BE ACTIVE

This week is kind of hectic for the Filipinos in St. Martha's Church and I guess for the rest of the Churches with Filipino parishioners since this Sept. 28 is the upcoming feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz. A novena prayer has already started in St. Martha in honor of him and a feast and special celebration is scheduled this Saturday (Sept. 24). People were asked to take part and were assigned various tasks in setting up the Church. Some were assigned to decorate the Church, others are going to be a part of the stage play, while others were in charge of the food to be served after the mass. St. Lorenzo Ruiz is the 1st Filipino Saint and there are lots of Filipinos here in West Covina so it is indeed going to be a day of celebration with so much joy. Amen. Hallelujah!

Ezra 6:7-8. 12b. 14-20 ...The Israelites — priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles — celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy...



I have noticed that in any part of the world where Filipinos are the most likely places that you always see them are in churches. Most Filipinos are always visible and active in such activities for the Lord. We are basically a joyful people that's why our devotion to the Lord is clearly seen in occasions like these where there is rejoicing in the house of the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M Psalm 122:1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5
R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. 1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)

Today's gospel speaks of a big gathering or crowd that prevents the people closest to Jesus to come near Him. Whenever there are big gatherings in the Church you can be sure that Filipinos are active in taking part in these activities. I am sure God appreciates our efforts to always become part of feasts and celebrations in His honor. Just recently we had our Light of Jesus Family (LOJF) Retreat which was held in Big Bear. It was my first time to participate in this activity of LOJF. I’ve learned and experienced a lot of wonderful things from this retreat there is no doubt. It is really important that we are actively participating in these activities because we not only become physically present and close to God but really live, act, and put into practice His word with all our minds, hearts and souls. In this way we can be instruments of bringing more people to God as we truly become like the mother, brothers and sisters of Jesus as spoken in the gospel. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 8:19-21 19 The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” 21 He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”