God’s Providence

In His permanent legacy to us, as recorded in the Holy Bible, God has assured us of His love and care for us (see Mt. 6:25-34).  Naturally that does not mean we have no part to play or do.  As human intelligent beings we are expected to do the duties that are expected of us, duties towards God, ourselves and our neighbor.  Such is the reason we were given the intelligence and other faculties of soul and body, because naturally we are to do our part in the duties of our world and our building a better society.  Precisely that’s what the above text refers to.

            “Look at the birds in the sky.  They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they are?  Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life?  And why worry about clothing?  Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these.  Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith?  So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat?  What are we to drink?  How are we to be clothed?”  It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things.  Your heavenly Father knows you need them all.  Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well.  So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mt. 6:26-34).

            Yes, my friend, rest assured, God cares for you and loves you.  He doesn’t want you to become a ‘nervous wreck’ because of too much useless worrying.  His point is that we trust in God’s Almighty hand and constant loving care.

Human Ambitions

        What’s wrong with human ambitions?  It’s something natural but when placed to excess may lead to many lapses or mistakes.  Well, the word has acquired some negative connotations like seeking favor or honor, greed for success, vainglory, etc.  But put in the right or positive direction, it may serve the purposes of truth and noble service to humanity.  But certainly, knowing innate weakness in man, this calls for having recourse to prayer and God’s grace.  We remember Christ’s explanation to the disciples when they were perplexed by His statement: “It is easier for a camel to enter into the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:24).  So Jesus explained the need for God’s assistance or grace here.  Hence the answer of Jesus: “For men this is impossible but for God everything is possible” (Mt. 19:26).

        History has shown the examples of great men, saints and heroes who by God’s grace became entirely new persons, converted from a depraved life.  You too can change, with God’s help while acknowledging in deep humility your need for help from above.  As Jesus once remarked: “Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; but cut off from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5), just like saying ‘without me you can do nothing’.  There is certainly hope for erring man when he humbly lifts his hands to God in quest for God’s assistance.  Testimony to that is the numberless crowd of saints who surpassed their human vices and weaknesses by God’s Almighty grace that’s always open to the humble of heart who turn to God in humble prayer.

Gratitude to Parents

(is tantamount to Gratitude to God)

        One thing we really miss in life is the memory of our parents, particularly those who took care of us from our tender age.  It’s such a natural thing, you know.  This is so much cordial and sincere when it comes from our remembrance of their patient and constant care.  You can’t avoid remembering those gentle acts of love and care.

        Since unavoidably like time and tempests which just pass away, we can’t avoid the ravages of our passing world, which we should definitely offer to the Lord and pray for the loved ones who showered us with loving care sometime in our lives.  Yes, pray for them, for their sincere love and care.  That’s part of life, it’s a passing world.

        Above all, we need to be grateful to the Lord of all things, who has provided for our needs, especially the love of those who truly care for us.  Because He alone is truly the Lord of the Universe, the all-provident God.  To Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen!

Pro-Life Stand

In the light of present controversies people might wonder about the Catholic Church’s pro-life stand.  It’s not just the Church’s but every person’s privilege to stand for our basic human right which is life.  By nature therefore it is but normal to have the trend and tendency of defending ourselves against an unjust aggressor.  The Church stands for these basic rights of every human person: the right to life, liberty and property.  The three rights generally go together and are supportive of each other.

Naturally the Church would object when society tries to obliterate the respect due to these basic rights just because of dictatorial ambitions of leaders or because money is being given greater importance, or for other shallow or superficial reasons.  When the Church asks for that basic respect for human life in all stages it’s only asking what God’s fifth (5th) commandment tells us: “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex. 20:13).  Jesus explained the basis of that when He expresses in Mt. 7:12: “Do unto others what you want others do unto you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12). 

Let’s listen to the voice of the Church.  The Church is only asking that we listen to God’s Word above other passing human or worldly considerations.  Why?  When you violate God’s commandment, you will pay for it sooner or later.  God knows all things even the deepest secrets of the heart..

Desolation

“Desolate, all the land, because no one takes it to heart” (Jer. 12:11).

 To take to heart means to ponder or consider the situation seriously.  The Prophet Jeremiah was describing worsening situations of certain lands or cities he was trying to bring back to God.  It would be profitable to heed his advice about taking to heart worsening situations.  Certainly giving time for silent meditation would be of help, as this is the practice of saintly guides that motivate people back to God.

Thus this is advisable in our everyday lives as we meet various challenges, specially when moral trends are worsening.  It’s time to have recourse to God’s unfailing help.  Our Lord Jesus has assured us of God’s aid when He said: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened for you” (Mt. 7:7). 

If you do this with faith, God certainly answers believing hearts.