REFLECTIONS

jesus-preaching-300x213

When We Live the Way, God wants Us to Live

Sunday Breakfast with The Word

            Sirach 15: 15-20, Corinthians 2: 6-10, Matthew 5: 17-37

 

             When We Live the Way, God wants Us to Live

A command is an order that you have to follow, as long as the person who gives it has authority over you. Command, which can be a noun or a verb, combines the Latin prefix com-, meaning “with,” and mandāre, “to charge, enjoin,” so to give someone a command is to say something with the authority that charges him to follow it. You do not have to say no to them. In like terms God’s commandments demands obedience and not otherwise. The truth is that God is the maker of the world, the first reading says for vast is the wisdom of the Lord; He is almighty and all-seeing. So, He knows what we are going to do to make the world a better place, He knows what we are going to avoid to always to receive his blessings and defeat the power of the evil one. Thus, His commandments. To succeed in life, there are some rules of life we have to imbibe, to succeed in school, office, organization, etc there are set out rules you have to obey. They are not there to punish us but as guiding principles to fully achieve success. Thus, Gods commandments are not born out of wickedness to punish but to make the world a better place to live in. There must be something in the commandments that only God who gives them knows. When He says do, we have to do, and when He says do not , we do not have to. It is not to punish humanity but for the benefit of humanity. Example in Exodus 20:12 God says “Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long. This is repeated in Leviticus 19:3, Ephesians 6;2 etc.

 

Freedom to Choose

One thing that makes God different from other lawgivers is that He gave man also the freedom to choose to obey or not to obey. Every man possesses this freedom but, in this freedom, there lies reward for each. A philosophical statement says, that every cause must have an effect and effect must have a cause, the effect depends on the cause, so whatever we do either open or hidden, there is a reward awaiting. The commandments are divine and not human, so obedience to them have also rewards which are divine. Disobedience has also rewards which are not divine. The first reading says, if you choose, you will keep the commandments and so be faithful to his will. So, it is not a force but a demand. We do them so that we share in this divine glory and eternal rewards. When we choose not to do them, it is no longer God’s mistake. We made the choice to choose death over life. Sirach says A human being has life and death before him; whichever he prefers will be given him. Adam and Eve were given this freedom, they have before them death and life, but they chose death. They chose the one that is temporal over the eternal. This is actually what we do today, we choose the things that we know that must eventually pass away, over the things that will give us eternal life. Life in the world is for a mean time. So, let us choose wisely.

This is Part of Our Mission

One of the things that specially characterized the mission of Jesus is his teaching ministry. The mission is not circumvented only around healings and miracles but teaching. Every day you see Jesus moving from one place to another teaching. This is our mission. Luke 15 :7-10 says that there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Who can imagine then the reward that awaits the one who causes them to repent? Jesus gave the answer in simple terms in the gospel, that such a person will be considered great in the kingdom of Heaven. To be a citizen of heaven, do the things God commands and teach others to do the same.

Let us not forget that reward also awaits the one that disobeys, and the one that pushes others to sin. For anyone who infringes even one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least in the kingdom of Heaven. In Mark 9:42, He says that If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. When we teach others, let us be mindful of what we teach them, what they learn from the way we live, and how we influence people positively or negatively. We must be answerable to the souls we lead to God and the souls we lead astray. This is why St. Justin always prays, lord Help me to bring back the souls I may have led astray either knowingly or unknowingly. God loves His commandments so much that He wants us to handle them with care, obedience and wisdom.

If Your Right Eye causes You to Stumble

If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 30If your right hand causes you to stumble (Greek: skandalizei), cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.”

The word to stumble is skandalon which means the bait in a trap, or a stumbling stone in a pathway, a camouflaged pit into which an unwary person might fall. The idea here is that our senses and capabilities, given by God for good, become instruments of evil when misused and cause us to stumble and fall.   Those things that have the potential to do good or to give pleasure; money, sex, a glass of wine, have been misused and this has been the ruin of more people. Jesus uses a hyperbole (exaggerated language) when He says we shall cut the bodies off. This was crafted to make a point. Jesus’ point is not that we should pluck out our eye or remove our hand. His point is that sin is so deadly that we need to be deadly serious about eradicating it from our lives. We dare not compromise with evil. And to eradicate it, we have to start from the source or the root.

 

 

Conclusion

When we pursue the things of heaven, the earth will become habitable but when we are solely interested in the things of the world , we lose the richness of heavens and the world itself becomes unhabitable .Imagine a world where peace reigns, where brotherly love governs, where forgiveness rules. Imagine a world where people are interested in the good of the other, rather than causing his downfall.

Imagine a world where a successful man knows that His blessings come from God and He is Blessed to bless others and not the other way. Imagine a world where leaders govern with prudence and love.

Imagine a world where there is no quarrel, no killings, no terrorism, no kidnapping, no wickedness, no court cases, no of killing the other for selfish purposes.

Imagine a world where all wish the good of the other. but now jealousy, wickedness hatred, envy, kidnapping, murder, evil spiritual manipulations have become the other of the day.

Imagine a family that is strongly united in love

Imagine a world where politicians do not see politics as a game but of good service to humanity

Imagine a family where brothers live in Unity, pray and eat together with no squabbles and strongly united.

Imagine a world, imagine that family, imagine you, when we live the way God wants us to live.

 

If we pursue the things of heaven, we can also create heaven in this world. THE WORLD NEEDS LOVE…..And GOD is LOVE.

 

 Fr. Sanctus MArio

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4 days ago • ,

Lighthouse

We are Useful to God Only When We are Useful to the Other

 

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

Isaiah 58: 7-10, First Corinthians 2: 1-5, Matthew 5: 13-16

 

Introduction

In nature nothing lives for itself. Everything lives to serve the need of the other. Examples are air, water, land, plants, animals etc. These serve the need for human living. The three images used in the gospel today are Salt, Light and a City built on a hilltop. What is interesting about all three of these images is that they are not self-serving. The purpose of these three things is to serve the needs of others. We are yet to understand our Christian calling if we have no positive impact on the lives of those around us, especially those in need.  Authentic service to God has real and practical effects on the welfare of those around us. Today, we live on our own, we are sometimes always interested only on ourselves, sometimes we become so self-centered forgetting that this type of life is not just unchristian but anti nature.

Every Christian is called by God to be an influence on the world around him. Jesus began teaching this concept early in his ministry when he told his disciples that he would make them fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19) Then, in the Sermon on the Mount, He used the illustrations of salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-16) Both salt and light have properties which affect things around them. Let us take these images one by one.

You are the Salt

Salt is used to enhance the taste of the food we eat. Anything food without salt loses its taste. Salt is also a preservative. Before refrigeration or canning, most meat was preserved in one of two ways. It was either dried and smoked or it was packed in salt. Packed in salt, meat would last for years. It was a preservative. Salt preserves from decay. Salt is also a curative. It has medicinal qualities. Before the time of modern medicine, salt was used as an antiseptic. Salt was often times poured into an open wound to clean it of any impurities.

Secondly, we use salt to make things taste better. It is a seasoning that enhances the flavour of food.  Our presence and actions should touch and enhance the lives of people around us. This is what we are already not what we should. Jesus says “You are” not you may or you will. It is already in our bloodline to be a source of change for the world around us.

Being a preservative, we are called to preserve the Biblical standards of faith and morality.  Our presence in the world should heal and not to destroy nor bring disunity. We are to bring hope and healing to the broken hearted. We are called to season the world with the flavour of Grace. We are called to help preserve the world from decay. We are called to help bring healing. Do you know that salt also causes thirst? so we are called to make people become thirsty for Jesus.

You are the Light

One simple function of the light is that it must dispel darkness. By dispelling darkness, it brings joy again, shows the best path to follow and reveals things as they are. Even God couldn’t create in darkness, and the first thing God created is light. Once light appears, darkness goes into extinction. What does our presence do in the life of those around us? Are we instruments of light or darkness? Can our actions and presence bring joy or sorrow? In your family are you instrument of progress or backwardness? Do we bring souls to God or sending them away by the way we live? Jesus has appointed us to bring light to dispel the darkness of the world. It is a sacred duty.

How to be a Light and Salt

Firstly, when Jesus is saying “You are” he is actually pointing at those disciples and the people listening to Him. These are people who have already decided to follow Him. To be a true light and to make our light shine, we have to make a decision to follow Jesus and listen to Him, then try to live like Him who is the true Light of the world (John 8:12)

Finally, from the first reading, the only ways to be a light and salt for the world is to be useful, it is to be guide and helper to the poor around you. In this point you shine in the darkness of their lives. We become light not when we show people we can rule and intimidate them with our positions, it is not when we brag with what we have, it is not when we show off our material possessions in the public but when we give bread to the hungry, save the needy, shelter the homeless when we see one naked and cover him, when people try to destroy the image of your co-worker or partner but you stand by him to save his or her nakedness, when we refrain from speaking badly of others, gossiping and slandering others. When we serve or do things not just for our own gain but for the good of others, the first reading says, it is then shall our light break forth as the morning. This is the true fast, this is the only way to win Gods favour and heart, this can also be the secret of answered prayers, the reading says, when we do this, then you shall call, and the Lord will hear. Whatever position, we acquire, whoever we are, whether in the family, places of work, positions, offices etc, remember you are there to serve God through the people and not for our own personal glory.

Conclusion

One thing we do not need to forget is that Salt has little influence if it is not used but of great value once it is used in the right proportion. Jesus also says Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, A lamp is set upon a lampstand where it can provide light for the house. This is our calling. We are not supposed to hide thinking it is any other body’s business. If we keep quiet, things are going to decay. We are useful to God only when we are useful to the world and to the people around us. We have a responsibility to transform the environment in which we find ourselves, just as salt transforms food. Christians sitting alone in the comfort of their homes are unlikely to make much of a difference to the people. We are useful to God only when we useful to others positively.

Like eyeglasses, the usefulness of salt exceeds its size. It is inexpensive but greatly needed and valued by all. Despite how small we can contribute to the world, despite how common it may look like; it can make a huge difference and impacts in the lives of many. Jesus warns us not to be complacent. If salt loses its taste, it becomes worthless. Salt cannot change its chemical composition; so, it cannot lose its taste and value unless it is adulterated. In Jesus’ day, much salt was recovered from the Dead Sea and was adulterated with various substances. At some point, the adulteration could become so pronounced that people would discard the salt as worthless.

The danger we have today is that we are tempted to give too much credence to the values generated by the world and too little to the values found in the Bible. Worldly ideals have infiltrated into the moral fiber of our Christian upbringing. This continues to affect us, affect our mission, affect our God given destiny, we now look up to the world instead of Jesus who is the true light. And now instead of being a source of change, we bring into the world more moral decay, we lose our identity and forget who we are and our mission. When that happens, we cease to be salt and become “good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.” May God give us the grace to understand our Christian vocation and be a source of compassion, hope, love, help moral upbringing and upliftment for the needy ones around us. Amen, God bless you.

Fr.Sanctus Mario

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2 weeks ago •

Lodovico_Carracci_ _Presentation_in_the_Temple_ _WGA4472

Consecrate Yourself to God

 

 

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

 

Malachi 3: 1-4, Hebrews 2: 14-18, Luke 2: 22-40

INTRODUCTION

Today the Holy mother Church celebrates the presentation of the Lord in the temple as a fulfillment of the mosaic and religious rites of their time. In that Law, all the firstborn sons of the Israelite are to be dedicated to God, and thus, Jesus as the firstborn Son of Mary and His legal foster-father St. Joseph, was presented to the Lord. This day is also the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to the tradition of the Jewish law and today marks the fortieth day since Christmas, the time when Mary had her ritual purification and also when the Child Jesus was presented before the Lord at His Temple.

The Presentation

The presentation in the temple is consecration and redemption of the firstborn (Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16) signifying that the child is “holy to the Lord”. The presentation of Jesus is an observance to this religious requirement of their time. Today, the parents of Jesus showed their dedication once again to God. They did this to show their willingness to keep the law. For the gospel says as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’” (v. 23). The law in question is Exodus 13:2, where Yahweh says, “Sanctify to me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine” (see also Exodus 13:12, 15). This is in commemoration of the Passover. They always keep the law, both religious and societal norms. When you look at the life of the Holy family one sees that inner passion whenever it comes to the things concerning God and the law. We can ask ourselves, how eager are we when it comes to the things concerning God in our lives. How passionate are we to do what God expects from us in a given situation? We can ask ourselves, how far are we close to God and the church?  We are meant to be holy, and this is the secret of holiness; living according to God’s dictates and making God a part of our daily lives.

Who Are You Dedicated To?

The very first place the parents deemed wise to present their child is in the temple, in the presence of God. They know that every fruit of the womb is a gift from God (Psalm 127). Who we are and what we have are of God. We always go to the people and the places we trust. Who are you dedicated to? Where do we take our children to? Those secret places we go searching for miracles and prophecies are not where we came from and will not help us at last. Let us constantly present ourselves before God. It is noteworthy that the presentation is a form of consecration to God who gives the child. Since we belong to Him, let us consecrate and dedicate ourselves to Him.

 

Simeon and Anna

Luke emphasizes that they have spent a lifetime “looking for the consolation of Israel. Secondly, they were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who revealed to them who the Messiah is. The Spirit guides them to encounter Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Like Simeon, Anna is devout, old, and a prophet.  They also totally consecrated themselves to God. When we totally consecrate ourselves to God, we live under the guidance and inspirations of the Holy Spirit, we become living instruments of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, these people have been expectantly waiting for God’s promise to come to fulfilment. Who knows how many years they have waited? They did not lose hope, they did not curse God. This is unlike what we see today.

Christians today are very impatient. We expect instant gratification, and hate to be kept waiting. If we know that “anything worth having is worth working for”, let us not forget also that “Anything worth having is worth waiting for.” God works in a time zone where a day is as a thousand years. When our dreams do not come true in a day, we need to keep in mind that God is still at work. We need to pray, not just for the gift, but also for patience to wait for God’s unveiling.

Conclusion

Today, the Holy Family, Anna and Simeon show what true dedication to God is. There is a simple emphasis from them to cling to God in all we do, take God serious and totally consecrate ourselves to Him. The gospel says, Anna is always there. She “didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and petitions night and day” In this instance, “never left the temple” does not necessarily mean that she slept there, but only that she was constant in her worship at the temple. An advice to all to never leave the presence of God even when the promise seems not coming. Anna and Simeon only knew at the hour the event happened; they know for certain that God does not fail in his promises but when it will happen is left for God. This should be our faith. This should be our longing. Both Simeon and Anna have lived faith-filled, expectant lives. “She was old and she had never ceased to hope, never ceased to worship, never ceased to pray” despite whatever that happens, she was there. This is a life worthy of emulation for all; instead of running away from God, let us still run to God.

The presentation is also a form of thanksgiving, as individuals, we need to make space in our lives to express thanksgiving daily for the blessings we have received, and to praise God for his mercies and to ask God for guidance and forgiveness. May God gives us the grace to learn and live according to the dictates of the gospel. May this week remain blessed Amen.

 

 

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3 weeks ago •

word of God

The Wonders of the Word of God.

                                                 SUNDAY BREAKFAST

 

Isaiah 8:23-9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17, Matthew 4:12-23

 

The Holy Roman Pontiff sets aside this Sunday for the enthronement of the Word of God. Our reflection today in connection with the readings of today will center on this. The Word of God has been totally neglected and sometimes seems to be disregarded by many. Many Christians today do not value the word of God, many find it hard even to read, reflect and live out the word. The pope emphasis on this celebration is to bring back our awareness about the nature and importance of the Word of God.

To understand fully the theology of the Word of God, we need to have a recourse on the beautiful prologue of the Gospel of John chapter 1. The first chapter of John’s gospel begins with the nature of the Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” is an indication that John was referring to the Word as God and a Person. In verse 14, John tells us that “the word became flesh and now dwelt among us”. A statement to affirm that Jesus is the Word made flesh. God now speaks to us through His son. This ascertain the personality and divine nature of the Word of God, through whom everything comes into being. This is a word not from any human being, not from the devil etc but the Word of God. The word “of” denotes possession and ownership. When we hear it, it is not the person speaking, the word we hear belongs to God.

The Word is a Light

The first reading of today from Isaiah 8:23-9:3 corroborates the second premise in the first chapter of John’s gospel. John said nothing came into being except through Him and what came into being was life, the life that was light of all men, the light that shines in the darkness in which no darkness can overcome (John 1:5), then in verse 9, John says that the Word was the real light, that gives light to everyone (John 1:9).

The prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading is historically set in the second half of the eighth century B.C. It was the era of the great Assyrian expansion in the Middle East. Even the tribes of Zebulon and Naphtali, situated in northern Israel, were involved in these military-political upheavals. Devastation, violence, deportation, the imposition of heavy taxes were the consequences of the invasion of armies coming from Mesopotamia. The dramatic situation is presented by Isaiah as a humiliation, permitted by the Lord.

In the region of Galilee, it was as if the chaos that reigned before the creation when “darkness covered the abyss” (Gen 1:2) had returned. The fertile lands beyond the Jordan seemed shrouded in the darkness of a night without end. Everywhere death reigned unchallenged. The depressed people had lost all hope.

At this time of general smashing, the voice of the prophet who announces the dawn of a new day resounds: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. On those who live in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (9:1). In the gospel When Jesus left Nazareth after hearing about the death of John the Baptist and went to live in Capernaum , in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, Mathew reechoed what happened in the first reading and then sees this movement of Jesus to Zebulun and Naphtali as the fulfilment of the prophecy by Isaiah . Only the word of God can enlighten the darkness in our world today. Just like the situation in the first reading, The Word of God is a light for those in distress, a light for the abandoned and depressed, and guide for those in the darkness of sin. The psalmist says in Psalms 119:105, “your word is lamp for my steps and a light for path. We need the word of God to find solace, guidance and hope in the midst of challenges. We need the word of God to ward off the darkness in our hearts.

We Need the Word

When Jesus sojourned to Zebulun, a land that was in total darkness, the first thing that Jesus began to do is to preach, then on the way, he began to call people to himself. Then He goes around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people. In the darkness of our hearts, in our sinful states, in the midst of our weaknesses, we need Jesus to sojourn in our hearts. We need Jesus to come into our lives. First of all, what he needs from us is change which comes through obedience to his word. He will then heal our wounds and weakness like He did in galilee.

We are also Heralds of the Good News

In the gospel Jesus was never tired of preaching the Word. He was also able to call people to himself through His words and actions. We also are heralds of the gospel. For In Mathew 16, Jesus tells His apostles to go to the whole world and proclaim the good news. This is the responsibility of every Christian. We are called to win souls for Jesus Christ just like Jesus was doing today and the only way we can do that is to value the word and consequently be the gospel we preach. In the second reading, Paul emphasized that he was called to preach the gospel. Paul made a lot of converts and won many souls for God. This is the mission for all. Let us not be ashamed of the gospel nor grew weary of the good news.

I invite all to allow the Word of God to dwell in us richly using the words of the Letter to the Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Col 3:16) In responding to the Word of God, Mary is our model, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).

Fr. Sanctus MArio

1

4 weeks ago •

jesus-christ-lamb-of-god

Behold Him

 

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

Isaiah 49:3-6; Ps 40:2-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

 

Introduction

Today’s text from John’s gospel continues the story of Jesus’ baptism story from a different perspective. Here the focus is on John the Baptist and his prophetic role in announcing Jesus as the Promised Messiah. The Baptist reveals more who Jesus is. He stresses on the identity, life, and ministry of Jesus.

Jesus is the Center

Today, John the Baptist fulfilled his prophetic role by pointing people not to himself but to Jesus. John is a prophetic figure but as a prophetic figure he did not create a single attention to himself.  He shifted the attention of his followers to the saviour, a lesson to many ministers of the gospel and prophets of today who create glory around them selves and not on Jesus. Jesus is the center and everything points to him. Secondly, by our baptism we also become prophetic figures, we have the responsibility to point people to Jesus.

The Lamb of God

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to him, and says “‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Here John thinks of Jesus as the Lamb, not as the conquering Messiah but as the atoning Saviour.” In their worship, Jews were taught to offer sacrifices for just about every aspect of life. For example, there were the burnt offerings, grain offerings, sin offerings etc, sacrifices were necessary in order to make the offerings. Sacrificial animals included bulls, cattle, calves, lambs etc. Naturally, when an animal was sacrificed, there was a lot of bloodshed. The blood was thought to have a special effect in appeasing God. Lambs were commonly used in ritual sacrifice and, when a lamb was specified, it was to be a “lamb without blemish.” The Passover feast when God commanded them to kill a lamb and smear the blood of the lamb on the doorposts of their homes can be a reference. It became the lamb of sacrifice to save them as that moment.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming his way, and said “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”, John was emphasizing on the mission of Jesus who like a lamb will be sacrificed for our sins and save us from God’s wrath like in the days of the Passover event. “Behold” here could mean “look”, see, hold on etc., an advice for all always look and hold on to that man who is here with us for the assurance of our own salvation. Every Christian should look on to Jesus, are you suffering look on to Jesus, do you think you are the worst sinner on earth, look onto Jesus, do you think your sins cannot be forgiven again, just look and hold on to Jesus, has everybody deserted you, hold and look on to Jesus. He is the one who takes away our sins, our sorrows, distress etc.

The verbs “behold and takes” are in the present tense. When John says “Behold”, it is like a command and not an optional phrase. It is a command for all to take action now. Jesus is here to save us now. Not tomorrow and not next tomorrow. It indicates that if we are willing to take action now, he is willing to respond also now. Second, the verb “takes away” in Greek means airon. This verb also means take upon. So, it means that Jesus is here to take upon Himself the sins of men, and take them completely away.

 Living Witnesses

Next, John the Baptist states “‘This is He on behalf of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”‘” In John’s view, Jesus had a higher rank because Christ was preexistent. Here we can see that both the humanity and divinity of Christ is confirmed by John in this statement. Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man. John became the witness for all Israelites through his baptism. He points them to Jesus. When we behold him and invite him into our lives, then we can be true witnesses of the gospel. Then we can change lives because the One who can change lives is now living with us.

He Baptizes us with The Holy Spirit

John the Baptist speaks about the descent of the Spirit upon Christ and His work of baptizing men in the Holy Spirit. He bore witness saying (1:32), “‘I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.'” The Baptist emphasizes the abiding presence of the Spirit. Here, the Spirit descended upon Jesus and remained. When the Spirit came upon Jesus, the Baptist knew that He was the Messiah. The presence of the Spirit confirmed and authenticated the Messiah’s identity. The Spirit coming upon Jesus was a convincing evidence for him.

Secondly, Jesus was empowered to baptize others in the Spirit. As the Messiah, Jesus is “the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.” One of the reasons why the Spirit came upon Jesus was so that people will know that He alone could baptize others in the Spirit. To the woman at the well (John 4:14) Jesus spoke of the water He would give which would spring up into eternal life. Water was symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the only one who is going to baptize us with the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we shall receive power (Acts 1:8), we shall bear good fruits (Galatians 5 .22-23). When we claim we are in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is alive in us and the only evidence to prove that is through the type of life we live.

Conclusion

Today, the gospel calls us to obey John’s command as he points us to the Messiah. May we look upon, and behold Jesus always to receive mercy and forgiveness, free ourselves from the bondage of sin, be a true witness of the gospel, receive strength in the presence of difficulties and power to conquer evil and its agents. May we also live our lives to point others to Jesus and avoid creating self-glory. We can only change lives when our lives have already been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us through Jesus Christ.

Secondly, It is only when we look upon Jesus and hold him strictly can we receive grace upon grace. Let us avail ourselves of this saving opportunity. Let us Have time for God that has come to save us. We will never regret. May God bless us.

Fr. Sanctus MArio

 

 

If you just read this please drop your reactions and comments……

 

 

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1 month ago •

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