All Souls' Day - November 2.

"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace."  (Wisdom 3: 1 - 3).

The Church celebrates today All Souls' Day.   We remember all Christians who had died. "They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction."
No surprise because: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."  But The fools are corrupt and speak out of their corruption.   (Cf Psalm 14: 1).

The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ guarantees the Resurrection of the just.
"Just as Jesus died and has risen again, so through Jesus God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep; and as in Adam all die, so also in Christ will all be brought to life." 
(Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14; 1 Corinthians 15: 22).

The deep truth of faith is revealed only to the childlike.
"Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect." 
(Wisdom 3:  9).

It is simply not possible for our hope of Resurrection to disappoint. Why?
"Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us."  (Romans 5: 5).

So my brothers and sisters, be steadfast in your hope and stand your ground.
"Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil, for the Lord is with you; His rod and His staff will comfort you."  (Cf Psalm 23: 4).

Here is a promise you can trust and share:
"I am the Resurrection and the Life, says the Lord.
Whoever believes in me, even though he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me will not die for ever."  (Cf. John 11: 25-26).

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of November.

November 1st, 2018 - First Friday in November.

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 11th month of the year 2018, we look at Promise #11.

#11.  "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced."

Friday, November 2, 2018 is also ALL SOULS DAY. The Church today "prays for all who, in the purifying suffering of purgatory await the day when they will join in" the company of the Saints. Jesus, who is true and faithful Witness promises us that "Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced."

Friends, this is really a question of whether you trust the promises Jesus or not.

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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Solemnity of All Saints.

"I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue."  (Revelation 7: 9).

We celebrate today, November 1st, the Solemnity of All Saints. We honor the countless number of the Redeemed who are not mentioned in the Liturgical Calendar.  All the Saints whether canonized or not are already assured of immortality.

“Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” (Revelation 7: 13).

The Saints are those who believed in Jesus, trusted His promises and "have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  (Revelation 7: 14).

Don’t you often wonder about life after death, life in Heaven?
The testimony of the Divine Scriptures is all we have:  "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him."  (1 Corinthians 2: 9).

The Church adds a commentary:
"This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called "heaven." Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness."  (CCC 1024).

All Saints Day is a day of great rejoicing in the ancient Church and is both a Solemnity and a holy Day of Obligation.
Happy Feast Day!

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Say No to Compromise!

“Strive to enter through the narrow door."  (Luke 13: 24).

In following Jesus, the choice is clear but challenging for most of us. The narrow door is the Beatitudes, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. This is how Jesus lived and the example "The Way, the Truth and Life" set for us.

For Christians, there is no alternative.  "For many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough."  (Luke 13: 24).
Many will be tempted to compromise but will fall short.

What does it profit a man to get everything he wants in life but to be confronted with this scenario:
"Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from." (Luke 13: 25).

The regret will be unspeakable.
"And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out."  (Luke 13:  28).

I will rather be last now and enter the kingdom than be first and lost.
"For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”. (Luke 13: 30).

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The mystery of the growth of the Kingdom.

"Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush."
(Luke 13: 18 -  19).

The Parable of the Mustard Seed evokes the truth of the life cycle concept:  small beginnings, steady, mysterious growth and development.  Our faith comes to us as a tiny mustard seed.

God reveals to simple souls the mysteries of the Kingdom.  (Cf Matthew 11: 25).  As the sunflower seeks the sun, they seek the face of God daily in prayer and faithfulness to His will. And they grow steadily in faith, hope and love.  They love the word of God.  And God who delights in the little ones ravishes them with His promises:

"Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored."  (Psalm 128: 1 - 2).

This promise is for all of us.

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Woman, you are set free.

"Behave like God as his very dear children."  (Cf Ephesians 5: 1).

Wow! We know that by Baptism, God has adopted us as His children.  But is it part of the Covenant to agree to behave like Him? Apparently so.  Today's Scripture on Monday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time shows us how to behave like God and how to behave like the natural man born of flesh.  Read with me:

“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God." (Luke 13: 12 - 13).
Jesus healed a woman crippled for 18 years on the Sabbath in full view of Law Enforcement.
Compassion and courage is behaving like God.

"But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” (Luke 13: 14).
Heartless legalism is behaving like man.   A proverb says:  "The onlookers think that a man carrying a coffin is carrying wood."  Are you such an onlooker?

“Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?" (Luke 13: 15).
Making your interests paramount in every situation is thinking like man. Selfish.  A fake politician thinks and acts, "I think of whatever concerns me as top priority."

But for Jesus, the woman is: "This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?”(Luke 13: 16).
This is Why the Savior and Redeemer came.

Is it possible to behave like children of God?

"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3: 13).

Prayer is the key and efficient cause of blessings.
"Almighty ever-living God,
increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise.
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: Monday 30th Week in Ordinary Time).

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How to behave like children of God.

"Behave like God as his very dear children."  (Cf Ephesians 5: 1).

Wow! We know that by Baptism, God has adopted us as His children.  But is it part of the Covenant to agree to behave like Him? Apparently so.  Today's Scripture on Monday, 30th Week in Ordinary Time shows us how to behave like God and how to behave like the natural man born of flesh.  Read with me:

“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God." (Luke 13: 12 - 13).
Jesus healed a woman crippled for 18 years on the Sabbath in full view of Law Enforcement.
Compassion and courage is behaving like God.

"But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” (Luke 13: 14).
Heartless legalism is behaving like man.   A proverb says:  "The onlookers think that a man carrying a coffin is carrying wood."  Are you such an onlooker?

“Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering?" (Luke 13: 15).
Making your interests paramount in every situation is thinking like man. Selfish.  A fake politician thinks and acts, "I think of whatever concerns me as top priority."

But for Jesus, the woman is: "This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?”(Luke 13: 16).
This is Why the Savior and Redeemer came.

Is it possible to behave like children of God?

"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3: 13).

Prayer is the key and efficient cause of blessings.
"Almighty ever-living God,
increase our faith, hope and charity, and make us love what you command, so that we may merit what you promise.
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: Monday 30th Week in Ordinary Time).

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Man's extremity is God's opportunity.

“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” (Mark 10: 47).

This is the desperate cry of a blind man called Bartimaeus.  First lesson in today's Gospel:
#1.  "Man's extremity is God's opportunity.  Man's security is Satan's opportunity."

Jesus who encourages Bartimaeus to step forward to his presence asks him:
“What do you want me to do for you?”  (Mark 10: 51).

#2.  When you are in a court filled with a crowd of hostile jury, realize that your only hope is the mercy of God.  Don't beat about the bush.  You have a few seconds, allowed a few words to state your case.
"Jesus is calling you." (Mark 10: 49).  So far, so good for Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus who had waited for this opportunity since the day he heard the story of Jesus and His miracles from his family had rehearsed what to do when the opportunity presents itself:
“Master, I want to see.”  (Mark 10: 51).

The ever merciful Jesus never redeems in halves. With Him is always full redemption:
“Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way."  (Mark 10: 52).

It is possible that the fortunate Bartimaeus ended up being a Bishop in the early Church.

Hand over your extremities to Jesus and see what happens.

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We are builders and living stones of God's House.

"Brothers and sisters: Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift."  (Ephesians 4: 7).

Christ gives us grace to build up the Church, His Body.
"Some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers."   And also the numerous ministries that serve the People of God.
(Ephesians 4: 11).

Just as  building a family home or a Cathedral needs the skills of carpenters, roofers, electricians, plumbers, architects, construction managers, etc so does the building the Church, the House of the Living God.  The Church is a spiritual House where each of us is both builder and living stone.

We are building a strong fortress to combat the evils of this age principally fake news.  But also "every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming." 
(Ephesians 4: 14).

Therefore "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."  (Ephesians 6: 10 - 11).

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What can God do about the present state of the world?

"Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does;  and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is."  (Luke 12: 54 - 56).

Jesus calls us hypocrites in today's Gospel for pretending that we do not notice that the world is changing rapidly and radically around us. St Augustine in his epochal prodigious work, THE CITY OF GOD expounds a Theology of History.   In summary:  Once upon a time, Rome was master of the world.  After over 500 years of continuous power, the warning signs of decay was everywhere. People decided to ignore it.  One day, the empire collapsed and tumbled down. For the next 100 years or so, the grief stricken Romans blamed Christianity for the tragedy. Since Rome fell in 407 AD, no world event similar to it has occurred.

Now we are at an inflexion point in history.  We do not have any empires today.  Are we going to witness the collapse of Christianity during our lifetime?  Pray to be open to see the Signs of the Times.  God entered a Covenant with the Israelites and they were unfaithful. Prophets after prophets warned them to come back to God.  They refused.   Their response to the prophets:  "Your message is extreme. God could never possibly do what you are saying."  One day, the northern kingdom was sent into exile and never heard of again.  In 70 AD, Rome destroyed the southern kingdom and scattered the remaining population all over the world.  In 1948, the state of Israel was formed. Today, the population of Israel is less than 3 million, a shadow of its former self.  Nothing is impossible for God.

"You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"  (Luke 12: 56).

Times and Seasons are God’s Appointment.

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I pleaded and the Spirit of Wisdom was given to me.

Paul prays that God "may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self."  (Ephesians 3: 16).

What do you know about the Holy and Awesome Spirit?  At  the lowest point in my life, a true, reliable and credible person told me that all that I "needed is the Holy Spirit."  Although I did not see how a holy spirit could resolve all the urgent and real world issues that I faced at the time, I listened because of the authenticity of the witness.  At a book fair a couple of months earlier, I purchased a hefty book with the unglamorous title "HOLY SPIRIT" and left it in my book case to gather dust.  Call it coincidence or Providence.

After the encounter with destiny that I label today:  "All you need is the Holy Spirit", I devoured the Holy Spirit book. About ten years prior to this event, I invested heavily in self development literature of the kind of: THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING, THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON, HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, THINK AND GROW RICH, etc.
I discovered that the HOLY SPIRIT book promises everything the popular psychology literature is selling.  The self development literature genre is still very popular today and sells $ billions every year.  People are searching for meaning, peace and happiness but are looking in the wrong places.

After reading the HOLY SPIRIT, I made a 9-day Novena.  On the 9th and final day, I followed to the letter the instructions of the slim booklet I bought for the Novena.  Voilà!  That was how the Holy Spirit which I received in Confirmation as a careless teenager was activated in me.

Paul continued to pray for the Ephesians "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." (Ephesians 3: 17).  This reminded me of what happened to me after the Holy Spirit Novena. I declared by faith that I had received the Holy Spirit.  It was confirmed minutes later from a text from the Book of Wisdom:
"I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me."  (Wisdom 7: 7).

I have never doubted this experience.  After the encounter with the Holy Spirit, I was filled with incredible joy and peace that lasted for months. I thought it would last forever.  Peter asked Jesus to allow them stay on the Mount of Transfiguration forever. It never happened.  There is work to be done.  (Matthew 17: 4).

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Has the Lord entrusted you with much?

"When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required."  (Luke 12: 48).

Has the Lord entrusted you with any ministry?  St Paul was very proud to say:
"You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit." (Ephesians 3: 2).
Who would blame Paul for crowing about his promotion.  He is promoted to serve the King of the Universe in a high position.

No matter what your ministry is, you also have been called to serve Jesus in His Church using the gifts He has given you. Like St Paul you will depend entirely on Jesus for the high fidelity expected of the mission.

"God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation." 
(Isaiah 12: 2 - 3).

To succeed, you must be vigilant and pray constantly. Also:
"Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come."  (Matthew 24: 42, 44).

But should you fail, God forbid,  your delinquency will provoke the humiliation of seeing the Redeemer relieving you of your duties and completing the task Himself.

"I will pasture My sheep; I Myself will give them rest, says the Lord." (Ezekiel 34: 15).

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Come Lord Jesus

 “Gird your loins and light your lamps  and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks."  (Luke 12: 35 - 36).

It is easy to see that the master here is Jesus Christ and the master's return from the wedding the Second Coming of Jesus or the end of your life which may occur suddenly without warning.

If you are ready when He knocks on your door, He will be very pleased and serve you.  Should He delay His coming which is probable in most cases, He expects you to open the door at the first knock.  Are you ready? How do you wait for Jesus?

"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21: 36).

A Christian who does not give time to prayer as a minimum is not ready to meet Jesus.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Cf Psalm 95: 8).

Come Lord Jesus!

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Make much money and retire in luxury.

"Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”  (Luke 12: 19).

These are the words of the foolish rich man whose land produced abundant harvest.  He did not know the source of his blessings.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1: 17).  No wonder thanksgiving was far from his mind. We live at a time when many people pursue recklessly the mammon of this world through relentless and punishing overwork, lottery and gambling.  What is the end game? To make much money rapidly and then retire in a fairytale island and live like King Louis XIV forever.

O foolish man, who believes he can outsmart the strict unbending law of Divine Providence, listen to the word of God:
"You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?"
(Luke 12: 20).

What do you make of these divine injunctions?
#1. Gather the manna you need for one day.  The next day, I the Lord Your God will supply fresh manna for the new day. (Cf Exodus 16: 21 - 35).

#2. "Give us today the food we need."  (Matthew 6: 11).

#3.  "Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil."  (Matthew 6 : 34).

Do not allow wealth to be a snare for you.  Rather put your wealth in trusting God's promises. Not even a single one of them has failed.

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By His wounds, many shall be healed.

"Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear." 
(Isaiah 53: 11).

When you hear "Christ the Redeemer", what comes to your mind?  The type and shadow of our Redemption was shown in various places in the Old Testament.  Example: Exodus and here in the Book of Numbers:
"The Lord said to Moses: Make a seraph and mount it on a pole, and everyone who has been bitten will look at it and recover."  (Numbers 21: 8 - 9).

Our sins would cause severe suffering to the Suffering Servant of God.  Our sins will also cause us to be severely bitten by the punishing serpents.  But God will not abandon us.  When we cry out to God, He will come to our aid.

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

God sent His Son born of woman to redeem us from sin and the effects of sin.
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin."  (Hebrews 4: 15).

Our redemption and salvation is great gift of mercy from God.  What is your response?
Look at the image of Christ on the Cross and:
Ask for Mercy.
Be Merciful.
Completely trust Jesus for Mercy.

Thank You Jesus.  By Your stripes I am healed. (Isaiah 53: 5).

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The Holy Spirit is the Voice that speaks in court.

"The holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”  (Luke 12: 12).

If I have not personally experienced this promise several times in my life, I may hesitate in believing it.  In truth, I started experiencing the guidance of the Holy Spirit long before I considered myself a committed Christian.

Here is one example.
#1.  On a Saturday night in college, I was attacked by a mob of a fraternity cult.  They threw a broken bottle on me which cut my tendon.  Charges were filed and the cult was put on trial by the university court.  It appeared that all the members of the court from the Law faculty were ex members of one fraternity or the other.  Very soon, I was treated as the culprit instead of the plaintiff.  At one point, very angry, I turned and faced the lawyers and said:  "There is no basis in law for what you have said."  That was all that I said. You could have heard a pin drop in the room.  To make a long story short, the cult was proscribed and I was paid damages.  Where did my words come from?  I know today.  From the Holy Spirit, the Voice that speaks in court. 

There is no space here for more examples but I have enjoyed regularly this sweet interventions of the Awesome Spirit.  Later when I got to know the Holy Spirit, I try to invoke His help in everything I do. My favorite prayer to the Holy Spirit is the Veni Sancte Spiritu (Come Holy Spirit...).

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be recreated
--And You will renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray:
O God, Who did instruct the hearts of Your faithful people by the Light of Your Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

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Forget your foolish fears.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.  Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."  (Luke 12: 6 - 7).

How many times do we find the injunction:  "Do not be afraid" in the Bible? A cursory search gives 350 times. While this may not be exact, it is enough to demonstrate that we are too fearful and that God is deeply concerned about our foolish fears.  On one occasion, the People of God were so fearful about their future and accused God of having forsaken them. God's defense is one of the most tender words you can read anywhere:

"But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget, I will never forget you."  (Isaiah 49: 14 - 15).

Even if it were possible for a rogue mother to cast away her child, it is impossible for God to do that.  In today's Scripture, Jesus says that God is concerned about one sparrow which costs less than one penny.  His providential care for us notices every hair on our head. 

Yet in spite of such assurances, our life is full of worry.  Worry about health, family, job, possessions, etc.  In the Scripture from Hebrews, God gives us the killer word on worry about money:
"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.”  Thus we may say with confidence:
“The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?” (Hebrews 13: 5 - 6).

"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."  (Cf Psalm 95: 8)

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St Luke is the beautiful feet on the road bringing the Good News.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him
who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation!"
(Isaiah 52: 7).

Those beautiful feet upon the mountains are the feet of St Luke the Evangelist whose feast we celebrate today. St Luke abandoned his profession as a medical doctor to become an Evangelist of the Good News of Jesus Christ. He wrote two books in the New Testament, the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles, an inspired and reliable history of the early Church.

St Luke besides being a faithful and true chronicler of the events in his books has a character that appeals to me very much.  He is reliable!
"Luke is the only one with me," says Paul after listing the people who abandoned him. (2 Timothy 4: 11).
This may be why God  chose Luke "to reveal by his preaching and writings
the mystery of your love for the poor."

The core of the message of St Luke is that magnificent obsession of Jesus the Christ:
"The Lord sent out disciples to proclaim throughout the towns: The kingdom of God is at hand for you."  (Cf Luke 10: 1, 9).  Through our words and works we can propagate the glorious splendor of God's Kingdom. Making known to men God's love, justice and might.

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St Ignatius of Antioch was filled with the Holy Spirit.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."   (Galatians 5: 22 - 23).

The above Scripture paints the image of Jesus Christ who is filled with the Holy Spirit. It portrays also St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr and Father of the Church.  (35 - 108 AD).
St Ignatius of Antioch was the first to use the word "Catholic" to describe the universal Church.  In letters he wrote on his way to Rome for his martyrdom under Emperor Trajan, Ignatius affirmed unequivocally the hierarchical nature of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. Below is one of his famous quotes:

"I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire."  (St Ignatius of Antioch).

In the Liturgy celebrating his life today, the Church uses one of his famous quotes:
"I am the wheat of Christ to be ground by the teeth of beasts,
that I may be found to be pure bread."  (Communion Antiphon).

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit."
(Galatians 5: 25).

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Where is the victorious living?

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law."  (Galatians 5: 1).

Free from fears, worries and doubts.

I believe the Scriptures that Christ has set us free through His redemptive death. Why don't I feel this freedom and victory always in my life?  The Letter to the Galatians teaches that we appropriate this freedom by faith. When I am attacked by fear, worry or doubt, I declare by faith that Christ has set me free.  I walk by faith and not by sight or feeling.

What is the pathway to this freedom? Through the Spirit, we pray to receive the mercy and grace that we need.  Therefore the pathway to victory and freedom is prayer, grace and mercy.

"For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness."  (Galatians 5:5).

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The Sign of Jonah.

"Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation."  (Luke 11: 30).

Jesus is a Sign to our generation.  Today is the Memorial of St Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.  She was a bright sign to her generation. Of her the Church prays  "that we may always be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching and fired with longing for true holiness."

What does it mean that Jonah is a sign to the Ninevites?  A sign points to a significant post or event in the horizon. Jonah was three days in the belly of the whale. It points to the 3 days Jesus was to stay in the grave.

Other important signs in the Scriptures are:
#1. Sabbath / Sunday (Ezekiel 20: 12, 20: 20).  It points to the Resurrection of Jesus and the permanent Day of Rest which is a rehearsal for Eternal life.
#2 "Between me and the Israelites it is to be an everlasting sign; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day he rested at his ease."  (Exodus 31: 17).

Scripture urges us not to forget "our ancient landmarks."
(Proverbs 22: 28). These are wonderful Signs that God scatters along our Journey of Faith.  These landmarks in our Timeline give us great confidence and consolation in a period of desolation and depression. 

St Teresa of Avila left us one such precious gem from her life.

"Let nothing trouble you,
let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who possesses God lacks nothing: God alone suffices."  (St Teresa of Avila).

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The word of God is the wisdom of God.

"The word of God is living and effective."  (Hebrews 4: 12).

Four of the 7 characteristics of living things learned early in grade school are: respiration, growth, reproduction and nutrition.  The word of God is all these plus:  It is mighty effective.  The word of God has sustained Christianity for over 2000 years.  The first book of the New Testament was not written till perhaps 40 years after the Ascension of Christ. It was the living spoken word that sustained the Christians for about a generation.  Origen, an early Church Father of the 3rd century, writes that the Church would have survived till the Second Coming of Jesus without a written New Testament.

The word of God is the Wisdom of God.
"I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me."  (Wisdom 7: 7).

The word of God is tested by fire and is more precious than silver and gold.
"I preferred her to scepter and throne, And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; Because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire."  (Wisdom 7: 8 - 9).

When Jeremiah and the prophets found the word of God, they ate it up.
"Yet all good things together came to me with her, and countless riches at her hands; I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader, though I had not known that she is their mother." 
(Wisdom 7: 11 - 12).

In today's Gospel, Jesus said to the Rich Young man:
“You are lacking in one thing."  (Mark 10: 21).
He lacks the word of God, the wisdom of God.
Is it possible to be attached to money and be saved? Jesus answers:
"All things are possible for God.”  (Mark 10: 27).

The word of God proclaims that:
"The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." 
(Psalm 34: 11).  Amen!

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Before Faith came, there was...

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it."  (Luke 11: 28).

The word of God, the Promise of God is the source of every blessing. And Faith is confidence in the Promise of Jesus.

Nobody understands the promises of God as much as Mary, the Mother of God.  At the event that launched the salvation history and the New Genealogy,  "Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”  (Luke 1: 38).

Do you know that Faith is one of the key revelations in Sacred Scripture? Listen to Paul explain:
"Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed."  (Galatians 3: 23).

There was a time when what we call Faith was unimaginable.   People thought that to be OK with God, you need to do certain things.  Then Abraham appeared.  God said to Abraham: Leave your country. Migrate to a new country. I will provide for you and protect you and your family. Abraham had confidence in the Promise of God and God was pleased.  Abraham's confidence and the pleasure of God constitutes the revelation and revolution of Faith as prime mover in salvation history.

"For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus."  (Galatians 3: 26).
Do you believe that this is true?
And this:
"Through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe."  (Galatians 3: 22).

The old genealogy technically stops here:
"Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,  Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah." (Matthew 1: 15 - 16).
Jesus Christ heads the new genealogy of which your name is inscribed.

"And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise."   (Galatians 3: 29).

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I will return to the house I left.

 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left."

When it returns, behold the house clean and empty.  Amazed, the evil spirit invites seven of his friends.

"And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”  (Cf Luke 11: 24 - 26).

What is your attitude towards evil spirits, demonic possessions, addictions? Skepticism, fairy tales or half doubt, half belief? If your attitude is any of this, then it is far from that of the Bible, the official Magisterium and the tradition of the Church.

Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem mankind. What is Redemption?
"The restoration of man from the bondage of sin to the liberty of the children of God through the satisfactions and merits of Christ." (Catholic Encylopedia).

There is a connection between Sin > > Suffering >>Salvation.

When someone is saved, and does not fill the vacuum with good works and disciplined living, relapse is inevitable. This time around, the condition may be worse.

When the evil spirit arrives the second time and finds the house swept clean and put in order.  It departs and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself.  And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.  (Cf Luke 11: 24 - 26).

The Alcoholic Anonymous has great understanding of this dynamics through decades of working with alcoholics.

Let us never underestimate the power of faith and prayer in dealing with all types of demonic infiltrations and substance abuse and addictions.

"O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance.
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, Monday 23rd Week in Ordinary Time).

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Ask, Seek, Knock and Receive. The Church trusts the Promise of Jesus.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  (Luke 11: 9).

The Gospel this Thursday, October 11 contains the most important and beautiful promise of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Church believes absolutely in the Promise of Ask, Seek, Knock and Receive. How do I know?  Because in the prayers of the Church in Sacred Liturgy, you see the Church constantly reminding Jesus of this promise.  Do not hesitate in imitating the Church in your own prayers.

"For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?  Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?" (Luke 11: 10-12).

Abba Father is a most loving Father.  How can He give us something that will hurt us when He invites us to pray with expectant faith?

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”  "Luke 11: 13).

We are distracted by many things, our moods change quickly. Last but not the least, we are profoundly selfish.  But because God has planted into our being parental instinct, we know how to give good gifts to our children. 

Ask the Father of mercy and God of all consolation the best of all gifts: the Holy Spirit!  He will give you instantly. This is the experience in all Christian traditions.  Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals have all experienced the Holy Spirit and His love and power.  The Holy Spirit is the Abundant life promised by Jesus in John 10: 10.

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Your Kingdom come.

“When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”
(Luke 11: 2 - 4).

Our Gospel today is the Lucan version of the Lord's Prayer.  Let us reflect on the petition:
"Your Kingdom come." (Luke 11: 2).

We noted that Jesus has a magnificent obsession for the Kingdom.  He used the term more than any other in the Gospel.  After the Resurrection, it appeared that He spoke of nothing else but the Kingdom.

"Until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God." (Acts 1: 2 - 3).

What is the Kingdom?
The Kingdom is the reign of the King [God] in the hearts and minds of men and women in the world.  The seed of the Kingdom is the Church.

"Jesus and the presence of the kingdom in this world are secretly at the heart of the parables. One must enter the kingdom, that is, become a disciple of Christ, in order to "know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven". For those who stay "outside", everything remains enigmatic," teaches the Church (CCC 546).

People who are searching for shortcut to the fulfilled life, the abundant life, Jesus gives this formula:
"Make your top priority God’s kingdom and his way of life, and all these things will be given to you as well."
(Matthew 6: 33 NTE).

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How did the Church become so distracted?

“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” (Luke 10: 40).

Is Martha the symbol of a Church distracted by many things? The compromising Church? Too busy to sit still and listen?

"She [Martha] had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak."  (Luke 10: 39).

How did the Church today got to be burdened by many distractions?  The Church that works and not prays is a weak Church.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”  (Luke 10: 41 - 42).

I know a couple that spent countless hours running between food banks and homeless shelters but too busy to pray.  They were praised by the priest at a Sunday Mass for their exemplary conduct. A few months later, they were burned out and stopped coming to Church.  Prayer is a vital necessity.

Anxious and distracted Church reminds us of the Parable of the Sower:  "The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit."  (Matthew 13: 22).

Mary has intuited the Sacrament of the Present Moment.  The Power of the Now!

The Church teaches:
"Prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God."  (CCC 2725).

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Where is your steadfastness and loyalty?

"I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, not that there is another.  (Galatians 1: 6)

The reflections today is from the first Reading on Monday, 27th Week of Ordinary Time.  The Scripture is full of succulent meat.  If your ministry is in the field of evangelization/catechesis, you would certainly have experienced Paul's frustration in Galatians 1: 6.  You stamp your feet on the ground and ask:  Where has loyalty gone?

The answer is plain.  You work hard during the day and sow good seeds.  At midnight, the enemy sneaks in and sows weed.
"But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1: 7).

Salvation cost Jesus His life. Sometimes, you need to pull out the dagger for a hand to hand spiritual combat.  Paul never hesitates.  So does Peter, James and the other Apostles.
Perversion of the truth of Revelation is the worst possible crime.
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!"  (Galatians 1: 8 - 9).

Why do people compromise or soften the truth of the Gospel? To make quick and easy converts?  They never last. Don't curry favors.  If you are real, they will treat you like they treated Jesus.

"Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ."  (Galatians 1: 10).

If necessary, be prepared to give proof of your authenticity.
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.  For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ."  (Galatians 1: 11- 12).

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Can a man put asunder what God has joined together?

“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10: 2).

This is the big question in the Gospel of the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time.   Jesus responds:
"But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife],  and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh."  (Mark 10: 6 - 8).

And then Jesus adds:
"Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”  (Mark 10: 9).

Marriage and Holy Orders are two Sacraments of Service in the Church.
Through these Sacraments, married people, bishops, priests and deacons take a solemn vow to build up the Church.  Both institutions are in dire crisis today.  Listening to the loud accusations of some people about the clerical sex crisis, one could ask the question:  What is the state of marriage in our society today? Less than 40% of married couples who have been married for 35 years or more are still married to the same person.  This is no excuse for the clerical sex abuse (less than 2% of all priests are accused).  What is going on?

"The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him."  (Genesis 2: 18).

Lord grant us holy marriages and holy homes.

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Great reason for rejoicing.

"Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  (Luke 10: 20).

The 72 disciples of Jesus on their return from their missionary journey were full of joy because they cast out demons in the name of Jesus.  Jesus tells them that there is a greater joy waiting for them.  Their "names are written in heaven.”  (Luke 10: 20).  Your name too is written in heaven and this is a matter for great joy.  The Christian has the Holy Spirit, who is the source of joy.  Jesus Himself rejoiced constantly in the Holy Spirit.
"At that very moment he [Jesus] rejoiced in the holy Spirit."  (Luke 10: 21).

At the time of Job [Book of Job], people rejoiced in their material possessions.
"Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-assess. And he had seven sons and three daughters."  (Job 42: 12 - 13).

Revelation was progressive.  Jesus was not yet born to reveal the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Trinity and Heaven.
Now we know the source of true and everlasting peace and joy.

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

To get hold of this peace and joy, we need the awesome Holy Spirit:
"Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust."   (Psalm 119: 66).

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."  (Matthew 7: 7 NLT).

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Whoever listens My anointed one listens to Me.

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”  (Luke 10: 16).

There seems to be a crisis of authority everywhere today? When you refuse to listen to your Bishop, do you ever imagine that you you are refusing to listen to Jesus Himself?

One of the Signs of the Times is the almost universal challenge to authority.  Especially in the Church.  Why is it that people who dare not challenge the authority of the physician, judge, teacher or law enforcement official, will not hesitate to challenge their pastors?  Is this one of the Signs of the Times?  This is what Paul wrote to Timothy in the first century AD:

"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers."  (2 Timothy 4: 3).

We should all be grateful for authority in the Church because authority protects the Church from false teachings and heresies as Peter writes below.

"There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Pet. 2:1).

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak." (Matthew 12: 36).

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of October.

October 5, 2018 - First Friday in October.

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 10th month of the year 2018, we look at Promise #10.

#10.  "I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts."

Do not think: "I am not excited by this promise.  I am not a priest."  Error! We are all baptized and by virtue of this Baptism are priests, princes and prophets. Of course, Jesus Christ chose a tiny percentage of men and configured them to be ministerial priests to celebrate the Sacraments.  The first mission of the Church is evangelization.  You see where the 10th Promise is relevant for you?  Moreover, the first 3 Spiritual Works of Mercy instruct us:
#1. Instruct the ignorant.
#2. Counsel the doubtful.
#3. Admonish sinners.

Jesus promises to give you power to touch the most hardened of these.  They could be family. They could be friends or neighbors.  Will you refuse such a gift?

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday by attending Holy Mass.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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The Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

"Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way."  (Luke 10: 3 - 4).

Today is the feast of St Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226), the founder of the Franciscans.
"Francis, the man of God, left his home behind,
abandoned his inheritance and became poor and penniless,
but the Lord raised him up." (Entrance Antiphon on the Memorial of St Francis of Assisi).

What comes to your mind when you hear of St Francis of Assisi?  Many people would think of a man of peace. "Lord, make me an instrument of peace..." Others will think of radical evangelical poverty... "The little poor man of Assisi." Both are salient attributes in the profile of this exceptionally gifted holy man. I want to mention too Francis' deep love of creation and care of the earth.  Most people that are aware of the impending disaster from Global Warming will know Francis of Assisi and his contribution to this topical debate.

As gifted as Francis is, the Church recognizes in the Liturgy celebrating his life today that his gifts, talents, conformity to Jesus in poverty and humility all came from God.  All saints are saints because they are open to receive God's gifts.

You too can be a saint. You too can be an instrument of Peace. You too can be committed to preserving the beauty and goodness of the environment for future generations and an apostle of Climate Change.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5: 3).

"We thank you for the beauty of creation: may the work of man not disfigure it, but enhance it to your greater glory."  Amen.

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I will follow you when I am ready.

“I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”  (Luke 9: 61).

I will follow You Jesus but...
What is your "But"?  For the young man above, it is family. People have held back their commitment with excuses like:
I will follow you but let me complete my education or my home...
I will follow you but I want to get married first...

Do you know that Jesus knows exactly what you need and when we need it?
Jesus seems to say that the invitation cannot wait.  When the call "Follow me" comes, leave everything and follow Him. Jesus knows when you are ready enough for His purpose.  Go.  Forward Ever, Backward Never.  “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9: 62).

The Kingdom of God and establishing Jesus' manner of righteousness is the top priority for Jesus throughout His public ministry.  Should it be less for us?

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

Do not be afraid. No one can outdo Jesus in generosity.  He was faithful to His first disciples. He is faithful today. He will always be faithful.
"Remember your word to your servant by which you give me hope.  This is my comfort in affliction, your promise that gives me life."  (Psalm 119: 49 - 50).  That promise never fails!

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The Friend always at your side.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." (Matthew 18: 10).

With these words, our Lord  confirms the existence of the Guardian Angels (GA). The Guardian Angels are part of the rich heritage of our faith tradition.  There are some Christian ecclesial communities who believe that angels and saints are distraction from the purity of their faith.  Only Jesus!

The Church believes and teaches that God in His unfathomable providence gives us holy Angels to guard and protect us.  How fortunate has been my destiny to have learned about the Guardian Angels from my early years and to have bonded with my GA throughout my life.  I invoke him in the morning when and at night when I am ready to go to bed.

Today is the feast of the Guardian Angels .

"Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all for ever."  (Cf Daniel 3: 58).

One of the great things the Guardian Angels do for you and for me apart from protection is intercession.  They intercede for us continually before the Throne of Mercy.  We owe a great debt of gratitude to our GA for this ministry.

"Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, his ministers who carry out his will."  (Psalm 103: 21).

King David who is always exuberant sings:
"I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; in the presence of the angels to you I sing."  (Psalm 138: 1).

Honor your Guardian Angel today and every day.

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Feast of St Therese, the Little Flower.

"An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest.  Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side  and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."  (Luke 9: 46 - 48).

October 1st is the feast of St Therese of Lisieux, also called St Therese of the Child Jesus. She is indeed the little child of Jesus. She entered Carmel at the age of 15 and died at the age of 24.  Although she had no formal academic degrees, Therese is one of the 35 Doctors of the Church. How and why? The Lord Jesus taught Therese Himself, tested her by rigorous examinations and at the end conferred the Doctorate on her.  Who dare question the authority of Jesus?

"The Lord led her and taught her, and kept her as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle spreading its wings he took her up and bore her on his shoulders. The Lord alone was her guide."  (Cf Deuteronomy 32: 10 - 12).

In the Liturgy celebrating her life today, the Church proclaims with astonishment the wonders that God wrought in the Little Flower. (Cf Offertory Prayer).

"Thus says the Lord:
Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  (Matthew 18: 3).

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The word of God is the blessed assurance of God.

"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 TLB).

The Communion Antiphon in this Sunday's Sacred Liturgy is from Psalm 119: 49 - 50.  The whole of this extra long Psalm celebrates God's Law.  What is God's Law?  Synonyms for God's Law are: decrees, statutes, commands, commandments, promises. I like particularly "promises" as equivalent for God's Law.  Below are synonyms for Promise:

"assurance, pledge, vow,
 guarantee, oath, bond, undertaking, agreement, commitment,
contract, covenant"

From Psalm 19, the Responsorial Psalm for today, we get a beautiful testimony of the word of God:
"The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye."  (Psalm 19: 8 - 9).

Although we have not always been faithful to our covenant with God, He is always full of mercy anytime we come back and say: "Abba Father, I am sorry."

"O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us
and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of 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: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time).

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I will worship You O Lord in the presence of the angels.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”  (John 1: 51).

The Church celebrates today the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
The angels are messengers of God perpetually in His presence ministering to Him.
"Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in power,
fulfilling his word and heeding his voice." (Cf Ps 103: 20).

There is ample testimony in Sacred Scripture of the role of angels in salvation history. The most famous, the one most Christians are familiar with is the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary:  "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary." (Luke 1: 26 - 27).

What do angels do?  They are continually in the presence of God worshipping Him.  The Church militant joins the Choirs of Angels in her Sacred Liturgy on earth in this joyful and glorious task. The Liturgy is where Heaven touches the earth.

When did the cult of the angels begin?  The existence, character and mission of angels is solidly attested by the witness of Divine Scriptures.  We can say that the cult of the angels made a smooth transition from the Old Testament to the Church Age.

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name."  (Psalm 138: 1 - 2)

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There is an appointed time for everything.

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

Time in the Scriptures is either Chronos, calendar time or Kairos, time of grace, that is time set by the Providence of God for His breakthrough or intervention in human events. Below are a few of such times:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time."  (Habakkuk 2: 2 - 3).

2. "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" (Job 7: 1).

3.  "Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared."  (Matthew 2: 7).

4.  "Therefore Jesus told them, "My time is not yet here; for you any time will do." (John 7: 6).

5.  "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."  (Revelation 1: 3).

Time and Season are God’s Appointment.
"God has made everything appropriate to its time." 
(Ecclesiastes 3: 11).

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All things are vanity.

"Who, then, is this I hear such things about?”  (Luke 9: 9).

This is the troubled conscience of King Herod who beheaded John the Baptist on the altar of lust. It is remarkable that Herod appeared well informed about the activities of Jesus.

Why do so many today appear apathetic about Jesus and His mission?  Many on the streets appear weary and lost.  They  almost scream for Redemption.  How do we reach them with the light of the Redeemer?

Herod kept trying to see Jesus. (Luke 9: 9). Why do so many appear to ignore Jesus?

Jesus has an answer for the likes of Herod.  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14: 6).

The Teacher has a word of wisdom for these sheep without shepherd:
"Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!"  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2).

St Paul cried out when his life was dominated by this type of futile behavior:
"Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?"  (Romans 7: 24).

Vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!
"The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world."  (1 John 2: 16).

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Every word of God is tested.

"Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."  Proverbs 30: 5).

How much do you trust the word of God?  A little or a lot? That Bible somewhere in your home may be like acres of diamond in your backyard.

"Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, “Who is the LORD?”
Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God."  (Proverbs 30: 7 - 9).

I have been poor. I have been rich and I have been poor again.  Two things I have learned:
#1.  God knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
#2.  God Never Fails!

Today I trust the Lord to provide what I need.

Every promise of God is tested. God is a shield to those who trust Him and take refuge in Him.  (Proverbs 30: 5).

"Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood, and favor me with your law.

"The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces."

Your word, O LORD, endures forever; it is firm as the heavens." (Psalm 119: 29, 72, 82).

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Mary My Mom hears the word of God and keeps it.

“Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.”  Jesus said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”  (Luke 8: 20 - 21).

Did Mary and the brethren of Jesus make a mistake in visiting Jesus at work? Be that as it may, Jesus seizes the opportunity to point to His mother Mary as a model of a servant of God who hears the word of God and observes it. (Cf Luke 11: 28).

Mary heard the proposal to become the mother of the Redeemer and replied at once:
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." (Luke 1: 38).

The word of God says: 
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37: 4).
Mary replies:  "How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." 
(Luke 1: 47).  Jesus made Mary Mother, Teacher and Queen.

Simeon the old Prophet says to Mary:  "A sword will pierce your very soul." (Luke 2: 35).  Mary bowed her head in acceptance and complete surrender to the will of God.
At the foot of the Cross where Mary stood still like a statue, she heard Jesus moan:  "Where is my mother?"  Mary groaned in silence accepting the immolation of her Son and offering Him to the Eternal Father.

At every moment of Mary's life, we see a woman who lives by this word of God:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of God, and he will make straight your paths." 
(Proverbs 3: 5).

No wonder all generations continue to call Mary blessed. (Luke 1: 48).
The promise of Jesus is still true for you and for me:
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
(Luke 8: 21).

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Use your light or it will be taken away.

 “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light."  (Luke 8: 16).

Baptism places the light of Christ in us.  Like one lighted candle, this light becomes many lighted candles in us as we grow in our Christian life through prayer, word of God, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Examination of Conscience, Spiritual Reading and Ministry.

Do you conceal your light or do you share it through how you talk and act?  How we talk and act is a witness to who we are. Jesus has given us His light for a purpose.

We also are called to witness through special gifts.
"He gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,  to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."  (Ephesians 4: 11 - 12).

Jesus concludes today's teaching with a warning:
"To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Use it or lose it.

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