October 5, 2013 LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” – Luke 10:23 Meryll was feeling depressed because she still didn’t have work since she migrated to Canada. She had sent her application to a number of companies but none of them were willing to take a risk on a new migrant like her. Then one day, I was surprised to see a chat message from her. She relayed to me that she already got a job. The biggest blessing was that her work at the new company was almost exactly the same as what she had inManila. This helped her adjust to her work at a much faster pace. She told me that she would no longer question the timing of God. The delay in finding her job was well worth it. She realized that God had just been preparing the “perfect” work for her. Most of the time, we see events that are happening differently from how God sees them. Our eyes don’t immediately see the purpose behind our circumstances. We may not see yet the blessing in a trial because God is still preparing something better for us. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo) Reflection: The ability to see beyond the trial to the blessing behind it is a grace and blessing in itself. Lord, open my eyes and heart that I may see the blessing that is hidden in the trials I am facing or may be facing in the future. Amen. St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, pray for us. 1ST READING It is important for us to remember, particularly in times of struggle and distress, that God is never far from us. This truth is so absolutely fundamental to the spiritual life of a Christian that St. Ignatius Loyola enshrined it in his collection of rules for the discernment of spirits — when in desolation, remember consolation. Of course, the converse is true — when we are having a special time with God, we should remember that desolation may be just around the next corner. Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29 5 Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel,6 you were sold to the nations not for your destruction; it was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. 7 For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons, to no-Gods; 8 you forsook the Eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you. 9 She indeed saw coming upon you the anger of God; and she said: “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, 10for I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. 11 With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. 12 Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. 27 Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. 28 As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; 29 for he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.” P S A L M Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37 R: The Lord listens to the poor. 32 [33] “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 33 [34] For the Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. 34 [35] Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” (R) 35 [36] For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. They shall dwell in the land and own it, 36 [37] and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it. (R) GOSPEL Be grateful for the blessings that you have and seek to use them well, rather than focusing on those you do not have and being upset about it. Envious and jealous people are a complete “pain in the neck” to be with, as they are always focused on the perceived injustices done on them. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Luke 10:17-24 17 The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing, and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Posted on: Sat, 05 Oct 2013 02:35:12 +0000
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