LET’S BE AWAKE AND SOBER

The Holy Bible says, “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will run away from you.”  (James 4: 7)

PART I

When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it travels over dry country looking for a place to rest.  If it can’t find one it says to itself, ‘I will go back to my house.’ So it goes back and finds the house empty, clean and all tidy.  Then it goes out and brings along seven other spirits even worse than itself and they come and live there.  So when it is all over that person is in a worse state than he was at the beginning.  This is what will happen to the evil people of this day. (Matthew 12:43-45)

A life excluding Jesus is valueless; something the devil too would not be interested in. But the moment we are united with the Lord Jesus, satan will have his eyes fixed on us and will plan ways to deviate us from our Savior.

Just like a robber who comes to steal some valuable possession, so does the devil, the enemy of the Kingdom of God and God’s children; comes to rob us from the Precious Blessings of Salvation.

Through the above parable, Lord Jesus teaches that when a devil is driven out; God creates a contrite heart through forgiveness of sins and the heart is set free. So it is utmost important that we recognize that the occupancy of the heart is vacant and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord venerate and reign Him in the centre of your heart.

Lord Jesus compares the heart of a person who lives in union with God to that of a neatly arranged home. It is clean and beautifully arranged with all its furniture in order. A well ventilated space; it gives the required light, while the breeze of freshness purifies it. Everyone is attracted and welcome to it and feels at place.

When we set up a disciplined spiritual life, the exterior beauty gets relevant too.

Such an orderly and closely controlled life, subjected to alertness in prayer, resisting the devil is a blessing from God, giving us hope to do well.

On the other hand, the evil spirit who left the person, tired from wandering in dry places and pushed out from everywhere is always on the lookout for an opportunity to return to the ‘now perfected’ home. He will be excited to see the heart without the Master. As said above, his intention is only to rule and destroy us.

Many people accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, when they are enlightened with the knowledge of truth. They promise themselves that they will progress in Spiritual Life, read the Holy Bible regularly, make time for personal prayer and confession, attend Holy Mass, partake in prayer meetings and works of charity etc.

After few months, they begin to waver in their resolutions and begin to prioritize other works over their spiritual Life, leading to more laziness as days progress, and finally giving it all up, unaware that the devil is at the corner all ready for return. When Jesus the personal Savior, is not given the due honor and reverence, we tend to ignore His voice and lead a cold life propelling us to postpone daily spiritual activities. The unholy spirit grabs this opportunity, and gains easy reentry into their life  bringing alongwith it seven other evil ones, to destruct, ruin, create chaos in their life and put off even the little burning flame of faith.

This parable is a wake-up call for such individuals. Though it does not elaborate on the characters of an individual, it is all about a heart kept ready to welcome someone.

                                                                        (to be continued….)

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

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!

A RICH TREASURY OF ALL GRACES

I Found the Heart of Jesus—My Lord, My King, My Brother,

My Friend and My Good Jesus

The Month of June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus was instituted by Pope Clement XIII in 1765. 

It is significant that, one of the most popular picture liked by everyone.  The spiritual exercises themselves like the devotion to the Sacred Heart have been time and again recommended to the universal churches, by several popes and exemplified in the life of many saints. 

The open heart is a receptacle of justice, generosity pouring on us torrent of mercy and grace. It has never ceased to burn with love for us, so that it can be a solace place of rest for the pious and open to be a refuge for penitents.

It is quite clear that the cult of the Sacred Heart we consider a special nature, is an excellent act of religion since it demands from us a complete surrender and consecration of our heart to the love of the Divine Redeemer.

His wounded Heart is a living sign of His constant love for us. It is equally clear that His cult and devotion mainly intends that we repay the Divine Love with our own love. Let us lean to His bosom and rest a while.

Shall we wind up the month of June by praying together:

O Most Holy Heart of Jesus, Fountain of every blessing,

We adore and Honor Thee, with a lively sorrow of our sins.

We offer Thee, this poor heart of ours, accept it we pray,

Make us humble, patient, pure and holy, Obedient to your Will.

Grant O Good Jesus, that we may live in Thee for You;

Protect us from every misfortune; Comfort us in our afflictions.

Grant us health of body and Soul; Assist us in our temporal needs;

Your blessing on all that we do and the grace of a holy death.

Amen!

Mary, Mother of the Universe, Pray for Us!