FIRM

It is faith that makes us confident and firm in our belief no matter what our situation. We must have the conviction to say that we are where we are, doing what we are doing right now and holding on to the promises of God without a shadow of doubt that everything will come to pass and press on to fulfillment. We have an Almighty and Powerful God. His power knows no limits and we can be assured that we are always safe in His hands. There is no reason to fear nor be discouraged if we are firmly anchored in our faith in God. We are standing on a steady and firm foundation, we shall not be moved. Our hope rests in God who never fails. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 7:1-9

...Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear; let not your courage fail...Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm!

Nobody can fully understand the display of such great faith revealed in the life of the martyrs and saints of the Church. It is only safe to assume that we have a great and awesome God who is able to surmount the highest mountain and make all things possible. Thus it is noteworthy that today's 1st and psalm readings is reminiscent of this song that is usually sung in charismatic gatherings. Here’s the lyrics in Tagalog, "Si Kristo ang sandigan hindi magigiba kasing tatag ng kabundukan di magigiba." (In english, Christ is the wall we are leaning on that is as strong as the mountain that never crumbles.) Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 48: 2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8R: God upholds his city for ever.

1 [2] Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, 2 [3] fairest of heights, is the joy of all the earth...renowned is he as a stronghold

We can not deny it! God has done a lot of great and marvelous things for us. The problem is, the people of our generation has become insensitive, oblivious and simply stubborn to God's call. Let's choose the right course of action before it's too late. Let us not disappoint Jesus by always striving to recall, remember and be driven to the right course of action whenever God reveals to us the mighty deeds He has done in our lives. If we are to really examine our life, we'll find that there have been many instances in our life when God has undeniably shown His mighty deeds and power. In fact we need not look long and far and just look at ourselves right here and now. Every single day that we are gifted with is already a great blessing in itself and not many people realize this all the time. The very moment that we were able to wake up this morning already meant that we were able to go through the night and still rise up to face a new day. We should always be alert, sober and not oblivious of these divine truths. We wouldn't want to hear these words of Jesus in today's gospel being addressed to us when our time comes. We would rather be full of joy rather than woe when we enter life in eternity. Everything in this world passes away, not a single one holds a permanent and lasting effect. We could be enjoying a delicious meal at this moment but it would be over soon. It could be a nice movie or whatever we enjoy doing. Nothing lasts forever and all is bound to end. It would be nice to know that if we commit a life dedicated to God by turning away from sin then we can look forward to a life of eternal happiness and joy. In fact, it's not just looking forward but to enjoy right now. If we read with care the beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-23 we will notice that all the beatitudes that were enumerated are stated in the future tense except for the first which is "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. or Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This first beatitude is stated in the present tense and does not have the word "will" in it unlike all the others. This means that we can start being blessed right now rather than in woe. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 11:20-24

20 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And as for you, Capernaum: ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”  

AMAZING

God's plan for us has always been the best. He created us on top of everything, the cream of the crop and the apple of His eyes. Although there are times when we fail to follow the path He has directed us, He will always lead us back to Him. Today's 1st reading reminded me of a cancer patient who shared about how he got healed of his disease. He said that the first thing he did was look for a priest and confessed his sins. People nowadays, no longer acknowledge this important sacrament. Or they treat it so casually that they do not realize that it is a sacrament instituted by Christ Himself that we must give proper reverence and respect, as in Matthew 16:18-19And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Sometimes people consider and treat confession as a routine that has to be done regularly but without much thought of turning away from the sins that are repeatedly being committed on a regular basis too. This person who got healed of cancer did the right thing by going to confession first. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 1:10-17

...When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17 learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow.

This person who got healed of cancer cited the bible passage which he said is somehow similar to his situation when he asked the Lord for healing. He cited the words of Jesus in Mark 2:9-12 when He said, "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"-- he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone." If we respond to His call and faithfully follow His precepts and be the person He has meant us to be then we are assured of His saving power. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23

R: To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

“Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, 17 though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (R) 21 “When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself? I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes. 23 He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me; and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”

There are several kinds of figure of speech and one of them that can really catch our attention and will surely bring our focus to something is hyperbole for it uses exaggeration in order to emphasize a point or put a stress into the message that we want to convey. In today's gospel, Jesus was trying to use this strategy in order to catch our attentions and really make a point. Our love for God should come first place in everything not because God is selfish and wants to be the priority for the sake of His ego. Of course Jesus doesn't want us to turn our backs on our families and abandon the things that we hold dear. He didn't mean it that way but instead wanted us to realize that the love for God is encompassing and is sure to bring about all other things. All we have to do is make a decision and stand by it believing that if we put God first in our life everything will follow. Sometimes trials and difficulties tend to affect our disposition in life or it could be the very people who are dear to us that affect our conviction and stand in life or sometimes we go on with life without realizing that we do not have anything that we are willing to make a stand for or even live for. We have to first be clear on this important area of our life so it is in consonance with our thoughts, words and actions. An example is what's going on nowadays with the economy, people really want to get what their money is worth and are very wise when choosing a particular commodity over the other. Some sales agent would even go as far as offering a bundle or package where everything goes with it over something that is of less worth in order to sound more convincing. The same with Jesus if we choose Him above all things for He is the best deal ever. So whatever major or minor things we are confronted with, before we make a decision and really stick to it we've got to be sure that Jesus is in the center so that it will be all worth it. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 10:34–11:1

...“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it...

TAKE IT PERSONALLY

Have you ever experienced doing something that you have not planned or intended to do and just happened before you know it or without you knowing it as if you had no other choice so to speak. This was what happened to Amos, the prophet whom today’s 1^st reading is taken from. Our bible study teacher, Bro. Willy Santa Maria was so on fire in his presentation of the Book of Amos since he said that Amos is his favorite prophet. He even tackled about who Amos really was and gave us a broad and clear picture of what it was like when God called Amos to prophesy. Which is also why it remained clearly etched in my mind and was always reminded of it whenever encountering a reading from the book of Amos. Amos apart from what is written in today's reading is not just a shepherd and dresser of sycamores. He is a herdsman, rancher and a wealthy person. He lives in the garrison city a place dominated by people of power who live in luxury. He lived in affluence and belonged to the clan system which is a guild or crusade to maintain the purity of the tradition of the temple (Ark of the Covenant). He was well educated and embraced the clan wisdom.  Although he experienced a luxurious life he was also aware of the injustice and plight of the people being a sycamore dresser who worked in close contact with the people. When God called him he was already aware of both worlds. And the Lord took him from what he was doing and summoned him to prophesy to the people. He came to a point when he no longer owned the choices and decisions he made. This is given once a person takes upon one’s self the duty of a prophet and the same is true when we put the will of God in our lives over our own. Atty. Moya said in his talk on Family and Social Morality that there should be no confusion between authority and power or obedience and inferiority. This really makes sense in as far as what Amos did is concerned. He mentioned that Amos clearly demonstrated to us obedience to God's authority over power and inferiority owing to the inappropriate situation he was in and status in life. Amos was able to differentiate the highest authority of God over the power of the priest of Bethel and his obedience which can never be taken as inferiority since he is also a man of power and wealth during his time. In the same way but definitely based in our present status in life, whoever, whatever, wherever and whenever, we are also being led to do something in response to God's call to apostleship. It should clearly be well established that our response is based on the authority of God and out of obedience. May we like Amos also get over our own personal idiosyncrasies and really get down to the real business of God. Let us not be deceived by the false misrepresentations of the world thinking that we can get away from our accountabilities or attempt to merge opposing worlds or acquire a little of both. It is either heaven or hell, God or Satan. There is no in between.  For no one is above or over, exempted or excluded from the power of God. He will see to it that justice is served. Amen. Hallelujah!

Amos 7:12-15

12 Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos: “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, 13 but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. 15 The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”

If things about God are very clear in  our minds then there is no need to doubt that God is the only authority that is worthy of obeying more than anyone and anything in this whole wide world. Amen. Hallelujah!

P S A L M

Psalm 85:9-10. 11-12. 13-14 (8)

R: Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

...Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land...The LORD himself will give his benefits; ...

I was again reminded of the  # 7 based on my personal experience last Oct 7, '07 which I have shared several times already in the past and further confirmed in the 2nd reading today as stated in this commentary from Companion which states, "Verse 7 of today’s reading is a critical one for understanding the truth of the Gospel. It tells us that Jesus redeemed us through the shedding of His blood. This may sound a little gory, but it is the truth, and it draws on a centuries-old understanding of the means by which sins have been forgiven — namely through the offering of the blood of animals (their life essence) to God in substitution for our own that we have forfeited through sin."

The connections and relatedness of things in the readings have always inspired me ever since. It comes in a variety of ways. It could be in words, names, people, places, circumstances and numbers. These things could take on different meanings to different people. Personally speaking it has developed in me an attachment to particular bible passages based on my very own experiences. Putting aside my personal views, today’s  2^nd reading is not just about me but all. We should take its meaning personally, should never be taken for granted, be very obvious and never mean any thing less than God's great love since it is the bloody exchange of Jesus life for our sake. Amen. Hallelujah!

 Ephesians 1:3-14

...7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished upon us.

This gospel reading commentary by Fr. Joel Jason in Sabbath also specifically mentioned verse 7 just as the 2nd reading commentary from Companion which further emphasizes the connection to what the # 7 personally means to me. Verse 7 in the 2 readings today, 2nd and the gospel, was considered worth mentioning specifically in 2 different journals (Companion and Sabbath) by 2 different writers. As if in confirmation to the repetition of the # 7 in Oct. 7, '07 which holds a very significant meaning for me based on the life changing choices and decisions I've made on that date.

Here is the article from the Sabbath journal.

"There are people who we are simply afraid of. Before them, we are always careful, calculating, lest we enkindle their wrath. We look at them as powerful. Today, Jesus commissions His disciples. They are to do wonders signifying that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It’s a curious fact that the Bible narrative used authority instead of power (see verse 7). What is the difference between power and authority? GK Chesterton is known to have once said, “If a rhino enters this room, it would definitely have power over me, but not authority.” Power is something that is imposed from the outside. Authority is something that emanates from within. A dictator is powerful over his people, but he has no authority over them. The result of power is fear. Fear of one’s power is something people give because they have to. But once you’re no longer “in power” you lose everything besides. The result of authority is respect and love. Love is something people give you because they want to. Whatever happens, whether you’re in power or not, people will always give it you. Power is something we get by lording it over people. Authority is something we develop by serving people. The Jesus of the Gospels is one described as having “authority” unlike the Scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus is the one who came to serve, not to be served, and to place His life as a ransom for many.” May the “Authority” be with you! Fr. Joel O. Jason"

 It is almost the same with the reflection in Didache entitled, "Watch my back" by Ariel Driz

WATCH my BACK!

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. – Mark 6:7

Ray Keller once asked a man who just completed his second tour of duty from the Iraq war, “What was the most important thing you learned from the war?”

The soldier’s response was quick. “Well, Mr. Keller, I learned that it is better to be in a team than to be alone.”

The man explained that while in Iraq, they would walk around and survey the area. They would have a certain formation such that he would focus on looking ahead while his partner would watch his back. He in turn would watch the back of the one in front of him. His commander explained to him that loners have no place in the war. He would need to work well in a team to survive.

While we are encouraged to spend time being alone with God, we need the help of partners who would “watch our backs” — whether they be your spouse, your cell group mates, your mentor, your godly friend…. We need them if we are to win our daily battles.

It would be good to recognize your teammates and partners and thank God for them! Ariel Driz

God is always with us. He'll never leave us and we should forever stay connected to Him for as long we live. If God is with us then who could be against us. We have to really convince ourselves of this truth and be confident of the fact that wherever He leads and brings us, He will never forsake nor abandon us and will surely see us through it all. Amen. Hallelujah!

Mark 6:7-13

7 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick — no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.”...

HOW DEEP?

We have always heard people say that we are just human and somehow made to believe and accept that we are unworthy and could not stand before a Holy God. But we can't go on with this mindset forever. We've got to change this and start to shift our belief in a God who became man in order to save us. The blood of Jesus has already cleansed and purged us clean. We should always be reminded of this above all others. If there's something we should always be focused on and work for really hard in maintaining, then that is the reality that the Lamb of God has taken away all our sins. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 6:1-8

...“Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

God is powerful but chose to step down from His throne and became a helpless baby for our sake.  Though, an infant He holds the world in the palm of His hands. He alone is King. We have an Infinite and Almighty God and no words are enough to describe Him. Thus we can only translate those that go beyond words into the spiritual. The spiritual is real although not material or physical. We have our free will which is immaterial and thus fall into the spiritual. It makes perfect sense that we unite our will to God. It may seem an impossibility to be holy and pure and at all times. For man it is, but not for God. We can trust God to supply us with all that we need to do whatever it takes to be worthy of His kingdom. If we believe that God calls us then He can surely and absolutely equip us for the work and plan He has for us. It is very important to invoke the Holy Spirit, the Helper and Comforter in prayer at all times. Amen. Hallelujah! 

Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

R: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.

...Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O LORD. (R) 5 Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O LORD, for length of days.

This passage from today's gospel never ceases to amaze me and holds a special meaning in my heart. If we are to really pay attention and look very closely at the message being conveyed to us then nothing else could make us feel insecure of the love, care and mercy that God has for us. When we see birds flying all around us each day it is also a constant reminder for us of what today's gospel is telling us especially the part wherein it is said that even all the hairs in our head are counted. It may seem an exaggeration but that is exactly the point that God wants us to realize. That's how big and deep His love for us is. We definitely can not imagine anyone counting the hair of somebody much more my hair since it has grown very long and thick. I have this conviction and determination to not cut my hair yet until the promise is fulfilled. Despite, the inconveniences and discomfort of having a thick and long hair I am holding on to God’s steadfastness and mercy. What keeps me going, though are the several occasions that left me in awe as God demonstrated His faithfulness in a very personal way with regards to this hair promise. There is no doubt that God knows specifically our heart’s desires. Thus it also makes me feel good to imagine using my hair in wiping the feet of Jesus and bathing it with my own tears just like what Mary of Magdala did. God loves us so much and by just thinking of that and really feeling it in our hearts can compel us to do anything and realize that nothing is too difficult when done with and for the love of God. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 10:24-33

...And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father...

THE PATH

Let us not harbor any ill feelings, negative thoughts and guilt in us. It is a very heavy burden that we are needlessly carrying along with us. We may not be fully aware of it but these things are going to pull us down if not abruptly then gradually. Before we even know it we are already stuck in the mud of this vicious and malicious deception of the enemy.  Let us always maintain a good disposition no matter how difficult and wearisome our situations are. Whatever painful or hard situations we are going through right now is just part of God's plan to bring out the best in us. If we stay in faith and turn away from sin with a firm and good heart then we will surely see the path of the Lord very clearly before us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Hosea 14:2- Thus says the LORD: Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt...Because of me you bear fruit! 10 Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.

There is nothing that could separate us from the love of God. Let us not be deceived nor dissuaded to believe otherwise. God’s love is always present and available for us. All we need to do is reach out for it because God is a gentleman and would never force Himself on us. There has always been a raging battle between God and satan. Though it has already been won, satan just won’t give up. He continues to wreak havoc and evil among us in his desperation to bring misery into our lives and share in his condemnation. He doesn’t have the tiniest power over us and he can only have it if and only if we give in to his lies, deceptions and false promises. We need to make this conscious decision each and every single day for the Lord. We need to purge ourselves of the impurities of our souls we have to go through a certain process that will render us with a clean heart. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17R: My mouth will declare your praise.

1 [3] Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense… 10 [12] A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 11 [13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

God is indeed talking to us personally in each and every situation we have. The gospel reminded me of the wonderful homily which made me cry. It was on the eve of Christmas 2011 when I read a very bad medical report of a loved one. It was just so consoling that immediately the Lord assured me in the homily of the priest the following day which was Christmas day when I heard him say the very words which I have been holding on to as if my life depended on it. He said that there is no reason to be afraid. God can turn our fears into hope and joy. He takes delight in His people for Him to take the form of man to be with us. He came in the most humble way a King could ever have. He did not even have an inn that could at least keep him warm and comfortable but was born in a manger housed together with the farm animals. Gathering from this point of view I should say without a doubt that we indeed have no reason to be afraid. What a way to demonstrate that awesome and reckless love of God for man that He allowed Himself to go this far and even much farther to a cross in Calvary. This is something we should all treasure in our hearts. It has been almost 6 months ago since I learned the unpleasant news about a sick loved one. The fact that she is still around and being endowed with the miracle in the form of the life extension that God is giving her testifies to God’s abiding love and mercy.  This is also coupled with another miracle in the recovery of an uncle from an auto immune disease which rendered him paralyzed at about the same time I found out about the worsening condition of another loved one. Yesterday was his birthday and marked also the time when he could now walk by himself. What an assuring God we have that there is really nothing more we can do but focus on Him who alone can save us in all our distress. Though the grim reality of this world is undeniably present among us and continues to assail us as highlighted in today's gospel in the form of a warning to all of us. We have to persevere to the end and never lose heart, for only the steadfast will finish the race and win the crown of salvation. There is a need for us to look beyond our fears and live with hope and joy persevering to the end. Whatever we are going through, it could be something that we are presently enjoying or suffering at the moment, we need to keep in mind that all things will soon come to pass. Not a single thing in this world will remain, as the scriptures say, “Heaven and earth will fail but God’s words will still remain.”  These things we need to be aware and completely confident of because we are facing a lot of challenges in life and we need to make decisions and choices with regards to it. How many times have we experienced waiting and getting ready for something but due to some delays we started to lose patience and wonder if it’s going to come at all. Or we began to be preoccupied with other things that we’ve lost our focus. We start off with wonderful beginnings but not a happy ending. When we begin to conform to values of this world and start to forget who we really are and what we are called for then the worst happens. God is the author of our life and He has written for us a wonderful beginning and it’s all up to us to live it towards its beautiful ending by walking down the path that the Lord Himself prepared for us. He has loved and respected us so much that He has given us our free wills. At the final hour, nothing we did in the past whether it’s good and noble would ever count if we have fallen into the enemy’s trap because only the one who perseveres and endures to the end will be saved. This is the only winning chance of satan, to lure us into that situation as his only and last ditch effort. We have already been saved and this status of continuously being saved until we breathe our last depends solely on us. Whether we allow ourselves to be duped by the enemy or treasure this everlasting gift from God is completely up to us. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 10:17-22

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what youare to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

SHAKE IT OFF

If God will make an accounting of all our sins then we will all end up in hell. No one deserves heaven if we will be judged according to human standard. Thank God, He is God. And yet we still have doubts and uncertainties in life. We go through life and encounter so many things that we put our spirits down. God assures in today’s 1^st reading that we need not be disappointed or discouraged for we are depending on a God who is not like man. We can always maintain a high level of confidence that we are a people of God well taken care of. Amen. Hallelujah!

Hosea 11: 1-4, 8c-9

... 9 I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.

Let us never grow weary of the things that life bring to us but rather look to God always for help and we will be saved. We must not let ourselves be defeated by the things that we encounter in life knowing that we are being sustained and strengthened by an Almighty and Immortal God. I heard a story a long time ago, that God is very holy and no one can withstand His presence much more look at Him if we have the slightest trace of sin in ourselves after we die. We all hope to stand face to face with God someday that is why we are praying for God's grace and power to overcome the snares of the devil and be able to stand firm on that day. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16

R: Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken. From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power…look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

Today's gospel is another persistent message to all of us to answer the call of Jesus to spread the Good News of salvation. We are all qualified for this job no matter what our situation and present status in life is. We are good as is where is. The only thing God requires of us is our genuine and sincere desire to do everything for God's glory and take away whatever selfish or ulterior motives for personal gain. For if we completely trust God then there is no need for us to be anxious about the matters of this world. For as long as we know that we are minding God's business then everything will be added unto us and He is able to provide for all our needs. We should make a habit of aligning all our personal and temporal matters in accordance to what is most pleasing before God for He can ultimately make all things beautiful in His most perfect time.  God is also telling us to do what we have to do and be the best we can be in whatever place or situation we are in. Let us not give up that easily when we are confronted with some disheartening events that come our way. If we are truly sincere, honest and with all our best intentions in striving to do what we ought and needed to do in the light of God’ s love then His goodness, mercy and love will always see us through anything. At the end of the day when we examine ourselves we can just gather all the good fruits of our labor and just shake off whatever it is that clings to us that is not of the Lord’s. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 10:7-15

7 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. 9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you...go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet... 

THE COVENANT

The cross is not just a sacrifice but God's expression of His desire for love, relationship and a covenant with His people. There are many qualities of the covenant but there are 3 qualities unique only to the Book of Hosea where today's 1st reading is taken from. The time of Hosea which is calculated 721 BC was a hard and difficult time to prophesy. It was when assassinations happened, political upheaval and adulterated worship characterized by mixed worship of Yahweh and Baal was taking place. Hosea's style of prophecy is a parable of married love to describe Yahweh's relationship with His people. Hosea is a proponent of Yahwism. It is a doctrine of repetitious reminder (pescher) to the Jews that Yahweh has only been the savior of the chosen people in their history. The formula of Yahwism:"I am Yahweh who brought you out of Egypt." This evolved into what is later called "Salvation Theology", the covenant. This could be expressed as God after having created man and fallen into sin asked, "What am I going to do with my creation?  Hosea's prophecy was based on this. Yahwist tradition is the source and the beginning and God continues to sustain and nourish His people. The people of God who were set apart, chosen and privileged, as in this bible saying, "Hear ye O Israel, I am your God and there is no other God than Me." Hosea addresses the disorder in the kind of worship being offered to God. They have forsaken Yahweh in both rituals and moral life and did not follow what is expressed in the covenant, the decalogue (10 commandments) and the following 3 qualities below:

1. Fidelity is best described as a covenanted union which is best depicted in the image of marriage union: showing Yahweh and Israel as husband and wife. (Hos. 1-3) In this regard, infidelity to the covenant is best shown thru the images of sexual perversions and the breaking of the marriage vows. (Hos 4:14) Like Hosea's love to his unfaithful wife, Yahweh's fidelity to the union remains in spite of Israel's unfaithfulness. During that time there was presence of the worship to the pagan god Baal which contaminated the worship of God's people to Yahweh. Baal was believed by pagans as a god that gives fertility and fruitfulness.  This contamination resulted to impure rites of worshipping. Eventually the Jews no longer became a pure race and was even evident in the presence of several other races, the Samaritan as one. But more than the impurity of the race is the unfaithfulness manifested in the empty rituals and sexual perversion shown in adulterous and unfaithful relationships.

 

2. Loving Compassion- "I desire loving compassion and not sacrifice..."(Hos 6:6) Hesed is Hebrew for loving kindness. Hesed is the center of this love. Hesed is not quid pro quo. It is true devotion (both mind and heart) to the covenant partner. A sign of faithful love to His own people. True covenant partner has pity (rhm) Rhm true meaning is lost in English translation. Rhm is not just a sorrowful compassion but more of the attitude a mother has to her child. Like rehem or womb. The covenant is characteristic in all the prophets. In Isaiah it has mentioned, "Can a mother forget her child and even if she forgets, God will never forget." The cross before the time of Jesus used to stand for death. It is abhored and detested by people. Fr. Tony before proceeding with this talk that I am sharing with you, asked who would like to become a victim and as expected nobody raised a hand. When God became man, He embraced victimhood when he willingly died on the cross. During the ancient times or even in the book of Revelation in the bible the dragon stands for evil and is even symbolic of the serpent in Genesis. When Jesus came He did not slay the dragon but instead allowed the dragon to slay Him by dying on the cross which is rehem and Hesed. Of course Jesus rose from the dead with power on the 3rd day.  The Latin word sacrificere means to make sacred or holy. It is God's business to make man holy which is symbolized by the cross. Fr. Tony said that there are actually 8 days of creation. The 7 days as recorded in the bible and each day of our life as 8th day. God continues to create but with man as co-creator. Since it was man who made the mess in creation by giving in to sin, each day is an invitation to us to cooperate with God in making this world a better place.

3. Knowledge of God- the most important among 3 qualities. Personal knowledge/relationship of God and His attributes. (Hos 5:4) There is no true "Hesed" without knowledge which is wisdom or true intelligence as not only the world sees and knows of but is interwoven with life experiences. Knowledge here is more of deep spousal knowledge akin to marital union of 2 individuals becoming one. True union with no secrets, shared joy and sorrows as well as oneness of both bodies and souls. Love making (not sex) is a good example of this. (Gen 2:24 "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.") Even Jesus in Mk 2:19-20 compared Himself to a bridegroom. In Ephesians 5: 23-24 Jesus compares His eternal love for the Church as the love of a husband for his wife. See also Lk 1:34 when Mary said,"I have no knowledge of a man." and Jer.1:5 "...before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." This knowledge is encompassing and strives to reach the height and depth of God's unfathomable love.

I learned from the bible study that Abraham is the 1st recipient of God's revelation of Himself to mankind. He is considered as one of the Patriarchs to whom God chose to establish his covenant. Salvation history tells us of God's faithful love and continues to restore and bring back the broken relationship of God and man. It was through Abraham's total surrender to God's will to offer his son Isaac  that he foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus  as the Lamb of God. It is true that God started to reveal Himself to us through Abraham and the ultimate revelation was in Jesus His only begotten Son. The victimhood of Jesus to conquer evil not by slaying evil but by allowing Himself to be killed is the height of God's love. It should always be a treasure embedded in our hearts that should make us realize not to delay anymore and really seek the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!

Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

...it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you.”...12 “Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; Break upfor yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he comesand rain down justice upon you.”

We don't expect a mango fruit if we planted a banana tree, right? It is pretty much the same with our lives. If we seek the face of the Lord then we will surely be not disappointed with the outcome. For God inhabits the praises of His people. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Seek always the face of the Lord.

2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Where the Lord is present, there will surely be healing of all kinds of disease. And when we stand in His name then there can be no one who could stand before us for in the mighty name of Jesus we have the victory. Amen. Hallelujah!

Matthew 10:1-7

1 Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. ...Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”