HUMILITY

Mary said, “He –the Lord- has brought down mighty kings from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.”  (Luke 1:52)

Lord Jesus was invited on a Sabbath after the synagogue prayer for a meal as was the common practice of the Pharisees.  Noticing the immature behaviour of people, rushing to occupy the important seats inspired Lord Jesus to provide a good prescription about humility and hospitality to be observed in a social human life.

The Lord told them this parable, “When someone invites you to a feast don’t select the best places, instead choose the lowest place.  If you sit in the best place, then, when more important guest than you comes, the host will ask you to move back and it will be a great insult for you. Wherein, if you are seated in the lowest place, the host may ask you to take a better seat.  Then you will be honoured in the presence of all.” 

Lord Jesus concluded, “Everyone who makes himself great, will be humbled and everyone who humbles himself will be made great.”

The Book of Proverbs provides further guidelines to us, “When you stand before the king, don’t try to impress him and pretend to be important.  It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.”  (Chapter 25 : 6 – 7)

Humility is an important virtue to be practiced by a follower of Christ.  Lord Jesus is the owner of a heart full of meekness and humbleness.  St. Paul provides insight regarding the humility of Christ Jesus, “He always had the nature of God, but He did not think that by force He should try to become equal with God.  Instead of this, of His own free will, He gave up all He had and took the nature of a servant...”  (Philippians 2 : 6 – 7)

Here St. Paul advises us to imitate Christ Jesus and to realign ourselves according to the teachings of the Word of God to adorn the nature of the Lord.  So also he instructs us, “Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves.”  (Philippians 2: 3)  The Lord reprimands the proud and blesses the loyal.  St. Peter puts it this way, “God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble.  Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time.”  (1 Peter 5 : 6 – 7)

God cannot tolerate pride and arrogance.   Humility is a gift from the Holy Spirit and to avail it one must get rid of pride and arrogance.  Lord Jesus sternly corrected the pride, prejudice and cowardness of the Pharisees.  If the Lord is against you, human wisdom, brilliance and insight are of no help.  The ‘superiority’ or ‘I know everything’ attitude makes you to do foolishness and thereby become a victim of insult.  It will push you to interfere in others’ matters and take you to unworthy places. 

Those who are honest and accept their status modestly, choosing to remain in a position of humility can be honoured in the Kingdom.  Let us take stock of our lives and learn to be content with what we have and be a stronger person.  Lord Jesus clearly indicates that God will carry out His judgment on the same principle. 

And finally He turned to the host and added, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner do not invite your friends or brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbours, for they will invite you back and in this way you will be paid for what you did.’ People are often mistaken when this sentence is taken out of context.  In fact, Lord Jesus very beautifully informs us that if you feed the rich people for the sake of a mercy deed, the reward for your good deed will be repaid by them.  Lord Jesus never meant not to invite benefactors or well wishers to your feasts; instead He depicts in attractive human terms to feed the poor and hungry who are unable to repay your good gesture.

The Lord was reminding us that the Gracious God has provided and blessed the world in abundance so that all the people can enjoy and have sufficiently. Only if the rich would open up their hearts and store rooms generously to the poor and deprived people, then no more will there be any poverty.

…. by a Guest Writer

A BEAUTIFUL SHORT PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

Lord Almighty, God of our fathers,

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

God of their righteous descendants,

you created the universe

and all the splendour that fills it.

The sea obeys your command

and never overflows its bounds.

The power of your wonderful, glorious name

keeps the ocean depths in their place.

When you show your power, all creation trembles.

Your glorious splendour is overwhelming,

and your anger is more than sinners can endure.

But the mercy you promise is also greater

than we can understand or measure.

For you are the Lord Most High;

you are patient and show mercy and compassion.

You make our punishment easier to bear

when we suffer for our sins.

O Lord, in your great goodness and mercy

you promise forgiveness and salvation

to those who repent of their sin against you.

You, Lord, are the God of righteous people.

Repentance was not necessary

for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

for they did not sin against you.

But for sinners like me

you have made repentance possible.

I have committed more sins

than there are grains of sand along the seashore.

They are so many, Lord, they are so many.

I have done so much that is wrong

that I am not worthy to turn my face towards heaven.

I am crushed beneath the weight of my sin;

I am bowed down by its heavy iron chain.

I can find no relief, for I have made you angry.

I have set up idols everywhere; I have done what you hate.

But now I bow in deep humility, praying for your mercy.

I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned;

I confess the wicked things I have done.

I beg you, Lord, I earnestly pray; forgive me, forgive me.

Do not destroy me because of my sins;

do not be angry with me forever or store up punishment for me.

Do not condemn me to the world of the dead,

for you, O Lord, forgive those who repent.

Show me all your mercy and kindness and save me,

even though I do not deserve it.

Then I will go on praising you as long as I live.

All the heavenly powers sing your praises,

and your glory endures forever.

Amen.

                  

(Manasseh)

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

HIDDEN MANNA

The Holy Bible says, “……I will declare openly that they belong to me. (Revelation 3:5)

Seated near the Temple treasury Jesus watched those who dropped their gifts; and as He knew His time was drawing close to be handed over to the authorities He continued instructing His disciples to be on guard against the Teachers of The Law.  After the crowd had dispersed, in came a poor widow cheerfully dropping all that she had and with great contentment walked off.  That coin could have perhaps fed her while she was hungry it was her only possession which she treasured in the Temple Box-a symbol of offering herself to God. She heard the Lord’s rhythmic voice which lyrics that to gain the most glorious and priceless jewel from God- Kingdom of Heaven, one has to totally give away all that he/she possesses; that helped her to deposit those two coins so courageously into the Treasury. With her pale figure and humility her act of generosity would have gone unnoticed had the Lord not drew His disciples attention saying, “I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others. For the others offered their gifts from what they had to spare of their riches; but she, poor as she is, gave all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4) Definitely His words amazed His disciples as they witnessed those heavy moneybags the rich had deposited.

In The Book of Deuteronomy, the Sovereign Lord strictly instructed the people of Israel to take care of widows, children and strangers to uphold equal dignity for them in the society. In front of Jesus, the rich were offering their best to God. We often see that those who possess the worldly wealth offer it in generous amounts to their places of worship,  overlooking their duties towards the underprivileged. In their attempts to impress God by their huge amounts as offerings; they fail to understand what exactly God desires from their wealth. One cannot own God or the Kingdom of Heaven by merely donating lumps of amount to build a wealthy place of worship for the Sovereign Lord.

Perhaps Jesus Christ was explaining the valuable reward that waits for the one who generously obeys the Law of self emptiness. Few days later, Jesus of Nazareth gave away everything, emptying Himself in exchange for us who are the most precious and honorable in His sight. In order to set us free from this present evil age Christ gave Himself for our sins in obedience to the will of God our Father. “Becoming a curse for us, Christ has redeemed us from the curse that the Law brings.”(Galatians 3:13) He gave Himself to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us pure who belonged solely to Him. “We are all purified from sin by the offering that Jesus made of His own body once and for all.” (Hebrew 10:10)

His idea is not to withdraw people from the world but to redeem the world inclusive of all what it contains. Unlike St. John the Baptist who lived a reclusive life, concentrating on preparing everyone to welcome the arrival of Savior, Lord Jesus lived a life mingling with those who approached Him. With pure simplicity He accepted the invitation to a rich man’s banquet; so also He did not refuse a meal at the house of a tax-collector. Moved with love and compassion, he accepted sinners; narrated parables to explain the beauty of the Kingdom of God which was at hand to one and all. He accepted the triumphant journey and also the accuses that were thrown at Him when He was sentenced to death.

Let us worship the Merciful Father who 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. For God did not sent His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

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

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

LIFE IN HOLY SPIRIT

PART IX

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

Humility & self-control

The Prophet Zechariah jubilantly proclaimed about the future King – Christ the Messiah. “Look your King is coming to you!  He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey.”     (Zech. 9 :9)

Lord Jesus said, “Happy are those who are humble, they will receive what God has promised.” (Matt 5:5)

Mother Mary sang the hymn of praise to God when He was pleased with her loyalty.  Lord Jesus comforts us saying, “Come to me all of you …… I am gentle and humble in spirit and you will find rest.”

Pure wisdom produces the fruit of humility.  The anointed apostles were skilled with humility and they even instructed their followers to practice humility and gentleness. 

St. Paul says, “We were gentle when we were with you like a mother taking care of her children.” 

The manner in which with great sacrifice they took care of their virtues is also a lesson for us.  Paul wants his fellow workers not to speak evil of anyone but to be peaceful and friendly always to show a gentle attitude towards everyone.  Be always humble, gentle and patient.  Show your love being tolerant with one another.  (Eph. 4:2)

God pours out His marvelous blessings on those who own humbleness.  King David says, ‘God defends the right of helpless and they may prosper forever.  God honors the humble with victory and remembers always the loyal servants.  He lifted up the lowly and filled the hungry with good things.”

Take your part in suffering as a loyal soldier of Christ.  A soldier on active service wants to please his commanding officer.  Similarly, one who carries his hardship of life with a gentle attitude can obtain God’s blessings hidden it.

The Prophet Isaiah pronounced about the tolerance of King Jesus.  “He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; He never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, he never said a word.’ (Isaiah 53: 7)

For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid, instead His Spirit fills us with the power of love and self control.  

So St. Paul reminds us to keep alive the gift that God gave you.  He calls the power of God as spirit of self control.  It has a good role to make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:6).  One who is being born in the Holy Spirit has been gifted with the gift of self control.

Dear faithful ones in Christ, let’s understand the fact that God loves us, He helps us, but He will not force us.  The Lord always leads us but the devil always pushes us.  We can notice in the first book of Holy Bible God created man being of spirit, soul and body.  But through temptations the devil turned the man around body, soul and spirit. Here we can hear the cry of God our Creator. Then the Lord said, ‘I will not allow people to live forever.  They are mortal.’ 

So start seeking God! He can certainly anoint you and come back to Him earnestly by hearing His call for, ‘Return’.

Let us conclude this session with some testimonies:

Participating earnestly in KLWC prayer service I came to know about myself, enabling me to abandon my mistakes and accept the cross of my daily life whole heartedly. No sooner had I received the faith to put my refuge in the care and concern of my Lord, my husband was blessed with a better job with more facilities. I glorify the Lord!! By granting a better job to him, Lord imparted more satisfaction to me! Through another miracle God revealed that if we share the difficulties of life with more mutual understanding, then family life will be far more content. As far as Christian family and community are concerned, sharing the burden, developing care and concern for one another by uprooting the roots of selfish motives, increases the luster of true faith. Through KLWC service Lord Rises up to the fullness of His glory, definitely imparting comfort to people and it gives immense joy to share the burden of this service.  I thank and praise the Almighty and Loving God.  May His Name be blessed forever. Alleluia!!

…published in August 1995 Issue, LWE 2000

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“Refrain from anger and forsake wrath, do not fret it leads only to evil.” (Ps.37:8)  

Immense anger and sorrow surrounded me always.  On 19/5/1996 when I attended the KLWC prayer service, the discomforts which troubled my mind for many years began to fall off one by one when the anointed persons began the praise and worship.   Within 5-10 minutes of worship, my hatred, anger and sorrow deep within vanished away.  I began to experience great joy, peace and patience.  I realized the truth that  when I had only sat along with the people who were praising God such miracles were performed, then how much blessings will be given to those who themselves praise God.  This thought led me to follow a life of praise. I glorify the Highest Name of God.

…published in August 1996 Issue, LWE 2000

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In the month of August 1994, I was struck with acute back ache and advised bed rest, so we moved to my mother’s village with an intention to get better care. My mother, who knew about the KLWC prayer services, dialed them to drop a petition as my pain had severely increased. On their instructions, I was brought to the prayer ground. On reaching the vicinity itself, I could feel a new strength within me. When Respected Sister approached and asked me to praise the name of Jesus, while placing her hands on my head. That spur of moment, I felt the touch of Jesus and forgot everything. All I heard then was a voice asking me to get up and walk in the name of Jesus. I obeyed it!!  Those standing around me began to praise and rejoice in the Lord.  All my pain, numbness of my leg, pulling of nerves, and stiffness of my body all vanished away.  The joy within me began to flow out as drops of tears.  Along with many others I too began pour gratitude and happiness to glorify the Lord.  Alleluia! I exalt your Mighty Name!  Indeed unexplainable was the joy and contentment of my relatives and all those who had seen me sick in bed.  I am a witness of the truth that the Lord Jesus is alive and active even today.  Through me many are given opportunity to come to the real faith and receive blessings through this service.  Glory to God!  Today in the Name of Jesus with great courage, the Lord enables me to lead those who are sorrowful, troubled and oppressed to this prayer service as a servant of peace.  Praise the Lord.  I offer bountiful praises and gratitude to my Lord for this Mighty Grace and believe that the Holy Spirit strengthens us to lead a sinless life. The Lord enables me to forgive everything and also to love everyone.  Anger, hatred, laziness, pride all other such bad habits have departed and I am able to pray for others.  I learnt a truth; it is the famine of Word of God, which puts us into distress.  Abandon laziness and come to this cool shade of power of Living Word which has been prepared and set out for each one.  Praise the Lord!  Alleluia. 

“Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you.  Be alert! Be on watch! ... Humble yourself then under God’s mighty hand so that He will lift you up in His own good time” (1 Peter)

                           ……….. Published in May 1996 Issue, LWE 2000