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.
5/27/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 27, 2018May 27, 2018 – Sunday
Gospel – Mt 28:16-20 ”In the name of the Father, and of thr Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”(cf. Mt 28:19) Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. But, more than breaking our minds trying to explain what the Trinity is, let us ask the grace of grasping the beautiful message that the mystery of God being One and Triune has for us.
God is not alone, he is community, family, diversity, gift. We know this verse by heart: “God is love,” (1Jn 4:8) and love requires reciprocity and mutuality, giving and receiving, going out of oneself and welcoming the other. That’s why they’re three, but one in love!
This movement of love and self-giving happens from all eternity between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And in today’s Gospel we are invited to partake of this love and to introduce as many as possible to this communion. Being baptized in the name of the Trinity is being witnesses of this kind of love wherever we may go, till the ends of the earth. #PrayVD
5/26/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 26, 2018May 26, 2018 – Saturday Gospel – Mk 10:13-16 I want to give you a futureJesus, says the Gospel, was very angry when the disciples rebuked the people who were bringing their little children to be blessed by him.
A child was a promise for the family in the time of Jesus—more hands to work in the land, the assurance of having someone to take care of the parents in the old age . . . but a promise that was in danger. Many children didn’t reach puberty due to diseases or malnutrition. This is why having a child blessed by Jesus was a gesture of surrender and hope, putting his or her future in the hands of God. We might or might not have children of our own, but we all have hopes, dreams and expectations for the future. Jesus wants to have a say in that future! Let us bring all our hopes and dreams today in prayer to be touched and blessed by him. #PrayVD
5/24/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 24, 2018May 24, 2018 – Thursday
Gospel – Mk 9:41-50 Into LifeToday’s Gospel reading places in front of us one of Jesus’ most difficult lessons to understand: “If your hand, foot or eye causes you to sin, cut it off! For It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with a perfect body go into the unquenchable fire” (cf. Mk 9:43-47)
But what Jesus is trying to stress is the value of Life—the Kingdom. Nothing is so important that it should be retained if it keeps you from entering the Kingdom.
But, what then is Life, or the Kingdom for Jesus? Why is it more valuable than anything else? The Kingdom was the core value that moved Jesus’ life. It is full communion with the Father, which develops our true selves. Therefore, even if there are things that we need to cut off from ourselves, in reality we are cutting precisely what we are not! Holy Spirit, enlighten our minds and hearts in order to discern what is preventing us to enjoy full communion with the Father, and give us also strength to let go of it in order to develop our true self. #PrayVD
5/23/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 23, 2018May 23, 2018 – Wednesday Gospel – Mk 9:38-40 Open and FaithfulIn today’s Gospel reading John was asking Jesus’ validation when he tried to forbid someone to cast out a demon without belonging to the group of disciples. Jesus answered, “Do not forbid (…) whoever is not against us is for us.” What an open mind, and how it contrasts our narrow-mindedness!
Indeed, many times we feel threatened by those who are not like us or with us. It is not easy for us to welcome diversity and see goodness beyond the differences. But Jesus shows a great openness, because he was centered not in himself, but in the will of the Father—that all his children may have fullness of life, regardless of affiliations. Let us avoid the temptation of monopolizing good and ask the Holy Spirit wisdom to see goodness when faced with people who are different or think differently than us, without leaving behind our duty of denouncing and confronting evil. #PrayVD
5/22/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 22, 2018May 22, 2018 – Tuesday
Gospel – Mk 9:30-37 Come, LearnToday Jesus shows us another aspect of this ‘ordinary state’—to be disciples who are undergoing training under the care of a teacher.
We see today Jesus as that kind and patient teacher who walks side by side with us, teaching us his ways . . . honestly we are far of thinking and acting like him! The reading highlights the contrast between the way of thinking of the disciples and that of Jesus: while he was explaining to them that he would lay down his life for many, they were arguing about who was the greatest. But Jesus does not lose hope in them and, instead of giving long discourses, he teaches them who is the most important by placing a little child in their midst. Let us allow Jesus, our Good Teacher, to walk with us today and contrast our way of thinking, acting, and even feeling. Let us be aware that we are disciples—we need to learn, and we need the constant guidance of this good Teacher. #PrayVD
5/21/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 21, 2018May 21, 2018 – Monday
Gospel – Mk 9:14-29 Only Prayer, Nothing ElseWelcome back, Ordinary Time! Our ordinary state as Christians is to be witnesses of Christ’s resurrection and of the power of the Spirit in us.
The Gospel reading today points out the condition for us to be able to really live this ordinary state—prayer. The disciples failed to cast out a demon from a child, and they ask Jesus why. He answers, “Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else.”
In spite of having celebrated Christ’s resurrection and witnessed its power in our life, we may find that many realities haven’t changed—they are still “possessed” like the child of the passage. Let us not lose hope, but believe in the power of prayer, for “all things are possible for those who believe.” Holy Spirit, accompany us as we strive to live our ordinary state as witnesses of Jesus rooted in prayer. Amen
5/19/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 19, 2018May 19, 2018 Saturday
Gospel: John 21:20-25 ”You must follow me”(cf. Jn 21:22) Peter, in today’s Gospel, asked Jesus on what would happen to the disciple whom he loved. As a response, Jesus told him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”
Truthfully speaking, we have our own concerns in following Jesus. Though he has done many things in our lives, it is still inevitable for us to have our own concerns. For this, the response of Jesus is straight-forward and sincere: we must follow him. Follow him no matter what would happen, follow him no matter where we would be – words that are easy to say yet hard to commit to. Let us be firm in our commitment to follow him, even if we feel pressed by our own concerns. Our faith can make our hearts firm to our commitment.
5/18/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 18, 2018May 18, 2018 Friday
Gospel: John 21:15-19 ”Do you love me?... Feed my sheep.”(cf. Jn 21:17) In today’s Gospel, Jesus confirmes the quality of love of Peter to Him and as he accepts Peter’s loving responses He calls him to take charge of his sheep.
Mission is the way to proclaim the word. Though most of us proclaim our love to Jesus, some of us don’t really understand how to show it concretely. Is it enough to pray for the poor and eat in excess even when we’re not hungry anymore? Is it enough to symphatize with the burdened and enjoy life with as much ease as we can? Talk is cheap, but action is priceless. Jesus knows our love for Him, what He wants to know is where could our love for Him bring us. Today’s Gospel invites us to let our words be actions and our prayers be a mission.
5/17/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 17, 2018May 17, 2018 Thursday
Gospel: John 17:20-26 "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."(cf. Jn 17:26)
Jesus always speak to us about God the Father and in today’s Gospel, he prays so that we may know Him – so that his love may be in us.
How much do we know about God the Father? Do we acknowledge his presence in our lives? Do we feel his love? As Jesus calls us brothers and sisters, he also made us know about the Father. He even taught us how to pray to our Father. Jesus’ prayer in today’s Gospel inspires us to deepen our relationship with the Father. Pray more to Him, acknowledge and accept one another as brothers and sisters so that we would live in love as a family.
5/16/2018
Daily Guidelines: May 16, 2018May 16, 2018 Wednesday
Gospel: John 17:11b-19 ”Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”(cf. Jn 17:17) In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to pray for us, theat we may be safe in the truth – the word of God the Father.
Truth would indeed set one free, but what is it that keeps others from living the truth? The answer is discontentment – the inability to fulfill one’s desires. Today’s Gospel calls us to preach to all the peoples, for us to fulfill their deepest thirst with the word of God. We can start our with our own lives and be a “living Bible” for them so when they encounter us they would know Jesus. Live out the word of God, live the truth. |
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