SIGNS, WONDERS AND MIRACLES

     When I heard the story of Fr. Manuel Julian Zapanta from Cartago,  Columbia  I was so amazed. Every Sunday this priest goes out to the streets and gives out a written catechesis for his parishioners especially to those who seldom go to church. A lady approached him and asked if he had seen or recognized the devil who he handed out the catechesis. The priest said that he didn't see anybody that looked like the devil nor had he ever seen one before. Once he was asking who might be able to help him because he was looking for someone who could provide a ride for him to fetch a fellow priest. A little boy approached him and asked if he would like the devil to take him. There he was and saw the devil for the first time. Their conversation during the trip turned into an interview. The devil said that he couldn't remember anymore why he was called the devil. The priest invited him to attend holy mass but he said not now maybe someday. He further said that he had hi...

  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...

   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 about ...

     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 ...

   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 long...

   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 perfe...

   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!...