Not yet!

The story is told about a reporter who asked a group of people at a political rally: “Were you forced to come here?” In chorus, they shouted: “No!” Then he asked them: “Were you transported here?” Again, they shouted: “No!” And finally, the reporter asked: “Were you paid to come here?” They forcefully shouted: “Not yet! Not yet!”

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In today’s Gospel (John 21: 1-19), we hear how the resurrection of Christ has not yet sunk into His disciples’ minds, so they went back to fishing, their original work before they followed Jesus. It took time for them to fully accept, that indeed the Lord has risen from the dead. But the Lord did not give up on them. He surprised them, and called them again. Yes, our God is a God of surprises and second chances, and unending calls and chances!

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The Lord continues to reveal Himself to us. He always finds ways and means to make His presence felt, and to remind us of His love. There is always something or someone there to remind us, who are always so forgetful and ungrateful.

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The disciples recognized the Lord when He broke the bread and gave it to them, the way He did at the last supper. May we, too, learn to recognize the Lord, and remember His love for us. “We remember how you loved us through your death; and still we celebrate, for You are with us here; and we believe that we will see You when You come in Your glory, Lord; Yes, we remember, we celebrate, we believe!” (“We Remember” by Marty Haugen)

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Many of us do not yet recognize the Lord in people around us. Why? Because we are too focused on ourselves, in our own agenda, and do not have a heart for others, especially the lost, the last, and the least in our midst. May the Lord, help us to be more mindful and more respectful of other people, our sisters and brothers.

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“Do you love Me?” If the Lord asks you this question now, what would you say? What can you say? Like Peter, may we be able to say: “Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” Like Peter, may we be able to say: ”Lord, You know me, You know my failures and weaknesses, but You also know that I really trying to love You.” A humble and contrite heart, the Lord will not spurn!

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The Lord tells each one of us today: If you really love Me, then love your brothers and sisters, take care of them, work for them, sacrifice for them. True communion with the Lord leads to mission; true mission is motivated and strengthened by our personal communion with the Lord.

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“If God puts you through it, He will get you through it.” (Corinthians 10:13) May we take courage and not be dismayed when we experience that we are not yet strong and consistent in our love for the Lord and in our service to His people.

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We do not yet know who our next pope will be. We have our wishes and hopes, but we know and believe that it is the Holy Spirit that will lead our cardinals in the conclave to choose the next pope, according to God’s loving will and plan.

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The month of May is the month of Mama Mary. Let us not worry about May, for the Lord and our Mama Mary are with us, come what may. Today, we pray: “Our Queen, our Mother, remember that we are your very own, defend and protect us as your personal possession.”

See Also

Beware of new ‘tanim droga’ scheme

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Let us ask the Lord and our Blessed Mother to defend and protect our people from greedy, corrupt, and nonfunctioning public servants. Many of our people are suffering because of a few people who make us suffer as a nation.

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Sharing with you this beautiful prayer: “Lord Jesus, enlighten what is dark within me; strengthen what is weak within me; mend what is broken in me; bind what is bruised in me; heal what is sick in me; and lastly, revive whatever peace and love that has died in me. Amen.”

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A moment with the Lord: