Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Friday of the 3rd week of Lent Mark 12:28-34 God invites to a new life.  He calls us to forgiveness and conversion. However, we are not faithful to God.  We turn to our wealth, fame, and others for comfort and meaning.  These will not save us.  Only living in God would save us. When the good scribe affirmed Jesus' answer, he was truly speaking from his heart.  This is what it really means to be a good person: love God above all things and show that you mean it. So how do we show our love for God?  These three things are the consequences of God's love. First, We are led to love others with the love we treat ourselves.  All of us know what is good for us.  But to guide us toward the greater good, want we want should apply equally to what others want. Second, love others with the love God has for us.  Always bask in the sea of God's love.  How does God love?  Immerse in the stories of Jesus.  Ultimately, the more e...

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...

Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent Luke 15:1-3,11-32  The parable of the Prodigal Son reflects Goa as a God of mercy more than his is a God of justice as he waits for his long lost son.  God's justice is also his mercy. God is offering us forgiveness on two levels: First, on the level of extreme fallenness - one who actually has fallen into the depth of sinfulness.  Note the publican in the bible who prays, "Forgive me for I am a sinful man." But the second level is equally culpable, sinful, and dark; like the pharisee who prayed, "Lord I thank you because I'm not like this publican."  It is the sin of pride, arrogance, and judging others. This sin is dark because the one committing the sin is totally blind to his own fallenness; he/ she only sees the sins of others.  That person is playing god.  This kind of sin is harder to forgive for the sinner has blinded himself. Pray to be freed from pride in all its forms.  Stay humble and ask the fo...

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 by Fr. Lito Jopson, alumnus of San Jose Seminary 1993 Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.  We reflect on the instances of Joseph's life as enumerated by the Rosary of St. Joseph formulated by the Oblates of St. Joseph. According to the Oblates, the St. Joseph Rosary may be prayed just as Marian rosary, substituting the following prayer for the “Hail Mary" with these words: Joseph, son of David, and husband of Mary; we honor you, guardian of the Redeemer, and we adore the child you named Jesus.  Saint Joseph, patron of the universal church, pray for us, that like you we may live totally dedicated to the interests of the Savior. Amen. Mysteries of the St. Joseph Rosary are as follows: 1.  Betrothal to Mary (Mt 1:18) - Joseph gets ready to take up his responsibility of being the husband of Mary; reveals his unquestionable faithfulness...