LENTEN PROGRAM 2016 WEEK TWO

SUNDAY, February 21, 2016

READING: Luke 4:1-13

MEDITATION: At the end of Jesus' forty days in the wilderness one visitor came out to tempt him - the devil (Luke 4:1), also called the father of lies (John 8:44), and the god of this world (John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4). He is the same deceiver who tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen. 3). Why did Satan tempt Jesus at the end of his fasting period? Satan knew that Jesus was embarking on an important spiritual mission for the kingdom of God. Perhaps Satan saw an opportunity to strike while Jesus appeared more vulnerable in his physically and emotionally weakened condition due to his prolonged fasting and inner struggle over his call and mission. Satan no doubt thought he could persuade Jesus to choose his own path rather than the path his Father had chosen - a path that required self-renunciation, humility, and obedience to his Father's will. Jesus had to struggle with the temptation to choose his own way rather than what his Father wanted him to go. This is the fundamental temptation which confronts each one of us as well. My way or God's way, my will or God's will.

Satan's first temptation appealed to Jesus' physical desires and hunger. Jesus was very hungry and physically weak after his fast. Satan tried to get Jesus to turn stones into bread, both to prove his supernatural power over nature and to satisfy his personal hunger. But Jesus had chosen to fast and to pray for a lengthy period in order to prepare himself for the mission his Father entrusted to him. He wanted to do his Father's will, even though it might cost him great sacrifice, suffering, and even death. Jesus chose to use his power and gifts to serve his Father rather than to serve himself. And he defeated Satan's snare with the words of Scripture in which Moses warned the people of Israel to never forget God nor his word: "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4).

Satan tempted Jesus a second time by presenting him with the best the world could offer - great riches, glory and fame, and the power to rule over all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus quickly saw through the trap of placing the world's glory, wealth, and power above the honor, glory, and service that is due to God alone. Jesus saw how easily one's heart can be swayed and even overpowered by what it most treasures. Allowing fame, glory, and wealth to master one's heart is a form of idolatry. Jesus chose to honor his Father and to serve his Father's kingdom above all else. He again defeated Satan with the words of Scripture: "It is written, `You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve'" (Deut. 6:13).

Satan's last temptation was to convince Jesus that he should position himself at the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, the holiest place on earth where God dwelt in a special way with his people, and there perform a spectacular sign that would prove that he was the Messiah. You know, the devil is a Bible expert! He accurately quotes from Psalm 91:11-12, a psalm connected with the temple which was regarded as a place of refuge and protection for those who put their trust in God. The devil wanted Jesus to perform a death-defying sign by throwing himself off the tallest point of the temple to prove that he was who he claimed to be. Jesus refused to perform any sign that might put God to the test. Jesus quoted once again from the words of Scripture: "It is said, `You shall not put the Lord your God to the test'" (Deut. 6:16).

When Jesus went out into the wilderness, he was led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't rely on his own human strength and will-power to overcome temptations. He relied on the Holy Spirit to give him strength, wisdom, courage, and self-control. We need the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us also. God gives us his Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness (Rom. 8:26) and to be our guide and strength in times of testing (1 Cor. 10:13). God is ever ready to pour out his Spirit upon us that we may have the courage we need to repent of our sins and to turn away from them, and to reject the lies and deceits of Satan. God wants us to "fight the good fight of the faith" (1 Tim. 6:12) with the strength and help which comes from the Holy Spirit.

What lesson can we learn from Jesus' temptation in the wilderness? How can we hope to fight temptation and overcome sin in our own personal lives? Are you ready to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in the way God wants to strengthen you in following his will for your life? Do you seek God's wisdom and guidance for overcoming sin and avoiding the near occasions of sin?

RESOLUTION:

• Identify the most frequent temptations that you're having to deal with

• List practical ways you may be able to avoid such temptations

• Ask the Holy Spirit for strength to deal with those temptations

PRAYER: Pray Psalm 63. "Lord Jesus, your word is life and joy for me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may have the strength and courage to embrace your will in all things and to renounce whatever is contrary to it."

MONDAY, February 22, 2016

READING: Matthew 10:37-42

MEDITATION: Who are you in Christ Jesus? Where do you fit into God's plans? What can you do to be recognized by others as a true disciple of Jesus?

In Western society there is a strong value on personal identity. We learn that we are to be assertive and decide what we want and go after it. We are regarded as fools if we let family or religious commitments stand in the way of going anywhere and doing anything to advance our personal careers. Self-fulfillment has become a god, worshipped and sought after.

In most places and at most times in human society, this was not the case. Children took on the name – and the reputations – of their families, and identified with them. When Abraham’s servant wanted to know who Rebecca was, he did not ask her what her name was, he said, “Tell me whose daughter you are” (Gen. 24:23).  

In Scripture, the folks who set out to establish their own selves and their own identities were not highly regarded – for example, the people who settled on the plain in the land of Shinar decided to build a fabulous city and tower (Gen. 11). They said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves…” God was not pleased, and scattered them so that their Tower of Babel was never completed.

When we become God’s children, and members of his family, we take on his name and identity. Our concern needs to shift from our own reputation to his. The philosophies of the western world may find this difficult to embrace, as society does not value that kind of thinking.

An entire book of the Bible is devoted to Ruth, who’s only claim to fame was that she gave up her identify with her people, took on Naomi’s identity – “your people will be my people, your God, my God” – and worked hard. For this she ended up the great-grandmother of King David, and was awarded a place in the Messianic line.

How about Mary, the mother of Jesus? She was willing to totally lose her identity for the Lord: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” She is someone who has totally lost her own identity, and because of it many think of her as  the most highly regarded human being of all time.

What had Tabitha done that was so great that the church in Joppa could not stand to lose her? Was she a gifted healer with a well-known ministry? Did she have a lot of money the church needed? Well, what she did was many “good works and acts of charity.” She made garments for the widows and the poor; in other words, she was a tremendous example of a servant of Christ (Acts 9:32-43).

Jesus tells us that it is by losing our life that we find it (Matthew 10:39). The Lord, of course, was the perfect example of this: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him…” (Philippians 2:5-9).

What about St. Paul, whose writings make up a large portion of the New Testament? What kind of name did he seek for himself? “To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win the Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law …that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law ..To the weak I became weak …I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:20-22). He even goes so far as to say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Having not yet attained the spiritual maturity of Ruth, Mary, Tabitha, or Paul, I sometimes find myself influenced by the call of the world to desire recognition and influence. This is especially true when day-to-day life seems too hard: when the needs of others demand that I make some personal sacrifice, when “my” time is being infringed upon, when I feel too tired to really follow the Lord. It is at times like these it is especially important for me to remember who I am. I am a servant of Jesus Christ, I have been bought with a price, I am a new creation, a child of the king of the universe, a member of the body of Christ, one for whom the Lord trampled down death!

We have all heard of and admire Blessed Mother Theresa; what about her thousands of fellow workers all over the world whose names we do not know and who receive no honor from other people for pouring their lives out for the poor? What if the Lord’s will for me is to serve in an “unrecognized” way for my whole life? What if I am called to “waste” my life for Jesus? Can you feel free to pour out  your life as a precious ointment for the Lord, and not worry that the world disapproves of you?

RESOLUTION:

• Identify who you are in Christ Jesus

• For the rest of the week, try to desire and appreciate anonymity

• Ask the Lord to increase in you while you decrease

PRAYER: Thank You for calling me, for choosing me, and for loving me. Your love makes all the difference. Oh, Father, You held nothing back for me, not even Your Son, giving Him away as the  Redeemer through His own blood. Cleanse me of my selfishness, my focus on my own needs and desires. I surrender my life to You once again, wrapping myself in Your love, that I may have something beautiful and glorious to pour over others, to reflect Your giving and merciful heart in my own. Help me to be the caring person you want me to be. Especially, at times when I only seem to care about “me”. In Jesus name, Amen.

TUESDAY, February 23, 2016

READING: Mark 10:17-30

MEDITATION: A monk was lost in meditation at a river bank. A novice put before him two exquisite jewels as a sign of his devotion. The monk opened his eyes and picked up a jewel. It rolled out of his hand into the river. The novice jumped in immediately. But he could not find it. He asked the monk to point out the spot where it fell. The monk picked up the second jewel and tossed it into the river. He pointed and said, "Right there." The monk then added, "Do not allow yourself to be owned by objects. Only then will you be free."

Contrary to what many may think, Jesus invited but one person to give all his possessions away. That individual is the rich man of today's Gospel text. The delicious irony is that this solitary command was turned down flat by him.

Did Christ refrain from asking anyone again because He had become gun shy at this put-down? Or could it be that we do not understand His views on possessions and poverty? The latter I submit is the case.

The Teacher stayed often in the large comfortable home of Martha and Mary outside Jerusalem. He never asked them to sell the mansion and share the dollars with Jerusalem's poor. He never asked the apostles to sell their fishing boats. We know He sailed in them often for business and pleasure. The record shows He enjoyed parties, took delight in five star meals, and drank vintage wine. He obviously enjoyed the good life whenever it came His way.

Why then did Jesus make this extraordinary demand of the wealthy young man? How sad! The man had the wonders of the Lord right there in front of him. He could have become one of the Lord's closest disciples. Jesus heard him say that he had kept the commandments. Jesus knew that he was a good man. He loved him. But he also knew that something was holding the man back. His possessions were the reason for his life. All his life he had worked hard to have a lot, or, perhaps, he had been born into a wealthy family and had been falsely taught that the family’s wealth would guarantee his happiness. The man thought that he was on the top of society. Then he received a shock. True greatness was being offered to him. Was he willing to change the focus of his life? Was he willing to step away from his material possessions? Evidently not. He left the Lord saddened.

Many of us have been raised in a society that values wealth above all else. We know that is not true. We know that the love of God, our families, and our children are our real values, but we easily fall for the lie that happiness can be purchased. We easily confuse our wants with our needs. We want too much. We need very little. We want the big house, the expensive car, the expensive vacation, etc. But we don't need all of that.

Well, the fellow had told Him of the sins He did not commit - adultery, murder, etc. The Master then invites him to speak not of the evil he had avoided but of the good he had done. His problem was spiritual poverty. He suffered from "sleeping sickness of the soul." Christ's teaching is not a system whereby one avoids doing wrong. It is a way of life that impels us to do good and then, after a time, better. This was the difference between the rich young man and Martha and Mary. They were not merely avoiding sin. They were anxious to do good. They were giving away 10% of their wealth to the synagogue and charity. They were volunteering to help the poor. They held a welcoming hand to people on the run such as Jesus and His apostles. They were not owned by their possessions. They used them for others.

The reaction of Jesus to the rich man's departure was disappointment. He saw in him what He sees in all of us - the potential of leaving our old lives and becoming new people. Like the novice with the jewels, the wealthy gentleman had an inordinate love for his possessions. He was more fond of his own comforts than he was of others' needs. Christ is not condemning the comfortable and affluent but the way they use their resources. This piece by Author Unknown is what Jesus is condemning. "I was hungry and you formed a humanities club to discuss my hunger. I was imprisoned and you crept off to pray for my release. I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health. I was homeless and you preached to me of the love of God. I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. You seem so holy, so close to God. But I am still very hungry and lonely and cold."

Run this test by yourself. When the collection comes around for the poor, do you give the same amount you gave three years ago? Do you give to support the poor and needy reluctantly? Do you think that while ten bucks is of no value in the supermarket, it is an extraordinary sum in church? If you say yes to any of these questions, this Gospel may have your name on it. Remember the aphorism. We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

RESOLUTION:

• Resolve to live a life of simplicity throughout this season

• Maybe you can calculate the value of the newest clothing you just bought and give the equivalent to some particular poor person or Charity

• What “material things” are controlling your life?  List them and ask the Holy Spirit to help you release control and let them go, so that God’s perfect will is done in your life

PRAYER: Father, it is Your will that we do not lay up material treasures on earth for ourselves, where moth and rust can destroy and where thieves can break in and steal; but lay up treasures in heaven for ourselves, where neither moth nor rust can destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  Your word states that our lives do not consist in the abundance of the things we possess: therefore, we will beware of covetousness.  The one who lays up treasure for himself is not rich towards You.  Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.  Lord, I confess that life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.  Therefore, I declare that henceforth, I will seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness above all else.  Lord, I confess that I will not trust in uncertain riches but I will trust in You, the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  I confess that I will continue to do good works and will be ready to give and be willing to share. Amen.

WEDNESDAY, February 24, 2016

READING: Mark 10:35-45

MEDITATION: James and John had it all wrong. They wanted authority. They wanted to sit at the right hand and left hand of Jesus when the Kingdom of God was established on earth. They wanted to lord it over others. They wanted to be powerful and feared because of their power. They looked forward to being in authority. They had it all wrong. In the Kingdom of God, authority would come through service, not through power.

I once heard the story of a rice farmer who saved an entire village from destruction. From his hilltop farm he felt the earth quake and saw the distant ocean swiftly withdraw from the shore line. He knew that a tidal wave was coming.

In the valley below, he saw his neighbors working low fields that would soon be flooded. They must run quickly to his hilltop or they would all die. His rice barns were dry as tinder.  So with a torch he set fire to his barns and soon the fire gong started ringing. His neighbors saw the smoke and rushed to help him. Then from their safe perch they saw the tidal wave wash over the fields they had just left.

In a flash they knew not only who had saved them but what their salvation had cost their benefactor. They later erected a monument to his memory bearing the motto, “He gave us all he had, and gave gladly.” This poor farmer finished first in the eyes of his community, but it cost him everything he had.

There are not many people in our world like that farmer. He willingly sacrificed himself that others might succeed. Most people do everything they can to better themselves, and think nothing of the people they step on behind as they climb to the top of the heap. It is necessary to keep in mind that not everyone who finishes first is victorious. Sometimes those who take the last seat, those who willingly finish last, are the real winners in the game of life.

I think it is clear from reading the Gospels that our Lord’s disciples were anything but humble men. They were always in the business of trying to promote themselves. On several occasions, Jesus sought to combat that mentality, but they never seemed to get the message. In this passage, we see selfish ambition in all of its ugliness. Jesus uses this event to teach us all some valuable lessons about leadership, service to others and forgiveness. Being first can cost you all you have. I want you to see that being a servant to others is more of a blessing, in the end, than being served by others.

James and John were literally asking for three things. They wanted Preeminence. They wanted the glory and honor that came from being elevated to a throne. They wanted Proximity. They wanted to be close to Jesus in the Kingdom. They also wanted Power. These men wanted to have positions of great authority in the coming kingdom.

What bothers me about their request is the timing of it. Jesus had just finished telling these men that He is going to Jerusalem, to be betrayed, rejected and killed, v. 33-34. All these men can think about is climbing to the top of the pile. All they can see is their position on the roster. Jesus is about to die for sin and they are playing “who’s first?” It is a cold-hearted, self-centered, unsympathetic request! These men never did grasp the idea that their leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, was headed to a cross. All they could see was the crown. They wanted the crown without the cross. They wanted the glory without the pain. They wanted the reward without having to pay the price.

The problem with the disciples is the same problem people have today. Most people are not concerned with the glory of God. All they care about is finishing first. All they care about is their own power, position and prestige. The problem with the disciples, and the problem with many of us, is that we are filled with pride. Pride always leads to defeat, Pro. 16:18; 1 Cor. 10:12. The cost of service for Jesus was extremely high. It cost Him His very life. Jesus willingly went to His death to save those who cared nothing for Him. He suffered the shame, the pain, the humiliation, and the agony of the cross to serve lost sinners. He experienced the undiluted wrath of Almighty God to serve us. He took the place of a common criminal and was judged as rebel so that sinners could be saved. He willingly entered into death so that others might enter into life.

What if God gets more glory from my finishing last? A humble, submissive spirit will prevent many failures. Am I willing to sacrifice for others just as God did for us in Christ Jesus? How concerned are you about the glory of God as against your own glory? Will you gladly sacrifice your self-esteem for the glory of God and his kingdom? How much shame and disgrace are you willing to endure for the sake of God's kingdom?

RESOLUTION:

• Identify the last time you endured shame for the sake of God's glory

• Do something radically different for the kingdom of God this year

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you have proclaimed a radical gospel, a call to live my life in a different way from the rest of the world around me.  But I don’t want to be different, I want to be like everyone else.  I don’t like being different, I don’t like the demands your gospel makes on me.  Remind me today of what you have done for me.  Help me to understand the magnitude of your sacrifice and let that inspire me to make small sacrifices in my life, so that I may embody your radical gospel in my own life.  Amen.

THURSDAY, February 25, 2016

READING: John 6:41-51

 MEDITATION: In the New Testament we often see two contrasting attitudes among the people. On the one hand they are the grateful recipients of Christ's miracles and then on the other hand we find them grumbling and criticizing him. The people are very grateful for the miraculous distribution of the loaves and the fishes in what we call the Feeding of the Five Thousand. But then when Jesus tries to explain the significance of this great miracle they start grumbling and criticizing.

This is not so different from the People of Israel in Old Testament times. They were extremely grateful for the miraculous gift of manna which was found lying on the ground every morning and which they could bake into bread. But the appearance of this food which sustained them through their long journey in the desert did not stop them from grumbling against God and even rejecting him on occasion. We could probably say that these two attitudes are also alive and well in the world today. Yes, we are grateful for the works of God and the many gifts that he gives us but this does not stop us from frequently ignoring and even rejecting him.

The people had gratefully received the loaves and the fish but now they grumble and complain when Jesus describes himself as the bread come down from heaven. To them these words smack of terrible heresy. They know Jesus to be the son of Mary and Joseph and so they cannot comprehend how he can say that he has come down from heaven. Jesus simply tells them to stop complaining and continues his discourse; but this confuses them even more. What Jesus is trying to do is to get them to understand the theology of the Eucharist. He wants them to see how he is really present in the Eucharistic elements; but his words fall on deaf ears because what he is telling them is so different to their ordinary experience that they cannot comprehend it. Of course it is all the more confusing since we are still in the middle of the story. Christ has still a year to go before he makes his great sacrifice on the Hill of Calvary. They have no knowledge of the Last Supper or how the first Christians realized the significance of that solemn meal and made it the heart of their worship. So we can excuse their incredulity at the extraordinary words of Jesus.

We realize that these words are not so much addressed to them as addressed to us. It is we who need to understand precisely who Jesus is and what his relationship with the Eucharist is. It is we who need to grow in our appreciation of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. So maybe what we should really be doing today is not so much to think about the people of the New Testament but to think about ourselves and our own understanding of the Eucharist.

We need to see if we have a good enough grasp of what the Church actually teaches in reference to the Eucharist. Superficially at a celebration of the Eucharist not a lot happens. Sure it is a solemn meal, the people are gathered, the scriptures are read and explained, ritualistic words are spoken by the priest, the bread and wine are shared and then with a blessing everyone goes home. This is what the outsider, the non-believer, observes. But we, the faithful, we know different. We know that in celebrating this wonderful sacrament we are invisibly connected to the Last Supper. It is as if time has collapsed at it is now us who are gathered together with the Apostles around the table of the Lord and that it is he who actually utters the words of consecration through his representative, the priest.

And it is from him that we receive the Bread of Life and the Blood of our Salvation. The elements we receive in the Eucharist are indeed real food and drink but because of their small quantity they are practically without any value as real food. But more importantly we understand that they are true spiritual food and through our reception of them we are drawn ever nearer to heaven. We believe the words of the Lord Jesus that he is the Bread of Life and know that by consuming the Eucharistic bread and wine we are receiving Jesus himself. By receiving Holy Communion at mass we are also drawn closer to one another; as a community we become more and more authentically the Body of Christ. We become the visible sign of the Kingdom of God present in our world. In this way we become an ever more effective witness to Christ for the people who live around us.

Do you consider gathering to celebrate the mass is one of the most important things we can do? Do you consider the simple act of coming to mass on a Sunday is in itself a real witness to the values of the Kingdom of God? Do you realize that the people living on your street are not unaware of where you or your family goes on a Sunday morning? They are there twitching their curtains and observing your family going for mass. They may say nothing but you are making them think. This might not seem like very much but as we know great works are often achieved by a series of very small acts.

RESOLUTION:

• Resolve to make the Mass the center of your Christian worship and discipline

• Determine to participate more actively and joyously in the Holy Eucharist

• Do everything you can to receive Holy Communion more regularly

PRAYER: Let me be a holy sacrifice and unite with God in the sacrament of His greatest love. I want to be one in Him in this act of love, where He gives Himself to me and I give myself as a sacrifice to Him. Let me be a holy sacrifice as I become one with Him in this my act of greatest love to Him. Let me unite with Him more, that I may more deeply love Him. May I help make reparation to His adorable Heart and the heart of His Mother, Mary. With greatest love, I offer myself to You and pray that You will accept my sacrifice of greatest love. I give myself to You and unite in Your gift of Yourself to me. Come and possess my soul. Cleanse me, strengthen me, heal me. Dear Holy Spirit act in the heart of Mary to make me more and more like Jesus. Father, I offer this my sacrifice, myself united to Jesus in the Holy Spirit to You. Help me to love God more deeply in this act of my greatest love. Give me the grace to grow in my knowledge, love and service of You and for this to be my greatest participation in the Mass. Give me the greatest graces to love You so deeply in this Mass, You who are so worthy of my love. Amen. (Catholic Online)

FRIDAY, February 26, 2016

READING: John 2:1-11

MEDITATION: This scene pictures a Jesus who is concerned with, and gets involved in, the problems and situations of ordinary, everyday life. In this passage, we encounter a Christ who cares, who can and One who carry's through for His own! Today, let's drop in on this little scene in Cana of Galilee and witness John's Portrait of Jesus: The Son Of Man.

A wedding was always a huge social event those days. The celebration could last as long as a week. We are not told who is getting married, but it is probably some close family relative. It may be a nephew, niece, a cousin, etc. I say that because it seems to have been someone of close relation because Mary is involved in the festivities, verses 1, 3&5.

If this scene teaches us anything, it tells us that Jesus chose to participate in this common, routine, every day event. Jesus isn't just for Sunday! He desires, and deserves to be included in all of life! You see, He is either Lord of all, or He isn't Lord at all in your life - Acts 10:36.

Notice that Jesus is here by invitation! Someone possessed the forethought and thoughtfulness to call Jesus to this event. Never be guilty of attempting to exclude Jesus from any areas of your life. By virtue of His sacrifice for us at Calvary, He deserves inclusion in all we are and in all we do. 1 Cor. 6:19-20, "... For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body."  If we are truly His, then He has access rights to everything! many people need to open every area of their lives up to God. You need to stop holding back and give God access to everything. In too many lives, Jesus is left standing outside looking in - Rev. 3:20. There are times when Jesus stands ready with the solution to your problem, but instead of butting in, He waits patiently for your invitation. Why not make that happen today?

Sometime, during these festivities, they ran out of wine. This doesn't sound like much of a problem to us, but to the Jews, it could be ruinous. First, it was a matter of honor. The bridegroom was responsible for providing adequate supplies. If something ran out before the party was concluded, it simply meant that he hadn't planned well and hadn't provided for all of his guests. Secondly, to run out of wine would cause public embarrassment for the groom and his family. Thirdly, in some instances, the offending family could even be fined. Therefore, this was a problem of considerable size to these people.

Life doesn't always go as we had planned it. There are times when problems arise and troubles come our way. This is a common thing - Job 14:1; John 16:33; Eccl. 2:23, "Every day sorrow and grief are their occupation; even at night their hearts are not at rest. This also is vanity." It is good to know that when our problems do come that we can take them to Jesus. Those all around us may see them as nothing, but Jesus understands our pain and feels our need - Heb. 4:15.

As we know, it was Mary who informed her Son that the wine had run out. In this time of trouble, Mary shows us just what we need to do when troubles arise in our lives. She gives us 2 steps that we should always take in the troublesome times of life. 1) Flee To Jesus - When the problem arose, Mary took it to the Lord. This is exactly what we need to do - Phil. 4:6-7. 2) Follow His Commands - This is the only command ever issued by Mary in all the Bible. This is excellent advice! Just do as Jesus says. The lesson for us is clear! When problems arise, and troubles toss our lives, the best thing we can do is simply to do what Jesus says to do. Whatever is on display here, the fact remains that when confronted with a problem, Mary ran to Jesus. What a good example for us to follow.

What do you think Mary's action is telling us? Have you invited Mary to the banquet of your life or family? And will you and I take her advice? Why are Mary's prayers so effective with God? " The prayers of the saints are prayers of servants, whereas Mary's are a Mother's prayer, whence flows their efficacy and their authority; and since Jesus has immense love for his Mother, she cannot pray without being listened to...To understand Mary's great goodness, let us remember what the Gospel says...There was a shortage of wine, which naturally worried the married couple. No one asks the Blessed Virgin to intervene and request her Son to come to the rescue of the couple...; it stirs her to act as intercessor and ask her Son for the miracle, even though no one asks her to...If our Lady acted like this without being asked, what would she not have done if they actually asked her to intervene?" (St. Alphonsus Mary Liguori, Sunday Sermons, 48). By God's design Mary is uniquely a Mediatrix for us, our Mother in the order of grace (CCC 967-970) just as she was for the wedding guests at Cana.

RESOLUTION:

• Examine critically your personal devotion to the Blessed Mother

• Make a personal invitation to the Mother of God to be your guest

PRAYER: Pray the Rosary

SATURDAY, February 27, 2016

READING: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19

MEDITATION: The Bible Society has assumed the mission of placing the Bible in the hands of any who would read. Behind this impressive Bible distribution project is the belief that if people would read the Bible, they would hear the word of God as it applies to their lives. There is a case in one African city where people wanted copies of the New Testament not because they wanted to read them but because the Bible paper was great for wrapping and smoking tobacco and other stuff. When the missionaries discovered this they reached an agreement with the youths that they could continue to use the pages of the Bible for their smoking on the condition that they would read each page before they smoke it. Within a few weeks many of these youths were beginning to ask questions about the pages they had read. Some of them eventually turned to the Lord, got baptized and gave up smoking. God works in strange ways. Nevertheless, when we ask the question whether people, alone without any spiritual guidance, are generally able to recognize the word of God when they hear it, we find that the answer is no.

Samuel grew up literally in the presence of God. As soon as he was weaned his mother Hannah took him to Eli, priest of the sanctuary in Shiloh. There he was raised by the priest himself. He assisted daily at the altar, he was familiar with the sacred writings, and he got the best religious formation available. Yet when the word of God came to him personally he could not recognize it. Each time God called he thought that it was Eli. It was not until Eli directed him on what to do that he finally succeeded in establishing a connection with God who was trying to reach him. Why didn’t God just come to Samuel and say: “Samuel! Samuel! It is I the Lord, your God. Now listen up?” Why did God have to speak to Samuel in a voice that could be mistaken for Eli’s? God normally works through the ordinary channels that He has established. That is why we need the church and we need priests. These are the normal channels of God's word and God's grace in our lives (Hebrews 5:1). God can, of course, always go beyond these channels, but that is not for us to presume or take for granted.

Something similar also happens in John 1:35-42. Andrew and John's other disciple had followed John as a way of preparing for the One who is to come. For years they had prayed and fasted and waited for the joy of meeting the Messiah. Yet when they finally came face to face with the Messiah himself, they could not recognize him. It took the guidance of their spiritual master, John for them to recognize the Messiah. These disciples of John had a divine call to become disciples of Jesus. But they could not discover what divine Providence had in store for them until a spiritual director pointed it to them. There will always be the need for priests like Eli and prophets like John to point out Christ to us and to help us discern what God is saying to us in our lives as individuals and as a people.

In her book, A Man Called Peter, Catherine Marshall tells how her late preacher-husband felt a sense of destiny; a sense of call in his life.

One dark night, Peter, then a young man, decided to take a shortcut  across the Scottish moors. He knew there was a deep deserted limestone quarry in that area, but he was confident that he could avoid it. Suddenly, he heard someone call, "Peter."

There was great urgency in the voice. Peter stopped and responded "Yes who is it? What do you want?" There was no answer. He walked a few more steps and then heard the voice calling more urgently, "Peter!" He paused then he stumbled and fell on his knees. Putting out his hand to catch himself, he found nothing there. He was at the very edge of an abandoned stone quarry. Just one more step would have meant certain death.

The calling that night confirmed for Peter Marshall that he was clearly being called by God for ministry.

Beloved, I am convinced that each of us has been called by God to fulfill a purpose, to fulfill a spiritual calling in this life. We are called to become a part of the Masters plan. Samuel, John the Baptist, Andrew, Peter, were each called by God, and in turn they responded thus fulfilling God's plan for their lives. Repeatedly throughout the Bible God says “LISTEN TO ME!” Jesus declared in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”

Don’t get distracted by anything in this world. Are you distracted by your job, your troubles, your goals, your agendas, even your family? Listen to God! Listen to Him FIRST. Are you listening to God? How do you know when you're listening to Him? Today, you need to ask yourself: What is God saying to you? Are you listening? Is God speaking you to you about your need to study more? To grow more? To serve more? Or is He talking to you about the most basic need in your life? Have you not come to the point of believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins? Have you not come to the point where you’ve accepted the fact that you are a sinner who needs to be forgiven your sins? Have you not come to the point where you’re willing to turn your life over to Jesus and make Him Lord of your life? Or have you yet to be buried in the waters of Christian baptism and risen up from those waters a new creature in Christ?  Whatever God is saying to you, you need to make up your mind to say “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening!”

RESOLUTION:

• Identify how God is calling you to fulfill a godly purpose in life

• List practical ways of fulfilling your role in the Master's plan this Lent season

PRAYER: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know if I do this, you will lead me through the right road though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face peril alone. (Thomas Merton)