Monthly Archives: February 2014

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON MARRIAGE

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Friday, 28th February – Friday of week 7 of the year

Reflection: Mark 10: 1-12

GOD’S PERSPECTIVE ON MARRIAGE

We live in a world that has tried to redefine marriage, using it to refer to a union between two persons, male or female. A world in which the standards set up by God have been overlooked, resulting in a majority of unhappy marriages and a divorce rate of up to 50% in some places. Indeed, so many are merely “coping” with their marriages.

Marriage was instituted by God Himself. In order to enjoy the joy and fulfillment that should come with marriage; we must turn our backs to worldly standards, ideas and teachings and go back to God, the very originator of this Sacrament. Jesus reminds us in today’s reading that God designed marriage to be a union between a man and a woman who enter into a covenant that makes them one indivisible flesh. A union that gives no room for divorce.

Dear friends, it is at this stage of our lives, as young people, especially if we are unmarried that we can decide what we really want for ourselves in marriage. Let us begin to view marriage the way God does – as a Sacrament, an avenue for salvation. Just as Baptism, Holy Eucharist, Penance and other sacraments lead us to salvation, so also should matrimony. Let us make efforts as young people to live in chastity, take out time to study God’s word about marriage as outlined in Scripture, to study the teachings of the Church on marriage and sexuality and to pray intensely concerning our relationships.

Let us build relationships on openness, honesty and chastity and godliness. It is only in this way that we can prepare ourselves to receive the best that God has for us in marriage, with no option of divorce.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please open my heart and mind to that which you desire for me in marriage. Please bless my future and make my marriage and family a source of salvation.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 263 – Why is marriage indissoluble?

Marriage is triply indissoluble: first, because the essence of love is mutual self-giving without reservation; second, because it is an image of God’s unconditional faithfulness to his creation; and third, because it represents Christ’s devotion to his Church, even unto death on the Cross.

…To be married in the Church means to rely more on God’s help than on one’s own resources of love.

HIDE A TREASURE: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:9 RSV-CE

Readings for today: James 5: 9-12; Psalm 103: 1-4, 8-12; Mark 10: 1-12

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SUCCESS WITHOUT SENSE?

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Thursday, 27th February – Thursday of week 7 of the year

Reflection: James 5: 1-6

SUCCESS WITHOUT SENSE?

It is the desire of everyone to be successful in life. But there is a great danger when this desire to be successful is not of God. We all want to come out with good grades in our academics, have a good job, a wonderful family and of course, fame. All these are not in in themselves bad, for ‘God delights in the prosperity of His people’. So what are we saying here? Our success in life must be used to foster the cause of the kingdom of God. We must have eternity in view when we seek success. It is God that gives you the power to be rich, so your riches must be used to His glory.

Beloved, God is asking you to look around today for someone you can help with that which he has given you. It might not just be in cash, but also in kind. You can do something to put a smile on someone’s face today even when you think the person does not deserve it. So get up and get going, and you will be glad you did. Love is all, and God is love.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for blessing me immensely beyond measure. Today I ask you to please lead me to a soul that I can bless today with what you have given me. So help me God. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: The seven corporal works of mercy – 1. To feed the hungry; 2. To give drink to the thirsty; 3. To clothe the naked; 4. To shelter the homeless; 5.  To visit the sick; 6. To visit the imprisoned; 7. To bury the dead

HIDE A TREASURE: “The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever” 1John 2:17 GNB

Readings for today: James 5:1-6; Psalm 49: 14-20; Matthew 9: 41-50.

 

BOAST NOT OF TOMORROW

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Wednesday, 26th February – Wednesday of week 7 of the year

Reflection: James 4: 13-17

BOAST NOT OF TOMORROW

God is all knowing, He knows the end from the beginning but human beings are limited in time and space. God wants us to rely on Him for everything because it is in Him that we find joy.

It is rebellion against God to boast in ourselves about today, tomorrow, about our businesses, success, growth and development whether physical or spiritual, this can be seen as pride and pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16: 18)

Brethren, God wants us to rely on His grace, if the Lord is willing we will live to do things as He wants because His grace is sufficient for us and with God, all things are possible.

PRAYER: Father, help me to always understand that my life is hidden in you.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 279 – Why do we need faith and the sacraments in order to live a good, upright life?

If we were to rely only on ourselves and our own strength, we would not get far in our attempts to be good. Through faith we discover that we are God’s children and that God makes us strong. When God gives us his strength, we call this “grace”. Especially in the sacred signs that we call the SACRAMENTS, God gives us the ability actually to do the good that we want to do.

 

HIDE A TREASURE: “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” Proverbs 16: 18 RSV-CE

Readings for today: James 4: 13-17; Psalm 49:2-3,6-11; Mark 9: 38-40.

THE WAR WITHIN

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Tuesday 25th, January – Tuesday of week 7 of the year

Reflection: James 4:1-10

THE WAR WITHIN

There is always this conflict and battle within us as youth. To do or not to do- you know what I mean. It is called the desires of the flesh. The enemy of our soul is never at rest, he has lost the battle over 2000 years ago, but he still continues to display his merchandise in the souls of men with his last strength. So you may ask, what is the way out? And I would answer: “fight the good fight of faith.”

The war against sin is not one that we fight casually; we must look up to Jesus daily in whom our victory is assured. Pride is often the reason why many people would remain where they are till today, because they would begin to wonder “what would people say about me?” But irrespective of people’s opinion about us, we must seek for help while it may still be found. You and I cannot afford to languish in iniquity.

There is help for you this day my beloved. God is ready if you are willing. Today ask Him as a Father to lead you to a turning point in your life through many situations and circumstances that would come your way henceforth. Only believe, and you would see the marvels of our God. He is able. Welcome to your new dawn!

PRAYER: Father of mercy, today I come to you in humility, asking you to deliver me by all means from every yoke of bondage in my life. Thank you, for you are faithful, and I am ready to see your wonders in my life this day onwards. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: The seven deadly sins: Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth. The seven opposite virtues: Humility, Liberty, Chastity, Meekness, Temperance, Brotherly Love, Diligence.

HIDE A TREASURE: “… In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” Romans 8:37 RSV-CE

Readings for today: James 4:1-10; Psalm 55; Mark 9:30-37