God gives us all a place and a position in the grand scheme
of life and we must know where we should be. It is important to know where we
are supposed to be in accordance to what God has designed for us. Saul just
went out to do what his father said, to look for the lost animals and the rest
is history. He had been given this special privilege to become king of Israel
when he was anointed by Samuel. It was a great honor to be anointed as
commander of God's people but in everything there is a corresponding mission
and task that we have to fulfill. The choice of Saul corresponds with the
priorities of the world rather than the priorities of God. Compare the
attributes of Saul with those of David and see the difference. God looks into
the heart of a man and not just his exterior behavior. It is important that we
realize that faith is all about the heart first and, flowing from the heart,
our words and actions. Can we honestly say we are doing a good job as
ambassadors of Christ? We pray that that the Lord bless our actions so that we
may serve with humility, and help us live a life that will reflect God’s
goodness through Jesus Christ. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Samuel 9:1-4,
17-19; 10:1
Sometimes we reach a point in our lives when we're at our
lowest and we tend to doubt God's presence amidst our trials. When we feel
lost, we must not forget that God has given us what we need even before we ask
Him. God knows every single detail about us and He will never leave out
anything in our life without pronouncing a blessing over us. Amen. Hallelujah!
P S A L M
Psalm 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R: Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
...You have granted him his heart’s desire; you refused not
the wish of his lips. (R) 3 [4] For you welcomed him with goodly blessings, you
placed on his head a crown of pure gold. 4 [5] He asked life of you: you gave
him length of days forever and ever. (R) 5 [6] Great is his glory in your
victory; majesty and splendour you conferred upon him. 6 [7] For you made him a
blessing forever; you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
We don't really know anything at all. Judging from today's
gospel we also fall into the same trap as the Scribes and Pharisees. This is
what happens when we fail to see how the mind of God works. Whenever things do
not go the way we wanted it then it would be best to always trust the mind of
God that works for the ultimate good. Speaking of battles makes us think of
wounds and injuries that can lead to sicknesses and there is really nothing to
fear for in every fight we take we are assured of a Divine Healer that can make
us whole. We should always follow what God wants us to do no matter how
difficult it is at the present moment. There should be no doubt that He will
carry us through. Today's gospel assures us that God is willing and able to
cure all our ills and sicknesses. The problem lies not in God's ability to heal
us but in our acceptance of the fact that we are sick and need healing. It may
be easier for a severely ill person to recognize one's sickness because it is
very obvious and undeniable than for someone whose illness and symptoms are
just mild and unnoticeable. It is more dangerous in a way because the illness
just creeps up very slowly and discreetly. It’s completely widespread and
terminal just like some cancers even before we know it. We need to be aware of
how we are doing ourselves. This does not apply to just our physical state but
most importantly our spiritual. Let us not neglect nor overlook this seemingly
fine condition we thought we are in and be caught unaware when everything
becomes too late. Fr. Joel Jason wrote this paragraph below in his article in
Sabbath.
Psychology journals now even speak of a so-called “mild
addiction.” I have a friend with a drinking problem who calls it his “daily
fix.” Included in this mild addictions are gluttony, chain smoking and heavy
drinking. But whether it is light or heavy, it is still an addiction. It’s a
form of sickness. Treating them lightly only gives a false sense that we are
doing OK when in fact we’re getting sicker by the day.
Today in the Gospel, Jesus reminds us, “People who are
healthy do not need a doctor; sick people do.” It was a subtle but stinging
remark directed to those religious leaders of His time who choose to be blind
to their own moral sickness. Today we have the same problem. We don’t even know
that we are sick because we invent names like “mild addiction” or “daily fix”
to avoid calling ourselves to task. Companies who make contraceptives even
market a pill with anti-pimple ingredient, taking advantage of the insecurities
of the youth. What’s next? A pill fortified with beta-carotene? We are becoming
sick and we do not even know it. Jesus, remind my heart.Fr. Joel O. Jason
Reflection Question:
When you see grossly overweight children, do you find it
cute? Do you justify your disordered desires by calling them “mild addictions”?
Lord Jesus, more than the physical, I need spiritual healing
in my heart, in my desires, in my will. O Hesus, hilumin mo, aking sugatang
puso. Amen.
We need to receive the medicine of the Divine Physician to
be healed and saved. Just like Levi in today’s gospel or more popularly known
as Matthew we have to be a true disciple of Christ. Live the gospel, become
living witnesses and role models. The disciples leave many things behind.
Despite of who Matthew is God loves him. He was greedy and a corrupt man. When
he got up and followed Jesus he left his office. We have to ask the Holy Spirit
to reveal things to us. We have to throw away all our garbage in our character
and relationship like vices, lust, pride, anger, materialism, being stingy in
giving treasures to the Lord. We still have a lot of things to be transformed
in our lives. As in John 10:10, A thief comes only to steal and
slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more
abundantly. We need to remove the fear of surrendering to the Lord. The
disciples of Jesus love to be in the company of the Master. They talked,
walked, ate and spent time with Jesus to learn. They were with Jesus 24 hours a
day and so must we to be His disciple. Here are some recommendations from a
retreat to be a disciple. First, we have to greet and thank God before we get
out of bed and wake up. Say our prayers and read the bible. When we worship God
we close our eyes. Make a habit of praying before starting and after work. Pray
before meals even in public places. Pray for safety when we travel and pray
before we go to bed. A disciples transforms his/her past for God’s purposes.
God uses all our past experiences for us to attain the kingdom of God
Mark 2:13-17
…As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at
the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed
Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat
with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some
scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax
collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and
sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need
a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but
sinners.”
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