PRESS CLOSER

We could very well understand why people let go of a gasp, a sigh in disbelief or even exclaim and react strongly whenever we hear of stories which started out well but ended up in disappointment. A good storyline, is something that builds its peak as it goes along and sustains it as it reaches the climax in the end. Today's 1st reading as far as this principle is concerned is a flop based on how King Solomon's life started as a well celebrated and famous king of Israel whose wisdom was well known for all time but ended up in failure because he did not sustain and live up to the great inheritance and legacy that was handed down to him by his father, King David. Though, we could all learn a lesson from his story and pick up the good example from his life. We can all identify with King Solomon because we also have all been handed down an inheritance, legacy and royalty much greater than any wealth and power known to this world that is the love of God which crucified our sins on the cross and redeemed us all. It is now up to us to respond with all our gratitude, take a hold and never let go from our grasp this great gift we have been endowed with. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19
...the God of Israel, says, ‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp...

Our Catholic Church has endowed us with a very sacred or apostolic Tradition. According to Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 82: As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."  St. Paul in 2 Thes. 2:15 said "Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours." And so the Catholic Church is also consistent with the warning of St. Paul in Colossians 2:8,  "See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world  and not according to Christ." We should constantly listen to His voice and not be distracted nor tempted to change loyalty. It is in God alone that we can find true satisfaction. There is no in between with God. We have to be aware of the fact that we have to make a stand on which side we really are. We've got to make a commitment every single day and protect our faith. It is through good works and prayer that we can safeguard the victory that Jesus has already won for us since the enemy does not want to stop and continues to wage war on us, Christians and followers of Jesus Christ. There is no denying to Jesus saving and redeeming us from all our sins. Jesus opened the gates of heaven for us when He died on the cross and paid our sins but it doesn't mean that we are all bound for heaven. Our daily choices and actions could lead us to a path that may not lead to the pearly gates of paradise. We still have to work our way into that gate and not be lenient about guarding this gift of salvation which the enemy wants to steal from us. We are bombarded day in and out by the harsh reality of life and the influences of this world we live in. There is no cause for despair if we encounter these things. The Bread that God gives us will never cause us to hunger or thirst and will give us eternal life with God in heaven. If we have consulted and entrusted to God all our decisions and continue to believe then we can be assured that what God started in us, He will be faithful to complete. In the midst of all the commotion in our lives we need to press harder to hear God's voice and direct all our focus and attention in that one voice of God who alone can show us the right way and give us the right instructions. We have a God who constantly whispers in our ear in the midst of the noise created by our surroundings. All we have to do is press our ears closer to God and do as He says. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 81:10-11ab, 12-13, 14-15
R: I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.
...“My people heard not my voice, and Israel obeyed me not; 12 [13] so I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts; they walked according to their own counsels.” (R) 13 [14] “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, 14 [15] quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn my hand.”

Today's gospel tells us of a deaf and mute person healed by Jesus. It is noteworthy that Jesus took him off by himself away from the crowd. We could somehow apply this to ourselves in the sense that we too have to take off by ourselves with Jesus on our side so that we can spend a one on one time with God and really focus and feel His presence in our lives. We have to press closer to God and huddle together just like spending quality bonding time with a loved one. It surely feels good. Is there anything more in our lives that we can't give to God in prayer without trusting and believing that He will do what is best for us? No impediment is big enough for God. He is able to carry us through anything. Whenever we make our choices we must be sure to choose the one that is the best which is to always choose God above anything else. For He alone is capable of making all things well now and forever. Sometimes we have a tendency to always focus on the outward appearances and results without paying much attention to the more essential things. Jesus did a lot of wonders, signs and miracles and there's no more doubt that He is indeed God and powerful. How come in today's gospel Jesus is telling those people who witnessed His miracles not to tell the others. I guess more than our admiration and awe for all the obvious and visible wonderful things He had done, what He desires most of all is for us to go deeper in our faith which relies not only on the visible and the outward signs and miracles but more on the unseen and the things that are hoped for and yet to be known. Sometimes our minds have already been programmed to praise and thank God for the answered prayers and granted heart's desire but we tend to question God when things don't turn out the way we expected them to be. If we have been genuinely awed and convinced of the power of God then no amount of disappointment or discouragement should keep us from consistently believing in a God who will always make things work for good no matter how unpleasant things may seem to appear if we know that God is in control then we can always have a happy disposition and hope always that the best is yet to come. Amen. Hallelujah!

Mark 7:31-37

...He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them that they should tell no man. But the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal did they publish it. And so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well; he hath made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.