GOD’S SIDE

It is through the trials and hardships in life that we manifest God's power and victory in our lives.  According to St. Rose of Lima, "Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase." We may want to reflect on the following questions, What is the relationship between afflictions and the height of grace? Do I make use of such opportunities or do I rail against them? In the battles that we face in our lives, we inevitably get hurt in the process but we can be assured of winning the fight if we are on God’s side. Amen. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

...8 We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you...

There is some truth to the famous saying, “Easy come, easy go.” If there are some things that we've been praying for and it seems like nothing is happening we should never give up. Every good work should be carefully planned and carried out to completion. Though the process may be long and hard we can always count on God to stick with us through and through and make it happen. If we are always manifesting in our lives the values of the passion and death of Jesus then we are assured of the resurrection. For this reason it is good to share this prayer of Mother Angelica in times of temptation and whenever we are on the verge of giving up when undergoing trials and tribulations. The prayer suggests that we focus on the 12^th station of the cross which is when Jesus dies on the cross while reciting the following: Eternal Father, I offer you the 6 hours of agony, the death and the piercing of Your Son’s Sacred Heart for… (mention the need or petition). This is effective in the sense that the Lord looks down upon His Son, His agony, death and the piercing of His sacred heart for our sake. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 126: 1bc- 2ab, 2cd-3 , 4-5 , 6R: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

We really have to treasure the love of God that is given to us. Jesus paid a high price for it. We are also called in our own way to respond to Him with all our best efforts. It is never easy but it is always worth it, so let us go for it. As humans, we all have that desire to be recognized and affirmed as in today's gospel that's why Jesus reminds and gives us the formula for this. It may not be sensible and practical in the world's point of view but we are assured of the authenticity of this formula as lived, witnessed and evidenced by Jesus. When He came to us more than 2000 years ago, He left for us the greatest example and pattern of life that we can all surely rely and depend on. It was the most amazing and credible true to life story ever told in the entire history of mankind that we can always look up to and follow. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 20: 20-28

22 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” ...Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”