ABC OF FAITH

As human beings we go through different stages in life as we grow old and should strive to become a better person in the process. It would always help to assess how we are doing with our life. This reminds me of an episode of Grey's Anatomy entitled, "I saw what I saw" The doctor was examining a conscious, up and about patient in the ER who had minor burns due to a fire that broke out in the hotel where they were staying. Her vital signs were normal, in fact she was completely aware of what was going on around her. She was in the process of being examined further when she suddenly screamed because she saw another patient who just got admitted in the ER, with a big ax planted and poking out of his chest. He is a firefighter who tripped and accidentally axed his own chest. It was quite a scene that the doctor who was examining her got distracted and totally forgot about what she was about to do to her. Unfortunately, what was bypassed in her assessment is the most important and top priority in the care of a patient, airway. It is the A in the ABC of Patient Care. She happened to inhale soot which caused the blockage of her airway and from there arose all other problems and eventually led to her death. This happened very quickly despite the remedy and eventually drastic measures implemented by not just one but almost all the good doctors in the ER who attempted to save her life. And to think, that it was all because of the failure to do just one step. In the procedure, the failure to look into the patient's airways, i.e, nostrils and throat is a simple and easy step of assessing the airway but spelled the difference between life and death. Today's 1st reading, Jeremiah reminds us of our top priority as Christians. There may be times when we are distracted, lured and carried away by the things that are going on around us. Let us not continue to be distracted. We ought to realize that an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. It would always be for our own good that we always assess our standing before God so as not to end up in a hopeless condition when cure is already impossible before we pay attention to God. To love and observe God's commandments should always come first and be the A in the ABC of our faith in God. We should assess our standing before God, recognize our faults and be rid of whatever it is that is keeping us from fully experiencing the compassion and forgiveness of God. Let us not be tied down with our guilt and get it on with repentance. Our sins can never be bigger than the love and mercy of God. We must never doubt God's goodness in the same way that we should never hesitate to love and obey God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Jeremiah 14:17-22

…We recognize, O Lord, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. 21 For your name’s sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. 22 Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.

Sometimes we go through life not really knowing what we're missing. Let us no longer miss out but rather benefit and enjoy the goodness of God. We sometimes wonder how an act of obedience to God can seem so difficult at times even if we know for a fact that it is for our own good. It is our sins that draw us farther away from God, bury us deeper and bind us in chains. It all begins with just a slight act of disobedience or negligence on our part which takes a hold of us and before we know it we've gone so far away from God. Let's not wait any longer before it's too late. The time is now for us to repent and go back to God. It is inevitable that we always give praise to God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 79:8, 9, 11, 13

R: For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.

8 Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low. (R) 9 Help us, O God our savior, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake. (R) 11 Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you; with your great power free those doomed to death. 13 Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; through all generations we will declare your praise.

Jesus in today's gospel gives us an explanation of the parable of the weeds. Although we are not of this world we can not deny the fact that we are still in this world. We are still bound and living here on earth so we must be aware of the fact that we are exposed to the elements of this world we are in. The more we know and understand this parable the better we can cope. This explicit illustration allows us to picture ourselves in the field. From here we can already pace ourselves and gear up. We've got to be active and alert since there is a continuous battle that is raging between good and evil. We are told of what destiny awaits the damned and the followers of the evil one. If we are wise then we should know where we should stand and which side we should work for. There are only 2 sides, God’s side and the enemy’s side. We are challenged every single day before we reach the end of the age to make a clear stand, no in between. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Matthew 13:36-43

...“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, 38 the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age...