ALWAYS TRUE

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Luke 21:33

       But as most parents know, especially those with newborns, having another child means another mouth to feed, clothe and care for. It means another child who will go through a series of vaccines almost every month during his first year of life. Sometimes I am tempted to worry if my husband and I would be able to give our newborn son all that he needs. But remembering God’s promise of provision and how faithful He has been in giving us timely provisions for our first child helps me overcome this doubt.

       Also, the many opportunities that God gives me to earn from home through my passions such as writing and HR consulting are testaments to God’s Word being true at all times. No matter how many trials and temptations I encounter, I know that they will eventually pass away while the promises of my Lord and Savior will always hold true. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teregmps@yahoo.com)

Reflection: How much do you trust in God’s promises to you? Does it serve as your life’s anchor during turbulent times?

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to believe every word that You say so that whatever I encounter in life, I will stand firm, confident that You will save me.

Apocalyptic visions could be terrifying to us if we did not have faith in God. They encourage us to persevere in the face of great trials. Let us never forget that we are called to place our trust in God at all times. He promised never to abandon us. At times this can be difficult to believe but that is the way of life — things are not always easy for us.

2 In a vision I, Daniel, saw during the night, suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, 3 from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. 4 The first was like a lion, but with eagle’s wings. While I watched, the wings were plucked; it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man, and given a human mind. 5 The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side, and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks. It was given the order, “Up, devour much flesh.” 6 After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given. 7 After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength; it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed, and what was left it trampled with its feet. 8 I was considering the ten horns it had, when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it. This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. 9 As I watched, thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 10 A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 11 I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up. 12 The other beasts, which also lost their dominion, were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season. 13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, 14 he received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an  everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

52 [Dan 3:75] “Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 53 [Dan 3:76] “Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 54 [Dan 3:77] “You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 55 [Dan 3:78] “Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 56 [Dan 3:79] “You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 57 [Dan 3:80] “All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 58 [Dan 3:81] “All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

We should learn to recognize the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives. We should be able to see the signs that it is His voice we are hearing and not just another of the random voices of the world. If we can do this, we will make our lives much simpler as we will be less likely to follow the wrong path. The most common command in the Scriptures comes from God to His people, and it is, “Listen!”

Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

29 Jesus told his disciples a parable. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; 31 in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

A CONCLUSION THAT DEPENDS ON US

What a glorious conclusion finally to this past series of “scary” readings since Tuesday! It can’t be any clearer from the Lord: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

       Because of recent unfortunate developments due to global warming and environmental degradation, nature seems to be “rebelling” — plantations no longer produce as much harvest as before, crops are no longer that healthy, and even plants and seeds no longer bud and sprout with a certain seasonal predictability. Does that mean that Jesus’ words about trees indicative of summertime no longer hold? As a metaphor for exemplification, His main point still stands. Indeed, nature can be harmed and the environment can deteriorate. Nevertheless, God’s Word lasts forever — and also, we had better heed the hints of the nearness of God’s Kingdom.

       With the colorful ups and downs of human history, Jesus’ statement is a powerful affirmation. In stark contrast with the circular pattern of human affairs (“history repeats itself”), the Christian perspective of history follows a spiral direction more — going around, yes, but expanding, moving along a definite direction and towards a definite goal. And that, of course, is no other than the final fulfillment of God’s reign. Jesus set this Kingdom in motion during His life here on earth, and it’s now up to us to lend a hand in developing it and bringing it to its completion.

       We should ask ourselves, what are we doing to help accomplish the final realization of God’s Kingdom? It’s true, God’s Word is ever reliable and dependable (far more than heaven and earth themselves), but we also need to do our part. If we don’t do so, the glorious conclusion will remain a mere pious exhortation.

       Let it not happen that the cycle of history will fall short of its God-intended goal. Let us not be the first ones to undo God’s powerful promise. Let us not disappoint Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: What are you doing to help bring God’s Kingdom to its completion?

Lord Jesus, may I always trust in You and Your Word that will never pass away.