Psalm for Today, June 22, 2011

Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

1 Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. (R) 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD! 4 Look to the LORD in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations, 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R)

 

Source:  Kerygma Family E-Newsletter

True Treasure

Gospel for Today, June 17, 2011

Matthew 6:19-23

19 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. 22 The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

Source:  Kerygma Family E-newsletter

God is Watching...

Divine Mercy Shrine at El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental

It is soothing to know that God is always watching us, just like a good father does to his children...

Love & Pray for the Enemy...

Gospel for today, June 14, 2011

Jesus commands us to love our enemies. This fact tells us something of the nature of love that today’s world needs to learn anew, namely that love is a decision and is not necessarily dependent upon our feelings or emotions. What is important is that we decide to love every human being we meet! This is a command of the nature of the Gospel and the nature of love; if we do not have love for others, how will we be committed to proclaiming the Gospel to them?

ALLELUIA

R: Alleluia, alleluia

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

R: Alleluia, alleluia

Matthew 5:43-48

43 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Source:  Kerygma Family E-Newsletter

An Eye for an Eye

Gospel for today, June 13, 2011

Jesus tells us that revenge is never an option for a Christian. When someone sins against us we are obliged to forgive them. This does not mean that we have to let them trample over us again and again, but it does mean that we have to put aside any notions of revenge or getting even. A person who sins against us will lose a certain level of our trust but even here we should seek to rehabilitate the relationship to its former level if we are to be truly faithful to the meaning of forgiveness.

Matthew 5:38-42

38 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

Source:  Kerygma Family e-newsletter

Is Internet Sex Cheating?

This feature from The Philippine Star, published today, June 9, 2011, caught my attention and pondered about it for awhile.  The said article was triggered by the recent scandal that hit New York courtesy of Rep. Anthony Weiner.  The once considered as a top contender to become mayor of New York confessed during a tearful news conference that he had sent suggestive photographs and messages to women and had repeatedly lied to cover up his actions.

Issue:  If it's virtual, does it constitute infidelity?

Somebody, mentioned in the same article, answered with a question, "Would you text it, post it, send it with your spouse looking over your shoulder?  If yes, then it's not infidelity.  If no, you're cheating."  And I agree.

Hence, cheating need not be physical...

Technology has made it easier for couples to cheat.  What with the accessibility of mobile phones and internet these days, one spouse can still cheat in the comforts of their own conjugal home and perhaps even within the confines of their own bedroom.

Technology...  tsk!  tsk! :(

A Missed Opportunity...

Few years ago, an old acquaintance (may his soul rest in peace) mentioned to me that he got a condo unit somewhere in Fort Bonifacio.  He was not a real estate agent (and he didn't need to be one as he was a very well-off man) but he tried to convince me in getting myself a condo there, too.  According to him, it's for investment purposes...

Brilliant idea!  But when I learned that the contract price (at that time!) of units was around a little over one million (as it was on its pre-selling stage then and Fort Bonifacio was not yet as developed as it is now), I backed out!  How could I pay it off with the meager salary I have as a government employee?!  He suggested that I avail of the maximum loan term of say, 20 years, and shorten it eventually when I already have additional means.  The important thing, he pointed out, is I get to own an investment property and start it off with forced savings.  Hard-headed as I always am, I did not heed on to his advise..

Now, I regret that decision.  I heard condo units at Fort Bonifacio cost at around P6 million nowadays.  If only I listened to him.. :(