Futuristic people

We are God's gift to Jesus.

20 “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am[a] they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. 26 I made known to them your name and I will make it known,[b] that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”-John17:20-26

Jesus specifically prays for us and for those yet to come. We belong to Him. We are God's gift to Jesus. And where Jesus is, there we must be. It is just so sad that despite this privilege of having a happy and fulfilling life with Him, some people walk away and prefer to live a life where they are in control - as if we can be in control (sic). As Jesus prays for us, we also should pray for one another that we are all finally one in walking towards our true home in Jesus. Earth will be a happy place to be in if we are all one with God.

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Jesus prays for us

Jesus' Prayer.

1 When Jesus had said this, he raised his eyes to heaven[b] and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, 2 [c]just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him. 3 [d]Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.
6 “I revealed your name[e] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, 8 because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, 10 and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.-John17:1-11

This is Jesus' beautiful prayer to the Father. It gives us a glimpse of their love and oneness. Also, Jesus is praying for us. Jesus said, "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them." How blessed are we because we have none other than Jesus praying for us because we belong to God.

Image courtesy: S. Dewey (Praying Jesus)

Love is the path to Peace

Love is the path to Peace.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors[a] do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?[b] 48 So be perfect,[c] just as your heavenly Father is perfect.-Matthew5:43-48

One day, I suddenly felt justified or a little pleased when I imagined that something bad happened to the one who caused me much pain and sorrow. Then I realized that what I imagined or the emotion that I felt was so un-Christ-like. I did the unthinkable. I sent a well-intentioned New Year's greeting to that somebody. Some say it is difficult to love one's enemy. But Jesus says it is possible to love one's enemy. Instead of condemning those who sent Him to the cross, Jesus prayed all the more for forgiveness. One leader said, "There is no path to Peace. Peace is the path." But I say, "There is a path to Peace. Love is the true path to Peace." Somebody must always take the first move towards reconciliation. Somebody must always take the first move to love and let go of anger. God made this move already. We can make this first move also.

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Forgive + Pray

Pray + Forgive.

7 [a]In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.[b] 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9 [c]“This is how you are to pray:Our Father in heaven,[d] hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come,[e] your will be done, on earth as in heaven.11 [f]Give us today our daily bread;12 and forgive us our debts,[g] as we forgive our debtors;13 and do not subject us to the final test,[h] but deliver us from the evil one.14 [i]If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.-Matthew6:7-15

This is the Gospel reading that always makes me smile because I am in some way guilty of babbling. Yes, when I pray, so many words come out from my thoughts. I have a story or two to share with God everyday. I communicate with Him as if we are two friends, and when I say communicate, it means He talks too. Jesus is teaching us how to really pray - to acknowledge and praise Our Father in Heaven, His kingdom and His will; supplication; contrition; and deliverance. Let us not grow weary in praying to God!

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Heart like Jesus

Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting

1 “[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. 2 When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites[b] do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.5 “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you...16 “When you fast,[l] do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.-Matthew6:1-18

"Rend your hearts, not your garments." Almsgiving, prayer and fasting are very ideal. However, if we lose the real reason why we do it, what then is its purpose for? Just like the salt, if it losses its saltiness, with what can it still be used for? Jesus introduced a new way of almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Before, it was done centering and focusing on the self as indicated in today's gospel - trumpeting one's almsgiving, standing out while praying, looking gloomy during fasting. Jesus made almsgiving, fasting and praying focused and centered on God as indicated in the intimacy and privacy while doing it. "Rend your hearts, not your garments." Jesus is inviting us all that when we fast, pray and give, we include our hearts with it - a heart that truly gives, a heart that truly prays, a heart that truly fasts, a heart that knows its sinfulness, a heart that connects to the Lord, a heart that feels another, a heart that truly repents.

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Prayerful Life

Make time for prayer.

29 On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31 He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door. 34 He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

35 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37 and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.-Mark1:29-39

I have written so many blogs and articles that encourage people to pray. I have taught several times both to children and adults to pray. Some would say they do not have time. Others. they are busy. Others, they don't know how to pray in the midst of work. Well, Jesus was busy in today's Gospel. In fact, He was very busy during His ministry. But Jesus always find time to pray even if it means waking up very early.

The other day, I cannot accomplish anything, I cannot concentrate. I cannot comprehend a little instruction. But when I stopped, prayed and surrendered everything to God, everything fell into place and was made clear to me by God as to what I must do and where I went wrong.

Jesus continues to invite us to be prayerful. It's not such a difficult thing to do. It isn't necessary to have lengthy prayers - although it is still acceptable - because what is more important is a heart that connects to God.

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Watch out! It's a trap!

Watch out! It's a trap!

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”-Luke21:24-36

Jesus is warning us all to be careful and be watchful lest our hearts be weighed down by carousing, drunkenness and anxieties of life. Many people have been dragged down and reduced into slaves of pleasure - that never truly satisfies. Many people have been destroyed by drunkenness and addiction. Many people have been destroyed by anxieties of life like debts, poverty, etc. Not only that, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur..." [Luke17:1]. What should we do then? "Be always on the watch and pray..." [Luke21:36]. We pray for deliverance, for strength and to be aware of our actions in response to the challenges of life.

The other day, I watched the movie "Frozen." Hans was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, the prince charming, the hero. I thought that he is a character to watch out for. But right in the middle of a very good and heroic selfless venture, one comment is all that it takes to tick him off. When the duke said that, "... Arendelle is in your hands..," Hans became ambitious for himself. Now he plans to be the next king, the savior, the hero that saved them all to such an extent that he almost killed the two sisters. Imagine a little comment destroying a good and heroic man.

Life is a constant struggle, a constant battle. We need not be afraid because Jesus is with us all the time making us careful and watchful. Above all, Jesus is inviting us to pray always.

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