Whatever has come to be, found life in him

Whatever has come to be, found life in him, life which for humans was also light.

- From the Gospel Today, John 1:1-18

Life, flowing from Christ.

Sometimes even Christians have a hard time grasping the concept. After all, life as we see it is the ability to breath air, drink water, eat food, think, move, and things like that. Then, we say we are above all other creation because of our ability to think. We share the rest of the listed abilities with animals.


Image is from staticyouth.wordpress.com.

Is there more to it than that?

Yes, says Christ.

Have you grown in stature, strength and wisdom in the Lord?

The child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom.

- From the Gospel Today, John 2:12-17

The gospel today seems to give special focus on youth, starting with an exhortation by Saint John in the first reading (though that reading addressed fathers too).

Then the gospel focused on child Jesus, ending with a brief verse about how he grew up in "stature and strength" ... things young people strive for.


Image was taken from TraditionalCatholic.net

Starting early in faith is really a good thing; though starting late isn't bad. In the end, when Christ comes as a victorious leader descending to us from the clouds, we're "in," you know what I mean?

But starting early in faith gives us more opportunities about living a life in the Holy Spirit, and reaping the benefits while we're still on earth.

Who does not recognize the light to the nations?

My eyes have seen your salvation...Here is the light you will reveal to the nations.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 2:22-35

Isn't Jesus the Light that Scripture keeps talking about? Yeah I've been told this. But I remember asking, when I was still a kid ... How could Jesus be a Light? Did he glow?


Image from christianshirts.us


I once thought I asked a silly question but later I found out that, yes, literally speaking, Jesus was Light.

There are at least three ways that this was so.

First, the transfiguration shows that. Jesus glowed, along with Moses and Elijah that night.

Nazareth...There the child grew in stature and strength

They returned to their town, Nazareth...There the child grew in stature and strength and was filled with wisdom.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 2:22-40

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family.

That refers to Joseph, Mary and Jesus, right? We often have pictures of the Holy Family in our walls, but when was the last time we reflected on the meaning of the image, and its continuing significance in our lives?

FAMILY: It is a sacred word among Filipinos, indeed. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a Filipino who is not passionate about his family, in one way or another.


Filipinos are fond of tracing their family roots.

I guess that's true to all cultures. But I can speak about Filipino's STRONG propensity to make a BIG DEAL about one's family relationship, especially with someone prominent. In fact, I read a news item about someone who was claiming to be So and so de Venecia; and, without question, the policemen let him go! Congressman Joe de Venecia was holding the reins of the House of Representatives at that time.

In fairness to the Congressman, he may not even know that So and so de Venecia from Adam! It just so happened that such So and so was smart! He knew how Filipinos think and pressed the right button.

Filipinos make a big deal out of family relationships, almost to a FAULT!

John saw and believed!

He bent forward and saw the linen cloths . . . he saw and believed.

- From the Gospel Today, John 20:1-8

Today is the Feast of Saint John, the youngest among the apostles, the apostle "whom Jesus loved." The first reading features verses from the letter identified with Saint John. The gospel reading features John himself.

Frankly, my hair stood up when I read today's gospel. I could not help but ask, what did John really see? Was there something more to what was written?


The image was taken from Per Caritatem.


Whatever else there was, for sure, they were overshadowed by the much greater reality of Christ's resurrection. Perhaps, that was all that really mattered, right? Then and now. I completely subscribe to that.

But John saw the linen...then he believed.

There's got to be something in that linen, or why would they bother mentioning it in Scripture?

It will not be you who speak!

It will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 10:17-22

I can name a number of so-called "Christian" sites whose sole aim is to sway unsuspecting Catholics out of the Catholic Church. These internet sites are clearly aimed at Catholics, and the approaches vary from subtle to upfront.

Cool!

You know what, they're not just in the internet. Two of them actually pressed our doorbell yesterday morning. Our car was parked right in front of the gate, and, unless they were blind, which obviously they were not, something in that car was telling them that I was (and is) a Catholic!

Cool!

One of these passionately anti-Catholic Christians used to be Scott Hahn, and I read his book Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by sheer accident. I was still single then and was staying in a boarding house. That book was on my roommate's bed one boring afternoon; so I took it and read it. I was stunned by his testimony.

Five Things People Forget About the "Light of the World"

The Light was coming into the world.

- From the Gospel Today, John 1:1-18

The Light of the World -- isn't that what Christ is?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12 NIV).
Image taken from http://christianity.about.com.

Why is he the Light of the world?

We do not have to intellectualize too much on the theology of this statement. Jesus Christ is the LIGHT to us in at least five obvious ways that a common believer can easily relate with:

1. Christ was unashamedly being himself. Shouldn't we be as well?
2. Christ was an icon of power thinking. We have that power too!
3. Christ was an icon of positive attitude. We can have that attitude too!
4. Christ was an icon of proper Christian behavior. He set an example for us to follow.
5. Christ is a King. He is leading us to His Kingdom!

He has raised up for us a victorious Savior

He has raised up for us a victorious Savior in the house of David his servant.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:67-79

It is humbling to be reminded in today's gospel about our victorious Savior, the King, the Lord of Lords.

Recorded history tells us that no monarch has ever been in command of over a billion people from all ends of the earth. No, not Alexander the Great, nor Julius Ceasear, nor Napoleon Bonaparte.

But Christians who now comprise a third of the world is undergoing revival! We're talking here about a King who has reigned for more than 2,000 years now, and whose Kingdom increasingly expands!

"His name is John"

Zachariah...wrote on it, His name is John. Immediately Zachariah could speak again.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:63

Clearly, God's hand was at work in Zachariah's and Elizabeth's life more than 2,000 years ago. By grace they were chosen to be the parents of John, the one who had the mission to "clear the way" for Jesus.

God does this all the time. He stretches His hand all the way from heaven to alter things here on earth. One of the great things He did was to send Jesus on earth.

Yet God continues to do so through the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, whom God sent to us on the Pentecost.

Do I see God's hand in my life? Do I cooperate?

All generations call Mary blessed

From this day all generations will call me blessed.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:48b

It appears to me that Luke 1:48 is Mary's prophecy of herself. Isn't it that Catholics through all generations throughout the world call her "Blessed"?

We call her "Blessed" every time we pray...

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you

Blessed are you among women

And blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus

He will rule...forever?

You shall name him Jesus...he will rule over the house of Jacob forever.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:26-38

The concept of a world led by a lone king still escapes me. After all, many have tried, and all of them have failed and failed miserably, haven't they?

Yes, failure befell ALL of them.

Alexander the Great? No.
Julius Ceasar? No.
Napoleon Bonaparte? No.
Adolf Hitler? No.



If history of the world were to be the reference, the concept of a lone king ruling all nations is an outrageous thought. No nation, or group of nations, will allow one man to wield power over them, much less the entire world.

But scripture is telling us another thing.

Let it be done to me as you have said

You shall conceive and bear a son ... Mary said, let it be done to me as you have said.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:26-38

Obedience to a divine calling. That escapes a lot, if not most, people. Does it happen in present times? when an angel appears to us and tell us to do something? Then, we obey?

The present generation has a word for it. It's something like going "nuts." Such label went to some saints who actually saw divine visions and conversed with angels.

Obviously that was not what happened to Mary. She knew exactly what was going in, and she conversed with the angel with all her mental faculties intact.

Then came the unthinkable...Mary obeyed. She said, "let it be done to me as you have said."

Barren women bore children

You wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall name him John.

- From the Gospel Today, Luke 1:5-25

Elizabeth was a barren woman, but in God's grace she bore a child.

God works in strange ways, doesn't he? This is not the first time God did it. Remember Sarah? Abraham's wife? She bore a child at her late age. Then, generations later, Samson was born by God's grace from another barren woman, the wife of Manoah, a "man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites."

Zacariah, the high priest at that time, husband of Elizabeth, could not believe what the angel said. He was high priest for goodness sake! Certainly he knew about the story of Sarah and Samson's mother!

God saw that disbelief and muted Zacariah, not to punish him I think, but to protect Zacariah from his own disbelief, until God's will came true.

Would you marry Mary?

Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 1:18-25

Can we blame Joseph for how he felt? He loved Mary. But was he sure he was going to marry her?

Mary was with child! Wasn't she supposed to be a Virgin?

We can't blame him for sleeping one night with a very troubled mind.

Then, the angel appeared in his dream.

14 Generations of Righteous People?

There were...fourteen generations from the deportation to Babylon to the birth of Christ.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 1:1-17

The gospel today speaks of fourteen generations from Abraham to David, then another fourteen generations from David to Christ, who holds the scepter in the tribe of Judah.

Christ the King

Were these generations all made up of righteous people? Were those names befitting of mention in the genealogy of Christ?

Clearly they were not.

Funny question, isn't it? Has that question ever occurred to you? Why on earth should we even ask that?

It's because we're talking about God-made-man here. Can you imagine Christ having the genes of the unrighteous generations before him?

He thought better of it and went

The son answered I don't want to. But later he thought better of it and went.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 21:28-32

I wish I were the son who said I didn't want to, but later changed his mind and went anyway.

It feels more like I was the second son who said he would go, but didn't.

He thought better of it and went

Well, maybe I have been so harsh to myself there. You see, perhaps I have simply grown up.

What authority did Christ have to act like he did?

The Jewish authorities came to him and asked, "What authority have you to act like this?"

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 21:23-27

What authority...?

To Christians these days the question is a no brainer.

Or, is it?

What Authority?

I remember accepting Christ's authority--or shall we call it reaffirming Christ's authority--over my life when I joined the Christian Life Program for Singles for Christ. The fourth talk was about Repentance and Faith, and the statement that Repentance and Faith are two sides of the same coin really struck me.

Who is worthy to untie the Christ's sandal strap?

There is one among you whom you do not recognize...whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.

- From the Gospel Today, John 1:6-8,19-28

If John the Baptist is not worthy to untie the sandal strap of Christ, then who is?

John the Baptist

John the Baptist knows his place in the kingdom of God, and he does not waste words in saying it.

Humility ... that's what I see.

And this is notwithstanding the fact that he is known for his fiery words, which earned for him a reputation among the Jews.

Elijah has already come?

Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.

- From the Gospel Today, Matthew 17:9,10-13

With Elijah's faith lightning came from the sky and burned his sacrifices.

Who is Elijah in my life? Don't I recognize him too?

Let's admit it. Most, if not all of us, couldn't care less who Elijah was and what he did. Yeah, we know his story. In fact, his story was cool! No one else in Bible history ever asked God to send fire from heaven...and got it! Wasn't that cool?

But then why bother too much about Elijah? We already have the main cast of the story...Jesus Christ!

Wisdom is vindicated by her works

"Wisdom is vindicated by her works."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:16-19

How does my faith show in my thoughts and behaviors?

Prayer sometimes brings joy to my heart. But prayer sometimes brings tears to my eyes and wounds in my heart.

Still, I pray.

This is because prayer is a covenant, a commitment not subject to what I feel about it at every moment. To not pray is like to hold the air down my throat.

The Unyielding Seize Heaven

"The kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered and the unyielding seize it."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:11-15

We can reach heaven. The abundance of God is within our reach.

AND we have a God who is more than willing to let us into heaven and enjoy the riches therein.

Isn't that what the gospel is saying?

Then perhaps some of us may ask...
Why don't love and abundance happen in my life?

Come To Me And I Will Give You Rest

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." - From the Gospel according to Matthew 11:28-30

Life is hard, they say. It can be easy too! It is a choice.

"Oh, that's ridiculous! How can life be easy?" A voice inside you may say. But then someone in another part of the world will ask, "Why do people make life so complicated?"

I have seen happy people and miserable people in almost every corner...be it in the business districts, the Board rooms or the slums where I serve. I see both happy and miserable people in the same seat in the Church, as well as in the same wards in the hospital.

Which type are you?

Not One of the Little Ones Shall be Lost

"It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 18:12-14

I find this verse very touching.

Do the words "little ones" include me too? Do they refer to my brothers and my sisters too? How about my father, and my mother? my children?

We are little ones in the eyes of God; and oh how Christ would have wanted to keep us like little chicks under the wings of the mother hen, but we wouldn't.

Do we believe God will not let go of us, even if we let go of Him?

Let it Be Done To Me As You Have Said

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said..."

- From the Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38

What a reply! Only a man--this time a woman--with childlike and absolute faith in God will ever be able to say it.

Isn't it?

The Virgin Mary said it, straight from her heart. Surely God did not see any duplicity in her.

Think about it, shall God choose someone of lesser degree for His Plan to save mankind through Jesus Christ?

Do we emulate Mary's obedience?

Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?

"He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

- From the Gospel according to Mark 1:1-18

Are you living in the Holy Spirit?

There is a great revival spreading across Christiandom today, especially the Catholic Church. It has been going on since Vatican II.

We are rediscovering Pentecost!

We are rediscovering the Holy Spirit in our lives!

That's the GREAT NEWS! Hallelujah!

Is the Kingdom of Heaven Here?

"Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

I remember watching the movie with horror at what happened during the Crusades. Indeed, Christians at that time fought wars just to save Jerusalem and the rest of Christian lands from the hands of the Muslims, who likewise considered Jerusalem as their "Holy Land" that should be freed from the hands of the "infidels."

Kingdom of Heaven
That's a title of a movie, right?

Unfortunately, the kingdom that Christians during the Crusades died for was NOT the kingdom of heaven God has proclaimed for mankind.

Let me explain.

As You Have Believed, So Let It Be

"'Do you believe that I am able to do what you want? Jesus touched their eyes and said, 'As you have believed, so let it be.' And their eyes were opened." - From the Gospel according to Matthew 9:27-31

Can you imagine all the good things happening in your life, simply because you believe?


In truth, this is one of the principles being taught in success books and seminars these days. Believe, and it will happen to you. They say this is a "natural" law. Of course they're also quick to say that there are other natural laws, such as gravity, human anatomy, mathematics, chemistry, etc.

Then they add that the principle works both ways. If you believe you're a failure, you then would act accordingly and end up being a failure. But if you believe you're going to be a success, then you will act accordingly and that's what you will become.

They often quote Henry Ford, and I may be paraphrasing his words here..."Whether you believe you can or cannot, either way you are right." In fact, they say, what you are now is the product of all your core beliefs before.

Is this what Jesus himself is teaching us today?

Here's How To Build Your House on Rock

"So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock."

- From the Gospel according to Matthew 7:21,24-27

What is it to build our house--our lives--on rock? Is it to live a life of comfort, far from the pains of life, away from the pressures and problems?

No, no, no. Far from it.

The gospel today is clear on the fact that the wise man and the fool both experienced the same thing..."The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house."

But the wise man's house "did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock."

What happened to the house of the fool? It "collapsed and was completely ruined."

The Dumb Speaking? The Lame Walking?

"All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking...so they glorified the God of Israel."
- From the Gospel according to Matthew 15:6-10.



Uncanny, aren't they? After all, they were the work of God, no less; through the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Healings like this happen these days in many parts of the world, as we speak. After all, Christ commissioned men to do even more than what He did when He was here on earth, mingling with men.

I saw the healing session of Bob Canton in the recent Kerygma Conference, and I prayed, "Lord, who am I not to believe what I am seeing?"

Have we claimed for ourselves the healing power of God?

Yet it is not just physical healing that God offers us, but a life full of joy in His divine kingdom.

Prophets and Kings Would Have Liked To See What You See

We may count among the prophets and kings who would have liked to see Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in person.

But are we, really? Christ's presence even in today's world is clear to the eyes of whom Jesus has revealed himself. For if it's indeed a big deal that we haven't seen Christ in person, then what would Saint Paul say of us?

Isn't the Eucharist enough? It isn't just a centuries old ritual sustained by the Catholic Church. It IS the living body of Christ, then, now and in the near future! Jesus is alive!

What about the Catholic Church itself, and the Papacy that has led it for centuries? Isn't it that Jesus said that He will build His Church on this rock? Jesus is alive!

What about the Blessed Virgin Mary who unceasingly reveals herself to mankind? Isn't it that Jesus said to John, "Son, behold, your mother"? Jesus is alive!

Come, sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Abraham. At least three major religions in the world claim to be his descendants.

Isaac was Abraham’s son with his legitimate wife Sarah. Isaac became the father of Jacob who had 12 sons, who soon grew to become the 12 tribes of Israel, the Jews, whom God liberated from Egypt, and whom God claims as His own chosen people.

Isaac had a step-brother Ishmael, through Sarah’s handmain Haran. It is through Ishmael that Muslims claim to be sons of Abraham.

Christians claim a shared inheritance with the Jews through Jesus, whom Jews disowns. Christians are what Jesus refer to as the those coming from the east and the west, who shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Today, Jews are still waiting for the Messiah. But Christians say the Messiah has come, in the person of Jesus, and that Jesus will come again with great glory and honor.