NO ONE IS EXCLUDED

These past few days I’ve been seeing photos of friends in Facebook who visited the Getty Museum. Then the other day I heard the priest said in his homily that if there’s one place he would recommend visiting then it is a museum and specifically mentioned Getty Museum to be one of the nicest places he has been. This morning I was surprised to find out that today’s 1st reading would bring me back to my reflection a couple of years ago about my visit to the said museum. As a Christian we must believe that there is no such thing as coincidence only divine providence. Having said this and considering the flow of events that is all pointing to the Getty Museum I have concluded that it is worth looking back and sharing once again the said experience. I could still remember when we (Sisters Bernadeth, Lucy, Marcy, and Rose) spent the entire day at the J. Paul Getty Museum. It was indeed a day of joy and gladness not only because of the wonderful and nice things we've seen at the Museum but also because of the very nice company we had in each other. There were lots of people who came to the museum that day and everyone who came had the chance of seeing the priced and valuable treasures that the Christian world holds very dear. In one of the exhibit rooms and the first place we had been were manuscripts of some parts found in the bible that dates way back in the year 800 AD. There were illustrations some with gold in paper of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, The story of Jephtha and his oath (can be found in the Book of Judges) (Regensburg, 1030-40; 1400-10)The Annunciation and The martyrdom of Isaiah, (Wurzburg, 1240-50)St. Michael battling the Dragon, (Hildesheim, 1170s)St. Stephen by a painter named Circle of the Master of the Golden Bull (Prague, 1405) The Visitation (Strasbourg, 1500) and several of The Crucifixion (Steinfeld, 1180; Cologne by Master of St. Veronica, 1400-10; Franconia, 1475; Westphalia,1500-05; by Albrecht Altdorfer, 1520) These are just a few of the many and the earliest artworks they have preserved and depicts the truth about our God. There is really no doubt about the truth in today's 1st reading since every human being has been given the privilege of knowing about our God and acknowledging Him as the one true God. For thousands of years people have been writing, painting, documenting amazing and wonderful things from different parts of the world. It is a consolation to know that although there are people, places and things that I've seen there that no longer exist today and is just a thing of the past but the message conveyed in every artwork about our Lord Jesus Christ still persist and remain intact, true and a masterpiece until the present time. Amen. Hallelujah!

Acts 10:25-26. 34-35. 44-48
...“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. 35 Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. 44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word. 45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God...

We should consider each day as an opportunity to know and learn more about our God. Whether it be an ordinary or special day in our life nothing should be amiss and should be spent in giving glory to God our Savior and Master. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M
Psalm 98:1. 2-3. 3-4 (see 2b)
R: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds;...

I believe that there is indeed nothing more that God could have done for us which He has not done. The greatest mystery ever known to man is the mystery of God revealed in the flesh. Jesus was conceived for 9 months in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary and became man. We are invited to contemplate on these great and beautiful truths. There is no other name other than Jesus unto which we are to be saved. The revelation and manifestation of God who became man must be shown in us and cause an awakening in the personal level. Those who were present in the Nativity of our Lord and gazed at Infant Jesus in swaddling clothes in a manger have definitely experienced a personal awakening. Especially the eyes of the magi or the well known scholars and scientists at that time, they saw a baby lying in the straw but were able to grasp what their senses failed to fathom. They offered gifts and went down on their knees to pay homage to a God in the form of an innocent baby. They saw God and heaven here on earth and thus paved the way also for man to be with God in heaven. The faith of the Magi is the first fruits of the belief of the Gentiles. So that God will be known not only to Judea and the Jews but to the Gentiles as well. God came to save not just a few or the chosen people but He came to save us all. No one is excluded. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 John 4:7-10
...the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.


As we enter into the process of remaining in Jesus and move away from sin then we'll have a joy that lasts forever. There is a temptation for us not to follow the Lord's words and commandments. It is understandable that we sometimes fall into the trap of sin. The temptations make us remember the nice but fake stuff and overlook the real thing. It makes us go with opinions that are widespread. We have to realize that God is offering us something infinitely great. God invites us to offer ourselves to Him wholeheartedly. God is not solitary. Jesus and the Father are one in union with the Holy Spirit. We need to believe this with a childlike faith. What is it to be a child? It is to believe in love and its loveliness and to believe in belief. It is to hold infinity and eternity in the palm of our hands. It is like a child grasping the hand of another and just following wherever it leads. We have our fears, insecurities and worries for a future that is planned but may never come. We must not lose sight of the truth that we have our guardian angels always praying for us that we must not forget what we are destined for. He sees to it that the Lord rules over us so that God's light and life may penetrate every nook in our lives. God's will be on earth as it is in heaven for it is no longer us who live but Christ who lives in us. In our life's struggles and difficulties it is always good to know that we have a friend in Jesus who will never disappoint us. Just like any other relationships, true friendship is put to the test and one thing I am sure of, in Jesus we've found the perfect and loyal friend. We always have a choice. We can be a friend or an enemy to someone whenever we choose to. But think about it, no matter how difficult life situations may be, we always have a better choice and it is always wise to settle for the best choice. That is to listen and follow the advice of our one true and loyal bestfriend, Jesus. In response to this great love of God for us it is only right and fitting that we remain in Him by keeping His commandments and be completely joyful in the life He has meant for us. Amen. Hallelujah!

John 15:9-17
9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete...