There are days when we get very lonely although some people have a way of coping with such situations there are also some who do not. In one of God’s Children prayer meetings, the sharing revolved on the trials and sufferings which people have experienced. Everything pointed to the truth that God delivers and saves His people. He is always at work in the lives of those who are open to the miracles and wonders. God does not run out of them. He is always filled with love and mercy and the hands of the Lord is an infinite treasure of grace ready to be dispensed. One thing we have to keep in mind when we go through hard times is that everything is in transition. Nothing stays the same only the love of God. We should be confident of this love and never faint nor falter. Whatever we are going through right now, God knows very well and He will never leave nor forsake us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Job 7: 1-4, 6-7
... So I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights. 4 If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall arise? and again I shall look for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness...
No matter what we're going through we can always rely on God to uphold and defend our cause. If we claim to be true followers and believers of our Lord Jesus Christ then we can put a claim on these same blessings and privileges bestowed on the chosen people of God. His covenant with His people is everlasting. There is a big difference between a covenant and contract. A contract is an agreement which is all about an exchange of goods while the covenant is an exchange of relationships. God wants to have a relationship with us first and foremost and through it everything else will follow. No poet, writer or artist can ever describe in words or paint in canvass the love of God. For the immensity of its beauty and glory is immeasurable and beyond understanding. The readings for today point to the fact that we have a responsibility in our hands if we truly claim that we are a people of God. We have to follow and obey God at all times which can only be done and fulfilled if we have full knowledge of what God wants us to do. We’ve got to realize the most essential and important things in life that we sometimes lose sight of and tend to neglect. Let us not be dissuaded nor distracted by the allurement of this world and end up losing what really matters most. Our God is Perfect but we are still part of this imperfect world thus we are bound to experience the daily struggles of life. This reminds me of this incident when this lady who was already very careful in her movements still ended up scraped in her arm. She didn't even figure out how it could have happened. When we bump into something we usually develop a bruise but we would sometimes find one without knowing how it came to be. We sometimes get wounded and bruised even before we know it. Take the example of those people who are taking medications (anticoagulants) that predispose them to bruise easily. Well, things happen even if we do not want or expect it but we can always draw strength and inspiration from today's psalm knowing that God is our Mighty Healer and Savior. There are times when we are in a hurry to work things out on our own and forget to peacefully surrender all our concerns to God. That's when we end up tired and beaten because we've used up all the energy of our mind, body and soul. It's what usually happens to most of us when we are confronted with dilemmas. If we have learned how to truly wait for the Lord then we are not far from that place of peace where God is leading us. If we look back at what we've been through especially our trials and difficulties, then we can only feel so blessed and find gratitude in our hearts for all the things that lead to now. It will always be good to undergo trials and hardships in life and remain steadfast in the Lord for everything will pay off in the end. Not a single thing that we've been through for the glory of God will ever be in vain. Victory is indeed for those who acknowledge the Son Of God, Jesus Christ. It is only right that we give all glory, honor and praise to God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R: Praise the Lord who heals the brokenhearted
2 The Lord buildeth up Jerusalem: he will gather together the dispersed of Israel. 3 Who healeth the broken of heart, and bindeth up their bruises. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He tells the number of the stars; he calls each by name. (R) 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power to his wisdom there is no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the lowly; the wicked he casts to the ground.
Sometimes questions cross our mind and our thoughts wonder why people need to succumb to feelings of loneliness. We fail to grasp the meaning of why people have to be apart for one reason or another and why we have to experience feelings of despair due to loss or separation. Mother Mary was orphaned at a very young age which a lot of people may not know. She went through the pain of loss at a tender age and was able to bear it with much grace which brought her to becoming the Magnificat. It should give us a feeling of consolation and relief if we go through trials and difficulties in life for God has a reason and a mission for everything. He allows things to happen not to punish or torment us but for us to emerge strong and victorious in testifying to the gospel. This is part of the discipline and training that each persevering Christian should undergo. God has His ways of affirming, confirming and agreeing with us and one of these I already know, through the scriptures and daily readings. Paul in this letter to the Corinthians reminds us to set our goals and priorities right. We may be living our lives without knowing what we are primarily created for. The purpose of man's existence is very clear in the Baltimore Catechism. There are 3 things we ought to do as we answer this question. Why did God make you? Number 1, God made me to know Him, 2 to love Him, and 3 to serve Him in this world, so we could be happy with Him for ever in heaven. "In him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) We are all aware of the wonderful feeling of being chosen and qualified and the other way around. Let us get these 3 things, straight in our minds so as to be happy and not find ourselves disqualified in our final day here on earth. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 Cor. 9: 16-19; 22-23
...If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast...To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things to all men, that I might save all. 23 And I do all things for the gospel's sake: that I may be made partaker thereof.
Today's gospel speaks of the exact bible passage which a friend of mine considers instrumental in her healing. She specifically cited this story while praying fervently to God. She mercifully pleaded to God and called on Him not to deprive her of the healing she has bestowed on Peter's mother-in-law. At that time, she was already on the verge of drinking her sleeping medications but was afraid that she also might develop dependence since she's been on it for quite some time. She was battling then with not just one but several other medicines prescribed by her doctor which are all known to cause drug dependence. She had ready the medicine and a glass of water on top of the table but it was morning already when she realized that she was able to go to sleep without having to take any medication. Now, she's is totally free of all these medications. It is through our deficiencies, imperfections and inadequacies that we continue to seek God. For only Him can make us whole. Today's gospel is a similar version of the one in Matthew 8. It is a figurative form of telling us the importance to stay within the confines and teachings of the Church. 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 and 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 which is actually what Jesus is teaching us. St. Thomas Aquinas a well known saint and scholar draw us heavily upon philosophers, especially Aristotle and even Plato.
He gives pertinent formulations to the faith but also has a saintly approach. His book, Summa Theologica has 512 questions and many articles to each question like a debate. He has a style in his presentation of the faith. It contains a concentrated reasoning in which the human mind is applied to the mysteries of the faith. He comments on scripture, on the writings of the pope fathers and especially knew about St. Augustine’s work very well. We see how he champions philosophy and reason well. He makes a distinction between Theology and Philosophy but very much sees philosophy as the handmaid of theology. He could see this beautiful relationship how faith corrects and even purifies reason and how reason helps in the deepening and understanding of the faith. Pope Benedict XVI in his recent reflection on Thomas’ contribution quoted Pope John Paul VI asking “Thomas our teacher, what lesson can you give us?” He says, “Trust in the truth of Catholic religious thought as defended, expounded and offered by him to the capacities of the human mind.” As we are to receive the faith fully and receive it, it must be reasonable. We must be able to process and understand it. It’s a mystery, always infinite and beyond us but must be able to explore it by reason with much confidence in the truth and revelation. We must have the capacity to use our reason when unpacking the truth. The 1st part of the Summa teaches of the knowledge of God. He is the beginning and the end. He is the last end of all things especially rational creatures. The 2nd part teaches us of the rational creatures and angelic beings that advance towards God. It tells human beings, how we are to live the moral principles as we develop a moral theology. It centers on the teaching on grace and how we need it to find our way back to God and to be turned and transformed in holiness to be happy in time and eternity. We need that revelation of God’s law and we also need His grace to be happy. In this life, to find Him and to live that blessed eternal happiness in the beatific vision. It also cites teaching on the virtues, faith, hope and love and also 50 more virtues on how to live a good life. The last part speaks of the saving mysteries of Christ. It presents to us Jesus, how He saves, the sacraments and the mysteries. God directs us from within since we are unique in this sense. We are different from animals and plants and inanimate objects. He directs us to Himself to God as our last end with our free will choices to move by grace and desire happiness. We desire joy and fulfillment and we find that in God. Jesus was very focused on the mission that God the Father has for Him. In the same way that we must not be distracted and dissuaded to do otherwise when beset with problems and difficulties. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. 32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door.
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