Today’s Readings:
Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 6:12-19
We all want value for our money. When you buy an item of value, you hope that it will serve you for the longest possible time. And if there is a factory defect, you want to be sure that you can get a replacement without much hassle. We have a similar expectation of our faith. We know what is expected of us. We know the things that are inconsistent with our walk with Christ and we want to know what to do if we experience a hitch in our relationship with Him. Saint Paul answers this for us when he says that we are “no longer aliens or foreign visitors”. We are citizens and part of God’s family which has the Apostles for its foundation (Ephesians 2:19). Faith is not a product that is sold to us. It is our family and bloodline through Christ who has redeemed us from sin. So, when we encounter challenges, we come to the Lord with them. There is always going to be a solution. I pray that all you are currently passing through will find a solution through faith in Jesus’ name.
As we reflect on the Second Glorious Mystery, “The Ascension of Christ”, let us consider the following:
Pray for the virtue of hope by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1817).
We are made for heaven as our home. We are not working to get into heaven. It is already ours by default.
Christ calls us as he called His disciples and apostles to walk in his footsteps and this assures us that we are going to arrive safely in heaven with Him.
Your prayers and good works unite you to the prayers and good works of fellow believers everywhere and we all draw strength and grace from the commonwealth of grace we all share in Christ as we journey on to salvation.
Jesus chose all his apostles and extended grace to each of them. He calls you too and extends grace to you. He wants you to succeed and excel in every part of your life by depending on divine assistance. We experience doubt, we have bouts of failure and self-sabotage. God knows these things about us. Yet, He chose us because, despite our faults and flaws, we are His children whom He loves beyond measure.
You are the sum of God’s love for you and not the sum of all your bad choices. Bad choices teach us the value of doing things right. And we will get things right if we do not give up on ourselves.
Touch Christ daily and draw strength. Touch Him in prayer, the sacraments, in your joys and pains. Grace is always available if you trust in the power that flows from Christ. If we are completely honest, we are operating on grace which we have not worked for. The grace on you flows from the efficacy of Christ’s prayer for you. He intercedes with us at the Father’s right hand. Do not hesitate to bring any challenging situation to Jesus. “We may make our plans, but God has the final say” (Proverbs 16:1).
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Your banner over my life is love, your word over my life is final. I trust that your plans for me are good. Help me to walk daily in your plan and never stray from doubt and fear.
Teach me to walk and stay close to You in faith, hope and undying love in Jesus’ name. Amen.
May God bless you and your activities this week. Place you under the protection of the Holy Spirit.
May God's grace and favour be with you through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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