BE THE NEW ISRAEL

It is such a pity that most if not some of the Jews are still waiting for the Promised Messiah and failed to recognize Jesus as the Savior. But it is in their rejection to accept Him as Messiah that became a blessing for all of us. Romans 11:25, "a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in,..." The invitation is extended not only to the Jews but to the Gentiles as well, "...their rejection is the reconciliation of the world,..."  Romans 11:15. Romans 11:20, "They were broken off because of unbelief, but you are there because of faith."  Roman 11:29-32, "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.  Just as you once disobeyed God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now disobeyed in order that, by virtue of the mercy shown to you, they too may (now) receive mercy. For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all." Thus if we turn to God and become firm believers and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ we become the New Israel . Amen. Hallelujah!

Baruch 5:1-9

...For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. 8 The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; 9 for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

Somebody from our bible study group asked Fr. H (Hyacinth) this question, "How come God chose Israel (Jewish) to be the chosen people when they are so stubborn and stiff necked." The answer that Fr. H gave him was so satisfactory and centered on the unsurpassed and infinite love and mercy of God and so much like what I read and chanced upon in the Book of Romans 11:33-36 as I read the 1st reading, " Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?" For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." We tend to take for granted or worst we become ungrateful in a way when we fail to realize the things that God has done for us. It is undeniable that if we will just look very closely at our lives we'll see and find out that the Lord has indeed done marvels for us. There are times when we really have to strengthen our faith and hope for something we do not see and wait with endurance. We may be experiencing right now, so many unforeseen events but we should always wait and hope that the Lord will be gracious and reveal His glory. There is some truth to the famous saying, “Easy come, easy go.” If there are some things that we've been praying for and it seems like nothing is happening we should never give up. Every good work should be carefully planned and carried out to completion. Though the process may be long and hard we can always count on God to stick with us through and through and make it happen. If we are always manifesting in our lives the values of the passion and death of Jesus then we are assured of the resurrection. For this reason it is good to share this prayer of Mother Angelica in times of temptation and whenever we are on the verge of giving up when undergoing trials and tribulations. The prayer suggests that we focus on the 12^th station of the cross which is when Jesus dies on the cross while reciting the following: Eternal Father, I offer you the 6 hours of agony, the death and the piercing of Your Son’s Sacred Heart for… (mention the need or petition). This is effective in the sense that the Lord looks down upon His Son, His agony, death and the piercing of His sacred heart for our sake. Only to God can we look with so much hope and confidence that the desert we are presently encountering at the moment will be turned into a refreshing spring of water. We may be suffering long enough under the heat of this life's difficulties but we must not forget that God is able to turn everything into green pastures. It is undeniable that if we will just look very closely at our lives we'll see and find out that the Lord has indeed done great things for us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 126:1-2. 2-3. 4-5. 6 (3)

R: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

1 When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) 6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

I could still remember in the bible study in St. Lorenzo Church under Mr. Willy Santa Maria we discussed about the book of Wisdom and he touched the topic about the soul. To explain further he cited Aristotle a Greek philosopher who classified the Theory of Definition into 2 : nominal and real. The example he gave for nominal is water, being such in name only, or in appearance. The real definition, he further classified into how and "what is it meant to be?" As to "how" he defined water as H2O, relaxing and life giving.  As to "what is it meant to be?" or Toti en enni in Greek he elaborated by citing the acorn that developed into a full grown oak tree. The issue on Pro-Life and Pro-Choice came to play again when the example of an egg fertilized by a sperm developing to a person was also cited. He said that Aristotle a great and well renowned Greek philosopher who was not even a Christian way back then, during his time believed in the concepts and principles advocated by Pro-Life. What an irony that nowadays, people who have been exposed to a very wide knowledge base of information all in front of us with just a click of the mouse or wide array of references and theories all laid and figured out before us and claim to be Christians and followers of God can not even decide for this vital truth and issue about life. Today's 2nd reading becomes a confirmation to all the thoughts that surfaced and brought about by the 1st and psalm reading. We can all stand in joyful hope and anticipation of the fulfillment of what the Lord has promised. If only we can get things straight and right then we can really be the New Israel. Amen. Hallelujah!

Philippians 1:4-6. 8-11

...I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus...that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, 10 to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

 We are all invited to witness God's glory provided we listen to the call, really prepare and make straight the path of the Lord then we can surely be counted in and be part of God's chosen people, the New Israel. For it is written in today's gospel, "...all flesh shall see the salvation of God" It says all and no one is excluded. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 3:1-6

...as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. 5 Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”