“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4: 6 – 7)
Our requests are known to God. He listens to our prayers and petitions. It is very beneficial when we pray with “no anxiety at all” and “with thanksgiving.” Our grateful hearts are especially pleasing to God. Such an attitude shows how close we are to Him, depend on Him and love Him.
“The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the soul that seeks him.”
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Lk 10: 20)
Our final destination is in Heaven – not here, on earth. Even the greatest success here means nothing in comparison with the life in Heaven. Without that perspective of living with God for Heaven, we can be extremely busy but in reality we bear very little fruit. St. John of the Cross used to say: “a very little of this pure love is more precious in the sight of God and the soul, and of greater profit to the Church, even though the soul appears to be doing nothing, than all these other works together”. The saints in heaven can do more for us than they did when they were on earth.
“Francis, the man of God, left his home behind, abandoned his inheritance and became poor and penniless, but the Lord raised him up.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” (Lk 10: 16)
Our dignity comes from Him—He created us, redeemed us and sanctified us. When Our Lord gives us His word and asks us to share it with others, it is not because we are important but because His word is important: “whoever listens to you listens to me.” And more than this—His word is a message from God the Father about His love for us.
“The designs of his Heart are from age to age, to rescue their souls from death and to keep them alive in famine.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“And another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.’” (Lk 9: 61)
“I will follow you, but…” happens so many times in our lives, too. Generally we do not look at “but” as an excuse, but as a reason for something equally important; important from our perspective. Probably our own reaction to somebody’s “but” directed to us will be negative; “but” like rejection to us. When we exchange “but” with “and,” we can check if it is really another step in the right direction or just a simple excuse. We will be able to follow Our Lord and do whatever is His will.
“I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” (Lk 9: 45)
This happens also to us: “they did not understand”, “its meaning was hidden from them.” Fortunately, we can use Our Lady’s strategy—“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Lk 2: 19) His every word is dictated by love, so heart is the best place to put Our Lord’s words. “Understanding its meaning” will come, for sure. We are His children, and He will give us everything we need to grow.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me and sent me to preach the good news to the poor, to heal the broken hearted.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’” (Lk 9: 18)
I am among “the crowds,” and I am also asked: “Who do you say that I am?” There is no easy answer for this question. Whatever we say will have consequences in our daily life – and in the lives of my brothers and sisters.
“It is you who have stood by me in trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says the Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.” (Communion Antiphon)
“ ‘Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see him.” (Lk 9: 9)
Every day Our Lord comes to us in daily readings. We can listen to His words and to His message given so constantly: about His love for you and me. My heart, touched by His love again and again, wants to answer by “trying to see Him”: at the Holy Mass, in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or even with a short visit to the church.
“I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Add nothing to his words”… (Pro 30: 5-6)
God’s love protects us and our lives in every moment: through our Mother Church herself, through the sacraments, through our daily prayer and through “every word of God”—all of these are our shelters. Among them “the word of God” is given to be a shield for us. We can use His words to protect ourselves when we are under attack of temptation. Think about your main temptation and find in the Bible the proper shield; “take refuge in Him,” trust in His word because we should “add nothing to his words.”
“I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“He was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.’ He said to them in reply, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.’” (Lk 8: 20-21)
We are connected with people by blood or marriage, by education or profession, by workplace or birthplace, by parish or prayer group and in many other ways. With Our Lord we are also connected in many ways: as God’s children, as participants in His Body and Blood, and incorporated into His Holy Church; by listening to the Word of God and by acting on it. Our Lord is looking for any occasion to make us members of His family – the important ones, like His mother or brother.
“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear.” (Lk 8: 16-18)
God’s word is for us, for sure, but also for our brothers and sisters. The way we respond to the Word is, therefore, important. Whoever takes care of the word should put it in the proper place in his/her life, use the best time to listen and to prepare himself/herself to receive the most intimate, loving and compassionate message hidden in the word.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Gospel Acclamation)
