ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, And peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased!”

There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

And peace on earth to those with

whom He is pleased!” 

(Luke 2:8-14)

There were thousands of angels appointed for Queen Mary during her journey to Bethlehem. After the courtiers of heaven had celebrated the birth of God in Bethlehem, some of them were dispatched immediately to different places in order to announce the joyful news according to the Divine Will.

The Holy Prince, St. Michael betook himself to the Holy Patriarch in limbo announcing how the only-begotten of the Eternal Father, was   already born in the world and was resting humble and meek; as they had prophesized.

It was also the most joyful day for St. Anne and Joachim for their long banishment, the message their daughter held in her arms—the Son of God. They all composed and sang new songs of adoration and worshipped in His Holy presence. Gloria!!

Meanwhile, some angels that attended and guarded the Heavenly Mother were send to St. Elizabeth and her son John. On hearing the news of the birth of the Redeemer, the prudent mother and her son, though tender in age; prostrated themselves upon the earth and adored their God made man in spirit and truth. St.Elizabeth conveyed her request to our Holy Queen, through the angels to adore her Most Holy son on their behalf.

Amongst all, the shepherds who were watching their flock at the time of the birth of Christ were patiently blessed. (Luke 2:8) It is not only because they accepted the labor and inconvenience of their calling but also because being poor, humble and despised by the world; they belonged in sincerity and uprightness of heart, fervently hoped and longed for the coming of the Messiah. They kept on speaking and discoursing about Him among themselves. Also, they were removed from the richness, vanity, passions of the world and far from any cunningness. So they were merited to be called and invited as the first fruits of the Saints by the Savior Himself.

He manifested Himself by those whom He wished to be praised, served and adored. Archangel Gabriel was sent to them in human form and with great splendor. (Luke 2:10-12)

At these words of the angel, suddenly appeared a great multitude of the celestial army, who in voices of sweet harmony; sang to the most High their verses:

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

And peace on earth to those with

whom He is pleased!”

In the angelic vision, the humble and fortunate shepherds were filled with divine enlightenment. Their fervent longing to make certain of the blessings and to witness with their own eyes—the Most High Mystery!

As they were free from the arrogant wisdom of the world they believed in the proof of the Majesty King. They were illuminated by the Divine Light and in innocence they hurried to the cave. On entering the cave, they found Mary, Joseph and the Holy Infant lying in a manger. They recognized and acknowledged the truth of what they had heard of the child. Prostrating themselves on the earth they adored the Word made Flesh.

They were no more ignorant; but as the wise and prudent men they adored, acknowledged and magnified Him as the True God and Man; joyfully confessing that He is the Restorer and Redeemer of the entire human race.

The Heavenly Mother of the child took notice of all that they did, interiorly and exteriorly and pondered over them in their soul. (Luke 2:19)

She instructed them to persevere in the divine Love and in service of the Most High. They too conversed with her; and showed that they understood many of the mysteries.

The Queen send them off- full of Heavenly grace and consolation.

Dear devotees of Christ, I humbly request you to go through the message deeply and meditate the qualities of the shepherds which truly pleased God and made them worthy to receive His reward.

Our advent journey of this year comes to an end and the events will led to the birth of our Savior. We see the prophecies, promises and prayers of the Old Testament being fulfilled.

Blessed Mary accepted her mission with uncompromising humility, obedience, charity and poverty. She acted with unwavering faith and trust!---why?-All because she believed that God would fulfill the Word He had spoken.

How do you make your life as an offering to God along with your family?

The faithful God will never forsake you because He allowed us to enter His Covenant.

Dark days are not withstanding; He brings the springs to us. Though the door to darkness is closed He bursts open the doors of His Everlasting Light!

So let us move confidently to the new path that leads to and from the door; Path that leads to peace and happiness. Let us revive our methods to transform ourselves.

Let us kneel down without any hesitation; overcoming our sickness in front of the Mighty Restorer!

Let us go to the manger every day, with high reverence, kneel down, kiss His footsteps asking pardon for our shameful arrogant behavior. Remember that whoever knelt down and adored Him were enlightened and merited by His knowledge and humility.

Let us leave our pride and prejudice at the feet of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. It is the time to think of new resolutions; sitting under the heavenly Light- the Best Gift of the Season!

So stay filled with hope, reciting few prayers like those mentioned below that can assist you to take the right decisions in the coming years.

Infant Jesus, poor and simple

Bless me and grant my petition!

Infant Jesus, humble and obedient

Bless me and grant my petition!

Infant Jesus, silent and recollected

Bless me and grant my petition!

Infant Jesus, inflamed with love for me

Bless me and grant my petition!

Conclude the prayer with Three Hail Mary and Three Gloria!

Season’s Greetings!!

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

MEASURING LINE

The Holy Bible says, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Phil. 4:13)

During the time of Herod the king of Judaea, there was a priest named Zechariah, a descendant of Aaron. His wife was Elizabeth, who also belonged to a priestly family. Both of them were upright in the sight of God and observed all the laws and regulations blamelessly. 

Even after praying for long years they had no children because she was barren and both were very old.  Yet he used to pray fervently to God for a child.  God answered his prayer though it took years to bring it to accomplishment. 

God wanted Zechariah, like Father Abraham, to have deep-rooted faith by praying and hoping from God. A Messenger of God once appeared to Zechariah and said, “God has heard your prayers and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son…….  He will be a great man in the Lord’s sight.” 

Even though he was faithful, he could not believe it because both of them were advanced in years.  (Luke 1)

Here we can observe that Zechariah is limiting God’s power with human measuring line.  He had fixed a date and day for God to act.  When his date got over, his faith also diminished.  We have also compressed our time in various portions of our life. Interest and accuracy in measuring the time brings numerous failures against our Heavenly blessings and due to these we are the victims of losing faith. 

When we try to keep control of  God in our time limitation, it is wise to recollect the marvelous words the Holy Spirit that inspires St. Peter, “But do not forget one thing my friends, there is no difference in the Lord’s sight between one day and a thousand years,  to Him the two are the same.  The Lord is not slow to do what He has promised as some think, instead He is patient with you because He does not anyone to be destroyed, but He wants us to turn away from sin.” (2 Pet 3:8-9)

God has promised that He will help you, yes, surely He will come, but it is not mentioned when or how.  He wishes all of us to be in His Hands safely and fearlessly as how a child is secure in its mother’s arms. 

Dear ones, there arises certain reasons just to lose our faith.  God said, “Ask and you shall receive.”  We keep on complaining that ‘I have been asking God for quite long time and receive nothing in return, but only disappointment.’  Through this it is sure that the Lord is teaching you to pray in a proper manner.

“When you stand and pray forgive anything you may have against anyone so that your Father in Heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”

If your prayers are not answered check your conscience, whether there is any unforgiveness in you against anyone, also be sure to check if others have any hurt feelings towards you, because both can block the flow of God’s blessings upon you. 

“And when you ask you do not receive it because your motives are bad, you ask for things to use for your own temporal pleasures.”  So check whether your prayers are according to the plan and purpose of Almighty God’s law.  The Lord might have answered already your prayers in a different way. He might have transformed your problem as an instrument to shower His grace upon you keeping your virtues safe.

“My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”  (2 Cor. 12 :9)

So we misinterpret, that when we are weak, God’s power is also weak but the Holy verses say that His Power is Greatest when you are weak. The symptoms may still trouble you, but to face and overcome that trouble He showers might and grace which can lead you to a peaceful life.

We are sure that it is true that God hears our prayer and also we know that He gives what we ask from Him.  Like Zechariah, God may want you to become a good intercessor to grant you unshaken foundation of faith.  Through tests, God will reveal His secret plans for you.

Peter was a brave and pious apostle.  Once while the apostles were going in a boat, Peter saw Lord Jesus coming to them walking on the water. Being delighted at the sight Peter said to the Lord, “Master shall I come to you?” as he too wanted to walk on the water.  And the Lord said to him, “Come.”  Looking at Jesus he began his journey.

 

Soon the devil diverted his eyes from the Lord and inspired him to look at the deep waters.  Satan, the most cunning one, has his eyes always fixed on people who believe in true God. When Peter was looking at Jesus and walking there was no fear of depth of water or the blowing waves.  The moment satan diverted Peter’s eyes from the Lord, he began to sink.

  Similarly, when sudden sickness, hardships, failures, brokenness occurs in the lives of faithful people of God, as a faith test -- the evil thoughts arising within us develops a situation tion of hopelessness whereby we tend to lose our faith in the Lord. 

Therefore the Holy Bible says, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.”  (Heb 12 :2)

During hardships and temptations, if you fix your eyes on Lord Jesus than measuring the depth of the disasters then surely it helps to drive away satan and his plan of destroying your life. So it is noteworthy to acknowledge the Holy Verses, “Don’t think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help.” (Isaiah 59:1)

He invites you, “Come to Me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and put it on you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load that I will put on you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Dear ones, as how Jesus fixed His eyes on the One who send Him and carried the Cross according to His Will, to conquer death and save us from the Wicked similarly, be proud that we are believers of His law and followers of the victorious Lord.  We do not need to get frightened to face the failed satan who pretends to be very strong and brave like a roaring lion.  It is our challenge to defeat him with our faith as a shield.  Speak out to him the appropriate Word of God which is the double edge sword, which can dissolve Him from you. 

To know God, you need to be intellectual in the Word of God.                       

“Be alert! Be on watch, your enemy the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”   (1 Pet 5 : 8)

So guard your faith by reciting prayers, memorizing & meditating the word of God and being grateful to the Lord at all times will enable you to safeguard your faith deeper.  “…. Because every child of God is able to defeat the world.  And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith.”  (1 John 5 : 4)

Let us reminisce the love of that Heavenly Father, who did not keep back His Only Son and the Sacrificial Love of His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.” (John3:16)

 

Let us wind up this session by reading the vision of Prophet Zechariah. This vision proves how God protects His people from the enemy:

In another vision I saw a man with a measuring-line in his hand.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“To measure Jerusalem,” he answered, to see how long and how wide it is.”

Then I saw the angel who had been speaking to me step forward, and another angel came to meet him. The first one said to the other, “Run and tell that young man with the measuring-line that there are going to be so many people and so much livestock in Jerusalem that it will be too big to have walls. The Lord has promised that He Himself will be a wall of fire round the city to protect it and that He will live there in all His Glory.” (Zechariah 2:1-5)

So let us tune our hearts from misevaluating and underestimating God as well as mankind. The Lord has promised that He himself will be a protecting wall of fire around us and live within us in all His Glory.

Act for the day

Through the intercession of the Most Holy Mother, let us offer the Holy Rosary to grant us the grace to constantly fix our eyes on her Son, our Lord Jesus.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ.