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.
4/5/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 5, 2018April 5, 2018 – Thursday Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 Dare to WitnessPerhaps it is not the first time we get an invitation to be witnesses of Christ. But how often we take this calling seriously? To witness is not only to see and experience the works of God in our lives, but also to let others know and see it through the way we live.
What hinders you from witnessing Christ? Shame? Fear? Indifference? Today, hear Him say, “Peace be with you.” Holy Spirit, grant me the courage and strength to be a witness each day.
4/4/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 4, 2018April 4, 2018 – Wednesday Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 Broken Yet Life-GiverJesus must have been Israel’s “the one that got away.” For the one that they hoped would redeem them was crucified. This is the sentiment of two disciples on the road to Emmaus. And perhaps, their hope was a bit shattered that’s why they failed to recognize Jesus at their sight…. Not until Jesus broke the bread in front of them.
Jesus has been very consistent in the simple and humble ways with which he reveals himself – from being born in a manger and now to breaking of the bread. This not only invites us to have the eyes of hope that recognize Jesus in the simple things but calls us, as his followers, to strive even in the simple ways to reveal him to other people – on the way we talk, we approach, we act. Lord, whenever we receive you in the Eucharist as a broken bread, You only not give us physical food to eat. You give us Your very self, Your love, Your hope, Your mercy. May we be ready to be the same for others – broken yet life-givers.
4/3/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 3, 2018April 3, 2018 – Tuesday Gospel: John 20:11-18 Have You Seen the Lord?When our heart is pierced with grief and pain because of losing a person, an important thing, a dream job, or an opportunity, we oftentimes become blind of what is in front of us. The same happened when Mary found the tomb of Jesus empty! She was in such a loss that she was not able to recognize at first that the one in front of her is the one she has been looking for. Not until Jesus calls her name, “Mary.”
Are you weeping over a loss? A death? A broken relationship? A tragic event? Be still and allow the gaze of Jesus to rest on you. Listen to Him calling you by your name. He knows your heart… so well. Trust in that. Lord, may I not allow my emotions blind me from seeing your presence. Help me to see you through the people that I encounter each day. And may others see You in me.
4/2/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 – Monday
Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15 What’s Next?We made it through Lent. Christ has risen. But, what’s next?
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” After this encounter with the Risen Christ, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were going back to Galilee. Not only with knowledge, but with a concrete plan – to go and tell the Good News to the people: Jesus is meeting them. Lent was a journey of going within ourselves, and this season of Easter, we are invited to go and step out like these women--to be sharers of Christ’s resurrection bringing His presence, hope, and love to our brothers and sisters. Does your life reflect the hope of the Risen Christ? How can you share God’s love to someone today? Lord, may my life be a testimony of hope that your resurrection brings. #VDDailyGuidelines
4/1/2018
Daily Guidelines: April 1, 2018April 1, 2018, Easter Sunday Gospel: Jn 20:1-9 Let Christ be Resurrected in Our HeartsMary Magdalene ran and went to Peter and other disciples and said to them “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him”. Then Peter and the others set out and went toward the tomb. When they saw that Jesus was not there then they believed in the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead.
Pope Francis said, “We proclaim the resurrection of Christ” and “When His light illuminates the dark moments of our existence and we are able to share it with others”. Our mission doesn’t only stop on the celebration of the resurrection but we are called to proclaim the resurrection of Christ to others. We are blessed to have in our hearts and celebrate the essence and meaning of the resurrection of Christ in our hearts, for Jesus conquered everything and brings glory to our lives. The call for us is to proclaim the resurrection of Christ to the world and let Christ be resurrected in the hearts of each and every one of us.
3/31/2018
Daily Guidelines: Mar. 31, 2018March 31, 2018, Holy Saturday
Gospel: Mk 16:1-7 The PromiseMary Magdalene, Mary Mother of James, and Salome went to Jesus’ tomb and then they saw that the very large stone had been rolled back. They entered the tomb and saw a young man sitting. The young man said to them that Jesus has been raised and He is not there anymore on the tomb and He is going to before them in Galilee and there they will see Him as He told them.
In the gospel, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Salome and the disciples of Jesus are still in pain of losing Jesus. In our lives also, there are times that it seems like Jesus is dead in our lives especially when we are facing challenges in our lives. It feels like that a very large stone is blocking our way Jesus and with our strength along we cannot move the stone for even an inch. Jesus had risen and through Him the very large stone was moved. Jesus promised that He will go back to us no matter what happens and we will see Him in glory. The invitation for us is to keep our faith strong and firm for Jesus has promised that He will go with back us in glory and will bring glory in our lives also. Be like the young man also who act as the messenger of God’s promise. Tell to the world that Jesus will go with us and the world will see Him as he promised.
3/30/2018
Daily Guidelines: Mar. 30, 2018March 30, 2018 Good Friday
Gospel: Jn 18: 1- 19: 42 I am the FulfillmentToday’s gospel marks the fulfillment of the what the Lord has said. In the previous gospel it says, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus passion is full of emotions and events happening side by side: betrayal, denial, anguish, pain, sorrow and hope. At the end of the day, we can be witnesses of the fulfillment of the words of the Lord.
In the beginning of the gospel, Jesus said twice the word, “I am.” when the soldiers responded to Him to whom they were looking for. Moreover, he emphasized it with the phrases, “I told you I am”. At this moment, we can greatly admire Jesus selflessness to tell the people who he is and later carrying the heavy cross and at the end be crucified.
In this passionate day of the Lord, we can deepen on what are the ways in which Jesus is inviting us to suffer with Him, in braving the storms of our life with him… Do we share our sufferings with Him? Or do we bear it alone and hide it for some reason? What are the concrete situations that Jesus is trying to challenge us to bravely share it to him face to face? Let us ask for His mercy to show us the way and light, that we may also share and carry our own sufferings bravely like what He did just to save us.
3/29/2018
Daily Guidelines: Mar. 29, 2018March 29, 2018 Maundy Thursday
Gospel: John 13:1-15 Be CompassionateDespite Jesus knowing that he will be betrayed by one of his disciples, he still offered to wash their feet during the Last Supper.
In the gospel today, Simon Peter refuses this gesture, but Jesus answered to him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Jesus wanted to share his genuine act of compassion and kindness towards his disciples so that in return they may do the same to other people. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." We are invited by Jesus to imitate his attitude of service, to be more aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters. What are the instances wherein we extended our compassionate hearts and hands of mercy to the people who surround us? Are you prepared to wash the feet of other people, our family, loved ones, friends, community members even if they seem to be unlovable or undeserving? Today, Jesus wants us to realize that they deserve our love and mercy all the more. Let us pray to Mama Mary to have a compassionate heart like Jesus.
3/28/2018
Daily Guidelines: Mar. 28, 2018March 28, 2018 Wednesday Gospel: Mt 26: 14-25 Trust in Him Who Knows EverYthingJesus knows what is in the heart of everyone. He has predicted Judas betrayal and because of this, follows a tragic moment in Jesus´´ life: his Passion and death.
In today’s gospel, the disciples offer themselves to prepare the Passover. Jesus asks them to find a certain man and tell him, “It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.” We can see how the Lord God is the all-ever knowing and powerful to Jesus life. Just like in our own lives, the Lord God is the author who gives us directions to where we go when we are confused, consolations when we are tired and providence when we lack hope. Today, we are called to imitate the trust of Jesus in the Father who knows everything and at the same time, entrust our lives to the Lord knowing that whatever happens, He will be always at our side in times of challenges and trials. He is the one who holds our life. Jesus is the clear and concrete example of how we should entrust our lives to the Lord. Let us pray for the concrete options on how to do this.
3/27/2018
Daily Guidelines: Mar. 27, 2018March 27, 2018, Holy Tuesday
Gospel: Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Stay and Wait ConstantlyAs we come near to the passion of Jesus, we see how people at that time follow and observe what Jesus do and says, the followers of Jesus who were with him in this journey.
In today’s gospel, Jesus revealed that one of his disciples will betray him and that is Judas Iscariot. After Judas Iscariot left the table, Jesus prophesied and told the others, “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews; Where I go you cannot come, so now I say it to you. Now, we are invited to stay and wait constantly for the coming of Jesus. Even if His death is coming to its near, we are called to stay and be with Him, in his presence, and to carry in our hearts his spirit. Hardships and trials may come but Jesus is always there in our lives inspiring, motivating and giving us hope. Let us pray how we can remain with Jesus presence despite all the temptations and worries that fill our hearts right now. |
Archives
August 2021
CategoriesAll Daily Guidelines Reflections On The Word Of God School Of The Word Thoughts From A Disciple |