SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

  "Where your treasure is, there your heart is." this can somehow contain the essence of the readings for today. Elisha, the son of Shaphat, a wealthy landowner in Abelmeholah, grew up on the farm until he, though not one of the "sons of the Prophets," was summoned from the plow by Elijah. Thereupon, after kissing his father and mother, and making a sacrificial feast of his oxen for the people, he followed Elijah, his "master" and "father," upon whose hands he poured water as a servant. During that time, farming was their source of income and way of earning a living. Elisha chose to follow Elijah and he chose well. Let us set our hearts on the real treasures that neither insect nor moth can destroy. We may have made decisions that led us not to accept a very tempting offer even if it's very clear that we will benefit from it. God constantly woos, courts and entreats us to win our love and reside in our hearts once we've answered “Yes” to ...

  Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and it should remind us of the love that God has for us since time immemorial. It goes as far back to our salvation history or covenant history from the time of Adam& Eve and Noah and dates way back to 1800 BC during the time of Abraham, Moses (1200), David (means the favored one,1000), Exodus (600) to the birth of our Lord Jesus. From this time line we can see significant events that happened from the time of Creation when God created man who fell into sin and became unfaithful and how God continuously called us back to Him by showing us who He really is throughout the length of time. Like the period (721) when Hosea started to prophesy for God and ministered. There are dramatic events like the entrance of the Israelites to the promised land and the pockets of rebellion as they took over the 12 tribes. They settled into a life of monarchy (kings) from their 1st king (Saul) to King David and King Solomon. The time of David i...

We should actually feel the grace of God moving in our lives before we can become effective in convincing our fellowmen to build and take part in the kingdom of God . There is a need for us to respond to God's call to each one of us to become channels of His blessings as His power is revealed in us. We should always seek the guidance and light of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Always check our motives and intentions in relation to what we do and see if we are bearing in us the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, peace, joy, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control) These things we can only achieve through fasting and prayer just like the 1st Christians during those times. We can all very well learn from their example and be like them, very good Christians that our God can really be proud of. Amen. Hallelujah! Acts 11:21b-26; 12: 1-3 ...While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the ...

   Most children are always fascinated of super heroes, Greek gods and goddesses and the like. In fact, we see them copy their moves and don super heroes' costumes in kiddy parties. It gives them the thrill to see and witness such extraordinary abilities and powers of these characters even just on TV and the big screen. In fact even as they grow older some never really got over it because they still enjoy watching such kind of movies. It is the awe and wonder it offers whenever the protagonists wield their power and might to the amazement of the viewers.  It is just natural for us to be fascinated by extraordinary and supernatural things. And speaking of such things, today's 1st reading is definitely a scene to behold. Elijah and the false prophets of Baal were in a showdown. There was not the slightest trace of doubt and disbelief in Elijah and what was only evident was his complete trust and confidence in God's Almighty power to overcome all other powers and mini gods i...

   Today's 1st reading is about a widow and reminded me time and time again of my nanay's (mother) strong faith in God when she was still living. My brothers and I were still very young when my mother was widowed. We were aged 3,2, and 1. We were such a pitiful sight then when we lost our father in a very sudden and unexpected way but my mother weathered through it all for she had always believed and held on to God's promise. The story of Elijah in today's 1st reading arouses a certain sense of confidence and trust in a Supreme Being who has everything under control. If we are to read a few verses before today’s 1 st reading we will find that at first Elijah was asked to hide beside a brook and when it ran dry he was instructed to stay with this widow in Zarephath. If we try to examine our own life experiences we'll find that we do not differ that much from Elijah in the sense that we too are undeniably led and guided by the Lord. The only difference lies in the fa...