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.
8/24/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 24, 2020August 24 2020 Monday
Gospel: Jn 1:45-51 Jesus said, “You will see much greater things than this!” In the Gospel today, Nathanael was surprised that even before he came to Jesus, he discovered that Jesus already knew who he was. Just like Nathanael, there may be times that we forget how much Jesus truly knows us. But the truth is, even before we actually get to know ourselves, He’s always known what makes us happy, excited and sad – because He sees us under the fig tree. O Jesus, may we also never forget that You are the Son of God! That You are the King of Israel! The one who cares about us the most! Amen. #PrayVD
8/12/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 12, 2020August 12, 2020 – Wednesday
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 “when two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.” In the beginning of the Gospel reading, it connotes forgiveness and reconciliation; speaking with each other on the issue or matter of concern. If one committed a mistake, we speak first with him, also referred to as “fraternal correction,” not condemning or shaming the other. We become conscious too that the effort is to forgive the other, not to begrudge the other or put him down, worse if we ostacize or exclude the other. Differences are normal in any community, family or organization. But when we correct one another, for the betterment or for peace in the family or organization, it is following what Jesus said, that if we do this in His name, He is among us. Lord, teach me too to be humble in accepting if I need to be corrected, and that I become an nstrument of your peace and reconciliation. #PrayVD
8/11/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 – Tuesday
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 “Whoever becomes humble like this child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven..” How do we view a child? Open, innocently happy, attentive to our every word, frank and honest... adores us, loves us holds no judgment nor grudges. That’s what Jesus wants us to be! Aside from the children, He means the little ones to also be the poor – those who have nothing, those who have been lost, or have turned their backs on the Church and God. The little ones are those not socially important as they do not belong to the world of the powerful. But the disciples had to become like these little ones. They must grow down and toward the periphery, where the poor and the little ones live. In this way, they will be greater in the Kingdom! Lord, teach us to be more humble, open and giving, that we may be better servants of the poor, and the lost. #PrayVD
8/10/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 10, 2020August 10, 2020 – Monday
Gospel: John 12:24-26 “....if it dies, it will bear much fruit....” Jesus is illustrated here as the wheat whose death will bear much fruit for the rest of us. Following His life and knowing the meaning of His Resurrection will give us the roadmap to Eternal life. We are the fruits of His suffering and death as long as we follow Him. Not every wheat grain will germinate – without the right conditions, a grain will lie dormant and never bear fruit. The grain needs sun, rain, nutrients before it can begin to grow. Is my faith dormant? Or am I nourishing it so that it will yield an abundant harvest? What needs to die in me, that I may live more fully? Lord, help us to be like you, open and all-giving. #PrayVD
8/9/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 9, 2020August 9, 2020 – Sunday
Gospel: Mt 14: 22-23 Truly, you are a Son of God! Today’s gospel brings us the strong conviction that God is above everything. No matter how strong the wind and waves are, he will always be under control. Peter was afraid of the water and cries for help, but Jesus responded to him, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?” God is with us even if we feel overwhelmed with our situations. Jesus is with us when we feel afraid and lost with the things we are carrying in our hearts. He only needs our full cooperation and trust. Mama Mary, we pray for increased faith and trust, so we are truly convinced that Jesus is with us, the son of God. #PrayVD
8/8/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 8, 2020August 8, 2020 – Saturday
Gospel: Mt 17: 14-20 Nothing will be impossible for you. Our gospel today is about a man who has a son that suffers from his mental state. Nowadays, we are surrounded by a lot of suffering: physically, mentally, spiritually. Jesus has one message for all of us, “Nothing will be impossible for you.” Even if we have a faith like the size of a mustard seed, we must believe our faith can surpass anything as we continue to pray for the healing of everyone. Mother Mary, we pray that we may believe in our capacity to help through our little ways for the healing of the hearts and relationships surrounding us. #PrayVD
8/7/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 - Friday
Gospel: Mt 16:24-28 Take up your cross and follow Him. Following Jesus is never an easy task. In our gospel today, we heard Jesus telling his disciples that whoever wants to follow Him must take up his own cross. I wonder, will it be satisfying and comfortable for us if we do it? Let us strive not to avoid sufferings as Jesus wants us to embrace our crosses so we can live like Him, facing our own cross that we may truly live our life with love as He did when he saved us from our own sins. Mama Mary, accompany and be with us as we take the courage to carry our own cross and live our identity following Jesus as our friend and savior. Amen. #PrayVD
8/6/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 6, 2020August 6, 2020 – Thursday
Gospel: Mt 17: 1-9 Rise and do not be afraid! Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Let us look at all the possible ways of how God continues to work in our lives. It could be in little ways when we see our problems as opportunities to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus. Just like what Jesus said to his disciples in our gospel today, “Rise and do not be afraid!”. God is walking with us in this situation, guiding us faithfully. Mama Mary, help us rise every day amidst everything that happens. May the fruit of what is sown in us be our shield against the things weighing us down. Amen. #PrayVD
8/5/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 5, 2020August 5, 2020 – Wednesday
Gospel: Mt 15: 21-28 How great is your faith? In this time, it is a struggle to maintain our faith in the Lord. And today, our gospel gives us a great inspiration – the Canaanite woman who was persistent to make her daughter be healed by Jesus. Today, let us ask ourselves: are we also persistent in times when our faith also needs healing? Is our faith as great as the Canaanite woman? Mother Mary, help us to go to Jesus through prayer when our faith is tormented by the demons of our negative emotions. Amen. #PrayVD
8/5/2020
Daily Guidelines: August 4, 2020August 4, 2020 – Tuesday
Gospel: Mt 15:1-2, 10-14 Do not be blind followers of your faith. What is faith for you? For me, faith is personal, and it differs for each person on how they define it. In our gospel, the scribes and pharisees based their faith on laws and traditions. However, Jesus tells us not to be blinded by this kind of thinking. Jesus encourages us that our faith must be sensitive and mindful of how we put it through words and actions. That is how we truly know we are led by a faith that is open and loving to other people. Mama Mary, help us to have an open eyes and heart towards a faith that touches people’s lives through kind words and actions. Amen. #PrayVD |
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August 2021
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