Today’s 1st reading is related to Hebrews 12
which was explained by Fr. Mitch Pacwa of EWTN. It tells details of how Jesus made us eligible for heaven. The covenant in Mt. Sinai is
compared with the new covenant in Christ as in Mt. Zion Mt.
Sinai Mt. Sinai
deserves great respect and gives us a sense of awe with a feeling of being
terrified and much trembling as described of Moses since his face was radiant
after coming down from Mt.
Sinai Jerusalem ,
we approach the saints. We have a communion with them as stated in the 1st
reading today, When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four
elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls
filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. The elders have golden bowls of incense which
are the prayer of the saints who are so close to God’s throne. They set our
prayers on fire and release its full power. Jesus is the New Moses, seals the
covenant in His own blood. We come with our prayers and ask the saints to pray
for us. Christ is the one who forgives our sins, the saints can not do
that. His sprinkled blood, speaks more
eloquently than that of Abel’s blood as it cried out from the earth for justice.
The blood of Christ cried out mercy and forgiveness of sins. This is what
Christ’s blood cries out for. The imperfect can’t enter heaven. God made them
perfect which is all part of this New Jerusalem. God answers prayers through
intercession of saints and angels and through the mediation of Christ with His
sprinkled blood. There is no cause for anyone of us to feel sad because we are
victorious in Christ Jesus. Without realizing this, a multitude of sorrow and
pain that is inevitably existent in this present world of ours is impossible to
bear. It feels good that this truth in today's 1st reading makes all the
difference. It's about time we always hang on to this truth, never forget and
even though we sometimes forget and neglect may we always be reminded and led
back to this reality. Amen. Hallelujah!
Revelation 5:1-10
“Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll
or to examine it. 4 I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open
the scroll or to examine it. 5 One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. The
lion of the tribe of Judah ,
the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its
seven seals.” 6 Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four
living creatures and the elders, a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. He had
seven horns and seven eyes; these are the seven spirits of God sent out into
the whole world. 7 He came and received the scroll from the right hand of the
one who sat on the throne. 8 When he took it, the four living creatures and the
twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp
and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. 9
They sang a new hymn: “Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open
its seals, for you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God those
from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. 10 You made them a kingdom and
priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.”
We may have seen people who are exercise and health buffs
and really take care of their bodies well. Just by looking at them we can
already say that they work hard to develop a muscular and strong body. They
were able to get good results because they have committed themselves to a
strict diet and exercise regimen. In the same way, we should work hard and
stick to a regimen that will maintain our souls in perfect shape. No matter who
we are, what we do and where we are we can no longer have any excuse not to
praise and give glory to God “as is where is”. We are all God's children and we
should rightfully assert our place in the kingdom of our God the Father. We are
the Church of God
which does not pertain to just the physical structure but also the Spiritual
Church of God which is our souls dwelling in the physical temple of God Japan . I was late and did not see
the demonstration so when I was given the flowers to arrange I just did it for
the sake of just getting it over and done with. What do you expect? I was not
proud of what I did. In fact I even removed the label from my work so nobody
would know that I was the one who did it since I am representing the Philippines .
It is a consolation to know that we have a God and Creator who knows perfectly
well what He is doing. No matter what we do to ourselves He will never disown
us. Since we are still in this world but definitely not of this world, which is
temporary. It should always be our daily commitment to God that we reconnect,
refocus, realign and all kinds of action that will redirect us to God in order
to withstand this constant battle and tug of war between good and evil. We just
have to realize that it is ourselves who eventually disown and turn our backs
on God knowingly or unknowingly. If we remain faithful to the Lord and live our
lives according to His decrees then we will always find ourselves rejoicing as
stated in the psalm reading today. We just need to remind ourselves always that
when He created us, humans, He saved the best for last. He even fashioned us in
His own image and likeness. In fact, up to this present time, scientists and
scholars have not fully solved and understood the mysteries and wonders of the
human body and soul. As far as science is concerned we the humans are the most
advanced living creatures in this planet endowed with all the capacities that
no other creatures are capable of. God will never run out of good things in
store for us. We might have hit rock bottom or the lowliest place in our lives
but we can always be assured that our God speaks in our hearts and will never
forsake nor abandon. If there's one thing that should never leave our minds and
hearts then that is the truth that we are on top of God's creation and takes
delight in us. If we are faithful to God then we can claim all the benefits of
being God's kingdom of priests. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 149:1b-2. 3-4. 5-6a and 9b
R: The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our
God.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song of praise in the assembly of
the faithful. 2 Let Israel
be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them
praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel
and harp. 4 For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with
victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon
their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the
glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
We sometimes wonder why things happen unexpectedly in our
lives like we have no clue that it's going to happen. But there are times when
we could have known for sure that it certainly was headed our way but we were
just too busy minding other things that it just faded in the background and we
failed to recognize that very critical hour of our visitation. As stated in
Companion we must not take for granted the grace of God when it is offered to
us, as our refusal always will have dire consequences. We should always place
God in the center of our lives. It should not be a surprise at all if we only
take with great seriousness the message being conveyed to us in today's gospel.
Once again I am reminded of a mentally challenged person who regularly attends
Wednesday evening mass with his caregiver who happens to be a member of the
choir. In spite of his mental disabilities he still managed to participate by
mumbling some words as he tried to keep up with the singing in the choir and
the responses all throughout the mass. Although he is unable to receive Holy
Communion, he still eagerly lined up as he was given a blessing by the
communion minister. I know that in God's infinite goodness and mercy, He still
looks with so much love, compassion and understanding at this man. He may be
mentally incapable of knowing the things going on around him during the mass
but it doesn't stop God from loving him just the same. So when we are
confronted with our incapacities and shortcomings let us not be hindered by it
and still go to God no matter how we may look or appear before others. A
mentally disabled man is free of any liability that has something to do with
any exercise of the mind due to his condition but we who are mentally sound and
given the full capacity of the use of our minds will have to measure up to it
for us not to end up in a miserable, pitiful and weepy situation. We may end up
saying that a mental retard is better off than we are if such will be the case.
God is weeping for us, for there is really a need for us to answer His call and
take responsibility for our actions lest we lose time and forfeit it. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Luke 19:41-44
41 As Jesus drew near Jerusalem ,
he saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If this day you only knew what
makes for peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days are
coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will
encircle you and hem you in on all sides. 44 They will smash you to the ground
and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another
within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
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