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.
2/24/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 24, 2018February 24, 2018 - Saturday Gospel : Matthew 5:43-48 Love Your EnemiesThis book caught my attention and immediately grab it : “Working with Bitches - Identify the 8 types of Office Mean Girls and Rise above workplace nastiness” by Meredith Fuller. I only heard horror stories from colleagues about some types of women in the office until i encountered one!
“If you only love those who love you, what reward is there for that?”; “Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5: 46, 43) Easier said than done! But really turning frustration and unexpressed anger to praying for a person lifts the burden and makes one see the situation from the lens of Christ . To love even our enemies is our calling too! Take heed despite the discomfort and trust God! In no time justice will prevail and everything is put back to order. Today, for whom is God inviting you to show your love?
2/23/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 23, 2018February 23, 2018 Friday
Gospel : Matthew 5:20-26 Be ReconciledDo you know when you’re angry? How often do you recognize this fiery emotion? Is it bad to be angry? Some are good at expressing it .When anger remains unexpressed, what happens? No matter how you ignore it, the anger would still be there. In your thoughts, in your bones you can’t deny it. It’d keep coming back.
Anger isn’t a bad emotion if properly dealt with. Else, it feels uncomfortable, tense, anxious, puts you in a bad mood and worst may affect your relationship with other people. It took me awhile to heed this teaching - “so if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone had something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person.” (Matthew 5:23-24) and when i finally did , i felt freedom and peace within me. Are you in a similar situation? Do not hesitate to take action now. Be reconciled with yourself and others. Be free!
2/22/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 22, 2018February 22, 2018 Thursday Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19 Shepherd for the flock
“You are Peter and upon this rock i will build my church” (Mt16:13) Today is the Feast of the Chair of St Peter the Apostle. It reminds us of the mission and appointment of Peter as the leader of the church in a continuous succession up to the present Pope Francis. How awesome the mind of Jesus who had put structures and developed leaders way ahead of the HR’s today so that the church lived on from one generation to the next benifitting each one of us in this generation! CBCP declared 2018 as the Year of the Clergy and Concecrated Persons. CBCP Archbishop Valles said, “envisions that clergy and concecrated persons become “renewed” servants leaders who cares most especially to the last, least and lost. Let us be grateful and pray for them for it is because of their YES that we have heard and received the WORD. And more people are reached through all the ends of the earth. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet who brings good news” Isaiah 52:7
2/21/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 21, 2018February 21, 2018 Gospel: Lk 11:29-32 Demanding for a sign
In general i think we all seem to ask for signs from time to time, for it gives us a feeling of certainty and assurance. Apparitions and miracles like the film Himala - a local girl seer and healer or asking for roses as a confirmation. In whatever form it may be it doesnt change the fact . Jesus insist that he himself is the sign . For through him God sent his son into our world as a sign of his great love for us! Whoever sees him sees God ! The Ninevites were moved to conversion by the prophetic sign of Jonah. Today, it is Jesus calling us for repentance and invites us to turn to him. He is our true source of life and love! Turn to him now and stop looking for other signs to validate or satisfy you! He is here, now and waiting for you! What are you looking for?
2/20/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 20, 2018February 20, 2018 Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15 The Lord’s Prayer
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases” How’s your prayer life ? Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving is the invitation this Lent. Pope Francis in his lenten message said “ by more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation of God offers. He is our Father and he wants us to live life well.” To pray i learned about ACTS - A for adoration. The first part of the “Our Father” is a praise to God! Glorifying and honoring not just anybody’s father, rather Our Father himself! The face of love to whom we all come from. Though, “your father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him” (Matthew6:8), we still need to pray even if God already knows our needs. Because it is to remind us that without him we are nothing. A declaration of our dependency on him. Our communication with God is prayer itself. Therefore, prayer should be a delightful experience! No drop calls, no busy line , no load required. He can be reached 24x7 , always on-line. So let us turn to him who waits on us.
2/19/2018
Daily Prayer: Feb. 19, 2018February 19, 2018 Monday Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 Let Love Continue
Here we find Jesus teaching his disciples. Picture this, everyone in assembly before God. He grouped the people into two teams - the sheep and goat. Which Team are you? The sheep are those who practice the corporal acts of mercy - feed the hungry, gave water to drink, welcomed strangers,clothed the naked, visited the sick and those in prison. The sheep responded aptly to the people in need. Just as Jesus said, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”Matthew 25:40 The goats responded the exact opposite of the sheep. Thus Jesus says to the goats, “depart from me! ...” Klaus Swabb speech at WEF on “The Fourth Industry Revolution” said that “the advancement of economy may change not only what we do but who we are.” It’s becoming technology controlling over humans! Despite technological disruption & innovations influencinh our future, it is still about people and values. We are called to help those in need. We simply cannot ignore the plight of people who are suffering from hunger, thirst,homelesness, sickness and in imprisoned. We work for ourselves and family. Also to have something to give for others too. (Hebrew 13:2-3) What is God’s invitation for you this lent?
2/18/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 18, 2018February 18, 2018/ Sunday
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15 The Temptations of Jesus
As an example to us, Jesus shows us that temptations came to Him just like it comes to us. He allows these to come to us as a means to purify us, as a challenge us to strive for holiness, to strengthen and polish us. “ Blessed is he who endures trial” said St James the Apostle, “for when we have withstood the test, we would be ready for the crown of glory from God.” We need not go through what Jesus did, but it is accepting our difficulties with peace and joy. We need to develop that toughness, savour the hardships, reject the temptation to shortcut, or do away with ethics, or find the easy way out.... “and lead us not into temptation” .... Let us ask for God’s grace to make us strong, give us the weapons to be fight off this battle with all humility. Let us ask Mama Mary, Refuge of Sinners and the Afflicted, to help us in our journey this Lent.
2/17/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 17, 2018February 17, 2018/ Saturday
Gospel: Luke 5:27-32 “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not called the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
This occasion is when Jesus called Levi, the tax collector, to follow Him. And the Pharisees ask “why He is eating and drinking with sinners?” Jesus calls all of us, He doesn’t choose us by race, color or economic standing. He calls everyone; He looks for us just like the lost sheep. He calls us each time we stray and pulls us back on track. It is now up to us to take on His challenge, to turn our backs on our weaknesses, and avoid occasions of sin. He asks us to Reconcile with Him by going to the priests, reflect on our lives and be humbled by His call. Reconciliation is the medicine for our ailments; it gives us hope for a new life with Christ. Amen.
2/16/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 16, 2018February 16, 2018/ Friday
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15 “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answers “When the bridegroom is taken away, then they will fast.”
Fasting is a way of penance, a way of cleansing the mind and body, a way of disciplining ourselves, with all humility as an offering to God. Fasting is good for the body, since it is given time to clean up the toxins,(a way of detoxing) and give rest to the heavy eating we did during the holidays. Eat like a pauper, they say; exercise restraint in our wants and needs, and train the mind over appetite. Maybe it’s about time we do something about our weight...Fast for 40 days, not just on Fridays .... So during this Lent, let’s do it for Jesus!! We want to look good and feel good when He comes in Easter....fasting on harsh words and thoughts, instead give more praises and kind words; rising earlier to do more chores; smiling through discomfort...finding joy in inconvenience and giving up on the sugar. Amen.
2/15/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 15, 2018February 15, 2018/ Thursday Gospel: Lk 9:22-25 “....deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me!....”
“What does it profit you to gain the whole world, if you destroy or damage yourself.” The daily cross, not a single day that we do not shoulder the Cross. Many of us carry the Cross in great and difficult challenges: illness in the family, financial problems, death of a loved one. However, these may come in little instances too: an irritable parent, a difficult officemate or boss, traffic in EDSA, the noisy dog of our neighbor.... Sometimes, the Lord gives us loneliness, moments of despair, disappointments...we lose joy when we are bombarded continually with frustrations. Thus we need to know how to face up to these trials beforehand, otherwise we succumb to emotional weakness, physical sickness and mental illness, . . We have our duties and responsibilities to fulfill at home and at work. Let’s not be paralyzed by these. Otherwise we die internally even before we leave this earth. Let us ask Jesus and Mary to help us in our preparation to follow Him, carrying our Cross each and every single day. Let’s learn to offer our pain for another person’s intentions; sacrifice a meal for a dear beloved’s illness; deny your daily expensive cup of coffee for a poor homeless person. There’s joy in giving someone else an offering, without him knowing about it. Let us make a plan for Lent. Let’s build up our armor of courage; our scorecard in heaven will be balanced and in proper order. |
Archives
August 2021
CategoriesAll Daily Guidelines Reflections On The Word Of God School Of The Word Thoughts From A Disciple |