Be Glad

As we end the year 2013, the WORD (see  http://usccb.org/bible/readings/123113.cfm) reminds me to always be glad as we serve God. 

The psalmist says:

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice! 

The readings affirm that. The first reading assures us that as we do God's will and seek the truth, we have God's anointing. The gospel reminds us that we are serving a great and eternal, the one true God. 

Looking back at this year, there sure are a lot of challenges, but there are more blessings and instances we felt God's love, blessings, providence, protection and power in our lives - a real reason for us to be glad and rejoice. 

As we end the year, and as we prepare to start another year, to continue our journey of faith, may we always be glad and rejoice, for we know that God will always be with us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for this year. Thank you Lord for being with me every step of the way, in every challenge, every heartache, every victory - everything I experienced this year. May my faith and love for you continue to grow. And I thank you for I know you will continue to be with me as I start another year. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Love for Prayer

The WORD today (see  http://usccb.org/bible/readings/123013.cfm) inspires me to have a great love for prayer. 

In the gospel, we see Anna, after being widowed, spent her entire life in prayer. She never left the temple but worshipped and fasted day and night. So inspiring, and so challenging. She knew what is being said in the first reading:

Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever

She knew what mattered most. She spent her days loving and praying to God. So unlike people nowadays busy with a lot of things in the world that we tend to forget the essentials, the more important things in life. 

We do not need to give up our current life and live like Anna. We should just remember the essential things in life, and not get carried away with the busyness of life. May we be inspired and challenged by Anna's love for God and prayer. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for the reminder and inspiration. I am sorry for the times I get so busy with the things I need to do that I forget you. May I be wise like Anna, and have the same desire and love for prayer and for you as she does. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Holy Family

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122913.cfm) reminds me how important family is. 

The basic unit of society is the family. It is a unit that we know will always be there for us, that is why a lot if times it is taken for granted.

The fourth commandment, the first pertaining to human beings, tell us to honor our parents. In the first reading we see again how important respecting parents are. Aside from it being a commandment of God, doing it has a lot of primised rewards. Indeed, no matter how imperfect our parentsmay be, God wants us to honor, respect, serve and love them. 

The gospel shows us things we may not see our parents are doing. Probably Mary and Jesus were unaware of Joseph's dreams and decisions, but these were part of God's plans and were helpful in raising up Jesus. 

May we always see the importance if family and look at our parents always with high regards and love. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for the gift of family. Thank you for using my family to make me feel your love. I am sorry for the times I take my family for granted. I am sorry for the times I faied to treat my parents the way you want me to. I pray that you help me be a better person, and may I be able to show to my parents and my family how important they are and how much I love them.  Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Every Little Thing

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122813.cfm) 
reminds me that God honors even the littlest thing we do for Him. 

Today we celebrate the feast of the holy innocents. They were the babies asked to be killed by Herod in his attempt to kill the baby Jesus, the newborn king. There are some who say that these babies do not deserve to be called Martyrs. Although they did not do something bad, they also did not deliberately proclaim the kingdom and chose to die for it, unlike St Stephen whose feast we commemorated a few days ago, or other Martyrs. However, God, in his infinite wisdom and goodness, moved the church leaders to declare these children as Martyrs. Truly, God's ways are not our ways. 

God appreciates everything we do for Him. Be is big acts like the saints and martyrs who chose to die for the faith, or the small acts, like these babies who died as a consequence of Herod wanting Jesus dead. Truly, God rewards us, and sees our actions and our worth more than we see them. May this inspire us to continue loving and serving the Lord. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for seeing my efforts, especially the small and seemingly insignificant ones. May it inspire and motivate me to just continue doing things for you. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Share the Love

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122713.cfm) reminds me that true love is meant to be shared.

In the first reading we see John saying that their joy would only be complete if they would be able to share the good news to others, if they would be able to share God to others.

Knowing God is not for one's gain and appreciation only. Yes it brings joy, but sharing God to others would bring even greater joy. That is why we are called to share God to others too - to share our stories, our encounters and our faith with others.

Sharing the love, sharing Jesus, is not through preaching only. They say actions speak louder than words. When we do good and help others especially with what happened to our country, when we are constantly trying to do good and be honest even if majority are not, when we continue to be happy and peaceful despite all the challenges we encounter - then that's when we really share God. Why? because That's when people will wonder - what God is this person serving? Why is he so happy and peaceful? Why is she genuinely good? I want to be like him. I want to know his God.

May be inspired by St John, the disciple Jesus loved so much, and be moved to share God's love and kingdom not just with words, but by our actions, by our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you it's Friday! Thank you for the long weekend coming! Thank you for loving me, Lord. I pray that I have a heart like St John, who found great joy in sharing you to others. May I bring you to others not just with my words, but more importantly and more powerfully, with my life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Will you do too?

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122613.cfm) makes me think of how I would show God my appreciation, gratitude and love.

Holiday's over. Literally. Today, we again go back to work (except for those who are on leave), it's a regular working day again. Just like that, Christmas day is over. Yesterday we commemorated Christ being born for us, now God asks us how will we respond.

There is a reason why the day immediately after Christmas, after a joyous occasion, we commemorate the feast day of Stephen, the first martyr. Like what Jesus told Peter, James and John in the Transfiguration, he is telling us to get back to reality and the normalcy of life. Now, how will we respond to God's love, to God's goodness, to God's mercy?

Stephen died for his faith. He was not forced, he chose to. We do not need to be martyrs to show God we love him, we appreciate his coming to save us, and that we are grateful. We should, little by little, everyday, make decisions that would honor him, that would deny us of our personal wants and comforts, if it is not his will.

God wants us to get back to reality and live our faith. Will be we willing?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for bringing me back to reality. Thank you for all the gifts which you, the Celebrant, continue to give me. Lord I pray that i have faith like Stephen and I would be willing, and choose to live for you and die of myself for your glory, so that you may live in me, and through me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

CHRISTmas 2013

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

I haven’t given much attention to this song before. For me, it was just one of those normal Christmas songs that have been there for ages. However, when a good friend asked me what my favourite Christmas song is, and he said that this song is his favourite, I saw it in a different way. ‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. Ang lakas! This encapsulates Christmas. This is what God, through Jesus, did.

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122513-mass-at-midnight.cfm) tells us that it is finally here. After weeks of preparing and waiting for Jesus, we now commemorate his coming. For a child is born to us, a son is given us (Isaiah 9:6). Eto na yun. God’s immense love for us made concrete by his sending of his one and only Son to save us from our sins. He even allowed his Son to be born in a manger, with the animals, because he loves us.

Pasko na. We’ve been preparing and waiting for several weeks. How do you feel? Others may have been blessed by attending the “Misa De Gallo” or “Simbang Gabi” every 4AM for 9 consecutive days. Good for you. Others may have been blessed by helping out others who were struck by calamity – because it gave them an opportunity to serve, help out, and be Christ to others. Praise God. Others may have been blessed by reading His word, praying, and reflecting. That’s great. Pero paano yung iba? What about those who were so stressed preparing gifts, cooking food, arranging get-togethers,  that they did not realize it’s already Christmas? How about those who got so engrossed with the year-end responsibilities at work and deadlines for a january go-live that they forgot about Christmas? How about those who did their best, prepared spiritually for this, yet parang wala parin epekto, parang normal lang?

Good news! It’s never too late! Preparing does not end at Christmas Day. More important than preparing for Christmas, it should continue even after Christmas.

Jesus was born in a stable, probably a dirty one, together with animals. This shows external appearance is not so important to him. What’s important is the owners welcomed them. Are we welcoming him as well? IF you haven’t been preparing, ok lang, never too late. If kulang pa yung preparation, ok lang, never too late. If parang walang epekto, ok lang, never too late, dasal pa, sabi nga nya diba, If you seek me you’ll find me, if you seek me with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).

What is important to God is we welcome him, we allow Him to stay in us, no matter how unprepared, no matter how dirty, no matter how unworthy our heart is for Him. IF we allow him to stay, if we welcome him, if we allow him to do whatever he wants, he will use us mightily, and we would glorify God by it, our soul will feel its worth, because Christ sees us worthy.

Father God,

Thank you for this day. Thank you for coming into this world as a little child born in a stable in a little town of Bethlehem. Father, thank you for not being intimidating. Thank you for humbling yourself so we could relate to you. Thank you for your great love for us. Lord, my heart is not so clean. Madumi sya, madami pa kailangang ayusin, linisin. But Lord, however unworthy I am,  I ask, I beg you to come into my life, into my heart. Make the most out of it. Fill it with your love, that I may always realize how special I am to you. I ask that you grant me the grace to see myself the way you see me – beautiful, worthy of your love, capable of doing good. I ask that you continuously use me to do your work, and this CHRISTmas and always, may I always remember who this is for, who should come first, who my attention and focus should be. Amidst all the technological advancements and worldly distractions, may I never lose my focus on you, on the real essence of Christmas. Amen.

Let’s not forget the REASON for the SEASON!

Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!

In Christ,

-g-

Let Him

  

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122413.cfm) reminds me that we should continue to let God use us.

Acting like a Christian is not a once in a lifetime decision. It is an everyday, continuous decision. We have to constantly choose to follow God. We have to constantly allow God to change us, and to use us.

The readings show us people who continuously allow God to use them. In the first reading, we see David, a former shepherd who was used by God in many ways, and eventually was made a king of his people. In the gospel we see Zechariah’s canticle, his profession of faith and love. After doubting God and being silenced, he eventually gave praises to God with his words, with his life.

This Christmas season, may we continue to let God use us and change us. May we not stop preparing for him. may we continue to allow him to use us to help other people, especially the survivors of typhoon Yolanda. May we continue to obey the rules and be honest even if other people do not. may we continue to be generous and selfless even if other people are not. May we continue to confess and be at peace with God, ourselves and others, even if other people cannot. As we do so, God will continue to live through us, and we will be a representation of Jesus to others around us, and He will continue to be present in us and through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for all the love. Thank you for all the guidance and protection. Lord, I pray that you give me a heart that would continue to let you use me and mold me to be more like you. May I not stop preparing, even after Christmas. I pray that in my own little way, you would be able to use me and make me Jesus to others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Refined

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122313.cfm) reminds me that God continues to refine and improve us.

The first reading reminds me that God refines us, like a silver smith refines and purifies silver (see reflection refiner and purifier of silver). IT may be painful, and probably we feel that we will break and can’t take it anymore, but God reminds us that his eyes is fixed on us, that he is constantly watching over us as we go through these refinements, and he will not subject us to those we could not handle.

In the gospel we see someone experiencing purification. Zechariah became mute as his heart was full of disbelief. Now, when he believed and cooperated with God’s plan by naming his child John, his mouth was opened and he spoke of blessings to God.

God is not contented with our current state. He wants to constantly improve us. Purify us. Make us more and more like him.

This advent season, may we continue to cooperate with God, and allow him to cleanse and purify us, making us more and more like him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for loving me enough to not be contented where I am. thank you for your desire to continuously improve me. Thank you for always watching over me, especially as I am being purified. Lord, I am sorry for the times I complain, grumble, and feel that you are not with me as I experience these things. Give me a heart that would continue to trust in you, and would continue to allow myself to be subjected to your will, even if it causes pain, because I know that as you purify me, I will become more and more like you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/12/refiner-and-purifier-of-silver.html

Last Before Christmas

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122213.cfm) makes me think how my advent preparation is going, as we enter the last Sunday before Christmas.

For weeks, we have been preparing for Christmas, and how fast time flies, we are now on the last Sunday before Christmas, the fourth Sunday of advent. God has been telling us how we can prepare, now the question is, how are we responding to his messages?

The Psalmist reminds me – did I already let God enter my life, or am I still full of hatred, anger, unnecessary stress that bothers me? Do I let his joy, peace and love enter and stay in my life?

The gospel story is a familiar one, and again, do we respond positively to God’s message like St Joseph? Do we put things in the proper perspective? Am I making him the center of the celebration, the reason for the season? OR am I still busy buying and wrapping gifts, preparing for parties and get together, being annoyed by the traffic, that I forget the reason why we are celebrating Christmas in the first place?

It may be the last Sunday, but we still have time to really prepare. May we be willing.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for knowing me, for reaching out to me, for giving me a long time to prepare, for you know it will take time. Lord, help me make the most out of the preparation time you are giving me, and help me make this season a really meaningful one. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Sensitive

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122113.cfm) reminds me to ask myself if I am sensitive enough to God’s visitation in my life.

In the gospel we see Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth, and as soon as Mary greeted Elizabeth, both John (the baby in Elizabeth’s womb) and Elizabeth recognized Mary’s special presence. Unlike the people in the town of Jesus who rejected him because they knew where he came from (thus their lack of faith only enabled a few miracles), Elizabeth recognized God as he comes in familiar forms and people. She was able to look past her young cousin and see God at work in Mary, coming to visit her to serve her.

God visits us in familiar forms – through our family, relatives and friends. If we will not be able to look past these familiar people in our lives, we will not be able to see God visiting us, and hear God’s message of love for us.

May we be sensitive enough in the different ways God visits us, especially those we think are normal.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for visiting me in different ways. Thank you for always reaching out to me. Lord, I am sorry for the times I am not sensitive to you, times when I expect you to conform to the ways I want to be visited. May I always be sensitive Lord. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Let Him In

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122013.cfm) reminds me that only we have the power to let Jesus into our hearts and lives.

On Christmas, Jesus came not as a mighty and powerful king, but as a simple and helpless baby. He did not come with worldly power, forcing his kingdom upon us and coercing us to obey him. He showed us simplicity and humility when he chose to become man, and a helpless baby at that – even looking for a place to be born in this world, which he found in a manger.

God is all powerful and all mighty, and no one can stand against him. however, there is one thing he cannot do without our permission – to enter our lives, to enter our hearts. They say that the door of our heart is closed, with the handle inside, so it can only be opened from inside. We are the only one with the power to let God in to our lives. All his strength and might, love and light, are not enough to let him inside our hearts – if we won’t allow him.

This Christmas, may we remember that Christ is not looking for gifts. Yes, doing good and giving is well appreciated, but more than that, he is looking for a place to stay. He is knocking at our hearts. Question is, will we let him enter?

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Friday! Lord, I thank you for always being there with me and for never giving up on me especially when I do not seem to let you in to my life. Lord, I pray that this Christmas and always, may I be sensitive to you and let you enter my life and my heart. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Of Words and Thoughts

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121913.cfm) reminds me that God can tell the difference between our words and our hearts.

They say that we should be positive or be silent. If we won’t say good things, then we better just shut up - so we won't spread negativity, hurt or doubt. Probably this is what God was thinking when he silenced Zechariah.

In the gospel, we see the angel telling Zechariah that Elizabeth will bear a son in their old age. This was the same angel who told Mary she was to be the mother of God. In the surface, both their answers look similar. "How can this be since I have no relations with a man?" and "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." Both seemed similar, having doubts or questions. But Mary eventually submitted "let it be done to me according to your Word" while the angel saw Elijah's unbelief and silenced him.

God sees our hearts. He sees what we really mean. He sees beneath the words we speak. He sees if our I love you God is genuine. He sees if our I am sorry is sincere. May we always remember that, and may we be reminded that like what He did to Zechariah, words are powerful and if we won't talk about good and positive things, we are better to be silent.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you that it Christmas is near. Lord I pray that you always remind me that you want more than my sweet words, and that you see beneath my words. May everything I say and do give you glory and bring joy and peace to other people. May i learn how to control my tongue to what will come out of me is just positivity and godliness. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Obedience

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121813.cfm) reminds me that God visits us in different ways, it is just up to us if we will listen to Him or not.

God visits us in different ways. Really. Mary experienced it when the angel appeared to her. Special, right? But probably we can relate to Joseph more, who experienced God in a dream. However, both of them were told something, and both of them obeyed and responded yes.

How God visits us is not important. It may be through an angel, through a dream, or through people and circumstances around us. What matters more is his message - is he asking us to start doing something, to stop doing something, or change something in our lives? And how we respond to his message determines what effect his visitation has in our lives, will be obey or not? Will we let him change and improve us, or do we stick to what we want?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your visitation through your word. Thank you for your message. Lord, I pray that I always be sensitive to you and as i experience you visiting me and hear your message, may I always respond positively. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Roots

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121713.cfm), especially the gospel on Jesus' genealogy,  reminds me how important knowing one's roots is.

They say that knowledge is power. The more you know, the more powerful you can be. And knowledge of your roots can help you live in A different way - good or bad.

A normal person, after knowing he or she has royal blood, would begin to live differently. The royal blood in the person will sooner or later be manifested in the way one lives. Same is true with the knowledge that we are children of God, that there is royal blood in our veins. No more will we allow sin to run our lives, and will be confident that the enemy is powerless over us, as we allow God, the one true king, to be God in our lives.

May we always remember that we are children of God, the most high, and live confidently over the enemy.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your Word. Thank you for the reminder that I am from you, and that the devil and sin is powerless over me. May I always remember that as i strive to make you God in my life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Humility

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121613.cfm) reminds me how important humility is.

They say that humility is such a special virtue. The minute you think you have it, you've lost it. Looking at it deeper, kind of makes sense. You can't be proud that you're humble, or you can't put in your head that you're humble. It is something that naturally should just come out, else it might be false humility.

The psalmist shows us the favor God gives the humble

He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way

If we really want to know God more, if we want to know his ways, then we should be humble. Humble to submit to his will, humble to die of ourselves and our desires, and let him live in us!

The first reading shows us what happens when we are humble. God can use us mightily. The same way, the gospel shows us how God despises the proud - and they will never really know God is because they are so full of themselves.

This season of advent, may we be aware and strive to be humble before God, so that we will be able to know him more.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to be humble, and how much we will learn and know you more if we are humble. Lord I choose to die of myself, my desires, my wants, my concerns, so that you may live in me. I empty myself of worldly knowledge so You can give me heavenly wisdom. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Patiently Waiting

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121513.cfm) reminds me that as we should be patiently waiting as we prepare for Christ’s coming

The readings this advent generally talk about us preparing ourselves to receive God and for his coming, which we commemorate this Christmas. The first Sunday reminded me that we should prepare, the second Sunday reminded me of what we can do to prepare – to really repent and confess as we clean our hearts and lives for Him. now, I was reminded that we should be patient while we are waiting for Him.

The second reading tells us that as a farmer patiently waits for the seeds to bear fruit, so should be wait patiently for the coming of God. In the gospel we see John tirelessly working as he was preparing the way for and waiting for the coming of Christ. In the first reading we see what great things will happen when Christ comes.

We should learn how to wait.

Trees do not grow overnight. Flowers do not bloom in one hour. However, while we are waiting for trees to grow, and flowers to bloom, we should continue doing our best to take care of it. Water it. Give it nutrients, fertilizers, enough sunlight. We should do the best that we can while waiting for the right season for them to grow and bloom.

So it is with our faith. As we wait for Christ, we should continue loving Him, serving Him, doing good, praying, reading the bible. So that when he comes, we will truly be ready.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Sunday. How fast time fliesl Lord, it’s already the third Sunday. Lord , I pray that you help me really prepare for you this Christmas. May I be patient as I wait for you, and may I continue to love and serve you through others as I do so. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Different Preparation

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121413.cfm) tells me of a different way of preparing.

The first reading tells us of the story of Elijah – how he lived and was taken away by God. He lived his life preparing the way for God, to make the people turn back to God. In the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that just as it is written, Elijah came back again, in the person of John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Jesus.

Prepare.

How do we prepare? This advent season, things come to mind. clean the house – confess. Give gifts – help out others. Love others. Receive the sacraments. However, the psalmist gives us a different way of preparing, and in a way sums it up…

Turn to God.

To prepare for Him, we just need to turn to him. to return to him. to let him be God in our lives.

May we be ready and willing to prepare and turn to God this advent season and always.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for speaking to me again. Lord, as I prepare for Christmas, as I prepare for you this advent season, may I not forget to turn to you. May my life be surrendered to you, and as I turn to you and return to you, I know that it will be easier for you to consume me and enter me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Blessed

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121313.cfm) reminds me that God blesses the work of those who serve Him

Everyone wants to be successful. Regardless of what work you do, what field you enter, or what course you are studying, all want to succeed and be the best. And the readings today are inspiring.

If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea

And the psalmist continues

He is like a tree planted near running water, That yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade. Whatever he does, prospers.

However, I believe this does not mean that as we serve God we will be blessed and that our business will prosper or out careers will soar. Not necessarily. Yes, probably for some, especially if the profit they get from these clean business and careers help build God's kingdom. But God is more concerned about your soul than your career. Your soul, your salvation is more important to him. As we serve him, our goals will slowly change, and his kingdom will slowly become more important than our careers and business. Thus the prosperity and blessing we will get is not just financially, but more importantly, spiritually. Our work will prosper. Souls will be saved by God's name. People will know Him. God will be glorified. These are the prosperous works we will encounter, with even the littlest thing we do for Him.

May we be inspired to continue to work for God,  and know that he will bless and prosper even the smallest work done for Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for the blessings. Thank you for the reminders. Lord, I pray that you give me a heart that would always be willing to focus on you, and a body willing to get tired doing your work, for I know that as i do so, even the most simplest work will be blessed and prosper. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ready Mary

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121213.cfm) reminds me how ready mama Mary is.

I have friends who play the game 'clash of clans' and they tell me that they continuously train and improve their soldiers so anytime, they will be ready to either attack the enemy, or defend their camp from attacks.

Mama Mary is no soldier, but she is ready as well as we can see in the gospel readings. When Angel Gabriel told her she will be the mother of the Son of God, she said yes, without understanding what it will entail and take from her. She was ready to cooperate with God's plans, and submit herself to God. Then after, when she found out her cousin was pregnant, she was ready not only to travel, but to serve her as well. Nevermind if she had concerns of her own, she just went to serve Elizabeth.

God calls all of us in different ways. Some in big ways, some in smaller ways, but all important. However, not all of us are ready like Mary. We have a lot of excuses, concerns and reasons for saying no to God, for not doing his will, for not cooperating with his plans, and for not serving others.

May we be inspired by Mary to be ready to respond and to act. And while we are waiting, may we be like Mary. Like soldiers who train and prepare, let us also prepare by soaking ourselves in prayer, reading the bible, and receiving the sacraments... So when God calls us, we will be ready.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you again for Mama Mary. Thank you for using her to inspire me. Lord, I pray that like her, I become a faithful, humble and obedient servant. Give me a heart like her. Amen.

In Christ,

-g-

Hope in the Lord

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121113.cfm) reminds me that God rewards those who hope in him and serve Him.

It is not easy serving God. It is not a joke. People spend their time, resources and share their talents for God's work. It must be tiring, but the reading tells me why these people seem to be full of energy in doing God's work.

They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

Again we are reminded that God equips those who serve Him. He gives extra energy, extra strength and extra resources so people can continue serving Him.

In the gospel Jesus tells us that god will reward all who come to Him. Now we know it is true - be it in this world and the next.

Blessed day!

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me that you will equip me and take care of me as I serve you. Lord, I pray that I always trust in you because I know you will always be true to your word. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

No One Too Little

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/121013.cfm) reminds me that no one is too little or too insignificant that God will disregard him.

In the gospel, we are reminded that no one is too small or insignificant for Jesus. Like the shepherd, even if he has 99 with him, he will not think twice of going out to look for the one sheep that went missing and rejoices when the one is found. It is easier to just stay where he is and take care of the ninety nine sheep with him and hope the lost one will return, but he loves his sheep so much, every single one of them, that he will do what he can to make sure they are all with him.

God is like that with us. He wants each and everyone of us to be with him. to be safe. To be saved. That is why he goes out of his way to bring us back. He reaches to each and every one of us in a way only we can understand, in a way that we need. In the same way, he also wants us to do the same to others – to our fellow sheep who may be lost or wandering.

A shepherd, out of love, sometimes breaks a leg of the sheep. He does so because the nature of the sheep is to go out and wander (thus being lost is not surprising), however, it cannot defend itself from wolves or other animals that may attack. The sheep also cannot find its way home. That is why the shepherd sometimes break the leg of the sheep to prevent it from wandering, from being lost. It hurts, yes, but it is for his own good, protection, and out of love of the shepherd.

Sometimes we may feel that too. When we wander, when we seem to ignore God, we tend to get hurt. Not because God is punishing us, but because he loves us so much.

May we remember that we are precious in God’s eyes.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Tuesday. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for seeing me for more than I see myself. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for going out of your way to look for me, to save me. Lord, I pray that I may always be obedient and make you my shepherd, my king. Amen..

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-