MOVING INTO YOUR FUTURE (A movement based on Faith and Knowledge of God)

Last time I wrote that Your FUTURE (blessings, desires, Graces) is betwixt the PAST and NOW (present). Today I want to demonstrate to you how to make that move into that FUTURE by animating and bringing together the PAST and NOW(present). Don’t be in a hurry, read slowly…

Matthew 8:5-10

When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralyzed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus[FUTURE]. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the WORD and my servant WILL BE CURED[NOW]. For I am under authority myself and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it'[PAST]. When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found FAITH like this.

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

1. Can you see how the Centurion moved into his need? The Future need was the CURE for his servant! He made that move by telling Jesus of his Present status- what he is NOW as a man of authority, and the successes of his PAST experiences while using that authority!

2. Only say the WORD- a request he made in Faith (NOW)- and his servant’s healing (FUTURE) came to pass.

3. Do you realize that all the PRAYERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH in celebrating the 7 SACRAMENTS follow this method: The priest reminds God of the PAST based on Knowledge of the works of God in the past as seen and recorded in the Bible and history of Salvation– how His Word endures forever, and then immediately (NOW) he asks for a FUTURE need- for e.g-that these bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Christ- and it happens immediately; thus the FUTURE comes into being as the PAST and NOW are brought together!

TASK: Unlike that of a priest whose power to cause the Sacrament comes not from his personal faith but from the Faith of the Church and the power of God; to make this MOVEMENT possible, FAITH is key.

Look into your PAST by recounting all the wonders of God- this is knowledge of God. And build your faith based on this knowledge. Remind God of these, and begin to make happen in the present your FUTURE desires.

I pray for you: May your prayers pierce the heavens into God’s throne. Amen

© Fr. SimOne Madu, OSJ