THE BATTLE IS ON

In today’s 1^st reading we are made aware of the death and destruction that result when an evil person is at work. Though, we should never ever lose hope for someone greater than all the evil around us can put an end to it. There is always a way for God will never leave nor abandon us. We should be aware that we are faced daily with our own battles between good and evil. It rages on but we should realize that Jesus already died on the cross and have long before won the battle when He rose again from the dead. It also speaks of the suffering and hardship that the heir of King's David throne suffered before he was proclaimed king. Looking back 2 years ago, the readings today are exactly the same on the day Sis Ester’s husband, Bro. Boy got his kidney transplant. For years Sis Ester and her family waited for a kidney donor. He was about to lose hope already when the doctor replied to him that he might have to wait a total of 7 years before he could get a kidney transplant. At that time, he had been waiting for more than 4 years already and an additional 3 more years waiting time seemed unbearable for him. The fact that he had been on dialysis for more than 4 years made him perfectly aware of how 3 more years could mean. Sis Ester said that her husband almost lost hope and gave up since he had been experiencing already the worst in the downside of his dialysis and illness. His strength started to dwindle down from the years of dialysis and the failed kidneys itself is a big price his health has to pay and suffer. But God is faithful because their awaited time did come and is now celebrating the 2^nd year anniversary of life since the transplant. There is indeed, a proper time for everything as the Lord Himself has appointed the exact hour and place for all things in heaven and on earth. Amen. Hallelujah! 

2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20

...in the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned the captains of the Carians and of the guards. He had them come to him in the temple of the LORD, exacted from them a sworn commitment, and then showed them the king’s son... Then Jehoiada led out the king’s son and put the crown and the insignia upon him. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, clapping their hands and shouting, “Long live the king!” ... All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the royal palace...

Sister Ester had been holding on to God's promise and she was not disappointed despite the many years they have waited, the Lord remained faithful and true. God will always keep His word and do as He had promised. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 132:11, 12, 13-14, 17-18

R: The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

11 The LORD swore to David a firm promise from which he will not withdraw...

In today's gospel, Jesus is giving us a sound advice of how we can be truly rich.  I have always admired Sis Ester for her faith and dedication to God. She is a picture of a person who closely resembles the description in the gospel. She is indeed storing up treasures in heaven that neither moth nor decay can destroy and not even thieves can steal. She has lived up to this model so well that God in His goodness has been blessing her tremendously in ways and means that can not be measured nor equaled in human and worldly standards. It is only right that we focus on building up wealth and investment wisely and become truly rich in the eyes of man and God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 6:19-23

19 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”