His Eye Is on the Sparrow 0 comments
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12: 4-7).
Early in 1905, Civilia Martin and her husband were visiting in Elmira, New York. There they made friends with a Mr. & Mrs. Doolittle. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 years; her husband was a crippled man in a wheelchair. Despite all their obvious troubles, this couple was happy and full of hope. When asked their secret for this, Mrs. Doolittle's reply was: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me." This hymn was the outcome of that experience.
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path he leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw close to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Travel Light 0 comments
"Go on your way.... Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way..." (Luke 10: 3-4).
When I worked as parish priest in the bushes of Papua, I used to travel for weeks to 1 month, in order to visit the communities. Some communities can be reached by motorcycles. Some other communities can only be reached by walking, through the jungle. Usually I walked for the whole day, from one community to another, then stayed there for several days, then traveled to another community.
At the beginning of my work, I used to bring many things, sleeping bag, mass kits, medicine, rice, salt, instant noodles, garlic, onions, etc. Everything is ready in my backpack. Once I reached the farthest community after walking several days. When the time for cooking came, without my consent, the people cooked all of my stock. Then they joined the meal happily. Imagine, it is very seldom for them to eat rice. Only at the next meal I realized that all of my stock was already consumed. After that, for two weeks I ate only boiled banana or patatas (sweet potato) or sago. That was quiet hard but I learned a lot from that incidence. Before the following travel, I informed them that I will not bring many things anymore. I told them, “I will eat what you eat. You eat sago, I will eat also sago. You eat patatas (sweet potato), I will eat also patatas. Just prepare what is necessary.”
I learned not only that I traveled lighter because I brought only what are necessary, but also became one of them. I am no more outsider, but part of them. That helps a lot my pastoral care. I live simpler, trust the Lord will provide through the people. Exactly I learned what the gospel saying is. Being Jesus follower, I must serve without guile, full of charity, and simplicity. I must give full attention to the proclamation of God’s kingdom and not be diverted by other lesser things. I must travel light -- only take what was essential and leave behind whatever would distract me -- in order to concentrate on the task of speaking the word of the God. I must do my work, not for what I can get out of it, but for what I can give freely to others, without expecting special privileges or reward. “Poverty of spirit” frees me from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God’s provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves.
Humility 0 comments
There is a prayer that is a difficult prayer to pray. It is called the Litany of Humility. The prayer says:
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, Jesus.
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should...
This litany of humility was prayed by Merry Cardinal del Val (1865-1930), Secretary of State to Pope Saint Pius X. I am sure you will agree that it is a difficult prayer to pray if we really mean it. I was reminded of this prayer by Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees in the Gospel (Luke 11: 43).
In his letter to the Romans (2: 1-11), Paul reminds us all that we are sinners. Here is the foundation stone of humility. The first thing all Christian must do is to accept the truth that they are sinners and repent. Without this, we will be unable to take the first steps in growing our talents and gifts. We will be powerless for the Kingdom of God because we are unwilling to submit ourselves to the humbling process of repentance.
The Inside that Matters 0 comments
Few months ago, we had our house renovated. It is hardly needed because we acknowledged already that inside the good looking house are the rotten woods attacked by white ants. In short, after a few months all works of renovation had finished. Our house looks better. But after the rainy days come, we begin to see a lot of problems. How come, it has just been renovated but our house is flooded? Apparently, what looks good, nice from outside, hides something bad inside. For example, the carpenters apparently did not totally replace the old gutters; half old gutters were covered with half new ones. It looks new and nice from outside but, the inside is already rotten. We are deceived by the external appearance.
You know, in fact, in today’s world externals count heavily. People buy things for wrappings. Appearances are often all that matters.
After hearing Jesus preach, a Pharisee invited him to dinner, no doubt, because he wanted to hear more from this extraordinary man who spoke the word of God as no one else had done before (Luke 11: 37-41). It was common for a rabbi to give a teaching over dinner. Jesus, however, did something which offended his host. He did not perform the ceremonial washing of hands before beginning the meal. Did Jesus forget or was he deliberately performing a sign to reveal something to his host? Jesus turned the table on his host by reprimanding him for uncleanness of heart. Which is more important to God — clean hands or a clean mind and heart? Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees for harboring evil thoughts that make us unclean spiritually — such as greed, pride, bitterness, envy, arrogance, and the like. Jesus reacts against the observance of the externals – laws, rules, customs – without inspiration and motivation from inside. It is not the shining cup that matters but the contents. Indeed, the contents must be first rate.
The Signs 0 comments
“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Luke 11: 29).
It seems that Jesus’ sad remark about his contemporaries can apply as well to us today. Indeed, we live in a time when we believe only when we have concrete proof of evidence.
A missionary and author Joseph Donders reflects on such a pitiable situation of Jesus and on ours as well. “Not only prophets (like Jesus), but even concerned scientists in our day often have the same difficulties as him. Economists tell us that the world will run out of resources if we continue to exploit the earth as we are currently doing. Biologists speak about the disastrous effects of our waste of energy, of the destruction of the rain forests, of the pollution of the atmosphere. Physicians warn us that we are eating too much fatty stuff, that many drink too much, that we should drive our cars less and use our feet and bodies more. Sociologists warn that families are falling apart, that children are not well educated, and that there are too many homeless people in our streets.” (With Hearts on Fire, Paulines).
The sad thing is that too few listen. Those do not listen often say that they want clearer signs, more proof, stronger evidence, while around us forests die, fish rot, air and water are polluted, and human beings suffer.
“No sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was a sign for the Ninivites, so will the Son of Man be a sign for the present age.” There is no need to ask for more signs. Jesus alone as the sign is more than enough. If we do not wake up from complacency and stubbornness, those who have gone before us will condemn us. And we ourselves ought to be a sign to the world through words and deeds; by the way we live our lives.
Gratitude 0 comments
For what or to whom are you thankful now? This is no light question in an age of massive ingratitude and taken-for-grantedness. Hardly a day goes by that we do not wonder what became “please” and “thank you.”
Perhaps you have some reasons now to give thanks. Maybe a loved one has experienced a healing or a blessed death. Maybe you have made a significant step in rebuilding a broken relationship. Maybe a problem that has been laying heavy on your heart has been eased, or a surprising sense of strength has been tapped.
Maybe you are glad for your spouse and your years of love and dedication together. Maybe you have “only just begun” and you are filled with a young love that will hopefully last for many years. Parents often feel pride at the accomplishment of their children, especially as they learn to become independent and grown up. It is easy to imagine giving thanks for a teacher or special friend who said or did right thing at the right time. Each of us has his or her own story of gratitude. Too often we simply forget how much we have received. We also forget how much we have given to others.
There are less dramatic things for which we are grateful: a cold drink on a hot day working hard; a cool rain breeze after a dusty dry season; a clear star-filled night; running our fingers through the grass and moist earth; the laugh of a child; the thrill of one’s team winning the game. We gave thanks for those everyday folks who share our burdens and help us to keep on keeping on. These are the “golden friends” around whom we are comfortable. They do not pressure us to perform, wear masks or be something we are not.
For things and people great and small, we should be thankful. But let us also give thanks for our crosses, burdens, defeats and sufferings. Yes it is crucial for us to learn to give thanks for our burdens so that they can become our bridges. For some of our greatest opportunities for growth only come at the cost of a great suffering or trial. There is a pain which accompanies every victory.
Think of the Samaritan leper who, along with the others, cries out to Jesus for pity. On their way to show themselves to the priest in accordance with the law, the lepers are cured. Only the Samaritan returns to give thanks. A deeper healing has taken place; the Samaritan has developed a living faith for true healing (salvation). Yet without his leprosy he might never have had a reason to cry out to Jesus. He might have continued to lead an average life. But his cross (leprosy) became an opportunity for true healing. He seized the moment when Jesus passed to ask his help, and returned to give thanks. This is just one example of God’s work of grace healing the broken places of human existence.
In the second Book of Kings (5: 14-17), Naaman, a foreigner, is cleansed of his leprosy and comes to believe in the living God. St. Paul writing to Timothy has suffered for the sake of the Gospel: “This is the gospel I preached; in preaching it I suffer as a criminal, even to the point of being thrown into chains – but there is no chaining the word of God!” Paul was brought low and blinded before he came to see the way to glory. Both Naaman and Paul are what they are because of God’s healing grace working through their brokenness. Paul learns to love the Lord more and more as he experiences greater hardships.
So it is with us. We began by asking: For what or to whom are you thankful this time? The list is incomplete if we do not give thanks for our crosses and burdens. Why? Because God’s grace is at work ready to heal us in ways we never imagined and empower us to become what he has meant us to be.
A final question: are we like the nine who are healed but do not give thanks? Or do we give thanks now for things and people great and small? Do we give thanks for our crosses and burdens? I so doing, we know we shall hear the word of Jesus, “Stand up and go your way; your faith has been your salvation.”
Enthusiasm 0 comments
While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." (Luke 11: 27-28)
Beelzebul Story 0 comments
Mark 3:22 is translated as “He is in the power of Beelzebul.” But what Mark says is, “He has Belelzebul,” (Beelzeboul echei), or as other translations put it, “Beelzebul is in him,” (Jerusalem Bible) or “He is possessed by Beelzebul” (Revised Standard Version and New International Version). Luke and Matthew omit this verse, horrified (probably) at the very thought of Beelzebul being “in” Jesus. Mark says it was the scribes, Matthew says it was the Pharisees, but Luke says it was “some people”, who were making malicious statement about Jesus. But sheer malice does not have the doubts that other people have. It is easy to believe that they really claimed that Jesus was possessed. Malice, someone said, is the ordinary vice of those who have the manner of religion without its spirit. Religion without the spirit of religion brings out the worst in people; there is no quite so bitter as a bitter religious person, no war as evil as a religious war. It was they themselves, the detractors of Jesus (whoever they were) who were possessed
Does Prayer Change Anything? 0 comments
Once I found this list of questions and answers by Teressa Vowell:
They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!
Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.
Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.
Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.
Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!
Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.
Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!
Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you - the problem isn't always in others.
Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!
So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!
"I tell you, ask and you will receive;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you...." (Luke 11:9).
"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13).
Whenever we are in need, and we're tempted not to pray, let's seek, knock, ask for the Holy Spirit.
The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic 0 comments
It is awesome to hear the wonderful Lord's Prayer in the language of Jesus, set to such beautiful music.
FOCUS 0 comments
Once I chatted with one of our boys in our house. He was about to start his classes. He said, “Father, when I start my classes I will remember this word: FOCUS.” “That’s right,” I said, “If you want to be successful, you have to FOCUS on what you are doing. Otherwise, you will be distracted by many unnecessary things.” Apparently, the word FOCUS he said was more than what I thought. He said, “I will do my study for Family, Others, Universe, Self, and Christ should be in the center.” “Wow, that is beautiful!” I said. I think he is right. In everything we do, we might do it for family, others, universe, self, but we have to remember that we have to put Christ in the center of our life.
The Lord Jesus desires that we make a place for him, not only in our hearts, but in our homes and in the daily circumstances of our lives as well. We honor the Lord when we offer to him everything we have and everything we do. After all, everything we have is an outright gift from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). Paul the Apostle urges us to give God glory in everything: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17). When you sit, eat, sleep and when you entertain your friends and guests, remember that the Lord Jesus is also the guest of your home. Scripture tells us that when Abraham opened his home and welcomed three unknown travelers, he welcomed the Lord who blessed him favorably for his gracious hospitality (Genesis 18:1-10; Heb. 13:2). The Lord wants us to bring him glory in the way we treat others and use the gifts he has graciously given to us. God, in turn, blesses us with his gracious presence and fills us with joy. So, remember this word: FOCUS!
