Food for Our Soul

The Lord, our refuge, will always deliver us....God bless ! 

Psalm 91:3
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

Today, we hear of new strains of viruses which were unheard of only a generation ago. The world has yet to find cures for them and many people are afraid of being struck down by these viruses. 

But as believers, we are not of the world, though we are in the world. (John 17:15–16) So our protection is not of the world, but of the Lord. And when we say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust,” (Psalm 91:2) then what follows is not “maybe”, but surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

A couple in our church can testify that surely the Lord delivered and protected their two young children during a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) outbreak, which claimed a few lives in Singapore not long ago. 

When their four-year-old daughter started vomiting and running a fever, the mother brought her to their family doctor, who found ulcers in her mouth and small red dots on her hands and feet — symptoms of the HFMD. Naturally, the doctor prescribed medication for her.

Back home, however, the little girl continued to vomit throughout the day, throwing up everything including the medication. Her fever persisted. Not able to do anything for their daughter, the parents prayed, proclaiming Jesus as their healer, and partook of the Holy Communion many times with both their children. 

That night, their daughter’s fever broke and the vomiting subsided. They continued making the Lord their refuge and fortress. Within two days, their daughter was completely delivered from the disease. And all this while, their six-year-old son was completely protected from the infectious disease. 

Beloved, you don’t need to be afraid of deadly diseases which may have claimed the lives of others. You don’t have to be fearful that you or your child may become victims of these super bugs. When the Lord is your refuge and fortress, surely He shall deliver you and your family from the snare of the fowler, such as the avian flu, and from all perilous pestilences!

Joy of Quotes

Always do right.  
This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning.
Proverbs 1:5

Gospel Reflection

September 04, 2012

Tuesday

Weekday

by Rev. Fr. Jomar Burgos (LMI), Rev.Fr. Joseph Fung (LMI), Rev Fr. Thomas Chen (Priest fr. Korea)

and Msgr. Bong Lo (Megamall Chaplain)

(Afternoon Mass at Megamall)

First Reading:               1 Corinthians 2:10-16
Psalm:                         Psalm 145:8-14

Gospel:                        Luke 4:31-37    

31 And he went down to Caper'na-um, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the sabbath; 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 "Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37 And reports of him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

HOMILY

(Father Bong Lo shared the story of Father Jomar Burgos, who, six years ago, texted Father Bong that he is interested to apply in the seminary. Father Jomar was a civil engineer with a good salary, and was the favorite of his Filipino-Chinese boss. When Father Jomar told his boss that he wanted to be a priest, the boss asked him "anong problema mo?" hahaha Father Jomar is now four days young as a priest.)

Let us celebrate this mass and pray for our new priest, Father Jomar, who is on his fourth day of being a priest. Let us thank God for the gift of holiness, in the person of Father Jomar. Let us also pray for all priests - and also each and everyone of us - that we may remain more and more faithful, more and more generous, and more and more joyful in the service of God and His people. Let us pray for each other, support each other, let us inspire and encourage one another.  

In the Gospel reading today, the people who heard about Jesus and saw what Jesus did, were amazed and said to one another, "What is there about His word, that with authority and power, he commands unclean spirits and they come out?" Yes, the people were amazed, the people were impressed, but they did not fully understand. If we are going to apply this in our daily lives, we can see na ang hilig natin sa mga amazing things. Ang hilig natin sa mga impressive things. Gusto natin dramatic, gusto natin impressive. Especially our generation today - the bigger, the better; the louder, the stronger, the more powerful. Mukhang quantity na ang tinitingnan. Yes, impressed tayo, and yet we do not fully understand.

As St. Paul conveyed in the First Reading today - Unless you have the Spirit of God, you cannot understand God, and the things of God. The natural man understands the natural way. Six years ago, Father Jomar texted me that he wanted to apply in the seminary, and I told him "See me at the Megamall Chapel". That is the old Megamall Chapel - that is why it is fitting that he celebrates his thanksgiving mass here at the Megamall Chapel. Father Jomar's boss told him, "Entering a Catholic seminary will not do you any good." Six years later, Father Bong asks Father Jomar, "Is your boss correct?" Unless Father Jomar did not have the Spirit of God, he will not understand the message of God for him.

Communion, sacraments, the Church, the Bible, marriage, natural family planning, self-control - these are not things of the world. Unless we have the Spirit of God, we will not understand these things. Sometimes, people use the Church as a way to self-gain. Sad to say but it is true. Let us pray to Jesus that when we make our choices, when we make our decisions, we may understand with God's Spirit, not only in the short-term, medium term, or long-term, but in the context of eternity. Let us pray for each other, that we may grow in the totality of the Spirit of Jesus, in the Spirit of truth, in the Spirit of love, Amen.

Joy of Quotes

Where our work is, there let our joy be.

Never tire of doing what is right.
2 Thessalonians 3:13