FIRM FOUNDATION

Is there anything more that God could have done for us that He has not done? After accepting freely, the most humiliating death on the cross more than 2000 years ago, this act of love has not lost its effect and continues to benefit us in the most amazing and unfathomable way. If only we fully accept what Paul is telling us in today's 1st reading then we are all saved. It is a consolation to know that though we are sinners God will always have mercy on us because He knows exactly what our hearts are made of and filled with. We may not be doing the right thing because we are totally unaware of the truth but God will never leave us in our ignorance. I remember one time when I attended a Catholicism Study and learned a lot of things that I thought I already know. I was shocked to find out that even though I was educated as a Catholic from Kinder to College there are still some things that I do not know of yet. Since the times are changing fast there are also other issues in the Church which are non- existent before but is now a major issue like the stem cell research and in vitro fertilization. There is really a need to update and upgrade our knowledge in our faith so that we can be truly effective in the ministry that God has appointed to us in the same way that Paul was in today’s 1st reading. If there's one thing we can totally believe and rely on, that is our God who is perfect never gives up and is continuously at work not just in me but in all of us who accepts this with all our hearts. This is why I am full of gratitude to our God who rightfully deserves all glory and honor. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 Timothy 1:15-17

15 Beloved: This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. 16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. 17 To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

No one can pretend to be innocent and blameless for our iniquities. We've got to set things right before we find ourselves lost in the deceptions of this world. God will never take things sitting down for He will see to it that those who call and truly follow and obey Him, the so called "poor of the Lord" those who fully depend on God's Providence will surely be lifted up and raised from the dust. God gave His only son as ransom for our sins to save us. Is there anything else He could have done that He has not done for our sake and best interest? God alone is worthy of our praise and worship. If we will just be open at all times to this truth that the psalm reading today tells us and realize the importance of always praising God in all circumstance and live it in our lives then we can be assured of the loving, protecting and caring gaze of God to be always on us. I love this prayer that I got from an email it says, "Stars do not struggle to shine; rivers do not struggle to flow, and you will never struggle to excel in life because you deserve the best. Hold on to your dreams and it shall be well with you. Amen." We simply have to keep on trusting that God will do for us what He has promised and said that He would do. There is nowhere to go but to God. If we are confident in God's Divine Providence and constantly and consistently pray for God's guidance and protection and decide to act at all times for His greater glory then there is nothing that should ever make us want for anything for God is in control, He provides for all our needs and knows what's best for us. Nothing is indeed by accident everything is under the will of God. We just need to always trust God in all circumstances that whatever happens, God will always make a way. It is important that we are always in touch with this reality and truth about our God who is Lord of lords and King of kings and gain confidence from it as if we are already seated and counted among the leaders of His people. That's the Spirit we should all have, a winner. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 113:1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7

R: Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.

1 Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever. (R)  4 High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high 6 and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? (R) He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor 8 to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people.

I can still remember when we bought this lot in this subdivision in the Philippines where we had our house built we were informed that the contractors and engineers constructed the roads several feet higher than the original floor level of that subdivision. When we finally constructed our house we had to spend extra money for 30 truckloads of filling material in order to elevate our house to the level of the road where our lot is situated. Not just that we have to build the foundation of our house on the original floor of the lot and needed to raise it up to the level of the road. We just realized that we already spent so much for the foundation alone. That's why today's gospel suddenly reminded me of our house when we had it built. There was indeed a need for us to lay a very strong foundation for our house in the same way that we really have to be deeply rooted in our faith in God. With that I quote the following words from Companion. "To build a house that will last, a person will spend maybe half his money and materials on the foundations. Without good foundations, a building will collapse very quickly; it is thus worth the extra investment in good foundations. The same is true of our spiritual lives — we should dig deep into the recesses of our hearts and purge out the sin in order that our foundations can be set on the firm rock of God’s love and a life of virtue, not vice!" It is easy to say things than do it. We can say things without meaning it just for the sake of pleasing the person whom we are talking to. If there's one thing we really have to commit to then that is our obedience to God knowing that it will always be for our own good. Another thing I am reminded of is my mother because of this bible passage in today’s gospel. When she first came to the US and visited several wonderful places she told me that the best place she had been to is Texas because of this particular place called House on Rock. There are lots of beautiful and spectacular places that are very famous in the US and I don’t think this House on Rock rings a bell. I have asked a few people and they have never heard of it. Knowing my mother, I just know and feel that this particular place that she considered most beautiful is mostly based on the fact that it is a reminder of this bible passage from today’s gospel which happens to be one of her favorites too. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 6:43-49

... I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a person building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when the flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it because it had been well built...