10,000

There are more than 10,000 saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. 

But here’s the GOOD NEWS. Heaven is sooooo vast so there’s more space available. It's always ready to accommodate more saints. Jesus Himself says that, "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places” (John 14:2)

And here’s the BETTER NEWS, one of the future saints is you! 

Yes, you are a future saint. Jesus says that, "I go & prepare a place for you" (John 14:3)

Do you want to hear the BEST NEWS?

You're a future saint & you can also help Jesus make more saints. These saint candidates are in your midst now. This may be hard to believe but that includes that annoying person whose goal in life is …. to annoy you 🙂

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took & mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” (Matthew 13:33)

The yeast ferments the WHOLE dough. That yeast is the kingdom of God. But that YEAST IS ALSO YOU. You should "ferment" the whole world & not the other way around where the world "ferments" you. We are brought into the world but we need to keep our identity as children of God. We need to keep our identity as Christians.

As Christians, we let Jesus reign in our hearts so that our words & action are according to Him. As our words & actions become Jesus-like, we also "ferment" the people around us. Then their words & action also become Jesus-like. As the yeast in the dough metabolizes the starches & sugars in the flour it turns them into alcohol & carbon dioxide gas. This gas inflates the dough & causes the bread to RISE. You too should cause people around you to #RiseUp, to be better, to become holier, to become saints!

So always MAKE SURE that YOUR WORDS & ACTIONS LIFT UP OTHERS TO BE BETTER. 

10,000 saints by God’s standards is too low a number. God wants everyone to be with Him in heaven & only saints are allowed to pass through the heavenly gates.

Always #aimtobeaSaint, you were meant to be one so start living like one. - alvinfabella@yahoo

#shareaboutJesus

GOD MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE

"Noli me tangere”, “Huwag mo akong hawakan”. Other translations say “Don’t hold on to me”, “Don’t cling to me” or “Stop holding on to me”

That’s what Jesus said to Mary Magdalene in John 20:17.

“Touch me not”. Was Jesus playing favorites because 10 verses down He allows Thomas to touch Him? "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here & see my hands, & bring your hand & put it into my side” (John 20:27).

There are two points in today’s Gospel that we can reflect on.

• First, Jesus treats us differently depending on our current state. Mary was a believer already while Thomas was still doubting. That explains the difference in the way Jesus treated them. Jesus is willing to do anything to make you a believer.
• Secondly, let's go back to that phrase, "Don’t hold on to me”. Jesus warned Mary not to hold on to Him because He has "not yet ascended to the Father” (verse 17). Jesus still has to ascend to heaven & then send the Holy Spirit to them. That was God’s plan. But Mary wanted to get ahead of His plans. She wanted Jesus to stay. Dito ka na lang Lord. Aren’t we like that also sometimes? Nauuna pa tayo sa Diyos. Parang "Lord, tapusin mo na itong Covid, now na!”

God will always go down to your level. He is not a boastful king who will tell you, “Ako pa ba mag-a-adjust sa iyo?”.

He is willing to adjust to us that’s why He became man so He can be with us. God will always meet us where we are!

So, instead of getting ahead of God’s plan the Gospel today is telling us to TRUST HIS PLAN.

Trust, have faith, because everything will eventually work out in the end. Remember Romans 8:28, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God"

May this post bless your day & remind you that God is still in control! -  alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#shareaboutJesus

reflection on John 20:1-2, 11-18

FIVE POINTS

M. Scott Peck starts his book “The Road Less Traveled” with three words, "Life is difficult”.

That's so true! 

Struggles in life are inevitable. 

Nowadays, life is extra difficult with this pandemic. 

When the road is bumpy you need to hold on to something.

Here are FIVE Points that you can hold on to during these trying times. There are two points about you & three points about God.

1. Your CHARACTER over your CIRCUMSTANCES. You cannot control everything that happens in your life. But you can control your reaction. That's character. When you feel the urge to complain, stop! Do the opposite. Make a journal & list down your blessings. Pray to God & thank Him that you are still doing good despite the pandemic. Do not let your CIRCUMSTANCES control you. You are the pilot of this plane so direct it to where you want to go. Be positive, pray & practice gratitude always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus". Your CHARACTER is bigger than your CIRCUMSTANCES.
2. Your STRUGGLES make you STRONGER. American idol Kelly Clarkson, in her song “Stronger” sang, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger”. Your STRUGGLES STRENGTHEN you. God will use every struggle in your life to give you more faith, perseverance & strength. God also allows PAIN in your life to reveal His PURPOSE for you. If you’re from a broken family then God wants you to minister to those who are experiencing the same. That’s how your BURDENS become BLESSINGS. You may be struggling now but remember that for "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Be STRONGER!
3. God CONTROLS, We COMPLY. Our history notes several human rulers who came & conquered but where are they now? The superpower countries of the world have a gazillion dollars in their central banks. Yet, not a single rich country has stop Covid-19 yet. This pandemic reminds us that man is not in control. Who is? Proverbs 19:21 says that "Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the LORD that endures”. That verse reminds us that only God is in control. What are you called to do then? Follow God. Deuteronomy 5:33 says that we should be "following exactly the way that the LORD, your God, commanded you that you may live and prosper, & may have long life in the land which you are to possess”. God CONTROLS, we COMPLY.
4. God will NEVER ABANDON you. Jesus never promised us that He would take our burdens away. But He promised us that “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). When you are happy, God is there. When you are struggling, God is there. But you might be asking, "why don’t I feel or see God's presence?”. Because most of the time God is ahead of you already. God is "the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Friends & family may leave you but you don’t have to worry about God. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. He will always be with you.
5. TRUST God’s TIMING. The best Project Managers I know always have a contingent plan. If Plan A does not work then they have Plan B ready. But no matter how careful you are in preparing your plans they may still fail. But God’s plan won’t fail. He is full of wisdom & He is perfect. American directory & actor Woody Allen said that “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” What should you do then? Trust God’s timing because they are always perfect. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust God always!

I pray that these FIVE Points make a difference in your life. Hold on to them & receive the PEACE that Jesus gives.

"I have said this to you, that in me you may have PEACE. In the world you have tribulation; but take courage, I have overcome the world" - John 16:33

Have a blessed weekend! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#RiseUP #shareaboutJesus

WHO ARE YOU?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds you that YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.

Jesus uses the word "father" 5 times in the short reading of 3 verses (Matthew 11:25-27)

"I thank you, FATHER, Lord of heaven and earth” - Matthew 11:25
"yes, FATHER, for such was your gracious will” - Matthew 11:26 "All things have been delivered to me by my FATHER” - Matthew 11:27A "no one knows the Son except the FATHER, & no one knows the FATHER except the Son” - Matthew 11:27
Jesus calls God “Father”, “Abba”, “Papa”, “Daddy”.
This is the reason that why the scribes & Pharisees wanted Him dead.

Here’s the good news - God wants the same intimate relationship with you!

So don't believe the lies that this world tells you. That “you're nothing” or “you’re worthless”.

Maybe failures in life made you weak.
Maybe your problems has scarred you.
Maybe sin has taken over your life.

Don’t believe what the world & sin tells you. Believe Jesus.

Because your value is not based on your wealth.
It’s not based on your fame.
Your value is not based on your social media followers.
Or how many LIKES your posts gets.

You're VALUABLE because a PERFECT GOD LOVES the IMPERFECT YOU.

God calls you His child. You’re His son or daughter.
That makes you SUPER VALUABLE!

Why is that important? Because being child-like before God allows you to know God. We need to practice humility to KNOW GOD.

On the other hand, the greatest obstacle in knowing Him is pride. We know that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)

Jesus calls us to be humble like an innocent child so that God may reveal Himself to us.

"I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven & earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise & understanding & revealed them to infants” - Matthew 11:25

To KNOW GOD you need to know WHO YOU REALLY ARE. That you are a child of God.

Starting today, make a decision to FOLLOW, LISTEN, TALK & REMAIN with your HOLY DADDY.

Have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com

#ShareAboutJesus