ANTIOCH (04-30-12)

Acts 11:26

…and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

You will often see the same names used over and over again in families.  While certain names are popular in some families or in different times in history, the repetition could represent a pattern.  In my case, my real name is Roberto, Jr. – a junior, since my father had the same name, or more accurately, I was named after my father. 

In a Filipino family, the surname is important.  No one should act in such a way that you blemish the surname of your family.  Or else, you risk being disowned. 

Your family’s surname should be a source of honor and pride. 

Today, the followers of Jesus are called Christians.  Actually, it started way back in Antioch, which is now a part of Turkey.  And being a Christian should be a source of joy and honor for us.  However, being a Christian must involve living a life dedicated and committed to Jesus.  It is not just a tag or a name.  It means total obedience to the living Lord. 

We need to PERSEVERE in our faith, knowing that one day we will receive our reward. This perseverance also includes encouraging fellow-Christians to live that life of commitment. 

We are Christians.  And the world shall recognize us as the true disciples of Jesus -- not just by what we say or what we believe or what we do or even the soundness of our theology, but by our love.  Something has fundamentally changed within us.  Being Christians is not a walk in the park. 

Our Lord has shown us that being Christians means living our life for others.  And as Christians, we should keep the Lord in our hearts forever.  For without “CHRIST”, what is left is “IAN” or I Am Nothing! 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, with hearts filled with awe and rejoicing, we thank You for his life which is given to us.  Amen +

All you nations, praise the Lord.

ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD (04-29-12

John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd.  A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In present times, maybe as in old, a dog is called man’s best friend.  They would wag their tails when they hear our voice.  Moreover, they would bark once they hear uncommon sounds or voice.  They knows how and when to protect their beings and of course, us. 

A sheep is no different from a dog.  The sheep follows his master’s voice, “because they recognize his voice.  But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers”.  And as such, we all are sheep and Jesus is our good shepherd. 

Like a good shepherd, he “lays down his life for the sheep”.  He came to protect us by giving his life for us.  He did this so that we might enjoy life to its fullest and have the hope of living forever. 

When we got lost, He would simply call us to return back to the sheepfold.  Some of us may not hear Him the first time.  But He would constantly call us, knowing that one day, we would heed that call.  And to hear that call, use not our ears, but our hearts. 

He knocks at our hearts, so we may feel His love and know Him more.  None of us is good enough to merit God's favor; only Jesus Christ is.  We, then, had better make our way to Him!  And this is precisely what He invites us to do – “That one who believingly abandons himself to me and to my care, I will take him and keep him forever”. 

Jesus' claim to be the "Good Shepherd" is a well-supported one. He proved it very well.  He died for His sheep so we may be saved.  And for those of us who are trusting in Him for salvation, He continues to prove it every day with satisfying tokens of His love. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, give me new strength from the courage of Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.  Lead my steps in the path He has shown, that I may receive His help and enjoy the light of Your presence forever.  Amen +

Athirst is my soul for the living God.

GREENEST PASTURE (04-28-12)

John 10:9

“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture”.

Jesus is offering Himself to be the gate where everyone can enter so we can find and experience green pasture.  Jesus is the gate and only through Him will we enter Heaven.  Jesus is the gate who gives those who pass in and out through it enough identity to feel secure and yet enough freedom to remain open to others, as God is open to others. 

Just like a shepherd who calls on his flock to finally enter the fenced sheepfold so they may be safe from harm, Jesus is also calling us to enter Him.  Christ our good shepherd tells us where we should direct our steps.  We just need to listen for his voice.  

And the best way to hear his soft yet firm voice is by being faithful to our conscience, the divine voice within us.  Jesus' claim to be the "Good Shepherd" is a well-supported one. He proved it very well.  He died for His flock so we may be saved. 

And for those of us who are trusting in Him for salvation, He continues to prove it every day with satisfying tokens of His love. 

Enter through Him.  The Lord awaits us as He prepares a greener pasture. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, we heard Your call and we follow Your voice for we totally trust You.  Thank You for the gift of salvation as we enter Heaven through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen +

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

BFF (04-28-12)

John 15:13

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

I watched it in the Animal Planet.  After locating the prey, the lion moves slowly toward it, its body close to the ground.  A lion normally must surprise its victims by stalking.  When it is about 50 feet away, it rushes forward, grabs the rump, side, or head of the animal, and pulls it to the ground.   

Then it usually seizes the prey's throat in its mouth and strangles it.  After killing an animal, the lion often drags it to a shady spot.  All members of the pride eat together, with much growling and snarling. 

But vicious and voracious as they are, lions have to kill to live and to share with his lioness and cubs.  And lions kill only when hungry.  Their prey can usually sense if lions are out to kill and, if not, it will just ignore the lion. 

The devil is compared to the lions, prowling and stalking their prey looking for “someone to devour”.  But the similarity stops there.  The devil hunts its prey, not to eat and live, but to kill and forever separate its prey from its Master.  The devil is Satan… the prey is us… and the Master is Jesus. 

We should take the devil very seriously.  We are to be watchful, vigilant.  We must not be lulled into complacency about satanic opposition and temptations.  All through the scriptures, Satan is described as our adversary.  He is an ENEMY, who despises humanity in general, and the followers of Jesus Christ, in particular. 

But the good news is that Satan is already defeated!  The decisive battle which brought his doom was won at the cross through our Lord.  Our BFF (best friend forever) has given up His life so we can be free from the clutches of Satan.  And giving up His life is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation for us all. 

Be firm in our faith and let Jesus protects us.  He is our BFF. 

Almighty Father, I thank you for sending your Son Jesus Who won victory the devil, over sin and over death for my salvation.   Amen+

The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.

TELL THE WORLD OF HIS LOVE (04-26-12)

Acts 9:4

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

On his way to Damascus, to capture and afterwards, kill more Christian followers and bring back to Jerusalem in chains, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him why he is persecuting Christians, which in effect, he is persecuting the owner of the voice.  He could not see anything and just asked the help of his companions.  They went to Damascus and for three days, he was unable to see, eat or drink. 

Ananias the disciple then came to see him.  He was baptized and was able to see again.  Saul, who was renamed Paul, was chosen by the Lord to be an instrument to carry His name before the Gentiles (non-Jews), kings and Israelites alike.  He readily accepted Jesus and took the challenge of suffering, not against Him, but rather in His name. 

And today, we continue to persecute Him.  We continue to sin against our being, against our belief and against our Lord.  And as we are blinded by the sins of this world, do we rather continue to walk in darkness?  Or are we willing to accept the call of Jesus to spread the good news of salvation? 

Each of us has been called by God to go forth and proclaim the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all creatures.  He calls man to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church.   

You may now be blinded by your sins so you fail to see this eternal truth.  Let Him open your eyes and show you the joy of being with Him.  Let Him strengthen you as together, we proclaim the good news to every creature of this world. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, by the preaching of Your apostle Paul You have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world.  Grant, we pray, that we have the courage to proclaim to the world Your love and Your promise of salvation.  Amen +

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

HIS LOVING KINDNESS (04-25-12)

Psalms 66:20

Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness!

Somebody took my bike away.  I do not know how it happened.  I looked for it all around, but it’s not there anymore.  I went home crying.  On the way home, the thought of being scolded by my father plays repeatedly on my mind.  Upon reaching the house, my father saw me crying and hugged me.  He already had a hint of what happened.  He just said, “I am glad that only the bike was lost and you returned back alive and safe”. 

The thought of being loved brings into us great joy.  That instance instilled in my mind one important thing – that material things are nothing; loving and caring for someone is everything. 

The love of God is pure, unadulterated one.  God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to become one of us and to save the human race.  When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the ransom so we can be with Him again.  In His resurrection, the promise of salvation was fulfilled.  And He takes care of us now and forever and will not let the devil take us away again. 

However, we sometimes forget this.  When we experience death or loss (lost the business, lost our house), we ignore Him completely.  We always thought that He was the one who let these happened in our lives.  But instead of being “freed” from Him, we suffer more miseries.  We suffer more setbacks.  We indulged more in sins and the devil has once again owned our heart and our soul.  

Jesus will not let this happen further.  He is there over and over again for us, loving us and trying to get us back again into His loving presence.  He will never lose you again, for you are more important to Him than anything else.  Jesus opened the way for us to have eternal life.  Be not afraid and come to Him.  He is our joy forever. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, I am lost and it is hard to face up to the wrong that is in my life.  Help me feel this goodness, and strengthen me to forgive those who have wronged me.  Amen +

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

JUNK THE JUNK (04-24-12)

John 6:35

“I am the Bread of Life…”

Junk foods – we indulge in them, once in a while.  As what the name suggest, they refer to food that is unhealthy and/or has poor nutritional value.  It contains high levels of fat, salt, sugar and numerous food additives.  It is lacking in proteins, vitamins and fiber, among other healthy attributes.   

Yet, they are very popular because it is easy to purchase, requires little or no preparation, is convenient to consume and has lots of flavor.  We know that junk foods has been associated with obesity, some diseases and dental cavities, still, we enjoy eating them. 

In our lives, we also tend to enjoy spiritual junk foods – fame, money, power, prestige.  We indulge in them for they are good physically.  In exchange, we experience spiritual malnutrition.  We become obese with sins, afflicted with spiritual diseases like lust, pride and gluttony.   

And the more we indulge with them, the more we enjoy doing them.  And the more we enjoy them, the more the devil likes it and gives us more until we ended up sick and lonesome – away from the Lord. 

Let us be reminded that everything we have and will have did not come from anyone or from ourselves, but from the One above who continually blesses us so we may share them with others.   

He is the BREAD OF LIFE.  He is not the flavor of the day.  Not the ice cream that will melt.  Not the stale crumbs, not the food that we crave.  But the nourishment our souls need.  

And the only way we can know that nourishment, the only way we can be part of this bread of life, is to give our heart, our whole heart, over and over and over again, to God.  Kick out all our cravings for junks.  Accept the bread He offers and it would be enough.  And that is what we need and what we shall want. 

Lord Jesus, You alone are the bread of life, giving us courage to face and reject all the unhealthy addictions around us.  Amen +

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

FACE OF AN ANGEL (04-23-12)

Acts 7:59

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

In the Acts of the Apostles, the name of St. Stephen occurs for the first time on the occasion of the appointment of the first deacons.  On the day of his death, the enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was.  At last, they laid a plot for him.  They could not answer his wise argument, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had spoken sinfully against God. St. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without fear.  In fact, the Holy Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel. 

The praying martyr was thrown down; and while the witnesses were thrusting upon him "a stone as much as two men could carry", he was heard to utter this supreme prayer:  "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit".  Little did all the people present, casting stones upon him, realize that the blood they shed was the first seed of a harvest that was to cover the world.  And ironically, the leader of that mob was no other than Paul, called Saul at that time, and was the main persecutor of the Hellenist Christians. 

Yes, hatred exists everywhere.  It has always existed and it always will until the second coming of Messiah.  That's the just the sad truth of the matter.  It's a fact of life.  However, hatred need not rule our lives nor must we react the same when it comes our way. 

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. There is no harm in asking for more blessings, but sometimes we forget about the suffering.  We must remember that Christ suffered unto death.  

We are built to last. God will never put more on us than we can bear.  Release the anger in your heart and love those who hate you.  Always remember, Christ’s suffering on our behalf is infinitely far greater than our suffering on His behalf will be. 

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 +

My trust is in the LORD; I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy.

NOURISH OUR SOUL (04-22-12)

John 6:27

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life…”

In the past few days, the gospel dwelt on John 6 and focused on Spiritual Hunger.  In our lives, we experienced grief, depression, anger and fear.  Our spirit becomes weak, we become agitated, falling into temptations and losing confidence in ourselves and to God.   

Our bodies are more than just a physical-being, we are created with a mind, a body, and a spirit.  Each one of these elements completes and balance us.  If one of these is out of balance, we feel lost and hopeless.   

We become malnourished.   

In effect, our entire body becomes weak and vulnerable to making less accurate decisions.  So, just as we need food to nourish our bodies, we also need mental food for our minds and spiritual food for our spirits. 

Jesus is the bread of life that nourishes us and keeps us from hunger and thirst.  Without Him we will always be hungry and looking for something to feed on.  Jesus cares about our hunger.  Jesus never gives up on us.  As soon as He sees us falling away from Him - searching for nourishment in other ways - He pulls us on until we realize that He is what we really needed in the first place.  Go to Jesus, talk to Him, sing to Him, read His Words.   

As you begin to focus on Him you become at peace and know that you are not alone and that Jesus is right there with you and will take care of all your needs.  Jesus is the bread of life that becomes the spiritual food we need to nourish our spirits, which then gives us the mental nourishment we need for our bodies, minds and souls. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, only You gives and sustains life.  We are helpless before both physical and spiritual death.  You have given us the grace of life through Jesus' giving of His life for us and to us.  This is beyond our understanding; yet we believe. 

Amen +

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

OPEN MY EYES (04-21-12)

Luke 24:15-16

Jesus himself drew near and walked with them… but their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

When feeling angry or frustrated, I would keep myself silent.  I would keep myself locked in a room and spend the time doing something – cleaning my desk, re-arranging my mini-cooper collections.  I don’t want to see anybody or even talk.  During lunch or dinner, I would just focus on the food I eat.  

My family would recognize that I’ve been through a tough day.  They would start cheering me up.  They know that it would be gone after some time and I would start talking again.  Oh yes, it’s just a matter of time. 

During the time when Jesus was crucified, died and buried, His disciples either felt sad, angry, frustrated or all.  In His appearance to His disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus felt these emotions from Cleopas.  The two are caught in the world of fear, anger and depression that they don’t bother anymore to look at others.  They even failed to recognize Jesus who is already amidst them. 

But, Jesus started sharing with them the truth.  He knows that He has to take all of these emotions away first, so they would start listening to Him.  Slowly their eyes start to open.  Finally, Jesus offered Himself to them again, reminiscent of the Last Supper.  “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them”. 

With that their eyes were finally opened and they recognized Him. 

Jesus takes away our fear, our anger, our depression and frustration.  He truly understands what we feel and only His words can cheer us up again.  As we talk with Him, let us receive Him in our hearts, communing with Him so our eyes may finally be opened that He is our Lord and our God. 

Let us pray + 

Almighty Father, open our eyes and help us to see.  Only faith helps us see our own blindness.  Open our eyes to behold Your gracious hand in all Your works; that, rejoicing in Your whole creation. 
Amen +

Lord, you will show us the path of life.

WHY BE AFRAID? (04-20-12)

John 6:20
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
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As a child, I have fear of cockroach (generally, entomophobia) and of ghost (phasmophobia). Although I have seen (and later on, killed) a lot of cockroaches, I haven’t really seen a ghost. In effect, I have already overcame my fear of the six-legged critter, but, for ghost, honestly, I still fear going through or being left in dark places. In the bible, St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy mentions about “timidity” (to be fearful) – “for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control”.

Sometimes, this “spirit of timidity” overcomes us, affecting our disposition. To overcome this fearfulness, we need to trust in and love God completely - not to be afraid of being alone, not to be afraid of being too weak, not to be afraid to love and be loved, of not being heard, and not to be afraid of anything, for in God’s eyes, “we are of more value than many sparrows”.

It is a refusal to give into fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting in God to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is a righteous God -- total and complete trust! When we have a trusting relationship with God, we can rely on His promises. We can be strong and of good courage. We can fear nothing because God is with us, He will not fail us, nor forsake us.

This is His promise. And as a faithful God, we need to have faith in Him.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, in You I put my trust, so, I will not be afraid of what any man can do to or against me. Teach me thy way, O LORD, that I may walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name. I give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify thy name for ever. Amen +

Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

SEVENTH MEAL (04-19-12)

John 6:11
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
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Whenever I walk through the mall, I marvel at the number of restaurants present in there. Morever, the business is good for them since most of the time, they are full.

And as I walk the streets, the same phenomenon can be observed – little canteens (carinderia) and fast food chains abound. This can be due to the fact that most Filipinos eat SIX times a day. Yes, SIX times – breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and midnight snack.

But we also have another type of hunger – our spiritual hunger. And there is a mean that would complete us – our SEVENTH meal for the day. The meal is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the bread of life. We could not live without food for very long. The meal the completes us.

Food sustains us. But, Jesus clearly meant something more than mere physical existence. The life Jesus refers to is connected with God, who is the author of life. Real life is a relationship with the living God, a relationship of faith, trust, love, obedience. This is what Jesus makes possible for us -- a loving relationship with the God who created us for love with Him.

First he offers Himself as spiritual food which produces the very life of God within us. Second, He promises unbroken friendship and freedom from the fear of being forsaken or cut off from God. Third, He offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Do you know the joy and hope of the resurrection? He is the bread of life, include Him and make Him the most important meal in your life.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus Christ, Your death brought life and hope where there was once only despair and defeat. Give me the unshakeable hope of everlasting life, the inexpressible joy of knowing your unfailing love, and the unquestioning faith and obedience in doing the will of our Father in heaven.

One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.

LIFE ETERNAL (04-18-12)

John 3:36
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon Him.”
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Eternal life. Life after death. Resurrection.

Many have heard the words, but so few understood their real meaning and what it really means to our spiritual life.

Death puts an end to human life, as we know it. But, it also open another one with the opportunity of seeing God face to face and live in His love forever and ever. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in His second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each of us will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith.

The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul - a destiny which can be different for some and for others.

Jesus is the eternal life.

It is knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent so we may be saved. If you have Jesus, you have this life, but if you do not have Jesus you do not have this life. Jesus is the only way to God the Father and eternal life.

Deep in your heart, you can hear the Lord calling us to sell - “get rid of” - those things that prevent us from doing the real purpose for our existence - the real treasures that we are to store for ourselves in the kingdom of heaven.

If you dare to ask the question, “What must I do to attain eternal life?” be aware, because deep down inside you already know the answer.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, send Your Spirit to cleanse my life so that the offering of myself to You may please You and may my sharing in the Eucharist, our Bread of Life, bring me eternal life. Amen +

Taste/see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

SHINING THROUGH (04-17-12)

John 3:21
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
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The whole Bible, and the whole of experience, bear witness that by nature we are ignorant of the truth. No doubt there are many truths which an unconverted man does know.

We may know the truths of mathematics and arithmetic - we may know many of the common everyday truths; but still it cannot be said that an unconverted man knows the truth, for Christ is the truth.

This is very the reason why the Pharisees had a hard time charging Him of any crime. His works speak of love and peace. His works show healing, taking out demons, bringing the dead back to life. His works is clearly seen as done in the grace and for the glory of God. His life is the light that shone brightly so others may understand the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Throughout His holy life, He preached about the truth and lived by the truth.

Jesus is the light of the world. No matter how tough the times are, no matter what indignities we must suffer in this life, someday the indignities will end and Jesus’ triumph will be revealed. He is calling each one of us to live our lives in total obedience to God.

Let our lives be a living example for others so they, themselves, may experience the joy and happiness of being with God through us. When we come and believe in Him, and keep coming and keep believing in Him, we grow into an intimate relationship with God.

Let His light shine through our lives. He is the truth, believe in Him

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, our Way, our Truth and our Life, we respond to your holy will. We trust that you will give us the spirit, grace and knowledge as means for doing well in and for the glory of God.

Their message goes out through all the earth.

LABING YEARS (04-16-12)

Ezekiel 37:26
I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever.
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Today is our wedding anniversary.

It has been 18 years already when I married the most wonderful woman on earth. Our marriage started like many other marriages. We experienced a romantic courtship and thoroughly enjoyed being together. We laughed, played, and prayed together. At times, we experience disagreements that will at times force us to realize that the person you married seems to have disappeared.

And 18 years after, we still have problems. We still disagree. There are even times when we don't like each other. But, this is not enough reason for her to condemn me forever and go out of our marriage. Through the years, we have faced problems and challenges and see them not only as obstacles to our survival but, in God's hands, as opportunities for increased satisfaction.

May the Lord continue to bless our marriage. And now we are wiser about our frailties and limitations. We are now more aware of our complete dependence upon God. Each one of us may have committed mistakes in the past but we now know that it should not be enough reason to condemn the other. Jesus did not condemn us for our sins.

Having come face to face with our own sinfulness, we are more sensitive and compassionate towards the weaknesses of one another. Most of all, we are grateful for God's unconditional love, and the chance to begin anew.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, I thank you today for the marriage that you have blessed me with, and the gift that you gave me in my wife, Tonet. I thank you for the 2 wonderful children – Mark and Shiela, you have blessed us with. I pray for all the marriages, that they would be strengthened daily, and blessed as well. I pray all this in Jesus Holy Name. Amen +

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

NEVER TO DOUBT AGAIN (04-15-12)

Divine Mercy Sunday

John 20:29
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
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If we do not believe because we have not seen it, we are called a doubting Thomas. We only tend to believe if we see it first-hand. This is what Thomas the disciple wanted when his fellow apostles told him that they have seen the risen Christ. He remarked, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas, as pictured in the scripture, is a pessimist. When Jesus decided to return to the place near Jerusalem where Lazarus died, he exclaimed, “Yes, let's go there that we might die with him.” He fully knew that they are now being hunted by the Jewish authorities and will be condemned to death. And now, a week after the Lord’s resurrection, his pessimism persists.

All of these pessimisms simply vanished in the air, as soon as He saw Jesus. Thomas slips to his knees and says in awe, “My Lord and my God!” He uttered the greatest confession of faith recorded anywhere in the Bible. Doubting Thomas does not stay a doubter. When he sees the risen Jesus, all that Jesus has taught over the years now sinks in, and up to his death Thomas is an outspoken advocate for his Lord. Thomas traveled to the east coast of India, preaching relentlessly. He is killed near Mylapore about 72 AD, near present-day Madras. Tradition tells us that he is thrown into a pit, then pierced through with a spear.

He is speaking to us, doubters today, to those of us who have seen our hopes and dreams destroyed. He is telling us his story of his fears and doubts and how Jesus' life had changed everything. Let us exclaim our faith together with him, as we recount his joy at seeing and knowing the risen Jesus himself – “My Lord and my God!”

Lord Jesus, Saint Thomas doubted Your resurrection until he touched Your wounds. I ask him to pray for me when I question the direction in which You are leading me. Forgive me for mistrusting You, Lord, and help me to grow from the experience. Amen +

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.

A WILLING WITNESS (04-14-12)

Acts 4:20
“It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.”
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My mother still remembered what happened. She saw a man entered our house… through the window. That man is looking for something. Fear crept through her body and pretended to be sleeping. The man then went downstairs, took some small things and when out through our main door. Afterwhich, she immediately woke up my father and told him what happened. My father immediately called the police. The thief was caught as my mother was able to recognize his face (and he was a neighbor!). She witnessed it and her story was enough to have that man jailed.

The disciples of Jesus, after receiving the Holy Spirit, have started sharing the good news. May tried to disprove their pronouncements about the risen Lord, but those disbelievers only tried in vain.

The disciples are first-hand witnesses and have seen, touched and heard Jesus after rising again from the dead. As material witnesses, no one can dispute their integrity and so the Christian faith spread faster than one can ever imagine. They witnessed for Him and were even willing to die for Him so His Words can be shared to all.

We are not first-hand witnesses to the Lord’s resurrection, which is true. But this should not stop us from witnessing for the Lord. We live today because of Him and shall die for Him and things that He stands for: love and peace.

So, we must ask ourselves again, who are we? And, for whom do we witness? I hope and pray each one of us is a good witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are called to lead others to Christ, and not just to His name, but also to His peace, and His love, and His compassion.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, Jesus is calling me to a new beginning; to a fresh call to discipleship. Today, I affirm that I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Amen +

I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.

COME, HAVE BREAKFAST (04-13-12)

John 21:12
Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord.
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“I will just go to the mall.” I would tell my kids. Any reason for going there? Well, nothing really. I just want to go around, to do something. I just want to be alone, as I try to “solve” the problems, fears and doubts I am having. And after that, I will go home. Did I accomplish something? I don’t think so. For I did it just to escape, but in the end, those problems will still catch up with me.

Full of emptiness and fear after the death of Jesus, the disciples would stay in their place for fear of being arrested. And so when Peter decided to go out and “go fishing”, it was not really to go fishing, but rather to spend the time to think, not knowing what else to do.

And though they went fishing, they caught nothing. They caught nothing because they are not really fishing. They just wish to escape their guilt and hopelessness.

And it is in this situation that the Lord called out to them. They did not recognize Him first. But when they were able to catch tons of fish after they followed His instruction, only then did they knew that Jesus is with them again. Now, they know that they shall live their lives again in friendship with the Lord, without anymore fear, emptiness and doubts.

So the next time you are down and out, do not go to the mall or go fishing. Have breakfast with Him. Kneel down in prayer and hear the Lord. Are you hearing His voice right now? Don't let your final answer be the wrong one. Know and identify His voice anytime, anywhere. Be a friend with Him. Know His voice by heart and live your life believing in that voice.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, Your voice we desire for our lives above any other desires. Direct our paths as we constantly listen to Your message. May we be quick to obey and be ready to share it so that others may also hear and understand Your voice as Your commandments is within our hearts. Amen +

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.

THE PROMISE FULFILLED (04-12-12)

Luke 24:44
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
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Can you truly say that you have not broken a promise? Sometimes promises are made with no intention of keeping them because it's convenient, achieves an objective, or gets someone off one's back. But God has no and never has been His intention to break His promises.

After a very long wait, the Messiah has come. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise. And for that reason, He would live in constant danger. But He knows that the Father will be with Him until His mission is accomplished.

Two-thousand years ago, Jesus has fulfilled what has been prophesied. It was really an honor for those who heard Him and see Him work for the glory of God and for our salvation.

And today, we are all called to share the same. Today, the scripture can be fulfilled in our hearing when we decide to join our voices with others and speak the truth and the only truth, who is Jesus Christ.

If we try to live our faith, at some point we will be challenged to speak the hard truth and do the hard task, and suffer the uncomfortable consequences.

Will God really stand by us in our anguish? Can we muster enough trust to “walk our talk” and not worry too much about the outcome?

“Today this passage has been fulfilled” is now true only when we ourselves respond to those around us who need a nourishing, strengthening, joyful, meaningful, healing Word.

Let us pray +

Loving God, You called by name and gave your only Son to redeem us. Send us the Holy Spirit to continue the mission of Jesus among us. Grant us the generosity to share his love with those who most need it. Amen +

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

OUR LORD AND SAVIOR (04-11-12)

Luke 24:32
“Were not our hearts burning (within us) while He spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”
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The Holy Mass is composed of two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word opens our mind and our hearts to the love of God through Jesus.

And the Liturgy of the Eucharist opens our eyes to finally accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Similar to His first days as resurrected Lord, as He showed Himself to His disciples, their hearts grow fonder and really feel His love. His glorious appearance signifies that He did not only risen from the dead, but also possesses the new properties of a glorious body: not limited by space and time but able to be present how and when He wills.

Christ's Resurrection was not a return to earthly life, as was the case with the raisings from the dead that He had performed before Easter: Jairus' daughter, the young man of Naim, Lazarus. Christ's Resurrection is essentially different. In His risen body, He passes from the state of death to another life beyond time and space.

At Jesus' Resurrection, His body is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit: He shares the divine life in His glorious state, so that St. Paul can say that Christ is "the man of heaven".

Our hearts yearn for and burns in His presence. Let us open our eyes and our hearts to fully acknowledge the life-giving power and evangelizing dynamic of encountering Jesus today - just as the two disciples felt their hearts burn within them and opening their eyes to the Truth as they returned in haste to Jerusalem to tell their story of meeting Jesus.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, we praise You for the love that You have revealed through your Sacred Heart, which was pierced for us and which has become the fountain of our joy, the source of our eternal life. May all we say and do give glory and praise to you and to the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God living and reigning for ever and ever.

Rejoice, Oh hearts that seek the Lord.

COME, SEE, BELIEVE (04-10-12)

Acts 2:38
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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On the morning of the first Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection of the Lord Jesus, three prominent figures took part in seeing first the empty tomb. First is Mary of Magdala. Along with some women tasked to finish the anointing of Jesus, the women were the first messengers of Christ's Resurrection for the apostles themselves. But for her, the first impression that came to her mind was that the body of Jesus was stolen and that no one knows where it was taken.

The second was Peter, himself. What he witnessed was only the burial clothes neatly rolled up in separate places. Peter must have been dumbfounded at the time, still in shock and doesn’t know what to say or do. He may have felt fear for he knows that their enemies did this so they can put the blame on the apostles and charge them for stealing the body.

The third was John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Actually, he arrived at the tomb first, but stayed outside. After Peter went in, he followed, he saw and he believed.

In our celebration of the resurrection of the Lord and as we celebrate the resurrection in our lives, how do we react? Do we feel like Mary – seemingly lost in what is happening. Or do we feel like Peter – a born leader and yet truly aware of his shortcomings – clueless on what is happening that day. Or do we identify with John, who came, who saw and who believed.

Jesus has risen. The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ. It is the fulfillment of a promise from the One who came, for those who saw and for us to believe.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, we pause from the cares and worries of the day to worship You for all that You have done for us. We thank You for Your might and power and for Your deep love for us. We thank you for your glory as we come, see and believe in the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. Amen +

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

ALIVE IN HIS LOVE (04-09-12)

Acts 2:24
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
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What a great feeling, when you are able to finish something that you have spent time, effort and tears. And so, the Lord remarked “It is finished”, before giving up His spirit in the first Good Friday.

And imagine how much more did the Lord Jesus achieved and felt when He completed His God’s promise for our salvation. Humility, love and sacrifice beyond anything else. Doing something not to exalt Himself, but to raise us up beyond life that we have now.

Jesus conquered death and darkness so we may see the light and live in the light. Let us raise our lives to Him so we may continue to live in His love. He is the salvation and eternal life.

Our entire observance of Lent was for this day - to honor the Risen King! Come, let us worship Him! And as we celebrate Easter, may we never forget His sacrifice so we may join Him and the Father eternally.

Come then, my brothers and sisters, let us offer our Lord the great and all-embracing sacrifice of our love, pouring out our treasury of hymns and prayers before him who offered his cross in sacrifice to God for the enrichment of us all.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, all power in heaven and on earth has been given to You. May we go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit as we put our trust and faith in You until the end of the age. Amen +

Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

RESURRECTED SAVIOR (04-08-12)

Easter Sunday

Matthew 28:5-6
Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.”
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We all lose hope. We have a Savior that died on the cross. How can He possibly save us, when even He, cannot save Himself. How can He possibly be with us forever, when He, cannot even free Himself from death.

These were the words uttered by the disciples during that time. And these are the same words we are uttering now. How come the Lord did not saved my son from that accident? How can he promise me forever, when that promise was broken, and my husband left me? How can the Jesus allow these things to happen to me?

There are no answers, even if we seek for it. For we are asking the wrong questions. And what is the right question? Just one – what does the Lord wants me to remember and do amidst these trials in my life?

And then the resurrection would offer the answers.

First, open your heart, as the tomb was opened during the resurrection. We cannot be free unless we open our hearts and accept Jesus inside us.

Second, empty your heart from distress, fear, and worries as the tomb was emptied during the resurrection. Trust totally and believe in the power of Jesus to bring you from pain to joy, from suffering to healing.

Lastly, tidy up your life, as the tomb was tidied up during the resurrection. Be with Jesus forever totally surrendering your life to him and totally amend your life, so only Him is in your heart as you attain the fullness of life.

Let us pray +

Almighty and ever-living God, hear us, and through this holy mystery give us hope that the glory you have given Christ for he is Lord forever and ever. Amen +

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

SILENCE OF THE LAMB (04-07-12)

Black Saturday

John 19:40-42
They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.
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And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

And then, there was silence. Everything has happened for a reason. Everything has happened as promised.

The lamb of God has taken away the sins of the world. Grant us peace.

Jesus has given us this peace – peace of mind, peace at heart, inner peace. Jesus Christ is our peace, and in his death and resurrection, he gives God's peace to our world. Because we have been gifted with God's peace in the risen Christ, we are called to our own peace and to the making of peace in our world.

Have that peace in your heart. Close your eyes once in a while and feel the silence, being away from it all, from all the sufferings, from all the pain, from all the temptations.

For tomorrow, we will face a new life in Him.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, let the light of your Gospel of love so shine in the world that it may be transformed into a worthy home for all your children of every race and country. Help me to surrender my life to the gift of salvation offered by Jesus on the cross. I pray that I will always be faithful to living the victory over sin He offers me through my commitment to Him. Amen +

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

CRUCIFIED SAVIOR (04-06-12)

Good Friday

Luke 18:7
They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!”
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We believed in Him first, and we even welcomed Him in our home, in our heart. But why the sudden change of heart? We first betrayed Him, then we denied Him and then we let Him die on the cross.

Death on the cross was the punishment given to the most wretched criminals. Dying outside the city gate signified a death without God. Thus, His death suggested a sinner’s death: a sinner far away from God’s grace.

The Son of God, dying a sinner’s death. Isn’t it ironic? Shouldn’t we be the one nailed on the cross? Shouldn’t we be the one hanging there and being laughed at? Shouldn’t we be the one who died on the cross for we are even worst that any wretched criminals?

But the Lord said, “No, I will do it”. For, only a sinless man can take away all the sins of the world. His death is the divine manifestation of the merciful Will of the Father who wishes to save everyone from the clutches of sin and death.

And through Jesus, the Father offered a new life to all.

From a symbol of death to a symbol of eternal life, Jesus comes out victorious for all of us. And so a cross without Jesus is nothing. A crucified Christ is the greatest manifestation of God’s love to humanity. Fix the eyes of your mind firmly on Jesus crucified, and He shall deliver you from all your fears. Welcome Him again in your homes, in your hearts. And don’t you ever have that change of heart again.

Let us pray +

Merciful and everlasting God, We don't know why but, for us, Jesus was willing to be obedient to You, to go to the Cross prepared for Him and to die there. Help us remember it always and to make His Passion a part of us that we will live the redemption we are given and the salvation You have promised. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen +

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

FULLY CLEANSED (04-05-12)

Maundy Thursday

John 13:14-15
“If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
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At least once a week, I would have my feet subjected to a foot spa. They will be soaked in warm water with soap for about 15 minutes. Then, the sole will be scrubbed to take away dead skins and calluses. Finally, a basic foot massage will be applied. Your feet is supposed to feel rejuvenated and clean afterwards.

But when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, this is not the same as having a foot spa. It is far from it. People at that time do not wear closed shoes. And, the dusty and dirty conditions of the region and the wearing of sandals necessitated foot-washing. Moreover, foot-washing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants.

Peers did not wash one another's feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. And so the Lord did it for the disciples as a mark of true and supreme humility and of true love for them… and for us. Through this action Jesus taught the lesson of selfless service that was supremely exemplified by His death on the cross.

As the followers of Jesus, we are asked follow Christ, to humble ourselves, to wash the feet of others especially those under our care. In real life are we willing to demonstrate that humility and love for those below us? Are we willing to sacrifice whatever we can for the betterment of others?

Let us ask God to also give us this great virtue of humility so that we can in our own small ways, bring about the peace and harmony in our own surroundings. Let Him cleanse our feet… our heart and our soul.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, washing the feet of others is not something that we want to do. We all have trouble with humility and service, esteem and pride. Help us today to become less of ourselves and more of You. Amen.

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

THIRTY PIECES (04-04-12)

Holy Wednesday

John 13:21
“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
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Thirty pieces of silver was the equivalent of 120 denarii. A denarius was the wage a worker was paid for a day's work. So Judas was given the equivalent of three months pay. In Zechariah 11:12-13, thirty pieces of silver is referred to as a paltry amount of money compared to anything of real value.

Thirty pieces of silver. It is the legal price of a slave. They purchased Jesus like any other slave so there is some legality in handing him over to the Roman authorities. There is irony, of course, that Jesus was paid for out of the temple treasury, with silver that had been marked for the purchase of sacrifices. And irony that Jesus, who took the role of servant for us all, was purchased for the price of a slave.

Thirty pieces of silver. For Judas, the amount is not only the price of slavery to greed and ambition and self-preservation, but the value of his own cheapened life.

Thirty pieces of everything. Have we exchanged our life with the Lord for something else? Watching a movie, instead of going to Church? Telling a lie to cover-up our sins? Entering into questionable transactions for money? Jesus is the only wealth we should aspire for, we should crave for. Earthly possessions and money must be used for His glory, not in betraying Him. How are you using yours now?

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, we call ourselves Your friends yet one among us who ate at table with You betrayed You. We know that we often fail You. Transform us through Your Passion and the sufferings we merit to choose to bear for Your sake so that we may help reveal Your Glory at the appointed time. This we ask through Jesus our Lord, Your Son. Amen +

“Thirty pieces of silver is nothing;
Enriching your life in God is everything.”

Yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God.

REPENTANCE (04-03-12)

Holy Tuesday

John 13:38
“Will you lay down your life for me?”
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It was a scene in a Cenakulo, a play about the passion and death of Christ. ‘Judas’ is about to hang himself for betraying the Lord Jesus Christ. Suddenly, a girl from the audience shouted, “Do not do it! Go to Jesus and Mama Mary and ask for forgiveness!” Silence filled the air, but the show must go on. ‘Judas” hanged himself.

Both Peter and Judas (the Iscariot) has done something unacceptable, being friends and disciples of Jesus. Peter denied Jesus three times, totally disowning that fact that he knows Him and have been with Him in His ministry. While Judas betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver.

In the end, Judas is dead – taking his own life. But Peter is alive, and even led the first Christian Church. The difference? Repentance. Peter remained with the disciples, asked for forgiveness from the Lord and was given the Spirit to live fully under God’s love and blessings.

In this season of Lent, we are given the opportunity to reform our ways and lead a life that is in total obedience to the will of the Lord.

We may have done a grave sin in our life, but this should not make us feel detached from Him. In fact, He is even reaching out to us – to repent, to ask for forgiveness and to reform our lives.

Reach out to Him for forgiveness, He is waiting.

Let us pray +

Almighty and everlasting God, we wish to see Jesus. Grant us the grace of humility during this Passion time so that we may indeed, like a grain of wheat falling into the soil, die to ourselves and thus obtain pardon of our sins. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen +

“Denial and betrayal?
Repentance and forgiveness!.”

I will sing of your salvation.

GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP (04-02-12)

Holy Monday

John 12:8
“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
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We give gifts to friends and our loved ones. And most of the time, we give gifts that are “expensive”, meaning gifts that come from our hearts. Gifts that we know will make them happy.

Gifts that signifies true love and friendship. And it is this friendship that really matters most, and the money we spent is nothing compared to the love we have shown.

Mary ‘wasted’ an expensive perfume, as Judas has thought. She should have just sold the perfume and gave the money to the poor. Judas has a point there.

But he has another agenda. What he speaks is not what is in his heart – “he said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions”.

Jesus knows this. But instead of humiliating Judas in front of His disciples, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, He just dismissed him and advised him to just leave Mary alone. Being friends of Jesus, Mary and her siblings has shown true faith in the Lord. But this time, Mary’s gesture is geared towards bringing back the friendship that the Lord has shown to them.

The expensive perfume is nothing compared to the love that Jesus has given them. Lazarus is alive because of their faith in Him. Jesus acknowledged this and received her extraordinary gesture of love with gratitude.

Be a friend to the Lord. Only then can your sacrifice be worthy to Him.

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, today, we remember the great gift of gratitude, given courageously, by Mary when she anointed our Lord with the costly oil whose perfume filled the house. May the perfume of her deed fill our hearts with praise. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen. +

Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

HUMBLE TO THE END (04-01-12)

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Matthew 21:9
“Hosanna… blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord…”
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The Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. And as He comes in, a very large crowd spread their cloaks, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road.

And as the people rejoice, Jesus most probably had mixed feelings and emotions. He may have felt sorrow in His heart for He knows that these same people will ask that He be crucified in exchange for a thief.

However, He must also really very happy, for the people have accepted Him as their Savior, exclaiming “Hosanna in the highest”. Moreover, He knows that His mission is coming to an end. As such, He would be fulfilling God’s will so He may also fulfill His promise of salvation.

In that scene also, the people may have failed to notice two important figures that are with Jesus in His triumphant return. They are not His apostles. In fact, He only met them in the morning of that day. They are no other than the ass and the colt. “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”

Up to the point of accepting His fate, He did not come in chariots dressed in elegant robe with diamond-studded crown. From His birth to His death, He remained humble and meek.

Today, we are His donkeys. Let us lift Him up so others may see Him and accept Him in their hearts. We are His donkeys, and Jesus is the true star of the show. In our spiritual life up to our death, we may have been an unseen figure or even forgotten by everyone, but always remember Him!

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, I would then bring back to You all the glory and praise. I am just a donkey that would continue carrying You around so everyone may hear, see and experience Your words and everlasting love. And I know that without You, I would just be an ordinary donkey. Amen +

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?