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.
8/12/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 12, 2018August 12, 2018 Sunday
Gospel: Jn 6: 41-51 “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me, will never hunger and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Extra rice is life! Coffee is life! Ramen is life! Food is life! And many more… Insert all our favorite food and meals. Indeed, food gives us life!
In our gospel, Jesus spoke to the Jews as the one giving life to them. He is the bread of life that will ease the hunger and quench the thirst of all. Like to the Jews, Jesus provides us our food. He is our food when we feel hopeless and lifeless. When life takes away the nutrients and energy from ourselves, Jesus presents himself to us as our source of life. Mama Mary, pray for us as we receive the gift of the Eucharist today, receive Jesus as our living bread, the one who nourishes our heart and soul. Amen. #PrayVD
8/11/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 11, 2018August 11, 2018 Saturday
Gospel: Mt 17: 14-20 “Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Faith is restored in humanity. We often hear this famous line everytime we know of good stories about heroic acts. What was the common denominator about them? They let their faith speak about themselves by acting and doing about something that touches the human soul.
Today’s gospel strongly suggests to us an image of action: MOVE! The man who had a lunatic suffering son came to Jesus asking for help despite attempts of healing from the disciples. The disciples asked Jesus the reason why they cannot drive out the demon and Jesus said, “Because of your little faith. Move from here to there and it will move!” Jesus invites us to act on our faith in order to heal and restore the humanity in the world. Mama Mary, help us to pray over the acts of service that we can extend to the people who surrounds us no matter how impossible it is. Amen. #PrayVD
8/7/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 7, 2018August 7, 2018 Tuesday
Gospel: Mt 14: 22-36 "Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid." Pressure presents challenges. New environment gives us uncertainty. This may paralyze us once it sets into our being. Our fear increases and we might feel hopeless and a bit tired but hey, we are still breathing, right?
Today's gospel allows us to see Jesus' disciples experiencing the surge of emotions. They got scared, they screamed and they doubted. However, Jesus is ready to save them with His words, "Take courage, do not be afraid." Life situations may push us to an unknown zone and can shake us but we are invited to brave it altogether with Jesus. He can be our companion in this road of journey, offering all the ups and downs of our life. Mama Mary, we pray that you inspire us to be as courageous as you are when you were present at the foot of the cross. Amen. #PrayVD
8/6/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 Monday
Gospel: Mk 9: 2-10 "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him." When we choose whom we listen to, all of us have our own standards. We listen to someone we respect and trust. If we have hesitation, fear or bad blood with someone, we don't give our full attention in listening or perhaps we don't listen at all.
In the gospel today, something magnificent happened. It is the Transfiguration where Jesus appeared in dazzling white at the sight of his 3 disciples. They were terrified and unsure of what to do. With this, the Father reminded them to hold strongly to their faith and listen to whom He has sent, Jesus: His beloved Son. Whatever you are carrying in your heart now, as you start this day, the Father is inviting all of us to connect and dialogue with Jesus. Listen to Jesus. Pray with him today. Start to share to Jesus little by little with all you are carrying. Mother Mary, accept our humble openness and desire to listen to your Son who saved us all from all our sufferings. Amen. #PrayVD
8/5/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 5, 2018August 5, 2018 Sunday
Gospel - Jn 6:24-35 Our heart is restless until it rests in you Have you seen Michelangelo’s magnificent fresco in the ceiling of the Sistine chapel? It portraits Adam and God. Their fingers almost touch, yet there is a space between them. This, for me, signifies the condition of the human heart in this world. There's a sacred space, a craving in the human heart that only God can satisfy.
In today's Gospel, the crowds search for Jesus because they crave for the bread that he gave them. But Jesus challenges them to go deeper and crave not for the things of God, but for he himself. He is the bread that can satisfy our deepest hungers in this world--of acceptance, companionship and love without conditions. “The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” May we also say to him, as the people of his time, “Lord, give us this bread always.” #PrayVD
8/4/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 4, 2018August 4, 2018 Saturday
Gospel - Mt 14:1-12 Choose to be a blessing! Are you good at sports, or music . . . or perhaps you're good with numbers? God has given us talents for us to be a blessing for others and somehow reflect his goodness.
Sadly, in today's Gospel we see that what was given to bless can also be used to hurt and destroy. A young woman had the gift of dancing, but she used it to eliminate John the Baptist, under the advice of her mother Herodias. When we look at ourselves we can see the many blessings we have received from God. But, are we being a blessing for others? Unlike Herodias, Mary is a good Mother who can advise us how to use our talents in order to bless and reflect God’s goodness to this world. Let us do whatever she tells us. Amen. #PrayVD
8/3/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 Friday
Gospel - Mt 13:54-58 Be surprised! It might seem that today's Gospel reading is disconnected from what we have been listening to the past days--the parables of the Kingdom. Today we see the rejection that Jesus experienced in his own hometown. What does this have to do with the Kingdom?
In reality, we are invited to discover one necessary attitude to enter in and enjoy God's Kingdom: the capacity to be surprised, just like children, for those who are like them enjoy it fully. When we think that we know and control everything--like the countrymen of Jesus--we miss the opportunity to find signs of the Kingdom and let it unleash its power in us. This is a very “adult” position in front of life. Mother Mary, grant us simplicity of heart and eyes of faith to see God's work in everything and so rejoice with him as you did. Amen. #PrayVD
8/2/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 2, 2018August 2, 2018 Thursday
Gospel – Mt 13:47-53 Citizens of the Kingdom Different countries have different traditions. But, what are the traditions of the citizens of the Kingdom of God? Jesus introduces us to one very important, the tradition of discernment.
A person who has found the treasure of God’s love reigning in his or her heart will strive to take care of this relationship above all else. Therefore, as citizens of the Kingdom ‘good’ would be whatever strengthens our communion with God and empowers us to do his will, and ‘bad’ would be, logically, whatever separates us from him. Given this, not everything in this world that is ‘new’ is good, as well as not everything that is ‘old’ is bad. It’s a matter of discernment! Sometimes trying to protect our union with God will make us appear “old fashioned” in the eyes of the world. Other times we will live out things that are ‘new’ for the world, like forgiveness and compassion in the style of Jesus. Mother Mary, help us to live in this world as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Amen. #PrayVD
8/1/2018
Daily Guidelines: August 1, 2018August 1, 2018 Wednesday
Gospel – Mt 13:44-46 With you, I lack nothing on earth Did you watch “The Greatest Showman?” The lyrics of one of its songs say, “Darling, without you (...) towers of gold are still too little, these hands can hold the world but it will never be enough for me.”
Indeed, the human heart was created by God in such a way that nothing can satisfy it but He himself. He is the treasure, friendship with him the fine pearl for which is worth sacrificing it all. Everything is deceiving without this treasure. But, how to own the field where this treasure is hidden? First of all, search for it! Amidst the busyness of our lives, let us search carefully for God’s friendship within our hearts, sharing everything with him like Jesus did with the Father. Soon we will find ourselves full of joy and not wanting to let go of this treasure for anything in this world. Mary, teach us to treasure God in our hearts as you did. Amen. #PrayVD
7/31/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 31, 2018July 31, 2018 Tuesday
Gospel – Mt 13:36-43 Focus on what will last Do you like to have connection with important people to get things done—someone in an important government position, for example?
Today’s Gospel tells us which is the greatest and most important connection we can aspire to have: to be disciples of Jesus. It gives us the privilege of having private lessons and build up a personal relationship with the Master. What is Jesus’ teaching for us, disciples of the 21st century, as we come close to him and listen to his explanation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds? Starting with the fate of the weeds—they will be burnt and disappear—He invites us to invest our energy wisely and not waste it in what is passing. Rather, he calls us to give ourselves fully to nurture the wheat: seek justice, peace, kindness. . . in short, strive to live united to him and bear fruit that will last. Mary, perfect disciple who lived united to God, help us today to focus on what will last. Amen. #PrayVD #1YearDailyGuidelines |
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