Bearing with one another through love

October 21, 2016 6:43 am

“I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” (EPH 4: 1-3) 

 

It happens, even in a good relationship, that we have a difficult time, a problem with understanding each other or just feeling that nobody understands me. God’s word comes with help, urging us “to live in a manner worthy of the call we have received… bearig with one another through love.” Without “humility, gentleness and patience,” it is much more difficult. This is why our Programs are based on very simple steps. With them it is easier “to preserve the unity of the spirit.”

 

“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Inner self

October 20, 2016 6:53 am

 

“I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (EPH 3: 14-19) 

Our Lord protects our inner self and “strengthens [it] with power through his Spirit.” He wants us “rooted and grounded in love.” All of this is done by God the Father, “from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” For this reason “the love of Christ surpasses knowledge,” because family—to grow and to be strong—primarily needs love. When love is present, we “may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

“I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The inscrutable riches of Christ

October 19, 2016 8:01 am

“To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the Church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.” (EPH 3: 8-10)

St. Paul, described by himself as “the very least of all the holy ones,” received the very unique grace: “to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things.” “The very least . . . brings to light for all.” This is typical for God, who preferred to manifest His love and “inscrutable riches” through the small, the very least and the ordinary. Our Lord himself was born in the creche, proclaimed by shepherds and died crucified. The “wisdom of God” manifests itself to people who love, not to people of power.

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Gospel Acclamation)

He sent ahead of him in pairs

October 18, 2016 6:00 am

 

“The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.” (LK 10: 1) 

Every couple can appreciate Our Lord’s strategy—“He sent [them] ahead of him in pairs to every town and place.” And He asked them to visit firstly homes: “Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’” Our homes are places where Our Lord “intends to visit.”

“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The gift of God

October 17, 2016 7:11 am

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” (EPH 2: 8-10)

St. Paul reminds us of what we received as God’s children: “by grace we have been saved;” “it is a gift of God”; “it is not from works”—“for we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus.”  Everything we received from Him, “so no one may boast” “for [the] good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” Our Lord takes care of every moment in our lives. How grateful we should be.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Moses kept his hands raised up

October 16, 2016 6:00 am

“As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.  Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” (EX 17: 11-12)

Probably everyone has discovered in her or his lives the beauty of intercessory prayer. Every mother and every father can recall praying for their children to protect them, grandparents praying for their grandchildren, spouses praying for each other and consecrated people praying for the Church and all her needs. In our everyday experience, we need to support or need to be supported, like Aaron and Hur “supported Moses’s hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”

“The word of God is living and effective, discerning reflections and thoughts of the heart.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

October 15, 2016 7:20 am

“I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” (LK 12: 8)

Amazing—it is important to Our Lord how we respond to our relationship with Him—“everyone who acknowledges me before others.” We, who are His creatures, can confirm that we recognize who we are, what we owe Him and how proud we are that we are His children.

“The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

You are worth more…

October 14, 2016 6:00 am

 

“Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (LK 12: 7) 

We are loved and we are so important to Our Lord: “even the hairs of your head have all been counted.” Our value comes from His love. There is no need to prove it or speak up about it. We are loved and we are important to Him. Period.

May your kindness, LORD, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

To be holy and without blemish before Him 

October 13, 2016 6:00 am

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.” (EPH 1: 3-6)

In love chosen “before the foundation of the world” (!), destined “for adoption to Himself,” and blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heaven”— everything “through Jesus Christ,” our Lord. And all of this happened to us just “to be holy and without blemish before Him.” How much we are loved, how important we are to Him.

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

The fruit of the Spirit

October 12, 2016 6:00 am

 

“In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (GAL 5: 22-23)

Loved by God, we receive everything from Him; He takes care of every element of our lives. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts, He comes with “the fruit of the Spirit”: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.” Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit (not “works”) of the Spirit. Not law, nor our work, but the Holy Spirit leads us to such traits.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)