We may have been praying for something a long time already
and it seemed like nothing is happening. We must not lose heart for God is
always at work. His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours. We can always
rely on His word and can hold on to what Fr. Orbos said that there is a reason
and a mission for everything and whatever may be happening to us we should
always remember that it is in transition. It’s been almost 7 years ago when I
first encountered this bible passage from today’s 1st reading on Oct. 7, 2007
(10-07-07). From that time, I’ve started writing down daily reflections based
on the assigned bible readings up to this very day. This bible passage was also one of the
reasons why I remain steadfast in my decisions back then despite of it all.
It’s also divine providence that I came across a music video in You Tube
entitled “Everything In It’s Time” which has an identical message in today’s 1st
reading which really captured the special meaning I hold in my heart. To make
it connect even more is the fact that the numbers 8 and 10 are also significant
for me. There were several events that I can associate with the numbers 8 and
10 which led me to this path where I am right now. When I was still in the Philippines , I called the US
Embassy to get a schedule for an interview. I was scheduled on Feb. 8, 2007
Thursday. At that time, I have been getting a lot of confirmations with the # 8
and the day Thursday that’s why they meant a lot to me. It was like getting a
positive sign from the Lord already and was confirmed when I was granted a
visa. Another incident was when I took the NCLEX-RN exam in Pasadena , on that day when we got to the
testing center I got the surprise of my life when I saw the # 8 hanging in a
stand. Although that # was not assigned to me and got the # 11, I secretly
wished that I should have gotten the # 10 instead because it's considered as a
perfect number. And guess what, wish granted when the test administrator
accidentally switched the # and I got the # 10 instead. I personally think it
is God's way of building up my confidence which I considered a good sign since
I passed the test. It was also on the 8th of Nov. 2007 which happened to be a
Thursday, too when I finally decided to stay in the US after receiving word from a
USCIS personnel regarding my immigrant petition. What’s interesting here is
that when I asked her name she refused to give it but gave the code Maria
550LM, the same as the Blessed Mother’s name. It was impressed to me that
things are connected in a way since significant events in Mama Mary's life is
dated with #8. Her birthday is on Sept. 8 and the Immaculate Conception on
Dec.8. When (8-10-12) we attended the Block Rosary activity of the Militia
Immaculata in Westminster in honor of a faithful departed soul whose birthday
made an impact on me since it was also the birthday of another faithful
departed loved one whom I had been offering a rosary daily. Today’s 1st reading
is taken from Habakkuk which has 8 letters in it and the letter H represents
the #8 in the alphabet. I feel that God has always been sending us positive
signs although not directly implied God is giving us an opportunity to hold on
to Him at all times no matter how unsure some things may be. There is more to
it than I could ever realize, figure and write about. No matter how perfectly
or slightly matched these numbers, endless connections and significant events
are, the fact that God is always true to His words and promise thereby making all things possible is the only true
connection that really matters. Amen. Hallelujah!
Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:4
…2 Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision
clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. 3 For the vision
still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it
delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late…
Mark, Luke and Matthew are considered Petrine gospels
because they originated from their association with Peter while the authority
of John is coming from his direct relationship with Jesus being always in close
contact with Him and fondly called as the one whom Jesus loved. Matthew is more
of the strict and rigid type, which adheres to the laws. Luke depicts more of
the healing power of Jesus. John is considered as high Christology, apocalyptic
in nature since he is the one who died last among all the apostles he witnessed
more and was able to write a lot of revelations about Jesus. In studying the
bible we have to use the holistic approach and study all 4 gospels for a
broader understanding of who Jesus is. If we continue to hold on to God and
seek Him at all times in all things then we will never be disappointed. We will
surely find Him and not be led astray for everything is under God’s control and
power. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 9:8-9, 10-11, 12-13
R: You forsake not those who seek you, O Lord.
… The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold
in times of distress. 10 [11] They trust in you who cherish your name, for you
forsake not those who seek you, O LORD.
God knows everything and assures us that all is under His
control for nothing is impossible with God. We can not let unbelief nor the
slightest trace of doubt set in. We should always acknowledge the fact that
there is a continuous tug of war between good and evil. Whatever actions we
engage in, will result to the advantage of one pulling end over the other. This
is critical since we will contribute to the proliferation and taking root in us
of one power over the other. It’s like hearing the words of a lawyer telling
us, whatever you say and do can be used against you or the other way around,
since it could also be to our advantage. It is definitely in our hands, we’ve
got to nurture the seed of faith that God has planted in us. We’ve got to take an active part in it and be
perfectly aware of the truth that we are the variable factor. God is the
constant factor. There is no question about God’s power and might that’s why we
are able to move mountains because God said so. We need to let our faith grow
from little to great just as God our Father whom we rely on, is able to do the
impossible. We are destined for great things for we are God's special creation.
We should always keep this in mind and believe that there is nothing that we
can not do if only we put our faith in it.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 17:14-20
…17 Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse
generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him
here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that
hour the boy was cured. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and
said, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your
little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
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