?  Almost everyone.  Will you worry in the future?  Most certainly Yes. But you have now the tool to deal with it.

Do not worry about money because God promises to provide what you need.

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Love of money

”Whoever loves money never
has enough; whoever loves
wealth is never satisfied with
their income. This too is
meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes
5: 10)

“For the love of money is the
root of all kinds of evil. Some
people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and
pierced themselves with
many griefs,” (1 Timothy 6: 10)

Do not worry about money because God promises to provide what you need.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5 - 6)

"Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6: 9).

This is the Spirit's message to the churches, today, Friday in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time.

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I came to call sinners and not the just.

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.  Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’  I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”  (Matthew 9: 11 - 13).

Today is the feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. Jesus called Matthew to follow Him from his Tax Man's office. The people were highly scandalized by this action of Jesus. Why Matthew the corrupt sinner, they questioned? "The call and gift of God is irrevocable."  (Romans 11: 29).

The Lord blotted out his sins and removed his impediments. He then made him a priest and evangelist. Matthew went on to write the first Gospel which bears his name.

"O God, who with untold mercy
were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession,
we may merit to hold firm in following you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son."  (Collect on the Feast of St Matthew).

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Members of the Household of God

"But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."  (1 Timothy 3: 15).

St Paul is here coaching Timothy, the young Bishop he ordained.
How should Timothy behave in the Household of God?
The Household of God is the Church of the living God.  Further, he calls the Church "the pillar and foundation of truth."

We all are members of the Household of God. We are all living stones in this building which is the pillar and foundation of truth.  How should we behave in the Church? This same Church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone." (Ephesians 2: 20).

"I will praise the Lord with all my heart in the assembled congregation of the upright.  Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them."  Psalm 111: 1 - 2)

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Of mercy and judgment I will sing to you O Lord.

"When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”  The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother."  (Luke 7: 13-15).

Jesus was moved with pity for the widow. With Jesus, mercy is always superabundant.

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

As you remind Jesus of His promise of mercy, show mercy to your family and friends.

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Father, let us see the workings of Your mercy in our lives.

"Look upon us, O God,
Creator and ruler of all things,
and, that we may feel the working of your mercy,
grant that we may serve you with all our heart.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect on Monday, the 24th Week of Ordinary Time).

You may be surprised to learn that the formal prayer of the Church in Sacred Liturgy like the Mass elicits faith and may be called "Scripturette" with a big "S".  This ancient Wisdom of the Church is called "Lex orandi, Lex credendi", meaning simply "the law of prayer is the law of Belief /Faith."   To paraphrase, we believe in the sense or sentiments of the above prayer as we believe the word of God.

Do you need to see the workings of God's mercy in your life? Then do the two things in the above prayer:

#1 Pray every day to see the workings of God's mercy in your life.
#2 Serve the Lord with all your heart. How?

"But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also."  (Matthew 6: 33 AMP).

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Remember your last days; set enmity aside.

“Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18: 21 - 23).

The Holy Spirit has One lesson for the Church this Sunday, the 24th in Ordinary Time. FORGIVE EVERYONE WHO OFFENDS YOU. NOT ONCE OR A HUNDRED TIMES BUT IF NECESSARY, A BILLION TIMES.

That's how God deals with us. "I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to."  (Matthew 18: 32).

"Forgive your neighbor the wrong done to you; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Does anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?" (Sirach 28: 2 - 3).

Sirach gives one further good reason to forgive:
"Remember your last days and set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Remember the commandments and do not be angry with your neighbor."  (Sirach 28: 6 - 7).

God constantly surprises us with His mercies as the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday reminds us:
"He pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills." (Psalm 103: 3).
"He has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our wrongs deserve." (Psalm 103: 10).
"As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our sins from us."  (Psalm 103: 12).

Ask for mercy.
Be merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for mercy.

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Have mercy on me God and blot out my transgressions.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life."  (1 Timothy 1: 16 - 17).

Paul regarded himself as an example of a great sinner.  Why then did Jesus chose for such a lofty mission and place in His Kingdom? Precisely because of the marked weakness of St Paul.  We are rightly encouraged to believe that if Jesus wiped out the sins of Paul and filled him with grace and mercy, He will do the same for us.

Other examples of great sinners who were restored and filled with grace and mercy:
King David, St Augustine, St Mary Magdalene.

"God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners."  (Søren Kierkegaard).

St Ignatius of Loyola who was no stranger to sin and repentance said that it is impossible to recognize our sins unless we can perceive inwardly that the Redeemer is standing very close to us to embrace us.

The Miserere (Psalm 51)is God's inspired Prayer-Psalm for the sinner. I have used it often and I guarantee that it is effective.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2: 8).

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Paul, an example of God's great Mercy

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life."  (1 Timothy 1: 16 - 17).

Paul regarded himself as an example of a great sinner.  Why then did Jesus chose for such a lofty mission and place in His Kingdom? Precisely because of the marked weakness of St Paul.  We are rightly encouraged to believe that if Jesus wiped out the sins of Paul and filled him with grace and mercy, He will do the same for us.

Other examples of great sinners who were restored and filled with grace and mercy:
King David, St Augustine, St Mary Magdalene.

"God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners."  (Søren Kierkegaard).

St Ignatius of Loyola who was no stranger to sin and repentance said that it is impossible to recognize our sins unless we can perceive inwardly that the Redeemer is standing very close to us to embrace us.

The Miserere (Psalm 51)is God's inspired Prayer-Psalm for the sinner. I have used it often and I guarantee that it is effective.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2: 8).

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Mary stood under the cross to the end.

"Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother."  (John 19: 25).

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Mary did not run away from the cross. She could not pull Jesus down from the cross. Mary could not attack the Roman soldiers with spears or sticks.  She just stood by the cross, absorbing everything; time passing so slowly. Yes, this is her destiny. This is the moment. She has become Sorrow personified. She has become prematurely Our Lady of Sorrows. She has become Mother of all the sorrowful.  "And a sword will pierce your own soul too."  (Luke 2: 35).  Simeon prophesied.

"Christ learned obedience and became the source of eternal salvation."  (Hebrews 5: 8 - 9).

O Mary, what did you learn standing under the cross?

"Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary;
without dying you won the martyr’s crown beneath the Cross of the Lord."  (Gospel Acclamation on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows).

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When I am lifted up, I will draw everyone to Myself.

"We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection,
through whom we are saved and delivered."  (Cf Galatians 6: 14).

Glorifying in the Cross? Glorifying in humiliation, suffering and pain? Really? Then tell me to glorify in Hurricane Irma and Harvey!!
That is the point.

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

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

"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world."  (Gospel Acclamation, Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross).

"O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race,
grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth,
may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect on the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, Thursday, September 14th).

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Share your bread with the hungry.

“Blessed are you who are poor,
 for the kingdom of God is yours."  (Luke 6 : 20).

What is your attitude to money? Are you scared to death of poverty? Don't be ashamed. I used to be in that club a little while ago. When you discover the truth of the real freedom and victory that Jesus came to give us, you will be laughing and jumping for joy.

Today is the feast of St John Chrysostom, Father and Doctor of the Church.  John was the Archbishop of Constantinople, now Istanbul (Turkey), then the 2nd most important city in the world. St John Chrysostom challenged the rich and powerful to find and enjoy genuine freedom and victory in their lives by sharing their wealth with the poor. He said among other things:

"Not to share our own wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life; we do not possess our own wealth, but theirs."
(Saint John Chrysostom).

The pathway to victory and freedom passes through the doors of the poor.

"Seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth."  (Colossians 3: 1- 2).

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Jesus healed everyone who came to Him in expectant faith.

"Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all."  (Luke 6 : 19).

God is the Father of all. (Ephesians 4: 6).  God loves everything He created. (Psalm 145: 9).  Jesus, the true image of Abba Father has no problem healing everyone who came to Him with faith. (Colossians 1: 15; Luke 6: 19).

Jesus desires everyone to be saved which is a bigger deal than being healed of the worst disease. (1 Timothy 2: 4). Because He desired everyone to be saved, He showed this by dying for everyone. (2 Corinthians 5: 15). He forgave all those who crucified Him not after the event but while still on the cross experiencing the excruciating agony. (Luke 23: 34). Even the Good Thief who was crucified with Jesus had all his sins wiped out and promised Paradise then and there. (Luke 23: 43).

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary.

"Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mary,
for he who is mighty has done great things for you."  (Cf Luke 1: 49).

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Show mercy when You judge me, Your servant.

"Lord, You are just, and the judgments You make are right. Show mercy when you judge me, Your servant." (Psalm 118: 137, 124 - Entrance Antiphon Monday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time).

As I considered my will and the final minutes in this world, I chose the above as my last prayer.

"Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed."

In God is my safety and my glory.

"Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!"  (Psalm 62: 6 - 7, 9).

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we love You. We trust in You. Have mercy on us and the whole world. Amen!

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Love does no evil to the neighbor.

"Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law."  (Romans 13: 10).

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

“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend." (Matthew 18: 15 MSG).

How can we share in the mission of reconciliation of Jesus? Practice the spiritual works of mercy:

1.Instruct the ignorant
2.Counsel the doubtful
3.Admonish sinners
4.Bear wrongs patiently
5.Forgive offences willingly
6.Comfort the afflicted
7.Pray for the living and the dead

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The Church of all nations.

"Brothers and sisters:
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds."  (Colossians 1: 21).

Who are the people who were once alienated and hostile in mind to the Church because of evil deeds?  I am one example. And today I know it was because of my evil deeds.

The government recently struck a mortal blow to 800,000 young Dreamers in revoking the DACA. The Catholic Bishops, the Voice of the voiceless appropriately condemned  the bizarre action.

Some of the misguided defenders of the DACA Revocation attributed the Bishops' action to self interest.  The Bishops they claim want the Dreamers to fill  pews and contribute money to the Church.

Why are these people so obsessed with money, sex and power? Please open your minds and learn the truth because only the truth shall make you free. (John 8: 32).

The Catholic Church pursues from the beginning with fidelity  the mission given to her by Jesus. The Church does not pursue success as this world reckons success. The accomplishment of this divine mission is not dependent on people power, hard work or money. It is already guaranteed by Jesus Christ Himself.  Unlike the world's political powers, we know the end already.
"I shall be with you till the end of the world." (Matthew 28: 20). And again, "The gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church."  (Matthew 16: 18).

When I arrived in London many years ago for postgraduate studies, I did not know anybody in the huge city. The first thing I asked:  "Where is the nearest Catholic Church?" All over Europe today, the pews are being filled by migrants.  It is the divine predestination to revitalize the Church in Europe.  Is the same thing happening in the Church in America? The migrants need the Church. The Church needs them to fulfill her mission. 

For the ubernationalists, know that the Church is not national but above nation states. Catholic means universal. The Church has always been universal from the beginning. The Church is not European, American, African, Chinese, etc.  All these nations are part of the Church family. For the avoidance of doubt, this creed or belief is repeated by the Congregation every Sunday all over the world:
"I BELIEVE IN THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH."

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We have worked all night and have caught nothing.

"Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”  Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”  When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing."  (Luke 5: 4 - 6)

Simon Peter lowered his net at the command of Christ and the result was a great number of fish was caught. 
At the Wedding Feast at Cana, Mary said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2: 5). They did and water was turned into wine.

I too like Simon Peter and his companions have toiled "all night" and many nights have caught nothing.  What is Christ's word to me?  I want to do whatever Jesus tells me?  But what must I do?  I want to act "at your word" Lord Jesus.  What is your word to me?

Trust and Obey!  There is no other way to have the best of Jesus!

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Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever.

"After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her....

"At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”  (Luke 4: 38 - 41).

Luke, the physician narrates here a tale of illnesses, demonic possessions and healings by Jesus.  Where do disease, ignorance, demonic possession and poverty come from?  Ultimately the answer will be found in Genesis Chapter 3.

How does dealing with these problems core to the Messianic vocation of Jesus?
Isaiah forecast that the Messiah will do all the above and more.
"Then the eyes of the blind shall see, and the ears of the deaf be opened; Then the lame shall leap like a stag, and the mute tongue sing for joy."  (Isaiah 35: 5 - 6).

The three aspects of the ministry of Jesus are:
Teaching, Healing and Feeding. Jesus left these tasks to the Church when He ascended into Heaven. (Mark 16: 17 - 18).

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I have learned the secret of Times and Seasons. St Paul.

"Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you.  For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night."  (1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 2).

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1).

The central message of Times and Seasons is the need to be vigilant at all times.

"I have learned the secret of.... living in abundance and of being in need."  (Philippians 4: 12 ).

There is Times and Seasons in God's plan of provision for our needs.

"Thus says the Lord:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord."  (Jeremiah 17: 5).

If we want to enjoy change of seasons in our lives, we must trust in God with all our hearts.

"God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,
you may nurture in us what is good
and, by your watchful care,
keep safe what you have nurtured.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect Tuesday, 22nd Week in Ordinary Time).

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Is the Spirit of the Lord upon you?

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor."  (Luke 4: 18).

Is the Spirit of the Lord upon you or not? How do you know?

Have you a heart for evangelization or spreading the good news that Jesus is the LORD and not money, your job or family?
How much do you hunger for the Kingdom of God to come everywhere and reign in the hearts and minds of every man and woman?
What is your attitude to the gracious will of God? Casual, unimportant or wouldn't careless?

Jesus promises that His awesome Holy Spirit will be given at once to anybody who desires and asks for Him.  (Luke 11: 13).

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How do you read the Signs of the Times?

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."  (Romans 12:  2).

What are the signs of the times?
What are the characteristics of our age?

1. Lack of faith
2. Lack of reverence for God
3. Extreme materialism
4. Love of leisure and the soft life
5. Gluttony
6. Contentious spirit
7. Shallowness in communication
8. Unwillingness to make lasting commitment
9. Individualism
10. Love of money

The Bible warns us not to conform ourselves to this lifestyle but to oppose it by the daily renewal of our minds through prayer and the word of God.

"God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence,
you may nurture in us what is good
and, by your watchful care,
keep safe what you have nurtured.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."  (Collect 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time).

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God has poured His love into our hearts.

"Brothers and sisters:
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.  (1 Thessalonians  4:9).

Paul teaches that the overwhelming love of Jesus compels us to imitate Him and do the right thing. (2 Corinthians 5: 15). In Romans 5: 5, Paul gives a great revelation: The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  Years ago, when I accused myself of an utterly selfish nature, my priest confessor said that was nonsense and reminded me of Romans 5: 5.  This is our hope and hope never fails.

Where there is love, there is God.
The Holy Spirit fills our heart with the love of God.  This needs repeating.

We Christians do not love as the world loves. The world loves in a quid pro quo manner, that is, if you love me, I love you. But Christians love as Jesus loves us and teaches us to love.  Jesus loves us when we have nothing, when we are nothing. Imagine loving a homeless, dirty and sick guy who is a jail bird? If you rely on human nature, the answer is NO! But what if God pours His love into your heart and teaches how to love and trains you until you learn how to love like Him, then you can do it.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  (John 13: 34)

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this First Friday in September.

September 1st , 2017 First Friday in September.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:  Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 9th month of the year, we look at Promise #9.

#9. "I will bless every place where a picture of My Heart shall be exposed and adore."

When I learned about this promise 21 years ago, I dashed to a Catholic Bookstore in downtown Houston and bought a beautiful picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  I prayed for an inspiration for the best place in my apartment to place this image after it was blessed by a priest.  This sacred image has blessed me for 21 years and will bless me till the end of the age.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, September 1st.

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On the day St Paul teaches about sexual purity, Jesus gives the parable of the Ten Virgins.

"This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality,...... not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things,.......For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.  Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who [also] gives his holy Spirit to you."  (1 Thessalonians 4: 3 - 8).

The Holy Spirit lays down the rules for sexual conduct in the community of the saints. What is the goal? Holiness of life. If you want the goal, you must adopt the means to get there. In the Gospel of today, Jesus our Teacher lays down the means to grow in sexual purity and chastity.

"Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps."  (Matthew 25:  1 - 4).

What is Jesus saying?
Always be prepared.
If you have a date, be prepared. Set your boundaries.
If you are visiting somebody of the opposite sex, be prepared.
If you have a ride in a car with a person of the opposite sex, be prepared.  Don't think: Nothing will happen in a car. Be ready for surprises because:
"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  (1 Peter 5: 8).

One way to prepare is prayer. Say a simple short prayer like this: "Lord Jesus Christ, I am going into this situation, protect me by your power and grace. Jesus I trust in You."  Fight the Enemy of your soul and life by invoking the holy and powerful Name of Jesus.

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Are you ready?

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.  (Psalm 90: 12).

He who prays daily and feeds on the word of God every day will surely know that life is short. What wisdom we gain from this truth.

The corporate world is obsessed by long-term plans:  20 year-plan, 15, 10,etc.

The word of God teaches the grace of the present moment. We are guaranteed only today.  Actually only this moment. Unforeseen events like Hurricane Harvey cause disruptions of plans.

"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24: 42 - 51).

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We are stewards of God’s beautiful creation.

"The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord;
you bring forth bread from the earth
and wine to cheer the heart."  (Psalm 104: 13 - 15).

We are all stewards of God’s beautiful creation. As stewards, we do not own these assets. We manage it for God.  We share the bread from the earth and distribute the wine to cheer the hearts of men and women everywhere.

"O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose,
grant your people to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, amid the uncertainties of this world,
our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son."  (Collect Wednesday 21st Week).

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You know me thoroughly and you love me so much.

"You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

"O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar.

"Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too lofty for me to attain. 
(PSALM 139:1-3, 4-6)

Are you terrified by the thought that God knows you deeply? Knows your every move?  Knows even your secret thoughts?

It is good to feel and believe that God knows you thoroughly. This engenders humility and helps you to forgive yourself when you mess up. Remember God is not a human being that anything can surprise.
Everything you are, everything you do, everything you have are all gifts from Him, the ever knowing and ever loving God.

"You have searched me and you know me, Lord."

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The Lord filled St Augustine with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

"In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth,
and the Lord filled him
with the spirit of wisdom and understanding
and clothed him in a robe of glory."  (Sirach 15: 5).

Today is the feast of St Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Augustine without doubt would probably be one of the two or three that had the most impact on the Church.  You can see this impact in Church Councils throughout the centuries. He has great influence in the Liturgy as seen by his footprints all over the Roman Missal.

Augustine was not always a saint.  A lover of leisure and sinful pleasures, his mother St Monica shed many sorrowful tears over her wayward son.

Today the universal Church crows over her favorite son:

"In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth,
and the Lord filled him
with the spirit of wisdom and understanding
and clothed him in a robe of glory."

St Augustine pray for us.

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You are Jesus the Christ. You are Peter the Pontiff.

 “But what about you?” [Jesus] asked. “Who do you say I am?”  (Matthew 16: 15).

"Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16: 16).

Abba Father revealed to Peter the identity of His Son Jesus the Christ.
What is a revelation? A revelation is the spontaneous flash of truth in the mind.  Some examples:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."  (Ephesians 1: 17).

"When I saw that man/woman, I knew immediately that was he/she."
We all enjoy revelation from time to time.

And Jesus said to Peter: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  (Matthew 16: 18).

God gives us knowledge of Himself and His works that we may come to know Him, love Him and serve Him so that we can enjoy eternity with Him forever.

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I live among you as a servant.

"The greatest among you must be your servant."  (Matthew 23: 11).

The tale of two Lords.
Jesus is Lord. Caesar is Lord.
One Lord rides into cities on chariots driven by soldiers with whips used to control the crowd. The other Lord rides into the city on a humble donkey.  One Lord waits to be served by numerous servants.  The other Lord says:  "But I am among you as one who serves." (Luke 22: 27).

One Lord dies, is buried and eaten by worms in his grave. The other Lord dies on the cross and after three days rose from the dead as predicted.
After death, one Lord is forgotten by history while the other Lord is Lord of history and continues to live and reign forever.

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  (Matthew 23: 12).

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Where you go, I will go.

"But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." (Ruth 1: 16 - 17).

These are the immortal words of Ruth to her mother-in-law Naomi.  I say immortal because these words have been read over the years with great emotion and consolation. Who would not like to have the like of Ruth as a daughter-in-law?

Be that as it may, St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits had similar ideals in his relationship with Jesus. He stated his objectives as follows:
#1.  To know the Heart of Jesus intimately.
#2. To love Him passionately.
#3.  To follow Him everywhere.

Ruth lived out her ideals and became the great grandmother of King David, and in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.  St Ignatius lived out his ideals and became the founder of the Society of Jesus, an Order that continues to have impact in the Church and in the world.

Here are other idealists:
St Francis Xavier opened India, Japan and China for Christ.
Billy Graham (still alive) preached to some 215 million people in 185 countries.
Mother St Teresa of Kolkata impacted the world with her service of the poor and the rejected.
Martin Luther King gave his life for the cause of racial harmony.

Someone said that great desire or great ideal make great people.

What are your desires? What are your ideals?

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Can anything good come from Nazareth?

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”  (John 1:  46).

When Nathaniel heard from Philip that he believed that Jesus is the Messiah, Nathaniel quipped: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” 

We all suffer from prejudice. We profile human beings all the time. We discriminate based on the outcome of our profiling. Scripture says that Jesus Christ experienced all the vicissitudes of the human condition except sin.  (Hebrews 4: 15).

We wonder at times:
Can anything good come from suffering?
Can anything good come from delays, disappointments, obstacles?
Can anything good come from profiling and discrimination?

God says Yes to all the above. You may call this:  the Mystery of Divine Providence. 

Jean Pierre de Caussade, an 18th century French spiritual writer teaches:
#1. Accept all that has happened.
#2.  Accept everything that is happening.
#3.  Cooperate with everything except what is sinful.

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The Lord is a generous Employer

"Why have you been standing here idle all day? You go into my vineyard too.”  (Matthew 20: 6 – 7).

In the vineyard, there is much work to be done. The owner of the vineyard pays fair wages to all the workers. The Lord Jesus is a generous employer.

"The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”  The Church is the vineyard of the Lord. (Isaiah 5: 7).

There is always and everywhere abundant work in the Lord’s Company.

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him."  (Matthew 9:9 NLT).

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Many who are first will be last.

"Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” 

After the rich young who was possessed by his wealth walked away in utter sadness from Jesus, Jesus seized the opportunity to warn His disciples of the dangers of excessive love of money, pleasure and leisure.

Answering Peter's question, Jesus said:  "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."  (Matthew 19: 29).

I have seen this promise fulfilled in the lives of so many people. Do you believe in this promise?

"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”  (Luke 1:  45).

I believe Lord Jesus.  Strengthen our faith.

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The rich young man went away sad.

Jesus answered a young man who kept all the commandments and wanted to know what more he could do to become an intimate friend of God:

"Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions."  (Matthew 19: 21 - 22).

Are your possessions about to possess you? I looked into the open garage of my neighbor and was surprised by how it was packed with stuff. I wondered what would be in the storage at the back of the home.  Is this the American dream I wondered.

"But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her."  (Luke 10: 42), Jesus said to Martha.

Strive to choose the more perfect part of all the gifts of God.

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The gifts and call of God are irrevocable.

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable."  (Romans 11: 29).

Which gifts?

"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).

Which call?

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will last."  (John 15: 16, 19).

"To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,
 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ."  (2 Thessalonians 1: 11 - 12).

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

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Do you want to be like the little one? Ask Jesus.

"Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom."  (Matthew 11: 25).

How do you see yourself before God?  Wise and learned or childlike and little one? 

Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  (1 Corinthians 8: 1).  God prefers to reveal the secrets of the Kingdom to the childlike.   You may call this: Preferential option for the little ones.

What are these secrets?  They are mysteries which the mind of man cannot fully understand.  Yet once they are revealed are found to be reasonable.  The Lord gave the little ones the gifts of Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom.  With these core gifts they are able to understand the mysteries of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus the Christ, the Church, Sacraments, etc.

St. James writes of two types of wisdom:  Wisdom that comes from above and the earthly wisdom.  The wisdom that comes from above bears the marks of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.  While earthly wisdom bears all the signs of Satan, Father of lies. (James 3: 13 - 18).

Do you want to know some of these little ones, check them out by googling "Doctors of the Church" and "Church Fathers".

Dear Jesus Christ, I want to be a little one. If You want me to be a little one, You have to make me one Yourself.  Remember Lord that all things are possible for You and nothing is too marvelous for You to do for me. Amen.

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Give an honest try to Praise and Thanksgiving.

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the LORD of lords,
for his mercy endures forever."

His mercy endures forever.  Absolutely true!

"Who led his people through the wilderness, for his mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136: 1 - 4).

What do you know about the power of praise and thanksgiving? Praise and Thanksgiving is probably religion's best kept secret of all times. Just a few of the things that Praise and Thanksgiving can do for you:
#1.  Banish depression.
#2.  Wipe out the threat of opioid.
#3.  Heal marriages.
#4.  Fill your soul with contentment.
#5.  Put joy and smile on your face.
#6.  Renews your youth like the eagle's.

The word of God Never underperforms. Why do people refuse to check it out completely and then share their honest testimony?

"Bless the Lord, my soul;
all my being, bless his holy name!Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts."  (Psalm 103: 1 - 2).

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I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.

"Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan."  (Matthew 18: 26 - 27).

This servant certainly knew how to beg for relief. He knelt down and asked his Lord.  He knew something else for which we commend him.  He knew his master was compassionate and kindly.  How much do we know the Heart of Jesus?  The Sacred Heart waiting for us to come and to shower us with His forgiveness and love.

"Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan." (Matthew 18: 27).

Forgive the wasteful servant probably something like a million dollars?  If the master had forgiven 50% of the debt, he would be hailed as a most generous man.

"You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ (Matthew 18: 32 - 33).

Do not miss this very important phrase: "I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to." Asking for forgiveness is very important.

Look! This unforgiving servant is me and you. Consider how much God has forgiven us throughout our lives. Yet we bear all types of grudges. Lord have mercy!

Remember the ABC of Mercy?
A.  Ask for Mercy.
B.  Be Merciful.
C.  Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

Do this and you will never have to fear this:
"So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”  (Matthew 18: 35).

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Shout joyfully to God, all the earth.

"Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!"

If God fills your soul with fire, what would you do?

If God fills my soul with fire, I will
Shout joyfully to God; sing praise to the glory of his name; I will proclaim his glorious praise.
and say to God: “How tremendous are your deeds!”

I will say to you my brothers and sisters: Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
I will urge you: Bless our God, you peoples; loudly sound his praise.

I will always remember: Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire!

I will shout like a crazy man: Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.
When I appealed to him in words,
praise was on the tip of my tongue.

Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire.
(Adapted from Psalm 66)

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Her Feast Day O Most Blessed Virgin Mary on Solemnity of your Assumption.

 “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"  (Luke 1: 42 - 43).

Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist greeted Mary thus on the occasion of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.

Today, August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  The Church throughout the world celebrates and rejoices in Mary's prerogatives and privileges.  What Mary enjoys today shall be ours sooner or later.  Mary is "Mother of the Lord" to be sure. Let us remember that this title was first given to Mary by Elizabeth when she was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out as a prophet.  (Luke 1:  41-42).

The Church Fathers had seen Mary as the Woman of Revelation 12: 1.
"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."

Mary did not seek her extraordinary privileges.  They were conferred by her Son Jesus the Christ for our sake. We rejoice in this truth.

Happy Feast Day O Most Blessed Mother.  Your Son Jesus Christ has made you our Queen, Mother and Teacher.  Your children will continue to love you Now and Forever!  Who dare say nay?

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You too must befriend the alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt.

"For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes,  who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing." (Deuteronomy 10: 17 - 18).

Who should you share your bread with?  The orphans, widows and immigrants.

"So you too should love the resident alien, for that is what you were in the land of Egypt."  (Deuteronomy 10: 19).

Whom should you not persecute?
Those you insult as illegal immigrants.

"The Lord, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve; to him hold fast and by his name shall you swear.  He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you those great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen.  Seventy strong your ancestors went down to Egypt, and now the Lord, your God, has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven."  (Deuteronomy 10:  20 - 22).

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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