THE VIRTUES OF BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

“You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart.”  (Matt 22:3)

Whoever loves resembles the person loved or endeavors to become like that person according to the well known proverb, “Love either finds or make its like.”

As a result of our Love for Blessed Virgin, if we can prove the same by imitating her virtues, then that would be the greatest honor we could present Her. Replicating the virtues of Saints and the Holy Mother, will enable us to obtain more certainty and acknowledge greater abundance of favors, so that they can work more efficaciously in us.

Let us go through few virtues of our Blessed Virgin Mary. 

‘Humility’: The foundation and guardian of all virtues.  Without humility no other virtues would exist in us.  St. Francis says, ‘God so loves humility that whenever He sees it He is immediately drawn there.’  The world was unfamiliar with humility until the Son of God Himself came on earth to teach it by His own example, when He said to us, “Learn from Me because I am meek and humble of heart.” 

(Matthew 11:29).

Mary being the first and most perfect disciple of Lord Jesus was also first in humility and by its merits she was exalted above all creatures.  The first effect of humility of heart is a lowly opinion of oneself.  Mary always had a humble opinion of herself even though she knew she was enriched with the greatest graces.  A soul that is truly humble does not praise itself; when praised by others, refers it all to God. 

Yes, we can never be true children of Mary, if we are not humble.

For example, when Gabriel the Archangel praised Mary and later St. Elizabeth also did the same, Mary refers it all to God by saying, “My heart praises the Lord; My soul is glad because of God my Savior, for He has remembered Me, his lowly servant!”  (Luke 1: 46-47) 

St. Bernard says, ‘You cannot imitate the virginity of this humble Virgin, let us imitate her humility.’

‘Charity’: Where there is greatest purity, there is also greatest charity.  The more the heart is pure and empty of itself; the fullness of love towards God is evident. Holy Mary was so humble having nothing of self within her was thus filled with Divine Love of God. 

God Himself has indeed given us the precept, “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart.”  (Matt 22:37) 

This command is perfectly fulfilled only in heaven by mankind, but in the case of Mary it is been fulfilled in completion in this world itself because she practices virtues in the highest perfection.  The Love of God in her was so ardent which had no defect of any kind.  The Divine Love has penetrated and filled both in soul and body of Mary.  The Holy Spirit inflamed and melted Mary with love as fire does to iron. 

St. Peter Damian says, “That the duties of her active life did not prevent her from loving, and love did not prevent her from attending to those duties.”  He who loves God loves also his neighbor. 

So great was Mary’s charity when on earth that she helped the needy without even being asked.  For example the wedding feast at Cana.  (John 2:13)  Similarly, as soon as she heard of her cousin Elizabeth’s condition and knew she needed help, Mary went with haste to the hill country (Luke 1 : 39)

“Give and it will be given to you…….For the measure with which you measure, will be measured out to you.”  (Luke 6 : 38)  Anyone who assists the needy makes God indebted to him.

‘Faith’: St. Augustine wrote thus about Her faith, ‘When Mary consented to the incarnation of the Eternal Word, by means of Her faith She opened the heaven to mankind.’  Her faith made St. Elizabeth to address Her ‘Blessed’. 

The Queen of True Faith alone has destroyed all heresies throughout the world.  She proved that faith is not only to be the rule of our belief, but also that of our actions. 

St. Augustine insists, ‘If you say, ‘I believe’, then do what you say and it is faith.’ 

To have a ‘lively’ faith, live according to our belief.

‘HOPE’: Mary’s hope is also noteworthy. 

God enlightens us with faith to know His goodness and promises He has made, so that this knowledge may elevate hope in us.  Mary was totally detached from earthly affections, leaning on Her beloved Divine Grace. For example when She saw the anxiety of Her Holy spouse St. Joseph, unable to accept Her blessed pregnancy, She thought that it is better to abandon Herself to Divine Providence in full confidence that God Himself will defend Her innocence and reputation.  Again She showed Her confidence in God and obliged to give birth to Her Child in a stable and laid Him in a manger by placing Her confidence in God believing that He would assist her. 

We see over and again in the Gospels her trust in God during the flight to Egypt to escape from Herod that God would protect her Son.  Let us learn from Mary to have that kind of confidence in God.  For this, we must distrust our own strength and co-operate with God. 

ACT OF THE DAY

Through the intercession of Mother Mary, let us offer a Holy Rosary to obtain and follow Her Virtues in our life.

With love filled blessings

Your Sister In Christ

THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS

FAITH

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.  It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval. 

It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God’s word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain.  Through his faith he won God’s approval as a righteous man, because God Himself approved of his gifts.  By means of his faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

It was faith that kept Enoch from dying.  Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up.  The scripture says that, before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God.  No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him.

It was faith that made Noah hear God’s warnings about things in future that he could not see.  He obeyed God and built a boat in which he and his family were saved.  As a result, the world was condemned, and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith. 

It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him.  He left his own country without knowing where he was going.  By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him.  He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God.  For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations.

It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children.  He trusted God to keep His promise.  Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the sea-shore.  

It was in faith that all these persons died.  They did not receive the things God had promised, but from a long way off they saw them and welcomed them, and admitted openly that they were foreigners and refugees on earth.  Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.  They did not keep thinking about the country they had left, if they had, they would have had the chance to return.  Instead it was better country they longed for, the heavenly country.  And so God is not ashamed for them to call Him their God, because He has prepared a city for them.

It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, when God put Abraham to the test.  Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice.  God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I promised.”  Abraham reckoned that God was able raise Isaac from death – and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death.

It was faith that made Isaac promise blessings for the future to Jacob and Esau. 

It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshipped God. 

It was faith that made Joseph, when he was about to die, speak of the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and leave instructions about what should be done with his body. 

It was faith that made the parents of Moses hide him for three months after he was born.  They saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s order. 

It was faith that made Moses when he had grown up, refuse to be called the son of king’s daughter.  He preferred to suffer with God’s people, rather than to enjoy sin for a little while.  He reckoned that to suffer scorn for the Messiah was worth far more than all the treasures of Egypt, for he kept his eyes on the future reward.

It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back.  It was faith that made him establish the Passover and order the blood to be sprinkled on the doors, so that the Angel of Death would not kill the first –born sons of the Israelites.

It was faith that made the Israelites able to cross the Red Sea as if on dry land, when the Egyptians tried to do it, the water swallowed them up.

It was faith that made the walls of Jericho fall down after the Israelites had marched round them for seven days.

It was faith that kept the prostitute Rahab from being killed with those who disobeyed God, for she gave the Israelite spies’ a friendly welcome.

Should I go on?  There isn’t enough time for me to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.  Through faith they fought whole countries and won.  They did what was right and received what God had promised.  They shut the mouths of lions, put out fierce fires, escaped being killed by the sword.  They were weak, but became strong. They were mighty in battle and defeated the armies of foreigners. Through faith women received their dead relatives raised back to life.

Others, refusing to accept freedom, died under torture in order to be raised to a better life.  Some were mocked and whipped, and others were put in chains and taken off to prison.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword, they went round clothed in skins of sheep or goats – poor, persecuted and ill-treated.  The world was not good enough for them! They wandered like refugees in the deserts and hills, living in caves and holes in the ground.

What a record all of these have won by their faith!  Yet they did not receive what God had promised, because God had decided on an even better plan for us.  His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11)

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

From our archive, to read more on faith click here

THE PARABLE OF THE WIDOW AND THE JUDGE

The Holy Bible says, “But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when He comes?” (Luke 18:8)

As Jesus was teaching and explaining certain truth to his disciples, the Pharisees came inquiring about the Kingdom of God.  Jesus continued his teachings by citing few parables.

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.  “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in the same town who kept coming to him and pleading for her rights, saying, ‘Help me against my opponent!’ For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect man, yet because of all the trouble this widow is giving me, I will see to it that she gets her rights. If I don’t, she will keep on coming and finally wear me out!’ “

And the Lord continued, “Listen to what the corrupt judge said. Now, will God not judge in favor of His Own people who cry to Him day and night for help? Will He be slow to help them? I tell you, he will judge in their favor and do it quickly. But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when He comes?” (Luke 18:1-8)

Through this parable of the widow and the judge, Jesus educates us on the importance of a constant prayer. Let us delve deeper into the personality of the central characters of these parable.

A judge is always expected to do his duty wisely and with a sense of responsibility, but the judge mentioned in this story is a man who feared neither God nor man and was irresponsible towards his duty.

Those days’ widows were considered as a victim of God’s punishment and were treated as outcasts in a society. They were subjected to humiliation and disgrace and held no respect in society. May be due to their oppressed plight, Jesus might have chosen her as a protagonist in His parable.

Here the widow is seen continuously and tirelessly intervening to remind the judge her petition because she is quite sure of her rights. After a long time, the judge decides to look into her matter, not because of his sense of duty, but because he sees her approach as a nuisance. He has no other way than to favor her petition.

Heavenly God, unlike the judge in the parable- judges, accepts and pleases the righteous needs of a person.  We are the chosen generation of a Righteous God. “You descendants of Abraham, His servant; you descendants of Jacob, the man who chose …..remember…that the Lord is our God.” (Psalms 105:6)

Although the judge does not consider her petition initially, her continuous act of reminder is a lesson and aspiration for those who pray for their petitions unceasingly.

St. Paul reminds us, “Be joyful always, pray at all times.” (1 Thess. 5: 16)

At times there may be a delay in revealing an answer to your prayer, but cease not to pray and file your complaint to God.

Let us take the example of the two sisters who prayed fervently for the healing of their only brother Lazarus, but he died.  They got discouraged and stopped their prayer but unexpectedly Jesus appears and raises Lazarus back to life.

Dear ones, never lose heart or put an end to your good deeds. You need to have patience to be with God always, so that He can reveal His divine plan to you.  

Let us refer to Luke 2: 36-38, which mentions about a 84 year old prophetess Anna, who never left the temple; day and night she worshiped God, fasting and praying which helped her to see the Savior. Her patience and faith in prayer ought to be an inspiration.

The Apostles spent all their time in the Temple giving thanks to God.  (Kindly Refer to Luke 24) 

God approved it and descended the Holy Spirit upon them. 

Being thankful in all circumstances in union with Christ keeps one safe in His Shadow.  The Lord who changed plain water to wine will surely change all our miseries of our life to blessings.  Initially you may feel discomfort, but by acknowledging His grace and proclaiming His glory, your faith will automatically draw you to God’s Love which is the most powerful medicine for everything.

St. Paul was given a painful ailment to keep Him from being puffed up with pride. He prayed many times and asked the Lord to take it away, but the Lord knew it is essential for him to be humble at the sight of God. He answered to Paul, “Pray for my grace, which is sufficient for you.”

Similarly God may act in our life also. Lord Jesus concludes the parable with a heart piercing sigh. “But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when He comes?”

The overact of the devil trying to wash out from the world the True Faith in Christ-who conquered him. The need of your unceasing prayer gives the power to overcome the continual flow of the competition, perishable pleasures of the world.

Lord says, “Whoever holds out to the end will be saved.” (Matt. 10: 22)

The above verse silently instructs us to hold onto Him by continual worship.  Let us learn to whisper a word of Thank You to the Lord in anticipation because His plan for our life and fortune is already engraved in His Hands.

As how Moses was sent repeatedly to Pharaoh, a stone-hearted King who disobeyed the Will of God. A repeated action as such may shake stubbornness, pride and evil -some.  Only constant prayer can bring repentance to self as well as others.

Similarly, St. Francis was also continuously troubled by St. Ignatius Loyola. “Will a person gain anything if he wins the whole world but loses his life?” (Matt. 16:26)

Thus the parable insists in instilling these ideas to disturb someone who is badly in need of repentance. The healthy way of the widow troubling the judge can be taken into account.

God trains His loved ones, by allowing hardships, sickness and loneliness at times to humble and turn us to God closer. God answers all our righteous needs.  

Seeking the Will of God in your petitions is the perfect way of a prayer. If we pray for some injustice or to harm self and others, He will not answer but will surely inspire us to change the intentions.

The Holy Bible says, “When you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; You ask for things to use for your own pleasures.” (James 4: 3)

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, after a while He changed the pattern not because it was selfish or His desire, but because it was against the Will of God.

Similarly Paul too changed his pattern to praying for God’s grace than for his ailment healing. 

May Lord Jesus give us the grace to be joyful always and to pray in all circumstances with a thanksgiving in anticipation!

LIFE IN HOLY SPIRIT

PART VIII

The Holy Bible says, “The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)

FAITHFULNESS

Sovereign God says, “I will not break my covenant or take back even one promise I made.”

Glory to God and His faithful promises that strengthen us.

The Holy Bible reveals that God is constantly pleased with His faithful people. For God, Moses was more humble than anyone else on earth. God said, “It is different when I speak with my servant Moses. I have put him in charge of all my people of Israel. I speak to him face to face.”

Here it proves that Moses was faithful and loyal to God’s command and by practicing faithfulness he deepened his faith which brought God down to the midst of clouds. Amen!

Mission of King David and Daniel were also filled by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Added enthusiasm and faithfulness were evident in their call.  

Honest people will lead a full and happy life and the one who belongs to Christ will also obtain these virtues.

It is important to put into practice the virtue of faithfulness so as to please God in his status of life.

The faithfulness of the spouse of Holy Mary- St. Joseph is also admirable. God submitted His own life into the hands of Joseph, who lifted his eyes and ears towards God, throughout his mission. He underwent immeasurable sacrifices in his life to be an obedient servant to set us an example to build a family according to God’s will. Devoid of any worldly support he teaches us that God will never forsake those who loyally follow His advice and confess God’s promises.

Our hardships and brokenness leads us to faith. Faithfulness leads us to deepen our growth in faith, which ultimately grants us righteousness.

It is worth to mention the faith of Abraham the Father of our race here.

The Scripture says, "Abraham believed God and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous."

A person’s wages cannot be considered as a gift because that is something he has worked for and earned, but the person who depends on his faith – who believes in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is his faith that God takes into account in order to put him right with Himself. 

The one who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior are eligible to have these virtues because the Love of God inspires him to love and serve others faithfully.  This is what Jesus asks us to do – Love your neighbor as I have loved you. 

Christ Jesus, the Faithful and True Witness who is the origin of all that God has created, wants us to be faithful to one and all.

The Holy Bible explains to us that- The one who grows in the skills and abilities which God our Father gifted him is the one who is faithful.  The Lord Jesus continued teaching through the parables and was pleased with the faithful one.  

“Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant?  He is the one that his master has placed in charge of the other servants to give them their food at the proper time.  How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home.  Indeed I tell you the master will put that servant in charge of all his properties.”  (Matt 24)

Being His servants let us examine how faithful we are towards our calling.  You may be a parent, spouse, laborer, officer, businessman or doing direct service of the Lord such as a preacher, priest, evangelist, etc.  We all are called by God for serving the Lord.  So then, each one of us should receive the anointing that befits our calling. 

The Bible says “He who calls you will do it, because He is faithful.” (1 Thess.5:24). 

A faithful man is always alert of his duties.  He does it with sincerity and punctuality.  Selflessness adorns the beauty of a faithful man.  Every responsibility either big or small, he considers equally important.  Whoever is faithful in small matters will be put in charge of large ones. 

The Bible says, “The one who have not been faithful to worldly wealth cannot be trusted with the true wealth.”

The Bible again asks us, “If you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else who will give you what belongs to you?”

Let us examine Biblically what is mentioned about an unfaithful servant. 

The Holy Bible says that,  “If he is a bad servant he will tell himself that his master will not come back for a long time and he will begin to beat his fellow- servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.  Then that servant’s master will come back one day when the servant does not expect him and at a time he does not know.  The master will cut him in pieces and make him share the fate of the hypocrites.  There he will cry and grind his teeth.”  (Matt. 24:48-51)

So devotees of Christ, let us hold on firmly to the virtues of the Holy Spirit awaiting for the King who has said, “I am coming soon.”  And He says, ‘I will bring my rewards with me to give each one according to what he has done.  Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so, have the right to eat the fruit from the tree of life and to go through the gates into the city.  Amen.

VALOR OF VITAL TIDINGS

Part II

The Bible says, “But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor Him as Lord.”     (1 Pet.3:15)

There are many who based on human strength promises and try hard not to fall into evil deeds but are unsuccessful. Such persons  will be successful in their hard work only when they are anointed by the Holy Spirit.

It is for a reason, that St. Paul states, “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way because it promises life both for the present and for the future. (1Tim.4:8)

Many approach me with a common doubt that “once after experiencing the Holy Spirit vividly and then if we fall down it is said that thereafter it is difficult to lead ourselves to repentance once again"

Dear Readers, you too may be at times troubled by the same miserable state of life. Do not be disheartened!

There may be numerous instances when we tumble down but with great care you have to protect this precious treasure because if it is lost it is difficult to regain it.

The Bible says,“You are always resisting the Holy Spirit.(Acts.7:51)

Again it is mentioned “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” (Eph. 4:30)

God the Father does not send His Spirit on one who has the habit of arguing and justifying his wrong doings. Holy Spirit abides in a heart of humility.

“But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Since the Spirit is the power of God-who is full of love and truth.

“…….because I am gentle and humble in spirit.” (Matt. 11:29)

So even after we receive the Holy Spirit, if we lead a life against the Will of God, we are guilty of grieving the Holy Spirit.

Whoever wishes to abide in the Holy Spirit and wish to lead a prosperous life, ought to keep themselves free from pride and justification nature.

“So we beg you, our brothers, to do even more. Make it your aim to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.” (1 Thess. 4:10-11)

Again the Holy Bible instructs, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command these people and warn them to lead orderly and work to earn their own living.” (2 Thess. 3:12)

When we continuously interfere and accuse others, we tend to lose the peace within us and make others sad.

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they were married, she found out she was going to have a baby by the Holy Spirit.  Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately.” (Matt 1:18-19)

Taking a right decision Joseph saved Mary from public disgrace and he too was right in God’s sight.

“For how can those who abandon their faith be brought back to repent again? They were once in God’s light; they tasted heaven’s gift and received their share of Holy Spirit; they knew from experience that God’s word is good, and they had felt the powers of the coming age. And then they abandoned their faith! It is impossible to bring them back to repent again, because they are again crucifying the Son of God and exposing Him to public shame.” (Heb. 6:4-6)

In Greek the word ‘impossible’ translates to ‘adunatos’; which means very very difficult. Though you have grieved the Holy Spirit, you may still have a chance to receive it but the probability of you grieving the Spirit and moving away from it is even more.

Anger and hatred has a main role in grieving the Holy Spirit.

How can we protect the Holy Spirit?

I feel it would be appropriate to share few of my instances from my experience to you all.

When we pray fervently the Holy Spirit descends to being union with our own spirit.

The fuel burns to ashes releasing gas which pushes the rocket, so to overcome the gravitational pull and ascend upwards. The fuel region burns off completely releasing the rocket into space.

Similarly, in the fire of the Holy Spirit our bodily desires and sins begin to burn and reduce to ashes when we praise God. By overcoming the gravitational net of worldly passions, we have to ascend to the height of goodness and purity, enabling us to see divine visions. Then we are filled with the glory of God and gain hope. At times you feel being lifted up to heaven. This is definitely a divine experience.

Dear faithful ones, if you accept Jesus, as your personal Lord and Savior and honor and Praise Him willingly, we will be granted with the strength to stand upright in trials and hardships in life.

Didn’t Jesus say, “The world will make you suffer, but be brave, I have defeated the world.”  (John 16:33)

Praise the Lord!

When you encounter trials, you may feel that it may completely destroy you.

In such moments, when our patience is tested, Lord speaks to us in silence-“Dear Child, will you abandon me? Wait in patience till I intervene.”

Hence with great faith and hope along with enduring patience, if we stay firm in prayer, devoid of depression, then this promise is surely at hand.

Always remember the enduring patience of those who led through the valley of tears and the divine blessings they received.

Lord does not give His Spirit by measure hence, we all have to be filled with it.

The Holy Bible says, “Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18)

Ask and you shall receive. So let’s ask Abba Father to fill us with His constant love, save us and give us the grace to seek and find Him- the eternal Truth.

‘Do not take away your Spirit from me in Jesus’ Name I pray!

PSALM 92

A  SONG OF PRAISE

How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord,

To sing in Your honor, O Most High God,

To proclaim Your constant love every morning

And Your faithfulness every night.

With the music of stringed instruments

And with melody on the harp.

Your mighty deeds, O Lord, make me glad;

Because of what you have done, I sing for joy.

How great are your actions, Lord!

How deep are Your thoughts!

This is something a fool cannot know;

A stupid man cannot understand:

The wicked may grow like weeds,

Those who do wrong may prosper;

Yet they will be totally destroyed,

Because you, Lord are supreme forever.

We know that your enemies will die,

And all the wicked will be defeated.

You have made me as strong as a wild ox;

You have blessed me with happiness.

I have seen the defeat of my enemies

And heard the cries of the wicked.

The righteous will flourish like palm-trees;

They will grow like the cedars of Lebanon.

They are trees planted in the house of the Lord,

That flourish in the Temple of our God,

That still bear fruit in old age

And are always green and strong.

This shows that the Lord is just,

That there is no wrong in my Protector.