JOURNEY’S END

We should always come to God in prayer every single day and humbly ask for His instructions and directions especially at times when we are about to make certain decisions in our life. Without fail, God always show us a well lighted path where we are secure to go. Our life here on earth is much like a journey. We may be travelling through several means of transportation and it could be by land, air or sea. We can choose any way we want to travel. It follows that in our life's journey we encounter so many trials, difficulties, hindrances and discouragements but this should not stop us from carrying on. We've got to be determined in going forward, not turn back and lose our way. Just like any other journeys, there is one thing we should be certain of, where are we heading to. We may have been travelling long and hard enough without being certain of the outcome. There are several paths that can lead us to several places. Where is this journey taking us? We've got to have a destination.  Every step we make should take us closer to it. Today's 1st reading is an invitation to aim for the highest destiny of man to be with God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 2:1-5

...the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” ...O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Today's psalm reminds me of this popular game called, "Trip to Jerusalem" I guess, everybody's familiar with it. We may all have played this game when we were young or even when we're older. The fastest, quickest, most alert person who gets the last seat wins. If we are not paying attention or are too slow then we are bound to lose. We have to put up a good fight in this game in order to win because the chairs are always lacking so every round there is always one person who doesn't get a seat and gets eliminated. It is just a game but people have a lot of fun doing their best so as not to be eliminated and win. People who engage themselves in this kind of game and want to win exert a lot of effort. It is so tiring and can exhaust one's energy in the game. And to think that after all our efforts only one person gets to win. Isn't it a relief that we can go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.  We need not worry that all our best efforts would just be wasted because God has reserved a seat for each one of us. If we are all set and very sure where we are headed then nothing can stop us from being there. Considering, too that we have a God who has secured a place and our future for us. John 14:1-3, " Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be." Nothing or no one can prevent us unless we ourselves decide not to go. The truth is, it's all up to us. We are confronted with a lot of things every day and if there is one thing we should choose and decide for then peace is one of them. It is important that we work and pray for peace to always reign in our midst. If we have peace that passes understanding always safeguarded in our hearts then we can rejoice in the Lord at all times. We should always be confident of the truth that we are blessed and secure in the knowledge and truth that we are where we are right now, doing what we are doing right now at the exact time God has provided for us, for with God there is always a perfect time for everything. When we are feeling tired from all the day's work all we want to do is just go home. Nothing could be more rewarding than coming home to a place where we find rest and peace. Our life here on earth could be compared to something like this. It is nice to know that at the end of the day or our life's journey we can go rejoicing to the house of the Lord and find ourselves welcome there. Ideally, there should be no other place we want to be, more than a place where there is peace and prosperity. It is a choice we have to make but sometimes we make the wrong choices and choose to be just anywhere but in a place such as this. We have all the time to be in different places that is fun and exciting. There is nothing wrong with being in these places for as long as we know our limitations but do we get the same joy and fulfillment when we go into the house of God. We should be balanced human beings. We should not just seek to satisfy our physical but spiritual needs as well. Let us tap our dormant souls that are left unattended for so long and revive it to really feel what the psalm tells us today. As much as we are confronted by the fact that we are still inhabitants of this imperfect world we are in we can not live as if it does not exist. We might as well make the most of what we can do while we are part of it. We’ve got to set goals in order to achieve this and keep our eyes focused on it. It helps go through our daily life if we have set goals that we want to achieve and fulfill. The SMART acronym tells us that our goals should be S for specific, M for measurable, A for attainable or achievable, R for realistic or relevant and T for timely or time based. This is very effective in helping us improve as a person especially at times when we can't get our acts together. We can always set SMART goals from time to time in order to keep track of our performance in whatever field we want to work on and excel. It helps a lot in assessing ourselves in order for us to make an evaluation on how we our doing with our life. After each SMART goal we set for ourselves and have achieved it gives us a sense of fulfillment knowing that we have accomplished something. Little by little everyday we step up the ladder of our SMART goals. All of these should eventually come up to rejoicing with what we have made of our life. These we continue to do until it all sum up to bring us to that ultimate SMART goal. It should all lead us and point to our final destination when we go up to the house of the Lord. There is no greater joy than being with the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

...May those who love you prosper! 7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. (R) 8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.

We may not be physically asleep but spiritually we are. It is time we attend to our souls as I have reiterated earlier as impressed from the psalm reading. Today's 2nd reading tells us to awake from sleep since we may not be aware of the fact that we have been lying dormant for a long time. We are given good advice as to how we are to awaken the passion of our souls rather than that of the flesh. Amen. Hallelujah!

Romans 13:11-14

11 Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; 12 the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. 14 But put on the  Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Somebody must have been sleeping too long. Our gospel is also telling us to stay awake. A lot of terrible things can happen if we are sleeping because all our senses and defenses are down. Unlike if we are awake when we are totally aware of the things happening around us. This is just to emphasize the point that we need to be vigilant at all times for we never really know the time nor the hour when this journey of ours here on earth is going to end. It is always for our own good that we are ready anytime. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 24:37-44

...Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your

Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

HAPPY FIESTA SAN ANDRES

Sometimes we come to a point in our lives when we have questions and doubts especially when we encounter situations that cloud our thinking. It may be foolish to even do so but there are times when we are not so sure about our beliefs and what to believe in. When we profess that the Lord our God is over all, in all and for all, this becomes especially difficult at times when we are confronted of the fact that we live in a world ruled with chaos, disorder and so much imperfection. We may come up with all kinds of denials, excuses and justifications but they are just what they really are, as the word and name itself suggests. In the midst of all these things there are just two things we can do, to listen and act on the word of God or not. The message from today's 1st reading is very clear. It is just a matter of living for this truth or against it. There are no ifs, buts and no in between. Everything that happens in this world is within the will of God. Sometimes terrible and unpleasant things happen and we tend to ask ourselves if they are also part of God's will. This has always been a very difficult question to answer. We all have questions and it is so inconsolable when we come to a point when we are at a loss for answers to these questions. It is like someone groping in the dark, don't really know and can't find the answers to it then we should get out of the dark and just decide not to dwell on the things that we do not know rather just focus on the things that we know. It is not, what we don't know but what we know and believe about God. He is loving, merciful, all powerful and that is all that really matters. It should and must be enough to settle us down for He will not put us through something without seeing us through it. Though, the journey we are on right now may be long, hard and tedious but it would all be worth it if we are heading for the destination that God has directed us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Romans 10:9-18

...For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”...But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” 17 Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask, did they not hear? Certainly they did; for “Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

It always pays to be watchful and alert at all times. Although we sometimes fail to measure up due to our own shortcomings or could be the doing of another, God assures us in today's psalm that if we fall into the trap of the enemy we can always repent with a deep remorse for our sins and resolve to make the precepts of the Lord the joy of our hearts. In doing so, we find ourselves naturally restrained from sin and maintain our innocence. It is so hard to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord if we do not know exactly how to go about with it. It's just like when we have to comply to certain requirements in school and follow the standard set by it. We need to have a pattern or outline from which we can base our work. Just as it is so in other things, the more we are all in need of God's precepts. The absolute bedrock of spiritual life is to follow the 10 commandments. We are sometimes misled into thinking that when we have a type of prayer then we think that we already have a spiritual life. We’ve got to have the humility to admit that God is smarter than we are and we need to follow and obey what we are told in the 10 commandments. We should be totally and absolutely convinced that He knows best. Satan uses half truths and half lies in his devilish tricks. Satan’s claims seem to come true in one level. Take the example of our 1^st parents after eating of the forbidden fruit their eyes were opened and did become in one sense like God. The fallen angels made their free choice by radically and irrevocably rejecting God so in turn they seduce and mislead Adam & Eve. It was through sin that humanity was afflicted by death. Because of one man’s disobedience many were made sinners. When tempted in the Garden, Adam failed to remain faithful to God and His commands. Jesus, the New Adam, is God’s servant totally obedient to the Divine will. Jesus is the devil’s conqueror and takes back the plunder. What the devil has stolen from us, Jesus has recovered for us. Pope Benedict XVI commented about what the Lord experienced in the desert and said that at the heart of all temptations is the act of pushing God aside because we conceive Him as secondary. It is an act of constructing our world with our own lights and building our own foundation and setting God aside as an allusion. Temptations come in many varied forms but one thing is sure, it does not invite us to directly do evil because it is too blatant and would outright turn us off. It is very subtle and yet an act of pushing God’s commands aside and placing the devil’s temptation as primary. If we want to remain victorious throughout life, we have to keep Him in the center of our life and hold on to His words which are Spirit and life. God’s ever present help can be found in the scriptures. It's just like a soldier going to battle wearing the armor of God. It never fails and always there to defend and protect from the snares of the evil one. So always take up your sword which is the word of God. God's perfect word can refresh the soul. Have you ever wondered really how it feels to be refreshed? Whenever we take a shower or a warm bath and put on clothes that are well fitted and comfortable it refreshes our body. It could also be whenever we go to a place where we can unwind, relax, be away from the tensions, stresses, noise and turmoil of the fast paced lives that we lead and just appreciate the beauty of nature that surrounds us and the peace and quiet it offers to our tired bodies in order to be more in touch with God's voice in us. It is so refreshing it gives our minds and hearts a better view and perspective of how to live our lives. The same thing with our souls, we should always keep it clean, healthy and clothed with maximum security, protection but comfortable enough we don't even know it's there. Like it has become fused in us, there's nothing more right than following and obeying the law of God. Today's psalm reading guides us on how we should go about with our lives by always keeping in mind God's laws. None of us is perfect but through our imperfections we can always run to God for help and guidance. He will never refuse nor forsake us for He can only love and care for us. There are people who have alienated themselves from God and we can’t just force them to go back. God does not do that, it’s not how the Lord works, instead we pray and pray for them. If we wait long enough and adhere to God’s precepts then we will finally obtain joy in our hearts. As water prevails over the rock throughout the course of time so does the Holy Spirit that is continuously flooding or washing over the man’s heart.  The Holy Spirit moves in and continues to work upon us and tenderizes us. The song entitled, "Your Words Are Spirit and Life" by Bernadette Farrell was impressed to me. It is a beautiful song that I have always loved to sing and I just realized that the words of this song are taken from this psalm which made me start singing it. Well, we just have to fully discover what the words of God can make us do. When things get out of hand we have no one to blame but ourselves for God is surely not lacking in everything that He has given us for our own welfare. We've got everything we need because there's nothing more that God could and should do for us that He has not done. All we have to do is completely trust and obey the judgments of the Lord. GOD'S LAW MAKES US LIVE A VIRTUOUS LIFE (CCC 1803 "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." May we truly recognize the genuine and precious treasures that we should all strive to achieve and work for which is none other than these things spoken of in today's psalm. Amen. Hallelujah!  

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R: The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

7 [8] The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. (R) 10 [11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.

It happens that every time I become part of a certain parish I make it a point to know about its patron saint because of certain events that led me to it. Call it supernatural or extraordinary or whatever we prefer to call it but it has always been this way. It is like something would come up like knowing a particular thing about these saints that would make me realize how they impact my personal life. It is always good to read about the life of the saints. God is pleased with the way they lived their lives here on earth. We can always learn something from them especially in making better our relationship with God. This is what the example of their holy and exemplary life give, not just to us but also to the rest of our family to follow. Today is the feast day of St. Andrew, pray for us. Happy Feast Day!  St. Andrew was also known as the Apostle of the Greek World, had a Greek name it is not Hebrew, as might have been expected, but Greek, indicative of a certain cultural openness in his family. He also became the preacher and interpreter of Jesus for the Greek, who were also known for their pagan beliefs. Andrew, only Andrew, seemed to have kept his contemplative spirit. When there was the occasion of feeding the five thousand, it was Andrew who naively presented to Jesus the little boy who had some loaves and fish. He trusted Jesus' ability to do something from such a small and impossible beginning. When my husband Edwin and I decided to buy a lot where to build our house, way back in 1990, we chanced upon this lot in Greenwoods Pasig and bought it. It took us 4 years before we were finally able to build a house and moved in 1994. Now I know why God chose this place for us to raise our two boys Jude and Allan who are now 23 and 20 years old respectively. Today also there is a fiesta in Greenwoods since St. Andrew is the patron saint in our parish. I am very thankful for the San Andres Apostol Parish in Greenwoods for adopting our family most especially my two sons, being a part of it has been a blessing. My sons have become active members of the Youth For Christ (YFC). They are now actively serving the Lord through this community. They have met very nice friends in Greenwoods, too. It helped to know that even if we're miles apart, I am confident in the knowledge that St. Andrew the patron saint of Greenwoods who have always sheltered the families there will continue to intercede for us. My sons were able to build their circle of God fearing friends founded on the activities under the roof of this church. I hope and pray that these bonds will continue to strengthen with the help of St. Andrew as he has done for so many years in the past up to the present. Over all, in all and for all, God makes all things work for the good. We are all called to discipleship by God. It just depends on how attentive we are to His call and do we hear it at all. We have our own personal plans and expectations and God's call to us may seem unfit and does not conform to what we have in mind. This is where the problem lies when we assume things in a different way or plainly unwilling to respond to the call in the manner that God would have it. We sometimes think that we know better by having things our way especially when times are tough. Today's gospel tells us that when the first apostles were called they left their nets and boats and followed Him. It may help us to think of our own nets and boats in life and ask ourselves if we would also be willing to leave them behind. It is definitely not an easy task but it will all be worth it in the end. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 4:18-22

18 As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

BE PREPARED

Today’s 1st reading is taken from the Book of Daniel which is written even before the time Jesus was born. This passage which speaks of the Son of Man refers to Jesus. This I’ve learned from our bible study and since then I have come to learn, discover and appreciate better a lot of things in the bible more than I used to. Especially the relevance of the scriptures in the Old Testament to the New Testament and the overwhelming connection to each other which is shown in the gradual but steady building up of the realization of the ancient prophecies in Jesus. All the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus.  The readings point only to one thing, the Kingship, Majesty and Dominion of God over all the earth. In today's 1st reading, God is described as seating on His throne and gave an impression of great power. It takes us to another aspect or level of understanding of the majesty of our God. We ought to be glad and rejoice that we have a God who is Almighty and Immortal that no one or nothing can ever be over and above Him. Whenever we hear the word throne then we immediately paint a picture in our minds about royalty, highness and being on top of everything. This is all true when we speak of God. Although we may never be able to fully visualize God, the Ancient One sitting on the throne, it reminds us of the truth that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.  We just can’t put the right words into our mouth when we speak of God’s majesty. God is almighty and all powerful. He is beyond words! Amen. Hallelujah!

Daniel 7:2-14

…One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed…

God never runs short of the nicest things to convey to us every day. All we have to do is look around us and see the wonderful creation of God. From the sun that shines, the rain that waters the earth and the air we breathe, how can we miss it? We are filled with so many signs and wonders of God's love to us that never fails. Amen. Hallelujah!

Responsorial Psalm
Daniel 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him!
“Mountains and hills,… “Everything growing from the earth,… “You springs,… “Seas and rivers,… “You dolphins and all water creatures,… “All you birds of the air,… “All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”

I believe that God speaks to us through the daily circumstances and events in our lives. When we see these things happening to us we must consider them as like the fig tree and all the other trees in today’s gospel that served as an indicator of something that is coming our way. It is always good to look back and recall the things that we’ve been through as a form of assessing our lives in order to gain insights, important tips and strategies to be well prepared for something or to really recognize what needs to be done. In the same way that the fig tree became a sign that summer is near, we also must learn how to detect or identify some events in our life that can serve as an aid to guide us to make better decisions with regards to our life. I just realized that these words that I just wrote in relation to the fig tree in the gospel are the very words that I always quote whenever I counsel someone who is having trials and difficulties. What made me remember it even more is the fact the word of God as spoken of in the gospel is the very foundation of our hope and trust in the Lord as it is written, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.”  With this we pray that we continue to hold on to the Lord's promises for in it alone we can trust. We may have said things that we shouldn't have said and can no longer take back but what He said we can have full confidence for we have a God who fulfills His word. We can stand secure. Amen. Hallelujah!

Gospel
Lk 21:29-33
Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away,  but my words will not pass away.”

THANKSGIVING

According to Catholic therapist, Monica Breaux there are strategies in order for us to move to wholeness especially those people with certain addictions. Let’s take sexual addiction as an example. We may think that anything goes but our body does not think that everything goes. Some behaviors can cause physical and mental health problems. The blessing of our church is that we have such good wisdom when it comes to guidance around sexuality and that wisdom is validated by scientific evidence. We don’t need science to prove our faith but to those who tend to say that our faith is outdated and antiquated then they are wrong about that. Science is absolutely on the Church’s side. There is great wisdom in the faith about sexuality and good guidance. Sometimes people don’t know what the church teaches. What the church teaches is acceptable in marriage.  For those who think otherwise is perhaps caused by the cultural idea that anything goes. They are wrong, whether they accept the faith or not, there are some physical and mental health consequences to some behaviors. Any habit can become a compulsion. The problem is that the culture encourages us to move from disappointment to resentment. When we become full of self pity and resentment we want to escape that pain, the emotional pain is unbearable and that’s when people move into something for comfort to escape pain and to increase pleasure. The culture offers all kinds of ideas for comfort and pain escaping. Those become habits and this happens simply to deal with the pain created by resentment and self pity. A habit limits the freedom of desire.  In addiction, it is that which limits the freedom of human desire. Let’s say you eat a particular kind of food  every night and then someone offered you something very special but you don’t want it. You just want what you are accustomed to. This is very typical in people who could not receive love in the way it is offered because their habit has become a compulsion. A compulsion means a person could not stop even if they want to. It is like I do that which I don’t want to do. It’s really about slavery and no longer having that freedom of human desire. There are all kinds of ways people try to stop. The only way, is simply to stop. Once an addict stops there’s an enormous amount of pain that one must know how to deal with. At the core of an addiction is a wounded heart, a malady of the heart. We are people with legitimate needs (physical and emotional) and in the natural someone responds. Like when a baby cries we try to do our best to console the baby but when every drop of comfort and love is not received then it becomes very frustrating. The addiction, compulsions and obsessions are blocking the ability to receive that love and comfort that we need. Sometimes somebody settles down because somebody cares and listens. We can not give love until we properly receive it. All therapy starts with a change of thought. We have to separate our value from our behavior. Until we change our thoughts we can not remove our compulsions. Compulsions lead to addiction. Jesus loves us as we are and knows already our bad behavior. God loves us in spite of our bad behavior. We need to claim the truth that God the Father gave us value, there’s nothing we do that will make us less or taint it. Amen. Hallelujah!

Sirach 50:22-24

And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb, and fashions them according to his will!

May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; May his goodness toward us endure in Israel to deliver us in our days.

There is really none like our God. We can have all the things that this world can offer but in the end we will still be wanting and not satisfied if we do not have God in the center of our life. The Lord has always been faithful and not a single moment would He ever not be. We should have the confidence always of a beloved child of God and the honor of being on top of God's creation. The Lord is always ready to extend His help and shower His blessings on us, His people. The question is, are we willing to accept His help and stay within the circle of His blessings? This question is very critical and sometimes left unanswered, neglected and taken for granted. When we choose to continue in the path that does not lead us closer to God the answer is clear, it is a no. When we direct our actions in things that draw us closer to God then it is a yes. If this is so true for us then we ought to do as the psalm reading today tells us. All our thoughts, words and actions should reflect how great our God is. As humans we tend to downplay God's role in our life because we subject our experiences to human terms and conditions. We are still bound by the limitations of this world we are in and we can't help it. We sometimes just go with the flow and get carried away by the pressures imposed to us by our present and existing situations. Our study of World History tells us of the different and various kinds of kingdoms and dynasties which ruled throughout the length of time. None of the most famous and powerful of these kingdoms still stand today and remain as influential to the entire world as it used to be. This tells us one thing that earthly kingdoms will eventually cease to exist. Only God's Kingdom prevails for eternity. Sometimes we might even have to come to a point when we look and sound strange  for others or even suffer the ridicule of not just others but the very people who comprise our circle of close family, relatives and friends. What matters most is that we ought to give God what He rightly deserves, to be extolled and praised forever. Today's psalm tells us that we owe God more than just plain courtesy for His goodness. Whenever we watch box office hit super hero movies, news about it spread like wildfire and the promotion for it is international that almost everybody around the globe gets to know about it and watch it. If only we can devote that same fervor and enthusiasm in spreading word about the greatest Super Hero of all times, Jesus and make a decision to watch His life unfold and be part of our own, then we can someday be a part of God's great Kingdom in Heaven. If we truly desire this then we should always be mindful of the words of God written in the bible since it is indeed what its acronym stands for which is B - basic I-instructions B-before L-leaving E-earth. It is very important that we have read and understood well what is written in the bible before we exit this world. This reminds me of the video games that my sons used to play. When they finish one level they have to enter into the next level which is more difficult and so on and so forth until they reach the ultimate task and win the final battle. It was like they needed to be well prepared and more skillful for each level. This somehow reminds us of how we should approach our final day here on earth. The gate of heaven has been opened and made accessible for us, there is no question about it but the question is, "Are we ready and able to go through it?" As in Eph. 6:13, "Therefore, put on the armor of God,  that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground." Another thing is we have no idea when will that day come because we really do not know the time or the hour. One thing for sure, the only way to go through it is by being well prepared for it. Thus I wanted to share this story which I got from an email.

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adored her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, he asked the 4th wife , 'I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!', replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word.

Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, 'I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No!', replied the 3rd wife. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!'

His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me.

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd wife. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'

Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.'

The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the King said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity. Amen. Hallelujah!

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R. (see 1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. R. Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. R. They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds and declare your greatness. They publish the fame of your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your justice. R. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. R. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,

and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom

and speak of your might. R.

With all the shortages that affect the whole world and the different crises that we are all facing today we can't help it, if we feel insecure and afraid. Especially in times when we start to run out of resources, this usually happens to most of us these days. We must realize that there is only one thing needed and we have to make it our choice so that it will not be taken away from us. We need not be worried and anxious about a lot of things. As in Lk. 10:41-42, The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." If we choose the right thing then we can claim all other things, as in Mt. 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." To top it all, we are assured in today's 1st reading that we are sufficient for God alone provides. They say experience is the best teacher. As we go on with our daily life and charge each day to experience, there is a need to really open the door of our hearts and allow Jesus to not just be a part of our life but be guided by the WWJD (What would Jesus do?) principle and do exactly what Jesus would do if he happens to be us. Amen. Hallelujah! 

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,5 that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, 6 as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

A leper could not go anywhere because of fear of contagion. This is what leprosy does to a person, it does not just eat up a person’s flesh but it could also be spread through contact. We must realize that before Jesus came to redeem us we were all like lepers isolated and banned from entering heaven but we have all been healed from the sin of our 1^st parents and restored to wholeness. In today’s gospel 10 lepers were made whole but only 1 came back. It is important that we learn to be thankful. We sometimes imagine that life owes us a living. Take the example of a teenager who is not allowed to use a family car and gets upset over it. We feel the same way when we feel slighted it is because we are immature and arrogant. None of us are self sufficient and we are all totally dependent on God. Everything we have is a gift from God. We must learn to acquire the heart of gratitude. We should pray to the Lord who have given us so much to give us one more thing, a grateful heart. Our gratitude to God should have no limit. He has given us so many blessings but we have a tendency to take it for granted and just turn our backs on him just like those 9 lepers in today's gospel. There is no doubt that Jesus is able to do all things even the most impossible ones. The problem lies not in the part of Jesus to do what is supposed to be done it is in our part that we fail. Sometimes we go through life complaining and moaning about our problems without realizing that we have a lot more to be thankful to God for. The gospel is a statistical illustration of it since only 1/10 lepers came back to God and recognized what He has done. It's time we realize which part of that statistic do we belong? Or better yet, to try to make a statistical shift from that number to 10/10 as we all go to God and give Him thanks. Technically speaking if we are to refer to this statistical formula we will find it to be known as shift invariance. In other words, if a statistic, S  is shift-invariant, then addition of an arbitrary value, a, positive or negative, to all elements of the sample results in the increase/decrease of S by the same amount a. We can take it as something that is subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion: an arbitrary decision. Let us do our part in making a difference for in the end it will all return to us more than a hundredfold. Can we expect to hear the same words of Jesus spoken to the cleansed leper to be spoken to us? Are we the grateful Samaritan or one of the other 9 who did not return to give thanks. Giving thanks come in so many ways and Jesus tells us the importance of it not for His own sake but for ours. Our thanks to God will not add anything to the greatness of God. God is great and mighty with or without our thanks. It is us who needs it. The more thankful we are the more we acknowledge God's goodness and become more open to His graces. Giving thanks to God works for our own good and advantage more than anything else. God can take away all our sufferings if He wills it just like the instant healing of the ten lepers in the gospel. So why does he still allow suffering? This world we live in is the way it really is, imperfect. We need to be content in every circumstance and must not depend on anything in order to be contented or happy. We can decide to be content and grateful where we are right now and not end up like the ungrateful 9 lepers who were healed. It is very sad that only a few people recognize the goodness and blessings that God bestows on each one of us. In today's gospel only one gave thanks to God for the healing that they received. We tend to always assume that God owes us something and become ungrateful for the blessings we received. Or we take for granted the things that God gives and tend to focus more on our personal agenda which surely is not always the best thing for us. Only God knows what's best for us and by accepting our circumstances right at this very moment the more God can bless us. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Luke 17:11-19

11 As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he travelled through Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him 13 and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” 14 And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; 16 and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? 18 Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” 19 Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

NOT A HAIR...

Mene, Tekel and Peres is what today's 1st reading speaks about. If we would apply the message it conveys in our lives then this is how we should see it. Mene means that our days here on earth are numbered because we would all have to leave behind everything. No human being living here on earth can deny the truth that we will die because no one has ever been known to escape death except for Jesus who resurrected after 3 days. Time will come when the only thing that will matter is the Tekel. How we lived our life is what would be left of us and be judged accordingly. As to whether we would be found adequate, in excess or wanting would all depend on how we choose to live the life given to us by God. When everything is done and over with and then we would have to face reality that we must be able to surrender all that we have and leave everything behind as in Peres. If this is the case then we might as well know how to set our priorities right and do what is pleasing before God. We should guard ourselves from falling into the same trap that the king in today's 1st reading fell into when he got lured into the enticements and false promises of the world. We should only glorify one God to whom we owe our life breath and the whole course of our life. A constant communication line with God through prayers, good deeds, daily mass and the Eucharist, associating ourselves with the people of same faith like in prayer meetings and the reading of the Word of God is a sure way to clear up all cloud of doubt. Whatever plans we have, be sure to consult it to God and really be keen on listening and interpreting His word just like DANIEL in the first reading. Amen. Hallelujah!

 

Daniel 5:1-6. 13-14. 16-17. 23-28

....I have heard that the spirit of God is in you, that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom. But I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties;...Daniel answered the king: “You may keep your gifts, or give your presents to someone else; but the writing I will read for you, O king, and tell you what it means. 23 you have rebelled against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. 24 By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down. 25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: 26 MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; 27 TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; 28 PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Isn't it great? Knowing exactly what God wants us to do and be on the right track. We, too can aim for that if we only take every opportunity and subject ourselves into the rigid exercise of faith. In God's generosity we must not doubt that we are able to do great things beyond our expectations, we can do all things in Christ, even to be like Daniel.  For days, Daniel has been part of the readings and it is shown that he has been prepared physically and spiritually before he emerged  into a full servant of God with all his wisdom and intelligence  proclaiming God's glory. We should not leave any aspect of our life behind when it comes to surrendering to God. Our full loyalty should only belong to Him alone who is God of heaven and earth and everything in it. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Daniel 3:62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67

R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.

39 [Dan 3:62] “Sun and moon,...“Stars of heaven,...“Every shower and dew,...“All you winds, ...“Fire and heat, ...“Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”

It doesn't mean that if we have surrendered everything to God then we can be rest assured that all things will work out well for us. We must always be prepared for the worst since our faithfulness to God will always be put to the test. As the bible says, gold is tested through fire and so is our faith. No matter what happens, we have God's assurance that if we persevere then not a hair on our heads will be destroyed. I have a thick hair and it has become very long already because I haven't had a haircut for a long time already. I guess this is one of the things that distinguish me from other people. I am suddenly reminded of someone who told me that when she was looking for me from a multitude of people, it was my hair that set me apart and helped her recognize me from the others. You can already imagine how long and thick it is, it has become so distinct. This is why every time I encounter a bible reading that says something about the hair, I've always considered it very personal and especially meant for me. This hair thing is very personal to me. Every time I encounter a bible passage about hair it really strikes me owing to the soft spot it holds in my heart.  Some people may find it very strange when we make certain decisions in life that may not conform to their own personal beliefs. Life is like that, we encounter circumstances that tend to pull our spirits down and we can only hope that things will get better. There are times when we get bombarded by criticisms left and right for certain decisions that we make to the point of feeling insulted. We can not blame these people since they may be voicing out their opinion from a different point of view and do not understand specifically from where we are coming from. There are times when we think of one thing and thought it to be the right thing but turned out to be the other. These things that come our way, that could be related or in confirmation to it or could be other things, sometimes we can never really tell or have no way of knowing at all. Today's gospel assures us that whatever comes our way, for as long as we try our very best to our utmost ability to persevere in the Lord then we will surely be secured. As we aim to be great before God, trials and difficulties may come our way, the way people in trial are experiencing right now, that none could ever imagine. Let us continue to hold on to God's promise that if we are faithful to Him then He is also faithful to us amidst all the difficulties we are facing as written in today’s gospel, “.... but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives...” The word perseverance is defined in the dictionary as - steadfast, faithful 1 a: firmly fixed in place : immovable   b: not subject to change 2: firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal. When we decide to always be in the loving presence of God it means we stay away from sin. This is not an easy thing to do in fact it is written in Mt. 18:21-22, "Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. Our faith demands a great deal from us even to the point of being hated by all. Our focus should not be on what seems to be the downside of it because God assures us that not a hair will be destroyed and our perseverance will secure our lives. This, we could definitely count on. I believe that all of us will be given ample time to prepare for the day of judgment but there is a need to recognize that the time and the hour is at hand so as not to miss our appointment and always be ready for it. We really have to prepare well, that's the message. Have you heard of athletes preparing for a competition like Manny Pacquiao having to train rigorously before a boxing fight. God is urging us to do the same for our faith. Take every possible means of enriching our faith and love for God so that we can always withstand whatever is coming our way. When we go beyond our limits we also exercise our endurance so that we not only benefit physically but spiritually as well.  We are the children of God and we are born to be winners so let us always train hard to maintain that wonderful physique that God has given us for His greater glory. Strong and mighty is our God and so are we! There are several things happening in our life one after another and sometimes we are overwhelmed by it that we tend to be sidetracked and distracted as to what we are supposed to do. We see and hear a lot of things around us and we come to a point when we are no longer sure which one to follow. If there's one sure thing that we can be assured of that is we should not be terrified despite the enemy's deceptions for as long as we are able to live our lives according to the truth of God which we all have a responsibility to know and uphold. There is a vast source of information and knowledge that we need to learn about our Infinite God and sometimes we make the mistake of rushing and go in strides but with our limited human capacities we always fall short and come up inadequate. Once again my vision of a ladder is coming to view as if telling me that God will always be with us every single step of the way, guide us through by showing us every facet of life from the 1st or easiest to the succeeding and more difficult steps and finally to the highest level. Today's gospel tells us of the certainty that this world will come to an end but when it is going to happen, nobody knows. Whether it is going to happen sooner or later should be the least of our concerns. What's most important is that we are always ready. It is easy for us to say, "Do not worry." or "I am not worried." but are we a picture of what we say we are. Our actions speak louder than the words we say. We ought to make a firm stand on this and really mean it. It is not like we just believe in something then that's it. It will require more than that in order for us to truly be a reflection of what we believe is true. If we think that we can just go along with the majority or we have won over the support of many and we are safe already then we are wrong. It is more of a personal conviction on our part to really stand by it no matter what. What's worse is that when we don't know what we really believe in then the worst happens. As the gospel says, we should not be deceived. We've got to grow in wisdom and understanding not as the world may put it but as the Holy Spirit of God fills and empowers us. It is especially important that we build confidence on the One True God, the source of our strength and courage. As in Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones..." These are the things we ought to focus on rather than be bothered of the frightening things that are being said about the end times. I heard from a priest's homily that there are just 3 things we need to do instead of being bothered by these end of the world predictions. They are: 1. Do no harm to others. 2. Do good to others. 3. Spread the word of God. It may not be as simple as just 1,2 and 3 but it is definitely worth doing for it can surely secure our lives on that final day. No one can really say when it is going to happen but one thing is sure we all have to prepare and be ready for it right now. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 21:12-19

12 Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” 

END TIMES

God never leaves us hanging in the air with nothing to hold on to. Everyday God is speaking to us in his words through the gospel and through the people around us. God is always urging us to go beyond our boundaries and never underestimate the capabilities that God is continuously giving us. We can always do better and do best for the Lord as He will always be true to His promise and will never let us down. We should never doubt that God will make things beautiful in His time. For God is able to see through our future and will put to completion His grand plan for us. Today’s 1st reading brought back memories of the great time I had with Sister April at the English Springs Park and St. Paul the Apostle Church both in Chino Hills. It was a day filled with enlightenment after spending time meditating and contemplating on scriptures while enjoying the beauty that surrounds us. I was able to R-E-S-T, S-urrender T-ime to R-eceive E-nlightenment. It was indeed a very rewarding day spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. It was such a refreshing view that my mind felt so relaxed and renewed. I got so inspired as I was suddenly filled with a lot of beautiful memories that started coming back to me the moment I stepped in the park. Beautiful and inspiring pictures in my mind as in a vision started to abound and continued to flow in a constant and consistent manner just like the sound of the water falls rushing down the big and wide stream situated in the middle of the park. When I closed my eyes for several minutes I had a vision of a ladder and Sister April shared her beautiful insights to me. The things she said to me has given me strength, courage and inspiration to look forward to a bright future waiting ahead of me as in climbing up each and every step of the ladder to reach the top. It was definitely a day worth remembering. At that time it served as my confirmation which encouraged and inspired me even more. It leaves me without a doubt that it is something very nice to share every time I encounter today's 1st reading which speaks about dreams and visions interpreted by Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar. Amen. Hallelujah!  

Daniel 2:31-45

31 Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: “In your vision, O king, you saw a statue, very large and exceedingly bright, terrifying in appearance as it stood before you...“This was the dream; the interpretation we shall also give in the king’s presence. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings; to you the God of heaven has given dominion and strength, power and glory;...The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure.”

God really loves us. He always sends us His army of angels wherever we go. We must consider this truth always. This time it is the psalm reading that brings back memories when I had to travel for the first time all by myself to a very unfamiliar place just using the public transportation. God sent angels who taught me the right buses and trains to ride and did not get lost. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Daniel 3:57. 58. 59. 60. 61

R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.

34 [Dan 3:57] “Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

I believe that all of us will be given ample time to prepare for the day of judgment but there is a need to recognize that the time and the hour is at hand so as not to miss our appointment and always be ready for it. We really have to prepare well, that's the message. Have you heard of athletes preparing for a competition? God is urging us to do the same for our faith. Take every possible means of enriching our faith and love for God so that we can always withstand whatever is coming our way. When we go beyond our limits we also exercise our endurance so that we not only benefit physically but spiritually as well.  We are the children of God and we are born to be winners so let us always train hard to maintain that wonderful physique that God has given us for His greater glory. Strong and mighty is our God and so are we! There are several things happening in our life one after another and sometimes we are overwhelmed by it that we tend to be sidetracked and distracted as to what we are supposed to do. We see and hear a lot of things around us and we come to a point when we are no longer sure which one to follow. If there's one sure thing that we can be assured of that is we should not be terrified despite the enemy's deceptions for as long as we are able to live our lives according to the truth of God which we all have a responsibility to know and uphold. There is a vast source of information and knowledge that we need to learn about our Infinite God and sometimes we make the mistake of rushing and go in strides but with our limited human capacities we always fall short and come up inadequate. Once again my vision of a ladder is coming to view as if telling me that God will always be with us every single step of the way, guide us through by showing us every facet of life from the 1st or easiest to the succeeding and more difficult steps and finally to the highest level. Today's gospel tells us of the certainty that this world will come to an end but when it is going to happen, nobody knows. Whether it is going to happen sooner or later should be the least of our concerns. What's most important is that we are always ready. It is easy for us to say, "Do not worry." or "I am not worried." but are we a picture of what we say we are. Our actions speak louder than the words we say. We ought to make a firm stand on this and really mean it. It is not like we just believe in something then that's it. It will require more than that in order for us to truly be a reflection of what we believe is true. If we think that we can just go along with the majority or we have won over the support of many and we are safe already then we are wrong. It is more of a personal conviction on our part to really stand by it no matter what. What's worse is that when we don't know what we really believe in then the worst happens. As the gospel says, we should not be deceived. We've got to grow in wisdom and understanding not as the world may put it but as the Holy Spirit of God fills and empowers us. It is especially important that we build confidence on the One True God, the source of our strength and courage. As in Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones..."

These are the things we ought to focus on rather than be bothered of the frightening things that are being said about the end times. I heard from a priest's homily that there are just 3 things we need to do instead of being bothered by these end of the world predictions. They are: 1. Do no harm to others. 2. Do good to others. 3. Spread the word of God. It may not be as simple as just 1,2 and 3 but it is definitely worth doing for it can surely secure our lives on that final day. No one can really say when it is going to happen but one thing is sure we all have to prepare and be ready for it right now. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 21:5-11

5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, 6 “All that you see here — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.”

HEART OF THE GIVER

What seems to be folly to man is wisdom in the eyes of God. When we truly and sincerely desire to do things that are most pleasing to God, we sometimes come to the point of being misunderstood or worst the laughing stock of some.  There are times when most people already get used to the existing and prevailing accepted norms of our society that the most practical is mistaken as the right and fitting thing to do. Daniel in today's 1st reading firmly stood by the principles of God by refusing the so called food from the royal table. Come to think of it, who would not do anything for the sake of being favored by a king or who would even think or do something to jeopardize this chance and refuse such a privilege to be counted as one of the King's chosen few who could enjoy the richness and luxury of royalty. In the eyes of man it seems very foolish to decline and refuse such a lucrative and tempting offer.  For Daniel there is more to life than just power and prestige that the men of this world consider very precious and dear. Instead of giving in to the pressures of his faith he chose to stand by God's principles and was willing to risk all at stake for he believed that nothing else matters more than following and obeying God through and through. All we have to do is first decide for God in everything we do and all else will follow. As we read on in the bible, Daniel was eventually rewarded with the best of both worlds when he decided to do things in God's way. Amen. Hallelujah!

Daniel 1:1-6. 8-20

...The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine from the royal table. 6 Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 8 But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine; so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement. 9 Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief chamberlain, 10 he nevertheless said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; it is he who allotted your food and drink. If he sees that you look wretched by comparison with the other young men of your age, you will endanger my life with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men who eat from the royal table, and treat your servants according to what you see.” 14 He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days; 15 after ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. 16 So the steward continued to take away the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science, and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation, the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 When the king had spoken with all of them, none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; and so they entered the king’s service. 20 In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

We should never ran out of reasons to always praise and thank God for He never leaves us empty handed since everything is linked and works wonderfully well for those who stay connected most especially when the going gets really tough and the rough gets on going for we have a dependable God who comes up with more and more blessings and angels sent to us for our welfare. The same God who saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is the same God who continues to lift us up from our miseries for He is a God for all ages. There is a need for us let go and avoid too much attachment to the things that the world offers and learn the art of fasting and abstinence which not only in the form of food and could be in any other things. A little sacrifice goes a long way with God and can truly rid ourselves of the hindrances and obstacles that keep us from truly giving glory and praise to God. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Daniel 3:52. 53. 54. 55. 56

R: Glory and praise for ever.

29 [Dan 3:52] “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; and blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.” (R) 30 [Dan 3:53] “Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.” (R) 31 [Dan 3:54] “Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 32 [Dan 3:55] “Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.” (R) 33 [Dan 3:56] “Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.”

Today's gospel is taken from the Luke and speaks of the importance of women which is a radical concept at that time. This is because women during that time are second class citizens and hold no importance in society. Luke promotes the important role of women as in the hand that rocks the cradle. It can also be seen in Lk 1 46-56- Canticle of Mary. In the speaking role it can be found in (like in John 2:1-11) Lk. 8:1-3- wherein women supported Jesus' mission and specifically in the gospel today about the widow's mite. Thanks for this gospel reading that has always been quoted by my mother when she was still living. Being a widow with three kids left to her care when my father died this bible passage had always been a source of inspiration for her. I know that up to this moment my nanay is still our powerful prayer warrior being in union with the Lord our God. The story of this widow teaches us to be totally dependent on the Lord and always put our faith and trust in the Lord in order to develop an attitude just like this poor widow. What this poor widow contributed was merely nothing as compared to the wealthy people but God sees and honors the heart of the giver that goes with the offering. We may think of it as very foolish for someone to offer her whole livelihood and be left with nothing. The point here and what is being emphasized in today's gospel is the sincerity of the heart in giving and our complete trust in God whom we can not out give. We can never outdo God's generosity. The question here is, do we sincerely do it when we do something like giving of our time, talent and treasure? We should come to a point just like this poor widow when we do and give our all for the glory of God. Not holding back anything knowing in our heart that God deserves the best and the most that we can give. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 21:1-4

1 When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

THE BROOD

Having the chance to observe an aviary for months made me realize how simply fascinating it is to see how these birds relate with each other. I guess, everybody is aware of the fact that mother birds as all other mothers are very protective of their brood from the moment they lay their eggs until they hatch and while still unable to feed and care for themselves. Well, I guess this is a universal truth for most parents and could be observed well in all animal species especially the human race. There is really a truth in this saying, "Birds of the same feathers flock together." Not just that, I discovered that the brood that were hatched together flock closer and more often than the rest of the same feathered birds. They are so cute to look at that even when they are finally out of the nest and could fly, they still stick close to each other always sit side by side and all huddled up. It is very heart warming to see such a display of love and care. This kind of affection is so powerful. It can be attributed to the sense of belonging of one to another. In the same way that we should develop the attraction and inclination to whom we really belong, God our Father who created us. Our God is our stronghold, in Him alone we must trust. Amen. Hallelujah!

2 Samuel 5:1-3

“Here we are, your bone and your flesh.

Today's psalm reminds me of this popular game called, "Trip to Jerusalem" I guess, everybody's familiar with it. We may all have played this game when we were young or even when we're older. The fastest, quickest, most alert person who gets the last seat wins. If we are not paying attention or are too slow then we are bound to lose. We have to put up a good fight in this game in order to win because the chairs are always lacking so every round there is always one person who doesn't get a seat and gets eliminated. It is just a game but people have a lot of fun doing their best so as not to be eliminated and win. People who engage themselves in this kind of game and want to win exert a lot of effort. It is so tiring and can exhaust one's energy in the game. And to think that after all our efforts only one person gets to win. Isn't it a relief that we can go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.  We need not worry that all our best efforts would just be wasted because God has reserved a seat for each one of us. If we are all set and very sure where we are headed then nothing can stop us from being there. Considering, too that we have a God who has secured a place and our future for us. John 14:1-3, " Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be." Nothing or no one can prevent us unless we ourselves decide not to go. The truth is, it's all up to us. We are confronted with a lot of things every day and if there is one thing we should choose and decide for then peace is one of them. It is important that we work and pray for peace to always reign in our midst. If we have peace that passes understanding always safeguarded in our hearts then we can rejoice in the Lord at all times. We should always be confident of the truth that we are blessed and secure in the knowledge and truth that we are where we are right now, doing what we are doing right now at the exact time God has provided for us, for with God there is always a perfect time for everything. When we are feeling tired from all the day's work all we want to do is just go home. Nothing could be more rewarding than coming home to a place where we find rest and peace. Our life here on earth could be compared to something like this. It is nice to know that at the end of the day or our life's journey we can go rejoicing to the house of the Lord and find ourselves welcome there. Ideally, there should be no other place we want to be, more than a place where there is peace and prosperity. It is a choice we have to make but sometimes we make the wrong choices and choose to be just anywhere but in a place such as this. We have all the time to be in different places that is fun and exciting. There is nothing wrong with being in these places for as long as we know our limitations but do we get the same joy and fulfillment when we go into the house of God. We should be balanced human beings. We should not just seek to satisfy our physical but spiritual needs as well. Let us tap our dormant souls that are left unattended for so long and revive it to really feel what the psalm tells us today. As much as we are confronted by the fact that we are still inhabitants of this imperfect world we are in we can not live as if it does not exist. We might as well make the most of what we can do while we are part of it. We’ve got to set goals in order to achieve this and keep our eyes focused on it. It helps go through our daily life if we have set goals that we want to achieve and fulfill. The SMART acronym tells us that our goals should be S for specific, M for measurable, A for attainable or achievable, R for realistic or relevant and T for timely or time based. This is very effective in helping us improve as a person especially at times when we can't get our acts together. We can always set SMART goals from time to time in order to keep track of our performance in whatever field we want to work on and excel. It helps a lot in assessing ourselves in order for us to make an evaluation on how we our doing with our life. After each SMART goal we set for ourselves and have achieved it gives us a sense of fulfillment knowing that we have accomplished something. Little by little everyday we step up the ladder of our SMART goals. All of these should eventually come up to rejoicing with what we have made of our life. These we continue to do until it all sum up to bring us to that ultimate SMART goal. It should all lead us and point to our final destination when we go up to the house of the Lord. There is no greater joy than being with the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!

                                                                                                  

P S A L M Psalm 122:1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)

The understanding that a Creator made the world leads to a fundamental responsibility to it. If everything happened by chance there is a tendency for us to wane in our resolution and our responsibility is deemphasized. When we watch these movies about the end of the world it gives the impression that our world exists by random and we look upon the universe as a product of chance. Everything that exists comes through Jesus. Everything in the universe came through Christ. He is the foundation of all reality. Creation is existent and made through and for Him. It does not exist by chance and is ruled by God and His plan. Aren't we amazed at the love story telenovelas (soap operas) that we usually see on TV especially in the Filipino Channel (TFC). Sometimes we find it hard to believe that people in love could do things out of bounds. And all for the sake of the person he/she loves. But we can not deny the fact that we sometimes also see it happening around us. This kind of love that drives people crazy and make them do things that are farfetched means that we are capable of giving our all to someone we are in a relationship with. Just consider this even for a moment, if this kind of love is possible then we should realize that if there's someone whom we should engage in a relationship with first and foremost then that is no other than our Creator and all other relationships will surely work out for good. He deserves all the love, praise and adoration that any human being could possibly give. Today’s 2^nd reading says it all. It is nice to know that we all belong to the brood of God’s beloved family. We are safe under the protective wings and warmth of His love and care. Amen. Hallelujah!

Colossians 1:12-20

12 Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

When I attended the Christian Life Program (CLP) in Pomona sponsored by the Couples for Christ. (CFC) I had an unforgettable experience during the Baptism in the Spirit when I had a vision of the scene of the crucifixion of Jesus in Mt. Calvary between the 2 thieves in today’s gospel. It was almost like these words were being said to me instead of to the thief,  "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom. Indeed, I promise you" he replied "today you will be with me in paradise."  I felt goose bumps and very warm all over me as I knelt down inside a small prayer room. Immediately after that, as I was led into a bigger room, the choir suddenly sang the song entitled, "I am the Bread of Life" in which the lyrics "And I will raise you up on the last day." really struck my heart and brought me to tears. The CFC leader then told the group after I have shared it to them that it was the first time that something like it had ever happened since he felt that it was indeed a great occasion to rejoice and be reminded of that standing invitation of Jesus to all of us to share in His Kingdom and live eternal life. Whether good or bad, we are all invited to enter the Kingdom of God. It is never too late for anyone for as long as we follow the example of the good thief in today’s gospel. But sometimes it might give us the wrong impression that we can wait as long as we want even up to the end before we decide to be good since this is what happened to the good thief. Let us not take for granted the fact that he also underwent the excruciating pain of death on the cross and chose to be converted in the end. There is not much difference between these 2 thieves. In fact they were alike in one thing they are both bad. The difference lies in the fact that the bad thief decided to remain as he is and not be converted. This is usually what happens and is the normal trend, when we become used to who we are and just stick to it to the end. It suddenly comes so naturally. It required a great deal for the thief who used to be bad to finally be good, I suppose. It may not be safe to stall especially if we don’t trust ourselves to endure harder than the good thief. Whichever way we choose let us not put at stake the ultimate goal for each one of us, to be in Paradise someday. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 23:35-43

...“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”