SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

    Whenever we attend a healing mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael Barry we are always greeted by some very interesting events. One of these was when we went to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church for the said mass and Sis Marcy was so shocked when she saw Sis Lucy picking up a bubble gum on the ground. Before she can even think of anything else Sis Lucy explained that she missed when she threw her bubble gum in the trash can so she decided to pick it up so that nobody will end up stepping on it. One of the things that I consider yucky is to step on a gum much more to touch it. (I guess, you know what I mean when you accidentally come across these gums underneath tables and chairs.) This experience made me think that if all of us will just bother to pick up our own mess and avoid sticking it up anywhere we please then this world will be a much better place to live in. This sticking the gum habit is not a mortal sin, I guess, but it pays to start small and eventually end up doing ...

   If we stay connected to God then there is really nothing we should worry about. Today's 1st reading describes fruit trees of every kind growing with their leaves never fading nor their fruit ever failed. God provides for all our needs and this is a reality that most of us sometimes fail to realize. Whenever things do not turn out the way we expected it to happen we end up searching for other sources or worst decide to do things our way instead of staying within the sanctuary of God. We should not stray from the right path for God will not just provide for our needs but make us a source of blessing for others, too. When it’s orange and lemon season we harvest bags of these fruits from our backyard. Our trees are very productive fruit bearing trees and it seemed like it never ran out of fruits to harvest. We can fill up big garbage bags and harvest as much as 3-4 bags. Just imagine how many fruits these tress bear. It is so amazing that even after we've harvest too much for u...

   We have to thank God for giving us the capacity to think and process information with our minds. It is such a wonderful gift that God has endowed human beings. Aside from this we are also given the human strength to hurdle the trials and difficulties that come our way. We always encounter people in print or in media who become famous and talked about because of the things they were able to do and accomplish that speak well of them. It is commonly attributed to the human spirit which enables us to withstand and overcome the seemingly impossible situations that come our way. Today's 1st reading tells us a vital truth and information that we can all benefit from. If we are able to do things beyond what we expect already with who we are and what we have become then we are set for the biggest and most unbelievable surprise of our lives if we are to tap into the infinite wisdom of God rather than just our own. Amen. Hallelujah!  Wisdom 6:12-16 12 Resplendent and unfading is ...

   The following statements from today's 1st reading empower us to do all things through Christ. We are encouraged by Paul in this letter to the Philippians, I almost wrote to the Philippines because just like them our country has had enough of the share of every circumstance stated here. As a nation we have been identified to be a people of faith and hope since Filipinos always manage to be a part of the Catholic Church of every culture, nation and country all over the world. It is partly because of the fact that just like Paul and the Philippians, our country has been through a lot in terms of suffering. In all these things we have to be thankful because we come to a very important realization and eye opener that it is always in God that we find the strength to carry on.    For that I should say, I am so proud to be Filipino. Amen. Hallelujah! Philippians 4:10-19 ...I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to li...

     Why is it that nothing seems to be perfect in this world? There are times when just as we are about to achieve something really close to it suddenly something happens and without even knowing it the picture perfect scenario changes into a not so pleasant one or worst into something we never ever wanted to happen. In everything there is always a reason and we can't help encounter such things because we live in an imperfect world but we can always hope in Jesus our Lord and Savior who will make all things perfect in His time. We are indeed God's priority! He surely looks after all our cares and concerns. I am reminded of the time when Sis Em invited me to attend the AFCCPC (Alliance of Filipino Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities) North Pacific Regional Conference in Stockton , CA . I immediately agreed to it but when I realized that there are a lot of expenses that go with it, my enthusiasm died down and decided that I can postpone my taking part in these activiti...

   We all differ in our priorities in life. A lot of people will say that they consider their family as their top priority. Some may opt for power, wealth and fame especially nowadays when commercialism and materialism have masked and set aside the only real and sure win top priority who is Jesus Christ. Everything pales in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Whoever we are and whatever we may have become is nothing compared to the full realization of who and what Jesus our God is to us most especially on the personal level. Once we've reached this point in our life like Paul in his letter to the Philippians then we can confidently say without a trace of hesitation and doubt these very words in today's 1st reading. Jesus is everything and without Him we are nothing. Amen. Hallelujah! Philippians 3:3-8a ...But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the...