SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

  There are times in our life when we are confused and don't know what to do. But most of the time too we are just making things more difficult and worse than it really is. God will always show us the right way to go there is no doubt about that. Sometimes the problem is not knowing what to do but not doing what we're supposed to do. If only we would only take time to look around us and assess our situation then all the signs will surely point us to the right direction. We've been given the faculties as a human being all the senses that enable us to see, hear, feel, taste, smell and think. Even those who lack one or two of these senses have developed a keen sense in the other senses. An example is a blind man although blind have a very keen sense of hearing and smelling that compensates for the loss of sight. All of these and the other capacities and capabilities as man have made us fully equipped and wonderfully created by God. Sometimes we have a lot of excuses and alibis...

   In October 10, 2007, I encountered this bible passage from the book of Habakkuk 2:2-3 which inspired me to write bible reflections . "Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." In response and also in line with it   I organized my reflections in a way that I can easily access them in relation to a specific bible passage. The readings for today brought me back to my reflection many years ago which is about an issue of The Tidings newspaper with a front page photo that caught my attention. This is a painting by Italian Baroque painter Carlo Maratta of Mother Mary with 3 beautiful cherubims lovingly looking at the newborn baby Jesus. It has a main headline entitled, "Reason To Hope" which is the Christian message 2008 of Cardinal Roger M. ...

     Sometimes we feel guilty about something that we didn't directly or indirectly cause. Or we feel responsible for the actions of other people especially those who are close to us. We must keep in mind that we are not supposed to own the decisions and actions of other people since there are certain limits to this and must know up to where our responsibilities extend. In the same way we must not blame other people for things we ourselves have caused. We must be brave enough to accept the consequences of our actions and not point fingers. We have to be clear about these things for God said that sins will be punished accordingly in its appointed time. So while we still have the time let us see to it that everything is in the right order before it gets too late. Exodus 32:15-24. 30-34 ...So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Ah, this people has indeed committed a grave sin in making a god of gold for themselves! 32 If you would only forgive their sin! If you will not, ...

   This story of  Sodom  &  Gomorrah  in today's 1st reading tells us that we have a merciful but just God. Since this is the case, it is very easy to explain why bad things happen to bad people but for good people it's another story. Nobody could really give the perfect explanation for this. We should just hold on and believe that even if bad things happen to good people, God can always make things turn out not just for good but for the best. God is always just in all His ways and will never will for anything bad to happen to us. We are still part of this sinful and imperfect world and could fall prey to the manipulation, lies and deceit it offers. It is always a consolation to know that God is up and about in looking after our welfare. Whatever happens, He can always turn it around for the sake of the righteous. This is because God just doesn't look on and does nothing. God surely finds out and makes a way. Amen. Hallelujah! Genesis 18:20-32 In those ...

  The Holy Eucharist is at the root of all holiness. How many saints have advanced to holiness through the Eucharist? Holiness has always found its center in the Eucharist. God recognizes the fact that we are material beings in embodied souls. God uses sensible signs to lead us to spiritual realities. This time, God did not just use a sign or symbol. Jesus offered bread and wine and turned it into His own body and blood. We remember the Holy Eucharist models, martyrs and saints who discovered the secret in the Body and Blood of Christ. We can not live without the Holy Eucharist. It is only through it that we can cope with the toil and exhaustion of this life journey. God is the source of every good thing and He pours it out on us from the moment of creation up to the present time. When we receive the bread and wine turned into the body and blood of Christ during the mass, He becomes a part of us. It is a call to love Him and be attached to Him. This invitation of God is not ex...

     Fr. Adrian Delima was a priest from Rome who used to visit St. Martha’s Church regularly. He is involved in some kind of research work that tries to explain the mysteries or rather manifestations that go with the miracles of God. He was particularly involved in cases who received healing through Padre Pio and in Lourdes, France. He said that there is really no doubt that miracles really took place and continues to believe that it is still taking place in each and every moment of our life for that matter. He said that there is no discrepancy between Science and God. For God is the Creator of everything. Aside from the scientific explanations and laboratory values that these group of experts are looking for in these miracles, this bible passage in the 1st reading today should inspire us because it is where we can find the gold standard of the ultimate test that needs to be done. If we are experiencing the same things being said here then we need not...

  During the time of Moses, the presence of God is very evident as in today's 1st reading. God came to them in a dense cloud accompanied by peals of thunder and lightning and a very loud trumpet blast which made God's people tremble. Nowadays we rarely or no longer experience these trembling when we communicate with God. We started drifting away from God and could hardly feel God's presence in our lives and fail to establish a clear communication line with Him. There had been many interruptions, distractions and hindrances in our lives that keep us from being fully aware of God. We have gotten used to the things around us and the daily events in our lives that we sometimes take things for granted already. It is not God who changed rather it is us, His people, who have changed by neglecting and breaking our relationship with God. I am very sure that if we will only do our part in this relationship then we can also see marvels and wonders or even greater things happening in o...