The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/092915.cfm) reminds me that the victory is God’s.
It’s UAAP season once again. It’s always exciting to watch basketball games, especially live and when your school is playing. Every possession, every basket and every turnover makes the heart beat faster, because you do not know what will happen to the game. Breaks of the games can really decide who wins. However, when watching replays, the feeling is different, especially when you already know who won the game. Mistakes and bad calls of the referees don’t matter anymore, for you know that it will not affect the outcome of the game. This is what God wants us to remember.
As we celebrate the feast of the archangels – Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, we are reminded that victory is God’s…always. In the first reading, we see the angels led by Michael fought and defeated the dragon, the ancient serpent – Devil and Satan. The Devil is no match for the angels of God, and we see that they were cast out of heaven and brought to earth.
God has already won the battle. Victory is his. Forever.
This should inspire us and encourage us. Like watching a UAAP replay knowing your team already won, bad calls and mistakes will not be as important. As we live on earth, knowing God has already won should give us the strength and courage to press on, especially amidst the challenges we experience. It should inspire us to stick to God. Whatever we experience, as long as we are on God’s side, we know that victory is ours. Salvation is ours. We need not be scared or afraid of what the Devil may try to do to us. He is no match for God, and he cannot do anything to us that will destroy us completely. All the pain, challenges and other things that distract us are simply that – distractions of the enemy in trying to keep us away from God.
May we be strengthened and live as victors in Christ.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the victory you already won for us. I praise and thank you for your power and your might. Lord, help us remember this always. May we be strengthened that you are victorious and that you are on our side. May we never be afraid and distracted by the enemy. Help us keep our eyes and focus on you. I also ask you Lord to continue to bless me and protect me. May my guardian angel always be at my side to protect me from the evil one. In a special way, I lift up to you all the birthday celebrants today. May they always remember and feel your victory and protection in their lives. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
September 29, 2015
War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”
Responsorial Psalm PS 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5
R. (1) In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD.”
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD.”
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Alleluia Ps 103:21
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 1:47-51
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man
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