Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Thursday of week 1 in Ordinary Time Mark 1:40-45 Photo courtesy of: http://www.fromhisword2u.com/jesus-heals-a-leper-matthew-8-1-4-mark-1-40-45-luke-5-12-16/ There is sea of difference between "I will it" and "You will it for me." Such is the case of the first reading.  The Israelites thought that by carrying the Ark of the Covenant, they would win the war against the Philistines.  They were badly mistaken. The gospel, on the other hand, revealed the heart of the leper, "If you want to, you can cure me." Jesus said, "Of course!" Faith is not a matter of superstition.  Nor is it a set template that leads one to sure salvation.  We sometimes think that by simply doing good and avoiding evil, we could get to heaven.  Others think that by simply serving in the church as liturgical ministers, they're already active Catholics. The only gauge of true faith is in Jesus himself.  We could only adhere to him to save us in his good pl...

Thursday of the 3rd week of Lent Luke 11:14-23 We know deep in our hearts that God is ready to forgive us and grant us new life.  But the readings reflect a close-minded disposition. In Jeremiah, the Lord concluded, “Here is the nation that will not listen to the voice of the Lord its God nor take correction. Sincerity is no more, it has vanished from their mouths.”  Meanwhile, in the gospel, Jesus was accused of being an instrument of Beelzebub, prince of demons.  But Jesus was able to explain aptly, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."  He also concluded, "‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’" There are three ways we can avoid such disorientation about God. First, remember that God is a God or order and not of destruction.  Sin entered into the world and destroyed and continue to destroy what God has started.  Don't blame God for every misfortune.  Rather, turn to him what sin has de...

Tuesday of week 2 in Ordinary Time Mark 2:23-28 The readings reflect two wills: man's and God's.  In the first reading, man does not see as God sees.  For God looks in the heart.  Thus, he chose David to be king. In the Gospel, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, saying, "Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath." Let us pray for the grace to do God's will instead of our own.  God's will saves all people; our wills save ourselves.  God's will is for his greater glory and honor.  Our wills serve ourselves. Let us also analyze the way we become open to God's will.  The first is when we were children; we were taught by our parents and catechists to adhere to God's laws and the laws of the Church - going to Mass every Sunday, receiving communion, knowing the prayers, going to confession, and others. The second level opens us to the possibility of serving the parish as readers, acolytes, and being involved in ministries. But we can't...

God's will Luke 11:27-28 Joel is known for describing the day of the Lord and his final judgment and retribution.  Egypt will suffer while Judah will be inhabited forever. In the gospel, who is blessed?  Those who do God's will and keep it.  Eventually, they are the ones who really live in contrast with those who follow their own wills. To be blessed means to constantly stay close to Jesus, his presence and his words and actions. To be blessed means to act 'in persona Christi', in the person of Christ, especially in giving life to others. To be blessed means to place oneself in the total service of Jesus.

Follow God's will Luke 9:7-9 The Lord was displeased with the plans to build the temple.  The Jews are not sacrificing enough; they want to be served rather than serve.  Get the wood and build the temple, says the Lord. Herod was anxious about Jesus.  But he didn't quite come close to knowing who Jesus was except that he only felt attracted to his words. There are two types of persons: those who follow their own wills and those who follow God's will. In as much as people are inclined to be attracted to Jesus' words, they don't come close to actually doing His will. Herod did not even come close to knowing about Jesus because he was filled with his own lies. May we be humble enough to admit not following his will.  Then we can try harder to listen to and follow him.

God's will Matthew 8:1-4 Nothing is impossible with God.   But what is more important is whatever God's will is, it shall be done. Abraham laid out the impossibility.  He was ninety nine years old and Sarah was barren.  But God blessed them nevertheless. In the gospel, Jesus cured a leper. Perhaps it could give us a hint to be convinced that nothing is impossible with God.  The leper said, "If you want to, you can cure me."  And Jesus said, "Of course I want to!" This plea is a lot different from "Heal me!" or "I command you to heal me!"  The statement, "If you want to..." is a statement of utmost faith.  It implies submission to Jesus. Let us submit our lives to Jesus.  God's will will happen anyway.  Happy are we who live out God's will.

Do God's will Mark 3:31-35 The scriptures never emphasized it enough "Do God's will." Do God's will instead of focusing on offerings or holocausts.  "Do God's will" for us to be rightfully be called the mother, brothers, and sisters of Jesus.  What does it mean exactly to do God's will? Only one point - when we prioritize above all God's will and not our own.  The late Fr. Tom explained it with a parable.  Imagine a situation where the birthday celebrant was asked by a greeter, "Tell me what you want for your birthday and I will give it to you.  Do you want a land? Vacation? New car? Tell me." The celebrant says, "I want blue cheese." "But no one wants blue cheese for his birthday." "But that is what I want," is the response. Which one should we do? Work for God or doing God's work?  Grant that we may move away from ourselves so we can freely do God's work.

Heed God's voice Matthew 11:16-19 Since yesterday in the mass readings, God is assurance us the Jesus will do all the work; and He did. In today's readings, the Lord reminds us to listen and follow Him, "If only you had been alert to my commandments." (Isaiah 48:17-19) Even in police stories, "Don't take the law into your own hands" is a common norm.  Why not apply it with faith? But know that if only, ALL people would heed God's command, then this world will exist in abundance. But if mankind is not following God, does it mean that we would also do the same?  No, because as long as there people attuned to God, and that includes us, there is still hope for the world.

Week 1, Thursday It is surprising that a leper who in dire need of healing would not impose himself on Jesus.  But he would ask him: "If you want to, you can cure me." Yesterday, Samuel said, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening" and "Here I am, Lord.  I come to do your will."  The reading reflect God's will and our will. A factor that enables us to be like the image of God is our freedom to choose on what we want. Unfortunately, we also use that to come into conflict with what God wants. God's will brings out the good in us.  His will causes us to be free.  His will causes us to be fruitful.  Think about the opposite of this and we end up doing our own wills.  And we dare not impose our wills on God. May our prayer then be, "If it is your will..."  We would surely hear our Lord saying, "Of course, I want to!"