A Shower of blessings

"God, you rained down a shower of blessings, when your heritage was weary you gave it strength. Your family found a home, which you in your generosity provided the humble." (Psalm 68: 9-10)

PROVISIONS:

• God richly supplies us with everything to enjoy (1 Timothy 6: 17)
  
• God will equip you with everything good to do his will (Hebrews 13: 21)
  
• The provisions of his Spirit (Philippians 1: 19)
  
• His divine power has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 3)
  
• The Lord will provide a lamb (Genesis 22:8, 14)
  

 

• God provided for his people in the wilderness (Psalm 105: 40-41)
  
• You provided for them in the wilderness (Nehemiah 9: 21)
  
• You provided for the poor (Psalm 68: 10)
  

Divine Help

God helps you (Genesis 49:25; 1 Chronicles 12: 18)

Eliezer, God was my help (Exodus 18:4)

God is my helper (Psalm 54: 4)

The Lord is my helper (Hebrews 13:6)

The Lord is your shield of help (Deuteronomy 33: 29)

A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46: 1)

Our help is in the name of the Lord (Psalm 124: 8)

Ebenezer, this far has the Lord helped us (1 Samuel 7:12)

The Lord helped David wherever he went (2 Samuel 8:6; 1 Chronicles 18:6, 13)

He has helped his servant Israel (Luke 1: 54)

You are the helper of the orphan (Psalm 10: 14)

My help is from the Lord (Psalm 121: 2)

Your help made me great (2 Samuel 22: 36; Psalm 18:35)

The Lord helped me (Psalm 118: 13)

With us is the Lord to help us (2 Chronicles 32: 8)

Christ is able to help those who are tempted (Hebrews 2: 18)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8: 26)

We have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1)

If the Lord had not been my help (Psalm 94: 17)

 

God helped the Levites to carry the ark (1 Chronicles 15: 26)

The wall had been built with the help of God (Nehemiah 6: 16)

God helped Uzziah against his enemies (2 Chronicles 26: 7)

Jehoshaphat cried out and the Lord helped him (2 Chronicles 18: 31)

 

The hand of the Lord on them to help (Ezra 7: 6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31; Nehemiah 2:8, 18)

 

The Father will give you another helper (John 14: 16)

The helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send (John 14: 26)

The helper whom I will send from the Father (John 15: 26)

I will send the helper to you (John 16: 7)

 

We have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1)

(ROGET'S THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Rejoice O highly favored One

"Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you!" (Luke 1:28)

The Angel Gabriel also said to Mary:

• Mary, do not be afraid, you have won God's favor.
  
• The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow.
  
• For God's promises can never fail.
  

Mary answered:

• You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.
  

I like very much the reminder that God's promises never fail. Here are a few other instances of this word:

• With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19: 26, Mark 10: 27)
  
• What is impossible for man is possible for God (Luke 18: 27)
  
• With God nothing is impossible (Luke 1: 37)
  
• Nothing will be impossible for them (Genesis 11: 6)
  
• Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17: 20)
  
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4: 13)
  

The battle of prayer

"Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings." (1 Peter 5: 8 – 9)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say on prayer:

"Prayer is a gift of grace but it always presupposes a determined response on your part because those who pray "battle" against themselves, their surroundings, and especially the Tempter who does all he can to turn them away from prayer. The battle of prayer is inseparable from progress in the spiritual life. We pray as we live because we live as we pray."

"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."

Blow at the head of Satan

"Then Uzziah said to her (Judith): 'Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the chief of our enemies. Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God." (Judith 13: 18 – 19)

The above scripture was read on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, 1997. On that day, I saw clearly the semblance of Judith to Mary, the Mother of Christ very clearly. Judith was the prototype of Mary. I scribbled the following in my journal:

"Mary is blessed by the Most High God above all other women on earth.

It is God, the Blessed One who has guided her to cut off the head of the leader of our enemies, Satan.

Your praises O Mary will never depart from the hearts of those who remember the power of God.

O Mother, your praises will endure forever."

 

Mary – Our Mother

"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her;

Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!

Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort,

That you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!

For thus says the Lord:

Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.

As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap;

As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort." (Isaiah 66: 10-14)

 

The above scripture was read at Mass on February 11, 1997 on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. It is clear that the Church intends us to turn our reflection to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ as we read and meditate on Isaiah 66: 10-14 on this day. I confided the reflection below to my journal on this occasion.

"I rejoice with Mary and I am glad for her. I love Mary. I share her joy with all my heart because I recognize her as the Mother of Sorrows.

I will suck fully of the milk of her comfort. I will drink deep with delight from her generous breasts.

God blesses her with prosperity which flows over her like a river.

O House of gold!

O Ivory Tower!

I will be suckled, carried on her lap.

As a mother comforts her son, so Mary, my mom will comfort me.

When this happens, my heart shall rejoice and my body flourish like the grass.

And everybody will know that the hand of the Lord is upon me. Amen!"

EXAMPLE

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps." (1 Peter 2: 21)

• Christ washed their feet as an example (John 13: 15)
  
• Christ suffered, leaving us an example (1 Peter 2: 21)
  
• In me Christ demonstrated his patience as an example (1 Timothy 1: 16)
  
• Observe those who live according to Paul's example (Philippians 3: 17)
  
• We offer ourselves as a model for you (2 Thessalonians 3: 9)
  
• The Thessalonians were an example to all believers (1 Thessalonians 1 : 7)
  
• The prophets were an example of suffering and patience (James 5: 10)
  
• Be an example to believers (1 Timothy 4: 12)
  
• Show yourselves to be an example of good deeds (Titus 2:7)
  
• Elders should be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5: 3)
  

(ROGETS THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE)

Be anxious for nothing

"So do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6: 34)

• Be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6)
  
• Do not be anxious about what to say in your defense (Matthew 10: 19, Mark 13: 11, Luke 12: 11)
  
• Do not worry about what to eat or drink (Matthew 6: 25-31, Luke 12: 22)
  
• Who by being anxious can add a cubit to his life? (Matthew 6: 27, Luke 12: 25)
  
• The worries of this world choke the word (Matthew 13: 22, Luke 8: 14)
  
• Do not be weighed down by the worries of life (Luke 21: 34)
  
• Do not let your heart be troubled (John 14: 1)
  
• Do not be anxious (Luke 12: 29)
  
• I want you to be free of anxiety (1 Corinthians 7: 32)
  
• Cast your anxiety on him (1 Peter 5: 7)
  

ROGETS THESAURUS OF THE BIBLE

Faith Gives Us Access

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the Promised Land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God." (Hebrews 11: 8-10)

By faith I embarked on the Enterprise. I set out without knowing what I was going to do. By faith I stayed in the land as if it was not the Promised Land. I lived in "tents." I looked forward to the city with foundation, designed and built by God.

Abraham went out not knowing where he was going: But God knows the destination. Abraham showed the obedience of faith and God counted it in his favor. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived in "tents." Jesus Christ lived in "tents." (Matthew 8: 20; Luke 9: 58). No condition is permanent and this world is a tent for every living person. God has prepared a homeland for all of us. (Hebrews 11: 16)

Prepare yourself for action

"As for you, prepare yourself for action." (Jeremiah 1: 17 – 19)

When I read the above scripture ten years ago, I appropriated it immediately and confided the reflection below to my journal:

"How do I prepare myself for action?

• Prayer
  
• Eucharist
  
• Word of God
  
• Ministry
  
• Study
  

What is the fruit of preparation?

• At the right time, you will stand up and tell them all that I command you.
  
• You will have no fear of them for God will make you fearless in their presence.
  
• They will certainly try to terrorize you and discourage you. Resist it for if you let yourself be broken before them, I will break you before their eyes. I rebuke temerity in those who know me.
  
• You will be a pillar of iron.
  
• You will be a wall of bronze.
  
• Be prepared to stand against the whole country if I ask you.
  
• They will fight against you but will never overcome you.
  

For I am with you to rescue you, Yahweh declares."

Give

"Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap; because the standard you use will be the standard used for you." (Luke 6: 38)

I discovered only recently that I have the gift of intercessory prayer. A couple of months ago, I attended a weekend workshop called "Call and Gift." During the workshop, participants were encouraged to make an inventory of their gifts. I have known for some time that I love to pray. I love the Mass; I love saying the Rosary. I enjoy communal prayers like the Divine Office. But it never occurred to me to add up all these likings and draw their appropriate conclusion from it: gift. Reviewing my journal entry of 1997, ten years ago, I found that I confided the reflection below on Luke 6: 38.

"What can I give now?

• Compassion, forgiveness
  
• Prayers/Intercession
  
• Talent in publishing Christ
  
• Time
  
• Letter apostolate
  

Daniel, a captive in Babylon gave to his people at their hour of great need a noble gift. He interceded for them before God. Prayer is the key. I can imitate Daniel."

 

Intercessory Prayer

"O my Lord, God great and to be feared, you keep the covenant and show faithful love towards those who love you and who observe your commandments." (Daniel 9: 4)

In Daniel 9: 4 – 10, I see the young prophet exercising the office of the priest. He intercedes on behalf of his people and stood in the gap for them. I can do the same. O Holy Spirit, use my gift of intercessory prayer as you wish. Lead me, guide me and use me.

If God is for us

"If God is for us, who can be against us? Is it possible that he who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?" (Romans 8: 31 – 32)

This is an incredible logic. To demonstrate his love and concern for you, God gave up his son, Jesus Christ. Now, what can be more valuable than his son, Jesus? In other words, God wants us to put his Son on one side of the scale and whatever desire or hope we have on the other side. How does that tally? The answer is clear. In giving us his Son, Jesus, God has given us everything.

I know for certain that God is for me in the Enterprise. I will fear nothing. I trust his wisdom and power. Every day, I am getting more and more ready to trust and to obey.

Temporary or Permanent Residence?

"Rabbi, how good it is for us to be here. Let us erect three booths on this site, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Mark 9: 5)

Jesus took Peter, James and John with him to the mountaintop to experience his Transfiguration. They experienced joy and comfort and wanted the incident to be permanent. But there is work for them elsewhere. The Enterprise has been marked by immense spiritual and material favors. Am I tempted like Peter to cling to this at all cost? Is there work for me elsewhere?

Offering Everything

"I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing – all this because you obeyed my command." (Genesis 22: 15 – 18)

God is faithful. We can never outdo him in generosity. Trust him at all times. He rewards faith. He rewards obedience. In his recompense, he goes further than our desires and hopes.

Behold the Lamb

"But the Lord's messenger called to him from heaven, 'Abraham, Abraham!' 'Yes, Lord,' he answered. 'Do not lay your hand on the boy,' said the messenger. 'Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son." As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son." (Genesis 22: 9 – 13)

Isaac said to the Abraham, his father: We have the priest, the altar and everything for the sacrifice. But where is the lamb? Abraham answered him: God will provide the lamb at the appropriate time.

When John the Baptizer saw Jesus, he said to the crowd: Behold the Lamb of God, who is the true sacrifice for our sin.

The Church teaches that Jesus is not only the Lamb for the sacrifice, he is also the priest and the altar.

Readiness for Test

"God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, 'Abraham!' 'Ready!' he replied. Then God said: 'Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you." (Genesis 22: 1-2)

God tested Abraham's faith and his readiness to obey. It was a severe test but Abraham was ready for the test. He believed in God's goodness, wisdom and power. And because of this, it was easy for him to obey. In the Annunciation story, Mary's faith and readiness to obey were also tested. We know from Mary's Magnificat that she knew her God very well. Faith that is firm is born from experiential knowledge of God's goodness, wisdom and power.

Am I prepared to undergo a severe test in my life if it comes now? What do I fear most to lose in life? Family, health, money, job, property or tools, daily food? Jesus says: we find our life only when we are ready to lose it. The more detached we are from things, the more free we are.

Easter Monday 2007

"My heart has prompted me to seek your face; I seek it, Lord; do not hide your face from me." (Psalm 27: 8 – 9)

Ten years ago, I confided to my journal this reflection on the above scripture:

"My heart has prompted me to seek God with a singleness of purpose this Lent. I know he will not hide his face from me. I can never forget the Lent of 1988. I had not observed Lent for a very long time. My heart prompted me to give up smoking just on Ash Wednesday. After Ash Wednesday, the desire to smoke dried up. God healed me of smoking addiction. Praise God!"

Today is Easter Monday. Since the miraculous healing I experienced at the beginning of Lent 1988, Lent has become my favorite season in the liturgical calendar. Today, my manner of living before and after Lent has synchronized. Thank you Jesus.

Peter the Rock

"Peter said: you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered: You are Peter, the rock on which I will build my Church." (Matthew 16: 16 – 18)

Just before Easter 2007, I ordered the 2000 Years of Papal History from Peter to Pope Benedict XVI. Recorded by an eminent Harvard trained historian, Fr. John O'Malley, S.J., the precious gem came to me in 12 CDs. As I listened with awe to this incredible story, at times it did not seem to me that the papacy was the rock on which Christ built his Church. But certainly rock it was, rock it had been and rock it is still today. How do I know this? Build a house on rock and it stands. Build it on sand and it is washed away in a fierce storm.

Thank you Jesus for your wisdom and power.

A Promise fulfilled

"The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want." (Psalm 23: 1)

Ten years ago, I confided to my journal the reflection below on the above scripture:

"How true this is in my life today. Everything I need I have. Those things the Lord in his wisdom and goodness sees that I do not need, he does not provide. This is the way it is supposed to be. I trust the Lord in all things and at all times.

Psalm 23 which I repeated and visualized for two years (1995 and 1996) is now fulfilled in my life. God has indeed given me repose in green pastures. Originally, I saw the promise of a green pasturage as a successful information systems company. But God has better plans for me – the Enterprise. He has restored my spirits through the tranquil streams by which he leads me.

I know for certain that nothing now frightens me: no support or security issues intimidate me. This is because his goodness and faithful love will pursue me every day of my life. One of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me in the Enterprise is the fulfillment of unexpected promise:

"I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come" (Psalm 23: 6)

I am in the house of Yahweh every day.