MY SONS

There was a time when my son, Allan was complaining to me of itchiness all over his body. I told him everything there is to do and finally came to the part where I asked him what could have caused it. He can no longer deny that he drank 3 bottles of beer during a birthday party that he attended. Of course, I was not happy about it because he was only 16 years old then but I must admit that I was a bit happy about the allergy. I explained to him that somehow the allergy is a blessing in disguise because it will remind him always that drinking alcohol is not good for the body especially when you're still young and if it's too much. I told him that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should take good care of it. Another thing that I was thankful of was the chance I had to call his attention to his actions and decision making that should be based on what is good and right and not on peer pressure. Just like in today's 1st reading we should not base our actions on the so called "popular demand" or be carried away by other people's expectations but rather on the principles that clearly uphold and reflect the uprightness of God. Sometimes we would rather keep silent than speak up for fear of making things worse than it was. This is true and acceptable at times. We should know when and when not to speak. Today's 1st reading tells us how Paul openly questioned Kephas who is in fact Peter and the appointed leader and head of the Church. It is a very difficult situation when one is compelled to do something like what Paul did. It is brotherly correction and no matter how we sometimes avoid and refuse to put ourselves in such a situation there are moments when we really have to, especially when the truth of the gospel is at stake. Amen. Hallelujah!

Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14

...11 And when Kephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong. 12 For, until some people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised. 13 And the rest of the Jews [also] acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Kephas in front of all, “If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

We find in the story of Paul that he eventually regained his eyesight and started proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. Wherever we're coming from we should strive to follow his example of groping for the truth about the light while he was in darkness and blind. We have a responsibility in our hands which is very clearly proclaimed in today's psalm. As we find our way to God may we find ourselves taking part in the mission and call that Paul himself obediently followed and fulfilled. We are not just listeners and onlookers, we apparently have to do what the psalm reading tells us today. We have all been commissioned to go out to all the world and tell the Good News. No matter who we are, what we are, where we're from and where we are. We need to strive to do our best to improve our knowledge of God for He has great plans for all of us. There is really a need to equip ourselves in order to respond as best as we can to His call. We are the temples of the Holy Spirit, that's why we should take care of our bodies too. Just think of it, whenever we are preparing to receive guests in our home we always try our best to make it look presentable and go through extraordinary efforts to make it special. I believe that we should develop this kind of attitude each day as we bear in our minds that God dwells in us. It is our duty to make Him feel at home and make it a fitting dwelling place for Him. Let us make ourselves a living testimony of the gospel. What a way to live if by just looking at us people will be blessed and praise God for we become proof of His steadfast kindness and fidelity. Sounds very difficult but as God our Father is Almighty we continue to hope that all things are possible and we can do all things through Him. God is so good indeed, and reminded about my son’s allergy. If not for it I wouldn't have known of his drinking spree and could have failed to remind and emphasize to him what a few bottles of beer could have led him. I am thankful that as early as possible it has already been put to a stop. Although I would like to give my son the benefit of the doubt that even without the allergy I know that Allan knows his limitations and can very well overcome any possible addiction that is being hurled right in front of him by the enemy for he is a Youth for Christ. As parents we need to look after the welfare of our children and give them sound advice. There is indeed a need to speak up, be bold and courageous. There is really a need to remind ourselves constantly of this truth in order to respond as best as we can to this call in today's psalm reading. Once we've made a decision to embrace the truth and turn our backs on our old ways which are not headed to the path that God wants us to travel then we can be assured that we are right on track. Shout it out to the whole world and let it be known by everyone. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 117:1bc. 2

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. (R)

Today's gospel tells us that God won't neglect us and always provide for all our needs. My elder son, Jude when he was still a young boy was so difficult to feed. He prefers to eat all the junk, sweet and empty in nutrition food. In order for him to eat the right kind of food we would resort to all kinds of strategies but would often end up in disagreement because he never seem to understand why I needed to force him to eat the right kind of food instead of the type of food he prefers to eat at all times. Now that he's older, I need not resort to the old tactics I used to do just to feed him. He can now understand the principle of proper nutrition, I guess, and I hope that he has learned the values of eating good and nutritious food. God in the same manner remains as patient and steadfast in His love for us. God won't neglect us and always provide for all our needs. The gospel also mentions a man who is very persistent in asking for something from his friend. We should praise and thank God because the gospel assures and gives us new found strength and confidence that whatever we have been praying for a long time already has been heard by God. We just have to continue lifting everything to God unceasingly. We must always have that attitude of hope and expectant faith in our God the Father in heaven. We must believe that our persistent prayers to God will bear fruit. God is merciful, loving and concerned over our own welfare that He continues to be the perfect Father and parent to us always. Several years ago, my younger son, Allan requested something from me which I am not fully capable of providing by myself. As I look back and recall all the things that took place and upon reading today's gospel it made me realize that every single step involved in it is indeed a testimony that we have a God who make all things possible. After all the things that happened within that period, from people who extended a lending hand, to the circumstances and events that went along with it which made everything fell into place up to the time when it has been declared officially that Allan has finally got a hold of it, one thing is sure, we have a Father in heaven who loves us more than we'll ever know. These memories are very significant in the sense that whenever I talk with my sons, I always emphasize to them the truth of the message and reflection of today’s gospel. When we deal with problems which we have been bothered for years we sometimes just have to let go and let God and before we know it they are already resolved. God has indeed provided us every possible means in order for us to live a full and happy life. I believe that if we always come to God in prayer He is always ready to answer us. It should be emphasized, what Padre Pio said, that prayer is the best armor we have, it is the key which opens the heart of God. Prayer is something that we can make use of at all times, we only have to will it, whatever, whenever, wherever we may be. God goes all the way in fulfilling everything for us even teaching us how to pray. The truth is there is really nothing more God can give us that He has not given to us, for He has already shown and taught to us the most important thing for us to do which is pray. It is one of the most important tools to always be attuned to God. We all have to pray. When we have access to the heart of God then we can hear the beating of His heart and synchronize our own hearts to His and make beautiful rhythm together. It is when we follow where God leads us that we create a harmonious relationship with God. When the heart of God speaks and we listen then we will never go astray. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 11:1-4

1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” … I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”