ABOUT FACE

If there's something not going right somewhere in our life it is important that we press our ears closer to hear God's voice. We may be very busy doing things our own way that we sometimes neglect to heed what God is telling us. Or the trials and difficulties we are experiencing in life should work in a way that we become closer to God rather than stray away from Him. Whatever it is that is happening to us we should always trust that God has our best interest in mind and to Him alone should we draw near. We should be aware how determined the enemy is in bringing us all to perdition. Sometimes we are made to believe that in the midst of the holy mass, prayer meetings and religious gatherings we are already safe, secure and free from temptations but all the more should we be careful and wary for the enemy works even harder to steal, deceive and snatch away the benefits and the good things that are rightfully ours. It gives me great consolation that in today's 1st reading, God assures us of His protection whenever we come to Him in praise. Amen. Hallelujah!

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
1 Thus says the LORD: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! 2 She hears no voice, accepts no correction; in the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near…But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD; 13 the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

Let us remove all doubts and fears. Nothing should make us feel afraid for God hears our cry. He will surely carry out what is clearly for our own good and the best. All we need to do is allow God to work in our lives and stop hindering His grace to flow in our lives. If there's one big obstacle that is blocking this flow then it is surely not God. It is time we analyze the things in our life that continue to build up and shut out God. We don't want that happening and it's all up to us for the Lord hears and saves us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19, 23
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
...When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 16 [17] The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 17 [18] When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. (R) 18 [19] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 22 [23] But the LORD redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him...

Sometimes we have doubts and hesitate to do the right thing and look for alibis in order to justify our actions but it is good to know that God will always wait and be patient to us in responding to Him the right way just like the 1st son in today's gospel. Though, he hesitated at 1st his change of mind and heart in response to God is what matters most. No matter how right and sure we already see, think and feel we are it will always be good to take a second look at things and reconsider your position on certain matters and decisions that we make in life. The Lord will never take offense even if we reject Him for as long as we make amends and reverse our action. God always give us chances. It is always our final action to respond positively to Him that counts. Just like in today's gospel, Jesus did not take it against the first son that he refused to follow but rather focused on his change of heart and obeyed. It is also the same with us. There are times when we are not obedient to what God wants us to do. But we can always make an about face turn to God. There may be some wrong decisions we made along the way but we can always make right our wrongs and start anew. Bottom line, no matter how imperfect we may be, God knows our shortcomings and will always be patiently waiting for us. All we have to do is take a step towards the right direction, make a U turn and go back to God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 21:28-32
28 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 30 The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. 32 When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”