The story of Jonah who got swallowed by a whale before he
finally committed to doing what God asked him to do could very well be our own
story. Jonah 1:17, Yahweh prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah
was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Oftentimes we are
confronted with difficult decisions in our lives and are full of fear and
doubt. Sometimes we all end up like Jonah when we refuse to follow and obey
what God is telling us to do. We tend to underestimate and doubt the power of
God in our life. When we waver and falter in our faith in God and refuse to act
according to the Lord's bidding then we end up trusting more, our own personal
strength and understanding rather than God's. No matter how difficult the
things may seem to be it is always for the best that we seek God's will and
approval in everything that we do. Just like Jonah, all we have to do first is
obey even without first seeing results and everything else will follow. In
today's first reading we are reminded not to hesitate but to obey the Lord's
bidding. For it will always be the right thing to do for no matter how
impossible a task may be, He can always work things to our advantage. But
things can get mixed up and can be misinterpreted, misunderstood, overlooked
and taken for granted. It's a good thing we all deserve a second chance just
like Jonah. If at first we thought we were doing the right thing but ended up
mistaken then we should not despair rather be thankful to God for the
experience of being able to find out what we should have done or not. God allows
us to live our lives the way we wanted it in order to become fully capable of
making decisions based on our everyday experiences. It is a consolation to know
that whenever we are off track He never fails to bring us back to our senses.
This 1st reading taken from the Book of Jonah has very significant signs and
symbols that we can attribute to penance from sin and conversion. The Ninevites
believed in God, converted and repented of their sins. The Church reminds us of
these very important things that we should always keep in mind so as to gain
the favor rather than the wrath of God. Here is a question that each one of us
would like to know the answer. Could God ever threaten to do evil on His
people? Isn't it true that God is All Goodness and Holy? Then how could He
possibly carry out evil? There is a misunderstanding if we would ever think
that this bible passage in today's 1st reading is meant that way. I somehow
believe that it may have caused some miscommunications when it comes to the way
we see God. In truth, God can never threaten nor carry out something that is
evil. It is the evil ways that we resort to and refuse to turn away from that
threatens the peace and tranquility in our lives and not God. Come to think of
it, but we are in reality sometimes led to believe that we have a punishing God
who will annihilate us whenever we do something wrong. I guess, it is time to
revise our old edition beliefs and upgrade it to the loving and merciful God
revealed in the image of Jesus who died on the cross for our sake. This is also
the same message that Fr. Corsie Legaspi conveyed to the people in a healing
mass. He said that we are in a way blaspheming if we ask God, “Why me?” or
“What have I done to merit such kind of illness or suffering?” God only sanctifies
and heals and could never cause anything evil. What we can be very sure about
is that evil begets evil. We reap what we sow. We should see it coming our way,
sooner or later whenever we do something evil. But God can combat and reverse
evil if we make a decision to turn away from it. This is how we should look at
it. The people during the Old Testament are savage and their understanding of
God is limited to their experience in which we are definitely at an advantage.
Why? In the New Testament, we have Jesus, God's only begotten son who came to
us to suffer and die for our sake. The ultimate sacrifice of love the world has
ever known. This we really ought to see, feel and experience. Amen. Hallelujah!
Jonah 3:1-5. 10
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Set
out for the great city of Nineveh ,
and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” 3 So Jonah made ready and
went to Nineveh ,
according to the LORD’s bidding.
No matter how unsure life may be and how unfair it may seem
we can always rely on the one true God who was, is and will always be forever. If
we will just take to heart at all times the assurances of God in the scriptures
then there is really nothing that should stop us from following the right path
that leads to God. We should constantly implore God's help in prayers so that
we faithfully live out His example in our lives. In the Philippines there is an expression
being said when people are so bent over and head strong about doing a certain
task like nothing can ever stop them. It is known as, “Kina-career mo naman yan”
In English, “You’re making it a career!” If we will look at the meaning of
career in the dictionary we’ll find that it means, course of action; height of
activity or run or move at full speed. Come to think of it, that’s how we
should act when it comes to the most important aspect of our life. There is
really no doubt about the goodness of God. If there is one thing in this world
that we can depend on that is the mercy of God. We should constantly implore
God's help in prayers so that we faithfully live out His example in our lives.
Our confidence in God should never waver nor falter. It should be our goal to
grow and mature in our knowledge and love for God. As we move forward in it
then we win for ourselves a friendship that is like no other. We have seen a lot
of broken relationships in our lifetime and if we will base our understanding
of the word friendship on that then we will start to lose faith and confidence
in friends. It is so reassuring and comforting that in the friendship of God we
can be sure that it is something we can always count and depend on. Everything
comes from God. All good things come from God. All blessings come from God. God
pours out to us the all abundant love in every possible way. Love and life is
not simple other wise we will be living in a heavenly world where there is no
strife, deceit, injustice and division.
The world we live in is fractured, unless we stop doing mundane and
distracting things that pulls us away from visualizing the things of God then
we will just find ourselves distracted and unfocused. We just might find
ourselves going in all directions but not really finding where we are supposed
to go. God teaches us His ways with the guidance of the Holy Spirit directing us
every step of the way. This is how we should relate to God by aiming to
encounter Him in an intimate and personal way. It is possible that all our
hurts and injuries be turned to compassion for those who have caused us so much
pain because God who is full of mercy and love is the one who did it first for
us and we ought to follow. It is indeed
a consolation to know that we are in the hands of God. There is no reason to
fear nor doubt, for the Lord will surely bless and keep us at all times. This
made me think of the children who squirm and try to break free from the
protecting hold of a parent. Sometimes we are no different from the children
because we want God to let loose of His hold. We have a gentle and loving God
who will never impose nor force Himself. It is all up to us whether we remain
or wriggle free from the loving grasp of God's hands. God always work with perfection. We can
always be assured that if we allow ourselves to go through the Refiner's fire
then we will surely come out perfect. God is always precise in His moves and
can never go wrong. We should be very grateful and awe inspired as we realize
that there is nothing beyond the power of God. If we are sensitive and
attentive enough to the Lord then we would discover that God allows the events
in our daily experiences to happen in a way that is best for us. Although there
are times when we just can’t see it the way it is. It is in the consultation of
the word of God that we can find so much consolation and hope in our daily walk
in life. As we develop this communication with God through scriptures we would
find it to be always connected if not perfectly fitted as God opens up our mind
and allows us to grasp things in a very unbelievable way. Our God is beyond
compare, awesome, wonderful and marvelous. If we give to God all our concerns
and anxieties and trust in His goodness and mercy then He will always direct
our steps in the way that He wanted us to go. Several years ago in a Lenten
Retreat at St. Lorenzo the speaker said that Catholicism is the religion of the
soul while Protestantism is the religion of the mind. This is because
Protestants have a problem accepting things that are not written in the
scriptures. The language of the mind makes use of words alone which are limited
unlike the language of the soul which goes beyond what is written and extends
to signs, images, symbols and metaphors. There are things that are beyond human
comprehension and expression. This explains why we are a people attracted to
signs and symbols. Dan Brown, a famous author of books, Da Vinci Code and
Angels & Demons are only a few of them, which deal greatly on the meaning
of signs and symbols has become a hit. His style appeals to the public that's
why he has earned millions and become popular. It is in this nature of ours
that God speaks to us not just in physical terms and words but in spiritual
language as well. We have to be aware of
the truth of the richness of our Catholic dogma, doctrine, discipline and
practices. Our Catholic faith is so rich, it's like eating cheesecake and if we
ever think of leaving the Catholic fold after knowing these truths it would be
like exchanging the cheesecake for a sugarless donut. Liturgical cycles of the
Church are very interesting in the light of the seasons of love, life and
faith. Advent is defined as anticipation of something that is coming. We are
well aware of the 1st coming (Parousia) when Jesus came to this world more than
2,000 years ago and the 2nd coming of Jesus which no one knows exactly when it
would be. But there is one more thing we need to really prepare for which is
the 3rd coming or our own personal coming of Jesus when we die. As Catholics,
we might want to ask ourselves why we go to Church and attend mass. We come to
the Lord at a designated time and place to know of the mystery of life. If we
somehow come to know of these signs, symbols, images and metaphors although not
totally then we could relate better in our relationship with God. The Mass is
full of these signs and symbols that appeals to our sense of sight, sound and
smell. There are lots of explanations that go with these practices. Though
these practices can change in the course of time the core teachings of the
Catholic Church like the dogma and doctrine are all non negotiable and would stand
through time. We should no longer doubt in our minds all the things that God is
capable of doing. Life is a mystery which is much like a black hole. Once we
fall into that black hole then there is no more turning back from where we came
from. We just go on and on learning about life until such time when we come to
the knowledge of its full mystery when we die.
For God has reserved for us something special like the front row seats
in a spectacular play in a theater. No less than the prime spot for the Lord
will always grant our heart's delight as we faithfully cling to Him. While we
still can, we must come to a better understanding of these things and strive to
learn the deeper meaning of our faith. No one in his right mind can ever deny
the presence of a Supreme Being who created all of us and this wonderful world
we live in. It remains a mystery how the sky hangs on high without ever getting
tired and falling, even the rising and setting of the sun, the moon and the
stars that bedecks the sky and the planets that rotate around the sun without
ever losing its alignment and end up bumping into each other. Even the wisest
and most brilliant scientists are continuously amazed at the endless and
infinite discoveries and revelations of the universe as they strive to unravel
its mystery. From generation to generation and ages past no single human being
was able to completely unfold it for human intelligence is simply insufficient
and can never measure up to God's. Have we ever wondered and asked how things
in our life came to be? There is only one thing that needs to be done, that is
to call on God endlessly at all times for guidance. As we try to look back and
recall may we always find ourselves confidently claiming all our life's events
as according to what God has planned for us and if not then it is about time
that we call on to God with these words in the psalm reading. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 25:4-5. 6-7. 8-9 (4a)
R: Teach me your ways, O Lord.
...guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my
savior. (R) 6 Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of
old. 7 In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD...
Nobody knows the exact time or hour of our departure here in
this world. One thing is sure it will come. No one is assured of tomorrow. Life
is never easy most especially if we commit to a life dedicated to follow the
example of Jesus Christ. It is always easier said than done but we can always
focus on the reward that awaits us just like any victorious battle the champion
emerges with the trophy and prize. It challenges us to always dwell on these
promises that can never be broken. If a trustworthy and honest person gave his
word we are confident that he/she will honor it. All the more should we be
confident of God’s word. If God spoke and promised then He will surely grant
it. We can never find lasting peace and happiness in this world. It is only in
the Lord that we can be assured of something permanent and lasting which we
could definitely not find in this world. If we think that we can always
procrastinate and still be given a second time then wait and think very
seriously about what the 2nd reading is telling us. The urgency of our life's
purpose and mission should always take first place. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
29 I tell you, brothers, the time is running out... For the
world in its present form is passing away.
Today's gospel is the scene at the Sea
of Galilee , the call of the 1st disciples. This call is not just
for them but for us too. We are also invited by Jesus with these same words,
"Come after me..." It is being proclaimed to each one of us today. We
may not respond in the same way that Peter and the others did. There are those
who would leave their former way of life radically and some who remained in
their workplace just like Zebedee. Whether we leave or just stay where we are
we need to sanctify our work and seek to glorify God with our lives. Our lives
should become rich and meaningful even the simplest thing is an encounter with
God. The stories of the disciples especially of Peter that took place in the Sea of Galilee has taken a special meaning in my life in
2007. The sea of Galilee is where Jesus' call to the first disciples took
place. It is good to recall and look back where our own Galilees are. I can
still remember very well my own Sea of Galilee
experience and should always keep in mind and never forget. It has become so
personal for me. Peter played an important role in my decision to come here in
the US .
I could still recall the bible story in Luke 5 entitled, "The call of
Simon (later on named Peter) the Fisherman." It was way back in Feb. 4,
2007, during those times when I was discerning and weighing my decision to come
here to the US .
This gospel reading from Luke specifically caught my attention, confirmed and gave me confidence in what I was planning
to do and eventually did. It was specifically the bible passages at the Sea of Galilee in Luke 5:4-6 "Jesus said to Peter,
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Simon said
in reply, "Master we have worked hard all night and caught nothing but at your command I will lower the
nets." When they had done this they caught a great number of fish their
nets were tearing." Just like Peter
who was skeptical at that time I was also feeling so unsure about my decisions
then and this phrase really had a great impact on me back then coupled with the
priest's homily that went with it. That was 8 years ago now. I feel like God is
reminding me again of that scene at the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Sea of Gennesaret
Mark 1:14-20
14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: 15 “This is the
time of fulfillment. The kingdom
of God Sea
of Galilee , he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets
into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I
will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed
him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and
his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called
them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men
and followed him.
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