WORD

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022814.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to honor our word.

An excerpt of the first reading says

let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,” that you may not incur condemnation

God wants us to honor our word. To be true to our word. Talk is cheap so he wants us to back it up with actions. He wants our words to be consistent with our actions - in our worldly life and our spiritual life.

When we give our word, when we say something, God wants us to mean it, to do our best to keep it, to honor it, and to stick to it. In worldly life this is important, but more so in spiritual life. When we say we love God and we want to follow him, we should be ready to live it. God expects us to live it - that we be willing to die of ourselves and our selfish desires, and allow God to live through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend coming up. Lord i thank you for reminding me how important to you my word is. May I always do my best to honor it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Poor in Spirit

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022714.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be poor in spirit.

The readings today continue the theme of Tuesday - being childlike, and yesterday – not being arrogant towards God. Today we see that God wants us to be poor in spirit.

Being poor in spirit does not necessarily mean lacking, but more of dependence on God. Why should be we dependent on God? Well, it is wise to do so. In the first reading, we see that all the worldly fame, power and riches fade away. Clothes will be destroyed, gold and silver will corrode, power will fade. All these things, though enjoyable in the world, is very temporary, yet it has the power to affect people permanently. These temporary things of the world can determine where we will spend eternity in.

In the gospel, we see that Jesus wants us to be detached from material things, from things that make us temporarily happy but lead us into sin. We should be poor in spirit and depend on God to free us from these things, and should find comfort in God, not on these things.

We are all living In the world, but we are asked not to live of the world. May we always be cautious as we live our lives, and not forget that this is just a temporary place for us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for the reminder that you want me to always be poor, to always be dependent on you. I am sorry for the times I enjoy the world too much that I forget you. I pray that my heart would always find joy, peace and satisfaction in you, amidst everything that the world offers me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Arrogance

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022614.cfm) reminds me that we should be cautious not to be arrogant before God.

Yesterday, we see that God wants us to be childlike. Today, it further emphasizes it. All of us have plans for our lives. Some carefully plot out their schedules, their career track, and even their personal and family lives. We have goals we want to achieve and reach by a certain time or age. Some do their best to stick to their plans and schedules, making sure that every decision and action go according to plan and will contribute to their end goal. However, we are reminded today that no matter how well, beautiful and organized our plans may be, God’s plan supersedes ours.

We are creatures of God, and sometimes we forget that. We get so  caught up with fame, power and success that we think we can have everything we put our minds into. We get arrogant with God and put him in the backseat, feeling that with what we have and with our great plan, we can conquer the world. Probably in some aspects, yes. But it is God who knows what will happen to us, and it is only he who knows when to call us back – with which all our worldly plans and goals will be discontinued.

God has great things in store for us. He loves us. And we should do the best we can to be successful and to achieve greatness for Him. However, we should not forget him. we should always include him in the planning process. We should be open to his plans for us, especially when his does not coincide with ours. We should learn to be humble and submit to his, because ultimately, it is his plans that will be implemented, and because with one blink of an eye, he can call us back, and all our plans are gone forever.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live and work. Lord, I am sorry for being caught up in the world. Sorry for the times I plan on my own, and I plan for myself. Sorry for not including you in the planning process, and in my plans. Lord, give me a humble heart. May I not be arrogant and may I always remember who am I and who you are. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Childlike

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022514.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be childlike.

Most of the time, we want things to be in order. When we have a project or a big task, we want things to always go according to schedule, according to plan. We want things to be smooth, and we do our best to keep it that way – that things be on track. However, it does not happen all the time. Things do not always go as planned, no matter how badly we want it to be, no matter how hard we try. This is when God wants us to be childlike and just rely on him.

We cannot control a lot of things in the world. However what we can control is how we react to it. They say all the water in the world cannot sink a ship, unless it gets inside of it. In the same way, all the stress, pressure and challenges cannot bring us down if we do not let it in. how do we prevent it from weighing us down? We should be childlike. We should be trusting and dependent on God. We should have full faith in God.

In the gospel, we see Jesus telling us that he wants us to be childlike. The first reading complements it, when we see that God wants us to humble ourselves before God. He wants us to submit to him. Things may not always go according to our plan, but God wants to tell us that it will always go according to his. so we just have to be like a child, trusting in his Father – knowing that his Father only has the best for him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to experience your love. Lord, I pray that I have a heart like a child. I pray that I have faith like a child. A lot of times things does not go the way I want it to, but I know that it is always according to the way you want it to, so I just put my faith and trust in you and your great plans for me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/05/dont-you-worry-child.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/are-you-childlike.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/12/be-child.html

Faith and Unbelief

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022414.cfm) reminds me that God honours our faith, no matter how little it may be.

Sharing an excerpt from the gospel:

“But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” Jesus said to him, “If you can! Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

In life, there are times we feel the same way. Sometimes we are pushed against the wall and feel we cannot do anything anymore. We sometimes let the obvious overwhelm us, and we feel that even God cannot do anything about the situation. However, today’s conversation is a very inspiring one.

God reminds us that everything is possible to one who has faith. Everything. Healing. Happiness. Forgiveness. Peace. Freedom. Love. No situation is too serious and hopeless that God’s power cannot overcome it. Everything is possible, even if the world or logic tells us no.

Good news! God has faith in us. Yes, he does. In the gospel, we see that the father had little faith. However, God has faith in us! His faith makes our little faith strong. His faith enables our faith to be powerful and effective. It is his faith in us that complements our little faith. He honours our little faith – that enables big miracles to happen.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another week. Thank you for another opportunity to love and serve you. thank you for another opportunity to use and grow my faith. Lord, I thank you for having faith in me, and for honouring my little faith. Thank you for being patient and loving. I pray that you help me increase my faith in you. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/11/he-has-faith-in-us.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/10/of-faith-and-perspective.html

Perfect Love

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022314.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be like him, to love like him.

Sharing an excerpt of the gospel:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

…

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

…

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect”

It is easy to love those who love us. IT is easy to give to our family, our friends, and to that special someone who treats us good. It is easy to do that, even for sinners. Even the criminals and corrupt public officials do that. They love their family and those who do good to them. However, God expects more from us. God expects us to love others, especially those unlovable – the annoying person in the office, the person who spreads rumours about you, the corrupt person who steals money that could have gone to good projects for the poor. God wants us to love them, just as he loves them.

Love is not an investment.

You don’t love a person in the hopes of receiving back that love. You don’t help a person hoping that in the future the person will help you too. That’s investment, not love. Loving like God is loving with no strings attached, not expecting anything in return, just loving and helping others out of our love for God, as our way of loving and serving God.

May we be challenged and inspired by how God wants us to love – perfectly.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings you continue to give me. I don’t deserve all these, Lord, and I thank you for continuing to bless me nonetheless. Lord, I am sorry for the times I treat love and service as an investment. Sorry for loving only those lovable, those easy to love, those who I know will love me back. Sorry for serving others in the hope of one day getting that service back when I need it. Lord, I pray that you help me love like you do. may I love perfectly, without wanting anything back in return. To just love because I love you, and I want to share that love to others. May my heart be like yours. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Filled to Give

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022214.cfm) reminds me that God continues to fill us so that we can continue give back to others.

The gospel tells us the story of transfiguration. How amazing Peter, James and John must have felt. So great that they were speechless and wanted to just stay there. Imagine, Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus! Big names!

We all have transfiguration moments.  Probably for most of us, it was during a retreat or a religious activity wherein we felt very close to God, we feel God’s love and power in our lives, in a personal and intimate way. Probably for others these moments come in miracles like healing from sickness, undeserved blessings and graces, calmness, peace and strength amidst problems, and freedom from sin or bad habits – moments when we feel God’s love for us, that we know it is only by his grace and power that we experience these things. However, God does not want us to just focus on these things.

Jesus asked his disciples to come down the mountain and back to their regular lives. Back to doing God’s work – healing the sick, driving out demons, and proclaiming God’s kingdom and message, In the same way, our transfiguration moments are not the end or reward, rather, they should serve as nourishment and inspiration for us to continue to do good, to work harder to proclaim God’s kingdom on earth.

May we be willing to continue to serve God as he continues to nourish us and reveal himself to us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Saturday! Thank you for reminding me how much you take care of me. Lord, I thank you for the transfiguration moments in my life. Thank you for making your love more alive in my life. As I continue to experience these, I promise to continue working for you, as long as you want me to. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/transfiguration-2013.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/transfiguration-2012.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/02/surprise.html

Faith and Work

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022114.cfm) reminds me that faith and work go hand in hand

The first reading today says that “faith without works is dead.” May seem harsh at first glance, but if we take a closer look at it, we know that it is true. Faith alone is not enough. love alone is not enough. it should be lived. It should be shown by actions. it should be accompanied by works.

The first reading shows us an example – Abraham sacrificing his only son Isaac. Yes, we all know he loves God and is a good child of God. But he further proved his love for God by his actions. he had faith in God, and he demonstrated that faith by being willing to sacrifice his only son. He of course did not want to lose his son, but he had faith in God’s plans and goodness, that he was willing to do what God wanted him to do. in the gospel we see how Jesus expects us to show him that we want to be his disciples – to take up our cross and follow him. Professing with our lips is not enough. Jesus wants us to concretize it by our actions.

As we live our lives, we get a lot of opportunities to live our faith. With the recent calamities, a lot of people felt bad for the victims. But God does not want us to just feel bad and sorry about them. He wants us to act as well. Help in whatever way we can. Concretize our faith. It is when we act, when we concretize our faith, that God’s love becomes more alive through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Friday! Lord, I thank you for the gift of faith. I pray that I may be able to live my faith daily. May my actions show how much I love you. use me Lord, use my life, use my actions, so that in my own little way, your love may be more alive in this world. Amen..

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/faith-without-works-is-dead.html

Quick Shift

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022014.cfm) reminds me that if we are not careful with our hearts, it is easy to change from being good to otherwise.

In the gospel we see a quick shift – from Peter answering correctly who Jesus is, to being called Satan by Jesus after. This reminds me that we should not be overconfident with our faith, because it is very easy to be tempted by the enemy. The good works we have done, all the service to God, and all the things we do for God do not guarantee that we will not sin anymore, thus should not make us overconfident. We have to strive to be good children of God - all the time, in the little and big ways.

In the first reading, we see this in action. Sometimes, even when we are in church, we get tempted and distracted. We may subconsciously judge a person based on things – appearance, social status, background, etc – something that God does not want us to do. All of us are children of God, and he wants us to be like him, judging from the heart, and not by what one sees.

Father God

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for loving me that enables me to love others back. Lord, I pray that I always have the heart for you, to love and serve you. Help me also to not be overconfident with my relationship with you. may I always be aware and consciously do good and try to improve and strengthen our relationship. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Slowly but Surely

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021914.cfm) reminds me that more than the speed, what matters in our journey of faith is our persistence to stay on track.

In the gospel, we see Jesus healing a blind person. However, unlike usual miracles, it did not take one action to completely heal the man. Does this mean Jesus power is not enough? of course not! he resurrects even the dead. I believe this just means that as we journey in life and in faith, each will have different experiences and will go on a different pace, but what’s important is we keep walking in the right path. Like the man in the gospel who did not get frustrated when he did not immediately get healing, we too should just persevere in faith. It is okay to be slow, what’s important is we start and we act. The same way that Jesus touched the man the second time, he too is patient with us, gently guiding and supporting us with our pace, and making sure we have the support and encouragement we need as we walk the right path.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminders you constantly send me. Lord, I pray that I be able to consistently walk in the right path. No matter how slow my pace may be, I have faith that it will eventually lead me to be with you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Of Not Understanding

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021814.cfm) reminds me that there are times it is difficult for us to understand what God means

In the gospel, we see the disciples not understanding what Jesus wants to tell them. They spend all their time with Jesus, learning from him and working with him to proclaim God’s kingdom, but when Jesus told them to “watch out against the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod”, they did not understand what Jesus meant. They thought is was because they forgot to bring bread. Of course it was not the concern, and Jesus even reminded them that he has the power to produce food for thousands of people. But they still did not understand that Jesus was warning them not to be like the Pharisees and Herod, who both have an evil disposition against Jesus.

In life, this happens to us as well. There are times we do not get what we want, or we cannot seem to understand the bad things happening around us and even in our own lives. We forget the love and power of God, how he has always been there for us through these challenges, and how he will always be there for us. We forget he has great plans for us, and though these things may come as a surprise to us, they don’t come as a surprise to God for everything happens according to his will, according to his plans. We cannot understand and we are not able to look beyond the obvious, the superficial sadness, pain and disappointments these things bring us. However, we are reminded that God is always in control, and it is in times like these that we need to pray more, so we would have the grace to withstand, and be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings, both obvious and hidden. Lord, I pray for a heart full of faith, that I may be able to continue to trust you even if I don’t understand things. Send me the Hold Spirit to guide me, that I may remain faithful to you whatever the situation may be. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/09/of-not-understanding.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-we-do-not-know.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/06/idk-i-dont-know.html

Happy with Trials

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021714.cfm) reminds me that we should be happy when we are experiencing trials because of our faith.

God is not a punishing God. He does not enjoy seeing his beloved children suffer or in pain. This should remind us that each trial we encounter for the faith is supposed to improve us and is not pointless. In today’s first reading, we are encouraged that these challenges improve us, and make us better persons – becoming more and more into the image of Christ. As Christ suffered, so will we, as his followers.

There are a lot of times in life we suffer for our faith. We are wrongfully judged and treated unfairly because of our faith. We do not get all the worldly benefits other people, the children of the world, get. However, we are encouraged to remain faithful to God, persevering in each challenge, and having faith that God sees everything, and is always with us as we go through these challenges. May we be encouraged and strengthened.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another week. Thank you for another opportunity to live for you. to praise and worship you with my work. Lord, help me remain faithful and focused on you as I experience challenges in life. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

No Baggage

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021614.cfm) reminds me that it is easier if there are no baggage.

When we travel by plane, flight fares are usually cheaper if there are no baggage to be checked-in by the passenger. It also makes it easier for the passenger to travel - no more waiting in the carousel for the baggage, less inspection, and easier to move around.

This is what the gospel reminds me. Though it teaches us a lot of things - raising the standards on hatred, killing, adultery, lust, and lying, what struck me was this verse:

if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift

It is easier to serve God if we have no baggage with us - hatred, envy, jealousy, lust, and other concerns/ sins that weigh us down. These things make it difficult to focus on God. That is why God wants us to rid ourselves of these things.

What baggage do I have in my life? What sins do I find it hard to let go? What bad habits or bad relationships am I in that makes me ashamed to look God in the face. What do I plan to do about it?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, I pray that I be able to love and serve you without baggages in my life. Help me rid myself of things that are weighing me down. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

He Gets Physical

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021514.cfm) reminds us that Jesus takes care of our physical needs too, aside from our spiritual need.

In the gospel, the crowd came to Jesus for spiritual food, spiritual nourishment. They wanted to know about God. So they spent time with him - three days. Jesus of course gave them what they wanted and taught them. However, he knew they also needed physical nourishment. They also need food. The crowd did not ask for it, but Jesus knew they were hungry and they needed to eat before they go home, so he gave them food.

He knows our physical need as well.

As we serve Him, as we come to him for spiritual nourishment and growth,  he gives us that. However, it is nice to be reminded that God knows our physical needs as well, even if we don't ask it or don't pray for it. He knows we need food, we need resources to survive on earth, so he will give us that, even without us asking those.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, I thank you for knowing me, for knowing I have physical needs as well. And I thank you because I know that even if i dont ask you for those things, you will still provide for me. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Time Alone

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021414.cfm) that Jesus wants to have time alone with us.

There is a saying that “the more, the merrier”, and in most cases, this is true. It’s more fun when there are a lot of people hanging out together. However, it does not necessarily mean it is more intimate. To know a person, you must spend time alone, talk to the person, and not just hang out in a big group. This is what Jesus did with the man before healing him. He took him out of the crowd. He wanted his whole attention, without the noise of the outside world. He wanted to be personal with the man.

Jesus wants to spend some alone time with us – away from all the distractions and noise of the world. God wants to be personal and intimate with us.

In this life, there are a lot of people saying different things. Some bringing us down. Some just complicating the situation. Some having their own say. Sometimes it gets noisy that we cannot fully hear God talking to us. May we regularly take time out from the busyness and noise of this world, and spend some alone time with him. This will help us grow closer and intimate with him, making it easier for us to hear his voice, feel his love, and receive his healing and forgiveness.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Friday. Thank you for the weekend coming up. Lord, I pray that this weekend, I may be able to find time alone with you. Give me the wisdom to know how to create time for you, and the desire to always have that time alone with you. amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/he-took-him-away.html

Not As Expected

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021314.cfm) reminds me how we should act when things does not go as expected.

Yesterday, I was reminded of how we should act and live to enable God to act in our lives. However, things does not always go the way we want it to. Things is not always happy, or positive, but our attitude should not change.

As I shared yesterday, “If we win, we praise Him, if we lose, we still praise him. Either way, we’re giving God the glory” Today, we see a woman live this – continue trusting and having faith in God even if things did not seem to go her way.

Jesus seemed to reject her request and even compared her to a dog. However, she did not get mad at Jesus for not immediately granting her the request. she did not have the sense of entitlement that Jesus should honor her faith. Instead, she humbled herself, while staying strong in faith. She did not go away, instead, she humbly persisted in what she wanted. Then Jesus gave her what she requested.

In our lives, we experience this as well. There are times when our prayers seem to go unanswered. Worse, we feel God ignoring us or that God’s favour is not upon us. However, we are encouraged to be like the woman – continue to have faith even if we don’t get what we want. Continue to love and serve God. Continue to trust God. Continue to praise and glorify God. Things may not go our way, but we must remember that it will always go his way.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to become a better version of myself. Lord, I pray that you give me a heart like the woman. May I always be humble towards you, and may my faith, my love, my trust in you not change even if I don’t get what I want. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Commit

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021214.cfm) reminds me of what we should do and how we should act so God can take over.

The psalm today is very inspiring and enlightening:

"Commit to the LORD your way; trust in him, and he will act"

A lot of times we face uncertainty. Times when we do not know what will happen - be it a job interview, a promotion interview, or even a school application interview or thesis defense. We often say that we just lift things to God, or that we trust God with the results. However, the psalmist reminds us that it should not end there. Commit to the Lord. We should commit. Offer it to God. Be open to God's plans, not solely focused on what we want to happen. Lift everything to God - the plan, the situation, the result, and what you will do with the result. As we do that, we show him that we trust him. We submit to him. We surrender - empty ourselves of our desires and wants, and allow God's plans to come to fruition. Then he will act. Then his will would be done. Then we will be a step closer to where he wants us to be, to where he is leading us.

May we learn to do that. And praise him whatever happens. Quoting a line from the movie Facing the Giants - "If we win, we praise him. If we lose, we still praise Him. Either way, we're giving God the glory"

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. Thank you for your great plans for me. Lord, I pray that i would have the heart to just commit my plans and dreams to you, and fully trust you. For I know that as i do that, you will act. May i always praise you and give you glory whatever happens. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Of Lips and Hearts

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021114.cfm) reminds me that lip service is very different from service from the heart.

It is easy to say we love God. It is easy to say we want to live a life pleasing to him. It is easy to say we love our neighbour. It is easy to speak with our lips. That is why God wants more from us. God wants us to speak with our actions, rooted from the heart.

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me

God wants us to live a consistent life - with our words and actions saying the same thing. We can't say good things but act otherwise. Our actions should always support our words. And our words should always be rooted in the love of God in our hearts.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings you give me. Lord, I pray that you help me live a consistent life. May my words be always consistent with my actions, for i know that my actions determine where my heart is. May it always rest in you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Unli

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021014.cfm) reminds me that God's power is unlimited - in the truest sense of it.

In the gospel we see the faith of the people, bringing the sick to the streets, hoping to touch even the tassel of Jesus clothes, for they know it is enough to heal them. What's interesting to note is how unlimited Jesus power is.

"...and as many as touched it were healed."

Even if a lot of people touched it, Jesus power did not diminish. All were healed. And until today, this is still true. God's love and power is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter how many pray to him and ask for healing, help and guidance, there will always be more than enough for us. That is why we should gladly share Jesus to others.

As we start the week, may this inspire us. Jesus' power is unlimited. Let us come to him, and bring others to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Thank you for all the blessings you continually give me. Lord, thank you for the reminder that your love and power is unlimited, that it never ends, that it will never run out. As i come to you, may I also be able to bring others to you. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Shine Bright

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020914.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to shine bright and give him the honor and glory.

An excerpt of the gospel says:

Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father

God wants us to shine bright, to excel, and to achieve things. However, he wants us not to lose focus on Him and enjoy the worldly benefits of shining bright. Rather, he wants us to give back all the glory to God.

As we work for God, it is easier to serve him. Especially if we are part of a community. However, what is in the heart is not always evident. We can serve him, we can do things for Him, but with the intention of glorifying ourselves - wanting applause, affirmation and recognition for our service to God. Some are just full of themselves as they serve God. Today, we are reminded to keep things in perspective and serve God to glorify God, not ourselves.

May we pray for a clean and pure heart as we serve him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, I pray that you give me a pure heart as I serve you. May my intentions always be to serve and glorify you, not myself. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Seek Him First

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020814.cfm) reminds me how God rewards us as we seek Him first.

"Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you" Mt 6:33

In today's first reading, we see this in action. In the first reading, God told Solomon that he can ask anything and it will be given to him. Solomon did not ask material things, or something for himself. Rather, he asked for an understanding heart to govern God's people. God was pleased with it, so he gave Solomon an understanding and wise heart, so much that there will be no one like him. Aside from that, God also gave him riches and worldly blessings.

Indeed, if we genuinely seek God first, if he is the top priority in our lives, we will be given everything else.

As we live our lives, we work for a lot of things. Fame, success, money, power. We look for these. However, may we not forget the one thing that is truly essential - God. May we seek him first, put him first, and as we do so, as we give less importance on the things of the world, we will realize that he provides, even those things we don’t seek and ask.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another opportunity to get to know you more. Lord, may I be wise like Solomon and seek you first. Purify my heart, Lord, that it will only seek you. For I know that you will take care of everything else as I do so. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Faithful David

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020714.cfm) reminds me how God wants us to be faithful.

In the first reading we see a summary of David's life. His was not perfect, but he tried to be faithful. In the times he broke God's heart by sinning, he genuinely repented. In the times he had victories, he never forgot to thank God for his help. When in fear, he goes to God for help. In everything, he tried to be faithful to God.

David should inspire us. We may not be kings, or not kill a giant to save our country, but we can relate to him. There are times he was uncertain, afraid, repentant, and joyful. In all these times, he never forgot God. So should we as we go through life.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your unending love. Lord, I pray that I be like David, faithful to you in all circumstances. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Travel Light

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020614.cfm) reminds me how important it is to travel light.

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick--
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.

Jesus instructed his disciples to bring just what is necessary, the very basics. He told them not to take anything except a walking stick.

Why a walking stick…?

In those times, it was not unusual for people to have a walking stick. People, especially those advanced in age and those who often travel, have a walking stick. It helps them since they travel through far distances. It gives them additional strength by acting sort of their third leg, or something that would support their weary legs so as not to take all the weight of the body. It is also used to protect themselves from stray animals as they travel. Also, we see in the bible God using the walking stick or staff to perform great things - Moses parted the red sea, led Israelites to victories in wars, and drew water out of a stone all by using a staff or a stick.

How light the disciples must have felt in that trip. No extra things to weigh them down.

However, in today’s day and age, we feel that as though we need a lot of things to survive. There are a lot of gadgets, smartphones, portable battery source and even internet, that we feel we need with us every time. When we travel, we bring with us a lot of these things. That’s why sometimes, instead of enjoying our journey and focusing on it, our attention is divided because we have to think of what we brought, making sure nothing gets lost or left behind, checking if we have battery, and spare battery, to take pictures; making sure there’s signal for mobile and internet use, etc.

This is exactly what Jesus did not want to happen to his apostles. He wanted them to remain simple so they could focus on their task. More than that, they wanted them to have faith that God will provide as they stay focused on God. Divine Providence.

As I look at my things, what are the extras that seem to be necessities to me? As I look at my life, what are the extras that seem to be necessities? What are weighing me down? What things, people or habits are hindering me from focusing on God and on the task he has for me? What are hindering me from fully trusting and surrendering to God? Am I willing to let go?

May we be challenged and see what things we do not really need, the things that are taking our focus away from God and the task he has in store for us. Let us develop our faith in God’s providence – he still provides, until now!

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding us the importance of staying light – to rid ourselves of anything and everything that prevents us from focusing on you and from doing what you want us to do. Lord, there are a lot of distractions in life, and I ask that you help me keep my focus on you. I am sorry for allowing myself to be distracted, and for considering as necessary some of the extras in life. Help me have faith and travel light as I take this journey towards you. I have faith that you will always provide as long as I focus on you and put you first. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/light-journey.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/02/travel-light.html