SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

       There was a time when my son, Allan was complaining to me of itchiness all over his body. I told him everything there is to do and finally came to the part where I asked him what could have caused it. He can no longer deny that he drank 3 bottles of beer during a birthday party that he attended. Of course, I was not happy about it because he was only 16 years old then but I must admit that I was a bit happy about the allergy. I explained to him that somehow the allergy is a blessing in disguise because it will remind him always that drinking alcohol is not good for the body especially when you're still young and if it's too much. I told him that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should take good care of it. Another thing that I was thankful of was the chance I had to call his attention to his actions and decision making that should be based on what is good and right and not on peer pressure. Just like in today's 1st reading we should not base ou...

   Nothing or no one can deny the transforming power of God. Paul's life is a testimony of this. No matter how hopeless, impossible or desperate things may seem to be never ever doubt that something great can still come out of it. Sometimes God calls or makes use of the unlikely people and situations for a greater purpose than what we have in mind. He allows these things to happen for a reason. As we may all know Paul's life is the so called gold standard of conversion because the end point is all for the glory of God. Amen. Hallelujah! Galatians 1:13-24 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was eve...

    It is very difficult at times when we are confronted by the realities of life and people don't understand why we do things the way we do. It may sound confusing but it doesn't, for as long as we do it in the context of God's revelation in our life then we will experience the peace and joy that passes all understanding and it can not be denied. We are all preachers in our own right. The way we live our life is our preaching to others. Our very own lifestyle testifies to this since we preach not only by words. In fact St. Francis one of the greatest saints known said to use words only when necessary. Sometimes we wonder why certain things happen to us as if we have nothing to do with it. Again sometimes, we easily forget what we've done and act as if it's somebody else's fault but ours. Let us not put a curse upon ourselves by living in a way other than what the gospel of Christ teaches. It is very critical that we fulfill what is written. We have to abide not...

     I remember the song that I learned a long time ago when I was just new in the charismatic renewal which goes this way, "Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, His banner over me is love." Have we ever examined our life and found out that each time we disconnect ourselves from God we end up in failure. No matter how hard we try to work things out, it will just end up in waste or worse we can never find true satisfaction, peace and joy in everything we do. Only Jesus can satisfy our souls and apart from God we can do nothing. Amen. Hallelujah! Isaiah 5:1-7 ...My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; 2 he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. 3 Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah , judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, wh...

  We don't have a straight answer to the many questions we have in life just like all these questions stated in today's 1st reading. In the same way, we sometimes do not have the answers to the things that happen to us. We may never come to a full understanding of these things. Just like Job we must keep up the faith and never question God's will in our lives anymore. Only God knows. Our consolation lies in the truth that He knows best. There are times when we fail to stand firm in our convictions and commitments to God when the toughest gets really going. Though, God is always good and we can always rely on His ways to get us through. When we are confronted by a situation wherein we need to make a decision it may come to a point when we will falter and just like Job end up entertaining thoughts that could lead to a possibility of another option which is neither good nor bad but is not in conformity with the life statement that we have committed to God. When we finally make...

  We should all strive to have the faith of Job especially in times of trials and difficulties. As the old saying goes, "When the tough gets going, the going gets tough!" It is only during these tough times that we can practice strength and endurance in our faith. This is all because we believe that we have a mighty vindicator in God our Savior. Amen. Hallelujah! Job 19:21-27 ...But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, ... Brothers and sisters, if we are confident that we are where we are supposed to be and the Lord allowed things to happen in our life the way they are happening right now then we should be still and know that God is in control. We need to understand the mysteries of our faith in order to appreciate it better. We have to go near as much as possible to the Word of God and experience it come to life and see His glory shining on us. As we go near Him we see his face and feel His love. We always have hope in the Lord who knows what's best for each one o...