Hearing the Good Shepherd's Voice

John 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem ; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense ? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe ; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish ; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all ; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 “I and the Father are one.”

The whole of chapter 10 of John’s gospel is replete with imagery of sheep and shepherds.  In this one chapter, Jesus compares himself to a shepherd watching over his sheep as well as the gate of the sheepfold through which the sheep enter.  Eventually, of course, John will compare Jesus explicitly to a lamb being slaughtered during the crucifixion.  The sheep/shepherd imagery is perhaps John’s favorite metaphor, and likely would have been understood by his early readers.  Shepherding was a common occupation during the time of Jesus, though a lowly and undesirable one.  Shepherds were typically those who had no property or obligation to family, those who turned to the itinerant life of herding sheep in the wilderness as a last resort to making a living.  That Jesus would compare himself at all to one of society’s best-known outcasts is striking, but becomes even more so when in the same breath he declares “the Father and I are one” .  There is something about the life of a shepherd that tells us about who Jesus is.  There is something about shepherding that reveals God.

Those of us living in the twenty-first century, however, don’t do so well with shepherd imagery.  We don’t see many shepherds these days, do we?  What was once commonplace has become obsolete, and our unfamiliarity with the task of herding sheep makes it difficult to fully appreciate the meaning behind John’s metaphor.  We tend to reduce the image of shepherds and sheep to one of pastoral tranquility, something akin to a reaffirmation that God “maketh me lie down in green pastures” and “leadeth me beside still waters”.  While such a connection may be appropriate and necessary for those needing to be comforted, it nevertheless overlooks the dangers and difficulties that shepherds faced.

Consider, for instance, that the primary task of a shepherd was protecting the sheep.  There were constant threats of predators or thieves wherever the shepherd happened to be.  Jesus alludes to this reality in the first eighteen verses of chapter 10, where he speaks of both thieves and wolves.  It falls to the shepherd to defend the sheep from these constant threats.  In comparing himself to a shepherd and his followers to sheep, Jesus means to invoke this kind of image – the sheep living under constant threat (though blissfully ignorant most of the time) while the shepherd constantly protects, oftentimes putting his own life in danger for the sake of  his flock.  In fact, this very willingness to confront the danger and “lay down his life for his sheep” is what makes a shepherd “good” (see John 10:11-14).  Once again John’s gospel tells us in no uncertain terms that Jesus’ life is in danger.  It is no coincidence that the “good shepherd chapter” of John ends with Jesus’ nearly being stoned.  That’s not exactly pastoral or tranquil, is it?

Of course, no one ever said that the Christian life should be tranquil.  We may at times fall into the trap of assuming that we Christians should somehow enjoy benefits that others do not by virtue of our belief.  To the contrary, Jesus himself teaches us that following him means just the opposite.  Time and time again our lives will be tested.  Time and time again we will come face-to-face with the threats and evils of the world.  Time and time again we will be called to respond with the selfsame love, grace, and sacrifice as our Lord Jesus did.  Claimed as his sheep, Jesus means for us to be his shepherds in the world.

As we minister in his name it can be difficult to keep him at the center of all that we do.  There are countless voices in our world competing for our time and attention, vying for our allegiance.  In this day and age of twenty-four hour cable news and op-ed “infotainment”, we are constantly bombarded with voices on top of other voices, one talking head after another.  A great deal of consideration is given to how and where we get our information about the world, and the media presents us with particular slants and spins designed to convince listeners that this or that voice is to be trusted above all others.  Sometimes it can be difficult to hear the voice of our shepherd above the cacophony of words.

A friend of mine once told me that being a pastor is like being a stray dog at a whistler’s convention.  That image is humorous but illustrative of what happens when we don’t know who our master is.  We end up running this way and that, on one misguided sprint after another.  Wouldn’t it be fulfilling to be able to hear that one tone above all the noise, that one whistle that tells us who we are and who’s we are, that one signal that makes all the others fall flat?  Jesus tells us that his sheep know his voice and follow him.  If this is true, then it means a primary task of following Jesus is listening.  We must train ourselves to hear his voice above all the other voices in our world, to daily connect with that voice that says, “This way!  You belong here with me!”  But we must understand that following the voice of Jesus brings us face-to-face with the “teeth” of life, so to speak.  We are called to encounter and resist the threats of the world, threats such as oppression, poverty, injustice, and dehumanization.

When we do so, we do so under the watchful eye of our compassionate shepherd, the guard who lays down his life that we might live.  He is our Lord, who claims us and calls to us as we move from one wilderness to the next.  He leads us to confront the threatening evils of this world knowing that they have no real power over us.  Though they may assail us and cling to us, they cannot pry us from the grasp of our Savior.  Though they may kill us, they cannot extinguish our life in Jesus Christ.  Though they may sever us from our earthly life, they cannot separate us from the love of our eternal shepherd.

That, simply stated, is who God is. –Lee Koontz

–that in all things God may be glorified–

Think Like Christ

“They will hear my voice.” (John 10:16)

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows his own, and they know him. How wonderful is that? We can know him. He promised: “They will hear my voice” (John 10:16). He didn’t say: “Maybe they will” or “I hope they will.” He just said: “They will.” As often as we sit with him, ask him questions and wait for answers, as often as we quiet the noisiness and busyness of our lives, and give him room to speak, we will hear him.

The truth is, whether we believe it or not, God knows everything about us. The good and the bad, the things we hate to admit, and those we wish weren’t true but can’t quite bring ourselves to admit. God knows it all—and still he loves us!

As true as this statement is, it can also be hard to believe: Jesus really loves us! Equally hard for us is believing Jesus’ promise that we can experience a deep and personal relationship with him and the Father. We can know him in a way that goes beyond what we might normally expect in any human relationship.

Here’s another promise that we might find hard to believe: that we can take on his own mind about life in this world. As we grow closer to him, we can begin to feel the stirrings that move his heart. St. Paul told the believers in Corinth: “We have the mind of Christ,” and he wants to tell us the same thing today (1 Corinthians 2:16). We really can know his thoughts, because he is eager to share them with us. We really can hear him, because he created us for this kind of relationship. He has given us his own Holy Spirit to help us know his love in the deep recesses of our hearts.

Just think: God’s love, his creativity, his inventiveness, his compassion and humor, his wisdom and knowledge, his discernment and understanding—we can begin to taste all of these. The Holy Spirit makes it possible. He opens our minds and hearts to receive all of this simply because God loves us. So go ahead and ask. You will receive. Jesus promises! – WAU

“Jesus, I want to know you as fully as possible. I want to hear your voice and feel your love. Speak to me, Lord. I am listening.”

The Good Shepherd

“The sheep hear his voice.” (John 10:3)

The people who first heard Jesus compare himself to a shepherd had some background knowledge that many of us lack. They knew that when shepherds brought their sheep in for the night, they often put them into pens with other flocks. And how did shepherds distinguish their sheep from all the others when it was time to go out to pasture again? Easy. Each shepherd had a distinctive call, which only his sheep would recognize and follow.
What an apt metaphor for Jesus’ relationship with us! He is the Good Shepherd, whose sheep know to respond when he calls to them.

Or do they? Perhaps this is an area where some of Jesus’ sheep—some of us—need a bit more training. Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world? This gift of discernment, which is every believer’s inheritance in Christ, is developed as we imitate the first Christians, who “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

Close attention to Scripture and church teaching can help us recognize God’s voice and the kind of things he might tell us. Fellowship with other followers of Christ can build us up and give us a sounding board to help us see if our ideas are on target. Personal prayer can become a conversation where we learn to hear the voice of him who loves us best. And the Eucharist can become an intimate encounter with the Lord, who wants to lead us into a deeper understanding of his will.

Isn’t it comforting that, despite our unworthiness, we can still hear Jesus say, “I love you”? This is our Shepherd’s distinctive call. How can we possibly resist?

“Jesus, open my ears and teach me to recognize your voice in all the ways it comes to me. Then open my lips and let me be your voice to others.”

Let Go and Let God

The lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)

Imagine that you are traveling an unfamiliar road. Suddenly, the road forks in two different directions. You have three choices: go left, go right, or turn around and go back to where you came from. You don’t have much time to decide because you are running low on gasoline and you’re feeling pretty hungry. So what do you do?

In situations like this, making a decision with no clear outcome can be stressful, scary, exciting, and nerve-racking all at the same time. But such situations also present us with the perfect opportunity to trust God and not just rely on our own logic or understanding.

This is exactly what the apostles did in today’s first reading! They didn’t know who to pick as the next apostle. Matthias and Barsabbas were both equally qualified for the role. They both had their own set of strengths, and they both matched the requirements that Peter had set. Both were bold in preaching, and both were deeply committed to Jesus and the new church. So which one should they choose? The apostles didn’t have a long, drawn out process of discernment: They drew lots and left it up to God to decide for them.

God knows where he is leading us, and there are times when he’s the only One who knows how we’re going to get there. The last thing we want to do is over think a decision. We can get so caught up in methods of discerning God’s will and making sure that we are absolutely right that we forget to let go and let God take control. There will be times when we will simply not know what to do— but God will.

Are there any decisions you have to make today that will require you to “let go and let God”? If so, quiet your mind. Then, say a prayer of surrender, make your best decision, and ask God to direct your path. Believe that if you let go in this way, he will guide you. – WAU

“Jesus, I trust in you. I surrender my life to you and let go of control. Please show me the path to life. Let me know unending joy in your presence.”

God's Transforming Love

“Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, ‘Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way.’” (Acts 9:17)

Saul and his friends never got tired of telling the story of his conversion. Barnabas uses it to explain why the Christians no longer need to fear this man (Acts 9:26-29). Paul tells it to the Jews who want to arrest him (22:1-21) and to King Agrippa who met the apostle during his long imprisonment (26:1-23).

Why is this story so significant? Because it shows how deeply the resurrection of Jesus can change people’s lives. At the beginning of Chapter 9, Saul is breathing out threats, bent on capturing these heretics and bringing them to justice. By the end, he is docile and pensive, eager to put aside his old life, join a new community, and learn all he can about the Way he had been trying to eradicate.

The event is no less powerful for Ananias, an ordinary believer whom God asks to do a very bold thing. To identify himself as a Christian before Saul the Pharisee is to put his own life on the line. But God assures Ananias that Saul is no longer a murderer but rather God’s chosen instrument. Because he believes God, Ananias is able to address Saul as a brother and to heal his blindness.

How has Jesus’ resurrection changed you? Perhaps you were paralyzed by fear until you experienced his unconditional love for you. Perhaps you were burdened by anxieties until his hope lifted you up. Perhaps you were driven by selfish ambition until God set you free to give as generously as he does. Perhaps you couldn’t let go of a hurt until Jesus showed you the way to forgiveness.

Further, how might the Spirit of God want to change the way you see someone else? Maybe he will help you see someone you consider an enemy in a new light, as beloved of God, someone for whom he has planned great things. Maybe you are another “chosen instrument” to help that person to encounter the trans­ forming love of God. – WAU

“Jesus, I want to know you and the power of your resurrection. Let your love transform me and each person I encounter today.”

–that in all things God may be glorified–

Are We Equipped?

“Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30)

One thing about Philip: He was physically fit. It’s not everyone who could have caught up to that chariot—the first-century equivalent of a government limousine—as it clipped through the desert. And not everyone could have managed to jog alongside while holding a conversation with its passenger. But it’s not mainly because Philip was in good physical shape that the Ethiopian official responded to the word of God. Their encounter would have come to nothing if Philip hadn’t been scripturally fit as well.

Of course, Philip was “filled with the Spirit” (Acts 6:3) and ready to seize every opportunity to proclaim Jesus. And clearly, the Holy Spirit guided him as he did. But it’s also clear that Philip knew Scripture. He knew it so well that, having heard just a few verses read aloud, he instantly recognized the Suffering Servant prophecy (Isaiah 53:7-8). His heart must have leapt with joy because he had just seen this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. What better starting point for presenting the good news? And so, as Jesus did with the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24:27), Philip opened up the meaning of God’s word and led the Ethiopian to Christ.

God wants us to be able to do what Philip did that day. In his exhortation on the word of God, Pope Benedict XVI tells us: “There is no greater priority than this: to enable the people of our time once more to encounter God, the God who speaks to us and shares his love so that we might have life in abundance” (Verbum Domini, 2). First, though, we have to apply Philip’s question to ourselves: Do I understand what I am reading? If we are not immersing ourselves in God’s word—by studying, praying, and living it—how can we expect to be joyful, winning witnesses?

So put yourself on a scriptural fitness program. Get a good study Bible, if you don’t already have one, and read it every day. Develop a plan for what you will read, and when and where. Take advantage of the books, talks, study groups, and other helps that are out there. And as you do, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and help you get scripturally fit. “Ethiopians” are waiting all around you! - WAU

“Spirit of God, open up your word to me. And help me open it up to others.”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

The Living Bread

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35)

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant by this? How is he the bread of life for us, and what kind of “life” does he give? Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, has this to say:
“The Fathers of the Church took the example of physical nourishment to explain this mystery. It is the stronger form of life, they said, that assimilates the weaker and not vice versa. The vegetable world assimilates minerals, and animals assimilate vegetables, and the spir­itual assimilates the material. To those who receive him, Jesus says: ‘You shall not change me into your own substance. Instead you shall be changed into me.’

“Food is not a living thing and therefore cannot give us life. It is a source of life only in that it sus­tains the life we have. The bread of life is a living bread, and those who receive it live by it. So while the food that nourishes the body … is assimilated by the body and forms human blood, the complete oppo­site takes place with the bread of life. This bread gives life to those that receive it, ‘assimilates’ them,
and transforms them into itself. …

“Christ calls himself the ‘bread of life’ precisely to make us under­stand that he doesn’t nourish us as ordinary food does, but that, as he possesses life, he gives it to us…. To say that Jesus ‘assimilates’ us in communion signifies, in fact, that he makes us similar to him in our sentiments, desires, and our way of thinking; in a word he creates in us ‘the mind that was in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5).”

Keep these points in mind the next time you receive communion. Make it a point to offer yourself to the Lord. Give him your challenges and your sins as well as your gifts and treasures. Let him assimilate you and transform you into him­self. You won’t lose your freedom or your identity. On the contrary, as you lose yourself in him, you will find even greater freedom and dignity. You’ll find the life that he wants to give you!

“Lord, come and live your life through me. The world needs to receive your mercy, wisdom, and power, and I may be just the person you are asking to give it

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Manna from Heaven

(Greek man, manna; Latin man, manna).
 
The food miraculously sent to the Israelites during their forty years sojourn in the desert (Exodus 16; Numbers 11:6-9). It fell during the night in small white flakes or grains which covered the ground and presented the appearance of hoar frost. These grains are described as resembling coriander seed and bdellium, with a taste like "flour with honey", or "bread tempered with oil" (Exodus 16:31; Numbers 11:7-8).
 
The manna fell for the first time while the Israelites were in the desert of Sin, six weeks after their departure from Egypt, in answer to their murmurs over the privations of desert life (Exodus 16:1 sq.) and thenceforth fell daily, except on the Sabbath, till they arrived at Galgal in the plain of Jericho (Joshua 5:12). During these years the manna was their chief but not their only article of diet. Their herds furnished them some milk and meat; they had oil and flour, at least in small quantities, and at times purchased provisions from neighbouring peoples (Leviticus 2 sq.; 17:1 sq.; Deuteronomy 2:6, 28). The manna had to be gathered in the morning, as the heat of the sun melted it. The quantity to be collected was limited to a gomor (omer, between six and seven pints) per person; but on the eve of the Sabbath a double portion was gathered. When kept over night it putrefied and bred worms, except the portion which was reserved for the Sabbath. Though it was probably eatable in the natural state, it was usually ground in a mill or beaten in a mortar and then boiled and made into cakes. As a reminder to future generations, a vessel filled with manna was placed near the Ark of the Covenant. The name is connected with the exclamation "Man hu", which the Israelites uttered on first seeing it. This expression since the time of the Septuagint is generally translated "What is this?", though it should more probably be translated "Is this manna?", or "It is manna". A substance named mannu was known in Egypt at that time, and the resemblance of the newly fallen food to this substance would naturally call forth the exclamation and suggest the name.

Christ uses the manna as the type and symbol of the Eucharistic food, which is true "bread from heaven", and "bread of life", i.e., life-giving bread, in a far higher sense than the manna of old (John 6). St. Paul in calling the manna "spiritual food" (1 Corinthians 10:3), alludes to its symbolical significance with regard to the Eucharist as much as to its miraculous character. Hence the manna has always been a common Eucharistic symbol in Christian art and liturgy. In Apocalypse 2:17, the manna stands as the symbol of the happiness of heaven.

“Give us this bread always.” (John 6:34)

The crowd was excited. Jesus had just used a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread to feed thousands! Now, having eaten their fill, you can almost hear them thinking: “Maybe we could get him to keep on providing for us just as Moses kept giving our ancestors manna. We would never have to worry about food again!”

But Jesus had come to the earth to be much more than a divine breadbasket! He tried to tell this to the people, but his conversation with them seemed to be happening on two different planes. The people were thinking about their material needs, but Jesus wanted to raise their thoughts to the things of heaven. He had just cautioned them not to work for the food that perishes but for the food that leads to eternal life, but they still seemed focused on their pressing needs (John 6:27).

Jesus knows that we need food and drink. He didn’t think it beneath himself to feed his listeners when they got hungry. But he also knows that whether we are starving or satisfied or anywhere in between, we are always hungering for peace, security, forgiveness, and dignity. He knows that whatever our physical state may be, the bread that he offers can meet our inner needs. His bread, the bread of life, can empower us to face any situation. It can fill us with the strength and clarity that come from knowing we belong to him.

Sharing donuts after Mass can be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and a good way to have a morning snack, but Jesus offers us something even more life-giving. Every day, he offers himself to us on the altar. Every day, he seeks to draw us deeper into his life so that we can be transformed. As we receive him in the Eucharist, he can satisfy our deepest hunger. He can give us the wisdom and courage we need to meet any challenge. He can fill us so much, in fact, that we have plenty left over to share with the people around us. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is the bread come down from heaven, giving life to those who receive it!

“Lord Jesus, I want to pursue you for who you are—the lover of my soul, the One who can satisfy the deepest longings of my heart!”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Why God Created Us

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal Iife.” (John 6:27)

Ignatius of Loyola was a sixteenth-century Spanish knight who loved fighting battles and wooing beautiful women. At least that was the case until a cannonball shattered his leg and forced him to spend months in bed recuperating. He was bored, and the only books available were a life of Christ and the lives of the saints. As he read, Ignatius noticed something interesting: When he thought about chivalry and fighting victorious battles, he would be happy for a time, but when he thought about Christ and the saints, the happiness that he felt was deeper and didn’t fade.

Isn’t that the case in our own lives? Perhaps we are initially happy with the latest electronic gadget or a new outfit. But soon it loses its attraction. Despite what advertisers tell us, our lives are much richer when we invest ourselves in things that endure. God created us for love, not just to acquire things. He created us to love him and to love one another, not to love things that we can buy.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that God wants us all to live like ascet­ics. Especially if we have families, we have to be concerned about providing for their needs. What’s more, God doesn’t want to deprive us of the things of this world. Rather, he wants to make sure we are focusing on him first. That’s what makes all the difference!

Today, think about how you spend your time and your money. Think about the way you use your gifts and talents. A quick glance at your check­ book can give you a good glimpse into your priorities. But that’s not the only thing to look at. Take a look also at the things that preoccupy you.

Jesus told us that wherever our treasure lies, there our hearts lie as well. Are you seeking his kingdom first? Where can you do better? If you see a need for change, ask his Spirit to help you. And don’t worry. Through the food of the Scriptures and the Eucharist, Jesus can show you the path to life!

“Lord, I want to invest myself in the things that last forever. Help me to make you first in every area of my life.” - WAU

--that in all things God may be glorified--

The HEART of our FAITH

“God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32)

 

The resurrection of Jesus was at the heart of Peter’s message on Pentecost, and it became his mission statement for the rest of his life.

Two thousand years later, God still wants the resurrection to be at the heart of our faith. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition; established by the documents of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross: Christ is risen from the dead!” (638).

Just as the apostles were first-century witnesses to the resurrection, God calls us to be twenty-first-century witnesses to the very same event. He wants us to be bold and steadfast as we testify to the transformation that Jesus’ resurrection has brought about in our own lives. Of course we should try to witness through our good deeds, but he also calls us to speak clearly, excitedly, and joyfully about the basis for our hope and our faith. And what is that basis? Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!

Take time today to reflect on the concrete ways that the reality of Jesus’ resurrection has changed your life. How has it given you hope? Strength? Comfort? Peace? Try to boil it down into a couple of sentences. Make it into a proclamation of faith that you can announce to yourself and to the Lord every morning when you wake up. Make it the basis for your decisions as you go throughout the day. Ask the Holy Spirit how you can tell people about your faith and joy in the risen Lord.

Commit yourself to sharing the good news with at least one person this week. Then go out and do it!

“Praise to you, Jesus, my risen Savior! ‘You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever’ (Psalm 16:11).”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Be Not Afraid

“It is I. Do not be afraid.” (John 6:20)

Just what were these seasoned fishermen afraid of? Surely not a storm on the lake! They had seen that before. No, John tells us that the disciples “began to be afraid” when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water (John 6:19). Here was something they had never seen before, and it filled them with fear. Physical healings were one thing. Even exorcisms they could handle. But seeing Jesus completely unfazed by the raw forces of nature—this was just too much. Who was this man?

It wasn’t until they heard Jesus’ voice that their fears faded. It wasn’t until his words reached them that they could look beyond the under­standably unnerving image of a man walking on water and catch a glimpse of the Son of God. Up to that point, they weren’t sure that they wanted him in their boat. He was so strange, so different, and they weren’t sure that they could trust him.

But then came his voice, his word. This was Jesus, their teacher and friend! He wasn’t a ghost from the netherworld. He wasn’t an angry god bestriding the seas bringing vengeance and wrath. He was Jesus of Nazareth, and he had come to help them.

How often do I hesitate to wel­come Jesus into a situation because I’m afraid of what he may do? Perhaps he’ll ask me to do something dangerous, like step onto the water with him. Perhaps he’ll overpower me just as he overpowered the storm. Or per­haps he really isn’t who I thought he was. Perhaps he’s far more dangerous. Perhaps. Perhaps. Perhaps.

But in the midst of our inner storms, Jesus calls out: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” His word can calm our fears. His word—his voice—can reas sure us that he has a perfect plan for our lives and that we can trust him completely.

Make it a point today to listen to Jesus. No matter what is making you worried, anxious, or fearful, quiet your mind. Let the voice of the Lord bring you peace. You’ll be amazed how quickly—and safely—you get to the other side!

“Lord, you fill the whole earth with your goodness (Psalm 33:5). Help me to trust in you. Come, Lord, into my heart and speak your words of life!”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Living the Christian Way

Bless the Lord of Mercy and Love, o my soul. Praise, honor and glory be to You, my Lord and my God. I am truly sorry for all the mistakes that I committed, be it something I did or something I did not do but should have done. Forgive me for I know what it takes to walk in Your path but still I sometimes if not almost always, fall. Thank you that You love me and understand my human nature. Please breathe in me Your Spirit of Holiness, Truth and Grace so I may be guided and be a blessing to others. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

There are a number of scriptures telling us how to live the Chrisitan way. This is from Romans chapter 11:

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is very very hard to practice these and very easy to fall and react humanly for that is our nature. That is why we need to pray continually and submit to the Lord at all times for the devil will walk ahead of us every step of the way to lure us into falling, which makes us feel guilty and scared and defensive thereby abandoning all our efforts to follow Jesus which was the enemy's ultimate goal. If the devil can't succeed to break our resolve and block us from serving God, he will then go behind us and push us hard so we will fall.

My friend, when this happens, always remember that our God is the God of Mercy and Grace. He listens to our prayers, look at us with love and always forgive a truly repentant heart. LET US ASK THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS, GRACE AND TRUTH to come into our hearts and be with us everyday of our lives.

A song again came ito my mind:

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord.
This mountain shall be removed, this mountain shall be removed. This mountain shall be removed. But by My Spirit saith the Lord.

 

--that in all things God may be glorified-- 05/02/11

THE FISH

On April 25th, I posted about the extra blessings God showered me with during Holy Week. What I gathered from it was that IF YOU TRY HARD to do something pleasing to the Lord, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE IT MAY BE, the Lord will add more blessings to what you already have. Sunday night (May 1st), God gave me another "extra" blessing thru a customer. He asked me if I want "FISH"! He said he just went fishing and caught some brim. I said "why are you giving me your fish? (For I know how hard it is to fish. It involves time, patience and senses plus God's grace in order to catch even one. I know this for a fact, for though I am not really into fishing. John and the kids are, even my 4-yr-old Jonei. Peter is just waiting for the go-signal from his dad when he could finally hold a fishing pole in his hands.) "I don't know if I will have the time to get to them tonight or tomorrow", he replied, though he bought ice for them already. So I accepted.

I regret that I did not ask the man's name; but I prayed for him, and thanked him and God for his kindness. I know God is telling me something by the unexpected gift of fish. The insights I gleaned from it are as follows:
1. That I am a fish! For I was born in that sign - pisces
2. God knows I miss fresh fish so much for my geography puts me in an area where you can not buy fresh fish, just frozen. God blessed the Philippines with abundant supply of fish and it is readily available in the market. Here, it is very scarce. Plus, those who offer them fresh like Publix or Winn Dixie offer them fillet already. I want my fish fresh from the sea or lake, fried crunchy, with bones and head and everything.
3. I was reminded of the lesson that in order to have something good, you have to work hard for it. I got poked in the finger, my hair and the sink was covered with fish scales, plus the cleaning of the mess afterward.
4. That God supplies all our needs, even our wants, even though we don't ask for them.
5. That God will take care of everything. As I cannot leave my post that night, the man pulled his truck and boat back to where my van was parked at the back of the building and iced the fish, put them in the bag for me, and placed it at the trunk of my van. Moreover, he also came back to shut the hood of the trunk for me. He even reminded me not to forget to take the fish out of there.
6. God makes a way. If I did not stay a while to listen to God's message in the radio, I would have forgotten the fish, for it was automatic to me that when I pulled in to park, I grab my keys and purse and leave, for it was about 15 feet before I reach the automatic light to illuminate my path to the house at night. Most of the time, I would remember what else I have that needs to be taken out the van the following morning. That night, however, He reminded me I have something important to take out.
7. It is a testimony to my husband John. When I told him about it that night, as usual, 1st thing he asked was “And why would a man you do not know give you a fish?” with doubts in his mind. God made me answer this: “Because, John, if you are trying to walk with God, He will shower you with many blessings even if you do not ask for them”. That silenced him.
8. God reminded me of some other extra blessings He has given me through my bosses - fresh lettuce, greens and tomatoes in 3 separate occasions.
9. That God satisfies our mouth with good things so that our youth will be renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:5) Those fish were so good, I think I over-ate. The 2 babies loved them and John had a ball eating them too, that we did not have anything left for the kids who went to school.

I know in my heart God is telling me something more important than all of these and I thank and praise Him and bless His Holy Name for what it is.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD….

--that in all things God may be glorified--5/03/11

When the Impossible Becomes Possible

Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” (John 6:5)


A proverb says: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” How presumptuous to think that we can control the future! As St. James wisely reminds us: “You have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow… . You should say, ‘If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that’ “ (James 4:14-15).

Interestingly enough, in today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Philip what to do in a challenging situation. Philip quickly estimates the size of the crowd and calculates the cost of feeding them. “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little bit,” he exclaims (John 6:7). Jesus listens respectfully, hoping the disciples will see clearly that their own resources are woefully inadequate.

Jesus doesn’t explain his long range plan. He does, however, make the disciples become part of the solution by giving them specific tasks to do: Have the people recline for a meal. Bring me the few loaves and fishes you have. After I’ve said the blessing, pass the food around. Then, gather up the leftovers. And so unfolded one of Jesus’ most memorable miracles as one generous boy’s lunch becomes a feast for thousands.

This is how the Master works with us. He invites us to see needs and problems from his perspective—not get overwhelmed or pretend they don’t exist. He encourages us to assess our resources, brainstorm suggestions, and propose a possible course of action. Then he invites us to use our faith-filled imaginations, to think big, to dream with him. Expectantly, we are to bring him our meager offerings, to join him in giving thanks to the Father for them, and to share whatever he gives us. We can be sure that it will be more than enough to fulfill his great plan.

Whenever you bring problems or needs to the Lord, have faith. The moment you say, “It may be impossible for me, but not for God,” you are opening the door to endless, divine possibilities. Believe! Trust! Who knows how the Lord will multiply the “bread” in your hands?

“Father, how passionately you care about us! I bring you my hopes and dreams, my half-baked ideas, my meager talents and resources. Show me the next step as I work with you to feed your hungry people.”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Be a Witness for God

It is very hard for us to find the courage to witness to others, especially strangers, about our faith. I had the chance yesterday when I went with John to his doctor's appointment.

As we were about to leave, I asked a guy how he was doing and he replied he was nervous and scared His name was Cris. I said "Do you believe in God?" He said Yes. Then I proceeded to tell him that God loves him so much, that He was there right beside him and he need not be afraid. He just need to talk to Him. I asked if he wanted my bible, he said no. I offered my daily devotional to him; still, he refused. So I just prayed for him. While I was talking to him, John was just a couple of feet away from me, finalizing his next appointment with the receptionist.

The moment we walked out of the door, John was telling me I should not have done that for that is called soliciting. He said it was not the right place, and that I made the guy all the more nervous.

You see, the devil will attack immediately whenever you witness for God. For He wants people to be with him in the pit of hell. I had 2nd thoughts if what I did was right, though deep in my heart I knew that it was. That is what the devil is good at - confusing people and planting the seed of doubt whenever we do something for God.

As I was writing this, the devil is wreaking havoc in our house. He is tearing my family apart; using my family to put me down and to stop me from doing this, calling me names. I even had problem with my internet connections. But there is no stopping me. For this post must be real important for the enemy to be resorting to all those antics. This post might be delayed, but there is no stopping me.

I still have limited knowledge, and I want to know more about our God so I have to study the Word more, read the Bible more often, and pray, pray, pray. I can only share what I know and I want to share more, so I need to do more research concerning the scriptures.

We all can do our own witnessing, for that, from my understanding now, is a part of our purpose here on earth. We have to bring Christ to others so we can bring others to Christ. We can never do it on our own. It is only through the Spirit of Truth that we will be able to do it, the same Spirit that made Peter declare to Jesus "You are the Christ." (Mark 8:29)

It is the Holy Spirit that gives you the power, the strength, the boldness, ability, and the confidence to be witnesses for Jesus.
If you want to be a bolder witness for Jesus, you need to be praying for it, obeying the Lord, and submitting to the will of the Lord.

Don't be scared of experiencing God. Don't be scared of being a witness for Him either.

I remember this song when I was young and I want to share it with you….

Come, Holy Spirit I need You. Come, Holy Spirit, I pray.
Come with Your strength and Your power.
Come in Your own special way.

Come like a spring in the desert
Come to the weary of soul
Lord, let Your sweet healing power
Touch me and make me whole.

-- that in all things God may be glorified--

Darkness or LIGHT?

From the Gospel of John chapter 3:

16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged ; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."


How do you know if you are in the dark? In my opinion, You are in the dark:

-if you choose to stay mad rather than forgive
-if you see yourself above or higher than everybody else
-if you think money is the answer to all your problems
-if you refused to help somebody when you can
-if you trust nobody but yourself
-if you buy tobacco or alcohol for a minor
-if you know that what you're gonna do is bad and still do it
-if you believe that you just live for yourself
-if you judge a person by his appearance
-if you think going to church alone can save you
-if you can treat another person shabbily
-if you have very little money left but instead of feeding your hungry kids you buy cigarette, beer, scratch/lotto tickets, bet on jueteng or gamble
-if you do not know where will you go when your life on earth is over
-if you do not believe that Jesus died for your sins
-if you think God does not see what you do in secret
- if you do not have faith, hope and love
- if you do not trust God and His plans for you
- if you love material things more than God


There are many more to add in the above list but I'll stop just there. Now, my friend, would you rather be in the dark or are you glad that you chose the light?

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Tell Others What the Lord has Done for You

“We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

If you’ve ever watched a court­ room drama in which an eyewitness is brought in to testify, you’ve prob­ably heard the phrase: “I know what I saw!” Usually in such sto­ries, the defense attorney will do his or her best to prove that the wit­ness is mistaken. Human memory is very fallible, and witnesses can be wrong—their testimony can result in the wrongful conviction of an innocent man. But it’s very hard to tell people who are convinced they saw something with their own eyes that it really didn’t happen!

The apostles who stood before the Sanhedrin in today’s reading were just those kind of witnesses. They had been ordered to stop talk­ing about Jesus, but they couldn’t see any reason to comply. They had given up everything to follow him. They knew who he was and why he had come. They had heard the news of his crucifixion, but then they saw him—alive! Nothing could convince them to stop spreading the good news.

What about us? None of us was present at the resurrection. We haven’t seen Jesus with our own eyes. So who is going to believe us? Lots of people! We have a witness to speak for us: the Holy Spirit. He comes to testify to the truth of the gospel. He comes to reveal Jesus as the Son of God. He comes to bear witness “with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8: 16). He is an expert witness we can all rely on!

Like the apostles, we too can say, “I know what I saw!” We can ask the Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts so that we can see Jesus. We don’t have to rely on our own speak­ing skills or intelligence to share the gospel. Instead, we can relax, act nat­urally, and share the truth of what the Lord has done in our lives.

So let the Spirit take care of the supernatural part. Let him reveal his presence through you. Don’t be afraid to speak the name of Jesus, for he is always with you—and his love can move mountains!

“Come, Holy Spirit, and make me a vessel for your grace. Teach me how to witness to Jesus in a way that stirs people’s hearts.”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

The Light of the World

” Light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light.” (John 3:19)

At first, the light was just too bright for Nicodemus. When we first meet him in John’s Gospel, he is coming to Jesus “at night” to do a little private investigation. A Pharisee, Nicodemus was intrigued by Jesus, but he was also reluctant to associate himself publicly with this teacher from Galilee. Jesus, “the light,” had come into the world, but Nicodemus wasn’t ready yet to come into that light. We can only guess why. Maybe he was afraid of change. Maybe he was concerned about the reaction from some of his fellow Pharisees.

But slowly and steadily, this respected teacher of the Jews let the light dawn. When some of Israel’s leaders wanted to have Jesus arrested, Nicodemus openly defended him (John 7:50-51). And after Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus bravely stepped forward, bringing costly spices to help prepare Jesus’ body for burial. He was coming into the light! The Holy Spirit was working in his heart, freeing him from fear.

Nicodemus shows us that it’s never too late to come to the Lord. Sometimes we may be hesitant to step into his light, especially if it means confessing our sins. Sometimes we feel more comfortable approaching Jesus during the “night” with a guarded heart. And that’s okay, so long as we keep taking steps closer to the light, even small steps. After all, that’s how Nicodemus began, and look how his story ended. He had the privilege of ministering to the broken body of Christ—the body that would be raised to glory three days later!

So take courage, and try to come a little more fully into the light of Christ. You don’t have to carry around shame over past sins. All you have to do is take them to Jesus and ask him to set you free. Let the light of his mercy melt away your guilt and fill you with joy and peace instead. Let him show you the freedom that he won for you on the cross. It may take a while, like Nicodemus, but we can all become a new creation this Easter season!

“Thank you, Jesus, for shining the light of your truth and love into my life. Thank you for the gift of your freedom.”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Our Blessed Hope

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19

Paul knew what it meant to be abased, and to abound, to be full, and to hunger. Yet, in everything, his faith echoed the thought: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Can you say the same thing? What’s your life really saying about Jesus? Are you truly at peace with God? Do you think your problems are too great for Him to solve? Do you think your mess is too big for Him to clean up? Are you willing to go wherever He wants to lead you? Do you really believe in Him?

People tend to worry about their future, being fearful of what might happen if they step out in faith and give God full control of their lives. It’s as though they feel they might miss out on something good by following Him. But what is there to miss out on when God wants to do nothing but good things for His children? You’re not being asked to place your trust in some whimsical human-being who could care less about you. You are being asked to trust someone who loves you more than anyone else, so much that He died for you. I’m talking about Jesus. “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:10–11). Indeed, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). What a wonderful testimony! And Paul wasn’t ashamed of it. In fact, he was willing to go to prison for preaching it.

But even though he was in chains, he was a free man, because he was in Christ. As a result, he choose to praise God rather than complain about Him. In other words, he didn’t let the woes of his circumstances shipwreck his faith, but chose to look for the Blessed Hope, who would supply all his needs, that is, Jesus Christ. Of course, you can choose to do the same, for Jesus loves you too! It makes no difference who you are or where you are at, Jesus is willing and able to reach into your heart, and make wonderful things happen in your life. Listen to His: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1–3).

The only thing the world has to offer is a dead end, but Jesus offers you eternal life. His love is the solution to all our problems! And like Paul, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). Can you say Amen to that? I hope so!

Jesus wants to usher you into a more encouraging experience with God. He wants you to be happy. Will you let Him have full control of your life? If you want what He wants for you then you must surrender everything to Him. Remember, when you are walking with Jesus, you have nothing to worry about, “because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4); and “God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” You only need to exercise complete trust in Him to see that this is true!

May God bless you,

~ Christopher S. Esty

-- that in all things God may be glorified--

The Christian Way; Born by the Spirit

“Do not be amazed.” (John 3:7)

But Nicodemus was amazed! Jesus told him that in order to see the kingdom of God, he had to be “born from above.” Of course, Jesus wasn’t talking about the physical birth that Nicodemus thought he meant. He was talking about a spiritual birth.

This concept of being born from above may sound unfamiliar to us as well. After all, we live in a world that relies on the physical senses— what we can see, touch, taste, hear, and smell. But Jesus came to enliven our spiritual senses so that we could “see” him and “touch” him in an even deeper way. He came to teach us how to walk by faith and not just by sight.

So what does it mean to be “born of the Spirit”? A lot of things! Here are just a few.
First, being born of the Spirit makes us vessels of the Spirit. It means that the Holy Spirit lives in us, always ready to encourage us, convict us of sin, fill us with peace, and stir us to do his will. It means that we can be led by the Spirit instead of the desires and drives of our fallen nature.

Second, being born of the Spirit means that we can begin to think as Jesus thinks, to have the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Where we may want to react with bitterness, anger, or vengeance when we are wronged, the Spirit can teach us to look on our offender as someone created by God and equally loved by him. He can teach us to forgive quickly, to discern good from evil more clearly, and to be more ready to serve instead of expecting to be served.

Finally, being born of the Spirit means becoming a bit different—at least from the world’s perspective! Nicodemus saw something truly unique in Jesus. Was it the miracles? Was it his sense of peace? Or was it the way Jesus’ words resonated in his heart? Whatever it was, we can be sure that as we open ourselves to the Spirit, people will notice something out of the ordinary in us, and they will be intrigued. They will see us living by a different set of standards, and that will make them more receptive to the good news of Christ.

“Lord, open my spiritual eyes. Holy Spirit, I need more of you today.”

--that in all things God may be glorified--

Divine Mercy, Blessed Pope John Paul II Inspiration

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. (Psalm 118:24)

Today is a day of double blessing. Not only do we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday but we also honor Pope John Paul II, who will be beatified today in Rome. In honor of this event, we want to offer some excerpts from John Paul’s first homily as pope, given on the day of his inauguration, October 22, 1978. May his words, his spirit, and his love for Jesus continue to inspire all of us!

“On this day and in this place these same words must again be uttered and listened to: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’ (Matthew 16:16).

“Yes, Brothers and sons and daughters, these words first of all. Their content reveals to our eyes the mystery of the living God… . He who is infinite, inscrutable, ineffable, has come close to us in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary in the stable at Bethlehem.

“All of you who are still seeking God, all of you who already have the inestimable good fortune to believe, and also you who are tormented by doubt: Please listen once again, today in this sacred place, to the words uttered by Simon Peter… .

“Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power… . Open wide the doors for Christ… . Christ knows what is in man. He alone knows it. So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.”

“Thank you, Lord, for the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II! As we celebrate your mercy today, fill us with hope in you. Help us all to ‘Be not afraid!’ ”

--that in all things God may be glorified--