SUPERNATURAL

The Lord is constantly calling us back to Him since the time of Adam & Eve when our 1^st parents committed original sin. No matter how much God tries to win us back to Him and how much we try to return, ultimately original sin means we are going to sin seriously and mess up. We need God’s grace and the 4 great virtues (Prudence or wisdom, justice, temperance and courage or fortitude) to be perfected in order to combat the effects of sin. Faith, hope and charity are supernatural. These are things that human beings would never know that they need or could have without God giving them supernaturally that’s why they are called the theological virtues. We only know about them through divine revelation and we couldn’t know about them by reason. We can only have them through God’s grace. The theological virtues, faith, hope and charity are the crown of the first 4 cardinal virtues that transform and make them possible. God doesn’t want us just to be whole human beings and restore us to what Adam & Eve were when they blew it in the Garden. God wants us to be more than that. He wants to elevate our human nature and divinize it. He wants us to share in His own Divine nature. Charity is all about loving with God’s love. Loving as the 3 persons of the Holy Trinity love each other and sharing in that goes way beyond human nature. This is an incredible thing and call. It was only possible because God became man and we can share in his virtue. This is what the real Catholic life is all about. It’s not just about making it or going to heaven by the skin of your teeth after struggling. It’s about growing in holiness and becoming like Jesus all throughout our life, a champion not without struggles. As a matter of fact without the struggles we can never become a champion but with victory and excellence not with hopelessness, despair and frustration. This is God’s desire for us which is a fantastic calling. The power to do this is given to us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jer 26:1-9

… Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way,..

The mention of the watery depths in today's psalm reading should remind us of our own personal experiences. We are never alone. It is undeniable that God is good. We must realize that He is present in each and every person we meet. The earth is really full of the goodness of the Lord.   God always send us the right people at the right time and the right situation. Although there are also some setbacks and we are still experiencing the ups and downs of our faith we just have to consider everything as a part of our daily walk in the shore of the Sea of Galilee with Christ at our side. Here are some pointers for review to strengthen our faith in God

I. Man needs to be saved because of his fallen nature. (Rom 7:21-24 & CCC 1949)

-Man is dominated  by greed, pride and lust (CCC 407 & 1 Jn 5:19 ) The devil has acquired a certain domination (Gal 5:19) and we are engaged in a battle that has been won but does not stop there since we have to always put on our guard for the enemy does not rest. He called the whole process of being saved as "justification" .

 II. "Man is saved by God's grace alone based on CCC 1996.

-The question is how does the grace of God become an active part of our life or "by what are we justified?" The example he gave here was a newborn baby who is baptized. A baby has not merited anything yet but is saved by the mere act of being baptized. He mentioned about Martin Luther's despair about his salvation which led him to formulate the doctrine of justification by "Faith  alone" He misunderstood the Bible passage Rom 3:28 which mentioned faith alone apart from works of the law. Paul in this letter to the Romans was pertaining to the Jewish Law which is being practiced during their time like circumcision, washing of the hands and the like which are practices that can not really justify a person. Faith alone doctrine states that justification simply means being "declared righteous" We can not just be declared righteous but be made righteous by not continuing to sin.

III. Justification actually means being "made righteous" i.e. it entails the sanctification of his whole being (CCC 1989, 1990, &1995) We are justified not by faith alone nor by works alone. Justification has its stages i.e. initial and progressive. Initial justification takes place at our baptism. We still have a tendency to backslide and during the hour of death is the period of intense spiritual battle over our soul. That is why we need to mature in our faith.

IV. Certainty of Salvation

"Once saved, always saved?"  If we believe in this it tends to put off our guard. (1 Jn 5:13-14) We should say instead "I know I am saved, still being saved and will continue to be saved."  Justification is a life long process as stated by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:3-5, 9:27. In Phil 2:12 Paul also encouraged us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. For the enemy is waging war on us and we need to be very aware of this and claim God's protection over us at all times. (Eph.6:11-12)

V. Epistles against works?

I guess there have been some misunderstanding here of the following bible verses:

Rom. 3:28 (Obedience of faith) Martin Luther based his belief on faith alone on this specific verse he failed to see that Paul in addition to what was mentioned earlier was attacking the Jews with regards to their ceremonial laws and that it not enough to just hear the law but to observe it. (Rom 4:5 Total adherence) An example he gave was attending the mass not just as an obligation but with the heart. Consider it a privilege and do it for the love of God. He said we are saved by grace not by works but we obtain the grace of God by good works and the motive is mercy (Eph. 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5)

VI. Epistles supporting "Works"

Here are several bible passages cited to us by Atty Moya that support the need for us to cooperate and work with God. James 2: 14-22 & 24 say that faith without action is dead. From the gospel of Matthew: What must I do to be saved? (Mt. 19:16-21) When the rich man asked this question he was told to keep the commandments and he said he already did so Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor for he is very attached to his possessions that he has to let go of all attachments. We are also called to keep our fire burning for the Lord so that we don't end up like the 5 virgins in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Mt 25:1-13. The same principle applies with the Parable of the Talents or Silver pieces that we have to cultivate the goodness in ourselves and let it grow. It is also very clear from Mt. 25 31-46 which mentions about the last judgment that we can not just accept the Grace of salvation but needs to do our part, too since it specifically stated here that whatever we have failed to do will go to eternal punishment. Also it is stated in Mt 7:21-27 that we need to live His words because not everybody who says "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven for there is a need to turn away from our wrongdoings. He said that there is no dichotomy between Christ and His doctrine. If we really believe in God then we also need to do what He teaches. The will of God will never take us to where the grace of God will not protect us. God knows exactly and with perfection what is being allowed to happen to us in our lives at this precise moment. God's purpose for us is simply perfect. He wants to show us things that only we can understand by living what we are living and by being in the place we are now. In the midst of all these unsightly things there should always be a burning flame of hope that God will never forsake nor abandon. We should always maintain our confidence in God and never lose hope and courage in the great love that God has for us. The ignorance of our faith is ignorance about Jesus. We may sometimes think that evangelization is just work for the priests and the religious. It is not limited to them but anyone who is baptized should take on this responsibility. JFK said, "Here on earth, God's work must truly be our own." Nothing should ever stop us from being part of the work of God. God made man in His own image and likeness. (Gen 1:26) In this context we need to define personhood well and know the perils of limited definition. It could be classified into 2 definitions, nominal and real. Nominal definition of personhood is decided by man. It is approaching something that we don't know but we already have the answer. We make decisions and play God. The dangers of this definition of a person are:

1. nominal- when we deny to identify a person as a real person. Example is abortion, when doctors deny the fact that at the moment of conception a person already exists.
2. real but limited - We do not deny but identify them as persons but with lesser worth like the sick and terminally ill. Just because they are old, weak and sick they deserve to die as in the case of euthanasia.
3. full and real but limited - Kills people as in the Holocaust.

The whole principle involved here is discovery and deciding. When our approach is discovery then we are being lead to the events in our life with a sense of total surrender, trust and faith in the Lord's Providence for the realization of things that are unseen and hoped for. God may not fully reveal and present us with a surprise but we maintain full confidence in a God who brought us to wherever we are right now. In deciding, our approach is a lot different since we already have an answer for something that we don't know yet. It boils down to the fact that we think we know too much but we don't. We end up playing God. We need to remain as man and allow God to be God of our life. When man becomes God, we lose everything because we are not God. We have to realize the impact in our life of discovery versus deciding.
We should ascribe to the real definition of personhood. It answers the question what, how and what is it meant to be. Our approach in life to achieve faith and righteousness is by discovery and through an authentic Christian life. It is discovery in the sense that we are open to the intention and purpose of God for us. With a seeking and expectant faith we should allow God to lead us in discovering what is ahead of us and prepared by God. The approach should be in a manner of discovering what God's intention is and respecting it. Checklist of Evangelization.
1. Do we see God as the Primary agent?
God is the Primary Agent of Evangelization. It is not about us but about God.
2. Do we see Evangelization as everyone's responsibility?
We must not end up like the Dead Sea that just received water but did not give out. The same thing happens to us when we do not take the responsibility of evangelization  as our own. We have to work on improving our skills for the work of God.
3. Do we communicate God's love?
4. Is total human betterment part of the ministry?
5. Do we respect other traditions?
God does not take sides. There is an equal opportunity for all but we have to make sure that we are on God's side. We need to rid ourselves of any triumphant or arrogant attitude towards people of other faith. The Abrahamic religion has a common denominator which is belief in God. We are not the sole professor of truth. We need to listen for God's revelation from others, too not only from us.
6. Does our love go beyond Catholic borders?
The kingdom of God is older and a broader reality than the Catholic Church. We need to live a humble life and forgive each other.
7. Is our approach ecumenical?
We do not have the monopoly of God because the Good News has no border and dealt with a common faith.
8. Do we use all available media?
The best media is our own life, no need for TV. The example of how we live our life is the best means to evangelize. Walk the talk.
9. Do we fully utilize existing groups?
Ministries that renew and energize members.
10. What is our total image?
We've got to maintain a wholesome image unlike the Crusaders, though they were able to convert many to the faith, the spread of the Good News was carried out using the sword.

We must take extra care in projecting the right image as Good Messengers of the Good News. We should not have any fear or hesitation in carrying out the task that the Lord has given us. In our commitment to follow the Lord there are times when we encounter disappointments. We can say that serving God is not lying on a bed of roses, though God rewards those who obey Him we have to realize that we too must share in the passion of Christ if we truly are His followers. For we know that the Lord in His great love, is always there for us. What matters most is that we always call on God and allow His saving power to rescue us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Ps 69:5, 8-10, 14

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

But I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help…

There should never be any doubt that God will always be an almighty, all powerful, loving and ever living God. This thought should never leave our minds, always enkindled in our hearts and burning in our souls to think, speak and act just like Jesus. We are all truly blessed that despite the indirect link we have to the origins of our Lord Jesus Christ in terms of His native place and house, we are not excluded but instead have been extended with the blessings and miracles. For God does not qualify us based on citizenship and membership alone but also by faith. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?...And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

BE THE CLAY

 I saw on TV that used cooking oil which is already considered as waste can be used as an alternative source of fuel. Isn't it great that people nowadays come up with novel ideas from out of scratch. Men have great and brilliant minds proven by the latest trends, innovations and technological advancements being seen nowadays. But we are just a speck as compared to the greatness and brilliance of the mind of the one who created us. All the more that we should never get tired of believing that God can come up with something great even from something like garbage. We may have committed numerous blunders and errors in our lives but God can turn our biggest mistakes into blessings. He can always bring out the best in us no matter what we've been through if we only liken ourselves to the clay held by the potter in today's 1st reading and decide right now to place everything in God's hands. Amen. Hallelujah!

 

Jeremiah 18: 1-61 4 Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. 5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.

Not once did the word of God ever failed. My mother used to say that God loves the fatherless and the widow in a very special way as if nothing else matters. I grew up as a child constantly hearing her say this and believing it myself as I was growing up and knowing more about the Lord. She has greatly influenced my faith in God. I should say that wherever she may be right now, which I feel, think and believe is in the company of God with all His angels and saints in heaven, her memory will live on forever in my heart and the hearts of the people whose lives she touched. According to St. Therese, the poorer you are the more Jesus will love you. The world's point of view is very contradictory to the beatitudes. The world chooses strength over weakness and poverty. What seems to be foolish for the world and folly to man is wisdom to God. Jesus is attracted to our poverty and weakness because it is where we meet Jesus. Unlike the world who is attracted to strength and hires the smartest and world’s greatest. We have all kinds of difficulties and struggles. These are what drive us to Christ to cling to Him. Instead of always trying to complain and talk about it what we do is keep our eyes on the Lord. Sometimes He places something before us that He wants us to do. The challenge for us is to turn to Him in our weakness and cling to Him in prayer, faith, hope, love and abandon ourselves to Him. Let us trust God's mastery and expertise to mold and make of us a masterpiece, a genuine work of His hands. Today’s psalm reading mentioned the word captives which reminded me of priest’s talk on “New Kind of War” several years ago. There are always captives in war and he mentioned that we, Christians must be aware of the war that our adversary, the devil is waging on us. We have a very committed and determined adversary. Looking at the present moral condition of people here in the US he said that he is not surprised at all at how things are turning out in the present moment since the moral demise of a country precedes the ultimate demise. Whatever may be happening around us and could be getting worse with each passing day, we can be assured that God will help His friends but not His enemies. We need to know on which side we are. It is indeed a difficult battle we are facing in our lives but we must remember that human beings do not do well when all is well. We are strengthened by the trials just like steel that is subjected to heat in order to temper it. Greatness is forced on a lot of people just like what happened to those people after the incident in the Sept. 11 tragedy. It is pushed in the crucible of tribulation but despite of it we can be assured of the promises stated in today psalm. We should continue to rely on our one true source of help for only Him can satisfy our soul. God's help is all the help we need, nothing more and nothing less. We ought to realize by now what the wisest thing to do is not based in the standard of the world but of the Lord our God. Our confidence and trust must rest on the Lord alone who makes all good things possible. If we will always fill our hearts with gratitude and praise for the Lord then we will realize how things in our life turned out for good which seem to be not the case at the time it was happening for our God is faithful and everything that is said in today's psalm. Our hope should only be in the Lord for He alone keeps faith, secures justice, gives good, sets captives free, gives sight to the blind and raises up the lowly. It is a consolation to know and be reminded of it so as to always keep in mind that we have a God who is everything that we ever need, want and long for.

If God is able to do all things then there is really nothing to fear. We can always count on God to make things turn out for the best. Let us not be dismayed or discouraged by our circumstances for He will surely fulfill what He has promised. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 146: 1b-2 , 3-4, 5-6ab

R: Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

3 Put not your trust in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his spirit departs he returns to his earth; on that day his plans perish. (R) Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD, his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them. (R)

It is not easy to be molded like clay. If there’s one thing that stopping us from becoming what God has meant us to be it is our free will because we can say yes and no to God. It is important that we do not lose sight of the truth that we are created in God's mastery and expertise and we are His masterpiece, a genuine work of His hands. If we can confidently and honestly say after careful examination of our lives that we are indeed the product of God's hands then we can stand firm on that dreary day mentioned in today's gospel. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 13:47-53

47 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

THE TRUE HERO

 We've seen several box office hit movies and most of them are in the likes of Superman, Spiderman , Fantastic Four, The Avengers, The Dark Knight etc. People are fascinated with this kind of stories because there is an element of awe, wonder and amazement of how these super heroes can rescue people in distress and danger. But wait, isn't it more exciting if we watch ourselves being rescued by a true and existent hero in our lives. Today’s 1^st reading makes it a reality for us since we have indeed a God who is able to do so. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 15: 10, 16-21

...Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, for I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. 21 I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent...

Who is our true hero and savior? No other than the Lord our God. He is real and Emmanuel “God with us”. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 59: 2-3 , 4, 10-11 , 17, 18R: God is my refuge on the day of distress.

1 [2] Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; from my adversaries defend me. 2 [3] Rescue me from evildoers; from bloodthirsty men save me.

When you've found the joy of praising, serving and loving God above anything and made it a common occurrence in your daily life, just like a thread embedded in the fabric of your life then the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We are all called to develop this kind of relationship with God as our Father, Brother, Lover, Comforter and Friend. Just think about it, is there anything more you can ask for? Let us not hold back and do anything for the love of God. I believe in the saying, "Where your heart is, there your treasure is." Each person is unique. We all have our own peculiarities and that's how we are able to express ourselves as a human being. Each person has his or her own qualities and characteristics that separate us from the rest. For some it could be a certain quality like cooking, athletics, writing, dancing, singing, speaking, painting, sketching, or the present work we do and all other talents we could think about.  Whatever it is that we are good in doing or we have dedicated and engaged ourselves in, we should always put God in the center of whatever we have chosen to do. We need to find out what our core gift is and develop it. There should not be a trace of holding back or hesitation on our part but rather invest everything in it and give it our all to bring out the best in us and reflect the glory of God. It is not easy to be molded like clay. If there’s one thing that stopping us from becoming what God has meant us to be it is our free will because we can say yes and no to God. It is important that we do not lose sight of the truth that we are created in God's mastery and expertise and we are His masterpiece, a genuine work of His hands. If we can confidently and honestly say after careful examination of our lives that we are indeed the product of God's hands then we can stand firm on that dreary day mentioned in today's gospel. Once we've realized and lived this truth in the gospel then we can consider ourselves as the wealthiest man on earth. There is no other treasure and fine pearl more precious than God who is with and in us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 13:44-46

44 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

ABC OF FAITH

As human beings we go through different stages in life as we grow old and should strive to become a better person in the process. It would always help to assess how we are doing with our life. This reminds me of an episode of Grey's Anatomy entitled, "I saw what I saw" The doctor was examining a conscious, up and about patient in the ER who had minor burns due to a fire that broke out in the hotel where they were staying. Her vital signs were normal, in fact she was completely aware of what was going on around her. She was in the process of being examined further when she suddenly screamed because she saw another patient who just got admitted in the ER, with a big ax planted and poking out of his chest. He is a firefighter who tripped and accidentally axed his own chest. It was quite a scene that the doctor who was examining her got distracted and totally forgot about what she was about to do to her. Unfortunately, what was bypassed in her assessment is the most important and top priority in the care of a patient, airway. It is the A in the ABC of Patient Care. She happened to inhale soot which caused the blockage of her airway and from there arose all other problems and eventually led to her death. This happened very quickly despite the remedy and eventually drastic measures implemented by not just one but almost all the good doctors in the ER who attempted to save her life. And to think, that it was all because of the failure to do just one step. In the procedure, the failure to look into the patient's airways, i.e, nostrils and throat is a simple and easy step of assessing the airway but spelled the difference between life and death. Today's 1st reading, Jeremiah reminds us of our top priority as Christians. There may be times when we are distracted, lured and carried away by the things that are going on around us. Let us not continue to be distracted. We ought to realize that an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. It would always be for our own good that we always assess our standing before God so as not to end up in a hopeless condition when cure is already impossible before we pay attention to God. To love and observe God's commandments should always come first and be the A in the ABC of our faith in God. We should assess our standing before God, recognize our faults and be rid of whatever it is that is keeping us from fully experiencing the compassion and forgiveness of God. Let us not be tied down with our guilt and get it on with repentance. Our sins can never be bigger than the love and mercy of God. We must never doubt God's goodness in the same way that we should never hesitate to love and obey God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 14:17-22

…We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. 21 For your name’s sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. 22 Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.

Most people I believe will agree with me when I say that who we are today is the sum total of what we've done in the past and what we're still doing in the present. But the most important part of the equation that we should never forget to add in our life is the Multiplier, for whatever it is that we can do, is just a small fraction of what God can do in our lives. There is no doubt that the Lord will show us the right path if we go to Him at all times. Sometimes we go through life not really knowing what we're missing. Let us no longer miss out but rather benefit and enjoy in the goodness of God. We sometimes wonder how an act of obedience to God can seem so difficult at times even if we know for a fact that it is for our own good. It is our sins that draw us farther away from God, bury us deeper and bind us in chains. It all begins in just a slight act of disobedience or negligence on our part which takes a hold of us and before we know it we've gone so far away from God. Let's not wait any longer before it's too late. The time is now for us to repent and go back to God. There are 2 bible verses which I consider very special and of great importance to me. The first is from Romans 8:28 which says that, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God,who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..." The second one is from Ephesians 6:10-17, "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." It is noteworthy that we realize the important aspect in this bible passage about the need to wear an armor and most especially for us to realize the need for a weapon when we engage in battle and the only weapon mentioned is the sword which is the word of God. Sometimes we tend to look at things in a general way and miss the important details or only see, read and hear the things that we want and do not take the words of God in its entirety. There are lots of prosperity preachers who present the word of God in this manner and tend to overlook the equally important details and instructions that God also wanted us to pay attention to. God has definitely made it clear that everything will work for good but just the same, we have to take note of the following words which say that we need to conform to the image of Jesus. We definitely should not miss nor overlook this so that we can surely be saved and delivered. It is inevitable that we always give praise to God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13

R: For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise.

Jesus in today's gospel gives us an explanation of the parable of the weeds. Although we are not of this world we can not deny the fact that we are still in this world. We are still bound and living here on earth so we must be aware of the fact that we are exposed to the elements of this world we are in. The more we know and understand this parable the better we can cope. This explicit illustration allows us to picture ourselves in the field. From here we can already pace ourselves and gear up. We've got to be active and alert since there is a continuous battle that is raging between good and evil. We are told of what destiny awaits the damned and the followers of the evil one. If we are wise then we should know where we should stand and which side we should work for. There are only 2 sides, God’s side and the enemy’s side. We are challenged every single day before we reach the end of the age to make a clear stand, no in between. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Matthew 13:36-43

...“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age...

TLC (Tender Loving Care)

God longs for our embrace and wants us to love Him back so that we can be the people He calls His own. Just think of how parents used to say all the nice things to their children as if no one else compares and what this famous saying implies “the face only a mother could love” or if not yet a parent then think of a student who is an alma mater of a school and this famous cliché, “love your own”.   This is the kind of affection which could probably describe how God feels for us, no matter how imperfect we are. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 13: 1-11

...I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the LORD; to be my people, my renown, my praise, my beauty...

We have unforgettable experiences in life which remains etched in our memories no matter how long it may have been. These experiences whenever we remember them may cause us to recall too, the emotions and feelings that go with it and elicit from us a smile, laughter or tears. If we are to dwell on the truth that Jesus gave up His life for our sake, His Father suffered His only Son to serve as ransom for our deliverance and His Holy Spirit descended from Heaven, dwelt in us and always with us then we will never forget and will always remember. Today's psalm reading is taken from Deuteronomy and could have been written thousand of years ago even before the time of Jesus Christ. But its message still resounds to this very day. People nowadays are acting as if there is no God with the way they go about with their lives. This reminds me of the Catholicism talk of Fr. Barron in EWTN. He said that there are 4 things that Jesus despised on the cross. These are the things which we typically seek. It is sad to see how we sometimes put our loyalty in such things without realizing that everything comes from God and He should be first. The main point is detachment. We should look to our Lord on the cross and despise what He despised on the cross, wealth, pleasure, power and honor.  Wealth, He has none of it, He was stripped naked even of His clothes. Pleasure, He was at the limit of physical and psychological suffering. Power, he was nailed on the cross. Honor, he was mocked as he was publicly displayed and crucified. On the cross, he is the ultimate peace maker and the bringer of divine mercy. If Thomas Aquinas is right then Jesus on the cross is a picture of a happy man. He is the personification of the beatitudes. In order to be truly happy then we have to despise what He despised on the cross and love what He loved on the cross, to do the will of His Father. We should never take God for granted and start to think of all the good things He has done for us.  Let us not become like Israel and Judah who turned their backs on God. It is sad to see how they put their loyalty in fame, honor, power and riches without realizing that everything comes from God and He should be first. Amen. Hallelujah!

Deuteronomy 32:18-19, 20, 21

R: You have forgotten God who gave you birth.

18 You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you, You forgot the God who gave you birth. 19 When the LORD saw this, he was filled with loathing and anger toward his sons and daughters...What a fickle race they are, sons with no loyalty in them!” (R) 21 “Since they have provoked me with their ‘no-god’ and angered me with their vain idols, I will provoke them with a ‘no-people’; with a foolish nation I will anger them.”

God can do a lot of wonderful and amazing things in our lives if we just open our hearts to the kingdom of heaven and all that it represents. We must cultivate, nurture and nourish it in our hearts, minds and souls until it reaches its full maturity. I can still remember when I was still in Japan, I together with the other Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) participants were given during the Summer Fair in the Science Complex in Hiroshima, beautiful and small plants. It wasn't that difficult to take care during the summer. All I had to do was water it everyday and leave it outside the terrace of my room. It just kept on blooming with beautiful flowers. But when winter time came that was when I started to have a problem. My co-participant from Columbia told me that her plant was already dead because she found it frozen and dried up. I decided to bring my plant inside the room during nighttime and leave it outside the terrace only in the morning whenever the sun was shining brightly. But I was able to commit to it only for a short period of time because my work in the laboratory did not allow me to go back early to HIC (Hiroshima Intl. Center) where I was staying or sometimes I was just too tired that I've completely forgotten about it. Then one day I just found out that my plant was also dead. I felt bad about it and realized that if only I had paid more attention to it and became diligent in taking care of it then it would have survived winter and lived up to Spring. In today's gospel unlike the plants in Japan that we cared for Jesus is telling us that no matter how little or insignificant we feel we are and how difficult our situations are we must liken ourselves to the mustard seed and yeast which in due time has grown and risen to its full capacity. If only we would always entrust ourselves to the TLC (Tender Loving Care) of a trustworthy God who always pays attention, not forgetful and is diligent in giving us the perfect care. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 13:31-35

31 Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.” 33 He spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

WISH GRANTED

 Isn't it nice if someone you're asking for a favor would do as you requested? There are times when not all our requests, wishes and desires are granted. It may be due to our own shortcomings as recipient, the other person’s as the giver and could be many other reasons. According to St. Augustine, one of the four Great Fathers of the Church, the reason our prayers are not heard are (1) because our personal dispositions are not good (2) we pray badly (3) we do not persevere in prayer (4) we do not pray humbly (5) we pray without faith and (6) we ask for things which are not good for us. (From De civitate Dei) We can be assured of the fact that if we go to God then we are surely going to get the best answers to our prayers. It is also a good idea to follow Solomon's wisdom in today's 1st reading. And consequently this sharing from Didache. It is definitely just the right story that we needed to hear. Here it is entitled: Wise Discernment

  “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” – 1 Kings 3:9a
 The group of companies I worked for was closing down and I was about to lose my job. Some people with whom I had former business dealings offered me more than double my salary to manage their company. Upon closer scrutiny, I learned that this company didn’t pay minimum wages and didn’t pay the right taxes. But I desperately needed a better job then and lifted my cause in prayer to God. Through my wife’s prayer, God told me not to take the job.
A few years later, a multi-billion tax scandal landed on the front page of the papers. At the center of the scandal was this same company. Its owner, who had offered me the job, was on the run. If I had taken the job, I would have been his fall guy and taken the raps. I thanked God for the wisdom that he had given me not to take on that employment.
When we’re on the side of integrity and honesty, our discernment will always be a wise one!Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)
 REFLECTION:Do you put your trust on what the world tells you or what God’s Word tells you?
Lord, thank You for the grace to discern what is wise from Your perspective.
-END-
Whenever we receive news that really surprise us in an unpleasant manner, we can either decide to keep our peace or lose it. There are ways to react to things that come our way. Our reaction could depend on how we see and feel about things.  Whenever we are confronted with slight or even big concerns it would be best not to succumb right away to our emotions and give ourselves some time to think and compose ourselves. God would definitely not leave us groping in the dark. But it would be best to follow Solomon's wisdom in today's 1st reading. We have to put our trust on what God’s Word tells us and not on what the world tells us. We have to pray to the Lord for the grace to discern what is wise from our perspective. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 Kings 3: 5, 7-12

...“Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”...10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have asked for this — not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right — 12 I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

Another interesting event I am reminded of is one of the MI (Militia Immaculata) Meetings we had in the past  wherein we were asked to introduce ourselves briefly by saying our names, parishes where we belong and the time when we were consecrated to the Mother Mary. I can never forget the date I was consecrated (March 15, 2008) since it was the same date, but in 1995, of my mother's death anniversary but I would rather call it her birth to eternal life. It was highlighted by another significant event which was a dream I had at that same time of my aunt, Tita Edna who also passed away on the same date, March 15 in the year 1992. The dream was quite interesting and very vivid because I saw Tita Edna  riding in a van and the moment I saw her I took off immediately and ran after the van which I almost missed if I did not leap and managed to make it to the door of the van from which I almost fell. When I finally made it inside the van, I saw that she was about to eat so I offered her a hand sanitizer and saw that it made her so glad that I had it. She immediately applied it in her hands and thanked me for it. It suddenly gave me the impression that the van could be a symbol of our transportation to heaven. It is very difficult to catch that ride, we have to be always alert and vigilant we might end up missing it and worst never be able catch the ride ever again. That is, if we are too busy with other things we tend to neglect what should we be paying attention to and end up missing out on our ride and get a different ride which instead of bringing us to heaven, be brought to another destination which I guess none of us would like to be. We must always know on whose authority we are basing our actions. It will always help to examine ourselves and really be aware where our loyalty lies. Are we for God or against God or are we just for God in the superficial sense?  If we are deeply rooted in Him then we can withstand that horrible day of trial  and still find ourselves persevering in our faith. Just the thought of ending up in hell should really make us pray fervently to God.  Today's psalm teaches us the way to always be attuned to God's Spirit in order for us to truly see the word of God, as the light shining like a lamp for our feet. If we really want to be truly happy then there is just one thing we have to always do that is to always keep ourselves blameless before the Lord. We can never run away from the probing eyes of God because nothing is hidden from Him. We sometimes have this impression that our God requires impossibilities from us. We misinterpret and take things in a different way whenever we hear of rules and regulations to be followed. The decrees of our Lord are not meant to make things difficult for us nor do they burden or tie us down. This is the deception and we should start looking at it the right way. Just imagine life without God's decrees to guide us, it would be very disorderly and chaotic. It's like driving in the freeway wherein one can just go his or her own way without any regard for any traffic rules and regulations. Real freedom is the ability to follow God and being totally free of the grasp and hold of sin that brings death. Some sins bring instant death but others just like cancer slowly creep in and before we know it has already eaten us up whole.  God loves us so much that He has given us His decrees because it is in following them that we become totally free and live. The only way to true freedom is by following God's commands. In doing this we become free of the bondage of sin and live a power filled life based on the Truth. We should believe that if there is someone in and out of this world who is most reasonable, just, fair and at the same time loving, caring, slow to anger and rich in kindness that is no other than our God. One thing for sure, if He requires us something, He will definitely equip us for it because it is written, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If we commit ourselves to following God then we will surely be blessed. Allow me to use the word "luck" or "swerte" in Tagalog in lieu of any other more appropriate word like blessed or pinagpala in Tagalog since I have always been hearing this word being used very often by some people in reference to certain situations within the broad context of this word. I just couldn't help but share it, first and foremost due to some personal circumstances. We often hear people say to another who is about to embark on something challenging, “good luck” If the word luck may have been associated with whatever negative meaning then consider it excluded from here and out of context for the mean time. Let's just say we would like to broaden the scope of our vocabulary. This is to further drive the point or message in today's psalm and is actually the catch here. This is to come up with an induction that following the law of the Lord is just as synonymous to being blessed, lucky, swerte or pinagpala or any other word that we could closely associate with this. It is not very easy to lead a life like that of the saints who followed the example of Jesus. Ignorance is not an excuse. We should always seek to enrich our knowledge about God so that we will continuously grow in our faith. Our world is ever changing with all the new technology coming up, it's so surprising that whatever is considered the latest and gold standard today may not hold true the following day. If there's one thing we should rely and hold on to in this very dynamic world of ours, then it should be something constant and enduring.  It gives us great consolation that we have a God who is true to His word. We may have heard it but we haven't learned yet. It is a lifelong journey and quest to know God better. Nothing can be more rewarding than having great peace in our lives. We can make this possible by adhering to God’s law and committing to following it in word and deed. It will always be well for us to consult the scriptures that shed light and give understanding. It is only right that we follow the law of the Lord if we are really for God then our works should follow us and testify to who we really are. We've got to make sure that what we sought and yearn for, is what should bring us genuine riches, true delight and the most precious treasure which the world can not give and only God can bring about. It is only right that we follow the law of the Lord if we are really for God then our works should follow us and testify to who we really are.

Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 119: 57, 72 , 76-77, 127-128, 129-130R: (97a) Lord, I love your commands.57 I have said, O LORD, that my part is to keep your words. 72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces

God's daily assurance to us is written in the 1^st reading today. We should be thankful to God that with each passing day He never fail to remind us of His love and mercy  that no matter what happens we should continue to be hopeful in the promises of God our Savior. I would like to share with you these words of wisdom in Sabbath magazine which I am fully convinced and agree with 100%. THE PROMISES OF GOD FOR US Romans Chapter 8 is the centerpiece of Pauline theology on the nature of Christian life as we should live it. Verses 28-30, talks about the promises that God made long ago to make us all as it were the eldest of many brothers — that is, we receive the fullness of the inheritance that God has for us. (Under Jewish Law, the eldest son inherited virtually everything and it was his responsibility to provide for his siblings.) Paul tells us that for those who have faith in God, whatever situations we encounter in life will turn to our good. This may be difficult to believe at times but then God never promised us that life would be easy and simple. There will always be challenges to face and opportunities to exercise our faith. Thus it is important during better times to store up memories of God’s blessings so that they will help us to endure the lean times where His presence and blessings are more difficult to discern. This is also why God calls us to live in Christian communities with varying levels of commitment — so that we can avail ourselves of the support of each other during difficult times. It is good to be grateful for the gift of her as our mother, too. Jesus gives her to us from the cross so that she can be a comfort and support to us all. Often it is only through her faith and intercession that we are able to endure our trials, just as it was our mothers’ support that helped us through many difficult situations in our childhood. The greatest gift we can give to Mary on this day is to commit to a more faithful following of the call of Jesus. Let us pray to God for this grace through her intercession. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

There are 7 habits that have been identified for the last 2000 years that will lead us to success, excellence in every aspect of human life and holiness. The most important of human life is our relationship with God. But every other aspect like our relationship with other people, family, the way we are in the work place and all these things are governed by these 7 habits, patterns or qualities. These habits we can find in scriptures and see it in the life of saints. Even before God begin to reveal Himself to His people in Israel, human nature is smart and wise enough to see some things on its own. We, Catholics believe that God gave human beings reason although it sometimes gets darkened by sin but still human reason can figure out some things. One of the things that human beings figure out without God having to reveal it, is that human beings need to meet 4 qualities to be deemed a human being. The philosopher, before even Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, had this figured out. We find it mentioned in Wisdom 8:7, the 4 virtues or qualities are also called the hinge virtues because it is where all the other virtues or qualities of good people would hinge. The word cardinal means hinge. The Cardinals who surround the Pope are the doorway to the Pope. They are also the ones whom he rely the most for advice. Everything else depends on the cardinal virtues. (Prudence or wisdom, justice, temperance and courage or fortitude) Prudence is the ability to make right decisions in complex situations. Decisions that lead to the best and right thing. Without this we can be in big trouble. We’ve got to be able to decide in a situation that we’re in what the right thing to do which is the best thing to do. How do we get something done? There are some folks who probably just can’t figure out what to do. There are other folks who look at the problem and they can figure out a solution. It’s a core and they execute that core. It’s practical wisdom. We’ll find in the Book of Proverbs a lot of things about wisdom even in Sirach, Ecclesiastes and all the wisdom literature in scriptures. We can also find all the other 3 cardinal virtues, like justice which means giving each person his or her due. We all know even as kids instinctively how important justice is. The first thing that a kid cries out as soon as he learns how to talk if he has brothers and sisters is “Not fair, he got more than I did” or “You ask me to do more than what that person is doing.” This is because we have instinctively or natively offensive justice. Each person has rights and ought to get their due. There’s also another part of justice that we forget, that is, we have obligations and duties to everyone. A person who is unjust is not a good person. To be just, we need to control our passions. Temperance is a virtue that balances and controls our passions. It is like controlling  our desire for that last piece of cake if we know that it belongs to our sister. In order to be just, we’ve got to control our appetites. Make our appetites come into line with justice, truth and goodness. We’ve got to have that balance in our life in order to be a good and effective person. Temperance makes this happen. We also have to be courageous. If we are not courageous then every time a difficulty arises we’re going to shrink back. If there’s any danger involved in doing the right, just and wise thing then we’re just going to crack out and find an excuse because we’re afraid. Courage or fortitude helps us to master fear and not let fear keep us from doing what’s right. We’ve got have all these things but here’s the problem. When Adam & Eve decided to sin they let loose a weakness into our race and nature that impacts all of us. We call it original sin. Sin is not so original, we just copy what other people have done. There’s nothing creative about sin. Adam & Eve’s sin was the only original sin. What they did has an impact on us. By weakening their own nature, sin weakened man’s nature. They passed on to us a weakened nature. They separated themselves and the whole human race from friendship with God and were born into that. There’s a tendency in our nature to go on a downward drift, a drift off course and a tendency to a great degree is dealt with through grace. How do we get grace? Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has made possible for us, healing of our humanity. He gives us other gifts, faith, hope and charity that make it possible for us to really have wisdom, justice, temperance and courage. Without faith, hope and charity in this life, no one can really become truly wise. All throughout human history we see people who exercise these gifts. They may not be Christians, deeply spiritual people, or in a state of grace and can exercise some of these potentials here and there. But ultimately original sin means we are going to sin seriously and mess up. We need God’s grace for those 4 great virtues to be perfected. Faith, hope and charity are supernatural. These are things that human beings would never know that they need or could have without God giving them supernaturally that’s why they are called the theological virtues. We only know about them through divine revelation and we couldn’t know about them by reason. We can only have them through God’s grace. The theological virtues, faith, hope and charity are the crown of the first 4 cardinal virtues that transform and make them possible. God doesn’t want us just to be whole human beings and restore us to what Adam & Eve were when they blew it in the Garden. God wants us to be more than that. He wants to elevate our human nature and divinize it. He wants us to share in His own Divine nature. Charity is all about loving with God’s love. Loving as the 3 persons of the Holy Trinity love each other and sharing in that goes way beyond human nature. This is an incredible thing and call. It was only possible because God became man and we can share in his virtue. This is what the real Catholic life is all about. It’s not just about making it or going to heaven by the skin of your teeth after struggling. It’s about growing in holiness and becoming like Jesus all throughout our life, a champion not without struggles. As a matter of fact without the struggles we can never become a champion. But with victory and excellence not with hopelessness, despair and frustration. This is God’s desire for us which is a fantastic calling. The power to do this is given to us through the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hallelujah!

Romans 8: 28-3028 Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

When you've found the joy of praising, serving and loving God above anything and made it a common occurrence in your daily life, just like a thread embedded in the fabric of your life then the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We are all called to develop this kind of relationship with God as our Father, Brother, Lover, Comforter and Friend. Just think about it, is there anything more you can ask for? Let us not hold back and do anything for the love of God. I believe in the saying, "Where your heart is, there your treasure is." Each person is unique. We all have our own peculiarities and that's how we are able to express ourselves as a human being. Each person has his or her own qualities and characteristics that separate us from the rest. For some it could be a certain quality like cooking, athletics, writing, dancing, singing, speaking, painting, sketching, or the present work we do and all other talents we could think about.  Whatever it is that we are good in doing or we have dedicated and engaged ourselves in, we should always put God in the center of whatever we have chosen to do. We need to find out what our core gift is and develop it. There should not be a trace of holding back or hesitation on our part but rather invest everything in it and give it our all to bring out the best in us and reflect the glory of God. It is not easy to be molded like clay. If there’s one thing that stopping us from becoming what God has meant us to be it is our free will because we can say yes and no to God. It is important that we do not lose sight of the truth that we are created in God's mastery and expertise and we are His masterpiece, a genuine work of His hands. If we can confidently and honestly say after careful examination of our lives that we are indeed the product of God's hands then we can stand firm on that dreary day mentioned in today's gospel. Once we've realized and lived this truth in the gospel then we can consider ourselves as the wealthiest man on earth. There is no other treasure and fine pearl more precious than God who is with and in us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 13:44-52

44 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes

and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it…47 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

MIDDLE GROUND

The Lord reminds us so many times in the scriptures not to become 2 face or in tagalog "doble kara" We've got to make a stand on which side we really are. Sometimes we have this notion that we can continue doing what we do even if there is something wrong with it and just compensate by offsetting it with something good. Eventually things will toll up on us and would have to make a stand so that we don't end up losing everything. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:21-22, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. Or are we provoking the Lord to jealous anger? Are we stronger than he?" It is only right and fitting that we give 100% loyalty to God who deserves all that we can give. There really is no middle ground. Today's 1st reading tells us the same things as prophets of old, the apostles and gospel writers in Jesus' time. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 7:1-11

...here you are, putting your trust in deceitful words to your own loss! Are you to steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, go after strange gods that you know not, and yet come to stand before me in this house which bears my name, and say: "We are safe; we can commit all these abominations again"? Has this house which bears my name become in your eyes a den of thieves? I too see what is being done, says the LORD.

Have you ever felt so at home in a certain place that you feel like you can stay there for a long time? I did. I have met these people who are so welcoming and accepting and it feels like I can stay with them for the longest time. And to think that these people are the ones I hardly even know, so just imagine how it would feel like dwelling in the house of the Lord as spoken of in today's psalm. We ought to be aware of that big difference always. It is a matter of dwelling in a place where there is eternal life of peace and joy or damnation. Our earthly bodies will naturally yearn for earthly desires which are just bound to last only here on earth. We've got to really get it straightened out and listen to the yearning of our souls which will outlast this world. In heaven we will be glorified magnificently. We will live forever with strength, power, beauty and sharing a new humanity with Jesus. There is no place else we would rather be than in God's dwelling place. We all hope to wear that crown of heaven and take our place in God's kingdom.

We have to go the extra mile always in doing everything in love. For God is love and He is in us. We should also be careful not to taint and mess up ourselves and this is only possible if we take good care of God's dwelling place as suggested in today's psalm. We are the temple or dwelling place of God and this we should know by now and always be aware of. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Psalm 84:3. 4. 5-6a and 8a. 11

R: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord, mighty God!

 [3] My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (R) 4 [5] Happy they who dwell in your house! Continually they praise you. 5 [6] Happy the men whose strength you are! Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage 7 [8] They go from strength to strength. (R) 10 [11] I had rather one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (R)  

Life is not all about rules and regulations. God did not just give us a bunch of rules and regulations that we are supposed to obey like machines. What we do does not just proceed from who we are but also makes us who we are.  The actions we engage, the words that we say and the things that we do have an impact on us. We are making ourselves all the time. God created us when we came out of the womb, our mothers and father have a great role in that but our creation continues every single day of our lives. We’re even becoming someone more beautiful, mature and stronger or someone weaker and more despicable. There’s no middle ground. We’re going one way or another. Life leads either to heaven or to hell. That’s what the acts that we commit do. Virtuous acts build in us strength. The word virtue comes from the word manly which is strength and power. Virtue is a habit that makes it easy and pleasurable to do the right thing. Golden virtue isn’t always easy. It is hard. But what is vice, it is a habit that makes it easy to do the wrong and evil thing. Let’s take exercise as an example. People make it their New Year’s resolution and people who go to the gym noticed that it’s packed on January but they’re gone by the 3rd week. If we’ve ever engaged in an exercise program for the first time, we know that we feel bad, tired, exhausted and wake up sore. This is because we do not have the habit of exercise. We have not trained and our bodies are not used to it. It hurts and it’s hard the first time we work out. If we persevere past the first few weeks and developed a habit of regular exercise then we end up getting used to it and become easy that when we don’t exercise we feel bad. What happens is that we build up the power or the virtue. We’ve conditioned ourselves so that it becomes second nature to us. If we want a progressive course we need to do something hard. No pain no gain. The next time we work out we add up a little bit more since we are stronger. We can move forward and grow in our ability to lift weights. This is the deal. The actions we do have an impact on what we are. It’s like when we start lifting weights we start to change and look different. We look like someone who has strength, power and endurance. This is the point, God is about building champions. The goal of the Christian life is to build champions. Well, not necessarily athletic champions but spiritually. A real champion in every aspect of life. God wants us to be strong, loving, wise and to have the power to live. It’s not so much what we do that counts but it’s who we become. That’s what the commandments, teachings and God is all about. Heaven is the realization of being a champion. In heaven we will be glorified magnificently. We will live forever with strength, power and beauty sharing a new humanity with Jesus. What about hell? Let’s look what vice is about. A habit that instead of building up, deteriorates us. It starts small just like exercise. There was a guy named Ted Bundy, who was executed in the State of Florida for horrible sexual crimes, murder and all sorts of perversion. He was sorry for what he did. He didn’t ask for mercy but he warned people before he died. He was interviewed and narrated how this road began. It all started with looking at pornographic books which incited in him the wrong kind of attitude toward other human beings and the opposite sex. It became in his mind, instruments and play things. One thing led to another and just gradually led him to murder, rape and all sorts of horrible things. That’s the way it is with every sin. Sins that we commit are traps and tricks that will lead us to habits and patterns of behavior that will change us. When we tell the first lie we may not be a liar yet but it makes a lot more prone to lie again. We start with kids maybe stealing a pack of candies from the store. If we don’t stop that, the next time it will be bigger. Maybe for teens it may be something like breaking in to a house and steal things. It just keeps on going and it becomes easier and easier to do more horrible things. Then we become a thief, an unjust person with just one little act. There’s a little thing that illustrates all these. Sow a thought, reap an act, sow an act, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a lifestyle, sow a lifestyle, reap a destiny. It all begins with a decision or thought, an act and then it becomes a pattern. It has dared us to become who we are and where we will eventually end up. The gospel for today is reminding us of this vital truth of the reality of heaven and hell. The gates of heaven has been opened and made accessible for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not tread the path going to the gate of hell rather journey our way to the gate of heaven. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus proposed a parable to the crowds. "The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came

and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said,

'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds come from?'

He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' His slaves said to him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' He replied, 'No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, "First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

GOD’S SIDE

Fr. Adrian Delima is a priest from Rome who visits St. Martha’s Church regularly. He is involved in some kind of research work that tries to explain the mysteries or rather manifestations that go with the miracles of God. He was particularly involved in cases who received healing through Padre Pio and in Lourdes, France. He said that there is really no doubt that miracles really took place and continues to believe that it is still taking place in each and every moment of our life for that matter. He said that there is no discrepancy between Science and God. For God is the Creator of everything. Aside from the scientific explanations and laboratory values that these group of experts are looking for in these miracles, this bible passage in the 1st reading today should inspire us because it where we can find the gold standard of the ultimate test that needs to be done. If we are experiencing the same things being said here then we need not undergo specific lab tests instead we can already consider ourselves a living proof of God's miracle. It is through the trials and hardships in life that we manifest God's power and victory in our lives.  According to St. Rose of Lima, "Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase." We may want to reflect on the following questions, What is the relationship between afflictions and the height of grace? Do I make use of such opportunities or do I rail against them? In the battles that we face in our lives, we inevitably get hurt in the process but we can be assured of winning the fight if we are on God’s side. Amen. Hallelujah!

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

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

Somebody from our bible study group asked Fr. H (Hyacinth) this question, "How come God chose Israel (Jewish) to be the chosen people when they are so stubborn and stiff necked." The answer that Fr. H gave him was so satisfactory and centered on the unsurpassed and infinite love and mercy of God and so much like what I read and chanced upon in the Book of Romans 11:33-36 as I read the 1st reading, " Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." We tend to take for granted or worst we become ungrateful in a way when we fail to realize the things that God has done for us. It is undeniable that if we will just look very closely at our lives we'll see and find out that the Lord has indeed done marvels for us. There are times when we really have to strengthen our faith and hope for something we do not see and wait with endurance. We may be experiencing right now, so many unforeseen events but we should always wait and hope that the Lord will be gracious and reveal His glory. There is some truth to the famous saying, “Easy come, easy go.” If there are some things that we've been praying for and it seems like nothing is happening we should never give up. Every good work should be carefully planned and carried out to completion. Though the process may be long and hard we can always count on God to stick with us through and through and make it happen. If we are always manifesting in our lives the values of the passion and death of Jesus then we are assured of the resurrection. For this reason it is good to share this prayer of Mother Angelica in times of temptation and whenever we are on the verge of giving up when undergoing trials and tribulations. The prayer suggests that we focus on the 12^th station of the cross which is when Jesus dies on the cross while reciting the following: Eternal Father, I offer you the 6 hours of agony, the death and the piercing of Your Son’s Sacred Heart for… (mention the need or petition). This is effective in the sense that the Lord looks down upon His Son, His agony, death and the piercing of His sacred heart for our sake. Only to God can we look with so much hope and confidence that the desert we are presently encountering at the moment will be turned into a refreshing spring of water. We may be suffering long enough under the heat of this life's difficulties but we must not forget that God is able to turn everything into green pastures. It is undeniable that if we will just look very closely at our lives we'll see and find out that the Lord has indeed done great things for us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 126: 1bc- 2ab, 2cd-3 , 4-5 , 6

R: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

1 When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) 6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

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

Matthew 20: 20-28

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

MIDDLE GROUND

We’ve got to straighten up some things about God. Who He is and what He wants for our life. What is our picture of God? It’s not surprising to know that most of us think that God doesn’t want us to have fun. It’s like all the things that we want to do with our friends that are interesting and exciting when we were young are against God’s commandments. It may seem like we have to settle for less. What’s worse is that all the faithful Catholics get less out of life. This is part of the propaganda way back in the Garden of Eden. God gave us a magnificent paradise wherein there is perfect intimacy and no shame with each other. In the Garden they have everything they need but gave just one limit, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is very interesting because God said, “Don’t do this because you will die.” The reason why God commands us something is because He is a loving Father who cares for us. He wants us to have the best. But then came the serpent, who didn’t create Adam & Eve, nor gave the garden or anything at all. All the serpent gave was a lie and told Adam & Eve not to listen to God or they’ll lose out and won’t become like God. They were made to believe that God is holding out something from them and is actually their rival because God doesn’t want them to have what He has. So instead of trusting the one who gave them everything, they trusted a stranger. They disobeyed God and listened to the liar. They were hooked into a downward spiral of destruction. This is what sin is all about. It is a trap. It is disguised as an apparent good because the fruit looks good and desirable but it ends in disaster. The relationship with God is messed up and so creation turned against them, thorns and thistles appear and things in life become hard. This is what sin does, it seemed small but it gets out of control. Things get worse and worse and there are broken lives everywhere. This is the reality about sin, we are draining life out of ourselves unless we recognize the one true source of Living Water. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 2: 1-3 , 7-8, 12-13

...7 When I brought you into the garden land to eat its goodly fruits,...

…they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; They have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water…

The problem is that there is a great propaganda out there. It makes sin appear with all its fun, excitement and glamour. It makes virtue appear boring, lame, bland and unexciting. But the truth of the matter is, it’s not. The pleasures that God created in this world are enjoyed the most by those who don’t abuse them and use it simply. Who do we think enjoys food most? The person who doesn’t know how to fast and engorges all the time or a person after a fast experiences a feast? The virtuous person enjoys life the most. The person who uses creation and all things according to God’s plan enjoys it the most. It is because pleasure is God’s idea. All the good things in the world that people want are God’s idea. Satan can’t invent even one bit of pleasure.  But God commands them to be used so that it leads to life and a part of life is joy. The way to enjoy life is to follow God’s commands. Life is not all about rules and regulations. God did not just give us a bunch of rules and regulations that we are supposed to obey like machines. What we do does not just proceed from who we are but also makes us who we are.  The actions we engage, the words that we say and the things that we do have an impact on us. We are making ourselves all the time. God created us when we came out of the womb, our mothers and father have a great role in that but our creation continues every single day of our lives. We’re even becoming someone more beautiful, mature, stronger or someone weaker, more despicable. There’s no middle ground. We’re going one way or another. Life leads either to heaven or to hell. That’s what the acts that we commit do. Virtuous acts build in us strength. The word virtue comes from the word manly which is strength and power. Virtue is a habit that makes it easy and pleasurable to do the right thing. Golden virtue isn’t always easy. It is hard. But what is vice, it is a habit that makes it easy to do the wrong and evil thing. Let’s take exercise as an example. People make it their New Year’s resolution and people who go to the gym noticed that it’s packed on January but they’re gone by the 3rd week. If we’ve ever engaged in an exercise program for the first time, we know that we feel bad, tired, exhausted and wake up sore. This is because we do not have the habit of exercise. We have not trained and our bodies are not used to it. It hurts and it’s hard the first time we work out. If we persevere past the first few weeks and developed a habit of regular exercise then we end up getting used to it and becomes easy that when we don’t exercise we feel bad. What happens is that we build up the power or the virtue. We’ve conditioned ourselves so that it becomes second nature to us. If we want a progressive course we need to do something hard. No pain no gain. The next time we work out we add up a little bit more since we are stronger. We can move forward and grow in our ability to lift weights. This is the deal. The actions we do have an impact on what we are. It’s like when we start lifting weights we start to change and look different. We look like someone who has strength, power and endurance. This is the point, God is about building champions. The goal of the Christian life is to build champions. Well, not necessarily athletic champions but spiritually. A real champion in every aspect of life. God wants us to be strong, loving, wise and to have the power to live. It’s not so much what we do that counts but it’s who we become. That’s what the commandments, teachings and the Lord our God is all about.

Psalm 36:6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11R: With you is the fountain of life, O Lord.

…The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They have their fill of the prime gifts of your house; from your delightful stream you give them to drink…in your light we see light. Keep up your mercy toward your friends, your just defense of the upright of heart.

It is really important that we take advantage of the opportunities that come our way to spend time with family and loved ones. It's nice to know that a family is a family no matter what and we all belong to one. We all love the idea of a family. Though, this is especially true and important knowing that we are all members of God’s family. We are sure to receive nothing less than what we deserve as such. How about all other opportunities in life that God gives us? Just think of those that we all lost. How easy it is for us to miss the opportunity for everyday. What can we do as a child of our Father in heaven and a member of God’s family? Sow a thought, reap an act, sow an act, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a lifestyle, sow a lifestyle, reap a destiny. It all begins with a decision or thought, an act and then it becomes a pattern. It has dared us to become who we are. Sometimes we lose sight of this important reality that we should always be aware of. A love is not a love until it is given away. A song is not a song until it is sung. God gives us His own love to share it with our family, friends and fellow human beings. We have been redeemed by the precious blood of our Lord.  We must listen to the still and small voice that tells us that we are not alone. It is a holy task to listen. It is therapeutic to call and to listen.  In doing so, wisdom finds an echo in our heart. We should all say to ourselves, “I should pass this way once any kindness I can do let me do because I shall not pass this way again.”  We’ve got to give it our best shot. Jesus said in the gospel that the knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven is granted to some but not to all. Why is this so? It all depends on our commitment to God. If we go all the way with the Lord then nothing else could be in the way for us to be granted all the blessings that we long for.  Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?’ 11 He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted...16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 17 Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”