Claim OwnershipMaking Friends With The Lord Jesus
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© Fr. Edwin
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Ways of getting closer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
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Jesus is the much-awaited Messiah foretold by the scriptures. He fulfilled all the prophecy markers found in the Old Testament. That meant he was destined to die to fulfill his mandate from his Father.
Today, we hear of a criticism about Jesus. They commented that he was crazy because he was working so hard that he was not concerned about eating. He let himself be occupied so much he did not consider taking care of himself. Questions about how much one worked without resting reasonably well so that one could work well later on. We could be bothered by this. Let us learn from the Master what he does and says.
Today, the Lord proceeds to choose his twelve apostles. Among his choices, we find men who were not perfect. Judas Iscariot is there—his personal choice, who turned out to be his betrayer. Peter was included, and he denied Our Lord three times. The rest deserted Jesus when he needed them the most. Why should we be surprised or shocked that, among those in the ranks of the hierarchy of the Church today, some are not perfect as well? This behavior of Jesus only encourages us to sing gratitude and hallelujah for God's mysterious but generous mercy and love.
We read about the unclean spirits leaving the bodies of those they tormented. They scream the identity of Jesus. But the Lord stopped them. Of course, the devil is the enemy, and Jesus did not want His fame to be based on their declarations. Moreover, people might understand his kingship incorrectly. The devil is a liar by nature. Who knows what he has in mind as he apparently propagates Jesus' Name to others.
Here comes another thorny question about what can be done on the Sabbath. The Pharisees tend to be finicky about the requirements of living the day properly. They see problems with whether it is fine to do good for others or not. There is this man with a withered hand in the synagogue. Our blessed Lord uses him as an example to show the absurdity of the Pharisees' position.
Today, the Lord teaches us the obligation we all have to form our consciences properly. This arose when some of the Jews called him out when they observed his disciples picking ears of corn. They pointed out the anomalous nature of such action from the point of view of the time it was done. It was the Sabbath. Certain things or actions should be avoided, as the Lord rested on the Sabbath. Their logic was that picking corn was not resting as the Sabbath required. However, the good Lord took that as an opportunity to form our consciences because so much depends on judging properly what to do or what to say about actions we have done. Thus, the Lord taught using the example of David--and David was a huge saint for the Jews--who ate the loaves of bread used in the Temple that were only for the priests to consume. Thus, there are higher laws that take precedence over lower laws.
It is an amazing thing that Jesus makes use of the question of the Pharisees--that was actually a protestation against Jesus--to make a revelation about God and Man. They asked Him about why his disciples did not follow what the others were doing, even those reputable ones such as the disciples of John the Baptist. He replied saying that how can they fast when the bridegroom is around. Who was he referring to? Himself actually. What is this wedding? The union between God and Man in the Person of Jesus Christ! Should they not rejoice? Shouldn't we rejoice as well?
We celebrate today the annual feast of the Santo Nino based in Cebu Cit. We unite ourselves to the Cebuanos in approaching the Divine Trinity through the Second Person who became flesh. Today, we contemplate again the child Jesus in Nazareth. We are made to recall that God became a baby and who grew up under the care of holiest couple in history, namely, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. We need to keep in mind the declaration of Jesus in the gospel, that only those who become like children can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
We cannot get it better than how Jesus looks for us, sinners. That is what we are, children of God but sinners. He came to this world to look for each of us to cure and save us, to forgive our sins. He does not behave like Steven Spielberg who is looking for the appropriate and adequate actor or actress for his movie. He is looking for those who see themselves as sinners, faulty, weak, struggling real human beings and descendants of Adam and Eve with all our evil inclinations and tendencies. The Pharisees and scribes in the gospel looked down on those people. They think themselves to be superior to sinners. Hence, they were scandalized by Jesus eating with prostitutes and tax collectors. He did not shun sinners. He explained that it was the ill who needed the doctor.
Today, Jesus accepts the challenge posed to him about his ability to forgive sins. He cured a paralytic to show that he can manage things that cannot be seen but happening in the soul.
The gospel today teaches us how to ask God for a favor. This way stresses the good will of the Lord to want to cure a leper. Thus, this sick man gains the favor he asks the Lord. We can imitate this manner of begging from the Lord.
We witness today how a poor leper asks Jesus to cure him of his leprosy. Let us learn this sick man how to approach the Lord and get what we need.
The Lord today shows us His example in entering the house of Simon and cured his mother-in-law. Let us study what he does there!
Jesus went to the synagogue and taught. This gives us a couple of standards we need to examine ourselves in. First, Jesus attended synagogue. Today, we have our churches. Let us visit Our Lord in our churches. There we find the portal to eternal iffe, not eternal death. Second, Jesus taught. As Christians, we need to teach others the truth of all kinds. How do we chase this standard?
Jesus calls Peter, James and John in today's gospel. Prior to that move, however, he calls everyone who would listen that since the Kingdom of God was at hand, then they needed to repent of their sins. God wants to forgive our sins so that he could call us and send us to the mission he had in mind when he created us. Sin is what holds us back!
The Lord sought baptism from his cousin John the Baptist. That was an interesting move. Why did he seek that? He was not a sinner, since he was God. John was convinced after initially hesitating to accede to Jesus' request to be baptized. Listen to the homily to find out the meaning of the Baptism of Jesus.
Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Learn more about it by listening to the homily.
Today's gospel reminds us to find our place and role under the sun. God creates each of us for a clear and definite purpose. Our task is to discover it and pursue it. It this way, can we be happy here and later in eternity. We need to accomplish that role. We do not have to envy anyone since we are each different from any other in the past, present or future. St. John had no problem in giving way to Jesus. He knew he was assigned by God to be the herald and precursor of the Messiah. He did his job so well that people thought he was the Mashiach or the anointed one.
Jesus as the Messiah long awaited by Israel fulfilled all the messianic prophecies about him in the Scriptures. Today, he declares it openly. Man, then, reacts to him. Admiration and thanksgiving were spontaneous. But he also begins to have enemies out of envy for him.
Let us learn more about what happened to Jesus after He multiplied the loaves of bread and fish to feed a crowd of at least five thousand men
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