Monthly Archives: December 2015

A HAPPY ENDING

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Thursday 31st December – 7th day within the octave of Christmas

Reflection: Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13

A HAPPY ENDING

After a journey of 365 days in the year 2015, what more can we do but give thanks to God for his unending love and faithfulness to us all throughout the year? It is a great privilege to count your blessings and remember the goodness and mercy of God through the happy and sad moments that we have encountered in the year 2014. Think less of what you would have loved to accomplish this passing year and thank God for what you have been able to do. Lift him high in praise and worship. Find some moments today to reflect over the past year, and rejoice in thanksgiving as you look forward to the beginning of the New Year.

Dear friends, the scripture says that the end of anything is better than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Hence we must heed the psalmist today as he calls us to: “Sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the world” (Psalm 96:1). Just as a pregnant woman rejoices when she finally gives birth to her child, so must we enter the New Year with joy as we hope for a good start. Make a choice to be happy and let the Spirit of truth lead you to make right decisions and conclusions for whatever plans you have. A happy ending would always usher in a note of peace, a sign of freedom from worry and a platform for the presence of God’s spirit. Be determined to finish strong by letting go strongholds of malice, depression, self-pity and all that weighs you down. Today can still make a difference in this passing year.

So be at your duty post today no matter how little it may be. Do everything out of love. Remember also that life is a pilgrimage the end of which must come one day. Keep focused and live well so as to die well.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for seeing through me another year, help me to remain united to you as long as I live. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 186 – What is the liturgical year (the Church year)?

The liturgical year, or the Church year, superimposes the mysteries of the life of Christ—from his Incarnation to his second coming in glory—on the normal course of the year. The liturgical year begins with Advent, the time of waiting for the Lord, and has its first high point in the Christmas season and its second, even greater climax in the celebration of the redemptive suffering, death, and Resurrection of Christ at Easter. The Easter season ends with the feast of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Church. The liturgical year is repeatedly interrupted by feasts of Mary and the saints, in which the Church praises God’s grace, which has led mankind to salvation.

HIDE A TREASURE: “You would do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal. Complete the work that you have begun”. Psalm 138:8 GNB

Readings for Today: 1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18

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INVESTING OUR STRENGTH

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Wednesday 30th December – 6th day within the octave of Christmas

Reflection: 1 John 2:12-17

INVESTING OUR STRENGTH

Dear friends, many parts of the Holy Scriptures emphasize the purpose of youthfulness and describe it as a stage of decision to choose life and denounce the temptations of the devil. This phase in which we are requires right counsel to stand firm in faith as it is a time when the battle against sin is at its peak as well as the formation of character. It is a phase in which we love to choose mentors, people whose pathways we can follow to newer facets and discoveries in life. Nevertheless, all our aspirations must necessarily lead us back to God (Ecclesiastes 11:9). All our questions about life can only get right answers when we sincerely make efforts to search for truth. This is the true essence of our strength which St John makes reference to in our reading today: I am writing to you, young people, because you are strong; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the evil one. (1 John 2:14b).

As the year 2015 passes away, we are called to evaluate what have achieved with our youthful strength this past year. How have we tailored our talents and treasures to earn us eternal treasures? Beloved, the greatest treasure we can ever have is Christ dwelling in us, His word fuelling our hearts with the grace and power to defeat the evil one. This is the most important investment of this phase of our lives. Let us take heed of our flaws and fight the good fight faith. Never be discouraged to take up your cross and follow Christ. You can do all things through him who strengthens you. The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever. (1 John 2:17). Press on, beloved!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the misuse of your grace upon my life. I ask for renewed strength as I wait on you today. Help me to use my strength to know you more. Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 34 – What should you do once you have come to know God?

Once you have come to know God, you must put him in the first place in your life. And with that a new life begins. You should be able to recognize Christians by the fact that they love even their enemies.

HIDE A TREASURE: “…I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord”. Philippians 3:8 GNB

Readings for Today: 1 John 2:12-17; Psalm 96:7-10, Luke 2:36-40

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST?

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Tuesday 29th December – 5th day within the octave of Christmas

Reflection: 1 John 2:3-11

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST?

“Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4). The ancient Greek aphorism “Man, know thyself!” is invaluable in every area of our lives. As there is no compromise in life, we are either moving forward or backward, upward or downward. However, to know the direction in which we thread, we must first determine who we are. Though, people may acclaim that we are Christians, we go to church and read our Bibles; but deep within us we have to tell ourselves the truth. For it is only by discovering that we are little that we can ever become great; it is only when we discover our weakness that we can grow in strength.  As St. Peter wrote, “the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining”. We must in the privacy of our hearts, allow the light of Christ to shine on those areas of our lives that are not yet in tune with God. We must allow the light of Christ to lay open the secret thoughts of heart and purify us.

Dear friends, the best way to know ourselves; is to know Christ and make Him our standard in our journey towards perfection. This is the way we may know that we are in union with Him, for anyone who claims to be in union with God ought to walk just as He walked. This is what Christianity demands from us: to be Christ-like in all we do. To love as Christ loved us, not just our friends alone but also, those who seem to be against us. To bear with each other in love and in patience; to forgive as God forgives us. Our crosses as Christians are largely products of our daily lives; thus in bearing the crosses God gives us with joy and through His grace, we know we are following Christ. Today, let us take time to reflect on who we are in relation to Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to know you more and to be able to live for you in all things. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 30 – Although man can forget God or reject Him, He never ceases to call every man to seek Him, so as to find life and happiness.

HIDE A TREASURE: “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 CCB

Readings for Today: 1 John 2:3-11; Psalm 96: 1-6; Luke 2: 22-35

LIFE: GOD’S PRECIOUS GIFT

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Monday 28th December – Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Reflection: Matthew 2: 13-18

LIFE: GOD’S PRECIOUS GIFT

As the Church celebrates the feast of Holy Innocents today, we are offered a good opportunity to reflect on many innocent children who are being killed in their thousands daily all over the world, not for the sake of Christ but for the sake of covering up the effect of youthful lust and fornication through abortion.

Beloved, despite the message the world tries to pass to us daily…on television, on the internet, through so-called “woman empowerment” or “reproductive health and rights” programmes that promote pre-marital sex and abortion as “rights”, the truth remains written in the hearts of each one of us that abortion is murder. Hence, it is in this dark areas that you and I are called as Christians to shine the light of Christ.

Our Christian message is one that appreciates the wondrous gift of life, a gift that man has no right to take away. As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour and commemorate those ltitle martyrs, let us make a commitment to promote life through living chaste lives and encouraging our friends to do the same. Let us take time to pray and offer support and encouragement to young ladies around us who have unwanted pregnancies and let us bring the message of God’s love and forgiveness, especially this Jubilee of Mercy to those who have committed abortion in the past. God’s mercy is always greater than our sin and He is willing to welcome us each time we turn to Him.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please give me the grace to stay away from every youthful lust and fornication and every act that will lead me into committing abortion. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT313 – Why must a sinner turn to God and ask him for forgiveness?

Every sin destroys, obscures, or denies what is good; God, however, is all-good and the author of all good. Therefore every sin goes against God (also) and must be set right again through contact with him.

HIDE A TREASURE: “But if we confess our sins to God,, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all wrongdoing.” 1 John 1:9 GNB