Opposing Forces?

"...be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves..."

16 “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. 17 [a]But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 [b]Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end[c] will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.[d]-Matthew10:16-23

"...be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves..." Is it possible? Can we be shrewd as serpents, yet remaining simple as doves? Yes, we can! Jesus is not saying we embrace our wickedness along with goodness at the same time. Shrewdness is not a bad attitude, on the contrary, it can complement and boost goodness to far far places. I actually remembered Harry Potter and Voldemort. Both are great wizards, but each is in a different path. One is great but evil. The other is great and good. If greatness is given to us, which path are we going to choose? Jesus today is inviting us to be strong and firm in times of difficulty especially if our faith is put to the test. And, to appreciate the greatest gift of freely practicing our faith.

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What to do?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 [a]Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 [b]Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”-John20:24-29

Some say religion is outdated. Some say religion, with its old teachings and traditions, has no place in the 21st century with all its technology and progress. Some even say that God does not exist at all since He cannot be sensibly perceived - no more parting of the Red Sea, no more triumph over our enemies, no more walking in the water, no more calming of the storm, and so forth. Poor, poor souls. Faith is freely given to all. It is given to you and me. God connected and reached out to us, but what about us? What are we going to do with the gift of faith? Are we going to ignore it or embrace it? Do we really have to sensibly perceive and understand God first before believing? “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Image courtesy: God's Not Dead

Tempests

...even the winds and the sea obey

23 [a]He got into a boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a violent storm[b] came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. 25 They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us![c] We are perishing!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”[d] Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. 27 The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”-Matthew8:23-27

Jesus is inviting us to be unafraid when we are confronted by life's sufferings. He is asking us to have faith and believe that all will be well. Besides, we are not alone because God never leaves our side. God may be silent and seems to have gone away, but it is in silence that He works all the more for us. Miracles do happen. Sometimes a little faith is all that is needed.

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What's your miracle story?

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

21 When Jesus had crossed again [in the boat] to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. 22 One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her[a] that she may get well and live.” 24 He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
25 There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 [b]She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”
35 [c]While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” 36 Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” 37 He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 [d]So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. 41 [e]He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” 42 The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. [At that] they were utterly astounded. 43 He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.-Mark5:21-43

It is never God's intention for us to suffer and die. However, some things do happen for a reason, for a purpose. Once, I held on to these stories; and like Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman, hoped for a miracle, for a happy ending. I spent and exhausted what faith, hope and trust in me as I await for a miracle. But nothing came. But looking back at my experience, my sorrow, pain and suffering actually helped me be a better person. It made me see my wrongs. One thing is certain, whether we got what we asked for or not, whether we have a happy ending or not, God will always be there for us and will always make things right.

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Jesus' Strong Teaching

Food for Life.

6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs,[a] or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread,[b] 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
12 [c]“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.
13 [d]“Enter through the narrow gate;[e] for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. 14 How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.-Matthew7:6-14

Jesus says it all. Everything is as clear as water. What do you say? 

Make a Wish

Faith that makes miracles.

11 He entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve.12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. 13 Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. 14 And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it.15 They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 16 He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. 17 Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written:‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.”18 The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 When evening came, they went out of the city.20 Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. 23 Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. 25 When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” [26 ][c]-Mark11:11-26

[22 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. 23 Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.] But then, why is it that we have so many well-intentioned requests and yet are not granted? Why is it that despite squeezing all the faith in us, still our request is not granted? Why is it that even when bargaining with God, our request is not granted? Because sometimes (or most of the time) what we ask for is not what is truly good for us. Sometimes what we ask for is not in line with the will of God. Sometimes, God would have wanted us to persevere in asking until we are convinced that our petition is granted. The other day, I asked God to give me a chance to go back in time to undo my wrongs and to alter my life. A good request isn't it? I think so many people have done mistakes that they would want to change given a chance that they can travel back in time. But God said to me in prayer, "Are you ready to face the consequences of your actions?" The truth, no. It is easy to ask. It is easy to believe that what we are asking is for the good of all. But sometimes we fail to see what is truly good in the eyes of God.

Image courtesy: God's Not Dead

Not Alone

Jesus has conquered the world.

29 His disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”[a] 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32 Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered[b] to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”-John16:29-33

It is easy to make promises when we are in our comfort zones. But sometimes our words, promises, oaths, vows, alliances and relationships are put to test through trials and difficulties. What we promised in one hour, can be broken in the next. In the Gospel, the disciples' statement truly manifest their faith in Jesus. But Jesus slams it by telling them that they will leave Him alone. And yet, despite this, Jesus is still the One who comforts them. In fact, Jesus who will suffer in the Passion, is the One strengthening them, preparing them and still blessing them with peace. Like His disciples, we, too, are always in the heart of Jesus. No matter what we failed to do, Jesus still beckons us to Himself. He will forgive and welcome us despite the weight of our sins.

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Transcendence

Jesus will never leave us.

7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father.[a] From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father,[b] and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.-John14:7-14

There are people who say that religion is outdated. Some people say, "Why do you still want to believe on something or Someone that existed a long time ago? Can it really be true?" As for me, I believe in Jesus and/or His works. If it is difficult to believe in His person, then "believe because of the works themselves." The problem with many of us is that we want everything to be seen, heard, touched, smelled or tasted. Well, there are things that go beyond the limits of nature and the universe - and that is Faith, Hope and Love.

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Better Alternative

Do not be afraid.

16 When it was evening, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea[a] and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. 20 But he said to them, “It is I.[b] Do not be afraid.” 21 They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.-John6:16-21

This is the first time I'm reading this version of Jesus walking in the water. But what struck me the most is the last line in the gospel - 'They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.' I was touched by it because there are many times in my life when I made many plans, many proposals, many promises to God but in the end, He has another plan for me. I tried to make God give me what I want at a certain point in my life, but it was never granted. Though my request was not granted, God gave me a much better gift - I know and still learning Love. It is indeed true that God knows what is best for us.

Image courtesy: The Bible – History Channel

The Passion

Jesus suffered and died to save us all.

... 6 Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. 7 A man called Barabbas[v] was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. 8 The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. 9 Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what [do you want] me to do with [the man you call] the king of the Jews?” 13 [w]They shouted again, “Crucify him.” 14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” 15 [x]So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.16 [y]The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. 18 They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.22 They brought him to the place of Golgotha (which is translated Place of the Skull). 23 They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 [aa]Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning[ab] when they crucified him. 26 [ac]The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. [28 ][ad] 29 [ae]Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself by coming down from the cross.” 31 Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. 33 At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”[af] which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 [ag]Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” 36 One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” 37 Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 [ah]The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 [ai]When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”...-Mark14:1-15:47

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Jesus is inviting us to accompany Him in His last days in Jerusalem by meditating on His way to Calvary, death and Resurrection. We have our own share of sufferings. We have our own Calvary too. Jesus shares His victory to us all that we too may triumph with life's struggles.

Image courtesy: Passion of the Christ  

Forgive + Pray

Pray + Forgive.

7 [a]In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.[b] 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9 [c]“This is how you are to pray:Our Father in heaven,[d] hallowed be your name,10 your kingdom come,[e] your will be done, on earth as in heaven.11 [f]Give us today our daily bread;12 and forgive us our debts,[g] as we forgive our debtors;13 and do not subject us to the final test,[h] but deliver us from the evil one.14 [i]If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.-Matthew6:7-15

This is the Gospel reading that always makes me smile because I am in some way guilty of babbling. Yes, when I pray, so many words come out from my thoughts. I have a story or two to share with God everyday. I communicate with Him as if we are two friends, and when I say communicate, it means He talks too. Jesus is teaching us how to really pray - to acknowledge and praise Our Father in Heaven, His kingdom and His will; supplication; contrition; and deliverance. Let us not grow weary in praying to God!

image courtesy: artist

No partiality

Something good comes out from seemingly negative circumstances.

24 From that place he went off to the district of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. 25 Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.[b] For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” 28 She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.-Mark7:24-30

During the time of Jesus, the Jews have a very low regard for Gentiles, even calling them 'dogs.' This name-calling is known to the Gentiles, still, they continued with their lives. In the Gospel reading, Jesus in some way indirectly addressed the Syrophoenician woman [and possibly her child and all Gentiles] as 'dogs.' How can this be? Jesus' approach for each and every person is different regardless of one's status or affiliations in life. He was like a teacher to the Samaritan woman by the well. He was a healer to the Samaritan leper. Jesus knows how to weave Himself into our lives. Here, perhaps it is Jesus' intention to put the Syrophoenician woman's faith and love to the test. How far is she willing to go in the name of faith? in her faith in Jesus to cure her child? in her love for her child? Yes, there is a shadow of truth that perhaps a different person would have slapped His Majesty for saying, "Let the children be fed first.[b] For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." Dogs?! Women are considered weak at that time, and second class citizens. All the more worse if she happens to be a Gentile. But here, the woman has shown much courage,grace and faith while undergoing the test. Her faith is coupled with dauntless sincerity, hope, firm resolution that she will not return home with empty hands, and humility that truly touched Jesus' heart. Her story continues to live on to inspire and touch the hearts of many. But her story is not just about the miraculous healing of her child, but in some way, it is also a story of conversion and a testimony that Jesus does not show partiality at all. He comes to save and help us regardless of our religion, race, status, etc.

Image courtesy: artist 

Faith in our Hearts

Walk with Jesus!

7 He summoned the Twelve[a] and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 [b]He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 [c]He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 [d]They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.-Mark6:7-13

How does it take to be a missionary? What must one do to have a "staying" power? I realized that we, humans, cannot do anything on our own. Everything comes from God and through God. Some people say we should unlock our potentials so that the "superhuman" in us will come out. These people even justify it by quoting Jesus' Words, "... you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." But the truth is this, Jesus said, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." It is through faith that we can move mountains. But faith is something that did not originate in us but is still a call, an invitation a grace and gift from God for us to accept and respond.

Image courtesy: Makulot Mountain

True Friend

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”-Mark2:1-12

A few things struck me. First, the friends of the paralyzed man are true friends indeed. Some friends disappear in times of trouble. There are those who suddenly disappear when their friend loses power, money or influence. But the paralyzed man's friends stood by him in his lowest moment. In fact, it is their faith that contributed to his healing. Whereas the paralyzed man never uttered a word in the gospel (though I believe that deep inside he was crying out loud for mercy and forgiveness), I believe that the actions of his friends successfully sent to Jesus their friend's plea. Their united faith in Jesus' healing mercy was channeled to His heart successfully despite the absence of words. Second, Jesus indeed is a true Friend. Jesus did not just show healing and forgiveness only, but He showed that He is a God-made-man who truly loves us, truly cares for us and is a true Friend to us. How did we treat our friends and neighbors today?

Image courtesy: God's Not Dead

Faith in Action

Jesus is my sure foundation.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”-Matthew7:21,23-27

Q: What is the will of the Father?

A: Those who heard the Words of Jesus and acted on them.

Q: Why is it that there are some who said, "Lord, Lord," and yet are not accepted in the kingdom of heaven?

A: Either they did not wish to hear the Words of Jesus, or they did hear the Words of Jesus but did not put it to practice.

Q: How come they heard the Words of Jesus but not put it into practice?

A: For many reasons like selfishness, unwilling to change, does not care for one's neighbor, and so on. Remember, "Anyone who knows what is good but does not do it, sins" [James4:17].

Q: How can we put Jesus' Words into action?

A: Many reasons like good acts on others, being a Good Samaritan, a helper to those who are hungry and thirsty, a comforter to the stranger and naked, a friend to the imprisoned and sick, and so on. Sometimes all that it takes is a small act of goodness and kindness to others like helping an old lady cross the street, or saying "Thank You."

Image courtesy: various artists

God's Not Dead! He Lives Forever!

Blessed are they who open themselves to God.

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”-Luke10:21-24

Blessed indeed are the eyes and ears that saw and heard Jesus during His active ministry. We still see and hear Him though obscurely and in faith. How I wish for the time when finally I would see clearly God's Presence through the grace of beatific vision.

Jesus pointed out that the childlike are the ones who easily see and believe in God, whereas the wise and the learned - the thinkers of this time - cannot easily accept Him. The knowledge of God will always be hidden to anyone who does not have a childlike heart. This knowledge is not difficult to gain because what is needed is simple openness, acceptance and understanding that God is alive and lives among us and is in us. Once we opened to this grace, the flood gate of knowledge is opened making us see and understand Him according to our capacity. Strange that thinkers would like to prove that God existed mathematically, scientifically and philosophically. But once proven that indeed He existed, the thinkers use the fact against Him.

I saw the movie "God's Not Dead" the other day and I was so touched by the many students, men and women who defended God, who stood by God, and bravely defied their professors and teachers who taught the opposite. Indeed, these students, men and women are God's instruments, warriors and in some way, present day "Martyrs." Yes, they shared the hardships and persecutions of the early Christians who bravely surrendered themselves for the Faith.

Are we brave enough to stand by God today?

Image courtesy: G. Dore (Paradiso) and 'God's Not Dead' movie

Faith and Humility in his heart

Faith. Love. Humility.

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.-Matthew8:5-11

The Romans were once considered the masters of the world. All the countries and peoples they captured, were considered merely their subjects. The centurion - a powerful man - showed much humility before Jesus when he asked for healing for his servant (or slave to some accounts). Just imagine a powerful man humbling himself before a "subject" and asking for help. Above all, the faith of the centurion is something to behold. Normally, we want to see, hear, feel, taste or smell a healing miracle. We want the senses and intellect to be satisfied of its curiosity. "I want to see it," we say. But the centurion so believed in Jesus, that even His Words alone are enough to make miracles and wonders. I cannot help but feel a little irony and sadness. The centurion - a powerful man and hardened by battles, blood and death scenes - believed that Jesus' Words are powerful to make miracles and other majesties. Today, it is hard to convince some people that God is so powerful that His words alone are enough to make wonders and miracles. They much prefer Big Bang, or laws of science and math instead.

Another quality of the centurion that struck me the most is his ability to love. And love is God. Therefore, without him knowing it, he believes in God - in Jesus. Not all Roman masters care for their servants or slaves. If one goes, there are plenty of replacements to choose from. Hey, they can even import from other conquered countries. But the centurion showed love, concern and care for his servant.

Have we shown care to others?

Image courtesy: Radu Oltean (Centurion), Paolo Veronese (Jesus and the Centurion), artist