HAVE FAITH

We are all guilty of complaining to God most of the time. We tend to forget that we have an Almighty God who can make all things possible and beautiful in His most perfect time. This reminds me of Sis Ester when they were looking for a house to buy. They have scouted several houses already but after several attempts they simply could not close a deal since they were repeatedly being disapproved. For a long time they have been to several different houses and have offered their bid 3 times already and they kept on being denied. A lot of people have been helping them find a house and their closest relatives were even ready to lend them money for the down payment. After all the bothersome, tiring and frustrating process they all went through just to look for a house nothing happened. Instead of complaining to God she simply delivered her most famous line, "It's not yet time, God has a plan and it will come in His most perfect time, Amen." After almost 2 years since they last looked for a house, they finally found one. A house which Sis Ester claimed was heaven sent. It was a house that was bought by their friend for a family member but decided to give it up since they are going back to the Philippines. When we found out that they have started to move in, we went there yesterday and I should say that the location is perfect for them. It is just a couple of miles away from their previous home and still belonged to the same community where they are right now. It was newly renovated and looks like a cozy, neat and spacious house for all of them. Compared to all the houses they have seen, come to like and decided to make an offer, this one is the best and is perfectly suited to their taste and preference. God has given then this house that really matches their heart's desires. Sis Ester simply couldn't believe it since the house which they did not even look for and they were able to get without any sweat was like something offered to them in a silver platter. Every transaction went very smoothly. This house is situated right in front of a bus stop where she used to wait for the bus. She said that she could never forget this new house of theirs and still remember 8 years ago that while waiting she used to pick some oranges that were hanging right outside its fence and she said it tasted very delicious and always wondered how come it never run out of fruits in its branches. She never thought that someday this house would become their own. We can really learn from Sis Ester's total trust and surrender to God's will and plan against all odds. Let us no longer complain and believe that the best is yet to come. It was indeed as the Lord in today's 1st reading had said that He will do to us just what He heard us say. Amen. Hallelujah!

Numbers 13:1-2. 25 –14:1. 26a-29a. 34-35
...The LORD also said to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the Israelites against me. 28 Tell them, “By my life, says the LORD, I will do to you just what I have heard you say...

Let us always remind ourselves of the good things God has done in our lives. Let us always count our blessings instead of focus on the negative things.

P S A L M
Psalm 106:6-7ab. 13-14. 21-22. 23
R: Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
...But soon they forgot his works; they waited not for his counsel. 14 They gave way to craving in the desert and tempted God in the wilderness. (R) 21 They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt, 22 wondrous deeds in the land of Ham, terrible things at the Red Sea.

It pays to always have a strong faith in God. No matter what our situation may be. It could be close to this woman in the gospel where she lowered down her pride, and was very humble in coming before Jesus. This same woman got the answer to her prayer and granted her heart's desire because of her perseverance and persistence. There are times in our life when we are pushed to the limits and we sometimes give in to pressure and pride because we want to save face and protect our ego. Instead of taking things that come to us with a heart of faith we end up responding in an ill mannered way which always makes things worse. When we hear unpleasant things being said to us we can always learn something from the wise humility of this woman. We should always try to look at things in a positive and constructive way rather than in the offensive way. Today's gospel shows us how this woman really stood up for her faith despite of it all. She openly professed in public her great faith and confidence in God's power by maintaining her belief that everyone can take part in God's grace. It is open to all and no one is excluded. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 15:21-28
...“Lord, help me.” 26 He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” 28 Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.