ETERNAL INVESTMENTS

 

He entered once for all into the sanctuary... with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. – Hebrews 9:12

 

 

I was reading the business section of the papers when my then 12-yearold daughter glanced at what I was reading. She asked, “Papa, what’s the stock market?” I answered her simply, “It is a place where you can be a part owner of big companies. Your money grows as the company grows.” 

 

I named a few of big companies. She nodded her head every time I mentioned popular names like fast-food restaurants and malls. Suddenly, she left and ran to her room. She came back and handed me the contents of her wallet— mostly P20 and P50 with a few bigger bills. She proudly said that she had been saving all the money she received as gifts. “Can you buy me Jollibee?” she said, adding, “Then I’ll invite my friends to join me at Jollibee. We can eat all the sundaes we want because I’m a part-owner!” 

 

Investing your money is a good sign of financial stewardship. Jesus calls us to go beyond investing in big companies. He wants us to be part-owners of the Father’s eternal Kingdom. The good news is we don’t have to pay a single cent. He has paid for it with His own blood and His death on the cross. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

 

originally published in Shepherd's voice Didach Reflection http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2015-01-24

 

HOW TO HANDLE A CATHOLIC BASHER

First, stop calling them "basher", hater or any other similar term.

Now back to my article :)

Many were blessed by the recent Papal visit. I met a lot of people who are more than willing to share their Pope encounter. Countless proclaimed joyfully how they were blessed by the recent event.

But every coin has two sides.

Some people also criticized the Pope’s visit. Some took it as an opportunity to bash the Catholics. They spoke against Catholicism and even the Pope himself. Of course our knee jerk reaction is to fight back by saying:

·      "How can you hate a person like Pope Francis?" Or

·      "You're wrong, we Catholics are right!" Or

·      "Lets have a debate on this!" Or

·      "I will send a nuclear missile to your house so that you and your household may burn, die and go to ...@#*!$%"

That last one is my example of a sarcastic statement. I hope and pray that you did not say that.

None of these fighting words will help. The right reply is to follow what our first Pope told us in 1 Peter 3:15-16 - "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." 

** (emphasis mine)

We should be ready to DEFEND but first and foremost be GENTLE & RESPECTFUL.

I met a few of them via social networks or thru casual conversations. Their rants have something in common. It’s due to a misunderstanding of our faith. It confirms what one of my favorite preachers, American Cardinal and hopefully future saint Fulton J. Sheen said - “There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.”

We will continue to encounter people who will criticize our faith. My prayer is that we remember that in this encounters the winner is not the person who says the last word. It’s not the person who scores the most points. The winner should always be Jesus Christ. If our encounter ends up with two angry individuals who want to beat up the other party, then it is a clear sign that Jesus did not win.

Allow me to share this story. I met someone yesterday who raised this comment during our conversation.

"I cannot be Catholic. Why should you give petitions to St. Joseph so he can pray for it? This is what your Pope said, right? Why don't you just go directly to Jesus?"

I smiled and told him - "Before I answer is there a concern now that you want me to pray for?"

"Yes, please pray for …(states a concern). Thanks!"

"Do you think it would be better if I asked another person to join me in praying for your petition?"

"Yes, I think that would be better. The Bible says that God is present when two or more are gathered in His name".

"Is it ok if the person I have in mind is St. Joseph?"

He paused for a moment. He looked hesitant. Then he replied back with "ooooo-k…. but, I still have a few questions. Unfortunately, I have another meeting. Will it be ok to send them later via email?"

I nodded my head to say yes. "Can I send you the different Pathways sites?" (Pathways is an open Catholic prayer meeting where I serve)

"Ok"

"Will you consider visiting one of them?"

"Maybe"

We prayed together and asked for St. Joseph's intercession.

That was the end of our conversation. It ended on a good note. No bickering, fighting words or nuclear missiles necessary.

"Maybe" was good enough for me. I believed Jesus won that day.

Maybe he will accept my invitation. Maybe not. Maybe he will be curious and ask more questions. Maybe not. I leave it up to Jesus.  

Here are three simple steps we can take whenever we have similar encounters.

1. Love them don't label them. Don't call them bashers. As the song says “we are all God’s children”.  Addressing them as brother, sister or friend is the respectful way.
2. Be SILENT and LISTEN. These two words used the same letters but we find it dif and using the both is a powerful tool.
3.  Honesty is the best policy. Give them a sincere answer. If you don't know the Catholic answer then tell them. But promise to get back to them with a right Catholic answer 
4. Lastly, pray for them. If they are comfortable to pray with at that moment then do so. Otherwise, include them in your personal prayer time.

May we love more, understand more and hate less

Have a blessed day!

BRING YOUR RESOLUTIONS TO COMPLETION

God is a god a new beginnings.

•  We read in the Old Testament how God re-started civilization because man became so wicked. HE asked Noah to build an ark because he will send a flood to end the old and start a new (Genesis 6:13-14). 
• Jesus Christ offers a new beginning to the adulterous woman by saying - “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11).  
• Paul was on the way to Damascus when he was blinded by a bright light (Acts 9:3). He was on the way to persecute more Christians. That experience was the start of a new ministry for him. The ministry to spread Jesus to others.

God gives you the chance for a new beginning every day. Will you take on His offer and start changes in your life?

Here are three tips that you might consider if you want to start changes in your life this year.

1.   Make Jesus part of your plans

Review your plans for this year. Maybe it includes getting that long delayed job promotion, or buying your own car, or going to your dream vacation.

These are not bad things in themselves. But sometimes we forget to include Jesus in any of them. All Christian are called to love God first at all times. This means that God should be part of everything that we do or plan for. God is a big God and He can be present in everything we do.

So instead of just planning for a vacation, pray that you can do something worthwhile in the place where you will go. Maybe you can meet an old friend there who has left the Church. Share about Jesus to your friend. Instead of just aspiring for a promotion, pray for that salary increase so you can give more to Church and to the needy.

Review your list now and make Jesus a part of your new year plans.

2.   Love should be present

The next thing to check is the presence of love in your plans. Do you want to do things this year simply because they are part of your bucket list?

When you love something or someone you will move heaven and earth to accomplish it. This is why love should be part of your plans.

2 Corinthians 13:13 say So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

If you plans are driven by love, you are not only motivated to do them. The accomplishment will also last beyond this year because love remains and is the greatest virtue.

3.   Lastly, discern if your plans are His plans.

We need to pray and reflect if our plans for the year is what God wants for us. He wants the best for us all the time. And God will always make sure that His plans are fulfilled.

Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus

He has a plan for you but the key is that you allow Him to speak to you. Pray regularly. Seek mentors who can guide you. Look at what you do well. These things will help you discern if your plans are His plans.

May you have a blessed new year!