We will feel energized as an effect of praying first thing in the morning. It means that if we put God first in our lives then we are like light bulbs tapped to the power source, we will neither dim nor lose our shine. He is the mitochondria that drives each one of us, the power house that sustains every living cell in our bodies and gives us strength and stamina. When I was just new in the renewal, that was 20 years ago, I came across this bible passage in today's 1st reading in the LSS (Life in the Spirit Seminar) I attended and my life has always been guided by it. I should say this is one of my favorite bible passages because I can not easily remember the exact bible book, chapter and verse of my favorite passages but this one I always do. I always find myself quoting and advising this to people I encounter. In those years that have passed, I can attest to the efficacy of this advice. In Phil 2:12 Paul also encouraged us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. 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. Though, God is the Good Shepherd who looks after us, let us always be wise and stay safe for we are engaged in a battle. Do not be deceived by the enemy with his lies and deception and get caught in his trap. Which reminds me of the "Safety first" signs that I usually see in hazardous construction areas. There are precautionary signs and measures in order to ensure safety at all times. Today’s 1st reading somehow works like it for the welfare of both body and soul. Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 6: 10-20
Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. ...stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield... take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...18 With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones 19 and also for me...
Some people may find it strange that I have a devotion to pray for the souls of the dead. Of the so many Catholic devotions that we know of, praying for the eternal repose of the souls is a devotion that I have committed to surprisingly and extraordinarily, I should say. It all started in 2006 when I had this very unusual experience with a hit and run victim who was lying dead for around three and a half hours already based on what the onlookers said. The accident happened very early in the morning in EDSA a main street in the heart of the city in the Philippines . My heart was moved with pity for that poor man that I offered the rosary prayer for his soul. After that incident, as far as my disposition for the dead souls are concerned things were never the same again. Something very unnatural happened immediately after that because I was on my way to a very important appointment which I was already late for. Earlier I had been told that I would no longer be entertained and would just be wasting my time if I would still go. Anyway, I still did and there it happened. I was not declined and was still allowed to enter. It was most unusual that those who came earlier and on time although they were allowed entry failed to have their document signed due to a misspelled name of a signatory. The unimaginable happened, the document I submitted contained the same misspelled name but somebody facilitated it for me so it was overlooked, signed and approved. There was only one thing in my mind at that time while it was all happening, that dead guy’s soul that I prayed for, whom I rendered some love and mercy. The same understanding and mercy was extended to me since I was accommodated but the others were not. As I've said earlier, things were never the same again thus I believe that there is life after death and it pays to pray for our departed brothers and sister. Someday when we come face to face with that reality, may we receive the breath of life everlasting from God. I've had several more special experiences related to it and also with other souls that I have prayed for. When I first saw that man lying dead in the street partially covered by newspapers, it may look a lot like there is no hope left for him considering the kind of fate and death he met. It was an untimely, unprepared and unexpected turn which also became the end of his life on earth. When things seem to look so bad as in this kind of bad that I've seen for myself or even worse, I know for sure that it is not the way it appears to be. What could one ever think of a man left dead lying on a main street of a busy city where a lot of people see it as they come and go. Nothing seems to be the way it really is for there is always hope. We may not yet fully understand the truth about heaven at this time while we are still bound here on earth but we can always hold on to God as fast, strong and firm as we can. To God alone, we look to be saved. We can defeat the giant problems we are facing right now. Let us not limit God's power for the bigger our problem is and the more it is heightened by its difficulty the more God's glory is revealed. It is only right that we entrust everything to God for we have a giant God. If at the present time we are encountering so many trials and difficulties in life then consider everything as preparation for the victory God has reserved for all of us. In spite of all the discouraging and heart rending events that we’ve experienced and witnessed in our lives there is one thing sure about it. In every tear that fell and heartache, God’s mercy is always upon us. He is our fortress and stronghold that we can not be moved. A preacher on TV said that we have to go to the right frame and never turn back. Once we are in the right frame then we should not be dissuaded because only immovable people can move mountains. We have to stick to the right frame because it is our fight of faith. It was also Jesus who told us in Mt. 17:20, “…Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." We should not lose focus and realize that we are standing on a firm foundation, solid as rock, and we can entrust everything unto Him. If we will always decide to listen and follow the advice of God and be willing to be under His guidance and direction then we will surely emerge victorious in all our battles. Amen. Hallelujah!
R: Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
...who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. (R) 2 My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust, who subdues peoples under me. (R) 9 O God, I will sing a new song to you; with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise, 10 you who give victory to kings, and deliver David, your servant the evil sword. (R)
Today's gospel also contains one of my most cherished and favorite bible passages due to the special memory it holds for me and my son. When Jude and Allan were still small I used to tell them bedtime stories that they love to hear over and over again except for this one. It is about the story of a hen who gathered her brood under her wings in order to protect them from the fire that broke out in the farm. The hen got burned and died but was able to spare the life of her brood which she shielded from the blazing fire with her protective wings. My son Allan, cried when he heard about that story because he had associated me with the mother hen and said that he doesn't want me to grow old and die. Looking back at that incident now that my 2 sons are both grown ups, I can narrate a better story about the love of God depicted in a mother hen who protects her brood under her wings but will not end up burned and dead but instead resurrected and living in eternity. We are all God's children that He yearns to gather under His protective wings. May we always recognize the doting love and care of a mother hen to its brood in the Lord and just like Allan, respond with the same kind of affection towards God. If a mother hen can do such a thing, how much more can a perfect God who is Father, Mother and created all of us with great love and care not protect us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 13:31-35
... how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling...
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