This is the hardest part of the deal. We can know and feel everything there is to know about our Lord Jesus Christ but if we don't live it out in our lives then it's for nothing.
We should always have faith, hope and trust in the word of God despite the prevailing situations all around us. These things do not change the fact that He is God and in control. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Timothy 2:8-15
...But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore, I bear with everything... 15Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.
We should constantly implore God's help in prayers so that we faithfully live out His example in our lives. Our confidence in God should never waver nor falter. It should be our goal to grow and mature in our knowledge and love for God. As we move forward in it then we win for ourselves a friendship that is like no other. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10, 14
R: Teach me your ways, O Lord.
...He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. (R) 10 All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. 14 The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction.
In today's gospel Jesus said to the man who answered with understanding that the kingdom of God is not far from him. We may wonder why He didn't say he belong to the kingdom of God instead. It's because there's still a lot of work to do after the understanding which is the part where we live it and comprises the greater challenge. Things that are happening around us may not be very pleasing and acceptable the way we all wanted it to be. Life is never easy but there is really no need to complicate it further by trying to figure it out and rationalize it with our limited minds and comprehension. When Jesus ascended to heaven He has promised to send us the Helper and the Comforter. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to endow us with the gift of understanding so that we can truly appreciate and grasp in our minds the true and most essential things that should matter in the Kingdom of God. The gospel is known to all people whether learned or not because it is the law that God has inscribed in our hearts. The problem lies in the hardening of our hearts and pollution of our minds. Whenever we allow ourselves to stray farther away from God and fall deeper into the pit of sin then it becomes very difficult for us to always grasp this truth. It helps to always be in touch with this truth so we don't end up forgetting and neglecting it the way we usually do when we are bombarded with so many different and contradicting things that we encounter every day. It is a wise move to take advantage of every opportunity God is sending our way to always be surrounded by God's reminders instead of being carried away by the world's enticing but empty promises. We've often heard people say that in a relationship we should never put everything in it and should leave some for ourselves. This is quite true in a way because we can only give what we have and if we end up empty and with nothing at all left to ourselves then we become unable to love anybody in the process. But with God, the more we love Him, the fuller and more abundant we become thus enabling us to fulfill all other things. With God we are sure that we have invested our love wisely and will surely not lose. We are called to a response to love God and be an instrument of this love to the world and build a civilization of love. We should enthrone Christ as the king of our homes and daily live out the beating of the sacred heart of Jesus. It is not just a call but a command to commit to consecrate our lives to higher goals for our salvation. We enthrone the sacred heart of Jesus in our homes because He is king of our homes. Everything that we do should have reference to Him. We make an effort to love His holy name, His sacred heart and speak of His sacred love. We have to keep on believing and always on fire. When we look at the world we can easily fall into despair but we can do otherwise and bring hope and build a civilization of love through the sacred heart of Jesus. Souls on fire are ignited through the experience of our love for the Lord. We need to be always aware of who we receive especially during Holy Communion so we can grow and be instruments of His love, that’s our mission. We need to be part of the Christian revolution and be a builder that builds a civilization of love. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ 33 And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
CAN YOU FEEL IT?
After the “know what you're missing” stage comes the feeling that there is something more to knowing what is written in the scriptures. God gives us His Spirit that transcends all knowledge and understanding that leads to a spontaneous overflow of His love, grace and mercy. The Holy Spirit's specialty is in sanctifying men and women throughout history from the beginning of time until the end of the world. He is the saint maker of all times. He is the one who transforms sinners to become saints for as long as their willing to cooperate with Him. He is the one who converts the weak disciples of Christ to strong ones. Lukewarm souls turn to zealous ones. He converts coward disciples to bold and courageous disciples. Let us be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and really feel and acknowledge His presence in us. The Holy Spirit's action in our lives is most often gentle and not immediately felt and works quietly. It's sometimes hardly perceptible at all. It is like a symphony orchestra made up of a dozen instruments but the conductor is the one who's the focus of the musician and the audience and yet the conductor is not the real sense of the music, the composer is. In front of every musician is a music stand holding a few pages marked with black dots to score the music. This is what the choir looks at and how they are able to sing together, the organist, the conductor, all with same mind, with the same objective and the same purpose. Yet, no one in the audience sees the score and this music score is what brings them together, it coordinates everyone's effort and produces a beautiful and inspiring performance. This is what the Church is like, the Pope is the conductor, guaranteed by God to remain faithful to the music score. We are all musicians contributing our own unique talent to the symphony of holiness that resounds to the world throughout history. The Holy Spirit is the living musical score, Composer of all composers and the one that tells us what to play, when to play them, how fast to play them, how loud or soft to sing them. The Holy Spirit is the silent force behind the power of everything, of every Christian in the Church as a whole. Mother Teresa said, God is the friend of silence. We see how nature grows in silence. The fields, grass and flowers grow in silence. See how the stars, the moon and the sun move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls. We need silence to be able perceive the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our lives since He works in our lives quietly. The amazing thing that the Holy Spirit does quietly is how he transforms the apostles. Particularly how they were fearful men, and we remember when the Lord was captured at the Garden of Gethsemane. They were afraid, left and went their own way. Then the Resurrection came about 3 days later, they were joyful and yet they didn't know what to make of it at first. Eventually they believed that He was truly the one whom they saw was crucified, and died on the cross but their fear did not go away. Then in the Ascension they saw how the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father and they were joyful when the Lord left because they were promised the Holy Spirit yet they were afraid and locked themselves in the Upper Room for fear of the Jews. It was not until the Holy Spirit descended upon them during Pentecost that they become bold and courageous disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI points now about this role of the Holy Spirit to overcome fear. A lot of us have some form of fear, in one form or another, in our future or whatever, there's some kind of fear that we are suffering. Where do we need to go? We go to the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our fears. Just like the disciples when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, those men went out without fear. They began to proclaim the Good News of Christ, crucified and risen. They had no fear because they felt they were in stronger hands. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, when the Spirit of God enters, He chases out fear. He makes us know and feel that we are in the hands of an omnipotent Love. Whatever happens, His infinite love will not abandon us. The witness of the martyrs, the courage of the confessors, the frankness of preachers, the example of all the saints, even some who are adolescents and children, demonstrate how they were not afraid. It is also demonstrated by the very existence of the Church which despite the faults of men continues in the ocean of history driven by the breath of God, the Holy Spirit and animated by the purifying fire of Divine Love. The Holy Spirit works quietly in our lives as a typical mode of operation. There's the need to spend time in silence in His presence to try to hear His voice and discern His Holy will. Just like St. Rita of Avila, the Holy Spirit was instrumental in transforming her life which was not until her Spiritual Director started to instruct her to pray the Veni Creator. One of the most widely used hymns in the Church, Veni, Creator Spiritus, is attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856). It is used at Vespers, Pentecost, Dedication of a Church, Confirmation, and Holy Orders and whenever the Holy Spirit is solemnly invoked. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost. It was after that her life was truly transformed. This is how much we are to invoke the Holy Spirit and we are dependent upon Him in our lives. Pope Leo XII said we ought to pray to the Holy Spirit and ought to invoke Him for each one of us greatly needs protection and His help. Come Holy Spirit, come by me through the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to her Beloved Son, Jesus. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12
...6 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus...
Let us always focus on the Lord our God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef
R: To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.
1 To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. (R) As the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the LORD, our God, till he have pity on us.
The more a man is deficient in wisdom, the more a man is weak in strength, the more a man born down with trouble falls to sin, the more he ought to supply himself with the never ceasing strength, consolation and holiness. We ought, confidently and continually to beg of Him, to illuminate us daily more and more with His life and inflame us with His charity. God has given us all the grace to overcome all tests and difficulties. We have to press on to our goals and never lose sight of it. For thus, inspired with faith and love we may press onward earnestly towards our eternal reward. Let us always open both our minds and our hearts to God's power and not be misled. There is more to just the facts and figures that we see, sometimes we have to widen our perspective and think the way God thinks. Teach us Lord to think the way You do. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:18-27
...24 Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God? 25 When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. 26 As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”
2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12
...6 For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus...
Let us always focus on the Lord our God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef
R: To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes.
1 To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. (R) As the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the LORD, our God, till he have pity on us.
The more a man is deficient in wisdom, the more a man is weak in strength, the more a man born down with trouble falls to sin, the more he ought to supply himself with the never ceasing strength, consolation and holiness. We ought, confidently and continually to beg of Him, to illuminate us daily more and more with His life and inflame us with His charity. God has given us all the grace to overcome all tests and difficulties. We have to press on to our goals and never lose sight of it. For thus, inspired with faith and love we may press onward earnestly towards our eternal reward. Let us always open both our minds and our hearts to God's power and not be misled. There is more to just the facts and figures that we see, sometimes we have to widen our perspective and think the way God thinks. Teach us Lord to think the way You do. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:18-27
...24 Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God? 25 When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. 26 As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING II
Sometimes we encounter people who have different principles and beliefs in life. These people simply do not get it or understand some of the Christian values when it entails going through difficulty. For them it doesn't make any sense if it means going an extra mile and being in discomfort. We have to realize as Christians that we are not just after physical comfort and prosperity but what we are after first and foremost is to maintain spiritual integrity for only through it can we attain all other things and genuine peace. Knowledge is indeed power! Let us not be deceived nor dissuaded and be confident and firm in what we believe in, the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18
... beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. ...17 Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. 18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ...
Learning of this story about an atheist who fasts for the destruction of the world should make us realize that we should not take things sitting down. The enemy does not rest until it snatches away our inheritance. We should keep our banners raised on high and never lose heart or be discouraged as the battle rages on we can be assured that we have a God whom we can always rely on and take refuge. We’ve got to be firm in our beliefs but things will always be easier said than done. Spiritual integrity is hard work but it surely is worth all of it. Today's psalm tells us how short our life here on earth can be compared to a life of eternity with God our Creator, refuge and strength. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
R: In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
...Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong, and most of them are fruitless toil, for they pass quickly and we drift away...14 Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. 16 Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children...
In our lifetime there are certain things in this physical world that we have to attend to and still be in sync with. We've got to maintain this balance in us and not be tipping over too much on any side of the scale. As Jesus tells us in today's gospel that if we strive to be spiritually pleasing before the eyes of God we ought to parallel these things with how we live our lives in this physical world, too. We live in a world where there are people who are just out to trap and catch our every move. There is nothing we can do about them but there is definitely something we can do about ourselves. We can follow Jesus' example who did not leave out a single thing undone but fulfilled what is right and expected of Him in the eyes of God and man. Though, the Lord our God is meek, kind and merciful, He, too showed us how to be discreet in answering to the challenges of this world. In a way God is telling us to be responsible in matters of this world and have a balance between our spiritual and temporal life. This may be very difficult at times but nothing is too difficult if we do everything in the light of giving glory to God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:13-17
13 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. 14 They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” 15 Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” 16 They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.
2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18
... beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace. ...17 Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. 18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ...
Learning of this story about an atheist who fasts for the destruction of the world should make us realize that we should not take things sitting down. The enemy does not rest until it snatches away our inheritance. We should keep our banners raised on high and never lose heart or be discouraged as the battle rages on we can be assured that we have a God whom we can always rely on and take refuge. We’ve got to be firm in our beliefs but things will always be easier said than done. Spiritual integrity is hard work but it surely is worth all of it. Today's psalm tells us how short our life here on earth can be compared to a life of eternity with God our Creator, refuge and strength. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 10, 14 and 16
R: In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
...Seventy is the sum of our years, or eighty, if we are strong, and most of them are fruitless toil, for they pass quickly and we drift away...14 Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. 16 Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children...
In our lifetime there are certain things in this physical world that we have to attend to and still be in sync with. We've got to maintain this balance in us and not be tipping over too much on any side of the scale. As Jesus tells us in today's gospel that if we strive to be spiritually pleasing before the eyes of God we ought to parallel these things with how we live our lives in this physical world, too. We live in a world where there are people who are just out to trap and catch our every move. There is nothing we can do about them but there is definitely something we can do about ourselves. We can follow Jesus' example who did not leave out a single thing undone but fulfilled what is right and expected of Him in the eyes of God and man. Though, the Lord our God is meek, kind and merciful, He, too showed us how to be discreet in answering to the challenges of this world. In a way God is telling us to be responsible in matters of this world and have a balance between our spiritual and temporal life. This may be very difficult at times but nothing is too difficult if we do everything in the light of giving glory to God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:13-17
13 Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. 14 They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” 15 Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” 16 They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.
Monday, June 4, 2012
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSING
We commonly hear people say, “What we don't know won't hurt us.” But I say otherwise, what we don't know will certainly hurt a lot. That is why in today's 1st reading we are encouraged to know more about Jesus in order to live a life of peace and grace in abundance. Amen. Hallelujah!
2 Peter 1:2-7
2 May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. 4 Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises,
It just makes sense that we trust somebody that we know. How can we trust somebody whom we don't know anything about? It's time that we use all our resources in order to grow in knowledge of who really is our Lord Jesus Christ. The more we know about Him the more we will love Him. There's still a lot to know about Him. Nobody can be more interesting than Him, who has the greatest story ever told. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16
R: In you, my God, I place my trust.
1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 Say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
When God sent Jesus to the world, we must realize that it is not that easy for a Father to put at stake the life of His only begotten Son for our sake but He did. Just to dwell on this truth should already compel us to keep and treasure the gift of eternal life that God is offering us and never ever lose it. Let us not end up rejecting and losing what is being handed to us just because we are not fully aware what we are missing. Let us not miss out on what's most important in our lives, Jesus. Let's get to know more about Him! Today we celebrate the feasts of Sts. Charles Lwanga and Companions. They are martyrs known for their great faith in God. They have been subjected to various unimaginable tortures but they never waivered in their profession of faith. Nowadays we are no longer faced with these kinds of dangers in our faith because we are blessed to have the freedom to practice it without fearing for our lives but the world we live today tries in the most discreet and enamored way to draw us away from our faith. This is what the world does to draw us away from our commitment to the Lord. We have to be like the saints with tremendous strength and boldness in their faith in God. . Charles Lwanga and Companions faced their death and martyrdom with great courage. When Charles was sentenced to death, he seemed very peaceful, one might even say, cheerful. He was to be executed by being burnt to death. While the pyre was being prepared, he asked to be untied so that he could arrange the sticks. He then lay down upon them. When the executioner said that Charles would be burned slowly to death, Charles replied by saying that he was very glad to be dying for the True Faith. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned, “Kotanda! (O my God!).” He was burned to death by Mwanga’s order on June 3, 1886. When we read the accounts of the saints who endured trials, persecutions and sufferings, we might as well come to think of ourselves, too. Do we endure with love of the Lord in the sufferings that we encounter daily? God has sent prophet after prophet in order to come to a relationship with us throughout the course of our salvation history. Finally, He sent His beloved son and we all know what happened. By our own sins, He was killed and put to death so that in his mercy we have been adopted and get the identification of beloved sons and daughters of God. We beg forgiveness and mercy we receive the entire inheritance that Jesus has won for us. We should recognize the great gift of our baptism, which means that we are Christians. The life of God is within us. We must not reject this truth and accept our identification. We can’t change it and be called by any other name. We lay hold of the inheritance of eternal life by perfect identification (I.D.) in Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:1-12
...‘ 10 Have you not read this scripture passage: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’?” 12 They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
2 Peter 1:2-7
2 May grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. 4 Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises,
It just makes sense that we trust somebody that we know. How can we trust somebody whom we don't know anything about? It's time that we use all our resources in order to grow in knowledge of who really is our Lord Jesus Christ. The more we know about Him the more we will love Him. There's still a lot to know about Him. Nobody can be more interesting than Him, who has the greatest story ever told. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 91:1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16
R: In you, my God, I place my trust.
1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 Say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
When God sent Jesus to the world, we must realize that it is not that easy for a Father to put at stake the life of His only begotten Son for our sake but He did. Just to dwell on this truth should already compel us to keep and treasure the gift of eternal life that God is offering us and never ever lose it. Let us not end up rejecting and losing what is being handed to us just because we are not fully aware what we are missing. Let us not miss out on what's most important in our lives, Jesus. Let's get to know more about Him! Today we celebrate the feasts of Sts. Charles Lwanga and Companions. They are martyrs known for their great faith in God. They have been subjected to various unimaginable tortures but they never waivered in their profession of faith. Nowadays we are no longer faced with these kinds of dangers in our faith because we are blessed to have the freedom to practice it without fearing for our lives but the world we live today tries in the most discreet and enamored way to draw us away from our faith. This is what the world does to draw us away from our commitment to the Lord. We have to be like the saints with tremendous strength and boldness in their faith in God. . Charles Lwanga and Companions faced their death and martyrdom with great courage. When Charles was sentenced to death, he seemed very peaceful, one might even say, cheerful. He was to be executed by being burnt to death. While the pyre was being prepared, he asked to be untied so that he could arrange the sticks. He then lay down upon them. When the executioner said that Charles would be burned slowly to death, Charles replied by saying that he was very glad to be dying for the True Faith. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned, “Kotanda! (O my God!).” He was burned to death by Mwanga’s order on June 3, 1886. When we read the accounts of the saints who endured trials, persecutions and sufferings, we might as well come to think of ourselves, too. Do we endure with love of the Lord in the sufferings that we encounter daily? God has sent prophet after prophet in order to come to a relationship with us throughout the course of our salvation history. Finally, He sent His beloved son and we all know what happened. By our own sins, He was killed and put to death so that in his mercy we have been adopted and get the identification of beloved sons and daughters of God. We beg forgiveness and mercy we receive the entire inheritance that Jesus has won for us. We should recognize the great gift of our baptism, which means that we are Christians. The life of God is within us. We must not reject this truth and accept our identification. We can’t change it and be called by any other name. We lay hold of the inheritance of eternal life by perfect identification (I.D.) in Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 12:1-12
...‘ 10 Have you not read this scripture passage: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’?” 12 They were seeking to arrest him, but they feared the crowd, for they realized that he had addressed the parable to them. So they left him and went away.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
GOD’S CHILDREN
A promise is a promise. Surely our God knows how to keep and fulfill it because he is God. No one can deny that God has done great things for all of us and is displayed throughout the universe. Whenever we look at all the things around us and really fix in our heart the truth that there is none like our God then we are safe and secure in His loving care. Just remember that we are bound to keep the statutes and commandments of the Lord God and everything else will follow. Amen. Hallelujah!
Deuteronomy 4:32-34. 39-40
...Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of?...This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. 40 You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”
God's power is beyond our full comprehension. He is Holy, Mighty, Immortal and Infinitely Great. Did it ever occur to you how all these things that surround us, from the skies, to the mountains, plains, the seas, the wind, all the heavenly bodies above, the things down below, all the creatures of the earth especially us, human beings came to be. Not a single theory about creation could suffice and would ever satisfy the wonders and marvelous things that God has done. Just thinking about all these things should make us always put our hope in Him, feel confident and assured that we are safe under His care, to help us from all our problems and shield us from all harm. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 33:4-5. 6. 9. 18-19. 20. 22 (12b)
R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
...By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. 9 For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness,19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)...
Today’s 2nd reading reminds me of this person who told me that God uses people, actions, events and thoughts that suddenly flash in our mind in order to convey a message to us. It was at that trying moment in my life when she said not to be afraid. She said that the challenges we face can be viewed as God’s way of trying to become closer to us. The circumstances and difficulties we are encountering right now are just tools that God uses for us to realize that we are predestined or called by God to serve him. To fulfill this, there is a need for us to undergo purification and keep in mind that the suffering of our present life cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed and given to us. Whatever decisions we have to make or crossroads we are confronted with that needs discernment which road to take we must always be in touch with the reality that we are the children of God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:14-17
14 Brothers and sisters: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “ Abba, Father!”...
We see in today's gospel the divine power of Jesus Christ. He ascended into heaven and is now seated in the throne at right hand of the Father. He has passed from death to another life beyond time and space after His resurrection. The risen body of Christ was not recognized immediately by Mary Magdalene and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. His appearance was different in the resurrection from His earthly presence. His humanity has entered into the glory of God. He was filled by the power of the Holy Spirit and sharing in the divine light of God's glory. He is fully present in the spiritual realm of the God the Father. Something of course that He has from the very beginning since He shares in God's full divinity. He just wanted to share this glory to us. He has entered into the glory of God to inspire us, the faithful to offer our homage and adoration. The glory of God that appears and disappears can only be discovered in the realm of faith. He is inspiring faith in each one of us. His resurrection has reached its full significance in this salvific event, His triumph and victory over sin and death. We remember that He was condemned to death for claiming that He was the Son of God. With His resurrection, He is confirmed and raised by the Father. Not raised like Lazarus who died again but He is raised never to die again. He said that when He is lifted up we would know that He is the Son of God and confirms His claim about His divinity. He has defeated sin and death. We are truly free. His resurrection is the principle and source of our resurrection. He is the source of new life for everyone and manifests our adoption as children of God. He is life itself. It is a hope that inspires faith and charity in us towards Him. He is the source of life and our future resurrection. He dwells in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery we come in contact with in the resurrection. In the ascension we see an even greater or another difference in the veiled glory of the risen one and that of Christ ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, who is His Father and our Father. Remember He said to Mary "Do not touch me as I have yet not ascended to the Father." As He ascended in the clouds and into heaven we look upon the full glory of God. The clouds symbolizes the fullness of glory as we recall in the Old Testament the clouds that descends in Mt. Sinai and the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:35) in the New Testament. These speak of the fullness of glory. The resurrection and ascension, all confirm that Jesus Christ is alive. Pope Benedict XVI says that the ascension does not imply a temporary absence in the world but rather inaugurated the new, definitive and insuppressible form of His presence by virtue of His participation in the royal power of God. We find in today's gospel that Jesus told them that all power in heaven and on earth has been given to him. This has inspired and empowered them as they became His witnesses and told the world of what He has done. In this communion with Jesus and in His power over death, to resurrect and ascend into heaven, we too have the power to proclaim what He has done for us. We all have the mission to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in whatever way we can by our actions, love and words. Jesus gives to us His Holy Spirit and He hands over to us everything that He is. Each one of us has his or her own calling and it is well to know what God is asking us to do. In whatever it is that we do we can well be assured of the truth that He will always confirm it through accompanying signs. We would know deep in our hearts whatever it is that God wants us to do. No matter how big or small the task may be God will never leave us groping in the dark and will always hold us by the hand to guide and enlighten us in the path that He wants us to take. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 28:16-20
16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age .”
Deuteronomy 4:32-34. 39-40
...Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of?...This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. 40 You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”
God's power is beyond our full comprehension. He is Holy, Mighty, Immortal and Infinitely Great. Did it ever occur to you how all these things that surround us, from the skies, to the mountains, plains, the seas, the wind, all the heavenly bodies above, the things down below, all the creatures of the earth especially us, human beings came to be. Not a single theory about creation could suffice and would ever satisfy the wonders and marvelous things that God has done. Just thinking about all these things should make us always put our hope in Him, feel confident and assured that we are safe under His care, to help us from all our problems and shield us from all harm. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 33:4-5. 6. 9. 18-19. 20. 22 (12b)
R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
...By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. 9 For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness,19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)...
Today’s 2nd reading reminds me of this person who told me that God uses people, actions, events and thoughts that suddenly flash in our mind in order to convey a message to us. It was at that trying moment in my life when she said not to be afraid. She said that the challenges we face can be viewed as God’s way of trying to become closer to us. The circumstances and difficulties we are encountering right now are just tools that God uses for us to realize that we are predestined or called by God to serve him. To fulfill this, there is a need for us to undergo purification and keep in mind that the suffering of our present life cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed and given to us. Whatever decisions we have to make or crossroads we are confronted with that needs discernment which road to take we must always be in touch with the reality that we are the children of God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:14-17
14 Brothers and sisters: Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “ Abba, Father!”...
We see in today's gospel the divine power of Jesus Christ. He ascended into heaven and is now seated in the throne at right hand of the Father. He has passed from death to another life beyond time and space after His resurrection. The risen body of Christ was not recognized immediately by Mary Magdalene and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. His appearance was different in the resurrection from His earthly presence. His humanity has entered into the glory of God. He was filled by the power of the Holy Spirit and sharing in the divine light of God's glory. He is fully present in the spiritual realm of the God the Father. Something of course that He has from the very beginning since He shares in God's full divinity. He just wanted to share this glory to us. He has entered into the glory of God to inspire us, the faithful to offer our homage and adoration. The glory of God that appears and disappears can only be discovered in the realm of faith. He is inspiring faith in each one of us. His resurrection has reached its full significance in this salvific event, His triumph and victory over sin and death. We remember that He was condemned to death for claiming that He was the Son of God. With His resurrection, He is confirmed and raised by the Father. Not raised like Lazarus who died again but He is raised never to die again. He said that when He is lifted up we would know that He is the Son of God and confirms His claim about His divinity. He has defeated sin and death. We are truly free. His resurrection is the principle and source of our resurrection. He is the source of new life for everyone and manifests our adoption as children of God. He is life itself. It is a hope that inspires faith and charity in us towards Him. He is the source of life and our future resurrection. He dwells in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery we come in contact with in the resurrection. In the ascension we see an even greater or another difference in the veiled glory of the risen one and that of Christ ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, who is His Father and our Father. Remember He said to Mary "Do not touch me as I have yet not ascended to the Father." As He ascended in the clouds and into heaven we look upon the full glory of God. The clouds symbolizes the fullness of glory as we recall in the Old Testament the clouds that descends in Mt. Sinai and the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:35) in the New Testament. These speak of the fullness of glory. The resurrection and ascension, all confirm that Jesus Christ is alive. Pope Benedict XVI says that the ascension does not imply a temporary absence in the world but rather inaugurated the new, definitive and insuppressible form of His presence by virtue of His participation in the royal power of God. We find in today's gospel that Jesus told them that all power in heaven and on earth has been given to him. This has inspired and empowered them as they became His witnesses and told the world of what He has done. In this communion with Jesus and in His power over death, to resurrect and ascend into heaven, we too have the power to proclaim what He has done for us. We all have the mission to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in whatever way we can by our actions, love and words. Jesus gives to us His Holy Spirit and He hands over to us everything that He is. Each one of us has his or her own calling and it is well to know what God is asking us to do. In whatever it is that we do we can well be assured of the truth that He will always confirm it through accompanying signs. We would know deep in our hearts whatever it is that God wants us to do. No matter how big or small the task may be God will never leave us groping in the dark and will always hold us by the hand to guide and enlighten us in the path that He wants us to take. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 28:16-20
16 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted. 18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age .”
Saturday, June 2, 2012
LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
It is our destiny to be bathed with the light of God for all eternity. If we go into the darkness but place our hand in the hands of God then we'll experience and discover something better than life. It is the hand of God that leads us to the breaking of the day when we walk into the darkness. Cardinal John Henry Newman was a devout Anglican and was a major figure in the Oxford Movement in bringing the Church of England back to its Catholic roots. Eventually his studies in history persuaded him to become a Roman Catholic. During this time he was greatly confused and restless. As he was returning to England in a ship, one night he got up and paced the deck under the stars of the Mediterranean feeling the intensity of God and his own littleness. He composed this famous poem:
The Pillar of the Cloud (Lead, Kindly Light)
Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home --
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, -- one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that Thou
Should'st lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on,
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
Jude 17, 20b-25
...Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Only the love of our Lord God can satisfy all our longings and desires. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can never find true satisfaction unless we find Jesus. “My soul is restless until it rests in You” (St. Augustine) Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
1 [2] O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
We ought to realize by now that only God can give us the right and perfect answers we are all in search of. Unless we truly believe this and live it in our life then we all run the risk of leading down the path to nowhere. Today's gospel shows us how the learned and prominent people in Jesus' time refuse to become part of the genuine family of God. As children of God we must acquire a childlike fearlessness that is appropriate to exercise our faith and trust in God our Father. We have to nurture the childlike faith in us so we become what God calls us to be. We are all attracted to the wisdom of God and are tormented by seeking her. It is a profound attribute because we can see things in the way God sees things. We become enlightened in our hearts and minds. We want to know how God thinks and we can achieve this by uniting our minds with Jesus. In today’s gospel the scribes and Pharisees wanted to elicit information from Jesus but He denied them. We have to go to God with a clean and humble heart. We are reminded today as it is the 1st Saturday of the month, dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Mother that Jesus sat on the lap of His mother. We want to draw close to Him. Our souls are tormented by seeking this wisdom and this is only possible as we are freed from this sin in this life. We approach Mary who is the seat of wisdom. Mary draws us closer to her heart and reveal to us Jesus who is in her heart and makes Him more known to us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 11:27-33
...“By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” — they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. 33 So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Pillar of the Cloud (Lead, Kindly Light)
Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home --
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, -- one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that Thou
Should'st lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on,
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
Jude 17, 20b-25
...Build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Only the love of our Lord God can satisfy all our longings and desires. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can never find true satisfaction unless we find Jesus. “My soul is restless until it rests in You” (St. Augustine) Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
1 [2] O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
We ought to realize by now that only God can give us the right and perfect answers we are all in search of. Unless we truly believe this and live it in our life then we all run the risk of leading down the path to nowhere. Today's gospel shows us how the learned and prominent people in Jesus' time refuse to become part of the genuine family of God. As children of God we must acquire a childlike fearlessness that is appropriate to exercise our faith and trust in God our Father. We have to nurture the childlike faith in us so we become what God calls us to be. We are all attracted to the wisdom of God and are tormented by seeking her. It is a profound attribute because we can see things in the way God sees things. We become enlightened in our hearts and minds. We want to know how God thinks and we can achieve this by uniting our minds with Jesus. In today’s gospel the scribes and Pharisees wanted to elicit information from Jesus but He denied them. We have to go to God with a clean and humble heart. We are reminded today as it is the 1st Saturday of the month, dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Mother that Jesus sat on the lap of His mother. We want to draw close to Him. Our souls are tormented by seeking this wisdom and this is only possible as we are freed from this sin in this life. We approach Mary who is the seat of wisdom. Mary draws us closer to her heart and reveal to us Jesus who is in her heart and makes Him more known to us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 11:27-33
...“By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” — they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. 33 So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Friday, June 1, 2012
NOT ON THE GIFTS BUT ON THE GIVER
Life is so fleeting and uncertain. Sometimes we wonder why we are here. What are we doing here on earth? We know and we are taught that we are here to know, love and serve God and be happy with Him now and hereafter. We are not just to know Him as we may know a person in History or a best friend but to know God with an intimacy, satisfaction and completeness that is more than we can know of a human being. When we were baptized we were given a right which enables us to have a relationship with our God. This is the most satisfying experience of our lives. Where is our God? He is within us and nearer to us than we are aware of. He is living in the depths of our beings day and night. God wants us to spend eternity with Him. He is our Good Shepherd who says, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me." There would be no other greater tragedy in life than to be in the grave's edge and still not know God to whom we pray. St Augustine once said, May I know God that I may know myself and be madly in love with God and His gifts. We love life, our families, our work and friends but do we stop at the gifts and miss the Giver. Let us not focus on the gifts alone but on God who is the Giver. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Peter 4:7-13
7 Beloved: The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to prayers. 8 Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
How easy it is to put ourselves in the center of the universe. We are not the center of the universe, God is. We are just here on earth for a few fleeting years. 70 if we are strong in which to serve God. St. Theresa of Avila said to never waste a moment in time because she knows that every moment in time can secure heaven. When all is over and the battle has been won as in Revelation, God's name will be written in our foreheads and it will never be night again nor will we still need lamp or sunlight again because the Lord is our Light. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R: The Lord comes to judge the earth.
10 Say among the nations the LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R) 11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; 12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. (R) 13 Before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.
Today's gospel tells us of the fate of the fig tree that failed to bear fruit. We are presented with challenges daily to live our lives, as we sink our roots into our foundation, bearing the fruits that we desire. We must not be naïve in thinking that we can always be protected. The best defense is the best offense. We have to make our move, a strong and faithful defense. We’ve got to be prepared. By understanding what is being presented to us, recognizing and being equipped in whatever form we are best able to do it. We are called to this world not out of this world with a heavenly perspective. This is a great challenge and with this we hope to rise as great men and women of God. We must always remember that no matter how weak or wayward we may all be, God is madly in love with us whether we love Him or not. It is because His name and His nature is love. With an act of love He created all of us. There is nothing more that God could do for us that He has not done. This should be our faith and confidence in God's love for us which should be enough to drive us to bear fruit and be who God has meant us to be. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 11:11-26
...Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. 23 Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
1 Peter 4:7-13
7 Beloved: The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to prayers. 8 Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining.
How easy it is to put ourselves in the center of the universe. We are not the center of the universe, God is. We are just here on earth for a few fleeting years. 70 if we are strong in which to serve God. St. Theresa of Avila said to never waste a moment in time because she knows that every moment in time can secure heaven. When all is over and the battle has been won as in Revelation, God's name will be written in our foreheads and it will never be night again nor will we still need lamp or sunlight again because the Lord is our Light. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 96:10, 11-12, 13
R: The Lord comes to judge the earth.
10 Say among the nations the LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R) 11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; 12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. (R) 13 Before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.
Today's gospel tells us of the fate of the fig tree that failed to bear fruit. We are presented with challenges daily to live our lives, as we sink our roots into our foundation, bearing the fruits that we desire. We must not be naïve in thinking that we can always be protected. The best defense is the best offense. We have to make our move, a strong and faithful defense. We’ve got to be prepared. By understanding what is being presented to us, recognizing and being equipped in whatever form we are best able to do it. We are called to this world not out of this world with a heavenly perspective. This is a great challenge and with this we hope to rise as great men and women of God. We must always remember that no matter how weak or wayward we may all be, God is madly in love with us whether we love Him or not. It is because His name and His nature is love. With an act of love He created all of us. There is nothing more that God could do for us that He has not done. This should be our faith and confidence in God's love for us which should be enough to drive us to bear fruit and be who God has meant us to be. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 11:11-26
...Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. 23 Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
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