Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14
...11 And when Kephas came to Antioch , I opposed him to his face because he
clearly was wrong. 12 For, until some people came from James, he used to eat
with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separated
himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised. 13 And the rest of the Jews
[also] acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas
was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not on the
right road in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Kephas in front of
all, “If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how
can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, that's why we should
take care of our bodies. Just think of it, whenever we are preparing to receive
guests in our home we always try our best to make it look presentable and go
through extraordinary efforts to make it special. I believe that we should
develop this kind of attitude each day as we bear in our minds that God dwells
in us. It is our duty to make Him feel at home and make it a fitting dwelling
place for Him. Let us make ourselves a living testimony of the gospel. What a
way to live if by just looking at us people will be blessed and praise God for
we become proof of His steadfast kindness and fidelity. Sounds very difficult
but as God our Father is Almighty we continue to hope that all things are
possible and we can do all things through Him. As we try our best to improve our
knowledge of God may we really feel hopeful that God has great plans for all of
us. God is so good indeed, going back to what I was earlier sharing about my
son’s allergy I wouldn't have known of his drinking spree and could have failed
to remind and emphasize to him what a few bottles of beer could have led him. I
am thankful that as early as possible it has already been put to a stop.
Although I would like to give my son the benefit of the doubt that even without
the allergy I know that Allan knows his limitations and can very well overcome
any possible addiction that is being hurled right in front of him by the enemy
for he is a Youth for Christ. As parents we need to look after the welfare of
our children and give them sound advice. But parents or not there is indeed a
need to speak up, be bold and courageous. Wherever we're coming from we should
strive to always grope for the truth and light despite the darkness and
blindness we are experiencing. We have a responsibility in our hands which is
very clearly proclaimed in today's psalm. As we find our way to God may we find
ourselves taking part in the mission and call that we should obediently follow
and fulfill. There is really a need to remind ourselves constantly of this
truth in order to respond as best as we can to this call in today's psalm
reading. We have all been commissioned to go out to the world and tell the Good
News. No matter who you are, what you are, where you're from and where you are.
We are not just listeners and onlookers, we apparently have to do what it tells
us today. In doing so, we need to try our best to improve our knowledge of God.
There is really a need to equip ourselves in order to respond as best as we can
to this call. Once we've made a decision to embrace the truth and turn our
backs on our old ways which are not headed to the path that God wants us to
travel then we can be assured that we are right on track. Shout it out to the
whole world and let it be known by everyone. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 117:1bc, 2
R: Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you
peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the
LORD endures forever.
Two years ago, my son, Allan requested something from me
which I am not fully capable of providing by myself. As I look back and recall
all the things that took place and upon reading today's gospel it made me
realize that every single step involved in it is indeed a testimony that we
have a God who make all things possible. After all the things that happened
within that period, from people who extended a lending hand, to the
circumstances and events that went along with it which made everything fell
into place up to the time when it has been declared officially that Allan has
finally got a hold of it, one thing is sure, we have a Father in heaven who
loves us more than we'll ever know. These memories are very significant in the
sense that I was just talking with my elder son, Jude and was emphasizing to
him the truth of the message and reflection of today’s gospel. It was also
yesterday when I received news from a relative that a problem which I have been
bothered with for years has been resolved. I could never thank them enough for
the help they have extended to me. God has indeed provided us every possible
means in order for us to live a full and happy life. I believe that if we
always come to God in prayer He is always ready to answer us. It should be
emphasized, what Padre Pio said, that prayer is the best armor we have, it is
the key which opens the heart of God. Prayer is something that we can make use
of at all times, we only have to will it, whatever, whenever, wherever we may
be. God goes all the way in fulfilling everything for us even teaching us how
to pray. The truth is there is really nothing more God can give us that He has
not given to us, for He has already shown and taught to us the most important
thing for us to do which is pray. It is one of the most important tools to
always be attuned to God. We all have to pray. When we have access to the heart
of God then we can hear the beating of His heart and synchronize our own hearts
to His and make beautiful rhythm together. It is when we follow where God leads
us that we create a harmonious relationship with God. When the heart of God
speaks and we listen then we will never go astray. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 11:1-4
1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had
finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as
John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4
and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do
not subject us to the final test.”
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