Haggai 2:1-9
For thus says the LORD of hosts: One moment yet, a little
while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7
I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come
in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. 8 Mine is
the silver and mine the gold, says the LORD of hosts. 9 Greater will be the
future glory of this house than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this
place I will give you peace, says the LORD of hosts!
I have already developed this habit of running on my way to
Church as a form of exercise. I could never forget that day when I suddenly felt
like not running at all considering that it was almost time. I just realized
that I was spared from a dog bite when I turned to look back, I saw the big
black police dog of our neighbor behind me, unleashed and out of their
perimeter fence and if I was running I'm sure it could have ran after me and
bit me. My heart was racing as I slowly walked away from it while praying
fervently that it would not chase or come after me. Praise God! I was able to
arrive at the Church safely without a scratch. It is indeed wise to always put
our faith and confidence in God alone who secures us at all times even in our
unguarded moments and fights all our battles. We should never lose hope in God
Almighty. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M Psalm 43:1. 2. 3. 4
R: Hope in God; I will praise him, my savior and my God.
1 Do me justice, O God, and fight my fight against a
faithless people; from the deceitful and impious man rescue me. (R) 2 For you,
O God, are my strength...
There are times when our judgment gets clouded with the
trials and difficulties we encounter in life. We always expect things to happen
the way we expected and planned it to be. We sometimes overlook things because
we are so preoccupied with other things. There are times when we fall into the
trap of irritability and anger whenever our situation does not look good.
Instead of succumbing to it, we should just thank God in whatever circumstance
we are in and count our blessings instead. We have to remain calm. It is all
worth it, because we are able to practice patience. These experiences, no
matter how little, insignificant or not noteworthy they are, we can still learn
some lessons from them which can make us better every little step of the way.
Just like Peter in today's gospel, his constant following, closeness and
interaction with Jesus eventually brought him to his present place and standing
in our Church. But we all know how this relationship of Peter with Jesus
started out and tried several times especially with Peter's denials. Even then
we can always hope and aspire that as we go along life and grab or take
advantage of opportunities that God sends our way or allows to happen, we can
develop a better understanding of who really God is in our life and what He is
doing with our life which will eventually turn out for the best. Just as His
suffering and death on the cross paved the way for His resurrection and our
salvation we should always believe that God has the best reason for everything.
Our life is full of choices. We need to make the right choice. We need to make
a good judgment with regards to the choices we make. It is not wise to go by
the prevailing standard that is being offered by the world. We may find
ourselves secured now but not later; happy and contented for the time being but
not meant to last; and at peace with the world but is shallow and easily
disturbed. Sometimes when we have solicited the support of the majority or won
the people’s approval, we have a tendency to cloud our judgments especially
when our egos become inflated with pride. Rather than focus on what is right
and proper before the Lord we go by popularity.
We should always keep in mind that the saying, “Majority wins” is not
always what is right before the Lord. Nor should we be bothered by the opposition
of other people if we do not go with the flow. In today’s gospel it is very
clearly illustrated that the crowds are greatly misled and only Peter got it
right. It doesn't matter what others may say or if some or most people disagree
or are not pleased with our decisions what matters most is that we are right
and at peace before God. The top choice
should always be Jesus if we truly wish to be saved. God is the ultimate and
perfect lover whom we can not compare to the fleeting and passing love of this
world. And as sure as the dawning of this new day, is the precise message of
the intense, sacred, deep and indescribable love that is reserved and
attributed to God alone. Our conviction and stand on certain things should
always be dependent on what Jesus tells us for He is the way, the truth and the
light. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 9:18-22
...Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.” 21 He rebuked them and directed them
not to tell this to anyone. 22 He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and
be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed
and on the third day be raised.”
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