Tag Archives: action

TAKE THAT STEP

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Friday 1st January – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Reflection: Luke 2: 16-21

TAKE THAT STEP

Each day of our lives presents us with information which needs to be backed up by actions. Sometimes, the appropriate action may be to wait patiently or to get into a discussion with someone or even to make a change in our own personal lives. God chose to bring His Son into the world in the most humble way. He was born of peasants in a manger in the lowly town of Bethlehem and though most of mankind was unaware of the great event that was taking place, God chose to reveal it to the most unlikely of persons: shepherds watching their flocks.

God could have chosen to reveal this wonderful event to the chief priests or religious leaders but He didn’t instead He chose lowly men and these men did not disappoint. As soon as they heard the great news of joy the angels brought, they took the appropriate step – went in search of the new born infant Jesus. Thus, they became instruments of evangelisation to all who heard their message (Lk 2:18). Their response was similar to Mary’s when she heard that Elizabeth was to have a baby and Joseph’s when He was asked by the angel in a dream to take Mary as his wife without fear. Beloved, in what ways did God prompt you in the past year? Did you take the required step? Did He prompt you to intensify your prayer life or to evangelise a friend or to attend daily Masses more regularly? Did He prompt you to change some bad habits or be more loving in your words and deeds? How did you respond?

This New Year offers us a wonderful opportunity to begin again. It offers us the opportunity to make a decision not to delay in acting on the promptings God sends to us. Don’t remain in your comfort zone, take the required step and like the shepherds, you will be playing your part in God’s big plan for your life or the life of others and His blessings are sure to remain with you as you walk in obedience to Him.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the opportunity you give me to play a part in my salvation and in those of others. Please help me to respond appropriately to your promptings always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 22 – How does one go about believing?

Someone who believes is seeking a personal union with God and is ready to believe God in everything that he shows (reveals) about himself.

HIDE A TREASURE: “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land” Isaiah 1:19 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Num 6:22-27; Psalm 67: 2-8; Galatians 4: 4-7; Lk 2:16-21

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LOVE IS A VERB

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Saturday 15th March – Saturday of the 1st week of Lent

Reflection: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

LOVE IS A VERB

In elementary English, a verb would often be defined as an “action word”. Friend, it is the same with the word – “Love”. Love is not love until it moves from you heart to your mouth, and then to your actions. Many times, we have declared our love for God, but the next minute, our actions would contradict those very words. God is calling us today to practical Christianity. It is high time we started living the God kind of life which is actualized in a life of love. The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). The test of one’s love for God is measured by the level of obedience that a person has unto God. No wonder Jesus says ‘if you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love…’ (John 15:10), and He calls those that obey Him His brothers and sisters.

Beloved, you must know today that there is no option for a Christian than to live a life of pure and unconditional love towards God and others. So, dare to be a lover of God and your brothers and sisters in words and deed. In doing this you would become a friend of God.

PRAYER: Father I repent of every form of falsehood in my love for you. Today I embrace your command of love. So help me God.  Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 131 – What must we do for the unity of Christians?

In word and deed we must obey Christ, who expressly wills “that they may all be one” (John 17:21)

Christian unity is the business of all Christians…Unity was one of Jesus’ most important concerns. He prayed to the Father, “that they may all be one . . . so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21). Divisions are like wounds on the Body of Christ; they hurt and fester. Divisions lead to enmities and weaken the faith and credibility of Christians. Overcoming the scandal of separation requires the conversion of all concerned but also knowledge of one’s own faith convictions, dialogues with others, and especially prayer in common, and collaboration among Christians in serving mankind…

HIDE A TREASURE: “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” Psalm 119:133 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:43-48