There are seasons in our life that we have to go through. In
fact, there are many changes looming around the corner nowadays. There is
really a need for the people to kneel down in prayer for God's will to prevail
in every person. There have been a lot of issues going on around us and we can
not be assured of the economic stability all over the world but what should be
of utmost concern is the decline and decay of the moral fabric of every person.
In just a few months we would be celebrating Christmas, the birth of our
Savior. Whatever seasons, or feelings we have there is always a reason to paint
our faces with a big smile just like what the 1st reading encourages
us to do. Have we given it some serious thought? During those times when we
almost hit rock bottom and looked like everything is a dead end as if nothing
good is ever going to happen but managed to make it through, still standing to
this day. We may not be fully aware of it but in all those things God is always
there for us. It is just a matter of drawing ourselves really close to God so
that we can feel Him better in the midst of the so many stimuli that constantly
compete to catch our attention. We have a tendency to underplay the role of God
in our lives because we are not focused on Him. It is time we give credit to
whom it is due. As today's 1st reading suggests to us, we really have to behold
and look to God so that we will truly see. I could never forget the time when I
decided to buy my son a laptop as a birthday gift. Actually I wasn't really
sure about buying one since at that time I was a bit short in my finances. His
birthday will be in a few weeks back then and I intended to give it as a
birthday gift so it will not reach him on time if I send via balikbayan box and
I know for a fact that it is not wise to send brand new laptops and the like
via door to door box. I have heard of
rumors that it is not safe because it might end up getting lost. I finally
decided against it and just hoped that if there will be somebody going home to
the Philippines
then that's the time I will decide to buy one. I knew at the back of my mind
that it may not be possible to find someone going home to the Philippines within the specified
time I have in mind which is just 1-2 weeks, in order to reach my son on time
for his birthday. To find a trustworthy person and generous at that to be
willing to carry a laptop in his/her baggage is another thing. Although there
was a longing and aching in my heart to buy this gift for my son because he has
been wishing for one, I knew I was unable to do so because of my limited
options which lead to my indecision. I was just surprised that during the
consecration in the Holy Mass, the Lord suddenly impressed in my heart that I
should push through with my plan to buy that birthday gift. It gave me a new
found confidence in pursuing the plan even though I have limited resources and
options. To my surprise, I got a call from my friend Carmen in New Jersey who told me that she's going home to the Philippines
on Aug. 24 which was exactly a week before his birthday on Aug. 31. This may be
the sign that I've been waiting for I thought, because when I asked her if it
was ok to include a laptop in her baggage she immediately agreed. All the while
I thought that everything will end up there when I was finally able to buy a
laptop and had it shipped to Carmen. It was just barely a week when I got news
from Carmen that she is no longer going home and will just send the laptop via
door to door and will no longer reach my son on time for his birthday. I was so
disappointed since I never intended to send it via door to door, could have
decided against if I had known right away and worse it was late for his
birthday. I had so much anxiety and fear upon learning of it but I held on to
God's goodness despite the seemingly endless wait for the delivery of the door
to door which took almost 2 months when normally all it takes is just 1 month
or less. For I know in my heart that my decision was based first and foremost
on the message that I got from the Lord during the consecration in the Holy
Mass I was not moved. I continued in my prayers and supplications to God that
the laptop will reach my son in good shape because it really meant a lot to me,
the way a mother longs to be with her sons but couldn't and the only
consolation is the fact that somehow I can give them something to be happy
about in exchange of my absence. Despite the long wait, God rescued me in my distress.
My son finally got a hold of his birthday gift. It was like a great relief
washed over me. If we continue to persevere in our faith in the Lord against
all odds we will come to know that something good is going to happen because
the best is in store for us. Today's 1st
reading tells us that we can look forward to a grand celebration or fiesta
galore with much rejoicing that nothing can ever be compared to it. How can we
not believe and trust in Him? How can we not give full confidence that He is
able to answer all our needs? If we allow God then every single day should be
viewed like He is always with us in the most intimate and personal way. Our God
is the most loving and caring father that He will never abandon us. No matter
what we are going through right now today's first reading should relieve us
from every kind of worry. Amen. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 25:6-10a
6 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all
peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure,
choice wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all
peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; 8 he will destroy death
forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of
his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. 9 On
that day it will be said “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is
the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
10 For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Psalm 23 assures us where the road of God’s love will lead
us because it tells us exactly what kind of road we are heading to if we accept
the love of the Good Shepherd. When I was a young child, I used to sing and
imagine the scenario in the psalm reading for today. Psalm 23 has a Tagalog
song version in the Philippines
entitled, “Ang Panginoon ang aking Pastol” I have always loved singing it
because of the very comforting words in the song. It has always given me an
impression that with God on our side nothing can go wrong and if things seem to
look like there is something wrong there is really nothing to fear for He will
always be there to defend and protect. Let us not stray away from the Lord and
always stay in the flock that He cares for. We may have heard a story of how a
lion attacks its prey by separating it from the flock and once it has cornered
it and all alone that's the time it devours it. It pays to always stay in the
flock under the care of our Good Shepherd. We have to make sure we are not
misguided or deceived by a fake shepherd and really belong to the flock of
sheep that Jesus shepherds. If we are just to read and understand very well
every word said in today's psalm then we ought to find ourselves the most
contented and secured person in the whole wide world. There should be no more
room for fear, doubt and anxiety. We've got to develop the confidence and faith
of a person who have truly believed that the Lord is our shepherd. A sheep
without a shepherd doesn’t know where to go and get food. They just stand there
looking dumb and hungry. Today's psalm is a reminder and great consolation that
we are the sheep and the Lord is our Shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd as
stated in today's psalm. He makes us want for nothing more. We are so caught up
with our problems and concerns in life that we become oblivious of God. We do
not see the love of God in the midst of these disturbing events. In our journey
here on earth we are all confronted with the bitter and harsh realities of
life. Let us always remember and never forget that on top of this reality is
the resounding truth and most essential one that we have a Good Shepherd. We
should praise and thank God for those experiences although difficult served as
an inspiration which we could hold on to at times when things do not turn out
right. We can be assured that everything is in control although there is really
a need to go through a so called "dark valley" of our lives in order
for us to be fully aware that we have a God who looks after our welfare no
matter how things turn out unexpectedly and not according to what we have in
mind. We always have to believe that in the end, God is always on our side to
give us the courage to carry on and find that God got us covered. There is one
thing sure if we hold on to God as a sheep to the Good Shepherd, we will never
be disappointed. The words of God in today's readings give us an assurance that
He is always there for us. He said it and He means it then so be it. There is
nothing more He could possibly mean when He said that He is the Good Shepherd
other than He cares for us. He never forsakes nor abandons any single one of His
flock. Sometimes we are confronted with situations that push us to the limits
and thus we give way. This should never be the case at any single time. We
should not entertain the option that is clearly not pleasing to the Lord even
beyond the point of maximum tolerance. We may find ourselves able to resist up
to a certain extent only. Thus when the tough gets really tough we would
suddenly find ourselves shifting our loyalty. We only find ourselves
proclaiming God in our life when situations are favorable. It's such a pity if
we would ever come to this point where almost everybody in this world found
themselves comfortably positioned. We can easily change positions when things
get uncomfortable and easily turn our backs on what is ultimately God’s will for
us. As in Rev. 3:16, So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will
spit you out of my mouth. It is time to make a stand and know which side we
really are rather than continue making excuses and justifications. We must not
doubt God's ability to be the Good
Shepherd that He really is to us and trust Him rather than ourselves to carry
out the plan He has for us. Just like
this old adage, "Never put the law into your hands." We should not
take away God's plan from His hands into ours and act like we know better. If
there's someone who could perfectly carry out this plan for our lives then that
is no other than God Himself. Nothing could be more perfect than entrusting our
life in God's hands. Just try to imagine ourselves right now, as is, where is
with all our cares and problems in this world. Then try to paint another
picture, this time with God as the Good Shepherd that tends the sheep, then
picture ourselves as that sheep that the Lord tends. Be still for a moment and
try to absorb and allow to sink in the words in the responsorial psalm. In
God's loving embrace we are secured and satisfied that there is nothing we
stand in need of. If the Lord is our shepherd who could ask for more? Goodness
and love pursue us all the days of our life. For as long we're sure that the
Lord Jesus is indeed the shepherd who leads us and whom we follow then there is
no doubt about this. We should thank the Lord for our daily assurances,
confirmation and in all circumstances. God will never allow us to go hungry and
will always give us what we need and even more. God is a generous God that when
we're feeling hungry or in need of something He is always there to provide, all
we have to do is trust Him in His ways, as He has promised. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (6cd)
R: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my
life
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant
pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes
my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I
walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod
and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in
the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only
goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in
the house of the LORD for years to come.
I want to praise and thank God once again for it was through
these circumstances that I've learned of the strength of God that empowers me.
Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20
12 Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble
circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance
and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going
hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I have the strength for
everything through him who empowers me.
No matter what our circumstances are in life, let us not
ignore or take for granted God's open invitation to all of us. Life is like a
banquet, and we have all been invited to take part in it but like any other
invitations they do not last forever. We are invited into the kingdom of God
Matthew 22:1-14
1 Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying, 2
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for
his son. 3 He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the
feast, but they refused to come...‘The feast is ready, but those who were
invited were not worthy to come. 9 Go out, therefore, into the main roads and
invite to the feast whomever you find.’ 10 The servants went out into the
streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was
filled with guests. 11 But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a
man there not dressed in a wedding garment. 12 He said to him, ‘My friend, how
is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to
silence. 13 Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and
cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of
teeth.’ 14 Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment