The Shepherds Visitation of Baby Jesus in the Manger

 

The Lord’s Angel appeared to Shepherds in the field

Merry Christmas to All 

The Shepherds visit Baby Jesus in the Manger

The humblest shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem,

Amazed by the sight and words of the angel, 

'Do not be afraid, share the good news of great joy, 

because a savior has been born to you in the town of David,

he is Christ the Lord,'

Who announced the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, 

Were startled by the sight of God's angel.

Lord, you have seen the pure hearts of the shepherds 

You gave them the privilege to know, Jesus was born

A great blessing for those who are humble in heart 

To witness the salvation and plan of God 

The Angel of God sang Gloria to the Most High

The heavenly hosts came along and praised God 

'Glory to God in the highest heaven

And on earth peace for those He favors'

Lord, you brought salvation to all humanity 

By giving your own Son, Jesus Christ 

The humble Mary of Nazareth chosen to be Mother of God 

Father, You chose Joseph to be the guardian of Jesus

Shepherds were filled with joy in their hearts

They left the the field with all their herds 

They took honey, milk, food and warm clothes for the holy family

And rushed towards the place where the Child Jesus was born

The shepherds never doubted the message of the Angel

They left everything behind and proceeded to see Jesus and to adore him

Lord has opened their heart to understand mystery of His Incarnation

Which he always reveales to the humble and poor in spirit 

They found Jesus in swaddling clothes

Found the Child Jesus lying in a manger

They adored Jesus and praised God for the wonderful gift

They served the holy family with a joyful heart

The Word became flesh and came into the world

To reveal Himself to all humanity

He became visible first to the humble shepherds of Bethlehem

And brought salvation to all souls 

Lord, you chose shepherds, the poor and destitute 

To serve you wholeheartedly 

To them you poured your abundant grace, 

The wisdom and knowledge of God 

The shepherds proclaimed the good news to the holy family and to the whole village, 

Of the marvelous things the angel had told them. 

The savior is born, Christ the Lord.

Heavenly hosts surrounded by angels glorified God

As for Mary, she treasured what the shepherds said and 

Pondered them in her heart!

The shepherds glorified God, glory to God in the highest heaven

And on earth peace for those he favors! 

Hodie, Christus Natus Est! 

Mohny 

Community of Grace 

The Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word On 20th Dec 2023

Jesus said: ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing is wasted.’ 

   John 6:10–13 (NJB): Jesus said to them, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were sitting there; he then did the same with the fish, distributing as much as they wanted. 12 When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing is wasted.’ 13 So they picked them up and filled twelve large baskets with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves. 

  Jesus performing the miracle of bread and fish for a big throng of people who had come to hear his gracious Word of God. When Jesus noticed the enormous gathering, he felt sorry for them because they might not have eaten since the morning, so he decided to feed everyone. Another thing Jesus mentioned here is the prophesy of feeding the impoverished and destitute! He instructed the apostles not to squander any of the remaining bread and fish, but to save it for the poor and needy. He multiplied the loaves to show the apostles his generosity and care for his lambs.  This is precisely what Jesus instructed the Apostles. 

  While we were on a pilgrimage to Holy Land, while we entered inside the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes, after reading the passage from John 6: 1-14, Fr. Eugene(One of longest served priest served in our Vicariate for more than 50 years-Gulf Region)gave a brief talk and said: ‘People are so greedy doing their own things for themselves. So, half of humanity is starving. If we had learnt the lesson, which happened to the little boy who said, I have five loaves and two fishes with me Jesus; this is for you. This would teach others to do the same and put together what they have. But it is a personal interpretation, yes its’ a beautiful interpretation. But Jesus changes our hearts and makes others believe. We have brothers and sisters around us who need our love and help. If we accept this way God will continue to multiply the loaves and the miracle will take place for us too. Because he multiplies loaves everyday but we are too greedy and we are not ready to share what we have.’ Inside the church that rock where Jesus performed this miracle is still kept as it is. This rock is called Mensa Christi – the Table of Christ

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XXXI

The light and Darkness(About Tongue Part II)

The Eucharist is our eternal nourishment to be in the presence of God!

   I recall doing some loose conversation with my colleagues during one lent season, and the evil persuaded me to eat something. The hour for evening mass was approaching, and the moment I ate the food, evil entered my spirit, blinding my inner sight to send me into the darkness, and I forgot to attend Holy Mass. We lose our heavenly blessing because of our neglect of Jesus and his kingdom. This is exactly what happened to Judas. Satan invaded Judas as he ate the Holy Communion without reverence from Jesus. ‘And when he had dipped the bread he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At the instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him.’ (Jon.13: 26-27) Always we should examine ourselves about our sins before approach our living God in the Eucharist. John 6:27 (NJB): Do not work for food that goes bad, but work for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of man will give you, for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal. Jesus is telling us to work for eternal nourishment rather than physical food. So, before approaching the Lord in the Eucharist, we should respect his presence there, and once we understand the worth of His Body, we will be ready to embrace him unreservedly.This will happen in our lives as well; if we receive Holy Communion without repentance and confession, Satan (the evil spirit) will enter our soul and cast us into darkness. That’s what St. Paul says: ‘Therefore anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily is answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone is to examine himself and only then eat of the bread or drink from the cup, because a person who eats and drinks without recognising the body is eating and drinking his own condemnation. That is why many of you are weak and ill and a good number have died.’(1Cor.  11: 27-30) 

   Psalm 52:2–3 (NJB): Your tongue is razor-sharp, you artist in perfidy. 3 You prefer evil to good, lying to uprightness. Psalm 64:2–4 (NJB): hide me from the league of the wicked, from the gang of evil-doers. 3 They sharpen their tongues like a sword, aim their arrows of poisonous abuse, 4 shoot at the innocent from cover, shoot suddenly, with nothing to fear. Do not curse or use harsh words on others, this is like killing others with the sharpened tongue. Our tongue can act like a sword to kill others. Let us have the tongue which the Psalmist has to praise our lord. Psalm 71:23–24 (NJB): My lips sing for joy as I play to you, because you have redeemed me, 24 and all day long my tongue muses on your saving justice. Shame and disgrace on those intent to harm me! 

The Daily Word

Daily Word On 15th Dec 2023

Jesus came into this world in the name of his Father 

John 5:43–44 (NJB): 43 I have come in the name of my Father and you refuse to accept me; if someone else should come in his own name you would accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you look to each other for glory and are not concerned with the glory that comes from the one God? 

Jesus and Father is One. Still we refuse to believe in him. If some one else coming in their name we will accpet him because we do not have the discernment to know who Jesus is. We are looking to others how we are glorified and look for the praise from them. We should honour our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him we found the salvation. Jesus came into this world by His Father’s Word, Jesus is the Word took flesh from Mother Mary. We should read and meditate the Word of God day and night to get the closeness to God. Lest Jesus will pass away swiftly from us before we recognise him unless we are not attentive to his Word, as St Ambrose explains: “This is the person Christ has loved in loving you, the person he has chosen in choosing you. He enters by the open door; he has promised to come in, and he cannot deceive. Embrace him, the one you have sought; turn to him, and be enlightened; hold him fast, ask him not to go in haste, beg him not to leave you. The Word of God moves swiftly; he is not won by the lukewarm, nor held fast by the negligent. Let your soul be attentive to his word; follow carefully the path God tells you to take, for he is swift in his passing.” St Ambrose on Virginity

The Light and Darkness

 

Jesus is the Light in Darkness

PART XXX

The light and Darkness(About Tongue Part I)

    The tongue was most disobedient organ in our body, which we cannot control. ‘Some one does not trip up in speech has reached perfection and is able to keep the whole body on a tight rein.’ (Jms. 3: 2) If we do not speak anything wrong we can control our body. ‘So the tongue is only a tiny part of the body, but its boasts are great. Think how small a flame can set fire to a huge forest; tongue is aflame too.’ (Jms. 3: 5) The tongue is a small part of the body and we should learn how to control the tongue. We can purify our tongue by repeating the Word of God like; ‘Lord Jesus; Son of God, I am a sinner, have mercy on me’ Matt. 16: 16, Matt. 20: 31, Luke 5:8 (NJB): Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’So many saints of ancient times from the East in the deserts were used this particular phrase(verses) for meditation and as a mental prayer by repeating constantly. 

  Jesus came into this world to lead us to the light, Jesus himself is the light. This is his mercy to prevent us from darkness. Whenever we we believe in Jesus not only believe in him but believe in the Father in Heaven, who have been sent him to world for our salvation. John 12:44–46 (NJB): Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me, sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, to prevent anyone who believes in me from staying in the dark any more.

   God was always waiting for you and me. He had given me enough time to know Him and He forgave my sins so many times, but I was always like that pig or that dog which St. Peter is explained: ‘It would have been better for them never to have learnt the way of uprightness, than to learn it and then desert the holy commandment that was entrusted to them. What they have done is exactly as the proverb rightly says: The dog goes back to its vomit and: As soon as the sow has been washed, it wallows in the mud.’ (2Peter. 2: 21-22) Br. Victor says: ‘If you do one wrong, everything will be wrong and it continues until the death of our soul, but we should repent and come back to God.’ So we should not do anything wrong in our spiritual life. Even we do any sin we should repent and come back immediately to God wholeheartedly. We should not say anything wrong with our tongue. 

Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word on 5th Dec 2023

Lord our Master is coming, He Said: “Stay awake”

Mark 13:33–37 (NJB): Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from his home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own work to do; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow or dawn; 36 if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. 37 And what I am saying to you I say to all: Stay awake!’ The time is near for our Master to come as we are approaching for Christmas. He will select the best sheep for him to be with Him, he is our Good Sheperd. We never know the time when He is coming to meet us. Let us prepare ourselves to be worthy to enter into His court. We have to guard all our virtues which is pleasing to God. He has given us so many talents to bear fruit for His Kingdom. Let us examine ourselves, whether we produced the fruits according to the measures of the talents which He endeavoured to us. Are we able to welcome Him?

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XXIX

Lord Jesus, let your Holy Spirit guide us to the truth which is hidden in the Scriptures

  The media mainly the internet is very much popular in our daily life and we should be very careful while browsing it. So many kind of false teaching is approaching us through many inter sites, apps, even many other kind of Christian web sites as well. Which might’ve guide us to evil ways, the darkness. The media’s main purpose is to keep us away from the real light of Jesus. They publish their own ideas and doctrines other than true Catholic Doctrines which has no spiritual values and it may destroy our Catholic faith.

   Each one of us has a specific plan from God to build His kingdom. The Charisms varies from one to another. God has entrusted us His Gospel to preach to the whole world. That’s what our duty in Christ and that is our Charism. ‘God has approved us to be entrusted with the gospel, and this is how we preach, seeking to please not human beings but God who test our hearts’ (1Thes. 2:4) We are to be called the heralds of the Gospel and we should be faithful to God’s call. We have to fulfil the will of God at any matter of fact. Br Victor once said in a talk: ‘You are the Ambassadors for Christ our Lord.’If we are in Word of God, we cannot please the ordinary people but we can please those who are having the zeal for Jesus and his kingdom. The Holy Spirit is guiding us to the complete the truth and will reveal the things to come. ‘However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking of his own accord, but will say only what he has been told; and he will reveal to you things to come.’ (Jon. 16:  13) Jesus will reveal all the mysteries of his kingdom through his Spirit. But one thing we have to do is, become nothing to receive Jesus in a full manner. If our Lord has given us the authority to preach, we should be faithful to that call. 

  The obedience is the best virtue to know the truth. Only the humble can obey wholeheartedly other wise it will be a matter of arguments or an internal conflict of doubts. Truth is always hidden from the wicked and proud. Humility can open the veil of our soul to seek the Truth. Jesus is the One who humbled himself to become nothing as an oblation to God. 

The Daily Of God

 

Daily Word on 27th Nov 2023

Eternal life is hidden in the Scriptures 

John 5:39–40 (NJB):  39 You pore over the scriptures, believing that in them you can find eternal life; it is these scriptures that testify to me, 40 and yet you refuse to come to me to receive life! 

Jesus is telling us we have studied Holy Scriptures, because we found there is eternal life. These Scriptures are not simply words but the Word of God, that is Jesus and in him we found salvation for each one of us. The Scriptures of Old Testament is witnessing that God is coming into this world through flesh of an human being that is our Lady, Mother Mary. How can we neglect the reality and the truth of Jesus’s Divinity and humanity. We are invited to believe in the Word of God and the presence of Jesus in it while reading and reflecting, hear his voice, what he is speaking to each one of us. 

Lord, you are telling us to believe in you and receive life in its fullness. Amen!

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XXVIII

Lord, give us strength to bear all the difficulties, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus! 

  Read and meditate the Word of God in the day and night. We should be strengthened by the Spirit of God and become like zealots of His kingdom. Once Br. Joemon told me: ‘we should become the soldiers of Christ.’ ‘Bear with your share of difficulties, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.’ (2Timo. 2: 3). So brothers and sisters, pray unceasingly to our Lord to make us the children of His Kingdom. When we find the truth we don’t need to look around to grow spiritually or seek any kind of teachings, God will teach us everything. We will be silent in nature and wait patiently to hear the voice of God, like Elijah heard the murmuring sound of God, And after the earthquake, fire, a light murmuring sound. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him, which he said, what are you doing here, Elijah? (1King.19: 12-13). When we find the Truth and the knowledge of His kingdom, we start to get away from the crowd and withdraw ourselves from all the worldly matters. That’s why our early Church Fathers spent their life in the deserts and caves in a lonely and solitude way. They were always tried to keep the people away form them. It is in the Internal Castle, which St. Mother Teresa of Avila experienced and wrote about. Only through contemplative prayer and holiness can one soul enter into this Castle. Which God is created for each one of us? Each house may different according to our humility and holiness. We should find that; but only through the Spirit of God we will get it. If we go out from His Castle we will be separated and thrown out from His Garden, that is the darkness and there will be no light of Jesus. But those who repent and do his conversion, will come back to Him.  He will wrap us in His love and all our desires will be; only to do His will. In this particular Word of God, which   Br. Brilly gave in one of his talks: ‘Before I knew ….my desires had hurled me onto the chariots of Aminadib!’ (Song of Songs 6: 12) same way without knowing ourselves, our Lord will take us to eternity in His chariot. We cannot find it until we seek for it and thirst for it. Any failings in our life, any loss of our near and dear ones in our life, any obstacles and any other worldly matters should not discourage us in our spiritual life and the joy in Christ. We should trust in Jesus and he will guide to the real truth, which is Word of God. ‘Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.’ (Jon. 17: 17) When we find the truth we will not waver from our charism and our spirituality. 

The Light and Darkness

 

Part XXIV

Jesus told his beloved disciple, John “This is your Mother” he took her into his home.

  How we get the faith in Jesus is from our acknowledgment of nothingness. When we embrace the faith we will become the children of God, then Jesus give us His Mother and we become associate with the communion of saints. John 19:26–27 (NJB): Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ 27 Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. Jesus has to give us His Mother to us and there is no other way to approach her, but with humility. 

   All of us should have the real love towards Mother Mary. In my life I did not ask her intercession for any material needs of this world, but for the eternal life. One day while I was going back to Muscat after my vacation; my wife requested me to recite a rosary everyday while she was offering me a rosary. How I started reciting of the rosary started was very interesting. During those days in Muscat, I was not converted to Catholicism. Actually I was started reading Bible two three years ago of my wedding. Then after getting the rosary in my hand the situation and my habits has changed. I have a habit to see the news in TV in the evening after my work in our Recreation Hall. One day I was thinking to recite Rosary while my evening Bible reading before going to see the news in TV. When one day I went to watch TV news the people those were sitting in the TV Hall put the MTV TV music and dance show. This show was very popular among yougsters that time. Some of us told these people to put back the News, but they refused and there was an argument within these two groups and I was not joined with them to involve in the arguments. I left the TV Hall and thought to recite Rosary that day. A thought came into my mind that, if Mother Mary intervene in the matter of watching TV I will stop watching TV and spend time in prayer in my room, where I was staying alone. I have visited the TV rooom for another 3-4 days and whenever I went there the people were watching the Music and Dance show of MTV. Then I went back to my room and started spent time Bible Reading and reciting rosary. I felt Mother Mary took away the taste and interest of me to watch TV and instead spend time for the Lord. Since then I never stopped reciting rosary on daily basis. Since that day I have included the rosary in my personal prayer. Then, a thought came into my mind that if I get more closer to Jesus after praying rosary then I will consider Mother Mary as my own mother. I continued praying the rosary for one year without missing a day. Mother Mary fixed the prayer timing for me in my daily life. Before that there was no order in my prayer life. Slowly, slowly the discipline started in the prayer life. I realised that she is the one who is guiding us to the Fathers’ house. Jesus says:’ ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house there are many places to live in; otherwise I would have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepare place you a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you to myself, so that you may be with me where I am.’(Jon. 14: 1-3). Then in the year of 1997 I have attended a retreat, the retreat was centered on Holy Mass, Word of God, Eucharist Adoration and hours of personal prayer in day time. I got a tremendous way of conversion and I became a true Catholic. I trust in Jesus and he became my friend and my Lord. I can say in confidence he is truly The Son of God. This way I have received Mother Mary in full manner, she became my Mother. Lord has prepared a place for each one of us and He will give it us.

   Mother Mary interceded unceasingly for me to show the way to approach our Lord. She taught me that only Word of God would guide me to know the real truth. She was the one who bore the Word of God in her womb and gave birth to him. That is the way she is giving herself to all whom respect her honestly. The Scripture says: I am the mother of pure love, of fear, of knowledge, and of worthy hope,’ and I am bestowed on all my children, form all eternity on those appointed by him. Sir. 24: 18 She pondered the Word of God in her heart since her childhood. (Lk.2: 19, 51)’As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.’

The Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word On 19th Nov 2023

Jesus said, I am the living bread came down from heaven. 

1 Kings 19:7–8 (NJB): But the angel of Yahweh came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you.’ 8 So he got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food he walked for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, God’s mountain. 

Elijah was run away for Jezebel the Queen. She told him that she will kill him as Elijah killed all the false prophets in Israel. He ran away stayed for some days in a cave. An angel of God appeared to him and told him to eat and drink, the bread and water. He ate for the second time and he travelled fourty days and forty nights in the desert. Elijah was survived within bread and water which is symbolising the Holy Eucharist. Then how much more Jesus can do with His Body and Blood, the Eucharist to save us till the end od lour life on earth and to give us eternal life. St Catherine of Sienna has survived for seven years just by consuming The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. So we can see how much precious is the Eucharist is? There are many other saints has lived many years just with Eucharist as their only meal. John 6:51 (NJB): 51 I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’  Jesus is giving himself for us in this Living Bread, in this tiny bread to make us as a living sacrifice for Him to save many souls for him.

The Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word on 18th Nov 2023

Satisfy ourselves, with what God has given to us

1Timothy 6:6–10 (NJB): Religion, of course, does bring large profits, but only to those who are content with what they have. 7 We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it; 8 but as long as we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. 9  People who long to be rich are a prey to trial; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and harmful ambitions which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 ‘The love of money is the root of all evils’ and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds. 

We should be happy with what we have as St. Paul says in above verses from his letter to Timothy. We should not go after money which is lead us to love the world and it’s pleasures. This will decrease our experience of heavenly pleasures which is the gift of Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. We did not bring anything to this world, whatever we have is the gift our Lord. If we desire more richness of this world, then we will face many trials and plunge into distruction. Love of of money will decrease our faith in Christ Jesus instead we will approach evil to become more to fulfil our worldly ambitions. We should have only one ambition to know God and His will till we reach eternity.

Let our Lord give us the grace to know Him and be unite with Him eternally! Amen

Th Light and Darkness

 

PART XXVII

Lord, let us experience the never ending truth of eternity. 

  I remember the first time Br. Brilly and Br Joemon came to my home in India. The knowledge of the truth was lacking in my spiritual life. There was zeal in me for Jesus and his Kingdom. But it was not the true zeal for God. ‘I really testify to their fervour for God, but it is misguided.’ Rom. 10: 2. There was no discernment in my spiritual life and my ears were itching for hearing different kind of teaching. I was misguided by the different kind of spiritual teachings. I was always thinking there is something lacking in my spiritual life. What was lacking in me, was thre Word of God. ‘But once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with.’ (1 Cor. 13: 10.) Actually Br. Brilly and Br. Joemon came to my house to strengthen me. I was doing everything through my own decisions and not from God’s will. I told them to come and join in our prayer meeting, which my wife and I usually go for every week. The group leaders were not showing any kind of respect to our Brothers. Even they did not introduce or invite them to speak. When we entered the prayer hall; our brothers disturbed by the evil spirits. Br. Brilly told me not to go in this prayer meeting anymore. After that I never go for any prayer meeting there. I stop going to learn anything from any spiritual persons other than our Brothers. My wife could not accept my decision for not going for any retreat any spiritual excercises other than introduced by Brothers. Later brothers has done many counselling sessions for me for more than four years to strengthen me. Then slowly Lord was showing me the way and teaching me how to grow spiritually spiritually. As Scripture says, they all will be taught by God. He will teach everything through the Spirit of God. John 6:45 (NJB): It is written in the prophets: They will all be taught by God;   everyone who has listened to the Father, and learnt from him, comes to me.

  Seeking the truth is a never-ending phenomenon in our spiritual life. Because, Jesus is the truth and he himself is a mystery hidden in God’s own Garden. The kingdom of God is like that: ‘The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes of his joy, sells everything he owns and buys the field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’ (Matt. 13: 44-46) When we encounter with the Truth, we will feel that we don’t need anything of this world, whatever precious it will be. The more you seek Truth, the more will be revealed through His Holy Spirit. It is a never-ending process. The soul will experience the Divine Light in her. She will not wander for the desires of this mortal world. Slowly He will cleanse all her frailties and sins to unite in Him. We should have the zeal to approach Jesus with that full freedom, which our Lord has promised to us, which we will find in the Truth. We will experience the freedom ‘If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ (Jon. 8: 31-32.) This is the condition which Jesus asking us to do and nothing else. The Word of God would be our home to become the disciples of Jesus. 

The Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word On 6th Nov 2023

Jesus does what he sees the Father is doing

John 5:19–21 (NJB): To this Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, by himself the Son can do nothing; he can do only what he sees the Father doing: and whatever the Father does the Son does too. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he himself does, and he will show him even greater things than these, works that will astonish you. 21 Thus, as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to anyone he chooses; 

Here Jesus says, he cannot do anything of his own, but he do what he sees the Father is doing. Father raises the dead and Son also do the same. So here Jesus humble himself and give glory to God by his testimony. St. Paul says in his letters Philippians 2:6–9 (NJB): Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. 7 But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, 8 he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. This is the nature of Jesus and this way glorify God the Father and accomplished his mission. 

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XXVI

Lord, open our inner eyes to see You personally

  As per Br. Brillis instructions I stayed some months in CG House while I was working in Jabal Ali(Dubai) when working in CCC a Multinational Company. After joining with Bothers(Comunity of Grace)I never went for any spiritual retreat other than from Brothers. I do not know how to thank our Brothers for their effort to make me grow in this grace. There is nothing else in this world to give them, except my soul. Still I am not fulfilled for their expectations about me. St. Paul says, in a great sorrow about the obedience to the spiritual fathers. ‘Obey your leaders and give way to them; they watch over your souls because they must give an account of them; make this a joy for them to do, and not a grief—you yourselves would be the losers.’(Heb.13: 17-18) If we don’t try to know these things, how important it is? We will be the losers, if we don’t obey them, and we will never experience the will of God to fulfil our thirst in Jesus. At last God has opened my inner eyes to see Him personally. We should always pray to God for our inner eyes to be opened constantly. If we cannot see Jesus or experience him, which means there is something displeasing Him in us. We should find it by the help of Holy Spirit, and only He can open our inner eyes to see Jesus personally.

  Why God is giving us the knowledge of Truth, to give us the inheritance of eternal life and of the best part of His kingdom. So we have great duty to share and teach others this great knowledge, which we gained from His throne of Grace. To whom we should give this knowledge, only those who are faithful to Jesus and his call. In the letter of St. Paul to Timothy he is giving us the advice through His Spirit: ‘As for you, my dear son, take strength from the grace which is in Christ Jesus. Pass on to reliable people what you have heard from me through many witnesses so that they will be able to teach others. (2Timo. 2:1-2) These are the pearls, which we are receiving from our Brothers, the knowledge and wisdom, which handed over to them by our founder father Br. Victor through our Lord Jesus Christ. So we should be in prudence to share this genuine Truth to any unfaithful or non believers in Christ Jesus.‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.’(Matt. 7:6) 

The Daily Word

 

Daily Word on Nov 1st 2022

Jesus told him sin no more 

  John 5:8–10 (NJB): Jesus said, ‘Get up, pick up your sleeping-mat and walk around.’ 9 The man was cured at once, and he picked up his mat and started to walk around. Now that day happened to be the Sabbath: 10 so the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; you are not allowed to carry your sleeping-mat.’ 11 He replied, ‘But the man who cured me told me, “Pick up your sleeping-mat and walk around.”

  It is very interesting and marvellous that Jesus healed the paralytic on the Sabath Day. Jews never do any work on the Sabath Day. Now Jesus saw the paralytic lying on the floor on the matt and he had pity on him. He told him to pick up the matt and walk around. He was so joyfull and walk around in dancing. Jews asked who cured him, he doesn’t know it was Jesus cured him. John 5:14 (NJB): After a while Jesus met him in the Temple and said, ‘Now you are well again, do not sin any more, or something worse may happen to you.’ Lord has to give us the repentance to come out the nature of sin and the deliverance. 

Jesus told him sin no more. Jesus also asking us to sin no more. 

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XXV

Lord, give us Your Word and protect from famine for the Word of God

  St. John Climaccus wrote in his book of The Ladder of Divine Ascent about the spiritual father; ‘the ship cannot run without a captain, the soul will become astray if there is no spiritual father.’We should be obedient to our spiritual father or our spiritual teacher. In the Scripture says Hebrews 13:7 (NJB): Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, take their faith as your model. We should rememeber the teachings of our spiritual teachers or our spiritual fathers. They are taught us the Word of God in the Holy Spirit with the grace and truth. God has entrusted us to them to teach us the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and if we disobey them, we make them sad. Otherwise it will not be useful for us. Hebrews 13:17 (NJB): Obey your leaders and give way to them; they watch over your souls because they must give an account of them; make this a joy for them to do, and not a grief—you yourselves would be the losers. 

Whole world is experiencing the famine of Word of God as Prophet Amos had written. We will never experience the real taste of Word of God unless we get deep into it with a fervent zeal. ‘The days are coming—declares the Lord Yahweh –when I shall send a famine on the country, not hunger for food, not thirst for water, but famine for hearing Yahweh’s word.’(Amos. 8: 11). In the year of 2001  I was encountered with our Brothers in Abu Dhabi. They, Br. Joemon and Br. Abey came to my place and they shared the Word of God. It was like God has prepared for us a big feast and prepared a big spiritual banquet for me,  a sinner’s sake. How God is merciful to us, we don’t know but He will always give us the best from His Kingdom. The world has no eye to see it and Jesus is telling us how blessed are we, as He has chosen us as his own. ‘Blessed are your eyes because they see your ears because they hear! In truth I tell you, many prophets and upright people longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it’ Matt. 13: 16-17. Our eyes are blessed because God has allowed us to see His mysteries and secrets through our internal eyes. God only reveal the mysteries to those who fear Him. 14 Only those who fear Yahweh have his secret and his covenant, for their understanding. Psalm 25:14 (NJB). When the light of Jesus comes in us the darkness goes from our mind and heart and will understand the Scriptures and the power of God. 

The Daily Word

 

Daily Word on 28th Oct 2023

Jesus is indeed the saviour of the world 

John 4:42 (NJB): And they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe no longer because of what you told us; we have heard him ourselves and we know that he is indeed the Saviour of the world.’ 

The villagers of the Samaritan woman told her that they believe in Jesus even with out her information about Jesus. For us also the same. Once we believe in Jesus the faith will guide us and the Holy Spirit will teach us the truth and our souls will be elevated to reach eternity. Our inner eyes and hearts has to be opened for Jesus to understand his teachings and hear his voice in silence. Be calm humble and holy to walk along with Jesus in silence. Be silent in the interior of our heart to make a home for Jesus and we will find the inner peace. 

Lord, be our Master and Teacher to know more about you and to make a place for you in our heart! Amen!

Daily Word of God

Daily Word on 17th Oct 2023

Jesus said, ‘My food is to do the will of the One who sent me.’

Lord is asking us to repent and believe in the Gospel. Many of us put the ashes on Ash Wednesday or on Monday in Eastern Catholic Churches on our forehead to remind us we are sinners. Genesis 3:19 (NJB): ‘For dust you are and to dust you shall return.’ Lord is asking us to repent and come back to Him, that is what He wants from us. 

John 4:33–34 (NJB): So the disciples said to one another, ‘Has someone brought him food?’ 34 But Jesus said: My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work. 

Jesus was with the Samaritan woman and Jesus was jealous of her soul and to lead her to salvation. But the desciples were worried about the material food which they were gone to bring from the town. Jesus was having something precious in his mind to save a sinner. He says that is what his food, which is the plan of Heavenly Father has entrusted to Jesus His only Son. That is why Jesus saying, my food is to do the will of the Father in Heaven!

Lord, we are unworthy servants. Make us the servants of your heavenly garden. 

The Light and Darkness

PART XXIII 

Lord, let Your grace will empower us come to closer to You and live in Your grace 

  From many of the trials tribulations I was realised that there is only one way to Jesus is the love of God. This is the important thing, which is lacking in the spiritual persons, which we are looking for. It is difficult to find a genuine spiritual person leading a holy life in true wisdom and knowledge in Christ Jesus. But by the grace and mercy of God, I was gone only through the Catholic spiritual centres. I did not know anything about Mother Mary in my early life. (The first thing I heard about Mother Mary was from a non-Catholic friend. He was the one who took me to Marthomite Church to attend the Sunday Masses in the 70’s and 80’s while I was working in Muscat. One day he shared some spiritual things to me and showed me a picture of Mother Mary (The Perpetual Succour) from his Bible. He was telling, he usually asking her intercession on so many things and God granted all his prayer requests. While he was telling this he was crying. I was wondering how a Marthomite Christian could have the faith in Mother Mary. I was thinking why he was crying and he didn’t tell me the reason. This was my first inspiration for seeking the truth in the Catholic Church and Mother Mary.  Then I started thinking about Mother Mary and her intercession. After so many years I understood that my friend was cried because of his love towards Mother Mary.) But I was pondering these things in my heart since gone through this encounter with Mother Mary. Still I was not happy with that knowledge. There was no true faith in my life at that time. But there was something  always haunting me whenever I do sins. 

   Then I was going through my worldly way of life. But I never gave up my hope in Him. I was praying hard to Jesus to reveal me the real path. After our marriage I was attended so many retreats I got some healing for my soul. Then I was thinking; am not worthy to receive Jesus in my heart. One day my wife to attend a retreat which will enhance my spiritual thirst. But at last I told Jesus I will go a retreat which my wife told me attend. I went and attend this retreat as this retreat will be having very poor facility. I was impressed by it because very few will come to this retreat. My thirst for Jesus was quenched and I met Jesus and Mother Mary in a night exactly one month after at my home. 

  We should discover and acknowledge we are unworthy servant of Lord, this will lead us into his light that is aura of grace. Only grace will empower us come out of darkness. When Elijah was told God, he is the only one remaining in Lord, but God told him there will be a remnant group of people will be there to follow our Lord and God. How God differentiate them only through the grace. Romans 11:4–6 (NJB): And what was the prophetic answer given? I have spared for myself seven thousand men that have not bent the knee to Baal. 5 In the same way, then, in our own time, there is a remnant, set aside by grace. 6 And since it is by grace, it cannot now be by good actions, or grace would not be grace at all! Lord always kept a seperate chosen people for the glory of God 

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XXII

We all will be taught by our Heavenly Father 

The truth is a treasure is hidden in Jesus Christ. The more we seek it, the more we find it. Only through the grace of God we can find the truth, know the truth and experience the truth. The more you closer to Jesus to seek the truth, you will be rewarded abundantly from His Kingdom. The ultimate truth is the Word of God. The word of God has a tremendous power. ‘Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth’ Jon 17: 17. It is the Truth that leads us to eternal life. Jesus tells us: ‘I am the way; I am the Truth and Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ (Jon 14: 6)  With out Jesus the Truth we cannot approach the Father. When the real Truth comes into our heart the real light will come into our spiritual life and the darkness will fade away. 

  This was the truth I was looking for, and I discovered it when I looked for it. First and foremost, I was eager to discover the reality of the faith. There were numerous denominations in my ancestral family and among my friends. My parents were constantly misled by various forms of spirituality and teachers, and they were frequent visitors to my home. However, I never liked or paid attention to them. This was always on my mind: which is the true church and faith? Or my mind was wondering who the true deity is in this world; everyone believes that their deity is the true God. Then I married a Catholic girl, which was also part of God's plan. That is something I am extremely grateful to God. 

Then, in 1991, both of us decided to attend a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre. The first withdrawal had no effect on me. The following year, we attended the second retreat, and as a result, I quit smoking and drinking totally. I visited numerous spiritual centers and retreat centers to discover how to approach God. God has helped me to learn so many spiritual topics and many ways to approach Jesus. According to the Bible, we all will be taught by God .  John 6:45 (NJB): It is written in the prophets: They will all be taught by God; everyone who has listened to the Father, and learnt from him, comes to me. In the same way when we listen to the Father in Heaven by obeying His Commandments will meet our Lord in His appropriate time to lead a holy and perfect life..            

Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word On 11th Oct 2023

Worship the Heavenly Father in Spirit and truth

John 4:23–24 (NJB): But the hour is coming—indeed is already here—when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and those w ho worship must worship in spirit and truth.

The hour has come as Jesus says how to worship God the Father. God loves to worship Him Spirit and Truth. Jesus says they are the the true worshippers to worship God with true devotion along with Holy Spirit and reading Word of God, the Truth, who is Jesus Christ our Lord! Practice the prayer along with reading and meditating the Word of God. Read the Bible everyday and constantly. Constancy in spiritual excercices is very important in our spiritual life. 

Let us pray to our Lord to make us humble and gentle to worship Him in a worthy manner! 

The Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word on 7th October 2023 

The true Baptism of Jesus is in the Holy Spirit

John 1:26–27 (NJB): John answered them, ‘I baptise with water; but standing among you—unknown to you— 27 is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.’

John Baptist brought to make a way for Christ and he is one who baptise with water and John says he is worthy to loose the strap of Jesus’s sandals. He knew his is unworthy to serve Jesus. Here we can understand the baptism which Catholics has more precious than any other sects of Christianity. Again when a grown up child get the 1st Holy communion she or he  might be anointed with the holy oil as a sign of receiving the Holy Spirit. 

John 1:32–33 (NJB):He saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven and rest on him. 33 I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptise with the Holy Spirit.”

John 1:33 (NJB): The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” 

Here John the Baptist saying about the Baptism which Jesus is going to give. His baptism is with fire and Holy Spirit. This is the sign of Jesus’s death amd resurrection. After the resurrection Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to his apostles and his disciples, whiich was his promise to them. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the sign of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. By admitting his nothingness, John the Baptist became humble in front of the Lord. 

The Light and Darkness

Part XXI

We are from God, and we are living in His light

   When we glorify God in everything we do, we will not fell into darkness. Giving glory and praise to our Lord will be the way to the light of Jesus. When we are choosing the evil ways to fulfill our ambitions our days will be darkened.   Jeremiah 13:16 (NJB): 16 Give glory to Yahweh your God before the darkness comes, before your feet stumble on the darkened mountains. You hope for light, but he will turn it to shadow dark as death, will change it to blackness. When our Lord is with us death will not approach us. We should always strive for the light which is very near to us. We all are aware that we are from God. But we should know that whole world is under the influence of evil one John 5:19 (NJB): We are well aware that we are from God, and the whole world is in the power of the Evil One. Evil has no authority over the faithful people of God. 

   Jesus is saying we are chosen race to work for the Kingdom of  God. 1 Peter 2:9 (NJB): But you are a chosen race, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a people to be a personal possession   to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. We all are called out of darkness by Jesus our Lord to experience and live in his light. We are children of light and the children of the day. In day time there is no place for darkness, always there will be light. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NJB): 5 No, you are all children of light and children of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, 

 

Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word on 4th Oct 2023

Lord, give us the Living Water, then we will not be thirsty. 

John 4:9–10 (NJB): The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew. How is it that you ask me, a Samaritan, for something to drink?’—Jews, of course, do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus replied to her: If you only knew what God is offering and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me something to drink,’ you would have been the one to ask, and he would have given you living water.

Jesus saying he will give the living water which is coming from the Spirit of God. Invoke the Holy Spirit while we are doing anything for the Lord. What is living water here is the Word of God and Holy Spirit to Lead a holy Spiritual life. Jesus wants to give this to all humanity and nations and race. Lord has no partiality to do any good things, he is the Lord of all. 

Happy Feast of St Francis of Assisi. Yesterday  was a special day for all of us in the Gulf Region as Franciscans are Custodians of the most of the churches in this region. They all works with the spirit and enthusiasm of St Francis. As I have in this region about 43 years and I have experienced the legacy of the holy Franciscan priests especially their commitment towards the Church and the faithful people. Mt 5:3, 8 Blessed are the poor in spirit, the Kingdom of God is theirs, Blessed are the pure in heart they shall see God.  Our special gratitude for Bishop Emiratus Paul Hinder as he was served us for long eighteen years in Southern and Northern Vicariate. 

Lord, give us your grace and peace, through these we will learn humility and faithfulness! 

Daily Word of God

Daily Word On 3rd Oct 2023

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life 

John 3:35–36 (NJB): The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to his hands. 36 Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: God’s retribution hangs over him.’ 

We should believe in the Son, this is the faith we would enrich in our heart to achieve the goal of eternal life and it is the promise of Jesus Christ the Lord. Whoever refuses to believe Jesus is Son of God will never see life. Our ultimate faith is to believe Jesus is Son of God, then our way of will Christ centered. Matthew 16:15–16 (NJB): ‘who do you say I Am?’  16 Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ This is the fatih St Peter is having to rule the Church and hold together the flocks of Catholic Church of the Univese. Now Pope Francis is sitting in this and crown with the Throne of St Peter. 

The Son and Father is the One God along with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity. 

Lord Jesus, increase our lack of faith bless us with your love and grace to obtain the the eternal life from you! Amen 

Daily Word ofGod

 

Daily Word On 2nd Oct 2023

God loved the world and it’s inhabitants 

John 3:16 (NJB): For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 

God gave his Son for the salvation of everyone. He has no differentiation in His love and care for poor, rich, sinner, upright, wise, fool, gentle or proud but He love more the repented heart those are faithfull and holy. As in Isaiah 66:2 (NJB): Says: But my eyes are drawn to the person of humbled and contrite spirit, who trembles at my Word. His eyes are drawn to the humble, repented and those are reading and meditating the Word of God with tremendous fear and love of God. This is the kind of love of God He is expecting from us. 

The Light and Darkness

PART XX

Lord, we are the children of Your light 

   Jesus carried and bore the sins of the entire world's souls. He is requesting that we place all of our burdens on his shoulders. But we're always worried about our own problems, and we're always complaining about so many things. Before I came to the Lord, I was constantly whining about my money and other worldly matters. I hated my father and mother, as well as my brothers because I felt they squandered all of the money I had given them. When I got into Jesus, this word of God impacted me strongly and entirely cured me, which Br Joemon gave me while he counseled me one time. I stopped complaining after that.  This is the Word of God, which healed me: ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you the rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’(Matt. 11: 28-30) We should not trust in money or on wealth. Money cannot buy the relationship, mother father and brothers and sisters and friends. So we should leave everything of this world of darkness and embrace the light of Jesus. He is our ultimate source of the spiritual wealth of eternity. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NJB): 5 No, you are all children of light and children of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, The children of light are not belongs to darkness or of the night. When Jesus is in us we all belongs to the light of Jesus 

My heart’s desire…

Lord, let my hearts’ only desire is to do your will,

Let my only will, always to praise you

Together with, all your angels and saints

Guide me Lord, to the Holy Mountain, your dwelling place

Let my heart proclaim your glory Lord,

Let me sing a new song to glorify you

Lord, let my heart pierce with your love

And come closer to me and abide in my soul

My soul is yearning for your love and grace

Lord, like a dove I fly to your dwelling place

Lord, how I reach you and see you?

Give me Lord, the wings of prayer to reach you

Lord, how will your dwelling place be?

Lord, teach me the way to see you

Lord, I am distressed in this flesh, 

But my soul will proclaim your love

Lord let me live in the ligh of your gracious love 

Lord, keep me away from the darkness 

The evil is haunting me all walks of my life

He is so arrogant and merciless, 

But your mercy and compassion makes me survive 

Lord, make my joy complete 

By your love abide in my heart

Then I learn, your holy narrow ways

To dwell in your Holy Mountain, forever and eve

Amen, amen…amen

Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word 27th Sept 2022

People look for signs and wonders but he never believed them.

John 2:23–25 (NJB): 23 During his stay in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he did, 24 but Jesus knew all people and did not trust himself to them; 25 he never needed evidence about anyone; he could tell what someone had within. 

Jesus knew the people did not believe in Jesus even he worked signs and wonders. He knew how is their heart. Their love towards him was mere words and nothing from their hearts. He has no need of any evidence of our credibility in any way. He can judge or discern each individuals. 

The Light and Darkness

 

PART XIX

Lord, enlighten our darkened mind to Your tremendous light!

How the darkness come in our life, we never recognise. It will come all of a sudden because of our worries to fulfil the desires of disordered natural inclinations. We should have the zeal for Jesus and he will enlighten our darkened mind by his tremendous light which is the Word of God. When we spent our time in reading and meditating the Word of God, we will get clear conscious and shall understand the Truth which is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 13:11–14 (NJB): 11 Besides, you know the time has come; the moment is here for you to stop sleeping and wake up, because by now our salvation is nearer than when we first began to believe. 12 The night is nearly over, daylight is on the way; so let us throw off everything that belongs to the darkness and equip ourselves for the light. 13 Let us live decently, as in the light of day; with no orgies or drunkenness, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy. 14 Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop worrying about how your disordered natural inclinations may be fulfilled. This particular verses were touched St Augustine during his conversion. When St Augustine was leading a life in the pleasures of this world, God touched him and he heard the word of the Lord “Open and read”. He read the Word of God and Lord enlighten his mind to understand the Kingdom of God. Jesus gives us freedom from darkness to empower us to work for his kingdom, that is what he is doing. Colossians 1:13 (NJB): 13 Because that is what he has done. It is he who has rescued us from the ruling force of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son that he loves. Jesus rescued us from the ruling forces of darkness of this contemporary world. God has transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son to give us the eternal life.

Daily Word of God

 

Daily Word on 25th Sept 2023

Jesus said: “Destroy this Temple(His Body)in three days I will raise it up”

John 2:19–20 (NJB): Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ 20 The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple: 

  While Jesus was angry and throwing all the things kept for selling in the Temple. The Jews were questioned him who has given him this authority and what sign he will give to them. Jesus told them or after the crucifixion of him he will be raised on the third day. But they were not understood. The deciples remembered this as he explained about this incident will happened and believed. 

Lord, we are very slow to believe the mysteries of salvation, give us your grace and mercy and increase our faith in You. 

Light and Darkness

PART XVIII

Lord, look at our heart and cleanse us to avoid darkness 

  Our Heavenly Father loves us so deeply that He offered His only Son, Jesus Christ, as a genuine sacrifice for us. I was struck with mortality in an unexpected way many years ago, when I was newly married. I assumed I'd died and that everything had ended. My wife was pregnant at the time, and we both worked in Oman. One day, I paid her a visit at work. I was crossing the street after the visit to catch a bus, and the bus was coming from the opposite side, and I didn't look to the left when crossing. A Pick Up suddenly hit me in the knee, sending me down. The automobile tried to save me. It simply overturned and skidded to the opposite side of the road. The Arab (local) came out of the car and asked what had happened to me. He expressed gratitude to God for my rescue. Later, I sensed an angel of God take possession of the vehicle, and I believe the angel is sitting in the Pick Up Vehicle. There is no way a driver driving in the opposite direction could have saved me from this accident. My vision had gone black, and I couldn't see anything.  The driver helped me board the bus and told me how scared my wife was because of the incident; she was staring at me helplessly, wondering what to do. I began to believe that if I died without accomplishing anything nice for my soul, I would go to hell. Sirach 15:14–18 (NJB):15 If you choose, you will keep the commandments and so be faithful to his will. 16 He has set fire and water before you; put out your hand to whichever you prefer. 17 A human being has life and death before him; whichever he prefers will be given him. 18 For vast is the wisdom of the Lord; he is almighty and all-seeing. I felt as if God had given me a new life, and a great longing for Jesus arose in my heart. I was blaming myself and contemplating a retreat. The following year, both of us attended a retreat at Divine Retreat Centre. It was a watershed moment in my life as I faced the gloom of death. God was always providing me with situations or incidents in my life to bring me closer to Him. Actually, the incidences are a summons from God, and they serve as a caution to me to seek Him while He is near. God is not concerned with our physical looks or ability.. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NJB): 7 but Yahweh said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him; God does not see as human beings see; they look at appearances but Yahweh looks at the heart. God is choosing us in a different way. Then I attend so many retreats and I could not experience Jesus in a full manner. Then I thought I am not worthy to get Jesus. I knew it was because my sins that Jesus was away from me.