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.
11/14/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 14, 2019November 14, 2019 Thursday
Lk 17: 20-25 “The Kingdom of God is among you” When Jesus tells “The Kingdom of God is among you” it means so much. We expect the Kingdom of God to be perfect, full of love, no sadness, no pain, etc. Each one of us has the Kingdom of God in our hearts – God’s presence in our lives. For this we are capable of bringing the goodness and love to others. We are capable to bring joy, consolation, hope and love to others. Our world of today has difficulty to realize that the Kingdom of God is among us, Jesus has come already and He is within us. Why many people are hopeless and unbelieving? Why many feel that there’s a big hole in their lives and even many think that love doesn’t exist? We are called to bring the good news that God is already in our midst, we are to share his living presence to everyone. Mama Mary, guide us as we announce the good news of the Kingdom of God to others, as you first received it and shared it to all through your life as a constant Magnifcat. #PrayVD
11/13/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 13, 2019November 13, Wednesday
Gospel: Lk 17:11-19 “God is good, all the time” Jesus met the ten lepers who stood at a distance, they cried out to Him to have pity on them. Jesus told them to go to the priests and as they went, one of them realized that he has been healed and came back praising God. With whom do you identify yourself? Maybe sometimes you maybe like the other nine lepers who haven’t realized yet the goodness God has done to you. Maybe you are like the healed leper, how have you expressed your gratitude to him? This gospel reminds us of God’s goodness and mercy who heals all our “leprosy”. God loves us so much and He embraces us in our “worst.” Holy Spirit, may you open our eyes to see the healing touch of God towards our lives. May you teach us how to lead others so that they may also have faith in Jesus and cry out help to him with confidence. #PrayVD
11/12/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 12, 2019November 12, 2019
Gospel: Lk 17:7-10 “Humble Servant” When we read today’s reading, it talks about a master-servant relationship. The Gospel today tells us the role of a servant who works for his master. The master will not invite the servant to eat with him but to serve him first then wait for him before he could eat. It seems like this is unjust but the parable reminds us that we are called to be his humble servant who knows our place and our role. As followers of Christ, we are called to humbly serve Him with all our God-given talents and capacities. We cannot boast of anything in front of God, for everything we have comes from him. When we live our mission out of love with a humble heart - sharing the Word of God and generously giving ourselves to others, we receive our true recompense from Him. Mama Mary, our Mother most humble, teach us to be humble of heart, to serve and give love to others. #PrayVD
11/11/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 11, 2019November 11, 2019 – Monday
Gospel: Lk 17:1-6 “Jesus teaches us forgiveness” In the gospel, Jesus is telling us about the danger of unforgiveness. The sin of unforgiveness brings death to us. Sometimes it is very hard for us to forgive because maybe the sin that the person committed against us seems unforgivable.Our hearts may be tired already of forgiving over and over again someone who had hurt us or caused us pain. The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith so that they may be able forgive with an unconditional love - seven times over! Jesus said that when we have faith even so little, we can uproot a mulberry tree and plant it to the sea – we can do the impossible! A little faith can uproot sin and can destroy death. The little faith that we have can enable us to forgive and welcome the other as our brother or sister unconditionally. Lord, increase our faith. May you guide our journey of faith and teach our hearts to be more forgiving. #PrayVD
11/10/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 10, 2019November 10, 2019 Sunday
Gospel: Luke 20:27–38 Live, here and now! We profess our belief in the Resurrection every Sunday in the creed. We hope and desire to experience this Resurrection and live forever with God in eternal glory. But is our faith in the Resurrection confined only in the life after death? Every day we face different types of death – physical, emotional, spiritual, social, etc. Resurrection means experiencing the power of Jesus to change difficult situations in our lives into glorious beginnings. We don't have to wait until we die to share in the risen life and risen power of Jesus. We can live it and share it in the here and now. #PrayVD
11/9/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 9, 2019November 9, 2019 Saturday
Gospel: John 2:13–22 We are God's temple. In the Gospel today, Jesus shows the zeal he has for our life, for we are God’s temple. God wants to dwell within us but oftentimes He is unable to do so because we have made our hearts a place for sin, a place for greed and selfishness, a home for our material and worldly desires. Jesus invites us today to identify the areas in our lives that are not living according to the truth of the Gospel. Let us ask for forgiveness to the Lord for those times when we make our hearts a marketplace preoccupied with a lot of worldly things leaving no place and space for Him to dwell. Lord, cleanse my heart with your love and mercy. #PrayVD
11/8/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 8, 2019November 8, 2019 Friday
Gospel: Luke 16:1–8 The world and all its riches will pass away. We often take steps to secure our earthly possessions, but how often do we take steps to secure our eternal life? We are all called to holiness. Sometimes it is easy for us to become so caught up with many things that we forget what is most essential in life - that which can never be taken away from us. The dishonest steward took steps to secure a good place in this world. However, the world and all its riches, as we know them, will all pass away. Today's Gospel invites us to secure a good place for ourselves not in this temporary world. Each day is a new opportunity to share Christ’s love with others. Let us ensure that we, together with our brothers and sisters, would gain eternal life. #PrayVD
11/7/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 7, 2019November 7, 2019 Thursday
Gospel: Luke 15:1–10 The value of what was lost We would only know the value of something when it is lost. But maybe for us one lost sheep over ninety-nine is of no worth and a single coin has no great value. But this doesn’t hold true for the shepherd and the woman in today's parable. By using these parables, Jesus shows us our true worth and value as individuals in the sight of God. For him we are not mere numbers but a “person” - unique and precious. Today's Gospel is a reminder for us how important we really are for God. We are special and of supreme value in His eyes. God’s mercy does not sweep away the sinners and the lost from His presence. #PrayVD
11/6/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 Wednesday
Gospel: Luke 14:25–33 Jesus first In today's Gospel, Jesus is telling us to fully commit our lives to follow Him by choosing Him FIRST, above anyone or anything else. To follow Jesus as his disciples demands a total commitment and an undivided heart to live by the Gospel teachings. Are we willing to surrender our old ways, values, preferences in order to choose to love him above all? Jesus invites us today to follow Him unconditionally and unreservedly by putting Him first in our lives. Let us examine our life and ask ourselves, am I following Jesus by living the truth of the Gospel and to do His ways? Let us ask Mother Mary to teach us to commit our lives to Jesus and to choose Him always first above all else. Amen. #PrayVD
11/5/2019
Daily Guidelines: November 5, 2019November 5, 2019 Tuesday
Gospel: Luke 14:15–24 "Come, for everything is ready now" (cf. Luke 14:17) In today's Gospel, Jesus was referring to the many individuals who refused to listen to His invitation to come and dine with Him. What are our reasons or excuses for not having time to pray or to hear mass? Is it time limit, traffic, tiredness, busy schedule? “Come”, all is prepared for you, all is ready now. Today, Jesus is inviting us to His house wanting to eat with us, to talk with us and to make us feel loved. How would you respond to Jesus’ invitation? Will you also make excuses or will you joyfully accept His invitation and enjoy a moment with Him? A wonderful gift and opportunity are given to us today. Don’t miss out this special invitation! #PrayVD |
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