It doesn't matter much where we are going what matters most
is that God is directing us every single step of the way. There is no doubt
about the will of God to walk side by side with us but are we willing to walk
side by side with Him. God and sin can never be put together. If we truly want
to be united with God at all times we have to separate ourselves with sin. It
is not so hard to know where God is leading us. We have been given long before
we were born the 10 commandments and the teachings of the Church. They have all
been planted in our hearts. Let us not stray any longer and truly follow where
the Lord leads us. We all have experiences in life that could make us realize
that each of us is called by God for a mission and a purpose in life. We could
never deny it if we would just be sensitive to the promptings of the Lord. These
circumstances can be coupled with several confirmations not only in terms of
people and situations we’ve encountered but most especially through the word of
God in the scriptures. We could identify somehow with any of these bible
characters because the bible is in fact not just the story of God but
ourselves, too. If we look back, recall and assess our lives then we would
definitely witness successive confirmations from the Lord which would leave us
in awe and with no more room to doubt. There are no coincidences with the Lord
even though we have been experiencing trials, difficulties and storms in life
we must continue to believe that He is God and in control. He is able. There is
no reason to be terrified if we have faith in God. God never stops in giving us
the inspiration to keep on going and continue the good work He has done for all
of us. We just have to follow the example of Abraham in today’s 1st
reading who trusted and obeyed whatever God is telling him to do. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Genesis 12:1-4
1 The LORD said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your
kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you...Abram
went as the LORD directed him.
Nothing is hidden from God and everything is known to Him.
It pays to always consult our plans to God in prayers and everything we intend
to do we should lay before Him and seek His approval. He will never deprive us
nor withhold from us the answers that we seek. If we sometimes forget these and
tend to stray away from the right path then we should always be aware that
everything that we say, think and do must always have reference to God our
Creator. It may have happened to most of us when we get disappointed at how we
still miss something so quickly despite our close watch. We sometimes end up
confused and discouraged when things don’t happen the way we expect it despite
our accurate and strict monitoring. We even ask ourselves how it could have
happened. We may have heard and seen some terrible and frightening things in
our life but we should always hold on to the truth that no matter how horrible
the things that are happening around us they don't change the fact that our
Lord is God and always in charge and in control. It doesn't matter that much
how we think and feel but what matters most is how to feel and think just like
God. For we can always rely and depend on it, 100%, fail proof and success
guaranteed. We should place our trust not in men or in things but in God alone.
The Lord did not promise us to be totally problem free but He gave His
assurance that He will always be our Savior and Redeemer. God's power is beyond
our full comprehension. He is Holy, Mighty, Immortal and Infinitely Great. Did
it ever occur to you how all these things that surround us, from the skies, to
the mountains, plains, the seas, the wind, all the heavenly bodies above, the
things down below, all the creatures of the earth especially us, human beings
came to be. Not a single theory about creation could suffice and would ever
satisfy the wonders and marvelous things that God has done. Just thinking about
all these things should make us always put our hope in Him, feel confident and
assured that we are safe under His care, to help us from all our problems and
shield us from all harm. It is a consolation to know that we are constantly
assured by God especially in today's psalm to never doubt His power and
goodness. His loving eyes is always upon us not leaving us for a single moment
nor removing his stare even with a wink of an eye. It feels good to know that
someone's eyes are upon us and looking after us. When we come to a point of
despair and feel like things are not getting better, we ought to remember
always that we are God's people and we are His own. We have to realize this one
most important truth that we should all subscribe to, which is to constantly
align ourselves and conform to the will and plan of God in our lives. Let us
ask the Lord to lead us to the right path and decisions that we may work toward
the building of God’s kingdom here on earth. We
should not give room to any doubt, fear, anxiety, impatience, irritability,
hatred, sadness, iniquity, unfaithfulness, disloyalty, pride and loss of self
control. Let us not choose to give in to these. They are all characteristics
that should not be found in a people the Lord has chosen to be His own. Our
present situation may not be a perfect picture yet but we should all rejoice
and be glad knowing that God was the one who chose us first and He will carry
us through. All we have to do is just trust that the Lord will carry out with
perfection all His plans for us no matter what situations or circumstances may
arise in our midst. When God created this world and everything in it including
us, He did not ask permission from anybody. It means that He has chosen us to be
His own and not the other way around. This is the reason why the fallen
angels/demons are so jealous of men. We are indeed special in the eyes of God
for it is written in Gen 1:26, "Then God said: "Let us make man in
our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion..." We are not just
chosen by God to be His own even before everything came to be but we are on top
of His creation. Let us never lose sight of this
wonderful plan that God has for all of us. We may not be seeing it right now,
having doubts about it, not paying attention to it or unable to commit to it.
Whatever it may be, these are all hindrances that prevent us from gaining
access to the goodness of the Lord. Never allow ourselves to miss out on this
privilege that is accorded to all of us as the children of God. God chose us
first and it is only right and fitting that we choose Him too. If we always
focus on the Lord and put His words in our presence at all times then we can be
assured that we have a lamp unto our feet that is lighting our path. We have to
entrust all our cares and worries to the Lord for He can do better things for
our lives than all our works combined. No matter how hard we try to succeed in
what we do if it's not in accordance to God's plan then nothing will ever come
out of it. We may succeed in one aspect but we will never be totally at peace
for in the end it will always be the will and plan of God that will prevail. We
just have to acknowledge that we are sparing ourselves of all the trouble and
heartaches if we will just be obedient and completely trust in the Lord's plan.
Let us truly be wise in the real sense of the word rather than of the
world and not forfeit all our benefits from the Lord. We
all have our personal plans and designs and we may not be able to fully
understand what is going on at the present time. It is not easy for the wisdom
in the eyes of God is foolishness to the world but what's most important is
that we should always consult everything to God first, just believe and
surrender everything to Him for He knows best. We have to realize this one most
important truth that we should all subscribe to, which is to constantly align
ourselves and conform to the will and plan of God in our lives. The power of
God knows no limits and we can always rely on Him for anything that we are in
need. Let us rely on God's power and completely trust Him to bring to
fulfillment everything that He has promised. 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. Let us not lose hope and have faith in the Master Plan and
Grand Design that God has for all of us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalms 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in
you.
4 Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are
trustworthy. The LORD loves justice and right and fills the earth with
goodness. But the LORD'S eyes are upon the reverent, upon those who hope for
his gracious help, Delivering them from death, keeping them alive in times of
famine. (R) Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. 22 May
your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
What is true in the name of the athletes who work so hard to
win is also true for us. Just as St.
Paul said in today’s 2nd reading, we have to do a
little bit more beyond pushing ourselves until we acquire a new level of
endurance and strength. We have to do some sacrifices in order to strengthen
our will. As the saying goes, no pain, no gain. Lent is about giving up
something as a form of sacrifice in union with Jesus’ own sacrifice. In the
situation of the world today we have to bear our share of hardship for we are
called for a holy life. We have to be determined to do this in proportion to
the life we live. We all have our own hardships and we can overcome through
God’s strength. May we always be open to His design in our lives and surrender
in obedience to the gospel. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Timothy 1:8-10
8 Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with
the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace
bestowed on us in Christ Jesus...
Jesus' transfiguration in Mount Tabor Grand Canyon .
Such experiences, I believe can bring us to our own transfigurations as we too,
become witnesses of God’s beauty which is forever changing from glory to glory.
In times like these whether it’s special or not, happy or sad, we ought to just
always remember and bring everything to God in prayer. Just as He spoke of His
exodus (Passion and Death) in Jerusalem
during His Transfiguration so is He definitely conveying to us the complete and
entire story which includes His Glory and Resurrection. Six days before His
passion, Jesus showed to His the apostles His transfiguration to give them
strength and courage in bearing witness to the gospel. We, too in our lives
have our moments of transfiguration but we can’t always hold on to that in the
same way that Peter intended it to be. We have to go down from the mountain and
face the passion ourselves. Although this may sound so disheartening we know
the end of the story, we know the reward that awaits those who will persevere.
It is not easy but we go to the Lord for strength in our life so we can have
peace in this valley of tears. As we go on from one event in our life to
another we are being transfigured by the Holy Spirit. God transforms us to be
in the glory and be stouthearted as we carry our crosses. We keep in mind that
the glory prepared for us is far greater. St John Mary Vianney said that our
soul know if it receives Holy Communion
well if it is mortified, gentle, at peace with everyone and is capable of every
sacrifice and go to Jesus with love and confidence. Let us not always think
that we have to much to do, rather think of His words, come to me all who are
burdened for my yoke is easy and light, can we resist such an invitation so
full of love? Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him...behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from
the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise,
and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no
one else but Jesus alone.
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