You Don't Know When The Time Will Come?

Don’t Christians wait for the Time to come? the second coming of our Lord Jesus?

What makes us a Christian? Isn’t it because we believe in Jesus as God, that he died and resurrected, and that Jesus is alive, and that Jesus will return?

Many read the Bible, don’t they? But does that alone make them believers? Nope. Isn’t it that what makes one a believer is when one commits to what’s written in the Bible AND looks forward to what it promises?

Let Not Your Hearts Be Weighed Down

What weighs down our hearts?

Conversely, what lifts it up?

Great questions to ask, aren’t they? If we live our lives fully conscious of the answers to those two, we would travel far, very far.

God’s river of life is exactly that. It travels very far, reaching out to us--trees along its embankments.

My Words Will Not Pass Away

Definitely, man passes away.

Empires pass away. Think of the Great Roman Empire. Think Alexander the Great. Think Ottoman Empire. Think of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Even civilizations pass away. Think of the Mayan civilization. Think of the civilization that archaeologists are only beginning to understand.

Then here comes someone who says, “My words will not pass away.” Gosh, he better be God! And indeed he IS God. We know him as Jesus Christ. God the Father knows him as “my son.”

The Son of Man will come with power and glory

Can you imagine the sight of this? The clouds gather, then bright light emanate powerfully from within it, then it comes down gloriously to earth, then we realize that the center of the light comes has a shape of a man, and the man turns out to be Christ.


There is no detailed description such as this scene in the Bible, nor in the traditions of the Church. The closest description we have is the gospel today.

There will not be left a stone upon another

A stone on top of another. Isn’t this a symbolism of man’s creative powers?

By putting one stone upon another we build houses, buildings, skyscrapers, monuments...some of which are meant to provide necessary shelter, while some are meant to display one’s wealth, power and strength.

For whose glory?

Do you want to be in the King's inner circle?

There is a group of people that will make it to the inner circle of Jesus, the King.

It won’t be because of how they look, or how sweet a talker they are, or how they make people feel good...but how much they give back from their hearts.

How badly do we want to be around Christ?

Before him...all the nations will be assembled

“All the nations”

This is bigger than the present-day United Nations, isn’t it? Not all nations are part of this world-wide organization. I know at least one country who has bolted out of it.

Yet Scripture says, and in the words of Christ himself, “all the nations will be assembled before him.” It is a prophecy that still has to come true, yet definitely something to look forward to.

Isn’t it?

Those who are considered worthy...will be raised

Do you have any picture of the resurrection? How shall it look and feel when the dead will be raised?

(You may have thought of horror stories here. All of them were not about resurrection AT ALL.)

I went to the exhibit at SM Mall of Asia about the Shroud of Turin a year ago, and in the video presentation, experts who believed it was the image of Christ shared their view of how the resurrection took place. (Check this site for the scientific findings about the shroud; check also my postscript below).

There first was a light, and the light shot through the shroud.

The next thing we knew, Christ was up and about, in flesh, eating meals with his disciples, touched by Mary, touched by Thomas, walking in the country with two of his disciples...yet appearing and disappearing at will.

My house shall be a house of prayer

Isn’t it that if you’re a Christian, you are therefore a man of prayer? and doesn’t God looks at your soul as His house?

I can speak for myself. Israel is almost halfway across the globe. Yet, I am a Christian. I am counted among those whom John described in Revelations as “many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Are you one of these?

You did not recognize the visitation of your God

Isn’t it that Jesus claims His divine nature, His being God? And, isn’t it that more than just claiming that He’s God, Jesus speaks about man’s rejection of God?

Today’s gospel talks about it.

Isn’t it true now as it was true then?

Everyone who has will be given more

In society these days, we see those who already have plenty getting even more.

In college I used to join activists who complained, “One evil in our society is that the rich become richer, and the poor becomes poorer!”

Fast forward 20 years, I saw myself being an avid fan of Robert Kiyosaki who says, “If the rich does not become richer, they’re doing something wrong.”

Which argument does the gospel today appears to affirm?

Did Christ come for you?

Why did Christ come here on earth?

Oh, we know he came for the Jews, and the righteous, and...the lost ones. But hey, I was actually part of Christ’s itinerary? Come on, you must be kidding.

Christ came for me too? Why should he do that?

Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.

How many of us walk blindly in life, wishing for sight: a clear future, a certain future, a bright future...perhaps not so much for ourselves, but for our children. Oh, how we wish for light to shine brightly on the paths we tread.

Have we asked the Lord for that light?

Snippets of the November 17, 2008 Gospel

Remember from where you have fallen and repent.
From the First Reading, Rev 1:1-4;2:1-5

Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Response to Psalm 1

Jesus said, Receive your sight, your faith has saved you. At once, the blind man was able to see.
From the Gospel, Luke 18:35-43

To all those who have, more will be given

How many of us want to have more?

How many of us think we do not have enough?

Interesting questions, aren’t they? Indeed, there is a world of difference between the two.

Which camp do you belong?

He will speedily do them justice

Justice. What a word, isn’t it? So easy to pronounce and speak, yet so hard to attain.

Here in the Philippines, we say...Justice delayed is justice denied.

Shall we say God is denying us justice by allowing us to “cry to him day and night” until the time He comes?

Whoever Gives His Life Will Be Born Again

What is Christian life, but a life of love for God and for fellowmen?

That simple. But easy?

Hmmm

When something flows from the heart, can anything be difficult?

Snippets of the November 14, 2008 Gospel

This is love: to walk according to his commandments.
From the First Reading, 2 John 4-9

Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Response to Psalm 119

Whoever tries to save his life will lose himself, but whoever gives his life will be born again.
From the Gospel, Luke 17:26-37

I used to think of Christianity in terms of laws and rules taught to us in Catechism classes. It took me time to understand what was underneath those laws and rules: LOVE.

See, the kingdom of God is among you.

God’s kingdom appears again and again in the gospel readings. But how does it really look like? Do we see ourselves among the people who really wondered how that kingdom looked like?

What was clear was, the expectations of people about God’s kingdom were way off the mark.

Snippets of the November 13, 2008 Gospel

I had great satisfaction...on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of saints have been cheered by you.
From the First Reading, Philemon 1:7-20

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
Response to Psalm 146

See, the kingdom of God is among you.
From the Gospel, Luke 17:20-25

I did not know myself how to figure out the kingdom of God, until I saw how people of different backgrounds and professions gather together in passionate worship for the same God. That at least was the impression I got during the worship done by 18,000 Couples for Christ members who jampacked ULTRA early this year. There were large gatherings of the same kind before this.

Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine?

When I say prayers of thanks, how long do I pray? Do I think that I deserve all those blessings?

Do I ask? or do I demand? Hmmm, there’s a world of difference there. Asking comes from the mindset of abundance. Demanding comes from the mindset of scarcity.

Jesus wants us to see the abundant world of God. Abundance is God’s nature.

Snippets of the November 12, 2008 Gospel

God...saved us, not because of good deeds we may have done but for the sake of his own mercy.
From the First Reading, Titus 3:1-7

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Response to Psalm 23

Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine?
From the Gospel, Luke 17:11-19

Am I of the one who returned? Am I one of the “other nine”?

Thank my servant. Are you kidding?

God is our Master. We are God’s servants. First, God laid down the ten commandments. Then Jesus clarified the objective of those ten commandments: LOVE, and service to one another.

Ohhhhhhh. All this fuss about living an upright life, what is this really for?

For whose favor do we do these things?

Snippets of the November 11, 2008 Gospel

He gave himself for us, to redeem us from every evil and to purify a people he wanted to be his own.
From the First Reading, Titus 12:1-14

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord
Response to Psalm 37

Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded?
From the Gospel, Luke 17:7-10

Scandals will necessarily come, but...

The Christian communities since the early days have been besieged by scandals.

The Church remains, yes, but then...

What was my personal response to these scandals?

Snippets of the November 10, 2008 Gospel...

Since the overseer is the steward of God’s house, he must be beyond reproach.
From the First Reading, Titus 1:1-9

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Response to Psalm 24

Scandals will necessarily come...but woe to the one who has brought it about.
From the Gospel, Luke 17:1-6

The recent CFC crisis and the hostile attitude of our local parish priest towards our chapter in CFC are two of the on-going “scandals” that are tearing my heart right now. My heart is bleeding.

But what do I do? Make the problem worse than what it already is? do and say unChristian things to prove my point, and worsen the scandal by creating divisiveness?

It took me time to arrive at a humble stance. The key question to me was...

Am I a lover of what is good?

Did I pray for people? or judged people?

Did I ask for forgiveness for someone’s sins? or did I justify my own?

When I lead people in a Christian worship, do faithfuls see Christ in me? or someone else?

Share with us your answer

Two False Thoughts About Our Physical Body

Do we move about like our body is the temple of God?

Ever since I realized this, I was not the same. How can a tiny creation in the Universe created by God be a temple of God?

Snippets of Today’s Gospel, November 9, 2008
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.
From the First Reading, Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!
Response to Psalm 46

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
From the Second Reading, 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” ... But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
From the Gospel, John 2:13-22

It is not our physical size. It is the fact that, indeed, when we ask God to come to our lives, where would He stay? Certainly, when Jesus said the Father was in Him, he said it in the literal sense.

That really got me thinking.

What Everybody Ought to Know About Money

Does my money have a higher purpose? Are they the reason and the price for my existence? Or are they there because I am called to accomplish something through them?

Survival Mode. I can’t blame people for having “just enough money.“ That happens.

But what is “just enough money”? Saint Paul, during his time, certainly knew what having “just enough money” meant.

Snippets from Today’s Gospel, November 8, 2008

I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient.
From the First Reading, Philippians 4:10-19

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Response to Psalm 112

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.
From the Second Reading, Luke 16:9-15

Self-Sufficiency. Saint Paul took care of his livelihood (tent making) while spreading the gospel. Then, later, the communities he built started supporting him on their own initiative. He defined for himself what “just enough money” meant, in any situation he was in, and then dealt with it. He was self-sufficient.

Fix it right away!

What matters most to me?

Before I answer that question, let me ask another one that relates directly with the gospel today...

Was the master of the dishonest servant out of his mind?

Why did the master commend the dishonest servant?

The Gospel Today, November 7, 2008

Our citizenship is in heaven...He will transfigure our lowly body.
From the First Reading, Philippians 3:7-4:1

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Response to Psalm 122

The people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
From the Gospel, Luke 16:1-8

The commentary from the Lectionary I am reading, as well as the personal insight of a methodist minister showed me a way to interpret the gospel that made real sense.

Get Rid of That Judgmental Attitude Once and For All

How intensely do I judge people around me?

What a tough question to answer. Fact was, I looked down on many people in my life. I ended up looking down at myself too.

The Gospel Today, November 6, 2008



Once I found Christ, all...that I might have considered as profit, I reckoned as loss.
From the First Reading, Philippians 3:3-8

Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.
Response to Psalm 105

There is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.
From the Gospel, Luke 15:1-10

I rejoiced at the losses of other people. I would say, “mahinang klase ito!” (This one’s not good).

Upon closer introspection, it was my desire for greater self-esteem that was at the root of these. It made me feel good that someone was in a worse situation than I was.

That kind of motivation was absolutely vain and certainly not helpful.

Whom Shall I Fear?

Whom Shall I Fear?

These words strike fear in my bones...

“If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)

The Gospel Today, November 5, 2008

God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.

From the First Reading, Philippians 2:12-18

The Lord is my light and my salvation

Response to Psalm 27

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple

Luke 14:25-33

The following words of Paul offered the consolation I needed...

God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.

Believing in and serving God is a personal decision, not a family decision. It takes nothing less than a personal dedication to finish what has been started.

I'll tell you my EXCUSE, then tell me yours

What’s my excuse?

In the gospel today, many of those whom the king invited to the banquet sent many excuses. One “purchased a field” while another “purchased five yoke of oxen.” Still another “just married a woman.” (Luke 14:18-20).

The Gospel Today, November 4, 2008

Brothers and sisters: Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus...he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness.

From the First Reading, Philippians 2:5-11

I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Response to Psalm 22

The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’

Luke 14:15-24

My excuse was, “I got busy!”

COMPLETE! Do not compete.

How do I regard others “less gifted” than I am?

Arrogance was my downfall in more ways than I was willing to admit. It damaged my being in more ways than I was willing to see and fix.

The Gospel Today, November 3, 2008

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.
From the First Reading, Philippians 2:1-4

In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Response to Psalm 131

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
From the Gospel Reading, Luke 14:12-14

Fact was, I detested a lot of people whom I considered “inferior” to my abilities. That attitude affected my relationships with them and my ability to get things done through them.

Nobody wanted an arrogant man around who made everybody else feel small.

I also had too much expectations of myself, leading to overwork, fatigue, drudgery, etc. I was my own tormentor.

I also felt lonely. Very lonely.

Did this happen to you?

Or is this happening to you right now?

That definitely wasn’t God’s plan for me. Nor was it God’s plan for you.

God’s message today is about humility and reaching out to others as equals, despite their inability to repay.

Thought #1. Christians COMPLETE each other.
Thought #2. Christians DO NOT COMPETE with each other.
Thought #3. We are ONE BODY in Christ. We shall be ONE in LOVE.

These remind us of the song we often hear in the Holy Mass...

One Bread One Body

One Bread, One Body

John Foley

© 1978, John Foley & New Dawn Music

One bread, one body,
one Lord of all.
One cup of blessings which we bless.
And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew,
servant or free,
woman or man
no more

Refrain

Many the gifts,
many the works,
one in the Lord
of all.

Refrain

Grain for the fields,
scattered and grown,
gathered to one
for all.

Refrain


I could not add words to what the readings already said.

May we be humble and loving, just as our God is humble and loving.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

All Souls Day: A Day to Be Grateful

This is a day to be grateful.

The Gospel Today, November 2, 2008 - All Souls Day

He will destroy death forever
From the First Reading, Isaiah 25:6-9

The Lord is kind and merciful
Response to Psalm 103

God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
From the Second Reading, Romans 5:5-11

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
From the Gospel, Matthew 11:25-30

God’s mercy is indeed on us.

He who believes in Jesus Christ will one day wake up, even in their sleep, to see Christ face-to-face.

Let us thank the Lord for...

• LIFE
• SALVATION
• RESURRECTION
• LIFE IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Four Saints, Past and Present

Who do we look up to for righteous living here on earth? We are all in search for living examples of people who live righteously.

It’s a tough search.

The Gospel Today, November 1, 2008 - All Saints Day

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
From the First Reading, Revelation 7:2-4,9-14

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Response to Psalm 24

We shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
From the Second Reading, 1 John 3:1-3

He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” From the Gospel, Matthew 5:1-12

Only one is good, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that we are devoid of examples of righteous living. We do have examples from the saints.

Thanks to the saints, we have an idea how to follow Christ in modern times. Their stories tell us great examples of how we can follow Christ.

I am touched by the example of Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, both of whom I consider to be saints, before and after they passed away. They were icons of devotion to the Christ and the Church. They awaken in the hearts of many the desire to live according to the statutes of the Lord.

Among the early saints, I look up to Saint Paul, not just because he propagated the Word among the gentiles (which is why a non-Jew like me is able to relish the Words of God), but because he did so while taking care of his own livelihood. He was a tentmaker. To me, he is a good example of good stewardship over both material and spiritual gifts.

There are many saints around.

I would consider the latest one to be Father Gallardo of the Claretian order. He was the priest that was captured by bandits in the south not too many years ago. He was murdered by the kidnappers. Accounts of his death showed that he led the other captives in praying the rosary, which made the kidnappers very angry.

There are also living saints around, too many to mention. You know them by their positive influence and zeal for the Word of the Lord.

Thank you Lord for the saints.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.