Whenever I encounter readings like one in today’s 1st
reading that speak of the splendor of heaven what quickly comes to mind is the
passage from 1 Cor.2:9 But as it is written: "What eye has not seen, and
ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has
prepared for those who love him," Let us continuously work toward this
goal and not lose sight of it. It may not yet be fully seen, heard and known of
up to this present time but we hold on to God's word who have spoken and is
able to make all things possible. It is very difficult to have a clear picture
of how heaven looks like. The 1st reading today somehow gave a glimpse of it although
it is never as accurate as it can possibly be. We can only guess and imagine
for no one alive today has ever actually seen it. There were accounts of people
who claimed to have died for a short while and were transported into a place
that looks like heaven. We have not departed from our bodies yet that's why
it's still difficult for us to grasp the reality about heaven or even hell and
purgatory. We are still in this world and we are still bound and attached to
the values of this world that we are presently in. But the moment we die that
is the only time that we become in touch with these realities. Unless our souls
depart our human bodies which belong to this world, we can never truly
appreciate what heaven, our true home and where we belong, is all about. Only
our spirit that comes from God will remain with us when the final hour in this
world comes. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 21:9b-14
...He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed
me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its
radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12
It had a massive, high wall,...
If we are always mindful of the words of God written in the
bible then we can truly say that it is indeed what its acronym stands for which
is B - basic I-instructions B-before L-leaving E-earth. It is very important
that we have read and understood well what is written in the bible before we
exit this world. This reminds me of the video games that my sons used to play.
When they finish one level they have to enter into the next level which is more
difficult and so on and so forth until they reach the ultimate task and win the
final battle. It was like they needed to be well prepared and more skillful for
each level. This somehow reminds us of how we should approach our final day
here on earth. The gate of heaven has been opened and made accessible for us,
there is no question about it but the question is, "Are we ready and able
to go through it?" As in Eph. 6:13, "Therefore, put on the armor of
God, that you may be able to resist on
the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground." Another
thing is we have no idea when will that day come because we really do not know
the time or the hour. One thing for sure, the only way to go through it is by
being well prepared for it. Thus I wanted to share this story which I got from
an email.
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adored her with rich
robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the
best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing
her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would
leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was
always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a
problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the
difficult times.
The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made
great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not
love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of
her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short.
He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me,
but when I die, I'll be all alone.'
Thus, he asked the 4th wife , 'I loved you the most, endowed
you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm
dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'No way!', replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without
another word.
Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, 'I loved you all my
life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'No!', replied the 3rd wife. 'Life is too good! When you
die, I'm going to remarry!'
His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, 'I have always turned to you for
help and you've always been there for me.
When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the
2nd wife. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King
was devastated.
Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you
no matter where you go.'
The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was
very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the King said, 'I should have taken much
better care of you when I had the chance!'
In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:
Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort
we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we
die, it will all go to others.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much
they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the
grave.
And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of
wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us
wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only
part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us
throughout Eternity. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalms 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
R: Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of
your Kingdom.
10 Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your
faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and
speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious
splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your
dominion endures through all generations. (R) 17 The LORD is just in all his
ways and holy in all his works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth. (R)
If we just try to look back and recall we will find that all
throughout our lifetimes we really have a lot of things to be thankful for. I
should say that God is reminding me once again of some special events in my
life. Firstly because of the gospel reading for today since it was about the
story of Phillip who was the one who introduced Nathaniel or St. Bartholomew to
Jesus which reminds me of this person in my life who was also instrumental for
the deepening of my faith in Jesus. I could still remember the homily of Fr.
Rolly when he said that today's gospel should remind us of the person who
brought us closer to God. In my life she is Gloria Dar. I consider her a part
of my Christian life in almost the same manner that Philip in today's gospel
was to Nathaniel/St. Bartholomew. I was just new in the Catholic Charismatic
Renewal then and I must admit that she was one person that God has used
tremendously in my life. I could never forget when I was still pregnant with my
son Jude most especially because it was Sis Gloria Dar who envisioned Jesus
carrying a baby standing in the middle of our prayer circle and specifically
described Him wearing the Sacred Heart attire and said these words, "I
have a message for my daughter, consecrate the baby in your womb." This happened in a prayer meeting I attended
during that time which happened to be on the 9th day of my novena, and Sis
Gloria, the prayer leader whom I just met, did not know of my novena neither of
my pregnancy nor would even suspect of it. Looking back at my life back then
most especially at that time when I first had this devotion to the Sacred
Heart, I can never deny and forget for the rest of my life the dramatic and
significant events that happened during my novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and St. Jude Thaddeus which opened up the door for miracles to happen. I have witnessed the revelation of God's
great love to me especially when I gave birth to Jude, my 1st born son, as
proof of His undeniably awesome and unbelievable miracle when he came out
normal and healthy despite my problematic pregnancy. From that day forward, God
never ceased to amaze me every single turn in my life since His love is beyond
comprehension. In fact in just a few days which is on 31st of this
month he will celebrate his birthday. Another thing worth mentioning is the
fact that today’s gospel happened to be the same gospel when I shared about my
younger son, Allan’s experience with Bishop Soc Villegas who told him to become
a priest. If we are clueless about a lot of things then we can be assured that
there is someone who knows all these things. Today's gospel gives us a glimpse
of Jesus' true divinity. He is God and Immortal, nothing is hidden from Him and
everything is known to Him. It gives us confidence knowing that we have a God
who is able to carry us through. We can learn from Nathaniel or St. Bartholomew
as we profess with confidence the very words that he said to Jesus and really
believe in words, thoughts and deeds. Signs and wonders are wrought by God's
mighty hand each and every day. We must continue to trust that God knows the
things that happened, happening and is bound to happen as in today's gospel. On
top of it all is the promise of Jesus our Savior to see greater things than we
have all witnessed for the best is yet to come. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 1:45-51
...Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus
answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig
tree.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the
King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I
told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than
this.” 51 And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
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