News - October 2021

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

(Grace and Peace) 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.

“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

(Grace and Peace) 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.

“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

(Grace and Peace) 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.

“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

Grace and Peace) 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.

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

Grace and Peace) 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.

“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

(Grace and Peace) 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.

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

(Grace and Peace) 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.

“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

(Grace and Peace) 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.

<“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

(Grace and Peace) 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.p>

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for life does not consist in possessions, even when someone has more than he needs.’” Luke 12:15

(Grace and Peace) Our life here on earth is brief and our days pass by very quickly. Before we realise it, we will have to leave this earth and appear before our Creator. When our time is up, where then is the value of our possessions, our knowledge and all the other earthly treasures for which we spent our lives? Let us, therefore, always keep in mind our heavenly goal of communion with our Eternal Father.

“Try your hardest to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.” Luke 13:24

(Grace and Peace) The Lord warns us against two false attitudes that prevail among His followers: the first, in thinking that a half-hearted attempt will suffice to enter the Kingdom of God, and the second, that even if we postpone our efforts for a later time, we will receive another opportunity.

“The crowds got even bigger and he addressed them, ‘This is an evil generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.’” Luke 11:29

(Grace and Peace) God gave a very great sign indeed for all generations that all might believe in the Message of His Son, and that sign was of the Prophet Jonah. Like this prophet, Jesus was buried in the earth for three days before rising again. The Resurrection of Jesus, attested to by the Apostles, proves beyond doubt that Jesus was indeed the One whom He claimed to be - the Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father.

“To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” Luke 12:4

(Grace and Peace) Jesus urged His disciples to fear no man or earthly peril - rather, they were to fear God alone. Let us then, ask our Lord for the grace to overcome all our natural fears and courageously bear witness to His Gospel before men.

“Whatever house you enter, let your first words be, ‘Peace to this house!’” Luke 10:5

(Grace and Peace) The Lord's messengers were to be heralds of peace - that true and lasting peace brought about by the reign of the Kingdom of God. People who yearn to be at peace with God and men are the ones who experience the blessings of the Gospel in all its richness.

“Anyone who listens to you listens to Me; anyone who rejects you rejects Me, and those who reject Me reject the one who sent Me.” Luke 10:16

(Grace and Peace) The bond between Jesus and His messengers is very deep. Jesus reveals that those who listen to His own disciples listen to Christ Himself. He goes on to compare this with the bond between Himself and the Heavenly Father. How holy, how faithful, how deeply united to Jesus we must be, if these words are to find fulfillment in us!

“No; we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the power of Him Who loved us.” Romans 8:37

(Grace and Peace) The love that Jesus has for us empowers us to meet obstacles of every kind. Our Blessed Saviour went without any hesitation to His death, though abandoned and rejected by all, including His closest friends. But His love for them was His companion to the last, and this love was reigned supreme, even unto death. After His resurrection, His love conquered His friends and enemies alike, who now turned back to Him with ten fold zeal, crying, “Lord, we love You!”

The Lord is my strength and my song, He has been my Saviour. Shouts of joy and salvation, in the tents of the upright, ‘The Lord’s right hand is triumphant!’ Psalm 118:14-15

(Grace and Peace) For the Psalmist, the Lord was his source of strength and comfort, his greatest friend. For all his needs, he turned to the Lord, and the Lord never failed to come to his help. In the home of the Psalmist, glad cries of victory always resounded. May the same be our experience too - you who hope in the Lord, be courageous; let your heart be bold, you who trust in the Lord!

“Following the path of Your judgements, Lord, we set our hopes in You, Your Name, Your memory are all our soul desires.” Isaiah 26:8

(Grace and Peace) Carefully, but surely let us follow the path laid down by the Lord our God in the Bible. Let us set our hopes in the Lord and not in any human help. May the only desires of our heart and soul be the Name of Jesus and His memory, which are sweeter than honey.

“So my heart will sing to You unceasingly, Lord, my God, I shall praise You for ever.” Psalm 30:12

(Grace and Peace) Songs of praise which spontaneously flow from our heart and soul are the best offerings we can present to our Lord. Whenever we praise our Lord, we are filled with His strength and joy.The moment we cease our praises, we are filled with darkness, sorrow and depression. So let us join with the Psalmist, the Saints and all the angels in Heaven in their unceasing hymn of praise to our God.

“But, thanks be to God who always gives us in Christ a part in His triumphal procession, and through us is spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Himself.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

(Grace and Peace) When we raise our eyes to the Heavens, we behold a great and glorious sight: God the Father seated on His high and lofty Throne and Christ Jesus at His right hand. God gives tremendous authority and strength to His Church, which is the Communion of His holy people. Let us strive everyday to become more holy and close to God so that we truly become members of His Church. If we do so, we will experience that our life is nothing but a victory procession to Heaven, and we will exude the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus to everyone we meet.