Today’s 1st reading is kind of special because it
is one of the things that I first learned when I became a charismatic and it
has never left my memory. It is something that I always remember especially
when I encounter people who have lived very long. It’s funny how I always ask old people if
they have honored their parents well.
This promise does not just say long life but it may also go well in life.
If we sometimes get disappointed with the promises that people make, we can
always count on the promises of God. In everything, let us give praise and
glory to God. God knows every single thing about us, nothing is hidden from
Him. If we abide by His will then we
will surely find that it is the best for us, nothing else could be above or
over it for whatever God wants for us is surely what is good for us if we will
just do it wholeheartedly for the Lord.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 6:1-9
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is
right. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a
promise, 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on
earth.” ...as you are obedient to Christ not only when you are under their eye,
as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and
wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the
sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men. You can be sure that everyone,...
will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well.
There is really none like our God. We can have all the
things that this world can offer but in the end we will still be wanting and
not satisfied if we do not have God in the center of our life. The Lord has
always been faithful and not a single moment would He ever not be. We should
have the confidence always of a beloved child of God and the honor of being on top
of God's creation. The Lord is always ready to extend His help and shower His
blessings on us, His people. The question is, are we willing to accept His help
and stay within the circle of His blessings? This question is very critical and
sometimes left unanswered, neglected and taken for granted. When we choose to
continue in the path that does not lead us closer to God the answer is clear,
it is a no. When we direct our actions in things that draw us closer to God
then it is a Yes. If this is so true for us then we ought to do as the psalm
reading today tells us. All our thoughts, words and actions should reflect how
great our God is. As humans we tend to downplay God's role in our life because
we subject our experiences to human terms and conditions. We are still bound by
the limitations of this world we are in and we can't help it. We sometimes just
go with the flow and get carried away by the pressures imposed to us by our
present and existing situations. Today's psalm tells us that we owe God more than
just plain courtesy for His goodness. Whenever we watch box office hit super
hero movies, news about it spread like wildfire and the promotion for it is
international that almost everybody around the globe gets to know about it and
watch it. If only we can devote that same fervor and enthusiasm in spreading
word about the greatest Super Hero of all times, Jesus and make a decision to
watch His life unfold and be part of our own, then we can someday be a part of
God's great Kingdom in Heaven. Sometimes we might even have to come to a point
when we look and sound strange for
others or even suffer the ridicule of not just others but the very people who
comprise our circle of close family, relatives and friends. What matters most
is that we ought to give God what He rightly deserves, to be extoled and
praised forever. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14
R: The Lord is faithful in all his words.
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) The LORD is faithful in all his
words and holy in all his works. 14 The LORD lifts up all who are falling and
raises up all who are bowed down.
I am reminded of this old lady who will be celebrating her
birthday in 2 weeks. She will turn 91 on her birthday. A couple of years ago when
her loved ones threw a party for her she was told prior to it that she needs to
be strong enough so that she can enjoy it. She said that it was not easy for
her to do her daily walking exercises most especially after she had fallen. She
had become so unstable every time she stands up to walk but she painstakingly
works on it despite the difficulty it was causing her. This bible passage from
today's gospel somehow reminded me of it. I can't help but think of her the
moment I read it. I could remember very well the words, “strong enough” that was
specifically spoken to her. She knew what was required of her to achieve this
as advised by her Physical Therapist (PT), to keep on walking as much as she
can. We can see from the reading that Jesus advised the man to strive to enter
through the narrow gate. It is not like anybody can just enter the narrow gate
since it is stated that not all will be strong enough to do so. Just like this
old lady who committed to her physical regimen despite her discomfort in order
to achieve her goal, we too should devise a plan on how to be strong enough on
that final day. It is never easy for an old lady who just suffered a fall and
is afflicted with other illnesses to do such a thing. I have heard a lot of
amusing statements on growing old like, “It isn’t any fun getting old, growing
old ain’t for sissys, stay young and never grow old.” I guess being old itself
is already a narrow door that we have to face with God’s grace if ever we will
be given the chance. We all have our discomforts and difficulties that we have
to tackle in life. The same thing is true with my son, Allan. He had been
training really hard to the point of having to wake up as early as 4am daily to
swim at least 20 laps before going to school. On top of this is the need for
him to comply with all the demands of his academic subjects. He had always been
very positive with a lot of things and full of confidence with the rate he is
going with his physical stamina. He trains rigorously and regularly. He is very
committed to his goal and does everything that is needed in order for him to
improve and excel. He has gone a long way already from that overweight kid in
LSM (Lourdes School of Mandaluyong) Grade School to a varsity swimmer now in
DLSU (De La Salle University). As far as his physical state is concerned, he
has achieved his tip top shape. The need to be strong enough to enter the
narrow gate as gospel today mentions is not about the physical strength that we
can build up through training and workout but the strength of our souls. If we
can gain insight from this it is the fact that just like Allan's physical
regimen, we need strength training, workout and dedication too for our souls to
last through eternity. Perseverance is the key! Not everybody we expect to be
first always turns out to be first. Sometimes, things don't work out the way we
thought it would be, happen the way we planned it, or look the way it may seem.
All our hard work will be for nothing if we will not persevere, while holding on
to His promise that He will be faithful to complete what He has started in us.
Serving the Lord is not a bed of roses 'coz there are times when we fail and
falter. We must always reconcile ourselves to Him lest He find us in an
unprepared state and everything we've worked for will all be for nothing. The
present time is what counts so let us always choose the "narrow gate"
leading to God. "For many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not
be strong enough." May we always nourish our soul so that we will
cultivate a strong faith in God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 13:22-30
22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he
went and making his way to Jerusalem .
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered
them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will
attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 25 After the master of the
house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and
saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not
know where you are from.’ 26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your
company and you taught in our streets.’ 27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not
know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will
be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all
the prophets in the kingdom
of God kingdom of God
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