The power of God’s light consists not only in shining, but also in leading those who want to follow Him. We all need to help all those around us to come closer to God, to the Light.

We should consider whether our friends and colleagues are truly spurred on to glorify God when they see the way we act. Can they see the light of Christ in us? Do they feel the urge to improve their own lives, when they realize that we actually practice what we tell them?

We cannot allow Christ's light to lie hidden in us. We must let it shine forth in our behavior in the world's sight as well as in God's. It is not enough just to talk; we must also act. Those who see us will believe our actions more than any speech. They will feel attracted to the kind of life our actions reveal.

 

Facing the demands of the gospel that Jesus preached, we are always in danger of trying to deform this gospel to our own criteria and to our present circumstances.

Lord, make me strong to be able to help you carry the Cross in my ordinary life. I do not want to just “fit in,” yielding to what is considered normal, but rather “to stand out.”

I do not want my interior life to be a mere external fulfillment, but, in the depths of my soul, I am eager to always know what God expects of me.

Certainly, it is necessary to know how to transmit the faith at every time and place with the necessary gift of tongues. But the Word of God is forever.

Lord Jesus, to have you as a companion in my life I need to know you more directly in the Eucharist, in the Gospel and in prayer.

 

 

It all begins with Jesus, who, the Gospel says, “saw a man.” Few people saw Matthew as a man; they knew him as the sinner, the one who was “sitting at the tax booth” (v. 9).

But in the eyes of Jesus, Matthew was a man, with both his miseries and his greatness. Be aware of this, Jesus does not stop at the adjective — Jesus always seeks out the noun.

“This person is a sinner, he’s that kind of person…” these are adjectives; Jesus goes to the person, to the heart, “This is a person, this is a man, this is a woman.” Jesus goes to the subject –the noun– never to the adjective, He leaves aside the adjectives.

And I, how do I look upon others? How often do I see their faults and not their qualities? Their needs? How often do I label people according to what – I guess– they do or what they think?

 

When we, God’s creatures, lose confidence and are afraid, through lack of faith, we hear once again the voice of Isaiah who speaks out in the name of the Lord: “Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.”

My faith, that God is my Father, always produces optimism and the certainty of victory. If I were to rely on my own power alone, I would have good reason to be discouraged. Certain obstacles would seem insurmountable, and many of my apostolic targets would appear totally unrealistic. But, I know, if I live by faith, then I know I am not alone when I must face difficulties and when I strive to make my dreams a reality. I say, “God is my light and my strength, whom shall I fear?”

 

 

Two Apostles: Philip and Nathanael. Two specific callings: for the first, directly, “Follow me.”

For the second, Jesus uses his friend, Philip. Personal apostolate.

May we experience the joy of proclaiming Jesus through friendly dealings.

Lord, that all of us in the Church of God may feel responsibility for the entire activity of the Church; each one in his own area of work.

Lord, that each family may strive to make their home a place where the children can hear the sweet voice of Jesus calling them by their name.

 

Christ said to his disciples "Believe me, unless you become like little children again, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."

To become like a child, I must renounce my pride and self-sufficiency, recognizing that I can do nothing by myself. I must realize that I need grace, and the help of God my Father to find my way and keep steady in it. To be little, I must abandon myself as children do, believe as children believe, beg as children beg.

To be like a child, I should not think one thing and do a different thing. Simplicity should lead me to deal with God as a son deals with his Father; to deal with the others with kind and friendly naturalness.

My version of Our Lady of the Good Harvest. Viva el Santo Niño!

 

At all times, Christ continues to challenge man to stand with him or against him. Unfortunately, there are no other positions. And, constantly, I have to decide between, Christ or my selfishness. Christ or my sensuality. Jesus himself spoke of not being able to serve two masters.

I need to be more humble, Lord, to stay close to You, knowing and making your Gospel come alive. You are the only source of holiness; I can and must do nothing outside your will. Fame is of no use to me, nor goods, the only thing that should matter to me is to remain united to your grace in order to carry out the mission that you have entrusted to me.

Lord, increase my faith in you, and cast your divine light upon my daily tasks, so that I can be filled with love and hope, and my efforts can bear fruit. Lord God, you are always the same. It is men and women of faith that you need.

“Come and see,” – you told me – “You will see what I, the Lord, can do with your life, from the moment you begin to walk my path with blind faith, stepping on my footprints. You will see what wonders I can do with a trusting heart.”

 

The Ten Virgins of the parable maintained themselves cheerful and faithful. God has a marvelous reward in store for everyone, for every soul who is trying to love him. It is the reward of eternal happiness in heaven, without any trace of sorrow, bitterness, or sadness.

He has entrusted us with the divine mission of spreading this good news throughout the world, from pole to pole. It is a mission that requires effort, sacrifice, determination, and strength.

It is a true spiritual battle - a battle of peace - that we must fight, because at times people can be blinded by the devil and refuse to accept the truth and the love that saves them. Our war is a beautiful war of peace in which we sow love, forgiveness, understanding and fellowship. If we don't get close to other people, how can we bring them to God?

All our apostolate is based on love and affection, on the charity of Christ. We don't reject anyone. However, when the good of souls is at stake, we must be forceful - finding our strength in the fortitude of Christ - so that we can defend the freedom and rights of God and of his Church, and never yield in what is essential. We must follow the example of our Lord, who taught the commandments of divine law with authority.

Commenting on the parable of the ten virgins, St Josemaría said: “We must keep our lamps lit, as the prudent virgins did. We can't give away our oil, lest our lamps go out. When our faith is in danger, we can't play around. Our first duty is to keep our lamps lit. A charity that yielded in matters of faith would be false, diabolical, deceitful. Fortes in fide: strong in the faith, firm in the faith, as St Peter says. This isn't fanaticism; it's simply living by faith. It's not that we don't love anyone. We would be ready to give in on matters of secondary importance, but we can't give in on matters of faith. We can't give away the oil in our lamps. For then the Bridegroom would come and find that our lamps had gone out.”

Call no man fortunate before his death;

it is by his end that a man will be recognized.

 

May I grow in the awareness that Jesus is the true light that will bring me the happiness I seek in the things of this world. For only Christ alone will fill the longing for happiness that I seek.

May I live each day more in accordance with my condition and vocation, and thank God always, with the testimony of my life, for the marvelous, undeserved privilege of being his favorite child! Yes, each of us is so.

 

Lord, with my hands, I could accomplish my projects.

If I become your hands,

I will accomplish YOUR projects.