TRULY BLESSED

There is a need for an extensive study of not only the 4 gospels written in the New Testament which are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John if we really want to know more about Jesus and develop a personal relationship with Him. One important thing which I realized is that when we study the gospels we also have to take into consideration also the geographical make up of the land and people during the time of Jesus. Today's 1st reading reminded me of the 5th gospel mentioned in our bible study. Having an idea of the location where Jesus lived and spent most of his lifetime here on earth, which is the modern day Palestine of today is important and can add up to the creativity of how we picture Jesus. It is also a consolation especially for all of us who are residing in Los Angeles (LA) County area that Palestine has almost the same latitude as LA. To have this kind of impression that Jesus would be very comfortable living in LA is something we can also ponder on while claiming the blessing that is being declared on the promised land of God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Joel 4:12-21 ...Then shall you know that I, the LORD, am your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain; Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall pass through her no more. 18 And then, on that day, the mountains shall drip new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk; and the channels of Judah shall flow with water: a fountain shall issue from the house of the LORD, to water the Valley of Shittim.

There are significant events in our life that we can associate with certain major decisions we made and can never forget. In relation to the 5th gospel which was impressed to me and was just mentioning earlier, somehow, I could say that the place where we are right now is exactly where God wants us to be. If God brings us here then He will bring us through it. God knows exactly and with perfection what is being allowed to happen to us in our life at this precise moment. God's purpose for us is simply perfect. He wants to show us things that only we can understand by living what we are living and by being in the place where we are now. That's God, He passes us through a lot of things for us to see His glory. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 97:1-2. 5-6. 11-12
R: Rejoice in the Lord, you just! ...The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 11 Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. 12 Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name...

The study of the scriptures is one of the best ways to be really blessed. God consistently reminds and shows us that if there's one thing we should prioritize that is to be mindful of the things that will make us truly blessed. Today's gospel shows us that, we like Mary, who is Mother of God, full of grace, blessed among women, and bore Jesus in her womb can also be blessed if we listen and observe the word of God. Mary's privilege and honor as the Mother of God is no doubt a singular grace given to her alone. She has been greatly blessed by God for being chosen to carry Jesus in her womb and nurse her. It has been written and foretold from generations past. There is no question about this as it is written in Luke 1:48, "For he has looked upon his lowly servant; from this day all generation will call me blessed." Though, Jesus in today's gospel tells us that we are not far from attaining it. Predestination is one thing but to hear the word of God and observe it is another thing. We have all been given this option of being blessed as Mary is. All we have to do is to listen and obey. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 11:27-28
27 While he was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”