Today’s readings bring back memories of all sorts. My son,
Jude when he was still a few months old and he sees me coming home from work he
would giggle and start to raise his hand as a gesture that he wanted to be
carried. I was always full of joy whenever I see him do that. These kinds of emotions
impressed to me that God our Father feels even more strongly for us. Let us
think of ourselves kneeling before Him absorbed in prayer one that cultivates in
us a surge of strong emotion the kind that suddenly envelops us whenever we are
on the verge of shedding tears of joy. This we can feel if we imagine God right
before us, looking at us so eagerly and excited to give us a kiss and wrap us
in His arms like an eager parent is for a beloved child. While this is the case
for Jude it is not so for Allan. It made me think why my 2nd and youngest son,
Allan did not cling to me as much as Jude did when he was his age. I realized
that when I was still pregnant with Allan, Jude who was barely 3 yrs old then
would always embrace my tummy and stand in front of me as if saying that nobody
can come near me. That's why when I gave birth to Allan he would always cuddle
him and be very protective of him. In a way, God is reminding me that during
those times when I am at work or not around his Kuya Jude reflected to Allan
the love and care an infant normally longs for. Love is indeed transferable for
our God has a vast supply, it overflows. Another incident I am reminded of is
my being prone to bruising. I have noticed that I easily get bruised and must
admit was a bit scared about it. Especially when I realized that these bruises
were caused by very mild pressure for example the handle of my bag which is not
too heavy that was pressing on my arm can cause me to develop rash like patches
which usually appears whenever blood pressure cuffs are tightly wrapped around
my arm. There was one time when I laid my hands over my arm and prayed over
myself hoping that it will not result to something serious but was a bit
surprised when somebody told us that if we want to become saints in heaven
someday then we are really bound to suffer. I just didn't get it at first when
he suddenly said those things and was even rejecting the thought in my mind. But
everything is coming to me now. I am finally making more sense out of it especially
when I read today's 1st reading. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Peter 5:5b-14
...So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that
he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares
for you. 8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around
like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in
faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same
sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through
Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after
you have suffered a little...Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all
of you who are in Christ.
If we enter into agreement with any person we have to make
sure that we are able to fulfill it and vice versa for the person whom we make
a contract with. It is so disappointing when things do not turn out the way it
should be and terms and conditions are not followed. I guess, we have all
encountered mishaps and are dismayed along the way. It is always best that if there's someone
whom we should observe and maintain a covenant with then there should be no
other but God. For His words and promises will always remain true. As in
Habakkuk 2:2-3, "Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that
one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to
fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely
come, it will not be late." We can be assured that His covenant will last
and stand firm. Thousands of years have passed and only one name remains tried
and true and continues to stand the test of time and even eternity, the name
above all names, Jesus. If we are to look closely and pay attention to the
succession of events of the salvation history or covenant history which goes
back to the time of Adam & Eve and Noah and dates way back to 1800 BC
during the time of Abraham, Moses (1200), David (means the favored one,1000),
Exodus (600) to the birth of our Lord Jesus we will see God’s faithfulness and
steadfast love for His people. In this
time line are significant events that happened from the time of Creation when
God created man who fell into sin and became unfaithful and how God
continuously called us back to Him by showing us who He really is throughout
the length of time. As dramatic events unfold, like the entrance of the Israelites
to the promised land, the pockets of rebellion as they took over the 12 tribes
and settled into a life of monarchy (kings) from their 1st king (Saul) to King
David and King Solomon, the time of David is described as the greatest time of
the people of God. Today’s psalm speaks of how God is pleased with His faithful
servants and promises to maintain kindness forever. As we celebrate next week the
feast of St. Joseph
the Worker we look at him in the eyes of the Jews, he was the person who gave
Jesus His proper name and claim as descendant of King David. Joseph was more of
a foster father, because he was truly the legal father of Jesus. In like
manner, he was not just the guardian of Mary. Before the law and traditions of Israel ,
he was the husband of Mary of Nazareth, the one who legitimized the “virgin
birth” of Jesus to Mary. In the church’s liturgy, Joseph, aside from the
Blessed Mother, is the only saint mentioned in the “Divine Praises” for the
Eucharistic Benediction. Then, according
to experts on the apparitions of Fatima, Joseph was the only saint who appeared
with the Blessed Mother in those phenomena that happened in Portugal ." All these things
tell us that there is really no cause for worry and fear for we have a God who
is faithful to all His promises. We should always be reminded of this reality
and never doubt that everything will come to pass. Amen. Hallelujah!
R: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
1 [2] The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through
all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 2 [3] For you have
said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your
faithfulness. The heavens praise your marvels, LORD, your loyalty in the
assembly of the holy ones...
We see in today's gospel if we read further the divine power
of Jesus Christ as He ascended into heaven. He is now seated in the throne at
right hand of the Father. He has passed from death to another life beyond time
and space after His resurrection. The risen body of Christ was not recognized
immediately by Mary Magdalene and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. His
appearance was different in the resurrection from His earthly presence. His
humanity has entered into the glory of God. He was filled by the power of the
Holy Spirit and sharing in the divine light of God's glory. He is fully present
in the spiritual realm of the God the Father. Something of course that He has
from the very beginning since He shares in God's full divinity. He just wanted
to share this glory to us. He has entered into the glory of God to inspire us,
the faithful to offer our homage and adoration. The glory of God that appears
and disappears can only be discovered in the realm of faith. He is inspiring
faith in each one of us. His resurrection has reached its full significance in
this salvific event, His triumph and victory over sin and death. We remember
that He was condemned to death for claiming that He was the Son of God. With
His resurrection, He is confirmed and raised by the Father. Not raised like
Lazarus who died again but He is raised never to die again. He said that when
He is lifted up we would know that He is the Son of God and confirms His claim
about His divinity. He has defeated sin and death. We are truly free. His
resurrection is the principle and source of our resurrection. He is the source
of new life for everyone and manifests our adoption as children of God. He is
life itself. It is a hope that inspires faith and charity in us towards Him. He
is the source of life and our future resurrection. He dwells in our hearts
through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery we come in contact
with in the resurrection. In the ascension we see an even greater or another
difference in the veiled glory of the risen one and that of Christ ascended
into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Who is His
Father and our Father. Remember He said to Mary "Do not touch me as I have
yet not ascended to the Father." As He ascended in the clouds and into
heaven we look upon the full glory of God. The clouds symbolizes the fullness
of glory as we recall in the Old Testament the clouds that descends in Mt. Sinai
Mark 16:15-20
15 Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and
proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will
accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will
speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if
they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the
sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to
them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20
But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
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