ILLUMINATED

Life today has become chaotic and disorderly. Some people no longer know who and what to believe in. We wake up each day not knowing what the world holds for us and just go through the process of living it without a purpose. This happens when we head for the wrong direction. St Paul in today's 1st reading was already headed to what he believed was true, to persecute the Christians. Paul fell on the ground and became blind. Sometimes God allows us to fall or crash down in order for us to become a source that gives life which was exactly what happened to Paul. This reminds me of the waterfalls in Yosemite which is a great source of irrigation and water supply needs for those in that area. Being there was almost like being in touch with God in an awesome and inspiring way. On our way there we had a quick view of the vast mountains and waterfalls where we passed by. When we finally arrived at the Yosemite Waterfalls Park that was when we were able to take a closer and longer look at the surrounding view and the waterfalls. The tall trees that lined the road were all towering above us. I almost got stiffed neck due to several twists and turns I did as I grew excited looking at what was before me not wanting to miss a single thing. The big rocks made us look like ants. When we finally reached the foot of the gigantic waterfalls that almost got us all wet due to the deafening and strong impact of the water that fell on the ground that was when I really got amazed at this marvelous creation of God. It is considered as the tallest waterfalls in the US and ranks 5th in the whole world. Whew! As I watched the water crashed down hard on the ground coming all the way from on top of the mountain, a thought came into my mind. It must be very painful or would even kill a person if he gets caught under that water. It could be similar in a way with Paul who had to experience a crash down before his famous conversion on His way to Damascus. We, too should consider the crash down experiences in our lives as God's way of calling us to the right path and direction. One way or another we are like Saul completely unaware of the consequences of our actions. Let us be conscious and aware of what we are doing so that we don't end up falling on the ground and losing our sight. He was a highly educated and learned man during his time. He studied the scriptures well and was mentored by Gamaliel. His heart was set to serve God. All the while he thought that he was doing the right thing. God called him and revealed Himself to him and the rest was history. He got converted and carried out the work of evangelization to all people. The effectiveness of his ministry was credited to his mastery of the scriptures that all pointed to Jesus especially the personal testimony of his very own life experience. Looking back 2000 years ago, people were being converted and baptized by the thousands. Nowadays, we may ask ourselves why is the world not being converted? How well do we really know Jesus? How deeply do we love Him? Just think of a thief who is willing to kill just to get what he wants. What makes a person do this is in itself a powerful force that can drive people to action. There are all kinds of gods in the world that people are chasing after. It could be a person, object or status in life. We don't know how to find the one true God. We have to read the bible, understand and witness to it so that we can invite people to the faith. It is not easy but a heart that is in love with Him and illuminated by His light can enter into this relationship with God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Acts 9:1-20
...a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. 9 For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank...

If you will read on about the story of Saul you will find out that he eventually regained his eyesight and started proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. Wherever we're coming from we should strive to follow his example of groping for the truth about the light while he was in darkness and blind. We have a responsibility in our hands which is very clearly proclaimed in today's psalm. As we find our way to God may we find ourselves taking part in the mission and call that Paul himself obediently followed and fulfilled. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 117:1bc, 2
R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.

Nowadays, people are starting to become more health conscious. We are very cautious of the kind of food we eat so that we can properly care for and maintain our physical body. We should have the same attitude when it comes to our spiritual well being. Today's gospel in St. John is a very hard teaching. We have to accept, believe and not walk away. The truths of the faith can only be taught and understood if we have received the Holy Spirit. During this Easter season the gospel reveals more and more passages pointing to the Mystery of the Trinity and the Holy Eucharist. The oneness of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. St. Francis of Assisi is a saint that is well known and admired for his holiness during his time and up to this present day. It was said that for his way of life he followed the words of Jesus in the Synoptics (Gospel of Matthew, Mark and Luke) but it is in the Gospel of St. John that he patterned his spiritual life and manner of prayer. His prayers to God sounded as if he were Jesus Christ speaking to God the Father Himself. Our prayer should be identified with Jesus our Savior. The teaching about the Eucharist in the gospel of John is meant to develop in us a profound love of the Eucharist. We have to be united and transformed by Holy Communion. The faith required of the believer should be like those who see Jesus according to His humanity and see the sacrament of the Eucharist as the Sacrament of Christ according to His Spirit. For how long would we be hard of heart? Isn't it enough that daily God humbles Himself in the altar in the hands of the priest during Holy Mass? As we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes so should we see the Holy Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the true and living God as He has promised, "I am with you even to the end of time." Amen. Hallelujah!

John 6:52-59
52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.