IT’S PAID

These past few weeks we have been blessed with several gatherings that are spirit filled. It started with the Growth in the Spirit (GSS) in St. Martha followed by the LOJF Retreat in Big Bear, the San Lorenzo celebration, the anointing of the St. Martha parishioners with Padre Pio’s relic on his feast day by the pastor himself and another GSS in Elizabeth Ann Seton with a charismatic priest from the Philippines. This coming week the parishioners are looking forward to the upcoming healing mass of Fr. Corsi de Legaspi in St. Martha. All these gatherings are ministered by priests and very gifted preachers. It is indeed a blessed gift from the Lord that He sends them in the service of God’s people. Amen. Hallelujah!

Zechariah 8:20-23
20 Thus says the LORD of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; 21 and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, “Come! let us go to implore the favour of the LORD”; and, “I too will go to seek the LORD.” 22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD. 23 Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

It is just overwhelming whenever people meet as one family of God during occasions like these. It feels good to be always reminded of how God looks after the needs of each member of a community. He is indeed, God with us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalms 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7
R: God is with us.
1 His foundation upon the holy mountains 2 the LORD loves, the gates of Zion, more than any dwelling of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! (R) 4 I tell of Egypt and Babylon among those that know the LORD; Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia: “This man was born there.” 5 And of Zion they shall say: “One and all were born in her; and he who has established her is the Most High LORD.” (R) 6 They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: “This man was born there.” 7 And all shall sing, in their festive dance: “My home is within you.” (R)

No matter what our situation is we should never chicken out and remain steadfast in our faith in God. There are things that we can't run away from no matter how bad it may seem to be. As God, Jesus knew what awaits Him in Jerusalem. We should follow His example when he resolutely determined to go to Jerusalem even though He is aware, being God, that it is where the passion of the cross awaits Him. Sometimes we doubt God's Providence when we encounter difficulties but in today's gospel it is clearly stated that Jesus is firmly resolved or determined to do the will of God the Father. His total obedience and commitment to fulfill His mission on earth did not spare Him from experiencing rejection and despite of it all He maintained in Him a spirit of mercy and forgiveness. He did not have a trace of vengefulness in Him. There is really a lot to learn from Jesus' life here on earth. Jesus was focused on God's will and was determined to fulfill it. Nothing stopped Him from fulfilling it although He pleaded to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt. 26:39, He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, 25 if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." and in verse 42 he repeated it again, "Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!" We can all learn from Jesus to be persevering in the problems and difficulties that we face in life for we all know that in the end Jesus triumphed and conquered it all. Let us not forget, He has paid the price and we have all been saved. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 9:51-56
51 When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.