Luke 19:5
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”
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In my childhood days, I still remember going to the house of an uncle (my father’s eldest brother) especially during Christmas. We will eat dinner, sing and dance. The kid with the best talent will be given a prize so we will really show the stuff we are made of.
When our own children were growing up, we also adopted an open door policy. Our nephews and nieces could freely go to the house anytime and even sleep-over the night during weekends. Nowadays, their friends and cousins come in and out of our house with great regularity.
An open door policy offers a bonding opportunity between parents and children and also provides opportunity for faith sharing. It is a great experience that should be practiced by everyone.
Many Biblical homes maintained an open door policy. The ministry of Jesus was enhanced by an open door policy. Jesus even accepted the hospitality offered in the home of a tax collector. Jesus even invited himself to the house of Zaccheus. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
As believer of the Lord, He is asking us for a visit into our home and even stay there. Are we going to deny that request?
Come, invite Him to our home, invite Him to our hearts and let Him stay there. He is our Saviour, He is our Lord, He will not fail us as promised.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, we welcome You into our home. Please come and stay with us, forever. We open our hearts to You and let Your Spirit dwells in our hearts as we await for Your second coming. Oh Lord, we trust in You. Give us the strength and humility so we may invite others in welcoming You into their hearts. You are our Lord and our God, come and stay! Amen +
I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
SAVED! (10-30-10)
Luke 19:9
And Jesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house…
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We, Filipinos love to eat, and since we are naturally hospitable and gregarious, food is the basis of our social life. In our everyday life, we eat three main meals and two snacks in between. Then, for those who really are up to it, add to this the midnight snack (which is normally done between 10pm and midnight). Then there would be the “fiesta” (feast of patron saints), birthdays, baptisms, weddings and funerals, where foods are served and shared together with story-telling, jokes and “tsismis” (gossips).
In the Bible, Jesus would teach about the love of God, or bring about salvation, while eating or hosting a meal. His first miracle is in the wedding in Cana. There is also the feast with Levi and his fellow publicans and “sinners”. And before he sacrificed himself on the cross, he had the last supper with his disciples where he offered his body and blood for our salvation.
And who can forget the day He had supper with Zaccheus. Because of the spirit of God coming into his house, he readily gave half of his riches to the poor. And Jesus said unto him, “this day is salvation come to this house forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham”.
Almighty Father, Your Words are the food of our souls. We hunger and yearn for You and Your gift of life. May we learn and have the will to share this food to others so they may also be filled with Your love and accept Your offer of salvation.
Oh Lord, we call upon You for our strength. May You continue to be the source of power to achieve those beyond anything we could ever do ourselves. And when the time has come that You call me, I will do it with haste, and come down, and receive You joyfully.
“I am the bread of life, all who come to me shall not hunger
All who believe in me shall not thirst
No one can come to me, unless the Father beckons”
For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
And Jesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house…
------------------------------------------------------------
We, Filipinos love to eat, and since we are naturally hospitable and gregarious, food is the basis of our social life. In our everyday life, we eat three main meals and two snacks in between. Then, for those who really are up to it, add to this the midnight snack (which is normally done between 10pm and midnight). Then there would be the “fiesta” (feast of patron saints), birthdays, baptisms, weddings and funerals, where foods are served and shared together with story-telling, jokes and “tsismis” (gossips).
In the Bible, Jesus would teach about the love of God, or bring about salvation, while eating or hosting a meal. His first miracle is in the wedding in Cana. There is also the feast with Levi and his fellow publicans and “sinners”. And before he sacrificed himself on the cross, he had the last supper with his disciples where he offered his body and blood for our salvation.
And who can forget the day He had supper with Zaccheus. Because of the spirit of God coming into his house, he readily gave half of his riches to the poor. And Jesus said unto him, “this day is salvation come to this house forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham”.
Almighty Father, Your Words are the food of our souls. We hunger and yearn for You and Your gift of life. May we learn and have the will to share this food to others so they may also be filled with Your love and accept Your offer of salvation.
Oh Lord, we call upon You for our strength. May You continue to be the source of power to achieve those beyond anything we could ever do ourselves. And when the time has come that You call me, I will do it with haste, and come down, and receive You joyfully.
“I am the bread of life, all who come to me shall not hunger
All who believe in me shall not thirst
No one can come to me, unless the Father beckons”
For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Friday, October 29, 2010
FAMILY WORSHIP (10-29-10)
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
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As we grow up, we always look at our parents, especially our father, dearly and follow their examples. I would not say, like most of us, that my father is a perfect one. Actually, he may not be an average one in the eyes of men. But still, he was my father. He was the one who imparted to me the importance of worshipping God and attending the Sunday mass.
I may have forgotten it in my teenage years, still, maybe he was hoping that someday, I would go back to that path and finally choose the right one – the path towards the Lord. I am still struggling going through that path, but I know in my heart that he is still guiding me, slowly but consistently.
How can a Christian family be maintained? By proper family worship of God. Worshipping together as a family will often require discipline. It must be consistent and never wavering. Discipline requires consistency. Our discipline must always be in love and never unrighteous anger.
As we continually instruct them and discipline them and teach them in the ways of the Lord they will grow to enjoy the presence of God as they renew their heart and brings them to faith in Jesus Christ. They will no longer see the Sunday mass or service as boring, but rather the opportunity to walk in the presence of God.
When we honor God in our family worship, He honors and blesses us. There is no other influence so great upon children than the home. The Lord will bless families who worship Him. Children will be brought to faith and godliness. God will be praised.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, grant to all of us fathers to lead our children ever more faithfully to love Christ. Grant us the wisdom to guide our children’s words and ways by God’s word, and depend on God’s wisdom and strength to apply them, and make everything serve the glory of Christ. Amen +
The Lord is faithful in all His words.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
---------------------------------------------------
As we grow up, we always look at our parents, especially our father, dearly and follow their examples. I would not say, like most of us, that my father is a perfect one. Actually, he may not be an average one in the eyes of men. But still, he was my father. He was the one who imparted to me the importance of worshipping God and attending the Sunday mass.
I may have forgotten it in my teenage years, still, maybe he was hoping that someday, I would go back to that path and finally choose the right one – the path towards the Lord. I am still struggling going through that path, but I know in my heart that he is still guiding me, slowly but consistently.
How can a Christian family be maintained? By proper family worship of God. Worshipping together as a family will often require discipline. It must be consistent and never wavering. Discipline requires consistency. Our discipline must always be in love and never unrighteous anger.
As we continually instruct them and discipline them and teach them in the ways of the Lord they will grow to enjoy the presence of God as they renew their heart and brings them to faith in Jesus Christ. They will no longer see the Sunday mass or service as boring, but rather the opportunity to walk in the presence of God.
When we honor God in our family worship, He honors and blesses us. There is no other influence so great upon children than the home. The Lord will bless families who worship Him. Children will be brought to faith and godliness. God will be praised.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, grant to all of us fathers to lead our children ever more faithfully to love Christ. Grant us the wisdom to guide our children’s words and ways by God’s word, and depend on God’s wisdom and strength to apply them, and make everything serve the glory of Christ. Amen +
The Lord is faithful in all His words.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (10-28-10)
Luke 6:12
In those days, [Jesus] departed to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.
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I would sometime withdraw from the world and live in silence for a moment – away from it all - from people, noise, cell phones, emails, calls – and experience stimulation of life to be with God.
I get away from all of the problems and wants in my life - I get away from all of that to just be alone with God and try to understand what He really wants from me. I would climb each mountain of despair just to be with Him and allow Him to talk to me.
As you may have observed, there were days when Christ was getting ready to appoint his chosen Apostles, in the days before he turned his face to Jerusalem to die and take us with Himself to God. Or before He was tempted by the devil. Before he did all of those courageous things, he took time to turn to the Father by going to the mountain and spending the day or night in prayer. This mountain-climbing prayer belongs not only to Christ but to all of His true followers. Not all those who pray climb the mountain but those who pray well, who rise up and triumph over sins and into higher goods. Climb onto the summit of watchfulness and experience the love from on high.
Which mountains are you facing today? Mountains of decision? Mountains of work? Mountains of despair? Mountains of temptations? There's another mountain which you need to climb before dealing with these other mountains. It's the mountain of prayer to the Lord.
Not by physical exploits but by high-minded actions will you scale this mountain. Follow Christ and search the Gospel. You will find that only His disciples climbed up the mountain with the Lord.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I realize that I have a Life. It is way bigger than what I do. It is way higher than any mountain. It is way bigger than what anybody thinks of me. I have this Life with You. Amen +
Through all the earth their voice resounds… to the ends of the world, their message.
In those days, [Jesus] departed to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.
---------------------------------------------------------
I would sometime withdraw from the world and live in silence for a moment – away from it all - from people, noise, cell phones, emails, calls – and experience stimulation of life to be with God.
I get away from all of the problems and wants in my life - I get away from all of that to just be alone with God and try to understand what He really wants from me. I would climb each mountain of despair just to be with Him and allow Him to talk to me.
As you may have observed, there were days when Christ was getting ready to appoint his chosen Apostles, in the days before he turned his face to Jerusalem to die and take us with Himself to God. Or before He was tempted by the devil. Before he did all of those courageous things, he took time to turn to the Father by going to the mountain and spending the day or night in prayer. This mountain-climbing prayer belongs not only to Christ but to all of His true followers. Not all those who pray climb the mountain but those who pray well, who rise up and triumph over sins and into higher goods. Climb onto the summit of watchfulness and experience the love from on high.
Which mountains are you facing today? Mountains of decision? Mountains of work? Mountains of despair? Mountains of temptations? There's another mountain which you need to climb before dealing with these other mountains. It's the mountain of prayer to the Lord.
Not by physical exploits but by high-minded actions will you scale this mountain. Follow Christ and search the Gospel. You will find that only His disciples climbed up the mountain with the Lord.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I realize that I have a Life. It is way bigger than what I do. It is way higher than any mountain. It is way bigger than what anybody thinks of me. I have this Life with You. Amen +
Through all the earth their voice resounds… to the ends of the world, their message.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
CHILDREN OF LIGHT (10-27-10)
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
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During brownouts, me and my playmates would go out of the house and play one of our favorite games – hide and seek. In our place, there were a lot of places where one can hide – inside a jeepney, behind or inside a trash can (yes, one of us tried hiding inside it once, that is why in the next round, we were able to identify his location by his smelly scent), garage, on top of trees, behind the fences, and yes, inside a drum filled with water.
Everyone is quietly hiding until a scream would fill the air, “Pung, taya!” (meaning “I have found you!”). Sometimes, I would got scared of the dark that I would have myself seen by the seeker or say, “andito ako!” (“I am here”) so I could finally get out of the dark. It doesn’t matter if I would be the next seeker, for sometimes it is better to be the hunter, than the hunted.
Through our lives, we have been constantly seeking for God - in the hope that we might feel Him and find Him. But we do not have to go far and look in the darkness. If we can only open our hearts, we can hear Him saying, “I am here”, yes, in our hearts. For in Him we live and move and have our being.
We are now the children of light, having been saved through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Seek His mercy and be obedient to His words, totally ignoring the calls of darkness. And there should always this longing in our hearts for Him. For wouldn't be complete unless He is with us, loving Him and being glad to have found Him. We are the children of Light now. Let Him shine brightly in our hearts so others may get out of the dark.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, we realize that everything in the world is meaningless unless we obey Your will. We can gain money and possession, but they don't satisfy our needs. In our death, those will all fall away and mean nothing. So, we look up to the heavens as You call upon us, exclaiming, “Here I am.”
Amen +
Behave like God as His very dear children.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
--------------------------------------------------------
During brownouts, me and my playmates would go out of the house and play one of our favorite games – hide and seek. In our place, there were a lot of places where one can hide – inside a jeepney, behind or inside a trash can (yes, one of us tried hiding inside it once, that is why in the next round, we were able to identify his location by his smelly scent), garage, on top of trees, behind the fences, and yes, inside a drum filled with water.
Everyone is quietly hiding until a scream would fill the air, “Pung, taya!” (meaning “I have found you!”). Sometimes, I would got scared of the dark that I would have myself seen by the seeker or say, “andito ako!” (“I am here”) so I could finally get out of the dark. It doesn’t matter if I would be the next seeker, for sometimes it is better to be the hunter, than the hunted.
Through our lives, we have been constantly seeking for God - in the hope that we might feel Him and find Him. But we do not have to go far and look in the darkness. If we can only open our hearts, we can hear Him saying, “I am here”, yes, in our hearts. For in Him we live and move and have our being.
We are now the children of light, having been saved through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Seek His mercy and be obedient to His words, totally ignoring the calls of darkness. And there should always this longing in our hearts for Him. For wouldn't be complete unless He is with us, loving Him and being glad to have found Him. We are the children of Light now. Let Him shine brightly in our hearts so others may get out of the dark.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, we realize that everything in the world is meaningless unless we obey Your will. We can gain money and possession, but they don't satisfy our needs. In our death, those will all fall away and mean nothing. So, we look up to the heavens as You call upon us, exclaiming, “Here I am.”
Amen +
Behave like God as His very dear children.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
GREATEST COMMANDMENTS (10-26-10)
Matthew 22:37-40
"You shall love the Lord, your God… You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
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Yes, we go to mass or Sunday service. Yes, we pray the rosary and sing worship songs. Yes, we praise and glorify the Lord through prayers. Yes, we read the Bible and even memorize verses out of it. We do all of these for the glory of God.
Then what?
We curse that first beggar that would approach us as soon as we leave the church. We would tell green jokes because people would laugh more. We would have secret dealings, praying that we get more money out of it. We would hurt our loved ones because we don’t like them anymore.
We do all of these for the glory of our own selves!
In today’s gospel, Jesus is very clear in His commandment. First is love the Lord, your God. And the second “IS LIKE IT” – love your neighbor as yourself. We all love ourselves… every one of us. When we are hungry, we feed ourselves, because we love ourselves. When we are cold, we warm ourselves, because we love ourselves. Similarly, if we love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves, then we will do the same for them. I know that we can’t always meet everyone’s needs, just as we cannot always meet our own needs. But we should demonstrate the same commitment to meeting the needs of others as we do for ourselves.
A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes that they are his brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian life is not about being perfect. It is about perfecting our love for God and others through our Savior.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, teach us to love You with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. And teach us to love the people around us… as much as we love ourselves. You expect both from all of us, no more, no less. Amen +
I love You, Lord, my strength.
"You shall love the Lord, your God… You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."
-----------------------------------------------
Yes, we go to mass or Sunday service. Yes, we pray the rosary and sing worship songs. Yes, we praise and glorify the Lord through prayers. Yes, we read the Bible and even memorize verses out of it. We do all of these for the glory of God.
Then what?
We curse that first beggar that would approach us as soon as we leave the church. We would tell green jokes because people would laugh more. We would have secret dealings, praying that we get more money out of it. We would hurt our loved ones because we don’t like them anymore.
We do all of these for the glory of our own selves!
In today’s gospel, Jesus is very clear in His commandment. First is love the Lord, your God. And the second “IS LIKE IT” – love your neighbor as yourself. We all love ourselves… every one of us. When we are hungry, we feed ourselves, because we love ourselves. When we are cold, we warm ourselves, because we love ourselves. Similarly, if we love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves, then we will do the same for them. I know that we can’t always meet everyone’s needs, just as we cannot always meet our own needs. But we should demonstrate the same commitment to meeting the needs of others as we do for ourselves.
A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes that they are his brothers and sisters in Christ. Christian life is not about being perfect. It is about perfecting our love for God and others through our Savior.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, teach us to love You with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. And teach us to love the people around us… as much as we love ourselves. You expect both from all of us, no more, no less. Amen +
I love You, Lord, my strength.
Monday, October 25, 2010
BEARING ANOTHER’S BURDEN (10-25-10)
Ephesians 4:1-2
I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness… bearing with one another through love.
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Every morning, we would see them. Vendors carrying their wares as they go and jump through buses and jeepneys. People carrying sacks or bags on their shoulder. We want to help but we have better things to do, or so we think.
Still, we see people walking down the street with nothing to carry. We see each other in church on Sunday mornings, and we don't know what loads the other person may be carrying – their human spirits are hunched over from carrying heavy loads that are invisible.
Some are carrying loads of grief, from recent losses. Some are weighed down by financial worries, by unemployment or failing businesses. Some are facing serious illness or divorce or children who have turned away.
Bearing one another's bur¬dens is not limited to helping to carry the burden of sin or weakness. The key to compassion is understanding just how heavy other people's burdens are. That is why we pray for one another and visit one another in times of sickness and loss.
And that’s why we come alongside one another in times of moral failure and say, “Brother, sister, I want to see you become the healthy person Jesus intends you to be. I can see that you’re struggling under a burden. I am a fellow struggler. How can I help you with that burden?”
So, what is your burden today? Can I share with your burden? We have a responsibility in this life to help each other with our burdens for no Christian should ever have to carry a burden alone.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You keep together those You have united. Look kindly on all who follow Jesus your Son. We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism. Teach us to bear the burden of one another, doing it through love of You. Make us one in the fullness of faith, and keep us one in the fellowship of love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen +
He whose hands are sinless… heart is clean… desires not what is vain.
I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness… bearing with one another through love.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Every morning, we would see them. Vendors carrying their wares as they go and jump through buses and jeepneys. People carrying sacks or bags on their shoulder. We want to help but we have better things to do, or so we think.
Still, we see people walking down the street with nothing to carry. We see each other in church on Sunday mornings, and we don't know what loads the other person may be carrying – their human spirits are hunched over from carrying heavy loads that are invisible.
Some are carrying loads of grief, from recent losses. Some are weighed down by financial worries, by unemployment or failing businesses. Some are facing serious illness or divorce or children who have turned away.
Bearing one another's bur¬dens is not limited to helping to carry the burden of sin or weakness. The key to compassion is understanding just how heavy other people's burdens are. That is why we pray for one another and visit one another in times of sickness and loss.
And that’s why we come alongside one another in times of moral failure and say, “Brother, sister, I want to see you become the healthy person Jesus intends you to be. I can see that you’re struggling under a burden. I am a fellow struggler. How can I help you with that burden?”
So, what is your burden today? Can I share with your burden? We have a responsibility in this life to help each other with our burdens for no Christian should ever have to carry a burden alone.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You keep together those You have united. Look kindly on all who follow Jesus your Son. We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism. Teach us to bear the burden of one another, doing it through love of You. Make us one in the fullness of faith, and keep us one in the fellowship of love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen +
He whose hands are sinless… heart is clean… desires not what is vain.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
SINNER (10-24-10)
Luke 18:13
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
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I pray everyday…
I write daily devotions…
I hear Sunday masses… attend bible studies
Try not to fall into temptations…
And Jesus is saying that “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you”.
I would say this is unfair.
But God is NEVER unfair.
He is a justly God… He is the god of Justice!
For entering heaven is not just those things I mentioned above.
It is opening our hearts to Him and responding to His every words and following His every will. In Jesus time, these people found life as it was meant to be. Jesus offered hope to the tax collectors and sinners, hope they never before had.
We must now open my heart FULLY to God. And then share this joy with others so they may also fully understand the gift of salvation, the gift of heaven. Only then would I be entitled to it, joining the sinners, like me, who came to know Jesus fully in my life.
Do you only know about Jesus or do you know Jesus in your heart? Have you met Him? If not, tell him you want to meet Him – before it’s too late!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, please be patient with me as your Spirit seeks to do his work of transformation in my life. I do want to live to honor you and more closely reflect the character and grace of Jesus. Please give me wisdom to know your will, courage to stay away from sin, and a willing heart to seek after you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen +
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'
-------------------------------------------------------
I pray everyday…
I write daily devotions…
I hear Sunday masses… attend bible studies
Try not to fall into temptations…
And Jesus is saying that “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you”.
I would say this is unfair.
But God is NEVER unfair.
He is a justly God… He is the god of Justice!
For entering heaven is not just those things I mentioned above.
It is opening our hearts to Him and responding to His every words and following His every will. In Jesus time, these people found life as it was meant to be. Jesus offered hope to the tax collectors and sinners, hope they never before had.
We must now open my heart FULLY to God. And then share this joy with others so they may also fully understand the gift of salvation, the gift of heaven. Only then would I be entitled to it, joining the sinners, like me, who came to know Jesus fully in my life.
Do you only know about Jesus or do you know Jesus in your heart? Have you met Him? If not, tell him you want to meet Him – before it’s too late!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, please be patient with me as your Spirit seeks to do his work of transformation in my life. I do want to live to honor you and more closely reflect the character and grace of Jesus. Please give me wisdom to know your will, courage to stay away from sin, and a willing heart to seek after you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen +
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
FULL OF SPIRIT (10-23-10)
Ephesians 3:16-17
…be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
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When we are full of joy and very happy, our friends would always remark that we are “full of spirit”. And this is a correct assessment. For happiness, gladness and joy is one proof that the spirit of the Lord is in us and lives within us. The Holy Spirit promises are in alignment with a holy and just God. Our bad habits begin to get cleaned up as we permit the Holy Spirit to show us how to overcome our self indulgent thinking, behaviors and bad habits. Our pride gets smaller and presence of God begins to manifest in our lives.
Walking in the Spirit leads to a sense of peace and joy, as we partner with God in His glorious plans. Disobedience lead to a loss of filling by the Holy Spirit, which takes away our joy and peace. Although God will not take the Holy Spirit away from a disciple of Jesus Christ, the continual practice of sin and a lack of spiritual activities will lead to a life that is no different than the life of a non-believer.
Let the Holy Spirit lives inside us let Him guide our actions and of those who desire His presence. Let the Spirit empowers us and every believers to step outside of our comfort zone and do extraordinary acts of faith for God. Being filled with the Spirit involves transforming our minds to the mind of Christ as we engage in spiritual activities of prayer and giving glory to God. And as we let the Spirit dwells in us, the God of hope will fill us with joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the Spirit’s power.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, we thank You for Your Word and pray that as we think about it together our eyes and our hearts would be open to what you want to teach us through the Holy Spirit. Teach us to have life changing power in other people's lives and protect them. For it is in Jesus name that we pray.
Amen +
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
…be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
-----------------------------------------------
When we are full of joy and very happy, our friends would always remark that we are “full of spirit”. And this is a correct assessment. For happiness, gladness and joy is one proof that the spirit of the Lord is in us and lives within us. The Holy Spirit promises are in alignment with a holy and just God. Our bad habits begin to get cleaned up as we permit the Holy Spirit to show us how to overcome our self indulgent thinking, behaviors and bad habits. Our pride gets smaller and presence of God begins to manifest in our lives.
Walking in the Spirit leads to a sense of peace and joy, as we partner with God in His glorious plans. Disobedience lead to a loss of filling by the Holy Spirit, which takes away our joy and peace. Although God will not take the Holy Spirit away from a disciple of Jesus Christ, the continual practice of sin and a lack of spiritual activities will lead to a life that is no different than the life of a non-believer.
Let the Holy Spirit lives inside us let Him guide our actions and of those who desire His presence. Let the Spirit empowers us and every believers to step outside of our comfort zone and do extraordinary acts of faith for God. Being filled with the Spirit involves transforming our minds to the mind of Christ as we engage in spiritual activities of prayer and giving glory to God. And as we let the Spirit dwells in us, the God of hope will fill us with joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the Spirit’s power.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, we thank You for Your Word and pray that as we think about it together our eyes and our hearts would be open to what you want to teach us through the Holy Spirit. Teach us to have life changing power in other people's lives and protect them. For it is in Jesus name that we pray.
Amen +
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Friday, October 22, 2010
MORE WILL BE DEMANDED (10-22-10)
Luke 12:48
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
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When I was a child, I would dream of earning a lot of money, having a big house for myself and driving different cars based on the color of my clothes on that day. Most of us may have the same dream, and as a child, no one can take that away from us.
But as we grow up, reality would start kicking in. All that we want and need becomes relative to what we really want in life. And as I start to earn more, responsibility also increases. And today’s gospel summarizes it more succinctly - more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
We are all just stewards of everything that we have. Therefore, we must properly manage what we have in our possession. We should aspire to be worthy stewards and should put to good use whatever talents that God has given us. Always doing good for the well-being of the people under our care.
If we will not be up to the task that God has given us by being irresponsible, then, eventually everything that we have will be taken from us as we are not worthy anymore of the blessings that God has bestowed on us. It is an understandable temptation to claim all the benefits of our position or talents and make light of the responsibilities. Yet we are not owners even of ourselves, but stewards, and all that we are is for the service of the kingdom. If we don’t serve, what we have will be taken from us.
Are we ready to give Him what He wants and needs – our time, our talent, even perhaps our lives? Are we prepared to face Him knowing that we have given more than what was entrusted to us?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I have been very selfish, even keeping to myself all the things You have given to me. Teach me to be a sharer of these blessings. I know that You have entrusted more to me, not for me, but so I may share with others so they may truly believe that You are the only Lord. Amen +
My strength and my courage is the LORD, and He has been my savior.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
---------------------------------------------------------
When I was a child, I would dream of earning a lot of money, having a big house for myself and driving different cars based on the color of my clothes on that day. Most of us may have the same dream, and as a child, no one can take that away from us.
But as we grow up, reality would start kicking in. All that we want and need becomes relative to what we really want in life. And as I start to earn more, responsibility also increases. And today’s gospel summarizes it more succinctly - more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
We are all just stewards of everything that we have. Therefore, we must properly manage what we have in our possession. We should aspire to be worthy stewards and should put to good use whatever talents that God has given us. Always doing good for the well-being of the people under our care.
If we will not be up to the task that God has given us by being irresponsible, then, eventually everything that we have will be taken from us as we are not worthy anymore of the blessings that God has bestowed on us. It is an understandable temptation to claim all the benefits of our position or talents and make light of the responsibilities. Yet we are not owners even of ourselves, but stewards, and all that we are is for the service of the kingdom. If we don’t serve, what we have will be taken from us.
Are we ready to give Him what He wants and needs – our time, our talent, even perhaps our lives? Are we prepared to face Him knowing that we have given more than what was entrusted to us?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I have been very selfish, even keeping to myself all the things You have given to me. Teach me to be a sharer of these blessings. I know that You have entrusted more to me, not for me, but so I may share with others so they may truly believe that You are the only Lord. Amen +
My strength and my courage is the LORD, and He has been my savior.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
BEING VIGILANT (10-21-10)
Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
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In our household, when we know that visitors are coming, it causes us to straighten up the house to a state of readiness. We make sure that the floor is spanking clean and the receiving room smells good.
But have you ever had visitors drop by unexpectedly? Perhaps there were dirty dishes in the kitchen or the laundry was out or the ironing board was in the middle of the living room or the toilet is a mess. That would be the true measure of our readiness. The point that Jesus is going to make in today’s gospel is that Jesus is coming back unexpectedly. And we have to be at constant watch. Because of this, we are to live lives of readiness.
Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father.
The important point is that we do not know when Christ is going to return. We are assured that it will take us by surprise. People who speculate on the nearness or remoteness of the date of His return are lessons on futility. What is important is that you always be ready. A ready person never needs to get ready— he is ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! Are you?
Let us pray +
Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name.
Amen +
The Lord speaks of peace to His people.
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
------------------------------------------------------
In our household, when we know that visitors are coming, it causes us to straighten up the house to a state of readiness. We make sure that the floor is spanking clean and the receiving room smells good.
But have you ever had visitors drop by unexpectedly? Perhaps there were dirty dishes in the kitchen or the laundry was out or the ironing board was in the middle of the living room or the toilet is a mess. That would be the true measure of our readiness. The point that Jesus is going to make in today’s gospel is that Jesus is coming back unexpectedly. And we have to be at constant watch. Because of this, we are to live lives of readiness.
Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father.
The important point is that we do not know when Christ is going to return. We are assured that it will take us by surprise. People who speculate on the nearness or remoteness of the date of His return are lessons on futility. What is important is that you always be ready. A ready person never needs to get ready— he is ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready once God has called! Are you?
Let us pray +
Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name.
Amen +
The Lord speaks of peace to His people.
REAL RICHES (10-20-10)
Luke 12:15
“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
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GREED. It exist in many forms – greed for money, power, wealth, possessions. And it becomes a selfish desire especially when this denies the same goods to others. Essential to the concept of greed is the awareness that the needs of others are denied. Greed also often involves using wealth to gain power over others, sometimes by denying others wealth or power.
The Scriptures are filled with examples of greed and its consequences. Jesus warned against greed. In one of His parables, He told us about a very greedy man who accumulated so much harvest that instead of sharing them with others, he built a bigger barn to keep them for himself. Then, he would just rest, eat, drink and be merry. Little does he know that by the next day, he will die. So who would benefit from all of those harvest he kept? Surely, it will not be him for he cannot bring them to afterlife.
Greed for money… greed for power. The good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, being in power or having more possessions. In fact, greed is harmful to spiritual well-being. Greed's rewards are anxiety and pressure. Greed sets a person to scheming how to increase what they already have, instead of thanking God for what he has given them. Greed is totally self-serving to the point of denying another person of what is due him so you can stay in power.
Are you content with what you have or do you insist on much more? Is wealth and holding on to power your only reality? Real riches are a free gift. We have the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. With that promise firmly in our purses, what more could we possibly need or ask for.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are our only hope. It is my prayer that, in spite of living in the world around us, we all will learn to put You and Your kingdom first so that one day, we will inherit the kingdom which was prepared for us from the foundation of the world. This is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen +
The Lord made us, we belong to Him.
“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
------------------------------------------------------------
GREED. It exist in many forms – greed for money, power, wealth, possessions. And it becomes a selfish desire especially when this denies the same goods to others. Essential to the concept of greed is the awareness that the needs of others are denied. Greed also often involves using wealth to gain power over others, sometimes by denying others wealth or power.
The Scriptures are filled with examples of greed and its consequences. Jesus warned against greed. In one of His parables, He told us about a very greedy man who accumulated so much harvest that instead of sharing them with others, he built a bigger barn to keep them for himself. Then, he would just rest, eat, drink and be merry. Little does he know that by the next day, he will die. So who would benefit from all of those harvest he kept? Surely, it will not be him for he cannot bring them to afterlife.
Greed for money… greed for power. The good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, being in power or having more possessions. In fact, greed is harmful to spiritual well-being. Greed's rewards are anxiety and pressure. Greed sets a person to scheming how to increase what they already have, instead of thanking God for what he has given them. Greed is totally self-serving to the point of denying another person of what is due him so you can stay in power.
Are you content with what you have or do you insist on much more? Is wealth and holding on to power your only reality? Real riches are a free gift. We have the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. With that promise firmly in our purses, what more could we possibly need or ask for.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are our only hope. It is my prayer that, in spite of living in the world around us, we all will learn to put You and Your kingdom first so that one day, we will inherit the kingdom which was prepared for us from the foundation of the world. This is my prayer in Jesus name. Amen +
The Lord made us, we belong to Him.
Monday, October 18, 2010
ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD (10-19-10)
Matthew 22:21
"…repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
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I would frown whenever I see my income tax return. 33% of my annual pay would be deducted to pay taxes to the government. It is not that I don’t really want to pay taxes, but my thinking, like most of us, is that the government is not really putting these into proper use to service us, Filipinos, better.
But, we cannot live by these thoughts alone. There is still this 67% of our salary that we can use into proper use – for ourselves, our families and hopefully, in service of others. The 33% belongs to “Ceasar”, and how the government will use that, they would be accountable to God in the end. The 67% does not belong to us. It belongs to God. How we are going to use them, we would be accountable also to God in the end.
We yearn for more – more money, more knowledge, more wealth. There is nothing wrong with that. But make sure, that we pay the proper taxes. And bring all the glory back to Him. Go and seek a successful career, not as an end in itself, but as a means to bring others closer to Jesus. Go and work abroad, not as an end in itself, but to be a more effective disciple on a mission. Go and seek a life partner and raise a wonderful family, not as an end in itself, but also to witness to others what it means to be an instrument of God’s love.
You and I are the things of God. By His grace, mercy, and love, we bear the image and the inscription of God. Therefore, when Jesus says to render unto God the things of God, He is talking to all of us, He is talking about us. He is talking about how we can be big in His eyes, forever trusting in Him and giving Him all the glory, honor and praise He truly deserves.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on Your powerful name. I will pay my vows to the You in the presence of all Your people, for we all belong to You and You alone. Amen +
Give the Lord glory and honor.
"…repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
-----------------------------------------------------------
I would frown whenever I see my income tax return. 33% of my annual pay would be deducted to pay taxes to the government. It is not that I don’t really want to pay taxes, but my thinking, like most of us, is that the government is not really putting these into proper use to service us, Filipinos, better.
But, we cannot live by these thoughts alone. There is still this 67% of our salary that we can use into proper use – for ourselves, our families and hopefully, in service of others. The 33% belongs to “Ceasar”, and how the government will use that, they would be accountable to God in the end. The 67% does not belong to us. It belongs to God. How we are going to use them, we would be accountable also to God in the end.
We yearn for more – more money, more knowledge, more wealth. There is nothing wrong with that. But make sure, that we pay the proper taxes. And bring all the glory back to Him. Go and seek a successful career, not as an end in itself, but as a means to bring others closer to Jesus. Go and work abroad, not as an end in itself, but to be a more effective disciple on a mission. Go and seek a life partner and raise a wonderful family, not as an end in itself, but also to witness to others what it means to be an instrument of God’s love.
You and I are the things of God. By His grace, mercy, and love, we bear the image and the inscription of God. Therefore, when Jesus says to render unto God the things of God, He is talking to all of us, He is talking about us. He is talking about how we can be big in His eyes, forever trusting in Him and giving Him all the glory, honor and praise He truly deserves.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on Your powerful name. I will pay my vows to the You in the presence of all Your people, for we all belong to You and You alone. Amen +
Give the Lord glory and honor.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
BOUNTIFUL HARVEST (10-18-10)
Luke 10:3
Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
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The whole world is facing a problem that is beyond comprehension – food crisis. The population is increasing but the supply of food cannot cope up with this population boom. Reason being is the decrease in arable lands. Another reason could be the decrease in the number of workers with most of them seeking a “greener pasture” in the cities.
The Christian churches of the world is facing the same problem. Jesus addresses the greatness of the opportunity before us. The Harvest is great. The opportunity presents a problem, however. The workers are too few.
So Jesus tells us the solution. Pray! Before He tells the seventy-two a single thing to do, He tells them what to pray. Nothing is more important – it is the preeminent work of the disciple. Prayer can go ahead of even the advance men. Prayer can work inside a person. It has been said that we can do no more than pray until we have prayed.
It is the Lord's harvest. I may not be up to the job but He is in charge of it and is the one responsible for working conviction and regeneration. And he is the one responsible to make people willing to enter the work.
We are indestructible as long as God is with us. Jesus tells that we are to put on our snake stomping shoes and not let anything scary keep us from carrying out our mission. We are being called to participate. We are without excuse; we cannot say that we were not given that opportunity.
And we will succeed because a real disciple is useful to his Master.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, let the light of Your Gospel of love so shine in the world that it may be transformed into a worthy home for all Your children. Bless all missionaries throughout the world that their work may bear fruit. Together with them, may we too share in the missionary work of the whole Church that Your Kingdom of justice, love and peace may come in all hearts and in all nations. Amen +
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him…in truth.
Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
-------------------------------------------------
The whole world is facing a problem that is beyond comprehension – food crisis. The population is increasing but the supply of food cannot cope up with this population boom. Reason being is the decrease in arable lands. Another reason could be the decrease in the number of workers with most of them seeking a “greener pasture” in the cities.
The Christian churches of the world is facing the same problem. Jesus addresses the greatness of the opportunity before us. The Harvest is great. The opportunity presents a problem, however. The workers are too few.
So Jesus tells us the solution. Pray! Before He tells the seventy-two a single thing to do, He tells them what to pray. Nothing is more important – it is the preeminent work of the disciple. Prayer can go ahead of even the advance men. Prayer can work inside a person. It has been said that we can do no more than pray until we have prayed.
It is the Lord's harvest. I may not be up to the job but He is in charge of it and is the one responsible for working conviction and regeneration. And he is the one responsible to make people willing to enter the work.
We are indestructible as long as God is with us. Jesus tells that we are to put on our snake stomping shoes and not let anything scary keep us from carrying out our mission. We are being called to participate. We are without excuse; we cannot say that we were not given that opportunity.
And we will succeed because a real disciple is useful to his Master.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, let the light of Your Gospel of love so shine in the world that it may be transformed into a worthy home for all Your children. Bless all missionaries throughout the world that their work may bear fruit. Together with them, may we too share in the missionary work of the whole Church that Your Kingdom of justice, love and peace may come in all hearts and in all nations. Amen +
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him…in truth.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
GOD IS LISTENING (10-17-10)
Luke 18:7
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to Him day and night?
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You asked for something
You did not received what you asked for
So, you gave up… thinking that you are not loved, and so you rebelled.
But have you thought of asking again…
And again… and again?
God is more than a father, He is more than a judge. He is our Lord, our God – worthy of our unceasing praise and prayers.
If faith is the furnace of our lives, then His grace is its fuel.
And the divinely appointed shovel for feeding the burner is prayer.
If I lose heart and lay down the shovel, the fire will go out. I would eventually grow cold and hard.
Focus on our heart attitude.
“Rejoice always” is an attitude of joyfulness.
How do we rejoice and give thanks? Through prayer!
It expresses itself throughout the day with silent prayers of vital communication with the LORD. We can't always stop asking, our heart’s attitude should always be of “praying without ceasing”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray to you without ceasing. I bring back to You my life of prayer without losing heart. And when Jesus comes, I hope that He would see the faith in me, and be worthy to join Him in Heaven.
Amen +
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to Him day and night?
----------------------------------------------------
You asked for something
You did not received what you asked for
So, you gave up… thinking that you are not loved, and so you rebelled.
But have you thought of asking again…
And again… and again?
God is more than a father, He is more than a judge. He is our Lord, our God – worthy of our unceasing praise and prayers.
If faith is the furnace of our lives, then His grace is its fuel.
And the divinely appointed shovel for feeding the burner is prayer.
If I lose heart and lay down the shovel, the fire will go out. I would eventually grow cold and hard.
Focus on our heart attitude.
“Rejoice always” is an attitude of joyfulness.
How do we rejoice and give thanks? Through prayer!
It expresses itself throughout the day with silent prayers of vital communication with the LORD. We can't always stop asking, our heart’s attitude should always be of “praying without ceasing”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray to you without ceasing. I bring back to You my life of prayer without losing heart. And when Jesus comes, I hope that He would see the faith in me, and be worthy to join Him in Heaven.
Amen +
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
GOD’S BLESSINGS (10-16-10)
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens…
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We are truly thankful for receiving great blessings. However, most of us always think that we are given these blessings for our only own consumption. And even more of us would be very dependent and concerned about them that we seriously neglect other important aspects of our life. Our dependence is to be on God and not on money. "Where your treasure is," warned Christ, "there your heart will be also.”
God sees whether we honor Him with the blessings He gives us, how we care for our families and how we treat the poor. The Scriptures teach us not to set our heart on riches but to help people in genuine need and generously support the work of sharing God's truth with others. Such priorities are an important part of loving our neighbors as ourselves. We should seek to live a balanced life, putting our finances into proper perspective.
In bestowing His own blessing, God declares His goodness. We in turn bless God by praising Him, thanking Him for all of His benefits and offering to Him our service, adoration and worship. When we invoke God's blessing, we implore His divine benevolence, trusting that He will respond to our needs. Be truly happy and thankful that God has promised to bless man in such a way that man can easily become a recipient of God's blessings.
Is your heart – and your treasure – focused primarily on things of this life, or is it focused on God in heaven? God bless you!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may the work I do bring growth in this life to me and those I love and help to extend the Kingdom of Christ. Give all persons work that draws them to You and to each other in cheerful service. I beg Your blessing upon all my efforts. With Saint Joseph as my example and guide, help me to do the work You have asked and come to the reward You have prepared.
Amen +
With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the LORD.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens…
-------------------------------------------------------
We are truly thankful for receiving great blessings. However, most of us always think that we are given these blessings for our only own consumption. And even more of us would be very dependent and concerned about them that we seriously neglect other important aspects of our life. Our dependence is to be on God and not on money. "Where your treasure is," warned Christ, "there your heart will be also.”
God sees whether we honor Him with the blessings He gives us, how we care for our families and how we treat the poor. The Scriptures teach us not to set our heart on riches but to help people in genuine need and generously support the work of sharing God's truth with others. Such priorities are an important part of loving our neighbors as ourselves. We should seek to live a balanced life, putting our finances into proper perspective.
In bestowing His own blessing, God declares His goodness. We in turn bless God by praising Him, thanking Him for all of His benefits and offering to Him our service, adoration and worship. When we invoke God's blessing, we implore His divine benevolence, trusting that He will respond to our needs. Be truly happy and thankful that God has promised to bless man in such a way that man can easily become a recipient of God's blessings.
Is your heart – and your treasure – focused primarily on things of this life, or is it focused on God in heaven? God bless you!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may the work I do bring growth in this life to me and those I love and help to extend the Kingdom of Christ. Give all persons work that draws them to You and to each other in cheerful service. I beg Your blessing upon all my efforts. With Saint Joseph as my example and guide, help me to do the work You have asked and come to the reward You have prepared.
Amen +
With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the LORD.
Friday, October 15, 2010
THE GIFTS (10-15-10)
Galatians 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
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We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us—as, for example, when we receive a sacrament worthily. These seven gifts help us to live a Christian life.
Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal;
The Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth;
The Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven;
The Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation;
The Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints;
The Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable;
The Spirit of Fear of the Lord, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.
As Pope John Paul II said, "With gifts and qualities such as these, we are equal to any task and capable of overcoming any difficulties." The divine Spirit shapes, empowers, and gives us joy. The gift a Christian lives in every day, most fundamentally, is the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray +
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and Your love. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit.
Amen +
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
--------------------------------------------------------------
We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us—as, for example, when we receive a sacrament worthily. These seven gifts help us to live a Christian life.
Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal;
The Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth;
The Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven;
The Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation;
The Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints;
The Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable;
The Spirit of Fear of the Lord, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him.
As Pope John Paul II said, "With gifts and qualities such as these, we are equal to any task and capable of overcoming any difficulties." The divine Spirit shapes, empowers, and gives us joy. The gift a Christian lives in every day, most fundamentally, is the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray +
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven, did promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul the work of Your grace and Your love. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit.
Amen +
Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
FREE! (10-13-10)
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
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We always think we are a slave to something or someone. That we are a slave to our work. That we are a slave to our family. That, we are a slave to our community. So, with this thinking, we always struggle to break free. We always want to come out and experience that freedom we think we deserve.
But, it is a wrong thinking. If we would only free up our mind from these evil mindset, then we can truly be free.
The same is true with sins. We always think that we are sinful people, so the more we commit sins.
Free up your mind… resist temptation… receive the Lord… love Him and dedicate your life in His service. Only then would you truly be free. Through Christ, we are free to live as God created us to live, because Christ through the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live righteously, to live a life that reflects the very character of God.
However, St. Paul is clear when he sais, “You were called for freedom…Do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.” Freedom is rooted in the love of one’s neighbor. Freedom is rooted in doing good for others.
So Christ has truly set us free! Are you still lingering in the past and remain in bondage in sins? Free yourself, and choose Christ as your Lord and Savior. He is the one who shows us what it means to do the will of the Father. We are called to imitate His discipleship and walk in the same freedom.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, thank you for your Word and the instruction it contains for our very benefit. I pray, Lord, that you would unleash the Holy Spirit in all of our hearts this week and begin to show us where we’ve fallen into believing false teaching and have taken on the yoke of slavery. Lord Jesus, you have come to set us free. Help us to live in that freedom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen +
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill He lifts up the poor.
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
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We always think we are a slave to something or someone. That we are a slave to our work. That we are a slave to our family. That, we are a slave to our community. So, with this thinking, we always struggle to break free. We always want to come out and experience that freedom we think we deserve.
But, it is a wrong thinking. If we would only free up our mind from these evil mindset, then we can truly be free.
The same is true with sins. We always think that we are sinful people, so the more we commit sins.
Free up your mind… resist temptation… receive the Lord… love Him and dedicate your life in His service. Only then would you truly be free. Through Christ, we are free to live as God created us to live, because Christ through the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live righteously, to live a life that reflects the very character of God.
However, St. Paul is clear when he sais, “You were called for freedom…Do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.” Freedom is rooted in the love of one’s neighbor. Freedom is rooted in doing good for others.
So Christ has truly set us free! Are you still lingering in the past and remain in bondage in sins? Free yourself, and choose Christ as your Lord and Savior. He is the one who shows us what it means to do the will of the Father. We are called to imitate His discipleship and walk in the same freedom.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, thank you for your Word and the instruction it contains for our very benefit. I pray, Lord, that you would unleash the Holy Spirit in all of our hearts this week and begin to show us where we’ve fallen into believing false teaching and have taken on the yoke of slavery. Lord Jesus, you have come to set us free. Help us to live in that freedom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen +
He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill He lifts up the poor.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
MERITS, NOT DEMERITS (10-12-10)
Luke 11:39
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Most of us male college students had undergone military training. And for four semesters of my college life, I would go to UP dressed in green fatigue uniform that I myself prepared (washing, ironing). I would make my boots and buckle shiny and clean.
And as I face my platoon sergeant, I would stand “chest-out and stomach-in” and prepare for the inspection. And no matter what preparation I would do, this “inspector” would always find fault in how I look – unbuttoned pocket, mud in the shoes, wrong way of wearing the beret cap, etc.
And for that, I would get demerits – instead of merits for the other right things I have done.
Almighty Father, I am very happy to know that You are not a God who finds fault. Rather, You look beyond the wrong things that we do and focus only on how beautiful we are in Your loving eyes.
I would love earning those “merits” that You give us. Even though we are full of mud, does not smell good, wearing the wrong uniform – You would still accept us when we seek forgiveness, for You are a loving and merciful God, ready to forgive, even the unforgiveable.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, I, therefore, should also find what is good, what is right – in my neighbors, in my family, and in myself. I shall let my faith grow in me and share it with others. “And as we let our own light shine for others to see, we unconsciously give other people to appreciate and permission to do the same.”
“Let all my wrongdoing be washed away,
And make me clean from evil.
For I am conscious of my error;
My sin is ever before me.”
Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.
The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Most of us male college students had undergone military training. And for four semesters of my college life, I would go to UP dressed in green fatigue uniform that I myself prepared (washing, ironing). I would make my boots and buckle shiny and clean.
And as I face my platoon sergeant, I would stand “chest-out and stomach-in” and prepare for the inspection. And no matter what preparation I would do, this “inspector” would always find fault in how I look – unbuttoned pocket, mud in the shoes, wrong way of wearing the beret cap, etc.
And for that, I would get demerits – instead of merits for the other right things I have done.
Almighty Father, I am very happy to know that You are not a God who finds fault. Rather, You look beyond the wrong things that we do and focus only on how beautiful we are in Your loving eyes.
I would love earning those “merits” that You give us. Even though we are full of mud, does not smell good, wearing the wrong uniform – You would still accept us when we seek forgiveness, for You are a loving and merciful God, ready to forgive, even the unforgiveable.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, I, therefore, should also find what is good, what is right – in my neighbors, in my family, and in myself. I shall let my faith grow in me and share it with others. “And as we let our own light shine for others to see, we unconsciously give other people to appreciate and permission to do the same.”
“Let all my wrongdoing be washed away,
And make me clean from evil.
For I am conscious of my error;
My sin is ever before me.”
Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.
Monday, October 11, 2010
CHERISH HIS WORDS (10-11-10)
Luke 11:28
“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
------------------------------------------------------------
What was the last training you attended? Do you still remember those important points raised during the session? Most probably, if you have not practiced what you have learned, then you would have forgotten it in no time.
The same is true in hearing God’s words. Do you still remember the gospel last Sunday? Do you still remember the priest’s (or your pastor’s) sharing? Most probably not anymore!
Had we observed, kept, and obeyed the word of God since our baptism and/or conversion years earlier? All of us, including me, have gone the other way and had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – and, we all do, every last one of us (Romans 3:23). That's why Jesus died on the cross – to forgive our sins. But I came to realize also that I was guilty of a far greater sin – the sin of omission.
For not only had I read God's instructions on what not to do and failed to stop myself from doing those things, but worse than that, I had read God's instructions on what to do and completely ignored them! I had not cared for the widowed and the orphans. I had not loved my neighbor as myself.
I had not even managed to love God above all other gods – self, money, wealth and security had served me just fine as idols to devote my life to. What a shame!
Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow God's Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to hear His words, follow Him fully and observe everything He teaches in Your life.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, you are the source of all true friendship and love. Teach me to not just hear Your words, but follow them and observe them, so others may also hear and follow Your words through me. In all my relationships, may your love be my constant guide for choosing what is good and for rejecting what is contrary to your will. Amen +
Look to the LORD in His strength; seek to serve Him constantly.
“…blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
------------------------------------------------------------
What was the last training you attended? Do you still remember those important points raised during the session? Most probably, if you have not practiced what you have learned, then you would have forgotten it in no time.
The same is true in hearing God’s words. Do you still remember the gospel last Sunday? Do you still remember the priest’s (or your pastor’s) sharing? Most probably not anymore!
Had we observed, kept, and obeyed the word of God since our baptism and/or conversion years earlier? All of us, including me, have gone the other way and had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – and, we all do, every last one of us (Romans 3:23). That's why Jesus died on the cross – to forgive our sins. But I came to realize also that I was guilty of a far greater sin – the sin of omission.
For not only had I read God's instructions on what not to do and failed to stop myself from doing those things, but worse than that, I had read God's instructions on what to do and completely ignored them! I had not cared for the widowed and the orphans. I had not loved my neighbor as myself.
I had not even managed to love God above all other gods – self, money, wealth and security had served me just fine as idols to devote my life to. What a shame!
Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow God's Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to hear His words, follow Him fully and observe everything He teaches in Your life.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, you are the source of all true friendship and love. Teach me to not just hear Your words, but follow them and observe them, so others may also hear and follow Your words through me. In all my relationships, may your love be my constant guide for choosing what is good and for rejecting what is contrary to your will. Amen +
Look to the LORD in His strength; seek to serve Him constantly.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
GIVING THANKS (10-10-10)
Luke 17:18
“Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
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In my college days, the environment in which I live finally caught up with me. I momentarily forgot about God. The pressure of college (having to study hard to maintain the grades needed to continue scholarship) and peer pressure (hanging out, going out with drinking buddies), I was running my own life and ignoring God. It would continue until my working years.
But God did not gave up on me. He gave me a wonderful family that would be the main reason to mend my ways and straighten the path I am taking. There are problems and issues but we still made it through because of each other’s patience and understanding.
Since that time, I have gone through other trials that, although not pleasant, have made me grow in faith and reliance upon God. reality of life's fleeting existence has been a constant reminder to me and caused me to focus on the more important things of life.
Giving thanks to God is not an optional thing for the Christian. Thankfulness should flow naturally from the Christian who realizes the great gift of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for what He did not deserve (all my sin), then freely offered to us the reward of eternal life that we do not even deserve. What an awesome God!
Hear the message of salvation and be ready to accept it. Be even grateful for the suffering and the blessings from God. For He alone causes all things to work together for good to those who love, follow and thank Him.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, My God, I love You with all my heart. I thank You for having kept me safe this day. Pardon me the evil I have done, and accept the good I have done. Take care of me throughout this day and deliver me from all danger. May Your grace be always with me and with all my loved ones. Amen +
Reknown for His wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD.
“Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
----------------------------------------------------------------
In my college days, the environment in which I live finally caught up with me. I momentarily forgot about God. The pressure of college (having to study hard to maintain the grades needed to continue scholarship) and peer pressure (hanging out, going out with drinking buddies), I was running my own life and ignoring God. It would continue until my working years.
But God did not gave up on me. He gave me a wonderful family that would be the main reason to mend my ways and straighten the path I am taking. There are problems and issues but we still made it through because of each other’s patience and understanding.
Since that time, I have gone through other trials that, although not pleasant, have made me grow in faith and reliance upon God. reality of life's fleeting existence has been a constant reminder to me and caused me to focus on the more important things of life.
Giving thanks to God is not an optional thing for the Christian. Thankfulness should flow naturally from the Christian who realizes the great gift of salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ suffered the penalty for what He did not deserve (all my sin), then freely offered to us the reward of eternal life that we do not even deserve. What an awesome God!
Hear the message of salvation and be ready to accept it. Be even grateful for the suffering and the blessings from God. For He alone causes all things to work together for good to those who love, follow and thank Him.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, My God, I love You with all my heart. I thank You for having kept me safe this day. Pardon me the evil I have done, and accept the good I have done. Take care of me throughout this day and deliver me from all danger. May Your grace be always with me and with all my loved ones. Amen +
Reknown for His wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
ASKING AND RECEIVING (10-09-10)
Luke 11:9
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find…”
---------------------------------------------------------------
I once asked for a toy robot as a gift on my birthday. I was really excited at that time. But after opening all the gifts, what I got was some coloring books and pictorial storybooks. I really felt frustrated and started crying. My mother approached me and told me that the robot I want is not available at that time. She just encouraged me to start coloring the pictures and reading the stories. I may have totally forgotten about the toy robot, but it still gets back to me, once in a while.
In our gospel today, Jesus emphasized the importance of asking through praying. Prayer is a simple ordinary part of human life, as natural as the relationships between friends or between parents and children. We may not always get what we want, but be assured that we always get what we need from God’s point of view. He may not give us a scorpion if we ask for an egg, but He would also give us more than an egg! Just be trusting in Him that He knows better than all of us combined.
Similarly, Jesus encouraged people to be persistent in prayer, to keep asking. It is important to understand the difference between faithful persistence and manipulation. The analogy with the child asking a parent can break down at this point. Children can be manipulative. Christian prayer is distinguished from magic precisely at this point. It is never manipulative, always trusting. We must trust God to decide what is good. Prayer is not mechanical, but interpersonal. We exercise our freedom in a relationship and expect the other person (or God) also to respond in freedom.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, thank You for hearing my prayers and tending to the desires of my heart, answering my prayers, and doing so in ways beyond my hopes. I pray that others will turn to You and do the same, praying about whatever is in their hearts and minds, so that You can reveal Yourself to them in awesome ways, too. I pray these things to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior; and in the love of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
…holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find…”
---------------------------------------------------------------
I once asked for a toy robot as a gift on my birthday. I was really excited at that time. But after opening all the gifts, what I got was some coloring books and pictorial storybooks. I really felt frustrated and started crying. My mother approached me and told me that the robot I want is not available at that time. She just encouraged me to start coloring the pictures and reading the stories. I may have totally forgotten about the toy robot, but it still gets back to me, once in a while.
In our gospel today, Jesus emphasized the importance of asking through praying. Prayer is a simple ordinary part of human life, as natural as the relationships between friends or between parents and children. We may not always get what we want, but be assured that we always get what we need from God’s point of view. He may not give us a scorpion if we ask for an egg, but He would also give us more than an egg! Just be trusting in Him that He knows better than all of us combined.
Similarly, Jesus encouraged people to be persistent in prayer, to keep asking. It is important to understand the difference between faithful persistence and manipulation. The analogy with the child asking a parent can break down at this point. Children can be manipulative. Christian prayer is distinguished from magic precisely at this point. It is never manipulative, always trusting. We must trust God to decide what is good. Prayer is not mechanical, but interpersonal. We exercise our freedom in a relationship and expect the other person (or God) also to respond in freedom.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, thank You for hearing my prayers and tending to the desires of my heart, answering my prayers, and doing so in ways beyond my hopes. I pray that others will turn to You and do the same, praying about whatever is in their hearts and minds, so that You can reveal Yourself to them in awesome ways, too. I pray these things to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior; and in the love of the Holy Spirit. Amen +
…holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life.
Friday, October 8, 2010
ANXIOUS? CHOOSE HIM (10-08-10)
Luke 10:41
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things…”
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Several years ago the National Anxiety Center in New Jersey, released the "Top Ten Anxieties for the 1990s." The list included AIDS, drug abuse, nuclear waste, famine, global terrorism and the federal deficit. Relentless worries carry a similar effect. They make us uneasy. They steal smiles from our faces.
The world does not give peace. The world gives anxiety. We live in an anxious world. In today’s gospel, there is one necessary thing that Jesus expects from all of us. His words show us that we have a choice.
We can choose to feel burdened, anxious, and worried, and run around in a panic, or we can make a real effort to react otherwise. What did Mary do? She “sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to Him speak.” She chose Jesus.
Before you do anything else, reflect on your list of worries. Take a good look through the current events of your life. What is it that has you anxious? Relax. Stop fretting about tomorrow or next week or next month. God specializes in getting you through the tough stuff. Be calm and start allowing the Spirit of god to enter your troubled soul.
Through the Holy Spirit we can hear God's voice today. Through the Holy Spirit we can learn what God is saying to us, and eventually put our anxieties to rest. Pray daily for Jesus to send the Spirit afresh to help us face our fears and find new hope. And through this, learn to love God more and more so that we can keep His word, and embrace all the wonder of a life freed up, with all our fears behind us.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You know every inch of my heart. I realize my life is in your big hands, but at times I forget, and I find myself so afraid and worried. Let me be grateful to my friends and family who are here to help me. Give me the grace to see that it is all right to let go of some things in my life now. Let me take to heart the lesson of Mary and Martha. Give me the grace to choose the better part – that is, choosing You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen +
I give You thanks that I am… wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things…”
------------------------------------------------------
Several years ago the National Anxiety Center in New Jersey, released the "Top Ten Anxieties for the 1990s." The list included AIDS, drug abuse, nuclear waste, famine, global terrorism and the federal deficit. Relentless worries carry a similar effect. They make us uneasy. They steal smiles from our faces.
The world does not give peace. The world gives anxiety. We live in an anxious world. In today’s gospel, there is one necessary thing that Jesus expects from all of us. His words show us that we have a choice.
We can choose to feel burdened, anxious, and worried, and run around in a panic, or we can make a real effort to react otherwise. What did Mary do? She “sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to Him speak.” She chose Jesus.
Before you do anything else, reflect on your list of worries. Take a good look through the current events of your life. What is it that has you anxious? Relax. Stop fretting about tomorrow or next week or next month. God specializes in getting you through the tough stuff. Be calm and start allowing the Spirit of god to enter your troubled soul.
Through the Holy Spirit we can hear God's voice today. Through the Holy Spirit we can learn what God is saying to us, and eventually put our anxieties to rest. Pray daily for Jesus to send the Spirit afresh to help us face our fears and find new hope. And through this, learn to love God more and more so that we can keep His word, and embrace all the wonder of a life freed up, with all our fears behind us.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You know every inch of my heart. I realize my life is in your big hands, but at times I forget, and I find myself so afraid and worried. Let me be grateful to my friends and family who are here to help me. Give me the grace to see that it is all right to let go of some things in my life now. Let me take to heart the lesson of Mary and Martha. Give me the grace to choose the better part – that is, choosing You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen +
I give You thanks that I am… wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
OUR FATHER (09-07-10
Luke 11:3-4
Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us…
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A good father provides, comforts, protects, disciplines, and loves us beyond what we can imagine. We become a child of God by placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord so that our sins can be forgiven and removed and our spirits regenerated. Each one of us may therefore make a choice to belong to Him and to benefit from His love. He is our Father, forever.
Father to the Fatherless:
Psalm 68:5, “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.”
Comforter and Protector:
Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”
A Loving God:
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities not powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height not depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
My hope for any fathers reading this is that your children may look at you and see Christ in you; that they may have a better understanding of God's love for us through you. My hope for those that didn't have a father around is for you to know that God wants to fill that role in your life as a father to you.
Let us pray +
Our Father, who dwells in Heaven, holy be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen +
Praise the LORD, all you nations, glorify him, all you peoples!
Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us…
--------------------------------------------------------------
A good father provides, comforts, protects, disciplines, and loves us beyond what we can imagine. We become a child of God by placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord so that our sins can be forgiven and removed and our spirits regenerated. Each one of us may therefore make a choice to belong to Him and to benefit from His love. He is our Father, forever.
Father to the Fatherless:
Psalm 68:5, “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.”
Comforter and Protector:
Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”
A Loving God:
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities not powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height not depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
My hope for any fathers reading this is that your children may look at you and see Christ in you; that they may have a better understanding of God's love for us through you. My hope for those that didn't have a father around is for you to know that God wants to fill that role in your life as a father to you.
Let us pray +
Our Father, who dwells in Heaven, holy be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen +
Praise the LORD, all you nations, glorify him, all you peoples!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
THE GOOD SAMARITAN (10-06-10)
Luke 10:36-37
“Which… was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
---------------------------------------------------
The Samaritans were a Gentile people mostly living in Samaria, and Jews thought of them as inferior and hated them. However, Jesus used the Samaritan man to respond to a lawyer’s inquiry of “who is my neighbor?” It probably shocked the lawyer to hear Jesus speak well of the Samaritan as the only one who acted compassionately toward the beaten traveler. Actually, when he was asked who among the three (the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan) was neighbor to the victim, he did not pointed to Samaritan directly, but rather to the one “who treated him with mercy.”
This was a new definition of neighbor: He’s the one who loves. Jesus was saying what no other religion in history ever said: That everyone in the world, without exception, is our neighbor. A good Samaritan didn't think he was too good to help. This is how Jesus turns the ways of the world upside-down. He teaches us to love our enemies, to love all people, and not just to love those that look and act and think as we do.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate good neighbor, and His example is the one to imitate. He saw us in a world of sinners robbed of our potential, stripped of spiritual ideals, wounded by sins, and unable to rise from our beaten state. And because of God’s love, He came down to where the sinners are and gave mankind a corresponding act of mercy, seen in type in the good Samaritan. Through His death and resurrection, He covers our nakedness, binds up our wounds, and heals us. He puts us in the safety of His church and provides for our physical and spiritual needs.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help me to be kind today even if people are not kind to me. Help me to do what You want me to do. Teach me to be kind to my neighbor and love them as I love myself. Help us to be like the good Samaritan. Let us show your work by being a good neighbor to those around us. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus' Name,
Amen +
Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.
“Which… was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
---------------------------------------------------
The Samaritans were a Gentile people mostly living in Samaria, and Jews thought of them as inferior and hated them. However, Jesus used the Samaritan man to respond to a lawyer’s inquiry of “who is my neighbor?” It probably shocked the lawyer to hear Jesus speak well of the Samaritan as the only one who acted compassionately toward the beaten traveler. Actually, when he was asked who among the three (the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan) was neighbor to the victim, he did not pointed to Samaritan directly, but rather to the one “who treated him with mercy.”
This was a new definition of neighbor: He’s the one who loves. Jesus was saying what no other religion in history ever said: That everyone in the world, without exception, is our neighbor. A good Samaritan didn't think he was too good to help. This is how Jesus turns the ways of the world upside-down. He teaches us to love our enemies, to love all people, and not just to love those that look and act and think as we do.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate good neighbor, and His example is the one to imitate. He saw us in a world of sinners robbed of our potential, stripped of spiritual ideals, wounded by sins, and unable to rise from our beaten state. And because of God’s love, He came down to where the sinners are and gave mankind a corresponding act of mercy, seen in type in the good Samaritan. Through His death and resurrection, He covers our nakedness, binds up our wounds, and heals us. He puts us in the safety of His church and provides for our physical and spiritual needs.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help me to be kind today even if people are not kind to me. Help me to do what You want me to do. Teach me to be kind to my neighbor and love them as I love myself. Help us to be like the good Samaritan. Let us show your work by being a good neighbor to those around us. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus' Name,
Amen +
Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
FRUITS OF THE KINGDOM (10-05-10)
Matthew 21:44
…the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.
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When we rebuilt our house after that fire that totally engulfed our old house, I observed that my father would put emphasis on making the corner posts strongly reinforced with concrete and steel foundation. He told me that this is necessary since these posts will be the ones holding the wall, ceiling and flooring of the house in all directions. A poorly constructed posts would mean a weak house – that can easily be destroyed by the slightest earthquake.
Jesus, in today’s gospel, again assailed the Jewish community during His time for totally ignoring Him, to the point of rejecting Him out. But, in the end, He will become the cornerstone that would hold each and every people in the world together in one faith. Christians in all ages should see this parable as exhorting them to build faithfully upon Christ and make sure they do not fall into the sin of this Jewish generation. We should also be filled with hope and a sense of security; for, although the building – the Church – at some times seem to be breaking up, its sound construction, with Christ as its cornerstone, is assured.
Similarly, we should make Jesus the cornerstone of our lives – letting Him hold us in all directions. Others may have rejected Him outright, but time will show them their just “reward”. As for those who believed in Him and follow His ways and words, continue to be yield fruits for His kingdom as we await our own rewards in Heaven. This is the fruitfulness of Christ and the fruitfulness of a people whose power and strength and comfort flows only through Him.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, teach us to yield good fruits for the Kingdom, living whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is gracious. Let us make You the cornerstone of our lives, totally abandoning ourselves to You as we await Your joyful return and the promise of eternal life with You.
Amen +
The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
…the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.
----------------------------------------------------------
When we rebuilt our house after that fire that totally engulfed our old house, I observed that my father would put emphasis on making the corner posts strongly reinforced with concrete and steel foundation. He told me that this is necessary since these posts will be the ones holding the wall, ceiling and flooring of the house in all directions. A poorly constructed posts would mean a weak house – that can easily be destroyed by the slightest earthquake.
Jesus, in today’s gospel, again assailed the Jewish community during His time for totally ignoring Him, to the point of rejecting Him out. But, in the end, He will become the cornerstone that would hold each and every people in the world together in one faith. Christians in all ages should see this parable as exhorting them to build faithfully upon Christ and make sure they do not fall into the sin of this Jewish generation. We should also be filled with hope and a sense of security; for, although the building – the Church – at some times seem to be breaking up, its sound construction, with Christ as its cornerstone, is assured.
Similarly, we should make Jesus the cornerstone of our lives – letting Him hold us in all directions. Others may have rejected Him outright, but time will show them their just “reward”. As for those who believed in Him and follow His ways and words, continue to be yield fruits for His kingdom as we await our own rewards in Heaven. This is the fruitfulness of Christ and the fruitfulness of a people whose power and strength and comfort flows only through Him.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, teach us to yield good fruits for the Kingdom, living whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is gracious. Let us make You the cornerstone of our lives, totally abandoning ourselves to You as we await Your joyful return and the promise of eternal life with You.
Amen +
The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Monday, October 4, 2010
SIMPLY WONDERFUL (10-04-10)
Jobs 42:2-3
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.
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The Lord God has continuously blessed us with good things day-in and day-out but we simply ignore them and still yearn for more. It is sad to say that we could only realize these great things once we experience sufferings. Like Job, he was able to understand the real purpose of his life after experiencing the turbulence in his life that left with nothing at all – even his family. And yet, he persevered to put his life in God’s hands for He knows everything and men knows nothing.
The Book of Job in the Bible deals with this problem in a beautifully poetic manner. Job is a righteous, God-fearing man (Job 1:1); however, God allows Satan to inflict Job with horrible disasters and disease to test his loyalty. Satan wants to show God that Job's faith is false (Job 2:3-7). Under intense suffering Job argues with "friends" about the suffering of the innocent. God responds by telling Job that His wisdom and power are beyond man’s ability to understand. Also man is not in control of the universe: his virtues alone do not ensure earthly happiness. Job humbly closes the debate with the words:
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know...Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.
Pain, suffering and death are integral parts of the material world due to Adam's sin, but Christianity offers hope through the suffering of Jesus Christ. Evil in this world is not a disproof of God, but a constant reminder of our need for the perfect God of the Bible (2 Cor 1:8-9).
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, there are things in life that we simply cannot understand so all the more that we need to trust in You. In our suffering we share in the suffering of Christ so in heaven we may share in His glory.
Amen +
Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in Your commands I trust.
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lord God has continuously blessed us with good things day-in and day-out but we simply ignore them and still yearn for more. It is sad to say that we could only realize these great things once we experience sufferings. Like Job, he was able to understand the real purpose of his life after experiencing the turbulence in his life that left with nothing at all – even his family. And yet, he persevered to put his life in God’s hands for He knows everything and men knows nothing.
The Book of Job in the Bible deals with this problem in a beautifully poetic manner. Job is a righteous, God-fearing man (Job 1:1); however, God allows Satan to inflict Job with horrible disasters and disease to test his loyalty. Satan wants to show God that Job's faith is false (Job 2:3-7). Under intense suffering Job argues with "friends" about the suffering of the innocent. God responds by telling Job that His wisdom and power are beyond man’s ability to understand. Also man is not in control of the universe: his virtues alone do not ensure earthly happiness. Job humbly closes the debate with the words:
I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know...Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.
Pain, suffering and death are integral parts of the material world due to Adam's sin, but Christianity offers hope through the suffering of Jesus Christ. Evil in this world is not a disproof of God, but a constant reminder of our need for the perfect God of the Bible (2 Cor 1:8-9).
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, there are things in life that we simply cannot understand so all the more that we need to trust in You. In our suffering we share in the suffering of Christ so in heaven we may share in His glory.
Amen +
Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in Your commands I trust.
LISTEN TO HIM (10-03-10)
Luke 10:16
Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.
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When you hear someone singing out-of-tune, would you remark that the composer of that song or the original singer is not good? Of course not! For that song was composed with the right melody, rhythm and measure. So we should not blame the composer if someone is singing it wrongly. Similarly, if someone is singing it right and at the right melody and tune, you would say that he sings like the original, for he was able to imitate the tune of the original singer. We only admire and imitate someone if he sings well. But if otherwise, of course we only “curse” the imitator and not the composer.
Jesus is clear when he says, “Follow Me”. This means that we should follow all His ways and words. But, this also mean that we can follow others who is doing and saying the same things that He has done. If our pastor or priest committed something that is contrary, then we should not generalize everything and even say that you cannot follow such hypocrite and the belief that he stands for. We should only follow the composer and not the singer. If the singer is out-of-tune, then forgive him and teach him to follow the melody of the composer.
When Jesus sent out His disciples, He tells them, “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me.” He knows that His disciples can be trusted and would only share the right things based on His teachings. In Cana, Mama Mary instructed the helpers to listen to Him and do whatever He tells them. During the Transfiguration, God the Father instructed us to listen to Him. So as a response, would you not listen to Him?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, enable those who are trying to learn the language of truth to quickly become fluent. May we all speak Your truth boldly to those who will listen, and help those who hear to understand it with their hearts. Let there be no misunderstanding. May we accept it as Your truth, Your message to them, and use it to change our lives, for Your Word will accomplish its purpose.
Amen +
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.
-------------------------------------------------------------
When you hear someone singing out-of-tune, would you remark that the composer of that song or the original singer is not good? Of course not! For that song was composed with the right melody, rhythm and measure. So we should not blame the composer if someone is singing it wrongly. Similarly, if someone is singing it right and at the right melody and tune, you would say that he sings like the original, for he was able to imitate the tune of the original singer. We only admire and imitate someone if he sings well. But if otherwise, of course we only “curse” the imitator and not the composer.
Jesus is clear when he says, “Follow Me”. This means that we should follow all His ways and words. But, this also mean that we can follow others who is doing and saying the same things that He has done. If our pastor or priest committed something that is contrary, then we should not generalize everything and even say that you cannot follow such hypocrite and the belief that he stands for. We should only follow the composer and not the singer. If the singer is out-of-tune, then forgive him and teach him to follow the melody of the composer.
When Jesus sent out His disciples, He tells them, “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me.” He knows that His disciples can be trusted and would only share the right things based on His teachings. In Cana, Mama Mary instructed the helpers to listen to Him and do whatever He tells them. During the Transfiguration, God the Father instructed us to listen to Him. So as a response, would you not listen to Him?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, enable those who are trying to learn the language of truth to quickly become fluent. May we all speak Your truth boldly to those who will listen, and help those who hear to understand it with their hearts. Let there be no misunderstanding. May we accept it as Your truth, Your message to them, and use it to change our lives, for Your Word will accomplish its purpose.
Amen +
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
CHILDLIKE HEART (10-02-10)
Matthew 18:4
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
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I have another hobby. I collect model cars, specifically “mini coopers” and “hotwheels” (1969 and 1970 car models only because that is my and my wife’s birthyear – you just guess which one is which). Most of the time, when I am thinking, either about work or about my devotion, I will get one of the cars out of its box and start playing with it – pushing it with my finger complete with sound, “vrooommmm!”. My wife would just observe me and just remark, “isip-bata ka na naman”. Actually, I cannot really comprehend if she means I am being “childish” or being “childlike”. But I know in my heart, that during that brief moment of time, I was being childlike, playing with You, Oh Lord, so I may get the inspiration I need to complete my work.
Lord Jesus, You Yourself said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” But this doesn’t mean that I have to act like a child, or think like a childish person. A childlike person is playful, open minded and unrestrained by the inner voice of reason, collective cynicism, or fear of failure. I should see good in everything I see, hear and experience. I should remain humble, for whoever humbles himself as a little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And I know I am now far from being that child.
I HAVE TO GO BACK TO BEING A CHILD AGAIN!
I should bring back those wondrous qualities like unconditional love, trust, playfulness and simplicity. Only then can I bring back that feeling of pure happiness, pure contentment and pure joy. LIKE A CHILD IN ALL ITS SIMPLICITY!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I am a child once. But that doesn’t mean that I cannot be childlike today. But I did lost it somewhere. I have totally abandoned childlike virtues, and even looked down upon them as being immature. Help me recover them so I may again be worthy to be in Your Kingdom.
Amen +
Of You my heart speaks; You my glance seeks.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I have another hobby. I collect model cars, specifically “mini coopers” and “hotwheels” (1969 and 1970 car models only because that is my and my wife’s birthyear – you just guess which one is which). Most of the time, when I am thinking, either about work or about my devotion, I will get one of the cars out of its box and start playing with it – pushing it with my finger complete with sound, “vrooommmm!”. My wife would just observe me and just remark, “isip-bata ka na naman”. Actually, I cannot really comprehend if she means I am being “childish” or being “childlike”. But I know in my heart, that during that brief moment of time, I was being childlike, playing with You, Oh Lord, so I may get the inspiration I need to complete my work.
Lord Jesus, You Yourself said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” But this doesn’t mean that I have to act like a child, or think like a childish person. A childlike person is playful, open minded and unrestrained by the inner voice of reason, collective cynicism, or fear of failure. I should see good in everything I see, hear and experience. I should remain humble, for whoever humbles himself as a little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And I know I am now far from being that child.
I HAVE TO GO BACK TO BEING A CHILD AGAIN!
I should bring back those wondrous qualities like unconditional love, trust, playfulness and simplicity. Only then can I bring back that feeling of pure happiness, pure contentment and pure joy. LIKE A CHILD IN ALL ITS SIMPLICITY!
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I am a child once. But that doesn’t mean that I cannot be childlike today. But I did lost it somewhere. I have totally abandoned childlike virtues, and even looked down upon them as being immature. Help me recover them so I may again be worthy to be in Your Kingdom.
Amen +
Of You my heart speaks; You my glance seeks.
Friday, October 1, 2010
GREATEST CREATION (10-01-10)
Psalms 139:14
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Along the Kowloon harbor in Hongkong, we would start taking pictures. We are awed by the beautiful lights, tall buildings, state-of-the-art bridges and long-span roads. We would remark that this is truly a product of man’s ingenuity and advancement in technology.
And yet who created man? Who gave man this talent and intelligence in order to “create” all these wonderful things? I know that you know the answer. And isn’t it great to be a child of God so we can experience the richness and greatness that this world has to offer.
But sometimes, we forget this truth. As soon as we developed something beautiful, we consider it us our own. We want others to praise us and worship us for bringing this “creation” to the world. We simply forget to give thanks to the One who gave us the strength, the intelligence and the passion to produce such wonderful works.
God has created the greatest creation. No other than us. But He did not stopped at that. He created first the things that we would need to live – water, land, food and the air we breathe. We are His greatest creation, and so it is only proper to bring to Him back all glory and praises.
See and believe in the works of God. Let your mind and heart respond with a life filled with thankfulness, service, and worship. God has opened your eyes to the truth of creation so lift up your voice in praise and adoration to the Most High.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I know that whatever You do, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; You have made it so, in order that men should fear, love and glorify You, and You alone, now and forever.
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Along the Kowloon harbor in Hongkong, we would start taking pictures. We are awed by the beautiful lights, tall buildings, state-of-the-art bridges and long-span roads. We would remark that this is truly a product of man’s ingenuity and advancement in technology.
And yet who created man? Who gave man this talent and intelligence in order to “create” all these wonderful things? I know that you know the answer. And isn’t it great to be a child of God so we can experience the richness and greatness that this world has to offer.
But sometimes, we forget this truth. As soon as we developed something beautiful, we consider it us our own. We want others to praise us and worship us for bringing this “creation” to the world. We simply forget to give thanks to the One who gave us the strength, the intelligence and the passion to produce such wonderful works.
God has created the greatest creation. No other than us. But He did not stopped at that. He created first the things that we would need to live – water, land, food and the air we breathe. We are His greatest creation, and so it is only proper to bring to Him back all glory and praises.
See and believe in the works of God. Let your mind and heart respond with a life filled with thankfulness, service, and worship. God has opened your eyes to the truth of creation so lift up your voice in praise and adoration to the Most High.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I know that whatever You do, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; You have made it so, in order that men should fear, love and glorify You, and You alone, now and forever.
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
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