L and O

There are key words in today's 1st reading that we could definitely benefit a lot from. These are words we could use for our own welfare so that we, like Lydia could enjoy the presence of God in our life. These words start with an L and O. It's easy to figure it out. All it takes is to make a conscious and committed effort to really listen and open ourselves to God. Although it may not be as easy as it may seem to be or else there would no longer be any struggles on our part. But we know for a fact that when we Listen and Open our hearts to the Lord the consequences of these actions are unimaginable and endless. If we follow what happened to Lydia it was not just herself but her household as well who turned to God. Let's just give it our best shot and see for ourselves. Amen. Hallelujah!

Acts 16:11-15
...a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.

I can still remember when I joined the Ikebana (Flower arrangement) in Japan. I was late and did not see the demonstration so when I was given the flowers to arrange I just did it for the sake of just getting it over and done with. What would you expect? I was not proud of what I did. In fact I did something shameful since I am representing the Philippines I even removed the label from my work. It is a consolation to know that we have a God and Creator who knows perfectly well what He is doing. No matter what we do to ourselves He will never disown us. We just have to realize that it is ourselves who eventually disown and turn our backs on God knowingly or unknowingly. We just need to remind ourselves always that when He created us, humans, He saved the best for last. He even fashioned us in His own image and likeness. In fact, up to this present time, scientists and scholars have not fully solved and understood the mysteries and wonders of the human body and soul. As far as science is concerned we the humans are the most advanced living creatures in this planet endowed with all the capacities that no other creatures are capable of. If there's one thing that we should never leave our minds and hearts is that we are on top of God's creation and takes delight in us. Amen. Hallelujah!


Psalm 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a, 9b
R: The Lord takes delight in his people.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

Let us guard the special abilities that God has given to us. Among all other creatures on earth we should be proud that God created us, as man and woman. Let us maintain this profound human dignity that He has given to us alone. There may be times and circumstances when we neglect this truth or forget it. There is nothing more unfortunate than this. No matter what happens let us not be distracted by the cares, worries, anxieties or it could be allurements and false promises of this world. If at any time we feel that we are under attack of some kind and starting to fall away from the truth then we need to break this bad spell and get back to our senses. Today's gospel tells us that we are capable of doing so since we are not alone, we have an Advocate who is always with us and don't we ever forget that. Amen. Hallelujah!

John 15:26-16:4a
26 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. 27 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. 16: 1 “I have told you this so that you may not fall away...I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”