August 24, 2011

We have so many reasons to pass up on opportunities to serve. If Abraham passed up the order to leave Canaan, would he have become part of the Bible? The promise to him was to have many descendants. Also Moses. He has killed an Egyptian and was told to return to Egypt. If he stood his ground, we will have another different story in the Bible. If Mary didn't say yes, from whose womb would Jesus have come?

They didn't let the opportunities pass them by. And St. Faustina, without her we wouldn't have the Friends of the Divine Mercy because there wouldn't be the Divine Mercy. St. Faustina didn't like the first painting of the Divine Mercy. Jesus warned her, if she didn't do the image, she would be answerable for a multitude of souls.

Grab every opportunity that is given to you. With God, there's that opportunity. But we have second, third thoughts. We alibi. We're not confident to do His calling but it's an opportunity.

How many opportunities to serve have we passed up? Time moves so fast now. In the province, the time is different, there's no rush. But in the city, everywhere there is rush. People in the city seem to be always chasing something.

According to one survey, in the average life of a person, this is how time is spent: 32 percent, sleeping; 22.8 percent, work; 11.4 percent, watching TV; 8.6 percent, eating; 8.6 percent, travel; 6.5 percent, leisure; 5.7 percent, illness; 2.8 percent, dressing up; and .7 percent, religion.

And the average lifespan of males is 65, 75 for females.
That's not so sad. What is saddening is how we don't know how to stand up. Don't pass up the opportunities, serve God.

The greatest enemies of time are people who don't live in the present; they're stuck in the past or dreaming of the future. Many are worriers, many are advanced, "segurista." So, many are in chaos.

We must "watch carefully" our lives because "the days are evil" (Eph.5:15-17). Let's treasure our time because our time is limited. We won't always have those opportunities. Time is either fast or slow, but actually it never changes. David prayed that he counts his "days aright" (Eph.90:12).

I have an uncle who has fallen ill of cancer and doctors said has only a year to live. Now he goes to church and spends more time with his family. He is peaceful. I think it's better if we know we are dying. Those who know they are dying don't dream of material things anymore, but to be just with their families. It's a blessing when you know when to go.

we do so many things - drinking, gossiping - instead of helping others. Make the most of every day because "the days are evil" and the devil is stealing our time, he delays our time. The world is offering us so many things, but time is a very precious possession.

Mary listened to Christ, but Martha busied herself in the kitchen. There's time for action, and for prayer and silence. The opportunity to approach God is important.

Our Jacob's Well starts when? Vigil. Going here, we meet traffic, had arguments. Everything starts with prayer.

Understand what the Lord's will is. As a student, you're thinking of the teacher's expectations. As a worker, your boss. As a Christian, God's expectations. How do we know that what we do is God's will? If it doesn't violate God's laws, if it makes us grow. What would Jesus do? Remember this if you are in a dilemma.

St. Faustina submitted herself to the will of God: "From this day on, my will doesn't exist." She gave up her free will for God. If the Lord creates opportunities for us, ask ourselves what God has already done for us. Let's count our blessings, even the small ones.

In the parable of the talents, the one given five grew it, so did the one given two. The third who was given one just deposited it. This last one must be envious of the others, for he was just given one and forgot that God's rule is to use it. The Dead Sea is dead because it just receives water and doesn't give. We could be like that.

Recognize that God won't give us opportunities without providing us all we need to fulfill them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Make a decision to follow the voice of the Lord. Bartimaeus was blind and he shouted to Jesus for help. Jesus was passing from Jericho to Jerusalem. If Bartimaeus passed up on the opportunity, he would not have obtained healing because Jesus was passing for the last time. Be like Bartimaeus.

Persist without giving up even if others criticize us. Some people are hindrance to us. Remember Bartimaeus. Jesus's disciples rebuked him, but he shouted even more.

Be people who take advantage of every God-given opportunity. Don't just bury ur talent or treasure. What profits a man if he gains the whole world and loses his only soul?