“Teacher, all of these [commandments]. I have observed from my youth.” (Mark 10: 20).

The rich young man that Jesus encountered in today's Gospel is luckier than most of us. How many of us can boast that we have kept all the commandments from our earliest days? Yet he lacked one thing. In life, it may be the one essential thing you lack that can ruin your prospects on: health, family, financial prospects, job prospects, etc.

The rich young man lacked freedom and detachment from his wealth and it ruined his prospects of permanent employment with Jesus. Instead of Sacred Scripture recording his identity as "St Justus", it labeled him as "a rich young man."

Are you being smothered by your possessions? Has the clutter in your life become a source of constant headaches? We have good news for you. Lent 2019 starts in 2 days, March 6th. Lent is the best Season in the year to tackle our major headaches and win the battle.

"Jesus Christ was rich,
but he became poor for your sake,
to make you rich out of his poverty." (2 Corinthians 8: 9).

Thanksgiving and Praise will bring you to victory in your struggle against evil.
"I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me, sing psalms to the name of the Lord Most High." (Cf. Psalm 12: 6).

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"The Lord became my protector.
He brought me out to a place of freedom; he saved me because he delighted in me." (Entrance Antiphon: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Last Sunday before Lent 2019).

How did the Lord brought me to a place of freedom? 4 unforgettable steps that constitute my path to freedom /victory:
#1 Knowledge of His grace.
#2 Knowledge of mercy
#3 Prayer as a vital resource.
#4 Abandonment to Divine Providence. You may call this: Sweet Surrender.

The Lord's grace and mercy cover the 7 areas of His promises which are always available to you and me:
Pardon, Peace, Power, Purpose, Presence, Protection and Provision.

I believe in Prayer.
I believe in the word of God.
I believe in miracle.
I leave the rest to God.(Abandonment to Divine Providence).

Lent 2019 starts on Wednesday, March 6th with Ash Wednesday. Make Lent 2019 your best. Could be your last.

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"Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." (Mark 10: 15).

We know that the Kingdom of God is the life work of Jesus. He spoke incessantly of the Kingdom. Jesus teaches that this Kingdom is already among us here and now. The Church bears testimony to this truth by teaching that the Church is the seed and beginning of the Kingdom on earth. (CCC 541).

What is this Kingdom pure and simple? First, where there is a Kingdom, there must be a King. Where there is a King, there must be subjects. Where there are subjects, there must be laws. The Kingdom pure and simple is the Reign of Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe. Jesus reigns already in the hearts and minds of all who accept and welcome His authority.
Do we have an example of such a person? Jesus points to the little child.

The little child is the face of innocence in whom the Holy Spirit likes to dwell and play. The little child manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit:
1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chastity

Aim to become like a little child and the Kingdom of God will be yours and all the rest as well.

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"A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure." (Sirach 6: 14).

The Bible gives us a word of wisdom on friendship. Jesus calls His disciples His friends. He is certainly a faithful friend to them even though they abandoned Him at the hour of His need. “A friend loves at all times.” (Proverbs 17:17). Not when the going is good.

The two best examples of friendship from the Bible are Jonathan and David and Ruth and Naomi. Both friendships attain the lofty standard of Sirach 6: 5 - 17, our first Reading today.

"A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth." (Sirach 6: 15). No question about that. But where do you find such a friend? I know a few people who are blessed to have such friendship. A great blessing is to have your spouse as a bosom friend. Again this is not too common.

"A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds. For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself." (Sirach 6: 16 - 17).

These last two verses hold out bright hope for those of us who can't boast of great friendship today. Do you fear the Lord? Do you love the Lord? All things are possible for God. You might still meet that special friend if it is God's will for you.

"O Lord, I trust in your merciful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful with me."
(Psalm 12: 6).

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First Friday in March, 2019.

Jesus promised 12 special graces and favors to all those who will honor His Sacred Heart especially on the First Friday of every month.  In the 3rd month of the year 2019, we look at Promise #3.

#3.  "I will console them in all their troubles."

In Promise #3, Jesus does not promise a trouble free life.  "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (John 16: 33 ). Consider also:
"My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal." (Sirach 2: 1).

Troubles are opportunity to trust Jesus more. "I promise to be your strength in proportion to the trust you place on Me." The more you trust Jesus, the more He is your strength and security.

Remind the Lord often of these promises. Remind Him also of His promise to answer every prayer. (Matthew 7: 7).

Honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of March, 2019.

For the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, click the link below:

http://sfjweb.com/?q=content/sacred-heart-12-promises

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