THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, C

-
-->
FIGHTING ON







The gospel today surprises us with the action of Peter and the apostles, in particular with Peter.  After the Crucifixion, we first meet Peter fishing again.  He quit fishing some years back to join the band of Jesus’ apostles.  Now, he is back where he began.



We see here the weak spot of Peter, and our own. Disappointed, disillusioned, we tend to give up or surrender. We would rather turn back than move forward.  We seek former comfort than blaze new trails.



It was on a fishing trip that Peter met Jesus and saw his power some years back. The miraculous catch of fish convinced him to abandon his nets and become a fisher of men, as Jesus suggested.  But now, he is back out on the sea, to resume his interrupted business.



How many times we fall in the same trap. When we are sad, confused, afraid or clueless as to what the future holds, many of us decide to retreat to the former, more comfortable lives we had before.



Jesus however, is a persistent God. He teaches us courage. He give us hope. He revives our dreams and empowers us to move forward.  That is why he visited Peter again, in the same situation where they met before. This time, he invites Peter out of his comfort zone, his fear and reluctance.  He pushes him to commit to something better, bolder, mightier. And Peter says yes again, but this time, a more determined yes, an unbending assent, a heroic dedication unti the end.



This Easter time, do we see ourselves turning back from the path of goodness, progress, adventure or glory that Jesus has already envisioned us to have? Just because of a set-back, are we willing to let go of the promises yet to unfold?



Jesus finds us where he found us before.  He assures us and encourages us to take the fight again and believe in his love, his power, his grace. Will you allow the setback to lead you to where Jesus has set-up your victory and success?



Like Peter, let us believe again! Let us fight again!

Popular posts from this blog

HOLY MASS IN FILIPINO (TAGALOG)

-
Image
ANG BANAL NA MISA PAMBUNGAD NA AWIT Pari:    Sa ngalan ng Ama, at ng anak, at ng Espiritu Santo. Bayan: Amen P.         Sumainyo ang Panginoon. B.        At sumainyo rin. P.         Mga kapatid, aminin nating ang ating mga kasalanan upang tayo’y maging marapat sa pagdiriwang ng banal na paghahaing ito.             Sinugong Tagapagpagaling sa mga nagsisisi,             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.        Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.        Dumating na Tagapag-anyayang mga makasalana’y magsisi,             Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Nakaluklok ka sa kanan ng Diyos Ama para ipamagitan kami             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Kaawaan tayo ng makapangyarihang Diyos,             Patawarin tayo sa ating mga kasalanan,             At patnubayan tayo sa buhay na walang hanggan. B.        Amen. GLORIA/ LUWALHATI
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 1: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
FIRST DAY: DECEMBER 16   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo First Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8   Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just, for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.   Hay is the one who does this, whoever holds fast to it: Keeping the sabbath without profaning it, keeping one’s hand from doing any evil. The foreigner joined to the Lord should not say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people”; Nor should the eunuch say, “See, I am a dry tree.” And foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, to become his servants—All who keep the sabbath without profaning it and hold fast to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 2: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
SECOND DAY: December 17   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo   First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10   Jacob called his sons and said [to them]: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise—your hand on the neck of your enemies;the sons of your father shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s cub, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches, lies down like a lion, Like a lioness—who would dare rouse him? The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and he receives the people’s obedience.”     A.             Short Background on the First Reading   1. Who was Judah? Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (or Israel). Jacob was considered the father of the nation of Israel and his twelve sons were cons
Read more