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.
12/29/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 29, 2018December 29, 2018 – Saturday
Gospel: Luke 2:22-35“Now O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen my salvation....” Simeon, a very upright and devout man, and touched by the Holy Spirit, was led to the Temple when Mary and Joseph brought Baby Jesus for purification according to Law. Simeon immediately took Him in his arms and declared these words. In our own way, do we offer ourselves each day to the Lord, each task, each decision, child, and project? Do we make Him first in our bucket list? Have we felt His joy in our hearts ? Have we realized the freedom that He is speaking of? Have we committed to creating a just and humane society? Let us pray for a better world by doing ordinary things extraordinarily.
12/28/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 28, 2018December 28, 2018 – Friday
Gospel:Matthew 2:13-18 “I called my son out of Egypt.” What a sad story immediately after Christmas. Herod so fearful of the new King, ordered the slaughter of all male infants in the region. An angel told Joseph to leave Bethlehem immediately and flee to Egypt. Today in this feast of the Holy Innocents, let us look at the children who are without homes, no food, no clothes, who face a bleak future, with no education. Let us bring the light of the Lord to them, bring joy and hope to them, and teach them to dream again. St. Paul says, “Comfort one another.” Let us never hesitate to reach out to those in need.
12/25/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 25, 2018December 25, 2018 – Tuesday
Gospel: John 1:1-18 “In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God.....” “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Christmas brings us visibly and closely to God here on earth to be among us. He became human to be with us, for us to follow his footsteps, listen to His teachings, to share our joys and sorrows, to be in solidarity with us. Christmas is a celebration of who God is in our lives, to see His Divinity in us. We see a Baby born poor, in such humble surroundings, and it teaches us to be happy because he brings light in the darkness of night...Our Savior is born...We have hope.
12/24/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 24, 2018December 24 – 30, 2018
December 24, 2018 – Monday Gospel: Luke 1:67-79 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people.” Our waiting (Advent) is almost done, like Zechariah let us also expresses thanks to God for the redemption of his people, thanks for the fulfillment of past promises, and thanks for the anticipation of future promises. Let us also can never forego with being persistent and patient in our daily prayers. Let us look to St. Joseph whose patience and humility we should imitate, and Mama Mary for her constant prayer in everything that she does.
12/23/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 23, 2018December 23, 2018 Sunday
Gospel: Lk 1: 39-45 Leap with joy! In this final Sunday of Advent, Mary traveled to Elizabeth carrying with her the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby in her womb leaped for joy! As we receive the fullness of joy in knowing that the savior is coming, let us also receive the peace that Jesus offers in our lives. Why not spread the joy of the good news and share the peace to others? It is the true spirit of Christmas inspired by Mary’s attitude and action. Mother Mary, we pray to be like you, a model of simplicity and true contentment in celebrating Christmas.
12/22/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 22, 2018December 22, 2018 - Saturday
Gospel: Lk 1: 46-56 Let our spirit rejoice! Today, our Mother is singing: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior”. As we pray and sing, we pray to embody Mary’s attitude of rejoicing in this time and stage of our lives. May our spirits rejoice and be enlivened by God’s act of self-giving. We ask the special intercession of Mother Mary to continue to pray for us, to be a source of joy and happiness especially to the less fortunate ones, that they may also feel and receive the good news this Christmas.
12/21/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 21, 2018December 21, 2018 - Friday
Gospel: Lk 1: 39-45 Rejoice with gladness! Even before Mary could announce the good news, Elizabeth rejoiced with gladness already just with Mary’s coming to her home. Let us be like Elizabeth and Mary who are conscious and always find moments in our lives to rejoice with gladness for the coming of the messiah. Today, we pray to seek and find the reason of our rejoicing, to be rooted and connected with God in prayer as we receive the coming of the birth of Jesus, our savior. Mother Mary, help us to be conscious of this desire to be connected to the Father.
12/20/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 20, 2018December 20, 2018 - Thursday
Gospel: Lk 1:26-38 You have found favor with God! When angel Gabriel came to Mary in the annunciation, Mary was young and not aware of the depth and weight of carrying the Messiah in her womb. She was afraid, yet she found consolation with the words, “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God”. In times when we receive news that surprise or question our capacity, God’s favor reigns. His favor is clear and is easily received by us. With our Mother, let us offer our current challenges and mission to God trusting in His providence and grace.
12/19/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 19, 2018December 19, 2018 - Wednesday
Gospel: Lk 1: 5-25 Believe in the good news! Our gospel today is about Zechariah’s disbelief in the good news that the angel has brought to him. Zechariah prayed so hard for the good news to happen, but he did not believe it at first. Are we also like him? Do we feel undeserving or unworthy of the blessings that we receive from the Lord? Today, we are invited to believe in the good news that God will bring into our lives. Let us not be trapped with the past and negative things we have experienced. Mary, help us to be hopeful and positive just like you when you receive the good news of the Lord.
12/18/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 18, 2018December 18, 2018 - Tuesday
Gospel: Mt: 1: 18-25 Emmanuel, God is with us! The situation presented in the gospel must have been difficult for Joseph since he loved Mary so much. The words “Emmanuel” which means “God is with us!” must have made Joseph braver and obedient to God’s will. Like Joseph, we are invited to brave our own battles and be obedient to God’s will because God is always with us every step of the way. |
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