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.
12/19/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 Thursday
Gospel: Luke 1:5-25 "How shall I know this? For I am an old man.” Another key personality in Jesus’ birth is Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Though he and his wife Elizabeth were described as ‘righteous’ in our gospel reading today, he seemed doubtful when the angel announced that Elizabeth will conceive: “How shall I know this, for I am an old man?” Like Zechariah, do we sometimes fail to believe that for our Lord, nothing is impossible? Do we tend to make a lot of excuses, and cling to what’s logical, preventing us to see God’s wonders in our life? Mother Mary, increase our belief that the Lord can make wondrous things happen in our lives. #PrayVD
12/18/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 Wednesday
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 "He was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame.” The birth of our Lord Jesus came about not only because of the workings of the Holy Spirit, but also because of ordinary people who showed extraordinary faith. One of these is Joseph, who despite the scandalous situation he found his fiancè Mary in, chose to divorce her quietly. And yet he was further challenged to take a greater leap of faith as the angel asks him to take Mary as his wife. His immediate ‘yes’ makes him worthy to be chosen by God to accompany Mother Mary and witness the birth of our Savior. St. Joseph, give us courage to take a leap of faith especially in contradicting situations. #PrayVD
12/17/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 17, 2019December 17, 2019 Tuesday
Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17 "Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ” Today’s reading tells of Jesus’ genalogy, or family history, from the time of Abraham. How far can we trace our own family origin? How amazing it is to see God’s hands at work, creating and linking Jesus’ family tree. In the same way, how amazing it is to realize that God has mapped out our lives long before our parents conceived the idea of our existence. Thus, each one’s life is no accident. He specifically chose us to be in this world for a purpose- to be His beloved children. Dear Mother Mary, help us to continue trusting the Lord whenever we doubt ourselves or question our life’s purpose. #PrayVD
12/16/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 16, 2019December 16, 2019 Monday
Gospel: Matthew 21:23-27 "Who gave you this authority?" In today’s gospel, Jesus is confronted by chief priests and elders, questioning Him under whose authority He preaches. Perhaps we too have experienced being challenged by others. How do we tend to react in those moments? Do we fight back in self-defense? Or do we keep silent but think badly of the one who confronts us? Jesus teaches us today the value of calmness. He demonstrates that not all adversity that comes our way needs to be reciprocated with harsh words and actions. On this first day of misa de gallo, we are reminded to anticipate the coming of Jesus in our hearts- so that like Him, we may face our adversities with wisdom and calmness. #PrayVD
12/15/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 15, 2019Sunday, December 15
Matt 11:2-11 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk This is the third Sunday of advent, gaudete Sunday. It is a time to give thanks and rejoice for Jesus has come to heal our iniquities and rescue us from sin. As we gather together today one Verbum Dei family, let us celebrate our Lord and Savior Jesus who is the reason for our joy. He has come to live among us, and raise us out of darkness! Lord, we rejoice today at the immeasurable gift of Your Son. May we allow Him to heal us of our spiritual blindness. #PrayVD
12/14/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 14, 2019Saturday, December 14
Matt 17:9-13 Elijah has already come but they did not know him Sometimes you only hear someone when he is shouting. Unlike Elijah who performed amazing miracles like calling fire down from the sky, there was nothing fancy or seemingly divine in John the Baptist. Yet he was no less a prophet and was called by Jesus as the greatest prophet of all. May we have the grace to hear and listen to the words of prophets amongst us, even if they don’t always speak with the loudest voices or with much fanfare. #PrayVD
12/13/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 13, 2019Friday, December 13
Matthew 11: 16-19 We piped and you did not dance. There is a time for everything - a time to dance, a time to weep, to mourn or to laugh. But that time would differ per person depending on their values and priorities. Two students learn that classes were cancelled. One rejoiced because he hadn’t studied. The other was disappointed because he was very ready for the exam. Today, Jesus asks us— will we be in tune and in time to the Kingdom and will we react to situations the way God would want us to? Lord, intensify our hearts’ desire to prepare for your coming. Give us ears and hearts to discern your message today and everyday. #PrayVD
12/12/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 12, 2019Thursday, December 12
Matthew 11:11-15 He is Elijah who is to come. All the prophets and especially John the Baptist proclaimed the arrival of Jesus who is the promised redeemer of all. To those who listened to his words, John was like Elijah a prophet of old. We who are called to mission for Christ, follow in the footsteps of the prophets and saints and we point others to Jesus through our words and actions. Do people see Jesus in us? Do we boldly proclaim Him to all who would listen and even to those who may not? Lord give us courage and faith to become like a prophet and saint to those around us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. #PrayVD
12/11/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 11, 2019Wednesday, December 11
Matthew 11:28-30 Take my yoke upon you Our responsibilities and troubles are things which we must carry. This is what a “yoke” represents. Jesus today compares the yoke that we usually carry and the yoke that He asks us to carry. Our own yokes are heavy and burdensome, maybe because they are not meant for us to carry them. But when we follow Christ and take His yoke upon us, it fits “just right” and Christ Himself helps us bear it. And we carry it with love and a sense of mission which gives us the strength and perseverance to push on. Lord, give us your yoke that we may carry it with You in trust and love. #PrayVD
12/10/2019
Daily Guidelines: December 10, 2019Tuesday, December 10
Matthew 18:12-14 Not one of these little ones shall perish Do you remember what is was like to be a child? We didn’t know our way around places and people. It was easy to get lost in our surroundings. If our parents were negligent, none of us would be here today, safe and sound! Yet, though we are all adults now, it is still easy to get lost and we still don’t know our way around tomorrow. Thank God for His abiding, guiding presence and for His promise that none of us should perish if we remain in his love. In this Advent season, Lord help us to be like lambs docile to be led by your loving guidance not to be lost in this busiest season. #PrayVD |
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