2 Sam. 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom. 16:25-27; Lk. 1:26-38
The Old Testament gives many accounts of humanly impossible things that God had done for his people. In order to liberate the Israelites from the bondage in Egypt, God had performed many miracles. Moses turned the water of the river into blood(Exodus 7:17). Moses smite all the borders of Egypt with frogs (Exodus 8:2). Moses sent darkness in all the land of Egypt for 3 days (Ex 10:22). The first born of
the Egyptians were struck by God. Moses made the red sea divide into two and make a way for the Israelites to pass through. Even after they had settled in the promised land God continued his mighty deeds to protect his people. Every Israelite child grew up listening to the mighty works of God; and every Israelite child was taught that nothing is impossible for God.
the Egyptians were struck by God. Moses made the red sea divide into two and make a way for the Israelites to pass through. Even after they had settled in the promised land God continued his mighty deeds to protect his people. Every Israelite child grew up listening to the mighty works of God; and every Israelite child was taught that nothing is impossible for God.
When the Angel of God visited Mary, the Angel told her two humanly impossible things: that she would conceive and bear a son; and that Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. When Mary expressed her doubts, the Angel reminded her that "nothing is impossible for God."
Tony Melendez was born without arms. He was brought to the Los Angeles area from Nicaragua to be fitted with artificial arms. He wore them until he was ten, when he disposed of them. "I didn't feel comfortable," he explains, "I could use my feet so much more."
His proficiency with his feet extended to more areas than just day-to-day care. He remembers, "At first, I started playing push-button organ. Then in high school I began playing around with the guitar and harmonica." He also began writing his own songs. Whether it was "playing around" with music or merely adjusting to a normal high school routine, Tony never let his handicap get in his way.
Tony has traveled across the United States and sixteen foreign countries, making countless television appearances. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Tony Melendez has one main message: with God, all things are possible. And he proves exactly that with unbelievable guitar playing ability...using nothing but his feet.
When the angel announced God's plan Mary replied: " I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let what you have said be done to me." She had followed it till the last moment of her life. She had followed it in the joyful occasions of her life. She had followed it in the dark moments of her life. She had followed it at every step that she had taken. Her commitment was concretized in her concern for her fellow beings. When she knew that Elizabeth was in need of help, she went to serve her, and when she saw the people were in trouble at Cana, she came to their aid.
Her message is to take life with all its ups and downs. The challenges that we face should not take away our joy and destroy our creativity.
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So, he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they all came back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they all came back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then said that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that they cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season. The essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
The man then said that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that they cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season. The essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If we give up when it's winter, we will miss the promise of the spring, the beauty of the summer, and the fulfillment of life. So the pain of one season should not destroy the joy of all the rest. Life should not be judged by one difficult season. We should persevere through the difficult patches, and better times are sure to come some.
When we are best with the problems of life let's remember the words of the Angel: "Nothing is impossible for God," and Mary's response "'Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.'
Satish