NOW IS THE TIME

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour." (1 Jn 2:18)

*****

Not to have any time is today taken as a sign of efficiency: using every minute of it and carefully rationing out its use. Quantitative time: hours, minute, seconds are empty in themselves. So we try our best to stuff them as much as we can. And we make use of the most modern technology to do this: computer technique, microelectronics, and other time-saving devices.

For a long time now we have reckoned our time in terms of gain and loss; businessmen say that time is money. The ability to recognize the transitional from the lasting – even everlasting – and use both, gives one the sense of fulfillment in time.

Today the haste and speed of time hides its inner quality. The daily rush of datelines and deadlines blinds our inner eye to time.

Time makes no noise as it moves along. It can only be heard in the hum of some watches. Time is transient. It never stands still. It comes, is present, and – goes by. And I go along with it. Psychologically speaking, time exists only in the mind; it is an abstract concept in philosophy.

As the Old Testament Prophet tells us: "There is a time for everything; everything has its proper time." Each of us personally has his or her time – and no one else’s.

All of us humans are time-bound. I myself am temporary, transient, and mortal in this world. And so it is important for me to realize what time, in all its forms and manifestations throughout the ebb and flow of my life, wants to tell me. (Theresia Hauser) [1]

Today marks the end of year 2007. How appropriate that the First Reading speaks about the last hour. Tomorrow is another year to which we can look forward with joy in our hearts.

Each year-end period we make personal resolutions. Most often these promises we make to ourselves are meant to prevent previous mistakes from being committed twice in our lives. Or we make them to strengthen and prompt us to live a better and fruitful life than what we had during the preceding months.

The above article also reminds us about the reality that time is fleeting. It passes by quickly and we cannot hold on to it at all. One year has just passed. What is it trying to say to us right now?

In today’s scriptural snippet we are alerted about the presence of many antiChrists around us in this day. It reminds us about the end-times once again. That alone brings to mind that now is the time for everyone to turn toward conversion and spiritual renewal.

Today is the proper occasion to be decisive in discarding the old habits behind us. This is the moment in time to be determined to live only for Christ and to refuse to follow the ways of the antiChrists in our midst. Anyone – St. John writes there are many of them – who promotes the lies of the adversary and distorts the teachings of our Lord Jesus can probably be regarded as an antiChrist.

Indeed, we are not getting any younger. All of the hairs in our head are turning, or will soon become, gray. The bones and joints in our body are showing signs of deterioration. NOW is the proper time to take complete stock of our spiritual lives. Tomorrow may prove to be too late…

Let us all pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to root out whatever is displeasing to the Lord from our lives. Let us also prayerfully request the grace to replace the resulting void within our souls with the Mass, Sacraments, Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, and the holy Rosary. In the doing of these things, 2008 will prove to be a spiritually very profitable year for one and all.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 165, "Time," pp. 78-79, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.

NOW IS THE TIME

"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour." (1 Jn 2:18)

*****

Not to have any time is today taken as a sign of efficiency: using every minute of it and carefully rationing out its use. Quantitative time: hours, minute, seconds are empty in themselves. So we try our best to stuff them as much as we can. And we make use of the most modern technology to do this: computer technique, microelectronics, and other time-saving devices.

For a long time now we have reckoned our time in terms of gain and loss; businessmen say that time is money. The ability to recognize the transitional from the lasting – even everlasting – and use both, gives one the sense of fulfillment in time.

Today the haste and speed of time hides its inner quality. The daily rush of datelines and deadlines blinds our inner eye to time.

Time makes no noise as it moves along. It can only be heard in the hum of some watches. Time is transient. It never stands still. It comes, is present, and – goes by. And I go along with it. Psychologically speaking, time exists only in the mind; it is an abstract concept in philosophy.

As the Old Testament Prophet tells us: "There is a time for everything; everything has its proper time." Each of us personally has his or her time – and no one else’s.

All of us humans are time-bound. I myself am temporary, transient, and mortal in this world. And so it is important for me to realize what time, in all its forms and manifestations throughout the ebb and flow of my life, wants to tell me. (Theresia Hauser) [1]

Today marks the end of year 2007. How appropriate that the First Reading speaks about the last hour. Tomorrow is another year to which we can look forward with joy in our hearts.

Each year-end period we make personal resolutions. Most often these promises we make to ourselves are meant to prevent previous mistakes from being committed twice in our lives. Or we make them to strengthen and prompt us to live a better and fruitful life than what we had during the preceding months.

The above article also reminds us about the reality that time is fleeting. It passes by quickly and we cannot hold on to it at all. One year has just passed. What is it trying to say to us right now?

In today’s scriptural snippet we are alerted about the presence of many antiChrists around us in this day. It reminds us about the end-times once again. That alone brings to mind that now is the time for everyone to turn toward conversion and spiritual renewal.

Today is the proper occasion to be decisive in discarding the old habits behind us. This is the moment in time to be determined to live only for Christ and to refuse to follow the ways of the antiChrists in our midst. Anyone – St. John writes there are many of them – who promotes the lies of the adversary and distorts the teachings of our Lord Jesus can probably be regarded as an antiChrist.

Indeed, we are not getting any younger. All of the hairs in our head are turning, or will soon become, gray. The bones and joints in our body are showing signs of deterioration. NOW is the proper time to take complete stock of our spiritual lives. Tomorrow may prove to be too late…

Let us all pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to root out whatever is displeasing to the Lord from our lives. Let us also prayerfully request the grace to replace the resulting void within our souls with the Mass, Sacraments, Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, and the holy Rosary. In the doing of these things, 2008 will prove to be a spiritually very profitable year for one and all.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 165, "Time," pp. 78-79, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.

GOD ALWAYS HAS A REASON

Sunday, December 30, 2007

"He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’" (Mt 2:15)

*****

A wise old religious man sat under a mango tree in his garden in the noonday heat and he looked at his pumpkin vines growing nearby. He said to himself, "How foolish God is. Here he puts a big heavy pumpkin onto a weak vine, which can’t do anything but just lie on the ground. And then he hangs those small mangoes onto a tree which can hold the weight of a man. If I were God, I could do better than that."

Just then a bit of a breeze came up and knocked a loose mango off the tree. It fell right on the man’s head. Now he had a bump on his head which made him a sadder and wiser man. "Suppose," he thought now, "that there had been a pumpkin up there, instead of a mango…

Never again will I try to plan the world for God, but I shall thank God that he has done so well." (Tony Castle) [1]

St. Joseph, like Mary, had always been obedient to God’s will for him. Again, like Mary, he had never faltered in whatever task that had been given him, even when he did not quite understand the reasons behind the instructions. Both of them obeyed without questions being asked. They completely entrusted their lives to the Father in heaven and trusted Him, to use them in whatever way it pleased Him.

Almighty God actually has reasons for everything that He allows to happen in this world. From all eternity He foresaw the assassination attempt by King Herod against His Infant Son, Jesus. In order to thwart that murderous intention, the Lord of Hosts directed, through an angelic messenger, the Holy Family to flee into neighboring Egypt, and remain there until such time as the danger had passed.

In order to indicate an explanation for this event to humanity, the Holy Spirit spoke through the Prophet Hosea the words cited in today’s Scriptural snippet.

When we decide to let go of our own wills and to let God freely work within us, we should completely trust Him to do what is best for us. We do not wait to fully understand the reasons behind what is being asked of us, nor do we have to try to fully comprehend why things are happening in a certain way in our lives.

If we act on inspiration completely dependent on the Lord for guidance, He will help us to do what is right or what is needed to be done. When honest mistakes are committed, we have to trust that there are lessons to be learned in those blunders, and that our Father in heaven is still at work within us. What is needed is the humility of heart to accept everything that He allows to happen during our lives.

In reflection, it is now fully understood why things that happened in my life more than a year ago resulted in the way they did. God’s wisdom has been made manifest in all the events that have transpired, and I praise and thank Him for that benefit.

As the above anecdote conveys to us, no one should ever try to question God’s good judgment. Since He holds the world in His hands, He has control over it and knows what is best for all His creatures.

Let us always attempt to completely put all our trust in our Heavenly Father. Let us entrust our whole lives and those of our loved ones to Him. We will never go wrong when we are in His hands.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "The Next 500 Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 61, "God’s Wisdom," p. 34, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 1993.

GOD ALWAYS HAS A REASON

Sunday, December 30, 2007

"He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’" (Mt 2:15)

*****

A wise old religious man sat under a mango tree in his garden in the noonday heat and he looked at his pumpkin vines growing nearby. He said to himself, "How foolish God is. Here he puts a big heavy pumpkin onto a weak vine, which can’t do anything but just lie on the ground. And then he hangs those small mangoes onto a tree which can hold the weight of a man. If I were God, I could do better than that."

Just then a bit of a breeze came up and knocked a loose mango off the tree. It fell right on the man’s head. Now he had a bump on his head which made him a sadder and wiser man. "Suppose," he thought now, "that there had been a pumpkin up there, instead of a mango…

Never again will I try to plan the world for God, but I shall thank God that he has done so well." (Tony Castle) [1]

St. Joseph, like Mary, had always been obedient to God’s will for him. Again, like Mary, he had never faltered in whatever task that had been given him, even when he did not quite understand the reasons behind the instructions. Both of them obeyed without questions being asked. They completely entrusted their lives to the Father in heaven and trusted Him, to use them in whatever way it pleased Him.

Almighty God actually has reasons for everything that He allows to happen in this world. From all eternity He foresaw the assassination attempt by King Herod against His Infant Son, Jesus. In order to thwart that murderous intention, the Lord of Hosts directed, through an angelic messenger, the Holy Family to flee into neighboring Egypt, and remain there until such time as the danger had passed.

In order to indicate an explanation for this event to humanity, the Holy Spirit spoke through the Prophet Hosea the words cited in today’s Scriptural snippet.

When we decide to let go of our own wills and to let God freely work within us, we should completely trust Him to do what is best for us. We do not wait to fully understand the reasons behind what is being asked of us, nor do we have to try to fully comprehend why things are happening in a certain way in our lives.

If we act on inspiration completely dependent on the Lord for guidance, He will help us to do what is right or what is needed to be done. When honest mistakes are committed, we have to trust that there are lessons to be learned in those blunders, and that our Father in heaven is still at work within us. What is needed is the humility of heart to accept everything that He allows to happen during our lives.

In reflection, it is now fully understood why things that happened in my life more than a year ago resulted in the way they did. God’s wisdom has been made manifest in all the events that have transpired, and I praise and thank Him for that benefit.

As the above anecdote conveys to us, no one should ever try to question God’s good judgment. Since He holds the world in His hands, He has control over it and knows what is best for all His creatures.

Let us always attempt to completely put all our trust in our Heavenly Father. Let us entrust our whole lives and those of our loved ones to Him. We will never go wrong when we are in His hands.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "The Next 500 Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 61, "God’s Wisdom," p. 34, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 1993.

A SIGN OF CONTRADICTION

Saturday, December 29, 2007

"Behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2:34-35)

*****

A woman who was a saleslady went into a jewelry store and said, "I want a precious stone which is ugly on one side and beautiful on the other."

That sounded like a strange request, but the jeweler sold her a stone called a geode. It looks like a rough stone on the outside, but its hollow visible inside is full of purple crystals. Then he asked the saleslady what she wanted such a stone for.

She said that sometimes she had a problem getting people’s attention, so she could sell them something. But she uses the stone this way: she pulls it out of her purse, shows it to people and remarks, "If you found this dirty funny-looking stone on the road, you wouldn’t pick it up, would you?"

"No" they’ll say.

Then she turns it over and asks, "But if you knew that the inner side of the stone was filled with these beautiful valuable gems, you would pick it up, wouldn’t you?"

Then she would come in with her sales pitch, "You don’t know what I’m going to tell or its importance to you, until you hear it. It may be one of these gems."

Almost always, they hear her out. (Charles B. Roth) [1]

There is certainly no other person in the history of the whole human race that surpassed what Jesus went through. Without a doubt no one else received the same amount of love, with an equal dosage of rejection that was given to the Son of God. Many saints in heaven, in attempting to follow the way He had taken, could not exceed what Our Savior suffered in order to redeem the world.

Indeed, genuine discipleship requires us to undergo the same challenges that our Lord endured. If we have decided to follow Jesus and call ourselves His disciples, and yet have never before encountered opposition, then there must be something wrong in the way we imitate His way of life, or the way we try to live out the Gospel.

As the Scriptural snippet tells us, our Savior was destined to be a sign of contradiction in the world. Indeed, He was, and even today, He remains loved by some and hated by others.

Perhaps we do not meet with the expected conflicts within our families and community because we deliberately avoid them by compromising our faith and values. We end up making deals with our adversaries, because we do not have the courage to stand up for truth and justice. We’d rather keep the peace than rock the boat, so to speak.

It is very unfortunate that we find many so-called disciples in the Catholic Church today who are of the same mindset. They deliberately avoid experiencing contradiction by giving in to worldly demands, rather than practice what the Church truly teaches. It is no wonder there is now a crisis developing in the Catholic Church at this point in our history because of such people.

When we reflect upon it, to be Christ’s follower consists of two sides much like the precious stone in the above narrative. While one facet promises us a life of abundance and considerable joy, the other aspect requires us to go through persecution, opposition, sacrifice and a great deal of suffering through the way of the Cross. Most people, however, on seeing the element of suffering, no longer seek to discover the beauty of the promises destined for His disciples.

Let us do our best to be faithful followers of Our Lord by willingly allowing ourselves to be signs of contradiction in our own lives where ever we may be. Let us implore the Holy Spirit to help us succeed in this undertaking.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "The Next 500 Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 248, "Attention Getter," p.119, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 1993.

A SIGN OF CONTRADICTION

Saturday, December 29, 2007

"Behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2:34-35)

*****

A woman who was a saleslady went into a jewelry store and said, "I want a precious stone which is ugly on one side and beautiful on the other."

That sounded like a strange request, but the jeweler sold her a stone called a geode. It looks like a rough stone on the outside, but its hollow visible inside is full of purple crystals. Then he asked the saleslady what she wanted such a stone for.

She said that sometimes she had a problem getting people’s attention, so she could sell them something. But she uses the stone this way: she pulls it out of her purse, shows it to people and remarks, "If you found this dirty funny-looking stone on the road, you wouldn’t pick it up, would you?"

"No" they’ll say.

Then she turns it over and asks, "But if you knew that the inner side of the stone was filled with these beautiful valuable gems, you would pick it up, wouldn’t you?"

Then she would come in with her sales pitch, "You don’t know what I’m going to tell or its importance to you, until you hear it. It may be one of these gems."

Almost always, they hear her out. (Charles B. Roth) [1]

There is certainly no other person in the history of the whole human race that surpassed what Jesus went through. Without a doubt no one else received the same amount of love, with an equal dosage of rejection that was given to the Son of God. Many saints in heaven, in attempting to follow the way He had taken, could not exceed what Our Savior suffered in order to redeem the world.

Indeed, genuine discipleship requires us to undergo the same challenges that our Lord endured. If we have decided to follow Jesus and call ourselves His disciples, and yet have never before encountered opposition, then there must be something wrong in the way we imitate His way of life, or the way we try to live out the Gospel.

As the Scriptural snippet tells us, our Savior was destined to be a sign of contradiction in the world. Indeed, He was, and even today, He remains loved by some and hated by others.

Perhaps we do not meet with the expected conflicts within our families and community because we deliberately avoid them by compromising our faith and values. We end up making deals with our adversaries, because we do not have the courage to stand up for truth and justice. We’d rather keep the peace than rock the boat, so to speak.

It is very unfortunate that we find many so-called disciples in the Catholic Church today who are of the same mindset. They deliberately avoid experiencing contradiction by giving in to worldly demands, rather than practice what the Church truly teaches. It is no wonder there is now a crisis developing in the Catholic Church at this point in our history because of such people.

When we reflect upon it, to be Christ’s follower consists of two sides much like the precious stone in the above narrative. While one facet promises us a life of abundance and considerable joy, the other aspect requires us to go through persecution, opposition, sacrifice and a great deal of suffering through the way of the Cross. Most people, however, on seeing the element of suffering, no longer seek to discover the beauty of the promises destined for His disciples.

Let us do our best to be faithful followers of Our Lord by willingly allowing ourselves to be signs of contradiction in our own lives where ever we may be. Let us implore the Holy Spirit to help us succeed in this undertaking.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "The Next 500 Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 248, "Attention Getter," p.119, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 1993.

Home Staging: Spend a Little to Make a Lot

Staged homes traditionally sell faster, and often for more money, in today's real estate market. However, property owners often do not want to spend money on a house they are trying to sell. That's short sighted since the first home reduction will cost you far more than the investment of staging!

To learn more about home staging, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Home Staging: Spend a Little to Make a Lot

Staged homes traditionally sell faster, and often for more money, in today's real estate market. However, property owners often do not want to spend money on a house they are trying to sell. That's short sighted since the first home reduction will cost you far more than the investment of staging!

To learn more about home staging, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Why Is It Called Home "Staging"

Home staging is the act of setting up the home in just the right way to set off the good things and downplay the bad things. But why is it called staging? Believe it or not, it really does have to do with a stage - a theater stage.

When you go to a theater, you see a set that helps to create an atmosphere needed for the audience. To create the right atmosphere, the set must appeal to the audience.

The same holds true for your home. Each room is a different set with the intent to appeal to your audience - the home buyer. The play? It is called "Buy This Home Because It Is Better Than All Others Out There." And your audience will become involved in this play if your sets give them what they seek.

In order to stage your home, be sure to clean it, declutter it, lighten it up with paint and window coverings, and focus on the improvements that will make the most bang for the buck.

To learn more about home staging, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

Why Is It Called Home "Staging"

Home staging is the act of setting up the home in just the right way to set off the good things and downplay the bad things. But why is it called staging? Believe it or not, it really does have to do with a stage - a theater stage.

When you go to a theater, you see a set that helps to create an atmosphere needed for the audience. To create the right atmosphere, the set must appeal to the audience.

The same holds true for your home. Each room is a different set with the intent to appeal to your audience - the home buyer. The play? It is called "Buy This Home Because It Is Better Than All Others Out There." And your audience will become involved in this play if your sets give them what they seek.

In order to stage your home, be sure to clean it, declutter it, lighten it up with paint and window coverings, and focus on the improvements that will make the most bang for the buck.

To learn more about home staging, read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought.

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THE EFFECT OF SIN

"If we say, ‘we are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 Jn 1:8)

"When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years and under…" (Mt 2:16)

*****

Instead of referring to the sins of the world, we sometimes even liturgically talk about the sin of the world. This is a kind of cumulative sin … and it keeps getting worse all the time. It is very akin to our atmosphere which is becoming more and more polluted with gases and exhaust fumes and aerosols. We live in an atmosphere of sin just as we live in today’s atmosphere of pollution by noise and air and water and soil… (Frank Mihalic) [1]

We honor the Holy Innocents today who died during the time of the birth of the Messiah. Somehow these babies sacrificed their lives in order that the Infant Child could continue to live to redeem the world.

When we think about the event, we are filled with dismay at the atrocity committed by Herod against these innocents of Bethlehem. Yet, how exactly do we feel toward the ongoing holocaust of abortion all over the world? There very likely were less than fifty children massacred at the order of Herod, while millions of unborn babies in the womb of their mothers are being killed over the world every day.

As the above commentary tells us we live in an atmosphere of all kinds of pollution that are destroying our physical environment. In the same manner sin is all around us. We do not seem to get so affected by it anymore. In fact, we have become inured to the propaganda, deception and the lies to which we are continually being exposed.

It seems that perhaps a majority of this world’s inhabitants have come to believe that killing is not an evil, and/or that abortion is not murder; therefore there is nothing morally wrong with that procedure. Thus, some so-called Catholic countries have legalized the practice of abortion within their boundaries.

Our first Reading tells us that if we say we have fellowship with God, "while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth." (1 Jn 1:6) Furthermore, today’s Scriptural snippet reminds us, "If we say we are without sin" or that there is nothing immoral with these transgressions that we see everyday, then we deceive ourselves.

Delusion itself is world-wide in that people of today try to justify the abominations of abortion, genocide, terrorism, unjustified violence in war and all the other atrocities being committed in the world. Hence, millions of modern-day Christians are not acting in the truth of Christ.

All kinds of sins, in addition to those already mentioned, fly in the face of the Lord – illegal drug manufacturing, sale and use, pornography, fornication, adultery, homosexual-genital conduct and many more – and huge portions of humanity are being conned into thinking that there is nothing evil about any these activities.

Let us strive to safeguard ourselves from this sinful spiritual pollution by having recourse to Jesus Christ, for as St. John has written, "He is expiation for our sins and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world." (1 Jn 2:2) Let us pray to Our Lord and Savior for the grace to avoid any kind of deliberate sin altogether.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "1000 Stories You Can Use" Volume Two, Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 953, "The Sin of the World" p.188, Divine Word Publications, Manila, 1989.

THE EFFECT OF SIN

"If we say, ‘we are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 Jn 1:8)

"When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years and under…" (Mt 2:16)

*****

Instead of referring to the sins of the world, we sometimes even liturgically talk about the sin of the world. This is a kind of cumulative sin … and it keeps getting worse all the time. It is very akin to our atmosphere which is becoming more and more polluted with gases and exhaust fumes and aerosols. We live in an atmosphere of sin just as we live in today’s atmosphere of pollution by noise and air and water and soil… (Frank Mihalic) [1]

We honor the Holy Innocents today who died during the time of the birth of the Messiah. Somehow these babies sacrificed their lives in order that the Infant Child could continue to live to redeem the world.

When we think about the event, we are filled with dismay at the atrocity committed by Herod against these innocents of Bethlehem. Yet, how exactly do we feel toward the ongoing holocaust of abortion all over the world? There very likely were less than fifty children massacred at the order of Herod, while millions of unborn babies in the womb of their mothers are being killed over the world every day.

As the above commentary tells us we live in an atmosphere of all kinds of pollution that are destroying our physical environment. In the same manner sin is all around us. We do not seem to get so affected by it anymore. In fact, we have become inured to the propaganda, deception and the lies to which we are continually being exposed.

It seems that perhaps a majority of this world’s inhabitants have come to believe that killing is not an evil, and/or that abortion is not murder; therefore there is nothing morally wrong with that procedure. Thus, some so-called Catholic countries have legalized the practice of abortion within their boundaries.

Our first Reading tells us that if we say we have fellowship with God, "while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth." (1 Jn 1:6) Furthermore, today’s Scriptural snippet reminds us, "If we say we are without sin" or that there is nothing immoral with these transgressions that we see everyday, then we deceive ourselves.

Delusion itself is world-wide in that people of today try to justify the abominations of abortion, genocide, terrorism, unjustified violence in war and all the other atrocities being committed in the world. Hence, millions of modern-day Christians are not acting in the truth of Christ.

All kinds of sins, in addition to those already mentioned, fly in the face of the Lord – illegal drug manufacturing, sale and use, pornography, fornication, adultery, homosexual-genital conduct and many more – and huge portions of humanity are being conned into thinking that there is nothing evil about any these activities.

Let us strive to safeguard ourselves from this sinful spiritual pollution by having recourse to Jesus Christ, for as St. John has written, "He is expiation for our sins and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world." (1 Jn 2:2) Let us pray to Our Lord and Savior for the grace to avoid any kind of deliberate sin altogether.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "1000 Stories You Can Use" Volume Two, Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 953, "The Sin of the World" p.188, Divine Word Publications, Manila, 1989.

BY WITNESSING WE EVANGELIZE

Thursday, December 27, 2007

"...what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of Life – for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us – " (1 Jn 1:1-2)

****

Kipling in his poem called "Mulholland’s Vow" tells the story of a cattle-man on a ship. A storm broke out and in the storm the steers broke loose. The cowboy made a bargain with God that, if he saved him from the plunging horns and hooves, he would serve him from that time on.

When he got safely to land, he proposed to keep his part of the bargain; but his idea was to preach religion where no one knew him. Then came God’s command. "Back you go to the cattle-boats and preach my Gospel there."

God sent him back to the place that he knew and that knew him. Our Christian witness, like our Christian charity, must begin at home. (William Barclay) [1]

Today’s Bible Sharing is related to yesterday’s because it concerns the same topic of witnessing. We commemorate St. John the Evangelist’s feast this day and in his very first letter he speaks of giving testimony to what he has seen and heard. In the same measure we are being asked to testify to everything that God has done in our lives.

In the above narrative we are being reminded that witnessing for Christ must begin in our own homes. The first beneficiaries of our evangelization initiatives ought to be members of our families, more specifically, the children whom we have brought up. Since we parents are their first teachers, we should be able to instill good, Christian and morally-upright values that will help them deal with temptations and other worldly enticements in their adult years.

When our children have been brought up in an atmosphere where it is normal to speak about spiritual matters, there is naturalness in sharing about how God is actively working in their lives. There also is an openness to receive God’s message from whomever the Almighty has chosen as His messengers.

In yesterday’s Bible Sharing we spoke about witnessing more by deeds than by words. Where those with whom we happen to be are uncomfortable discussing profound issues of our faith, it may be better to give testimony through our good behavior and Christian charity.

We do not even have to verbally preach the Gospel. We can always proclaim the good news through our actions or casually mention the good things that the Lord has done for us. Unless we let others know of God’s love, as we have personally experienced it in our lives, how can the rest of the world know about it?

Let us always proclaim what we have personally seen and heard, to which St. John exhorts us. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to be able to do so, whenever the opportunity presents itself.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 333, "Witness Begins at Home," pp. 165-166, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.

BY WITNESSING WE EVANGELIZE

Thursday, December 27, 2007

"...what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of Life – for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us – " (1 Jn 1:1-2)

****

Kipling in his poem called "Mulholland’s Vow" tells the story of a cattle-man on a ship. A storm broke out and in the storm the steers broke loose. The cowboy made a bargain with God that, if he saved him from the plunging horns and hooves, he would serve him from that time on.

When he got safely to land, he proposed to keep his part of the bargain; but his idea was to preach religion where no one knew him. Then came God’s command. "Back you go to the cattle-boats and preach my Gospel there."

God sent him back to the place that he knew and that knew him. Our Christian witness, like our Christian charity, must begin at home. (William Barclay) [1]

Today’s Bible Sharing is related to yesterday’s because it concerns the same topic of witnessing. We commemorate St. John the Evangelist’s feast this day and in his very first letter he speaks of giving testimony to what he has seen and heard. In the same measure we are being asked to testify to everything that God has done in our lives.

In the above narrative we are being reminded that witnessing for Christ must begin in our own homes. The first beneficiaries of our evangelization initiatives ought to be members of our families, more specifically, the children whom we have brought up. Since we parents are their first teachers, we should be able to instill good, Christian and morally-upright values that will help them deal with temptations and other worldly enticements in their adult years.

When our children have been brought up in an atmosphere where it is normal to speak about spiritual matters, there is naturalness in sharing about how God is actively working in their lives. There also is an openness to receive God’s message from whomever the Almighty has chosen as His messengers.

In yesterday’s Bible Sharing we spoke about witnessing more by deeds than by words. Where those with whom we happen to be are uncomfortable discussing profound issues of our faith, it may be better to give testimony through our good behavior and Christian charity.

We do not even have to verbally preach the Gospel. We can always proclaim the good news through our actions or casually mention the good things that the Lord has done for us. Unless we let others know of God’s love, as we have personally experienced it in our lives, how can the rest of the world know about it?

Let us always proclaim what we have personally seen and heard, to which St. John exhorts us. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to be able to do so, whenever the opportunity presents itself.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 333, "Witness Begins at Home," pp. 165-166, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.

WITNESSING AND MARTYRDOM

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

"They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul." (Acts 7:58 )

*****

Christian witness implies certain things. First, a witness is a man who says, "I know this is true."

In a court of law a man cannot give in evidence a carried story; it must be his own personal experience. There was a time when John Bunyan was not quite sure. What worried him was that the Jews thought their religion the best; the Muhammadans thoughts theirs the best. What if Christianity were but a think-so too? A witness does not say, "I think so"; he says, "I know."

Second the real witness is not of words but of deeds. When Stanley had discovered Livingston in Central Africa and had spent some time with him, he said, "If I had been with him any longer, I would have been compelled to be a Christian and he never spoke to me about it at all." The witness of the man’s life was irresistible.

Third, in Greek the word for witness and the word for martyr is the same. A witness had to be ready to become a martyr. To be a witness means to be loyal, no matter the cost. (William Barclay) [1]

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Catholic Church who willingly died for his faith. There is surely some significance in choosing this date to commemorate the saint’s sacrifice of his life coming the day immediately after Christmas.

Surely such feast day placement is meant to bring us the message, that paying homage to the Babe in the manger should definitely move us toward a certain form of martyrdom by way of witnessing for Our Savior. It is to make us understand that following in His footsteps will eventually lead us to death – death to self, to worldly values and to ungodly influences in our lives.

It says somewhere that there is such a thing as martyrdom by doing and not only by dying. As the above commentary tells us "the real witness is not of words but of deeds." It means that we go about our daily responsibilities as faithfully as we can, without uncomplaining or grumbling. It may be in our homes, in our workplaces and/or in our apostolates. In fact this kind of "offering-up of self" is more difficult to do, because it entails both "doing" for God and "dying" to our own person.

As the above article informs us, the word for witness and martyr in Greek means the same thing. When we decide to follow Christ and be a witness for Him we will consequently be expected to make many self-sacrifices in our lives, that will make us voluntary victims for the cause of our Lord and His Church. Our self-renunciations however, should inspire others toward their own spiritual transformation.

The scriptural snippet tells us that while Stephen was being stoned to death, Saul was present and presumably an enthusiastic bystander. It should be remembered that shortly after this event, he was actively in the pursuit of Christians and he was trying to destroy the early Church. Yet, his witness of the first martyr’s murder must somehow have sown a tiny seed of the faith in his heart that prepared him for his eventual conversion. This must have accounted for his 180-degree turn after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.

With these thoughts in mind, let us make every effort to witness for our Catholic faith with our lives, so that others may benefit from the good examples we provide. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the courage and willingness to suffer martyrdom either by doing or by dying at any time.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 320, "Witness," p. 160, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.

WITNESSING AND MARTYRDOM

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

"They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul." (Acts 7:58 )

*****

Christian witness implies certain things. First, a witness is a man who says, "I know this is true."

In a court of law a man cannot give in evidence a carried story; it must be his own personal experience. There was a time when John Bunyan was not quite sure. What worried him was that the Jews thought their religion the best; the Muhammadans thoughts theirs the best. What if Christianity were but a think-so too? A witness does not say, "I think so"; he says, "I know."

Second the real witness is not of words but of deeds. When Stanley had discovered Livingston in Central Africa and had spent some time with him, he said, "If I had been with him any longer, I would have been compelled to be a Christian and he never spoke to me about it at all." The witness of the man’s life was irresistible.

Third, in Greek the word for witness and the word for martyr is the same. A witness had to be ready to become a martyr. To be a witness means to be loyal, no matter the cost. (William Barclay) [1]

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Catholic Church who willingly died for his faith. There is surely some significance in choosing this date to commemorate the saint’s sacrifice of his life coming the day immediately after Christmas.

Surely such feast day placement is meant to bring us the message, that paying homage to the Babe in the manger should definitely move us toward a certain form of martyrdom by way of witnessing for Our Savior. It is to make us understand that following in His footsteps will eventually lead us to death – death to self, to worldly values and to ungodly influences in our lives.

It says somewhere that there is such a thing as martyrdom by doing and not only by dying. As the above commentary tells us "the real witness is not of words but of deeds." It means that we go about our daily responsibilities as faithfully as we can, without uncomplaining or grumbling. It may be in our homes, in our workplaces and/or in our apostolates. In fact this kind of "offering-up of self" is more difficult to do, because it entails both "doing" for God and "dying" to our own person.

As the above article informs us, the word for witness and martyr in Greek means the same thing. When we decide to follow Christ and be a witness for Him we will consequently be expected to make many self-sacrifices in our lives, that will make us voluntary victims for the cause of our Lord and His Church. Our self-renunciations however, should inspire others toward their own spiritual transformation.

The scriptural snippet tells us that while Stephen was being stoned to death, Saul was present and presumably an enthusiastic bystander. It should be remembered that shortly after this event, he was actively in the pursuit of Christians and he was trying to destroy the early Church. Yet, his witness of the first martyr’s murder must somehow have sown a tiny seed of the faith in his heart that prepared him for his eventual conversion. This must have accounted for his 180-degree turn after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus.

With these thoughts in mind, let us make every effort to witness for our Catholic faith with our lives, so that others may benefit from the good examples we provide. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the courage and willingness to suffer martyrdom either by doing or by dying at any time.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "The Millennium Stories" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 320, "Witness," p. 160, Logos (Divine Word) Publications, Inc., Manila, 1997.

JESUS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

"What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." (Jn 1:3-5)

*****

Light is such an important thing that God created it even before he created heaven and earth. Genesis tells us that. Once light began to exist, many good things followed it.

If we look around us, we find that light helps us in many ways. Sunlight, for example, makes things grow; it warms our skin and dries our clothes. Because we have sunlight, we can see things around us. Sunlight is a medicine which kills many germs.

Think of other lights that we use. Notice how we string up lights to decorate a house when we have a party. A torch or kerosene lamp lights our path in the bush and also draws fish to our canoe at night.

In contrast, night and darkness are times of sleep. Nothing grows in darkness. If it is dark too long, everything dies. We also refer to darkness as a time of sin, the time of evildoing, the time of Satan. We feel uneasy and afraid in times of darkness. (Frank Mihalic) [1]

The most awaited event of the year is finally here. Joy is in the air. Homes are gleaming with various shimmering lights. Fireworks everywhere result in magnificent colorful display of illumination up in the sky. It is indeed a festive moment. Jesus’ birthday should, after all, be an occasion of joyful celebration.

Hopefully we have prepared a dwelling place for Jesus within our hearts as yesterday’s Bible Sharing invited us to do. If we allow Him to freely reside in us, we can securely live in the light of His grace forever.

The Light of Christ will never be conquered by the darkness that occasionally surrounds us. Most often this is brought about by sin as the above commentary says to us. For as long as we continue to enjoy His presence in our lives, we can always expect to be illuminated by God’s grace even in the midst of spiritual dark nights.

As Disciples of Our Lord we are also called upon to be the light of the world (Mt 5:14 ) in His example. It means that we are to spread light throughout the land by setting good example to our brothers and sisters in our parish community and elsewhere in the world. Our good behavior should inspire everyone toward conversion, spiritual transformation, and/or greater love for the Lord.

Unfortunately, we often hear of scandalous conduct being committed by Church workers or even by priests prelates and lay religious leaders themselves. This is, of course, contrary to Church teaching, primarily because it inadvertently drives many Catholics away from the Church. Instead of giving light to fellow believers, they bring about confusion, disorder and cause apostasy within the community.

Let us ever be aware that the eyes of others are always focused upon us. We never know how much of what they see in us is being absorbed and emulated. If what they see in us is something ungodly, then there is a lot to account for on judgment day.

Let us prayerfully ask our Father in heaven to grant us the grace to continually be good examples to others and thus, bring the Light of His Divine Son to those with whom we interrelate everyday.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "1000 Stories You Can Use" Volume Two, by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 904, "Light," p. 169, Divine Word Publications, Manila, 1989.

JESUS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

"What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." (Jn 1:3-5)

*****

Light is such an important thing that God created it even before he created heaven and earth. Genesis tells us that. Once light began to exist, many good things followed it.

If we look around us, we find that light helps us in many ways. Sunlight, for example, makes things grow; it warms our skin and dries our clothes. Because we have sunlight, we can see things around us. Sunlight is a medicine which kills many germs.

Think of other lights that we use. Notice how we string up lights to decorate a house when we have a party. A torch or kerosene lamp lights our path in the bush and also draws fish to our canoe at night.

In contrast, night and darkness are times of sleep. Nothing grows in darkness. If it is dark too long, everything dies. We also refer to darkness as a time of sin, the time of evildoing, the time of Satan. We feel uneasy and afraid in times of darkness. (Frank Mihalic) [1]

The most awaited event of the year is finally here. Joy is in the air. Homes are gleaming with various shimmering lights. Fireworks everywhere result in magnificent colorful display of illumination up in the sky. It is indeed a festive moment. Jesus’ birthday should, after all, be an occasion of joyful celebration.

Hopefully we have prepared a dwelling place for Jesus within our hearts as yesterday’s Bible Sharing invited us to do. If we allow Him to freely reside in us, we can securely live in the light of His grace forever.

The Light of Christ will never be conquered by the darkness that occasionally surrounds us. Most often this is brought about by sin as the above commentary says to us. For as long as we continue to enjoy His presence in our lives, we can always expect to be illuminated by God’s grace even in the midst of spiritual dark nights.

As Disciples of Our Lord we are also called upon to be the light of the world (Mt 5:14 ) in His example. It means that we are to spread light throughout the land by setting good example to our brothers and sisters in our parish community and elsewhere in the world. Our good behavior should inspire everyone toward conversion, spiritual transformation, and/or greater love for the Lord.

Unfortunately, we often hear of scandalous conduct being committed by Church workers or even by priests prelates and lay religious leaders themselves. This is, of course, contrary to Church teaching, primarily because it inadvertently drives many Catholics away from the Church. Instead of giving light to fellow believers, they bring about confusion, disorder and cause apostasy within the community.

Let us ever be aware that the eyes of others are always focused upon us. We never know how much of what they see in us is being absorbed and emulated. If what they see in us is something ungodly, then there is a lot to account for on judgment day.

Let us prayerfully ask our Father in heaven to grant us the grace to continually be good examples to others and thus, bring the Light of His Divine Son to those with whom we interrelate everyday.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "1000 Stories You Can Use" Volume Two, by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 904, "Light," p. 169, Divine Word Publications, Manila, 1989.

Stage Your Home

Hotels can give you an idea of what you want to do in your home when it is time to sell. Think about it. They are clutter free and depersonalized - two of the biggest tips in home staging!

Why home stage? Your home will sell fifty percent faster!

Consider the following when home staging:

1. Create curb appeal
2. Depersonalize
3. Declutter
4. Find generic art
5. Make the bathroom feel like a spa
6. Clean it up

For more great ideas, buy my book: 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought!

Stage Your Home

Hotels can give you an idea of what you want to do in your home when it is time to sell. Think about it. They are clutter free and depersonalized - two of the biggest tips in home staging!

Why home stage? Your home will sell fifty percent faster!

Consider the following when home staging:

1. Create curb appeal
2. Depersonalize
3. Declutter
4. Find generic art
5. Make the bathroom feel like a spa
6. Clean it up

For more great ideas, buy my book: 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought!

AN ABODE FOR JESUS

"Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" (2 Sm 7:2)

*****

Cassius the Zealot entered the monastery because he wanted to atone for the sins of men. As a monk, he practiced all sorts of rigorous penances and sacrifices for this single purpose.

"Lord," he often prayed, "I offer my life for the atonement of the sins of the world."

One night, Cassius had a dream. He saw himself in a certain village where all the houses were dilapidated. Because of his zeal and kindness, Cassius started to rebuild one house after the other with great devotion. After he had rebuilt all the houses, Cassius saw our Lord approach him and say, "Cassius, I mean to stay in your house."

From afar, Cassius pointed to his house while he walked with our Lord. "Master," he said, "that is my house."

The Lord stopped when he saw how ugly the house of Cassius was. "I cannot stay in such a house," the Lord told him. "Your house is too ugly."

"But my Lord," Cassius defended himself, "I was not able to rebuild my house because I spent all my time rebuilding other houses"

The Lord said to Cassius, "Before you build my dwelling in other men’s hearts, be sure that I have a proper dwelling in yours."

With that, the Lord disappeared. [1]

It is the day before Christmas and the last day of Advent. Everyone has been busy with various arrangements: cleaning our homes and decorating them with the usual Christmas trimmings. The interiors and exteriors are likely glittering with multi-colored lights. Almost certainly, households are occupied with cooking preparations and still more cooking activity for the Christmas Day meals. There are the last minute shopping sprees and gift-wrappings to be completed. It surely is a hectic day.

As we await tomorrow’s birthday celebration of our Savior, how did we personally prepare an appropriate dwelling place for Him? Are we ready to welcome Him and to offer Him a place to reside within our hearts?

Yesterday’s Bible Sharing urged us to allow the Holy Spirit to freely work in our lives. This is the only way we can be significantly aided in spiritually giving birth to Jesus and building a permanent place for Him to stay.

As we ought to understand, this Christmas season is not the only time for us to construct an abode for our Lord in the core of our being. It is however, a good starting point for those who have not yet done so. Of course, we can never expect to do it on our own. We need the assistance of God’s Spirit to build and to restore a house for Him.

As the above anecdote illustrates for us, we need to make sure Christ has a proper dwelling place within us, before even attempting to erect one in other people’s hearts.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "Parcels of Truth," An Anthology of Anecdotes by Bro. Andrew Maria, MMHC, "Your Own House first," pp. 46-47, St. Paul Publications, Makati, Philippines, 1992.

AN ABODE FOR JESUS

"Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" (2 Sm 7:2)

*****

Cassius the Zealot entered the monastery because he wanted to atone for the sins of men. As a monk, he practiced all sorts of rigorous penances and sacrifices for this single purpose.

"Lord," he often prayed, "I offer my life for the atonement of the sins of the world."

One night, Cassius had a dream. He saw himself in a certain village where all the houses were dilapidated. Because of his zeal and kindness, Cassius started to rebuild one house after the other with great devotion. After he had rebuilt all the houses, Cassius saw our Lord approach him and say, "Cassius, I mean to stay in your house."

From afar, Cassius pointed to his house while he walked with our Lord. "Master," he said, "that is my house."

The Lord stopped when he saw how ugly the house of Cassius was. "I cannot stay in such a house," the Lord told him. "Your house is too ugly."

"But my Lord," Cassius defended himself, "I was not able to rebuild my house because I spent all my time rebuilding other houses"

The Lord said to Cassius, "Before you build my dwelling in other men’s hearts, be sure that I have a proper dwelling in yours."

With that, the Lord disappeared. [1]

It is the day before Christmas and the last day of Advent. Everyone has been busy with various arrangements: cleaning our homes and decorating them with the usual Christmas trimmings. The interiors and exteriors are likely glittering with multi-colored lights. Almost certainly, households are occupied with cooking preparations and still more cooking activity for the Christmas Day meals. There are the last minute shopping sprees and gift-wrappings to be completed. It surely is a hectic day.

As we await tomorrow’s birthday celebration of our Savior, how did we personally prepare an appropriate dwelling place for Him? Are we ready to welcome Him and to offer Him a place to reside within our hearts?

Yesterday’s Bible Sharing urged us to allow the Holy Spirit to freely work in our lives. This is the only way we can be significantly aided in spiritually giving birth to Jesus and building a permanent place for Him to stay.

As we ought to understand, this Christmas season is not the only time for us to construct an abode for our Lord in the core of our being. It is however, a good starting point for those who have not yet done so. Of course, we can never expect to do it on our own. We need the assistance of God’s Spirit to build and to restore a house for Him.

As the above anecdote illustrates for us, we need to make sure Christ has a proper dwelling place within us, before even attempting to erect one in other people’s hearts.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

[1] "Parcels of Truth," An Anthology of Anecdotes by Bro. Andrew Maria, MMHC, "Your Own House first," pp. 46-47, St. Paul Publications, Makati, Philippines, 1992.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES

"For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her." (Mt 1:20)

*****

Electricity is almost magical in its qualities. We cannot see it – but we CAN feel it. It can do the most contradictory things at the same time: It can boil water or turn it into a block of ice. It can light a lamp or make music come out of a radio.

It is surprising how many parallels there are between the works of the Holy Spirit and electricity. When religion and religious ideas slip out of our life, we are like a battery which has gone flat. It needs recharging; and that is just what the Holy Spirit can do. He can liven us up – just as he did the apostles on Pentecost.

At other times our bodily desires heat up or a need to be cooled off. This is also one of the Holy Spirit’s powers, just as electricity cools things in a refrigerator.

Electricity is best known of course, by lights and lamps which can turn midnight into daylight. The personal holy lights or ideas which pop into our minds are known as inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Electricity is the driving power behind most industry. The Holy Spirit is also the source of energy in our life. He spurs us on to works of generosity, service and virtue.

Once electricity powers up a radio, it comes alive with dozens of voices from all over the world, just like the disciples on Pentecost Sunday when the Holy Spirit took over their lives!

If you have been touched by electricity, you know it! It gets you up and makes you move in a hurry. Perhaps the trouble is that, he is still lying hidden like electricity inside a wire. Neither electricity nor the Holy Spirit can use their power until we turn them on. [1]

Our Catechism teaches:

"With and through the Holy Spirit, the Virgin conceives and gives birth to the Son of God." [n. 723]

"Filled with the Holy Spirit she makes the Word visible in the humility of his flesh." [n. 724]

"Through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men, the objects of God’s merciful love into communion with Christ." [n. 725]

The above quotes from the Catechism clearly tell us about the work of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity in the history of our salvation. It was The Spirit who prepared Mary for her important role as the Mother of the Messiah by allowing her to be free from the stain of original sin, from the time of her conception. In making Mary a perfect human being, the Eternal Spirit of the Father and the Son gave us someone we could all look up to as role model in our own search for holiness in this life.

The Paraclete is undoubtedly actively at work in our world today as He has always been from the beginning of time. Many of us may not be aware of it that it is The Spirit who is the principal author of Sacred Scripture (Cf n. 304, Catechism) and He it was who spoke through the Prophets in the olden times (Cf n. 702, Catechism).

Hence, when we regularly and faithfully reflect on the Holy Bible, we eventually learn to be on the same wavelength with its grand Author. Thus, we are moved toward continual renewal in our hearts, minds and souls. He also bestows upon us gifts of wisdom, understanding, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts help us live virtuous or morally upright lives in this world. As the Giver of Life, He alone has the power to make this happen in our day-to-day existence.

Though hidden like the electricity in the wire, as the above commentary explains to us, the "Holy Spirit is the first to awaken faith in us and to communicate to us the new life, which is to ‘know the Father and the one whom he has sent, Jesus Christ’" [n. 684]. It is He who inspires in us all the noble things that we desire and do for God’s Kingdom on earth.

Just as He has perfectly acted through Mary, our Mother, He can do the same in us if we freely allow Him to work through and in us. As the article above says, unless we open our hearts and minds to the power of the Holy Spirit, He will not be able to work His Will beneficially for us and through us.

Let us all have the docility of heart to willingly be used by the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation and/or in the mission of the Church in this life. Let us freely allow The Sanctifier to help us give birth to Jesus in our hearts and bring Him forth into the world in the example of Mary our Mother. Let us pray to Him for the courage and the strength to be able to do these things this Christmas Season.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "A thought for today" by frank Mihalic, SVD, "The Electricity of the Spirit," pp. 115-116, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila , 2001.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES

"For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her." (Mt 1:20)

*****

Electricity is almost magical in its qualities. We cannot see it – but we CAN feel it. It can do the most contradictory things at the same time: It can boil water or turn it into a block of ice. It can light a lamp or make music come out of a radio.

It is surprising how many parallels there are between the works of the Holy Spirit and electricity. When religion and religious ideas slip out of our life, we are like a battery which has gone flat. It needs recharging; and that is just what the Holy Spirit can do. He can liven us up – just as he did the apostles on Pentecost.

At other times our bodily desires heat up or a need to be cooled off. This is also one of the Holy Spirit’s powers, just as electricity cools things in a refrigerator.

Electricity is best known of course, by lights and lamps which can turn midnight into daylight. The personal holy lights or ideas which pop into our minds are known as inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Electricity is the driving power behind most industry. The Holy Spirit is also the source of energy in our life. He spurs us on to works of generosity, service and virtue.

Once electricity powers up a radio, it comes alive with dozens of voices from all over the world, just like the disciples on Pentecost Sunday when the Holy Spirit took over their lives!

If you have been touched by electricity, you know it! It gets you up and makes you move in a hurry. Perhaps the trouble is that, he is still lying hidden like electricity inside a wire. Neither electricity nor the Holy Spirit can use their power until we turn them on. [1]

Our Catechism teaches:

"With and through the Holy Spirit, the Virgin conceives and gives birth to the Son of God." [n. 723]

"Filled with the Holy Spirit she makes the Word visible in the humility of his flesh." [n. 724]

"Through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men, the objects of God’s merciful love into communion with Christ." [n. 725]

The above quotes from the Catechism clearly tell us about the work of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity in the history of our salvation. It was The Spirit who prepared Mary for her important role as the Mother of the Messiah by allowing her to be free from the stain of original sin, from the time of her conception. In making Mary a perfect human being, the Eternal Spirit of the Father and the Son gave us someone we could all look up to as role model in our own search for holiness in this life.

The Paraclete is undoubtedly actively at work in our world today as He has always been from the beginning of time. Many of us may not be aware of it that it is The Spirit who is the principal author of Sacred Scripture (Cf n. 304, Catechism) and He it was who spoke through the Prophets in the olden times (Cf n. 702, Catechism).

Hence, when we regularly and faithfully reflect on the Holy Bible, we eventually learn to be on the same wavelength with its grand Author. Thus, we are moved toward continual renewal in our hearts, minds and souls. He also bestows upon us gifts of wisdom, understanding, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These gifts help us live virtuous or morally upright lives in this world. As the Giver of Life, He alone has the power to make this happen in our day-to-day existence.

Though hidden like the electricity in the wire, as the above commentary explains to us, the "Holy Spirit is the first to awaken faith in us and to communicate to us the new life, which is to ‘know the Father and the one whom he has sent, Jesus Christ’" [n. 684]. It is He who inspires in us all the noble things that we desire and do for God’s Kingdom on earth.

Just as He has perfectly acted through Mary, our Mother, He can do the same in us if we freely allow Him to work through and in us. As the article above says, unless we open our hearts and minds to the power of the Holy Spirit, He will not be able to work His Will beneficially for us and through us.

Let us all have the docility of heart to willingly be used by the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation and/or in the mission of the Church in this life. Let us freely allow The Sanctifier to help us give birth to Jesus in our hearts and bring Him forth into the world in the example of Mary our Mother. Let us pray to Him for the courage and the strength to be able to do these things this Christmas Season.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "A thought for today" by frank Mihalic, SVD, "The Electricity of the Spirit," pp. 115-116, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila , 2001.

A CHILD IS GOD'S GIFT

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. Now I, in turn give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord." (1 Sm1:27-28)

*****

1 May: Today my mother and my father showed how much they love one another. They slept together and my life began.

15 May: My blood circulation system is beginning now, My body is beginning to grow; I am now big enough to be seen.

19 May: My mouth is beginning to develop.

21 May: My heart is beginning to beat. Who can say that I am not alive?

22 May: For some reason or another, today my mother began to worry because I am inside her.

28 May: My two hands and two feet have begun to grow. I can now stretch and straighten my back.

8 June: Little fingers are now appearing at the end of my hands. That’s wonderful. In a short time I’ll be able to touch and hold things.

15 June: Today my mother felt me moving around and she is sure that I am inside her. How happy I am!

20 June: Now I know I’m going to be a little girl.

24 June: Now organs inside of me are beginning to grow: my stomach and my liver and my lungs and things like that. Now I am able to feel pain.

6 July: Now hair is starting to grow on top of my head and above my eyes. Now I am starting to make myself pretty.

8 July: My eyes are ready for use; but they are both still shut. But it won’t be long before I can enjoy the sight of many nice things and especially the face of my mother.

19 July: My heart is really beating strong now. I am growing in all directions. I am happy and contented.

20 July: Today my mother killed me...

If it had happened to you, you would not be reading this. Aren’t you lucky? (Medical Journal) [1]

Today’s First Reading recounts Hannah’s presentation of her only child, Samuel, in the temple. It should be noted that she had been barren for a long time. She entreated Almighty God for the gift to conceive and this request was granted, in due time. In her gratitude for His blessing, she offered him back in His service, under the care of Eli the priest.

Many women have not been fortunate to have their own children. Some have gone on various pilgrimages and have prayed a number of novenas to beg the Almighty the gift of a pregnancy. The irony of it all is that while many women desperately want to have families, an equal number of them are murdering the babies in their wombs as the above Narrative describes. Women who go through an abortion most likely do not realize that the human lives in their wombs are a gift to them from heaven. In all likelihood the Lord is gravely insulted by the outright rejection of His blessings by the indiscriminate killing of the unborn.

It is only the Holy Spirit Who has the power to create life, as we testify when we pray the Nicean Creed at Mass. I personally desired to have four kids, but after giving birth the second time, I was found to have a myoma (tumor) in my uterus, and had to undergo a sub-total hysterectomy and thus, could no longer add to my family. Pregnancy is clearly a grace only Divinity can grant to a woman.

For those married women who have not been blessed with offspring, the Christmas season is an appropriate time for entreating the Eternal Spirit of the Father and the Son for the favor to begin having them. In our parish alone there have been a number of married couples who have been granted the gift of a baby after they have volunteered to offer the image of the Infant Jesus during the Christmas Midnight Mass.

This year our parish priest has invited all married couples, especially those who have been married for five years, but do not yet have any progeny, to join the Christmas Eve procession. This is a Filipino tradition called "panunuluyan" [2] which depicts or dramatizes the time when Joseph and Mary were searching for an inn. Organized by the Couples for Christ in our local parish, it is an opportunity for these husbands and wives to beseech Our Heavenly Father for the gift of a baby this Christmas Day.

Every child conceived in this world is God’s gift to mankind and therefore has every right to life. We are all called to accept them, love them, care for them and provide them with opportunities to develop their potentials. We have a responsibility to give them every opportunity to grow up, learn, and develop in order to become assets in our society.

Let us pray to the Lord, the Giver of Life, that more and more people may realize the absolute evil of abortion, an atrocity that is being committed in almost every country in the world today. Let us pray for the conversion of these individuals who promote or propagate the slaughter of the unborn. At the same time let us pray for the protection of these innocent lives in the womb of their mothers.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "The Storyteller’s Minute" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 110, "Diary of an Unborn Baby", pp. 58-59, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 1999.

2. http://expatclic.com:80/eofi/article.php3?id_article=634
http://www.angelfire.com/on4/zambalesforum/panunuluyan.htm

A CHILD IS GOD'S GIFT

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. Now I, in turn give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord." (1 Sm1:27-28)

*****

1 May: Today my mother and my father showed how much they love one another. They slept together and my life began.

15 May: My blood circulation system is beginning now, My body is beginning to grow; I am now big enough to be seen.

19 May: My mouth is beginning to develop.

21 May: My heart is beginning to beat. Who can say that I am not alive?

22 May: For some reason or another, today my mother began to worry because I am inside her.

28 May: My two hands and two feet have begun to grow. I can now stretch and straighten my back.

8 June: Little fingers are now appearing at the end of my hands. That’s wonderful. In a short time I’ll be able to touch and hold things.

15 June: Today my mother felt me moving around and she is sure that I am inside her. How happy I am!

20 June: Now I know I’m going to be a little girl.

24 June: Now organs inside of me are beginning to grow: my stomach and my liver and my lungs and things like that. Now I am able to feel pain.

6 July: Now hair is starting to grow on top of my head and above my eyes. Now I am starting to make myself pretty.

8 July: My eyes are ready for use; but they are both still shut. But it won’t be long before I can enjoy the sight of many nice things and especially the face of my mother.

19 July: My heart is really beating strong now. I am growing in all directions. I am happy and contented.

20 July: Today my mother killed me...

If it had happened to you, you would not be reading this. Aren’t you lucky? (Medical Journal) [1]

Today’s First Reading recounts Hannah’s presentation of her only child, Samuel, in the temple. It should be noted that she had been barren for a long time. She entreated Almighty God for the gift to conceive and this request was granted, in due time. In her gratitude for His blessing, she offered him back in His service, under the care of Eli the priest.

Many women have not been fortunate to have their own children. Some have gone on various pilgrimages and have prayed a number of novenas to beg the Almighty the gift of a pregnancy. The irony of it all is that while many women desperately want to have families, an equal number of them are murdering the babies in their wombs as the above Narrative describes. Women who go through an abortion most likely do not realize that the human lives in their wombs are a gift to them from heaven. In all likelihood the Lord is gravely insulted by the outright rejection of His blessings by the indiscriminate killing of the unborn.

It is only the Holy Spirit Who has the power to create life, as we testify when we pray the Nicean Creed at Mass. I personally desired to have four kids, but after giving birth the second time, I was found to have a myoma (tumor) in my uterus, and had to undergo a sub-total hysterectomy and thus, could no longer add to my family. Pregnancy is clearly a grace only Divinity can grant to a woman.

For those married women who have not been blessed with offspring, the Christmas season is an appropriate time for entreating the Eternal Spirit of the Father and the Son for the favor to begin having them. In our parish alone there have been a number of married couples who have been granted the gift of a baby after they have volunteered to offer the image of the Infant Jesus during the Christmas Midnight Mass.

This year our parish priest has invited all married couples, especially those who have been married for five years, but do not yet have any progeny, to join the Christmas Eve procession. This is a Filipino tradition called "panunuluyan" [2] which depicts or dramatizes the time when Joseph and Mary were searching for an inn. Organized by the Couples for Christ in our local parish, it is an opportunity for these husbands and wives to beseech Our Heavenly Father for the gift of a baby this Christmas Day.

Every child conceived in this world is God’s gift to mankind and therefore has every right to life. We are all called to accept them, love them, care for them and provide them with opportunities to develop their potentials. We have a responsibility to give them every opportunity to grow up, learn, and develop in order to become assets in our society.

Let us pray to the Lord, the Giver of Life, that more and more people may realize the absolute evil of abortion, an atrocity that is being committed in almost every country in the world today. Let us pray for the conversion of these individuals who promote or propagate the slaughter of the unborn. At the same time let us pray for the protection of these innocent lives in the womb of their mothers.

End Notes for this Bible Sharing

1. "The Storyteller’s Minute" by Frank Mihalic, SVD, n. 110, "Diary of an Unborn Baby", pp. 58-59, Logos Publications, Inc., Manila, 1999.

2. http://expatclic.com:80/eofi/article.php3?id_article=634
http://www.angelfire.com/on4/zambalesforum/panunuluyan.htm