SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

 God's gift of forgiveness and salvation is not exclusive to only a selected few, it is open to all. Let us broaden our perspective with regards to this and always extend a welcoming spirit to everyone regardless of who they are. We do not have to belong to a particular race. We have all been qualified by God Himself. We are expected to extend this same love to our brothers and sisters regardless of race and culture. Oftentimes we are guilty of discriminating whenever we come in contact with people who are different so to speak or those who do not conform to our standards. Whether we admit it or not we are all guilty of this and we should follow Peter's example of acknowledging God's universal love to all of us. Amen. Hallelujah! Acts 11: 1-18 ...‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane...If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they stopped ...

  I am reminded of the time when I was in Downtown LA and had the chance of spending time with my relatives. Passing through the commercial area, entering the stores, walking through the familiar streets there, and choosing a place where to dine in with family made me realize this experience to indeed be a total sensory experience, an experience of sight, of sound, of taste, touch and smell which brought back and also stored up good memories to last. It was quite an experience because I never intended for an extension of the party I had earlier that day because the schedule did not fit my itinerary for the day. I was just led to it by the circumstances that followed unexpectedly and was able to fit them all together since I was even suggesting a different place earlier. I felt like everything about it was all arranged and planned by the Lord who knew what was going to be. It was such an enjoyable and fun filled experience. All I knew was that it held a special and deep me...

    In today's 1st reading the disciples of Jesus saw a paralyzed man healed and a dead woman raised up. In those days the followers of Jesus were being persecuted and they surely needed that kind of boost. Nowadays, we have the richness of this glorious background and enjoying the freedom to exercise our faith in Jesus. We need God and His presence in our lives to quiet the storms we are experiencing and receive peace. In Jesus we find forgiveness and salvation. He gives Himself to us to have the fullness of life. He is the Good Shepherd. He does not possess us but wants to have a relationship with us. He knows us individually and intimately. We are made in God's image and have a body and soul. This reality exists and we have to know ourselves in a deeper level not just in the material alone but the spiritual component that images God. Only in the light of Jesus can we find ourselves. By looking through this lens that invite us to this spiritual knowing and live as the Lord h...

    Life today has become chaotic and disorderly. Some people no longer know who and what to believe in. We wake up each day not knowing what the world holds for us and just go through the process of living it without a purpose. This happens when we head for the wrong direction. St Paul in today's 1st reading was already headed to what he believed was true, to persecute the Christians. Paul fell on the ground and became blind. Sometimes God allows us to fall or crash down in order for us to become a source that gives life which was exactly what happened to Paul. This reminds me of the waterfalls in Yosemite which is a great source of irrigation and water supply needs for those in that area. Being there was almost like being in touch with God in an awesome and inspiring way. On our way there we had a quick view of the vast mountains and waterfalls where we passed by. When we finally arrived at the Yosemite Waterfalls Park that was when we were able to take a closer and longer l...

  Have you ever had this feeling when you feel you ought to do something and it turned out to be the right thing to do. It usually happens to most of us that's why it's very important to be always attuned to God so that we would know right away what He wants us to do. If we get rid of all the things that bring us far away from God then we can always feel His presence lighting, guiding and guarding our way. It makes sense doesn't it? We are perfectly aware of our daily activities and should know whether they bring us closer to God or not. Today's 1st reading tells us of Philip whom the angel of the Lord spoke with and one thing led to another. A human being came to believe and was baptized instantly. Philip was preparing to go someplace else but suddenly found himself being led to another place. Sometimes we wonder how we ever end up to be in a particular situation as if the circumstances surrounding us were arranged in such a manner that everything just fell into perfec...

   The word I could think of upon reflection of today's 1st reading is unstoppable. It looked like the apostles and followers of Jesus were all filled with boldness and courage to spread the Good News. They did not get intimidated nor threatened to the point of giving up their mission. They persisted, persevered and brought to this very day the legacy of this priceless faith. You can never put a good man down. Nothing can stop the the followers of Jesus from proclaiming the Word of God. You know why? Once you've known Jesus you are compelled to do so for your experience and encounter with Him can not be contained and will inevitably overflow. It was handed down to us from generation to generation and for thousands of years has found its way to us against all odds. Through God's grace adorned with the sweat and blood of our forefathers who laid down this strong and firm foundation, we are now blessed with the Catholic Church that Jesus Himself built. Amen. Hallelujah!...

   Today’s readings bring back memories of all sorts. My son, Jude when he was still a few months old and he sees me coming home from work he would giggle and start to raise his hand as a gesture that he wanted to be carried. I was always full of joy whenever I see him do that. These kinds of emotions impressed to me that God our Father feels even more strongly for us. Let us think of ourselves kneeling before Him absorbed in prayer that cultivate in us a surge of strong emotion the kind that suddenly envelops us whenever we are on the verge of shedding tears of joy. This we can feel if we imagine God right before us, looking at us so eagerly and excited to give us a kiss and wrap us in His arms like an eager parent is for a beloved child. While this is the case for Jude it is not so for Allan. It made me think why my 2nd and youngest son, Allan did not cling to me as much as Jude did when he was his age. I realized that when I was still pregnant with Allan, Jude who was barel...