KNOW WHAT WE'RE MISSING

If we will just pay attention to the things that God is telling us then we'll find that everything makes perfect sense. No flaw can be found in it and all will be well. We have to guard our thoughts, words and actions and hold on to what is good. Sometimes we think that we know better but we don't, only God knows best. We should always make plenty of room for God in our life. Whatever situation we are in right now, let us always believe that God will not put us through it without seeing us through it. This reminds me of what happened several years ago when I was disinterested, bored and thought it would be best to just stay at home but out of duty and courtesy I was forced to go out only to find out that I wouldn't have the chance of meeting a lot of wonderful people along the way if I hadn't gone there. After spending time with these people I must say that we sometimes really don't know what we're missing. This tells us that if at first we don't feel right about something then all we have to do is find ourselves doing the recommendation of today's 1st reading in order to discover and experience that everything really works out for the good. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Reading 1

Rom 12:5-16ab

...Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. 

We should always maintain a humble spirit and heart before God. Only God knows what's going on inside our minds and hearts. He will always lift up those who trust in Him. Let us offer to God all our brokenness and downtrodden selves that He will be the one to lift us out of it. I am reminded of the time when my son, Jude discussed to me a concern that somehow disturbed him. I was quick to assure him and tried to boost his confidence. Although at the back of my mind there were also some clouds of doubt that tried to get to me which was immediately dispelled after I attended the Sunday mass. I was so excited when I shared to him what I experienced at mass. What was impressed in my heart came from the songs sang in the celebration of the mass. The 1st song is entitled "Only in God" and the ff. lyrics: “I shall not be afraid at all, my stronghold, my savior, i shall not be moved...” from the 2nd song "The Lord is my light" w/ the ff. lyrics "If God is my help whom should I fear? The Lord is my refuge, my stronghold and my strength: why should I be afraid?" and the 3rd song which is the final song "Sing to the mountains" w/ the ff. lyrics "I will give thanks to you my Lord you have answered my plea... you are my strength and my song" These are all assurances that I felt came from God who answers all our prayers. No matter how doubtful and unsure we are of what we are confronted with in our lives we should not be afraid for the Lord assures us of His help. God really wanted to communicate His will to us be it in big or small things. Making it known to us amidst the confusing and mixed signals we are getting everyday from this world since there is always a constant, consistent, reliable signal that we can always depend upon and rely on, the Word of God. If we keep our focus on the Lord then we'll definitely find peace that the world can not give. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalms 131:1, 2, 3

R: In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

1 O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me. (R) 2 Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me. (R) 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.

In today's gospel, we are again reminded of choosing to do the right thing and not make excuses. We will really never know what we are missing unless we become wise for God in the choices that we make. We have to make up our mind and make our choice. Come to think of it, today is the day when the Americans will be deciding for the new US President. We can not be undecided, there is a need to be counted and make the right choice. Sometimes when we are not careful with the choices we make and preoccupied with other things then we tend to neglect what is essential and important. We may find ourselves living day in and out without any meaning at all. We have to know our priorities and set it right. In our list we should always make God our top priority in everything we do so as not to miss on the main course or the special menu that God has prepared for those who have been invited and were able to make it. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Gospel

Lk 14:15-24 

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves... 23 The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. 24 For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.’ ”