I'M A 10

I’M A 10

 

“How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:14

 

If I were to rank my life today from one to 10 where “1” means unfulfilled and “10” is very fulfilled, I’d confidently give myself a “10.” I feel a deep joy in my heart being in God’s service and living a life totally for the Lord.

Had the same question been asked of me 12 years ago — a time when I was experiencing God’s pruning and testing — I wouldn’t even have scored a “5.”

The road that led to where I am now was a rough and difficult one. I remember the time Dad succumbed to depression because, among other reasons, he couldn’t take my choice of life. That’s how unattractive and resistible in the eyes of the world the “narrow road” is.

It was only the words of a bishop who assured me,“You have chosen well,” that gave me strength at that time to continue walking where the Lord led me.

Now, I have no regrets. There may still be rough seas ahead but they can never take away the peace and joy of being in the Lord. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Am I walking the path of the Lord? Is there a call to turn back and find His path?

 

Lord Jesus, I want to celebrate the victory of following You. Lead me to Your path for I believe it is only there I can find real joy. Amen.

SAVE US FROM THE POWER OF MAN

 

The tiny nation of God was ripe for the picking of despots like Sennacherib. Judah lay helpless and hopeless before the fury and might of Assyria. Help was not forthcoming, and the only available help could only come from their last bastion of defense, God. To God, they turned. In prayer. In humility. “Save us from the power of this man, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”

How many times must we read Scripture to be convinced of this? But alas! We are a forgetful people with such short memories. This is why we gather Sunday in and Sunday out. We remember. We celebrate. We believe. What? Today we gather together with a proclamation: “God upholds his city for ever!” In our times, it is not just one man who goes by the strange name Sennacherib. It could be a popular legislator who authors immoral laws. It could be a top executive of the land whose only right to office is a rigged election, with the help of very dishonest bootlickers down the line in this dysfunctional political system that passes off as “democracy.” It could be the nice person next door, whose living comes from extorting money from otherwise honourable people whose desire for more leads him to bribe the right persons in the right times and places.

The list is legion. It might even be you and I, who have fallen into the pit of social sin that now masquerades as “practicality” and the need for “social networking.” God, indeed, upholds his city forever, but in the meantime, He could use a little help from you and me. And it begins right here, right now, not on some rainy day, and definitely not somewhere over the rainbow. Where and how do we begin? Take it from the Lord Himself. “Do not give what is holy to the dogs or toss your pearls before swine.” (Read: Waste not your precious vote!) “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.” (Read: Do not imitate corrupt leaders).Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

Do I allow myself to be influenced by the materialistic culture today? Or do I strive  to stick to the values that will bring me to heaven?

 

Lord God, grant me the grace to hold on to Your values and not compromise them with the world’s values. May Your our leaders draw their power from You and not from worldly sources.

 

St. Aaron, pray for us.