ANG PARAISO SA KAPARANGAN

a personal reflection on today's Gospel Luke 4:1-13 1st Sunday of Lent 2019 Mar 10, 2019

I don't want to be in the wilderness. No food, shelter & water may not be potable. More importantly, no Internet! :-)

Jesus stayed "for forty days in the wilderness” (Luke 4:2). HE did not have access to the basic needs. HE ate nothing & ended up hungry. The worst part is that in HIS lowest physical condition, the devil tempts HIM. What can we learn from today's Gospel?

The bad news is this - WE CANNOT AVOID THE “wilderness” IN OUR LIVES. There will always be moments when you feel weak, helpless & desperate.

But here is the good news - JESUS SHOWS US THAT WE TOO CAN OVERCOME THE THREATS OF THE WILDERNESS. There is no need to worry when you find yourself in the wilderness. Why?

Because Jesus knows how it is to be in one. HE personally experienced it.

Jesus knows what being hungry is all about.
Jesus knows how it is to be tempted.
Jesus understands what you are going through.

It takes one to know one. That is why the perfect God became man so he can show us the Way (John 14:6).

Lastly, the better news is that Jesus shows us how to win over temptation. How?

By using The Word of God. Three times Jesus was tested. Three times HE counters with "It is written”, then quotes the written word of God.

Friends, do not fear the wilderness because Jesus says that “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Tandaan, ang kaparangan ay nagiging paraiso dahil parati mo kasama si Kristo.

Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus #Lent2019

"ANG KATAPUSAN NG KATOLIKO"

Will Catholicism end soon? Will it end in a couple of years?

Here's the simple answer. No one knows, only God does. But one thing I am sure of is that no man can declare its ending. It just impossible for any man to do or know that. 

Pero para sa akin ang Simbahan ay B-U-H-A-Y na BUHAY, malayong-malayo na mawala. Paano natin masasabi iyon:

1. B-ECAUSE GOD FOUNDED IT. Jesus says in Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you, you are Peter, & on this rock I will build my Church." Jesus will protect the Church as the last part of verse 18 says "and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” GOD WILL PROTECT THE CHURCH until the end of time. The promise of Jesus in Matthew 28:20 is "I am with you always to the close of the age.” God founded the Church to bring us to His eternal kingdom. Think of Noah's ark where his family & the animals stayed until they safely arrived in dry land. Noah was not an engineer or shipmaker. The ark must have had a few holes, dents & defects. It must have stink inside the ark because of the animals. It was not a perfect ark. Yet, it served its purpose & it survived the floods. That's what the Church is like for us. It has a few defects but it keeps us safe from the "floods" until we reach God's kingdom.

2. U-LO SI KRISTO AT KATAWAN NIYA ANG SIMBAHAN. The head & body always go together. During his early years, Paul persecuted the Church & he encountered Jesus. In the Book of Acts, Jesus asked him "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). Jesus did not say "Saul, why are you persecuting MY CHURCH?" He said "ME" because the Church is the body of Christ. Ephesians 5:23 declares that "the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church, his body, and is himself its Savior." Jesus is the head & the Church is His body. May nakita ka na bang ulo na walang katawan at buhay siya? O katawan na walang ulo at buhay? Wala po. If God will lasts forever then the same applies to His body.

3. H-OW MANY TRIED? ALL OF THEM FAILED. Christians were horribly persecuted by the emperor Nero in 64 AD. Another emperor Diocletian destroyed the church buildings. His reign was a horrible, difficult time for Christians. There are other Roman emperors who tried to end the Church. Communism destroyed churches & priests of not only Christians but all other religions. The Nazis persecuted the Roman Catholic Church. They watched the clergy closely, arrested them & sent them to concentration camps to die. The list of Church persecutors continues on. Pero asan na sila lahat ngayon? Patay na po sila lahat pero ang Simbahan ay buhay pa din. Two thousand years & still going strong. No human can end this Church that Jesus founded.

4. A-TTACKS & SCANDALS CANNOT END ITS EXISTENCE. Some people say that the recent scandals about the few priests will cause the end of the Church. Ang nakalimutan natin ay dati pa may scandal at attacks dito. Let's look at the original batch of leaders Jesus appointed. One betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver, His top guy denied Him three times & most of them left Him during His most difficult moment. Ang problema natin pag may gasgas o dent ang kotse natin para sa atin pangit na ang buong kotse. Kahit nagagamit mo, malamig pa aircon at komportable ng byahe mo ang tingin natin di na siya kotse. We focus on the small dent instead of the bigger blessing.

5. Y-AN ANG NASUSULAT. Basaaah, Ephesians 3:21 says "to him be glory in the Church & in Christ Jesus to ALL GENERATIONS, FOR EVER & EVER. Amen." That's forever, eternal, never-ending or lasting for a looooong time. That's how long the life of the Church is. The verses uses the conjunction "AND" in the phrase "glory in the Church AND in Christ Jesus". This means that both will lasts. The Church will lasts beyond our earthly life.

Let’s love our Church because Jesus founded it for our own good. Let’s not stop loving it because a few leaders made a mistake. They are human after all. Hindi rin naman tayo perpekto di ba? Pero hindi naman dahil nagkamali lang ang ilan ay matatapos na ang Simbahan. That’s not logical.

As Christians, we should also be fair. If any priest or Church leader is proven guilty then let them face the consequence. Dismiss them & apply whatever the law states. Kahit si Pope pa yan! Because no one is above the law.

Lastly, don't forget the majority of priests who are good & truly project who Jesus is. Madami po sila. Say a prayer for them. Always love & support them. Jesus annointed them as our spiritual fathers & God calls us to honor our father (Exodus 20:12).

Have a blessed day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus #Katoliko

"CHANGE ME, IBAHIN MO AKO"

a personal reflection on today's Gospel Luke 6:27-38 Feb 24, 2019

The year was 1941.

Auschwitz was a death camp that held thousands of prisoners. One of them was prisoner #16770. He was a Catholic priest.

The prisoners tried to survive despite the inhumane conditions. They were beaten up by the Nazis to die. It was natural for them to seek revenge against the soldiers. This is where prisoner #16770 was different. Instead of revenge he pleaded with his fellow prisoners to forgive their persecutors. He encouraged them to overcome evil with good. When prisoner #16770 was beaten by the guards he never cried out. Instead, he prayed for his tormentors.

One day, a prisoner escaped from the camp. The Nazis selected 10 others to be killed by starvation in exchange for the one who escape. Franciszek Gajowniczek, one of the 10 selected to die, cried out - “My wife! My children! I will never see them again!” Then, out of nowhere, prisoner #16770 stepped forward and asked to die in his place. He did not know Franciszek personally but he was willing to die in his place. His request was granted & he died on August 14, 1941.

Now we know prisoner #16770 as Saint Maximilian Kolbe. He was different from the rest. Ibahin mo siya. He lived out what today's Gospel preaches.

“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." - Luke 6:27-28

It's easier to bash someone in Social Media.

It's easier to talk about your "enemy" behind their back instead of talking to them.

It's easier to seek revenge than love.

But is that what God calls you to do? No. We are called to seek love & gain your reward.

"But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked." - Luke 6:35

Maximilian received his reward. He became a saint & is now with Jesus in heaven.

Mahalin mo ang iyong kaaway. Mahirap yan pero dapat. Imposible pero sa tulong ng Diyos, lahat posible!

Be like Maximillian. Be a saint. Follow Jesus each day. Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus #AimToBeASaint

"POWER UP"

a personal reflection on Today's reading Feb 11, 2019

Kaibigan, power ba hanap mo?

If you think fame, money & power will bring you happiness, think again.

• "I am the greatest!" That's a popular quote from boxing champ Muhammad Ali. Then he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984. He used to KO his opponents early in the match but his battle with this sickness was his longest "round". It was a round that he never won. The champ turned into a chump. FAME IS NOT REAL POWER.
  
• Nicholas Cage made $150 million during the peak of his movie career. However, as his income increased so did his crazy spending habits. He bought luxury yachts, islands, Lamborghinis, the first Superman comic & dinosaur skulls. By 2009, the Tax agency slapped him with a $6.2 million tax penalty. From a hefty 150 million $ to negative. He blew it all. MONEY IS NOT REAL POWER.
• Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines from 1966 to 1986. That's 20 loooooong years! He was an authoritarian whose regime was known for corruption & for putting on hold the land's democratic process. His rule was ended by a popular people's revolt in 1986 led by a widow. This event sent the ailing Marcos & his family fleeing to Hawaii. POWER IS NOT REAL POWER.

Sino ang may tunay na power? Only God.

When God said “Let there be light”, there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

God simply spoke and it happened. He created everything in 7 days. No raw materials or ingredients needed. Ikaw kaya mo yun? When was the last time you made something out of nothing?

Jesus, the God-man, performed miracles during His earthly ministry. He was so powerful that just the "fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well." (Mark 6:56). What's a fringe? It's the hanging thread at the border of a man's clothing. "Laylayan" in tagalog. That's a very small piece in a man's clothing. That's not even part of His body. Hindi na Niya kailangang hawakan ka, gagaling ka na!

That's REAL power! Fame, money & power is not power. ONLY GOD IS THE REAL POWER. If you want to POWER UP, you have to look up to God. You have to follow Jesus. Be empowered by His Holy Spirit.

Make a decision to follow Jesus each day. Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus

ASTONISHED & AMAZED

a personal reflection on Mark 6:1-6

Two words with similar meanings. The Gospel today uses them both but in different contexts.

Mark 6:2 says that "When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were ASTONISHED". Then Mark 6:6 says that Jesus "was AMAZED at their lack of faith."

“Astonished” in verse 2 speaks about something positive. It’s about how many of them felt being blown away or shocked by HIS teaching. On the other hand, verse 6 is about “their lack of faith” which is not good. Jesus performed mighty deeds but they did not believe. The word “amaze” in its Medieval use referred to being irrational or foolish. That’s how the “kababayans” of Jesus were. They were being irrational & foolish for not believing.

ASTONISHED & AMAZED. Two words. Similar meanings but use in two different contexts. Isn’t our lives just like that also? A life with contradictions.

* We claimed to be Christians but we don’t follow CHRIST
* We know that heaven is real and is forever yet we give in to sin which is #fakejoy & gives temporary happiness.
* We are part of the Church but what are we doing for the Church?
* We are called to love. However, we only love the feeling of being loved. We forget about the sacrifice that comes when we give out true love.

Don’t just be astonished. Don’t settle being amazed. Instead, create ASTONISHMENT, generate AMAZEMENT. How?

* B-e like Jesus. Be a Saint & inspire others to do the same.

* L-ove your Church. She needs you more than 1 hour per week.
* E-ncourage people in your house, your workplace & even in Social Media.
* S-urprise others by doing what is right not what is popular
* S-eek to serve others. We need one another.

That's how you create amazement! Go out there & BLESS the world! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus

“NA-REJECT KA NA BA?"

a personal reflection on Luke 4:21-30

You’re not alone. Kahit si Hesus na-reject din.

HE said in Luke 4:24 that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place." They heard about the healing & miracles that HE performed in the other towns. They should have given HIM a warm welcome like what we gave Ms. Philippines after she won Ms. Universe. But the exact opposite happens. They doubt who HE is & even asked "“Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” (Luke 4:22). That's like saying "this can't be the Son of God. We know HIS father who is a carpenter. We played with HIM when we were kids. We know HIM & HE can't be god."

Grabe naman sila di kay Hesus di ba? Na downgrade Siya sa sariling bayan. Don't focus on how the people of Nazareth reacted towards Jesus. Wala ka ng magagawa dun. Focus on yourself.

I read an old saying that goes "the nearer the Church, the farther from God”. It literally means that those who are living near the Church seem to be the least affected by its religion. But let’s not talk about the physical building. Let’s talk about the Church where Jesus wants to dwell. Let’s talk about our hearts.

When did we reject Jesus?

- When we go to Confession but we cannot forgive the friend who hurt us years ago.
- When we love our brothers & sisters in our prayer group but ignore poor in our local community.
- When we claimed to love God but we hate some of His teachings.
- When we accept the Word of God inside the Church but forget to apply it in our lives outside the Church
- We received HIS true body, blood, soul & divinity in communion. We received GOD Himself yet we are too timid to #ShareAboutJesus.

That's what today's Gospel is all about. It’s not just about the people of Nazareth rejecting Jesus. It’s about us rejecting God in our lives. We go on with our lives as if nothing happened. We rejected God & we didn't realize it.

Your heart is God’s hometown. Welcome HIM & accept Jesus. Accept the whole Christ, walang labis, walang kulang. 

Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus

"75 PERCENT"

a personal reflection on Mark 4:1-20

May apat na pwedeng mangyari sa iyo. Tatlo doon ay hindi maganda. That's 3 out of 4 scenarios. There is a 75% chance that the devil & the world will beat you!

• SCENARIO 1 - "some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it" (Mark 4:4)
• SCENARIO 2 - "Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, & immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil; when the sun rose it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away." (Mark 4:5-6)
• SCENARIO 3 - "Other seed fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain" (Mark 4:7)
• SCENARIO 4 - few seeds are blessed "because they fell into good soil and brought forth grain" (Mark 4:8)

Isa lang ang maayos na scenario dyan. There is only one out of four or a 25% chance that you will land in good soil where you can experience "growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold & a hundredfold" (Mark 4:8)

So how is that considered the GOOD NEWS? It looks like you are more likely to fail than succeed. Paano yan naging magandang balita?

Una, yan ay MAGANDANG BALITA dahil sa lahat ng scenario ay kasama mo si Kristo. Ganyan ka nya kamahal. He will never leave you. Pangalawa, yan ay MAGANDANG BALITA dahil hindi tayo mga binhi o buto lang na andun lang kung saan iniwan. Tayo ay mga tao na pwedeng magdesisyon at kumilos.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE!

So whatever your situation is, do something to move to the good soil. Do not allow your bad situation to stop God's wonderful plan for your life!

Your chances may be small & risky. But if you're choosing Jesus then you are on the right path. You can do it as long as you're with Jesus. Read Philippians 4:13. Trust in God & #RiseUp from wherever you are!

Have a blessed Day! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus

“ALAM MO NA YAN!”

St. Paul said "Now those who were with me SAW THE LIGHT BUT DID NOT HEAR the voice of the one who was speaking to me.” (Acts 22:9)

Di ba ganyan pa din tayo ngayon? Nakita natin ang liwanag pero parang wala naman tayo nadinig.

• We know that it’s not right to bribe the police officer but we do it anyway
• We know that life is sacred, yet we kill those we consider as “evil”.
• We know that marriage is sacred, yet we take it lightly & even want to break it.
• We know that we only have one planet, but why can’t we take care of our environment?
• We know that our life here on earth is temporary then why collect too many things here?
• We know what there is only One God yet we seek first power, pleasure & treasure.

ALAM NAMAN NATIN PERO AYAW LANG NATIN GAWIN. Did we really see the light & not hear anything? Or maybe we just chose NOT TO HEAR the voice.

Have a blessed Friday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus