KEEP OUR FOCUS

Sometimes when we engage ourselves in a conversation we completely forget the main reason why we called up and what we needed to tell a person. There are times when the same thing happens with our Christian life. Even if we already know what needs to be done as a follower of Christ we still fall short. We have to be reminded always and firmly grasp in our minds the truth about Jesus so that we do not become negligent, easily persuaded to change our loyalties and be misled but rather keep our focus. Amen. Hallelujah!

Philippians 2:1-11

... 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, 4 each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.

We should always maintain a humble spirit and heart before God. Only God knows what's going on inside our minds and hearts. He will always lift up those who trust in Him. Let us offer to God all our brokenness and downtrodden selves that He will be the one to lift us out of it. Yesterday my son, Jude discussed to me a concern that somehow disturbs him. I was quick to assure him and tried to boost his confidence. Although at the back of my mind there were also some clouds of doubt that tried to get to me which was immediately dispelled after I attended the Sunday mass. I was so excited in sharing to him what I experienced at mass. What was impressed in my heart came from the  songs sang during the celebration of the mass. The 1st song is entitled "Only in God" and the ff. lyrics: “I shall not be afraid at all, my stronghold, my savior, i shall not be moved...” from the 2nd song "The Lord is my light" w/ the ff. lyrics "If God is my help whom should I fear? The Lord is my refuge, my stronghold and my strength: why should I be afraid?" and the 3rd song which is the final song "Sing to the mountains" w/ the ff. lyrics "I will give thanks to you my Lord you have answered my plea... you are my strength and my song" These are all assurances that I felt come from God who answers all our prayers. No matter how doubtful and unsure we are of what we are confronted with in our lives we should not be afraid for the Lord assures us of His help. If we keep our focus on the Lord then we'll definitely find peace that the world can not give. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalms 131:1, 2, 3

R: In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

1 O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. (R) 2 Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. (R) 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.

We can never out give God. Today’s gospel teaches us to be generous in the manner that God wants us to be. There are times when we are guilty of being generous and kind to people for the wrong reasons. We must examine our motives and intentions and make sure that God is our first and foremost reason for our actions. We should really live the lesson being taught to us by Jesus in the gospel and not expect anything in return for the good we do for the Lord Himself will surely reward us at the right moment. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 14:12-14

12 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. 13 Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; 14 blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”