Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Solemn oath Mark 10:1-12 Among Filipinos, we are not fond of relying on our oaths.  We sometimes say, "I'm coming" but we don't.  We say, "I'll give a solemn promise" but that promised gets nailed down. But there is one Tagalog word that somehow encapsulates the real meaning of oath.  The word is "Bahala".  It is a shorter word for "Bathala"  which means "God".  When we say, "Bahala na", we're actually saying that we are letting God take over our lives because His word will be fulfilled.  But when we say "akong bahala", we're actually going back to the corrupted notion of an oath.  For an oath, to be binding, needs a divine witness; and only God is our witness. So stop giving solemn oath unless we mean it.  Let us leave it entirely to God to bless our solemn promise.

Fruitfulness Mark 8:14-21 We have seen fruits in the letter of St. James, by our actions pleasing to God, we are like first fruits of God's creation. Jesus in the gospel reminds the apostles of the fruits of the Pharisees in contrast with his fruits as reflected in the multiplication of the loaves. You will know a tree by its fruits.  There are two fruits, the fruits of life and the fruits of sin.  Let us focus on the fruitfulness of being servants of God.  These are: 1. Holy actions - God's son's and daughters reflect God's holiness in thought, word, and deed; this is in contrast with the open admittance of man's fallenness that he doesn't have any intention of rising from the state of fallenness. 2. many are saved - define salvation wholistically and integrally; not just spiritual salvation; and 3. the glory of God is revealed - every action, thought, or word gives testimony to the glorified Lord.

From little things... Mark 7:24-30 St. Therese of the Child Jesus was speaking of the Little Way.  If she could just offer even the smallest part of her life to God, she would experience heaven. "From little things, big things grow" so we came to know.  Each day is a little thing.  Whatever we do each day, even the little thing, accounts for so many when the time is ripe. "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do it to me" points to the relational aspect of the faith. Finally, the smallest crumb of Eucharist contains the fullness of Jesus himself.  If in the Eucharist we cannot give ourselves, how can this whole world be sanctified.

Wisdom Mark 7:14-23 Is wisdom today a scarce commodity?  All people can have the gift of wisdom as Solomon has. Let's start with the the conventional definitions of wisdom.  It is knowledge gained by experience.  Life itself is a school where we learn the lessons of life.  We need the grace of the Lord to show us the way. Wisdom is also the natural ability to understand. In order to gain wisdom we need the following: knowledge, the heart to discern, and the right judgement untainted by evil intentions. In St. Ignatius' spirituality, he recommends that our decisions should be for the common good, for the salvation of others and for greater glory of God.  All these tie up harmoniously to produce good works on earth, the fruits of wisdom of God.

God's healing hands Mark 7:1-13 The main point of Solomon's prayer to God in the blessing of the temple is being humble to admit that even the structure he built is not worthy to be the dwelling place of the Lord; nevertheless, he asks humbly that the Lord hears the prayers of the people and forgive. Humility, mercy, and forgiveness are the keys to the very heart of God.  They are also the key to healing.  Humility is for us to accept that we have sinned before the Lord and tried to act as gods. To plea for God's mercy is to allow him to work in us because of deep compassion. To forgive is finally to heal us. In this feast of the Our Lady of Fatima, we commend all who are sick for healing.  Grant that we may have deep compassion and cause their healing also, only through the mercy of God.

Where does God dwell? Mark 6:53-56 The first reading mentions a thick cloud covering the Ark of the Covenant.  God sanctifies Solomon's gestures. Where things are made holy, God dwells. From the Churches to the byways and every place made holy, God dwells everywhere.  In God's creation, He dwells. He dwells in us.  by virtue of baptism, we are made holy.  We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Who are my mother and brothers and sisters?  He who does the will of my Father." Does God dwell in you?

Be catalysts Mark 6:1-6 The effects of sin are disastrous.  From one person's sins, the consequences are found in the whole community and in the young people.  This is social sin. But there is also social transformation. One has to start being a catalyst and question every ethics and morals.  The catalysts can also lead another to the light of truth.  catalysts can form a new social conscience.  Catalysts can use all creativity and use all resources to transform peoples. Yes, there is a culture of death.  But the culture of life is much more tremendous. Choose life.

Choose Life Mark 5:21-43 We may not know it, but the effects of sin are death and destruction but the way of the Lord leads to life. In order to have life and give life, let us learn from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The Father creates and sustains life; the Son brings us from death to life; and the Holy Spirit constantly brings life till we reach heaven. Choose life; choose God.