Unlike any other super hero that we've seen on TV, we don't
have to shout Darna or Captain Barbell. We have tremendous power in our hands,
great enough to cause an earthquake, open prison doors and unlock chains
binding us. The 1st reading today is proof that there is power in praying and
singing hymns to God. Although we do not see these things happen everyday we
should always nurture this kind of attitude and disposition that every time we
pray and sing to God something amazing and awe inspiring happens. The Holy
Spirit dwells in us, manifests in several very unique but personal ways and
never leaves us alone. No matter how trapped and imprisoned we may be feeling
at the moment just like Paul and Silas, God is able to set us free. It reminds
me of the broadcast of The Journey Home in the EWTN Channel about Blessed
Dominic Barberi. His story was very much like what happened to Paul and Silas.
He was already drafted in the military under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte to
be sent to Russia
but his number was not called. He was spared of a certain death. It was
narrated how things happened one after the other which eventually led to his
becoming a Passionist priest. He was also instrumental to the conversion of
John Henry Cardinal Newman. Today's 1st reading speaks of an almost similar
story when the jailer and his household were baptized and converted to God. If
we are to take heed of God's power moving across the world and ultimately in
our lives, we'll find that we are truly blessed for the countless times God has
demonstrated His awesome love for all of us. No one can ever deny this truth.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Acts 16:22-34
...Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as
the prisoners listened, 26 there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the
foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all
were pulled loose.27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide
open, he drew [his] sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the
prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, “Do no harm to
yourself; we are all here.” 29 He asked for a light and rushed in and,
trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought
them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.” 32 So
they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33 He took
them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his
family were baptized at once. 34 He brought them up into his house and provided
a meal and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God.
I could never forget the
experience when we were in that very hazardous place in Crestline without any
idea where we were going. I am thankful for the lesson learned from it. All we
have to do is completely trust Him that in His goodness and mercy will show us
His saving power and grace. If there's one thing for sure, that is the truth
that God knows everything we are going through and He will not withhold the
help that we need from Him in His most appropriate and best time, place and
situation. All we need to do is just give our trust completely to Him who will
complete what he has done for us and would not forsake the work of His hands.
Just constantly pray and sing out our praises to God to unleash the power
within us. We can always count on God at all times in all circumstances. Let us
not stall any longer and finally respond to His call without any reservation.
We should entrust all our cares and concerns to the Lord and be assured that He
is true to His promise and will fulfill it. Our God is faithful and He who
began a good work will be faithful to complete it in all of us. God never fails
in sending us people, circumstances and situations that always build up
strength in us. I have always believed in angels even before I got the miracle
petal with a cherubim’s image. I can still remember and will never forget how
my mother used to narrate to us how I was miraculously saved by my angel
several times. First was when I was still less than 2 months old and fell from
a height of 2-3 ft countertop when the nanny after giving me a bath left me for
only a second to get something and upon returning found me already unconscious
and lying on the hard, ceramic tiled floor. I was rushed to the doctor but he
told them that if I fail to regain consciousness within an hour then he said I
could die. To everybody's surprise I started to cry even before the time is up.
Another one was when I was barely 2 yrs old when I almost got hit by a speeding
jeepney. My parent's house is right beside my grandparent's house which is
right in front of the school where my mother used to teach. She said she was
standing in the center of the stage of the school that was why she had a good
view of the things around her even the terrace of my grandparent's house so she
was shocked when she saw me there alone running very fast heading toward the
open gate while a speeding jeepney was coming and looked as if I would really
get hit and it would be too late even if somebody was there to stop me. She was
already screaming from afar together with the other teachers who saw it and was
trying to call the attention of the driver but to no avail for he didn't even
slow down because their screams were muffled by the loud engine of the
jeep. It was just a miracle that the
moment I stepped on the side of the road she said that I suddenly stopped and
stood very still as if someone was holding me back. She said it was my guardian
angel that held me and prevented me from getting hit by the jeep. I don't remember personally any of those
experiences it was only through my mother's stories that I came to know about
them. But when I was older like in 4th grade I could already remember how I was
spared again from being hurt seriously when the fluorescent lamp right on top
of my head fell on my desk a split second after I stood up and left my chair. My classmates were really shocked and were
hovering around me and told me that it was really close. There is no doubt,
angels are obviously at work. Today God assures us that we can always stand
secure for as long as we remain united to Him through the aid of His Holy
angels and saints. There is no doubt that we should sing the praises of the
Lord in the sight of the angels. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8
R: Your right hand saves me, O Lord.
1 I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for
you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing
your praise;...for you have made great above all things your name and your
promise... The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O
LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands...
We used to go for a walk at Schabarum Park Roman
Empire and the Nazis collapsed because of its own corruption and
evil schemes of self destruction. These are evidences of their being condemned.
We must be open to the way the Holy Spirit is acting on us and working inside
our own conscience. But we have to also act on our own. We have to believe and
allow ourselves to live in Christ and His redemption. Reject the glamour of evil no matter how
attractive it may seem as the world presents it. We have to accept the faith in
Jesus. This is the choice that has already been won and what our Lord Jesus is
asking us to make. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 16:5-11
5 Jesus said to his disciples: “Now I am going to the one
who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I
told you this, grief has filled your hearts. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is
better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to
you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes he will convict
the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: 9 sin, because
they do not believe in me; 10 righteousness, because I am going to the Father
and you will no longer see me; 11 condemnation, because the ruler of this world
has been condemned.”
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