“In prosperity you cannot always tell a true friend, but in adversity you cannot mistake an enemy.” (Sirach 12:8) As we pass through life, we build many relationships. If we lack discernment, we may believe that all those who appear to be our close friends may stick with us through thick and thin. But quite often it happens that those who appear to be our inseparable friends are nowhere to be found in times of adversity - they may avoid us or even go to the extreme of refusing us an easy help. On the other hand, a true friend is one who is born for adversity.
“You are built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets, and Christ Jesus himself is the cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20) The Lord Jesus was pleased to build His Church on the Rock foundations of Peter’s faith and the deep wisdom of Paul, His Chosen Instrument. Let every Christian take care that he neglects not these Holy Apostles, without which all labour will come to nothing - the one who builds without them builds on sand and straw. On the other hand, no storm can overthrow the foundations of faith which are laid on the teachings of these holy Apostles.
“I rely, my whole being relies, Lord, on Your promise.” (Psalm 130:5) The Psalmist in his state of distress and sorrow, waits on the Lord in complete trust for his salvation and deliverance. “And in his word do I hope” - In his promise concerning the coming Messiah, Christ, and salvation by him; concerning the pardon of sin through him, and eternal life by him. This is the only hope of man, the Saviour of all; the object, ground, and foundation of hope, of all blessings, of grace and of glory.
“It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh has nothing to offer. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) Every human being in this world seeks to live. Quite often we try to sustain our life solely by taking care of our flesh. Jesus lifts our hearts and minds above the flesh, asking us to turn to the Spirit if we are to truly receive life. He then makes His statement even more clearer by pointing to us the source of Spirit and Life - the Words He has spoken to us. Let us then, return with renewed zeal to His Words.
Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.
“If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intelligent. If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.” (Sirach 6:32-33) Whether or not we become eligible to receive the Wisdom from Heaven depends completely on our eagerness to receive Divine Instruction with humility. Let us pay great attention to godly discourses and ponder over them in order to become wise.
“For Wisdom is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure, and those who acquire this win God's friendship, commended to him by the gifts of instruction.” (Wisdom 7:14) God reveals to us that Wisdom is like an inexhaustible treasure, and those who obtain her will have their lives enriched with many blessings. Wisdom teaches us how to win God’s friendship and how to conduct ourselves in His glorious presence. The moment Wisdom comes into our lives, her presence is immediately manifest: we start to live holy and orderly lives with peace and with Heaven as our goal.
When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant!
Infinite is the power of forgiveness which flow from the marvelous value of the sacrifice of the Son. On the part of man, only a lack of readiness to be converted and to repent can limit it, in other words persistence in obstinacy, opposing grace and truth.
“for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink; even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:15) Many of the parents of God’s prophets were carefully chosen and instructed by God Himself so that they would bring their children up according to the mind of God. Today as the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist, let us ask God for the grace to be holy and faithful formators of the generation yet to come. If we are faithful, our children will be filled with the Spirit even from their mother’s womb and be a source of great joy for the Church of God.
“They laid a snare in my path – I was bowed with care – they dug a pit ahead of me, but fell in it themselves.” Psalm 57:6 The life of a true follower of Christ is bound to be filled with trials and struggles. The Devil will give such a person no rest, and will try to lay many traps for his soul. But the Lord is with His chosen - they will never stumble, because the love of God surrounds them with favour as with a shield, and He confuses their enemies, utterly destroying them.
“Let your heart treasure what I have to say, keep my principles and you will live.” (Proverbs 4:4) The Lord asks that we listen very carefully to what He has to say, in order that we may treasure His words in our hearts. He lays down sound principles by which every human being is to conduct himself while in this world. The wise will carefully treasure His precious Words and ponder over them while the fool rejects them all together. His words will open to us the path of love, joy, holiness, peace and in the end, lead us to Eternal Life.