Reflections of Faith
Read and be inspired by a reflection based on today's Gospel made by members of the Verbum Dei Family in Manila.
5/4/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 4, 2018May 4, Friday
Gospel - John 15:12-17 ”No longer do I call you servants... instead I call you friends.”I find it interesting seeing how people react whenever a famous person is around. In the age of the smartphone, it's not enough to just get an autograph. We have to get a selfie! This is about as close as we are going to get with that person. What are the chances he or she will ever regard us as a friend or even get to know our name?
But today Jesus calls us his friends. He does know our names and more besides. He knows every bit of us, our whole lives, what we are doing, the thoughts that we keep, the feelings in our hearts. In short, like a true friend, He knows us in all our imperfections and yet He loves us. It is this kind of humble, self-giving love which changes the world. It is this kind of abiding and unconditional friendship which changes our lives. Today, let us ask the Lord with great gratitude, “How is it possible for You to love me so much, Lord?” Let His answer touch our hearts and bring back the sense of wonder of just how big His love really is.
5/3/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 3, 2018May 3, Thursday
Gospel - John 14:6-14 ”Lord show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”What is the greatest thing we can aim for in this life? Today Philip’s response tells us the best possible answer: “Lord, show us the Father and we will be satisfied.”
This is the greatest thing to aim for – to know and love God. Every other desire is meaningless and pales in comparison to this and Philip understood it. That which we desire defines who we are. So, if we desire only temporary things, then our satisfaction becomes temporary. Even the desire to become a better person, while certainly more admirable than the first kind of desire, is momentary and fleeting because none of us will live forever. But the desire of the everlasting God inclines us to eternity. And the best part is this. Jesus tells Philip that those who have seen Him have seen the Father. In other words, it is not that hard to find God if you seek Him. Knowing Jesus is the fulfillment of the greatest desire of all, the one that truly satisfies--knowing God himself.
5/2/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 2, 2018May 2, Wednesday
Gospel - John 15:1-8 “Apart from me, you can do nothing”If you happen to walk in a forest, it's likely that you will see many fallen branches along your path. Once the branches are cut off from the tree, what little life they have seeps away very quickly. But if they remain connected to the tree, they are strong and can bear much weight without giving way.
We could sometimes feel like those fallen branches and many things can cause us to break off. Our crosses, our struggles, our inadequacies, even our own missions, can become burdens so heavy they can weigh us down. In these moments, Christ reminds us to hold on. He sees our difficulties and sufferings and promises us that, so long as we hold on, we will bear fruit regardless of whatever obstacle we face. Lord, we thank You for being our life-giving vine, for being the strength in our limbs and the breath in our bodies. Help us to rely on you and cling to you so that we can bear fruit for the Kingdom.
5/1/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 1, 2018May 1, Tuesday
Gospel-John 14: 27-31 ”Rise, let us go hence.”Have there been times in your life when you received really bad news? You or your family member was diagnosed with a severe illness. Or the company you are working for is closing down and you’re about to lose your job. The natural reaction would be fear, anger, anxiety, confusion – but certainly not peace!
And yet today, Jesus assures His disciples that peace is to be found, despite the direst of news. How is it that we can face tough times without letting our hearts be troubled, or being afraid? Only by the grace of Jesus can we do this. Only by acknowledging that His peace is with us, and this peace is greater than our frail human hearts. And when we hold on to this peace, we find the strength to “rise and go hence”, to meet the danger with courage, to face the seemingly insurmountable obstacle with a deep faith. Jesus’ peace does not make the obstacle go away. But what Jesus’ peace does is to make our fear go away and give us the courage to stand. Lord, give us Your peace today. There is much that troubles and worries us but we know that Your peace gives us comfort and strength. Help us to remember that You are with us always, and that Your presence is the greatest peace of all.
4/30/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 30, 2018April 30, Monday Gospel - John 14:21-26 “If a man loves me, he will keep My Word”Some words speak so much to our hearts, that we carry them with us all our days. Mr. Tino, the president of the company where I used to work was retiring, and I dropped by his office to say farewell. I will never forget the words he spoke to me then, “Take care of yourself and take care of those who are dear to you.” I have tried to follow that sage advice every day since then.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells us to remember and follow His word. He knew that the concerns of the world will make it easy for us to forget. He wants us to remember His word because it is the answer to the problems that the world throws at us. His word tells us what is most important in this world. His word is love. His word is life itself. Thank you Lord for sharing your very words with us and for helping us to remember, through them, that you love us.
4/29/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 29, 2018April 29, 2018 Sunday
Gospel : John 15:1-8 Fullness of Life“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit”.
We all want a life that bears fruit. But, what kind of fruit do you dream for your life? Economic success? Fame? Happiness? How about a life that brings others to God and so gives them what no one can take away from them--eternal life? To draw others to God it all starts from the inside out. Our daily dialogue with God enriches us so much that it propels us to share this joy, peace and love we have received . However, we are always in a battle against principalities. Therefore, let us guard ourselves to remain connected with the source. Holy Trinity and Mama Mary, help us to persevere in our journey. Guard and preserve us all the days of our lives. Amen.
4/28/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 28, 2018April 28, 2018 Saturday
Gospel: John 14:7-14 You Still Do Not Know Me?What does it take to know a person? I met couples in my recent trip who had been married between 30- 50 years and are still together! In contrast, a couple I know recently separated after 50 years! How can it be? Does time spent alone guarantee "forever?"
The same question can be asked in our love story with God. Jesus said to his disciple, “I have been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Phillip?" Really, what would it take to get to know someone and keep the relationship on fire? Communicate, Committment, Fidelity to the word of God . Our daily dialogue with God allows us to hear his wisdom, feel his heart for his people and see his big dreams for us. Until one is willing to take this daily step, it will just be another “hello.”
4/27/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 27, 2018April 27, 2018 Friday Gospel : John 14:1-6 Have Faith"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"
What’s does your dream house look like? If none yet, there’s plentiful of ideas through various magazines or via on-line to get insights on designs. When we desire it much, we work on it through sweat and blood to achieve our dreams! While we are at it, God on the other hand, has already secured our eternal home! No sweat at all! And free access to this is eternal life - a life that is built in relationship with Jesus. So how to avail of it? “Come” he said for “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Who are you waiting for?
4/26/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 26, 2018April 26, 2018 Thursday
Gospel : John 13:16-20 I Chose YouWhen Jesus finished washing the disciples’ feet he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you, I know those whom I have chosen."
Simon Sinek’s book "Leaders Eat Last" is about leaders with emphaty who put first their team over themselves. It reminds me of Jesus himself with his disciples,"not to lord over them but to serve them." In our office we are encouraged to shift our address to our junior colleagues from staff to associate and that encourages openness, respect and trust resulting to “malasakit” (care) in the workplace . Our invitation is to serve and not to be served. Ready for a shift? Let us continue to draw near to him that we may know his ways and yield to his call.
4/25/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 25, 2018April 25, 2018 Wednesday
Gospel: Mark 16:15-20 Happy Feet!Jesus appeared to the eleven and said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Jesus gave his disciples instructions.
At 14 years old, Fr Jaime Bonet, founder of Verbum Dei, felt the call to make Jesus known to all people . He understood the desire of God to draw all people to himself that they may receive eternal life. The invitation is addressed to all--concecrated and lay people like you and me as written in John15:16, “It was not you who chose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.” Fr Jaime saw the urgency and responded to the need . How about you? What is your response? “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news!” Isa 52:7 |
Archives
August 2021
CategoriesAll Daily Guidelines Reflections On The Word Of God School Of The Word Thoughts From A Disciple |