God Longs to Help You

Scripture:  Luke 18:35-43

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Christ healing the blind man
By El Greco

Reflection: The blind man heard that Jesus was passing by and he knew he had a once in a lifetime opportunity. Though he was blind, his faith helped him to see that he is within reach of the One who could heal him. 

The crowd was angry with the blind man because he was making a noise with his cries for Jesus. The Lord was probably in the middle of teaching the crowd as he walked among them, that's why the blind man was really disrupting Him. He could have asked the man to keep quiet for He was in the middle of something important but He did not. The Lord asked him a question that he asks all of us: "what do you want me to do for you?"

The Lord wants to meet the needs of those who call on Him with faith. The blind man's example teaches us about faith that made him rise up above the discouragement of those around him. He believed that Jesus would stop whatever He's doing and act on his plea because love requires action. And he knew that Jesus loved him.  The Lord admired his faith and perseverance and answered his prayers completely. The blind man began to see physically, but more importantly he began to see spiritually. His mind and heart was opened and he began following Jesus while glorifying God.

Jesus wants us to come to Him with faith because He alone could fill all our desires completely. Jesus asks us now: "What do you want me to do for you?" But more importantly we should ask in return: "What do you want me to do for you Lord?"

Prayers are God's Weakness

Scripture:  Luke 18:1-8

1 And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, `Vindicate me against my adversary.'  4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, `Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Reflection: The parable of the persistent widow shows us what unwavering faith can do. The widow in ancient Israel is considered one of the most defenseless in society and are often taken advantaged of. The corrupt and powerful judge can easily dismiss the widow from disturbing him. But he is no match for the widow's persistence and he finally grants her justice. If the worldly judge can be swayed by the ceaseless petition of the widow, more so our God who is Just. 

When God seems to delay His response to our prayers, it's not because He does not hear us, but He waits for the right time for His perfect response. What the Lord is asking from us is patience and more importantly, faith. We easily lose faith when our prayers are not answered, but we can be inspired by the widow in Jesus' parable. Those who are sinners know how to give in to someone who does not give up. Our God who loves us perfectly will answer when we call Him, He will vindicate us when we call for justice, He will come to our aid when we call for help. All He asks from us is faith. 

Lord open our hearts and minds. Help us to feel your love and see your blessings in our lives that our faith in You may grow. 

It's in our Hands

Scripture:  Luke 17:26-37

26 As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of man.  27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed  them all. 28 Likewise as it was in the days of Lot -- they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom fire and sulphur rained from heaven and destroyed them all -- 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 On that day, let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away; and likewise let him who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Reflection: When Jesus talked about the day of Judgement, He advised His disciples to detach themselves to things that are not important. Those who are preoccupied with selfish pursuits and pleasure will regret it. For "whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it".  Jesus said that on the day of Judgement "let him who is on the housetop with goods in the house, not come down to take them away." He is teaching us to detach ourselves to fleeting things which are not important. Lot's wife while fleeing from Sodom could not detach from her worldly possessions and that caused her to look back. And you know what happened to her. We should ask ourselves: "are there persons or possessions that are more important in our lives and are keeping us from focusing on God and His will?" 

We are responsible for playing our part in our own salvation. God will judge each of us according to how we responded to His love, ultimately we cannot point to others as responsible for the consequences of our actions. That is what Jesus meant when on the day of Judgement, "one will be taken and the other left". No one can get a free ride to heaven on the merits of someone else, we all have a responsibility to live out our faith according to God's will. God has done His part in our salvation, now it's up to us to do ours. The good news is God is willing and able to give us the grace we need to help us do our part. 

The day of the Lord is coming and it is inevitable. It can be scary for those who are not prepared, and it can be anticipated with joyful hope for those who live according to God's will. Are we going to be be left behind or not? The choice is ours. 

Ready for the Kingdom

Scripture:  Luke 17:20-25

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." 22 And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you will not see  it. 23 And they will say to you, `Lo, there!' or `Lo, here!' Do not go, do not follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Reflection: The Pharisees constantly asked Jesus about the coming of God's Kingdom. They are doing this because they would not accept Jesus as the Messiah. The Lord's reply shocked them for He said that the Kingdom is already in their midst. Jesus the Son of God made man is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the surest sign that God's Kingdom has already arrived.

Jesus also speaks about the day of the Son of man, where the Messiah will come again as Judge of both the living and the dead. He uses lightning as an image of His second coming. For like lightning that flashes across the sky He will come without warning and all will recognize Him as Lord, even the unbelievers. Jesus first came as a humble servant, a willing victim who offered Himself for the redemption of mankind. In the second coming He will manifest Himself as Lord and Judge. Are we ready to offer up a life well lived when we face the Lord?

Now that Christmas is approaching, let us remind ourselves what it really means. It's not about preparing for the numerous parties and shopping sprees but preparing for the coming of the Messiah. Christmas is celebrated yearly to remind us of this great Truth, that God became man to make Himself closer to His people, to bring them healing, forgiveness, freedom and salvation. It is a fitting gift to our Savior that our hearts are well prepared for His coming.

Serving Without Thought of Reward

Scripture:  Luke 17:7-10

7 "Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down  at table'?  8 Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

Reflection: Did you ever did something for someone and expected to be thanked? We often give our time and  efforts for others but expect something in return. In our work places, we do overtime only when we will get extra payment by the hour.  There is nothing wrong with expecting something in return for your labors because it is the right of every man. But when it comes to God, we treat Him the same way as we treat others--- If we give Him something, then He owes us something.

Jesus' teaching about the good servant who expects nothing from his master tells us something about our relationship with God. God cannot owe us anything, whatever we give to God is due to Him and we could never match what He has given us. When God sent His Son to die for our sins, He could have thought that He has given too much. But in His generosity, He continues to bless us because of His love. He even continues to give Himself to this day through the Blessed Sacrament.

When we offer up something to God, He is under no obligation to give something back, but He still does anyway because He loves us. He is a Father who wants to bless His children with all the good things, and He never tires of blessing us. And the best thing is, we can never outgive God. When we give Him one, He gives back ten.

When we serve God with our time and talents, we are merely giving back to Him what He has blessed us with. Let us serve Him out of love and gratitude and not for anything we could get back in return. God deserves it.

May God bless us with abundance and generous hearts that we may humbly serve those who have no means to help themselves. May the only goal that matters to us is to please Him.

The Wise are Always Prepared

Scripture:  Matthew 25:1-13

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Reflection: Jesus frequently uses the image of a wedding and wedding feasts in His parable about God's Kingdom. Because a wedding is an image of the union God wants to have with us forever and the feast is an image of eternal life of love and complete happiness with Him. God invites us everyday to the heavenly feast and calls us to prepare ourselves. In the parable of the ten maidens, Jesus showed that the wise are always prepared and therefore worthy to join the feast. 

The wisdom of the maidens who came prepared with oil in their lamps made them fit to be part of the wedding feast. The maidens who were unprepared were called foolish and they paid for it by not being allowed to join the feast. It may seem strange to have to reject someone because they have no oil in their lamps, but it makes sense to Jesus' audience at that time. It is the custom for grooms then was to come in his bride's village at anytime he pleases without announcing it. The groom takes the long route around the village so that many could join the wedding procession and once they arrive the doors are shut and only those who have joined in the procession are allowed to go inside. If the groom comes at night, those who are prepared with oil in their lamps may join the procession to the feast. Those who have no lamps are not allowed to go out in the streets at night and cannot join the procession and the feast. 

Jesus calls us to prepare every single day "for you know neither the day nor the hour." We spend our lives satisfying our desires while neglecting to reach out to others. Our selfishness hurt the people around us and especially God who calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When Jesus returns as the triumphant Lord and Judge of all, will He find us doing His Will or doing our selfish will? Are we prepared for the day of the Lord's coming? 

May God give us the grace to be ready and worthy to join His heavenly banquet. 

Forgive First

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Reflection: How lucky we are that Jesus did not come to this world to condemn but to seek the lost and bring them back to God.

Parable of the Lost Coin
paulines.ph

We feel bad when we see people get away with their evil ways, we always long to see them get punished for the bad things they did. But God does not aim to punish at once, His first action is to draw the sinner closer to Him and change their hearts. Jesus hang out with tax collectors and prostitutes which offended the religious authorities of His day. The pharisees and scribes do not hang out with public sinners because according to them they will be ritually defiled, meaning they will not be fit to perform their religious rituals. That's like saying that rituals are more important than love and mercy.

We are really blessed that God is slow to punish and quick to forgive. All of us without exceptions are worthy of God's wrath. When we sinned we have offended Him, and it is but right that He condemn and turn away from us. But God loves us sinners to the point of making the initiative to repair what was damaged by our sins. The offended was the one who reached out to the offender.

Let us thank God for His love and mercy and His readiness to forgive us who offended Him. May His grace help us to be thankful for his forgiveness and to help us be ready and willing to forgive as well.