Hands

The story is told about a man who asked his friend how he was. He casually answered: “I broke my finger last week, but on the other hand, I’m OK!”

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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 21, 33-43), Jesus tells the parable of a landowner who, on the one hand was cheated and maltreated by his tenants, but who, on the other hand, was vindicated in the end. No matter how difficult at times, let us never doubt that our God is in control, and “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

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During this pandemic, many people go into panic, hopelessness, and depression because of uncertainties and deprivation. Let us not forget that there is a “hidden hand” that is fixing everything, and that is forming us according to His will and His plans.

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Let us hold His hands, and just trust Him: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4,7)

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One good result of this pandemic is the realization of the value of washing hands and praying hands.

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If your hands are full of blessings, on the one hand, be grateful, but on the other hand, don’t be forgetful of the source of your blessings, and the true purpose of your blessings.

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Hands down. There are times when you and I just have to come before God in humility, and with our hands down and say, “Lord, take over. I leave everything and everyone in your hands!”

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Hands up. Raise your hands up to praise God, but never to give up.

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Helping hands. May our hands be open and generous hands, not stingy and selfish hands. May your hands become helping hands, not hoarding and hurting hands.

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On the one hand, may God bless and prosper the work of our hands. On the other hand, may God increase the love in our hearts.

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Hold a rosary in your hands. Pray the rosary as often as you can. This simple and humble prayer is powerful and beneficial to those who pray it, and for those to whom it is prayed for.

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The October “Walk with God to Manaoag” this year is canceled. God-willing we will resume this biennial 13-kilometer thanksgiving walk and prayer from Urdaneta to Manaoag, Pangasinan, by May 2021. God-willing!

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On the one hand, on the other hand. Please don’t forget to see the good and the bad in every situation you go through, every person you meet, and in your own self. May God give you the grace to see, believe, and live in such a way that you will not be discouraged in bad times, and not be complacent in good times.

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I turned 67 last Oct. 1, Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Thank you for all your prayers and support. On the one hand, we know how many years have passed, but on the other hand, we don’t know how many more years are up ahead of us, so, let’s just live the rest of our lives, the best of our lives. By God’s grace.

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There are people who live very simple and quiet lives, but leave so much inspiration, and a lot of life lessons. One such person was our uncle, Dr. Angel Muñoz, who loved and served much. He was a person who on the one hand, always went the extra mile, and on the other hand, always gave the extra smile.

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Remember how our parents taught us to count with our fingers when we were children? As we grow older let’s continue to count our blessings, and not our problems; count our sharings, and not our savings. May we continue to count those that really matter in the hereafter.

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A moment with the Lord: Lord, bless our hands, bless our hearts, and help us to live meaningful lives. Amen.

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