Look beyond
The Bible tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. But if we look around, some have gone beyond being temples, and have become basilicas and cathedrals already!
In today’s Gospel (Lk. 21, 5-19), Jesus tells His disciples how the temple, adorned with costly stones and votive offerings will be destroyed, with no stone left upon another. He tells us today about the end times. Everything in this world will ultimately pass away. All that we have, all that we have achieved, will all come to naught.
“See that you not be deceived.” This is the first warning to us by the Lord about the Messiah and the “end times.” There will be false prophets and there will be fake news as to when the end will come. We must look beyond these and focus on the Lord.
“Do not be terrified.” The Lord further warns us that when wars, calamities, famines and plagues, awesome sights and mighty signs from the skies happen, we must not be afraid. We must look beyond these and focus on the Lord.
“By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” The Lord’s final warning is that there will be persecutions for those who believe in Him. His assurance is that He will empower and He will be present to those who hold on till the end. We must not lose heart nor be disheartened. We must look beyond these and focus on the Lord who assures us of final victory.
May the Lord give us the grace to be able to look beyond this world and not be so caught up with its pleasures and travails, and be focused on Him and on His individual and common plan for all of us. Through it all, we must not forget nor lose sight of the big picture, God’s big picture.
XVD lawyer Severo “Roi” Pastor Jr. passed on at the age of 64. He did not enrich himself as a public servant, but the big picture is that his honesty and integrity will be rewarded in heaven. He suffered much due to his diabetes and arthritis, but the big picture is that his pains purified his soul and brought him closer to God. Yes, there is a big picture.
In my recent visit to Bacolod, I was overjoyed when 84-year-old Aida Marañon gave me a booklet of all my Sunday Inquirer columns which she has collected all these years since 2010. We just continue planting the seeds and continue to work for our Master. To God be the glory!
Last Nov. 13, the Philippine SVD Central Province received from the CMMA (Catholic Mass Media Awards) the Serviam Award, the highest award given to institutions for their significant contribution to the upholding and spreading of Gospel values through mass media. To God be the glory! There to receive the award were Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD; Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD; Fr. Lino Nicasio, SVD; Fr. Arlo Yap, SVD; Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD; and yours truly.
“Gifted, Beloved and Empowered in the Eucharist.” Inviting you to the 32nd Eucharistic Congress on Nov. 30 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) at the Pink Sisters Convent, Hemady St., Quezon City. Speakers are Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, SJ; Fr. Lino Nicasio, SVD; Archbishop Socrates Villegas, DD. There will be a procession and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a Mass. For inquiries, please call 0927-366-4116 or 8722-8828.
Inviting participants and sponsors for the “National Children’s Bubble Run” on Nov. 23, 2 p.m. for the benefit of children with cancer, at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. For donations and inquiries, please contact 0916-330-9488 or 0922-873-3029 or e-mail: [email protected].
A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help us to look beyond worldly concerns and pleasures, and focus on You. Amen.
