FOLLOWING HIM

Mk 1:14- 20
      After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God. "The right time has come," he said " and the Kingdom of God is near!Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!"
      As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net. Jesus said, "Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people." At once they left their nets and went with him.
     He went a little farther on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them; they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.
      We went to church despite the odd feeling that the next few days would be hard. I know that money should not be a hindrance nor a problem , but then somehow, it could cause you stress. On the other side, we should have a positive perspective about life, about having just enough money for everyday needs.Other things should be cut off, those which we consider  luxuries.
      When you compare yourself to others materially, you really will be sadden by the thought that you are at the bottom.That there are people out there who spend money as if they are just being pick from the garden.The idea should not dwell in our minds longer or else you will find yourself disturbed.
For sure money can buy many things:

• beautiful house
• nice car
• fancy dresses
• expensive shoes
• position or even promotions
• real properties
• jewelries
• soft beds
• expensive foods
• books
• medicine

All the comforts in this world can be ours because of money. Have you thought of what money cannot buy?
Here's some:

• health
• happiness
• respect
• sleep and
• the way to heaven.

Those things that can be felt cannot be achieved by money alone, we have to work had for it. Life is a matter of attitude. Things will be yours according to god's will not our own will. The best message that the Gospel wants to relate to us is for us to follow Him and leave everything behind and that includes our desires for wealth and other earthly possessions.

Making a Difference

Last week was the Feast of Sto. Nino. It may have been not so timely to write this one, but I feel I wanted to.I want to share the Gospel Last Jan. 15, 2012:
Mk 10:13- 16
       Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, " Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Then He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them.
       The Gospel merely teaches us the importance of being a child , of being childlike in Spirit. God doesn't intervene in our plans to achieve greatness, but then He wants more of this. He wants us to be great just like a child , who never bear grudges to anyone and who are willing to be corrected anytime. People of today have develop wrongfully. We invest on power, possession and other earthly matters. Everyone wants comfort and security and they believe that they cannot have true happiness if they don't posses wealth in this world.
      How then can we enter the Kingdom of God that we are all so used up, we are all so consumed with our lives. The priest said that we have to make a difference in this world. It's not enough that we are baptized and be proud that we are Christians. We have to live by our faith. We have to abide rules for us to be a true  Christians. That's what should we struggle for. To live a different life...a life that is control by God and a life that desires goodness and happiness like a child does.
      As I walk by, I was attracted by these apples, so I decided to take a shot and see that same species can really make a difference. It may not be a child, but somehow I am thinking that it may be better to be an apple, it may have a short-lived life, but we do not count our importance by the length of days rather by the moment well-spent and  consumed on earth, have we been effective? Have we played our roles? Have we consumed our lights to others or have we just been a nuisance?