Potter's Hands

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/073114.cfm) encourages me to submit willingly to the potter's hands.

In the first reading, we see God reminding Jeremiah of his power. He is like the potter who could do anything he wants to do to the clay - until the masterpiece is finished.

God is doing that to us as well. He guides and molds us until we become his masterpiece, until his plans for us come to fruition, until we become more and more like him. However, we have a big part on how the process will be. On how long it will be.

As the potter molds the clay, different things can happen. When the clay is hard, more pressure would be needed to make it obey. More force is needed. When the clay is soft, a gentler pressure would be applied and it will be easier for the potter to do as he pleases. Time will be shorter and it will be easier both to the potter and the clay.

We choose how we want it to go. We can either refuse and go against him constantly, or submit ourselves and allow him to use and mold us. We all know what should be done. Question is if we are willing to do it.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to serve you. Thank you for another day to submit to you. Lord, may I always be ready and willing to humble myself, die of my own desires, and submit myself to your hands - knowing you have the best plans for me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Great Pearl

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/073014.cfm) reminds me what I would do once I find the Pearl of Great Price

When I was in college, the chapel was named PGP chapel or Pearl of Great Price Chapel. initially I did not understand why it was named that way. Why a pear? Why not Jesus, Mary, Joseph or one of the saints? Then when I came across this gospel, I understood why.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

In the gospel, one would do anything to have the pearl of great price. One would sell everything to have the pearl of great price. Being great, it comes with a price – but the price is reasonable, and attainable. This is what God wants from us, the readiness and willingness to give up anything and everything once we get to know Him. God wants us to let go of all the sins, of all the worldly attachments we are holding on to, so we can attain life with Him. so he can give us new life.

In the first reading, we see Solomon practicing this. When God asked him what he wants, he did not ask for anything worldly. Not riches. Not long life. not power. He asked for wisdom to do God’s work. That’s the kind of heart God wants from us. Not just giving up everything worldly for Him, but wanting to love and serve him the best way we can.

May we be inspired and challenged.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to feel your love. Lord, I pray that I would always seek you. May my heart always beat for you. may I always be ready and willing to give up everything worldly for you. and as I serve you, may I give you my best, because you deserve nothing less. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Powerful Action

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072914.cfm) reminds me how important and powerful action is.

In sports, you cannot win games just by strategizing and planning. No matter how great the coach is, or no matter how the good the plays are, these alone are not enough to win games. These should be played on the court. These should be translated into action.

In the spiritual sense, this is true as well. In the bible, it says that “Faith without works is dead.” Yes, it is true. We should live our faith. We should spread our faith. We should work for our faith.

The gospel shows us how action oriented Martha is, whose feast we are celebrating today. in one option, we see her doing all the work, serving Jesus (though she lost her focus on Jesus and got stressed and carried away by the tasks). And in the other gospel, we see how she again acted and welcomed Jesus as he was going on his way to their house. However, we see not only her actions, but her profession of faith as well.

Jesus told her,

“I am the resurrection and the life;

whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.

Do you believe this?”

She said to him, “Yes, Lord.

I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world”

We see her faith that was translated into action. We see her action based on her faith. Perfect combination.

Martha did not have it all at once. In one story, we see her being action oriented but lacking faith and focus. But Jesus love and compassion eventually led her to improve her faith, thus in the second story, we see her action backed up by faith. We are not perfect, we may lack faith, God’s love will eventually transforms us. We just have to listen and allow him to do that in our lives – like he did in Martha’s.

May we be inspired by St Martha’s faith and action working in hand in hand as we do God’s work.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for St Martha. May I have her faith and action – faith that knows you and trusts in you, and that faith translated into action. Likewise, may my actions for you always be founded on your love, founded on my faith in you, that I may not be distracted with anything or anyone as I work for you. Lord, in a special way, I also lift up to you those celebrating their birthdays today, especially Mady. Thank you for renewed faith, awareness, and love for you. I pray that you continue to deepen and strengthen their faith and guide and bless their actions like St Martha. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/07/stressed-and-busy.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/07/action-oriented.html

You Started Small

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072814.cfm) reminds us that we all started small.

They say that great things start from small beginnings. That is true. As we look in our lives, we know that we all started small. We were born a baby, knowing nothing on our own. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a baby. It was God’s love and protection, through other people, that got us where we are today. No matter how much one achieves in life, that person started small. And it is by God’s love and grace, not by human power, intelligence, influence and connections, that one was able to achieve things.

in the gospel, we see Jesus telling us something similar. The mustard seed and yeast are small. Yet they eventually affect a lot. The mustard seed grew into a huge tree, and the yeast affected the flour. Whatever they accomplished, they started small. So we should not be proud.

We see in the first reading how God opposes the proud. God told Jeremiah that he took offense in the pride and hardness of heart of Judah – how they turned away from God. in times like these, it is good to remember what Job said “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” Just because God is a gracious and generous God, does not mean he will not take away things. Just because he is loving does not mean he is not just.

May we be warned by the psalmist to not forget God who gave us birth. Let us remember that we all started small, and remember that it was God who caused all the good things to happen to us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Lord, I am sorry for being proud. Sorry for being too full of myself and focusing on what I have accomplished and gained in this world. Sorry for thinking that it was because of me – my attitude, my skills, my intelligence, my connections – that got me where I am and what I have. Lord, may I never forget that everything comes from you and you can take them away anytime. May I be humble with everything, and generous with your blessings. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

PGP

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072714.cfm) reminds me what I would do once I find the Pearl of Great Price

When I was in college, the chapel was named PGP chapel or Pearl of Great Price Chapel. initially I did not understand why it was named that way. Why a pear? Why not Jesus, Mary, Joseph or one of the saints? Then when I came across this gospel, I understood why.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

In the gospel, one would do anything to have the pearl of great price. One would sell everything to have the pearl of great price. Being great, it comes with a price – but the price is reasonable, and attainable. This is what God wants from us, the readiness and willingness to give up anything and everything once we get to know Him. God wants us to let go of all the sins, of all the worldly attachments we are holding on to, so we can attain life with Him. so he can give us new life.

In the first reading, we see Solomon practicing this. When God asked him what he wants, he did not ask for anything worldly. Not riches. Not long life. not power. He asked for wisdom to do God’s work. That’s the kind of heart God wants from us. Not just giving up everything worldly for Him, but wanting to love and serve him the best way we can.

May we be inspired and challenged.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to feel your love. Lord, I pray that I would always seek you. May my heart always beat for you. may I always be ready and willing to give up everything worldly for you. and as I serve you, may I give you my best, because you deserve nothing less. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Just Continue

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072614.cfm) reminds me that we should just continue loving and serving God even if we don't understand what is happening to us.

Almost always, I feel a message when I read the mass readings for the day. Sometimes it is a repeat, but I feel something nonetheless. However, today, this was not the case. I have been reading it the whole day, but still nothing. So i was reminded that even if you do not seem to understand, you should just continue.

There are things and situations that happen in our lives that we don't seem to understand. We don’t see the logic of it or the purpose of why it is happening. Times like these, we just have to trust in God's wisdom. And as we do so, continue loving and serving Him.

What things are happening in my life that I do not understand? What do I do about it?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for always being there for me even if i don't understand a lot of things. Lord, may I just have faith and continue loving, trusting and serving you no matter what situation i may be in. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Protected Servants

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072514.cfm) reminds us that we are protected servants of God.

The gospel is clear – we are expected to serve God through others, just like what Jesus did.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many

And in serving others, in doing God’s work, we will experience hardships. However, we see in the first reading that God will always be there for us. He will protect us. He will not give us more than we can bear.

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;

As we live our lives, may we always reminded that even if we are serving God and doing his work, we will not be exempted from hardships. But as things are tough, God is always there protecting us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Lord, sorry for the times I act like your disciples and the mother in the gospel – wanting fame and recognition over wanting to serve you through others. Grant me the humility to know my place as your loving servant, and the strength to continue doing your work despite all the challenges in life. I know you will always protect me. May I always make it a point to put a smile on your face as I live my life. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Richer

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072414.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to grow richer in faith.

Looking at society right now, we see that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Those in power, those with money, seem to control everything and they exponentially grow their riches and power. They take everything that the can get their hands on, even if they have a lot already. Thus, the poor, those who are barely getting by, are having a harder time because those rich and in power get all the available wealth, thus the poor get poorer.

Ar first look, the gospel verse today seem to support this situation. It says:

To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Well, Jesus was not referring to the social and economic situation when he said this. He was referring to the kingdom of God. He was referring to our faith.

Unlike the riches of this world, God’s love is endless. Faith is boundless. Power in him is limitless.

When he says anyone who has more, more will be given, he is telling us that as we long for more of him, as we long for a deeper and more intimate relationship of him, as we crave to grow in knowledge of him, more will be given to us. Our faith, our relationship with him, our love for him will grow richer as we desire – because he has a lot to give.

He also said that those who have less will have what they have taken away from them. Although it is limitless, he will not take away whatever little love or little faith we have for him and give it to others. However, it is actually dependent on us. If we choose to constantly ignore and reject him, then whatever he put in our hearts would eventually be taken away, because he knows we don’t want it.

God is a gracious God. He is a generous God. He is an understanding God. He gives us what we want – be it more of him, or none of him. may we choose wisely.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Lord, I pray for faith. I pray for love. I pray for the deep desire to know you more, to have you more in my life. May I always want you, choose you, and submit to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

God Equips

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072314.cfm) reminds me that God will equip us as he calls us to do his work.

God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

The bible says that God does not look at the physical appearance or qualifications. God looks at the heart. And as he calls us, he will equip us. The first reading says:

But the LORD answered me, Say not, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Jeremiah was very young. So he did not feel qualifies to be a prophet, because prophets are usually older people, those respected in society who are close to God. But God had other plans. He called Jeremiah. And he equipped him.

God still does the same for us. There may be times God calls us to do huge tasks. We may feel unqualified. In the sense of the world, we probably are. But If God calls us, He will equip us...We just need to say yes to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to love. Thank you for having faith in me. Lord, may I always respond with a yes everytime you call me, having faith that you would take care of me and equip me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/07/planted-seeds.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/05/equipped-pentecost-2013.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/06/equipped-for-task.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/01/gods-eyes.html

Obedience

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072214.cfm) reminds me how God wants us to be obedient.

Obedience is related to trust , respect and humility. If you trust and respect someone, you would be ready to obey. If you are humble, you would be willing to obey. This is the attitude God wants from us.

In the gospel, he says through Jesus:

Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

In essence, He is saying that whoever obeys God, God treats as his own children.

As we get older and become more successful in our lives, it becomes harder for us to be obedient to God. That's why today's message is very challenging, but very rewarding.

May we heed his message.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your love and your message. I pray that I would always be humble and trusting that I may be moved into obedience to you. As I do so, I know you will continue to bless me and use me to glorify you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

You Want A Sign?

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072114.cfm) reminds me how much we are fond of signs.

Road signs are very important and helpful, especially if one is not familiar with the road. It tells motorists where to go, how to go there, what the rules, are, etc. If followed properly, it keeps people safe, and brings one to the destination.

Sometimes, or a lot of times, we want that kind of sign from God too.

Why not?

Who would not want affirmation or assurance of what God wants us to do in a specific situation? Who would not want what God wants us to choose, or where he wants us to go? Even people in the bible asked for signs from God.

However, it can also be taken out of bounds.

In the gospel we see Jesus warning the people about asking for signs. While it is normal to ask for signs, it becomes bad if the heart is closed to God’s signs. It is bad if the heart wants God to conform to what we want, not for us to be open to what God wants. The people of Nineveh were living in sin, and did not ask for a sign. But when God sent Jonah to warn them, they repented. However, the people already have Jesus with them to warn them and preach to them, but their hearts were closed. They did not want him, they wanted a sign based on their own expectations and standards. They wanted God to conform to what they want, that’s why Jesus said no sign will be given to them.

How about us? Do we ask for signs or do what we can – reading the bible, praying, receiving the sacraments, to know what God wants us to do and how God wants us to live our lives? If we ask for signs, are we open and sensitive to get and recognize signs not just based on what we want, but what God wants? Or do we want God to conform to what sign we want from Him?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week! Lord, I pray that you always make you presence alive in my life. Help me do my part so I will always be sensitive to you. May I work and do my part to build a strong and personal relationship with you, so that I would know you more, instead of just asking for signs. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/10/did-you-see-sign.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/12/do-you-see-sign.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/10/what-sign.html

Parables

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072014.cfm) reminds me that God knows how to get through us.

I love stories. I love listening to stories, and I love sharing stories that have touched me. Stories make us understand things more as we are able to relate to it. I believe that is why Jesus often spoke in parables – to make people understand concepts and things more. He used things and situations that people can relate to, so it will be easier for people to understand. Indeed, Jesus knows how to get through us.

We also see in the gospel that he explained the parable to the disciples when they asked him to. They wanted to understand more and Jesus gladly explained to them. In our lives, we too sometimes want to understand things more. We want to know the reason behind things. We may not have Jesus physically present like the disciples had, but we can still ask him. God does not disappoint, and he will answer us, however, we also have to do our part. He does not always readily answer in a way we want him to. Sometimes he wants us to make an effort and learn what we can. To read the bible, to pray, and to immerse ourselves in finding the answer. Then he will reveal to us things.

We are all in a journey. Where we are right now is not where we are meant to be. That’s why God is patient. He knows we are works in progress and he gives us opportunities to change and grow into what he wants us to be. He is not impatient with us, and he has faith in us. That is why like in the parable, the master waited for the harvest and did not immediately cut out the weeds, for it might affect others in the process. May we make the most out of the opportunities God is giving us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Lord, I thank you for coming down to our level so we can understand you more, so we can relate to you more. I am sorry for the times I take you and my faith for granted. Sorry for focusing on the world instead of on you. Help me make the most out of the opportunities for me to grow to become more and more like you, so when harvest time comes, I may be with you in paradise. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

He Cured All

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071914.cfm) reminds me how generous and powerful God is to those who come to Him.

In the gospel, we see this in action

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,

God does not disappoint. The people made an effort and showed their faith when they followed Jesus to be cured, to be healed. And he rewarded that. He cured them all.

How powerful. How generous. What a great reminder of Jesus’ love and power.

There were a lot of people who followed Jesus, a lot of people who showed faith. I’m sure they all had different sickness and diseases. Some had grave ones, who is at the point of helplessness and hopelessness. Some probably had minor ones, like fever or maybe even headache. But what is inspiring is how God cured them all. Lahat sila. Everyone who was there. Everyone who had faith in him. Everyone who wanted to be cured. God did not say he will cure only the serious sickness – those at the point of death. He did not say he will cure only the easy to cure stuff, the minor ones .No sickness or concern is too small for God to pay attention to, or too big that he cannot handle. He cured them all!

Good news – this love, power and generosity shown by Jesus two thousand years ago is still alive until now!

God is still able and is still willing to cure all who come to him. All who have faith to come to him. All who humble themselves to come to him. It does not matter if we come to him with huge, almost impossible situations, sickness or concerns.. it doesn’t matter if we come to him with almost trivial, small concerns. From then until now, God cures all who come to him… we just need to come to him in faith.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you your great and generous love for us. Thank you for reminding me today that you can and will still heal and cure all who come to you. Lord, may I always remember that, and may I always have faith. Sometimes, especially when my concerns are too big or too small, I do not come to you. Sometimes when it’s too big, I think that you cannot do anything about it anymore. When it’s too small, I get ashamed or shy to bring these little concerns to you. But father God, I know that I am important to you, and my concerns, no matter how big or  small they may be, are important and that you can do anything. May I just have that faith to come to with whatever concerns I have. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/07/he-cured-them-all.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/unlimited.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/he-cured-them-all.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/01/he-cured-them.html

Lord of the Sabbath

Sharing a reflection I wrote last year…

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071814.cfm) reminds me that God is not bound by laws or traditions

In the gospel, we see people questioning the actions of Jesus and his disciples. They were picking up and eating grain on a Sabbath, something prohibited. Then Jesus tells them that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Law should serve man, not man should serve the law.

God is God even on Sabbath, where there are a lot of laws prohibiting a lot of things. God does not follow the man made law – he is the source of the law. God is not bound by our traditions and laws. His power is not limited by anyone or anything,

However, this should not be abused. The law should serve man is not an excuse for breaking the law. Not following traffic signs when there are no police or other vehicles is still wrong. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is still wrong.

May we pray for a discerning heart so as not to abuse God’s power and Word, while bravely doing his work with and for him. Amen.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend coming up! Lord, I pray that I would always remember that your love and your power is not limited by anything – by laws and traditions and by circumstances around me. And as I work for you, may I not abuse you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/07/lord-of-sabbath.html

Come to Jesus

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071714.cfm) reminds me what we should do not only every time we feel tired, but all the time.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

In this world, a lot of things can weigh us down. Focusing too much on studies, career, business and worldly achievements and accomplishments will weigh us down. The quest for fame, power and fortune will burn us out. These things of the world are temporary, and as long as long as we focus on these, we will never be satisfied and will just be tired, because thirst for worldly things will never be quenched. There will always be someone more beautiful, more successful, more intelligent, more powerful, and more famous than you. IF we will focus on these things, no matter how hard we work, we will never attain the fullness of life, and it will only weigh us down.

What can we do then?

Come to Jesus.

In the gospel, He says that all who are tired and burdened come to him. He will give us rest. How can we rest? Will he give us what we want? Money, fame, power, achievements. Will we have all that when we come to Jesus? No – but we will have something much more than those.

Coming to Him is not the only thing he is asking from us. With coming to him comes the need to surrender to him.

Take my yoke and learn from me.

It is not enough to come to him. We should also submit ourselves to him. We should also surrender to Him. Yes, the famous saying, Let go and let God. As we come to him, as we submit our self to him, we will slowly be transformed to be more and more like him.

As we surrender our personal desires, we allow God to empty us, only then will he be able to fill up with everything that is of his. Then as we are transformed, we see that all the material things in the world should not be the focus of our lives, thus not be burdened with these things anymore.

What is weighing me down right now? What is my biggest concern? Am I willing to come to God for help? Am I willing to submit myself, including all my desires, to Him? Am I willing to empty myself out so he can fill me with everything that is of his? Am i ready to let go and let God?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you Lord for consistently reminding me that you are always thinking of me and my concerns. Thank you for always calling me to you, and for always being ready to accept me with open arms. Lord, I ask that I build my faith in you. I know Lord that as I surrender to your will, I will be transformed and that you will take care of everything. You always do, Lord. You have never failed to bless me with things more than I need and more than I deserve. May I always seek your will in my life, and have faith that you will continue to provide and take care of me. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/come-to-me.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/07/rest.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/12/tired.html