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.
8/15/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 15, 2019August 15, 2019 – Thursday
Gospel: Luke 1:39-56 “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” On this feast day of the Assumption of Our Lady, we are filled with joy of having a mother in heaven who was brought up in glory body and soul. She who has comforted us all our lives, we look up to her and emulate her humility, though she is the Mother of Jesus, what she went through isn’t comparable to what we are going through. As we go through our own suffering, let us be like her, quiet in grace and dignity. She’s the closest we can get to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Cling to her like a child, wrapped in her warm motherly embrace.
8/14/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 – Wednesday
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as repentance we go to seek God’s mercy. Although we have offended Him, He is not angered and readily forgives us through the Absolution, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall become white as snow....” (Is 1:18) He seeks not punishment for us nor vengeance for our offenses, but repentance and conversion from our hearts. We give thanks to the Lord for this gift of forgiveness, and for making Himself always available to us.
8/13/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 13, 2019August 13, 2019 – Tuesday
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5. 10, 12-14 “It is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Just like a parent who is far from his/her children, if physically, you may cry because you miss them and yearn to know how they are doing and if they’re safe. Worse is if one’s child is cold and distant, avoids contact with you, or is confused. We plead with God for them.. But God’s mercy is overwhelming, he’s continually watching over us, constantly nudging us to keep close to Him. He cannot bear for us to be distant, sad and astray for long. He waits for us with joyful anticipation and rewards us with unconditional love, Do we love Him in return?
8/12/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 12, 2019August 12, 2019 – Monday
Gospel: Matthew 17:22-27 “Will your master not pay the As required by law, even Jesus was concerned about paying His taxes. This illustrates us that paying taxes is part of our responsibility as good citizens. We are concerned with how our environment is being respected and kept clean, we participate in making elections clean and vote according to our conscience. Good Christians fulfill their obligations at work, to one’s family and neighbor, to one’s country -- for the common good. We are conscious of social justice and dignity of life. By doing so, we commit to work and strive to protect God’s creations, fulfilling His plan here on earth. #PrayVD
8/11/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 11, 2019August 11, 2019 – Sunday
Gospel: Lk 12: 32- 48 Prepare and be vigilant! Our gospel today tells us that preparation is an important aspect of our life and relationship with Jesus. Our life will be full of ups and downs that’s why we must know how to face it. In the parable, the people light their lamps and wait for the arrival of their master. They need to be vigilant and look for the sign of the master’s arrival. Jesus reminds us that in order to prepare, one must know how to be patient. We must be patient in waiting for God’s will and plan for our lives. Mother Mary, help us to prepare and be patient with the prayers that our heart carries. Amen. #PrayVD
8/10/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 10, 2019August 10, 2019 – Saturday
Gospel: Jn 12:24-26 Serve and bear fruit Serving entails sacrifices, not just the superficial things of giving out material and grand things. In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that a part of our self must die in order to bear fruit. Our efforts alone are not enough if we find it easy to serve. Hardships endured bear fruits of life lessons. Jesus reminds us to continue what we are doing even if there are challenges ahead. Mother Mary, be our pillar of strength and hope to face the difficulties of serving the mission (family, community, friends, loved ones) assigned to us. #PrayVD
8/9/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 9, 2019August 9, 2019 – Friday
Gospel: Mt 16:24-28 Take up your cross and follow me We see the cross as a sign of death, suffering or pain. The message for today’s gospel will be hard to receive if our perspective is the same. Jesus invites us to take up our own crosses and follow him. Today, we are invited to see the cross as a sign of life and love. If we have life to live the challenges and love to see through the hardships, we will succeed in taking up our own crosses and following Jesus. Mama Mary, we pray to you that our hearts be as pure as yours so we become selfless in taking up our own cross. #PrayVD
8/8/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 8, 2019August 8, 2019 – Thursday
Gospel: Mt 16:13-23 Who is Jesus for you? In the gospel, Jesus is asking the disciples what the people know and say about him at first. However, Jesus is more curious of how the disciples know him so he asked a question to them and the disciples answered Him. Today, He is asking you the same question: “Who is Jesus for you?” We have different answers but for sure, he wants to hear your answer. Talk to him today and pray that he continues to guide us as the Son of the living God. Mother Mary, help us find time today to be united with Jesus and answer his question to us. Amen. #PrayVD
8/7/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 7, 2019August 7, 2019 – Wednesday
Gospel: Mt 15: 21-28 How great is your faith? How do we measure the word “great”? Is it by getting grand things in life? Or simply by the position that someone has? In the gospel, the Canaanite woman showed the greatness of her faith through persistence. She never gave up in asking from the Lord to heal his daughter despite the delays. In your faith, are you trying to persevere and be great? You can start today. Mama Mary, be our model of perseverance and patience so we can grow strong in our faith with the Lord. Amen. #PrayVD
8/6/2019
Daily Guidelines: August 6, 2019August 6, 2019 – Tuesday
Gospel: Mt 13:54-58 Pray, listen and stay awake! The week has just started… have you had some time to stay and pray with the Lord? Or are you still sleepy? Or thinking ahead of the things you need to accomplish this week? Just like the disciples who got sleepy while praying with Jesus and Peter who got distracted marveling first at the blazing light near Jesus. With this, our Father points us to his chosen son, Jesus Christ whom we can listen and pray with as we start this week. Let us never forget to nurture our personal relationship with Jesus by staying awake and listening closely to him through prayer. Mother Mary, accompany us this week as we find time to pray with Jesus in our daily moments. Amen. #PrayVD |
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