The humility of Moses

"Is Moses the only one through whom Yahweh has spoken? Has he not spoken with us too? Now Moses was extremely humble, the humblest man on earth." (Numbers 12: 2 – 3)

The trials and tribulations of Moses

Even Aaron and Miriam joined the rebels. They became part of the problem and not the solution.

Those that ate with me raised their heels to strike me. Moses allowed God to fight for him. God was the guardian of his rights. Moses exemplified the leadership principle. The leader is a servant and not a master.

Doubt versus Trust

"You have so little faith. Why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 31)

This is a well merited reproach from Jesus. After all that He does for me every day, why do I still doubt? Why does doubt instead of trust seem to have been ingrained as a second nature? Why does it seem easier to doubt than to trust God?

Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Make me always aware of your presence.

The Journey and Patience

"Would that we have meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumber, the melon, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now, we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna." (Number 11: 4 – 6)

The journey to the Promised Land was a test of patience, endurance, faith, courage and humility for the Israelites. It was a very severe test. They failed. They lost their patience in spite of the fact that they still had the manna to eat. They looked back to former days in Egypt. They complained against God and Moses.

The Enterprise is also a severe test. To succeed, I must rely on God for everything. I must trust God to lead and guide me according to His designs. I will depend on God to fight my battles.

Five loaves and two fish

"Five loaves and two fish are all we have here. Then he said, 'Bring them here to me." (Matthew 14: 17 – 18)

Bring whatever you have to the Lord. He can multiply it. "Silver and gold I do not have to give. What I have, I give you." Nobody can give that which he has not. We are expected to work with what we have. God is a creator, a multiplier. Small or big before God is the same.

Lord, take and receive all that I am, all that I have. Lead me, guide me and use me.

Nothing can separate us from Christ

"What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?" (Romans 8: 35)

Even if the figs do not blossom, even if all support systems fail, I will never doubt God's love for me.

If we live we live, if we perish, we perish.

Essentials of life

"Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy?" (Isaiah 55: 2)

We work very hard and spend what we earn on what does not satisfy. Advertising is great in encouraging us to spend our money on what is not bread. What is essential for life and happiness have been adequately provided by God. Our responsibility is to make sure that everybody gets a fair share.

Free and Abundant

"All of you who are thirsty, come to the water. You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat. Come, without praying and without cost, drink wine and milk." (Isaiah 55: 1-3)

The best things in life are not only free but abundant. For example:

• Air
  
• Word of God
  
• Eucharist
  
• Holy Spirit
  

Father, make us appreciate your gifts. May we never minimize them because they are free and abundant. Teach us to share them with those who need them.

Gifts without measure

"God our Father, gifts without measure flow from your goodness to bring us your peace. Our life is your gift. Guide our life's journey, for only your love makes us whole. Keep us strong in your love…." (18^th Sunday)

As I write this blog today Sunday, it is very beautiful outside. It is sunny, dry and cool.

God's gifts this day:

• Sunday
  
• Eucharist
  
• Daily bread
  
• Rest
  

Thank you Father. Lead me and guide me and use me.

Our sure guide

"Father of everlasting goodness, our origin and guide, be close to us and hear the prayers of all who praise you. Forgive our sins and restore us to life. Keep us safe in your love…." (Opening Prayer on the 18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

What does it mean to believe that God our Father is of everlasting goodness? It means that He is of the same character yesterday, today and tomorrow. As we trusted Him in the past and He performed, so can we trust Him today and tomorrow and count absolutely on His performance. He is unchanging in His essence of goodness. I rejoice to call such a God, my Father.

We come from God and we are going home to this God. His Son, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is our sure guide to this new life. Lord Jesus, lead us, guide us and use us as you wish.

An ever-present help

"God, come to my help. Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming." (Psalm 70: 2,6)

It is God who helps me in everything. Whenever I call upon Him, I am assured of a timely help.

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 6 – 7)

"God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea." (Psalm 46: 2 – 3)

Paying the price

"Give me John the Baptist's head here , on a dish." (Matthew 14: 8)

John the Baptist paid the supreme price for his calling. Every vocation has outputs and consequences. How much are you willing to pay for yours? He who is faithful in little things will be faithful in more consequential ones.

I am the Resurrection

"I am the Resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11: 25 – 26)

Yes, Lord. I do. Increase my faith. I believe everything you teach and have revealed. Help me to grow in faith today through prayer, your word and the Eucharist.

Love one another

"My dear brothers, let us love one another, since love is from God and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God." (1 John 4: 7)

• How do I love?
  
• Whom do I love?
  
• When do I love?
  
• Where do I love?
  

The Holy Spirit in me will direct me. O Holy Spirit, fill me with the spirit of genuine love for my brothers and sisters.

The Fine Pearl

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it." (Matthew 13: 45 – 46)

Christ is the fine Pearl of great value. If we are genuinely searching for great value in life, our search will lead us sooner or later to Christ. 'Seek and you shall find." When we find this pearl, the price we pay for it is a true reflection of our estimation of the value. If we believe the pearl is the finest quality, then we shall sell all that we possess to buy it.

Number One

"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, as he was coming down the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin on his face was radiant because he had been talking to him." (Exodus 34: 29)

Jesus Christ is the new Moses. On Mount Trebor, He talked with the Father face to face. Not only His face but His clothing was radiant. Now in heaven, He talks to God on our behalf every day. He is the first among many brothers and sisters. Although He is God, by virtue of His humanity, he is number One in the list of saints.

The Farmer and the Soil

"The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man." (Matthew 13: 37)

Christ is the farmer who cultivates me. I am the soil. How does Christ cultivate the soil? For me, He uses the 7-Way Plan as tools.

• Prayer
  
• Eucharist
  
• Penance
  
• Word of God
  
• Examen
  
• Ministry
  
• Spiritual reading
  

Whenever I sow the good word, I am acting like Christ and for Christ.

God of tenderness and compassion

"Yahweh, Yahweh, God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in faithful love and constancy, maintaining his faithful love to thousands, forgiving fault, crime, sin." (Exodus 34: 6-7)

Before Moses representing humanity, God Himself declared the above words as who He is.

Father, I believe every word You have said above. You are a compassionate and loving Father. How wonderful it is to know Your character. I know You love me dearly. I place my life entirely in Your hands. I will not be afraid today.

The Mustard Seed

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air can come and shelter in its branches." (Matthew 13: 31 – 32)

The mustard seed represents a small beginning. The Enterprise is a mustard seed. It is growing. Thank you Jesus.

Leadership Principles

"They said to me, 'Make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt – we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32: 23)

Aaron led the people into sin. He lacked the wisdom and courage to lead.

Wisdom and courage are fundamental leadership principles. These are also the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, grant me wisdom and courage in the area you want me to lead today.

Leadership Principles

"They said to me, 'Make us a god to go at our head; for that Moses, the man who brought us here from Egypt – we do not know what has become of him." (Exodus 32: 23)

Aaron led the people into sin. He lacked the wisdom and courage to lead.

Wisdom and courage are fundamental leadership principles. These are also the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, grand me wisdom and courage in the area you want me to lead today.