I was also able to see a portion of the movie Gideon 300 and
could still remember how my cousin was so impressed by those men in that movie.
He said that before they started shooting the movie the characters needed to go
on a rigid fitness program in order to develop a great physique and the so
called 6 pack abs that most athletes and exercise buffs develop through the
years of training, dedication and hard work by performing and sticking to a
comprehensive exercise program. Although I did not watch the entire film I have
gathered from what I've seen that the fact that Gideon is a powerful champion
really has to be established not just based on the story but on how he will
appear on screen. He must really give justice to the role he portrayed as
Gideon being a very popular bible personality known for his bravery and courage
which brought about his victorious conquests. Before it all came to be, Gideon
was full of doubt and did not have the confidence to carry it out as stated in
the reading today but he became a champion for the Lord gave His power and
might in him. Amen. Hallelujah!
Judges 6:11-24a
...While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the
winepress to save it from the Midianites, 12 the angel of the LORD appeared to
him and said, “The LORD is with you, O champion!” ...But he answered him,
“Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the meanest in Manasseh,
and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.” 16 “I shall be with
you,” the LORD said to him, “and you will cut down Midian to the last man.” ...
What a wonderful
world this place that we live in could be if only we listen to the instructions
constantly being given to us in the scriptures. We have an awesome God who
always speaks to us in a very timely and specific manner. His messages are
fitted to the situation we are presently experiencing right now. We should
remain confident that God will make a way. There is really nothing more that
God can do for us that He has not done. God is never short of blessings to
shower on us. He has made it all available to us through His Son. All that is
needed is for us to make our move. Let us open ourselves to God's presence in
our lives and know that there is never a moment in our life when He is away
from us for it is always the other way around. For we are the ones turning away
from Him and placing blocks and hindrances between us whenever we can't find
Him.
We are constantly being faced by challenges to our faith
especially at this present time. It is easier to be firm in our faith when
times are easy but when tough times come that is when we are put to the test.
No matter how difficult things may seem we should never give in to the pressure
and remain steadfast. We can always choose to do the right thing if we
safeguard in our hearts the truth about God knowing that it is always for the
best. We need not be afraid of anything although this is something that we all
find very difficult to do. They say faith and reason do not work together just
like science and religion. This is not a fact but a fallacy. These things in
fact compliment each other because one supports the other. There is no faith
without reason and vice versa. We can not just have one and lack the other.
This has to be very clear in our heads. We should always try to condition
ourselves in the atmosphere of God's presence. We should gear ourselves toward
that direction so that we place ourselves within His reach, it's not that God
can not reach us but we hinder God from reaching out to us. When we do not
respond to His call and shut off our ears although we are within hearing range,
we fail to get the message. Which reminds me of Bernadette's ear, when we went
to her doctor she underwent a procedure (ear lavage) in order to unclog her
left ear but prior to that she was already instilling ear meds for 4 days. The
nurse explained to her that it can be painful and can cause her to feel dizzy
and asked her if she still wants it done and she agreed. Sometimes we have to
resort to very uncomfortable measures in order to be cured in the same way we
should maintain such condition spiritually so that we can always keep our ears
open to God's word. Wherever God is, there is always peace and prosperity. It
is only natural that we have longings and desires because God Himself planted
it in our hearts. We all long for the good things in life and God Himself can
provide for all these things. It is just sad that we reach out for other things
that we thought are good for us. We do not realize that we have to seek first
the Kingdom of God
P S A L M
Psalm 85:9. 11-12. 13-14
R: The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD-for he
proclaims peace to his people. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who
fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall
meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the
earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The LORD himself
will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice
shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)
A task like preparing for death may sound unthinkable for
some or even morbid and scary. This should not be the case. If we are aware of
a Kingdom of endless glory that awaits us, a 100x more profit and eternal life
then we will all be waiting in line so to speak just to invest everything we
have for it. It gives us a feeling of consolation too knowing that it doesn't
work quite like the way the world thinks. It is not a matter of who was first
but who perseveres and not let go of God's promises until the end. In our
journey here on earth we encounter so many things in our lives that sometimes
push us to the wall and feel like giving up. When we are confronted with such
situations we sometimes succumb to the remedies and recommendations that are
popularly subscribed in this world we
are in. It is never easy to live consistently the reality in today's gospel. We
doubt, question and resort to the seemingly wise, practical and handy solutions
being presented and offered to us in an enticing way. We end up taking for
granted what should always be embedded in our hearts, minds and souls. We
forget the benefit of knowing that God can do the ultimate good to us than
follow the wisdom of men and this world. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 19:23-30
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is
impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him in
reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for
us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me,
in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves
sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel . 29 And everyone who has
given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit
eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be
first.”
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