GOOD SHEPHERD

Whenever we make plans we try to make it brief and simple to make it work and ensure success. This is due to the fact that we only have limited capacities and capabilities to carry it out. When we know that we've done everything we can then we just have to entrust it to God. We could plan all we want but the truth remains that our plans are simply no match with that of God's. It is a consolation to know that He is the Master Planner. He is Superior and Perfect in every way. We can count on Him at all times in every period, era or generation. Whatever major decisions we come up with are not just on our own but we should have the conviction that they are a reflection of our confidence and assurance that we get from the word of our God making us stand firm and not doubt. This bible passage from today's 1st reading amazes me. It shows how the scriptures written at the time of Isaiah connect to the New Testament and how things have fallen perfectly into place as announced by John the Baptist and fulfilled in Jesus. We can only gasp in awe at how God can wield His power throughout time and make everything fit and work out in accordance to His Master Plan. There is always a season for everything and God is the reason. When we are beset with negative news we must continue to hope in the one thing that stands forever. We should always depend and rely on the word of God. Some people take very good care of their pet animals. It is very amazing how someone could really show such affection to an animal. If humans, imperfect as we are, can do it to animals how much more can God care for all of us. It gives me greater confidence knowing that we have a God who can show much greater love and affection for us. Only to God should we place our trust. He is a God who will never forsake nor abandon and will do for us much more than we can ever know. Oh God! Nothing compares to You, You are incomparable! Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
...Prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all mankind shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken...Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

What a wonderful world this place that we live in could be if only we listen to the instructions constantly being given to us in the scriptures. We have an awesome God who always speaks to us in a very timely and specific manner. His messages are fitted to the situation we are presently experiencing right now. We should remain confident that God will make a way. There is really nothing more that God can do for us that He has not done. God is never short of blessings to shower on us. He has made it all available to us through His Son. All that is needed is for us to make our move. Let us open ourselves to God's presence in our lives and know that there is never a moment in our life when He is away from us for it is always the other way around. We are the ones turning away from Him and placing blocks and hindrances between us whenever we can't find Him.

We are constantly being faced by challenges to our faith especially at this present time. It is easier to be firm in our faith when times are easy but when tough times come that is when we are put to the test. No matter how difficult things may seem we should never give in to the pressure and remain steadfast. We can always choose to do the right thing if we safeguard in our hearts the truth about God knowing that it is always for the best. We need not be afraid of anything although this is something that we all find very difficult to do. They say faith and reason do not work together just like science and religion. This is not a fact but a fallacy. These things in fact compliment each other because one supports the other. There is no faith without reason and vice versa. We can not just have one and lack the other. This has to be very clear in our heads. We should always try to condition ourselves in the atmosphere of God's presence. We should gear ourselves toward that direction so that we place ourselves within His reach, it's not that God can not reach us but we hinder God from reaching out to us. When we do not respond to His call and shut off our ears although we are within hearing range, we fail to get the message. Which reminds me of Bernadette's ear, when we went to her doctor she underwent a procedure (ear lavage) in order to unclog her left ear but prior to that she was already instilling ear meds for 4 days. The nurse explained to her that it can be painful and can cause her to feel dizzy and asked her if she still wants it done and she agreed. Sometimes we have to resort to very uncomfortable measures in order to be cured in the same way we should maintain such condition spiritually so that we can always keep our ears open to God's word. Wherever God is, there is always peace and prosperity. It is only natural that we have longings and desires because God Himself planted it in our hearts. We all long for the good things in life and God Himself can provide for all these things. It is just sad that we reach out for other things that we thought are good for us. We do not realize that we have to seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else will follow. We fail to follow this sure and no fail formula that is not a secret. In fact it is not hidden in the bible since it is often quoted, sang and regularly assigned in the gospel readings. It is in really living this truth that we can witness for ourselves the glory of God dwelling in our land. Let's just keep our eyes always focused on the Lord no matter how long the road we're travelling is and how heavy the burden we're carrying may seem to be for the Lord is our Good Shepherd. If things about God are very clear in our minds then there is no need to doubt that God is the only authority that is worthy of obeying more than anyone and anything in this whole wide world. If we will just look very closely at what's happening in our lives then we'll see that God has our best interests in mind. We simply have to believe and obey Him with all our hearts. God will never stop in sending out His message to us. All we have to do is be attentive and receptive to what He's telling us. Day in and day out we are bombarded by the realities of life. There are times when we just can't help but be worried and anxious of so many things. It even comes to a point when we feel like giving up but we should always keep in mind that there is hope, for the glory of the Lord will dwell in our land. Only God can give us the peace that the world can not give. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalms 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

...9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land...The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase.

Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.

We may be in a situation where we have been waiting for the answer to our prayers and it's been taking some time already. Our waiting period may have been going on for a long time already and some people may have regarded it negatively and in a very unpleasant way. Despite of this we must continue to hold on to the promise of God. Amen. Hallelujah!

2 Peter 3:8-14

...The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,”...since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.

While we wait on the Lord we must try our very best to always be a good example of what a Christian should be. It is not easy since the Lord Himself told us in the scriptures, (Mt. 10:16) Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.  Not just once but twice since it is also in Luke 10:3, “Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” Our resolve to truly reflect the values of Christ may reach to the point of being mocked, ridiculed and laughed at. A lot of people may not understand our conviction and firm stand on the decisions we make with regards to our faith in God. We can rest assured that what the prophets, of the Old and New Testament, have said especially about Jesus is all true and reliable and we can depend our lives on it. Amen. Hallelujah!

Mark 1:1-8

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. 3 A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” 4 John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins… And this is what he proclaimed:  “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”