There are many distractions all around us. Whether we admit
or not, we too succumb to it and sometimes fail to act in accordance to what is
right. We need to know what our priorities are in life. It is of prime
importance that we know what needs to be on top of our list because everything
else will come second and just trail behind. What we focus on grows. Today's
1st reading leaves us with a very important word of advice that we really ought
to take seriously and act on. Amen. Hallelujah!
Acts 6:1-7
...the Twelve called together the community of the disciples
and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit
and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote
ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Nothing is hidden from God and everything is known to Him.
It pays to always consult our plans to God in prayers and everything we intend
to do we should lay down before Him and seek His approval. He will never
deprive us nor withhold from us the answers that we seek. If we sometimes
forget these and tend to stray away from the right path then we should always
be aware that everything that we say, think and do must always have reference
to God our Creator. It may have happened to most of us when we get disappointed
at how we still miss something so quickly despite our close watch. We sometimes
end up confused and discouraged when things don’t happen the way we expect it
despite our accurate and strict monitoring. We even ask ourselves how it could
have happened. We may have heard and seen some terrible and frightening things
in our life but we should always hold on to the truth that no matter how
horrible the things that are happening around us they don't change the fact
that our Lord is God and always in charge and in control. It doesn't matter
that much how we think and feel but what matters most is how to feel and think
just like God. We can always rely and depend on it, 100%, fail proof and
success guaranteed. We should place our trust not in men or in things but in
God alone. What is wisdom to men is folly to God. The Lord did not promise us
to be totally problem free but He gave His assurance that He will always be our
Savior and Redeemer. God's power is beyond our full comprehension. He is Holy,
Mighty, Immortal and Infinitely Great. Did it ever occur to us how all these
things that surround us, from the skies, to the mountains, plains, the seas,
the wind, all the heavenly bodies above, the things down below, all the
creatures of the earth especially us, human beings came to be. Not a single
theory about creation could suffice and would ever satisfy the wonders and
marvelous things that God has done. Just thinking about all these things should
make us always put our hope in Him, feel confident and assured that we are safe
under His care, to help us from all our problems and shield us from all harm. It
is a consolation to know that we are constantly assured by God especially in
today's psalm to never doubt His power and goodness. His loving eyes is always
upon us not leaving us for a single moment nor removing his stare even with a
wink of an eye. It feels good to know that someone's eyes are upon us and
looking after us. When we come to a point of despair and feel like things are
not getting better, we ought to remember always that we are God's people and we
are His own. We have to realize this one most important truth that we should
all subscribe to, which is to constantly align ourselves and conform to the
will and plan of God in our lives. Let us ask the Lord to lead us to the right
path and decisions that we may work toward the building of God’s kingdom here
on earth. We should not give room to any doubt, fear,
anxiety, impatience, irritability, hatred, sadness, iniquity, unfaithfulness,
disloyalty, pride and loss of self control. Let us not choose to give in to
these. They are all characteristics that should not be found in a people the
Lord has chosen to be His own. Our present situation may not be a
perfect picture yet but we should all rejoice and be glad knowing that God was
the one who chose us first and He will carry us through. All we have to do is
just trust that the Lord will carry out with perfection all His plans for us no
matter what situations or circumstances may arise in our midst. When God
created this world and everything in it including us, He did not ask permission
from anybody. It means that He has chosen us to be His own and not the other
way around. This is the reason why the fallen angels/demons are so jealous of
men. We are indeed special in the eyes of God for it is written in Gen 1:26,
"Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Let them have dominion..." We are not just chosen by God to be His own
even before everything came to be but we are on top of His creation. Let us never lose sight of this wonderful plan that God has
for all of us. We may not be seeing it right now, having doubts about it, not
paying attention to it or unable to commit to it. Whatever it may be, these are
all hindrances that prevent us from gaining access to the goodness of the Lord.
Never allow ourselves to miss out on this privilege that is accorded to all of
us as the children of God. God chose us first and it is only right and fitting
that we choose Him too. If we always focus on the Lord and put His words in our
presence at all times then we can be assured that we have a lamp unto our feet
that is lighting our path. We have to entrust all our cares and worries to the
Lord for He can do better things for our lives than all our works combined. No
matter how hard we try to succeed in what we do if it's not in accordance to
God's plan then nothing will ever come out of it. We may succeed in one aspect
but we will never be totally at peace for in the end it will always be the will
and plan of God that will prevail. We just have to acknowledge that we are
sparing ourselves of all the trouble and heartaches if we will just be obedient
and completely trust in the Lord's plan. Let us truly be wise in the
real sense of the word rather than of the world and not forfeit all our
benefits from the Lord. We all have our personal
plans and designs and we may not be able to fully understand what is going on
at the present time. It is not easy for the wisdom in the eyes of God is
foolishness to the world but what's most important is that we should always
consult everything to God first, just believe and surrender everything to Him for
He knows best. We have to realize this one most important truth that we should
all subscribe to, which is to constantly align ourselves and conform to the
will and plan of God in our lives. The power of God knows no limits and we can
always rely on Him for anything that we are in need. Let us rely on God's power
and completely trust Him to bring to fulfillment everything that He has
promised. Just like the Blessed Mother Mary, who is Queen of heaven and
earth, we too are destined for victory and royalty. If only we live out the
example of her obedient life and carry Jesus in our hearts. Let us not lose
hope and have faith in the Master Plan and Grand Design that God has for all of
us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in
you.
...Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are
trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the
earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and
preserve them in spite of famine...
Sometimes we fail to grasp the full extent of God's power
thus we don't recognize God working in our lives through the scary things
happening in our lives. We tend to be disheartened right away and focus on our
fears instead of focusing on Jesus who can conquer all. I am reminded of this
conversation I had with this old lady. I was sharing to her about the gifts of
the Holy Spirit. I was trying to figure out where in the bible to find it and
here it is from Isaiah 11:1-2, The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a
spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A spirit of counsel and of strength, a
spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, ..." And another from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1831) which says, "The seven gifts
of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge,
piety, and fear of the Lord." She is not Catholic nor is she sure right now
what her religion is. She told me that she used to be Methodist but later got
interested in the Church
of Scientology
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6,16-21.
...they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the
boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Do not
be afraid."...
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