NEVER FAINT NOR FALTER

Today’s 1st reading reminded me of a woman I met several of years ago. She is beautiful, charming, very helpful and gracious to me. Looking back at all the things that happened at that time makes me realize that what I experienced with her is one of the most unforgettable I’ve had in my entire life. Although it is not all very pleasant but the things I’ve learned from it hold a valuable lesson about life and most especially of God who looks after our welfare. God is our ever present help and guide who directs our paths at all times. Amen. Hallelujah!

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

...30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; ...

One of the purposes of marriage is for procreation. When we enter into it we should be open to having children and the responsibilities that go with it. It is a very challenging task and we need to know how to really walk in God's ways in order to live a happy and favored life. There is only one thing needed and that is to follow the ways of the Lord. Whenever we come to a point in our lives when we encounter trials and difficulties and standing up firm in our faith in God seems to be an impossibility then all the more should we remain faithful and true to God. The psalm reading tells us exactly why. This fear being spoken of in today's psalm is the holy fear of the Lord and is different from other kinds of fear that we know. It's more of the kind of fear that is coupled with respect and is the beginning of wisdom as written in Proverbs 1:7. We have to be perfectly aware of this and strive to maintain it within ourselves so as not to lose sight of this aspect of God's Holiness. Over the years, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and pureness. The olive tree and olives are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments. It is one of the first plants mentioned in the Bible, and one of the most significant. For example, it was an olive leaf that a dove brought back to Noah to demonstrate that the flood was over. The Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem is mentioned several times. Olive oil has long been considered sacred; it was used to anoint kings and athletes in ancient Greece. It was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples as well as being the "eternal flame" of the original Olympic Games. Victors in these games were crowned with its leaves. Today, it is still used in many religious ceremonies. Today's psalm mentions and compares children to olive plants. We have always been awed by such great affection a mother has for her child. We've seen a lot of things throughout time that attest to this. I am a mother myself and I have done things beyond my capacity because of how much I love my children.  This love of mothers for their brood grows into something very special which explains why they are referred to or likened to olive plants around the table. Let us hope and pray that the Lord will continue to look after our families. No matter how difficult this year is, for our families we have to be confident in God's assurance in today's Psalm reading. If we truly believe that we have an Extraordinary and Awesome God then we, too must be willing to take on the challenge of doing something out of the ordinary and really get out of our way to live out what God calls us to do. Nothing is ever wasted for it has always been proven throughout all generations that those who follow and obey the Lord will surely be blessed not only today but all the days of our lives. We really have to always start with the basics, keep it simple and really get down with the real stuff. We've got to take things one step at a time. We know for a fact that we humans have a tendency to make things complicated.  We know exactly why. It is because we want to make excuses, create our own rules and get away with it. God tries to make it as simple as possible for us but we just don't want it His way because we've got to have it our own way. That's when the problem starts. It is always easier said than done but we've got to take God's word for it. I like the writing on the shirts of my son, Jude and these young people when they attended the YFC (Youth for Christ) Youth Camp. It says, "It's not about me, it's all about God." It's right on target and what it is all about. For in the end and to top it all, it will all come down to us as a blessing and favor from God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R: Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1 Blessed are you who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways! 2 For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; happy shall you be, and favored. (R) 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table...may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

The readings for today remind me of the instances when I used to visit Sis Loreta’s home and my good friend, Ruby. This is the season when the fig tree of Sis Loreta is in full bloom. I miss those days when I used to pick figs in her garden but in the process end up bringing home other fruits in her garden. Since she is a nurse she would even give me some of her nursing reference materials and other very useful supplies that I was able to send to the Philippines. It was also at that time when I was about to pick figs in her home when Ruby came rushing to me and asked if I could accompany her to St. Martha's School to check on her daughter, Abby. Although Sis Loreta and I had already planned it earlier we immediately conceded to Ruby’s request. Being a mother myself I was able to relate to how she felt because she was getting worried about Abby’s first few days as a 1st grader in her new school. Those were the days too when we used to spend time together and have a heart to heart talk about what is going on with our lives. We just encouraged one another and boosted each other’s moral. God reminds us in today's 1st reading to continue to build up one another and shows us what should always be the case between friends and the people of God. Although today’s 1st reading sounded like a threat, it is not. In fact it is just an assurance from the Lord that no disaster and calamity is greater than Him. Those people who have been to such situations are the ones who could say “been there and done that” without budging. This is so, because of the truth that if we remain in faith and do not faint nor falter then we will surely be at peace. Amen. Hallelujah!

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

... When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster

comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. 5 For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

In today's parable we learn that a man went on a journey, called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one — to each according to his ability. After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five and the one who had received two talents also came forward and did the same. They both doubled their talents but the one who received one talent, he just buried it in the ground and gave it back. The master's reaction to the first 2 servants who doubled their talents were expected because he was glad that they were faithful in small matters so he told them that he will entrust them with great responsibilities and invited them to share in his joy. But to the 3rd servant his reaction was quite unexpected because he was addressed with very harsh words such as wicked and lazy which are seldom used in the New Testament. He was called wicked because he did nothing. If we can still recall, Jesus told us the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man went to hell not because he did something wrong but because he did nothing to help Lazarus who is right outside his door. Doing nothing is wicked. We can lose so much to the point where we deserve hell. We all have responsibilities in our hands and we have to fulfill them by trusting that God is with us. Hey, we've got talent thus we can do all things through Him. We are all called to make use of whatever we have, no matter how small it may be and insignificant it may seem to others to keep up a good fight. The servant who only has 1 talent decided to play safe but he ended up in a much worse condition. When we are confronted with trials and difficulties in life we tend to look for solutions that are safe and within our limited capacities. We sometimes fail to acknowledge and realize that we can decide for the ultimate good and the best. Our God is more than "all or nothing" and "win win" God who will not settle for anything less but will always settle for the best. We should always give it our best shot and not be a coward for we have an Almighty God backing us up. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 25:14-30

...‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Should you not then have put my money  in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? 28 Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.