Our God is incomparable for He loves us with a love greater
than any other. From the moment we were conceived in our mother's womb, even
before we were born, God already knows each one of us by name. Let us always align our will, intentions,
motives and actions with God. It is always good to check ourselves constantly
and regularly at every given opportunity. Nothing is ever wasted nor considered
useless for as long as we offer it to God. We have all been called by God for a
purpose. He already had a plan laid out for us even before we were born. We are
that special to God. Let us not forget our holy calling from God. Let us become
the man or woman God has meant us to be and live each day of our lives in
answer to this call. The readings for today continue to reflect on the Holy
Servant Songs of Jesus. The mention of being called even from a mother’s womb,
the 2 edged sword and polished arrow are symbols of God’s words. The Word that
reaches to the ends of the earth, penetrates the hearts of people and able to
separate soul and spirit. The passion
and death of our Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecies more than 500
years before this event took place. It is part of the plan that God revealed to
the world. We have to develop an awareness of these things and Jesus Christ
Himself. Let us constantly build our confidence in God who never fails. There
is really nowhere else to go but to Him alone. By just looking back at our past
and present we can only come up with just one thing which is God is constantly
at work and in charge of our lives for as long as we live even unto death. Many
of our brothers and sisters all over the world suffer persecution for their
faith. This is a fundamental human right proclaimed to be enjoyed by everyone.
Religious freedom is the path to peace according to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
It is a sacred right to have religious freedom. Without openness to the
transcendent, a human being withdraws to himself and fails to experience
authentic freedom which leads to violation of other human rights as well. This
is vital in building a just society.
Wherever religious freedom is denied human dignity is offended with a
resulting threat to justice and peace. We can not deny the assistance and
various contributions of religious communities and believers. It has proven to
be effective for the promotion of the common good. This is a force that could
not be reckoned with or the truth that we can not deny. No matter how radical
secularization tries to eliminate any reference to religion or any input the
voice of religion may have. It can not ignore the religious dimensions of a
society. This is a truth that we can not deny. Authentic religiosity is the
source of a loving approach of brothers and sister as a whole family. It has to
be freely chosen according to one’s conscience and not violently imposed. God
beckons humanity with a loving plan and calls for a free and responsible answer
that engages the whole heart. Amen. Hallelujah!
Is 49:3, 5-6
3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel , through whom I show my
glory. 5 For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the
womb, ...I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to
the ends of the earth.
We need to persevere in prayer so that as we improve and
daily grow in His knowledge and ways then we can easily discern and be more
sensitive of how God speaks to each one of us in a very close and personal way.
We should always listen intently to what God is telling us so we could
effectively carry out what He wants us to do. It is God's will that we engage
in activities that will enrich and deepen our faith in Him. In order to love
someone better we have to know him/her better. The more you know about a person
the more you become close to each other. The same way with God there is a need
to really know more or everything there is to know about God. We must not be
distracted and dissuaded to do otherwise when beset with problems and
difficulties. If we have developed a great sense of confidence and faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ then we can fearlessly and undauntedly do whatever He wills
for us. We've got the very best friend we can ever have in Jesus. All we have
to do is listen to and follow Him. He is the Rising Sun and Light of the world
who came to live with us to direct our feet into the path of peace. Doing God’s will may not be easy but if we
have placed it in the center of our hearts then it will just come naturally as
it becomes the powerhouse or mitochondria of our beings. The transcendent
nature of humanity calls for dialogue and human understanding. In the face of
difficulty and sign of contradiction we should never lose heart. Remember these
words from the gospel, Mt. 5:10-12, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for
the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you
when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you
(falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in
heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Violence is not
overcome by violence. The world needs God. Authentic weapon for peace is
religious freedom as in to practice faith without coercion. Today we remember
the plight of our brothers and sisters throughout the world who suffer greatly
for the faith. We pray that religious freedom will not be eroded for those who
can practice it. We continue to hope in the grace of God for that alone will
suffice. It is also very important that we follow the example of Mary's perfect
obedience to God's will so that we can find delight in following God's laws.
May our Lord show us the path to peace and use us as instruments and builders
of peace. Nothing should ever stop us from doing the will of God for it is
ultimately the best option we've got. If we have developed a great sense of
confidence and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ then we can fearlessly and
undauntedly do whatever He wills for us. Once we've known who God is and what
He is capable of doing in our lives then there is really nothing that should
stop us in saying with all our hearts the responsorial psalm for today. Amen.
Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
R: Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
1 [2] I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped
toward me and heard my cry. 4 [5] Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry or to those who stray after falsehood. (R) 6 [7]
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me.
With all the shortages that affect the whole world and the
different crises that we are all facing today we can't help it, if we feel
insecure and afraid. Especially in times when we start to run out of resources,
this usually happens to most of us these days. We must realize that there is
only one thing needed and we have to make it our choice so that it will not be
taken away from us. We need not be worried and anxious about a lot of things.
As in Lk. 10:41-42, The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you
are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." If we
choose the right thing then we can claim all other things, as in Mt. 6:33,
"But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given you besides." To top it all, we are assured in
today's 1st reading that we are sufficient for God alone provides. They say
experience is the best teacher. As we go on with our daily life and charge each
day to experience, there is a need to really open the door of our hearts and
allow Jesus to not just be a part of our life but be guided by the WWJD (What
would Jesus do?) principle and do exactly what Jesus would do if he happens to
be us. In the 2nd reading, it is written, “to you who have been
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,” This pertains to the church. It
continues to grow but it is also a reality that Christians are the most
persecuted people in the world. As Christ said in John 15:20, “Remember the
word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.' If they persecuted
me, they will also persecute you.” We have to pray for our brothers and sister
that are suffering throughout the world for their faith, who profess the name
of Jesus Christ as our Lord. Statistics say that for every 10 people, 7 can not
proclaim their faith. Christians are the most persecuted. There are 2 types of
religious persecution, one by the government and the other is those who belong
to minority groups. These are in the form of political oppression,
discrimination and intolerance. Religious freedom has declined in several
countries. There is hostility against the Catholic Church for its stand on
prolife issues. This is a reality for the majority of Christians. We are
encouraged to support our brethren in whatever way possible especially through
prayers. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Cor 1:1-3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of
God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church
of God that is in Corinth , to you who have been sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 1,29-34.
...“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the
world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead
of me because he existed before me. ’
...“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I
did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On
whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will
baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son
of God.”
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