END OF THE RAINBOW

There are only few occasions when I get to see a rainbow in the sky. I have always loved and been amazed whenever I see one. It makes us think of a lot of wonderful things like this story of the Irish leprechaun. It was believed to be the secret hiding place for his pot of gold and is usually said to be at the end of the rainbow. This place is impossible to reach. We might have not noticed this but when walking towards the end of a rainbow it will appear to move further away because two people who simultaneously observe a rainbow at different locations will disagree about where a rainbow is. In today's 1st reading Ezekiel describes God from his vision. We all have differences in our perception and understanding of a lot of things. Just as a rainbow is said to be an optical effect which depends on the location of the viewer so is our perception of the glory of God. Where we are at right now with regards to our relationship with God makes all the difference. This we have to work on with the best of our abilities. We need to be in the optimum location in order to gain access to the best view of God's splendor and majesty. The 1^st reading also reminded me of an LOJC Summer outing several years ago at Huntington Beach. We really had loads of fun at the beach and enjoyed jumping up and down as the big waves came running toward us. It felt like those big waves can be compared to the problems that we encounter day in and day out. It keeps on coming without fail and Sis Amy, Sis Angela and Sis Bernadette were scared of going further down the sea. Since I am the only person there with them who know how to swim I encouraged them one by one to go with me and we were holding hands as we faced the waves coming at us. I was coaching them when to jump up whenever the waves came rushing to us. It was not long when we were all really having a good time and were no longer scared. The same with our everyday life, we too encounter big and raging waves of problems but we need not be scared knowing that God is holding our hand securely with a firm grip. Amidst the deafening sound and the overwhelming impact of the raging waves it is always best to listen to the voice of God telling us what to do. Amen. Hallelujah!

Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28c

...like the roaring of mighty waters,like the voice of the Almighty...he was surrounded with splendor. 28 Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

There is no conflict between faith and reason. There is no divide or arch rivalry between Church and Science. In fact, they imply a real need for each other. It's either we don't know our Science or we don't know our faith. It is overwhelming to know this information about the Human Genome Project. It is comprised of 2,000 scientists who worked to identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA and determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make it up. The project was completed in 2003 but analyses of the data will continue for many years. The philosophical implication of real science is so huge we can only conclude one thing, it is the language of God. We can benefit a lot from Science through good research that are producing cures rather than do something that is totally wrong. The scientists could sometimes cross the line. There is nothing wrong about being dedicated to the work that one does but there is a need to be passionate to the truth rather than in the political sense. This must not be contingent to any person or circumstance. Our faith calls us to goodness and we must play our part well. According to the Holy Father there is a danger that faith without reason would end up in fanaticism and reason without faith to paganism. If one is without the other a person would eventually fall into desperation. Faith purifies reason. Through faith we are united with, a real sharing of the life of Christ in contact with God, over come temptations and have His life within us. Finding the truth is not so hard but running away from the truth once we found it. Human intelligence is limited. Church does not condemn technology and science. It is open to discovery and corrections that would lead us to knowledge through faith and reason and to joy and peace that the world can not give. It is reasonable to believe in God. The miracles of Christ and the prophecies foretold have entered into several thousand years and still stand to this very day.  When we meet people that we like we long to be in their company and start to develop a bond with them. The more we know them and spend time with them the better our relationship becomes. Each day is a revelation of God's wonders and miracles most especially with the enjoyment and fun coupled with love that everyone experiences in the company of our loved ones, relatives and friends. God knows all our concerns and listens to our sighs and pleas. Today's psalm reveals to us the perfect location where we should be at in order to attain to such a relationship. Nowhere else but close to God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

R: Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

...his majesty is above earth and heaven. (R) 14 He has lifted up the horn of his people. Be this his praise from all his faithful ones, from the children of Israel, the people close to him. Alleluia.

 People we like and admire are a delight to be with. There are certain qualities that make us feel this way for some people. This is because we want to be close to them who are good company. This does not come as a surprise because it is only natural for us to be attracted to pleasant people. Today's gospel shows us a lot of things about Jesus. Not just pleasant ones but divine revelations. This is not just attractive but amazingly unbelievable. Can we imagine someone  telling us exactly what is about to happen and it did happen. This is what Jesus did in the 1st part of the gospel. He revealed to His disciples about His passion, death and resurrection. In the latter part, Jesus even asked Peter about the tax even before he had time to speak and gave him specific instructions as to where to find the money to pay the tax. These are all extraordinary and supernatural events that only point to one thing, He is an awesome God, All Powerful and worthy to be praised and adored. God knew beforehand everything that took place, is taking place and is bound to take place. Amen. Hallelujah!

 

Matthew 17:22-27 (or Luke 12:22-46)

22 As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were overwhelmed with grief. 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 “Yes,” he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” 26 When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. 27 But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.”