SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

  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 activitie...

  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 afflict...

  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 television because ...

  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...

  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 wa...

  I love this song. "God's got an army. It's marching through this land. Deliverance is their song. There's healing in their hands. There's everlasting joy and gladness in their hearts. And in this army I've got a part!" When I first heard it I felt like I really want to belong. Well, it is our mission and call. We should really belong. It is nice to know that we are part of a family whom we can call our own and get support from. All of us want to belong to a family which can be a source of inspiration, love and strength. Today's 1st reading tells us that we are blessed that aside from the family that we have been born with we also have a holy family in which we become members of the household of God. It can be told, we are God's children and dwelling place. Thus we ought to do everything in our power to make ourselves pleasing and holy before the Lord. When we speak of physically constructing something like a temple we've got to have all the n...