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.
September 3, 2020 Thursday
Gospel: Luke5:1-11 “Go where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish” This was the disciples’ second call. Although they have witnessed Jesus at the first time heal the sick, drive out demons, they still went back to fishing. Jesus then respected their work and understood their needs. Seeing their difficulty, he showed them the way the second time! Jesus met them where they were, in their current reality. Realising how much Jesus is interested in our needs and salvation, the disciples left their nets and followed Jesus. “The harvest is plenty but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). The same thing is true today, He invites each one of us again and again - “ push it out into the water” further and deeper, let us catch more fish! #PrayVD September 2, 2020 Wednesday
Gospel: Luke4:38-44 “The touch of his hand healed everyone” People came to Jesus with all kinds of diseases and healed each one. Today we are confronted with more complex diseases - physical, mental, financial, political to name a few. Faced with difficulty in this “newness”, what comforted you the most? Prayers, kind words, faith sharing, connecting with family and friends online? These simple acts of gestures mean a lot to those weary and in pain. In healing the sick and driving demons, Jesus had demonstrated that he could heal with just a word of authority. Yet, we also see that the touch of Jesus’ hand healed the sick. In your current reality, does someone need a “touch” from you today? Jesus, we pray for eyes that see and a heart of compassion to the people we encounter today. Use us to recognise their need and be a channel of your touch to heal their brokenness .Amen. #PrayVD September 1, 2020 Tuesday
Gospel: Luke4:31-37 “What authority and power this man possess!” People were amazed at Jesus’ authority to drive out demons – he faced many demons during his time on earth and he always exerted authority over them. No doubt darkness permeates our world even to this day. We need not be fearful! For Jesus’ power is far greater! Recognise that Jesus has authority over all the earth. So have courage, we too can overcome “In the name of Jesus!” Thank you, Lord Jesus, ever present ! For your protection, faithfulness and compassion to us! Amen.” #PrayVD
8/31/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 31, 2020August 31, 2020 Monday
Gospel: Luke 4:16-30 “No prophet is accepted in his hometown” Jesus came to his disciples and said “Go and make disciples of all Nations” (Matthew28:19). However, Jesus himself was not accepted as a prophet in his hometown. Thus, it is not surprising at all if our walk of faith is not easily understood or accepted in our family, workplace and by the people who know us well. We are not our past. We had been transformed by the grace of God. Therefore, do not be discouraged. Rather, continue to remain focused and allow God to work in you. For “He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.” Holy Trinity help us to persevere when our faith is tested. To remain steadfast in bearing witness for you for the world. Amen. #PrayVD
8/30/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 30, 2020August 30 2020 Sunday
Gospel: Mt 16:21-27 You must forget yourself, carry your cross and follow me! Jesus in the Gospel today sets as an example for all of us – He is very much willing to suffer and take up His cross because He knows that this is according to the Lord’s will. In the same way, as followers of Christ, we ought to carry our cross and be like the example that He has set. What is the cross that you are carrying right now? Your work? Your mission? Family? Friends? Whatever it may be, you should remember that thus very cross you have is given by the Lord Himself. And only when we carry it with our might and heart will we be able to live our lives to the full. Jesus, help us carry our own crosses in our daily lives so just like you, we’ll be able to live peacefully with the Father. #PrayVD
8/29/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 29, 2020August 29 2020 Saturday
Gospel: Mk 6: 17-29 He became greatly disturbed every time he heard him In the Gospel today, we are told that Herod likes listening to John The Baptist even though he becomes greatly disturbed every time he hears him. Do you know someone like John in your life? That no matter how disturbed you become with his words, you still like listening to him? The voices of reason may come in our lives in different forms – it may be in the image of your mother, father, friend, older sister, colleague. But no matter what the form or image may be, we shall be always thankful for them for they are the echoes of the Lord’s voice we can turn to when life becomes more complicated at times. Mother Mary, pray for us so after we listen to the echoes of the Lord’s words, we too can become the voice of love and peace to other people around us. Amen. #PrayVD
8/28/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 28, 2020August 28 2020 Friday
Gospel: Mt 25:1-13 And Jesus concluded, “Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.” In the Gospel, there were five foolish and five wise young women waiting for the bridegroom. The wise are those who took extra oil for their lamps while the foolish did not take any extra. In the same way, Jesus wants you to understand that in your life, you have a choice. Whether to be prepared or not. To be like the wise or to be like the foolish is your choice. And Jesus wants you to always be ready for you do not know when the one you are waiting for will arrive. O Jesus, help us always be ready for the circumstances life will bring. May we always be read with extra faith as we wait for the bridegroom – as we wait for you. #PrayVD
8/27/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 27, 2020August 27 2020 Thursday
Gospel: Mt 24: 42-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant? A faithful and wise servant is defined in the Gospel as someone who is in charge if the servants to give them their food at a proper time. As we are all servants of the Lord, how beautiful is it that our “Master” considers us a great servant not by the way we serve Him – but how we serve the other servants – by the way we serve each other. O dear Lord, help us be faithful in serving our neighbors with our own hearts. May we never forget that as we serve them, we too serve You. #PrayVD
8/26/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 26, 2020August 26 2020 Wednesday
Gospel: Mt 23:27-32 How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! Have you ever been called a hypocrite? In the Gospel of today, Jesus calls the teachers of the Law and Pharisees in his time hypocrites as they dwell too much in what other people perceive of them rather than what God perceives of them. Jesus wants to remind us today that if there is someone that we shall please, it’s not the people – but the Lord Himself. For then will we only be able to live a life far from terrible. Holy Trinity, help us live for the Lord and not for ourselves and the world. May we become instruments of change this world needs. Amen! #PrayVD
8/25/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 25, 2020August 25 2020 Tuesday
Gospel: Mt 23:23-26 Clean what is inside the cup first, and then the outside will be clean too! In the world of today, we may be likened with the teachers of Law and Pharisees as we put too much weight on what is seen – our appearance, status and possessions. But in the Gospel today, Jesus wants to teach us what the true important matte is when it comes t practicing faith. It is not about the things that we offer that are visible in the naked eye but the things only God can see. The things inside of us – justice, mercy and honesty. Dear Jesus, help us never forget that what’s inside of our hearts should be the first that we look into before anything else. #PrayVD |
Archives
August 2021
CategoriesAll Daily Guidelines Reflections On The Word Of God School Of The Word Thoughts From A Disciple |