PERFECT

We often typecast people based on what we see in them. No other title can surpass the privilege of being identified as a “people peculiarly his own” meaning we are unique, extraordinary, special, exceptional and exclusively belongs to God. Today's 1st reading is about the covenant that God has made to His people with a clause attached to it. There is a condition in the agreement which is to keep all His commandments. It is not easy to be a Christian meaning we follow the things that God tells us to do. Whenever we work hard for something we can expect great results and it is exactly what we are supposed to do for it will always be to our advantage that we follow God. If human beings can easily break their promises we are very sure that God doesn't and never will. Let us just focus on His promises always so as not to be disheartened and easily discouraged knowing that the One who promised is trustworthy. If we are to look very closely at all His commandments and then to all His promises, we'll find out that it is really for our own good that He has given us these commands. We've got to remove all wrong impressions and notions that His commands are meant to make life difficult for us but rather as a guide that can direct us to a life of freedom. In one of our Apologetics class the speaker said that the commandments are not given to us to limit our freedom but in fact it is the formula for a truly happy life and enhances our freedom even more. He cited the example of driving in the freeway. He told us to imagine the kind of scenario if there are no rules and regulations to be followed in driving especially in the freeway. He said there would be a lot of chaos. He added by saying how can we imagine leaving our children in a day care with a playground without any fences. These rules help us enjoy life and have more peace and joy. They do not limit but instead protect freedom. To the extent that you can follow the 10 commandments and become free. This we have to realize, the more we disobey the more we become bound and become a slave of sin therefore the more we obey God the more we become free. Amen. Hallelujah!

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

...And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, 19 he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised.”

“Don't trust too much, don't love too much, don't care too much because that "too much" will hurt you so much...” This is a quotation I came across on Facebook. It somehow answers the part where we have to hurt so much. We use our mind to sort out what is true. God has given us the intellect, will, passions and emotions. Sometimes our emotions lead and carry us away in the search and to discern the truth. Our mind can seek the truth and our will can choose the truth freely. After the fall of our 1^st parents, even if we know what is right we have been infected by the malice of the world and our will have become weakened. Our emotions play a big role in our will. This is why it should be properly directed. Our emotions go up and down and it is not the proper gauge. Some relationships should not just be built upon a bunch of good feelings. It is a very dangerous basis for love. We need to ask the question of truth and get a hold of our emotions so that we can put our relationships in proper perspective. There are so many things that we are worried about but only one thing is needed and we have to be sure that we pick the best option. We need not confuse ourselves by even considering the options that the world enticingly and seductively present to us. Does this song sound familiar? "Gusto kong bumait pero di ko magawa." Because we are still in this world and its laws  dominate  us it  is  indeed  hard  to  serve the  law of  God.  But  we  are  constantly reminded  that  if  we   only  make a stand  on which side we are then God will deliver us. There is only one thing needed and we have to choose the best part. We must always know on which authority are we basing our actions. It will always help to examine ourselves and really be aware where our loyalty lies. Are we for God or against God or are we just for God in the superficial sense?  If we are deeply rooted in Him then we can withstand that horrible day of trial  and still find ourselves persevering in our faith. We have to do things according to God's statutes and precepts which is the only sure way to live a happy and abundant life first here on earth and then for eternity.  There is one thing we need to do. Let us always focus on Jesus and follow the example He has left for us to live by. What a friend we have in Jesus. He is never amiss on anything. Let us not hesitate to reach out to Him for in Him we find a true friend who is ready to help us. If we come to Him at all times for guidance and direction, He will always be there to take our hand and lead us to the right path. The Lord knows exactly what's in our hearts. There are times when people judge us based only on what they see but what matters most is that we are right before God. The truth is that we ought to realize by now that only God can deliver us from all evil and there is no one else to whom we can go but to Him. The Lord has promised and He will fulfill. This should give us so much joy and peace in knowing this. There is no doubt that God in His goodness surely sheds light, giving understanding to the simple in times of affliction. We need to always hold on to God at all times and never lose hope in Him. Just imagine ourselves walking in the dark without knowing what we are stepping on and where we are headed. It is very difficult there is no doubt about it. We need light to guide our steps and show the way. We have to realize that loving God means obeying with all our heart. Have you experienced waking up or going to bed at the same time everyday? It's because of the circadian clock or the rhythmic biological cycles that happen or recurring everyday in us. Let us pray to God that we develop in ourselves an instinct and discipline to naturally follow His commands like the circadian clock. The time to act is now. Let us seize every opportunity to know the Word of God while we still can.

1. Do we see God as the Primary agent?

God is the Primary Agent of Evangelization. It is not about us but about God.

2. Do we see Evangelization as everyone's responsibility?

We must not end up like the Dead Sea that just received water but did not give out. The same thing happens to us when we do not take the responsibility of evangelization as our own. We have to work on improving our skills for the work of God.

3. Do we communicate God's love?

4. Is total human betterment part of the ministry?

5. Do we respect other traditions?

God does not take sides. There is an equal opportunity for all but we have to make sure that we are on God's side. We need to rid ourselves of any triumphant or arrogant attitude towards people of other faith. The Abrahamic religion has a common denominator which is belief in God. We are not the sole professor of truth. We need to listen for God's revelation from others, too not only from us.

6. Does our love go beyond Catholic borders?

The kingdom of God is older and a broader reality than the Catholic Church. We need to live a humble life and forgive each other.

7. Is our approach ecumenical?

We do not have the monopoly of God because the Good News has no border and dealt with a common faith.

8. Do we use all available media?

The best media is our own life, no need for TV. The example of how we live our life is the best means to evangelize. Walk the talk.

9. Do we fully utilize existing groups like ministries that renew and energize members?

10. What is our total image?

We've got to maintain a wholesome image unlike the Crusaders, though they were able to convert many to the faith, the spread of the Good News was carried out using the sword. We must take extra care in projecting the right image as Good Messengers of the Good News. We can't just take one passage and take it as a whole, we have to consider the entire scriptures. It must be read within the living tradition of the Church. It is written in the Church's heart in the very essence of who Jesus is. The analogy of faith and inner harmony should co-exist and take all of them together as a unity. To take just one part of the truth and depend solely on it for everything else to unravel would end up in heresy and find ourselves outside the truth. The depository of faith is entrusted by the apostles to the whole of the Magisterium of the Church. This task of giving an authentic teaching of the depository of the faith is given to the living successors of Peter who is the Pope and the Bishops in our Catholic Church. We must have the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the Magisterium of the Church. If the Church is not a Divine institution it would have crashed 2000 yrs ago. Living tradition and sacred scriptures are the means to transmit the faith. We need to know this to understand how God's plan works through things revealed by God to us and recalled by faith.

Another interesting event I am reminded of is one of the MI (Militia Immaculata) Meetings we had in the past  wherein we were asked to introduce ourselves briefly by saying our names, parishes where we belong and the time when we were consecrated to the Mother Mary. I can never forget the date I was consecrated (March 15, 2008) since it was the same date, but in 1995, of my mother's death anniversary but I would rather call it her birth to eternal life. It was highlighted by another significant event which was a dream I had at that same time of my aunt, Tita Edna who also passed away on the same month, March 24 in the year 1992. The dream was quite interesting and very vivid because I saw Tita Edna  riding in a van and the moment I saw her I took off immediately and ran after the van which I almost missed if I did not leap and managed to make it to the door of the van from which I almost fell. When I finally made it inside the van, I saw that she was about to eat so I offered her a hand sanitizer and saw that it made her so glad that I had it. She immediately applied it in her hands and thanked me for it. It suddenly gave me the impression that the van could be a symbol of our transportation to heaven. It is very difficult to catch that ride, we have to be always alert and vigilant we might end up missing it and worst never be able catch the ride ever again. That is, if we are too busy with other things we tend to neglect what should we be paying attention to and end up missing out on our ride and get a different ride which instead of bringing us to heaven, be brought to another destination which I guess none of us would like to be. Just the thought of ending up in hell should really make us pray fervently to God.  Today's psalm teaches us the way to always be attuned to God's Spirit in order for us to truly see the word of God, as the light shining like a lamp for our feet. If we really want to be truly happy then there is just one thing we have to always do that is to always keep ourselves blameless before the Lord. We can never run away from the probing eyes of God because nothing is hidden from Him. We sometimes have this impression that our God requires impossibilities from us. We misinterpret and take things in a different way whenever we hear of rules and regulations to be followed. The decrees of our Lord are not meant to make things difficult for us nor do they burden or tie us down. This is the deception and we should start looking at it the right way. Just imagine life without God's decrees to guide us, it would be very disorderly and chaotic. Real freedom is the ability to follow God and being totally free of the grasp and hold of sin that brings death. Some sins bring instant death but others just like cancer slowly creep in and before we know it has already eaten us up whole.  God loves us so much that He has given us His decrees because it is in following them that we become totally free and live. The only way to true freedom is by following God's commands. In doing this we become free of the bondage of sin and live a power filled life based on the Truth. We should believe that if there is someone in and out of this world who is most reasonable, just, fair and at the same time loving, caring, slow to anger and rich in kindness that is no other than our God. One thing for sure, if He requires us something, He will definitely equip us for it because it is written, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If we commit ourselves to following God then we will surely be blessed. Allow me to use the word "luck" or "swerte" in Tagalog in lieu of any other more appropriate word like blessed or pinagpala in Tagalog since I have always been hearing this word being used very often by some people in reference to certain situations within the broad context of this word. I just couldn't help but share it, first and foremost due to some personal circumstances. We often hear people say to another who is about to embark on something challenging, “good luck” If the word luck may have been associated with whatever negative meaning then consider it excluded from here and out of context for the mean time. Let's just say we would like to broaden the scope of our vocabulary. This is to further drive the point or message in today's psalm and is actually the catch here. This is to come up with an induction that following the law of the Lord is just as synonymous to being blessed, lucky, swerte or pinagpala or any other word that we could closely associate with this. It is not very easy to lead a life like that of the saints who followed the example of Jesus. Ignorance is not an excuse. We should always seek to enrich our knowledge about God so that we will continuously grow in our faith. Our world is ever changing with all the new technology coming up, it's so surprising that whatever is considered the latest and gold standard today may not hold true the following day. If there's one thing we should rely and hold on to in this very dynamic world of ours, then it should be something constant and enduring.  It gives us great consolation that we have a God who is true to His word. We may have heard it but we haven't learned yet. It is a lifelong journey and quest to know God better. Nothing can be more rewarding than having great peace in our lives. We can make this possible by adhering to God’s law and committing to following it in word and deed. It will always be well for us to consult the scriptures that shed light and give understanding. It is only right that we follow the law of the Lord if we are really for God then our works should follow us and testify to who we really are. We've got to make sure that what we sought and yearn for, is what should bring us genuine riches, true delight and the most precious treasure which the world can not give and only God can bring about. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

R: Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

1 Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. (R) 4 You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept. 5 Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes! (R) 7 I will give you thanks with an upright heart, when I have learned your just ordinances. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

Today's gospel is another mission impossible based on human standards. But let us not forget that we are not the children of God for nothing. I have seen many people who were able to transform themselves and have inspired many people to change. There was one friend of mine when I was still in college who used to be very skinny and weak, he was the laughing stock of the group and called "Palito" because they say he is as thin as a matchstick. After many years that we didn't see each other I got the shock of my life when I finally saw him. He is so physically fit with all the works and the muscles almost a perfect 10. I couldn't have recognized him if he hadn't called my attention. When I asked him what he did, he said he enrolled in a gym and worked out. He hired a fitness trainer who coached him with the proper diet and exercise. The most important thing of all was he followed and did everything that was required of him. He said it wasn't easy but he said "no pain, no gain!" If we really want to be perfect like our Father in heaven then it's time we start working out  by engaging in an aerobics of faith and feeding ourselves with all the nutritious and healthy stuff and stay away from food that is not beneficial not only to our physical but our spiritual bodies as well. Let us start developing not only physical but spiritual muscles as well. Jesus came not to destroy but to fulfill the law of the prophets. He came that we may have life and have it abundantly. We have to exceed the letter of the law and know that the Spirit of the law gives life and understand it better. St. Augustine said, "Love and obey God then do what you will." We must be united to the will of God to the best of our abilities in order to always be aligned to His will.

GOD'S LAW MAKES US LIVE A VIRTUOUS LIFE (CCC 1803 "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. Today’s gospel also teaches us what Christianity is all about. Here it goes again. The mind boggling and endless train of thoughts that follow once the faith and reason argument ensues. Not a lot of people will agree with its recommendation and may even end up twisting its real meaning by adding up some justifications and excuses. To love one's enemies and be perfect just God is perfect may seem impossible. But our God is very clear in this and if we will also be serious and really commit to it then nothing is hard and impossible since we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We need not be told dear friends since we have been tutored by the years that all of this loveliness is not of our own making. The ability to love our enemies and pray for those who hate us comes only from our union with God who lives within us. We can not be loving to our enemies, forgiving to those who hurt us and understanding and compassionate on our own. These are all a gift of God to us. It comes from the union with our Lord as we try to live day after day. Who compelled Mother Teresa to do the things she did? Who compels the mothers and the fathers to sacrifice themselves and do without so their children can be educated and grow up and take their place in life. All of this comes from the Lord in whom we believe lives within us. Day after monotonous day we must go on striving, failing, falling and beginning again. The Lord doesn’t ask us to succeed in anything, success is His gift. What we are asked to do is to try and to go on trying all the days of our lives. And so we pray, “Lord lift us up of our lethargy, apathy, coldness, and indifference and make us so aware of your love for us that we may learn to love you in return.” Another very significant event I could associate with the gospel today is an incident in a graduation party several years ago where all the God's Children members were gathered together seated in a big table. There was a very interesting conversation among us. We all actually didn't know how it started but the topic shifted to purgatory. There was one person there who said there is no such thing as purgatory. The Catholic Church teaches us that all of us whether living or dead belong to the Church. The living are members of the militant church, those in heaven are the Church triumphant and those who are yet to enter heaven or in the so called "purgatory" are the Church suffering. We are taught that people who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior but die with unrepented sins and have not asked forgiveness are in purgatory to be purged and made clean before facing God. It was said that God is All Holy and Ever Bright and Shining in Perfection that just a single stain of sin left in our soul makes us shy away from His presence. It is said that we, ourselves would rather be purged first than stand not properly clothed of holiness before God. This reminds me of the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22:11-14, "But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen." Although this passage depicts being thrown in hell it is implied that we have to be properly dressed before we face God. The only thing left when we die is our soul because our mortal bodies are left to rot on earth and turned to dust. We have a merciful God that is why we have purgatory. God knows that it is not easy for man to maintain a perfect, free of stains and spotless soul at all times during our lifetime and could still have the hope of being with God in heaven. Based on our Catholic teachings and in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:32-35, this place being spoken of here where the servant was tortured until he was able to pay back the whole debt is like purgatory. It is written, “You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart." In this place he was given the chance to pay back the whole debt unlike in the Parable of the Wedding Feast when he was immediately thrown away in darkness. Before this story gets any longer and even more elaborate without the main point being stressed, the emphasis lies in the fact that we are all called, as the gospel today tells us and what I also mentioned to the unbelieving person in purgatory, to be perfect just as our Heavenly Father is Perfect. For the purpose of giving glory to God, it is noteworthy to mention that this person who was so antagonistic at that time and had already distanced herself to the Catholic faith is now back to the fold. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you  may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”