POINT OF NO RETURN

The Lord in today's 1st reading calls the attention of the people in the time of Amos the prophet to act accordingly and not be mere spectators. This reminds me of the time when we had our bible study with Bro. Willy Santa Maria. We were discussing about the book of Wisdom and he touched the topic about the soul. To explain further he cited Aristotle a Greek philosopher who classified the Theory of Definition into 2 : nominal and real. The example he gave for nominal is water, being such in name only, or in appearance. The real definition, he further classified into how and "what is it meant to be?" As to "how" he defined water as H2O, relaxing and life giving. As to "what is it meant to be?" or Toti en enni in Greek he elaborated by citing the acorn that developed into a full grown oak tree. The issue on Pro-Life and Pro-Choice came to play again when the example of an egg fertilized by a sperm developing to a person was also cited. He said that Aristotle a great and well renowned Greek philosopher who was not even a Christian way back then, during his time believed in the concepts and principles advocated by Pro-Life. What an irony that nowadays, people who have been exposed to a very wide knowledge base of information all in front of us with just a click of the mouse or wide array of references and theories all laid and figured out before us and claim to be Christians and followers of God can not even decide for this vital truth and issue about life. This kind of attitude is dangerous because we have a responsibility here. Thus it can turn things against us in the end once we reach the point of no return. We've got to make a stand on issues that the Church is very clear about right now. Amen. Hallelujah!


Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Thus says the LORD the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! ...they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with...


We ought to realize by now what the wisest thing to do is not based in the standard of the world but of the Lord our God. Our confidence and trust must rest on the Lord alone who makes all good things possible. Amen. Hallelujah!


Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 (1b)
R: Praise the Lord, my soul!
7 Blessed is he who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives good to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. (R) 8 The LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up those that were bowed down; the LORD loves the just. 9 The LORD protects strangers. (R) The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. 10 The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.


When athletes train hard and focus well on their goals they have one thing in mind, to win the prize. It is something that every sportsman aim and work for. It is just the same for a man of God as today's 2nd reading tells us. Amen. Hallelujah!


1 Timothy 6:11-16
11 But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 12 Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses...


Today's gospel is about Lazarus and the rich man. The emphasis is on the fact that we will be held accountable for all our actions and also for our failure to act and do the good we ought to have done. Abraham said that the rich man received what was good during his lifetime but failed to respond accordingly to the blessing he was entrusted with. Lazarus was right in front of his door but he did not see the opportunity to share his blessing to him. It was not stated in the story that the rich man did evil things. We have to look into this very carefully. Sometimes it is not what we did wrong that will make us deserve hell but what we failed to do. Let us not miss out on these things while we still have time before it gets too late just like what happened to the rich man. His firm and determined effort for resolution was useless because he already came to a point of no return. May we not find ourselves in the same situation as the rich man when nothing else can be done. While there is still time we should act now and not delay. When this time comes for us, may we find ourselves in the same position of Lazarus as in a place of comfort. Amen. Hallelujah!


Luke 16:19-31
19 Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. 20 And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 22 When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ 25 Abraham re plied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. 26 Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”