Today’s 1st reading is kind of special because it
is one of the things that I first learned when I became a charismatic and it
has never left my memory. It is something that I always remember especially
when I encounter people who have lived very long. It’s funny how I always ask old people if they
have honored their parents well. This
promise does not just say long life but it may also go well in life. If we
sometimes get disappointed with the promises that people make, we can always
count on the promises of God. In everything, let us give praise and glory to
God. God knows every single thing about us, nothing is hidden from Him. If we
abide by His will then we will surely
find that it is the best for us, nothing else could be above or over it for
whatever God wants for us is surely what is good for us if we will just do it
wholeheartedly for the Lord.
Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 6:1-9
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is
right. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a
promise, 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on
earth.” ...as you are obedient to Christ not only when you are under their eye,
as if you had only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ and
wholeheartedly do the will of God. Work hard and willingly, but do it for the
sake of the Lord and not for the sake of men. You can be sure that everyone,...
will be properly rewarded by the Lord for whatever work he has done well.
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 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14
R: The Lord is faithful in all his words.
10 Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your
faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and
speak of your might. (R) 12 Making known to men your might and the glorious
splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your
dominion endures through all generations. (R) 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.
I am reminded of this old lady whenever her birthday is upcoming
her loved ones who always throw a party for her would tell her that she needs
to be strong enough so that she can enjoy it. She said that it was not easy for
her to do her daily walking exercises most especially after she had fallen. She
had become so unstable every time she stands up to walk but she painstakingly
works on it despite the difficulty it was causing her. This bible passage from
today's gospel somehow reminded me of it. I can't help but think of her the
moment I read it. I could remember very well the words, “strong enough” that
was specifically spoken to her. She knew what was required of her to achieve
this as advised by her Physical Therapist (PT), to keep on walking as much as
she can. We can see from the reading that Jesus advised the man to strive to
enter through the narrow gate. It is not like anybody can just enter the narrow
gate since it is stated that not all will be strong enough to do so. Just like
this old lady who committed to her physical regimen despite her discomfort in order
to achieve her goal, we too should devise a plan on how to be strong enough on
that final day. It is never easy for an old lady who just suffered a fall and
is afflicted with other illnesses to do such a thing. I have heard a lot of
amusing statements on growing old like, “It isn’t any fun getting old, growing
old ain’t for sissys, stay young and never grow old.” I guess being old itself
is already a narrow door that we have to face with God’s grace if ever we will
be given the chance. We all have our discomforts and difficulties that we have
to tackle in life. The same thing is true with my son, Allan. He trained really
hard to the point of having to wake up as early as 4am daily to swim at least
20 laps before going to school. On top of this was the need for him to comply
with all the demands of his academic subjects. He had always been very positive
with a lot of things and full of confidence with the rate he is going with his
physical stamina. He trains rigorously and regularly. He is very committed to
his goal and does everything that is needed in order for him to improve and
excel. He has gone a long way already from that overweight kid in LSM (Lourdes
School of Mandaluyong) Grade School to a varsity swim team captain in DLSU (De
La Salle University) and now a college graduate of the same school. As far as
his physical state is concerned, he has achieved his tip top shape. The need to
be strong enough to enter the narrow gate as gospel today mentions is not about
the physical strength that we can build up through training and workout but the
strength of our souls. If we can gain insight from this it is the fact that
just like Allan's physical regimen, we need strength training, workout and
dedication too for our souls to last through eternity. Perseverance is the key!
Not everybody we expect to be first always turns out to be first. Sometimes,
things don't work out the way we thought it would be, happen the way we planned
it, or look the way it may seem. All our hard work will be for nothing if we will
not persevere, while holding on to His promise that He will be faithful to
complete what He has started in us. Serving the Lord is not a bed of roses 'coz
there are times when we fail and falter. We must always reconcile ourselves to
Him lest He find us in an unprepared state and everything we've worked for will
all be for nothing. The present time is what counts so let us always choose the
"narrow gate" leading to God. "For many, I tell you, will
attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." May we always nourish our
soul so that we will cultivate a strong faith in God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 13:22-30
22 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he
went and making his way to Jerusalem .
23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered
them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will
attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. 25 After the master of the
house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and
saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not
know where you are from.’ 26 And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your
company and you taught in our streets.’ 27 Then he will say to you, ‘I do not
know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 And there will
be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all
the prophets in the kingdom
of God kingdom of God
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