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THE FOLD

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   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...
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THE KEY TO THE ANSWER

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    We complain when we are dissatisfied and discontented. There are many instances in our lives when we are in this kind of situation and we can’t help but complain, grumble and question. It has become automatic and natural for us to do. Sometimes we succumb to a defeatist attitude and entertain negative thoughts that are inevitably invading our mind. Today's 1st reading should jolt us back to reality. We do not realize that we are going against this call of St. Paul to the Philippians to be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Gratitude is something we can practice. It is the ability to focus on what we have rather than what we lack. It is a form of thanksgiving when we are offering up our pains and suffering to the Lord. An effective way of taking up our cross is by putting a name in our suffering, it could be the name of someone we love and offer it up instead of whine about it. We ought to shine like l...
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POWER OF THE CROSS

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    What hold our attention and interest range from a variety of people, places and things and we express them by engaging in various ways and means. Some are hooked in business, sports, entertainment, romance, travel, food, fashion, current events, issues with nature, outer space and all other things we can think about that we can consider profitable, enjoyable, fun and worthwhile to do. We had our moments and stages wherein we’ve been there and done that. Coming from this point of view, we eventually realize whether now, soon or later that ultimately we must acknowledge the fact that if there’s one thing that should hold not just    our attention and interest but our constant admiration is the truth that is stated in today’s 1st reading because it has definitely got it all. It is reminding us of the things God has to go through just to show His great love. It sounds impossible when we hear about this kind of love that God is sharing to each one of us. This should g...
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PRACTICE HEAVEN

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        We, Filipinos observe the All Saints & All Souls Day (Nov. 1 & 2) with much reverence and elaboration. I grew up with this impression that these dates are very important for Catholics like us especially for our family. It has become an occasion for our family to get together and visit our departed loved ones in the cemetery. Since I came here in the US , a lot of these things changed. Due to this, visiting a cemetery has become a remote idea even on the 1st of November. But several times in the past I got the surprise of my life when the unexpected happened. Unbelievably enough I had the chance to go to one despite the absence of a relative to visit there. I was able to pray for the souls of unknown people to me and it felt good. Amen. Hallelujah!   Reading 1 Wis 3:1-9  The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an af...
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GOD'S REWARDS

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       Today is "All Saints Day" and we may have wondered what set them apart from all others. Today's readings answer in a way everything there is to know about them and to do to be like them.    We must realize that it is not only them who have been given the privilege to be a saint but all of us. We are called to fulfill our destiny in being in union with God. We must remain hopeful that when that day comes we will be one of those fortunate ones bearing the seal of the Lord. God is constantly reminding us of His great love for us, calls us by name and considers us as His own. We should always be aware of this privilege and not forfeit the benefits and honor to be counted as one of these people being spoken of in today's 1st reading. Only the tough gets going and the survivor lives. This is a standing regulation in most extreme challenge game shows or high rating reality shows that are very popular nowadays. This is exciting for most of us to watch on tel...
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NEEDS & WANTS

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   For those who have gone ahead of us, we suppose and hope that they have done their part and are now enjoying the eternal bliss in heaven with God. On the other hand, we who are still in this world are not just on an extended stay for nothing. We are still here up to this moment for a reason and we better make good use of this time the way St. Paul said in his letter to the Philippians. Let us not go on living our lives without realizing this very important truth that we all have to respond to achieve our highest potential for our own sake and for the glory of God. Amen. Hallelujah! Philippians 1:18b-26 ...For to me life is Christ, and death is gain. 22 If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. And I do not know which I shall choose. 23 I am caught between the two. I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary... It always make the crowd or audience laugh whenever asked who ...
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GOOD WORK

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   While we are still alive and breathing, there is hope. It doesn't matter what our situation is, what counts most is the truth that God will not abandon us. We are a work in progress in the hands of our Savior. We can be sure that God will not leave us without carrying out the things that has to be done in us. God is faithful and will fulfill His part of the covenant, without a doubt. God never gives up on His people. It is our part of the covenant that we should answer to in return. In the bible study in St. Lorenzo Church under the teachings of    Mr. Willy Santa Maria, he discussed about the book of Wisdom and he touched the topic about the soul. To explain further he cited Aristotle a Greek philosopher who classified the Theory of Definition into 2 : nominal and real. The example he gave for nominal is water, being such in name only, or in appearance. The real definition, he further classified into how and "what is it meant to be?" As to "how" he defined w...
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