The following passages from today’s 1st reading are statements of bravery of a dying person with a sure hope in God who brings us to everlasting life. It is in this kind of courage that we can see unbelievable acts of faith even in the face of death. They have recklessly abandoned whatever life that is left for them to hold on in this present and tangible world. This is in lieu of their loyalty and unwavering hope in God who can raise them up to live forever and restore whatever has been lost. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14
We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.” 9 At the point of death he said: “You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying.” 10 After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so, and bravely held out his hands, 11 as he spoke these noble words: “It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again.” 12 Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man’s courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing. 13 After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. 14 When he was near death, he said, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the God-given hope of being restored to life by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”
If we are to die this very day, can we proclaim to the Lord with confidence these words in today's psalm? We ought to develop in ourselves the attitude of these 7 brothers who have no fear of death. This doesn't mean that we have to be masochists and desire for a morbid death. Rather it should all because of the fact that we can firmly stand on the promises of a God who is able to supply us with everything. For only God who is Himself the author of true happiness can grant us lasting and genuine joy to the full. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 (15b)
R: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
1 Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. (R) 5 My steps have been steadfast in your paths, my feet have not faltered. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. (R) 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. 15 But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
We’ve got to straighten up some things about God. Who He is and what He wants for our life. What is our picture of God? It’s not surprising to know that most of us think that God doesn’t want us to have fun. It’s like all the things that we want to do with our friends that are interesting and exciting when we were young is against God’s commandments. It may seem like we have to settle for less. What’s worse is that all the faithful Catholics get less out of life. This is part of the propaganda way back in the Garden of Eden. God gave us a magnificent paradise wherein there is perfect intimacy and no shame with each other. In the Garden they have everything they need but gave just one limit, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is very interesting because God said, “Don’t do this because you will die.” The reason why God commands us something is because He is a loving Father who cares for us. He wants us to have the best. But then came the serpent, he didn’t even create Adam & Eve, nor gave the garden or anything at all. All the serpent gave was a lie and told Adam & Eve not to listen to God or they’ll lose out and won’t become like God. They were made to believe that God is holding out something from them and is actually their rival because God doesn’t want them to have what He has. So instead of trusting the one who gave them everything, they trusted a stranger. They disobeyed God and listened to the liar. They were hooked into a downward spiral of destruction. This is what sin is all about. It is a trap. It is disguised as an apparent good because the fruit looks good and desirable but it ends in disaster. The relationship with God is messed up and so creation turned against them, thorns and thistles appear and things in life become hard. This is what sin does, it seemed small but it gets out of control. Things get worse and worse and there are broken lives everywhere. This is the reality about sin, we are draining life out of ourselves unless we recognize the Lord our God who is faithful. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5
...the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one...
My amazement of God just never stop instead it continues to build on top of each other every single day. I was just talking to this friend of mine yesterday and sharing to her about how I am always blessed with circumstances and events that happen to be very appropriate and timely for the daily mass readings that inspire and encourage me even more to commit to writing my daily reflections. Early this morning, I was just surprised while talking to another friend that our topic was about love and marriage since she confided to me about her love life if I may say so. There are people who have been married several times already, failed and came to a point where they are no longer sure if they ever want to get married again. This especially becomes hard when there is a certain person wanting to enter into a relationship. There is a need to assess her current situation as to where this would lead. And now this bible passage from today's gospel comes right on time and really caught my attention since it speaks of marriage. It tells us that marriage is very legitimate and could be availed of several times without violating any Church laws for as long as there are no impediments to it. In fact it is considered as one of the 7 sacraments in the Church. What's important here I suppose is the fact that just like any other sacrament, we should keep in mind that it is a covenant not just between 2 people who love each other but with God most of all. In the event that marriage came to an end we could still have something to hold on to that is not bound by anything in this world nor in our life after death. It should remind us that we must always put God in the center of everything. In all our relationships and commitments, it is the one with God that will persist to the end of time and through eternity. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 20:27-38
... “The children of this age marry and remarry; 35 but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
PROUD TO BE FILIPINO
The following statements from today's 1st reading empower us to do all things through Christ. We are encouraged by Paul in this letter to the Philippians, I almost wrote to the Philippines because just like them our country has had enough of the share of every circumstance stated here. We can't help but notice how the Filipinos always manage to be a part of the Catholic Church of every culture, nation and country all over the world. I guess, it is partly because of the fact that just like Paul, our country has been through a lot in terms of suffering. In all these things we have to be thankful because we come to a very important realization and eye opener that it is always in God that we find the strength to carry on. For that I should say, I am so proud to be Filipino. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 4:10-19
...I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. 12 I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me...My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Many people misunderstand the fear of the Lord. Recalling the verse in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10, the fear of the Lord is called the beginning or foundation of wisdom. In Proverbs 15:33, the fear of the Lord is described as the "discipline" or "instruction" of wisdom. They think that the fear of the Lord is something that is good to have when you first start out as a Christian, but that you should grow beyond it. That is not the case; rather, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because it is one of the foundations of our religious life. It is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. When we are infused with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit the way that Christ Himself would. It confirms the virtue of hope. We often think of hope and fear as mutually exclusive, but the fear of the Lord is the desire not to offend Him, and the certainty that He will give us the grace necessary to keep from doing so. It is that certainty that gives us hope. The fear of the Lord is like the respect we have for our parents. We do not wish to offend them, but we also do not live in fear of them, in the sense of being frightened. In other words, it is not a fear of punishment, but a desire not to offend God that parallels our desire not to offend our parents. This gift "fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread, above all things, to offend Him. It is always for our own good to have a holy fear in the Lord. It is not the same as fear in the sense that we are just compelled to do something solely because of fear but rather with love and respect. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9
R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
...His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
I've always loved watching super heroes films like Superman and Spiderman. They both have extraordinary powers like Superman has the ability to see through walls with laser vision eyes and Spiderman has the keen sense to detect danger even without seeing it or with his back turned to it. All of these are too good to be true and remains to be a product of the imaginative minds of the Marvel Super Heroes Creator. Though, there's one thing we should never forget, we have a Creator who is able to do all marvelous things without exception which is not in fiction or imagination but in real life. And not even Superman and Spiderman in their animated world can see through our hearts but God can. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 16:9-15
...“You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Philippians 4:10-19
...I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. 12 I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. 13 I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me...My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Many people misunderstand the fear of the Lord. Recalling the verse in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10, the fear of the Lord is called the beginning or foundation of wisdom. In Proverbs 15:33, the fear of the Lord is described as the "discipline" or "instruction" of wisdom. They think that the fear of the Lord is something that is good to have when you first start out as a Christian, but that you should grow beyond it. That is not the case; rather, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because it is one of the foundations of our religious life. It is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. When we are infused with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit the way that Christ Himself would. It confirms the virtue of hope. We often think of hope and fear as mutually exclusive, but the fear of the Lord is the desire not to offend Him, and the certainty that He will give us the grace necessary to keep from doing so. It is that certainty that gives us hope. The fear of the Lord is like the respect we have for our parents. We do not wish to offend them, but we also do not live in fear of them, in the sense of being frightened. In other words, it is not a fear of punishment, but a desire not to offend God that parallels our desire not to offend our parents. This gift "fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread, above all things, to offend Him. It is always for our own good to have a holy fear in the Lord. It is not the same as fear in the sense that we are just compelled to do something solely because of fear but rather with love and respect. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9
R: Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
...His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. 9 Lavishly he gives to the poor; his generosity shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory.
I've always loved watching super heroes films like Superman and Spiderman. They both have extraordinary powers like Superman has the ability to see through walls with laser vision eyes and Spiderman has the keen sense to detect danger even without seeing it or with his back turned to it. All of these are too good to be true and remains to be a product of the imaginative minds of the Marvel Super Heroes Creator. Though, there's one thing we should never forget, we have a Creator who is able to do all marvelous things without exception which is not in fiction or imagination but in real life. And not even Superman and Spiderman in their animated world can see through our hearts but God can. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 16:9-15
...“You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Friday, November 5, 2010
BE SMART & WISE
Why is it that nothing seems to be perfect in this world? There are times when just as we are about to achieve something really close to it suddenly something happens and without even knowing it the picture perfect scenario changes into a not so pleasant one or worst into something we never ever wanted to happen. In everything there is always a reason and we can't help encounter such things because we live in an imperfect world but we can always hope in Jesus our Lord and Savior who will make all things perfect in His time. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 3:17-4:1
...But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
As much as we are confronted by the fact that we are still inhabitants of this imperfect world we are in we can not live as if it does not exist. We might as well make the most of what we can do while we are part of it. We’ve got to set goals in order to achieve this and keep our eyes focused on it. The other day I was just talking to this friend and was telling her that it helps go through our daily life if we have set goals that we want to achieve and fulfill. I shared to her this SMART acronym which tells us that our goals should be S for specific, M for measurable, A for attainable or achievable, R for realistic or relevant and T for timely or time based. This is very effective in helping us improve as a person especially at times when we can't get our acts together. We can always set SMART goals from time to time in order to keep track of our performance in whatever field we want to work on and excel. It helps a lot in assessing ourselves in order for us to make an evaluation on how we our doing with our life. After each SMART goal we set for ourselves and have achieved it gives us a sense of fulfillment knowing that we have accomplished something. Little by little everyday we step up the ladder of our SMART goals. All of these should eventually come up to rejoicing with what we have made of our life. These we continue to do until it all sum up to bring us to that ultimate SMART goal. It should all lead us and point to our final destination when we go up to the house of the Lord. There is no greater joy than being with the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.
We should dismiss this wrong notion that if we are holy and pure then we are automatically boring and dull. It is actually all up to us if we want to be this way. Being a child of light should come with all the goodness that goes with it. Instead of blowing out of proportion the real situation we should work our way out to become prudent. Prudence is the ability to make right decisions in complex situations, decisions that lead to the best and right thing. Without this we can be in big trouble. We’ve got to be able to decide in a situation that we’re in what the right thing to do which is the best thing to do. How do we get something done? There are some folks who probably just can’t figure out what to do. There are other folks who look at the problem and they can figure out a solution. It’s a core and they execute that core. It’s practical wisdom. We’ll find in the Book of Proverbs a lot of things about wisdom even in Sirach, Ecclesiastes and all the wisdom literature in scriptures. As the children of this world claim to be full of worldly wisdom so should we children of the light, if we believe and say so, should be full of heavenly wisdom and truly be smart and wise. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 16:1-8
...“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
Philippians 3:17-4:1
...But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
As much as we are confronted by the fact that we are still inhabitants of this imperfect world we are in we can not live as if it does not exist. We might as well make the most of what we can do while we are part of it. We’ve got to set goals in order to achieve this and keep our eyes focused on it. The other day I was just talking to this friend and was telling her that it helps go through our daily life if we have set goals that we want to achieve and fulfill. I shared to her this SMART acronym which tells us that our goals should be S for specific, M for measurable, A for attainable or achievable, R for realistic or relevant and T for timely or time based. This is very effective in helping us improve as a person especially at times when we can't get our acts together. We can always set SMART goals from time to time in order to keep track of our performance in whatever field we want to work on and excel. It helps a lot in assessing ourselves in order for us to make an evaluation on how we our doing with our life. After each SMART goal we set for ourselves and have achieved it gives us a sense of fulfillment knowing that we have accomplished something. Little by little everyday we step up the ladder of our SMART goals. All of these should eventually come up to rejoicing with what we have made of our life. These we continue to do until it all sum up to bring us to that ultimate SMART goal. It should all lead us and point to our final destination when we go up to the house of the Lord. There is no greater joy than being with the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.
We should dismiss this wrong notion that if we are holy and pure then we are automatically boring and dull. It is actually all up to us if we want to be this way. Being a child of light should come with all the goodness that goes with it. Instead of blowing out of proportion the real situation we should work our way out to become prudent. Prudence is the ability to make right decisions in complex situations, decisions that lead to the best and right thing. Without this we can be in big trouble. We’ve got to be able to decide in a situation that we’re in what the right thing to do which is the best thing to do. How do we get something done? There are some folks who probably just can’t figure out what to do. There are other folks who look at the problem and they can figure out a solution. It’s a core and they execute that core. It’s practical wisdom. We’ll find in the Book of Proverbs a lot of things about wisdom even in Sirach, Ecclesiastes and all the wisdom literature in scriptures. As the children of this world claim to be full of worldly wisdom so should we children of the light, if we believe and say so, should be full of heavenly wisdom and truly be smart and wise. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 16:1-8
...“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
THE FOLD
Everything pales in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Whoever we are and whatever we may have become
is nothing compared to the full realization of who and what Jesus our God is to us most especially on the personal level. Once we've reached this point in our life like Paul in his letter to the Philippians then we can confidently say without a trace of hesitation and doubt these very words in today's 1st reading. Jesus is everything and without Him we are nothing. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 3:3-8a
...But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Even way back in the Philippines I have always loved singing this song entitled, "As the Deer". I have always longed to sing it but the song with the somehow similar version of it that we often sing in Church and in the Song book has a different tune. Last night I had this conversation with this lady who mentioned about this song since it caught her attention when she saw the name of the composer written below the song. She found out that he is the nephew of someone we both know. At first I was doubtful whether it is really the song that I like because it has already happened before when the song turned out to be another version just with a similar title. But when I searched further I found out that it is really it. I am just overwhelmed by the fact that some things happen interestingly enough to keep our spirits up and make our hearts rejoice like what today's psalm is telling us about. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R: Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! (R) 4 Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
It is indeed a relief to find out from Fr. Rudy Horst's sharing in Sabbath that God does not turn His back on us no matter what we do. It is always us who turn away from God. When we turn away from God and get lost we can be assured that He is going to look for us and bring us back to the fold that is if we allow Him to. God will never force Himself on us but we can always count on Him to go looking for us just as in today's parable of the lost sheep. Let us not stray any further and try searching for greener pastures as we know it. We ought to settle down and stop breaking free from the fold where we belong for there is no other place better than being in God's loving embrace. Let us just allow God to set us on His shoulders and rejoice with Him together with all the angels and saints in heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 15:1-10
...So Jesus addressed this parable to them. 4 “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy 6 and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
is nothing compared to the full realization of who and what Jesus our God is to us most especially on the personal level. Once we've reached this point in our life like Paul in his letter to the Philippians then we can confidently say without a trace of hesitation and doubt these very words in today's 1st reading. Jesus is everything and without Him we are nothing. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 3:3-8a
...But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Even way back in the Philippines I have always loved singing this song entitled, "As the Deer". I have always longed to sing it but the song with the somehow similar version of it that we often sing in Church and in the Song book has a different tune. Last night I had this conversation with this lady who mentioned about this song since it caught her attention when she saw the name of the composer written below the song. She found out that he is the nephew of someone we both know. At first I was doubtful whether it is really the song that I like because it has already happened before when the song turned out to be another version just with a similar title. But when I searched further I found out that it is really it. I am just overwhelmed by the fact that some things happen interestingly enough to keep our spirits up and make our hearts rejoice like what today's psalm is telling us about. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R: Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! (R) 4 Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
It is indeed a relief to find out from Fr. Rudy Horst's sharing in Sabbath that God does not turn His back on us no matter what we do. It is always us who turn away from God. When we turn away from God and get lost we can be assured that He is going to look for us and bring us back to the fold that is if we allow Him to. God will never force Himself on us but we can always count on Him to go looking for us just as in today's parable of the lost sheep. Let us not stray any further and try searching for greener pastures as we know it. We ought to settle down and stop breaking free from the fold where we belong for there is no other place better than being in God's loving embrace. Let us just allow God to set us on His shoulders and rejoice with Him together with all the angels and saints in heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 15:1-10
...So Jesus addressed this parable to them. 4 “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy 6 and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
THE KEY TO THE ANSWER
We complain when we are dissatisfied and discontented. There are many instances in our lives when we are in this kind of situation and we can’t help but complain, grumble and question. It has become automatic and natural for us to do. We do not realize that we are going against this call of St. Paul to the Philippians to be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. We ought to shine like lights in the world. We have to make a difference and not be just like the others or be without a care in the world. If we truly have Christ in our hearts, there should be nothing else we should want. For only Jesus can satisfy our soul. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 2:12-18
12 My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. 14 Do everything without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, 16 as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
It should be our ultimate desire and nothing else, to always be in the presence of the Lord. To abide in Him at all times even when things are not very good. We ought to realize that if we wait on the Lord patiently and persevere long enough we will never be disappointed for He alone is our light and salvation. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
...The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? …Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Today's gospel reminds me of this story about a newly wed couple who were asked to choose their wedding present. They can only choose one out of the three which are love, health and wealth. It took some time before they finally decided to make a choice. It was something they both thought about and chosen carefully before they came up with a decision. They should both agree and unanimously vote for only one thing. Just like in today's gospel, Jesus said, "Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’” It was almost like it, in the sense that they too sat down and calculated the impact of the values of the wedding presents in their life. Upon careful scrutiny they finally decided to set aside health and wealth and choose love instead. If we ourselves are to be asked, we would find that it wasn't an easy decision to make. If we know the key to the answer then it would be easier to decide. The married couple knew of it, God is love and where there is love, there is health and wealth. They made the right choice because when they invited love to come into their home, health and wealth followed. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 14:25-33
...everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Philippians 2:12-18
12 My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. 14 Do everything without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, 16 as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
It should be our ultimate desire and nothing else, to always be in the presence of the Lord. To abide in Him at all times even when things are not very good. We ought to realize that if we wait on the Lord patiently and persevere long enough we will never be disappointed for He alone is our light and salvation. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R: The Lord is my light and my salvation.
...The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? …Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
Today's gospel reminds me of this story about a newly wed couple who were asked to choose their wedding present. They can only choose one out of the three which are love, health and wealth. It took some time before they finally decided to make a choice. It was something they both thought about and chosen carefully before they came up with a decision. They should both agree and unanimously vote for only one thing. Just like in today's gospel, Jesus said, "Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’” It was almost like it, in the sense that they too sat down and calculated the impact of the values of the wedding presents in their life. Upon careful scrutiny they finally decided to set aside health and wealth and choose love instead. If we ourselves are to be asked, we would find that it wasn't an easy decision to make. If we know the key to the answer then it would be easier to decide. The married couple knew of it, God is love and where there is love, there is health and wealth. They made the right choice because when they invited love to come into their home, health and wealth followed. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 14:25-33
...everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
THE CHURCH SUFFERING
This is the time of the year when we Catholics remember in a special way our departed brothers and sisters most especially our loved ones. We have this belief in the presence of the Church Suffering which consists of souls who are yet to enter the Kingdom of God. We, the living belong to the Church Militant and are called to atonement in behalf of our brothers and sisters who have gone to rest with the hope of rising again. We are all called to participate in this because we are all part of the Body of Christ the Church. Whatever good we can do to the least of our brothers and sisters whether physically or spiritually we can offer as a sacrifice especially today as we celebrate the Solemnity of All Souls. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
...if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. 45 But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. 46 Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.
When we are in a state wherein we feel so deprived and famished, a helping hand can go a long way. We may not totally understand the concept of purgatory as a whole but this is what we are supposed to be to our brothers and sisters who long to see God face to face but is yet to happen. When we, the Church Militant active and living can serve for them as a beaming light in the darkness and a guide to the right path. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 42:2, 3, 5; 43:3, 4, 5
R: My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
...Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place.
We have this hope as presented to us in today’s 2nd reading. We are able to rise from our being dead in our sins because Jesus Christ conquered sin through His death on the big cross. Just like Jesus we too have to accept freely whatever little crosses that come our way in our daily life to the point of even dying to ourselves so that we can be raised up. Amen. Hallelujah!
Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
3 Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. 8 If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
When we are totally surrendered to the will of God nothing or no one should drive us to fear not even death itself. This is because we are confident of the saving power of God. He will never lead us to where His love can not reach us. We can always be assured of the loving arms of our Savior. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 11:21-27
...Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”...
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
...if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. 45 But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. 46 Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.
When we are in a state wherein we feel so deprived and famished, a helping hand can go a long way. We may not totally understand the concept of purgatory as a whole but this is what we are supposed to be to our brothers and sisters who long to see God face to face but is yet to happen. When we, the Church Militant active and living can serve for them as a beaming light in the darkness and a guide to the right path. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 42:2, 3, 5; 43:3, 4, 5
R: My soul is thirsting for the living God: when shall I see him face to face?
...Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place.
We have this hope as presented to us in today’s 2nd reading. We are able to rise from our being dead in our sins because Jesus Christ conquered sin through His death on the big cross. Just like Jesus we too have to accept freely whatever little crosses that come our way in our daily life to the point of even dying to ourselves so that we can be raised up. Amen. Hallelujah!
Romans 6:3-4, 8-9
3 Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. 8 If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
When we are totally surrendered to the will of God nothing or no one should drive us to fear not even death itself. This is because we are confident of the saving power of God. He will never lead us to where His love can not reach us. We can always be assured of the loving arms of our Savior. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 11:21-27
...Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”...
Monday, November 1, 2010
THE GAME
Only the tough gets going and the survivor lives. This is a standing regulation in most extreme challenge game shows or high rating reality shows that are very popular nowadays. This is exciting for most of us to watch on television because we see how they battle with their skills and find their way up to the winner’s spot. The winner gets home with the trophy and the most exciting prizes that they could think of. A very attractive package of gifts and surprises are in store for the winner. This is one of the things that lure people to go for it. Only those who dare to take the challenge can emerge as the winner. It’s funny how I somehow got to connect this type of thing with this passage from today’s 1st reading. We ought to realize that just like those extreme challengers, we are also participants of this game called life and in the end when everything is over and done, a prize awaits us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
...“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
In every game there is a rule to follow and only those who play it fair and square can finish to the end and win their prize. Today’s psalm gives us a guideline to follow in order to make it through. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
...Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior...
Aside from the rules to follow there are also certain criteria to meet in order to qualify for such games. It is a consolation to know that we have all been pre-qualified through our Lord Jesus Christ to enter into His Kingdom. We are God’s children and the rest is up to us. If we are to live up to this honor and privilege or not is all in our hands. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 John 3:1-3
1 Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
We have all been called to take part in this game called life. The best way to win the game is to know how to play it and be actively involved in it. How would you like the idea of a game wherein you need not run all the way to the finish line to get your prize? We may not be aware of it but we could already be winning prizes along the way and need not wait for the final moment. The answer lies in today’s gospel and also in the version of Luke's gospel. It got me so interested when I learned from a Lenten retreat I attended that the beatitudes has a semi hidden meaning in it. When we were asked to read them all and find out what that is, nobody was able to come up with the answer. It was just very simple. All the beatitudes are in the future tense only the first one which is “Blessed are the poor in spirit” is in the present tense. It means it is already happening right now and it is already in their hands. For it is written, theirs is the kingdom of heaven and it didn’t say will be. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 5:1-12a
...“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
...“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
In every game there is a rule to follow and only those who play it fair and square can finish to the end and win their prize. Today’s psalm gives us a guideline to follow in order to make it through. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
...Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior...
Aside from the rules to follow there are also certain criteria to meet in order to qualify for such games. It is a consolation to know that we have all been pre-qualified through our Lord Jesus Christ to enter into His Kingdom. We are God’s children and the rest is up to us. If we are to live up to this honor and privilege or not is all in our hands. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 John 3:1-3
1 Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
We have all been called to take part in this game called life. The best way to win the game is to know how to play it and be actively involved in it. How would you like the idea of a game wherein you need not run all the way to the finish line to get your prize? We may not be aware of it but we could already be winning prizes along the way and need not wait for the final moment. The answer lies in today’s gospel and also in the version of Luke's gospel. It got me so interested when I learned from a Lenten retreat I attended that the beatitudes has a semi hidden meaning in it. When we were asked to read them all and find out what that is, nobody was able to come up with the answer. It was just very simple. All the beatitudes are in the future tense only the first one which is “Blessed are the poor in spirit” is in the present tense. It means it is already happening right now and it is already in their hands. For it is written, theirs is the kingdom of heaven and it didn’t say will be. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 5:1-12a
...“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
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