Sunday, July 3, 2011

The Great Invitation Sunday- Homily of Rev. Fr. Mario P. Rivera




(Jesus does not force Himself on people, He too waits for our invitation, neither does Jesus force people to come to Him… He invites them.)

Was so sleepy when I came to mass, ( sorry Lord, for not coming prepared) due to so many activities Friday and Saturday, and the stressful week that was plus was contemplating my laundry .sigh…. and so was trying to keep my eyes open. Thank you Lord, as usual Father Mario did not fail in keeping it open by educating and convincing all of us mass goers, that JESUS LOVES US :)



In our usual daily lives, we acquire so many stressful events, happenings that this Sunday, Jesus invites us to stop awhile, rest, have peace, to again develop a contented heart in this temporary life.

WHY DOES GOD INVITE US:

In special occasions, in family gatherings, we always want people we love to share our joys, we invite people we love, we want to see them, we dont invite people we do not like, we sometimes even hide from them, nor do we feel like welcoming them.

1.) JESUS ACCEPTS US UNCONDITIONALLY
In this life, not all people will accept you for who are, not all will welcome you, without the trappings of money, beauty, looks, power, positions. Or in some cases look at your history/ past . Hence the feeling of being burdened by rejection. You just cant please everybody.

Jesus does not,look at your past. does not look at your age, how much you have, what position you hold, your looks, how powerful you are.

We are reminded that Jesus says “Come to me and learn from me “ ~
We are reminded that Jesus accepts us UNCONDITIONALLY.


2.) JESUS LOVES ME


when you love people, you want to share everything with them you invite them, you want them in your life, you don’t want to see them hurting or suffering.

People tell us they love us but when they do/act the opposite, that is not love.
ex parents children relationship

Jesus tells us He loves us , He is here for us,He does not want to see us hurt nor to see us suffering, He wants us to come to Him and rest.

3.) JESUS KNOWS THE DESIRES OF MY HEART

God knows your sufferings your, worries, fears, the things we want. Jesus knows the the inner workings of our hearts, things which no one knows, the deepest desires of our hearts. We are called to learn from the heart of Jesus.

What does our hearts contain : Earthly Desires, earthly wants and upon acquiring one or the other, desires will not end there.

The desires of the heart is infinite and only the INFINITE God can quench or satisfy the desires of our hearts
If the infinite desires of our heart is/are infinite and if we try to focus on material and finite things ….. we will never be satisfied/content.


When we see any heart symbol, what should it remind us ? love, Valentines day?

~ it should remind us that this is “ the place where God and Man meet “




In our limited mind we cannot ever comprehend the greatness of God, God is incomprehensible! ... and yet He is so very small that we can contain him in our hearts.

Ex : Heart tattoos

Trivia : Tattoo have Biblical in origins : First Tatoo : put by God on CAINS forehead, Cain brother of Abel, sons of Adam and Eve, Cain killed Abel out of jealousy, on fearing people would hurt him because of what he did to his brother, God put a tattoo on Abels forehead to signify his sinfulness.

Years ago those we see with tattoos bear the stigma of being incarcerated.

In order to quench the infinite desires of our hearts, we should accept Jesus and accept the invitation He extends to everyone.

and to remind myself that

I WILL PUT JESUS IN MY HEART AND BE HAPPY ATLAST :)

FORGIVENESS CORNER

FORGIVENESS CORNER
this corner is for those who we want to forgive and those for whom we pray for forgiveness, let us ask Jesus to help us and open our hearts to forgiveness and forgiving. Look at the Cross and tell Jesus, Lord i want to forgive, im finding it hard to do so, help me. I chose to forgive and leave everything in Your loving hands.

THE ARCHANGELS


ST. MICHAEL -
(Archangel of those born on a Sunday) Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, the Commander in Chief of all the hierarchies of the Heavenly Hosts, the Angel who defeated Luciferadn His followers in the first rebellion or creatures against God. By his battlecry: MI-Ca-EL " Who is like unto God?.. the first defender of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Mystery of the Incarnation ( Dan 10:12 12:1 Apoc.12:7)

ST GABRIEL
- ( ARCHANGEL of those born on a Monday ) Special messenger of God, bearer or Gods secret messages to His chosen ones.( luke 1:19) (Daniel 8:19 9:21)

ST. RAPHAEL - ( ARCHANGEL of those born on aTuesday) Healer & Guide for the Christian pilgrim, patron also of Singles wanting to find their partner in marriage.He also gives the light to discern correctly Gods ways and protects us from dangers that befall us on our way to our heavenly home.

ST. URIEL - ( ARCHANGEL of those born on a Wednesday) Archangel of Justice, reminds us of Divine Justice, to whatever we do good or bad, reminds us of the terrible justice of God upon the world for the human pride and Godlessness with which human affairs are conducted.

St. SEALTIEL - ( ARCHANGEL of those born on a Thursday) Archangel of Worship & Contemplation, stands before God with incenser in hand, his angelic purity transforms the love and worship we mortals give to God.

ST. JHUDIEL - (ARCHANGEL of those born on a Friday) Archangel of Divine Mercy. Gods mercy comes to us in every moment of our lives.Without it we would die.Mercy is gracefor bodily and spiritual needs. Mercy is God Himself through the m,erits of Jesus Christ bringin us back to our Heavenly home

ST. BARACHIEL - (ARCHANGEL of those born on a Saturday) Archangel of Divine Providence. the one who was assigned by God to keep watch over His adopted Children taking care that He and the Choirs of Angels assigned to the task guard these transformed souls in all their way, bearing them up ( Psalm 91, 12)

check the Perpetual Calendar in this blog fill it with your birthdate and know which archangel is in charge of you... God bless!