Matthew 4:22
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
----------------------------------------------------
Like new Christs, the Twelve and all the followers of Jesus in history reveal something of what it means to be a disciple. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they were able to share the Good News to the gentiles and the Jews.
And their faith and love became the fuel that kept the faith burning in the hearts of men up to now.
Following Jesus is about listening and doing.
It is about putting into practice the things that Jesus taught.
It is about a lifestyle of peace and justice that sets one apart from others.
He doesn’t need to interview you.
All you have to do is drop everything and follow Him.
And it would not be a walk in the park with Him.
For true discipleship is found where people are hurting, where people are hungry, where people are oppressed, where people are denied justice, where people are dying.
Follow Him, He is waiting.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may our love for You and others be our only concern. And may that love really push us to follow You and only You. We should be more concerned about who we follow such as Jesus rather than what the evil one tempts us to follow. We are Your disciples, forever. Amen +
The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
INHERITING HEAVEN (11-29-10)
Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…
-------------------------------------------------------------
My father was orphaned at an early age. Since then, he lived with his grandmother. He would tell us stories of his life with our “lola sa tuhod” (fore-grandmother), as she is really very strict. He would also tell us that he received no inheritance, whatsoever, from his parents or his grandmother.
All he inherited was the good memories (and pain) of growing up and the wisdom he gained through the years.
I was, therefore, luckier than my father, for we inherited a house (just a house since the lot, we lease). But since there was no will of inheritance, we ended up selling the house and divided among us, his children, and went on with our own lives.
So, like my father, the real inheritance I got from my parents is wisdom through education. Up to now, I am really very thankful that they, as much as they could, really pushed us to study and study hard for our future, working very hard so they can provide the money for our education.
If for these little inheritance, I am already joyful and thankful, what more with the promise of inheritance that our Lord God prepared for me, for us all – the inheritance of Heaven and eternal life. This can make me a very rich man.
How about you, are you ready to inherit Heaven?
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, strengthen us in faith so that we do not deny Jesus’ work for us and in us. Strengthen our faith so that we see the incomparable riches of the glorious inheritance reserved for us in heaven. Strengthen our faith so that we give up all in order to receive that inheritance. Amen +
“There can be no consolation in earthly things I have.
As for me, my only treasure is the fullness of Your love.”
The poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…
-------------------------------------------------------------
My father was orphaned at an early age. Since then, he lived with his grandmother. He would tell us stories of his life with our “lola sa tuhod” (fore-grandmother), as she is really very strict. He would also tell us that he received no inheritance, whatsoever, from his parents or his grandmother.
All he inherited was the good memories (and pain) of growing up and the wisdom he gained through the years.
I was, therefore, luckier than my father, for we inherited a house (just a house since the lot, we lease). But since there was no will of inheritance, we ended up selling the house and divided among us, his children, and went on with our own lives.
So, like my father, the real inheritance I got from my parents is wisdom through education. Up to now, I am really very thankful that they, as much as they could, really pushed us to study and study hard for our future, working very hard so they can provide the money for our education.
If for these little inheritance, I am already joyful and thankful, what more with the promise of inheritance that our Lord God prepared for me, for us all – the inheritance of Heaven and eternal life. This can make me a very rich man.
How about you, are you ready to inherit Heaven?
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, strengthen us in faith so that we do not deny Jesus’ work for us and in us. Strengthen our faith so that we see the incomparable riches of the glorious inheritance reserved for us in heaven. Strengthen our faith so that we give up all in order to receive that inheritance. Amen +
“There can be no consolation in earthly things I have.
As for me, my only treasure is the fullness of Your love.”
The poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
REBIRTH (11-28-10)
First Sunday of Advent
Romans 13:11
You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…
------------------------------------------------------------------
For us ordinary mortals, we know what a calendar year is – it is from January to December of the current year. But in corporate world, they also have the Fiscal year. It may be the same as the calendar year, but most of the time, the inclusive months is different and may start on the month that the company was established.
And of course, for the Roman Catholic Church, we have the Liturgical year which starts today, on the First Sunday of Advent. And for the next four weeks, we would be reading about the preparations we need as we joyfully await for the first coming of the Lord on Christmas day.
Advent is a season of preparation. If the season of Lent prepares us for what happened on Good Friday (execution) and Easter (resurrection), then during Advent, we thank God for Christ's first coming (Christmas), prepare for his final coming at the end of time, and celebrate Christ's presence among us today through the Spirit.
Let us light up the path today for the Lord and prepare His way as He comes to our hearts. Wake up from all those years of slumber wherein we did not recognize the presence of the Lord in our lives. Awake and let His spirit enter our hearts so we may be acceptable in His Kingdom.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which His presence will bestow, for He is Lord forever and ever. And in His birth, our own rebirth!!!
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, excite in us a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive our prayers as part of our service to You, our Lord who enlists us in God's own work for justice. Excite in us a joy responsive to the Father's joy. We fervently seek His will so we can serve with gladness, singing and love. Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Romans 13:11
You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed…
------------------------------------------------------------------
For us ordinary mortals, we know what a calendar year is – it is from January to December of the current year. But in corporate world, they also have the Fiscal year. It may be the same as the calendar year, but most of the time, the inclusive months is different and may start on the month that the company was established.
And of course, for the Roman Catholic Church, we have the Liturgical year which starts today, on the First Sunday of Advent. And for the next four weeks, we would be reading about the preparations we need as we joyfully await for the first coming of the Lord on Christmas day.
Advent is a season of preparation. If the season of Lent prepares us for what happened on Good Friday (execution) and Easter (resurrection), then during Advent, we thank God for Christ's first coming (Christmas), prepare for his final coming at the end of time, and celebrate Christ's presence among us today through the Spirit.
Let us light up the path today for the Lord and prepare His way as He comes to our hearts. Wake up from all those years of slumber wherein we did not recognize the presence of the Lord in our lives. Awake and let His spirit enter our hearts so we may be acceptable in His Kingdom.
Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which His presence will bestow, for He is Lord forever and ever. And in His birth, our own rebirth!!!
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, excite in us a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive our prayers as part of our service to You, our Lord who enlists us in God's own work for justice. Excite in us a joy responsive to the Father's joy. We fervently seek His will so we can serve with gladness, singing and love. Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
LOVING KINDNESS (11-27-10)
Psalms 100:4-5
For He is good: the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and His faithfulness, to all generations.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I still remember that my class section in Grade 3 was “Kindness”. But I tell you, that section is not really kind to others. Not that we bully other kids in school, but we are really a rowdy bunch – teasing each other, running around after school, shouting on top of our voices. It was children having pure fun. And those days were really fun as we do what we really want to do.
Kindness in scripture is more often equated with love. The word for kindness in Hebrew and Greek is interchangeable with mercy, goodness, loyalty, faithfulness, but most of all steadfast love. Kindness is the visible action of love directed toward others. Similarly, God is praised for being kind – for showing His steadfast love in so many ways. But, sadly, it is really hard for us to show the same kindness that God is showing us. Why?
This is because our culture tolerates rude, angry, unkind, and violent behavior. No one really likes this, but they have become so commonplace that we have just accepted it. Even after going to mass or service, most of us would start saying bad things about others once we get out of the church. This has got to stop. We should not be kind in names only (like my section in grade school). We should live it everyday, as the Lord is good, whose kindness endures forever. How can we be kind to Him, and yet be very unkind to others.
Cultivating kindness will overcome so many of the problems we suffer. It is that simple. If David could demonstrate the kindness of God then I believe we can too with the help of the Holy Spirit. We hope that we, the people of our ages and the generations to come will truly be called Christians or the Kind Ones. Let us strive to live up to both names.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are the source of true kindness. You are our only hope. We trust in You for all the promises of forgiveness and life that Your Son bought when He died. We belong freely to You forever and ever. Amen +
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
For He is good: the LORD, whose kindness endures forever, and His faithfulness, to all generations.
-------------------------------------------------------------
I still remember that my class section in Grade 3 was “Kindness”. But I tell you, that section is not really kind to others. Not that we bully other kids in school, but we are really a rowdy bunch – teasing each other, running around after school, shouting on top of our voices. It was children having pure fun. And those days were really fun as we do what we really want to do.
Kindness in scripture is more often equated with love. The word for kindness in Hebrew and Greek is interchangeable with mercy, goodness, loyalty, faithfulness, but most of all steadfast love. Kindness is the visible action of love directed toward others. Similarly, God is praised for being kind – for showing His steadfast love in so many ways. But, sadly, it is really hard for us to show the same kindness that God is showing us. Why?
This is because our culture tolerates rude, angry, unkind, and violent behavior. No one really likes this, but they have become so commonplace that we have just accepted it. Even after going to mass or service, most of us would start saying bad things about others once we get out of the church. This has got to stop. We should not be kind in names only (like my section in grade school). We should live it everyday, as the Lord is good, whose kindness endures forever. How can we be kind to Him, and yet be very unkind to others.
Cultivating kindness will overcome so many of the problems we suffer. It is that simple. If David could demonstrate the kindness of God then I believe we can too with the help of the Holy Spirit. We hope that we, the people of our ages and the generations to come will truly be called Christians or the Kind Ones. Let us strive to live up to both names.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are the source of true kindness. You are our only hope. We trust in You for all the promises of forgiveness and life that Your Son bought when He died. We belong freely to You forever and ever. Amen +
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
Friday, November 26, 2010
WE ARE LOVED (11-26-10)
Luke 21:17-19
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Just a mere mention of his name, I would really get very angry. He has written my name on the board for being rowdy in class when our teacher was away. I was scolded and told to stay back. It was really demeaning and shameful. At least for me.
And looking back at that time, I would just imagine how hard it was for me to live – hating that classmate every single day of the week.
It was pure insanity on my part.
Today, millions, if not billions of people are being persecuted because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were killed and fed to the lions simply because they love and serve You, Oh Lord.
For that, it is already comforting to know that this has not happened to me, to us. At least, not yet. But if it does happen, and the “opportunity” comes to present itself, I only ask one thing from You – that You may grant me the strength – mind, body and spirit, to accept whatever You what me to do.
In this very dangerous world, we must put our trust totally in Him as He promised that nothing, even the strands of our hair, will be destroyed if we just believe in and follow Him. Let us persevere in our faith, always praising and glorifying His name.
Ask for forgiveness through our prayers so we may become the true blessings to others. Do not be afraid, for He is our Lord.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, there is nothing too hard for You! And you being our Master, should put all our faith on this fact. And every evil, disabilities, sufferings, and disasters of this world would be nothing but mere instances in a likewise ordinary day. Amen +
Great and wonderful are all Your works, Lord, mighty God!
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Just a mere mention of his name, I would really get very angry. He has written my name on the board for being rowdy in class when our teacher was away. I was scolded and told to stay back. It was really demeaning and shameful. At least for me.
And looking back at that time, I would just imagine how hard it was for me to live – hating that classmate every single day of the week.
It was pure insanity on my part.
Today, millions, if not billions of people are being persecuted because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were killed and fed to the lions simply because they love and serve You, Oh Lord.
For that, it is already comforting to know that this has not happened to me, to us. At least, not yet. But if it does happen, and the “opportunity” comes to present itself, I only ask one thing from You – that You may grant me the strength – mind, body and spirit, to accept whatever You what me to do.
In this very dangerous world, we must put our trust totally in Him as He promised that nothing, even the strands of our hair, will be destroyed if we just believe in and follow Him. Let us persevere in our faith, always praising and glorifying His name.
Ask for forgiveness through our prayers so we may become the true blessings to others. Do not be afraid, for He is our Lord.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, there is nothing too hard for You! And you being our Master, should put all our faith on this fact. And every evil, disabilities, sufferings, and disasters of this world would be nothing but mere instances in a likewise ordinary day. Amen +
Great and wonderful are all Your works, Lord, mighty God!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
GOD OF JUSTICE (11-25-10)
Psalms 96:13
…before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, to govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We have always thought life is unfair.
We have been faithful to our spouse for as long as we can remember, yet, here is an actor who has a wife and a number of mistresses and children out of marriage. But he is by far, richer than me with all those big houses, money and cars – and even became a famous and successful politician.
We have been working and breaking our backs since time immemorial, and we can say that we have been generally honest in our dealings with our company and partners. Yet, here is a politician known to have amassed great fortune from graft and corruption, but he is still free, rich – and well-loved.
As a child, I would complain because my mother would always ask me to run errands, and point to my brother saying, “It’s supposed to be his turn!”
So many cases and situations in life, I shout “NOT FAIR!” Until I realize that isn’t this the same thinking that Cain has? He thought that God always favor Abel, and out of envy, he allowed sin to enter his door and be his master. He thought God is unfair so he killed his brother.
We are not the true judge of what is fair and what is unfair, because our concept of fairness is tainted by envy and selfishness – it centers on ourselves and what we believe ought to be. But God has His plans and purposes. And believe you me, those are fair and for the goodness of all.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are a just and faithful God. Gently look at our hearts, for You are the only One who can really judge the hearts of men. I may perceive others to be worthy of Your wrath or even hell, but You are the only one who knows what should be done. Life may never really look fair to us, but Your grace is much bigger than we’ve sometimes allowed ourselves to believe. Amen +
The Lord comes to judge the earth.
…before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, to govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We have always thought life is unfair.
We have been faithful to our spouse for as long as we can remember, yet, here is an actor who has a wife and a number of mistresses and children out of marriage. But he is by far, richer than me with all those big houses, money and cars – and even became a famous and successful politician.
We have been working and breaking our backs since time immemorial, and we can say that we have been generally honest in our dealings with our company and partners. Yet, here is a politician known to have amassed great fortune from graft and corruption, but he is still free, rich – and well-loved.
As a child, I would complain because my mother would always ask me to run errands, and point to my brother saying, “It’s supposed to be his turn!”
So many cases and situations in life, I shout “NOT FAIR!” Until I realize that isn’t this the same thinking that Cain has? He thought that God always favor Abel, and out of envy, he allowed sin to enter his door and be his master. He thought God is unfair so he killed his brother.
We are not the true judge of what is fair and what is unfair, because our concept of fairness is tainted by envy and selfishness – it centers on ourselves and what we believe ought to be. But God has His plans and purposes. And believe you me, those are fair and for the goodness of all.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, You are a just and faithful God. Gently look at our hearts, for You are the only One who can really judge the hearts of men. I may perceive others to be worthy of Your wrath or even hell, but You are the only one who knows what should be done. Life may never really look fair to us, but Your grace is much bigger than we’ve sometimes allowed ourselves to believe. Amen +
The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
BECAUSE OF MY NAME (11-24-10)
Luke 18:7
“They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.”
----------------------------------------------------------
“I have served You, Lord. I have served those who need help, and provided them with what they need, in Your name. At one time, I even almost given up my life to save one soul. And then this?
“You are saying that I am doomed to suffer in the hands of the enemies.
“That I would be imprisoned and tortured and may die because I did all of these for You. Why? And where will You be at that time? Why can’t you save me and take me away from these enemies? Well, I am out of here... bye!!!”
Is this what you are thinking now after reading the gospel passage? Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately), yes that is how it will be.
This tells us that in our Christian life, not everything is fun, merry-making and celebration. We would be hated because of Him, and yet we must endure everything for His name. He came to the world not to enjoy life, but to suffer and die for our sins.
So, we, too, did not come to the earth to enjoy it, but rather so others may enjoy life with God. That is why we have the Holy Spirit, to help us through these trials and tribulations. We must remember Who we are, Who’s we are with, and What we have. We have the Spirit of God Himself living and breathing in us.
We are built to last because God is with us, always.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, receive my spirit and do not hold this sin against those who hates me. We love you because You loved us first. Amen +
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
“They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.”
----------------------------------------------------------
“I have served You, Lord. I have served those who need help, and provided them with what they need, in Your name. At one time, I even almost given up my life to save one soul. And then this?
“You are saying that I am doomed to suffer in the hands of the enemies.
“That I would be imprisoned and tortured and may die because I did all of these for You. Why? And where will You be at that time? Why can’t you save me and take me away from these enemies? Well, I am out of here... bye!!!”
Is this what you are thinking now after reading the gospel passage? Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately), yes that is how it will be.
This tells us that in our Christian life, not everything is fun, merry-making and celebration. We would be hated because of Him, and yet we must endure everything for His name. He came to the world not to enjoy life, but to suffer and die for our sins.
So, we, too, did not come to the earth to enjoy it, but rather so others may enjoy life with God. That is why we have the Holy Spirit, to help us through these trials and tribulations. We must remember Who we are, Who’s we are with, and What we have. We have the Spirit of God Himself living and breathing in us.
We are built to last because God is with us, always.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, receive my spirit and do not hold this sin against those who hates me. We love you because You loved us first. Amen +
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
DID IT FOR YOU (11-23-10)
Matthew 25:40
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
-----------------------------------------------------------
Since the start of His public life and up to now, two-thousand years later, Jesus is trying to tell us that we are living in this world so others may be blessed through us, especially the least of our brothers.
And who would they be? He introduced to us some of them: the hungry, thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill and those in prison. And He is very clear that whatever we do to our little brothers, we are doing it to Him – “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me”.
He have taught and loved us through examples and parables. So it is only proper that we must deal with other Christians out of humility rather than pride, for we have no excuse for responding to fellow believers in a spirit of arrogance, haughtiness, or superiority.
All of this means that whatever we do for any being, we do for God. Whatever we do for the least one, the one who suffers, we do for God. When we help someone, even in small ways, it is God we are helping.
It is God helping God.
All happening within ourselves, because He lives in us. And when we share, we share ourselves, our very being – blessing others for the glory of God, from Whom all is given.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may we forever embodies humility – make the esteem effort to listen, accept others - no matter what their race, their religion, their education – or lack of it, or their station in life. Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
-----------------------------------------------------------
Since the start of His public life and up to now, two-thousand years later, Jesus is trying to tell us that we are living in this world so others may be blessed through us, especially the least of our brothers.
And who would they be? He introduced to us some of them: the hungry, thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the ill and those in prison. And He is very clear that whatever we do to our little brothers, we are doing it to Him – “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me”.
He have taught and loved us through examples and parables. So it is only proper that we must deal with other Christians out of humility rather than pride, for we have no excuse for responding to fellow believers in a spirit of arrogance, haughtiness, or superiority.
All of this means that whatever we do for any being, we do for God. Whatever we do for the least one, the one who suffers, we do for God. When we help someone, even in small ways, it is God we are helping.
It is God helping God.
All happening within ourselves, because He lives in us. And when we share, we share ourselves, our very being – blessing others for the glory of God, from Whom all is given.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may we forever embodies humility – make the esteem effort to listen, accept others - no matter what their race, their religion, their education – or lack of it, or their station in life. Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Monday, November 22, 2010
ALIVE IN HIM (11-22-10)
Luke 20:37-38
“…He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
---------------------------------------------------------
It is clear that life does continue somehow beyond life here on earth, that we move into a new age, a new place that cannot be described by or even compared with our earthly existence.
One thing we can learn from this encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees is that there is no need or even point in trying to go into elaborate and detailed descriptions of what resurrection life will be like.
Simply relax and be at peace in our faith.
Our hearts and souls should always yearn for Him. For that is the very essence of our lives – to serve and follow His will and be the temple of the living God, so we may join Him in the after-life. This is the very promise of the Resurrection. After the grim reality of death and suffering, we would all be raised again, completely free from sins.
Although we love to elaborate, and to speculate on what it will look like, and to tease ourselves with the when and the how it will all come together, at the center of our faith is what Jesus proclaimed here – “He is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all of them are alive.”
In life, in death, in the resurrection we are still reconciled with God, inseparable from His love in Christ, the living Son of the God of the living.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen +
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
“…He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
---------------------------------------------------------
It is clear that life does continue somehow beyond life here on earth, that we move into a new age, a new place that cannot be described by or even compared with our earthly existence.
One thing we can learn from this encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees is that there is no need or even point in trying to go into elaborate and detailed descriptions of what resurrection life will be like.
Simply relax and be at peace in our faith.
Our hearts and souls should always yearn for Him. For that is the very essence of our lives – to serve and follow His will and be the temple of the living God, so we may join Him in the after-life. This is the very promise of the Resurrection. After the grim reality of death and suffering, we would all be raised again, completely free from sins.
Although we love to elaborate, and to speculate on what it will look like, and to tease ourselves with the when and the how it will all come together, at the center of our faith is what Jesus proclaimed here – “He is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all of them are alive.”
In life, in death, in the resurrection we are still reconciled with God, inseparable from His love in Christ, the living Son of the God of the living.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen +
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
THE KING FOREVER & EVER (11-21-10)
The Solemnity of Christ the King
Luke 18:7
Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
---------------------------------------------------------
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King (properly the Solemnity of Christ the King in the Roman Catholic Church) which is the last holy Sunday in the western liturgical calendar.
And starting next week, we would start with the new liturgical year, starting with the Advent season as we prepare for Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
During the first Good Friday, the Lord was mocked and rebuked and put to death for telling the truth. The sign on the cross is not really meant to worship Him as King but rather to mock Him for telling so. Little do they know that He is the King of us all, since their hearts are clouded with evil, jealousy and hatred.
They cannot accept the truth that this simple man who loved the sick, the disabled and those poor in spirit, will someday rule over them.
Have you already accepted Jesus as your Lord, Savior and King? Or your heart is still clouded with uncertainty. Kneel on your knees and pray. Accept Him on your heart today for tomorrow may be too late.
“I would forsake a thousand other days anywhere
If I could spend one day in Your courts, belong to You alone.
My strength are You alone,
My Glory, my King and my God.”
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, today, I am with you in Paradise. For You are always inside me, talking to me, hearing my thoughts, understanding the pain I go through, and loving me, for the real Paradise is in my heart. Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Luke 18:7
Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
---------------------------------------------------------
This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King (properly the Solemnity of Christ the King in the Roman Catholic Church) which is the last holy Sunday in the western liturgical calendar.
And starting next week, we would start with the new liturgical year, starting with the Advent season as we prepare for Christmas, the birth of our Lord.
During the first Good Friday, the Lord was mocked and rebuked and put to death for telling the truth. The sign on the cross is not really meant to worship Him as King but rather to mock Him for telling so. Little do they know that He is the King of us all, since their hearts are clouded with evil, jealousy and hatred.
They cannot accept the truth that this simple man who loved the sick, the disabled and those poor in spirit, will someday rule over them.
Have you already accepted Jesus as your Lord, Savior and King? Or your heart is still clouded with uncertainty. Kneel on your knees and pray. Accept Him on your heart today for tomorrow may be too late.
“I would forsake a thousand other days anywhere
If I could spend one day in Your courts, belong to You alone.
My strength are You alone,
My Glory, my King and my God.”
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, today, I am with you in Paradise. For You are always inside me, talking to me, hearing my thoughts, understanding the pain I go through, and loving me, for the real Paradise is in my heart. Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
LET US PRAY (11-20-10)
Luke 19:46
“My house shall be a house of prayer…”
-------------------------------------------------------------
I have been praying as long as I can remember.
All through my life, I have experienced the power of prayer – in times of family trouble, marital trouble, financial trouble and personal difficulties.
How do you pray? What do you pray? How sincere are your prayers?
God invites all of us to come to Him. He wants us to bring to Him all our life’s burdens through prayer. And when they do, they will find acceptance, comfort and help from Him.
Let us ask that His kingdom come, His will be done in our lives, our church, our city and our country. We need to demonstrate our trust in Him to fulfill the vision He has given us and seek the Lord together in prayer.
The power of prayer resides in the Lord. Put all your confidence in Him, asking anything according to His Words. And knowing that He hears us, we know that He will provide whatever we asked for, in His time.
With God’s help let us make His house, a house of prayer for all the people – holy, obedient, trusting and one in Christ.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray for the goodness of everyone. May we constantly seek You and continuously praise Your mighty name. Be merciful to us and be forgiving. We are all sinners, so I am not really better than others. And there is no more comforting truth in this world than this: Christ Jesus came into the world to forgive sinners. And for that, I humbly and silently pray with all my heart and thank You. Amen +
We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
“My house shall be a house of prayer…”
-------------------------------------------------------------
I have been praying as long as I can remember.
All through my life, I have experienced the power of prayer – in times of family trouble, marital trouble, financial trouble and personal difficulties.
How do you pray? What do you pray? How sincere are your prayers?
God invites all of us to come to Him. He wants us to bring to Him all our life’s burdens through prayer. And when they do, they will find acceptance, comfort and help from Him.
Let us ask that His kingdom come, His will be done in our lives, our church, our city and our country. We need to demonstrate our trust in Him to fulfill the vision He has given us and seek the Lord together in prayer.
The power of prayer resides in the Lord. Put all your confidence in Him, asking anything according to His Words. And knowing that He hears us, we know that He will provide whatever we asked for, in His time.
With God’s help let us make His house, a house of prayer for all the people – holy, obedient, trusting and one in Christ.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I pray for the goodness of everyone. May we constantly seek You and continuously praise Your mighty name. Be merciful to us and be forgiving. We are all sinners, so I am not really better than others. And there is no more comforting truth in this world than this: Christ Jesus came into the world to forgive sinners. And for that, I humbly and silently pray with all my heart and thank You. Amen +
We praise your glorious name, O mighty God.
Friday, November 19, 2010
GLORY TO GOD (11-19-10)
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”
---------------------------------------------------------
I am happy that you are happy! Throughout my life, I have received numerous greetings telling me (or maybe asking me) to be HAPPY.
“Happy Birthday”, “Welcome to the Christian World”, “Happy Graduation”, “Best Wishes and May You Be Happy”, “Merry Christmas”, “Happy New Year”, “I know you are alone, but I hope you are happy and not lonely”, “Happy Halloween”.
We all want to be happy, but true happiness must come from Him, and not from any material things. Realizing that we have God as our Father and that he loves us, is reason enough to be happy.
But sin has destroyed the original happiness that God provided to man. Sin made us worrisome, sad and unsatisfied with and in our lives. Let us restore that in our hearts by loving Him back and obeying His will.
We should be very happy just knowing that God loves and care for us – for He loved us first. We are very valuable to Him, and we shall never even give that fact a hint of a doubt.
Let us be thankful that True Happiness is His will for all of us, and that He always want only good for us, because that’s just how He is. For He is truly wonderful – and to Him back all the glory, honor and praise.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, may we never let anyone tell us any differently about the love You shower us. We are children of God and have inherited all that is Yours. All our needs are met and come only from You. Through our lives, we have an abundance, prosperous and healthy, and in You, our souls are prospering. All of this is because of Jesus and our identification with Him. Amen +
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.”
---------------------------------------------------------
I am happy that you are happy! Throughout my life, I have received numerous greetings telling me (or maybe asking me) to be HAPPY.
“Happy Birthday”, “Welcome to the Christian World”, “Happy Graduation”, “Best Wishes and May You Be Happy”, “Merry Christmas”, “Happy New Year”, “I know you are alone, but I hope you are happy and not lonely”, “Happy Halloween”.
We all want to be happy, but true happiness must come from Him, and not from any material things. Realizing that we have God as our Father and that he loves us, is reason enough to be happy.
But sin has destroyed the original happiness that God provided to man. Sin made us worrisome, sad and unsatisfied with and in our lives. Let us restore that in our hearts by loving Him back and obeying His will.
We should be very happy just knowing that God loves and care for us – for He loved us first. We are very valuable to Him, and we shall never even give that fact a hint of a doubt.
Let us be thankful that True Happiness is His will for all of us, and that He always want only good for us, because that’s just how He is. For He is truly wonderful – and to Him back all the glory, honor and praise.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, may we never let anyone tell us any differently about the love You shower us. We are children of God and have inherited all that is Yours. All our needs are met and come only from You. Through our lives, we have an abundance, prosperous and healthy, and in You, our souls are prospering. All of this is because of Jesus and our identification with Him. Amen +
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
LONGING FOR THE LORD (11-18-10)
Luke 19:9-10
“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Zacchaeus, was the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were notorious for cheating the general public to fatten their pockets. They would assess a tax, and if the person refused to pay or called it unfair, Herod's soldiers would threaten him.
And whatever he collected over the amount required was his to keep. But for Zaccheus, aside from being wealthy and hated by people, he is short. He was so short that he has to climb a tree just to satisfy his curiosity of seeing Jesus when He passed by Jericho.
And, he is also “short” in faith in God.
This is the reason why people were surprised when Jesus called him and asked him to go down because He is staying at his house that night. Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Here he was, a social outcast being offered the opportunity to host one of the most famous men in the country. He scrambles down the tree and welcomes Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is inviting us to dinner not because He wants to eat with us. He is inviting us to dinner, because He wants us to eat a piece of Himself. Jesus’ invitation is for providing salvation and forgiveness to a wealthy man of this world who is starving for spiritual life. And he is waiting for our repentance. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. That means, you and me.
So, are you short in faith in God. Jesus is inviting you to receive Him, in your house, in your self, in your heart. Receive Him, today.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, as I read about Zacchaeus, I think of my own selfishness. Help me to see you at work in people around me. Help me to be willing to risk whatever reputation I have to join you. I long to see your salvation shine more brightly through me. In your holy name, I pray. Amen +
“I will seat the victor beside Me on My throne”.
“Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost”.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Zacchaeus, was the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were notorious for cheating the general public to fatten their pockets. They would assess a tax, and if the person refused to pay or called it unfair, Herod's soldiers would threaten him.
And whatever he collected over the amount required was his to keep. But for Zaccheus, aside from being wealthy and hated by people, he is short. He was so short that he has to climb a tree just to satisfy his curiosity of seeing Jesus when He passed by Jericho.
And, he is also “short” in faith in God.
This is the reason why people were surprised when Jesus called him and asked him to go down because He is staying at his house that night. Zacchaeus is overjoyed. Here he was, a social outcast being offered the opportunity to host one of the most famous men in the country. He scrambles down the tree and welcomes Jesus.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is inviting us to dinner not because He wants to eat with us. He is inviting us to dinner, because He wants us to eat a piece of Himself. Jesus’ invitation is for providing salvation and forgiveness to a wealthy man of this world who is starving for spiritual life. And he is waiting for our repentance. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. That means, you and me.
So, are you short in faith in God. Jesus is inviting you to receive Him, in your house, in your self, in your heart. Receive Him, today.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, as I read about Zacchaeus, I think of my own selfishness. Help me to see you at work in people around me. Help me to be willing to risk whatever reputation I have to join you. I long to see your salvation shine more brightly through me. In your holy name, I pray. Amen +
“I will seat the victor beside Me on My throne”.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
FAITH, MORE FAITH (11-17-10)
Luke 19:26
He replied, “I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
----------------------------------------------------
We can read it throughout the scripture – Jesus taking out afflictions not because He wants to, but because that person believes and have faith in Him. The blind man's persistence and his urgent calls for help were rewarded as others before had been rewarded for their persistence: the woman who pleaded for her daughter's life against even the objections of Jesus himself or the woman suffering from hemorrhages who reached out in the crowd to touch even a portion of His garment.
In all of these, their faith has made them well.
These people were rewarded for their faith. They had a common desperation in their approach to Jesus. They saw themselves in all humility as absolutely dependent upon Him, their only hope.
They understood more than others around Jesus.
The blind beggar could see far more clearly and his belief is even much stronger than the disciples and the crowd who could only see a person who was just passing by.
Make sure we never go blind again and continue to see. The change was permanent and this drastic changes in our lives should also be permanent and plain for all to see.
May others see all the good and right things in us so they may know that the Lord our God is really a merciful and loving God.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, forgive me for my unbelief. Renew my faith with the unstoppable faith that Bartimaeus possessed. Let me be quick to praise God and to follow you in the Way. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen +
The LORD watches over the way of the just…
He replied, “I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
----------------------------------------------------
We can read it throughout the scripture – Jesus taking out afflictions not because He wants to, but because that person believes and have faith in Him. The blind man's persistence and his urgent calls for help were rewarded as others before had been rewarded for their persistence: the woman who pleaded for her daughter's life against even the objections of Jesus himself or the woman suffering from hemorrhages who reached out in the crowd to touch even a portion of His garment.
In all of these, their faith has made them well.
These people were rewarded for their faith. They had a common desperation in their approach to Jesus. They saw themselves in all humility as absolutely dependent upon Him, their only hope.
They understood more than others around Jesus.
The blind beggar could see far more clearly and his belief is even much stronger than the disciples and the crowd who could only see a person who was just passing by.
Make sure we never go blind again and continue to see. The change was permanent and this drastic changes in our lives should also be permanent and plain for all to see.
May others see all the good and right things in us so they may know that the Lord our God is really a merciful and loving God.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, forgive me for my unbelief. Renew my faith with the unstoppable faith that Bartimaeus possessed. Let me be quick to praise God and to follow you in the Way. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen +
The LORD watches over the way of the just…
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
SACRIFICIAL LAMB (11-16-10)
Matthew 12:7
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
----------------------------------------------------------
In the old testament, sacrifice honored God by offering him creatures precious to man that are either bloody and unbloody. Among the bloody sacrifices, the most perfect sacrifice where the animal was completely consumed by fire and offered twice each day, in the morning and evening. The sacrifice could either be sin offering, guilt offering or peace offering was in gratitude, in fulfillment of a vow, or simply voluntary.
Sacrifice, then, is to expiate oneself of sins and gain the forgiveness of God.
However, in the new testament, salvation and forgiveness has already come in Jesus Christ. In effect, we do not need sacrifices for our own sake anymore, just to please God.
Sacrifice today is to share in the very work of God – by showing mercy to others as God has shown mercy to us! This is how God makes our lives special and that by showing mercy, we lead others to the love of God in Jesus Christ that they might receive Him as their Lord and Savior.
Turn to the living God for He will have mercy, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. It is not about living a perfect life of sacrifice anymore, but about people coming together and learning to love and accept each other.
By loving God more than we would have; showing mercy towards others by loving those who do not deserve to be loved, that is the supreme sacrifice with Jesus as the greatest example for all to follow.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus Christ, you are our merciful God become Man to redeem us from our sins. Open our eyes to the debt of love that we owe You for Your unspeakable merciful love for us. Open our hearts to give ourselves to You through those whom You place into our lives, so that by our mercy toward them we may win mercy from You and cooperate with You in the redemption of a sinful world. Amen +
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
----------------------------------------------------------
In the old testament, sacrifice honored God by offering him creatures precious to man that are either bloody and unbloody. Among the bloody sacrifices, the most perfect sacrifice where the animal was completely consumed by fire and offered twice each day, in the morning and evening. The sacrifice could either be sin offering, guilt offering or peace offering was in gratitude, in fulfillment of a vow, or simply voluntary.
Sacrifice, then, is to expiate oneself of sins and gain the forgiveness of God.
However, in the new testament, salvation and forgiveness has already come in Jesus Christ. In effect, we do not need sacrifices for our own sake anymore, just to please God.
Sacrifice today is to share in the very work of God – by showing mercy to others as God has shown mercy to us! This is how God makes our lives special and that by showing mercy, we lead others to the love of God in Jesus Christ that they might receive Him as their Lord and Savior.
Turn to the living God for He will have mercy, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. It is not about living a perfect life of sacrifice anymore, but about people coming together and learning to love and accept each other.
By loving God more than we would have; showing mercy towards others by loving those who do not deserve to be loved, that is the supreme sacrifice with Jesus as the greatest example for all to follow.
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus Christ, you are our merciful God become Man to redeem us from our sins. Open our eyes to the debt of love that we owe You for Your unspeakable merciful love for us. Open our hearts to give ourselves to You through those whom You place into our lives, so that by our mercy toward them we may win mercy from You and cooperate with You in the redemption of a sinful world. Amen +
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Monday, November 15, 2010
THE FEAR OF GOD (11-15-10)
Matthew 25:21
Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
----------------------------------------------------------
We have all heard about the “parable of the talents”. This parable would tell us that we all should use our God-given “talents” for it would displease God if we “bury them”. But let me share with you another lessons that we can get from this parable. A lesson about doing nothing because of the wrong feeling of fear towards God.
The servant who has one talent would not invest them and even dug a hole in the ground and hid his Master’s money. And what really is the reason? As he pointed out, “I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid…”.
He fears his master, even fearing him more knowing what he can do once he lost that money. Most of us are like this servant. We fear the Lord in the wrong way. We see God as a ruthless God who would drown people in flood or maim people through fires. And so we are all afraid of Him, thinking that once we fail to use our talents or skill, He would make us suffer.
So, free ourselves from fear. Fear of the Lord does not equate to being afraid of Him. This gift fills us with a sovereign respect for God that we avoid sin. But it should not prevent us from using our talents to the betterment of our fellowmen. This is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love.
If we fear anything other than God, we are deceived. God is the only thing in the universe worthy of fear. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him, but always with reverence and holy fear.
So, are you still afraid?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, if You kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Teach me to be faithful in You, knowing that I can do anything because of You. Amen +
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities.
----------------------------------------------------------
We have all heard about the “parable of the talents”. This parable would tell us that we all should use our God-given “talents” for it would displease God if we “bury them”. But let me share with you another lessons that we can get from this parable. A lesson about doing nothing because of the wrong feeling of fear towards God.
The servant who has one talent would not invest them and even dug a hole in the ground and hid his Master’s money. And what really is the reason? As he pointed out, “I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid…”.
He fears his master, even fearing him more knowing what he can do once he lost that money. Most of us are like this servant. We fear the Lord in the wrong way. We see God as a ruthless God who would drown people in flood or maim people through fires. And so we are all afraid of Him, thinking that once we fail to use our talents or skill, He would make us suffer.
So, free ourselves from fear. Fear of the Lord does not equate to being afraid of Him. This gift fills us with a sovereign respect for God that we avoid sin. But it should not prevent us from using our talents to the betterment of our fellowmen. This is not a fear that leads one to despair, rather it must be coupled with trust, and most importantly, love.
If we fear anything other than God, we are deceived. God is the only thing in the universe worthy of fear. Let us serve God with thankfulness in the ways which please him, but always with reverence and holy fear.
So, are you still afraid?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, if You kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Teach me to be faithful in You, knowing that I can do anything because of You. Amen +
Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
GOD IS WITH US, ALWAYS (11-14-10)
Luke 21:17-19
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
-------------------------------------------------------------
“Perceived Severance”… when we encounter sufferings and trials, we always think the God has abandoned us. And so we start doing things that could harm our relationship with Him more. And until you know it, our life is totally severed from Him.
The bible is offering an answer to this “perceived severance” mentality.
“Perseverance”…
The challenges and crises of life can tax us to the very end of our strength, and in such times it is easy to want to give up.
But James offers followers of Christ another perspective. He says that while life is a battle, it is also a blessing: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11).
There are Christians who started with a lot of fire but they burned out. The ones that have endured in the Christian life are those who ran slowly but with a steady pace. Day after day they come to church, comply with their duties and patiently await the coming of the Lord.
Will you continue with the “perceived severance” mentality? Or will you change your mindset and persevere with the Lord?
Let us pray +
Father, You bless those who revere Your name and delight in Your commands. Let my heart remains steadfast trusting in You and Your overall plan for my life. Help me to learn the valuable lessons along the way as I press on toward the goal for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen +
The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.
-------------------------------------------------------------
“Perceived Severance”… when we encounter sufferings and trials, we always think the God has abandoned us. And so we start doing things that could harm our relationship with Him more. And until you know it, our life is totally severed from Him.
The bible is offering an answer to this “perceived severance” mentality.
“Perseverance”…
The challenges and crises of life can tax us to the very end of our strength, and in such times it is easy to want to give up.
But James offers followers of Christ another perspective. He says that while life is a battle, it is also a blessing: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11).
There are Christians who started with a lot of fire but they burned out. The ones that have endured in the Christian life are those who ran slowly but with a steady pace. Day after day they come to church, comply with their duties and patiently await the coming of the Lord.
Will you continue with the “perceived severance” mentality? Or will you change your mindset and persevere with the Lord?
Let us pray +
Father, You bless those who revere Your name and delight in Your commands. Let my heart remains steadfast trusting in You and Your overall plan for my life. Help me to learn the valuable lessons along the way as I press on toward the goal for which You have called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen +
The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
THE KINGDOM IN OUR MIDST (11-13-10)
Luke 17:20-21
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed… For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
I already have a concept of our dream house. But it is still a concept – kept in my and my wife’s mind. We are still paying for the lot so we cannot build it yet. And until it is completely built, it would remain a dream – soon to be realized.
Until we see it, feel it and live in it, we would only be living in our dreams. That is the reality of living in this earthly world.
Jesus is offering us more than this earthly world. He is offering us more than just a dream. Yes, He promised us heaven and the Kingdom of God. Yes, He promised us eternal life and His second coming.
But now that promise is not just a dream for it lives in our every hearts. All we need is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Christ inaugurated this final stage of the kingdom in his earthly ministry. It continues today in the Church, but it will reach its ultimate end when Christ returns in glory.
The Kingdom of God is not a visible territory with borders. It is not a capitol building with beautiful architecture. Instead, his Kingdom, God's Kingdom, has already begun to make its appearance as people bow their hearts to the King and offer themselves in service to His rule.
The question then is not "Where is the Kingdom?" but "Is my heart ready to yield to the King?" Have you truly yielded your heart, soul, mind, and strength to do the Lord's will? Can the influence and power of God's Kingdom be seen in your life?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I praise You for Your power and glory. I praise You for Your work of deliverance and salvation in our lives. I praise You for Your promise of a home and a great future with us. Now I ask that Your will be done in my life as I offer myself to serve and honor You as the only true and living God, in Jesus' name. Amen +
The LORD shall reign forever…
“The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed… For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”
---------------------------------------------------------------
I already have a concept of our dream house. But it is still a concept – kept in my and my wife’s mind. We are still paying for the lot so we cannot build it yet. And until it is completely built, it would remain a dream – soon to be realized.
Until we see it, feel it and live in it, we would only be living in our dreams. That is the reality of living in this earthly world.
Jesus is offering us more than this earthly world. He is offering us more than just a dream. Yes, He promised us heaven and the Kingdom of God. Yes, He promised us eternal life and His second coming.
But now that promise is not just a dream for it lives in our every hearts. All we need is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Christ inaugurated this final stage of the kingdom in his earthly ministry. It continues today in the Church, but it will reach its ultimate end when Christ returns in glory.
The Kingdom of God is not a visible territory with borders. It is not a capitol building with beautiful architecture. Instead, his Kingdom, God's Kingdom, has already begun to make its appearance as people bow their hearts to the King and offer themselves in service to His rule.
The question then is not "Where is the Kingdom?" but "Is my heart ready to yield to the King?" Have you truly yielded your heart, soul, mind, and strength to do the Lord's will? Can the influence and power of God's Kingdom be seen in your life?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I praise You for Your power and glory. I praise You for Your work of deliverance and salvation in our lives. I praise You for Your promise of a home and a great future with us. Now I ask that Your will be done in my life as I offer myself to serve and honor You as the only true and living God, in Jesus' name. Amen +
The LORD shall reign forever…
Friday, November 12, 2010
THE LAST DAYS (11-12-10)
Luke 17:26
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man…
--------------------------------------------------------
The year is again nearing its end. And like before, there will again be a lot of prophecies about what will be happening next year. Of course, there would also be those predictions about the end of the world or the second coming of Christ.
But these are all WRONG preaching.
Only God the Father knows when it will be – even Jesus doesn't even know as He told His disciples: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.
All we need to do is to be prepared. We must all be ready and watchful, unless we will come into the false promises of this earthly life from one generation to the next and assume that Jesus won't return after all. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare”.
As St. Peter has all warned us, and so we must be prepared – “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-13).
Are you ready for the last day?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help us to be ready for Jesus' sudden coming. Shake us awake. Help us not to be lulled to sleep by the unbelief Teach me the true value of material things so that I do not cling to them. Help my eyes to be ever looking for His appearing. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen +
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man…
--------------------------------------------------------
The year is again nearing its end. And like before, there will again be a lot of prophecies about what will be happening next year. Of course, there would also be those predictions about the end of the world or the second coming of Christ.
But these are all WRONG preaching.
Only God the Father knows when it will be – even Jesus doesn't even know as He told His disciples: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.
All we need to do is to be prepared. We must all be ready and watchful, unless we will come into the false promises of this earthly life from one generation to the next and assume that Jesus won't return after all. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare”.
As St. Peter has all warned us, and so we must be prepared – “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-13).
Are you ready for the last day?
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, help us to be ready for Jesus' sudden coming. Shake us awake. Help us not to be lulled to sleep by the unbelief Teach me the true value of material things so that I do not cling to them. Help my eyes to be ever looking for His appearing. In the holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen +
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
DUTIFUL SERVANTS (11-11-10)
Luke 17:10
When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do”.
-----------------------------------------------------
Some, if not most of us, has gotten used to having someone to work for us in the house. They may be relatives or a total stranger. To the Jews in the First Century Roman empire, slavery was just a fact of life. Many villages would have one or more wealthy persons who owned slaves.
In today’s gospel, Jesus just reemphasize the role of a slave or servant in the house. The slave had to prepare the meal and serve the master and his family before he could eat himself – all that after a hard day in the fields! You may say that is not fair. But fair or not, the slave was expected to work in the fields and prepare the food afterwards. That was his duty. The master wasn't there to serve the slave, but the slave is expected to serve the master.
However, in our relationship with the Lord, we always think that we are the master and God is our slave. Our prayers tend to be "give me" prayers – “Please help my business succeed”, “Heal my mother's cancer”, “Provide food to those experiencing a famine”, “Work in my boss's heart to give me a raise”. Is this any way to address God to whom we owe our allegiance, life and salvation. We are His servant, not the other way around!
Our prayer should be of servant’s prayer: “Father, what do you want me to do today?”, “How can I help my friend learn to be brave in face of sufferings?, “Give me strength and boldness to witness for you so others may know You.”
We are His servants, His slaves first. We are not to presume upon God and expect his thanks. Instead we are to serve him dutifully without any expectation of reward. And after we have learned that lesson of obedience, hear His voice as He call us his "friends."
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me to better understand my appropriate role as your slave, so when you graciously grant me your friendship I might truly appreciate your love. Amen +
Take delight in the LORD, and He will grant you your heart’s requests.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do”.
-----------------------------------------------------
Some, if not most of us, has gotten used to having someone to work for us in the house. They may be relatives or a total stranger. To the Jews in the First Century Roman empire, slavery was just a fact of life. Many villages would have one or more wealthy persons who owned slaves.
In today’s gospel, Jesus just reemphasize the role of a slave or servant in the house. The slave had to prepare the meal and serve the master and his family before he could eat himself – all that after a hard day in the fields! You may say that is not fair. But fair or not, the slave was expected to work in the fields and prepare the food afterwards. That was his duty. The master wasn't there to serve the slave, but the slave is expected to serve the master.
However, in our relationship with the Lord, we always think that we are the master and God is our slave. Our prayers tend to be "give me" prayers – “Please help my business succeed”, “Heal my mother's cancer”, “Provide food to those experiencing a famine”, “Work in my boss's heart to give me a raise”. Is this any way to address God to whom we owe our allegiance, life and salvation. We are His servant, not the other way around!
Our prayer should be of servant’s prayer: “Father, what do you want me to do today?”, “How can I help my friend learn to be brave in face of sufferings?, “Give me strength and boldness to witness for you so others may know You.”
We are His servants, His slaves first. We are not to presume upon God and expect his thanks. Instead we are to serve him dutifully without any expectation of reward. And after we have learned that lesson of obedience, hear His voice as He call us his "friends."
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me to better understand my appropriate role as your slave, so when you graciously grant me your friendship I might truly appreciate your love. Amen +
Take delight in the LORD, and He will grant you your heart’s requests.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
SPIRITUAL LEPERS (11-10-10)
Luke 17:12-13
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
------------------------------------------------------------
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on.
The pool had been drained for repairs.
We are all lepers – spiritual lepers, that is. What is worse, this disease affected our hearts, totally ignoring God up to a point of doing those that are exactly the opposite of His will. And worst of all, some of us do not believe that they ever can be healed! Yet, there is hope. There is hope when Jesus sends His gospel to us, and bids us to repent. "I believe in the forgiveness of sins": this is a sweet sentence of a true creed. Believe in the renewal of our hearts; for the Lord can give new hearts and right spirits even to the evil and unthankful; cleansing our heart, our soul, our spirit – giving us salvation!
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, I am unclean as a leper shouting to You for forgiveness from afar, for I cannot approach You and unworthy of even Your gaze. But You did differently. You are the One who even approached me and healed me of my spiritual illnesses. And You even gave up Your life to ensure ever-lasting comfort, joy and peace with the Father. I shall always go back to give You thanks and praise. Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
------------------------------------------------------------
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on.
The pool had been drained for repairs.
We are all lepers – spiritual lepers, that is. What is worse, this disease affected our hearts, totally ignoring God up to a point of doing those that are exactly the opposite of His will. And worst of all, some of us do not believe that they ever can be healed! Yet, there is hope. There is hope when Jesus sends His gospel to us, and bids us to repent. "I believe in the forgiveness of sins": this is a sweet sentence of a true creed. Believe in the renewal of our hearts; for the Lord can give new hearts and right spirits even to the evil and unthankful; cleansing our heart, our soul, our spirit – giving us salvation!
Let us pray +
Lord Jesus, I am unclean as a leper shouting to You for forgiveness from afar, for I cannot approach You and unworthy of even Your gaze. But You did differently. You are the One who even approached me and healed me of my spiritual illnesses. And You even gave up Your life to ensure ever-lasting comfort, joy and peace with the Father. I shall always go back to give You thanks and praise. Amen +
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
SOUL CLEANSING (11-09-10)
John 2:16
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
-----------------------------------------------------------
We always see Jesus portrayed as serene and full of caring for His sheeps. Or the suffering Jesus, carrying the cross, being mocked by the crowd, being crucified and yet retain the serenity of His face. Or the triumphant Jesus having defeated death in His resurrection, with His face in glorious light and pompous serenity.
Very seldom, if not, do we see Him with a whip in one of his hands as he chases animals and people out of the temple, as he overturns tables where people are selling animals and converting money. But, He is a man on a mission, and he will not stand for his Father’s temple to be desecrated.
He did this not because he hates those merchants. He did this because these people are making easy money. They would sell the birds and the oxen for sacrifice in the temple, and these people would sell them at a higher price. And Jesus would not allow them to continue.
In the coming days, people doesn’t need sacrifices anymore to atone for their sins. He would be ready to sacrifice Himself for our salvation. He is ready to cleanse us out for in three days, He would rise again as the true temple of God.
Jesus cleansed the temple. He took God’s house and made it right. He did it physically twice in His ministry, then He did it again on the cross. This is where we turn to God and ask Him to cleanse us of our sin. This is where we ask Him to come in and overturn our tables, not out of anger but rather to make our lives and our community into what He has created us to be. Perhaps the fierce Jesus is needed.
Perhaps Jesus needs to come in with a whip to cleanse us out.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, clean out my heart. Come into my life with your whip and cleanse me out. Take those parts of my life that take me away from you and get rid of them. Fill me with your Spirit. Lord, you have the power to forgive and you have the power to change me. All of this in Jesus’ name. Amen +
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”
-----------------------------------------------------------
We always see Jesus portrayed as serene and full of caring for His sheeps. Or the suffering Jesus, carrying the cross, being mocked by the crowd, being crucified and yet retain the serenity of His face. Or the triumphant Jesus having defeated death in His resurrection, with His face in glorious light and pompous serenity.
Very seldom, if not, do we see Him with a whip in one of his hands as he chases animals and people out of the temple, as he overturns tables where people are selling animals and converting money. But, He is a man on a mission, and he will not stand for his Father’s temple to be desecrated.
He did this not because he hates those merchants. He did this because these people are making easy money. They would sell the birds and the oxen for sacrifice in the temple, and these people would sell them at a higher price. And Jesus would not allow them to continue.
In the coming days, people doesn’t need sacrifices anymore to atone for their sins. He would be ready to sacrifice Himself for our salvation. He is ready to cleanse us out for in three days, He would rise again as the true temple of God.
Jesus cleansed the temple. He took God’s house and made it right. He did it physically twice in His ministry, then He did it again on the cross. This is where we turn to God and ask Him to cleanse us of our sin. This is where we ask Him to come in and overturn our tables, not out of anger but rather to make our lives and our community into what He has created us to be. Perhaps the fierce Jesus is needed.
Perhaps Jesus needs to come in with a whip to cleanse us out.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, clean out my heart. Come into my life with your whip and cleanse me out. Take those parts of my life that take me away from you and get rid of them. Fill me with your Spirit. Lord, you have the power to forgive and you have the power to change me. All of this in Jesus’ name. Amen +
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress.
Monday, November 8, 2010
SERVE AND LOVE HIM (11-08-10)
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.
--------------------------------------------
That great wisdom from my father, I still keep in my heart - “You should eat to live and NOT live to eat.” I would like to extend this further and exclaims – “I should work to live and NOT live to work.” One cliché about money is that “it is the root of all evil.” But I would rather say that “it is more of the LOVE FOR MONEY that is the root of all evil.”
Whenever we open our wallet we should remember that those blessings and treasures are not ours alone. They are only entrusted to us, as keepers and “treasurers” of God. Money is not bad if we are responsible in using them. We should think not only for the good of ourselves by for also for the welfare of other people on need. Charity given to the poor would stand to a man’s credit in the world to come. A man’s true wealth would consist not in what he kept, but in what he gave away.” What we will get in heaven depends on how we use the things of earth.
We should know the difference between love for money and loving You and my neighbors. Money in itself is not evil. Money can also make many good things possible. But, we all should come to realize that money is a good slave but a terribly bad master.
For what end we use money as means, shows whether money is the root of all evil or not. We should realize that the way we handle life here on earth reflects the kind of life we will have in heaven then we can aspire for serving only one God. If we can be entrusted with small things, great blessings will surely come.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may I use all the resources You are giving me to uplift the spirit of others, to show them how You really care, to make them aware of Your true love. Detach my mind and my heart from love of money so that I may use money to make lives better and never allow money to use me. May I use money for the good of others. For the only greatest riches that we should aspire for, and as You promised, is the gift of eternal life! Amen +
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.
--------------------------------------------
That great wisdom from my father, I still keep in my heart - “You should eat to live and NOT live to eat.” I would like to extend this further and exclaims – “I should work to live and NOT live to work.” One cliché about money is that “it is the root of all evil.” But I would rather say that “it is more of the LOVE FOR MONEY that is the root of all evil.”
Whenever we open our wallet we should remember that those blessings and treasures are not ours alone. They are only entrusted to us, as keepers and “treasurers” of God. Money is not bad if we are responsible in using them. We should think not only for the good of ourselves by for also for the welfare of other people on need. Charity given to the poor would stand to a man’s credit in the world to come. A man’s true wealth would consist not in what he kept, but in what he gave away.” What we will get in heaven depends on how we use the things of earth.
We should know the difference between love for money and loving You and my neighbors. Money in itself is not evil. Money can also make many good things possible. But, we all should come to realize that money is a good slave but a terribly bad master.
For what end we use money as means, shows whether money is the root of all evil or not. We should realize that the way we handle life here on earth reflects the kind of life we will have in heaven then we can aspire for serving only one God. If we can be entrusted with small things, great blessings will surely come.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, may I use all the resources You are giving me to uplift the spirit of others, to show them how You really care, to make them aware of Your true love. Detach my mind and my heart from love of money so that I may use money to make lives better and never allow money to use me. May I use money for the good of others. For the only greatest riches that we should aspire for, and as You promised, is the gift of eternal life! Amen +
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
RESURRECTION PEOPLE (11-07-10)
Luke 20:37-38
“…He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
------------------------------------------------------------
It is clear that life does continue somehow beyond life here on earth, that we move into a new age, a new place that cannot be described by or even compared with our earthly existence. One thing we can learn from this encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees is that there is no need or even point in trying to go into elaborate and detailed descriptions of what resurrection life will be like.
Simply relax and be at peace in our faith.
This is the very promise of the Resurrection. After the grim reality of death and suffering, we would all be raised again, completely free from sins.
I surely believe and know that Jesus lived and died and was resurrected. If I am wrong, well, I am to be pitied, but nothing is lost, and know many would and do.
But if I am right...well, imagine the treasure I would have gained in Heaven!
We are a resurrection people – we profess at the heart of our faith that “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again”. Although we love to elaborate, and to speculate on what it will look like, and to tease ourselves with the when and the how it will all come together, at the center of our faith is what Jesus proclaimed here – “He is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all of them are alive.”
In life, in death, in the resurrection we are still reconciled with God, inseparable from His love in Christ, the living Son of the God of the living.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen +
Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
“…He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
------------------------------------------------------------
It is clear that life does continue somehow beyond life here on earth, that we move into a new age, a new place that cannot be described by or even compared with our earthly existence. One thing we can learn from this encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees is that there is no need or even point in trying to go into elaborate and detailed descriptions of what resurrection life will be like.
Simply relax and be at peace in our faith.
This is the very promise of the Resurrection. After the grim reality of death and suffering, we would all be raised again, completely free from sins.
I surely believe and know that Jesus lived and died and was resurrected. If I am wrong, well, I am to be pitied, but nothing is lost, and know many would and do.
But if I am right...well, imagine the treasure I would have gained in Heaven!
We are a resurrection people – we profess at the heart of our faith that “Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again”. Although we love to elaborate, and to speculate on what it will look like, and to tease ourselves with the when and the how it will all come together, at the center of our faith is what Jesus proclaimed here – “He is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all of them are alive.”
In life, in death, in the resurrection we are still reconciled with God, inseparable from His love in Christ, the living Son of the God of the living.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed; dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen +
Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
WE COMPLETE HIM (11-06-10)
Luke 15:10
“I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
------------------------------------------------------
My Father bought me a ring. It has three colorful stones – white, red and green. I have no idea then yet of diamonds or precious stones. For me, these stones are precious. That is why when one of the stone fell and got lost, I started crying and told my father about it. He told me that he will just buy me a new one, and yes, he did. As for the old ring, I stopped wearing them for without that one stone, it is not anymore complete.
It is not about that stone. It is about the completeness of it all.
The lost sheep and the lost coin are more than the prized possessions of their owners; they are also parts of a whole. The sheep belongs to the flock and the coin to the purse; without them the whole is not complete. The search, then, is a quest for restoration and wholeness. In this sense, all of us who are part of God’s creation should be just as anxious as God until the lost are restored and we are made whole again by their presence.
When we got lost, God’s family is not anymore complete. And so He has to search for us and invite us to be with Him again. And He did more than searching. He even sent His Son to the “lion’s den” so our sins may be forgiven. Jesus was crucified and died so that in His resurrection, we would be complete again and be part of God’s family in Heaven. And when He sweeps, God searches and also cleanses. God, broom in hand, patiently sweeps away the dirt from our lives and restores us to our God-given image. And as we are found, the whole community in heaven rejoices. Be willing to answer God’s call, "Rejoice with me”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I got lost but You found me. Still, I would run away from You and seek my own satisfaction. But, You would never give up. With a staff or a broom at hand, You would find a way to make me return back to You. And as I accept Your mercy and forgiveness, heaven would rejoice for Your family would be complete once more, through Jesus our Lord. Amen +
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
“I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
------------------------------------------------------
My Father bought me a ring. It has three colorful stones – white, red and green. I have no idea then yet of diamonds or precious stones. For me, these stones are precious. That is why when one of the stone fell and got lost, I started crying and told my father about it. He told me that he will just buy me a new one, and yes, he did. As for the old ring, I stopped wearing them for without that one stone, it is not anymore complete.
It is not about that stone. It is about the completeness of it all.
The lost sheep and the lost coin are more than the prized possessions of their owners; they are also parts of a whole. The sheep belongs to the flock and the coin to the purse; without them the whole is not complete. The search, then, is a quest for restoration and wholeness. In this sense, all of us who are part of God’s creation should be just as anxious as God until the lost are restored and we are made whole again by their presence.
When we got lost, God’s family is not anymore complete. And so He has to search for us and invite us to be with Him again. And He did more than searching. He even sent His Son to the “lion’s den” so our sins may be forgiven. Jesus was crucified and died so that in His resurrection, we would be complete again and be part of God’s family in Heaven. And when He sweeps, God searches and also cleanses. God, broom in hand, patiently sweeps away the dirt from our lives and restores us to our God-given image. And as we are found, the whole community in heaven rejoices. Be willing to answer God’s call, "Rejoice with me”.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, I got lost but You found me. Still, I would run away from You and seek my own satisfaction. But, You would never give up. With a staff or a broom at hand, You would find a way to make me return back to You. And as I accept Your mercy and forgiveness, heaven would rejoice for Your family would be complete once more, through Jesus our Lord. Amen +
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Friday, November 5, 2010
CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN (11-05-10)
Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
------------------------------------------------
I lived in China for three years. I have been assigned in Mexico for fourteen months. And yet, I haven’t learned to talk Chinese and Spanish except for some words that can get me through some everyday short conversations. And when cooking, we would still converse in Tagalog and still eat, as much as possible, “menudo (pork stew)”, “nilaga (boiled in broth)” and “adobo (chicken in vinegar and soy sauce)”. No matter where you are, you would still yearn to go back to your land of birth. Because citizenship is really based on loyalty and mindset, not location.
But there are those who would rather change their citizenship. They may have reasons. But when it comes to our spiritual life, there is always one citizenship – our citizenship in Heaven. We cannot change that fact for that is where we should go after this life on earth.
I know, there are people that choose to change citizenship, with the way they act and behave. May they all come to their senses, and start accepting again their true citizenship by accepting the Lord as their God and Savior.
Hope for heaven, for full communion with Christ “and all the angels and saints”, is the very motivating factor, of Christian engagement in this world. Christian hope for the coming of God's Kingdom asks for both things from God: that His Kingdom may come in glory and that his Kingdom may begin already here on earth.
And only then would we really experience the real joy of living together with the King of all nations and heavens.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, for now, we live in this other side of heaven, knowing that sometime in the future, we would join You in that place where our loyalty should lie, where our true citizenship is rooted. May we pour ourselves out, living for you. This is not our true home but our destiny is eternal life with you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and him alone. Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
------------------------------------------------
I lived in China for three years. I have been assigned in Mexico for fourteen months. And yet, I haven’t learned to talk Chinese and Spanish except for some words that can get me through some everyday short conversations. And when cooking, we would still converse in Tagalog and still eat, as much as possible, “menudo (pork stew)”, “nilaga (boiled in broth)” and “adobo (chicken in vinegar and soy sauce)”. No matter where you are, you would still yearn to go back to your land of birth. Because citizenship is really based on loyalty and mindset, not location.
But there are those who would rather change their citizenship. They may have reasons. But when it comes to our spiritual life, there is always one citizenship – our citizenship in Heaven. We cannot change that fact for that is where we should go after this life on earth.
I know, there are people that choose to change citizenship, with the way they act and behave. May they all come to their senses, and start accepting again their true citizenship by accepting the Lord as their God and Savior.
Hope for heaven, for full communion with Christ “and all the angels and saints”, is the very motivating factor, of Christian engagement in this world. Christian hope for the coming of God's Kingdom asks for both things from God: that His Kingdom may come in glory and that his Kingdom may begin already here on earth.
And only then would we really experience the real joy of living together with the King of all nations and heavens.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, for now, we live in this other side of heaven, knowing that sometime in the future, we would join You in that place where our loyalty should lie, where our true citizenship is rooted. May we pour ourselves out, living for you. This is not our true home but our destiny is eternal life with you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and him alone. Amen +
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
“DOMINUS IESUS” (11-04-10)
Philippians 2:10-11
…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
----------------------------------------------------
God loves the world and all He has created. However, people have chosen to be separated from God by committing sins. But Jesus provides the bridge for us to receive God's grace of forgiveness for our sins and fulfill the hope of eternal life. This was the purpose of Jesus Christ and the very reason why Jesus is our Lord. He completed His purpose by being crucified, willingly, so God could be glorified through His resurrection. He lived His life while here on earth in perfect obedience to God regardless of the pain and suffering.
The Scripture is very clear that Jesus is our one and only Lord and God:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Colossians 1:15: "He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Jesus provides eternal hope, through God's grace, for everyone who believes He is the Lord.
Jesus honored God throughout every event in His life. He was humble and gentle mirroring God's Spirit. This is further proof why Jesus is Lord. Jesus still lives in heaven at the right hand of God. We cannot see Him, but must rely on the documented facts and His message of salvation for all who believe in Him. When we choose to place our faith in Jesus Christ and trust God, He has promised to secure a place in heaven for each of us, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2 KJV)”.
Let us pray +
Teach me, my Lord Jesus, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life – in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Jesus help me and never forsake me! Amen +
To Him my soul shall live; my descendants shall serve Him.
…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
----------------------------------------------------
God loves the world and all He has created. However, people have chosen to be separated from God by committing sins. But Jesus provides the bridge for us to receive God's grace of forgiveness for our sins and fulfill the hope of eternal life. This was the purpose of Jesus Christ and the very reason why Jesus is our Lord. He completed His purpose by being crucified, willingly, so God could be glorified through His resurrection. He lived His life while here on earth in perfect obedience to God regardless of the pain and suffering.
The Scripture is very clear that Jesus is our one and only Lord and God:
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Colossians 1:15: "He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Jesus provides eternal hope, through God's grace, for everyone who believes He is the Lord.
Jesus honored God throughout every event in His life. He was humble and gentle mirroring God's Spirit. This is further proof why Jesus is Lord. Jesus still lives in heaven at the right hand of God. We cannot see Him, but must rely on the documented facts and His message of salvation for all who believe in Him. When we choose to place our faith in Jesus Christ and trust God, He has promised to secure a place in heaven for each of us, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2 KJV)”.
Let us pray +
Teach me, my Lord Jesus, to be sweet and gentle in all the events of my life – in disappointments, in the thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. Jesus help me and never forsake me! Amen +
To Him my soul shall live; my descendants shall serve Him.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
TRUE HOSPITALITY (11-03-10)
Luke 14:13-14
…invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
-----------------------------------------------------
In the ancient Mediterranean culture, people who invited you to a dinner do not say "Thank you!" They say, "Pay me back." A guest is obligated to play host in return. Nowadays, we do say thank you, but do we really mean it. Why do we invite guests or friends into our homes for a meal, or take them out to a restaurant? Are we trying to impress them, hoping to win their favor, so they will do good things for us?
But Jesus is expounding the concept of true hospitality. This kind of hospitality is inviting people to a banquet because we want to be with them, talk to them and not because we are expecting that they invite us in return. True hospitality is being able to share our blessings with others so they may experience God’s love through us.
Moreover, Jesus is also trying to tell us that in relating with our neighbors, we are to have a servant’s heart. If we invite someone to our home, we should look for someone with a need – someone we can help in some way.
When we give to those who are able to reward or repay us in some way, we are not really giving. We are only making a self-centered investment. Real giving involves giving to one who is unable to ever repay in any way.
If we are faithful to serve others through our hospitality, God will be the one who will bless us. Though it may not be in this lifetime, but surely, it will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
When you give to the Lord with no expectation of any other compensation in this life, then your heavenly reward is secure.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me find ways to show hospitality to those in need, not to win their favor, but to reflect your love to them that they will seek to know you better. Amen +
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
…invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
-----------------------------------------------------
In the ancient Mediterranean culture, people who invited you to a dinner do not say "Thank you!" They say, "Pay me back." A guest is obligated to play host in return. Nowadays, we do say thank you, but do we really mean it. Why do we invite guests or friends into our homes for a meal, or take them out to a restaurant? Are we trying to impress them, hoping to win their favor, so they will do good things for us?
But Jesus is expounding the concept of true hospitality. This kind of hospitality is inviting people to a banquet because we want to be with them, talk to them and not because we are expecting that they invite us in return. True hospitality is being able to share our blessings with others so they may experience God’s love through us.
Moreover, Jesus is also trying to tell us that in relating with our neighbors, we are to have a servant’s heart. If we invite someone to our home, we should look for someone with a need – someone we can help in some way.
When we give to those who are able to reward or repay us in some way, we are not really giving. We are only making a self-centered investment. Real giving involves giving to one who is unable to ever repay in any way.
If we are faithful to serve others through our hospitality, God will be the one who will bless us. Though it may not be in this lifetime, but surely, it will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
When you give to the Lord with no expectation of any other compensation in this life, then your heavenly reward is secure.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, give me a servant’s heart. Help me find ways to show hospitality to those in need, not to win their favor, but to reflect your love to them that they will seek to know you better. Amen +
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
ETERNAL HAPPINESS (11-02-10)
John 6:40
For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
--------------------------------------------------------------
What makes you happy? What makes you very happy? You may say, that would be relative, which, by logic, is correct.
Happiness "happens" when you satisfy a desire. If you desire a cool drink on a hot day, a glass of ice water can make you happy. If you desire a million dollars, winning the lottery can make you happy. If you desire fame, winning a gold medal in the Olympics can make you happy. But all of which will only be for a while.
Eventually, a cool drink, a million dollars, or even an Olympic gold medal becomes a memory. None of them lasts forever. None of them can make you perfectly happy. Eternal happiness can only exist if there is something that is perfect, that has no limit, that can be enjoyed forever. The common name for this Perfect Being that has no limits and that can be enjoyed forever is GOD.
God is offering us the perfect happiness in heaven. In fact, He has given us that happiness through His Son, Jesus Christ, because He loves each and everyone of us. And the happiness we would experience would be absolute and never relative, lasting forever because we would be with God who is perfect.
If you dare to ask the question, “What must I do to attain eternal happiness?” be aware, because deep down inside you already know the answer.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, in glorifying Jesus and sending us your Spirit, You open the way to eternal life. May my sharing in this Gift increase my love and make my faith grow stronger. Send Your Spirit to cleanse my life so that the offering of myself to You may be pleasing to You. May my sharing in the Eucharist, our Bread of Life, bring me eternal life. Amen +
Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
--------------------------------------------------------------
What makes you happy? What makes you very happy? You may say, that would be relative, which, by logic, is correct.
Happiness "happens" when you satisfy a desire. If you desire a cool drink on a hot day, a glass of ice water can make you happy. If you desire a million dollars, winning the lottery can make you happy. If you desire fame, winning a gold medal in the Olympics can make you happy. But all of which will only be for a while.
Eventually, a cool drink, a million dollars, or even an Olympic gold medal becomes a memory. None of them lasts forever. None of them can make you perfectly happy. Eternal happiness can only exist if there is something that is perfect, that has no limit, that can be enjoyed forever. The common name for this Perfect Being that has no limits and that can be enjoyed forever is GOD.
God is offering us the perfect happiness in heaven. In fact, He has given us that happiness through His Son, Jesus Christ, because He loves each and everyone of us. And the happiness we would experience would be absolute and never relative, lasting forever because we would be with God who is perfect.
If you dare to ask the question, “What must I do to attain eternal happiness?” be aware, because deep down inside you already know the answer.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, in glorifying Jesus and sending us your Spirit, You open the way to eternal life. May my sharing in this Gift increase my love and make my faith grow stronger. Send Your Spirit to cleanse my life so that the offering of myself to You may be pleasing to You. May my sharing in the Eucharist, our Bread of Life, bring me eternal life. Amen +
Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Monday, November 1, 2010
IN MOURNING, COMFORT (11-01-10)
Solemnity of All Saints
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
--------------------------------------------------------------
We mourn for a while, and that is normal. For when a loved one leaves this world, he/she will surely be missed. But, we should not mourn forever. Knowing that he/she is now in heaven is more than enough comfort, knowing that someday, we would join them so we can finally live eternally with our Father in heaven.
Yes, we are all saints. This is the reason why Jesus died for us. This is the reason why God continues to love us. And so, we must aspire to be one, preparing for that one special day when we finally see Him, face-to-face.
There is only one reward that we should aspire for, a reward that will not perish, a reward that will be forever, a reward of eternal life with God in Heaven. And it should be the source of all our joy, of all our longing, of all our sufferings here on earth.
How are you preparing your life so you may get this great reward in Heaven? Or are you even preparing at all?
My friend, let us set aside whatever worldly aspirations we have today, if that is taking our mind, heart and spirit away from the Lord.
Aspire for that great reward, for that is the only reward that could give us true joy and gladness.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, wipe away every tear in my eyes, and there shall be no more crying, mourning and pain. Make our hearts yearn for that great reward in Heaven as you promised. For we shall live through and for Your son, Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life. Amen +
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
--------------------------------------------------------------
We mourn for a while, and that is normal. For when a loved one leaves this world, he/she will surely be missed. But, we should not mourn forever. Knowing that he/she is now in heaven is more than enough comfort, knowing that someday, we would join them so we can finally live eternally with our Father in heaven.
Yes, we are all saints. This is the reason why Jesus died for us. This is the reason why God continues to love us. And so, we must aspire to be one, preparing for that one special day when we finally see Him, face-to-face.
There is only one reward that we should aspire for, a reward that will not perish, a reward that will be forever, a reward of eternal life with God in Heaven. And it should be the source of all our joy, of all our longing, of all our sufferings here on earth.
How are you preparing your life so you may get this great reward in Heaven? Or are you even preparing at all?
My friend, let us set aside whatever worldly aspirations we have today, if that is taking our mind, heart and spirit away from the Lord.
Aspire for that great reward, for that is the only reward that could give us true joy and gladness.
Let us pray +
Oh Lord, wipe away every tear in my eyes, and there shall be no more crying, mourning and pain. Make our hearts yearn for that great reward in Heaven as you promised. For we shall live through and for Your son, Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life. Amen +
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)