The priest cited in his homily this very nice poem entitled, “They Missed Him” whose author is unknown. It is very appropriate for today's 1st reading. May we treasure in our hearts the real message it brings and not miss Him. Amen. Hallelujah!
They Missed Him!
They were looking for a lion,
He came as a Lamb, and they missed Him.
They were looking for a warrior,
He came as a Peacemaker, and they missed Him.
They were looking for a king,
He came as a Servant, and they missed Him.
They were looking for liberation from Rome,
He submitted to the Roman stake, and they missed Him.
They were looking for a fit to their mold,
He was the mould maker, and they missed Him.
What are you looking for? Lion? Warrior? King? Liberator?
They were looking for their temporal needs to be met,
He came to meet their eternal need, and they missed Him.
He came as a Lamb to be sacrificed for your sin
Will you miss Him?
He came to make peace between God and man.
Will you miss Him?
He came to model servant hood for all mankind.
Will you miss Him?
He came that we might have true liberty.
Will you miss Him?
He came to give you eternal life.
Will you miss Him?
When we submit to the Lamb, we will meet the Lion.
Join with the Peacemaker, and we will meet the Warrior.
Work with the Servant, and we will meet the King.
Walk with the Submitted, and we will meet the Liberator.
Concern ourselves with the eternal, and we will have the temporal.
If Jesus is not fitting into the mold you have, then come to the mould maker and get a new one.
Submit to His plan for your life and you will see the eternal need met first; then all the other things you have need of will be taken care of as well.-end-
1 John 5:5-13
5 Beloved: Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?...you have eternal life, you who believe in the name of the Son of God.
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. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
...For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 14 He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word!...
The Kingdom of God here on earth established by Jesus Christ, is accompanied by signs, wonders and miracles. It goes to show that He is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. Today’s gospel speaks of a leper’s instant healing. This is one of the miracles of Jesus which displays his infinite, mighty and unbounded power. Our human nature tells us that there are sets of boundaries and limitations which we are all confined with but with God in us, we can also profess the same confidence and trust of the leper. Let us not miss the point that God wills us to be made whole not later but immediately. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 5:12-16
12 It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
This morning I was just talking to a friend and we were discussing some matters about the faith which led me to tell her these words from today’s 1st reading. This is without knowing that it is today’s 1st reading. God never ceases to amaze us in many wonderful ways. He conveys to us His messages through the scriptures and confirms them through special events and circumstances that are undeniably the working of a great God who loves us individually and personally. There is no doubt to the truth that God wanted to be up close and personal for us to really feel it. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 John 4:19-5:4
19 Beloved, we love because he first loved us...For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
We have no reason to fear knowing that we have a God who saves. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
From fraud and violence he shall redeem them,...May they be prayed for continually; day by day shall they bless him.
The scriptures tell us in the baptism of Jesus from the following bible passages that Jesus was filled with the Spirit.
Luke 3:21-22, After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Mt 3:13-17, Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Mk. 1:10-11 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Jn 1:30-34
He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove 24 from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."
Jesus is the 2nd Person of the Holy Trinity and is one with God the Father and God the Spirit. One God in 3 Divine Persons, Father, Son and Spirit. According to St. Cyril of Alexandria, our question might be this, why did Jesus our God submit to baptism? The answer lies in the fact that He received the Spirit in Baptism in so far as He is also human. The Spirit is already His, in Him and through Him. He received the Spirit for our sake. If we are to reason correctly then we know that He did not receive the Spirit for Himself but for us in Him so that all gifts come down to us through Him. Jesus remained God when He became man. What He was not, our human nature, He assumed so that He receives in, by and through His human nature the Spirit for our sake, benefit and advantage. He is definitely up close and personal for He took our nature to Himself in order to renew our nature in its entirety. In the light of this truth that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Jesus we are called to have a claim on the gifts that are existent with the Holy Spirit. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. We pray that we maintain ourselves in a state of sanctifying grace so that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are fully operative in us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 4:14-22
...“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 21 He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
1 John 4:19-5:4
19 Beloved, we love because he first loved us...For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
We have no reason to fear knowing that we have a God who saves. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
From fraud and violence he shall redeem them,...May they be prayed for continually; day by day shall they bless him.
The scriptures tell us in the baptism of Jesus from the following bible passages that Jesus was filled with the Spirit.
Luke 3:21-22, After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Mt 3:13-17, Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Mk. 1:10-11 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Jn 1:30-34
He is the one of whom I said, 'A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel." John testified further, saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove 24 from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God."
Jesus is the 2nd Person of the Holy Trinity and is one with God the Father and God the Spirit. One God in 3 Divine Persons, Father, Son and Spirit. According to St. Cyril of Alexandria, our question might be this, why did Jesus our God submit to baptism? The answer lies in the fact that He received the Spirit in Baptism in so far as He is also human. The Spirit is already His, in Him and through Him. He received the Spirit for our sake. If we are to reason correctly then we know that He did not receive the Spirit for Himself but for us in Him so that all gifts come down to us through Him. Jesus remained God when He became man. What He was not, our human nature, He assumed so that He receives in, by and through His human nature the Spirit for our sake, benefit and advantage. He is definitely up close and personal for He took our nature to Himself in order to renew our nature in its entirety. In the light of this truth that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Jesus we are called to have a claim on the gifts that are existent with the Holy Spirit. The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. We pray that we maintain ourselves in a state of sanctifying grace so that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are fully operative in us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 4:14-22
...“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 20 Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. 21 He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
MIRACLES HAPPEN
An All Powerful God becoming a dependent human baby on the eve of Christmas day is very overwhelming. This point to the truth that the meaning of Christmas is shocking but it is because of love. St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite said, "At the evening of this life we will be judged by love." Even Pope John Paul II in his book about the role of Christian family said that the human person's fundamental and innate vocation is to love. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 John 4:11-18
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 17 In this is love brought to perfection among us,...There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear...
Jesus Christ our Lord entered into this world as a helpless little infant like we all did. We pray that as the 3 Magi presented their gifts before God who took this humbling form of an infant may we prostrate ourselves too in homage in adoration to God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
We don't love properly as we ought to do in the light of God's love because of fear, anxiety, doubt and worry. We always have to keep our emotions and passion in check and balanced in order for us to love appropriately. We should not be self possessed but rather develop the proper detachment in loving and love the way God wants us. We have to be rooted in a strong and active spiritual life so that when the worst happens we can always think about the miraculous life. The miracles of Christmas confirm that nothing is impossible with God. It should remind us that the miraculous happens. We should focus on Jesus Christ so that nothing can shake us. God has an absolute dominion and sovereignty over our lives. Today's gospel tells us the story of His disciples who crossed the lake. This Lake or Sea of Galilee can take on a very significant meaning for all of us because of the many events in the earthly life of Jesus associated to it that can impact our lives. We too, ought to cross the lake in the midst of the storms in our lives. When we are not focused on Jesus we tend to succumb to doubt and fear. We may be facing impossible circumstances but we need not be afraid because Jesus can cross us through the other side of the lake. We can ask the Lord to take over our boats to take us anywhere He wants us to go. We can think of a circumstance that is worrying us which is causing us to fear and be anxious. We’ve got to make a deliberate act of the will to give to Jesus our personal Lord and Savior all of these things that wear us down. What are the winds and waves that distract us in our lives? What is it that threatens to destroy our boat and capsize it? Whenever we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to be afraid and sink. We have to know what dominates us and surrender it to Him. We need to place our focus from our limited point of view that humans do not walk on water to the miraculous as Jesus did. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 6:45-52
...Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side...Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 50 They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 51 He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded...
1 John 4:11-18
We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 17 In this is love brought to perfection among us,...There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear...
Jesus Christ our Lord entered into this world as a helpless little infant like we all did. We pray that as the 3 Magi presented their gifts before God who took this humbling form of an infant may we prostrate ourselves too in homage in adoration to God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
We don't love properly as we ought to do in the light of God's love because of fear, anxiety, doubt and worry. We always have to keep our emotions and passion in check and balanced in order for us to love appropriately. We should not be self possessed but rather develop the proper detachment in loving and love the way God wants us. We have to be rooted in a strong and active spiritual life so that when the worst happens we can always think about the miraculous life. The miracles of Christmas confirm that nothing is impossible with God. It should remind us that the miraculous happens. We should focus on Jesus Christ so that nothing can shake us. God has an absolute dominion and sovereignty over our lives. Today's gospel tells us the story of His disciples who crossed the lake. This Lake or Sea of Galilee can take on a very significant meaning for all of us because of the many events in the earthly life of Jesus associated to it that can impact our lives. We too, ought to cross the lake in the midst of the storms in our lives. When we are not focused on Jesus we tend to succumb to doubt and fear. We may be facing impossible circumstances but we need not be afraid because Jesus can cross us through the other side of the lake. We can ask the Lord to take over our boats to take us anywhere He wants us to go. We can think of a circumstance that is worrying us which is causing us to fear and be anxious. We’ve got to make a deliberate act of the will to give to Jesus our personal Lord and Savior all of these things that wear us down. What are the winds and waves that distract us in our lives? What is it that threatens to destroy our boat and capsize it? Whenever we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to be afraid and sink. We have to know what dominates us and surrender it to Him. We need to place our focus from our limited point of view that humans do not walk on water to the miraculous as Jesus did. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 6:45-52
...Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side...Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. 50 They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” 51 He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
TRUE BREAD
The greatest mystery ever known to man is the mystery of God revealed in the flesh. Jesus was conceived for 9 months in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary and became man. We are invited to contemplate on these great and beautiful truths. There is no other name other than Jesus unto which we are to be saved. Epiphany means manifestation, showing and an awakening in the personal level. The Magi gazed at the baby in swaddling clothes in a manger. They experienced a personal awakening. The eyes of these wise men saw a baby lying in the straw but they were able to grasp what their senses failed to fathom. They offered gifts and went down on their knees to pay homage to a God in the form of an innocent baby. They saw God and heaven here on earth and thus paved the way also for man to be with God in heaven. The faith of the Magi is the first fruits of the belief of the Gentiles. So that God will be known not only to Judea and the Jews but to the Gentiles as well. God came to save not just a few or the chosen people but He came to save us all. Amen. Hallelujah!
1 John 4:7-10
...the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
During this season of the Epiphany, we witnessed the three wise men pay homage to a baby in a manger. We are also invited to focus on adoring Jesus who is God, King and Savior. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
...He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace,
Today’s gospel invites us to look at these beautiful truths shared to us by a priest in his homily. We are presently in this season between the Epiphany and the baptism of our Lord and we might want to ask why the gospel for today is about the multiplication of the loaves. This is the only miracle that appears in all four gospels. The others appear only in 3 or less. We can gain insight and a deeper faith in God by focusing on these words, Bethlehem, manger and star. Bethlehem in Hebrew means “House of Bread”. Jesus is laid in a manger, and the root word mange means to much, chew or gnaw. The 3 wise men were led to Jesus by following a star. The star could represent the tabernacle lamp which is the guiding light that houses the Holy Eucharist. They would benefit us to contemplate on these things in relation to the gospel today. Jesus always mentions in the gospel that He is the True Bread who came down from heaven. John 6:33-35, “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:48-56, “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. We need to consume His True and abiding Presence. He teaches us to adore Him, Christ the Lord just as the shepherds did with the angels and the Magi on bended knees. Let us adore Him as well. Though we see and taste the bread and wine, it is no longer bread and wine but the Body & Blood of Christ. The Lord transforms what lies before us. The scriptures especially in John 6 are very clear so as not to judge it as a mere sign and symbol. Everybody left Him except the apostles because it is a very hard teaching and they could not accept it. It can’t be apprehended by the 5 senses but by faith. We must not doubt if it is true we just have to rely on the words of our Savior who is Himself the Truth. St. Cyril of Alexandria said that we have already been instructed in words and filled with unshakeable faith. Furthermore he said, “What our senses fail to fathom, let us grasp through faith’s consent.” We must not find it difficult to believe of Christ’s true presence in the Holy Eucharist as we believe that God is on earth as He is heaven. Let us not contradict God’s words and allow it to prevail over our reason and senses. It will be very meritorious to our souls if we hold on to His words because it will not lead us astray nor will it deceive us. Jesus declared it to be His True Body & Blood so who would dare question it. We need to be strong in faith that upon the blessing of the bread the very nature is changed so that what looks like bread is truly the Body of Christ. If we believe the Word made flesh and dwelt among us and created the world from nothing why can’t we believe that He can cause His own Body & Blood as in transubstantiation, to be present from something already existing as in the bread and wine. What a gift we have in the Holy Eucharist, the True Bread from heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 6:34-44
...taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. 44 Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.
1 John 4:7-10
...the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. 10 In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
During this season of the Epiphany, we witnessed the three wise men pay homage to a baby in a manger. We are also invited to focus on adoring Jesus who is God, King and Savior. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
...He shall defend the afflicted among the people, save the children of the poor. (R) 7 Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace,
Today’s gospel invites us to look at these beautiful truths shared to us by a priest in his homily. We are presently in this season between the Epiphany and the baptism of our Lord and we might want to ask why the gospel for today is about the multiplication of the loaves. This is the only miracle that appears in all four gospels. The others appear only in 3 or less. We can gain insight and a deeper faith in God by focusing on these words, Bethlehem, manger and star. Bethlehem in Hebrew means “House of Bread”. Jesus is laid in a manger, and the root word mange means to much, chew or gnaw. The 3 wise men were led to Jesus by following a star. The star could represent the tabernacle lamp which is the guiding light that houses the Holy Eucharist. They would benefit us to contemplate on these things in relation to the gospel today. Jesus always mentions in the gospel that He is the True Bread who came down from heaven. John 6:33-35, “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:48-56, “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us (his) flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. We need to consume His True and abiding Presence. He teaches us to adore Him, Christ the Lord just as the shepherds did with the angels and the Magi on bended knees. Let us adore Him as well. Though we see and taste the bread and wine, it is no longer bread and wine but the Body & Blood of Christ. The Lord transforms what lies before us. The scriptures especially in John 6 are very clear so as not to judge it as a mere sign and symbol. Everybody left Him except the apostles because it is a very hard teaching and they could not accept it. It can’t be apprehended by the 5 senses but by faith. We must not doubt if it is true we just have to rely on the words of our Savior who is Himself the Truth. St. Cyril of Alexandria said that we have already been instructed in words and filled with unshakeable faith. Furthermore he said, “What our senses fail to fathom, let us grasp through faith’s consent.” We must not find it difficult to believe of Christ’s true presence in the Holy Eucharist as we believe that God is on earth as He is heaven. Let us not contradict God’s words and allow it to prevail over our reason and senses. It will be very meritorious to our souls if we hold on to His words because it will not lead us astray nor will it deceive us. Jesus declared it to be His True Body & Blood so who would dare question it. We need to be strong in faith that upon the blessing of the bread the very nature is changed so that what looks like bread is truly the Body of Christ. If we believe the Word made flesh and dwelt among us and created the world from nothing why can’t we believe that He can cause His own Body & Blood as in transubstantiation, to be present from something already existing as in the bread and wine. What a gift we have in the Holy Eucharist, the True Bread from heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Mark 6:34-44
...taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to [his] disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. 44 Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.
Monday, January 3, 2011
THE MOST HOLY NAME
Today we honor the great revealed mystery by name. We commemorate the memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Jesus came to redeem the world and save the world from sin. The world wants us to think that sin is not real and it doesn't exist. We are made to believe that everything is relative. Relativism is the concept of points of view having no absolute truth or validity, and have only relative, subjective values according to differences in perception and consideration. The term is often used to refer to the context of moral principle, where in a relativistic mode of thought, principles and ethics are regarded as applicable in only limited context. We have to realize that there is such a thing as intrinsic evil. We must not continue in our ignorance of sin. If we do, we might reach a point when satan laughs because he knows he has already grabbed us. It pays to take this advice from Ephesians 5:15-17, Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. As in Romans 6:12, Therefore, sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires. Also in Colossians 3:5-10 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the disobedient). By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away: anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. Amen. Hallelujah!
Philippians 2:9-11
God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This is the day of salvation we do not know what tomorrow holds. It is wise to follow these words in 1 Peter 5:7-11 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen." Also in James 4:6-10 "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 8:10
O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!
Jesus talks about the necessity to repent. It's difficult for us to understand His preoccupation for the need for repentance unless we look at Jesus on the cross. We need to accept His supreme act of love on the cross. As in Luke 24:46-47 "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. To start this year 2011 right we need to repent and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation as in Luke 15:7, "I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." May this be a year of repentance because the name of Jesus means God saves. This simply means that we need saving. Thus we can draw inspiration from these words in Philippians 2:12-13, "... work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1849: Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as "an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)1865: Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil. Thus sin tends to reproduce itself and reinforce itself, but it cannot destroy the moral sense at its root.
Philippians 2:9-11
God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This is the day of salvation we do not know what tomorrow holds. It is wise to follow these words in 1 Peter 5:7-11 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ (Jesus) will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen." Also in James 4:6-10 "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 8:10
O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!
Jesus talks about the necessity to repent. It's difficult for us to understand His preoccupation for the need for repentance unless we look at Jesus on the cross. We need to accept His supreme act of love on the cross. As in Luke 24:46-47 "Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. To start this year 2011 right we need to repent and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation as in Luke 15:7, "I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." May this be a year of repentance because the name of Jesus means God saves. This simply means that we need saving. Thus we can draw inspiration from these words in Philippians 2:12-13, "... work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1849: Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as "an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)1865: Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil. Thus sin tends to reproduce itself and reinforce itself, but it cannot destroy the moral sense at its root.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
STAR IN OUR HEARTS
The famous philosopher, Aristotle said that all men by nature desire to know. This is because we have an intelligence and we want to know why, where for and what exactly the world is all about. Curiosity is a child's natural instinct. It's how they learn. In fact, it's how we all learn. During the 1st stage of learning the child wants to know the ultimate things and asks the most unimaginable things. As adults, we still have questions. Unfortunately what we seek is the light and understanding that this mysterious world can never give. It is the light of glory that stimulates people to seek. It is the very light in redemption brought by Jesus given to all men. If no one had known about Jesus Christ, how will we be saved? The glory of the Lord appeared to the Jews, the shepherds on the night Christ was born. They were uneducated but they rushed to the stable and sought the light. The light that Aristotle sought is experienced by the Magi, the 3 wise men, the philosophers and astrologers, partially religious and scientific. They were brought to Jesus by the star through nature. It is a physical event that led them to Israel. It is where faith and reason meet. They were looking for the Messiah as foretold from of old. It led them to Bethlehem and saw the fulfillment of nature in the light that even the wise men sought. What these philosophers, wise men, the uneducated and shepherds sought on that night paved the way for faith and reason to meet. This is the true wisdom that the light of Christ filled this world with and we should be led by the star in our hearts to receive Him and transform us. Amen. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 60:1-6
1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.
What the wise and the unlearned alike sought and found in the stable is the encompassing light of heaven. Herod was so afraid that Jesus will take away his earthly kingdom without realizing that He gives away the heavenly kingdom. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
...For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
The kingdom of heaven is not just for a select few but for all who believe and faithfully follow our Lord Jesus Christ whether Jew or Gentile, woman or man, slave or free. Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
2 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3 namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 5 It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The Magi or the wise men presented Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were very prophetic for they spoke of our Lord's offices of King, Priest, and Savior. The events and circumstances that surround the birth of Jesus are all so magnificent and amazing. We sometimes think that things just happen for the sake of nothing. If we are to look very closely at all these things we will come to a conclusion that God arranges everything in a perfect and orderly way. These 3 wise men from the East were not Jewish nor do they belong to the chosen race of God and yet they believed and sought the Messiah and King. When they responded to the presence of God in the realm of their vast and high level of knowledge and learning they opened up themselves even more to a greater intelligence that not even this world can offer in a lifetime. We just have to open ourselves to the infinity of God’s power. God manifests Himself to us in various ways that we sometimes can not even imagine. It could be in the form of dreams or a sudden or gradual realization of something through the things that are happening to us or around us. The wise men were wise because they allowed themselves to be guided by the star. Today’s gospel tells us also that they were warned in a dream. They have properly used their knowledge and learning in a way to be with Jesus. We can also follow guidance of the light shining from the star in our hearts through the leading of our faith in Jesus our God that will bring us to heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 2:1-12
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Isaiah 60:1-6
1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.
What the wise and the unlearned alike sought and found in the stable is the encompassing light of heaven. Herod was so afraid that Jesus will take away his earthly kingdom without realizing that He gives away the heavenly kingdom. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
R: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
...For he shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. 13 He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
The kingdom of heaven is not just for a select few but for all who believe and faithfully follow our Lord Jesus Christ whether Jew or Gentile, woman or man, slave or free. Amen. Hallelujah!
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
2 Brothers and sisters: You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, 3 namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 5 It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The Magi or the wise men presented Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were very prophetic for they spoke of our Lord's offices of King, Priest, and Savior. The events and circumstances that surround the birth of Jesus are all so magnificent and amazing. We sometimes think that things just happen for the sake of nothing. If we are to look very closely at all these things we will come to a conclusion that God arranges everything in a perfect and orderly way. These 3 wise men from the East were not Jewish nor do they belong to the chosen race of God and yet they believed and sought the Messiah and King. When they responded to the presence of God in the realm of their vast and high level of knowledge and learning they opened up themselves even more to a greater intelligence that not even this world can offer in a lifetime. We just have to open ourselves to the infinity of God’s power. God manifests Himself to us in various ways that we sometimes can not even imagine. It could be in the form of dreams or a sudden or gradual realization of something through the things that are happening to us or around us. The wise men were wise because they allowed themselves to be guided by the star. Today’s gospel tells us also that they were warned in a dream. They have properly used their knowledge and learning in a way to be with Jesus. We can also follow guidance of the light shining from the star in our hearts through the leading of our faith in Jesus our God that will bring us to heaven. Amen. Hallelujah!
Matthew 2:1-12
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 11 and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
REFLECTIONS OF THE HEART
Peace is a gift that we get from Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God and through Him we become sons and daughters of God not of the world. The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature":(2 Pet 1:4) "For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God." "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God." "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 460) When Jesus unlike Adam who did not trust, assumed human nature and became obedient to the Father to death, He gave man a new beginning. As we are off to start this new year we can start anew with Jesus Christ and begin 2011 with Him. We may never know what the future holds for us but we know that God holds our future. Amen. Hallelujah!
Numbers 6:22-27
...The LORD bless you and keep you! 25 The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
In Romans 8:14-15 it is written, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R: May God bless us in his mercy.
1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us.
Jesus is born of a woman. What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Jesus Christ. God sent His Son born of a woman and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. Mary is Mother of God and this title protects the reality of the Incarnation. She is also the Mother of us all. We can experience her maternal love through our devotion to her. We are also her children in an ever present way with her union with God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Galatians 4:4-7
4 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. 6 As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
To whom do we entrust the things in our lives? Do we trust in our own understanding and capabilities more than we do God? Just like us, Mary had a lot of things going on in her life back then and most of them she did not exactly know where it’s going to lead her but her faith in God kept her going joyfully and securely. It pays to always spend time for some reflections of the heart. And we can learn a lot from Mary’s attitude of being reflective of the things happening to her as in today’s gospel. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 2:16-21
...Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart...
Numbers 6:22-27
...The LORD bless you and keep you! 25 The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
In Romans 8:14-15 it is written, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, "Abba, Father!" Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R: May God bless us in his mercy.
1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us.
Jesus is born of a woman. What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes about Jesus Christ. God sent His Son born of a woman and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. Mary is Mother of God and this title protects the reality of the Incarnation. She is also the Mother of us all. We can experience her maternal love through our devotion to her. We are also her children in an ever present way with her union with God. Amen. Hallelujah!
Galatians 4:4-7
4 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption. 6 As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
To whom do we entrust the things in our lives? Do we trust in our own understanding and capabilities more than we do God? Just like us, Mary had a lot of things going on in her life back then and most of them she did not exactly know where it’s going to lead her but her faith in God kept her going joyfully and securely. It pays to always spend time for some reflections of the heart. And we can learn a lot from Mary’s attitude of being reflective of the things happening to her as in today’s gospel. Amen. Hallelujah!
Luke 2:16-21
...Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart...
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