Lent 2020

Lent season is six weeks long, begins on Wednesday, 26 February 2020 and will end on Saturday, 11 April 2020. Forty days of Lent (46 days - 6 Sunday) 

26 February 2020 - Ash Wednesday (46 day before Easter Sunday)

- Ash is used to mark a cross on foreheads. It's a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast.

5 April 2020 - Palm Sunday

- Jesus's triumphant arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey, where he received palm branches at his path.

9 April 2020 - Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)

- Jesus washes of the feet of the twelve apostles and Jesus's last supper, the Passover meal with them. Jesus establishes the Holy Eucharist.

10 April 2020 - Good Friday

- Passion and death of Jesus.

11 April 2020 - Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)

- Faithful Christians wait and watch, hopeful and confident that Christ will return at midnight.

12 April 2020 - Easter Sunday

- Jesus resurrection.

Living in the light of God's truth and wisdom

What does the image of light and a lamp tell us about God's kingdom?

Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling or losing their way. The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. Many passages from the Old Testament Scriptures describe how God's light guides and helps us grow in our knowledge of him and his truth and wisdom for our lives. In his light we see light ( Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). 

We are light-bearers of God's truth and love

The truth cannot remain hidden, or suppressed, or destroyed. We might refuse to face the truth or try to suppress it, or destroy it, but the truth will always prevail because it is indestructible. That is why God wants us to know the truth and to stake our lives on it. God's grace (his indwelling presence and power at work in us) and his word of truth enable us to hear, believe, and obey him without fear or reservation. Just as natural light prevails over the darkness around us and enable us to see clearly, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of all who hear and believe his word. God wants to fill us with his Holy Spirit so that we may shine brightly with the radiance of his truth, love, and goodness. 

Jesus called John the Baptist "a burning and shining lamp" (John 5:35) because he bore witness to God's word and pointed others to Jesus, the true Light and Savior of the world. Our call and mission, like John the Baptist, is to be light-bearers of Jesus Christ so that many others may hear and understand the truth of the Gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ) and be set free from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception.

Living in the light brings true freedom and joy

Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways or bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. 

There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek his truth and goodness. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him. And they will not lack what they need to live as Christ's disciples. And they will shine as lights that show the wisdom and truth of God's word. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light and truth?

"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed."

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

God I am really stuck, please help

Father God only You have the power to do the impossible. I thank You for all the blessing and each an every day I am able to awake. Now Lord I am in great urgent need of RM500, so that I able settle my urgent financial difficulty faced. You alone my God, Who I trust and hope in by You will can make a way to provide for me. I know Lord you would not let me be put to shame but You will deliver me. Grant me Lord, the financial breakthrough that I need. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen. Thank You God.

Prayer of Jabez ~ 1 Chronicles 4:10

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)

There is only one God and He should be the center of our work. Jabez knew that the God he believed in is the source of all blessings. Let us too invite God into our life and ask for His blessings. There is nothing wrong in asking God for His blessing. Proverbs 16:3, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." God wants to hear that we need Him through our prayer from deep within our hearts. 1 Chronicles 5:20, "God answers prayers when you trust Him". Jabez knew his limitation, and that God is so powerful therefore He cried out to God for help. Jabez is asking that God would give him more strength, wisdom, patience, love, and understanding so that he can bring glory to God. In the hands of God, Jabez surrenders all and ask God to lead him, protect him and free from pain. Without God’s hand leading and guiding us, the blessings would be meaningless. GOd answer Jabez request, God caused Jabez’s end to be better than his beginning.

Pray like Jabez and we will begin to see God move in mighty ways!

All pressed upon Jesus to touch him

Is there anything holding you back from giving yourself to God without fear or reservation?

Jesus offered freedom to everyone who sought him out. Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard about all the wonderful deeds and miracles which he performed. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Do you seek to lay hold of Jesus' presence in your life that he may touch and heal you?

Draw near to Jesus with expectant faith and he will answer

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) remarked:

"It is by faith that we touch Jesus. And far better to touch him by faith than to touch or handle him with the hands only and not by faith. It was no great thing to merely touch him manually. Even his oppressors doubtless touched him when they apprehended him, bound him, and crucified him, but by their ill-motivated touch they lost precisely what they were laying hold of. O worldwide church! It is by touching him faithfully that your 'faith has made you whole' (Isaiah 1:10-18; Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52; Luke 8:48; John 20:29)." (excerpt from SERMONS, ON EASTER 148)

The Lord Jesus has power to heal, restore, and make us new

Why did Jesus perform so many countless miracles and signs during his earthly ministry? Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD) wrote that these signs and miracles showed that Jesus was truly God - the eternal Word who was made flesh for our salvation:

[Jesus] performed very many wonderful miracles, rebuking demons, delivering from incurable diseases whoever drew near to him, and displaying his own most divine power. He did these works so that both the Jews, who had run together to him, and those from the country of the Greeks might know that Christ was not some ordinary man of those in our degree but, on the contrary, God. He honoured these chosen disciples with the dignity of the apostolate. He was the Word that was made man but retained nevertheless his own glory. "For power went forth from him and healed all." Christ did not borrow strength from some other person, but being himself God by nature, even though he had become flesh, he healed them all, by the demonstration of power over the sick. (COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 25)Why did the demons tremble in the presence of Jesus (Mark 3:11)? They recognised that his power and authority came from heaven and not from earth. But while they confessed Christ and trembled in his presence, they did not respond in love.

Receive God's word with expectant faith, persevering hope, and fervent love

When you read God's word and consider all that Jesus said and did, how do you respond? With indifference, hesitation, or skepticism, or with expectant faith, love, and willing obedience? Ask the Lord Jesus to draw you to himself with increasing faith, fervent love, and eager readiness to do his will.

"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power. Set me free from all that hinders me from drawing closer to you."

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Perfect Offering ~ Only Jesus

Only Jesus could make that perfect offering of Himself. And through His sacrifice, He has given us ears open to obedience, He has made it possible for us to hear the Father’s call to holiness. He has made us children of God, baptised in the blood of the Lamb. And we are to join our sacrifice to His, to offer our bodies, our lives as living sacrifices in the spiritual worship of the Mass.

Elijah must first come

God gives signs to show what he is about to do.

John the Baptist is one such sign who pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for his coming. John fulfilled the essential task of all the prophets: to be fingers pointing to Jesus Christ. John is the last and greatest prophet of the old kingdom, the old covenant. The Jews expected that when the Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce his presence. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ by preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal.

As watchful servants, we, too must prepare for the Lord's coming again by turning away from sin and from everything that would keep us from pursuing his will. Are you eager to do God's will and are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus when he returns in glory?

"Lord Jesus, stir my zeal for your righteousness and for your kingdom. Free me from complacency and from compromising with the ways of sin and worldliness that I may be wholeheartedly devoted to you and to your kingdom."

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Don't fight the enemy in his comfort zone.

The eagle does not fight the snake on the ground. It picks it up into the sky and changes the battle ground, and then it releases the snake into the sky. The snake has no stamina, no power and no balance in the air. It is useless, weak and vulnerable unlike on the ground where it is powerful wise and deadly.

Take your fight into the spiritual realm by praying and when you are in the spiritual realm God takes over your battles. Don't fight the enemy in his comfort zone. 

Change the battle grounds like the eagle and let God take charge through your earnest prayer. You'll be assured of clean victory. Pray without ceasing!

This joy of mine is now full

Do you know the joy of the Lord?

When some friends of John the Baptist complain that all the people are now going to Jesus, John in his characteristic humility exclaimed that he was not the Messiah but only the messenger sent to prepare his way. John describes the Messiah as the Bridegroom and himself as the friend of the Bridegroom. The image of the groom delighting in his bride and the joy of the wedding feast is used in the Bible as a sign or symbol of God's covenant love and joy in being united with his people, whom he calls his bride. As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5). 

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit John recognised that Jesus was the anointed Messiah, sent from the Father in heaven to reunite his people to himself. John acted as the groom's best man in arranging the marriage and in making preparations for the marriage feast. John and his disciples now rejoice that the Bridegroom has come to make his bride, the people of God, ready for the marriage feast. The New Testament tells us that Christ's blood which was shed upon the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, seals us in a new covenant between God and his people. The Book of Revelation depicts the final fulfilment and consummation of this new covenant relationship at the marriage feast of the "Lamb and his Bride" in the New Jerusalem (see Revelations 21-22). Do you look with joyful anticipation to the consummation of God's plan for his people at the end of the ages?

"Lord Jesus, may I never forget the love you have poured out for me when you shed your blood upon the Cross of Calvary for my sins and for my salvation. May your love always grow in me and your hope fill me with joy as I wait for your return in glory when all of your people will be fully united with you at your heavenly banquet feast in the New Jerusalem."

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Everything has a Reason and a Season

GOD has Chosen you

to make you 

a Blessing to many.

Don't blame your situation.

Don't be discouraged.

Don't panic....

just wait.

Hold on to God....

Everything has a Reason

and a Season.

Pray for Australia (bush fires)

Dear Lord God,

By You power bring the great rain fall that will extinguish the bush fires and bring down the temperature in Australia especially the South-East area. I know it is not an impossible task for You, therefore by Your infinite mercy, love and compassion help save the living from being victims of this fire disaster. Many of Your creation perish, humans and animals, please lead them to Your kingdom, and let them rest in peace. Give strength and courage to the fire fighters, emergency services team, volunteers and those who put their own lives in danger to help. I am confident Lord, You will make a way for these Your people, Your creation and Your land. In Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.

Ten New Year Resolution for Catholics

1. Attend daily Mass.

2. Go to confession every month.

3. Read the Bible.

4. Pray the Rosary.

5. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

6. Get involved with your parish.

7. Read about your faith.

8. Spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

9. Listen to the voice of God.

10. Help the poor and the needy.