PERFECT PARTNER

Our God is a God of surprises. If we have been getting no answers from God it is because He wants us to wait. He has something wonderful in store for all of us and will surely fulfill what He said He would do. There are times when we have to learn things on our own and really be independent. Whenever we encounter such circumstances we may not realize it but we just discover that somehow we’ve gone a long way in terms of our relationship with the Lord. Although those were the most trying times of our life we can definitely agree that our biggest problem just give it some time will become our greatest blessing. Have we experienced the so called gut feeling when we think that we know what is bound to happen? Or have we ever said words like, " I knew it!" and "I told you so" I guess everybody knows exactly what I am talking about especially during times when we're very sure about something we can even bet our life on it. This kind of thing usually happens when we've already experienced or encountered something that is totally new for others. We suddenly become the authority or the expert on such matters that people consult us or rely to us for advice on that specific area. Or it could also be like in the case of Peter and John in today's 1st reading. Peter was explaining to the people the truth about Jesus for he had a real and close contact relationship with Jesus. Jesus and the apostles have been through a lot already. Peter after that period of weakness and denial did not quit unlike Judas who killed himself. For as long as there is life there is always hope. Let us seize each opportunity every single day while we can, to enter into a relationship with God and work hard to improve it. Ignorance of Jesus Christ is ignorance of the faith. With this faith, we have to be confident of the ground we are stepping on which is laid on a firm foundation. Knowing these things enable us to move up of the ladder as we discover the many things that relate and connect to the very roots of our faith. Our God is endless in goodness and mercy. We must never stop in achieving the best for the greater glory of God. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Acts 3:11-26

…The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you. 17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; 18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, 20 and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of universal restoration of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. 22 For Moses said: ‘A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen in all that he may say to you. 23 Everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.’ 24 Moreover, all the prophets who spoke, from Samuel and those afterwards, also announced these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he said to Abraham, ‘In your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”

We have to grow deep in our relationship with God for He wants us all to be closer to Him. So when things become unpleasant and we start to feel helpless and feel like we  have no one, then we can look at things like it is all part of God's plan. The tricky question which I guess no one can give a straight answer is, "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" Furthermore, if we are to look at creation and all the things that surround us, as in the heavens, the moon and the stars then we will just be filled with awe and wonder at the greatness of God's work. It is a masterpiece of the Greatest Artist. What's most overwhelming is the fact that we have been given the honor of being the highlight of His work and the top of the line. God has bestowed so much love, honor and glory in our beings that we need to be in touch with this reality every single moment of our lives. It is time we become aware of this overwhelming truth that we are worth more than we'll ever come to know.  Just think of the story in the Footprints when God opted to carry us rather than just walk beside us. But recently with a new version of the footprints, we've come to a better understanding of who God is. God's message is that we should become like the Lord in every aspect and know Him more and more each day and as we grow in our knowledge about God we notice that we improve daily in our relationship with the Lord. We learn not just to submit to His will and blend in to His designs for us but most of all to enjoy being one with God for He is an exciting God who can make us smile, laugh and even dance with Him. We have a God who will stop at nothing in revealing His endless love for us in so many ways. We can not confine the attributes of God to anything for unlike any relationship, nothing compares to it, be it the best romance, friendship, parent child relationship we ever knew. Our relationship with God is capable of reaching insurmountable heights for He will always be the Perfect Partner for each one of us. God has created man worth more than anything that He created. We can all say that our beauty surpasses all creatures on earth. As days, months and years go by we must realize how important each and every day for it is an opportunity to discover more things about our Infinite God. If we want to reach the highest pinnacle of God's love then seize each day for His greater glory. This passage from today’s psalm was also instrumental to my being able to discover my authority over all things including a lot of unfounded fears that used to torture me. My family was very over protective of us since we were orphaned when my father died when we were just very young, my grandparents and single aunt were the ones who helped my mother take good care of us. We were sheltered and protected in the most delicate way maybe because they felt sorry for us since we have to grow up without a father. All I know and remember is that I am scared of a lot of things that even the most simple thing like turning on the stove, plugging an electrical cord, seeing a frog, lizard and all those creepy little animals that seem to be very harmless make me nervous.  I don't know if my being the only girl in our family of three contributed to this. I could still remember when I got so scared of a cat who just gave birth. It was lying on a chair right next to the switch of the lights in our chapel in my former office in the Philippines (DOST) and when I approached it, it suddenly growled at me and got so scared. But a sister in the community, Sis Au bravely rebuked the cat and fearlessly approached it and just switched on the lights like the cat never existed. I was so impressed at her and she quoted to me this bible passage that we have rule over all of creation and everything is under our feet which has helped me from then on to overcome a lot of my fears. Those days are gone, we should know who we are and what God made us to be, on top of all His creation. We should be free of all fears.  Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 8:2ab, 5, 6-7, 8-9

R: O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

...What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? (R) 5 [6] You have made him little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 [7] You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet. (R) 7 [8] All sheep and oxen, yes, and the beasts of the field, 8 [9] the birds of the air, the fishes of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

If we feel that we've been waiting for a long time and wanting to give up and walk out on the Lord then we would never witness the great things that God has in store for us. If we give up before the battle is over then we would never taste the victory that God has prepared for us. St. Paul said, “no eye has seen or ear has heard nor mind has imagined what God has ready for those who love Him.” We have to be steadfast in our faith and continue to seek, find and love the Lord as this song has been saying:

The More I Seek You

By: Kari Jobe

The more I seek you,

The more I find you

The more I find you, the more I love you

I want to sit at your feet

Drink from the cup in your hand.

Lay back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat

This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.

I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

Jesus is always there for us, to clear things up, instruct and validate. Just look all around us from the most insignificant thing like a flower to the most important aspect that affects our life we will find that everything has a meaning and a purpose. Just like anything even the tiniest part of creation that goes through a period of transformation. Whatever confusions and anxieties in life we have we can always be assured that Jesus can offer us the  information, direction and proof we ever need. Wherever we are in our life right now just think that we're close and we'll get there. We will emerge as the person that God has meant us to be if we let just let go and let God. There is really no reason for us to despair for God throughout generations has always been giving us messages to assure and guide us to the right path so we'll never be astray and not forget His promises that He is sure to fulfill. The gospel today is taken from Luke. It is mainly focused on the heart of man. The purity of desire, cleanliness of intentions and nobility of character all dwell in the heart of man. That is why God does not look on appearance but into one's heart. There are 5 themes presented to us about the gospel of Luke. They are the ff.:

1. Life of detachment...is the pathway to a simple life. There is a Jewish expression found in Luke 9: 57-62  "Let the dead bury the dead!" which can be interpreted in English as the dead being the "slow pokes and half hearted people"  in Filipino are the so called " mga papatay-patay" This can also be related to God's call to us in in the Book of Revelation 3:14-19 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea, 10 write this: " ...I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth..." This is a picture of hypocrisy and duplicity which the Lord rejects. Also in Luke 12:32-34- store treasures in heaven, let go of possessions in Luke 14:25-35 and Luke 16:13 which is about God and mammon. Money is not evil in itself but the love of money. Resources not shared is greed and talents not shared is lust. 

2. Universal salvation/salvation. The ff. bible verses were enumerated for further reference and understanding. Lk. 2:29-35 where Simeon said "Now, Master you may let your servant go." Lk 4:18-19 which tells us to proclaim liberty to all and Lk 24:46-47, preach to all nations/salvation to all nations.

3. Importance of Women: radical concept at that time. Because women during that time are second class citizens and hold no importance in society. The ff. passages in Luke promotes the important role of women as in the hand that rocks the cradle. Lk 1 46-56- Canticle of Mary. In speaking role. (like in John 2:1-11)Lk. 8:1-3- women supported Jesus' mission. Lk 21:1-4 Widow's mite.

4. Centrality of the Holy Spirit

5. Importance of Prayer

6. Importance of Repentance

We see in today's gospel the divine power of Jesus Christ. He is now seated in the throne at right hand of the Father. He has passed from death to another life beyond time and space after His resurrection. The risen body of Christ was not recognized immediately by Mary Magdalene and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. His appearance was different in the resurrection from His earthly presence. His humanity has entered into the glory of God. He was filled by the power of the Holy Spirit and sharing in the divine light of God's glory. He is fully present in the spiritual realm of the God the Father. Something of course that He has from the very beginning since He shares in God's full divinity. He just wanted to share this glory to us. Queen Esther was sitting close to the king and can drink from his cup unlike all the concubines of the king who were seated afar from the king. We too are invited by God to do the same as Esther and enter into a personal relationship with God. The widow in the book of Kings whose jug of oil never ran dry inspires us to connect to the source of that jug of oil which is no other than our God. Mary sat at the foot of Jesus and broke an expensive alabaster jar of perfume oil to anoint His feet. (A prediction of Jesus' upcoming death on the cross) She did not withhold or spare anything for the Lord to the point of breaking open the alabaster jar. In the same way that we must not withhold anything from the Lord because nothing could be more precious and worth treasuring more than Jesus Himself. He has entered into the glory of God to inspire us, the faithful to offer our homage and adoration. The glory of God that appears and disappears can only be discovered in the realm of faith. He is inspiring faith in each one of us. His resurrection has reached its full significance in this salvific event. His triumph and victory over sin and death. We remember that He was condemned to death for claiming that He was the Son of God. With His resurrection, He is confirmed and raised by the Father. Not raised like Lazarus who died again but He is raised never to die again. He said that when He is lifted up we would know that He is the Son of God and confirms His claim about His divinity. He has defeated sin and death. We are truly free. His resurrection is the principle and source of our resurrection. He is the source of new life for everyone and manifests our adoption as children of God. He is life itself. It is a hope that inspires faith and charity in us towards Him. He is the source of life and our future resurrection. He dwells in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery we come in contact with in the resurrection. We see an even greater or another difference in the veiled glory of the risen one in the truth that Christ ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Who is His Father and our Father. Remember He said to Mary "Do not touch me as I have yet not ascended to the Father."  As He ascended in the clouds and into heaven we look upon the full glory of God. The clouds symbolizes the fullness of glory as we recall in the Old Testament the clouds that descends in Mt. Sinai and the Transfiguration (Lk. 9:35) in the New Testament. These speak of the fullness of glory. The resurrection and ascension, all confirm that Jesus Christ is alive. Pope Benedict says that the ascension does not imply a temporary absence in the world but rather inaugurated the new, definitive and insuppressible form of His presence by virtue of His participation in the royal power of God. We find in today's gospel that the disciples are called to be witnesses. They have been inspired and empowered as they became His witnesses and told the world of what He has done. In this communion with Jesus and in His power over death, to resurrect and ascend into heaven, we too have the power to proclaim what He has done for us. We all have the mission to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in whatever way we can by our actions, love and words. Jesus gives to us His Holy Spirit and He hands over to us everything that He is. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 24:35-48

...“Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,... “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures...You are witnesses of these things.”