CHARISMATIC

Today’s 1st reading reminded me in a very special way of my 1st Charismatic experience. I should say that all my decisions and course of action would have been a lot different today if I wasn’t a Renewed Catholic Charismatic yet. If I were to recall the life I used to have before I became renewed I must say that this personal relationship and commitment to God that I have right now I owe a lot to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement that was introduced to me many years ago at a time when I was experiencing one of the most challenging events in my life. This PAST weekend the Southern California Renewal Communities more popularly known as SCRC celebrated its Annual Convention at Anaheim as if emphasizing to me even more the great impact and role of renewal communities in the life of Catholics nowadays. I have a high regard for it that I make it a point to always engage myself as much as possible in any charismatic activity. This is why every Catholic Charismatic here in California, I suppose is aware of this big event being celebrated every Labor weekend in Anaheim, California. Although we are not promised an easy life after the renewal we can always hold on to God for strength and support. With what had happened and is presently happening in my life I can proudly say that it has definitely helped me persevere in the faith, become firmly grounded, stable and always being assured by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah!

 Colossians 1:21-23

21 Brothers and sisters: You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds; 22 God has now reconciled in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death, to present you holy, without blemish, and irreproachable before him, 23 provided that you persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, am a minister.

 There is no doubt that only with God’s help can we make things right. If ever we are experiencing tough times lately and falling into the trap of hopelessness and despair then we should keep in mind that our circumstances does not change the fact we have a God who upholds our life and we should not let it get in the way for this truth to be known and proclaimed by not entertaining any trace of doubt about this. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Psalms 54:3-4, 6, 8

R: God himself is my help.

1 [3] O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. 2 [4] O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. (R) 4 [6] Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. 6 [8] Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness. (R)

 I could never forget the Annual Convention of SCRC (Southern California Renewal Communities) in 2009 when I was there for the entire duration (3 days) of the said activity. But the past few years I was not able to take part in it. Just look at the irony of things. We sometimes promote the importance of certain activities in the lives of Catholics today but we also end up unable to attend and become part of it. It may appear contradictory when we profess one thing but unable to act on it. Rather than think of it this way it should call our attentions to what is more important and essential. God knows as the gospel today tries to teach us that there are some things that we ought to do but due to a valid and more pressing issue that needs to be addressed immediately we are obliged to respond to that responsibility over the other. In Nursing. we have the so called Triage wherein we prioritize patient care based on the principle of ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) If the patient has an airway problem then he/she in principle gets priority care. But it does not always follow since there is also a need to take into consideration other factors that may not be an A priority  and could be a B or C but is more severe in nature. The same could be true for some instances in our faith. Sabbath Day has always been a much talked about issue because of the so many questions and concerns related to it. There are a lot of differences in opinion when it comes to observing the Sabbath. Jesus and His disciples were questioned by the Pharisees and He explained with a concrete example that love and compassion for our fellow human beings come first. We should not be blinded by certain legalities in the law which were meant first and foremost to serve the interest of man rather than the other way around. Sometimes we come to a point where we are a bit confused of how we are supposed to act in such situations.  This only reminds us to practice triage in our faith which in fact does not lessen the importance of one over the other but rather teaches us to always take into consideration the Spirit of the Law which is love, over the Letter of the Law. The spirit of the law above all is love. God doesn't impose impossibilities on us and maintains His goodness and mercy for He is a God of love and mercy. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 6:1-5

1 While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. 2 Some Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 3 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? 4 How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions.” 5 Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.”