“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
WEDNESDAY, April 28th Jn. 12: 44-50 “I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.”
- The Easter Season is about celebrating the Light of the world, Jesus Christ!
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO BRING US JOY! By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
“If God is with us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)
“Our help us in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps. 124:8)
“The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” (Ps. 23:1)
“The Lord is my Light and my strength.” (Ps. 27:1)
“Surely, I will be with you always, even until the end of time.” (Mt. 28:20)
“Have courage: I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33)
“Rejoice in the Lord! I say it again: rejoice in the Lord.” (Phil. 4:4)
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mt. 24:35)
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk. 1:46-47)
All of the above short but potent phrases come from the Bible, which is the living Word of God. No doubt, these words give courage, comfort, strength and abundant consolation. As a sequel to the topic of encouragement, let us offer ten short reasons why we should be rejoicing constantly even when plunged in a series of complications, contradictions and crosses.
TEN SHORT REASONS TO REJOICE CONSTANTLY ON OUR PATHWAY TO HEAVEN!
1. HEAVEN. First and foremost, let us constantly remind ourselves as to our final destiny and the most consoling words of Jesus, Our Lord, God, Savior and Best Friend: “I am going to prepare a place for you so that where I am you also might be.” (Jn. 14:3) That place is Heaven. Reflecting on being with Jesus, Mary, the angels and saints in heaven should fill us with an overflowing joy and hope.
2. SAINTS. You are never alone in the least. In all times, places, and circumstances, your friends, the saints are present to you. They are ready and willing to lend a hand. Call upon them! Invoke them and they will turn to God to attain for you all the graces you need in the present moment.
3. JESUS IN THE TABERNACLE. Once again, you are never alone, but sometimes Jesus in the Tabernacle suffers loneliness because all too few come to visit Him. All the more reason for you to give Jesus some time visiting Him! He will fill you with joy in His Presence. In the words of the Psalmist: “Look to the Lord and you will be filled with joy!” (Ps. 16:11)
4. THE WORD OF GOD. How fortunate, better yet, how blessed we are to live in a time when we can have easy access to the Bible and even to have our own Bible! The Word of God gives light, encouragement, counsel, insight, correction, admonition, and serves as a sure bridge to unite time with eternity. If you find yourself down and in the dumps, pick up the Bible, the Word of God, read and meditate, and let God speak to your heart! “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” (Ps. 23:1)
5. CONFESSION. No doubt we are sinners. The just man falls seven times a day. However, how encouraging to recall the words of Saint Paul to the Romans: “Where sin abounds, the mercy of God abounds all the more.” (Rom. 5:20) Also: “God is slow to anger and rich in kindness and mercy.” (Ps. 145:8) If we fall: NUNC CAEPI!!! I will start again; I will get up and return to the loving embrace of my Heavenly Father, so beautifully presented in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which can aptly be titled, the Parable of the Merciful Father! (Lk. 15:11-32)
6. SUNRISE AND THE LIGHT OF A NEW DAY. As the sun rises every day, we call to mind the many times during the course of the day that a Catholic priest lifts up Jesus, “The Sun of God”, in the Mass in the moment of consecration. Every time the Host is lifted, may Jesus, the Sun of God be the bright star rising in your heart!
7. FAITHFUL FRIENDS. We should call to mind faithful friends, that we might even call “The Good Samaritans” (Lk. 10:25-37), that the good Lord has placed on the Highway of our life to lift us up, orient us, direct us, possibly even correct us. How many of these good persons, friends indeed, has God purposely planted in our way to become for us sure signposts to God? “Let us give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever.” (Ps. 136:1)
8. THE HOLY EUCHARIST. Of the greatest importance in our lives is the reality of the most Holy Eucharist. Remember the classic words: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Every consecrated Host is truly and substantially the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. Jesus rejoices most exceedingly when He enters into the depths of the heart of a person who truly loves Him. This should be our permanent goal: to receive Jesus, the true Bread of Life, as often as possible, fully aware that every Holy Communion received, should be received with greater fervor, devotion and love. The fire of our love for the Eucharistic Lord should never wane and be blown out but rather be transformed into a living conflagration—a wildfire of love for the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings!
9. THE COMPANY OF THE ANGELS. Sacred Scripture mentions three specific Archangels: St. Michael, meaning, Who is like unto God; St.Gabriel, Power of God; St.Raphael, Medicine of God. Only these three are named in the Bible among the countless number of angels in heaven. However, all these many angels in Heaven ardently desire to become your friends. They want to do all that is possible to help you arrive at your final destiny—Heaven. One of them is your Guardian Angel! Let us strive to be more aware of these Heavenly friends, and invite them especially to pray for us and pray with us, so as to inspire, protect, console, and point us always in the right direction towards Heaven.
10. MARY: QUEEN OF THE ANGELS AND QUEEN OF THE SAINTS. Among the many titles given to Mary is that of Queen of the Angels and Queen of the Saints. We also cry out to Mary in these consoling words: “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” Saint Therese of Lisieux pointed out Mary’s relationship to us in these words: “Mary indeed is Queen, but she is more Mother than Queen.” What constant and overflowing joy we should experience, keenly aware of the fact that Mother Mary is always, like at the Wedding Feast of Cana, ready to pray and intercede for us, so that the bitter waters of our lives may be transformed into the sweetest and most exquisite of wines! Mother Mary, take me by the hand and place my hand in the Hand of Jesus, my Lord, God, Savior and Friend! Amen.
Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
