During our lifetime we encounter people, situations and
circumstances that one way or another influence, impact and sometimes
unavoidably leave a mark in our life. It's a good thing if they benefit us in a
positive way but sometimes there are some that create a negative impact on us
and become prisoners of these things or worse disabled and left crippled with
it for life. Today's 1st reading tells us that the Lord has removed the
judgment against us and we have no more misfortune to fear. Let us claim this
for ourselves no matter what we've been through and really feel the Lord's
presence in our life by making Him King. Therefore if the Lord said so then we
can definitely rely on His word. Whenever we see spectacular movies about the
supernatural powers we can always expect scenes that are breathtaking and full
of suspense. It showcases things like when all else failed after everything the
characters have done and death or defeat is imminent then all of a sudden the
powerful forces took their side and saved them from the claws of their enemies.
It always turn out as a blockbuster movie that we find we find very
entertaining and amusing without realizing that just like these movie
characters, we as God's people can rely on His Almighty Power to win all our
battles. Let us learn from the example of Mary. She kept everything in her
heart. From the time of the Annunciation in the Joyful Mysteries, to the time
of the Passion and Death of Jesus in the Sorrowful Mysteries, to the time of
illumination in the Luminous Mysteries up to the Resurrection in the Glorious
Mysteries. Praying the rosary with sincere meditation is the key. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Zephaniah 3:14-18a
14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion ! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and
exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem !
15 The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your
enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further
misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem : Fear not, O Zion, be not
discouraged! 17 The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will
rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing
joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.
Today’s psalm me of my experience at the Yosemite Waterfalls
Park US
and ranks 5th in the whole world. Whew!
As I watched the water crash down hard on the ground coming all the way down
from up on the mountain a thought came into my mind. If we truly believe that
God is our Savior then we should have no more room for fear and doubt. Our
weaknesses are born from it and rather than give in to it we must cultivate in
ourselves the strength and courage coming from the Lord. We have a Great and
Holy God which is enough reason to cry out with joy and gladness. We have already been given access to the
fountain of life, let us choose to approach it and draw water from it with joy
and live. A prayer that I got from an e mail really caught my attention. It has
personally touched my heart when I came upon this prayer and decided to write
it down in a notebook so that it can always come in handy whenever I need an
inspiration. This is the prayer: "None goes to the river early in the morning
and brings dirty water. As you are up this morning may your life be clean, calm
and clear like the early morning water. May the grace of the Almighty support,
sustain and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Amen." The psalm reading today reminds me of it
because it somehow speaks of the same message conveyed in the prayer. Just like
the Blessed Mother Mary, who is Queen of heaven and earth, we too are destined
for victory and royalty. If only we live out the example of her obedient life
and carry Jesus in our hearts the way she does. Mother Mary serves as a special
channel that God has given to humanity to receive His graces. It does not
obscure or diminishes the one and only Mediator, Jesus Christ, rather she shows
God's power even more. Jesus, the Son loves His mother and gives her the
greatest grocery of graces in heaven. Mary totally depends on her Son as in the
wedding feast in Cana by saying, "Do
whatever He tells you." Mary knows that her Son is the ultimate source
that's why she leads us to Him, the true Mediator. God Himself ordained that
His only Begotten Son be born of a human mother through Mary's obedience and
perfect surrender. When the angel appeared to Mary, he wasn't speaking his own
thoughts and words. He was sent by God to speak God's words. In Greek, the Hail
Mary is translated as Hail most highly graced one, meaning so completely
graced. Mary truly is filled with God's grace. When God conceived Mary she was
free from the stain of original sin. He is getting ready the 1st tabernacle of
His Son here on earth. She is made holy, unstained and created in the fullness
of grace. God has placed in Mary the fullness of grace. Mary conceived by her
virginity and humility. It should be in our hearts to honor Mother Mary because
the Son is within her body. The Father is in the Son. It is by grace that we
are saved. Through Jesus and Mary all things are restored. Everything is
possible with God. Who are we to defy the manner that God Himself has chosen
for His Son to come to this world. I remember this friend who kept on saying
that she enjoyed every single thing she did that day. She went to a children's party and
enjoyed everything about it from the company of friends who were with her, the
delicious food that she ate and the activities and games that brought so much
fun to everyone. It didn't stop there because after the party she proceeded to
attend mass and was surprised with a Christmas party for all in the Church. She
kept on saying and repeating these words to me, "ang saya saya" in
English "it was so much fun" This is why I am reminded of her upon
reading today's psalm. We should realize that our situations no matter what it
is should always create in us an atmosphere of "ang saya saya" You
know why? It's not because we are out of our minds, it is because we have a
Great and Holy God which is enough reason to cry out with joy and gladness.
Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Isaiah 12:2-3. 4. 5-6 (6)
R: Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great
and Holy One of Israel .
2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My
strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you
will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the LORD,
acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted
is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let
this be known throughout all the earth...
Isn't it great that even today's 2nd reading tells us the
same thing in relation to the "ang saya saya" mood of my friend. It
has become very obvious that today God is encouraging us to always rejoice and
have no anxiety at all because He is always looking after our welfare. It's
plain and simple, just make the right choice and live in the peace and comfort
of God's love. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall
say it again: rejoice! 5 Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is
near. 6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that
surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
If we have been baptized in Christ then we should have all
the confidence not only in this world but most especially in heaven that we are
blessed and considered as God's beloved children. This we should always
remember and be reminded of. A lot of people looked up to John as if he were
the Messiah because of all the wonderful things he did. He got them convinced
that he is a righteous and holy man as shown by his actions and the witness of
his life. Despite the honor and glory that the people accorded to him he
remained on his feet still planted on the ground. All of us when we are
accorded with honor and praise should follow the example of John who recognized
his nothingness and attributed everything to Jesus who is the source of all
good things. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 3:10-18
...Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were
asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them
all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the
holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his
threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will
burn with unquenchable fire.” ...
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