BEYOND MEASURE

We know that words are not enough to describe how great the love of God is but Paul gave it his best shot. Today's 1st reading is filled with inspiring, poetic and heartfelt words in his letter to the Ephesians. It can never capture the fullness of its meaning but we can always strive to show a tiny portion of it. As in a loving parent to a child is something we can all relate to since we are all children of our parents and could be parents too ourselves. Looking back at all those years when we were still very young made me like to honor my mother for the great sacrifice she made for us, her children. She was the only one left to our care because my father passed away at a very young age. My brothers and I were all witnesses to the great love and care she showered on us. I should say we could very much relate to that kind of love. But to suffer to a most humiliating and painful death an only Begotten Son for the sake of another is an angle that we may never come to fully understand for its breadth, length, height and depth is too much for us to bear. It is beyond measure. Who could have done such a great sacrifice but only God our Savior who loves us to the end.  Do you want to get hold of the greatest treasure ever known? We may search long, hard and far and find nothing for it lies right within us. We can never find any other treasure greater than the love of God planted in our hearts. We may not fully understand it but if we strive to be faithful, holy and persevere to the end then we can get hold of it. Once we have it then we will surely never let go. Amen. Hallelujah!

Ephesians 3:14-21

...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us...

We may have heard and seen some terrible and frightening things in our life but we should always hold on to the truth that no matter how horrible the things that are happening around us they don't change the fact that our Lord is God and always in charge and in control. We should place our trust not in men or in things but in God alone. The Lord did not promise us to be totally problem free but He gave His assurance that He will always be our Savior and Redeemer. Let us ask the Lord to lead us to the right path and decisions that we may work toward the building of God’s kingdom here on earth. We should not give room to any doubt, fear, anxiety, impatience, irritability, hatred, sadness, iniquity, unfaithfulness, disloyalty, pride and loss of self control. Let us not choose to give in to these. They are all characteristics that should not be found in a people the Lord has chosen to be His own. Let us never lose sight of this wonderful plan that God has for all of us. We may not be seeing it right now, having doubts about it, not paying attention to it or unable to commit to it. Whatever it may be, these are all hindrances that prevent us from gaining access to the goodness of the Lord. Never allow ourselves to miss out on this privilege that is accorded to all of us as the children of God. God chose us first and it is only right and fitting that we choose Him too. If we always focus on the Lord and put His words in our presence at all times then we can be assured that we have a lamp unto our feet that is lighting our path. We have to entrust all our cares and worries to the Lord for He can do better things for our lives than all our works combined. No matter how hard we try to succeed in what we do if it's not in accordance to God's plan then nothing will ever come out of it. We may succeed in one aspect but we will never be totally at peace for in the end it will always be the will and plan of God that will prevail. We just have to acknowledge that we are sparing ourselves of all the trouble and heartaches if we will just be obedient and completely trust in the Lord's plan. We all have our personal plans and designs and we may not be able to fully understand what is going on at the present time. It is not easy for the wisdom in the eyes of God is foolishness to the world but what's most important is that we should always consult everything to God first, just believe and surrender everything to Him or He knows best. We have to realize this one most important truth that we should all subscribe to, which is to constantly align ourselves and conform to the will and plan of God in our lives. The power of God knows no limits and we can always rely on Him for anything that we are in need. Let us rely on God's power and completely trust Him to bring to fulfillment everything that He has promised. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19

R: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

...the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations 4 Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full... Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. 18 But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine...

Today's gospel seems to contradict what Jesus came here for when He denies to have come to bring peace, where He announces division and fire. There is really a need for us to not just reflect on the words of God but know the underlying reasons for such statements. This is one of the reasons why I will forever be grateful for those times when I attended the San Lorenzo Bible Study. It is through it that we learn a lot of things that we just don't get from reading the bible. I have always appreciated the generosity of our teachers to impart and share to us their knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus and more. The more here stands for a lot of things like the in between the lines and behind the scenes scenarios that I would have never known but have come to learn about it, that I will forever be grateful of. No matter what situation there is around us, there is only one thing required of us. That is to fully decide for and stand by what God wants us to do. It may be difficult and not in accordance to this world's standard causing you to look queer and different but if it's God's will then it must be the best. God is good and God really provides. I would also like to quote what is written in the Kerygma reflection I read. "Let us seek to imitate this all-or-nothing attitude of Jesus in the way we follow Him as His disciples. Let us live for excellence in obedience to God’s will and never be willing to settle for second best!" We all have a mission in life that we have to fulfill when we were born here on earth. The Baltimore Catechism explains it to us in simple terms. God made us to show forth His goodness and to share with us His everlasting happiness in heaven. To gain the happiness of heaven we must know, love, and serve God in this world. We learn to know, love, and serve God from Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who teaches us through the Catholic Church. In today's gospel, Jesus is full of zeal to accomplish what God has sent Him to do without regard for the manner it is to be carried out. He is detached from the things of this world and is on fire with passion to fulfill God's mission. Sometimes we, too become so restless when we know that there are things we ought to do but haven't done them. Somehow we know this feeling and could very well relate to it. The only difference lies in this question, what are the things we want to accomplish. It would help to consider this powerful statement from Companion which says, THINK: The best way to honor the Lord is by living according to His plan and promoting the Gospel in all that we say and do. In addition to this, is the reflection question from Sabbath. Do you get going even when the going gets rough? Do you find company in the Lord during these times? Do you accept challenges as opportunities to prove your faith in God? By Your grace, Lord, let me not compromise my faith when life gets tough. You are my strength and my shield. Amen. Hallelujah!

                     

Luke 12:49-53

49 Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! 50 There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.