THE GRAIN

We marvel at the sight of a field of grain that is fully grown and ready for harvest without even realizing how it all came to be. There is no doubt that the farmers worked long and hard to reap the fruits of their labor. It is they who plant and water but the growth that happens came from the life within. God is the Interior Light and Strength. The Holy Spirit gives the inner anointing. Christ preaches through His ministers but the in dwelling of the Holy Spirit gives us the mind and heart of God that makes us like Him and become His sons and daughters. This is all due to the working of an Almighty God who makes all things bright and beautiful. I could never forget what I experienced when I was just new to the Charismatic Renewal. They were all unforgettable ones and demonstrated the awesome power of God. There were lots of wonders and miracles that are signs of God’s power and might. But it is not always a bed of roses because it is also written that if we want to follow Christ then we have to carry our cross. When we go through difficult times it is sometimes very hard to still stand by our convictions and principles for God. Plus the fact that there is a lot of contradicting moral values being promoted in enticing propagandas and fads nowadays. It is a constantly grueling battle between good and evil. Let us not be deceived and be aware on which side we really are. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 John 2:21-28
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. 26 I write you these things about those who would deceive you. 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. 28 And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

Victory is surely in our hands once we've made the right move and choice. We can never ever deny the greatness of our God even just by looking at the simplest part of God’s creation like the tiniest grain of sand to the largest ocean in the world. As in Jeremiah 5:22, “Will you not tremble before me who set the sand as limit to the sea, as an everlasting barrier it can not pass? Its waves may toss but not prevail, they may roar but can not pass beyond.” We ask ourselves how in the world, can a tiny grain of sand hold the vastness of the ocean in the same way we know that we have a God whose saving power is known throughout the earth. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 98: 1,2-3ab, 3cd-4
R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. ...has revealed his triumph for the nations to see,
Has remembered faithful love ...



Today's gospel gave me a new and more meaningful understanding of what St. John proclaimed thousands of years ago to announce the coming of Jesus. I hope and pray that all of us will gain each day a better perspective of who we really are and the role we portray in this life in relation to Jesus. If someone will come to us in the same way that happened in today’s gospel we should also have a ready answer when we are asked. We must know who we really are in relation to Christ. We are all called to give a testimony through our own lives. I realized that it was the holy arm of God that wrought all those signs, wonders and miracles that I have witnessed especially after I have developed a personal relationship with God through the charismatic renewal. I am full of gratitude for the Lord of lords, King of kings, Almighty God and Greatest Physician of all time. With that I am one with St. John the Baptist in announcing these words in today's gospel.
Amen. Hallelujah!

John 1:19-28
19 This is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” 21 So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24 Some Pharisees were also sent. 25 They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27 the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.