SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

What happened to Tobit in today’s 1st reading was so unfortunate. Sometimes we tend to just go into despair over some matters in our lives that seem to be going nowhere or not getting any better. This is the case when we just look at the here and now but if we will read on further about the story of his life we will find that his situation turned around for the better. We must not lose hope and continue to call on the Lord in the midst of all the problems we have for God will surely make things beautiful for us in His perfect time. Amen. Hallelujah! Tobit 2:9-14 On the night of Pentecost, after I had buried the dead, I Tobit, went into my courtyard wall. My face was uncovered because of the heat. 10 I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a cure, but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four y

    During our lifetime we encounter people, situations and circumstances that one way or another influence, impact and sometimes unavoidably leave a mark in our life. It's a good thing if they benefit us in a positive way but sometimes there are some that create a negative impact on us and become prisoners of these things or worse disabled and left crippled with it for life. Today's 1st reading tells us that the Lord has removed the judgment against us and we have no more misfortune to fear. Let us claim this for ourselves no matter what we've been through and really feel the Lord's presence in our life by making Him King. Therefore if the Lord said so then we can definitely rely on His word. Whenever we see spectacular movies about the supernatural powers we can always expect scenes that are breathtaking and full of suspense. It showcases things like when all else failed after everything the characters have done and death or defeat is imminent then all of a sudden the

 A promise is a promise. Surely our God knows how to keep and fulfill it because he is God. No one can deny that God has done great things for all of us and is displayed throughout the universe. Whenever we look at all the things around us and really fix in our heart the truth that there is none like our God then we are safe and secure in His loving care. Just remember that we are bound to keep the statutes and commandments of the Lord God and everything else will follow. Amen. Hallelujah! Deuteronomy 4:32-34. 39-40 ...Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of?...This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.” Nothing is hidden from God and everything is kno

 Nothing could be truer than the this explanation stated in Companion about the 1st reading. It is written: "The wisdom of God is always attached to truth and holiness. In fact, I do not believe it can be separated from these two aspects of the spiritual life. Until we are willing to embrace the truth and surrender ourselves to the call of holiness, the fullness of the wisdom of God will remain an elusive concept that we chase from left to right and back again! To be a disciple of Jesus means forsaking the ways and glamor of the world and embracing the truth as God delivers it to us in the moral law. The world is not willing to accept this sort of truth – I hope and pray you are ready to accept it." Well, we should all fervently hope and pray so. Amen. Hallleujah!   Sirach 51:12-20 12 I thank him and I praise him; I bless the name of the LORD. 13 When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom. 14 She came to me in her beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her. 15 As the

 I have always marveled at the Salvation History of the Church. Being able to see the timeline of the Patriarchs, the Prophets, Judges, Kings, the Exile, the return from exile and finally to the birth of Jesus our Lord, these make me realize even more the glory and splendor of the race of God's chosen people. Amen. Hallelujah!   Sirach 44:1, 9-13 ...And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out. If we are faihtful to God then we can claim all the benefits of being God's chosen people. Amen. Hallelujah!   Psalms 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9 R: The Lord takes delight in his people. ...For the LORD loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia   Today's gospel tells us of the fate of the fig tree that failed to bear fruit. We are presented with challenges daily to li

 In the beginning God created everything to be in harmony, man, the land and all creatures. But man sinned leading to a rupture with God, one’s self and others. We have to go back to where God had intended it to be. If everything happened by chance there is a tendency for us to wane in our resolution and our responsibility is deemphasized. The understanding that a Creator made the world leads to a fundamental responsibility to it. When we watch these movies about the end of the world it gives the impression that our world exists by random and we look upon the universe as a product of chance. Everything that exists comes through Jesus. Everything in the universe came through Christ. He is the foundation of all reality. Creation is existent and made through and for Him. It does not exist by chance and is ruled by God and His plan. Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose

 We can always hold on to God’s words and promise. We will never be disappointed if we hope in God who will surely prove that everything about His words are true. Amen. Hallelujah! Sirach 36:1, 4-5, 10-17         ...Give evidence of your deeds of old; fulfill the prophecies spoken in your name, 15 reward those who have hoped in you, and let your prophets be proved true. 16 Hear the prayer of your servants, for you are ever gracious to your people; 17 thus it will be known to the very ends of the earth that you are the eternal God. Most people I believe will agree with me when I say that who we are today is the sum total of what we've done in the past and what we're still doing in the present. But the most important part of the equation that we should never forget to add in our life is the Multiplier, for whatever it is that we can do, is just a small fraction of what God can do in our lives. There is no doubt that the Lord will show us the right path if we go to Him at all time

    Today’s reading from Sirach presents a very profound level of wisdom for offering sacrifices. It is written, "To keep the law is a great oblation, and he who observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering." To show obedience to the moral law of God is as important as the offering of animal sacrifices in  Israel . It is counted as being as good as the offering up of sacrifices. It should not call for rebellion against the law for the just one’s offering is most pleasing, as written, "The just man’s offering enriches the altar and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High." The offering up of sacrifices is very much part of what people ought to do. Doing so and obeying God's commands are both morally right.    In the book of Pope Benedict XVI he said that  Israel  is freed from  Egypt  not just to gain freedom but in order for them to go to the land of promise and worship properly. This is the goal of the liberation from  Egypt  not just for freedom al