SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

      We may not be physically behind bars but all of us are sometimes trapped in our own prison cells. It may be caused by our own doing, others who oppress us or the circumstances that surround us. But whatever kind of prison we may all have, it is always a consolation to know that God sends His angels to set us free. The more we learn about our faith the more we are all freed.  St. Jerome  said, "Ignorance of the bible is ignorance of Christ." Our lack of the proper knowledge could be considered a prison that hinders us from loving God better. The good news is that we can always choose to be set free for Jesus already bailed us out a long time ago. Another thing I am reminded of today's 1st reading is the angel imprinted on my rose petal. Although I wasn't in prison like the apostles, things weren't going too well for me during that time when I got the rose petal. Somehow it made me realize how much God loves me by sending an angel not just to set me free but...

     I was so impressed with the way Dr. Scott Hahn from EWTN show, was talking about angels. He discussed about this topic with such great enthusiasm and confidence that I should say everybody who heard him was convinced. His face lighted up and was animated as he described the angels based on what he extensively read, researched, studied and experienced. He was trying to relate this belief in angels which dates back to the time of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, Joshua in  Jericho , Manoah, Samson, Gideon, Isaiah and Ezekiel. He said that angels are best friends who are intelligent and strong and whose purpose is to minister and bring God's gifts to His people. We can see all throughout the bible the revelation of angels and how they have rendered an incredible service to mankind extended to the New Testament to Mary and Joseph. What we are doing right now in the Catholic Church with regards to our practices has long been established in a holy pattern...

   The power of prayer can not be denied and even if we don't see the same manifestations as in the 1st reading today we should still continue to pray. Even if it seems like nothing is happening with our prayers then we shouldn't lose hope and keep on praying. We should always gather all our strength to rise up to pray. We should be encouraged by this bible passage and decide that if there's one thing we should always do and never abandon that is prayer. Peter and John in their prayer did not just utter words but they quoted the Scriptures as foretold by the prophet David. There is indeed power in the words of God which we sometimes fail to fully recognize and give credit to. If we only know of the fullness of this truth then we can always be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit just like the apostles in Jesus' time whenever we pray. Amen. Hallelujah! Acts 4:23-31 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests an...

  What a tremendous sight it is, in today's 1st reading that even the shadow of Peter can cure a sick person. I believe that God's power and might that was displayed and made known to all during the time of Peter has not changed since then. God does not change and remain as He is throughout time and eternity. It is us who needs to change in our perception of God as time goes by for what we know of God today is never enough for who He really is. We can only strive to know more of Him and hope to love God better who is Infinite. Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Jesus, King of Divine Mercy, we trust in you. Amen. Hallelujah! Acts 5:12-16 ... they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. 16 A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed b...

     We may all have experienced something that we just can't contain it within ourselves and we needed to shout it out and let the whole world know. This should be our attitude towards the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should never stop proclaiming and testifying to God's Word. The Holy Spirit enables us to withstand external pressure in order to carry out with holy boldness the proclamation of the word of God. We have to will it as this is exactly how we should feel after witnessing during these Lenten and Easter seasons how God so loved the world. Amen. Hallelujah! Acts 4:13-21 ...they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. 20 It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” God is the source of all good things. Only Jesus can satisfy our souls. We should be ...

     We can successfully battle all the evils that beset us. It is a standing reality that we live in a world full of temptations and difficulties but we can always emerge victorious if we have Jesus in us. Let us cleanse our hearts, minds and bodies that just like Mary we become a fitting vessel and dwelling place of Jesus. Let us not miscarry Jesus and give birth to Him full term.    I am reminded once again of today's 1st reading of Msgr. Kevin Kostelnik's homily in the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral when he said this: "The farther away we are from God, the more destructive our life become and the greater fear we have." Peter in today's 1st reading is totally different and transformed from that fearful man who denied Jesus 3x. He has become full of courage, strength and all of a sudden is boldly proclaiming about Jesus without fear of being arrested or killed. The Holy Spirit filled him up with all the gifts and fruits to announce and live out this truth ab...

     Our God is a God of surprises. If we have been getting no answers from God it is because He wants us to wait. He has something wonderful in store for all of us and will surely fulfill what He said He would do. There are times when we have to learn things on our own and really be independent. Whenever we encounter such circumstances we may not realize it but we just discover that somehow we’ve gone a long way in terms of our relationship with the Lord. Although those were the most trying times of our life we can definitely agree that our biggest problem just give it some time will become our greatest blessing. Have we experienced the so called gut feeling when we think that we know what is bound to happen? Or have we ever said words like, " I knew it!" and "I told you so" I guess everybody knows exactly what I am talking about especially during times when we're very sure about something we can even bet our life on it. This kind of thing usually happens when ...