What people commonly refer to as coincidence is in truth
undeniable proof that we have a God of perfect timing and precision. In today's
1st reading, it is emphasized that apart from God’s ability to
fulfill His promise we are also expected to not doubt in unbelief. Jesus is the
seed of Abraham. When baptized we are joined to Jesus and confirmed when Jesus
even said to St. Paul on the road to Damascus, whatever Saul is doing to the
Christians is being done to Himself. (Acts 9:4) We are members of the body of
Christ. We belong to Abraham by virtue of baptism and Jesus being seed of
Abraham. Through Christ we belong to the people of the promise. We who belong
to Him are the new chosen people. But it was not for him alone that it was
written that “it was credited to him”; it was also for us, to whom it will be
credited, who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead who
was handed over for our transgressions and was raised for our justification. The
readings these past few days have been consistently proclaiming about God's
promise to Abraham. He is the model of faith in the Old Testament because he did not withhold sacrificing his son, Isaac to God. In effect, today's 1st reading assures us that it was not
for him alone but also for us who believe and follow his example of great faith. Amen. Hallelujah!
Romans 4:20-25
20 Brothers and sisters: Abraham did not doubt God’s promise
in unbelief; rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God 21 and was
fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do...But it was
not for him alone that it was written that "it was credited to him";
it was also for us, to whom it will be credited, who believe in the one who
raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over for our transgressions
and was raised for our justification.
We may have been in a situation wherein we are at a loss and
torn between doing and not doing something. There may be times when we are
confronted with several mind bogglers and twisters due to certain situations
and people we meet and talk to. All of them may be pointing to something we have
been very unsure of doing. God is always generous in His response to us and
would let us know what to do if we truly seek His will. Try God in prayer and
He will surely show us the way. Although there are times when we are having
cold feet we should continue to hope that God is always consistent and never
fail or falter. No matter what our situations are we must not lose sight of the
fact that we have a loving God who never miss a single day in reminding us that
He is God and in control. The Lord our God is able to carry out what He has
promised to do. He is God and Lord of the Universe. There is nothing more that
God can do for us that He did not do. Let us always have this confidence and
trust in the Lord, the same God of Israel who came to them and has come to us. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Luke 1:69, 70, 71-72, 73-75
R: Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his
people.
69 He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the
house of his servant David. (R) 70 Through his holy prophets he promised of old 71 that he would save us from
our sins from the hand of all who hate us. 72 He promised to show mercy to our
fathers and to be mindful of his holy covenant. (R) 73 This was the oath he
swore to our father Abraham: 74 to set us free from the bonds of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, 75 holy and righteousness in his sight all
the days of our life.
Today’s gospel is definitely not a far cry from the messages
being conveyed in all the other readings for today. In fact it is explicitly stated
what will become of those who fail to store up treasures in heaven. Everything
else will be for nothing if we are not wise enough to realize what’s truly
important and essential in this life. We should not continue wasting and
throwing away precious time and opportunities to invest and be rich in what
matters to God. God is indeed a God who will always assure us and will never
leave us feeling at a loss. There are so many conflicts going on around us and
sometimes we get too carried away by the concerns of this world we sometimes
overlook what's most important and essential. Although we are part of this
world we should not forget that at the end of it all, the only thing that will
matter is our stored up treasure that matters to God. What is our main focus in
life? If we still find ourselves attached more to other things than what God
calls us to do then we are in danger of missing the true wealth. It is easier
when we have to choose between good and bad but more difficult when we are
confronted with choices that are both good. Today's gospel speaks of a fool who
did not make the wisest choices. We must pray for the gift of discernment in
order for us to recognize what is truly important and essential in life.
Today’s gospel is also another assurance from the Lord that He will never
forsake nor leave us and will always uphold our cause. It is only right and
fitting that we continue to give honor and praise to Him by reflecting God in
our lives. We have to be rich in the eyes of God and not in the eyes of men.
God's impression of us is what matters most and everything else will follow.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 12:13-21
...“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may
be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”... … God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you
have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ 21 Thus will it be for the one who
stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.”
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