We, Filipinos observe the All Saints & All Souls Day
(Nov. 1 & 2) with much reverence and elaboration. I grew up with this
impression that these dates are very important for Catholics like us especially
for our family. It has become an occasion for our family to get together and
visit our departed loved ones in the cemetery. Since I came here in the US , a
lot of these things changed. Due to this, visiting a cemetery has become a
remote idea even on the 1st of November. But several times in the past I got
the surprise of my life when the unexpected happened. Unbelievably enough I had
the chance to go to one despite the absence of a relative to visit there. I was
able to pray for the souls of unknown people to me and it felt good. Amen.
Hallelujah!
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment
shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and
their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us,
utter destruction. But they are in peace...
Psalm 23 assures us where the road of God’s love will lead
us because it tells us exactly what kind of road we are heading to if we accept
the love of the Good Shepherd. When I was a young child, I used to sing and
imagine the scenario in the psalm reading for today. Psalm 23 has a Tagalog
song version in the Philippines
entitled, “Ang Panginoon ang aking Pastol” I have always loved singing it
because of the very comforting words in the song. It has always given me an
impression that with God on our side nothing can go wrong and if things seem to
look like there is something wrong there is really nothing to fear for He will
always be there to defend and protect. Let us not stray away from the Lord and
always stay in the flock that He cares for. We may have heard a story of how a
lion attacks its prey by separating it from the flock and once it has cornered
it and all alone that's the time it devours it. It pays to always stay in the
flock under the care of our Good Shepherd. We have to make sure we are not
misguided or deceived by a fake shepherd and really belong to the flock of
sheep that Jesus shepherds. If we are just to read and understand very well
every word said in today's psalm then we ought to find ourselves the most
contented and secured person in the whole wide world. There should be no more
room for fear, doubt and anxiety. We've got to develop the confidence and faith
of a person who have truly believed that the Lord is our shepherd. A sheep
without a shepherd doesn’t know where to go and get food. They just stand there
looking dumb and hungry. Today's psalm is a reminder and great consolation that
we are the sheep and the Lord is our Shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd as
stated in today's psalm. He makes us want for nothing more. We are so caught up
with our problems and concerns in life that we become oblivious of God. We do
not see the love of God in the midst of these disturbing events. In our journey
here on earth we are all confronted with the bitter and harsh realities of
life. Let us always remember and never forget that on top of those realities is
the resounding truth and most essential one that we have a Good Shepherd. We
should praise and thank God for those experiences although difficult served as
an inspiration which we could hold on to at times when things do not turn out
right. We can be assured that everything is in control although there is really
a need to go through a so called "dark valley" of our lives in order
for us to be fully aware that we have a God who looks after our welfare no
matter how things turn out unexpectedly and not according to what we have in
mind. We always have to believe that in the end, God is always on our side to
give us the courage to carry on and find that God got us covered. There is one
thing sure if we hold on to God as a sheep to the Good Shepherd, we will never
be disappointed. The words of God in today's readings give us an assurance that
He is always there for us. He said it and He means it then so be it. There is
nothing more He could possibly mean when He said that He is the Good Shepherd
other than He cares for us. He never forsakes nor abandons any single one of
His flock. Sometimes we are confronted with situations that push us to the
limits and thus we give way. This should never be the case at any single time.
We should not entertain the option that is clearly not pleasing to the Lord
even beyond the point of maximum tolerance. We may find ourselves able to
resist up to a certain extent only. Thus when the tough gets really tough we
would suddenly find ourselves shifting our loyalty. We only find ourselves
proclaiming God in our life when situations are favorable. It's such a pity if
we would ever come to this point where almost everybody in this world found
themselves comfortably positioned. We can easily change positions when things
get uncomfortable and easily turn our backs on what is ultimately God’s will
for us. As in Rev. 3:16, So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I
will spit you out of my mouth. It is time to make a stand and know which side
we really are rather than continue making excuses and justifications. We must
not doubt God's ability to be the Good
Shepherd that He really is to us and trust Him rather than ourselves to carry
out the plan He has for us. Just like
this old adage, "Never put the law into your hands." We should not
take away God's plan from His hands into ours and act like we know better. If
there's someone who could perfectly carry out this plan for our lives then that
is no other than God Himself. Nothing could be more perfect than entrusting our
life in God's hands. Just try to imagine ourselves right now, as is, where is
with all our cares and problems in this world. Then try to paint another
picture, this time with God as the Good Shepherd that tends the sheep, then
picture ourselves as that sheep that the Lord tends. Be still for a moment and
try to absorb and allow to sink in the words in the responsorial psalm. In
God's loving embrace we are secured and satisfied that there is nothing we
stand in need of. If the Lord is our shepherd who could ask for more? Goodness
and love pursue us all the days of our life. For as long we're sure that the Lord
Jesus is indeed the shepherd who leads us and whom we follow then there is no
doubt about this. We should thank the Lord for our daily assurances,
confirmation and in all circumstances. God will never allow us to go hungry and
will always give us what we need and even more. God is a generous God that when
we're feeling hungry or in need of something He is always there to provide, all
we have to do is trust Him in His ways, as He has promised. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (1)
R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives
me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He
guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark
valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that
give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness
follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
Nothing compares to the love that God has for us. A love
that goes beyond measure is what He offers to us. It should be freely accepted
without any pressure or force just like the way it was freely given to us
through His Son, Jesus. We need to be aware of it every single moment of our
lives. We are so blessed that His love for us surpasses all other kinds of love
we've ever known and we'll ever come to know. We may keep on searching for the
best kind of love but we'll just be disappointed if we look for it in other
than God Himself. For His love alone suffices. Everything happens for a reason.
Whatever the reason is we can be confident in the truth that God loves us so
much and hope that we will never be disappointed. As we continue the process of
living, dying and the hope of resurrecting, we the church of God
Romans 5:5-11 (or Romans 5:17-21 or Romans 6:3-9 or 1
Corinthians 15:20-28)
5 Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because
the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit
that has been given to us. 6 For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died
at the appointed time for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, only with difficulty does one
die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find
courage to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we were still
sinners Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we are now justified by
his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. 10 Indeed, if, while we
were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much
more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 Not only that, but we
also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now
received reconciliation.
Rejection is something that no one would like to experience.
We sometimes hesitate to approach a certain person because of fear of
rejection. We should no longer delay but make a decision to come to Jesus
instead for we are assured of His acceptance.
Today's gospel says it all, we'll
just have to take God's word for it. It's an all or nothing situation. There is
no in between when it comes to believing Jesus. If we really believe in Him
then it has to be all the way, no ifs and buts. We've got to give our all and
best shot for what's at stake here is definitely big time and would last for a
lifetime and eternity. This is our best bet and must not hold back because
nothing else could be worth more than this. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 6:35-40
...Everything that the Father
gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because I came down from heaven not to do my
own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39 And this is the will of the
one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I
should raise it on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that
everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I
shall raise him on the last day.”
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