Our conscience is the voice of God telling us the right thing
to do. We should never fear nor doubt. God is able defend us always when we
rely on Him in times of troubles and trials. An important reflection from today's 1st reading is unstoppable. It
looked like the apostles and followers of Jesus were all filled with boldness
and courage to spread the Good News. They did not get intimidated nor
threatened to the point of giving up their mission. They persisted, persevered
and brought to this very day the legacy of this priceless faith. You can
never put a good man down. Nothing can stop the the followers of Jesus from
proclaiming the Word of God. You know why? Once you've known Jesus you are
compelled to do so for your experience and encounter with Him can not be
contained and will inevitably overflow. It was handed
down to us from generation to generation and for thousands of years has found
its way to us against all odds. Through God's grace adorned with the sweat and
blood of our forefathers who laid down this strong and firm foundation, we are
now blessed with the Catholic Church that Jesus Himself built. Amen.
Hallelujah!
Acts of the Apostles 8,5-8.14-17
Thus Philip went down to the city
of Samaria and
proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 With one accord, the crowds paid attention to
what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. 7
For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed
people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. 8 There was great
joy in that city.
Looking back all these years at
the glorious background of our faith that has been handed to us, we can say
that we are so blessed among all of God's creation. We have been endowed with
such a great blessing beyond our comprehension. Just imagine ourselves
meeting someone who is very admirable and impressive, we can't help but be
proud and share with others our wonderful experience. That's how it is with the
apostles and even more once we've come to know God. We have to be strong and of
good courage. Each and every moment is a clear manifestation of God's
tremendous love. No words can ever be enough to describe it. Blessed is Mother
Mary for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
We can also come to a point when we can also sing our own
"Magnificat" and raise our hands to God in prayer and thanksgiving
for every gift He has given to us even those gifts of sorrow. God is in charge
and He will make all things work for the good. We have a God who is fighting
our battles for us. God is in control. Although God will not stop every
adversity but if we stay in faith, He will see us through. He did not promise
life to be smooth sailing all the time but He definitely assured us of a safe
landing. God has already lined up the right people, right places at the right time.
He has prepared for our victory and so we should be ready for God's favor. I remember when we went to San
Francisco we joined the bay cruise, were able to come up
very close to the Golden Gate
Bridge
Psalms 66(65),1-3.4-5.6-7.16.20.
...Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam. (R) 6 He has changed the sea
into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice
in him. 7 He rules by his might forever....Blessed be God, who did not
refuse me the kindness I sought in prayer.
Mother Mary serves as a special channel that God has given
to humanity to receive His graces. It does not obscure or diminishes the one
and only Mediator, Jesus Christ, rather she shows God's power even more. Jesus,
the Son loves His mother and gives her the greatest grocery of graces in
heaven. Mary totally depends on her Son as in the wedding feast in Cana by saying, "Do whatever He tells you."
Mary knows that her Son is the ultimate source that's why she leads us to Him,
the true Mediator. God Himself ordained that His only Begotten Son be born of a
human mother through Mary's obedience and perfect surrender. When the angel
appeared to Mary, he wasn't speaking his own thoughts and words. He was sent by
God to speak God's words. In Greek, the Hail Mary is translated as Hail most
highly graced one, meaning so completely graced. Mary truly is filled with
God's grace. When God conceived Mary she was free from the stain of original
sin. He is getting ready the 1st tabernacle of His Son here on earth. She is
made holy, unstained and created in the fullness of grace. God has placed in
Mary the fullness of grace. Mary conceived by her virginity and humility. It
should be in our hearts to honor Mother Mary because the Son is within her
body. The Father is in the Son. It is by grace that we are saved. Through Jesus
and Mary all things are restored. Everything is possible with God. Who are we
to defy the manner that God Himself has chosen for His Son to come to this
world. Those times when I was able to attend different activities for the Lord
and all of them were Spirit filled were full of God's surprises bundled with
blessings. I just realized that all of them were coupled with the praying of
the Holy Rosary which is a receiving the joy that the Blessed Mother Mary
brings to us. Amen. Hallelujah!
First Letter of Peter 3,15-18.
...Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks
you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence,
keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame
your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame...
Mary kept everything in her heart. From the time of the
Annunciation in the Joyful Mysteries, to the time of the Passion and Death of
Jesus in the Sorrowful Mysteries, to the time of illumination in the Luminous
Mysteries up to the Resurrection in the Glorious Mysteries. Praying the rosary
with sincere meditation contains all the mysteries that hold the key to this
great love of God for us. In the talk "Receiving and Giving
Encouragement" by Kay Murdy, she said that the word courage came from the
Old French word which means the heart, which can be taken as put courage into
the heart. She further said that kind words can be short and brief but its
echoes are endless and never forgotten. St.
Paul strengthened and encouraged the Thessalonians by
sending Timothy. God gives us encouragement through the scriptures even eternal
encouragement as in the book of Romans. She mentioned about Joseph of Cyprus
whose name became Barnabas which means "son of encouragement" because
he lifted up Paul during the time when the other disciples were suspicious of
him. We are encouraged to recognize the gifts and talents of others and letting
them know about it by simply writing a note and saying something positive. Even
King David when feeling depressed encouraged himself in the Lord. He recognized
who he was and what he is called to be. She quoted this " If you can't change
the direction of the wind then adjust your sails so that you can reach your
destination." She further said that to each is given a gift not only to
some and emphasized the word to each. We are called to develop and allow it to
grow for us to share to others and be as contagious as possible. We should
encourage each other as much as we can before it’s too late. She narrated a
story of a man whose dream was to be a musician but ended up becoming a lawyer
due to family pressure. It was like this man can be compared to a round peg
being fitted into a square peg. The man was said to commit suicide. It is God's
will that we encourage one another as our way of testifying to God. How does
our God love? His love is immeasurable, unimaginable and indescribable. How can
we not love Him back? God's word in today's gospel is an assurance that we can
always depend on Him whatever situations we have right now. He is always with
us and will never leave us provided we keep His word. How do the saints go
about it? St. Therese had the habit of smiling whenever her work was
interrupted by a nun coming to ask for help whether with or without good
reason. Let us face it most of us are annoyed and impatient especially when we
are disturbed especially when they don’t have a good reason. St. Therese’ habit
of smiling when she is annoyed is a willed reaction. She does it quite
naturally. At the beginning of a free period which Carmelite nuns do not have a
lot of, she prepares herself ahead of time to react in a loving manner. Therefore
nothing took her by surprise, she is ready to be disturbed, counts on being
disturbed, thus she is always happy. This is called determination. She is
practicing it and does something about it in order to change from good to
better and to best. Holiness and sanctity is not an emotion, the thing itself
is in the will. As the gospel tells us today, “He who does the will of my
Father is the one who loves Him.” As St. Thomas said, “Will
it.” We need to light the fire and do something about it. Fidelity is all we
need. Daily conversation with the Lord is one of the traits of geniuses. As we
master the art of communication with the Lord then we can say the deepest
things in just a few words. St.
Augustine , said “Every Christian should be an Alleluia
from head to toe.” The people who live completely the message of the Catholic
Church are the saints. They live the Lord’s message and the most beautiful
people in the planet. The saints are the
one who really live by the truth. They are walking in the living form and work
enthusiastically. They are present in the world but not at home in this world,
living the divine message as perfectly as they can, eager to act and yet
devoted to contemplation. We may be going through a lot of trials and problems
but it doesn't change the fact that He is God. It is a consolation to hear
these words being said by Jesus in today's gospel. But at that time when He
said this we might have guessed it right if we recognized that there is a sense
of stress in the Upper Room among the Apostles. They are tense in their hearts
and troubled and it is exactly the reason why Jesus said it. The apostles may
have been guessing already what's going to happen shortly. He said do not let
your hearts be troubled so that they will be protected from despair when
persecution comes. He said not to worry, be anxious or afraid like we always do
at times or almost always. Though, it doesn't mean that men and women who worry
and get anxious have no faith. We are not living in reality if we feel this
way. Friends of God are not totally free from worries that trouble the heart.
Sometimes we pray to God and still do not eliminate what we are distressed of.
We still need to avoid things that we can avoid and do all we can to avoid
suffering. We are on this road and journey. We constantly look for the right
direction so that we will not get lost. It might have happened to everyone when
we are headed for a place we've never been before. We ask directions and
somewhere along the road we still get confused and lose our way. This happens
when we lose track of it and given the wrong information. We can rest ourselves
from worry and trouble because Jesus never leaves us. He is always with us
through the Holy Spirit to strengthen, guide and shed light in our path. He personally
leads us to show us the way for us not to get lost. He holds us by the hand and
sees us through. We might think that when we pray we are doing service to God.
We are wrong. Prayer first and foremost is an initiative of God. It is our
giving to God the time to bring light and guidance into our lives. What makes
life worth living? Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is the key to
life. This is the kind of life that we should desire but sadly, not often
found. What I noticed very much in romantic old movies is the signature
characteristic of people hopelessly in love being portrayed in it. This famous
line "I never knew what life was until I saw it in your eyes." always
form part of the climax of these romantic movies. This should be the fervor and
devotion that we ought to give to God. Only Jesus can give us the peace and
love amidst all the turmoil surrounding us. It can be compared to the center or
eye of a hurricane where there is complete tranquility in the presence of heavy
rain, strong winds and heavy waves. Nothing is more uplifting and strengthening
than these words of assurance in today's gospel coming from Jesus Himself a
true and genuine friend and lover in the real sense of it. Thanks to God. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall
be created and they shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 14,15-21.
...And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I
will love him and reveal myself to him."
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