TELL YOUR STORY

My mother bought us all kinds of bible story books when we were still children. I have always been fascinated with it most especially with the supernatural and extraordinary story of Jonah. As a child, I am afraid of being hurt and experiencing pain and Jonah's story is a frightening experience for a child. Just imagine being thrown out into the raging sea and swallowed by a giant fish. Despite everything that happened, the story tells us that he was able to get out of the belly of the fish alive. This left me with so much awe just thinking of a God who is capable of doing all those unbelievable and miraculous things. Today's 1st reading reminds me of how those children bible books have impacted my life so much and have become one of the foundations of my faith. As grown ups we should come to realize that aside from the awe inspiring event of Jonah in the belly of a fish is the truth that we all have a responsibility in our hands to boldly speak about the Good News of salvation no matter what the cost. Every time God shows His signs, wonders and miracles the people are filled with faith but it doesn't last for each time they will easily forget and not remember. Let us always remind ourselves of these signs, wonders and miracles that happened a long time ago even up to the present time for it remains true forever and ever. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Jonah 1:1–2:1-2. 11

...Then they cried to the LORD: “We beseech you, O LORD, let us not perish for taking this man’s life; do not charge us with shedding innocent blood, for you, LORD, have done as you saw fit.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea’s raging abated. 16 Struck with great fear of the LORD, the men offered sacrifice and made vows to him. 2: 1 But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah; and he remained in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 2 From the belly of the fish Jonah said this prayer to the LORD, his God. 11 Then the LORD commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore... 

I can still remember when I was a still a child, I can't find the needle that I was playing with and I was so afraid then because I was told that if a needle gets lost and finds its way inside my body it will travel in my bloodstream and once it gets into my heart, I will die. I kept on looking for it but I just can't find it so I thought that it was already inside my body and I will soon die in a few hours. I was just silent and didn't tell anyone about it. When night time came, I just went inside my room and laid there as if waiting for my final hour. I prayed to God to make my death an easy and painless one. When morning came I was so surprised to see myself still alive and thanked God for saving my life. Looking back at all those things, I feel so ashamed of God that there are times when I forget to exercise that same kind of faith that I had when I was still a trusting and innocent child.  We should all have this confidence in the Lord who is able to rescue us from any kind of danger. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M 

Jonah 2:3. 4. 5. 8

R: You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord.

3 Out of my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me; From the midst of the nether world I cried for help, and you heard my voice. (R) 4 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the sea, and the flood enveloped me; All your breakers and your billows passed over me. (R) 5 Then I said, “I am banished from your sight! yet would I again look upon your holy temple.” (R) 8 When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; My prayer reached you in your holy temple. 

Today's gospel is another beautiful story told by Jesus Himself. It is the story of the Good Samaritan. It has always been highlighted how we should follow the example of this Good Samaritan who defied the letter of the law to fulfill what is most important, the Spirit of the Law which is love and mercy. As some may already know, during that time priests and Levites were not allowed to mingle with people tainted with blood or something to that effect, or maybe of a different race. We Catholic Christians tend to be over anxious in strictly following the laws of God to the letter and then fail to recognize that the greatest law of God is love. Sometimes we are carried away and so anxious to follow the laws imposed on us and sometimes fail to realize that it is law that should serve us and not otherwise. God will always push the limits of goodness to the edge like there is no room for more. When we were asked during one of our bible studies, who the greatest story teller is, everybody answered, Jesus. The explanation given to us why there are lesser books in the New Testament as compared to the Old Testament is that Jesus belonged to a non writing culture then. Jesus' style and current tradition did not rely on written but oral teaching. This truth is emphasized by today's parable and encourages us to tell our own stories that can give glory to God as a way of following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus. No one could ever refute this bible passage in today's gospel. It contains everything we have to know and understand in order to inherit eternal life. It is just the part on who is our neighbor that is in question. Jesus answered well when he gave this example that even the person whom you consider your greatest enemy as in the case of a Jew and a Samaritan is still our neighbor. We run out of excuses that we just have to obey and follow. Another thing worth mentioning with regards to the Good Samaritan is what St. Augustine thinks about it. He said that the wounded man is the New Adam attacked by Satan and left for dead. The priest and the Levites represent the Old Testament covenant which could not save him and Jesus is the Good Samaritan who stripped Himself of His kingship in heaven came down to earth and saved us. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Luke 10:25-37

25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27 He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37 He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”