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5. Mỗi Ngày Một Câu Kinh Thánh

MỖI NGÀY MỘT CÂU KINH THÁNH - TUẦN TỪ 30-1 ĐẾN 04-2-2019

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Monday, February 04, 2019

The Feast of St Agatha, Patron Saint of Breast Cancer.

"Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12: 1 - 2).

Today is the feast of St Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. Agatha was martyred in the 3rd century under the persecution of Emperor Decius. Her cult was very popular from ancient times. She is the patron saint of breast cancer, sterility and rape victims amongst others.

Agatha is one of the "cloud of witnesses" urging us to run to win the Christian race that Jesus Christ our Leader set before us. We Christians have today many challenges facing us in our Journey of Faith. But let's face it honestly. Unlike Agatha and so many other saints, "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood." (Hebrews 12: 4).

Disregard the negative and futile messages of the world and listen to Jesus who tells us: "Fear is useless. All that is needed is trust." (Mark 5: 36).

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Sunday, February 03, 2019

Men and women who conquered the world through faith.

"By faith they conquered kingdoms." (Heb 11: 33).

Who are these who conquered kingdoms and did mighty deeds by faith? They are: "Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets." (Hebrews 11: 32).

These mighty ones also through faith: "closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders."
(Hebrews 11: 33 - 34).

Not just men did valiant deeds through faith but also women: "Women received back their dead through resurrection.
Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection." (Hebrews 11: 35).

Friends, through trusting in God and His promises, these men and women were able to accomplish impossible things. Jesus spoke a great deal about the power of faith. Again and again, He said that if we believe, we can move mountains. Nothing will be impossible for us if we have even a mustard seed size faith.

The Hebrews who were suffering severe persecution when the Letter to the Hebrews was written needed such message. How about us? Look at the state of the world. We too need the strong medicine of Faith and Hope and Love.

"Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord." (Psalm 31: 25).

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Saturday, February 02, 2019

I appoint you my prophet to the nations.

"The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you." (Jeremiah 1: 4 - 5).

We may call the theme of the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time the tale of two prophets: Jeremiah and Jesus. The first Reading from Jeremiah 1 is an interesting dialogue between God and Jeremiah that resulted in Jeremiah accepting his mission to be a prophet. God truly piled on the incentives. I am moved whenever I read this 1st Chapter of Jeremiah.

"But do you gird your loins;
stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land." (Jeremiah 1: 17 - 18).

How would you react to such motivation?

"They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD." (Jeremiah 1: 19).

From the Gospel of Luke we see the experience of the Prophet Jesus in the synagogue. The situation started with praise and admiration for Jesus and quickly turned to hostility and threat to His life.

What are we to make of the prophetic vocation?

If the Lord sends you to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives, thank Him for the honor and privilege. He will support you fully. His faithfulness and love never fails.

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Friday, February 01, 2019

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

"Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." (Luke 2: 22).

Today is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Christ was presented in the Temple to the Father in the substance of human flesh: One Person, God. Two natures: God and man.
Christ had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way.

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is the manifestation of the Child Jesus to the People of Israel. There were four representatives of the People present to witness this key event in salvation history: Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna. Only Simeon, the Prophet spoke on this occasion. He said that the event marks the fulfillment of the promise of God to Israel. God is faithful and fulfills every promise He makes.

The Presentation in the Temple gives us hope. If you are waiting for God to fulfill any promises to you, you are now encouraged to believe that God will do it. He fulfilled His promises to Simeon, Mary, David and Abraham. Sacred Scripture records that God has fulfilled every single promise He has ever made.
Trust Him.

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Thursday, January 31, 2019

You need endurance to do the will of God.

"You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10: 36).

Our reflection today is from the first Reading, the 10th Chapter of Hebrews. If the message is not familiar to everyone, the experience is. You know from experience that the Journey of Faith is a constant spiritual warfare. When you are emerging from a brutal struggle with your health, you are hit with another with your finances. And then you are challenged in a different war zone: family, job or anxieties about the future.

The Letter to the Hebrews is written to Christians like ourselves. But we have a great advantage. We have the solid inheritance of 2000 years of Christianity. We have the Church, the Hierarchy, the Sacraments, the Magisterium. We have the full Canonical Scriptures. They had none of these. But nonetheless, they were expected to be firm and steadfast in their faith. How about us? Even more so, we are expected to be unflinching even before the most desperate circumstances. Because:
"Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (Luke 12: 48).

How long shall we be required to endure the trials?
We have great encouragement from Sacred Scriptures:
"For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay." (Hebrews 10: 37).

Therefore my brothers and sisters, "Do not throw away your confidence. It will have a great reward." (Hebrews 10: 35).

Remember that the "Just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back [God] takes no pleasure in him."
(Hebrews 10: 38).

Let us confess together in confidence:
"We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life."
(Hebrews 10: 39).

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus this Friday.

February 1, 2019 - First Friday in February.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month. In the 2nd month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #2.

#2. "I will give peace in their families."

My friends, many people like this promise because peace in the family is the foundation of health and prosperity. Moreover, if there is peace in the family, there will be peace at work and school, peace in the nation and peace on earth!

Jesus is our peace. He is the Prince of Peace. Would you accept today His generous offer of peace in your family?

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

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

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

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

I will shine my little light.

"Jesus said to his disciples,
“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?" (Mark 4: 21).

In Baptism, we receive the light of Christ. As we participate in the Sacraments and the life of the Church, the little light we receive in Baptism grows. Where do you place this light? In the lampstand or in the closet?
To hide your is futile. Like a barren fig tree, you will be found out.

"For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light." (Mark 4: 22).

It is more exciting to share the light you have. Imagine the people who are desperate for it here and now. But you may say: I don't know what to say. You have the Holy Spirit. Ask Him. Do you have the desire? If not, ask the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes two promises with regard to your engagement with His word:

#1. "The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you."

#2. "To the one who has, more will be given."

And a warning:
"From the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4: 24 - 25).

Friends, just shine your light and it will grow. Most people can share messages through their phones. Why don't you share the word of God?

"A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105).

Jesus invites us to "approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust" to participate in the work of Evangelization. (Cf Hebrews 10: 22)
His promise is trustworthy.

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MỖI NGÀY MỘT CÂU KINH THÁNH- TỪ 26-1 ĐẾN 29-1-2109

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Tuesday, January 29, 2019

ADL will intrude and choke the word of God.

“Hear this! A sower went out to sow." (Mark 4: 3).

Today's Gospel presents us with one of the most important and consequential parables of Jesus. Consequential because it can be life transforming if we get the message. The question is: Does the life, Good News of Jesus Christ mean anything to you? Do you believe there is a life after death? Where are you on the Journey of Faith to the Next Life?

The Sower sows the seed. "Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain." (Mark 4: 7).
The seed is the word of God. The Master Sower is Jesus Christ. Today pastors, evangelists, missionaries and spirit-filled Christians are sowers of the seed.

Consider those seeds that fell among thorns:
"Those sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit." (Mark 4: 18 - 19).

Do you know anybody with excessive anxiety about family, health, money, job, tools and possessions, food and the future? Could that person be you? The Lord Jesus says that ADL or Anxieties of Daily Living will "intrude and choke the word." And you will bear no fruit. In other words, you will be barren.

"Almighty ever-living God,
direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." (Collect Wednesday, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time).

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Monday, January 28, 2019

You gave me ears open to obedience.

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but ears open to obedience you gave me." (Psalm 40: 7).

Friends, do you have ears open to obedience? I mean obedience to the commandments of God? Obedience to His laws? Obedience to the Church and its lawful teaching authority? Read below the blessings of such obedience:

“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3: 35).

Jesus made such a delightful pronouncement when He was informed that Mary and some relatives wanted to see Him while He was teaching the word of God. Jesus loves His mother Mary and His relatives very much. But the will of the Father was for Jesus to continue His ministry of the word of God at that time.

Was it a slight to Mary? Not at all. Mary understands that the will of God takes precedence over everything. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38). On another occasion, Jesus said to Mary and Joseph: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

We Christians have been baptized and consecrated to do the will of God and abandon our futile habits of conforming to the world by choosing our own will. When a teenager is adamant always and everywhere to prefer his will in everything, everybody knows the rest of the story. When you delight in doing God's will, you are brother and sister of Jesus and here is another promise you can claim:

"I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me.
And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God." Psalm 40: 2).

The Lord will never forget anyone who delights in His will.

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Sunday, January 27, 2019

He is insane.

"The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” (Mark 3: 22).

The scribes filled with envy accused Jesus of being insane. (Mark 3: 30). Jesus used the opportunity of this drama to teach us the reality of two kingdoms in constant war with each other. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom of God. And He Jesus is the "mediator of a new covenant" made by His blood. (Hebrews 9: 15).

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed Satan, the author of death and brought life to light through the Good News. (Cf 2 Timothy 1: 10).
Unfortunately brothers and sisters, many Christians live today as if this promise is something for the future. This promise is for here and now. If you are not enjoying all the privileges, be good to yourself and ask:

What is going on?
Why am I often sad?
Where is the victorious life promised by Jesus?
Why am I not enjoying it?

Now listen to Jesus:
"No one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house." (Mark 3: 27).

Which king reigns in your house? The strong man Satan or the Stronger Man Jesus? You must give Jesus all the keys in your home: health, family, finances, job, tools/possessions, food and your future.

You remember the song:
"When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.…"

Trust, Obey and Surrender are the Only way to enjoy life in the Kingdom. Jesus is in control.

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Saturday, January 26, 2019

They listened to the word of God from daybreak to midday.

"The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
and to proclaim liberty to captives." (Cf. Luke 4: 18).

The 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time has a lot of juicy morsels on the word of God. Luke informs us of "the certainty of the teachings" we receive from the word of God. (Cf Luke 1: 4). In the first Reading, we see the Assembly of the People of Israel wept as they were convicted as Ezra the priest-scribe read the word of God to them from daybreak till midday.

What does the Spirit want to communicate to us about the Bible? Let us go to the Responsorial Psalm for today taken from Psalm 19:

"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life."
"The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.

The ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just.
(PSALM 19:8, 9, 10, 15).

The Response sums up the big take away from the theme of the word of God.
"Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life."

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Saturday, January 19, 2019

Everyone serves good wine first.

“They have no wine.” (John 2: 3).
Mary told Jesus at the wedding party at Cana. This is the first miracle of Jesus. What a story it tells about Jesus and His ways. Some people choose to believe that Christianity is a kill joy religion. No fun whatsoever. Only fasting, armsgiving and praying. This first miracle at Cana demolishes this. If Jesus did not perform the miracle, shortage of wine would not invalidate the marriage. Jesus performed the miracle to show His pleasure in the celebration of marriage.

"Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” (John 2: 10).

There is a word of encouragement for us here. God in His most powerful Providence reserves the best for us to the last. Don't give up.

Another truth we can take away from the Miracle at Cana is this:
‘Tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our trust, O King of kings." (Lauds - Liturgy of the Hours).

Not even a single comfort you enjoy in life come from chance or accident. Every single comfort you enjoy comes from the God of all consolation and comforts. (2 Corinthians 1: 3).
This is an incredibly powerful promise. Will you share this good news?

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Friday, January 18, 2019

Approach Jesus with confidence.

"Let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." (Hebrews 4: 16).

My friends, this is the beautiful invitation from today's first Reading. Consider for a moment the vehicle or medium of this invitation:
"The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4: 12). Do you realize that another name for Jesus is the "word of God?"

We know who invites us to step forward boldly and receive grace and mercy whenever we need it. But why should anyone hesitate to come to Jesus, the friend of sinners? Three reasons jump to me immediately:

#1. Lack of faith.
#2. Too busy for Jesus.
#3. Our sins.

Does any of the above pass the Lie test? The answer is No. If Jesus Himself invites us to to receive grace and mercy, why should He hesitate to deal with our lack of faith. Friends, open your mouth and ask. Too busy for Jesus sounds like the teenager who goes off to college. "Junior, why don't you write mom and dad?" "Oh, I am too busy." The Lord in His sense of humor might allow parents to experience such neglect in order to see how they treat Him.

Jesus is the friend of sinners. In the Gospel of today, Jesus dines with Matthew also known as Levi and his friends. All of them without exception sinners. At the objection of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mark 2: 17).

Will you be an evangelist and bring this glad tidings to your family and friends?

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Thursday, January 17, 2019

Jesus saw their faith.

"Jesus saw their faith." (Mark 2: 5).

Jesus while preaching the word in a packed room in his hometown, had a paralytic man lowered from the roof of the house by four friends and dropped to His feet. Scripture records that Jesus saw the faith of the four friends of the paralytic. What exactly did Jesus see? He saw the four men did the one thing necessary. The men knew and believed the healing powers of Jesus. "If only we could get our paralytic friend before Jesus, he would be healed." Must have been their thinking.
Faith is a bold action based on a credible assumption. The woman with the issue of blood searched for Jesus until she found Him. Then she sneaked behind him and touched the hem of His cloak. She got an instant healing. (Matthew 9: 20 - 22).

Faith is absolute confidence in the word of God, in the promise of God. Do you have a faith that can be seen? How do you get such faith?
By prayer and daily feeding of the word of God.

For many days now, the Church has repeated the same prayer in the Collect in the daily Mass:

"Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care,
O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen." (Collect).

Give us the grace to see what we must do. Give us the strength to do what You show us. This is how faith that is seen is produced.

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MỖI NGÀY MỘT CÂU KINH THÁNH - TỪ 25-1-2019

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Thursday, January 24, 2019

Feast of the Conversion of St Paul.

‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’ (Acts 22: 7 - 9).

The Church celebrates today the feast of St Paul the Apostle. Paul who is also evangelist and missionary was chosen and appointed by Jesus Christ Himself to exercise a great influence in the very early Church. His journey to Damascus in his blind zeal to persecute the followers of Jesus was rudely interrupted by the Lord.

"What shall I do, sir?’ The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do." (Acts 22: 10).

The compassion and gentleness of Jesus in the above scene is disarming. A conqueror helping the conquered on the ground to his feet. Note that this is always God's merciful attitude to the sinner.

"Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him." (Acts 22: 13).
Paul was overwhelmed by loving mercy coming to him from Jesus, Ananias and the brethren.

Now Paul is ready to receive his mandate:
"The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard." (Acts 22: 14 - 15).

It does not end there. Every follower of Jesus must be involved in the worldwide evangelization:

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16: 15 - 16).

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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Jesus is always able and willing to save us.

"Jesus is always able to save those who approach God through him." (Hebrews 7: 25).

This Scripture empowers us to approach Jesus with tremendous confidence with all our needs. Whether the need is in the area of health, family, finances, job, tools and possessions, food and future. Jesus Christ is able and willing always and everywhere to help us. If this is not good news, tell me is.

What is the qualification of Jesus for such an incredible claim? From the same chapter 8 of Hebrews, our first Reading today, we read:
"We have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up." (Hebrews 8: 1 - 2).

Friends, let nothing stop you from marshalling your faith and approaching Jesus to get the help you need. When you come to Jesus for help, remember this: Surrender when He answers you and how He resolves your problem. Be assured that you will get the very best.

Today is the the feast of a most gentle and most beloved Bishop and Doctor of the Church - St Francis de Sales. He is the patron saint of writers and journalists and everyone in social communications.
St Francis de Sales pray for us.

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Tuesday, January 22, 2019

You are a priest forever.

“You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 7: 17).

Our first Reading from Hebrews celebrates the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Some writers see Melchizedek as the pre-incarnation of Jesus. Scripture calls Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He is "without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever." (Hebrews 7: 3).

Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest offered Himself once and for all on the Cross for our salvation. (Cf Hebrews 7: 27, 4: 14 - 15). He continues His ministry as Priest in Heaven through intercession. How about on earth? The Church has the priesthood of the Faithful where every baptized member belongs. The Holy Spirit endows us with many gifts for the building up of the Kingdom of God in the world.

The Church has also the ministerial or ordained priesthood who is charged to celebrate the Sacraments in the person of Christ.

Thank You Jesus our Eternal High Priest for endowing Your Church with great gifts.

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Monday, January 07, 2019

If God is love, who are we?

"God is love." (1 John 4: 8).

My friends, what does it mean to say that God is love? It is like saying "The sun is shining. There is light." Of course there will be light if the sun is shining. God's love suffuses everything. It penetrates all His creation. Genesis teaches us that after God created the world, He reviewed the work of His hand and sees that it is good and He loves it.

Original Sin damaged our ability to love and receive love.
We needed a re-education in other to understand love from God's perspective. This is how God loves you and me:

God is patient; God is kind. God is not jealous, nor is He pompous, or inflated. He is never rude nor seeks His own interests. He is never quick-tempered nor broods over our sins. He does not rejoice over our wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth and our success. He is longsuffering and merciful to the extreme. (Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13 : 4 - 7).

"In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10).

Without the Spirit of Love living and working in us, we may never be able to overcome the effects of Original Sin working against love.

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Sunday, January 06, 2019

What happens when we abide in the will of God.

"Beloved, We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him." (1 John 3: 22).

Friends, Scripture promises that when we keep God's commandments and do what pleases Him, we receive from Him what we need. It is not the will of God to deprive us of the necessities of life. Man does not live on bread alone. Neither does he live on money alone. Man needs good health, family peace and prosperity. Man needs good job and tools and possessions. We need food all the time. Who can live without peace of mind and soul? Finally, we are constantly preoccupied with thoughts of the future as we move from one lifecycle to another.

Today's message from 1 John should bring us great comfort.
"Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit that he gave us." (1 John 3: 24).
Friends, do you know for certain that the Holy Spirit remains in you? Without the Holy Spirit, you cannot live effectively the Christian life and you cannot enjoy the privileges promised the children of God.

"You belong to God, children, and you have conquered them, [the world] for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4: 4).

We are engaged in a life and death struggle with the spirit of this world. Are you gaining victory war zone by war zone: family, finances, job, health, etc. Are you winning sector by sector: workplace, home, church, etc.

"We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us,
while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit." (1 John 4: 6).

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Saturday, January 05, 2019

The Magi saw and believed.

"We [The Magi] saw the star at its rising and have come to do him homage." (Matthew 2: 2).

Today is the Solemnity of the the Epiphany. The star called forth the three Wise Men from the East to follow the star and they found and recognized the infant Jesus as Son of God and King of the Universe. Every day, the star of freedom beckons men and women from everywhere to America, God's own country to their idea of paradise.

Where is your star pointing to? Is it pointing to the Child Jesus born in poverty in a stable? Or is it pointing to “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.” (Revelation 17: 5).

"They [Magi] were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother."
(Matthew 2: 10 - 11).

Consider this for a moment: These 3 kings and scientists were able to recognize the Infant Jesus in such an unlikely environment. How could this be when 2000 years after His birth, not everyone on earth has bent the knee at the Name of Jesus?

You that acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King, follow the example of the Magi:
"They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2: 11).

"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you." (Cf Psalm 72).

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Friday, January 04, 2019

The Lord is my allotted portion and my cup.

"O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. For me the measuring lines have fallen on pleasant sites; fair to me indeed is my inheritance." (Psalm 16 :5 - 6: Entrance Antiphon).

There are Scriptures that affirm who you are. They bring you comfort and encouragement when you need it most. I delight to rest in Psalm 16 and savor the sweet sentiment that this Psalm exudes. If the Lord Himself is your allotted portion and cup, it means that you have the best part. You may not feel that you have the privileged part, but your feelings do not matter at all.

Faith is complete confidence in the word of God, in His promises. To live by faith is to live by the promises of God and not by the evidence of your senses or feelings. I am trying to put this teaching into practice daily. How do I do this? Not by reading books on faith and praxis. But rather, I include in my morning prayer: Lord, grant me the grace to live this day as I believe and as I pray.

I believe in prayer.
I believe in the word of God.
I believe in miracle.
I leave the rest to God.

It is said that prayer is the efficient cause of every comfort in life. St Augustine puts it this way:
"If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, then all is well."

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Thursday, January 03, 2019

The price of our freedom is huge.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1: 29).

It is impossible to understand Sin until you sit still and contemplate a life-size Crucifix. A crucifix is a cross with a corpus (body). I have often wondered why the Blessed Virgin Mary urges mystics and those who desire to advance in spiritual life to look at the crucifix often. The cross is the means and instrument of our redemption. The sacrifice of a human being who is equally God is how the price of our salvation is paid.

"The Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3: 8).

What are the works of the devil?

"Now the works of the flesh [devil] are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like." (Galatians 5: 19 - 21).

These are works/sins that keep us enslaved, depressed, miserable, unfulfilled.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1: 29).

"We have found the Messiah."
(John 1: 41). Have you?

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Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus..

January 4, 2019 - First Friday in January.

The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Jesus promised 12 special favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month. In the 1st month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #1.

#1. "I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life."

What is your state of life?
A. Married
B. Single
C. Divorced
D. Adolescent

Each state has its strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Jesus promises us here more than sufficient grace to cope with whatever happens. There can be only one response to this magnanimous offer of Jesus: Yes and Thank You Jesus!

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

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

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

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