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.
2/13/2020
Daily Guidelines: February 13, 2020Thursday, Feb 13
Mk 7:24-30 She begged Him to cast the demon out of her Have you been in desperate situations? When you are helpless and feel there is no solution to your problem? The Greek mother in the gospel today was in a similar situation. Reaching out to Jesus was her only solution and so she reached out with faith and boldness. Unlike her, we don’t fear that Jesus would turn us away but there are other kinds of fear. Perhaps the fear that He will not help us. Today He asks us to trust Him and call out to Him in our need and suffering. Lord, help us in all our problems and worries. We put all our hope and trust in You! #PrayVD
2/12/2020
Daily Guidelines: February 12, 2020Wednesday, February 12
Mk 7:14-23 These evil things come from within and they defile a man In Filipino we say “Nakasanayan na” when we see a person engaged over and over again in a bad habit. Bad habits begin deep inside us, in how we think, how we reason out. Bad habits are just our bad thoughts and attitudes turned into action. That is what Jesus is warning us today. Be careful and keep watch over our thoughts and desires. Let us make it a habit to examine and reflect in prayer so that we take hold of ourselves and be led towards the more loving way of Christ. Lord, keep us from evil thoughts and desires that we may not be hurtful of ourselves and others. #PrayVD
2/11/2020
Daily Guidelines: February 11, 2020Tuesday, February 11
Mk 7:1-13 You leave the commandment of God and hold to tradition! It is easy to fall into the trap of being self-righteous, thinking that we know the Word of God just because we study it every day or because we hold fast to our daily rituals. Indeed those are very important because they are meant to help us love and be compassionate towards others. But if these make us proud, preachy and judgmental, then we become like the Pharisees who are always quick to point out the faults of others. Let us remember always why God gave us His word and the rituals and sacraments of the Church — that we honor Him by loving others. Lord, grant us hearts and minds to understand your commandments and hands to put them into action! #PrayVD
2/10/2020
Daily Guidelines: February 10, 2020Monday, February 10
Mk 6:53-56 Those who touched his garment were made well Whether it is physical illness, emotional pain, broken relationships or addiction, all of us need healing. In the Gospel, Jesus healed the sick in Gennesaret. They came and reached out to Him and they were made well. Whatever our pain is, let us reach out to Him and ask His blessing on our ailments with expectant faith. Many times, the healing could take long. Nevertheless, He is with us in our suffering and His presence gives us relief. Lord, thank You for being with us through our difficulties. Please heal us and make us whole again. #PrayVD Feb 09, 2020 – Sunday
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth....Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father.” What does Salt do? It gives flavor to food and preserves it. It also represents Divine wisdom. So applying this concept to us being a salt in this world, we give deeper meaning to our values. At the same time, one becomes the light since you show the way out of darkness for others. Thus when one does not bring his being the salt and the light from the inside self to his office, his community, and society, he loses flavor. There must be oneness in our being Christ-like in and out of ourself: honest at home, at work and in all transactions. We are cheerful, treat others with respect, considerate, compassionate. Our behavior will show what we are inside and others will see that. Let us follow Mama Mary the way she carries herself, in all her trials, she was dignified and faithful to the Lord despite her trials; let us be children of the light. Feb 08, 2020 – Saturday
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34 “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.” Jesus got tired too, so he understood when the apostles were tired after a long journey, after a mission. So he tells them to rest....It is our duty to rest too, relieve our weariness with sleep, have a lazy day, or do less strenuous tasks. Enjoy nature, go walking, admire God’s creations. Being tired can make us aware we are human, being weak can make us humble, see that we are not invincible, or superhuman doing everything others cannot do. It also gives us time to reflect , to be with others, engage in productive conversation, paint, or read. We need that break to ensure that we don’t burn out. We need to rejuvenate our bodies and spirits or time to re-calibrate our goals. It’s okay to do nothing at all sometimes, make the mind go blank. It’s perfectly alright. February 7, 2020 – Friday
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 “When he heard him speak, he was perplexed but like to listen to him.” This is about the beheading of St. John the Baptist by Herod upon the daughter’s request. What was it about St John that his popularity was second to Jesus. He was that courageous man who stood his ground speaking to Herod on his adulterous life. He didn’t keep quiet and just give up talking to a powerful king. Are we ready to give up our life in the same manner as John for Christ? St. John’s life was so simple that everybody was able to understand his message, at the same time was a sign who open the way for Jesus. Somehow we are being called to live in such a simple manner too. All we need to do is do good without wavering, and avoid sin; to be faithful in the little things, and living detachment of what not allow us to live in the truth. Courage and fortitude are ingredients for heroism, do we have these? Let’s pray that we may be strengthened to have these simplicity of life that make St. John of Baptist a witness of the truth. #PrayVD Feb 06, 2020 – Thursday
Gospel: Mark 6:7-13 “So they went off and preached repentance. The twelve drove out demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” I personally experienced how the Anointing of the Sick, which was originally the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, became such a spiritual and morale booster, attitude-changing, for some loved ones who felt helpless, lost and anxiously waiting in bed for whatever outcome. I saw the glow in their eyes, the spirit lifting, energized, anxiously waiting for the Priest to arrive, take her/his confession, and receive the Holy Eucharist. It’s just very moving that it has become my goal each time I hear of someone who is ill, I offer to bring a priest to them. It was all I could do for them. I’m so glad the Church has changed the concept – it is not a deathbed sacrament, but is now a sacrament for the living, of repentance and reconciliation. Thank you, Lord, for giving us this Sacrament. Feb 05, 2020 – Wednesday
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6 “Is He not the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, John, Judas and Simon?” Dignity of labor is greatly implied here. Jesus became man, to be an ordinary working man, in the village, they were identified by their trade: fix houses, furniture, farm instruments. Thus people from his village “took offense of Him”, did not look kindly at a carpenter’s son, who was speaking with so much wisdom and authority. Let us look at how Jesus and Joseph saw their work, they probably became masters of their trade. Even if we do a lowly job, do we attach the definition of who we are to it? Is there joy in our hearts when we work?Look forward to each day of work? Strive for excellence, always aspiring to do better? Let not our work define us or define our identity. We are children of God, we are defined by God’s plan. Dear Lord, guide us in our aspiration to work well and offer each day to You. Feb 04, 2020 – Tuesday
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43 “If I touch even his garment, I shall be well.” This is the story of the woman who has been bleeding for 12 years and has lost all hope until she hears Jesus is nearby, touches the hem of his garment and pleads for mercy. Such faith! Jesus felt the power come out of Him and asks, Who touched Me? How often do we call on Him to help us? We can approach Him each day through the Holy Eucharist. Do we spend time to be with Him, listening to His words, and feeling Him in our hearts? When we tug at His heart (“I perceive the power gone out of Me. – Luke 8:46), He is moved with pity. Let us ask Our Lady to help us be humble, and devoted like her, and learn to call on Jesus for all matters, big or small. |
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August 2021
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