FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

We may not be able to deny that there is at least one time in our life when we felt like we went beyond our limits and almost felt like God can no longer forgive us or we've done a grave sin that we feel so unworthy. Let us keep this truth in mind, there is no sin that God can not forgive for as long as we ask for it. No matter how unforgiveable it may seem to the point of confusion and shame as Ezekiel is telling us in today's 1st reading we must never yield to it and just be amazed at how unbelievably great the love our God has for all of us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63

I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you; you became mine, says the Lord GOD. Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood, and anointed you with oil. I clothed you with an embroidered gown, put sandals of fine leather on your feet; I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver; your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food. You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen. You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was, because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you, says the Lord GOD...That you may remember and be covered with confusion, and that you may be utterly silenced for shame when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord GOD.

Today’s responsorial reading reminds me of my experience at the Yosemite Waterfalls Park. Being there is like being in touch with God in an awesome and inspiring way. On our way going there we were already excited to take pictures of the vast mountains and waterfalls that we saw. And when we finally got there we were able to take a closer and longer look at the surrounding view and the waterfalls.  The tall trees that lined the road are all towering above us. I almost got stiff necked due to several twists and turns I did as I grew excited looking at what was before me not wanting to miss a single thing. The big rocks made us look like ants. When we finally reached the foot of the gigantic waterfalls that almost got us all wet due to the deafening and strong impact of the water that fell on the ground that was when I really got amazed at this marvelous creation of God. It is considered as the tallest waterfalls in the US and ranks 5th in the whole world.  Whew! As I watched the water crashed down hard on the ground coming all the way from up on the mountain a thought came into my mind. If we truly believe that God is our Savior then we should have no more room for fear and doubt. Our weaknesses are born from it and rather than give in to it we must cultivate in ourselves the strength and courage coming from the Lord. We have a Great and Holy God which is enough reason to cry out with joy and gladness.  We have already been given access to the fountain of life, let us choose to approach it and draw water from it with joy and live. A prayer that I got from an e mail really caught my attention. It has personally touched my heart when I came upon this prayer and decided to write it down in a notebook so that it can always come in handy whenever I need an inspiration. This is the prayer: "None goes to the river early in the morning and brings dirty water. As you are up this morning may your life be clean, calm and clear like the early morning water. May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Amen."  The psalm reading today reminds me of it because it somehow speaks of the same message conveyed in the prayer. Just like the Blessed Mother Mary, who is Queen of heaven and earth, we too are destined for victory and royalty. If only we live out the example of her obedient life and carry Jesus in our hearts the way she does. Mother Mary serves as a special channel that God has given to humanity to receive His graces. It does not obscure or diminishes the one and only Mediator, Jesus Christ, rather she shows God's power even more. Jesus, the Son loves His mother and gives her the greatest grocery of graces in heaven. Mary totally depends on her Son as in the wedding feast in Cana by saying, "Do whatever He tells you." Mary knows that her Son is the ultimate source that's why she leads us to Him, the true Mediator. God Himself ordained that His only Begotten Son be born of a human mother through Mary's obedience and perfect surrender. When the angel appeared to Mary, he wasn't speaking his own thoughts and words. He was sent by God to speak God's words. In Greek, the Hail Mary is translated as Hail most highly graced one, meaning so completely graced. Mary truly is filled with God's grace. When God conceived Mary she was free from the stain of original sin. He is getting ready the 1st tabernacle of His Son here on earth. She is made holy, unstained and created in the fullness of grace. God has placed in Mary the fullness of grace. Mary conceived by her virginity and humility. It should be in our hearts to honor Mother Mary because the Son is within her body. The Father is in the Son. It is by grace that we are saved. Through Jesus and Mary all things are restored. Everything is possible with God. Who are we to defy the manner that God Himself has chosen for His Son to come to this world. I remember this friend who kept on saying that she enjoyed every single thing she did   that day. She went to a children's party and enjoyed everything about it from the company of friends who were with her, the delicious food that she ate and the activities and games that brought so much fun to everyone. It didn't stop there because after the party she proceeded to attend mass and was surprised with a party for all in the Church. She kept on saying and repeating these words to me, "ang saya saya" in English "it was so much fun" This is why I am reminded of her upon reading today's psalm. We should realize that our situations no matter what it is should always create in us an atmosphere of "ang saya saya" You know why? It's not because we are out of our minds, it is because we have a Great and Holy God which is enough reason to cry out with joy and gladness. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R: You have turned from your anger.

2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth...

People nowadays no longer subscribe to what the Church teaches. Although the Church can declare a marriage null and void which means that it is not valid from the beginning based on the circumstances that surround it, it still teaches about the indissolubility of marriage.  We can see it from the numerous cases of divorce and broken marriages all around us. It is so disheartening that married couples no longer consider the truth that it isn't just a union between man and woman but most importantly with God. Let us always think of marriage as not just a two way relationship but a triangle with God in the center. If we start to neglect or forget about this vital element then surely the marriage is bound to break once incompatible factors between 2 different individuals like man and woman set in. This is one of the reasons why everything should be directed to God in prayers. Although there may be other things to consider here, everything just fades in comparison to the truth that God is able to hold everything  together like marriage for example if He is in the center. It may not be easy to accept these things if we ourselves are not completely convinced especially with the present situation that is going on all over the world with regards to marriage. Despite of it all and more than anything else, we ought to hold on to God's word and allow it to be fulfilled in our lives. Let us commit to this very important reality and advice in today's gospel which is just right and fitting as we ought to do in Jesus name. Even in other areas and aspects of our lives, there are situations and events that we find hard to let go and avoid doing. Sometimes we find ourselves doing the same old mistakes and sins all over again. We ask ourselves, why and somehow today's gospel gives us an explanation although the issue here is about marriage we can also compare it with other things that affect our Christian life. We've come to this era or period of time when people develop a loose morality and everything seems to have become acceptable especially nowadays when the prevailing and existing situation greatly favors the popular demand of the majority. As human beings we have this desire to be accepted in the society where we belong and find it hard to define very clearly what is right and wrong in a society that has been so influenced by the values of this world. We'll just find ourselves up against something that has won over the acceptance and approval of this materialistic, practical and commercial place where we live. It is sometimes not easy to always stand up for what is right and be looked upon as not in conformity with the rest. It is always easy to just go with the flow instead of counteract especially when we deal with people who are born the way they are that it seems impossible to force them into something that is totally out of their range. Nonetheless, Jesus in today's gospel admonishes us to follow the commandments that serve as guidelines that the Lord our God has set before us but continues to respect our free will to decide what we ought to accept or not. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 19:3-12

3 Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” 4 He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 7 They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss [her]?” 8 He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.” 10 [His] disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. 12 Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”