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.
4/2/2021
Daily Guidelines: April 2, 2021Good Friday, April 2
John 19 It is finished One of my favorite movies is the Lord of the Rings. It never ceases to amaze me at the long journey that the hero Frodo Baggins had to undertake in order to fulfill his quest. In the book, it says his journey took almost an entire year, walking a very long way and facing many dangers. Today is the culmination of an even longer journey. God our Father had set the stage for thousands of years, through generation after generation. And our Lord's death on the cross and his coming resurrection are the grand finale of a plan God has set in motion out of love for all of us. What mission has been entrusted to us today? No matter how long the struggle has been, let us take our inspiration from Jesus Himself who declared that his mission, is at long last finished. We thank you God our Father, Jesus our Brother, for carrying out our salvation to the finish! #PrayVD
4/1/2021
Daily Guidelines: April 1, 2021Holy Thursday, April 1
John 13:1-15 He loves us unto the end A young Jesuit named Richie Fernando was teaching high school students in Cambodia when a crazed young man pulled out a hand grenade. Without any hesitation, Brother Richie sacrificed his life to save his students. We may not need to give our lives in the same way, yet we are called to love the same way. No matter how long the struggle or how difficult the challenge, God invites us today to love those He has called us to love, and to love them until the very end. As we reflect today on the words of our Lord in the Last Supper, let us remember how He has loved us all every day of our lives and until the very end of it. Lord, we thank you for the power of your never failing, never wavering love! #PrayVD
3/31/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 31, 2021Wednesday, March 31
Matt 26:14-25 Is it I, Lord? It seems surprising for the disciples other than Judas to ask "Is it I, Lord?" They each knew full well there was no intention of any of them to betray Him. Yet there was revealed in their question, perhaps a doubt in their own capacity to follow Jesus at any cost. Perhaps it was a sincere acknowledgment of their weakness. In our own way, we should have this same humility to acknowledge that we are not always faithful followers of Jesus, that we are afraid to carry the cross like Him. Let us ask Him today the same question but with the intent to ask Him to strengthen us in our weakness. #PrayVD
3/30/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 30, 2021Tuesday, March 30
Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him What is the glory in suffering? What joy is to be found in carrying the cross? Our Lord today speaks to his disciples for the last time before his passion and he tells them the strangest thing: God will be glorified in the cross! Not because of sin and suffering, but because behind that is a love that embraces these for the sake of others. It is love that reveals the full glory of God! Like our Lord, let us glorify God in the struggles of our lives, knowing we are participating in his saving mission. #PrayVD
3/29/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 29, 2021Monday, March 29
Jn 12:1-11 Let her keep it for the day of my burial As Holy Week fast approaches, the Lord Jesus looks ahead to the fulfillment of his mission. But he knows it means much suffering and death and so he prepares himself for it. Can we be like Jesus in facing our own crosses? They can be heavy to lift and full of pain. Still, the Lord sets an example for us. Do not be afraid of the cross. Instead prepare for it with courage and love. Lord, please help us to always be prepared to suffer for the sake of love. #PrayVD
3/28/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 28, 2021March 28, 2021 – Palm Sunday
Gospel: Mark 11:1-10 “Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!” What a way to welcome the Lord into our hearts! But in a matter of 5 days, the cries become “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Why the sudden change in the people’s shouting? Turning our backs on Jesus so soon!? So easily surrendering to sin, and discouragement?!. When we sin, do we turn back with speed to the Lord, full of sorrow and repentamce? We know we are human and with so many temptations in our midst each minute of the day, if we are not vigilant, we succumb to such temptations. The Lord knows what’s in our hearts, but let’s not be too lax, knowing He will easily forgive us. Today marks the beginning of the most sacred week of the year. A week to try to grow in holiness. A week to truly have a change of heart and allow ourselves to be totally loved by God through Christ.
3/27/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 27, 2021March 27, 2021 – Saturday
Gospel: John 11:45-56 “This man is performing many signs. One man must die instead of killing a whole nation.” The Jews were afraid of all the signs Jesus was performing. And unfortunately, from that day on, they started to plan to kill Christ. How are we? Do we also see signs that show we or others are also consciously or unconsciosly killing Christ in us, in the other? What can we do? What can you do you may ask... how about we counter it by willingly laying down our life for the God, for humanity. Lord, we will die for you each day, each time we give up on anger, holding back our tongues (not grudgingly) on someone who hurt us, offering our pain for a sick person. Mama Mary, we look up to you for patience and humility.
3/26/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 26, 2021March 26, 2021 – Friday
Gospel: John 10:31-42 “.....believe the works, so that you may realize the Father is in Me and I in the Father. “ During those times when people were skeptical about Jesus being the Son of God, they kept looking for signs or proof of how that can be possible. They needed to see proof, and despite the cases of healing He did, they still were doubtful of Him, saying He blasphemed and was from the devil. How are we today in our state of our faith? Do we also require signs that He will heal us and provide solutions to our problems? Do we believe that although we have not seen, we still believe? Lord, teach us and give us strength to see beyond our trials, to see the hope beyond the desperation, see your suffering in our suffering, and deepen our faith while waiting/ praying for our pleas.
3/25/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 25, 2021March 25, 2021 – Thursday
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 “ Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your Word.” On this feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, we give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. The Word became flesh through Mary. And for this reason, in the Verbum Dei, we also celebrate today as our feast. For as Mary gives her yes, the incarnation of the Son of God began. May you who are nourished through the Verbum Dei charism also find a moment today to celebrate this gift that we can help each other and many others know God through his Words. United with Mary’s yes, we give thanks to God for all the ways his words have given us life and love. And in a special way we pray for the consecrated people renewing their yes, their vows to the Holy Trinity in this day. Mother Mary, we give you thanks.
3/24/2021
Daily Guidelines: March 24, 2021March 24, 2021 - Wednesday
Gospel: John 8:31-42 “ I did not come on my own, but he sent me.” Again Jesus reminds us that He and God the Father are One, what He says comes from the Father. The Jews at that time considered Abraham as their father, so when Jesus spoke of His Father, they thought He was referring to Abraham. He had to emphasize that he came from Yahweh,God the Father. To us,, it is very clear then when Jesus speaks , what He says comes from God the Father. Therefore if you love Him, you should love and believe Jesus too. Jesus here talks also about slavery to sin, our worldly sins of materialism, etc. Which are of no importance to God the Father. He reminds us not to be slaves to sin, giving in to too much comfort, gadgets, cars etc. We learn to detach ourselves from such things, and not be enslaved by these. |
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August 2021
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