I have risen, and I am with you still.

"I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia." (Entrance Antiphon)

Today is the Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017.

Too wonderful for us this experience. The Lord is truly risen, alleluia. To Him be glory and power for all ages of eternity.  Alleluia!

Brethren, let us lift up our hearts to God:

"God our Father,
by raising Christ your Son
you conquered the power of death
and opened for us the way to eternal life.
Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Abundant Peace and Joy of Easter to you all. 💒 🌹🌼💟

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The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.

"The Lord is truly risen, Alleluia. 
To Him be glory and power for all the ages of eternity, Alleluia, Alleluia!"   (Luke 24: 34; Cf Revelation 1: 6 RM)

"Today is Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil - April 15, 2017. 

 raised Jesus from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.   He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen — by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." 
(Acts 10:40-41 NIV)

"And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead."   (Acts 10:42 NLT)

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 118: 1)

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Jesus gave His life as an offering for sin.

“Are you the king of the Jews?”  (John 18: 33 NABRE)
"Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18: 36)

Today is Good Friday, April 14, 2017.  The Church celebrates the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world."  Think of it:  If the Kingdom of Jesus belongs to this world, no Christian will ever experience poverty or illness.  But we are affected by the conditions of this fallen world as much as others.

St Paul encourages his followers with these words:  "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything."  (2 Corinthians 6: 10 NLT).  What does this mean? Christ Jesus died today on the Cross for a weightier goal than silver and gold, Mercedes and BMW, Palaces and Mansions, a 6-figure salary.

Jesus died that we may know the true nature of God, grow to love Him intensely, serve Him and at the end of our earthly life enjoy life everlasting with Him in Heaven.  Mary the Mother of Jesus understood this.  She was poor, humble and insignificant until her death. Look at her net worth and recognition today.  All the saints have similar understanding of the nature of the Kingdom Jesus died for.  They gave up ashes to possess forever genuine Gold.

Salvation, glory, and power to the Lord Jesus Christ!

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This is the Chalice of the New Covenant in My Blood.

"How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me? I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord."  (Psalm 116:  12 - 13 NABRE)

Today is Holy Thursday, the beginning of the Triduum, the three most holiest days in Church Calendar.  Today we celebrate the Memorial of the Institution of the Eucharist and the Sacred Priesthood by Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest.

“This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution.”  (Exodus 12: 14 RM)

In gratitude for so great a gift, the People of God (us) responds:
"I will offer a sacrifice of praise
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people."  (Psalm 116:  17 - 18)

Salvation, glory, and power to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Hail O Cross, Our Only Hope!

"Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests  and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver."  (Matthew 26: 14 - 15)

On Wednesday of the Holy Week 2017, the word of God presents for our reflection: Sin, Betrayal and Repentance.
The word "Betrayal" is used in today's Gospel, Matthew 26: 14 - 25 six times.  You may call it:  Betrayal Wednesday in Holy Week.  So what do you think of the mystery of sin and betrayal?

Every single sin is a betrayal of Jesus.  What is your price? What is it that you love and prefer to Jesus? That is the price you ask for your sin or betrayal.

Awake, O sinner, and arise from your sleep, and Christ will give you light.  (Cf Ephesians 5: 14)

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Hail to You, our King, led to Your crucifixion like a gentle Lamb.

"Before birth the Lord called me, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name."  (Isaiah 49: 1 NABRE)

He shall be called Jesus. (Cf Matthew 1: 21; Luke 1: 31). Like Jesus, we too are called, chosen and anointed for good works.
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2: 10).

"Though I thought I had toiled in vain, for nothing and for naught spent my strength,
Yet my right is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God."  (Isaiah 49: 4)
Shake off any discouragement or sloth.  Jesus Christ our Lord and Captain, set His face as flint as He marched to Jerusalem to complete His assignment.  (Cf Luke 9: 51).  Think of the cloud of witnesses who had gone before us.  (Cf Hebrews 12: 1)

On Tuesday of Holy Week 2017, we hail our Captain Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness! (Cf Revelation 1: 5)

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You always have the poor with you.

"You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”  (John 12: 8 NABRE)

Judas reproaches Mary, sister of Martha for a very extravagant deathday gift to Jesus.  What type of birthday present do you consider fitting for Jesus? What if you are to give Jesus a perfect deathday present, what would it be?  Your gift reveals the depth of your love.

"Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."   (Mark 12: 17).   What is it that belongs to God?  The Lord our God must be #1 in everything.  Honor Him and reverence Him above everything.  (Cf Exodus 20: 3;  Deuteronomy 5: 7).
Genuine charity realizes that what honors God does not deprive the poor.  Where love is, there is God.

Today is Monday of Holy Week, April 10, 2017.  This week is the climax of the Season of Lent.   The love of Christ impels us to finish the race.  (Cf 2 Corinthians 5: 14)

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A Tale of Two Prisoners

“Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?"  (Matthew 27: 17 RM)

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.  Our word to live by is the above Scripture.  You may call it: A tale of two prisoners.
One is Jesus called Christ.  The other prisoner is Barabbas.
Jesus the Christ has during His public ministry healed the sick, raised the dead, fed multitudes.  Most of His public life was devoted to teaching the people.
Barabbas was a notorious criminal branded a "revolutionary."

“Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?"  (Matthew 27: 17 RM)
The crowd answered Pilate, "Barabbas."  
"Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”  (Matthew 27: 22).

This is the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world.  The sacrifice of Christ will vanquish it.

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I was dead but now I am alive forever.

 “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live."  (John 11: 25 NABRE)

Jesus claims here that in His Person, you see the fulfilment of the Promise of Resurrection and Eternal life for all God's children.  As if John 11: 25 is not clear enough, Jesus said:  "Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever."  (Revelation 1: 18 NABRE)

The question is:  Do you believe this or not?  Like so many things that affect the promises of God, belief is critical.  Do you find it difficult to believe the claims of Jesus in the Gospel? Are you a cafeteria Christian? Do you pick and choose what you believe? Faith in Christ is like a seamless robe. Either you believe everything or nothing.

On Saturday in the 5th Week of Lent 2017, Do not be afraid.  Open your heart and mind to Jesus.  "Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”  (Mark 9: 24)

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First Friday: April 07, 2017

April 07, 2017 First Friday

12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

#4.  "They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death."

The above is #4 of 12 of The  Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary.

I consider Promise #4 a great Promise.  St Augustine says:  "If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well."  To die well therefore is what every human being must pray for.  It is already promised by the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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

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Our weapon has divine power to demolish strongholds - 04/07/17

"All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
“Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail, and take our revenge on him.”  (Jeremiah 20: 10 NABRE)

Relentless spiritual warfare is the norm in Christian life.  If you want to serve God, prepare for trials.  (Cf Sirach 2: 1)

Your enemy the devil prowls like a lion seeking whom to devour.  (Cf 1 Peter 5: 8).  Therefore, be sober and alert. (Ibid)

Do not forget that He who is with us  is stronger than our enemy.  (Cf Matthew 12: 29)

"But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion."  (Jeremiah 20: 11)

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."   (2 Corinthians 10: 4).

"In my distress I called out: Lord!
I cried out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry to him reached his ears."  (Psalm 18: 7)

On Friday of the 5th Week of Lent 2017, be sober. Be alert.

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God who did not spare His own Son will refuse us nothing which is good for us.

"He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?"  (Romans 8 : 32 NABRE)

Remember the above Scripture when you stand before the Father to ask for anything for yourself, your family, friends or even for the world.
Remember also:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."  (John 3 : 16)

God bound Himself with a covenant oath to be our God forever.

To enjoy continually the Peace of Christ:
#1.  Accept all that has happened.
#2.  Accept everything that is happening.
#3.  Cooperate with everything except with what is sinful.
(Jean-Pierre de Caussade, SJ)

On Thursday  of the 5th Week of Lent 2017, the Father wants us to rejoice in our filial adoption.

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When you make My word your home, then.....

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

Are you one of the Blessed Ones who believe in Jesus?  Are you enjoying all your privileges?  John 8: 31 - 32 is one of the greatest Scriptures in the New Testament.  There are three great promises laid out by Jesus the Teacher:

#1.  You abide and become the disciple of Jesus.  To serve God is to reign. Pure and simple.
#2.  You know the Truth. The Truth promised is Jesus Himself.  This Truth comes with the knowledge of the Way, Jesus.  See the Beatitudes. (Matthew 5: 3 - 12)
#3.  You enjoy unlimited freedom and victory in your life.  The freedom that is promised is  primarily freedom from sin which is the root cause of illness, divorce, poverty, ignorance, joblessness, aimlessness, etc.

The Secret of appropriating these treasures is:  REMAIN IN THE WORD. That is, make your home in the word of God.

"The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed."  (Isaiah 50: 4)

On Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent 2017, make the word your home.

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Thou shalt not condemn nor criticize the Lord our God or complain against Him.

"But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!”  (Numbers 21 : 4-5 RM)

No matter your frustration or anger, restrain yourself and No Complain, No Criticize, No Condemn the Lord our God.

In punishment for sinning with their mouth against God, "the Lord sent among the people seraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of the Israelites died."  (Numbers 21:  6). The punishment worked.   “We have sinned in complaining against the Lord and you. Pray to the Lord to take the serpents from us.”  (Numbers 21 : 7).

The Lord instructed 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)

Now lessons for us:
"These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come."  (1 Corinthians 10: 11 NABRE)

"Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled."  (Romans 15: 4 NLT)

On Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent 2017, No Complain, No Criticize, No Condemn the Lord our God.

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The Story of 2 Women accused of Adultery.

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery."  (John 8: 4 NABRE)

"A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her."  (Daniel 13: 37 NABRE)

Monday in the 5th Week of Lent, we hear the story of two women accused of adultery.
Susanna was accused by two elderly lustful judges but was innocent.  The other woman in the Gospel of John was accused by the Scribes and Pharisees and was guilty. The punishment for adultery according to the Law of Moses is death.

God's overflowing compassion and mercy intervened through the Prophet Daniel to save the life of Susanna.  Jesus Christ, the Merciful Savior intervened to save the other woman in John's Gospel.  Susanna trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly and the Lord heard her prayers.  (Daniel 13: 42 - 44).  The other woman after her reprieve became a disciple of Jesus.  Both stories ended well.

We must trust in the Mercy of God at all times, guilty or innocent.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me."  (Psalm 23:  4)

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I have promised, I will do it, says the Lord.

“This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  (John 11: 4 NABRE)

Our adversity is always an opportunity for God to be glorified.  Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary was dead and the sisters sent word to Jesus about it.   Jesus said to Martha:  “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?”   (John 11:  40).  And He said, “Lazarus, come out!”  (John 11: 43). And commanded:  “Untie him and let him go.” (John 11: 44).

Are you bound and "tied hand and feet" by Unbelief?  If God can raise Lazarus from the grave after four days, He certainly can restore your marriage, health, finances, job, etc.
Faith is saying YES to God so that He will do what He promises to do.

"I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the LORD."  (Psalm 30: 5 - 6 RM)

On this 5th Sunday of Lent 2017, glorify God by trusting in Him. 

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O Lord, My God, in You I take refuge.

“Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered.”  (Jeremiah 11:  19 NABRE)

You would be excused if you think the above Scripture refers to Jesus.  It actually refers to Jeremiah the Prophet.  Jeremiah is here a type of Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, the personality of Jesus is shown through the character and work of key Bible characters.  The struggles of Jeremiah with his enemies will parallel that of Jesus with Jewish leaders.

" I knew it because the Lord informed me: at that time you showed me their doings."  (Jeremiah 11: 18).  Just as Jesus knew all the plots of His adversaries, God revealed to Jeremiah the plots of his enemies.

In Gethsemane, Jesus might have prayed using these sentiments of Jeremiah:

"Lord my God, in you I trusted; save me; rescue me from all who pursue me, Lest someone maul me like a lion, tear my soul apart with no one to deliver."  (Psalm 7: 2 - 3)

In the case of Jesus, the Father did not rescue Jesus from those who seek to destroy Him.

On Day 32 of 40 of Lent 2017,
We pray with the Psalmist,
"Let the malice of the wicked end.
Uphold the just one, O just God, who tries hearts and minds."  Psalm 7: 10)

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His hour had not yet come.

"So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come."  (John 7: 30 NABRE)

At the fullness of time, Jesus willingly and deliberately gave up Himself to be tortured and crucified.

In God's providence and government, there is a time and season for everything. (Cf Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 8).   There is a time for promises and a time for fulfilment of promises.

"So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come."  (John 7: 30)

On Day 31 of 40 of Lent 2017, the Scriptures today indicate that soon the Hour will come.  Good Friday is near.

Stations of the Cross.

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They forgot the God who had saved them.

“These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”  (Exodus 32: 8 NABRE)

Unbelievable!  Israel forgot the God who had saved them.  They adored molten image of grass-eating beast. How painful this must be to behold.  (Psalm 106: 19 - 23).  How do you feel when you hear from your son or daughter:  "My friend gave this to me."  You see your labor of love attributed to a buddy. 

Abba Father loved the world so much that He gave His Son Jesus to save this world.  (John 3:16).  Yet some people may believe:  "My country loved me so much that it offers me eternal life."

On Day 30 of 40 of Lent 2017, let the People of God remember that every good gift comes from the Father above. (Cf James 1: 17)

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Can a mother be without tenderness for the child of her womb?

“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 NABRE)

The Israelites, true to character moaned that at last the Lord has settled accounts with them by a clean and complete divorce.  The Lord told them:  that is impossible and never going to happen.

Money, money, money, all is money in a rich man's world. Years after the ABBA Group topped the charts with this song, I learned that all is also money in a poor man's world.  Money is one of the big items in life that tempt us to believe:  "The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”  (Isaiah 49: 14).  Jesus addressed this silly worry in Matthew Chapter 6.  The healing Scripture for me on money is below:

"Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.”  (Hebrews 13: 5)

On Day 29 of 40 of Lent 2017, the word of God invites us to learn to trust God in everything.  Man does not live on money alone.

Praise and honor to You, LORD Jesus Christ!

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