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.
7/8/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 8, 2018July 8, 2018 - Sunday
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6 Is this not the carpenter?
There is a saying that familiarity breeds contempt, and certainly that is what our Lord experienced in the Gospel today. How often in our own relationships have we said, “he’s really like that” or “you’ll never change.” To say these things to people who we are close to, is almost the same as giving up hope on this person, that however we know that person now is how that person shall always be. But love never stops hoping and that is the challenge for us today. Can we see others with new eyes, with the grace of Christ? The kinsmen of Jesus lost a big opportunity to be healed and to meet the Living God. All because they could not get over their own opinions. Lord, give us eyes that see and hearts that hope. #PrayVD
7/7/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 7, 2018July 7, 2018 - Saturday
Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17 New wine is put into new wineskins, so both are preserved.
What does Jesus have to tell us about our fast-changing world where everything seems new all the time? He will tell us that His word is relevant for all times and that His word is simultaneously new every morning. Today’s Gospel compares His Word with new wine which tastes sweet and fresh. Likewise, when we allow God’s Word to enter our hearts, we feel refreshed and alive. Our hearts are the wineskins in the Gospel reading. When we are open to receive His Word, it takes root in our hearts. But when we become full of pride and selfishness, our hearts cannot receive Him. Lord, grant us always an open heart to receive Your Words. #PrayVD
7/6/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 6, 2018July 6, 2018 - Friday
Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13 He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office. He said to him, “Follow me.”
It would have seemed like any ordinary day at work for Matthew. He’d have woken up, had breakfast, done the morning commute, and sat at his desk. Who would have thought that day would change his life? But then, that is how our Lord calls us. He meets us where we are, in the most ordinary of times. Will we hear His call? Above the noise of our everyday life, if we will set our ears to hear, we will hear Him telling us, “Follow me.” Perhaps not to have a life quite so dramatic as Matthew’s, but to follow Him in our day to day life. He says that He came to call the sinners. That’s all of us. Lord, help us to hear You every day. Help us with your grace, to become righteous in your sight. #PrayVD
7/4/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 4, 2018July 4, 2018 - Wednesday
Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34 What have you to do with us, Son of God?It would seem these days that there is so much evil and hatred in the world. In the year 2017, there were 345 shootings in the United States, almost one for every day of the year. To hear the statements of the perpetrators is really quite scary and would sometimes seem that a voice was speaking to them. Whatever it is that haunts the minds of the shooters, the two demoniacs in our story likely felt—the pull of the Evil One gnawing on our thoughts.
Today, the Gospel passage reminds us of who is really in charge of this world. Despite the evil of sin, Jesus is still triumphant; Jesus still has strength and power. We may not be prone to bouts of violence, but we are not exempt from smaller evils—malicious thoughts, small acts of sin. Jesus loves us through it all but, more than that, He stands ready to heal us and call us out of darkness if we ask Him. Yes, there is evil in this world, but greater still is the power of God’s love to cast the darkness out. #PrayVD
7/2/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 - Monday Gospel: Matthew 8:18-22 But the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head
Jesus today is very straightforward and honest about the cost of following Him – it means to leave behind the comfort of old ways and old habits. It means the courage to take each day as it comes, sometimes without any security that all will be well. And yet, why have countless people chosen to follow Jesus, from the distant past until this present age? Perhaps, like the scribe in the passage today, we are looking for someone worthwhile to follow. It is interesting that the passage does not tell us precisely what the scribe’s response was, perhaps because St Matthew intended for us to respond for ourselves. Today, let us spend time with Christ to reflect on our reasons for following Him thru the difficulties and uncertainties in our lives. Let us pray to always remember that our security is not in what we have or what we own, but it is the security that comes from trusting that God will meet the needs of those who choose to follow Him. #PrayVD
7/1/2018
Daily Guidelines: July 1, 2018July 1, 2018 Sunday
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 "Your faith has healed you." (cf. Mk 5:34)
In today's gospel, Jesus deals with the indifference between the laws. During their time, being different or sick means being punished or being an outcast. That is what happened to the woman in the gospel. In that time, people considered unclean and religiously impure those women who had been subject to bleeding. Some people believed that women bled because they were possessed by an evil spirit. Because of these beliefs, a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years was kept separated from the community so as not to contaminate others. Imagine her life being away from her friends, from her neighbour or from her family; and she cannot do what she wants because of the law that they made. Imagine how she desperately wanted to get healed that she risked breaking the law by touching Jesus. This woman did not know who Jesus was but she had faith that God would heal her through Him. Do we believe in the healing power of Jesus? Do we go to Jesus whenever we are sick and in need of healing? Today, Jesus invites us to have a faith same as with that of the woman who believed that God is the only one who could heal her. Be like that woman who had been healed by her faith. #PrayVD
6/30/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 Saturday Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17 "I am not worthy to have you under my roof." (cf. Mt 8:8)
In today's Gospel, Jesus was asked by an army captain to heal his servant who is terribly sick. The captain did not expect such an immediate and generous gesture; he did not expect that Jesus would go to his house. He gave an example by expressing the faith and trust that he has for Jesus. He told Jesus: “Lord, I am not worthy to have You under my roof, just say a word and my servant will be cured.” (cf. Mt 8:8) With so many doubts, distractions (social media, fake news), alternatives, instant solutions, and shortcuts, do we still know where to go or who to call? Do we allow Jesus to enter into our hearts? Do we welcome Him as how we welcome a friend or a family member to our home? Today’s gospel invites us to let Jesus feel our warm welcome as we let Him enter our hearts. #PrayVD
6/29/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 29, 2018June 29, 2018 Friday
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19 “Who do you say that I am?” (cf. Mt 16:15)
In today's gospel Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (cf. Mt 16:13) They answered that some says He is John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked them who is He for them. Who is Jesus for us? Our answer to this question depends on how we let Jesus work in our lives. It is a personal question. But this question isn't only about the identity of Jesus but also of our own identity. Who do we say Jesus is also identifies us. In today’s gospel, Peter earned his identity as the rock on whom the Church is built as he believed that Jesus is the Son of God - surrendering his own will to Jesus, giving his commitment and declaring his faith to the One he follows. Jesus invites us to be like Peter. May we give our commitment in knowing Jesus personally and knowing our identity as children of God. #PrayVD
6/28/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 28, 2018June 28, 2018 Thursday
Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29 Can you practice what you preach?In today's gospel, Jesus talks about people who listen to His word and act according to it.
Jesus, in today’s Gospel, reminds us that it is not enough just to listen to His teaching; we also have to put them into practice. Neither the prayer we profess nor our religion can bring us to heaven, only the faith we practice in obedience to God's will and our faith in following Jesus can save us and bring us to the kingdom of God. It is in our obedience in doing the will of God that we build our lives on a solid foundation. #PrayVD
6/27/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 27, 2018June 27, 2018 Wednesday
Gospel: Matthew 7: 15-20 Do people see Christ in you?
Today's Gospel speaks about false prophets who speak about God but didn't bear good fruits. How about us as Christians, what fruit do we bear? I've found one of Mahatma Gandhi's statements about Christians very strong. He said, "If Christians would really live according to the teaching of the Christ, as a found in the bible, all of India would be Christian today." The world needs more imitators of Christ. Do we truly imitate Christ as we live? Are we true witnesses of faith? Today, Jesus invites us to live as he lived, do what he did, and love as he loved so that others may also find the path that leads them into eternal life. #PrayVD |
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