News - October 2016

Words that do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.

“Better to have little and with it fear of God than immense wealth and with it anxiety.” Proverbs 15:16

Those who have very little wealth may be richer than those who have immense wealth. Even though this may sound like a strange paradox, this is exactly what happens if those who have little wealth possess the great virtue of ‘the fear of the Lord’. The fear of the Lord is a paradise of blessings and in the lives of the people in whom it takes root, every blessing abounds. Their children grow up well, peace fills their hearts and cries of joy ring out from their homes. No amount of wealth can buy peace and joy; rather immensity of wealth without the fear of the Lord can only bring anxiety.

What I mean is this: Does any man believe in God the Creator? He cannot do so unless he first believe that the things written of God's Saints are true.

“It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.” Luke 13:19

The Kingdom of God always has a very humble beginning within us - the Lord compares it to the sowing of a mustard seed. If we faithfully and patiently allow the small seed, the good inspiration, the good thought to grow, very soon this seed of goodness will grow into a great tree, which symbolises the tree of virtue that appears within us, which is enough to provide shade and shelter to many around us.

Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that the Lord is with you, and therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.

“Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And at once his sight returned and he followed him along the road.” Mark 10:52

Even though people asked Bartimaeus to keep quiet, he shouted even more loudly till Jesus took note and rewarded him for his faith. In our own lives, it is our faith alone that can win us a hearing with the merciful Lord. With faith, let us call out to Him as He passes by, that He may heal us from the blindness of our heart and restore our sight.

Whenever I make a mistake, no matter how trivial it is, I shall do some acts of penance. This is the easiest way to stop repeating the mistake.

“And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years - was it not right to untie this bond on the Sabbath day?” Luke 13:16

Let us never become so blind as to fail to recognise the visitation of the Lord in our own times. We should never be among the hypocrites who try to oppose the work of the Spirit of God with the written Law. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace - no law can touch such things as these.

To resist every temptation, it is sufficient to pronounce the names of Jesus and Mary; and if the temptation continues, let us continue to invoke Jesus and Mary, and the devil shall never be able to conquer us.

Whenever I make a mistake, no matter how trivial it is, I shall do some acts of penance. This is the easiest way to stop repeating the mistake.

“But unless you repent you will all perish as they did.” Luke 13:3

Sometimes we succumb to the temptation to judge others when we see misfortune overtaking them. We do not realize how close we ourselves are in barely escaping calamity, sickness or destruction. In allowing us health, security and soundness of mind, God in His mercy is giving us an opportunity to repent and change our lives. Therefore, let us give Him no rest until He grants us the grace of deeper conversion.

The devil may try to use the hurts of life, and sometimes our own mistakes - to make you feel it is impossible that Jesus really loves you.It is completely the opposite. He loves you, but even more - He longs for you.

The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love; It signifies Love, It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.

“Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?” Luke 12:56

If we are knowledgeable enough to interpret the signs of the changing weather, why do we fail to discern the signs of the times? From the events that happen in their lives, the wise discern God's plan for them and model their lives accordingly. Understanding that our time is short, let us wisely settle all our debts towards God and neighbour while we have the opportunity.

The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love; It signifies Love, It produces love. The Eucharist is the consummation of the whole spiritual life.

“I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!” Luke 12:49

The Lord warns us that there can never be any compromise between Christ and those who belong to the world. The Lord came into the world to kindle the fire of the Holy Spirit in those who belong to Him and to shed His Blood for their salvation. These would now belong solely to Him, and they would be hated in the world on account of their total surrender to Jesus and their rejection of evil in all its forms.

No one is to be called an enemy; all are your benefactors and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves. 

“The one who did not know, but has acted in such a way that he deserves a beating, will be given fewer strokes. When someone is given a great deal, a great deal will be demanded of that person; when someone is entrusted with a great deal, of that person even more will be expected.” Luke 12:48

To those of us to whom much is entrusted, more will be asked. As disciples of the True Master, we have been handed down the fullness of Revealed Truth. How serious then will our judgement be, if through wilful neglect or presumption we despise His teachings and commandments! Casting out any double-mindedness, let us be determined to keep His commandments with holy zeal till the end.

Nothing would be done at all if one waited until one could do it so well that no one could find fault with it.

Be ready to open the door as soon as He comes and knocks “Be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.” Luke 12:36

The Lord asks us not to grow complacent or lazy, but to be alert and diligent in the tasks He has entrusted to us. Let us carry out every task, which He has entrusted to us, faithfully and conscientiously; we are serving the Lord Almighty, Who will reward us for every good deed, whether great or small.