We are called to perform a priestly function. Just like Paul, we too are called for a mission. It may not be the same one as what he did and may be just a simple task that we do daily or it could be a very difficult one but what's most important is our commitment and consistency to carry it out and really offer it to God. It is in these situations when we are compelled by the Spirit to do something that challenges our faith and put it to the test. In doing so, we encounter difficulties and hardships to the point of uncertainty. In the face of adversity and in this time of great trial do we bear witness to the gospel of God's grace. No matter how tough the opposition may be around us, pressing from all sides we must not waiver nor falter. Not everyone may understand or agree with our convictions and firm stand in the small or big things that we do but what matters most is that we do it for the greater glory of God. If we really claim to be God's faithful followers and hope to be part of His great Kingdom in Heaven then we are held responsible to truly become His witnesses. The kind of life we live is our testimony and witness to Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are too focused on so many things that we tend to forget this most vital truth about our existence. St. Paul in today's 1st reading got it very clearly and fought hard for it since he said, "Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace." He also sort of gave a warning when he further said, "...I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.” It is time that we examine our way of life and make sure that we are right on track. Life on earth is not easy but we can follow St. Paul who was called by Jesus though he never had the chance to see Him in the flesh. When Jesus revealed Himself to him on the way to Damascus St. Paul lived his life like he never did before. He got converted and believed in Him. There are so many mysteries in life that we may never come to understand. We may not realize it but we are going through the same process of St. Paul in his way to Damascus , but we are too busy and preoccupied with other things we fail to see God's revelation in our lives. Sometimes we tend to wait for the extraordinary things before we can get our attention to God. These things extraordinaire are not too pleasant for us sometimes that we end up turning away from God. We only tend to see these things in our life in a very narrow and limited way. We need to abandon ourselves totally to God and allow Him to lead us. We can never find the best example in anyone or elsewhere but in Jesus of Nazareth . Jesus was obedient to the Father even to his passion and death. When we see Jesus’ sufferings on the cross then we behold the Son of God and believe. Hearing and understanding things is a process and come through the cross. There is no other way than the way Jesus did. When we don’t know God’s word and Jesus then the devil can easily snatch our faith out of our hearts. It is important to study and learn about our faith. We need to see the plan of God in Jesus. Notice the difference in Matthew 8:14-15, “Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. “ And also in Matthew 13:1, “On that day, Jesus went out of the house …” Matthew 13 is all about parables of the Kingdom of God, the people did not understand Him but when He went into the house of Peter the disciples understood Him. The house of Peter signifies the Church, and outside the church there is no understanding of Jesus’ teaching. When we stand from outside of the Church and the faith there is no understanding of Jesus and the plan of God. Just imagine ourselves standing inside the Church and looking at the stained glass windows. We see the images in detail and in full color but if we are from outside the Church what we see is darkness, and kind of shadowy unable to see its full color and detail. This happens when we stand from outside of the faith. The light illuminates the window and we see clearly from inside the church and believe as it illuminates the life of Jesus. Only from within the Church can we understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God
Acts 20:17-27
...But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem . What will happen to me there I do not know, 23 except that in one city after another the holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. 24 Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. 26 And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27 for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.”
I grew up without a father because he died when I was barely 3 years old. My nanay (mother) was the only one who practically raised us up when we were still very young then. With all that we've been through, I can never ask God for more, for He was with us every step of the way just as nanay had said and believed when she was still living always emphasizing God's special care to orphans and widows. This should remind us why we must always be hopeful in His divine providence. Aren't we all blessed to have a God and Father who is our Savior and Redeemer. There are still more to be thankful about and it made me realize that if we will only be focusing more on the goodness and blessings that God send our way then there is really no more reason for us to be afraid or be discouraged. There is no doubt that God will always come to our rescue and will never forsake nor abandon. We all go through different situations and circumstances in life. Some of them do not make any sense. if we fail to acknowledge the power of God moving in it. There are numerous things that we can think, focus and decide on but there’s only one thing I am sure of. We’ve got to acknowledge that God’s power remains to be above all things no matter what it may seem to be. These experiences we have been through should bring our faith to greater depths, heights and lengths that we never could have thought or imagined possible. We can associate today's psalm with the first beatitude which is, "Blessed are they who are poor in spirit theirs is the kingdom of God
In our Catholicism study in St. Martha the speaker cited an example why we Catholics look up highly and venerate Mama Mary. He took Monalisa the famous and considered one of the masterpieces if not the greatest work of art of Leonardo Da Vinci. He said that Mama Mary is a reflection of God's greatness and His greatest masterpiece or creation. He explained further by citing another example of the moon getting its brightness from the sun. That's the true basis of Mary's greatness that some people even us Catholics do not realize so well. Our veneration and devotion to Mary is a way of worshipping God since we confess to the power of God manifested in the Blessed Mother. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 68:10-11. 20-21
R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
9 [10] A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance; you restored the land when it languished; 10 [11] your flock settled in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy. (R) 19 [20] Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation. 20 [21] God is a saving God for us; the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.
Something good is going to happen this very day. This day is a special day and is definitely not like any other. We have to believe that God has designed everything according to His wonderful plan for us. Sometimes we find ourselves led to the events and situation in our lives like we have never imagined. It was all too unbelievable that sometimes we come to this point when we almost feel like we don't know where to go and what to do. This should not wear us out and down but rather hold on to God's promise that He will fulfill in His most perfect time. In whatever situation we have in life we are called to respond to God as is where is. Sometimes we make things more difficult than it really is when we make all kinds of excuses and alibis just to get away with the fact that we already know what we're supposed to do but just don't want to do it because only we ourselves know it and nobody else. God our Father, Brother and Comforter surely speaks to the person concerned first and foremost and not to anybody else. All we have to do is just keep our communication lines with Him always open especially through prayers. Once we've known it then we can already give our commitment and full conviction to do and accomplish what God is asking of us so that we can give glory to Him. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 17:1-11a
1 Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come…I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.
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