Sure Foundation

Lord! Lord!

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,[a] but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you.[b] Depart from me, you evildoers.’
24 [c]“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26 And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
28 [d]When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 [e]for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.-Matthew7:21-29

As I reflected, I wondered how is it possible that somebody who has done great things for Jesus is unknown to Jesus? Then I realize that Jesus is in some way warning us about a 'yeast' that is present in the religious leaders of His time. The Pharisees, scribes, priests, and other religious leaders of His time where learned men, experts of the Law and Torah. However, one thing is missing, it seems they do not know the core of the Law which is Love, and Love is God. Like them, Jesus warns us that it is also possible to know Him, that is, we can say, “Jesus is Lord” and at the same time, do not “know” Him. We all can testify that Jesus is the Messiah and yet not do the will of the Father, hence, we commit sin. Classic example is a daily Church goer or an active Christian or a daily Bible reader, yet agrees to corrupt practices, agrees to capital punishment and abortion, judges/condemns others, agrees to torture and other inhuman acts, extra marital affairs, etc. We commit sin because there is no solid foundation on Love of God and Love of neighbor, that is, there is no concrete knowledge of God and His love. If we are founded and set solidly on God and His Love, we will have the grace to say no to sin, to be firm in times of trials and difficulties, and have a grace-filled life. We can do this through daily meditation of the Scriptures, Eucharist, prayer, above all, constant practice of Love like charity. On the other hand, if we are not founded and set solidly on God and His Love, we easily fall prey to sin, dissipation, despair, and “darkness.” What is your life's foundation?

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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? 

Commandments and Love

Commandment and Love.

9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.-John15:9-11

Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love." To love is to keep the commandments. To keep the commandments is to love. Commandments and love cannot be separated. Commandments are all about love - loving God and one's neighbor. To love God and one's neighbor is to keep the commandments. I watched a TV series about a very-much married man falling in love with another woman. Later, the man left his family for his mistress. Though they know their sin before God, yet they justify their action by saying, "We did not sin. We only love." Though I champion love, I cannot tolerate a love that rooted from infidelity and unfaithfulness. Jesus is inviting us all to love - love God and to love our neighbor. Yes, there are temptations and 'tests' which challenge our love, faithfulness and fidelity. But we have a choice. We are gifted with a conscience that tells us if sin disguises itself in love.

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Children of Light

"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed."

14 And just as Moses lifted up[a] the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 [b]so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”16 For God so loved the world that he gave[c] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn[d] the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 [e]And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.-John3:14-21

Those who engage themselves in embezzlement of funds would do it in secret or behind closed doors. The men who enter into extra-marital affairs would do it in secret or in faraway places where they are not known at all. Even cheating during exams are done in secret or in a furtive way. Aren't we tired of secrets? Aren't we tired of constantly looking behind our backs? Aren't we tired of fear of being discovered? Aren't we tired of hiding? Aren't we tired of always explaining? Aren't we tired of lies? Aren't we tired of the heaviness in our hearts because we are guilty? Jesus does not condemn but He is inviting us to step into the light. Our actions may say we are evil or wicked, but the Light - that is Jesus - can purify us and make us brand new and whole once more. Jesus is full of mercy and compassion; He will wash us clean and free of the stains of sins. It is never too late to change and repent. Jesus is inviting us to be children of Light today! Now, let us put on the New Skin - the armor of Jesus.

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Pride and Prejudice

The humbled and the exalted.

9 He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. 10 “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ 13 But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”-Luke18:9-14

One day my friend shared that when she was in the middle of her job training, one boss shared that he doesn't prefer graduates from top schools because the latter usually fights back, talks back, arrogant, and so forth. But, when my sister was looking for a job many years ago, she encountered many executives who prefer graduates of top schools, graduates who studied with this or that professor, graduates with 'connections directly or indirectly,' graduates who revolve in the same circle with them, executives, one way or another. Years before, a boss asked me who I prefer as friends, and I said, "Anybody." He said, "No! Pick only the rich, the well-connected, and brilliant. Because a janitor cannot help you when you are in trouble. They will even ask money from you. Make friends with the elite only. They alone can help you." I do not exactly agree with him because one way or another, a person is capable of helping me or others regardless of his/her status.

The world is full of prejudice and discrimination. We may deny it, we may say we haven't done it, but in truth, we have done it perhaps unconsciously or indirectly. Jesus is teaching us to be humble always. He is reminding us that we are all created the same way, have committed sins, imperfect. Who are we, then, to separate ourselves from the rest of humanity, if we have sinned just like the rest? Rather than focusing on ourselves and in our own human capacities and successes, let us bear in mind that God is the true Bringer of all that we enjoy in life. "God can give and can take away."

Image courtesy: The Passion of the Christ

Watch out! It's a trap!

Watch out! It's a trap!

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”-Luke21:24-36

Jesus is warning us all to be careful and be watchful lest our hearts be weighed down by carousing, drunkenness and anxieties of life. Many people have been dragged down and reduced into slaves of pleasure - that never truly satisfies. Many people have been destroyed by drunkenness and addiction. Many people have been destroyed by anxieties of life like debts, poverty, etc. Not only that, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur..." [Luke17:1]. What should we do then? "Be always on the watch and pray..." [Luke21:36]. We pray for deliverance, for strength and to be aware of our actions in response to the challenges of life.

The other day, I watched the movie "Frozen." Hans was supposed to be the knight in shining armor, the prince charming, the hero. I thought that he is a character to watch out for. But right in the middle of a very good and heroic selfless venture, one comment is all that it takes to tick him off. When the duke said that, "... Arendelle is in your hands..," Hans became ambitious for himself. Now he plans to be the next king, the savior, the hero that saved them all to such an extent that he almost killed the two sisters. Imagine a little comment destroying a good and heroic man.

Life is a constant struggle, a constant battle. We need not be afraid because Jesus is with us all the time making us careful and watchful. Above all, Jesus is inviting us to pray always.

Image courtesy: various artists