Tag Archives: david

MAKE LOVE YOUR MOTIVE

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Friday 5th February – Friday of week 4 of the year

Reflection: Ecclesiaticus 47: 2-11

MAKE LOVE YOUR MOTIVE

As long as I can remember, my mum would sneak into her boys’ room on cold nights to lay a blanket over anyone (especially me); who would usually sleep without one. The sudden warmness from this blanket would awaken me; to find my mum busy with keeping her children warm. I am well over sixteen now, yet she has not grown tired of this simple act; which only recently I began to appreciate when far away from home on those cold rainy nights. Pampering me has become for her more than a duty, but a reflex of love. My mom never got me the Play Station most of my friends got (in fact she disallowed video games) and she seriously restricted the amounts of sweets I took as a child (a discipline I now appreciate).

This is a model for Christianity; a model that made David so special to God. David was dedicated out of love to pleasing God in his songs of praise and worship. His love for his maker made him so dear to God’s heart; his many sins were forgiven him and the God he loved so much exalted him.

Beloved of God; living the Christ-like life of charity and mercy would too soon become unbearable and stale outside love. Obeying every law in the books, praying and fasting all year long, winning a million and one debates to uphold the doctrines of the Church and giving out your entire salary; if not done out of love is as ‘pouring water into a basket’. If you would remain a Christian; it can only be out of love for God and His creatures. Indeed it is only deeds done out of love than can stand the test of time and can endure through difficult situations.

PRAYER: Sweet Jesus, teach me to follow you out of pure love.  Help me repay your perfect love for me with true love from my imperfect heart. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 485 – Why should we adore God?

Every person who understands that he is God’s creature will humbly recognize the Almighty and adore him. Christian adoration, however, sees not only the greatness, omnipotence, and holiness of God. It also kneels before the divine Love that became man in Jesus Christ.

 

HIDE A TREASURE: “Thus will your faith be tested, like gold in a furnace. Gold, however, passes away but faith, worth so much more, will bring you in the end praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ appears. You have not yet seen him and yet you love him; even without seeing him, you believe in him and experience a heavenly joy beyond all words, for you are reaching the goal of your faith: the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1: 7-9 RSV-CE

 

Today’s Readings: Ecclesiaticus 47: 2-13; Psalm 17: 31 47, 50-51; Mark 6: 14-29.

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THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

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Wednesday 3rd January
Reflection: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17

THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

‘For it is the one whom the father loves that he chastises’. This statement came to fulfilment in the reading of today that despite the fact that David was a man after God’s own heart, a beloved of God, he was severely punished for his sin.

However, a great lesson that should be taken from today’s reading is the fact that when the punishment comes, it may not be the only one who sinned that will partake in the punishment just like seventy thousand people died on the account David’s sin. So when we see others around us falling away from the way of God, it is our duty to always call them to order especially when they are our leaders. We should always learn to watch one another’s back because we are all children of God even the sinner himself.

Dear beloved, though painful it may be, the punishment for our sins, it must be seen as a way in which God the father purifies us again, makes us worthy again and prepares us for greater tasks ahead of us.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I know that I am a sinner, please give me the heart to bear the punishment for my sins and never to go back to them again. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 337– How are we saved?

No man can save himself. Christians believe that they are saved by God, who for this purpose sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world. For us salvation means that we are freed by the Holy Spirit from the power of sin and have been brought back from the realm of death to a life without end, a life in God’s presence.

HIDE A TREASURE: I have acknowledged my offence to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, “I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord,” and you forgave the impiety of my sin. [psalm 32:5]

Today’s Readings: 2 Samuel 24:2,9-17; Psalm 32: 1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 6: 1-6

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S

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Monday 1st February

Reflection: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S

“What business is it of mine or yours?” this response of David when he was being cursed as he tried to run from his son, Absalom in today’s first reading should be our attitude when we realise that any battle we face is not ours. It is the Lord who fights for us and gives us victory.

This is much more important for us to understand when we are leaders in any capacity because the Lord who put us there as leaders knows that there will be difficult and challenging times for which we cannot overcome except we leave them to God. David’s battle came from within as his own son turned against him, with a deep insight he understood the manipulation and without any act of revenge trusted in God to deliver him.

Beloved, once you are a child of God, consciously striving to please Him each day, always bear in mind that whatever battle you face, whether physical or spiritual is not a struggle to undergo by your own strength. Make a situation report to God, with complete trust that He will fight and win the battle for you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, this life is full different battles, let me always remember that with my effort I will lose but with you on my side, I am a victor. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT40 – Can God do anything? Is he almighty?

“For God nothing is impossible” (see Lk 1:37). He is almighty.

HIDE A TREASURE: But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: 2 Samuel 15: 13-14,30; 16:5-13; Psalm 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Mark 5: 1-20

KNOWLEDGE IS NOT ENOUGH

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Saturday 30th January – Saturday of week 3 of the year

Reflection: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17

KNOWLEDGE IS NOT ENOUGH

As children of God, it is certain that what keeps us going is that we know God is aware of us and wants us to be aware of Him always. We know that salvation came through Christ and the power to save us from all our foes rests in his hands. All these make up what we believe. However, if not experienced, this can neither be a testimony for us not can it bring us victory in our battles. This knowledge of God must not lie fallow in our lives but must generate a way of life which is lived and practiced.

Beloved, Jesus Christ often condemned the Pharisees and the Scribes because they were usually at the forefront of pointing accusing fingers to the wrongs of others but never cared about how their knowledge of the law could change their own lives. This was Prophet Nathan’s message to King David in our reading today to be reprimanded by God because he was not accountable for his word. “A servant who knows what master wants is and does not get ready to do it would be punished with a heavy whipping”. (James 1:22-24 also describes such hypocrisy. Thus, to witness for Christ requires a lifestyle of truth and a firm determination to constantly check any areas our lives which may not be in accordance with truth. A blind man cannot lead another blind man. Refusing to live the word of God belittles God’s grace in us which gives the ability to do His will.

Let us all learn from David who had Luke 12:47-48). To whom much is given, much is expected. Now that you know the truth, how happy you would be if you put in into practice. (John 13:17).

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, to know you as my Lord isn’t enough, help me to be a witness of the Gospel in words and deeds.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1802 – The word of God is a light for our path. We must assimilate it in faith and prayer, and put it into practice. This is how moral conscience is formed.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Now that you know the truth, how happy you would be if you put it into practice.” John 13:17 GNB

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 12:1-7.10-17; Psalm 51:12-17; Mark 4:35-41