God Saves

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040714.cfm) reminds me that God saves!

We have two different situations in the readings. In the first reading, Susanna was a very devout person but was wrongfully accused. In the gospel, we see a woman caught in adultery. One innocent, one guilty. Both were almost brought to death, but both were saved by God.

God's goodness is infinite. We may relate to Susanna, who was innocent but wrongfully accused in life. Or the woman who was really guilty and deserving of punishment. However, God saves us. He is a God of second chances and all he asks for in return is for us to sin no more, and for us to continue living the right path. May we always grateful and live in such a way pleasing to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, I will live for you this week. Use me and may my actions glorify you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Temporary Miracle

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040614.cfm) reminds me that there are a lot of temporary miracles in our lives, but what is important is the permanent one

In the gospel, we see the story of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He died, so when Jesus heard of it, he came to their house not to mourn with them, but bring Lazarus back to life. This is a great miracle, raising of the dead, but a temporary one. Eventually Lazarus will die. Same with last Sunday's gospel. Jesus healed a blind man, but he will eventually die.

What's more important is the permanent miracle - the salvation of our souls. Temporary miracles should lead to this. We see this in Martha. When Jesus first visited them, she was the action oriented person. But now, even if she was still action oriented (the met Jesus, not Mary), we also see her faith in Jesus. Last week, the blind man's healing should have brought him to Jesus, should have saved his soul.

There are everyday, big and small, temporary miracles in our lives. May we be aware of these, and more importantly, may this lead us to the important permanent miracle which will be effective not on this earth, but for eternity!

What are the miracles I remember in my life? How do I feel about them? Have I experienced the permanent miracle?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for all the love you have been giving me. Lord, I pray that I always be sensitive to your miracles in my life, but may I especially be aware and look forward to experiencing your permanent miracle for me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Stand Your Ground

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040514.cfm) reminds me that it is important that we stand our ground, especially in our faith.

A lot of times, people will question our faith. Or sometimes, the situation around us will make us question even our own faith. In the gospel we see people having different takes on who Jesus is. But what is important is that we know who he is, we know who he is in our lives, and we stick to it.

Knowing God and becoming his does not guarantee a life free of problems. However, having our faith firmly planted in him makes facing these problems easier. We just need to make a stand and always keep our faith firmly planted on Him, no matter what the situation may be or what other people may say. 

Who is God for me? Who is God in my life? Are my answers dependent on what others say or the situation around me, or am I standing my ground no matter what?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for always being there for me. Lord, I pray that you help me live a consistent life, and may your role in my life be constant always, not depending on others. May I always be able to stand my ground in faith. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Not Yet Time

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040414.cfm) reminds me that God's schedule is always perfect.

In the gospel today and in other situations, we see Jesus speaking openly but no one arrested him. Why? Because it was not yet time.

So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

Before, I used to think why Judas had to lead them to Jesus. They all knew who Jesus was, no one needed to tell them. They could have easily arrested him as he was speaking and preaching openly. But now I am reminded of the answer. It is not yet time. God had not yet allowed it.

In our lives, we want a lot of things to happen. Career promotion, booming business, financial independence, a good love-life. Sometimes, or oftentimes, the timing is different from what we want. Today, we are reminded that it might not yet be God's appointed time for our prayers to be answered the way we want it to. So let us just have faith and continue to love and serve God.

What things am I praying for? How do I react when I do not get them? Am I willing to wait for God's time to come or do i force things myself?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Friday. Lord, grant me patience ad faith to wait for your perfect time, and humility to keep on serving you as I wait. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Good with God

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040314.cfm) reminds me how important and powerful it is to be good with God.

In our culture, "Palakasan" is very rampant. People close to someone in authority usually go in between to ask for favors for someone. Though it is not always seen in a positive light, it can be something positive as we see with Moses in the first reading. God became angry with the people and wanted to punish them, but Moses, since he is good with God, pleaded with God and ask that the punishment not be carried out. This is him interceding for the people, going in between the people and God. This is him using his relationship with God for good - without ulterior motives.

We too should act like this. We should intercede for other people. We should pray for other people, without expecting anything in return from these people, and a lot of times, without these people even knowing we are praying for them. As we try to work on our relationship with God, as we try to strengthen it, we should use it to benefit not only ourselves and our loved ones, but more importantly, others even those who would not even know we are praying for them.

How is my relationship with God? Am I trying to improve and strengthen it? Do I pray for others, even if they would not commend me for it?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to love and strengthen my relationship with you. Lord, grant me the desire to strengthen my relationship with you, the will to start now, and may I use it to bless others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

The Father's Will

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040214.cfm) inspires and challenges me to become like Jesus, always seeking the Father's Will.

Jesus is our example of a child of God. He humbled himself and became man to save us from sin and death. He tirelessly worked to proclaim the kingdom. He prayed always. He died for us. He submitted to God's will, even if doing so means he will suffer.  All because he loved God so much!

In our lives, it is very difficult to submit to God always. We want to be in control. We want things to happen our way. We want to do things our way. However, we are reminded in the gospel that as we surrender to God's plan, he will always take care of us, protect us, and empower us. His plans are greater than what we want for ourself, but it will only come into fruition if we submit to the Father's will.

Am I ready to submit to God's will? What are the areas of my life I am yet to surrender? What prevents me from fully surrendering? What is God telling me right now?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to love and serve you. Lord, help me have the heart like Jesus, that would always be ready and willing to submit to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In christ,

-g-

Sin No More

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040114.cfm) reminds me that healing is a continuous process.

The gospel shows us a story of a man healed by Jesus. He told the man to rise up and walk, and when the man obeyed him, he was healed.  When he got healed, he just left Jesus without knowing who healed him, and without even thanking Him. Further on we see Jesus telling the person to sin no more, so that nothing worse may happen. I believe he is telling us the same things as well.

Healing is a continuous process. We tell God we want to be healed or want a miracle in our lives, and do what we can to make it happen. Then we leave all else to God. However, we are warned that when we get what we pray for, it should not end there. We should continue living in the right path, else we will go worse.

As we take away the bad things or bad habits in our lives, we don't just sit there and be happy. We should proactively replace it with something good. This way, we will not only get rid of the bad, but also grow the good.

What are the things I am praying for? How has Hod helped me and changed me? What do I do after these things, do i get back to my old self, or do i improve myself? Do i know that healing and forgiveness is a process and not a one time thing?

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for the gift of new beginnings. Lord, may I always be sensitive to you. May I be ready to change my ways and work on following the process of healing, of forgiveness, of renewal. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-