We are all aware of the fact that in this world nothing is permanent, something may hold true for now but will end up different sooner or later. Nowadays, looking at the present situation around us, people are getting confused, anxious and uncertain of what to do next. We must admit that there are moments when we are guilty of those feelings. No matter how close we are to God as some people may think, we can not deny the fact that we succumb to it, too. You know why? We are never sure of what lies ahead of us, there's only one thing we can be sure of, Jesus. For thousands of generations past, God has been attempting to reveal Himself to mankind and trying to establish a relationship with us. From the time of Adam & Eve and Noah and dates way back to 1800 BC during the time of Abraham, Moses (1200), David (means the favored one,1000), Exodus (600) to the birth of our Lord Jesus. From this time line, significant events happened from the time of Creation when God created man who fell into sin and became unfaithful and how God continuously called us back to Him by showing us who He really is throughout the length of time. Dramatic events like the entrance of the Israelites to the promised land and the pockets of rebellion as they took over the 12 tribes. The sequence of events when they settled into a life of monarchy (kings) from their 1st king (Saul) to King David and King Solomon. The time of David as the greatest time of the people of God when the kingdom grew bigger while the time of Solomon as the time when the temple is at its best owing to the "wisdom of Solomon which was manifested in the 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs he wrote. But it was also marked by an event when the kingdom was divided due to Solomon's involvement to 1005 wives. It was a very difficult time marked by political upheaval, assassinations and adultery in the manner of the people's worship to Yahweh mixed with the pagan god, Baal. They all symbolize the covenant of God's love and relationship to man. The untiring and immense love of God for us revealed in the fullness of time through our Lord Jesus Christ. When a person speaks as if he/she can never be wrong then it must have been because of his/her level of confidence. If we are so sure of something, it shows. If such is the case then we should have the highest level of confidence in Jesus for the whole world to know. Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 3: 2-12
...bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known...
This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him.
Today’s responsorial reading reminds me of my experience at the Yosemite Waterfalls Park US and ranks 5th in the whole world. Whew! As I watched the water crashed down hard on the ground coming all the way from up on the mountain a thought came into my mind. If we truly believe that God is our Savior then we should have no more room for fear and doubt. Our weaknesses are born from it and rather than give in to it we must cultivate in ourselves the strength and courage coming from the Lord. We have a Great and Holy God which is enough reason to cry out with joy and gladness. We have already been given access to the fountain of life, let us choose to approach it and draw water from it with joy and live. A prayer that I got from an e mail really caught my attention. It has personally touched my heart when I came upon this prayer and decided to write it down in a notebook so that it can always come in handy whenever I need an inspiration. This is the prayer: "None goes to the river early in the morning and brings dirty water. As you are up this morning may your life be clean, calm and clear like the early morning water. May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. Amen." The psalm reading today reminds me of it because it somehow speaks of the same message conveyed in the prayer. Just like the Blessed Mother Mary, who is Queen of heaven and earth, we too are destined for victory and royalty. If only we live out the example of her obedient life and carry Jesus in our hearts the way she does. Mother Mary serves as a special channel that God has given to humanity to receive His graces. It does not obscure or diminish the one and only Mediator, Jesus Christ, rather she shows God's power even more. Jesus, the Son loves His mother and gives her the greatest grocery of graces in heaven. Mary totally depends on her Son as in the wedding feast in Cana by saying, "Do whatever He tells you." Mary knows that her Son is the ultimate source that's why she leads us to Him, the true Mediator. God Himself ordained that His only Begotten Son be born of a human mother through Mary's obedience and perfect surrender. When the angel appeared to Mary, he wasn't speaking his own thoughts and words. He was sent by God to speak God's words. In Greek, the Hail Mary is translated as Hail most highly graced one, meaning so completely graced. Mary truly is filled with God's grace. When God conceived Mary she was free from the stain of original sin. He is getting ready the 1st tabernacle of His Son here on earth. She is made holy, unstained and created in the fullness of grace. God has placed in Mary the fullness of grace. Mary conceived by her virginity and humility. It should be in our hearts to honor Mother Mary because the Son is within her body. The Father is in the Son. It is by grace that we are saved. Through Jesus and Mary all things are restored. Everything is possible with God. Who are we to defy the manner that God Himself has chosen for His Son to come to this world. I remember this friend who kept on saying that she enjoyed every single thing she did that day. She went to a children's party and enjoyed everything about it from the company of friends who were with her, the delicious food that she ate and the activities and games that brought so much fun to everyone. It didn't stop there because after the party she proceeded to attend mass and was surprised with a party for all in the Church. She kept on saying and repeating these words to me, "ang saya saya" in English "it was so much fun" This is why I am reminded of her upon reading today's psalm. We should realize that our situations no matter what it is should always create in us an atmosphere of "ang saya saya" You know why? It's not because we are out of our minds, it is because we have a Great and Holy God which is enough reason to cry out with joy and gladness. Amen. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6
R: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth...
God is fair and just in all His ways. We can rely on Him to carry out everything perfectly. We should be relieved in the fact that everything will come to pass in His perfect time in accordance to God's standard and not ours. In the meantime, we should always be prepared. If we don't know what to expect then we are at a loss. Jesus in today's gospel tells us that sooner or later we will all come face to face with God on our last day here on earth. No one can deny the fact that we will all die and it is something that we must not be afraid of. Instead we should all be ready for it when it comes and while we still have time. There is always hope as long as we live. Those who have prepared and acted in vigilance will never be caught unaware. Nothing beats those who are always ready and prepared. We have a responsibility in our hands and we are accountable for it. Let us do all in our power to measure up and give it our best. We sometimes get shocked at how this modern world of ours have drifted further down the pit of moral decay and got into the lure of what seemed to be the accepted and existing norms of our society. It is so difficult most especially for us trying to live the call of Jesus in our lives. It looks like wherever we go we are faced by these challenges. Sometimes we feel like people have no more room for godly talk. Just when I thought that we're running out of godly resources in our environment today's gospel suddenly reminded me of the movie, "Spiderman". I can consider the following words of Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility" a modern version of this bible passage that I have quoted below. Although we are sometimes overwhelmed by the discouraging reality of the kind of world we live in, God never runs out of occasions and circumstances to always reinforce His words which serve as guiding principles in life that can always keep us attuned and conformed to Him rather than to this present world. Although there are times when we find ourselves overwhelmed by the tasks in our hands, we should be glad and rejoice that we are continuously being entrusted with responsibilities knowing that God will not give us anything that we can not accomplish. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 12:39-48
...You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” .....Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. .....Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
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