Honor God!

The story is told about a man who was asked how many hours he spends working on weekdays, and his response was: “Walong oras” (eight hours). When asked if he has time for church on Sundays, his response was. “Walang oras” (no time)!

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In today’s Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21), Jesus reminds us: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” We ask ourselves today: Am I giving to God the gratitude and the honor I owe him? Is God my God, or have I made money and worldly achievements, affairs, and relationships my God?

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Some days ago, a young executive came to me for counseling. Business was good, money was coming in abundantly and fast. So, what’s the problem? She was getting so exhausted and stressed, and she was getting sick and getting burned out. She was on a roll, but work was taking its toll. There is a price to pay for those who spend their lives searching and serving almighty money.

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Someone said that in life we juggle five balls, namely, family, friends, work, health, God. Of these five balls, only work is made of rubber, i.e., if you drop it, it can bounce back. But family, friends, health, and God are made of glass, i.e., if you drop them, they can be shattered and could be lost and cannot be recovered. May we not be so focused on work as to neglect or take for granted our family, friends, health, and God!

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Without God, we end up living boastful lives. Without God, we end up living sinful lives. Without God, we live fearful lives. When we come to the end of our lives, may we not be flooded with fears and regrets that we wasted our lives, our time, talents, and treasures on useless, meaningless things.

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With God, we live peaceful lives. With God, we live meaningful lives. With God, we live grateful lives. Just believe, trust, and surrender. BTS! Yes, honor God, go and give Him what belongs to Him. Give not just your belongings, but give yourself to Him, because you belong to Him!

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Fr. Rod Salazar Jr., SVD, chose to live a life with God. Mission accomplished at 76! He was VIP—very inspiring priest; very intelligent person, but very humble; very influential person, but very personal and warm; very impressive person, but very expressive and appreciative. Till we meet again, pray for us sinners, Father Rod!

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Today is World Mission Sunday. Msgr. Esteban Lo, LRMS, national director of Pontifical Mission Societies reminds us that we all must help propagate our faith spiritually and support world mission materially. (Account name: Pontifical Mission Societies of the Philippines, Inc. Metrobank Peso 091-3-09151543-2; Dollar 091-2-09100688-4) “Hearts on Fire, feet on the move!”

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Think about this: “You work eight hours to live four. You work six days to enjoy one. You work eight hours to eat in 15 minutes. You work eight hours to sleep five. You work all year just to take a week or two vacation.You work all your life to retire in old age and contemplate only your last breaths.

Eventually, you realize that life is nothing but a parody of yourself practicing for your own oblivion.

We have become so accustomed to material and social slavery that we no longer see the chains.

Life is a short journey, live it! Collect memories, not material things!”

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A moment with the Lord.Lord, help us to honor you, serve you, and love you. Amen.

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