Search This Blog

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Psalm 73:23-26, Job 19 19:21-27, Luke 10:1-12, Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14

Psalm 73:23-26
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold my right hand,
24 you guide me on the way you chose
and your Glory brings me along.
25 I have no one in heaven but you;
on earth I desire nothing but you.
26 My flesh and my heart waste away
for you, O God, O my rock,
you are mine forever.


How beautifully these verses sum up all that You are and my own response to You and Your love. Beloved, loving You and being loved by You gives meaning to my life. It gives it direction and purpose. Your perfect love for me kindles in me a responsive love, a love that cannot be passive but has to be demonstrated in action. Your love is dynamic and it sets to flames, it burns, it creates a thirst and a desire to spend more time alone with You to taste of Your sweetness and goodness in turn it makes me want to try harder to reflect You to my neighbour.

Job 19 19:21-27
21 Have pity my friends, have pity,
for God’s hand has struck me!
22 Why do you hound me as God does?
Will you never have enough of my flesh?
23 Oh, that my words were written,
or recorded on bronze
24 with an iron tool, a chisel
or engraved forever on rock!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he, the last, will take his stand on earth
26 I will be there behind my skin,
and in my flesh I shall see God.
27 With my own eyes I shall see him –
I and not another. How my heart yearns!


Beloved, help me never to be like Job's friends, they neither knew the true character of their friend Job nor did they know You. In Job's affliction they wounded him even more and made his trials heavier by their lack of understanding. But Job remained steadfast in his faith in You. When we are responsive to Your work in us, through sickness, loss, hardship and grief. If we trust You, believing that it is necessary for us to be tried like gold in the furnace, then we will be purified and in the end, we will become what You want us to be. A delight to God and to man. I love verse 27 which says, "With my own eyes I shall see Him - I and not another. How my heart yearns!" It sums up the hope of one day beholding You whom I love face to face in erternity. This is the restlessness, this the yearning, to be perfectly united with You.

Luke 10:1-12
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place, where he himself was to go. 2 And he said to them, “The har­vest is rich, but the workers are few. So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest. 3 Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do not stop at the homes of those you know.5 Whatever house you enter, first bless them saying: ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If a friend of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Stay in that house eating and drinking at their table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house.
8 When they welcome you in any town, eat what they offer you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and say to them: ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’ 10 But in any town where you are not welcome, go to the marketplace and proclaim: 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off and leave with you. But know and be sure that the kingdom of God had come to you.’ 12 I tell you that on the Judgment Day it will be better for Sodom than for this town.

Beloved, to know You, to love You, to be aware of all that You did to save us - this is perfect joy, yet, how few know or care. We need laborers who are on fire with love for You to go out and tell the world the Good News that there is a love and a life that can bring a new birth. It is You who call my Lord. The calling itself is a gift and this gift is then given away freely, the gift of self for the sake of Your Kingdom. Set young souls on fire with zeal to bring the Good News to a world that has lost its way. Your Word has power to heal and restore and give new life. Today we are nearer to eternity than we were yesterday, may time not run out before the labourers have brought in the whole harvest.
 
Psalm 27:7-9, 13-14
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord,
have mercy on me and answer.
8 My heart says to you,
“I seek your face, O Lord.”
9 Do not hide your face from me
nor turn away your servant in anger.
You are my protector, do not reject me
abandon me not, O God my savior!
13 I hope, I am sure,
that I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Trust in the Lord, be strong and courageous
yes, put your hope in the Lord!

Beloved, all the readings of today, including your first verses of the day to me in Psalm 73 are so beautifully connected.  Truly Your Word is a seamless garment.  To see Your Face is what our heart yearns for.  Our knowledge of You enables us to trust You completely and You will never let us down.  You help us to be all that we can be.  A light that shines on the hilltop.  It is Your light that shines in us.


Wednesday, September 29, 2010

John 10:27-30, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, John 1:47-51, Psalm 138:1-5

John 10:27-30
27 My sheep hear my voice and I know them; they follow me 28 and I give them eternal life. They shall never perish and no one will ever steal them from me. 29 What the Father has given me is above everything else and no one can snatch it from the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
I belong to You Beloved - this knowledge that i am Yours and You are mine is the source of my deepest joy.  In the terrible din of this world, You grant me the grace to hear Your voice and follow You.  Thank You for the wonderful assurance that no one can steal me from You for I am entrusted to You by a loving Father - You taught me to call Him Abba and what the Father has given You no one can dare to take away.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
9 I looked and saw the following:
Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire. 10 A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him and a countless multitude stood before him.
Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book. Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.
13 I continued watching the nocturnal vision:
One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence.
14 Dominion, honor and kingship were given him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.
Beloved, the One of Great Age, the Father, has entrusted all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth to You.  Your Lordship is over all.  You are the King of Kings and You rule by the decree of God Almighty, the Eternal One.  Your Kingdom is eternal and can never be destroyed. 

John 1:47-51
” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, “Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.” 48 Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” And Jesus said to him, “Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered, “Master, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 But Jesus replied, “You believe because I said: ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.
51 Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

The glory of the Almighty God, His infinite and all encompassing love, all that is in God is made manifest in You, my Beloved.  Those who believe in You, who see You, who love You, who touch You, those who taste You in the wonder of the Eucharist and are transformed in You, -  love, touch and taste the Father Himself, for He and You are One in the Holy Spirit, who is the bond of love that unites You and the Father and draws us into the divine life of the Triune God. 
At the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in every Mass, the heavens open and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of Man and we are invited to receive Him and become one with Him - Wow, what a stupendous gift and blessing!!!

Psalm 138:1-5
1 I thank you, O Lord, with all my heart,
for you have heard the word of my lips.
I sing your praise in the presence of the gods.
2 I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name,
for your love and faithfulness,
for your word which exceeds everything.
3 You answered me when I called;
you restored my soul and made me strong.
4 O Lord, all kings on earth will give you praise,
when they have heard your words.
5 They will celebrate the ways of the Lord,
“great is the glory of the Lord!”
Beloved, I join my praise, thanks, love, worship and adoration with that of the psalmist.  I sing with him of Your mercies and tender compassion.  Thank You for drawing me to Yourself each morning and flooding my soul with the wonder, splendour and grace of Your loving Presence.  Truly I am speechless before love such as Yours.  Undeserving of Your love though I am, You not only love me, You answer my prayers  You lift me up and You fill me with grace, You strengthen me. Having You my Beloved, I have all I need.  Thank You.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Psalm 3:4-6, Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23, Luke 9:51-56, Psalm 88:2-3

Psalm 3:4-6
4 But you are my shield, O Lord,
my glory, you lift up my head.
5 Aloud I cry to the Lord,
and from his holy hill he answers me.
6 If I lie down to sleep,
again I awake, for the Lord supports me;

Having You Beloved, I have everything. You the great, glorious, almighty God is my shield and my refuge. You are my rock and my deliverer. I call Your Name and You hasten to help me. At night when I sleep, You are with me and when I awake You are still with me for my thoughts repeat Your Holy Name always.


Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23
1 At length it was Job who spoke, cursing the day of his birth. 2 This is what he said:
3 Cursed be the day I was born,
and the night which whispered:
A boy has been conceivedA boy has been conceived.
11 Why didn’t I die at birth,
or come from the womb without breath?
12 Why the knees that received me,
why the breasts that suckled me?
13 For then I should have lain down
asleep and been at rest
14 with kings and rulers of the earth
who built for themselves lonely tombs;
15 or with princes who had gold to spare
and houses stuffed with silver.
16 Why was I not stillborn,
like others who did not see the light of morn?
17 There the trouble of the wicked ceases,
there the weary find repose.
20 Why is light given to the miserable,
and life to the embittered?
21To those who long for death
more than for hidden treasure?
22 They rejoice at the sight of their end,
they are happy upon reaching the grave.
23 Why give light to a man whose path has vanished,
whose ways God blocks at every side?

My Beloved, I too have experienced what Job experienced when he lost all his children. I too wished to lie down and die. The pain was so unbearable I thought death would be preferable to the anguish of loss, of empty arms. But You are a gracious God and through the shadow of the Cross You drew me surely and certainly into Your loving arms. As I lay there I understood that it was necessary to experience suffering in order to learn from it and grow into a more loving, gentle, compassionate person. I know with certainty that death is not the end but the beginning. Death of loved ones especially the recent loss of a well loved sister, teaches me to cling less to the world and yearn more deeply and ardently for heaven.

Luke 9:51-56
• 51 As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. 52 He had sent ahead of him some messengers who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him. 53 But the people would not receive him because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 Seeing this, James and John, his disciples said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?” 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56and they went on to another village.

My Beloved, sometimes we get upset when people are not ready or prepared to listen to us when we witness to You. In fact there are some who wish to have nothing to do with You and it is very frustrating because we have prayed for these very people for years and years and nothing changes. We get upset and annoyed and can become mean spirited, uncharitable and very un-Christlike. But You are understanding, patient and very kind. You do not wish for the death of sinners but You want all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. In imitation of You, we must continue to pray and love to the end. All that matters is that we are faithful in our loving witness. The answer to our prayers will come in Your time.

Psalm 88:2-3
2 O Lord, my God, I call for help by day; before you I cry out by night.
3 May my prayer come to you; incline your ear to my cry for help.

Like the Psalmist I cry out to You day and night bringing before You all those I love including myself. Day after day and night after night I call Your Name. Thank You for inclining Your ear to my cry for help, I am confident that at a time of Your choosing You will hear and answer me. Thank You and praise You my Beloved.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Jeremiah 32:27, Job1: 6-22, Luke 9:46-50, Psalm 17:1-3, 6-7

Jeremiah 32:27
"I am Yahweh, the God of all humankind. Is there anything impossible for me?"

"Why do you allow yourself to be anxious, fearful and dismayed? It shows a distinct lack of trust in Me, especially after all I have done for you. Know that I am the Lord, the Son of the Living God, Creator of heaven and earth and trust Me always. It pleases Me when You place all Your hope and trust in Me."

"I will my Beloved. thank You."

Job 1: 6-22
6 One day the heavenly beings came to present themselves before Yahweh, and Satan came with them. 7 Yahweh asked Satan, “Where have you been?”
Satan answered, “Going up and down the earth, roaming about.”
8 Yahweh asked again, “Have you noticed my servant Job? No one on earth is as blameless and upright as he, a man who fears God and avoids evil.”
9 But Satan returned the question, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have you not built a protective wall around him and his family and all his possessions? You have blessed and prospered him, with his livestock all over the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike where his riches are, and I bet he will curse you to your face.”
12 Yahweh said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power. But do not lay a finger upon the man himself.” So Satan left the presence of Yahweh.
13 One day, while his sons and daughters were feasting in the house of their eldest brother, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “Your oxen were plowing, and your donkeys were grazing nearby 15 when the Sabaeans came and carried them off. They killed the herdsmen. I alone escaped to tell you.”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came, “God’s fire fell from the sky and burned all your sheep and the shepherds as well. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
17 He had hardly finished speaking when another messenger arrived, “Three raiding teams of Chal­deans have killed your servants and carried off your camels. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
18 He was still speaking when another messenger came and said to Job, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking in the house of their eldest brother 19 when suddenly a great wind blew across the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they all died. I alone have escaped to tell you.”
20 In grief Job tore his clothes and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped, 21 saying,
“Naked I came from my mo­ther’s womb,
naked shall I return.
Yahweh gave, Yahweh has taken away.
Blessed be his name!”
22 In spite of this calamity, Job did not sin by blaspheming God.


My Jesus, if only we had the faith of Job. If we loved You for who You are and not for what we receive from You, then, our love would be pleasing to You. I pray Lord that like Job I will continue to praise and thank You in every circumstance of my life.

Luke 9:46-50
• 46 One day the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most impor­tant. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he took a little child and stood him by his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.”
49 Then John spoke up, “Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him because he doesn’t follow you with us.” 50 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him. He who is not against you is for you.”


My Beloved, You know our most secret thoughts. Before You nothing is hidden and You bring it all out into the open. You show us up for what we are - small minded and self righteous. We often think that we are better than others, not unlike the Pharisees, when in fact, nothing could be further than the truth. We hide behind a cloak of perceived good. We parade our good deeds before men and think we can fool You. Nothing pleases You more than when we recognise that we are nothing wIthout Your mercy and grace.

Just like the disciples, we too, easily condemn other groups who do good work in Your Name. We ought to encourage them instead of belittling what they do. What matters in the end is that You are glorified and made known among men.

Psalm 17:1-3, 6-7
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
listen to my complaint.
Give heed to my prayer
for there is no deceit on my lips.
2 Let my defense come forth from you;
your eyes see what is right.
3 You have probed my heart,
searched me at night,
tested me by fire,
and you have seen no wickedness in me.

6 I call on you, you will answer me, O God; incline your ear and hear my word.
7 For you do wonders for your faithful,
you save those fleeing from the enemy
as they seek refuge at your right hand.


The Psalmist knows that everyone can find a home and a refuge in You especially the innocent, the poor and the weak. The cry of these little ones pierces Your heart and You make haste to help them. The more we are aware of our own helplessness and our dependance on You, the surer is our hope that You will hear and answer us.

"Look at Me M--- mine and be radiant. Do not be afraid. Remember all things are passing except My love which is from everlasting to everlasting."

"Thank You Beloved You do know how to lift me up."






Sunday, September 26, 2010

Proverbs 3:5-6, Amos 6:1, 4-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Luke 16:19-31, Psalm 146:7-10

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; do not rely on your own insight. 6 Let his presence pervade all your ways and he will protect your foot from the snare.

Thank You Lord. I must learn to be more childlike in trusting You. If I allow myself to live by these verses, I will be happy and peaceful every hour of every day. Nothing will trouble me for I will know that You are watching over me. You have spoken to me through these verses at other times in my life when I needed assurance that You are always in charge of every situation so I need not fear.

Amos 6:4-7
4 You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and sprawl on your couches; you eat lamb from the flock and veal from calves fattened in the stall.
5 You strum on your harps, and like David, try out new musical instruments.
6 You drink wine by the bowlful and anoint yourselves with the finest oils, but you do not grieve over the ruins of Joseph.
7 Therefore you will be the first to go into exile; and the feast of sprawlers will be over.

Psalm 146:7-10
7 he gives justice to the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.
8 The Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord straightens the bent.
9 The Lord protects the stranger,
sustains the widow and the orphan.
8c The Lord loves the virtuous,
but he brings to ruin the way of the wicked.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion,
from generation to generation. Alleluia!

These above reading and the psalm are a contrast of how the people of the world live in comparison with those who belong to God.

1 Timothy 6:11-16 11
But you, man of God, shun all this. Strive to be holy and godly. Live in faith and love, with endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith and win everlasting life to which you were called when you made the good profession of faith in the presence of so many witnesses.13 Now, in the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who gave the good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 I command you to keep the commandment. Keep your­self pure and blameless until the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, 15 which God will bring about at the proper time, he, the magnificent sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 To him, alone immortal, who lives in unapproachable light and whom no one has ever seen or can see, to him be honor and power for ever and ever. Amen!

My Beloved, this ought to be the battle cry of every Christian who is baptised into Your Body. We must put our every effort into being a holy and godly people. We must live with certainty, knowing Whom we believe in and why. We must love one another, beginning with those in our home and moving out in ever widening circles, to every life we touch in the course of each day of our life on earth. We must endure all things with patience and gentleness. We must be unconcerned and untroubled that the ungodly who opress the weak and the poor live seemingly charmed lives. We must overcome the temptations of the flesh, we must overcome pride. We must be witnesess in imitation of You who gave witness before Pilate. What a glorious future awaits those who strive to be like You always.



Luke 16:19-3119
Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted every day. 20 At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, 21 who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. Even dogs used to come and lick his sores. 22 It happened that the poor man died and angels carried him to take his place with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 From hell where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him Lazarus at rest.
24 He called out: ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus with the tip of his finger dipped in water to cool my tongue, for I suffer so much in this fire.’
25 Abraham replied: ‘My son, remember that in your lifetime you were well-off while the lot of Lazarus was misfortune. Now he is in comfort and you are in agony. 26 But that is not all. Between your place and ours a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you or from your side to us.’
27 The rich man implored once more: ‘Then I beg you, Father Abraham, to send Lazarus to my father’s house 28 where my five brothers live. Let him warn them so that they may not end up in this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied: ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 30 But the rich man said: ‘No, Father Abraham. But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 Abraham said: ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be con­vinced even if someone rises from the grave.’”

What strikes me most in this Gospel my Lord, is the gall of the rich man. He was blind to Lazarus who lay just outside his gate. He saw him day in and day out and turned a blind eye to his misery and suffering. Now he is begging that Lazarus pour wateron his tongue and take a message to his brothers. It is the way of the rich and the mighty of the world to either use the poor, abuse them or ignore them.
Now is the time of salvation. This is our moment. Grasp it and we are saved. We ignore the call at our peril.

Your Word is so rich and beautiful. It is a tapestry with a theme - it has a design that brings the whole pattern to life.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Isaiah 40:8, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Luke 9:18-22, Psalm 144:1-4


Isaiah 40:8
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will forever stand.”

He is Invincible, He is Victorious, He is Emmanuel which is God with us!!!!!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
• 1 There is a given time for everything and a time for every happening under heaven:
2 A time for giving birth, a time for dying; a time for plant­ing, a time for uprooting.
3 A time for killing, a time for healing; a time for knocking down, a time for building.
4 A time for tears, a time for laugh­­ter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing.
5 A time for throwing stones, a time for gathering stones; a time for embracing, a time to refrain from em­bracing.
6 A time for searching, a time for losing; a time for keeping, a time for throwing away.
7 A time for tearing, a time for sewing; a time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time for loving, a time for hating; a time for war, a time for peace.
9 What profit is there for a man from all his toils?
10 Finally I considered the task God gave to the humans. 11 He made everything fitting in its time,
but he also set eternity in their hearts, although man is not able to embrace the work of God from the beginning to the end.

Beloved, because our souls are immortal, there is a constant hunger, a yearning, a reaching out, a restlessness. Saint Augustine put it best when he said, Our hearts are restless O Lord until they rest in you." It will be so until we find You and having You my Lord, we will be like a weaned child on its mother's breast.

Luke 9:18-22
One day when Jesus was pray­ing alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, “What do peo­ple say about me?” 19 And they answered, “Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others that you are one of the former prophets risen from the dead.” Again Jesus asked them, 20 “Who then do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” 21 Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.
• 22 And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”

The Prophets died and they had to wait until they were released for they were ment. When You died, the Son of God, the Messiah, You opened the gates of heaven in order to let in all whom You redeemed. Here too there is a sequence of events - You had to suffer so You could identify with our suffering, You tasted rejection just like us who so often have to face rejection ourselves. You died as all men must die the wonderful difference being, that You rose gloriously again after three days. You were raised to life and we too have a sure hope that we too will be raised to life again. Alleluia!!!

Psalm 144:1-4
1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle – 2 my loving God, my fortress; my protector and deliverer, my shield where I take refuge, who conquers nations and subjects them to my rule.
3 O Lord, what are humans that you should be mindful of them, the race of Adam, that you should care for them?
4 They are like a breath, their days pass like a shadow on earth.

In You alone I trust. I know I can count on You always for You have made me for Yourself. Having made me for You, I know You will be my protector, my shield, my help in times of trouble, my consolation and comfort. You will wipe away my tears and when my I breathe my last breath on earth, I shall begin to take my first breath in heaven.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sirach 13:25-26, Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Luke 9:7-9, Psalm90:4-6, 12, 14 & 17



Sirach 13:25-26
25 Man’s heart is reflected in his face, for better or for worse.
26 Does he show a happy face? All is going well to him. Has he found words of wisdom? He has reflected on suffering.

"My All, I asked You to give me some wonderful words to carry with me today and these verses are simply beautiful. Thank You. How absolutely true they are. Only in the winepress of suffering is the sweetest wine obtained."

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
2 All is meaningless – says the Teacher – meaningless, meaningless!
3 What profit is there for a man in all his work for which he toils under the sun?
4 A generation goes, a generation comes and the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, the sun sets, hastening towards the place where it again rises. 6 Blowing to the south, turning to the north, the wind goes round and round and after all its rounds it has to blow again.
7 All rivers go to the sea but the sea is not full; to the place where the rivers come from, there they return again.
8 All words become weary and speech comes to an end, but the eye has never seen enough nor the ear heard too much.
9 What has happened before will happen again; what has been done before will be done again: there is nothing new under the sun.
10 If they say to you, “See, it’s new!” know that it has already been centuries earlier.
11 There is no remembrance of ancient people, and those to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.

"My All, at first glance one would nod ones head and agree heartily with this dour writer for this is so true of mankind in the 21st century. We chase after every new electronic toy and thirst to possess it. We want to gratify every pleasure - this is is the new/old gospel of hedonism where the 'I' of self and not the 'I AM' of the Gospel is the centre of the universe. But on closer reflection, one glories in the certainty of the sunrise, the wind, the seasons, the course of the river that flows surely and swiftly along its course. All words can be wearying if not spoken in love, compassion, kindness and gentleness. True, every thing that is created repeats itself over and over again. Babies are born over and over again but each one is ever new to its parents. Every sunrise and sunset is new each day. Every dawn brings fresh experiences and deeper knowledge and understanding of things, beliefs and people. Fortunately, my All, the Catholic Church has a memory that is over 2000 years old and she knows the path where fallacies and erroneus thinking has led man in the past, and she knows their outcome. The sins and heresies of the past have the same results now as they had then, so the Church in her wisdom can warn us of the results of our folly. If we have hearts to hear we can be saved from our own stupidity."

Luke 9:7-9
7 King Herod heard of all this and did not know what to think, for people said, “This is John, raised from the dead.” 8 Others believed that Elijah or one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. 9As for Herod, he said, “I had John beheaded; who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?” And he was anxious to see him.

Herod heard what the people of his time were saying and his curiousity was aroused nothing more. They thought John the Baptist was Elijah who had returned again. John was beheaded by Herod and when the people saw and heard You, they said that You were both John and Elijah. The old repeating itself. They were right, for You are ever ancient and ever new. You who was promised by God in ages past, has come gloriously alive in our present. In You, all that was ever said, every wonderful promise ever made, was fulfilled to perfection. Today, there are many would like to think that they have beheaded and buried You and are surprised and bewildered to find You gloriously alive. How beautifully this has been demonstrated during our Holy Father's recent visit to the U.K. So it will always be until You come again. Maranatha!!!

Psalm 90:4-6, 12, 14 & 17
4 A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has passed, or like a watch in the night.
5 You sow them in their time, at dawn they peep out. 6 In the morning they blossom, but the flower fades and withers in the evening.
12 So make us know the shortness of our life, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
14 Fill us at daybreak with your goodness, that we may be glad all our days.
17 May the sweetness of the Lord be upon us; may he prosper the work of our hands.



Thank You my Lord for these verses. No matter how long we may live, every life must end here and begin with You again heaven. The seasons must change, new blossoms must grow in the place of the old. All have their moment to be relevant and to embrace You willingly here on earth we will then be embraced by You joyfully in eternity. Help us all to realise that we were made by You and for You. Bless us richly each day in order that we may be faithful and obedient and that we may rejoice because You live, move and have Your being in us. You make life sweet and You make our work fruitful. THANK YOU MY LORD, MY GOD AND MY ALL.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Luke 5:4, 10, 11, Proverbs 30:5-9, Luke 9:1-6, Psalm 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 163

Luke 5:4, 10, 11
When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
10 Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. You will catch people from now on.”
11 So they brought their boats to land and followed him, leaving everything.

To every Christian is given the mission to put out into the deep.  To leave behind the old, the familiar, the lethargy and launch out into unknown and unfamiliar territory.  You will supply all that is required, all You  need is a willing heart, willing hands and willing feet.  A heart to love, hands to serve and feet to go where You send us.

Proverbs 30:5-9
5 Every word of God is true, he is a shield in whom man can find refuge.
6 Add nothing to his words lest he rebuke you and take you for a liar.
7 O God, two things I beg of you, do not deny me them before I die.
8 Keep lying and falsehood far away from me, give me neither poverty nor riches. Give me just as much food as I need lest,
 9 satisfied, I deny you and say, “Who is Yahweh?” Or else, out of necessity, I steal and profane the name of my God.

Ofcourse Beloved, every word of God is true that is why Your Name is Truth.  How comforting it is to know that You are my shield, my rock, my refuge, my stronghold.
Here is a solemn warning for those who would like to shape the truth to suit the fashion of the day.  In a culture of, 'give me,' 'I must have,' and 'give me more,' here is a sober reminder of how to ask for what we need.

Luke 9:1-6
9 1 Then Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. 2 And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He instructed them, “Don’t take anything for the journey, neither walking stick, nor bag, nor bread, nor silver coins; and don’t even take a spare tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. 5 And wherever they don’t welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them.”  6 So they set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing peo­ple everywhere.

Beloved, it is always You who calls, You who gives all that is necessary to carry out the mission.  You instruct, giving the ones You send a code of conduct.  Once You have prepared us for the journey, we must be ready to go forth in faith, confidence and loving trust knowing that it is Your work that we set out do do.  We are only Your servants and messengers witnessing to the Good News that in You all are saved.

Psalm 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 163
29 Keep me away from deceitful paths; be gracious and teach me your law.
72 Your law is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold.
89 O Lord, your word stands forever, firmly fixed in the heavens.
101 I turn my feet from evil paths, that I may keep step with your word.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Each verse of this Psalm has something powerful to say.

Verse 29: If we obey the Church and her teachings, we will not be led into deceitful paths where the truth is diluted to conform to the dictates of the world. 
Verse 72: We work for the Kingdom of God, our treasure is in heaven.  We must never compromise the truth in order to gain an earthly one. We work for neither riches, popularity or human respect.
Verse 89: Your Name is Truth - Your Word is unchanging  and it is on this Rock that we stand firm without fear of falling or stumbling.
Verse 101: There are a myriad false gods and false teachers in the world.  There are many who are unscrupulous and  half informed who deceitfully  or ignorantly use Your Name to preach false doctrines.  However, if we are guided by Your Word as revealed in Sacred Scripture and are obedient and faithful to the Magisterium that zealously guards the rich deposit of Apostolic  Tradition, we will not stumble and fall and neither will those who hear us.
Verse 163:  How  true Lord, You have taught me so much and I stand on sure ground because I know the truth and I am now led by  it.  It influences my thoughts and actions. 

Your Law  is a lamp to my heart and a light to my feet.  It keeps me safe and unafraid,  I can trust it always.  Thank You Lord.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Nehemiah 13:2, Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Matthew 9:9-13, Psalm 19:2-5


Nehemiah 13:2
 for they did not welcome the Israelites with bread and water. They gave money to Balaam to curse them, but our God turned their curse into a blessing.”

 Beloved, how powerfully we have seen these words proved true during the entire visit of Your Vicar on earth, Pope Benedict XVI in the U.K.  If one had to go by the predictions in the secular media prior to the visit, the entire trip was doomed to be a failure.  Every dissenting voice of every stripe, creed and color raised their voices in ugly disparagement of all that Your Church stands for.  They painted her in the blackest of colors and paraded once more the sins of a few of her ministers, (although one child who is hurt is one too many). Despite all the mea culpas, the voices continued to rise in crescendo.  Yet there she stood in the person of our Holy Father, the Pope, calmly, serenely, trustfully,  faithfully, strong and lovely.  Smiling gently, wise with the wisdom of 2000 years behind her.  Confident that her Bridegroom will carry her through the stormiest ocean.  Every curse was transformed  into a blessing and a benediction. Praise You Lord!!! Alleluia!!!!


Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
• 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of Christ, invite you to live the vocation you have received. Be humble, kind, patient, and bear with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep among you the unity of Spirit through bonds of peace. Let there be one body and one spirit, for God, in calling you, gave the same Spirit to all. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God, the Father of all, who is above all and works through all and is in all.
7 But to each of us divine grace is given ac­cording to the measure of Christ’s gift.
11As for his gifts, to some he gave to be apostles, to others prophets, or even evangelists, or pastors and teachers. 1So he prepared those who belong to him for the ministry, in order to build up the Body of Christ, 13 until we are all united in the same faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Thus we shall become the perfect Man, upon reaching maturity and sharing the fullness of Christ.

My Beloved,  what a glorious destination Your Bride, the Church, Your Body has.  How beautifully St. Paul describes our calling.  Here he gives us a blueprint of your Your members must live.  In so doing, we silence the Enemy for he is powerless when we are what you always intend Your  children to be.  You have given to all gifts and charisms, according to the need of the Church to build up Your Body so that it grows strong and beautiful - a place where everyone finds a welcome - all find a home, all are united in perfect harmony in You and with You as our Head.

Matthew 9:9-13
  9 As Jesus moved on from there, he saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up and followed him. 10 Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and other sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this they said to his disciples, “Why is it that your master eats with those sinners and tax collectors?”12 When Jesus heard this he said, “Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Beloved, You are the one who takes the initiative that is why You have given us the 3 Sacraments of initiation - Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.  You call and You graft us into Your Body, You empower and You feed us.  Faith is Your free gift to us.  In this Gospel passage You see Matthew, You have plans for him, he makes a generous and immediate response when You say, "Come follow Me."  He left his past behind without a backward glance just like Peter and Andrew.

You saw Matthew's potential despite the fact that he was a sinner and a tax collector.  All the Pharisees can see are his sins and they condemn him because of them.  Their vision is distorted by their pre-conceived ideas of what it  means to be counted among God's people.

You have no use for those who are  full of themselves, their personal world view, their religion of truth as being whatever they want it to be or whatever the current fad is.  You came for the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the imprisoned.  You came to be our food and drink.  You came to bring healing and to set us free to love You, serve You and be  happy with You.  Joyfully, gleefully, wonderfully happy with You in this life and eternally in the life to come.


 Psalm 19:2-5
 2 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
3 Day talks it over with day;
night hands on the knowledge to night.
4 No speech, no words, no voice is heard –
5 but the call goes on throughout the universe,
the message is felt to the ends of the earth.

From one generation of followers and disciples to the next, the Gospel of Christ is preached in season and out of season, from the rooftops and in the valleys, in silence and in the shadow of the cross. All who receive the Good News of salvation will continue to carry the torch forward to the ends of the until time itself will cease on earth.


Monday, September 20, 2010

Matthew 6:7, Proverbs 3:27-34, Luke 8:16-18, Psalm 15:1-5

Matthew 7:6
6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs, or throw your pearls to the pigs: they might trample on them and even turn on you and tear you to pieces.

Beloved, why have You given me this word of caution? Is it because some things are too sacred to be shared with those who may not understand and they may belittle it? This is good advice my Lord. I had already begun to learn from Sandy that sometimes it is necessary to hold ones peace - especially if such speech would be unprofitable to the hearer. Thank You Lord for this timely little gem of wisdom. I shall keep it in mind and in the coming days as I mull it over it, will speak more and more to me.

Proverbs 7:27-34
27 Do not hold back from those who ask your help, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time; tomorrow I will give it to you!” when you can help him now.
29 Do not plot evil against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you, 30 nor fight a man without cause when he has done you no wrong. 31 Do not envy the man of violence or follow his example. For Yahweh hates the wicked but guides the honest. 33 He curses the house of the evildoer but blesses the home of the upright. 34 If there are mockers, he mocks them in turn but he shows his favor to the humble.


Beloved, the Book of Proverbs is a storehouse of practical and noble advice. Anyone who is guided by it will walk in Your light with head held high, and will be pleasing in Your sight.

Luke 8:16-18
16 No one, after lighting a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under the bed; rather he puts it on a lamp­stand so that people coming in may see the light. 17 In the same way, there is nothing hidden that shall not be uncovered; nothing kept secret that shall not be known clearly. 18 Now, take care how well you listen, for whoever produces will be given more, but from those who do not produce, even what they seem to have will be taken away from them.”

Today's daily readings have been full of timely advice. You have called us to to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. People who walk with us should not stumble for the light we shed must dispel the darkness. Every deed whether good or shameful done in secret, is seen by You and will become known to all to our credit or to our shame.

Nobody cares to listen these days - everyone seems to think they know it all. Each one embraces their own version of truth. We must listen to Your Word both written and proclaimed by Your Church and allow it to guide and shape our lives. To those who are receptive and responsive, You are mind blowingly generous.

Psalm 15:1-5
1 O Lord, who will dwell in your tent
and reside on your holy mount?
2 Those who walk blamelessly
and do what is right,
who speak truth from their heart
3 and control their words,
who do no harm to their neighbors
and cast no discredit on their companions,
4 who look down on evildoers
but highly esteem God’s servants;
who at all cost stand by a pledged word,
5 who do not lend money at interest
and refuse a bribe against the innocent.
Do this, and you will soon be shaken.


Beloved, all that You have said to me today is rich in wisdom. You speak clearly about what is pleasing to You. The Psalm for today is no exception. The Psalmist poses the question, O LORD, WHO WILL LIVE IN YOUR TENT AND RESIDE ON YOUR HOLY MOUNT? and then he goes on to list all that one must do in order to live with You.


1. Avoid sin.
2. Do what is right.
3. Speak the truth that must first have its home in your heart. Do not babble words.
4. Self control in speech.
5. No useless gossip about anyone neighbors, friends, acquaintances, strangers.
6. Honor all those who work zealously for God's Kingdom beginning with our 
    Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI all the way down to our Parish - Priests and all in 
    positions of leadership.
7. Have nothing to do with those who live Godless lives and perpetrate evil.
8. Be trustworthy - our word must be our bond.
9. Lend to anyone in need.
10. Do nothing that would give the unscrupulous unfair advantage over someone
      who is innocent.

TEN RULES I MUST LIVE BY IF I WISH TO NESTLE CLOSE TO THE HEART OF MY LORD.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sirach 6:22-33, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, 4

Sirach 6:22-33
22 For wisdom brings her own honor, she does not reveal herself to everyone. 23 Listen, my son, and receive my teaching, do not re­­ject my counsel. 24 Put her constraints on your feet and her yoke on your neck. 25 Put your shoulder to the burden and bear her yoke; do not rebel against her chains. 26 Come to her with all your soul and with all your strength observe her ways. 27 Pursue her, search for her, she will make herself known to you; when you have her, do not let her go.
28 For, in the end, you will find in her your rest and she will become your joy. 29 Her constraints will strengthen your steps and her collar will be like a glorious garment. 30 Her yoke will become an ornament of gold and her chains like precious girdles of hyacinth blue. 31 You will adorn yourself as with a garment of glory and you will put her on like a crown of jubilation.
32 If you wish, my son, you will be learned; if you pay attention, you will become clever. 33 If you love to listen, you will learn; if you really pay attention, you will become wise.

Beloved I asked You to teach me Your ways and in response You have spoken to me through these verses that are rich in advice.  If I ponder on Your Word it will yield a rich harvest.  The more I heed Your advice and make it the rule of my life, the more will it be conformed to Your Holy Spirit. 
Wisdom in another name for You my Lord - I must clothe myself in You as a garment.  Grant me the gift of listening to You attentively and then obeying with docility.  Practicing all that You teach me.

1 Timoty 2:1-2, 4
• 1 First of all I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone, 2 for rulers of states and all in authority, that we may enjoy a quiet and peaceful life in godliness and respect. For he wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth

If we make it a practice to pray for governments all over the world and for all in authority instead of grumbling, You will hear and answer and and we will live in greater peace and harmony.
It is hard to pray for the enemies of the Church who raise loud and strident voices against her.  They hate her because she speaks articulately, clearly, boldly and unequivocally on matters concerning faith and moral and they hate her for it.  She will not let them sin with equanimity, she troubles their conscience like a pebble in a shoe and they would like to trample her underfoot to silence her.

Luke 8:8-13
8 The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light. 9 And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.
10 Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. 11 So if you have not been trust­worthy in handling filthy money, who could ­entrust you with true wealth? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with things that are not really yours, who will give you the wealth which is your own?
 13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money.”
Beloved, in this Gospel passage You teach us how to deal with the people of this world and how to handle money.  You want us to be aware and wise to the ways of the worldly so we can use that knowledge to our advantage to further Your Kingdom on earth.