All things came to be through him

All things came to be through him, yes. Perhaps we can dare say further that abundance also came to be through him. After all, He has created everything and continues to create everything else.

A Church isn't a Museum. It is alive with the Eucharist. It is a Gift!
"Burgos Cathedral – Catedral de Burgos HDR 3" by Marc

All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race. John 1:3-4 NAB

Abundance here refers to abundance in physical health, abundance in loving relationships, abundance in wealth, and abundance in spirituality. Humans can have them all, can't we? So, why not claim this kind of abundance?

Old Woman Spots Infant Jesus and Praised God?

An old woman spotted Jesus, the infant, and praised God? How many infants passed through her eyes as she stayed in the temple everyday since she was widowed? That alone would underline the significance of this episode.

Prophetess Anna could have easily looked like this, or as portrayed in Welcome to Hosanna website about the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. To those who pray the rosary, the gospel today is the Biblical reference to the 4th Joyful Mystery.

And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 NAB

Observers of that moment may have thought that Anna was simply daydreaming. After all, who would not think that way about an old woman that prayed everyday in the temple? If that episode happened today, I would see it happening the same way.

Who Prays for the Unborn Innocents?

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs. How I wish the killing of innocents has stopped at that day of woe more than 2,000 years ago.

Triumph of the Innocents by William Holman Hunt
Wikimedia Commons

When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13 NAB

It breaks my heart just reading the gospel today about the inconsolable mothers on that day. When at 17 weeks in my wife's womb our second son died, we shed tears of loss. How much more for the mothers of that day who have held their infants in their arms one moment and lost them the next?

Thank God for Priests, the Religious and the Lay Preachers

Thank God for witnesses before us -- the priests, the religious and the lay preachers. They speak about the Word of God so that our lives would be enriched. What would the world look like without them?

'Bible with Cross Shadow' by David Campbell

What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:3-4 NAB

I owe much of what I enjoy now in terms of faith and inner strength from the people who have conveyed the Word of God to me. Foremost among the list are my parents who taught me how to pray by their example. Next are my siblings who share the faith with me and who have inspired me to join the Charismatic movement since I was a teen.

How Strongly Do We Uphold the Family in our Society?

The human family is the basic unit of society. This is where we get our formation, body, mind and soul --- whether we like it or not. How strongly do we uphold it?

Image of the Holy Family from TurnBacktoGod.com

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged. Colossians 3:18-21 NAB

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Let us all reflect on the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the early years of Jesus. Were they much different from other families of their time? In the gospel today, Joseph stands out as an exemplary Godly father who protects his family with all he has got.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! Today we celebrate the birth of Christ. May we all enjoy the light of Christ and the privilege of being children of God!

To those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. John 1:12-13 NAB

Today is the day to be thankful for many many things. Many lives of individuals and nations have been blessed by the message of Christ. Such message has endured the changing times from the persecutions to the fall of the Roman empire down to this age.

But, what is that message for you today?

May the Child Live in Your Heart Today

It's Christmas time, the birth of Christ. It's a time for carols and gifts. May the Child bring joy in your homes. May the Child bring forth gladness in your hearts this Season and beyond.

meadows08.blogspot.com

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:5 NAB

The birth of a child is always a memorable event. It is the culmination of 8-9 months of pregnancy. It is also the start of a lifelong commitment to someone's life -- the life of your child. The difference in Christ's birth is that God is the one committed to us and He is sending His son to be just like us. After all, we are born in His image and likeness.

Does Your Path Lead You There?

The classic story 'Alice in Wonderland' is famous for these lines, "If you don't know where you're going, any path will lead you there.'

'Country Road' by joiseyshowaa

Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4 NAB

The problem with religion is it forces you to think, to introspect, to make changes, to leave the domain of the familiar. But you don't need religion to force you to do all those. Socrates himself said, "An unexamined life is not worth living."

My Spirit Rejoices in God My Savior

Mary proclaimed joy in God during her visit to Elizabeth. Then she said, "from now on will all ages call me blessed." How empowering to realize that such prophetic statement was made true by the saying of the rosary throughout the world.

Mary visits Elizabeth
Image from encyclopediaurantia.org

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. Luke 1:46-48 NAB

The rosary is said in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is our way of meditating on the life and death of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. Through the rosary we experience the joy and suffering and victory of Jesus, with Mary's humility and obedience as the background.

Excitement is good! Has Excitement Ever Overwhelmed You?

Excitement is really good! When I was a very small boy, perhaps 3 years old, I have jumped out of the crib and didn't mind the floor one early morning. The smell of the pan cake my mother was preparing overwhelmed me with excitement.

http://www.excerptsofinri.com/jesus_of_nazareth.html

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb. Luke 1:41a

The other time I remember getting overwhelmed by excitement was when I finally learned how to roll smoothly in Aikido. I kept on rolling and rolling and didn't mind that I hit the wall in one of those rolls. It was a wooden wall. The people on the other side of the wall thought the whole building was collapsing.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New You!

It's Christmas time. It's time to be a child once again. May we have a new self once Christmas 2010 is over and the year 2011 comes in.

An Angel Visits Joseph from Family Christmas Online

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 NAB

The clause “God is with us” can be easily taken for granted. It was the meaning of the name “Emmanuel” as spoken in Isaiah 7:14 and repeated in Matthew 1:23. After all, who gives much attention to the meaning of names these days?

Christ is the Reason for the Season

We keep on hearing this, right? "Christ is the reason for the season," or so many of the greetings go. Even with my entire life around me as a Christian, I still ask, "Why?" The answers have evolved.

Jesus with children from www.turnbacktoGOD.com

The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, While tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people's homage. Genesis 49:10 NAB

From the age I looked at Christmas as the time to receive gifts, I have grown to looking at Christmas as the time for giving gifts! Others describe their experience amusingly as an evolution from excitedly showing up in parties and uncle's homes to hiding from the site of everyone to the extent possible.

Was Christ Good in Marketing?

Was Jesus good in marketing? I think he was. He used testimonies to strengthen His claims. First, he took testimony from John the Baptizer. Then, he drew credibility from His works that were prophesied by Isaiah.

"The Lamp" by Francisco Antunes

He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. John 5:35-36a NAB

I am saying that on the premise that almost everyone whom Jesus talked to at that time do not know Him. Neither were they ready to accept Him. But they were ready to believe in prophecies of salvation and hungry for miracles.

This World is Meant for Bliss

This world is meant for bliss, not suffering or poverty. Most of us are made to believe otherwise through mistaken notions of who God is. It is time to wake up and realize that we are co-creators of the reality we live in today.

'NASA Blue Marble' by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

For thus says the LORD, The creator of the heavens, who is God, The designer and maker of the earth who established it, Not creating it to be a waste, but designing it to be lived in: I am the LORD, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:18 NAB

That indeed is hard to swallow. How can we be co-creators of the reality we see today in the news and in the streets we walk through? We did not ask to be born, right?

How does one become humble?

Humility is clearly the hallmark of Christianity. What is the anatomy of humility? How can we achieve it? I found myself asking these questions one day. You want to be humble but people say you’re humbug.

"A good question for NY" by Gary A.K.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD. Zephaniah 3:12 NAB

It wasn't a fancy question. It wasn't born out of the desire to be labeled and given recognition for being "humble." Frankly, I like recognitions (and who doesn't? ^_^).

God Is With You This Christmas -- Welcome Him!

Christmas is in the air. Christmas parties are everywhere. Let us enjoy the glee knowing that Christmas is about God being with us. How did you do this year? God loves you anyway. How do you want the next year to be? Let God show you the way.

"Believe" by Junichiro Aoyama

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23 NAB

The worst mistake that anyone can do this Season is to question God's authority. I don't blame you for your perceived experience with God, or your experience with how you perceive God to be. But it doesn't change the fact that God has created us with our own free will to deal with God as we please.

Do You Want Help? Fear Not, God Will Help You

I can't think of more reassuring words than these: "Fear not, I will help you." It's like being in the middle of a river and someone throws you a rope to hang on. Man, just grab that rope!

Big Pine Rapids Bail Out on French+River by BobCatNorth

I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 NAB

We all have trials, each according to one's own measure. While we know cerebrally that these trials refine us, sometimes it just doesn't feel that way. As humans, we fear. As humans, we tremble.

May It Be Done According to Your Word

Salvation started with 18 words spoken by Mary in obedience to God’s will. How on heaven and on earth can we not honor her? Reflect on this.

Immaculate Concepcion
Wikimedia Commons

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Today is the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For some people in areas who have the Immaculate Concepcion as their patroness, today is the day for prayer and festivities.

Who do you look up to today?

Who do you look up to today? Who's telling you what or what not to do? Pick one: a person you fully trust and admire, a person you hate, a person you fear, or the Creator of the Universe.

"Mountain View with Sheep" by Jule_Berlin

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care. Isaiah 40:11 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Shepherds look after their flock. In olden times, the flock was more than just an economic asset to the shepherds. There was a special bond. Their survival was tied up to the survival of the other.

Unending Abundance in Christ's Abode

The gospel today speaks of abundance of health and wealth. The first reading of the gospel speaks prophetically of the coming of Christ, including the healing of the sick. The main gospel reading speaks of the healing of the paralytic brought down to Christ through the roof.

Stream of Light, Stream of Water by rachel_thecat

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. Isaiah 35:1 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Do we speak of abundance in our lives today? When we see Christ do we see abundance? Isn't He the Creator of everything, the Alpha and the Omega, the person who has told us, "Knock and you shall be opened"?

I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness in the land of the living

Free Red Apple on Green Grass of Fertility by epSos.de

I believe I shall enjoy the LORD'S goodness in the land of the living. Psalms 27:13 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

Physical health and well-being. Loving relationships with self and others. A network of friends with a common purpose. A life of unconditional giving. You can have them all while you're breathing.

Listen and Act, the Be on the Rock

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21222992@N00/3333734

Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. Matthew 7:24 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

The gospel today talks to people who listen to the Words of God. Then it went on to differentiate those who act on those words and those who don't. The LORD promises a life on the rock to those who act.

They all ate and were satisfied

'They all ate and were satisfied'
Image from http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/yydeokk196/11705

They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over — seven baskets full. Matthew 15:37 NAB

Click this to read the full text of the gospel today.

They all ate and were satisfied. Oh, what a beautiful and heart-warming site. However, two things come to my mind in the gospel today:

1. Of the thousands that ate that day, how many said thanks?
2. The banquet is on-going, isn't it? how many of us partake in it.