Faith brings us to perfection in Jesus Christ


Saturday of the 6th week of Eastertide


John 16:23-28

The gospel today offers us a lively faith far than we can ever imagine.  It is faith just as Jesus says, "Anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name."

It's been two months since we've been praying that God may remove the virus from the world.  It also has happened in our lives that though we prayed, our prayers were not granted.  But we never faltered in that faith.  We may have doubted sometimes, but the faith was never removed from our hearts.  Instead, we were taught to be steadfast in our faith, forever trusting the Lord that things would always turn out better in the end. 

The faith that God has given us through Jesus in the Spirit call us:

First, to continue being steadfast in the faith amidst trials as if it is being purged in fire or pruned to perfection.  Faith itself is the gift that no one can take away from.

Second, even in the midst of trials, that faith makes us witnesses of God's steadfast love to others.

Third, faith, pruned to perfection, enables us to receive the fullness of life.  Remember the life of the martyrs on earth.  Their blood brought that faith to perfection, enabling them to receive the crown of everlasting life.  There is nothing else we need except God alone.

Faith is God's gift to us.  In the midst of trials, we hold on to that faith, believing that in the end God will saves us in Jesus Christ and make us perfect.  It's all we need.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso

Sinambit na ni Kristo ang ikalawang huling salita, "Ngayon isasama kita sa paraiso." Sinabi niya ito sa rurok ng kanyang paghihirap, sa panahong pati ang salaring nasa kanyang kaliwa'y tinutuya siya, "iligtas mo ang iyong sarili pati na kami." Sa krus, nakita pa rin ni Hesus ang dalisay na puso ng kanyang kapwa, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa iyong sinabi.  tayo ay nagkasala, ngunit wala siyang kasalanan." Handa na yung isang salarin na siya maparusahan.  Ang tanging kanyang nasambit na lamang ay, "Panginoon, alalahanin mo na lamang ako sa iyong kaharian." May dalawang uri ng pagtugon sa Panginoon.  Yung isa'y nanunuya, nang-iinsulto, sakim, makasarili, namimilit na siya'y iligtas at pagaanin ang buhay, Kahit ang iba'y naghihirap, siya'y hindi. Yaong isa nama'y humigingi ng tawad, mapagkumbaba.  Doon sasabihin ni Hesus, "Ngayon, isasama kita sa paraiso." Yaong isa, naniniwala sa paraisong nilikha ng Diyos noo
Read more

Beatitudes

Search "beatitudes" in the internet and you'll find this definition: a state of supreme happiness. I don't think that there is an event in our lives when we felt "supreme" or "utmost" happiness.  But Jesus tagged beatitudes to the meek and humble, the poor, sorrowing, and persecuted, and not to those who grew rich by luck or hard work, or to the powerful and influential. I think there is more more than outcasting the rich and the powerful and exulting the poor.  After all, who is the really rich and powerful in this world except those who are blessed in the sight of God. The beatitudes teach us a valuable lesson on choosing the real wealth, peace, and happiness.  For even in sorrowing, the Christian is consoled; even in pain the Christian feels peace.  Even in death, the Christian has life. Only God in Christ could give the Christian real and everlasting happiness.
Read more