There are times when we resort to ungodly practices and get carried away by the lure of the extraordinary that arouses our curiosity and wonder. Sometimes we justify our acts by saying that it's just for the fun of it. We do not realize that we are exposing ourselves to danger and allowing the power of the dark side to get a hold on us. We simply take these things for granted and it's a pity that we fail to grasp more than anything else the wonderful and awesome truth of a God who became man for His great love for us. There is nothing more exciting, fun filled and awesome than the truth in this song that says that we have a God who is mindful of us, hears us when we call, thinks of us and considers us His friend. The gift of life freely given to us is too costly, this truth alone should awaken all our senses to endlessly search for its deeper meaning, strive to live it to the full as a way of valuing the friendship of God. God is definitely with us every single step of the way. He will lead us exactly where we are supposed to be headed. We need not ask God for a sign for His signs and wonders are written and displayed all over the world, all we have to do is look with the eyes of our faith. The best sign is being celebrated within us, Emmanuel. In today's 1st reading it was foretold hundreds of years before, by the prophet Isaiah that the Blessed Mother would bear a son and shall be named Emmanuel meaning "God is with us." This is one of the central teachings of the Catholic Church. It is very important that we need to know more about our Catholic faith and be able to explain and defend when the situation calls for it. Amen. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 7:10-14
...“Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God... “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”...the Lord himself will give you this sign the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel
What a mighty God we serve who made the heavens and the earth. Open our eyes Lord that we may see the wonders of your creation. We should think profoundly of our daily walk with the Lord which consists of not only a leisure stroll in the plains and valleys of life but a steep climb up to the top of the mountain. This Advent season we must avail of the sacrament of reconciliation. It gives us renewed strength and hope. Our life consists of steep and dangerous climbs but we must not forget that God is always at our side. If we are to carefully assess our life we would find that it feels good whenever we are able to overcome most of our pitfalls though there are some that still needs improvement. We must praise and thank God that every time we experience a fall back and backslide we can immediately go back to Him through the sacrament of confession which restores us to our original path and right track. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R: Let the Lord enter; he is the King of glory.
...3 Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain...
The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there.
For God founded it on the seas, established it over the rivers...
Among all of God's creation, the Blessed Virgin Mary is the best and most perfect work of God's hands. For through her cooperation with God, salvation of mankind was made possible. Mary never doubted God's mercy and goodness to carry out His plan for she trusted God more than anything else. We should always be confident in the truth that God's will in our lives will always work out for our own good. Whenever we feel afraid let us always follow the example of Mary. No matter how bothering the news or instances that are happening before us we should always maintain the same total surrender and trusting attitude of our Blessed Mother. Just like Mary who agreed to conceive and give birth to Jesus we should also openly and freely accept Jesus in our lives. We should always follow after her example of a perfect handmaid of the Lord. We are destined for the Lord just like Mary, all we have to do is follow the example she set before us from today's gospel. The example of Mary's complete obedience and trust in God should compel us to do likewise and believe in the fulfillment of God's promises in our lives no matter how impossible and difficult it may seem. During the time of Mary, she knew perfectly well the implications of her total surrender to God in agreeing to become pregnant could make her the object of ridicule and can lead to a very humiliating and life threatening situation but despite all of these she consented willingly and obediently. We, too can learn a lot from her and not miss out on the glorious reward that the Blessed Mother is bestowed now in heaven and for all generations to come. Mary was predestined to take on this special role to be Mother of God. It wasn't easy for her during that time for she was still bound by human laws which meant being stoned to death if found pregnant out of wedlock. But she thought of accepting the will of God in her life first and foremost by consenting to God's word like a handmaid would do to her Master and God. We, too like Mary are invited through our daily circumstances to live out the will of God in our lives against all odds. May we also have the courage to say the words that Mary said whenever we are confronted with situations in our life that calls us to carry out God's will rather than our own. May we find in our hearts doing God's will at every moment of our life and truly make it our own. God's and our own wills as one. We all have plans in life but as the scripture in Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures.” Mary knew of this and though she may have other plans for her life back then already betrothed to Joseph, she did not hesitate and accepted the will of God in her life and the rest is history. History that is forever etched in the pages of the bible and every kind of reading material but also in the heart, mind and soul of every Christian. Yesterday, the gospel narrates of barren women (Manoah's wife, the mother of Samson and Elizabeth, the mother of St John the Baptist) who were able to conceive a child for what is impossible for man is possible for God. The greatest miracle is the birth of our Lord Jesus made possible through the obedience and cooperation of our Blessed Mother Mary. May we in our total surrender to God's will become a vessel of the birth of our own miracles. God coming to us in the form of man is a truth so great and awesome that no one can fully understand all the mysteries that surround it. Even the Blessed Mother who was favored by God and given this great privilege of giving birth to Jesus, our Savior was troubled. Because of our probing minds we tend to question a lot of things and resort to various ways in order to get a better view and understanding of things but there are times, too when all we have to do is follow the example of Mama Mary's perfect obedience to the will of God. There is only one thing we need to know, meditate and internalize daily, that God loves us this much, He suffered His only Son to become man and die on the cross for us. From this standpoint I am sure that all other things will follow. There are famous stories that are very wonderful to tell that it continue to be spoken of throughout the length of time. It has been passed on from generation to generation and never lose the awe, wonder and mystery it holds for those who come to know it. There are some that never leave our memory and continue to inspire and give us hope. It serves as a driving force that keeps us going and lifts us up when we are down and out. These stories are a source of strength and courage at times when we feel like giving up. Today's gospel is about the story of how God came to save us. This is one story that we should take personally. It should never leave our hearts, minds and memories every waking moment of our lives. It is the greatest story, living and true, ever told. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 1:26-38
26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary...for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
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