As human beings we go through different stages in life as we
grow old and should strive to become a better person in the process. It would
always help to assess how we are doing with our life. This reminds me of an
episode of Grey's Anatomy entitled, "I saw what I saw" The doctor was
examining a conscious, up and about patient in the ER who had minor burns due
to a fire that broke out in the hotel where they were staying. Her vital signs
were normal, in fact she was completely aware of what was going on around her.
She was in the process of being examined further when she suddenly screamed
because she saw another patient who just got admitted in the ER, with a big ax
planted and poking out of his chest. He is a firefighter who tripped and
accidentally axed his own chest. It was quite a scene that the doctor who was
examining her got distracted and totally forgot about what she was about to do
to her. Unfortunately, what was bypassed in her assessment is the most
important and top priority in the care of a patient, airway. It is the A in the
ABC of Patient Care. She happened to inhale soot which caused the blockage of
her airway and from there arose all other problems and eventually led to her
death. This happened very quickly despite the remedy and eventually drastic
measures implemented by not just one but almost all the good doctors in the ER
who attempted to save her life. And to think, that it was all because of the
failure to do just one step. In the procedure, the failure to look into the
patient's airways, i.e, nostrils and throat is a simple and easy step of
assessing the airway but spelled the difference between life and death. Today's
1st reading, Jeremiah reminds us of our top priority as Christians. There may
be times when we are distracted, lured and carried away by the things that are
going on around us. Let us not continue to be distracted. We ought to realize
that an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. It would
always be for our own good that we always assess our standing before God so as
not to end up in a hopeless condition when cure is already impossible before we
pay attention to God. To love and observe God's commandments should always come
first and be the A in the ABC of our faith in God. We should assess our
standing before God, recognize our faults and be rid of whatever it is that is
keeping us from fully experiencing the compassion and forgiveness of God. Let
us not be tied down with our guilt and get it on with repentance. Our sins can
never be bigger than the love and mercy of God. We must never doubt God's
goodness in the same way that we should never hesitate to love and obey God.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Jeremiah 14:17-22
…We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, the guilt of our
fathers; that we have sinned against you. 21 For your name’s sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and
break it not. 22 Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? Or can
the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we
look? You alone have done all these things.
Sometimes we go through life not really knowing what we're
missing. Let us no longer miss out but rather benefit and enjoy the goodness of
God. We sometimes wonder how an act of obedience to God can seem so difficult
at times even if we know for a fact that it is for our own good. It is our sins
that draw us farther away from God, bury us deeper and bind us in chains. It
all begins with just a slight act of disobedience or negligence on our part
which takes a hold of us and before we know it we've gone so far away from God.
Let's not wait any longer before it's too late. The time is now for us to
repent and go back to God. It is inevitable that we always give praise to God.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13
R: For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may
your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us,
O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our
sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and
the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all
generations we will declare your praise.
Jesus in today's gospel gives us an explanation of the
parable of the weeds. Although we are not of this world we can not deny the
fact that we are still in this world. We are still bound and living here on
earth so we must be aware of the fact that we are exposed to the elements of
this world we are in. The more we know and understand this parable the better
we can cope. This explicit illustration allows us to picture ourselves in the
field. From here we can already pace ourselves and gear up. We've got to be
active and alert since there is a continuous battle that is raging between good
and evil. We are told of what destiny awaits the damned and the followers of
the evil one. If we are wise then we should know where we should stand and
which side we should work for. There are only 2 sides, God’s side and the
enemy’s side. We are challenged every single day before we reach the end of the
age to make a clear stand, no in between. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 13:36-43
...“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37
He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the
world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of
the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the
end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected
and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age...
