If we are to bear difficulties that cause us sleepless nights, sorrows, and disappointment, which is not easy at all, we need strength and patience from the Lord.
Keeping at prayer to maintain our daily relationship with God is also what Jesus urges in the gospel when He says, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so."
Within us, weaknesses abound. But God always endows us with strengths to accomplish more than we can see in ourselves. The power of the savior Jesus Christ is still more reliable than our weaknesses.
The prelude to Peter's inspired confession is the bread of life discourse that caused many of Jesus’ followers to leave Him. But it is also what brings us to reaffirm our solid faith in the Eucharist. As Christians, we should rejoice in Peter's stunning answer to Jesus’ question was, "Lord to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life."
It is God's will that everyone He has created be part of His heritage. His relationship with the Israelite, which was the starting point for the universal choice of all humanity is accordingly conveyed in the words of the prophet Ez 36:27, "I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors.You shall be my people, and I will be your God."
The Lord always knows the things that happen around us and addresses us through His church and God's word to ignite warmth in our drooping heart and spirit.
We are surrendered by beautiful people who love with their hearts and hands. Therefore, we should not cease to appreciate the Lord for His kindness and the kindhearted people in our lives or living around us. For in the shadows of pain, there emerge witnesses of light and love.
We live in a world that is spinning too fast for us. Pandemic, storms, destruction of homes, shadows of pain, suffering, and uneasiness. Wow! Too many things are happening all at once that make living scary.
Christians are not to be "checking out" individuals who show no passion and spiritual energy that is given abundantly by the Holy Spirit nor be unhappy at the thought that they are Christians. If God loves a cheerful giver, then consider advancing more faith in God and in your actions.
Jesus' hand is not too short towards anyone. It reaches far enough to save us from any mess, difficulties, trials, hardships. We need to act like Peter and say, Lord, if you are near, let me know and experience your saving acts. But we must also not act like
As Christians, our convictions and trust must be boosted not by what you see, but what we don't see, and yet know it is there. “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).
A Christian who is unwilling to discipline himself or herself for prayer, for worship, for the study of scriptures, and for the Mass, to enjoy friendship with Jesus, and seek God's vision and plan for their lives never discovers what truly matters.
Anguish often has sharp eyes to lead us to discover and experience God's power and loving care. In her grief, the mother found Jesus as the one who could answer her concerns; so, she persisted in her pleas for help.
“We must always choose the most perfect. Two good works present themselves to be done, one in favor of a person we love, the other in favor of a person who has done us some harm. Well, we must give preference to the latter.” - Saint John Vianney.
From the bitterness of illness, pain, disappointment, depression, isolation, poverty, hunger, and hopelessness that characterize life or beset people, when we call out to God for help, His outstretched hands will reach to assure us that He is always the Lord and Master.
As God gives us the snow and the rains to support food production and a strong economy, we must provide for those who lack the means of survival in other places