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.
6/26/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 26, 2018June 26, 2018 Tuesday
Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14 "Come with me into life."
Jesus, in today's Gospel, talks about the narrow road that will lead us to life. The narrow road may not be the easiest way but it is the only way into reaching eternal life and there are no shortcuts. It may seem so long or so narrow or it may seem so impossible to journey, but Jesus invites us today to take the road that would lead us into life. Come with Jesus into life. #PrayVD
6/25/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 Monday
Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5 In today's gospel, Jesus speaks about how our judgements reciprocate. It is about how we judge others that we also are being judged.
Do we easily condemn the shortcomings of others? Are we quick to see the sins they make?
Jesus invites us to see our lives clearly, looking at our own lives, our own sins before we judge others. We should see, address, confess, and forsake our sins out of our reverence to God, doing it consistently. Our lives should be an evidence of our own repentance of sin by addressing our own sins and shortcomings first. We are also called to address and "encourage our brothers and sisters to take off their old lives and put on the new--growing in holiness out of reverence to God. Anyone can find the dirt on someone; be the one who finds the gold. #PrayVD
6/24/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 24, 2018June 24,2018 - Sunday
Gospel - Lk1:57-66,80 What will this child be?Elizabeth was advance in years . Zechariah was at the temple when an angel foretold him of this surprisingly great gift! Elizabeth will bear him a son! In his disbelief the angel struck Zechariah and told him that he will remain silent until the child is born. At the time of his circumcision, the child was named “John."
People wondered about John the Baptist - “what will this child be?” Though the people were confused with the event after naming the child contrary to customs, yet they believed that the hand of God was upon the child. No matter how much they protect and provide for their children, parents would often wonder how their children will turn out. With high hopes and dreams along with fears and anxieties, about how they will cope with their life . Engaged Parents are important in the formative years of their children. Parents matter in drawing the children to God. So today we take the opportunity to honor, pray, thank and bless all parents who shaped us into what we have become. Use them Lord in whatever way to lead all children to you who is the source of all gifts and love. Amen! #PrayVD
6/23/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 23, 2018June 23,2018- Saturday
Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19 Fulfillment of the LawGod’s laws were given to guide and lead us towards loving him with all our heart and mind. However, through out history these had been “misquoted and misapplied"--translated into a mass of rules! Jesus did not speak against the law itself but against the abuses and excesses to which it had been subjected (ref John 1:17). The so called experts of the law telling others what should be done but missed the central point of God’s law.
More than the law itself, these passages points out about christian committment and obedience to the scriptures. How are you yourself doing at obeying God? He seek not literal compliance, rather peaks into the transformed hearts of each believers which is the original purpose of the law. Thus, it is possible to agree to the teachings of the law yet fail to live it out . It calls for a radical transformation resulting to being “born again” which enables one to live as a disciple. In the end, we will be judged by our response to God’s Word. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit and ask for the gift of understanding of these truths and fortitude to live it out. Amen! #PrayVD
6/22/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 22, 2018June 22, 2018 - Friday
Gospel - Mt 6:19-23 Where is your treasure?"What is your ambition?" - my boss would often ask. Impulse reply typically would be, “I want to be successfull.” But, what then is success? What do you value the most? If you want to know what you value reflect on where you spend your time, talent and treasure.
Jesus tells his disciples how important it is that we seriously assess what is valuable in life - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth ... but store up treasures in heaven." Remember the story of the rich young man? He was put to test to know what he valued most. He chose his earthly riches and went away sorrowful. Fame, fortune, power does not complete us. We now know that from recent famous celebreties who just ended their life despite all treasures. On the other hand is faith, hope and love. The greatest of all is love. That is what we ought to aspire for. And what a better way to find it than by directing our gaze to the source himself - God, who is love. #PrayVD
6/21/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 21, 2018June 21,2017 - Thursday Gospel - Mt 6:7-15 Our FatherIsn't it wonderful being able to speak to God and to call him "our Father?" He can’t wait to hear our voice! Yes, we have this relationship with the God who made you and me, to whom we speak through prayer. But how do we ought to pray?
We pray to God as our Father. Knowing that it means we are loved! That we can come to him just as we are. Burst into him wherever, whenever. For God it’s always a delight to hear from us! We are to pray to honor God, to know his purpose in our life and for his people - “your will be done," so that his love may reach to the ends of the earth. To enable this, we are to depend on God for all that we need, one day at a time. Which is contrary to the self-sufficient, forward looking culture that most of us live. Prayer invites us to trust him, for he knows our needs way before we ask. Acknowledging our vulnerabilities, we ask for forgivess too. In this way, we are set free from our past and afresh to face what lies ahead. Such comforting assurance ! Our security comes from knowing that our Father, Emmanuel - God, is always with us! #PrayVD
6/20/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 20, 2018June 20,2018 - Wednesday
Gospel - Mt 6:1-6; 16-18 No to Walking BillboardsWe have to admit, it is a challenge to live out the Gospel. The reading today reminds us not to draw attention to ourselves when we give alms, praying for people to be seen, looking sad and pathetic so people know we are fasting. Rather, we are called to do our good deeds under the gaze of God alone. Our Father sees and knows what we have done.
What do we do? We are called to also live our faith and be witnesses to others. How is it to not display righteousness versus rendering acts to be emulated ? The practice of alms giving, praying and fasting are meant to seek God’s attention and recompense. Not for human attention and praises. We pray to the Holy Trinity to purify our motives, direct our steps. To enable us to do what is right, for the right reason. Amen! #PrayVD
6/19/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 19, 2018June 19,2018 - Tuesday
Gospel – Mt 5:43-48 Love your enemiesToday’s reading, like yesterday though unrelated, speaks about dealing with people with whom we have difficulties relating to. We are to love our enemies and pray for them. How can we possibly do that?
Pure love defined as “agape” means true concern for the good of others without expecting anything in return. And this love is inclusive even to our “enemies.” Why? Because God is love. It is his nature. That love is equally available to everyone . He invites us to try to love people in the same way. But if we care only to those who care for us, we are no different from the others. What do you gain by hating the person who hate you? You do more damage to yourself, right? Better to pray for that person than retaliating. To bring about healing and reconciliation . Let’s make peace not war and it all starts with us. Can Jesus count on you? Come Holy Spirit ! We pray for peace in our family, workplace, community. Heal us! Amen! #PrayVD
6/18/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 18, 2018June 18, 2018 – Monday Gospel – Mt 5:38-42 Go the extra mile“An eye for an eye.” Jesus challenges our tendency to take matters in our hand. There is so many attacks going on these days – to our Catholic Church, among leaders of countries . . . Perhaps in your own personal situation you felt threatened, abused, or ignored by people you trusted. Our human impulse is to protect ourselves and attack those who hurt us. Justice! Vengeance! Retribution!
However, the radical teaching of Jesus says otherwise. To view situations from his lens absolutely brings us out of ourselves and draws our gaze to others. Value others first in concrete ways, that’s the invitation. This does not mean we remain timid in the midst of injustice. Rather, we are called to turn ourselves and trust God so much that we leave our vindication to him. By not retaliating, by not stooping down to your oppressor we do not confirm to the worldly ways. You might wonder how far should we stand firm to his teaching? He is a God of Justice. He is in control. All things will be settled in an appropriate time. If we stand in truth with him, nothing can be taken away from us. The call stands, love our enemies and make them our friends. Holy Spirit grant us the gift of understanding to accept God’s ways and the wisdom to act accordingly. Amen. #PrayVD
6/17/2018
Daily Guidelines: June 17, 2018June 17, 2018 – Sunday
Gospel - Mark 4:26-34 “The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed... “
When Christianity started, Jesus foresaw that its growth will be like the mustard seed; a tiny speck in the ground, but will grow eventually to a huge tree where birds can build their nests. It is much like a missionary community that first stepped into a new and strange land. Or us starting off in an apostolate mission. Growth incurs difficulties, much like birthpains. But with God’s grace, we are confident that all these will pass and he’ll give us the knowledge, and tools to overcome it. God uses what is weak to do His work. With His grace and Mama Mary’s help,may we be strengthened by our faith and trust we will led to do God’s will, despite hurdles and detours along the way. We will be led by the Holy Spirit and emboldened to do more. #PrayVD |
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