MORE TO SEE

My morning drive to work used to take 15-20 minutes only. Now, it takes me at least an hour. This morning was no different as I experienced problem #1 - “the traffic jam". Oh well, thank God for podcasts. Then I arrived at the office building only to face problem #2 - "the defective elevator”. I had take the stairs to climb 11 floors. Oh well, that was a good workout 

Troubles. Life is filled with troubles. I asked God during my lunch break, “Lord, what’s your message for me today?” God’s reply was in the opening verse of today's reading.

"consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” - Romans 8:18

Thank you Lord, that was a quick reply. We all experienced troubles.

• You checked your bank balance & wonder how you will survive the month
• You received news that a relative has a terminal sickness
• You want to repair a broken relationship but all your efforts to reconcile does not seem to work
• You tried everything in work or business but success looks so distant
• You want to change our life but a habitual sin seems unbeatable.

Troubles. Life is filled with troubles. What can we do?

1. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE. We need to accept the fact that our world is broken & filled with troubles. It remains broken until now. Romans 8:22 says "that the whole creation has been groaning with labor pains together until now”. I realized that my troubles this morning is nothing compared to the troubles of others. Our human eyes usually see the burdens not the blessings. Don’t count your troubles. Instead, count your blessings because there's always MORE TO SEE.
2. WAIT WITH HOPE. Be patient. Relax. We may not see the light in the dark tunnel but as Romans 8:25 says "we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Jesus gives us HOPE. We look forward to HIS promise in faith. Because there’s always MORE TO SEE than what this world offers.
3. FOCUS ON THE PRIZE. The troubles of this world is nothing compared to what God has prepared for us. Luke 13:20 says "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?”. I believe that NOTHING COMPARES TO IT. God’s kingdom may look insignificant like small seed but later it becomes “a tree, & the birds of the air made nests in its branches."(Luke 13:19). You may not see it now but there’s always MORE TO SEE.

Lord, may I be open all the time to receive Your LOVE. Grant me the persistence to keep moving forward, overcoming every trial this world offers.

May this post make your Tuesday extra blessed! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

ON BEING RIGHTEOUS

What should one do when one feels the urge to call out an area in the life of another person that is perceived to be "bad"?

One should STOP, PAUSE & REFLECT FIRST.

Because that urge or desire to call out that "bad" area might apply to us first more than the other person.

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18:14

How can one be RIGHTEOUS?

If you want to do what's RIGHT, CHOOSE to correct yourself before we correct others.

Charity begins at home. Righteousness starts within us.

Have a blessed Sunday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

SULIT BA YAN?

Following God is difficult. Check out these 4 points.

1. There is a big mis-match between good & evil. If you choose Jesus you will be "like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3).
2. If you decide to follow God then get ready to receive what HE received. "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). St. Paul confirms what Jesus declares when he preached that "all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
3. You will receive blessings but get ready for the “rocks" too. That’s what Stephen experienced when “they threw him out of the city, and began to stone him” (Acts 7:58)
4. The Jesus-way will also cause division. "From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two & two against three; a father will be divided against his son & a son against his father, a mother against her daughter & a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law & a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:52-53)

So if this way of life is difficult, dangerous, un-popular, divisive & is against what the world teaches then why follow?

Because the RISK is worth the REWARD!

It’s a difficult path. Yet this 2,000 year old way of life continues to bring in more followers. Why? Because the reward of eternal life is worth it. As Thomas Jefferson said, “With great risk comes great reward.”

GOD Himself took a risk for you. God says that YOU ARE WORTH THAT RISK.

"But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” - Romans 5:8

What should be our response? Go for the life that God wants for you. Take the risk. Grab God’s offer in faith. Because the RISK is worth the REWARD!

SULIT BA YAN? SULIT NA SULIT! Kung susugal ka, dito ka na tumaya.

May this post bless your Thursday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

NA SEEN ZONED KA NA BA?

Nag message ka tapos no reply. Dedma. Wala lang.

Tulad ng mga dasal natin sa Diyos minsan. The difficult part of prayer is not that you don't get the answer that you want. It's when it seems that God is not answering. Parang may "DND" (do not disturb) sign si Lord sa pinto ng langit. Ang feeling mo baka sobrang dami ng problema ng mundo kaya masyado ng busy ang Diyos.

Ano dapat gawin mo? Suko na lang? Ayawan na?

NOPE. We are called to "always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Yan ang sabi sa Gospel today. Persevere in prayer.

Several years back, I was praying for a job. I was living in Las Pinas at that time & was working in Makati. I have to leave the house early to avoid the traffic. Our first baby would still be asleep. Then I would arrived home a bit late so our baby was already asleep. I told myself, "this has to change". That's why I was praying for a new job. I wanted a job that was closer to our home. So I prayed for this intention. I prayed in the morning. I prayed while driving. I prayed in between meetings. I attended mass during lunch break for the same intention. My life verse at that time was “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

But God was silent. Dedma. Seen zoned. "NR", No reaction.

Then one day I got a call from a headhunter. This must be it. I wore my best business attire that day. I was interviewed by a panel. I answered all their questions. I even proposed how we can achieve world peace ala Ms. Universe. I stepped out of their office confident that I got the job.

After 3 days, I got no update from them. A week passed, no email or phone call. Three weeks passed & still no update.

"Lord, what happened to my prayers?" But God was silent. Dedma. Seen zoned. "NR", No reaction. I started to complain to God, "why are You denying me this request?"

I got my answer after 3 months. I was browsing the Internet when I came across a familiar name. I recalled the company name in the posted article. It was the company that interviewed me 12 weeks ago. That company was closing down! Hiyang-hiya talaga ako kay Lord.

That's the good news but here's the better news. I was eventually hired by another company that was based in Alabang. I was closer to home & had more time with family. Truly, a blessing!

What's God message for us today?

DON'T LOSE HOPE. PERSEVERE IN PRAYER.

"And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily" - Luke 18:7-8

DASAL LANG NG DASAL KAHIT PARANG DEDMA ANG DIYOS. Because God is working even if it seems like He is not. Trust God. Because He knows what's best for you.

Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

THE THANKLESS THIEF

In 2004, a South African man surprised 9 robbers in his home. Eight got away but the homeowner was able to shove one into his pool. Then he noticed that the robber couldn't swim. He jumped into the pool to save him. Once out of the pool, the robber yelled to his friends to come back, pulled a knife & threatened the man who save him!

The homeowner threw the thief back in the water.

UNGRATEFULNESS. The man saves his life yet he threatens to kill him.

In today's Gospel, Jesus heals 10 lepers but only 1 came to thank Him. That's why Jesus asked "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" (Luke 17:17). Maybe the 9 were thankful too but they forgot to thank the Healer Himself. Only 1 returned to thank Jesus.

UNGRATEFULNESS. It's more common than you think. That's the robber in my opening story. Ungrateful. That's the 9 lepers in the Gospel.

Here's the sad part. That's us also.

• When we complain about our food. We forget that some families can't even afford one meal a day.
• When we complain about our jobs while some people are desperately looking for work
• We complained about the leak in our roof. Some people live on the streets with no roof to cover them.
• We grumble about the traffic when we have to go somewhere. Remember, some disabled people cannot even move without assistance from others.
• We complained right after we wake up because we have a lot to do. Some people don't wake up from their sleep.
• We complained all the time but did we do anything to help address the problem?

UNGRATEFUL. That’s us. How? God suffered & died so we may live life to the fullest (John 10:10). But we choose to live life based on our own plans only. Ignoring God is being ungrateful too.

UNGRATEFULNESS. That’s the reason why you don’t see the blessings in your life. Open your eyes to the love of GOD. Be thankful so that the flood of blessings will flow pour out.

Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

“STOP, GO and DO"

"Go & do likewise.” (Luke 10:37). That's what Jesus said to the lawyer who asked HIM in today’s Gospel, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

That’s also what Jesus says to us now - "Go & do likewise.”

Why?

Because a Christian is all about GOING & DOING. When Jesus tells to us to "GO & DO", we follow. Because whatever God, says we follow.

Jonah, initially, did not understand this. When God called him to preach to Nineveh he did the "GO & DO” thing. GO the other way & DO the opposite of God's instruction 

"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amit'tai, saying, “Arise, go to Nin'eveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tar'shish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. - Jonah 1:1-3

Jonah ended up in the belly of a fish. That was not a pleasant experience. Not so good things happens to us when we do what we want over what God tells us. Jonah decided to follow God later on. He preached to Nineveh & the people repented. They STOPPED sinning.

If we truly want to follow Jesus, we need to STOP, GO & DO.

STOP - stop sinning, stop doing wrong things, stop hating

GO - go out & #ShareaboutJesus. Where is your Nineveh? is it your home, workplace or school?

DO - do everything that HE commanded. Everything, not some things. That means all HIS commandments

If you want to be a True Christian you need to MAKE A CHOICE. It's either you follow Jesus 100% or not. Can't be 50%, 75% or 99%. It should be 100%. Jesus declares that "Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30)

Choose follow Jesus all the way, always. Have a super blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

THE BEST ADVISER

“Whoever listens to you listens to me.” – Luke 10:16

Years ago, a friend shared to me about a job offer that fell on his lap. He had a good job at that time and he was a great provider to his family. The current job also allowed him to spend a lot of time with them. However, the new job offer was almost double his current pay. Plus, it had perks that the current job did not have—a car plan, performance bonus, the works. He asked me if he should take the offer. I replied with three words: “Pray about it.” He smiled, and then we parted ways.

I didn’t get an update from him for months. Then one day I got a text from an unknown number asking if I knew an annulment lawyer. It was my friend. I was in a meeting so I simply replied, “What happened?"

His reply was disheartening. “I didn’t pray about it. I accepted the offer. Work made me too busy. Became a workaholic. Had an affair at work. Wife and kids don’t want me in their lives.”

We may have the best advisers or mentors in life but the first one we should consult is God. He knows what’s best for us because only He knows us more than anybody else. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com, Didache, 1042019

Reflect: God gives you 24 hours every day. How much time do you give back to Him?

Lord, teach me the value of “praying without ceasing” (Thessalonians 5:17) that I may appreciate the gift of talking to You as often as possible.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us.

“CLINGY”

A person who's obsessed with another person the moment they first meet.

That’s how I would reply to Jesus when HE asked in today’s Gospel, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Luke 9:18)

God loves you! That’s the truth. HE won’t leave you. That’s what God declares in the first reading.

“...For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. This is the pact that I made with you when you came out of Egypt, and my spirit continues in your midst; do not fear!” - Haggai 2:4-5

Clingy. That’s Jesus to you. But there are 3 things that makes HIS level of clinginess different from us.

1. HE was with you even BEFORE you were born - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you” - Jeremiah 1:5
2. HE is with you NOW - "Do not fear: I am with you” - Isaiah 41:10
3. HE will be with you TILL THE END - Matthew 28:20 “…I will be with you always, to the close of the age”

God wants you to be with HIM forever. Walang Iwanan. HE was willing to give up even HIMSELF so that you may join HIM in HIS kingdom.

Clingy. Appreciate God's clinginess. Because that’s a PERFECT God LOVING the imperfect You!

Have a super blessed Friday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

DO'S & DON'TS

1. DON'T waste time complaining, DO PRAY & be GRATEFUL - "... I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, & thanksgivings be made for all men" - 1 Timothy 2:1
2. DON'T always bash our leaders, DO PRAY For Them always - "for kings & all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way." - 1 Timothy 2:2
3. DON'T aim to meet man's standard, DO aim to meet God's standard - "This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" - 1 Timothy 2:3 
4. DON'T have earthly desires, DO appreciate God's desire for You - "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" - 1 Timothy 2:4
5. DON'T Pray sometimes, DO PRAY ALL THE TIME - "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling" - 1 Timothy 2:8

You always have a CHOICE what to do. 

CHOOSE TO BE HOLY & #AimtobeAsaint

Have a blessed Sunday! -alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"MY PRECIOUS!"

That's what the character Gollum calls "the ring". Google him if you don't know him :)

How about you? Pause for a while. Think about what’s precious to you? What things do you value the most?

Maybe it’s your family. Maybe it's your spouse. Is it your career? Or your achievements? How about your faith?

In today’s Gospel, a sinful woman brought something precious to her. It was "an alabaster flask of ointment” (Luke 7:37)

She cleaned the feet of the Lord with her tears & anointed it with the precious ointment. She “wasted” the precious ointment. Or did she do what was right?

This story is not about being wasteful with what is considered precious. It’s about what do you do with what’s precious to you.

Matthew 6:21 says that "For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

Where your heart is, there love should abound. She was a sinner who showed how great her love for Jesus was. And with great love comes great faith.

"So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love” - Luke 7:47

And with great faith comes a greater reward.

Jesus says to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48) because “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

That was such a wonderful reward for the sinful woman. She gave up something precious to Jesus then she received an even bigger reward. We should always give God our best. Remember, JESUS DESERVES NOTHING LESS.

Ikaw, ano ang mahalaga sa iyo? What’s precious to you?

• Your Family - is God present in all your activities?
• Your Spouse - is the Lord the center of your marriage?
• Your Work - are you Christifying the workplace? #Lingkod 
• Your Success - do people praise & thank God when they see you do well?
• Your faith - are you able to “save” others when they see your faith?

Give up your most treasured thing to God. Make them bring glory & honor to the Lord. Then receive an awesome reward in return. That reward is being with Jesus for eternity!

Have a super blessed day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

SAWA KA NA BA MAGMAHAL?

Or worst, baka pagod ka na magmahal?

God calls us to love everyone. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). That includes the un-loveable. But sometimes it can get tiring right?

• You treat that difficult person with goodness yet they pay you back with hatred.
• You want that person to be good but they respond with “mind your own business”.
• You asked that person to focus on the blessing. But the burdens drive his or her life.
• You encouraged the person to avoid sin yet they justify it with “everyone does it anyway!"

You tried everything but it doesn’t work. "Sila ay sala sa init, sala sa lamig.” (Damn if you do, damn if you don’t)

You tried everything but they don’t change.

In today’s gospel, Jesus asked the the scribes and the Pharisees, "I ask you, is it lawful on the sabbath to DO GOOD or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)

Jesus is asking us the same question today.

• Will you do good only on days when you feel good?
• Will you do good only to persons who are “good” to you?
• Will you stop doing good because the other person is not changing?
• Will you LOVE the un-loveable?

Jesus heals the man with the withered hand. He doesn't care whether it was Sabbath or not. Because doing good does not stop. Loving always takes priority over anything else. Loving is not based on a schedule. Jesus encourages us to do good regardless of season.

But what if the difficult person does not change? Can we quit loving that person? Can we stop doing good for that person?

"Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up” - Galatians 6:9

Don’t quit. Do what Jesus said to the man with the withered hand. Jesus "said to him, “STRETCH OUT your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored” (Luke 6:10)

Go the extra mile in loving others. Stretch out more. Be more patient. It’s difficult & it will be un-comfortable. But that’s what loving is all about. Follow God, stretch out & see the miracle!

Lastly, pray more for that difficult person. Pray more because only God can change a person. You can't but God can!

"I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them." - Ezekiel 36:26-27

Have a blessed & loving week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

"IN THE HOUSE"

The Gospel today starts with “after Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon" (Luke 4:38).

That's exciting! Huh? What's exciting about Jesus entering a house?

You need to be excited whenever Jesus enters a house or place. Anticipate something amazing. Expect something incredible to happen.

Because whenever Jesus enters a house, SOMETHING GREAT HAPPENS!

Peter’s sick mother in law was inside the house. Jesus "stood over her, rebuked the fever & it left her” (Luke 4:39). The end of that verse says that “she got up immediately and waited on them”. She fully recovered immediately. No paracetamol, no damp cloth on the forehead or bed rest needed. The healing was instant. Definitely, a miracle! Because whenever Jesus enters a house, something awesome happens.

There are other similar stories in the bible.

1. JESUS GOES HOME. Mark 2:1 says that "Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that HE WAS AT HOME”. Four men opened the roof of the house where Jesus was. Then they let down the stretcher that carried their paralytic friend. Jesus sees them & HE heals the paralytic instantly. The paralytic “rose, picked up his mat at once, & went away in the sight of everyone” (Mark 2:12). The crowd was so amazed & said, “We have never seen anything like this” (Mark 2:12).
2. JESUS DINES IN THE HOUSE of a SINNER. Zacchaeus was hated by many because he took advantage of people. He was a tax collector who got more than what was required by the law. Jesus calls out “Zach" & eats in his house. Then a miracle happens. The sinner tax collector Zach repents & vows to Jesus, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, & if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over” (Luke 19:8).
3. JESUS IN THE WEDDING RECEPTION. John 2 tells us that Jesus, Mary & the disciples attended a wedding in Cana. The reception was doing well until they ran out of wine (John 2:3). That was a big problem. The good thing is Jesus was there. HE instructs the servants to “Fill the jars with water” (John 2:7). Then the water turns into wine! Not just ordinary wine but a superior one. The headwaiter even compliments the bridegroom, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now” (John 2:10).

Do you get it now? WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE, EXPECT AMAZING THINGS!

That’s the good news. But here’s the better news. There is another house that Jesus wants to enter.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you” - 1 Corinthians 6:19

Yes, you are God’s temple. You are the house that Jesus wants to enter. Jesus is standing outside knocking at the door of your heart. The crazy thing is that HE won’t barge in. HE won’t force Himself. HE is all powerful & mighty but HE wants you to open the door yourself.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” - Revelations 3:20

That’s what God's love is all about. He seeks a relationship with no dictatorship. God is willing to wait for you.

Will you let God enter?

May you make a decision to open the door of your heart. Allow HIM to occupy every area of your life. May you feel His presence 24/7, not only on Sundays.

Because, WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE, AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN!

May you have a blessed day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

THIS THING CALLED DESIRE

There is a desire within each person.

Some desires are good & worthy to pursue. But some are bad. Herodias, the wife of Herod, had a bad desire. She hated John the Baptist. She "harbored a grudge against him & wanted to kill him but was unable to do so" (Mark 6:19). One day, she got her chance to kill John & she pounce on it. Read how the evil plot unfolded in Mark 6:17-29. She instructed her daughter to request Herod to “give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist" (Mark 6:25). Herod was cornered because he made an oath in front of his guests. He had no choice but to give in. Herodias' request was fulfilled. Her desire satisfied. God says that we "shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13). But the desire of Herodias overuled God's command.

How about you? What’s your desire?

• If you are full but you desire to eat more, will you commit gluttony?
• If you are married but you get attracted to another person, should you commit adultery?
• If you earn enough money, are you allowed to be extra greedy?
• If you find yourself attracted to persons of the same sex, should you give in & say “love wins”?

We all have desires. But it doesn’t mean we need to follow them. WE SHOULD NOT EASILY GIVE IN to them. Especially the sinful ones. Always ask yourself first, “who will benefit the most from this desire?” If it will be mostly for your own good then it's best to think again. Pray about it first.

What should be our one desire? DESIRE TO BE HOLY. Aim to be set apart for God.

It won't be easy. We are weak. We fall. We sin. That's why we need Jesus. May St. Paul’s prayer point us always to Jesus.

"... may God himself, our Father, & our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, & may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen." (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

Desire for God every moment. #AimToBeASaint each day. Have a blessed day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

TILL DEATH DO US PART

Naomi, her mother in law, gave her the blessing to go back to her family. Naomi said to her & her sister-in-law, “Go back, each of you to your mother’s house. May the LORD show you the same kindness as you have shown to the deceased and to me. May the LORD guide each of you to find a husband and a home in which you will be at rest.” (Ruth 1:8-9)

Ruth could follow her instruction & leave her. She could pursue a better life. She was a young widow who could still have brighter future with a new husband. But Ruth made the crazy choice. She decided to stay with her mother in law Naomi. She declared these powerful words.

“Do not press me to go back & abandon you! Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people & your God, my God. Where you die I will die, & there be buried. May the LORD do thus to me, and more, if even death separates me from you!” - Ruth 1:16-17

Beautiful words! Ruth defined what faithfulness is all about. That’s love in action!

Jesus is like that to us also. Multiply Ruth’s faithfulness by a gazillion times that’s how faithful God is to us. Jesus could have abandoned us. He could allow us to die in our sins. He could simply press RESTART to re-create the world. But HE chose not. In fact, Jesus even denied HIMSELF to save us.

“HE was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; & found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” - Philippians 2:6-8

That’s what LOVE is all about. That's what GOD is all about.

This action of Jesus should move us to follow HIS two commandments.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:34-40

Jesus is calling you to LOVE every day.

So #RiseUp & be like Ruth. Faithful till the end. Be like Jesus. His love never ends. God bless you day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

LOVE SHOULD NOT BE LATE

It was supposed to be a business meeting. But after discussing all the official business matters my colleague asked - “What’s important for you aside from work?”

“God, family, my country, people in need like those who are sick, abandoned kids…in that order of priority.”

He paused & gave me the “look”. You know that inquiring “look” that asks “are you sure? is that your final answer?”

Before he could shoot a follow-up question, I smiled & said “That’s my final answer!”

I meet a lot of people both in business & mission work. Different nationalities, diverse faith beliefs, different social status. They are good people. They know what they should do. But they don’t do it. They don’t prioritize the important things in life.

"I’ll give a church donation... when I win the lotto”

"I’ll serve others…. when I have time”

"I’ll give my life to God…after I accomplished my dreams or when I get old"

Lahat yan gagawin pero tsaka na lang ("Later”).

Mary was not like that. When she heard that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant she “set out & traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah” (Luke 1:39)

Mary set out in HASTE. She acted quickly. She wanted to be there for Elizabeth immediately. Mary had a valid reason not to serve. She was pregnant herself. Also, Elizabeth did not live on the same condo tower that was a few steps away from Mary’s unit 😁. She was from a far away town. But Mary still went. She went out & travelled in haste!

Mary did it out of love. Because loving should not be late. It’s a priority.

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 22:37-39

When it comes to loving don’t just do it. DO IT NOW!

May the example of Mary inspire us to love like Jesus. God bless your day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

IF YOU HAVE TO...

.... kill, then kill your pride.

.... hate, hate the devil.

.... quit, then quit sinning.

.... gossip, why not share the truth of the Gospel instead

.... worry, try worship.

.... envy, be envious of the saints because they are always with God.

.... be rich, build up treasures in heaven.

.... surrender, then surrender to God!

Start your week right by turning negative things to something POSITIVE! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#RiseUP

THE DEBATE

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. – Colossians 3:11

I was riding the commuter train when two Caucasian men in their early twenties sat beside me. I was surprised when they greeted me, “Magandang tanghali po!” They were Mormon missionaries.

They shared about how faithful their church is to God. It was now clear that they wanted to proselytize me. I told them I was Catholic and shared that Jesus appointed Peter as the head of His Church and his successors to lead. That’s how faithful our Church is! I saw the surprised look on their faces after I shared that. Then I noticed the other missionary got some flyers and notes from his backpack. I assumed he was getting ready for a theological debate so I changed gears by changing the topic.

I asked them about their family. One of them shared how he missed his father who was also sick at home in Utah. I offered to pray for his dad’s recovery right there and then. They both bowed their heads as I said my prayer. They thanked me profusely and told me how pleasant it was for someone outside their church to pray for them and their sick parent.

Religion is not about debates. Religion is about loving others like Jesus. - alvinfabella@yahoo.com Didache, 842019

Reflect: Do you love others like Jesus loves? Do others see Jesus in you?

Lord, may I see the goodness in each person that I meet. Amen.

St. John Vianney, priest, pray for us.

GIVE ME MORE

“If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.”

Motivational speakers use this Russian proverb to teach about focus. They say that you have to focus on one thing to achieve success. I want to use the same proverb to preach about GREED. What happens when you chase two rabbits even if you only need one? You lose both. You only need one, you end up with none. That’s greed!

Greed is that intense, excessive & selfish desire for something. It’s when you want more pleasure, money, power or food than you can handle. We are all guilty of greed at certain situations.

• When an employee takes sole credit for the group’s report to get the incentive. But actually he didn’t do anything.
• When a public servant posts his name & picture beside a project to get more votes next election. Actually, it was paid for by the people’s taxes & not a single cent from the politician.
• When a taxpayer doesn’t pay the right taxes to keep more money. He believe no one pays truthfully anyway.
• When a businessman hoards rice during a shortage so he can sell it at a higher price.
• Or as trivial as you taking all the cookies in the house even if you know that others will want some.

There are more examples of greed. It gets worst when we even justify our greed. "Pero Lord, wala naman nagbabayad ng tamang buwis. So ok na siguro ito?"

Dinamay mo pa si Lord!

That’s what the man in the Luke 12:13 did when he said to Jesus “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”

I love the reply of Jesus, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” (Luke 12:13). Jesus was saying “don’t get me involve in your greed game.”

God does not want us to be greedy. In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us to “take care to guard against all greed” (Luke 12:15). Greed has no place in your life. What should we do about this excessive desire for more?

KILL IT!

St. Paul says "Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5). All earthly desires should be killed.

How can you kill greed? By GIVING.

A rich young man asked Jesus what else can he do to gain eternal life. He followed all the commandments. Jesus replied, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and GIVE to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

GIVE MORE. Desire less. GIVE TILL IT HURTS. Remember, God gave His all for YOU.

For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Wala ng makakahigit pa sa binigay ng Diyos! Let’s focus on giving to get rid of this desire called greed. May we desire for only one thing which is to follow God all the time.

It should not be GIVE ME MORE. It should be ME GIVE MORE. Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com