We should always affirm the presence and power of God's
Spirit in us. We have to support and uphold this truth at all times by
asserting it through our commitment to always allow the Spirit of God to rule over
us and direct our actions. People who have grown mature in their relationship
with God have become an alien in terms of relating to the world. Sometimes they
are being referred to as fools for Christ just like the saints and martyrs who
have given up everything for the sake of God's Kingdom. They are better off as
aliens in this temporary world rather than in the Kingdom of God
1 Corinthians 2:10b-16
... The Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of
God. 11 Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the
spirit of the person that is within? Similarly, no one knows what pertains to
God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but
the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given
us by God. 13 And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom,
but with words taught by the Spirit, describing spiritual realities in
spiritual terms...we have the mind of Christ.
There is really none like our God. We can have all the
things that this world can offer but in the end we will still be wanting and
not satisfied if we do not have God in the center of our life. The Lord has
always been faithful and not a single moment would He ever not be. We should
have the confidence always of a beloved child of God and the honor of being on
top of God's creation. The Lord is always ready to extend His help and shower
His blessings on us, His people. The question is, are we willing to accept His
help and stay within the circle of His blessings? This question is very
critical and sometimes left unanswered, neglected and taken for granted. When
we choose to continue in the path that does not lead us closer to God the
answer is clear, it is a no. When we direct our actions in things that draw us
closer to God then it is a yes. If this is so true for us then we ought to do
as the psalm reading today tells us. All our thoughts, words and actions should
reflect how great our God is. As humans we tend to downplay God's role in our
life because we subject our experiences to human terms and conditions. We are
still bound by the limitations of this world we are in and we can't help it. We
sometimes just go with the flow and get carried away by the pressures imposed
to us by our present and existing situations. Our study of World History tells
us of the different and various kinds of kingdoms and dynasties which ruled
throughout the length of time. None of the most famous and powerful of these
kingdoms still stand today and remain as influential to the entire world as it
used to be. This tells us one thing that earthly kingdoms will eventually cease
to exist. Only God's Kingdom prevails for eternity. Sometimes we might even
have to come to a point when we look and sound strange for others or even suffer the ridicule of not
just others but the very people who comprise our circle of close family,
relatives and friends. What matters most is that we ought to give God what He
rightly deserves, to be extolled and praised forever. Today's psalm tells us
that we owe God more than just plain courtesy for His goodness. Whenever we watch
box office hit super hero movies, news about it spread like wildfire and the
promotion for it is international that almost everybody around the globe gets
to know about it and watch it. If only we can devote that same fervor and
enthusiasm in spreading word about the greatest Super Hero of all times, Jesus
and make a decision to watch His life unfold and be part of our own, then we
can someday be a part of God's great Kingdom in Heaven. If we truly desire this
then we should always be mindful of the words of God written in the bible since
it is indeed what its acronym stands for which is B - basic I-instructions
B-before L-leaving E-earth. It is very important that we have read and
understood well what is written in the bible before we exit this world. This
reminds me of the video games that my sons used to play. When they finish one
level they have to enter into the next level which is more difficult and so on
and so forth until they reach the ultimate task and win the final battle. It
was like they needed to be well prepared and more skillful for each level. This
somehow reminds us of how we should approach our final day here on earth. The
gate of heaven has been opened and made accessible for us, there is no question
about it but the question is, "Are we ready and able to go through
it?" As in Eph. 6:13, "Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil
day and, having done everything, to hold your ground." Another thing is we
have no idea when will that day come because we really do not know the time or
the hour. One thing for sure, the only way to go through it is by being well
prepared for it. Thus I wanted to share this story which I got from an email.
Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adored her with rich
robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the
best.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing
her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would
leave him for another.
He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was
always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a
problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the
difficult times.
The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made
great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not
love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of
her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short.
He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me,
but when I die, I'll be all alone.'
Thus, he asked the 4th wife , 'I loved you the most, endowed
you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm
dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'No way!', replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without
another word.
Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, 'I loved you all my
life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'No!', replied the 3rd wife. 'Life is too good! When you
die, I'm going to remarry!'
His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, 'I have always turned to you for
help and you've always been there for me.
When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the
2nd wife. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.'
Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King
was devastated.
Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you
no matter where you go.'
The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was
very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the King said, 'I should have taken much
better care of you when I had the chance!'
In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:
Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort
we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we
die, it will all go to others.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much
they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the
grave.
And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of
wealth, power and pleasures of the world.
However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us
wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only
part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us
throughout Eternity. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14
R: The Lord is just in all his ways.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of
great kindness. 9 The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his
works...Let them make known your might to the children of Adam, and the
glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his
works. 14 The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed
down.
It is a shame when we think that it is enough that we just
believe in Jesus because even the demons in today's gospel know who Jesus is.
And to think that sometimes we even fall short of that aspect of knowing who
Jesus really is. We've got to do better
than this demon if we truly claim that we are His followers. Authority is defined
in the dictionary as the, commanding influence, or right to respect, or
acceptance of one's word, command and thought.
In today’s bible passage the people were astonished at Jesus because He
is referred to as someone who spoke with authority. He even commanded the evil spirit to come out
of a possessed man and it obeyed Him. As Catholic Christians we all claim to
believe in God but are we really subject to His authority. It’s just a shame
that there are times when we do not totally submit ourselves to this Authority.
The evil spirit obeyed Him and came out of the possessed man but we who always
boast of our belief in God and are self confessed Christians are sometimes no
better than this evil spirit. We are all guilty of obeying God only up to a
certain extent, up to a point of comfort and convenience. When it comes to
difficult situations in our lives can we still allow ourselves to be subject to
His authority? Let us all closely examine every aspect of ourselves and search
for those areas where we have not totally submitted to God’s authority. This is
the challenge that I leave all of you and myself as well. Let us surpass the
obedience of the evil spirit to Jesus authority and be more committed to God in
everything that we do. The evil spirit obeyed Jesus out of fear knowing that
God is Almighty and it is of no match to Jesus. In our end we should obey in
the light of love, reverence and trust in God whom we call our Father, Brother,
Redeemer and Savior. There is no doubt that Jesus is the Supreme authority for
only Him can give us the true and everlasting satisfaction, peace and joy we
all long for in our life. We should decide here, now and for always to choose
Him as our Master and Ruler of our life. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 4:31-37
31 Jesus then went down to Capernaum ,
a town of Galilee .
He taught them on the sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority...They were all amazed and said to one another,
“What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the
unclean spirits, and they come out.”37 And news of him spread everywhere in the
surrounding region.
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