VICTORY SIGN OFFICIALLY DECLARED!

I could never forget the reflection I wrote entitled “Victory sign officially declared!” on October 13, 2009 which also happens to be the day we commemorate the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. It is about the court case of Sis Joy Manipis which was adjudicated in her favor. There is no doubt that it was accompanied by signs, wonders and miracles wrought by God’s mighty hand. But prior to the official declaration of victory I had also witnessed that the laws and technicalities being followed can become twisted or crooked at times. In fact, 3 lawyers had declined in handling her case before she was finally able to get the lawyer who handled her case. They thought they would just lose based on the police report and witness statement which was filed. There is a tendency for people to put their faith and confidence in the wise tactics and strategies that this world offers rather than banking on the truth and what is pleasing before God. We sometimes lose sight of what is truly important and vital. Let us not be carried away or influenced by this wrong motivation in carrying out the rules and regulations that we follow. May we truly appreciate the law of God in the light of God's goodness, mercy and love for all of us. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Romans 2:1-11

...But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, Jew first and then Greek. 11 There is no partiality with God... 

We should not be influenced or governed by the manipulations of this world which are the easy come and quick fix deals that most people of our time subscribe to. The psalm reading is very clear in what it is telling us today. Let us choose to do things according to God’s way for, He indeed gives back to everyone according to his works. What a consolation it is to know that we have a God whom we can rest our souls. There is no need to fret or worry for God is our safety, the rock of our strength. If we are secured in the love of God then there's nothing we should be afraid of. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M 

Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9

R: Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.

Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all. (R) 5 [6] Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope. 6 [7] He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. (R) 8 [9] Trust in him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him; God is our refuge!

Sis Joy Manipis has been a loyal and faithful member of the God's Children Prayer Group. For years she has been tirelessly and selflessly servicing the seniors by bringing them to and from the prayer meeting and back to their homes. In the process of doing this they met an accident when a motorcycle crashed into her car. Although no one got hurt in her van and the man riding the motorcycle was not seriously hurt, inaccurate reports were made with regards to the accident which almost caused Sis Joy to lose the case. In fact it was because of her natural tendency or instinct to be of help that caused the inaccurate reports. Sis Joy was about to change to her right lane and had her signals on already but hadn't changed lane yet when the motorcycle crashed into her van but when she saw the man overthrown into the pavement she did not think anymore and immediately shifted to the right most portion of the road in order to help the man. The witness and the policeman who saw her in the right most lane did not know any better. There were negative feedbacks with regards to the status of the case since the police report and witness' statement do not favor her and could mean losing the case. There were several people in the community who cited similar cases and lost as if to warn not to put our hopes up too much and just be disappointed. Though in the end the truth has indeed prevailed for the judge has finally given his verdict and it is not guilty. God wants us first and foremost to put into practice and good use the things that we've known and learned about God. It is not easy to do what is right and stay in the light but it is never easier to do the wrong thing and be in the dark. Whether we know about this already or we would still have to find out sooner or later is not as important as the warning that Jesus tells us in today's gospel. The Pharisees and Scholars in the time of Jesus are the most respected and looked up to as the righteous people. We may be able to justify ourselves and fool the people around us but we can never camouflage the wrong that we do from the Lord. If we choose to do what is right all the way through as in the most genuine sense of it then we need not be bothered at all. It is like being under the guiding light of the Lord and bathing in the endless shower of His graces. God will surely endow us with true blessings rather than woe. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Luke 11:42-46

...And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”