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.
6/26/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 Wednesday
Matt 7:15-20 "Every sound tree bears good fruit." How can you predict if a sapling will turn out to be a healthy tree? It all depends on the richness of the soil in which it is planted and the amount of sun and rain that it receives. Only then will the tree grow to its potential and bear fruit for all. If we want to become “sound trees”, we have to make sure we are rooted firmly in Jesus and His nurturing grace. We nourish ourselves with the sunlight of His Word and the rainfall of a strong prayer life. Let us persevere in growing as good trees for the Kingdom! Jesus thank You so much for being our good soil. Give us strength and faith to keep bearing fruit. #PrayVD
6/25/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 25, 2019June 25, 2019 Tuesday
Matt 7:6,12-14 “Enter by the narrow gate.” How does it feel to walk thru a narrow corridor or a street barely wide enough for two people to pass? There really is only one way to get thru that passageway and that is to walk straight without any detours. Today Jesus tells us that there is only one way to the Kingdom of God. And He is the way. There are no detours and no other options. But when we walk in His ways, we find that our paths are made straight and that we will get to where we are supposed to go. Lord, give us the strength to walk your path through the narrow gate! #PrayVD
6/24/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 24, 2019June 24, 2019 Monday
Lk 1:57-66,80 “The Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.” Today is traditionally the birthday of St. John the Baptist. He was a miracle, a blessing given to Elizabeth and Zechariah in their old age. What miracle or blessing are you seeking from the Lord right now? Remember that God is exceedingly gracious and works to make all good things possible. Rejoice in Him and trust in His mercy! Lord, we lift up to you our petitions and we thank you for the mighty things you have done in our lives. #PrayVD
6/23/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 23, 2019June 23, 2019 Sunday
Luke 9:11b-17 “They all ate and were satisfied....” When I come across this story, I am always amazed at how the five loaves and two fish were able to feed over a thousand people! On this feast of Corpus Christi, we are reminded on how the body of Christ has been broken and is being fed to millions of people, on a daily basis. He’s our daily bread. His Body and Blood are more than enough for us to live and feed us the rest of the lives, spiritually, emotionally and physically, for eternity. Mama Mary, may you be our guide in faithfulness and humility, that we may stay close to the Lord at all times. #PrayVD
6/22/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 22, 2019June 22, 2019 Saturday
Matthew 6:24-34 “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness....” As long as we strive to be holy and follow His precepts, then everything else will be provided for. Let tomorrow take care of itself, let us tackle our trials for each day only. Otherwise our plate will be too full, and we may be more confused. Let us set our priorities for each day: firstly, time for the Lord and how we can be of service to Him. We seek first His guidance for all the things we need to do, and rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us and allow peace to come thereafter. Lord, thank you for constantly reminding us that we need to be with You and seek You out at all times, through our daily trials. #PrayVD
6/21/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 21, 2019June 21, 2019 – Friday
Matthew 6:19-23 “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Jesus says we cannot serve two masters: it’s either God or the world. He tells us not to accumulate so much worldly goods, which we may not be able to use anyway. We must only put together what we will need for a few days and not amass as if there’s a perpetual shortage. Where and what is the basis of your existence: God or of the world? Do we live in order to eat, buy, do what we want, or do we use our talents and riches to help others? What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind, things that fade away? Or for greater matters beyond us..... Let us hold on and anchor on the Lord, so we will not be led astray with worldly things. #PrayVD
6/20/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 20, 2019June 20, 2019 - Thursday
Matthew 6:7-15 “Our Father who art in heaven.....” The only prayer Jesus taught His disciples, a very simple complete perfect prayer. It is a prayer so simple yet it encompasses all of our needs. Sometimes when we pray, we feel we need to use so many elaborate words and repeat our requests over and over again. God invites us to bring our needs to Him simply and directly. God knows what we need before we ask. Let us meditate on the words, pray over it, and draw wisdom from it. Notice that the prayer does not only plead for our personal needs, and ask for forgiveness of our sins, but that of others too. Mama Mary, guide us that we may be faithful in our journey to God. #PrayVD
6/19/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 19, 2019June 19, 2019 Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 “When you pray, go into your inner room....” Another lesson in humility... Jesus says that when praying or giving alms, we need not announce these that others may know. Practicing our faith and doing good for others just to be seen and admired, is a trap that's so easy to fall into -- a source of pride at times. Only a heart that sees that it is loved by God will have in it gratitude that impels it to thank God in word and deed. True thankfulness is a prayer in itself, it impels us to share with others what God has shared with us. The good deeds will come naturally from deep inside, and what others see or don't see won't matter. Thank you, Lord, for your love, generosity and bountiful blessings. #PrayVD
6/18/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 18, 2019June 18, 2019 Tuesday
Matthew 5:43-48 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It is easy for us to love those who are good to us, or those who we like, but those who are unkind to us or those who are difficult to deal with are the challenges thrown at us by Jesus: to love them so we can be perfect like our Father. He didn’t choose who He’ll love, He loved us all, no discrimination, no choosing, no biases, even though we have hurt Him so many times. These are I guess the most difficult commandments....to rise above our hurts and learn to forgive. Dear Lord, teach us, and guide us that we may be kept on track in our aspiration to be perfect and holy like you. #PrayVD
6/17/2019
Daily Guidelines: June 17, 2019June 17, 2019 Monday
Matthew 5:38-42 “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.....” “The Holy Spirit sometimes calls upon us to transcend the logic of fairness and simple justice for.others.” Fr. Jacques Philippe, The Eight Doors to the Kingdom: Meditations on the Beatitudes, p. 114. There is a lot of anger permeating our culture nowadays: name-calling, bullying, hotheadedness. We all need to learn about meekness and do away with vengeance. Meekness is the way to soften the hardness of hearts. It opens our hearts to God’s grace of healing, and it is only through prayer that all of these will happen. Let us ask Mama Mary, as the Immaculate Healer of Hearts to teach us to be meek and humble. #PrayVD |
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August 2021
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