It was ordained that the Christ should suffer
and rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory. LK 24:46, 26
ACTS 14:19-28 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
Unless we keep our gaze fixed on You we will be unable to endure the persecutions that we routinely experience as Catholic Christians. Enemies of Your Church abound within and without seeking ceaselessly to destroy her with Satan's help. It is only Your assurance that the gates of hell will never prevail against her that gives us confidence, for Your Word is true.
The virulent hatred for the Apostles, as well as Paul and Barnabas by some Jews, continues to this day except that today her enemies are enemies of justice and truth for she stands in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, the outcast, the sinner, and victims of every kind of barbarity and is unafraid to let her clear voice of reason, mercy, and compassion be heard over the venomous voices that promote division, hate, violence and even death.
It is impossible to possess peace if we allow external circumstances to dictate how we think and feel. Peace comes from within from a place of confidence in You that no matter what difficulties we face, what tragedies we experience, what crosses we are called to carry, the knowledge that You are with us will enable us to endure all with serenity.
The need of the hour is for the Church to encourage all her children to pray and fast and to stay close to each other as members of the family of God. Fear destroys, love unites. Strengthen us so we may be faithful and fearless in the face of persecution. It is only by the powerful witness of our lives as we live the Gospel that the door of faith will open so others will come to know You and believe.
JOHN 14:27-31 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
It is impossible to possess peace if we allow external circumstances to dictate how we think and feel. Peace comes from within from a place of confidence in You that no matter what difficulties we face, what tragedies we experience, what crosses we are called to carry, the knowledge that You are with us will enable us to endure all with serenity.
Peace is a gift given to all who are called by Your Name but the tragedy is that we will not receive it and give it a home in our hearts. We have Your own words to every disciple in every age that it is Your own peace that You desire to give us. The world is filled with dysfunctional people desperately looking to the world to give what it does not have - peace.
All that is needed is to listen to Your words and believe:
‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.’
this is my gift to you.’
The Father sent You to redeem us and You have sent us the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and to help us every moment we are alive to be pure and holy until we reach our final, eternal destiny.
For a while, the prince of this world was permitted to have his way but even in this, he had no power over You for You chose the hour in which You would give Yourself up to death in order to vanquish it forever. Death had no power over You and through the merits that You won for us, it has no power over us too. Let us then be unafraid to be witnesses to the Truth always and do all You ask us to just as You did exactly what Your Father told You.
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