Tuesday 30th September – Memorial of St Jerome, Priest & Doctor

Reflection: Psalm 88:2-8

WEEP NO MORE

Beloved, today is a great day which the Lord has made. Our merciful Father has remembered you in a very special way today. Great things happen when the Bible speaks of God remembering a person. When God remembers you, it means that you are being spotted out for extra-ordinary favour. Hence today is one of such days. There are times in life when we feel that all hope is lost and nothing can be done about our current situation. It is at periods like this that you should be more firm in your faith because your deliverance is nearer than it was before. There is no need for give up at the very brink of breakthrough.

The Psalmist found himself in such a despicable situation today. His state was so discouraging that he accused God of abandoning him. He had given up on life completely. Perhaps dear friend, you have found yourself in such a desperate position; one that can lead you to accuse God. Please bear in mind that God loves you dearly; He is never ignorant of our challenges but is fully aware of what you are going through presently. The Bible says that “Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b).  The night time of life comes with challenges but as it is said that “there is always light at the end of every tunnel”.

“The Lord protects and defends me; I trust in Him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise Him with joyful songs.” (Psalm 28:7). Let us trust the Lord at all times. God never fails, even He seems to delay, we should still trust Him for He is our All-in-All. Also, the Word of God is indispensable in times of trials. Hold unto the promises He has made to you in His Word, as you find strength from Him in prayer and in His word your situation will turn around for good. Wipe your tears and rejoice beloved, for your salvation is here!

PRAYER: Father, I trust in you. (Use the Word of God in Psalm 28 to pray, believing that the Almighty God will surely intervene in your life).

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2743 – It is always possible to pray: the time of the Christian is that of the risen Christ who is with us always, no matter what tempest may arise. Our time is in the hands of God: It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public or strolling alone, or seated in your shop…while buying or selling…or even while cooking.

HIDE A TREASURE: “I place myself in your care. You will save me, Lord; you are a faithful God.” Psalm 31:5 GNB

Readings for Today: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Psalm 88:2-8; Luke 9:51-56

Monday 29th September – Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Reflection: John 1:47-51

ANGELIC MINISTRATION

Jesus Christ is the Glory of the angels. His is the reason why they exist (CCC 331), and because Christ lives in us He has angels appointed to every one of His children (CCC 336). We often hear of “guardian angels”. Indeed, they are real and Scripture says “Are they not ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). All through the Bible, we see the activities of these heavenly messengers. One of the most familiar is the Visitation of Mary by the Archangel Gabriel. Another is in the book Revelation where we read of Michael, the chief of the angels, warring to dethrone Satan from heaven (Revelation 12:7-9).  One more instance of angelic activity in the Scriptures is found in the book of Tobit, where we see the Archangel Raphael ministering to Tobias. All these stories tell us of the reality of the unseen world of angels.

What is the importance of angels to you and I as individuals? As earlier stated, every child of God has an angel appointed to him or her at birth. This Angel is to guard you and ensure that you arrive safely in heaven. Are we aware that our angels are always with us? Do we cooperate with them to achieve God’s plan for our lives? It is possible for one to frustrate his guardian angel by the way the person lives his life. Angels are holy beings, and sin puts them off, hence paving way for the enemy to attack us. But if we cooperate with our angels, we will be fortified daily as they assist us to fight against the attacks of the enemy.

Beloved, you can enjoy better angelic assistance on daily basis if your way of life is pleasing unto God. The Bible says that angels do the will of God by listening to and obeying His commands. (Psalm 103:20). The blessings of Christians are sometimes delayed or are not even received at all because the angels that bear the answers to their prayers have been frustrated by their disobedience. Hence, let us cleanse ourselves of all unrighteousness in order to enjoy the ministrations of the glorious company of angels in our daily lives.

PRAYER: Pray that God may give you the necessary graces you need to fully cooperate with the angels who are sent to minister unto you.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 336 – From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by angel’s watchful care and intercession. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Who are the angels then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by Him to help those who are to receive salvation.” Hebrews 1:14 GNB

Readings for Today: Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14; Psalm 138:1-5; John 1:47-51.

Sunday 28th September – 26th Sunday of the year

Reflection: Matthew 21:28-32

THE WAYS OF GOD

No one can fully comprehend God. Yet, God is simple, and so are His ways. Often times, we as humans expect to see a very sophisticated and complex God, but to our greatest amazement, we come to see that His ways so straightforward. The Psalmist declares that the Lord is just and there is no crookedness in Him. (Psalm 92:15). We know that “His ways are not our ways” but this does not mean that the ways of God are not discoverable. In fact, God wants us to walk and live in His ways. (Deuteronomy 8:6).

In today’s text, Jesus gives a parable we can identify with in our everyday life. This parable teaches us that it is not all those who start the journey of faith early that get there first or even get there at all. The obedient son in the parable was the one who after refusing to obey his father’s instruction, went on to do it later; as against the one who agreed to do it initially but eventually did not do it. Beloved, so it is in the journey of life. A good person who begins to do evil will perish while an evil person who turns to do good will be saved. This is the wisdom of God.

Jesus says that prostitutes and tax collectors (corrupt politicians), are finding themselves into the Kingdom of God, at the expense of those who first believed. Isn’t this ironic? God is not a respecter of person or status; He treats everyone with the same yardstick. Hence, this calls for the children of God to persevere in their quest for eternal life in God’s Kingdom. No man is an island; if you are backsliding in any way, please seek for assistance with people you can trust as quickly as possible as no one knows when the end time will come.

PRAYER: Holy Father, grant me the grace to persevere to the end in the race of righteousness; may I never be a cast away on the last day. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1970 – The law of the Gospel requires us to make the decisive choice between “the two ways” and to put into practice the words of the Lord…

HIDE A TREASURE: “For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end” Hebrews 3:14 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 25:4-9; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32

Saturday, 27th September – Memorial of St Vincent de Paul, Priest

Reflection: Ecclesiastes 11:9 – 12:8

REJOICE!

Today’s reading brings good news to all young people: Rejoice! Enjoy your youthful days with all the joy it brings. However, in all your rejoicing, always remember that you will be brought to judgement as regards everything you do in your youthful days (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

In order to make this judgement favourable unto us, we must therefore make exploits with all our youthful strength to the glory of God most high. The greatest joy we can have as young people is to live our lives with no regrets. The choices we make now determine what our future will be. Hence let us use the youthful zeal, strength and vigour to prepare ourselves for a happy and fulfilling future.

As a youth, what do you live for? Is your life filled with sin that will lead you into condemnation? Do not be deceived by the worldly notion of finding “joy” in sinful acts. True joy is God’s gift to His own, a gift we receive as we strive to please our loving Father daily. The time is now for you to change your ways and glorify God with the blessing of your youth.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, take away all worldly nature from me and give me the grace to always live a life that glorifies you so that I may find true joy in my youth. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT67 – What is sin?

At the core of sin is a rejection of God and the refusal to accept his love. This is manifested in a disregard for his commandments

HIDE A TREASURE: “Fill us each morning with your constant love, so that we may sing and be glad all our lives”. Psalm 90:14 GNB

Readings for Today: Ecclesiastes 11: 9 – 12:8; Psalm 90: 3-6, 12-14, 17; Luke 9: 43-45