A LAMP TO MY FEET. A LIGHT FOR MY PATH.

TODAY’S WORD…

“Father, I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given me, for they are Yours. All I have is Yours…

…Father, protect them by the power of Your Name… While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe… My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for me may be in them…”

– John 17:9-12,15,17,26

REFLECTION…*

These verses from John Chapter 17, are from Jesus’ profound prayer to the Father for His Disciples and for all believers. Jesus always taught His Disciples how to pray, and if we listen to His loving prayer for them, we learn – from Him – how to pray for our children and grandchildren.

In today’s world, we parents and grandparents are so concerned about the spiritual health of our dearest ones. We fear for their soul because it is a world that seems intent on wrenching it away from its Maker. But, if we have God in us, and we truly know Him, then we must not be anxious, but we must pray…as Jesus did.

So, carry on taking Christ to your loved ones, through all you say and do, let your love be a reflection of Christ’s love for you. Constantly teach them, especially through example, the true Christian values…and pray, pray, pray for them. Entrust your loved ones to the Father, and pray constantly for them…and He will do the rest.

PRAYER… *

Father, I pray for my children and grandchildren.

I am not praying for the world,

but for those You have given me, for they are Yours.

All I have is Yours.

Father, protect them by the power of Your Name.

While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe.

My prayer is not that You take them out of the world

but that You protect them from the evil one.

Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

I have made You known to them,

and will continue to make You known

in order that the love You have for me may be in them.

This I pray in Jesus’ holy Name. Amen

[*Today’s thought and prayer were inspired by a dear friend, Fritz Mascarenhas, who marvels at the depth and intensity and beauty of Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17, and how it can be a perfect prayer for us parents and grandparents, who are so concerned about the spiritual welfare of our loved ones as they go about their lives in today’s seemingly God-less world…]

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TODAY’S WORD…

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

REFLECTION…

How lovingly reassuring Jesus is. How well He knows us and our tendency to become anxious at the least problem! With the all-conquering power of Christ, we too can overcome all our troubles. Jesus encourages us and gives us that special joy and peace that only a fully entrusting faith in Him can bring.

He endured and overcame so much, and through Him, with Him, and in Him we are able to do the same!

PRAYER…

My Lord Jesus,

through You, with You, and in You,

I know I will overcome.

Thank You for Your supreme example,

for Your great love for me

and for Your ultimate sacrifice.

Lord, You give me such hope!

Thank You, Lord, for sending me Your Holy Spirit,

Your Consoler and Counsellor,

through whom I am strengthened,

and shall overcome,

and be purified,

and become more like You!

Amen

TODAY’S WORD…

So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

– Mark 16:19

REFLECTION…

In Acts 1:9-11, St. Luke tells us this about that stupendous moment of Christ’s ascension into heaven: “…as they were watching, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. While He was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.’”

The Lord’s ascension into Heaven and His sitting at the right hand of the Father is the sixth article of faith confessed in our Creed. Our Lord’s ascension is one of the actions by which Jesus redeems us from sin and gives us the new life of grace. Our Lord’s going up into heaven is not simply something which stirs us to lift up our hearts; along with the other mysteries of His life, death and resurrection,

Christ’s ascension saves us. Jesus Christ went up into Heaven body and soul, to take possession of the Kingdom He won through His death, to prepare for us a place in Heaven and to send the Holy Spirit to His Church. Christ ascended not only as God, but also as man, taking eternal possession of Heaven.

However, “This Jesus…will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.’” We know for a certainty that Christ will come again at the end of time. We also confess this in the Creed as part of our faith. But, we know neither the day nor the hour of His coming. We do not need to know it. Christ is always imminent, and we must always be on the watch, that is, we should busy ourselves in the service of God and of others, which is where our sanctification lies.

PRAYER…

My Lord, my Jesus, my Saviour,

my resurrected Christ, my God,

I believe!

Amen

TODAY’S WORD…

Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.”

– John 16:24

REFLECTION…

“Ask and you will receive…” This can be music to our ears – especially to ‘selfish ears’! But, we must become fully aware, like the apostles were when Jesus said this to them, that we will receive – in abundance – if what we ask for is in Jesus’ name and is, therefore, for the good of God’s plan for us and for our salvation. God loves us too much to give us what could ultimately prove to be a cause of our falling from grace.

God will give us – abundantly – all that we need for our joy to be complete. That amazing joy will fill and sustain us through life, if what we primarily ask for is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23) These are the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, which will sustain us and, ultimately, take us back into the arms of our Maker. It is there that our joy will be complete!

PRAYER…

My Lord, my God, my Maker,

from now on let everything I ask and pray for be in Your Holy Name

– in The Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit,

and fill me to the brim with Your Divine Fruit

of love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Lord, let all else that I ask for, be for Your glory,

and for my joy to be complete when my heart finally rests in You.

For this I pray,

in The Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit. Amen

TODAY’S WORD…

Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”

– John 14:26

REFLECTION…

It is truly extraordinary how the Holy Spirit works in us when we put ourselves, humbly and full of expectant faith, at His gentle disposition. The Spirit is the Helper, who assists us in absorbing Christ’s teachings, and who helps us correctly interpret the example and direction which Jesus, the Son of God, gave us during His life here on earth. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that the Word of God so touches our heart and saturates our intellect, filling us with faith, and hope, and that special joy in the Lord.

But, like Jesus’ disciples did, we need to follow Him so as to get to know more about Him. This we can do by hearing about His life and His teachings through the Liturgy of the Mass, and when we ourselves read and seek inspiration from that very special legacy which has been given to us – the Book of the New Testament. As He sees us following Him and eager to learn more, Christ reassures us, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”

PRAYER…

My Lord Jesus,

thank You for Your legacy of love and hope,

for Your teachings; Your example; Your reassurance.

Lord, thank You for not leaving us alone

and for sending Your Holy Spirit

to be our new Teacher, our Guide,

who leads us safely along the path that You have laid for us.

Come, O Holy Spirit,

come, O Great Counsellor,

come, and lead me to everlasting life.

Amen

TODAY’S WORD…

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises.

– Psalm 98:4

REFLECTION…

It ought to come naturally to me to applaud the Lord with intensity and affection and with great joy, because I know that He is God; that He is Love, that He is great and worthy to be praised!

In much the same way that people shout and clap when they welcome a queen or king, or some other head of state; with the same unbridled expressions of adulation for politicians, actors, singers or other well-known personalities; with the same vigour which is shown to demonstrate unwavering support for a favourite football team- so should we shout out with joy for the Lord and express our love for Him, and our hope in Him. Like that…and much, much more.

PRAYER…

My Lord,

if anyone deserves glory and honour – it is You!

Whenever I shout out for joy, I want it to be for You.

Lord, I pray,

that every time I praise You,

it will be from the heart;

it will be from deep inside.

Lord, please don’t let me ever hold back

through fear or embarrassment.

O God of my salvation,

remove any misplaced pride from me,

that I will always magnify You and lift You up

in truth…and hope…and love.

Amen

TODAY’S WORD…

“In Him we live and move and have our being”

– Acts 17:28

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION…

“Yet all the time You were within me, more inward than the most inward place of my heart, and loftier than the highest”  – St. Augustine

“Consider God, who is the existence of everything that exists, and without whom there is nothing: and who is the life of all that lives, and without whom there is death; and who is the strength of all that has capacity to act, and without whom there is weakness; and who is the entire good of everything that is good, without whom nothing can have the least little bit of good in it”  – St. John of Avila

“Not only is God in the place where you are, but He is in a very special manner in your heart and in the depth of your soul, which He quickens and animates with His divine presence, since He is there as the heart of your heart, and the spirit of your soul. The soul, being spread throughout the body, is present in every part of it and yet resides in a special manner in the heart. So God, being present in all things, is present, nevertheless, in a special manner in our spirit and therefore David called God ‘the God of his heart’ (Ps 73:26); and Paul said that ‘we live and move and have our being in God’ (Acts 17:28).

By reflecting on this truth, you will stir up in your heart a great reverence for God, who is so intimately present there”  – St. Francis de Sales

PRAYER…

My Lord God, in You I live and move and have my being!

Reign in me, Lord, that I may live in You and You in me.

Take over and fill me with Your Spirit.

Let my heart, my mind, my body and my soul

exult in Your divine presence, and glorify You…forever. Amen

TODAY’S WORD…

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Paul and Silas answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

– Acts 16:30-31

REFLECTION…

If we had to ask Jesus the same question, “What must I do to be saved?” He would answer us gently: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in Me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” (Jn 11:25-26)

Jesus would then ask us, “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26) To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is to believe in what He says (and not just believing the things said about Him). True belief starts when we believe that the Bible is the Word of God and when we believe what Jesus Christ tells us through the Gospels.

But, before we hastily answer Jesus’ question and tell Him “Yes, Lord, I believe”, perhaps we should consider whether there is a possibility that He would then look at us, and with sadness in His voice, ask, ‘Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I tell you?” (Lk 6:46) To hear and believe what He says…is good. However, if we truly regard Him as Lord, then we must obey Him and do as He says.

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, is believing His teachings and obeying His commandments – obeying is an essential part of believing.

PRAYER…

My Lord, my God, I believe, help my unbelief!

I rely on You, Lord.

I believe in You, Lord.

Forgive my wavering;

forgive my weaknesses;

heal me, O Lord, and strengthen my resolve.

Send Your Holy Spirit upon me, Lord,

to console me, to guide me,

and to keep me on the right path – Yours.

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.

Lord, increase my faith and my love for You!

TODAY’S WORD…

The Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. … The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.

– Acts 10:44

ON THE GIFT OF TONGUES…

“They heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.” When I pray in tongues, I look – with the eyes of faith – at the Lord, without thinking, without concepts. It is a looking with love at the Lord while letting the heart freely express itself.

Praying in tongues is a deep and audible groaning from the heart. When I speak or sing in tongues, I do not speak or sing a language. When I pray in tongues, I babble. The meaning is not in the sounds, the meaning lies in the heart. The sounds are not words, but they are a full expression of love.

Praying in tongues involves humility and interior freedom, both necessary to let go of control of what one says and to just let it flow up from the center of one’s being. A brief period of praying in tongues and then I can enter – consciously – into the Lord’s presence and remain there in complete silence.

Tongues is the humblest of prayers where I pay no attention to the unintelligible syllables I say or sing because my eyes, my mind, my heart are fixed on the Lord, contemplating Him.

– excerpts from Fr. Robert Faricy’s book “Seeking Jesus in Contemplation and Discernment”

QUOTE…

“(Tongues) involves words and sounds that in the normal course do not belong to any existing language but are made up on the spur of the moment. The one who speaks in tongues is not aware of what he or she is saying, but is only aware of saying it. The person who speaks in tongues, in other words, is in control, able to decide when to start and when to stop… [Speaking in tongues] opens the way to a deeper level of prayer, a more immediate experience of contact with God, from which great benefits flow. […]

Those who pray in this way experience a new sense of wholeness, of being wholly united in the depths of their personal being, open to God in every way, body, soul, and spirit all in harmony.”

– Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

PRAYER…

Increase in me, Lord, the gift of contemplation.

When my heart yearns and groans for You, Lord,

give me the humility to allow it to humbly and freely

express itself audibly to You in tongues.

Lord, help me keep the eyes of my heart fixed on You.

TODAY’S WORD…

God is love.

– 1 John 4:8

REFLECTION…

“Faith tells us that God has given His Son for our sakes and gives us the victorious certainty that it is really true: God is love! It thus transforms our impatience and our doubts into the sure hope that God holds the world in His hands and that, as the dramatic imagery of the end of the Book of Revelation points out, in spite of all darkness He ultimately triumphs in glory.

Faith, which sees the love of God revealed in the pierced heart of Jesus on the Cross, gives rise to love. Love is the light – and in the end, the only light – that can always illuminate a world grown dim, and give us the courage needed to keep living and working. Love is possible, and we are able to practise it because we are created in the image of God.

To experience love and in this way to cause the light of God to enter into the world – this is the invitation I would like to extend…”

[Today’s reflection is the concluding paragraph of Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Letter “Deus Caritas Est”]

QUOTES…

“Even if nothing more were to be said in all the pages of Sacred Scripture,

and all we heard from the mouth of the Holy Spirit were that ‘God is love’,

there would be nothing else we would need to look for.”   – St. Augustine

By contemplating the pierced side of Christ,  we can understand (that)…“God is love”.   It is there that this truth can be contemplated.  It is from there that our definition of love must begin.  In this contemplation the Christian discovers the path along which his life and love must move. .”   – Pope Benedict XVI

“At the Cross I learn what creation could never tell me – who God is and what He is to me, a guilty sinner.  God is love; therefore, He is both light and life.  A Saviour-God!  What marvellous grace and glory.”   – William Hallman

PRAYER…

Lord God, You are love!

Father, it is when I look at Your Beloved Son on the Cross,

that I truly come to realise the extent of Your love for me,

even though I do not deserve it.

Abba, thank You for Your love

– I so much want to love You back.