Bearing Witness To Christ

“Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?  “Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.”
Mark 9:50 GNBDK

Reflection:
How true it is, nothing can make salt, salty again, once its saltiness is lost. In the same way, the identity of a Christian is Christ. And Christ brings to us the unconditional Love of God, We cannot love one another on our own accord, but by his grace, we can share the love we ourselves have experienced.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to open to the love of God in Christ Jesus his son, may you experience his mercies that are new every morning. And may his Holy Spirit always abide in you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Being Christ like

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw a man who was driving out demons in your name, and we told him to stop, because he doesn't belong to our group.” “Do not try to stop him,” Jesus told them, “because no one who performs a miracle in my name will be able soon afterwards to say evil things about me. For whoever is not against us is for us.
Mark 9:38‭-‬40 GNBDK

Reflection:
God's ways are not our ways, and rightly so. Often times we get caught with religosity that we forget the piety we need to practice. Those who gentle and humble in all they do are the,  closest to Jesus, for they emulate him. Are we then doing as Jesus wants us to?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be humble at all times. May Jesus his son be your source of strength and wisdom. And may his Holy Spirit be with you at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Obedience to his Word

Jesus sat down, called the twelve disciples, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must place himself last of all and be the servant of all.”
Mark 9:35 GNBDK

Reflection:
The world will tell us many things about how things ought to be, but know that God's ways are not like our ways. And while we think first from the flesh, God is from the Spirit. If we want to know God better, we ought to humble ourselves to obedience to his word.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to humbly accept his word made flesh in Christ Jesus his son and may his Holy Spirit always help you be open and willing obedient. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Only God can help our Unbelief

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23‭-‬24 NLT

Reflection:
Sometimes even thou we believe, our belief can be borderline. But anything is possible only when we have complete Faith. God knows and understands us, the only thing we need to do is acknowledge our need to him. When we do so, all things are made well.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to know and identify any shortcoming so that you can reach out to his son Jesus who makes all things new. May his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom and understanding. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Called to be an Example

"Do for others just what you want them to do for you. Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands — all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you."
Luke 6:31‭, ‬38 GNBDK

Reflection:
When it comes to ourselves we want the best, but when it comes to others we are selective based on the relationship we share with the other. But Jesus tells us that we ought to do to others as we would want them do to us, for like an echo, what we give is what will come back multipled to us.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be generous and giving. May you walk in ways of Jesus reaching out to all, and may you be assisted by his Holy Spirit at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Faith Explained

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval.
Hebrews 11:1‭-‬2 GNBDK

Reflection:
Whenever Jesus cured the ailing, he always said, 'your faith has made you well'. This is an insight for all of us, that the things we hope will be true. The resurrection from the dead and the eternity is a reality. And one day we will be feasting at the banquet in the kingdom of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to have faith in his word made flesh in Christ Jesus his son and always be hopeful of the life to come. And may his Holy Spirit encourage and move you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Chair of Love

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not Lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:2‭-‬3 NIV

Reflection:
It is rightly said, 'With great powers come great responsibilities' Jesus invites those who know him to tend to his flock, and Peter the first Shepherd shows us how to do it; not by power and authority, but with love and care just like Jesus.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to a thorough example of Faith and Love to your fellow brethren. May Jesus Christ be your source and strength for all your endeavours and may his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Concerns of God

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Mark 8:33 NIV

Reflection:
Our human thinking would often lead us to believe that when we are in prayer we are far away from temptations. But the truth is, that enemy is always lurking around and we are called to be aware. Every action we take should lead us to Jesus, and that will happen when we have the concerns of God in mind, rather than that of the flesh.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to put him first at all times and as you rely on Divine Providence, may Jesus his son bless you with the desires of your heart. And may his Holy Spirit be by your side at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Aware of God's Presence

The odour of the sacrifice pleased the LORD , and he said to himself, “Never again will I put the earth under a curse because of what people do; I know that from the time they are young their thoughts are evil. Never again will I destroy all living beings, as I have done this time.
Genesis 8:21 GNBDK

Reflection:
It is sin that God is against and not the sinner. While we are born with original sin, it is through our baptism in Christ that the sin is washed away. That said the enemy is always lurking around waiting for an opportunity to let sin abound in our lives. Therefore we must be aware and live in the presence of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to live a life pleasing to him, just like Jesus did. And may his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom and understanding to live the life you are called. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The Sin of Pride

“Take care,” Jesus warned them, “and be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”
Mark 8:15 GNBDK

Reflection:
The sin that God hates most is the sin of Pride, and that is what Jesus warns his disciples about metaphorically. Pride is very fleeting and can grasp you when you least expect it, for pride makes you feel like a God- All powerful and all knowing. But in reality pride is vain and Jesus has always taught us humility by staying upon the cross.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to stay humble at all times knowing that you are a true Christian and are Christ like. May his Holy Spirit bless you with all the wisdom to deal with all your endeavours. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Intent of the Heart

The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.
Mark 8:11 NIV

Reflection:
While we may put on our best behaviour on the outside, know that what matters to God most is our intent within. Cain and Abel both took offerings to God, but their intentions were different and found favour in accordance.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be pure in heart knowing that Jesus your Saviour knows you inside out. May his Holy Spirit help you to see the world in God's light. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Hopeful in Christ

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord , whose confidence is in him."
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

Reflection:
We often attribute something good that happens to us or to people to luck, but what is luck? a fortunate chance perhaps. But God is not about chance, He is assurance. Every good thing that comes to us is a Blessing, and God himself calls the hopeful Blessed. For we hope in the resurrection and that is assured through Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to recognize every blessing poured out on you and your near and dear ones. May you always be hopeful in Christ Jesus his son and may his Holy Spirit always guard and guide you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Acknowledging our Sins

But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9 GNBDK

Reflection:
While we are all privy to sin, the way we react to it changes knowledge of God. Notice that tho Adam had eaten from the tree, it was God who reached out to Adam, asking for him. And so it is with us, we may want to distant ourselves from God knowing we are sinners. But Jesus came to take away your sins, all you have to do is humbly acknowledge it.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. May you renounce your ways of the past and walk into new life assisted by his Holy Spirit. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Bearing Witness

Then Jesus ordered the people not to speak of it to anyone; but the more he ordered them not to, the more they spoke. And all who heard were completely amazed. “How well he does everything!” they exclaimed. “He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!”
Mark 7:36‭-‬37 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus told the people not to tell anyone perhaps because, he wanted to keep a low profile and didn't want draw attention from the authorities. But that was then, his hour had not come. Today Jesus reigns in our lives and has made so much well. Are we testifying to his goodness, or keeping it to ourselves?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to testify all the good that he has done j. your lives through Jesus his son. May his Holy Spirit give you the courage and wisdom to bear witness at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The Thing about Love

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.”
Genesis 2:18 GNBDK

Reflection:
There is a wonderful mystical law of nature, that the 3 things we crave most; Love, Happiness & Peace are attained by giving then to someone else. For this is how we were created; thou uniquely on our own, yet within a family; to be loved and to love to the other.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to understand his agape love. May you emulate Jesus as you give love, happiness and peace to all those your encounter, that through you they experience the love of God. And may his Holy Spirit be with you in all your endeavours. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

What's brewing within?

Then Jesus called the crowd to him once more and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand.  There is nothing that goes into a person from the outside which can make him ritually unclean. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that makes him unclean.”
Mark 7:14‭-‬15 GNBDK

Reflection:
Everything that we do stems from what happens inside of us, therefore we ought be wise and careful first with our thoughts, then with our words and actions. For many a times what we say and do is a result of what's brewing within. When we are clean within, we  are thoroughly clean.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to his Love as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, renouncing all your old ways. And may his Holy Spirit guide and guard your thoughts, words and deeds. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Teachings from God

“You put aside God's command and obey human teachings.”
Mark 7:8 GNBDK

Reflection:
Many a times, we get caught in teachings of human tradition rather than the word of God. For example while we are all sinners, there is always a tendency to judge someone who has committed a sin we haven't. And Jesus warns us about this. At all times we ought to know, that each and every human being on earth, is a child of God.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to acknowledge his creation so beautifully and wonderfully made. May you see the world with unconditional eyes of love, just like Jesus. And may his Holy Spirit bless you with wisdom and understanding. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The Gift of Faith

And everywhere Jesus went, to villages, towns, or farms, people would take those who were ill to the market places and beg him to let them at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.
Mark 6:56 GNBDK

Reflection:
We want to reason out everything in life, want to things to happen in our time. But God has created everything in his time, and we are called to have faith. Faith is a gift for it brings about hope, where there is despair, it helps us see the silver lining in dark clouds. It is by our faith we are made well, and when we reason, we are not allowing ourselves to exercise the gift of Faith. Know that Jesus rose on the third day, not at the very instant he died. For God can do all things, but will do it, in his time.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be patient and persevere the good work in faith, knowing that Jesus is by your side and is your source of strength and solace. May his Holy Spirit keep you rooted to your faith. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The Grace of God

For I am the least of all the apostles — I do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God's church. But by God's grace I am what I am, and the grace that he gave me was not without effect. On the contrary, I have worked harder than any of the other apostles, although it was not really my own doing, but God's grace working with me.
1 Corinthians 15:9‭-‬10 GNBDK

When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!”  The same was true of Simon's partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Jesus said to Simon, “Don't be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
Luke 5:8‭, ‬10 GNBDK

Reflection:
We often think and assume that we have to be perfect to receive God's love. And all the more when we are in sin, like Peter and Paul, we too are reluctant to embrace God. But Jesus came to take away sin, and He does that by giving us his grace. But his grace will only work when we acknowledge and renounce our sin, and submit our will to His.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to see yourself as he does as a child of God. May you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, renouncing all your old ways and may his Holy Spirit lead you on to verdant pastures prepared especially for you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Find Rest My Soul

There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his disciples didn't even have time to eat. So he said to them, “Let us go off by ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest for a while.”
Mark 6:31 GNBDK

Reflection:
Often, we are caught up by what we do and the chores of life that we forget, what it is to rest and be by ourselves. Jesus took time out to be alone, because at that time he was with his Father and that rejuvenated him. Likewise we too, in solitude will experience the presence of God like no other and in that we will find rest.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to take time out to yourself as you experience Him. May Jesus be your source and strength for all that you do in your life. And may his Holy Spirit comfort you to good rest. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Jesus Forever

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8 GNBDK

Reflection:
As this New Year 2019 began, the internet went gaga over the #10yearchallegne and come to think of it, in the last 10 years so much has changed. While change is a good constant it is not the only one, for there something that is constant and consistent and that is Jesus and his love for you. Ponder on the moments you felt you were all by yourself; you will see the grace of God even more as you connect the dots. Know that Jesus is the same always.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to see his hand in every moment of your life. May your actions be like Jesus his son, all for the greater glory of God. And may his Holy Spirit be with you in every endeavour. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Serving God

Whoever wants to serve me must follow me, so that my servant will be with me where I am. And my Father will honour anyone who serves me.
John 12:26 GNBDK

Reflection:
We often want to serve God but think it's all about doing big things, yet it is all in simplicity and begins at home. Often times the first friction we'd feel is at home, but there it is that we are called to love and serve, for we were put there not by our choice but by his will.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to renounce all hurt you might have had against anyone as you  accept Jesus Christ as you Lord and Saviour. Know that it is He who takes it all away and makes you new. And may his Holy Spirit bless you in abundance. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Seeing Gods Prophets

Jesus said to them, “Prophets are respected everywhere except in their own home town and by their relatives and their family.”
Mark 6:4 GNBDK

Reflection:
Have you ever noticed that we take for granted the things that is within our reach, for example, there will always be a popular landmark in and around one's vicinity, tourists will come from all over and visit that place, yet for the one living within its reach, it's just another place. The same thing happens with us in our spiritual lives, God has placed us where we need to be and the people around us for the same reason, we just have to be open to his plan, and continue to seek his will. 

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to be open to his will as you accept all that is in your life and present it to Jesus at every Eucharistic celebration as he offers himself. And may his Holy Spirit help you see the world and it's people just as God does. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Called to be people of Faith

Jesus paid no attention to what they said, but told him, “Don't be afraid, only believe.”
Mark 5:36 GNBDK

Reflection:
When I was in kindergarten, I participated in a race, my mother told me, "make the sign of the cross before you run and you will win". I believed her words, made the sign of the cross and ran. And I won the race. The gospel today gives us two examples of faith, rewarded. The lady with hemorage believed she would be cured if she only touched the cloak of Jesus and Jarius knew that only Jesus could make his daughter well. And the joy that abounded in theirs hearts perhaps is beyond words and needs to be experienced, but that will only happen when we keep the faith. 

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to believe firmly that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, may you experience his love as he rewards your faith in his time. And may his Holy Spirit always be by your side to guide and guard you. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Called to give 100%

Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24 GNBDK

Reflection:
In everything we do we are called to give it our all. For when we do so we honour God by the gifts he has entrusted to us, for we are called to do things for his greater Glory. So love, work and pray with all your heart, mind and strength. For to give anything less is to sacrifice your gift.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to give it your all in everything you do just like Jesus his son did. May his Holy Spirit enkindle the fire in you that keeps you going at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

The love of God

I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains — but if I have no love, I am nothing. Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:2‭,13 GNBDK

Reflection:
What we see on the cross is an the ultimate expression of unconditional love. Jesus took our place there, and through it he made us all acceptable to the Father. We may have done many great things or have even greater spiritual gifts. But what matters most to God is do we reflect his love?

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to love unconditionally like Jesus, so that you can bear witness to his Love. May his Holy Spirit always lead you in God's ways. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones:)

Give it all to Jesus

Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, This means that he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, so that the people's sins would be forgiven.
Hebrews 2:14‭, ‬17 GNBDK

Reflection:
Jesus was as human as you and I are and went through the very temptations that we go through. But he overcame them all, even death on the cross and gives to us an eternal hope. Do you feel that no one understands you? Are you going through a silent struggle? Jesus has been through it all and is waiting for you, give it all to him.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to pour out your heart to Jesus his son, the Lamb of God who takes away all our sins and weakness and presents us to God in his light. And may his Holy Spirit give you the words to speak out your heart. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)

People of Faith

We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved.
Hebrews 10:39 GNBDK

Reflection:
There are times when you are going to feel empty and distant from God. And this is a truth that all of us go through, even Saint Mother Teresa went through it. But we are called to remind ourselves that we not people of the flesh, but we are God's own people set apart for him. And it is by our Faith, that we are made well.

Prayer:
I pray that God our Father gives you the grace to stay to rooted to your faith in Jesus Christ his son by whom you have been made heir to the kingdom. May his Holy Spirit sustain you with wisdom and understanding at all times. Amen

God Bless you and your loved ones :)