Our life here on earth is much like a journey. We may be travelling through several means of transportation and it could be by land, air or sea. We can choose any way we want to travel. During our life's journey we encounter so many trials, difficulties, hindrances and discouragements but this should not stop us from carrying on. We've got to be determined in going forward, not turn back and lose our way. Just like any other journeys, there is one thing we should be certain of, where are we heading to. We may have been travelling long and hard enough without being certain of this. There are several paths that can lead us to several places. Where is this journey taking us? We've got to have a destination. Every step we make should take us closer to it. Today's 1st reading is an invitation to aim for the highest destiny of man to be with God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 2:1-5
...the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” ...O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Ideally, there should be no other place we want to be, more than a place where there is peace and prosperity. It is a choice we have to make but sometimes we make the wrong choices and choose to be just anywhere but in a place such as this. We have all the time to be in different places that is fun and exciting. There is nothing wrong with being in these places for as long as we know our limitations but do we get the same joy and fulfillment when we go into the house of God. We should be balanced human beings. We should not just seek to satisfy our physical but spiritual needs as well. Let us tap the our dormant souls that are left unattended for so long and revive it to really feel what the psalm tells us today. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
...May those who love you prosper! 7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. (R) 8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.
We may not be physically asleep but spiritually we are. It is time we attend to our souls as I have reiterated earlier as impressed from the psalm reading. Today's 2nd reading tells us to awake from sleep since we may not be aware of the fact that we have been lying dormant for a long time. We are given good advice as to how we are to awaken the passion of our souls rather than that of the flesh. Amen. Hallelujah!
Romans 13:11-14
11 Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; 12 the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and licentiousness, not in rivalry and jealousy. 14 But put on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Somebody must have been sleeping too long. Our gospel is also telling us to stay awake. A lot of terrible things can happen if we are sleeping because all our senses and defenses are down. Unlike if we are awake when we are totally aware of the things happening around us. This is just to emphasize the point that we need to be vigilant at all times for we never really know the time nor the hour when this journey of ours here on earth is going to end. It is always for our own good that we are ready anytime. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 24:37-44
...Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your
Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. 44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE BIG DIFFERENCE II
The reflection sharing for today from Didache is an example of one of those scenarios when we are torn between 2 decisions. We are often faced with such dilemmas in life that we have to really come up with a wise and sound decision. Whether it is based on the standard of the world or of the Lord is something that we should set for ourselves. It is funny also how in the story there is a mention of the words big difference which happens to be the title of my reflection yesterday. Here's the story: HER WORD, HER BOND
She was praying for a job. The Lord granted her two options.
After much discernment and waiting, she went with the first offer, the one that replied sooner. She knew the other school would’ve probably given her a higher salary, but she was at peace with this decision. So she signed up with them.
One week later, the other school called her, offering twice the salary she would be getting from the one she had just signed up with. She didn’t expect it to be that big a difference!
She could’ve backed out. It had only been a week and the start of the school year was still far off. No damage would have been done. Except she would’ve gone back on the agreement. Besides, they needed the money. She was starting a family. Others may have encouraged her to take the larger offer.
But she decided to keep her word. She knew it was more important than anything else. Now, she’s happier than ever. Blessed beyond comprehension.
God is faithful to His Word. When we are, too, we open ourselves to His unlimited blessings. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)
REFLECTION:
How much value do I put on keeping my word?
Lord, help me to be reliable as You are.
-end-
Times are hard and we can't blame some people who would make decisions based on the salary but she didn't rely on it but rather relied on the big difference of knowing how to honor one's word. Amen. Hallelujah!
Rv 22:1-7
...“These words are trustworthy and true,...
The truth is that we should never have any doubts about our decisions for as long as we know that it is all for the glory of God first and foremost and everything else will follow. We have this faith and confidence in God as in Philippians 4:6-8, "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Amen. Hallelujah!
R. (1 Cor 16: 22b, see Rev. 22: 20c) Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great king above all gods; In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are his. His is the sea, for he has made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
When we engage ourselves in things that we consider worthy of our time and energy then we should always make a conscious effort to examine it if they will lead us to something that draws us away from God. We can do this by always lifting to God in prayer whatever decision we make whether it is big or small. As we do this more often time will come when we will eventually develop sensitivity and an open mind to the will of God. As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect." At first it may not seem to be relevant at all because people make wise decisions every day and nothing seems to make any difference at all whether it is offered to God in prayer or not for as long as it is the right thing to do. As rational human beings we are all capable of making a logical decision. The big difference lies in the fact that every time we make decisions and develop a conscious act of placing God in the center we strengthen our bond with God. It is just like when we want to involve someone in our life then we eventually develop a close relationship with the person because of the constant interaction that is being formed which eventually leads to a more meaningful relationship. Today's gospel is a warning to all of us not be too lenient about our faith. An evil force is out to destroy this bond and if we are not going to actively participate in keeping it intact then we may easily fall into the trap. We should take every opportunity that comes our way to exercise our faith. As we grow in strength and work our way to developing a strong and spiritually fit soul we make ourselves ready and able to stand firm on that final day. Amen. Hallelujah!
Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
She was praying for a job. The Lord granted her two options.
After much discernment and waiting, she went with the first offer, the one that replied sooner. She knew the other school would’ve probably given her a higher salary, but she was at peace with this decision. So she signed up with them.
One week later, the other school called her, offering twice the salary she would be getting from the one she had just signed up with. She didn’t expect it to be that big a difference!
She could’ve backed out. It had only been a week and the start of the school year was still far off. No damage would have been done. Except she would’ve gone back on the agreement. Besides, they needed the money. She was starting a family. Others may have encouraged her to take the larger offer.
But she decided to keep her word. She knew it was more important than anything else. Now, she’s happier than ever. Blessed beyond comprehension.
God is faithful to His Word. When we are, too, we open ourselves to His unlimited blessings. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)
REFLECTION:
How much value do I put on keeping my word?
Lord, help me to be reliable as You are.
-end-
Times are hard and we can't blame some people who would make decisions based on the salary but she didn't rely on it but rather relied on the big difference of knowing how to honor one's word. Amen. Hallelujah!
Rv 22:1-7
...“These words are trustworthy and true,...
The truth is that we should never have any doubts about our decisions for as long as we know that it is all for the glory of God first and foremost and everything else will follow. We have this faith and confidence in God as in Philippians 4:6-8, "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Amen. Hallelujah!
R. (1 Cor 16: 22b, see Rev. 22: 20c) Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
For the LORD is a great God, and a great king above all gods; In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are his. His is the sea, for he has made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
When we engage ourselves in things that we consider worthy of our time and energy then we should always make a conscious effort to examine it if they will lead us to something that draws us away from God. We can do this by always lifting to God in prayer whatever decision we make whether it is big or small. As we do this more often time will come when we will eventually develop sensitivity and an open mind to the will of God. As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect." At first it may not seem to be relevant at all because people make wise decisions every day and nothing seems to make any difference at all whether it is offered to God in prayer or not for as long as it is the right thing to do. As rational human beings we are all capable of making a logical decision. The big difference lies in the fact that every time we make decisions and develop a conscious act of placing God in the center we strengthen our bond with God. It is just like when we want to involve someone in our life then we eventually develop a close relationship with the person because of the constant interaction that is being formed which eventually leads to a more meaningful relationship. Today's gospel is a warning to all of us not be too lenient about our faith. An evil force is out to destroy this bond and if we are not going to actively participate in keeping it intact then we may easily fall into the trap. We should take every opportunity that comes our way to exercise our faith. As we grow in strength and work our way to developing a strong and spiritually fit soul we make ourselves ready and able to stand firm on that final day. Amen. Hallelujah!
Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Friday, November 26, 2010
THE BIG DIFFERENCE
If there is something as certain as life then it is death. As sure as the life we are holding on today, is the undeniable truth that someday we will all die. The existence of these things can never be denied. Living life to the full, valuing it as we ought to do and getting ourselves ready for the final day when we are judged make all the big difference. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2
All the dead were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire. 21: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
We ought to be aware of that big difference always. It is a matter of dwelling in a place where there is eternal life of peace and joy or damnation. Our earthly bodies will naturally yearn for earthly desires which are just bound to last only here on earth. We've got to really get it straightened out and listen to the yearning of our souls which will outlast this world. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6a, 8a
R: Here God lives among his people.
2 [3] My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (R) 3 [4] Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young — your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God! (R) 4 [5] Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. 5 [6] Blessed the men whose strength you are! 7 [8] They go from strength to strength.
God never runs short of the nicest things to convey to us every day. All we have to do is look around us and see the wonderful creation of God. From the sun that shines, the rain that waters the earth and the air we breath, how can we miss it? We are filled with so many signs and wonders of God's love to us that never fail. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:29-33
29 Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; 31 in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2
All the dead were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.) 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire. 21: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
We ought to be aware of that big difference always. It is a matter of dwelling in a place where there is eternal life of peace and joy or damnation. Our earthly bodies will naturally yearn for earthly desires which are just bound to last only here on earth. We've got to really get it straightened out and listen to the yearning of our souls which will outlast this world. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6a, 8a
R: Here God lives among his people.
2 [3] My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (R) 3 [4] Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young — your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God! (R) 4 [5] Blessed they who dwell in your house! continually they praise you. 5 [6] Blessed the men whose strength you are! 7 [8] They go from strength to strength.
God never runs short of the nicest things to convey to us every day. All we have to do is look around us and see the wonderful creation of God. From the sun that shines, the rain that waters the earth and the air we breath, how can we miss it? We are filled with so many signs and wonders of God's love to us that never fail. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:29-33
29 Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; 31 in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Thursday, November 25, 2010
WHY HAPPINESS?
As I was trying to reflect on the readings for today and then got a call from a friend on the phone I was inspired to share about this, The Four Levels of Happiness by REV. ROBERT SPITZER, S.J.
Why happiness?: The Greek Philosopher Aristotle (394-322 B.C.) observed that no person deliberately chooses to be unhappy. So, if this is the case, then human beings wish to be happy and the search for happiness leads us to look at what kinds of happiness there might be and whether these types might be logically rank-ordered.
From reviewing Greek and later Christian writers it may be observed that happiness has four levels. These may be described as follows (in ascending order).
1. laetus: Happiness in a thing. Thus, “I see the linguini, I eat the linguini, it makes me feel good, I am happy.” This kind of happiness is based on something external to the self, is short-lived and, on reflection, we do not consider that it is all there is to human happiness. The first and most basic level of happiness comes from things outside ourselves and involve one or more of the five senses. The pleasure they give is immediate and direct such as eating an ice cream cone, buying a brand new car, going on vacation. Their pleasure is short lived and intermittent. They must be replaced by yet another ice cream cone, or new car, or vacation. Until such replacements take place our happiness is on hold.
2. felix: The happiness of comparative advantage. “I have more of this than X.” “I am better at this than X.” This kind of happiness results from competition with another person. The self is seen in terms of how we measure up to others. It has been called “the comparison game.” Such happiness is rather unstable and, if one fails, can lead to unhappiness and sense of worthlessness. Exclusive pursuit tends to oppress others. Most people would not imagine a world as satisfactory if it was composed of only happiness #2 type people. The second level of happiness involves the ego. (Ego is Latin for I) This kind of happiness comes whenever I am in control, the focus of attention, the object of admiration, whenever I see myself as superior to others. Hence, whenever I win, gain power, am admired, or gain popularity I feel happy and pleased with myself. My ego has been affirmed. That which I think is the most important thing in the world (me) has received approval.
3. Beatitudo: (Beatitudo = happiness or blessedness). The happiness that comes from seeing the good in others and doing the good for others. It is, in essence, other-regarding action. Happiness #3 is, in some sense, at war with happiness #2. One cannot be at the same time in competition with someone else and doing the good for and seeing the good in them. Most people would prefer a world (community, family, relationships) structured around the pursuit of happiness #3 than entirely based in happiness #2. Happiness #3 is higher than happiness #2. The problem with #3 is that it is necessarily limited. We cannot be someone else's everything. For example, we or they, will die and if our happiness is contingent upon them, it dies with them. “There must be more than this.” The second level of happiness is not totally satisfying. There is something missing. Humans also desire love, truth, goodness/justice, beauty, and being. These desires are often expressed in acts of charity—seeking cures, being concerned with one’s neighbor, making sacrifices, forgiving personal injuries. We want to make the world a better place and so we offer our lives, time, energy, and talent for the welfare of others. Our happiness, we learn, cannot be separated from the happiness of others. The common good is an integral part of our personal happiness.
4. Sublime Beatitudo: (sublime = “to lift up or elevate”). This category, the most difficult to describe, encompasses a reach for fullness and perfection of happiness. The fullness, therefore, of goodness, beauty, truth and love. So we recognize in this category, those things that are, in a sense, beyond what we are capable of doing purely on our own. Even the third level of happiness does not exhaust the scope of human desire. Humans are pulled by their desire for the sublime, something beyond their imagination, beyond their complete understanding. To be sure, they desire love, goodness, truth, beauty, and being as they experience them in the world; but they also desire these in their perfected and unlimited form. Those of faith recognize this as their desire for God. For those having no faith, they can treat this as an awareness of a seemingly unconditional horizon surrounding human curiosity, creativity, spirit, and achievement.
This quest for fullness is pursued through the other happinesses but with a clear understanding that in the battle between happiness #3 and #2, happiness #3 must win out if we are to approach the transcendentals of this category:
(transcendental: from the latin words trans = above or over and scendere = to climb over or surmount). The transcendentals have traditionally included; truth, beauty and goodness. Note that all religions have some concept that they place in a position of ultimacy and fullness or completeness as well as some account of what keeps us from this condition of completeness (sin, desire, illusion etc.) and a remedy for it.
Christians believe that God is not only the Creator of the universe but is the One who keeps us all in being moment to moment by His Grace. According to the claims of the Christian faith, creation has a meaning and purpose and so do each one of us as creatures. The central aspect of God is love and this was the reason for the incarnation (literally “enfleshment”) of God in His son Jesus Christ. Only God in Jesus is perfect and, according to Christians, our ultimate happiness is found in relationship with God through Jesus (prayer, obedience to his teachings etc.) who overcame sin (separation from God).
Christians believe that the fullness of the beatific vision (seeing God, or perfection, face-to-face) is something that we strive to move towards in life but will only be granted completely, after death. We get glimpses of the sublime nature of beauty, truth and goodness at rare moments in, perhaps, the arts (music, story, film) or nature or when we are loved by or love others. These experiences are deep and largely beyond words. Clearly to develop this category and pursue the depths of each category in this fourth level of happiness, is the work of a lifetime of open-ness, honesty and living/loving well. But the life itself is a gift which we are given. At least, that is what the tradition says.
A wonderful “parable” of the shift from Happiness #2 to Happiness #3 (up the ladder of happiness to a “higher level” of happiness') may be seen in the famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Scrooge begins in Happiness #2 and, though successful in business, is unhappy as a person. Fear of death and his unhappy state lead him to choose to move to Happiness #3 type actions (helping the Cratchetts and others, reconciliation with his niece etc.). His happiness is a result of a shift from resentment to gratitude. Happiness #4 type questions about purpose and meaning he previously refused to examine.
Such questions as “Why am I here?” “How can I be happy?” “How can I account for human suffering?” have to deal with purpose, meaning and the transcendentals and cannot be measured by scientific measurement or answered scientifically because they transcend them. They are properly the questions for religion in terms of what we are committed to (religio = to be bound), and philosophy which deals with the love of wisdom. Augustine describes this quest as fides quaerens intellectus: “faith in search of understanding.”
Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
“Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments.
Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R: Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb
...Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; give thanks to him; bless his name.
Luke 21:20-28
... stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
Why happiness?: The Greek Philosopher Aristotle (394-322 B.C.) observed that no person deliberately chooses to be unhappy. So, if this is the case, then human beings wish to be happy and the search for happiness leads us to look at what kinds of happiness there might be and whether these types might be logically rank-ordered.
From reviewing Greek and later Christian writers it may be observed that happiness has four levels. These may be described as follows (in ascending order).
1. laetus: Happiness in a thing. Thus, “I see the linguini, I eat the linguini, it makes me feel good, I am happy.” This kind of happiness is based on something external to the self, is short-lived and, on reflection, we do not consider that it is all there is to human happiness. The first and most basic level of happiness comes from things outside ourselves and involve one or more of the five senses. The pleasure they give is immediate and direct such as eating an ice cream cone, buying a brand new car, going on vacation. Their pleasure is short lived and intermittent. They must be replaced by yet another ice cream cone, or new car, or vacation. Until such replacements take place our happiness is on hold.
2. felix: The happiness of comparative advantage. “I have more of this than X.” “I am better at this than X.” This kind of happiness results from competition with another person. The self is seen in terms of how we measure up to others. It has been called “the comparison game.” Such happiness is rather unstable and, if one fails, can lead to unhappiness and sense of worthlessness. Exclusive pursuit tends to oppress others. Most people would not imagine a world as satisfactory if it was composed of only happiness #2 type people. The second level of happiness involves the ego. (Ego is Latin for I) This kind of happiness comes whenever I am in control, the focus of attention, the object of admiration, whenever I see myself as superior to others. Hence, whenever I win, gain power, am admired, or gain popularity I feel happy and pleased with myself. My ego has been affirmed. That which I think is the most important thing in the world (me) has received approval.
3. Beatitudo: (Beatitudo = happiness or blessedness). The happiness that comes from seeing the good in others and doing the good for others. It is, in essence, other-regarding action. Happiness #3 is, in some sense, at war with happiness #2. One cannot be at the same time in competition with someone else and doing the good for and seeing the good in them. Most people would prefer a world (community, family, relationships) structured around the pursuit of happiness #3 than entirely based in happiness #2. Happiness #3 is higher than happiness #2. The problem with #3 is that it is necessarily limited. We cannot be someone else's everything. For example, we or they, will die and if our happiness is contingent upon them, it dies with them. “There must be more than this.” The second level of happiness is not totally satisfying. There is something missing. Humans also desire love, truth, goodness/justice, beauty, and being. These desires are often expressed in acts of charity—seeking cures, being concerned with one’s neighbor, making sacrifices, forgiving personal injuries. We want to make the world a better place and so we offer our lives, time, energy, and talent for the welfare of others. Our happiness, we learn, cannot be separated from the happiness of others. The common good is an integral part of our personal happiness.
4. Sublime Beatitudo: (sublime = “to lift up or elevate”). This category, the most difficult to describe, encompasses a reach for fullness and perfection of happiness. The fullness, therefore, of goodness, beauty, truth and love. So we recognize in this category, those things that are, in a sense, beyond what we are capable of doing purely on our own. Even the third level of happiness does not exhaust the scope of human desire. Humans are pulled by their desire for the sublime, something beyond their imagination, beyond their complete understanding. To be sure, they desire love, goodness, truth, beauty, and being as they experience them in the world; but they also desire these in their perfected and unlimited form. Those of faith recognize this as their desire for God. For those having no faith, they can treat this as an awareness of a seemingly unconditional horizon surrounding human curiosity, creativity, spirit, and achievement.
This quest for fullness is pursued through the other happinesses but with a clear understanding that in the battle between happiness #3 and #2, happiness #3 must win out if we are to approach the transcendentals of this category:
(transcendental: from the latin words trans = above or over and scendere = to climb over or surmount). The transcendentals have traditionally included; truth, beauty and goodness. Note that all religions have some concept that they place in a position of ultimacy and fullness or completeness as well as some account of what keeps us from this condition of completeness (sin, desire, illusion etc.) and a remedy for it.
Christians believe that God is not only the Creator of the universe but is the One who keeps us all in being moment to moment by His Grace. According to the claims of the Christian faith, creation has a meaning and purpose and so do each one of us as creatures. The central aspect of God is love and this was the reason for the incarnation (literally “enfleshment”) of God in His son Jesus Christ. Only God in Jesus is perfect and, according to Christians, our ultimate happiness is found in relationship with God through Jesus (prayer, obedience to his teachings etc.) who overcame sin (separation from God).
Christians believe that the fullness of the beatific vision (seeing God, or perfection, face-to-face) is something that we strive to move towards in life but will only be granted completely, after death. We get glimpses of the sublime nature of beauty, truth and goodness at rare moments in, perhaps, the arts (music, story, film) or nature or when we are loved by or love others. These experiences are deep and largely beyond words. Clearly to develop this category and pursue the depths of each category in this fourth level of happiness, is the work of a lifetime of open-ness, honesty and living/loving well. But the life itself is a gift which we are given. At least, that is what the tradition says.
A wonderful “parable” of the shift from Happiness #2 to Happiness #3 (up the ladder of happiness to a “higher level” of happiness') may be seen in the famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Scrooge begins in Happiness #2 and, though successful in business, is unhappy as a person. Fear of death and his unhappy state lead him to choose to move to Happiness #3 type actions (helping the Cratchetts and others, reconciliation with his niece etc.). His happiness is a result of a shift from resentment to gratitude. Happiness #4 type questions about purpose and meaning he previously refused to examine.
Such questions as “Why am I here?” “How can I be happy?” “How can I account for human suffering?” have to deal with purpose, meaning and the transcendentals and cannot be measured by scientific measurement or answered scientifically because they transcend them. They are properly the questions for religion in terms of what we are committed to (religio = to be bound), and philosophy which deals with the love of wisdom. Augustine describes this quest as fides quaerens intellectus: “faith in search of understanding.”
Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
“Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments.
Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R: Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb
...Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; give thanks to him; bless his name.
Luke 21:20-28
... stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
BE IN THAT NUMBER II
For quite sometime we have been planning to go on a trip but just couldn't get our number right. At first there were 6 of us then it appeared that 2 or 4 more people would be joining us but it didn't work out then we were back to 6 but one of us backed out and then we were only 5 and so we thought. A few days ago, this 5th person was not answering our calls, nor replying to our voice messages. It was easy to assume then that she had backed out too. Finally last night we got our number right and all 5 of us have confirmed to join the trip. This incident makes me think again of the song, "...how I love to be in that number when the saints go marching in..." We really couldn't be too sure of anything at all. But come to think of a place with endless joy and singing as in today's 1st reading where there is perfect peace and harmony then it should make all the difference. Instead of having second thoughts or backing out we surely have to be in that number. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 15:1-4
...They were holding God’s harps, 3 and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. 4 Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Are we in or out? This is the big question that we have all been dealing with lately with regards to the trip we have planned. It's just a simple question that we've got to have a straight answer for. Sometimes we just can't make up our minds about something that we tend to delay, ignore or put it off as long as we could without realizing that the more we do this the more we miss out on some things. Let me change the question. Is there any other place we would like to be other than in the loving presence of God? This, I'm sure we can and should have a straight answer without delay. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
R: Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm...Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy.
When we decide to always be in the loving presence of God it means we stay away from sin. This is not an easy thing to do in fact it is written in Mt. 18:21-22, "Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. Our faith demands a great deal from us even to the point of being hated by all as in today's gospel. Our focus should not be on what seems to be the downside of it because God assures us that not a hair will be destroyed and our perseverance will secure our lives. This, we could definitely count on. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:12-19
...You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Revelation 15:1-4
...They were holding God’s harps, 3 and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty. Just and true are your ways, O king of the nations. 4 Who will not fear you, Lord, or glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Are we in or out? This is the big question that we have all been dealing with lately with regards to the trip we have planned. It's just a simple question that we've got to have a straight answer for. Sometimes we just can't make up our minds about something that we tend to delay, ignore or put it off as long as we could without realizing that the more we do this the more we miss out on some things. Let me change the question. Is there any other place we would like to be other than in the loving presence of God? This, I'm sure we can and should have a straight answer without delay. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
R: Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm...Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy.
When we decide to always be in the loving presence of God it means we stay away from sin. This is not an easy thing to do in fact it is written in Mt. 18:21-22, "Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. Our faith demands a great deal from us even to the point of being hated by all as in today's gospel. Our focus should not be on what seems to be the downside of it because God assures us that not a hair will be destroyed and our perseverance will secure our lives. This, we could definitely count on. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:12-19
...You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
BE IN THAT NUMBER
I am not surprised at all why we have often seen death depicted as a scary black creature holding a sharp sickle. Today's 1st reading is a picture of Judgment Day and we should all know that time will come when we will all have to face that day when we die and be judged according to what we have done. This should not scare us knowing that we have a Perfect God who judges us fairly. Rather this should inspire us to strive to be in that number of saints who go marching in heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 14:14-19
...“Use your sharp sickle and cut the usters from the earth’s vines, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury.
There are so many things in life that worry us every day. We encounter people and circumstances that disturb our peace. We can't help but be stirred up and sometimes lose our focus. The truth is there is nothing that should bother us at all. We've got to hold on to the truth always that God is on top of everything. We have to be perfectly aware of the fact that the Lord has the whole world in the palm of His hand and will surely rule it with justice and constancy. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R: The Lord comes to judge the earth.
...He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.
Today's gospel tells us of the certainty that this world will come to an end but when it is going to happen, nobody knows. Whether it is going to happen sooner or later should be the least of our concerns. What's most important is that we are always ready. It is easy for us to say, "Do not worry." or "I am not worried." but are we a picture of what we say we are. Our actions speak louder than the words we say. We ought to make a firm stand on this and really mean it. It is not like we just believe in something then that's it. It will require more than that in order for us to truly be a reflection of what we believe is true. If we think that we can just go along with the majority or we have won over the support of many and we are safe already then we are wrong. It is more of a personal conviction on our part to really stand by it no matter what. What's worse is that when we don't know what we really believe in then the worst happens. As the gospel says, we should not be deceived. We've got to grow in wisdom and understanding not as the world may put it but as the Holy Spirit of God fills and empowers us. It is especially important that we build confidence on the One True God, the source of our strength and courage. As in Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 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. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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..."
These are the things we ought to focus on rather than be bothered of the frightening things that are being said about the end times. No one can really say when it is going to happen but one thing is sure we all have to prepare and be ready for it right now. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:5-11
...Jesus said, 6 “All that you see — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”
Revelation 14:14-19
...“Use your sharp sickle and cut the usters from the earth’s vines, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth’s vintage. He threw it into the great wine press of God’s fury.
There are so many things in life that worry us every day. We encounter people and circumstances that disturb our peace. We can't help but be stirred up and sometimes lose our focus. The truth is there is nothing that should bother us at all. We've got to hold on to the truth always that God is on top of everything. We have to be perfectly aware of the fact that the Lord has the whole world in the palm of His hand and will surely rule it with justice and constancy. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R: The Lord comes to judge the earth.
...He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.
Today's gospel tells us of the certainty that this world will come to an end but when it is going to happen, nobody knows. Whether it is going to happen sooner or later should be the least of our concerns. What's most important is that we are always ready. It is easy for us to say, "Do not worry." or "I am not worried." but are we a picture of what we say we are. Our actions speak louder than the words we say. We ought to make a firm stand on this and really mean it. It is not like we just believe in something then that's it. It will require more than that in order for us to truly be a reflection of what we believe is true. If we think that we can just go along with the majority or we have won over the support of many and we are safe already then we are wrong. It is more of a personal conviction on our part to really stand by it no matter what. What's worse is that when we don't know what we really believe in then the worst happens. As the gospel says, we should not be deceived. We've got to grow in wisdom and understanding not as the world may put it but as the Holy Spirit of God fills and empowers us. It is especially important that we build confidence on the One True God, the source of our strength and courage. As in Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 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. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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..."
These are the things we ought to focus on rather than be bothered of the frightening things that are being said about the end times. No one can really say when it is going to happen but one thing is sure we all have to prepare and be ready for it right now. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:5-11
...Jesus said, 6 “All that you see — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.”
Monday, November 22, 2010
OIL & WATER
One of the difficulties we encounter as a Christian is how to tame our tongues. We are sometimes very quick to say things without much thought that we end up hurting other people's feelings. Well, I guess we've all been there and done that. We can think of all kinds of justification for our action but it still doesn't change the fact that we've offended someone. The words that we speak are one of the things that we can never take back once it has been said. Relationships suffer a lot because of this and it will always be for the best if we think hard and twice before we say anything at all. We should always consider the rule of using words only when necessary. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
...On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
We are being reminded by the readings today to always keep ourselves blameless before the Lord. God wants to be with us, there is no doubt about that. But just like water and oil which can not be put together and mixed so is God and man if we are in sin or harbor anything that can not be attributed to the holiness of God. We can not force two different things to go together. Water is a polar molecule and oil is non polar. They do not mix because they are two different substances as in the adage, "Like dissolves like." God can not change. He is already who He is, Holy in all His ways. We can change. We can be like God in His holiness and goodness if we want to be with Him forever. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 24:1bc-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? (R) 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. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him,...
We may think of it as very foolish for someone to offer her whole livelihood and be left with nothing. The point here and what is being emphasized in today's gospel is the sincerity of the heart in giving and our complete trust in God whom we can not out give. We can never outdo God's generosity. The question here is, do we sincerely do it when we do something like giving of our time, talent and treasure? We should come to a point just like this poor widow when we do and give our all for the glory of God. Not holding back anything knowing in our heart that God deserves the best and the most that we can give. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:1-4
1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5
...On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.
We are being reminded by the readings today to always keep ourselves blameless before the Lord. God wants to be with us, there is no doubt about that. But just like water and oil which can not be put together and mixed so is God and man if we are in sin or harbor anything that can not be attributed to the holiness of God. We can not force two different things to go together. Water is a polar molecule and oil is non polar. They do not mix because they are two different substances as in the adage, "Like dissolves like." God can not change. He is already who He is, Holy in all His ways. We can change. We can be like God in His holiness and goodness if we want to be with Him forever. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 24:1bc-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? (R) 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. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him,...
We may think of it as very foolish for someone to offer her whole livelihood and be left with nothing. The point here and what is being emphasized in today's gospel is the sincerity of the heart in giving and our complete trust in God whom we can not out give. We can never outdo God's generosity. The question here is, do we sincerely do it when we do something like giving of our time, talent and treasure? We should come to a point just like this poor widow when we do and give our all for the glory of God. Not holding back anything knowing in our heart that God deserves the best and the most that we can give. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 21:1-4
1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”
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