Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

    whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

    that sends out its roots by the stream

(Jeremiah 17: 7, 8)

Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent

 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;

    my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

    my soul and body with grief.

(Psalm 31: 9)

Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent

 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be raised to honor.

(Matthew 23: 12)

Monday in the Second Week of Lent

 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven

(Luke 6: 37)

Second Sunday in Lent

 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels

(Mark 8: 38)

Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle

 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you

(John 15: 16)

Friday in the First Week of Lent

 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

    and in his word I put my hope.

(Psalm 130: 5)

Thursday in the First Week of Lent

 The Lord will vindicate me;

    your love, Lord, endures forever—

    do not abandon the works of your hands.

(Psalm 138: 8)

Wednesday in the First Week of Lent

 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

(Psalm 51: 10, 11)

Tuesday in the First Week of Lent

 Seek the Lord while he may be found;

    call on him while he is near.

(Isaiah 55: 6)

Monday in the First Week of Lent

 The law of the Lord is perfect,

    refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

    making wise the simple

(Psalm 19: 7)

First Sunday in Lent

 In you, Lord my God,

    I put my trust.

I trust in you;

    do not let me be put to shame,

    nor let my enemies triumph over me.

(Psalm 25: 1, 2)

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance

(Luke 5: 32)

Friday after Ash Wednesday

 Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

(Psalm 51: 2)

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

 Choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

(Deuteronomy 30: 19)

Ash Wednesday

 When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

(Matthew 6: 6)

Promise Verse

 The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

(Psalm 121: 5)

Promise Verse

 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

(Isaiah 58: 9)

Last Sunday after the Epiphany

 This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!

(Mark 9: 7)

Promise Verse

 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

(Galatians 4: 6, 7)

Promise Verse

 Arise, Lord, in your anger;

    rise up against the rage of my enemies.

    Awake, my God; decree justice.

(Psalm 7: 6)

Promise Verse

 Arise, Lord!

    Deliver me, my God!

Strike all my enemies on the jaw;

    break the teeth of the wicked.

(Psalm 3: 7)

Promise Verse

 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;

    they will go down to the depths of the earth.

They will be given over to the sword

    and become food for jackals.

(Psalm 63: 9, 10)

Promise Verse

 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;

    heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

(Psalm 6: 2)

Promise Verse

 My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

(Psalm 121: 2)

Message - Be Humble

 

There are certain words that are not in use these days. One is compassion and another is Being Humble. When you consider these words, both are related. When you are humble, you will have compassion on others.

The world may change its behavior, but the Word of God is same today. “The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground” – Psalm 147: 6.

As believers of Christ Jesus, humbleness should be your life style. Being humble doesn’t mean you need to behave like everyone to please them. It means you should not be arrogant, but be calm in all situation. Mainly you should have a compassionate heart towards the needy. Everything should be done to attract people towards Christ Jesus. You need to have the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Paul lists the rights of an Apostle in 1 Corinthians 9. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9: 22 – “To the week I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some”. Now a days we see the ones who are called the servants of God being arrogant and harsh towards the weak. To know the weak ones, you need to have a compassionate heart. When you see yourself in their position, you will understand their situation and you will show the love of Christ upon them.

The ones who are highly educated and those who are in high positions of society use the weak and poor people, manipulate them and take advantage of them to increase wealth or positions. They term it as management principle. But when you are in Christ, you will show compassion upon them and guide them towards success and introduce them to the savior.

How to be humble? Just talk to God. Talk to God regularly. We name it as prayer. But even in other times, while walking alone, you can talk with God in with your mouth shut. Read the word of God and try to understand it. When you read the word, you will understand the fruits of the Holy Spirit and you will know what to talk to God in your private time.

Once you start walking with God, you will become humble. Always keep in mind that Satan will be behind you especially when you start your walk with God. Satan will try to influence people and make them to insult you and ask you favor that will put you into trouble. That is why you need to read the word of God and show boldness while being humble. Always remember that giving favor to a person means God will be the one who pushes you to do, not any other person. So always beware of false people.

From this day on, may The Lord help you to understand the word of God and guide you to lead a life of humbleness with prayer for you to bring souls towards Christ Jesus.

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

 The Lord sustains the humble

    but casts the wicked to the ground.

(Psalm 147: 6)

Promise Verse

 When I am in distress, I call to you,

    because you answer me.

(Psalm 86: 7)

The Presentation of Our Lord

 Because he (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

(Hebrews 2: 18)

Promise Verse

 Lord my God, I take refuge in you;

    save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

or they will tear me apart like a lion

    and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

(Psalm 7: 1, 2)