Homily Jan 19, 2014

Many people believe that children should not be allowed in churches because they keep on playing, they are noisy, etc. In doing naughty things, we think of them as evil because they disrupt the solemnity of mass. But, bear in mind that children are teachers: God also became a little child and Jesus always used children in His teachings about God's Kingdom. Things to remember: 1. Children are gifts. - what is the meaning of life in one word? GIFT. - life is not junk, not garbage, but a gift that we need to take care of and value - just as you remember the giver everytime you enjoy a gift, everytime you enjoy life, it makes you smile and think of God who gave that life to you 2. Children are faith-full - "unless you become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven" - children have the fullness of faith We must always demonstrate LIVED FAITH. Faith is never something just to be talked about; it must be demonstrated in the way we live everyday.

Homily 01122014

Facing future giants. - Giants are things bigger than us, like trials, etc. How to prepare? 1. Humility - ability to accept that God has a plan and we submit ourselves to that plan. 2. Rise above - giants would make us feel small to undermine our confidence and to downsize our faith. But giant problems are opportunities to show the power of God. 3. Plug into God - connect to the source of power: God. It is from such continued connection that we always hear God's voice that tells us that we are His beloved. Claiming victory We can claim our victory by humbly accepting God's plan for us and by being always connected to Him. These will lead us to God's assuring love to sustain us in facing life's giants. No matter how big the giants, we should not be discouraged and feel defeated. We should always remember who we are in the eyes of God -- His beloved.