Bible
Study: Jonah 4, 1 to 11. And Luke 11, 1 to 4.
One of the
fascinating lessons I learnt in the course of my study of theology was the fact
that God, unlike other subjects was too big to be totally understood, completely
observed or fully analysed. There is no such thing as a Newton’s law of motion
when it comes to God. There are no laws governing his actions and no matter how
many years of study one puts in, no one has ever succeeded in fully predicting
God.
It always
feels like injustice knowing that both the ninety nine who had no need for
repentance would have the same lot as the one who went astray. This is what
made Jonah angry. When we get to heaven, some of us would be so angry at the
kind of people we will meet there that we may opt to go to hell instead, because
for us, such persons do not deserve it.
This brings
us to the need for constant forgiveness. It would be a shame if God pardons our
enemies while we are still holding grudge against them. The best way to forgive
is to ask God how he is able to forgive people despite their unthinkable atrocities.
If you can realise there is no limit to God’s mercy, you would see that there
is no need to demand justice all the time. Just let go.
More
still, in teaching us to pray in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus mentions the
fact that the way to obtain forgiveness from God is to forgive those who offend
us.
Today,
also we celebrate the memorial of our Lady of the Rosary. Do you know there are
15 powerful promises of the Rosary as revealed by Mary to St. Dominic? They are
as follows:
One:.
Whoever
shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal
graces.
Two:.
I promise
my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the
Rosary.
Three:.
The Rosary
shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and
defeat heresies.
Four:.
The Rosary
will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the
abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the
world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for eternal things.
Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
Five:.
The soul
which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not
perish.
Six.
Whoever
shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its
sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise
him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just
he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
Seven.
Whoever
shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments
of the Church.
Eight.
Those who
are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their
death the light of God and the plenititude of His graces; at the moment of
death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
Nine.
I shall
deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
Ten.
The
faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.
Eleven.
You shall
obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
Twelve.
All those
who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
Thirteen.
I have
obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for
intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of
death.
Fourteen.
All who
recite the Rosary are my sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters of my
only Son Jesus Christ.
Fifteen.
Devotion
of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
Let us
pray:
Lord Jesus,
help me to forgive and pray the rosary with devotion daily. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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