SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

  Mene, Tekel and Peres is what today's 1st reading speaks about. If we would apply the message it conveys in our lives then this is how we should see it. Mene means that our days here on earth are numbered because we would all have to leave behind everything. No human being living here on earth can deny the truth that we will die because no one has ever been known to escape death except for Jesus who resurrected after 3 days. Time will come when the only thing that will matter is the Tekel. How we lived our life is what would be left of us and be judged accordingly. As to whether we would be found adequate, in excess or wanting would all depend on how we choose to live the life given to us by God. When everything is done and over with and then we would have to face reality that we must be able to surrender all that we have and leave everything behind as in Peres. If this is the case then we might as well know how to set our priorities right and do what is pleasing before God. We s...

  God never leaves us hanging in the air with nothing to hold on to. Everyday God is speaking to us in his words through the gospel and through the people around us. God is always urging us to go beyond our boundaries and never underestimate the capabilities that God is continuously giving us. We can always do better and do best for the Lord as He will always be true to His promise and will never let us down. We should never doubt that God will make things beautiful in His time. For God is able to see through our future and will put to completion His grand plan for us. Today’s 1st reading brought back memories of the great time I had with Sister April at the  English   Springs   Park  and  St. Paul  the  Apostle   Church  both in Chino Hills. It was a day filled with enlightenment after spending time meditating and contemplating on scriptures while enjoying the beauty that surrounds us. I was able to R-E-S-T, S-urrender T-ime to R-eceive...

  What seems to be folly to man is wisdom in the eyes of God. When we truly and sincerely desire to do things that are most pleasing to God, we sometimes come to the point of being misunderstood or worst the laughing stock of some.    There are times when most people already get used to the existing and prevailing accepted norms of our society that the most practical is mistaken as the right and fitting thing to do. Daniel in today's 1st reading firmly stood by the principles of God by refusing the so called food from the royal table. Come to think of it, who would not do anything for the sake of being favored by a king or who would even think or do something to jeopardize this chance and refuse such a privilege to be counted as one of the King's chosen few who could enjoy the richness and luxury of royalty. In the eyes of man it seems very foolish to decline and refuse such a lucrative and tempting offer.    For Daniel there is more to life than just power and ...

  Since today is the Feast of Christ the King, all the readings point only to one thing, the Kingship, Majesty and Dominion of God over all the earth. Today’s 1st reading is taken from the Book of Daniel which is written even before the time Jesus was born. This passage which speaks of the Son of Man refers to Jesus. This I’ve learned from our bible study and since then I have come to discover and appreciate better a lot of things in the bible more than I used to. Especially the relevance of the scriptures in the Old Testament to the New Testament and the overwhelming connection to each other which is shown in the gradual but steady building up of the realization of the ancient prophecies in Jesus. All the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus.    In today's 1st reading, God is described as coming, on the clouds of heaven and gave an impression of great power. It takes us to another aspect or level of understanding of the majesty of our God. We ought to b...

   We must keep in mind that every time we go to Church it is a day that is made holy not only because of certain events that we celebrate and observe but especially because of the people who are parts of the church. Sometimes we don't really need an occasion to make each day holy, it is made possible if we will just respond to God's call of holiness. Nonetheless it is worth mentioning that this month (Nov 22) is the  Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr. My mother's name is Cecilia and so is my first granddaughter. When Baby Cecilia was still in her mother's womb we can already feel the love, blessing and grace of God enveloping her even when she was still hidden from us, it was already felt and most welcome.   Whatever location we are in right now is a call to holiness. No one is exempted from it no matter what our situation in life may be. Whatever it is that we do at the present time whether we think of it as something big or small, something that we...

  We may never come to fully understand those saints who have chosen to abandon everything even their own lives just to uphold their faith in God. What made them do the things they did made us all wonder. Today's 1st reading is another unbelievable story of great faith in God. We can all draw inspiration from the life of these people who have totally dedicated their lives to God. They have left behind a great example of their lives for us to learn from and follow. They were able to see beyond the here and now and look forward to spending life in eternity with God. The Lord is telling us to go out of our comfort zone and do great things for Him. Life is not all about what's enjoyable and comfortable, sometimes we have to choose the option that is being asked of us to proclaim our loyalty and faithfulness in God just like the first reading today. Amen. Hallelujah!   2 Maccabees 7:1. 20-31 (or Acts 28:11-16, 30-31) ...Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the m...

    There are times in our life when we are confronted with very critical decisions and sometimes forced to abandon our comfort zones to make way for something we need to do or being called for at the present moment and this could be to the disgust/dismay or admiration of some who think the same or otherwise. Some people would never understand nor can relate with what we're going through or have to go through but all these are worth it if we have the same conviction as Eleazar in today's 1st reading to offer to God our motives and intentions for such decisions. He could have escaped death but he chose to maintain his dignity as a believer before God and man. There are times when we have to really go out of our way to the point of discomfort, inconvenience and embarrassment just to prove to God and everybody that we are for Him. Leaving behind a good example of virtue for the present and coming generation and be able to stand before God without shame and doubt. Amen. Hallelujah...