Return to me, my Age-Old Love

Do you like romantic movies? I do. We want great love stories.

We want to feel loved. Just like the movie stars we watch.

We were created to feel love and be loved.

Want a story about love that never ends?

How about an age-old love? True love across time:

Let me tell you a age-old love story.

Story Plot: Boy meets girl and got married. The unfaithful wife left his husband and went to different lovers, hoping to find what she is looking for. Husband loved his wife even as time passed. He looked for her. Waited for her everyday. She forgot her husband while laughing with other men. Later on, the wife realized that her husband is the real guy who loved her.  She returned and they went back to each other’s arms.

 

Why Age-old Love story?

Because this is our love story with God, across time.

Our Real Love story with God from Book of Jeremiah.

Just like how lovers have a mutual understanding…..

Israel was the Bride, the unfaithful wife with her different gods…

while God waited everyday, for her return…..

We are not always faithful.

We are the Church, the Bride of Christ. Jesus is the Husband.

We forget we have that love covenant with God.

We turn to our other lovers.

 

Who are our other lovers or gods?

Things and people that became more important…

Than the real God and his commandments.

 

Our Modern day Gods:

Addictions: social media, internet websites, gambling

Everyday grind: Work, TV, school requirements, our boss, the VP and President of the company, family….

Yet we forget, it should be God first who we please.

 

How much time do we spend in T.V and social media compared to praying?

Complaining instead of praising God?

Latest gossip in social media than bible?

When we drag our feet to church on Sundays?

Complain to God how we hate our life…

And it is all HIS fault why things don’t work the way we want it to….

Blamed God we lost that great relationship….

 

That was the old me.

I used to be a nominal Catholic for more than 30 yrs.

As if….I don’t need God at that time.

He does not even cross my mind before. I forgot who He is.

 

I was the unfaithful wife in the story with God. Like the rest of us…

It is all about ME…ME…ME…

It is with tears that I write that shameful part of my life.

With Age-Old love, God waited for me.

I returned. Adonai,  I have returned.

I returned and this time I am serious.

Serious enough to live my life for God.

I have never been healed. Never been loved.

Till I met you, my God and Savior.

 

Introduction to Today’s Bible Verses Reflection:

In First Reading, God speaks to us about our return. Like a lover, welcomes us with Age-Old Love.

In the Gospel: A Caananite woman, pleaded Jesus for healing. With faith and great humility, Jesus granted her request.

 

Aug 8, 2018  First Reading Jeremiah 31: 1-7 

At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: The people that escaped the sword have found favor in the desert. As Israel comes forward to be given his rest, the LORD appears to him from afar: With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits. Yes, a day will come when the watchmen will call out on Mount Ephraim: “Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the LORD, our God.”

For thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.

 

God says: 

 “ With age-old love I have loved you”

“I have kept my mercy toward you “

 

What does the verses mean to me?

• We are God’s Age-old love.
• These bible verses describes God is like a lover
• Like a lover, God forgives us for being unfaithful.
• Like a lover, God stands waiting for our return.
• Our restoration
• From being broken, we will be built again.
• “I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people”
• God can give us favor in the desert

 

“Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt,”

We are not forever broken. We can be healed. Restored. Under the grace of God.

No matter how much pain we suffered.

We will be rebuilt.

 

“Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits.” 

This promise is meaningful at this point, as tribes of Israel are not yet free, as they are exiled to other countries.

All they need to do, is to go back to God again.

 

People had found favor in the desert

• Desert: hot, dry, deserted land

• will you believe you will have favor in desert?

• God blesses us even if we are in the middle of desert

• In the middle of no where

Background of Jeremiah 31:

• 12 tribes of Israel is divided

• 10 tribes on North (Israel Kingdom) first exiled by Assyrians

• + 2 tribes on South (Judah Kingdom) thru Babylonians (modern day Iraq, city of Ur)

 

Upon the return of the people, another promise is to be fulfilled……

A promised messiah will come….

He will rule forever, over all nations. His kingdom has no end

Jesus is the promised messiah for Israel and for all nations.

 

Gospel Matthew 15: 21-28

At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

 

What does the verses mean to me?

• Jesus know how to rest
• After ministry work, he went to the modern day parts of Lebanon (Tyre and Sidon)
• I love it that people in Jesus time, have no concerns like passport with inter-country travelling.

 

The Canaanite woman

• looked down in Jesus time by Jews.
• Time when a woman has no equal rights with a man/citizen of Roman state
• Unclean because not following Moses’ Law (Mosaic Law)
• confident
• She thought of her child, not her status
• She humbled herself to Jesus to help her

 

Did not think of the possible rejection by Jesus and apostles as Jews

But her child is more important than status

It showed faith….

She begged Jesus to heal her child

Apostles rejected her

We can see the imperfection of apostles….

What does the verses relate to Jesus?

• Even if Jesus is resting, He healed the child
• Take note: Jesus was able to heal at His will….
• Jesus was far away from the child.
• worked with imperfect people like apostles
• can not ignore us when we humble ourselves
• If we pray with desperation and humility like the Canaanite woman, Jesus answers
• Jesus is impressed when we have great faith

 

What does the verse relate to the future?

• humility is needed when praying
• Jesus is merciful to all of us
• Jesus doesn’t get tired to listen to us anytime
• Our status is not important to Jesus

 

It doesn’t matter in what part of the world you are

In what part of your life you are….

Faith is more important to Jesus….

Do we believe in Jesus?

Do you believe like the Canaanite woman?

Do you believe Jesus will heal you?

He can heal you, in whatever part of your life you want to heal.

In your family relationships, business, career, ministry, health and finances.

At His will.

For we are….

His Age-Old Love.

Featured image: free picture provided in wordpress thru Pexel.com

Do you need time to Trust people?

A world filled by people. Yet we are afraid of people. Isn’t it funny?

How much time do you need to trust someone?

Can you trust a stranger if they will help you with your problems?

As the saying goes ” do not talk to strangers”

We live in year 2018. A time when we are taught not to trust.

Almost anyone.

In our time, are you willing to trust?

Along time ago, some people did. They trusted Jesus.

 

In today’s Catholic gospel on Matthew, a contrast between apostles and people in Gennesaret.

Apostles were afraid of Jesus, as they saw him walked over water.

People in Gennesaret begged Jesus to heal them, by touching his tassel (end part of his cloak).

 

Apostles spent so much time with Jesus.

They dined with him everyday, walked and saw him with miracles. They still had fear about this guy. They lacked faith as of this time.

People in Gennesaret, though Jesus is a stranger, welcomed him. Believed in Him, the messiah they were waiting for. Willing to open themselves  to be healed.

 

Is time really the issue? Or we just love to cling to fear?

What happened to the people in 2018. We had become a fear-filled people.

 

Fear is a cage. We cannot trust people when we are in fear.

Do we want to escape from the Fear cage?

 

We can escape when we believe we want to.

When we want to crush that fear.

 

Identify your fears. Where did it start?

What are we really afraid of?

So much that it took our faith on people?

 

In the first reading, God the Father ‘s message thru the prophet Jeremiah, assures Israel to believe. Even if they are suffering.

Restoration is coming. Even when they are in pain.

A message of hope in a hopeless situation.

 

Are you willing to trust God for upcoming healing if you are in pain right now? What if you are against the odds?

If you do, it means you have faith. You believe God is faithful to his promises.

 

God is faithful with his promises. FOREVER.

 

August 7, 2018 Tuesday

First Reading Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. “For thus says the LORD: Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous. There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant. Why do you cry out over your hurt? Your pain is incurable. Because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these things to you. “Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob, and have compassion on his dwellings; the city shall be rebuilt upon its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used to be. Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who make merry. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small. Their children shall be as they were of old, and their congregation shall be established before me; and I will punish all who oppress them. Their prince shall be one of themselves, their ruler shall come forth from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? says the LORD. And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

 

What does the verses mean to me?

• We should trust God as He knows our future
• Promise of God’s restoration after pain
• God sees our bright future, beyond our present problems
• God sees happiness, overcoming problems
• All is not lost
• God is organized
• Specifically instructed his message written, placed in a book.
• Why in written form? so His message is crystal clear.
• God admitted at first, pain of His people is incurable.
• He has done it to them.

Why did God talk about letting his people in pain?

• People had Baals/ other gods with altars
• Some of previous kings even built those altars for false Gods
• Made God sad that people were not faithful to Him
• “No medicine for your wound”

 

Trust the God of our past, our present day and the God of our future.

For He is truly filled with love for His children, no matter how imperfect they are.

No matter how imperfect we are.

 

If you think you are suffering in different areas in your life, God promises:

I will honor you. I will establish you.  I will establish what is lost in your life. I will multiply you and your family.

 

What was lost in your life?

Good health? Relationships? Finances? Career opportunities? Business deals? Family? God will establish you again.

 

We have a God who loves to make us whole again.

Even if we are shattered a million times because of pain in different areas of our life.

 

God promises RESTORATION

• Even we were not faithful
• He cannot leave his children forever.
• God loves beautiful details, knows where palace stands.
• Wants it all restored.
• Promises to multiply families, honor and establish us
• Promises to punish who oppress us
• God promises us to be His people and be their real God

 

Jeremiah’s background:

• Son of kohen, from levite priestly family
• Jeremiah learned to write, read and studied Mosaic law
• Right person as prophet for writing skills.
• A listener, open for God’s word.
• 2 Kingdoms: Israel (north) and Kingdom of Judah (South)
• A prophet for Judah Kingdom.
• Jeremiah’s message contradicted by contemporary false prophets in his time.

 

Gospel Matthew 14:22-36

• Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent round to all that region and brought to him all that were sick, and besought him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

Background of Matthew 14:

• Before Jesus walked over water, He has fed 5,000 men
• Fed people thru: 5 loaves of bread+ 2 fish
• A miracle was performed

Yet on the next verses, apostles were afraid of Jesus walking on water.

Trust issues. Definitely.

 

What does the verses mean to me?

• Time is not an issue to trust
• Fear is the barrier that stops us from trusting
• We do not trust God or other people because of fear
• We are not aware, fear became more important than faith
• We continously doubt Jesus, every now and then, in the middle of our problems
• We could have more faith, even if we do not know everything
• Crowd people were healed even if they just have a single moment with Jesus
• Whatever Jesus wants to grant, it shall be so.

 

Do you need more signs to believe?

The crowd people just need to touch the tassel. A tassel of Jesus.

It is not even his hand. They had more faith.

 

While, the apostles, while Jesus was walking in water, saw Jesus like “a ghost”

Looks like the apostles need to have more faith at this point.

 

What does it relate to Jesus?

• Jesus was not discouraged even if the closest to him, the apostles still lack faith
• Jesus is happy when we put all our trust in Him, like the crowd people in Gennesaret
• Healing happens we are open to Jesus

What does it relate to the future?

• It doesnt matter whether you serve on the church or not in terms of faith
• It is important we believe in Jesus
• Without a doubt, Jesus restores us
• Healing is coming
• Restoration is coming
• We can get out of the fear cage
• We could trust God more
• We can trust people again
• Fear is not bigger than me

 

If you want healing and to get out of the fear cage, Trust in Jesus.

Faith that comes deep in our heart.

Jesus is bigger than the fear.

We are bigger than the fears in our hearts.

Jesus healed the crowd, at an instant.

He can heal all aspects of your life. At an instant…..

featured image: from Pexels.com, categorized as free picture by word press

 

 

Let’s play: The telephone game

I used to play this fun game with groups in the afternoon. We used to call  it “Pass the message ” game in the Philippines when I was young. In other countries it is called ” telephone game”. We still play it during christmas parties until now adults. (Photo credits: below this article)

The game is just simple.just pass the message by whispering to the next person & wait until the last person got the message. Ideally, the last person should say exactly what the first person said.

Were we able to pass the message perfectly unto the last person?

As kids? No.

Does it matter? No. We just laugh it off.

During christmas parties, we still laugh at how the information has been changed, omitted, inserted with new words.

Even the thought of the sentences changes at extreme versions.

In today’s gospel, Jesus has reminders for what apostles will preach. In the First Reading, Peter is like playing the pass the message game. He is exactly passing the words Jesus told him, during their previous meal after His resurrection.

It is interesting to note, that Peter boldly passed the message in Jerusalem. He opened the people’s minds about the scriptures and its fulfillment on Jesus. Just like how Jesus had done to his apostles.

But Peter added a little extra for his audience. He reminded them about God, their origin, from Abraham & the prophets, and their purpose. Their posterity will bless the world.All written from scriptures.

Did Peter made a mistake? No.

Peter’s message needs to hit, close to home, for an Israelite to realize his role to the world in Jesus name.

Does it ring a bell, when someone talks to you & the topic is so close to your heart? Definitely, we want something to connect to. To relate to.

God undestands our capacity.  We need something to connect with.

Peter’s message about Jesus has been passed on. For many centuries. But the game doesnt end there.

We continue to play, in passing the message of Jesus to the world.

That we have been saved from sins because someone died on the cross & defeated death, for all of us.

We may not do it perfectly.

Rest assured the Holy Spirit is guiding on what to say.

On how to inspire.

On how to connect with that message of salvation.

Before we pass on the message about Jesus,

we connect to the word of God first.

We connect to God first, to the source of the message.

Rest assured we will all one day wait, who will be the last recipient.

How many lives can change because they are able to connect with God’s word.

How many people become revitalized by growing to love God in their own faith and later passing the message to others.

Let us pass the message of Jesus to the world.

Pass the message of hope.

Pass the message of love.

We should be busy playing this game.

Are you ready to play? 

Gospel Luke 24:35-48

35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 41And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate before them. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.
What does the gospel  mean to me?

• They recognized Jesus by breaking of the bread.
• Jesus appeared to the apostles & they became afraid.
• Jesus for the first time revealed his wounds to apostles.
• Jesus was looking for food, to eat with them again.  Like a welcoming meal.
• While eating, Jesus reminded them about fulfillment of law & scriptures mentioned by Moses & apostles.
• Jesus opened the minds of apostles to understand scriptures, emphasizes his role has suffering but rises on third day from death.
• Jesus tells them to preach about repentance & forgiveness of sins in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 
• Apostles are witnesses about Jesus.

Wound scars

 
Jesus said “See my hands & my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, &  see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 

Even though Jesus had resurrected, his hands & feet has holes because of what he had endured.

Jesus was not ashamed of the wound scars.

Just like Jesus we shouldn’t be ashamed of our old scars ourselves from the trials in life we have faced with.

It means we have conqured.

Dining in Jesus’ time

Jews do not eat with anyone all the time. They choose their company. For you to join a Jew in a meal in those days, means you are a trusted friend.

Despite Peter’s denial & mixed emotions of the apostles, Jesus dines with them again
“Have you anything here to eat?” – Jesus

Apostles gave him a piece of broiled fish. 
Success of the mission of apostles

Christianity had spread in Jerusalem & other gentile nations, under Roman empire.

Success of course was not a 1 day mission.                                                 Jesus was asking a favor that will cost them their lives.

Apostles & St. Paul took many years in fulfilling these goals. Encountered oppositions from Jews in different synagogues.           These Jews are their kins & relatives, since they came from the tribes of Israel.

Apostles & the early christians also faced opposition along the way directly from the Roman empire.

It came to a point, christians were fed to the lions.                                  And they were proud martyrs. Ready to face death in  Jesus name. Apostles themselves except John the Beloved, died of martyrdom.

We have to remember, how apostles struggled so that now in our time, we have easier access to learn about Jesus.

Somebody died for me to be able to read the bible.                       Somebody died for me to be free to say ” I believe in Jesus.”

The church was put up with the blood, sweat & tears of Jesus & his apostles. We should be as enthusiastic as they are for the salvation of the world under the Word of God.
Did Jesus focused on possible dangers apostles will face? No.
Jesus wanted apostles to have more faith in him than the danger.

It applies to us. We should not live in fear. Problems are there for us to face, it is given.But we will be successful in time under Jesus name.

Jesus believes in us & trust us.

We shall conquer.

We will pass Jesus to the next generations.

Breaking of the bread: still goes on in Catholic Church

It is an identity of Jesus, to share & bless unleavened bread.               Jesus on the Last Supper, was a Passover meal &  used unleavened bread. Apostles & early christian communities in Jerusalem continued the breaking of the bread & drinking of wine. 

This early church tradition has spread to the gentile nations, in its early christian communities due to the preaching of apostles & St. Paul.

This tradition after many centuries have been kept and still celebrated. We call it the Holy Eucharist. Blessed by a priest (as the descendant by authority from Peter), commemorates Jesus, his sufferings, & his resurrection.

First Reading Acts 3:11-26

11While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded. 12And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17″And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. 22Moses said, `The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days. 25You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, `And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.

Background of the story

The man in the story is a lame man from birth, now able to walk because Peter used the name of Jesus to heal him & just held his hand.
What does the verses mean to me?

• I like how Peter is so confident at this point at the story.
• We can see the similarities of Peter & Jesus. 
• Peter is the echo of Jesus at this point. 
• He is repeating what Jesus had done & said to them.
• Peter is opening their minds about the scriptures like Jesus did.
• Peter fulfills his mission from Jesus at this point. He is now a preacher for Jesus. 
• He told them about Jesus & the fulfillment of the law & scrptures, ” we are witnesses” 
• Peter echoes what Jesus said to them, during their meal after resurrection.

Peter mentioned to them, their past, God & their forefathers, then connected Jesus, his rejection by the Israel people, his death & resurrection.

“by faith in his Jesus  name, the man was made strong, and faith thru Jesus has given man this perfect health in the presence of you all. ”

.
Peter is really reflecting Jesus’ boldly like an echo at this point by: 

1.Telling people “But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. ”
Suffering Christ or suffering messiah had come to Jerusalem.
2. He told them to “Repent & turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. ”
Exactly what Jesus said during the meal, after he is risen.

There are additions to Peter’s preaching.
1. He reminded them about what Moses said
“You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 
2.You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, `And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 

The Holy Spirit thru Peter reminded them of their origin & their purpose, “in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ ”
3.God sent Jesus to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness.

Israelites had the priveledge of meeting the messiah first.
Jesus is hoping people will turn back to follow God again.

Have we realized this mission of telling the world about Jesus is passed on to us?

We are the new echoes for Jesus just like what Peter did.
What are the steps we have done so far?
Have we reminded people about God today?
We can start using small steps.
We can tell people about Jesus.
It is a good news we should be spreading to everyone.

Children playing bulong pari or pass the message http://www.lcf.org.ph/membernews?start=60

We are called for greatness

Trophies are given to recognize the great contribution of a person. We should answer the call for greatness. We are here on earth to do something great for others. The trophy in the picture is made in Metro Manila, Philippines.

In today’s first reading, we can see the authority given to Peter, as an apostle.Still an amazing event even in our time, 2017. Peter has let the lame walk, in Jesus name.

Amazing because we have consumed ourselves with human logic and limited our capacity.

As now modern Christians,we are descendants of the Church from the apostles and Peter.

Catholic Church can directly trace its origin from Peter & the apostles.

As catholics, we have recognized Peter as the first bishop of Rome, and his authority in the Church.
But do we continue the work of Jesus, in believing in miracles?

We became sheltered. Scared. Confined. We tell people we can’t. We undermine ourselves.

We do not recognize our capacity is magnified under Jesus name.
We have believed that we are just ordinary people.

Turns out, it is not our purpose to do ordinary things.

We are called for greatness, to continue the work of Jesus in this world.

Like a candle,we were lit with a small flame.
We have not grown into a bigger flame under the burning fire of fervor of the Holy Spirit.

We have become lame like the person in the story.

We do not believe in how the Holy Spirit will guide us to do the impossible.
May we claim our inheritance in Jesus starting today.

Nothing is impossible for the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Declare that you will not be a lame anymore, in Jesus’ name.

Declare that from now on, the Holy Spirit is alive & will be working in your life, in different areas of your life.

The Holy Spirit will rejuvenate your health, your relationships, your career, your plans, your finances, your family, your church, your country, this world.

I declare in Jesus name, that the Holy Spirit will rejuvenate all areas of my life starting today, just like he did for that lame person with Peter. Nothing is impossible with the Holy Spirit.What was taken away, you will restore. Thank you in advance for restoring what is lost in my life. Amen

First Reading Acts 3:1-10

1Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. 3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” 5And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

What does it mean to me?

Peter is a changed into a confident man with the Holy Spirit’ power, continuing Jesus’ work on healing.

Peter said, “Look at us.I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 

He had an intention to heal this lame man.He made him walk, though lame from birth. A miracle.
We are encouraged to help the lame, like giving alms but we are more encuraged to do more.

Why do we as modern day Christians seemed to have lost this kind of faith that under Jesus name, as we can make miracles? Let the lame walk.

We forgot who we are. We forgot the power of Jesus to work thru us.

We relied totally on ourselves. God loves to work against all odds. 

take note: after mentioning Jesus’ name, Peter just took him by the right hand. That’s all.

Such power!

Is it coming from the hand of Peter? No.

But the power of the Holy Spirit had flowed on his hand by his touch to the lame.


Gospel Luke 24:13-35

13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma’us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, named Cle’opas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” 25And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” 33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Background of Luke 24

Peter was with Cleopas on their way to Emmaus village.Sad that Jesus was not in their midst. Jesus was their hope for salvation of Jews, under Roman Empire.

They did not realize Jesus did his part & defeated death. This salvation is  not a temporary political leadership. To save us from sins, to have access to heaven & see God the Father. Jesus’ reign will be unending under heaven & earth.
What does the gospel mean to me?

• While talking about Jesus’death, Jesus draw near to them.
•  Jesus allowed them not to see them first.
• He wanted to talk to them so he would know, what is inside their hearts.
• They look at Jesus as the messiah & a prophet.
• Jesus wants them to believe in what the prophets have spoken.
• Jesus wanted to go but stayed longer because they asked for it.
• They recognized Jesus after breaking of the bread & recieved bread.
• Suffering is part of glory.

It applies to us today. 

Jesus said  “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!”

We are foolish & slow of heart if we do not believe in Jesus and his promises.

If we talk & believe about Jesus and his works, even while walking, we draw Jesus to us.

 What ever we do, if we talk about Jesus, he comes & listens just like what he did to Peter & Cleopas.

Do we ask Jesus to stay with us longer when we have trials?

Do we let ourselves become bitter and let our hearts be filled with unforgiveness?

Let us ask Jesus to stay with us longer during trials.

Why is the breaking of the bread important?

Before Jesus died, he clearly mentioned on the last supper, that breaking of the bread &drinking of wine is done under his memory. 

The bread turns into his body. The wine turns into his blood. Breaking of the bread in Luke 24, with Jesus’ blessing is unique. This is no ordinary meal.

As Catholics, we have preserved & continued this breaking of the bread tradition. We now call it the Eucharist, celebrated every Holy mass. Breaking of the unleavened bread is now a sacrament like baptism.

But participation in the Eucharist can be done frequently.

It is an obligation for a Catholic to go to mass on Sundays. Holy mass is also celebrated everyday. So any Catholic can participate in this Church tradition daily, to recieve the body & blood of Jesus daily.

Thru the Eucharist, we remember how Jesus is ready to undergo death for our salvation.

Every drop of his blood was given for all of us. Not a drop was witheld for us to be forgiven.

May we remember Jesus did not hold back for us. And we should not hold back for Him and his word and for others as well.

Suffering is part of glory

Jesus mentions suffering is all part of his mission.

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
As the modern Catholic Christians, we shun away from suffering. Nowadays with latest technology, everything seem to be in our grasps.
What we need, we could have, if you have the money to afford. We complain about anything if our convenience is not provide. For example, if the customer service given to us is slow, if our internet connection is slow, or we have long lines at public transactions. We’d rathed go online.
Avoid the inconvenience. Avoid the suffering. All the fast paced life we want is all here. But just 1 click.

That is a self-serving life, contrary to what Jesus is teaching us. We follow Jesus, as we undergo suffering daily while we face trials & inconveniences.
If you have trials in life, Jesus understands. Bring Jesus in your trials & pain. 

Such suffering molds us to become better individuals. To be stronger than before like a metal.

In our suffering, we participate in Jesus’ suffering as well. We are one with his sacrifices.
Let us not waste our pain & suffering into bitterness & hopelessness.
Keep the hope burning in our hearts as we declare that we will overcome all our trials in this life, in Jesus name.

Filipino made trophies in manila  

http://www.eloroengraver.com/services/trophy-maker-in-the-philippines/

With God, it is always about the family

Today’s first readings in Acts chapter 2, reminds us that we will be blessed and forgiven with our family & household. We need repentance & baptism. God promises forgiveness to us and to our family. God’s love is so great that the people we care about matters to Him as well.

God is our family. We are part of his church. We matter to Him.

All the smallest details of our life is important to God.

God will never leave us behind as we are his family.

As catholics, we have a sacrament of Baptism. And in our church tradition, we start when young. Young children are newly welcomed into the spiritual family, the Church, early on. I participated as one of the god mothers of this baptized child. As god parents, we are helping this child in her Christian faith.

First Reading Acts 2:36-41

36Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

what does the verse mean to me?

“let all the house of Israel know” is a strong call to peoople.

A house means all family members of 3 generations (grandfather to grand son). In earlier times, people live within their house.

We can see Peter’s leadership, thru preaching to all Israel that Jesus is the messiah whom they crucified (sentenced to death).

crucifixion: from Roman times, even mentioned today by some countries in middle east as possible, worst type of punishment.

The words of Peter had cut the hearts of his audience.

What is wonderful is that they called Peter & apostles ” brother “. They wanted to do something to compensate for what they had done to Jesus. All is not lost.
Peter said:

1.Repent first from your sins.

2.Then undergo baptism in the name of Jesus (no other name)

This is the first time Peter is mentioning baptism to early converts.

Baptism as a rite performed to adult men at this time as a symbol of being a new believer of Christ.

Peter promised:

1. forgiveness of sins

2. recieving the gifts of  Holy Spirit due to repentance & baptism

3.promises extend to children & family members far away from us.

How can these people ignore such promises?

so 3000 people were baptized that day.

Take note: we only have 12 apostles including Peter to  baptize 3000. Think about the effort of the apostles.

With God: It is all about the family

This is how much He loves us.

He doesnt just love you alone. He also loves the people you care about.

It is like a package deal. You and your family will be blessed & forgiven.

Your forgiveness from God extends to your family members.

God’s mercy is not limited to one person.

Such promises can be traced back from the Old Testament.

Do not say “I alone can be saved”.

That is a selfish, self righteous attitude.

We must study the bible from the Old Testament to fully understand, that the family has an effect on us & vice versa.

What you do can affect your family and the future generations.

If you repent, your family and the future generations will be blessed.

We can not say we are forgiven and every one goes to hell because they are sinners.

Blessings of the family can flow thru your repentance.

God just need 1 person in the family who repents.

You could be that person.Think about what you can remove.

Is it occult practices (horoscopes, tarot cards, superstitious beliefs, divination/knowing the future)? Is it polygamous relationships? Is it vices (alcoholism, gambling, smoking etc).

You can change something. Take small steps first.

It is like cleaning a house. It needs time. It is a process.

But you will get there.

You can remove these things that keep you away from God.

We will all get there.

For us and for our families and to the next generations.

God will forgive our entire household if we repent.

Catholic Church’s point of view:  Church is a spirtual family

Along the Church tradition, Baptism as a sacrament, included young children, to wash away our guilt from original sin, inherited from Adam & Eve. Baptism is welcoming a person into the spiritual family, the Church.

A sacrament is done in important events in a Catholic Christian life. God wants to be involved in the most important events in our life.

You could be baptized when you were young or now that you are older (if not baptized earlier) & done only once.

During Easter Sunday Mass, we recite vows of renewal of baptism, to remind ourselves, what we believe in as a member of this spiritual family.
Gospel John 20:11-18

11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-bo’ni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18Mary Mag’dalene went and said to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

What is the background on John Chapter 20

Mary Magdalene was also mentioned ealiest to reach the tomb. She ran to the apostles’ Peter & John & to tell them Jesus’ body is missing.

A time of sadness & despair in this part of the story.

Mary Magdalene was later on alone & looked into the tomb.
what does the verse mean to me?

Mary Magdalene was talking to not just 1 but 2 angels in white, but she did not recognized them.  She was way too sad.
That is how sadness blinds us. We do not notice the work of God when we are too emotional and hopeless.

Mary Magdalene thought people have taken away Jesus’ body.

She thought the other guy was a gardener. Turns out it was Jesus.

Jesus loves to ask questions.

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?”

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Even after death, Mary Magdalene follows Jesus.

Jesus called her name, “Mary.” she recognized his voice. She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rab-bo’ni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus tells her  “go to the apostles and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Jesus wants her to carry good news & bring hope to the  sad apostles.

Jesus is taking care of apostles like family. He is coming back for them.

Jesus is taking care of us right now like a family. We are his family.

Stop looking at God as a judgemental God.

We are part of His church, baptized right from the start.

There is nothing in your life, Jesus does not want to be left out or not involved with.

When you are facing trials, Jesus is with you.

Jesus truly understands what you are feeling when you are sad.

Because He knows what you are going thru.

He will never leave his family behind.

We will never be left behind by Jesus.
Jesus’ teaching: Hope

Jesus at this point is teaching Mary Magdalene, the apostles & all of us that what He promised are all true.

That we have to have hope.That Jesus defeated death.

Jesus power is love.Death can not break Jesus’ love for all of us.

Jesus is teaching us, in him, we have hope. In him we have victory.

If Jesus can defeat death, then He is unstoppable.

Why do we put our hopes on temporary things in life?

What are the things we hoped on so much, more than God?

Do we put our trust so much in our jobs? finances? Status in life? Academic achievements? Relationships and even family?

Unfortunately, all these mentioned can go away in our lives, any time.

Your relationship with Jesus, as a spiritual family will never be broken.

Death can not separate us from His love.

Do we trust on ourselves and our abilities more than God?

Jesus is teaching us, to hope in him, even against all odds.

To trust Him even if it does not make sense at all.

That we hope in Jesus even if we do not understand why we need to.

But in our hearts, we know the miracles we are waiting for will come.

Jesus is in charge.

Hope that He is truly alive in your life, in your job, family, finances, in your plans & your health.

What is broken, Jesus can fix it.He can make all things new.

He defeated death after all.

Let me see it first, because it is real.

Today for our first reading, Peter is mentioning David as the patriarch of the house of David. Peter preaches that Jesus is a descendant of David, had risen from the dead & went to heaven.

Do we believe in Jesus & David?

Some scholars believed at first that David and his house is just a myth. Jesus is a myth.

I love archaeological findings. Using science, it investigates evidence about existence of people & events. It draws a line with myths & reality thru evidence.Some biblical events & characters are now showing evidence thru archaeology. This is a victory stele, a non biblical source, mentioning the house of David. Archaeological findings now shed a light that David and his house is real. 

By faith:

Even if I haven’t seen Victory stele, in my heart, I want to believe Jesus, David & the bible is real.

It is a personal decision.And I admire the women mentioned in the Gospel for today.

Mary Magdalene & the other Mary went at dawn,to see him first, saw tomb empty & knew Jesus was alive.

Will you go out early in the morning to see someone raised from the dead?

These women had so much faith. So Jesus in turn showed himself to them first, before the apostles.

May we increase our faith like these women & Peter.

May we be like Peter, to be able to stand and lift our voice.

“Let me see Jesus first in my life, because He is real”

“Let me see Jesus first in your life, because He is real” 

“Let me see how Jesus miracles & blessings worked in your life, because He is real”

May we all one day, let go of our blindness, skepticism & doubts.

Jesus is real. David & his house is real.

Jesus is real in our relationships, in our jobs, in our family, in our finances, in our past, in our present, in our future, and till the end of time.

God and his promises to us are real.

First Reading Acts 2:14, 22-33

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 27 For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.’29 “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.

Background of Acts 2

• chapter 1 of Acts: Jesus went to heaven & promised the Holy Spirit to accompany apostles
• Today’s verse, is chapter 2 of Book of Acts. They recieved first the Holy Spirit, then immediately Peter preaching to the people of Judea & Jerusalem.
• A dangerous time for apostles, as they have skeptics among Jews that Jesus really resurrected.
• For Peter to stand up, lead in preaching among apostles  & “lifted his voice” to Jews, is a big step.
• Peter is a now a preacher for Jesus, so different from the Peter we encountered before as someone who denied Jesus.
• This big step, Peter’s preaching paved way for conversion of early christians in Jerusalem.
• Truly the Holy Spirit is at work, lead Peter & apostles on assigned task of spreading the good news about Jesus.
• Peter did not focus on persecution of the Jews to Jesus.
• Peter proclaimed Jesus was raised up by God, acccording to His plan.
• Peter is now mentioning that everything, including persecution is all part of the scheme of God.
• That God is planning along, even in unfortunate events and convert it into greater purpose.

What does the verse mean to me?

I realized the Holy Spirit works even if it is against odds.

God loves to beat odds for us, He did it for Peter &  apostles.

God loves to work in our lives even we face adversity.

God does not focus on pains of our trials. He is focused on the completion of our task.

Peter proclaims Jesus can not be held by death.

The Holy One and the Lord are 2 different  persona in the words of David.

Peter says Jesus was described by generations before: ” For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope.For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption.

Why is Peter bringing up God’s promises to David?

 Jews in Jesus time, came from the tribes of Benjamin & Judah.

David’s house & its descendants are the Jews in Jesus time.

As descendants, they know God’s promises to David and his house.

Peter is bringing up something that Jews can relate, they are waiting for the promised messiah.

Peter is now connecting Jesus to the messiah.

Jews had to be convinced with link of Jesus to the house of David, thru his’lineage as a descendant.

David was promised by God to have his descendant, set upon God’s throne.

David as a prophet foresaw Jesus years before.

Peter is proclaiming that the witnessed Jesus raised up by God, exalted at the right hand of God.

Of course Peter had to convince people about Jesus going up to heaven. Not every one is ready to hear someone with flesh & blood going up in heaven.Even today, that is not an idea, everyone is willing to believe.

In Peter’s time and even in our modern times, Jesus had skeptics. Doubts about Jesus is not new.             

Did Peter focused on the possible oppositions? No.

Because He knew Jesus and saw him with his own eyes.Peter holds on to the truth.

As time goes by, some scholars doubt if David really existed. Even theorizes David is a myth.

In our modern day latest archaeological findings, the house of David is real and not just a myth, as slabs of stones were found, mentioning the house of David in its texts.

David and his kingdom is not a myth. God and his promises to David is not a myth.

Do you believe that God and his promises to you are not a myth?

God is real. Jesus is real.

Peter is testifying to all of us, Jesus is real. The Holy Spirit is real.

In a world we live in, where truth & reality need hard evidence, that made us feel it is so hard to believe. 

As Christians,we should stand and lift our voice like what Peter did.

Jesus is real. His love for us is real.

He died for us, so we can go into heaven & access the beatific vision, of seeing the Holy One.

That is real love. Dying for the ones you love.

It is real.

Gospel Matthew 28:8-15

8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Background of matthew chapter 28

• Mary Magdalene & the other Mary went at dawn to see the tomb of Jesus
• Before Jesus died, He foretells his death & his resurrection after 3 days, to all his followers, men, women, children, including Mary Magdalene & other Mary
• Mary is a common name in Jesus time
• These women want to see for themselves, Jesus had risen.
• They met an angel telling them that Jesus is alive.
• Now they have mixed feelings, gladness because Jesus is alive and fear as what is happening is unknown.
• But the chief priests and the elders did not want the people to know about Jesus’ risen to life.
• The skeptics in Jesus’ time rather use money to hide the truth.
• It goes even in our time, when truth is sometimes hidden from us.
• But we can always read the bible, as the truth about Jesus was written for us to know & believe.

What does the verse mean to me?

• These women had so much faith in Jesus.
• They believed in Jesus so much, that they have to go to the tomb at dawn.
• Jesus met & worshipped by these women first, before the apostles. Why?
• Jesus could instead chose to meet his disciples first before these women.
• Jesus chose to meet these women first because they have so much faith.
• Jesus assures them ” Do not be afraid”
• Jesus tells them his plans on seeing the apostles

Why am I saying these women had so much faith?

• These women want to be there for Jesus.
• To welcome Jesus, first before anyone else, to walk early at dawn.When everyone else is sleeping.
• Thats shows faith.
• It is hard to believe that Jesus will come alive after he dies, let alone, have 3 days.
• But these women knew in their hearts that it is real, it is going to happen.
• And when it happens, they want to see it first hand.
• In Jesus time, there is no electricity.
• To walk at dawn, road towards  tomb could have been dark & cold.
• These women most likely had been carrying a small torch to light their way towards Jesus tomb.
• I am a woman, even in 2017, if it is dark at 5 am morning, I would be scared to go out unless roads are brighter bec of lamp lights.
• How about in Jesus time?
• You are a woman, walking in the dark because you know in your heart, Jesus will come alive, & you want to welcome Jesus as he comes back.

Do we have that kind of enthusiam like these women?

Do we have the child like eyes and hearts to see Jesus and his miracles in our lives?

Do we believe in Jesus this way?

Or are we now corrupted with cynicism and skepticism with how God works in our lives, in other people’s lives and to the world?

Are we the modern christians who live in a world with less faith?

Too tired to believe?

Too logical to believe?

We can learn from the stories of these women.

We have to have child like eyes to believe in Jesus.

We should not be afraid of believing in Jesus and his word.
Victory Stele picture, mentioning the house of David.

picture: http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/israel/tel-dan-stele.html

Keep the Fire Burning

Most of the time, we are too tired after a hard days’ work.

We just want to watch tv, browse our phone on internet and sleep.

Then in the morning, hurry up so we will not be late to work.

Then we face the usual heavy traffic and get angry even before we work.

It is emotionally exhausting.

To be in a hurry, stuck in traffic, then go home after we work at 5pm.

That is why we look for an outlet, just to get replenishment from exhaustion.

It could be tv shows, sports we actually play, internet browsing.

Nothing wrong with an outlet.

But do not let it consume you.

That outlet is not the main source of your replenishment.

We are like batteries. We need to recharge.

We need to go back to the source of our energy.

It is God.

In the first reading, Elijah is so empowered. He is on fire.
He is so on fire that he can let a fire fall down from the sky.

What makes him this strong?

Elijah is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Elijah definitely is having that close relationship with God.

How come we forget that we are children of God.

That we are anointed.

We have the Holy Spirit within us.

How come we’d rather focus on the outlet than the main energy source of power, our God?

Maybe it is time to let us remember our identity.

If Elijah can have that kind of relationship with God, we can as well.

Therefore, with determination under the Holy Spirit, we can be on fire.

Even as the fire from heaven like Elijah.

We kept on relying on our limited efforts that is why we ended up frustrated, burned out, powerless.

Tap on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Keep his love burning in your heart.

Do not let your frustrations and daily routine burned you out like a candle.

That is what the world wants.

For you to be burned out so you could be a slave to their system.

When you are tired, you can not think anymore for yourself.

Instead you think about the work you have to do, the deadlines you do for the company.

You are working for the dreams of the company.

You forgot your own dreams, own goals, for yourself.

If you work from 7 am to 7pm due to over time, you have no energy to work on your dreams.

You become a slave and no longer think about what you want, or have quality time with friends & family.

Choose to keep the fire burning!

Do not be a slave to your work

or to any hobby like long hours of web browsing, tv viewing

If any hobby of yours remove you from your time for yourself, your dreams, your personal interaction with family & friends, then, it is not beneficial for you.

Go back to the fire of God.

Keep his fire burning in your heart.

You will never ran out.

You will always be replenished.

Keep God first in your life.
First Reading

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

1Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch.2He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. 3By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. 4How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have? 9You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire;10you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. 11Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in love; for we also shall surely live.

What does the verse mean to me?

• As a prophet Elijah was on fire
• His word burned like a torch, this means he has enthusiasm
• He can bring a famine not only once
• Elijah is a confident prophet, not to himself, but confident that God is in his side
• Are we confident like Elijah that God is on our side
• Elijah is on fire that he literally, brought fire 3 times from heaven, also shutting heaven to bring famine.
• How come we became cowards in our time, when we can be on fire if we believe that we can
• Elijah was taken up into heaven by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire
• Fire: is also symbolized in Catholic faith, the Holy Spirit
• The whirlwind of fire with chariot horses on fire is the Holy Spirit
• Elijah can calm the wrath of God, how did he do it?
• It shows Elijah has that great relationship with God the Father for him to calm him down.
• Blessed are those who saw Elijah, and those who have been adorned in love
• “For we shall sure live” echoes the covenant God made with Israelites from Deuteronomy, when they were in the desert, as they were exiles from Egypt.
• In Deuteronomy, it says if you follow God, you will live prosperously in the land promised for them to inherit.

Gospel Matthew 17:9, 10-13

9And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.” 10And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli’jah must come?” 11He replied, “Eli’jah does come, and he is to restore all things;12but I tell you that Eli’jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” 13Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

What does the verse mean to me?

• The disciples were not scholars from the old testament, some of them are fishermen
• Matthew, the evangelist however has a background from the scriptures
• Previously, Jesus transfigured, and was seen by the disciples
• Now Jesus was telling the disciples, to keep Jesus’ and his identity as the Son of God
• Elijah, was a great prophet, who was to come back to restore all things as taught by scribes
• What scribes did not understand, that in Jesus time’ it was John the baptist who is like Elijah, paved the way for the messiah to come.
• he baptized Jesus thru water, and preached for the kingdom of God is at hand
• John the baptist is the one Jesus is refering to as “they did not know him, did whatever they pleased”
• Jesus is directly telling them, he will suffer in the future
• Jesus was preparing the disciples, on what he needs to do
• Jesus is preparing to suffer for the salvation of our sins
• How come we complain about suffering?
• If we are christians, we should look at how we should look at suffering.
• If you follow Jesus, prepare to share in the sacrifice of Jesus

Holy Spirit with fire of love picture

http://www.catholicfamilyfaith.com/2015/05/novena-to-the-holy-spirit-day-4.html

From nothing, I will turn into something great- God

Do you exist on earth because of coincidence?

Do you think your life is made up by random events?

Have you always believed you have a purpose in this life?

Do you want to trace who is the main Man running the program of this universe?

It is God.

He controls everything.

And He is not a boring God.

He wants to work with the impossible.

A woman in the Genesis story is foreshadowed to bruise the heel of a serpent.

In Luke, a barren woman will bear a child, eventually called John the Baptist.

Mary, a virgin will concieve Jesus thru the Holy spirit as already prophesized in Isaiah.

God loves to work with challenging events.

From nothing comes something great.

God loves to turn things around.

from a humble woman, to defeat a serpent thru her feet, is something remarkable.

From being barren, one day God will make her bear children will definitely bring joy to the family.

What are the impossible things in your life?

Your finances look bad and looks like for the next few years, you will have to work for it so you will get on track in your finances?

Your relationships in your family is falling apart due to your quarrels and no one seems to forgive?

Your relationship with your spouse/loved one is on the rocks?

Your relationships with your coworkers are just not working out and you are the favorite topics of their gossips?

You experienced closing of doors of opportunities as you saw your plans not working out, one by one…

You feel you are losing hope as you got laid off from work?

Nothing seems to work out……

so many opportunities that no matter how you try, God is not giving them all to you…

God does not seem to give you what you want…..

Remember, nothing is too impossible with God.

He loves to work with the impossible events.

the more impossible it is, the greater the work of God’s hands.

we can not predict what God has in store.

But we are sure, God has already pre planned our life.

our past, our mistakes, our determination, our victories.

God’s plans are for you to work with him, with the impossible of your life.

from nothing, God will turn it into something great.

Thank God for the closed doors of opportunities.

It means God is cooking up something better than what you want.

the success he plans for you is on the new door He is opening up for you.

You just do not see it yet.

because you are too focused on the closed doors.

thank God for the closed doors and the nothing it brings.

How can God work so much in your life if you have everything?

You will not need God when you have everything.

God wants us to need Him, everyday.

God wants us to depend on Him, everyday.

God wants us to offer up to him, thru humility, the impossible.

We have to let God’hands work in our lives.

We have to be emptied of the unnecessary so God can fill it with new things.

Let God work on it…

new environment…

new opportunities….

better relationships…

success is in the horizon.

Let us allow God, the master of the universe to work on in our lives.

Trust God during the impossible events of your life.

Be child like in trusting God when we have nothing.

for we have everything when God is with us.

First Reading Genesis 3:9-15, 20

9But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”10And he said, “I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man said, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.” 14The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.15I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”20The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

What does the verse mean to me?

“Where are you?”

God looks for us no matter how all knowing God is.

Now man is aware of his physical body, with malice, into it, after eating the fruit of knowledge.

He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

Still God wants man to explain. GOD  is a listener.

Man blamed his wife.He was not responsible with his actions.

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?”

Still God asked the explanation from the woman.

The woman blamed the serpent instead of owning the mistake and disobedience.

The LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals.

the serpent is cursed among all animals

the serpent has lost its limbs and now crawling upon its belly, much more difficult to crawl unlike if you have legs to walk upon.

upon your belly you shall go

 dust you shall eat all the days of your life

the serpent will have a war with the woman, your seed and her seed

“he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

the serpent has no heel since it has lost its feet

Even though Adam & Eve had disobeyed God and listened to the serpent, God had planned about the defeat of the serpent

The serpent will be defeated by the foot of a woman

The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

It means in the future, a woman will defeat the serpent,as God’s plan

A woman has a role against the serpent

Catholic point of view: The woman who will crush the head of Satan

• As catholics, we believe that the woman described from Genesis is Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus
• She is like a new Eve, obedient to God’s plans compared to Eve of Genesis who disobeyed God and listened to the serpent
• She was born without original sin, called immaculate conception
• Mother Mary was chosen by God the Father before hand to be the mother of Jesus, but God thru angel Gabriel’s message, gave Mother Mary a choice, to concieve Jesus or not to push thru
• Mother Mary chose to say yes as being obedient to God
• Mother Mary is the woman mentioned in Genesis who will bruise the serpent.
• Mother Mary is mentioned in Revelation as the woman clothed with the Sun
• Mother Mary’s role is already pre planned from Genesis, now completed and still continues until today.
• A woman has an important role in the Catholic Church
• Mother Mary’s role against Satan, the serpent is mentioned in our catholic prayers and even prayers of deliverance is based on the genesis, foreshadowing the woman at war with the serpent, and she will successfully bruise the serpent
• Mother Mary is not a God in the Catholic Church, and not worshipped as a goddess. 
• Mother Mary is regarded as the Mother of all as we are brothers and sisters of Jesus

Do you love your mom?

Jesus definitely loves his mother too.

So Catholics love Mother Mary as she has that unique role.

As catholics, we see God the Father, the saints,Jesus, angels, as spiritual family

You have a family in heaven waiting for you

We pray to Mother Mary not as a goddess, but a Mother in heaven watching over you, your second mom.

As catholics we believe that people in heaven can pray for you, the saints, Mother Mary, the angels

they can pray or we call it, intercession

Because we are a spiritual family, no one should be left behind

if you do not believe in saints, you can look at the lives of those incorruptible saints whose bodies are still intact today even after being dead for centuries old

Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 5He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 11In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, 12we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory.

What does the verse mean to me?

We are blessed by God thru Jesus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

All blessings we recieve go thru Jesus.

We are chosen by God from the beginning, before the foundation of the world.
We should be holy and blameless before God when the time comes.
He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.

If you feel rejected at work, or by your family, or friends or coworkers or by your special someone, remember God chose you.

You are predestined in love thru Jesus

to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

We have the grace of God, feeely given to us.

In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will.

We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. 

We are destined and appointed to live for the praising of God’s glory

Gospel Luke 1:26-38

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!”29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 35And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

What does the verse mean to me?

Clearly the virginity of Mary was mentioned in the gospel of Luke, a sign of purity for a woman

And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” – greeting of an Gabriel to Mary

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Mary is the most favored one.

The translation of the bible and the evangelists like Luke with its languages from Aramaic, then Greek, then Latin the English, used “full of grace”

If translated from the apostles language to our modern english, it should be “Hail, the most favored one ” 

Mary truly has that special role in the eyes of God.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Jesus is a predestined name for the Son of God.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.

and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.

And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” 

And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

 therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

God has chosen Mary and Mary chose to follow God.

God did not chose just any other woman.

Jesus is predestined to be a holy person, a son of God.

Even barren woman are able to bear children under God’s power

Jesus is concieved without sin as well
For with God nothing will be impossible

The angel tells Mary  and to us, that nothing is impossible with God
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Why do we always think that things are impossible?

We should bear in mind, every day, nothing is impossible with God.

A virgin will have a child, also mentioned in the book of Isaiah as a sign of salvation to the people of Israel, under the throne of David’s bloodline.

Jesus thru Mother Mary and David are under descendants of David
Thus, Mother Mary concieving Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God the Father to his people.

God the Father remembers his promises to us.

Why do we confine God and his will to our own way of thinking?

Nothing is too great for God, or too impossible for him to do.
Are we having problems with our family, relationships and work?

Nothing is too impossible for God to work on.
Actually God loves surprises.

God loves working with the impossible, like the barren will have a child, the virgin conceiving with child.

if you trust God despite of impossible circumstances,
 God would love to work upon your impossible situation

Praying the rosary and Hail Mary Prayer: catholic point of view

• Hail Mary prayer is from the greeting of Gabriel in the book of Luke
• The announcement of Jesus coming to the world
• The annoucement of the role of the new Eve, Mary to the world
• She is the one destined to bruise the heel of the serpent
• Praying the rosary is one of the weapons for deliverance of people under the bondage of the evil one in catholic faith
• everytime you mention it, you remind the enemy of his defeat against Mary, the woman and her seed, Jesus, the salvation of the world
• we can not separate Mary from her son, as in Genesis, it is specific that the woman and her seed will be against the Serpent, the devil
• we are reminded during Hail Mary the role of Mary and how God chose her, the most favored one, and how she said yes, with obedience and humility to God

let us bear in mind what God wants us to do for Him: humility and obedience

Hands http://assumptionbvm.org/Our-Faith/Prayer-Personality