Just a month ago, I was able to close a sound business deal that got me back on my feet. Much as I would want to keep and hold on to the resources at hand, I decided to settle and update all my financial obligations. In the processs, I have again started to feel insecure because my business has turned sour during these past weeks and the remaining resources is almost depleted. Again I can only turn to my Lord for help so that I could once more be assured of His promised security.
When things are well for us, we really do not notice how Christ works in us. We tend to loose focus on what truly brings peace and happiness to our homes and families. As the Lord said in Matthew 6:21, "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". We rejoice at that particular instance of grace when the Lord grants our request but after receiving them, do we go back and continue to give Him praise? More often than not, it is just one plain and simple "thank you Lord", and we are again back to our old selves.
Earthly treasures are not permanent but the Lord is. If we continue to place our hearts in them, we will never attain the lasting peace in our lives. When the going gets rough, we again experience so much stress and anxieties out of fear of life's uncertainties. Such desires of the heart can only be cured by a sincere and honest faith in God. There is no such thing as uncertainty if you believed that the Lord will never abandon you in times of trouble and despair. You are a precious Child of God and He will never stop in providing for your needs. As the Lord said in Luke 12:24, "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!"
The gospel today reminds us on how we should look at all the graces that is being poured to our laps by our Lord. Let us never forget His goodness in our lives by way of regularly offering Him our thanksgiving and praises. It is often fitting that at any instance of grace, we look back to see the Giver before rejoicing on the gift.
St Teresa of Avila once said, "Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him."
I now invite you to this moment of grace where in spite of our unworthiness, the Lord listens to our prayers . . .
Heavenly Father, as we journey to life in this world, we pass through many circumstances and events that either brings joy or pain. We encounter difficulties that affects our outlook in life, our health, and most especially our innermost thoughts and feelings. Have mercy on us all and grant us your healing grace, that we may be able to pursue life's challenges and the purpose for which you made us exist in this world. Forgive us for often forgetting that in countless times, you have lavishly given us more than what we deserve.
In a very special way, we pray for all our priests and pastors. Completely shield them from the snares of the evil one as they minister to your people. We offer ourselves back to you as we praise and thank you for the grace of healing that we received. All these we pray, in Jesus Name. Amen.
A STORY IN HEAVEN
fitting for today's Gospel
A good soul had reached heaven and went for a walk with St. Peter. Side by side they walk holding each others hand until they reach a large room full of angels.
St. Peter said, "This is the Receiving Room. Here, all prayer requests are received". The soul saw so many angels busy working on tons of papers that came from the whole world.
They then continued to walk until they reached the second room which is likewise filled with angels. St. Peter said, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here the blessings and graces that people have requested are wrapped and delivered." The soul again saw a lot of angels very busy on the works at hand for so many requests from people around the world are being granted every day.
As they continue to walk towards the third and last room, the soul noticed that it is rather far from the first two rooms. Upon reaching the last room, he saw only one angel working there. Then St. Peter said, "This is the Acknowledgment Section".
"Why is it so quiet, is there no work around here?" the soul asked.
Breathing deeply, St. Peter explained, "This is the sad part. After countless people received the answer to their prayers, only a handful of them return to give thanks. God does not require a lot, a simple 'Thank You Lord' is enough".
The soul again asked, "What kind of blessings and graces can people be thankful of?" St. Peter began to enumerate them one by one . . .
If you have food at your table, clothes that you can wear, roof over your head and a bed where you can sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world's population.
If you have money saved in your wallet after spending for food, you are one of the fortunate 8% who has a source of earning.
If you received this message, you are part of the 1% in the whole world that was given the opportunity to do so.
If you wake up in the morning today without any sickness, you are more blessed than those millions of people who are suffering and dying because of deteriorated health conditions.
If you are not experiencing fear of war, loneliness of detention in a prison cell, pains brought about by trials, and the jaws of starvation, you are far more blessed that those 700 million people living in this kinds of conditions all over the world.
If your parents are still alive and well, living together in marriage, there are only a few of you left in this world.
If you can still raise your head up high with smiles over your face, you are still far more blessed than those who could not cope up with life's problems and difficulties.
"I could go on and on and it will take us eternity to discuss the infinite graces and blessings that people received from the Lord each day of their lives. I just hope that they take a minute of their time to realize this and send Him even a short acknowledgment of thanks. It is not yet late, this room can still be full of angels same as the other two rooms and that will surely please God".
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