WITNESSES

Today’s 1^st reading describes the courageous faith of many Old Testament (OT) heroes describing their persecutions, asceticism, and the martyrdoms they endured. The reason for this recounting of these holy OT figures is summarized in the 1^st sentence of Heb. 12, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” Notice the mention of a great cloud of witnesses, this refers not only to their testimonies in martyrdom, by the way the Greek word for witness is martyrs, it also refers to the fact that the saints now in heaven are witnessing from above. They are observing how we run the race toward our heavenly reward now that it’s our turn. Notice also that the same Gk. word for witness, martyrs which is used to describe those in heaven is found in other passages such as those in Mt. 18:16 (If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 'If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. )  which shows us that witness is one who is keenly observant and aware what is happening. The Lord said if your brother sins against you go and tell him his faults between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother but if he does not listen, take 1 or 2 others along with you that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of 2 or 3 witnesses. Notice also the same usage in other passages. In Rev. 5:8, the saints in heaven offered the prayers of the holy ones, in other words the saints on earth, if you cross reference that in Rev. 13:7. They are offering the prayers of the holy ones on earth before the Son of God. St. John writes, and when he had taken the scroll the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp with golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints. We catch a glimpse of this scene again in Rev. 8:3-4, this demonstrates that the saints in heaven are certainly aware of our prayers and supplications to God, in reference to 1Tim. 2:1-3, and they are presenting our prayers to the Lord. In Rev. 6:9-11, the martyrs in heaven offered prayers and petitions against their erstwhile persecutors on earth. They are very aware of what’s happening on earth. Listen to what they said, “When he broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the word of God. They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been. In Rev 12:10-12, the saints in heaven cry out, "Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." They said a second time: "Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever." The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen. Alleluia." They said a second time: "Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever." Referring to the smoke from her, Babylon the city on earth, goes up forever and ever. How can the saints say this if they were unaware of earthly events. The inexorable conclusion from such passages is that the saints in heaven are very aware of our circumstances here on earth. Finally, recall that Christ Himself said that the saints and angels are aware of what transpires here on earth. The Lord said, just so I tell you there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents over 99 righteous people who need no repentance. He said this in Luke 15:7-10. In Luke 20:36, Christ tells us that the saints in heaven are equal to the angels. Let’s say that every given moment, 1 million people which is a tiny fraction of the world’s total population of more than 6 billion are repenting of their sins. Christ says that the saints in heaven are somehow aware of each individual repentance. How can this be? We don’t know for neither the bible and sacred tradition tell us. But one thing we do know, the saints in heaven are able to know this. Mary and the saints are truly a great cloud of witnesses, praying for us, encouraging us, cheering us on. When we finally cross that heavenly finish line and fall happily into their arms then we’ll discover just how powerful their assistance to us as they had really been. Amen. Hallelujah!

Hebrews 11:32-40

Brothers and sisters: What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.

The confidence of the martyrs in God did not waver up to the end. The stood firm in their faith and remained steadfast. I have read that the most critical point in our life is during the time of death because it is when a battle between good and evil is being waged over our soul. We might have heard of different stories of people about to die who were reported to have seen all sorts of vision. As we read the psalm for today may we find ourselves truly internalizing and believing the words thus visualizing the glory of God the way the saints and martyrs demonstrated for us during the critical hour of their life. We are a work in progress and we need to acknowledge our sins, mend our ways and surrender our life to the Lord. The world believes that it is foolish to believe what we can not see but we have to believe in what we do not see and face them all with faith, this is according to St. Thomas Aquinas. The testimony of those who believe help to build up our faith and the more witnesses we have the more solid it becomes. We look to the Gospel and see that there are so many witnesses and testimonies with very little variation. They speak of the truth of the life of Jesus. We have to accept everything that the Gospel tells us. With this great love that He offered to all of us, there is no doubt that God will make all things beautiful in our lives in His time. Our persistent cries and tears to God are always heard. God has given us very clear instructions from the very start. If only we will stick to it then we can be assured of a life lived to the full. We’ve got to have faith that of Abraham who believed even though his wife is with age that the one who made the promise is trustworthy. What God says is true and He does not lie. Padre Pio said that the most beautiful act of faith is one made with sacrifice and effort even in the presence of darkness. We have to believe that God has the best things in mind for us. If He allows some things that are not pleasant in life this is only to bring about the best. Although faith is not the best of the virtues, it is the rarest. Real faith inspires all actions and reveals God in everything. How rare is real faith next to danger. We sometimes feel that we do not see so much evidence of the reality of God. God does not give us so much light so that we are not forced to accept Him nor does He give too little that we can not find Him. He gives us just enough light so as to put to practice our faith. Nothing can ever frighten or scare us not even death if God is our stronghold. We can rely on so many things in this world like wealth, fame, power and success but only in the Lord can we find true security and satisfaction. There is no denying to the truth that we have a God who is always there for us whether in good or bad times. We can be assured that we can take comfort and hope in the Lord. Our enemies may be lurking from every side but we don't have to worry or be afraid. God is our refuge and strength. He can rescue us from the clutches of our persecutors and set us free. We should never have any doubt that God is able to do all things for our good for there is nothing more that He could do that He has not done. We should always be praising and thanking God in all circumstances knowing that God will always be there for us. He knows and sees all things much more than our limited points of view and angles of reference. God can view things in a multidimensional level while we can only see a single or at most double dimension. If we are looking at a not so pleasant view trust that God can see a better view than what is before us. If we have experienced an almost dangerously impossible situation wherein escape and deliverance seemed to be farfetched then we are in a worst case scenario. Believe it or not, this kind of situation could drive anyone to panic. Even the most steadfast in the faith community could succumb to anxiety and fear with regards to such situation. In fact, it could even come to a point where the most steadfast may go to a certain extent of negotiating for the sake of the lesser evil. It is this type of experience that could turn out to be unforgettable and could forever be etched in our mind not only because of the trouble and difficulty we went through but most of all the love and concern we experienced and witnessed from people in the community. Although it could indeed be a frightening experience when we could have just chosen to give up and succumb to the obviously convenient option for the sake of getting it over and done with but didn't for the sake of the truth of God. If we do then we would find that it is all worth it even though we have to learn some lessons in life the hard way. It is evident that the harder the situation we are in all the more could we feel God's ever reliable and strong hands secured all around us. We can not deny it and should always believe that God's truth and saving power prevails at all times. We look to God always in the midst of all the turmoil. No matter how long and hard we try to search for happiness outside God we can only find it in Him as St. Augustine says, “My soul is restless until it rests in Thee." Only with Him do we find rest, fulfillment and satisfaction. Let us trust God in His divine providence and goodness that He will never abandon nor forsake us. He will rescue us at all times for He can turn back or fast forward the hands of time for everything is right on time with God. He is the God of the eternal now. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 31:20, 21, 22, 23, 24

R: Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

19 [20] How great is the goodness, O LORD, which you have in store for those who fear you, and which, toward those who take refuge in you, you show in the sight of the children of men... The LORD keeps those who are constant, but more than requites those who act proudly.

Today's gospel displayed an impressive offense-defense play, if we may call it, which Jesus Himself perfectly carried out. Only the power coming from the Most High is able to do something as impossible as this. He was able to drive out a legion of demons from a man who had been suffering from it for a long time. There is no doubt that Jesus’ power stretches from the natural to the supernatural because there is nothing that does not come under His lordship. In recognizing this, we also acknowledge that through Baptism we share in this power. Today’s gospel shows us that we all we all have different vocations in life. Some are called to the religious orders, married life or single blessedness. Whatever our calling may be, it counts a lot to God and is not reduced to nothing or less holy as most of us think when we do not belong or are called to the Holy Orders. Whatever our present status in life is, we can still be witnesses by serving and loving God as is and where is. Thus we are called to give witness to it in our lives. How do we do this? By rejecting sin and temptation, and living under the grace of the Holy Spirit and not according to the ways of the world or the devil.  There is truth in the saying united we stand, divided we fall but in the case of today's gospel, the unity or the legion of demons did not stand a chance with Jesus, though they were united as one legion, still they fell. For nothing can ever be more powerful and mightier than our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah!

Mark 5:1-20

...Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before him, 7 crying out in a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!” 8 (He had been saying to him, “Unclean spirit, come out of the man!”) 9 He asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” 10 And he pleaded earnestly with him not to drive them away from that territory. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside. 12 And they pleaded with him, “Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.” 13 And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned. 14 The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. 15 As they approached Jesus, they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind... ...As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him. 19 But he would not permit him but told him instead, “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” 20 Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.