Christy Gabriel's Blog – April 2013 Archive (29)

“You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world.” Jn.16:33

Reflection:

   The essence of the world is human exaltation of self. Christ overcame this by His obedience.

   We too will overcome it if first we conquer our own base, selfish nature and totally abandon ourselves to God. Am I ready to do this?

Prayer:

   “Lord, let me die to the world so that I may live only for You. In the name of Jesus I pray.…

“The power that has conquered the world is this faith of ours.” 1Jn.5:4

Reflection:

   Faith has a conquering power over the world. It joins us to the Conqueror of the world, risen from the grave.

   The more solid my faith is in Christ Jesus, our Lord, the better I will triumph over the world with its sorrows and its joys.

Prayer:

   “Heavenly Father, grant me a living faith that I may discover eternal things behind those that are merely…

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Ps.118:22

Reflection:

   Rejected by human beings on Good Friday, acknowledged by God on Easter Sunday and made the chief cornerstone - Christ takes His place in the center of history.

   Those who place their foundations in Him and His Church will never be lost. However, those who reject Him will themselves be rejected.

Prayer:

   “Christ, my King, I promise to be…

“Did not the Messiah have to undergo all this so as to enter into His glory?” Lk.24:26

Reflection:

   Every sorrowful way is a Divine way that can lead me to eternal happiness.

   Therefore, I want to follow it strengthened by keeping my eyes on Him Who goes before me and helps me carry my cross.

Prayer:

   “God of love, the Cross is to me the key to paradise. Let me never forget this so that I will never reject it. In the name of Jesus I…

“This day you will be with me in paradise.” Lk.23:43

Reflection:

   This is God’s answer to the supplicating cry of the repentant thief.

   God does not reject anyone who even at the last minute raises a longing and repentant heart to Him.

Prayer:

   “Heavenly Father, I come before You like the prodigal son. Be merciful and lenient to me, especially in the hour of my death. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN!!!”

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by. Still, let it be as You would have it, not as I.” Mt.26:39

Reflection:

   My Father, if it is possible… But this was not possible for the Redemption.

   In like manner, God cannot take every cup away from me, because this is necessary for my salvation.

Prayer:

   “Father, I know that it is not the human will but only Your will which is our Paradise. May Your will alone…

“We too must lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1Jn.3:16

Reflection:

   To love means to give our most prized possession, our very selves, our own lives. Am I ready to do this?

   Is my life faithful to the words: “One for all.”? Only in this way can I be Christ – like and worthy of Christ.

Prayer:

   “O my Savior, Your entire life was a loving immolation. Let my own life be filled with deeds of love, so that I may become like You. In the…

“The way we came to understand love was that He laid down His life for us.” 1Jn.3:16

Reflection:

   God has loved us even to death on the Cross. Never can we doubt God’s love for us.

   Anything coming from His hands is love, nothing else but love, Divine love.

Prayer:

   “Most loving Redeemer, I give You thanks because You love me so much that You have died for me. Grant that I may love You back in the same manner. In the name of…

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal.5:24

Reflection:

   It is a manifest contradiction and indeed impossible to wish to belong to the innocent Christ and, at the same time, still live in sin.

   A life of union with Christ demands a daily crucifixion of the flesh, absolute denial of everything that separates us from Him.

Prayer:

   “Lamb of God, take my heart with all its…