I Cannot Help But Proclaim It 

I must proclaim something to you! The words issue from my mouth as the Holy Spirit inspires me from praying with this particular antiphon in the Liturgy of the Hours. God has done much for me. He has won me for Himself. So now, I am compelled to relay the news that Jesus has called me. And I am compelled to follow Him.

He has won us for himself…and you must proclaim what he has done for you. He has called you out of darkness into his own wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). Quote from Monday Morning Prayer, Week 1V, Psalm 135:1-12; Praise for the wonderful things God has done for us.

Read this! Like the first woman, Eve, I am a beautiful creation and yet, I sin against God every day. Still, my God provides for me, be it as simple as clothing me with fig leaves. But He does not leave me naked or leave me forever to wear those fig leaves. Like the New Eve, Mary, whenever I say “yes” to Him, He adorns me with precious silks and fine linen; rich jewels.

Listen! Like the first bow that appeared in the sky after the Great Flood, the Lord shines down every color of the rainbow on me, promising me life; even eternal life, where there are colors we have never even seen before.

I proclaim that as Abraham sacrificed everything, including his son, Jesus is asking me to sacrifice everything. My home, my family, my nation. And yet, there are things that Jesus gives back to me or keeps for me, the way God kept Isaac from being sacrificed.

I declare that like Job, I often suffer for what looks like no reason. And like Job, I am struck by the wonders and awesomeness of God, which is so far beyond me.

I announce that Judith singlehandedly won a war against the Assyrian army. So, like her, with Jesus as my shield, I singlehandedly win battles against sin when tempted by the enemy and his minuscule demons.

I blare the trumpet, that like Esther, Queen of Persia, I often faint in fear, but I rise up and try again until my people are saved. So, with every word that I speak, or motion, or action, I may courageously save you, my people, whom the Lord Jesus has chosen for Himself.

I cry out! I am so loved that I can imitate Mary in receiving Jesus into my soul at Holy Communion as He entered Mary’s virginal womb.

Hear me say it! Rejoice! Rejoice with me, like St. John the Baptist in the womb of St. Elizabeth; jump; leap for joy; for Jesus is near.

I applaud St. Joseph! Did you know that he does not have one word in Sacred Scripture? Yet, his witness speaks many words. He is faithful, he knows how to sleep well in the presence of God. He is humble for being the stepfather of Jesus and lowers himself to be overshadowed by Jesus. If the first really will be last and the last shall be first, then I think I know, where St. Joseph will be. Oh, St. Joseph, pray for me that I may humbly love as you so humbly love.

He is calling! As Jesus called Andrew, Simon Peter, James, and John, I have been called to leave behind my boat—my life as I know it—and to follow Him.

Lo, I am like Mary Magdalene, whom seven spirits came out of. Jesus does not heal a part of me. He does not take just one evil spirit from me. But seven spirits! Seven, being the “whole” number and is well over seventy times seven. There are so many spirits and temptations in this exile, but like the Magdalene, I am now in the light.

I readily admit that I am like John, leaning against the heart of Jesus at the Last Supper, purely because Jesus is love and is in love with me.

May the Lord save me, and refine me as gold tried in fire. This glowing gold is so bright that it cannot be contained. Rather, it must be put on a hilltop for all to see. In the same way, our dear Jesus hung on a cross for all to see. What they did not know was that this bloody, maimed, injured, and tortured man is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. My dear Jesus, whose head is surrounded with thorns, You have become for us, Christ, the Bridegroom.

Notice this! Just like the myrrh-bearing women, I come to the tomb of Christ and rejoice that Jesus is not there, but has ascended to His father. I tell you; I cannot contain the joy. God is pouring down on me an “overwhelming blessing” (Malachi 3:10).

Our Jesus! He has conquered sin and death; pain and sorrow; desolation and depression; anxiety and fear.

Now that you have heard my proclamation, I cannot just leave you with this. Instead, I must implore you and beseech you to seek Jesus with all that you are. Seek Him, and you will find Him. And when you find Him, and are called into the light, may you proclaim what He has done for you.