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Believing is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and who opens the eyes of the mind to understand and accept the truth which God has revealed to us. Courage working with faith enables us to embrace God's word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with firm hope in God's promises.  Remain Blessed!

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19

Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75

M ark 4:35-41 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." (36) And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. (37) And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. (38) But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" (39) And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" (41) And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"

Meditation by Don Schwager

H ow can we fight fear with faith? Jesus' sleeping presence on the storm-tossed sea reveals the sleeping faith of his disciples. They feared for their lives even though their Lord and Master was with them in the boat. They were asleep to Christ while he was present to them in their hour of need.

The Lord is ever present to us. And in our time of testing he asks the same question: Why are you afraid? Have you no faith? Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you, especially when you meet the storms of adversity, sorrow, and temptation? Whenever we encounter trouble, the Lord is there with the same reassuring message: "It is I, do not be afraid."

What are the characteristics of faith and how can we grow in it? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Believing is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and who opens the eyes of the mind to understand and accept the truth which God has revealed to us. Faith enables us to relate to God rightly and confidently, with trust and reliance, by believing and adhering to his word, because he is utterly reliable and trustworthy. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith, then it must be nourished with the word of God. Fear does not need to cripple us from taking right action or rob us of our trust and reliance on God. Courage working with faith enables us to embrace God's word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with firm hope in God's promises. The love of God strengthens us in our faith and trust in him and enables us to act with justice and kindness towards our neighbor even in the face of opposition or harm. Do you allow the love of Christ to rule in your heart and mind, and to move your will to choose what is good in accordance with his will?

"Lord Jesus, increase my faith in your redeeming love and power that I may always recognize your abiding presence with me. And give me courage to do your will in all circumstances."

Supplementary Reading

Good Example

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. – Hebrews 10: 24

I went out of our gate and saw some teenagers who just had their snack at the store in front of our house. Strewn on the ground around them were their wrappers of chips and empty bottles. Without a word, I started picking the trash and threw them into the waste bin. One of the teens nudged his friends as they cleaned up after their mess.

It would have been more dramatic if I had shouted and admonished them. But I chose instead to show them the right thing to do.

More love and good works are imitated and passed on when seen, not heard. Children will be more compassionate to the less privileged when they see adults giving to the poor. When you pray as a family, your children will adopt this practice when they grow up and have their own families. More than telling them what to do, show love and good works.

Have you been a good example lately or merely talked about being one?

Lord, may I use my mouth less and my hands and feet more to show Your love to others. - Jun Asis # # #

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU. – Bobot Apit

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