SPEECHLESS

Today's 1st reading tells us about the birth of Samson despite the barrenness of his mother. Every time I hear a story about barren women I can somehow relate to it because I, myself, was diagnosed before with a condition that could prevent me from bearing children. This prompted me to take this opportunity to proclaim God's mighty power in our life. My husband was aware of it and told me that he is ready for the consequences of what it may bring about. Our relationship just started back then and one of the things that we regularly do was to visit and pray at the St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong before we go to work. God is good that in spite of my condition I was able to bear children, my 2 sons, Jude and Allan. Looking back now at all those memories, I just realized that this church is the same church where the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong is situated and run by the Franciscan Order (Capuchin) where my 2 sons went to school (Elementary and High School). I am just amazed at how God made things work out. Before when we used to go to that beautiful church of St. Francis of Asissi, our relationship started as something that seems to be going nowhere but now as I try to analyze the events that took place I can already appreciate how God can turn every thing in our life into a beautiful pattern. What used to be a puzzle before, I can now reconnect and put piece by piece together. Although life continues to be a mystery after solving one puzzle another comes along. Every time we enter into this chapter of our life and are faced with so many pieces that seem to not fit it is always good to know that nothing is impossible with God. He can make all things work for good. There is always hope. Another thing that surprises me today as I mention all these things is the fact that yesterday I was just talking to a lady about St. Francis without realizing that today’s 1st reading will lead me to this sharing. Amen. Hallelujah!

Judges 13:2-7. 24-25a
...An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son... 24 The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him; 25 the spirit of the LORD first stirred him.

If we will always fill our hearts with gratitude and praise for God we will realize as we look back and recall that we really have a lot of things to be thankful to God. Let us proclaim God's goodness and mercy. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M
Psalm 71:3-4a. 5-6ab. 16-17
R: My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. (R) 5 For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. 6 On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. (R) 16 I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.

Today's gospel is another demonstration of God's power to bring about something out of nothing. In this case, St. John the Baptist who was born of St. Elizabeth is not just something but someone who portrayed a great role in the mission of Jesus here on earth. God's ways are sometimes the most unlikely and unbelievably impossible. Let's not limit God's power in our life and be open to His miracles. Be not like Zechariah who doubted and was made speechless. Let us all be confident that God would fulfill what He said would happen at their proper time. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 1:5-25
...they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years...But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 20 But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” ...