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SAINT MARTHA PRAY FOR US

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    We've seen several box office hit movies and most of them are in the likes of Superman, Spiderman , Fantastic Four, The Avengers, The Dark Knight etc. People are fascinated with this kind of stories because there is an element of awe, wonder and amazement of how these super heroes can rescue people in distress and danger. But wait, isn't it more exciting if we watch ourselves being rescued by a true and existent hero in our lives. Today’s 1 st reading makes it a reality for us since we have indeed a God who is able to do so. Amen. Hallelujah! Jeremiah 15: 10, 16-21 ...Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, for I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. 21 I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent... Who is our true hero and savior? No other than the Lord our God. He is real and Emmanuel “God with us”. Amen. Hallelujah! Psalm 59: 2-3 , 4, 10-11 , 17, 18R: God is my refuge on the day of distress. ...
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ABC OF FAITH

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   As human beings we go through different stages in life as we grow old and should strive to become a better person in the process. It would always help to assess how we are doing with our life. This reminds me of an episode of Grey's Anatomy entitled, "I saw what I saw" The doctor was examining a conscious, up and about patient in the ER who had minor burns due to a fire that broke out in the hotel where they were staying. Her vital signs were normal, in fact she was completely aware of what was going on around her. She was in the process of being examined further when she suddenly screamed because she saw another patient who just got admitted in the ER, with a big ax planted and poking out of his chest. He is a firefighter who tripped and accidentally axed his own chest. It was quite a scene that the doctor who was examining her got distracted and totally forgot about what she was about to do to her. Unfortunately, what was bypassed in her assessment is the most import...
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TLC (TENDER LOVING CARE)

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  God longs for our embrace and wants us to love Him back so that we can be the people He calls His own. Just think of how parents used to say all the nice things to their children as if no one else compares and what this famous saying implies “the face only a mother could love” or if not yet a parent then think of a student who is an alma mater of a school and this famous cliché, “love your own”.     This is the kind of affection which could probably describe how God feels for us, no matter how imperfect we are. Amen. Hallelujah! Jeremiah 13: 1-11 ...I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, says the LORD; to be my people, my renown, my praise, my beauty... We have unforgettable experiences in life which remains etched in our memories no matter how long it may have been. These experiences whenever we remember them may cause us to recall too, the emotions and feelings that go with it and elicit from us a smile, laughter or tears. If...
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WISH GRANTED

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     Isn't it nice if someone you're asking for a favor would do as you requested? There are times when not all our requests, wishes and desires are granted. It may be due to our own shortcomings as recipient, the other person’s as the giver and could be many other reasons. According to St. Augustine, one of the four Great Fathers of the Church, the reason our prayers are not heard are (1) because our personal dispositions are not good (2) we pray badly (3) we do not persevere in prayer (4) we do not pray humbly (5) we pray without faith and (6) we ask for things which are not good for us. (From De civitate Dei) We can be assured of the fact that if we go to God then we are surely going to get the best answers to our prayers. It is also a good idea to follow Solomon's wisdom in today's 1st reading. And consequently this sharing from Didache. It is definitely just the right story that we needed to hear. Here it is entitled: Wise Discernment   “Give your servant, there...
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GOD'S SIDE

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      Fr. Adrian Delima was a priest from Rome who used to visit St. Martha’s Church regularly. He is involved in some kind of research work that tries to explain the mysteries or rather manifestations that go with the miracles of God. He was particularly involved in cases who received healing through Padre Pio and in Lourdes, France. He said that there is really no doubt that miracles really took place and continues to believe that it is still taking place in each and every moment of our life for that matter. He said that there is no discrepancy between Science and God. For God is the Creator of everything. Aside from the scientific explanations and laboratory values that these group of experts are looking for in these miracles, this bible passage in the 1st reading today should inspire us because it is where we can find the gold standard of the ultimate test that needs to be done. If we are experiencing the same things being said here then we need not undergo specific l...
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THE SEED

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   If we will just carefully read and understand the 10 commandments and try to associate each one to any incident in our life when we broke the law then we'll surely find that these commandments that God gave us to follow are meant to make life easier for us. The formula for a truly happy life is the 10 Commandments. It doesn't limit freedom but enhances freedom. These commandments are meant to make us enjoy life, have peace and joy to avoid chaos and disorder. Let us take the example of driving in the freeway. Just imagine the kind of scenario if there are no rules and regulations to be followed in driving especially in the freeway. There would be a lot of chaos. How can we imagine leaving our children in a day care with a playground without any fences. It will turn out to be a disaster and very unsafe place. They do not limit but protect freedom. To the extent that you can follow the 10 commandments and become free. Since the more we disobey the more we become bound and bec...
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MIDDLE GROUND

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  We’ve got to straighten up some things about God. Who He is and what He wants for our life. What is our picture of God? It’s not surprising to know that most of us think that God doesn’t want us to have fun. It’s like all the things that we want to do with our friends that are interesting and exciting when we were young are against God’s commandments. It may seem like we have to settle for less. What’s worse is that all the faithful Catholics get less out of life. This is part of the propaganda way back in the Garden of Eden. God gave us a magnificent paradise wherein there is perfect intimacy and no shame with each other. In the Garden they have everything they need but gave just one limit, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is very interesting because God said, “Don’t do this because you will die.” The reason why God commands us something is because He is a loving Father who cares for us. He wants us to have the best. But then came the serpent, ...
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