All Year Round

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123115.cfm) reminds me that God is with us all year round.

Today we are on the last day of the year. And as we end the year, we also see the readings tell us that the end is near. Come to think of it, everyday we are getting one day closer to the end. However, even though the first reading talks about the end, we see the opposite in the gospel. The gospel tells about the beginning - that God was there from the beginning. This is a great reminder that God is with us always – from the beginning until the end.

God is with us all year round.

Children, it is the last hour;

and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,

so now many antichrists have appeared.

Thus we know this is the last hour.

….

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through him,

and without him nothing came to be.

The psalmist tells us how we should act that God is with us all year round: Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

No matter what the situation is. No matter how tough it may be, or how happy it is, God is always there. It is an assurance, especially during tough times, that God is there. This should make us glad. This should inspire us.

As we end the year, we have experienced a lot. A lot of joys and triumphs, and a lot of hardships and challenges as well. But throughout all these things, in all situations, there is one thing constant – God.

We should never forget that he is always with us, and will always be with us whatever we go through in life.

May we always be glad, knowing that whatever we go through, God is with us.

What are the most memorable moments of 2015 for me – both joys and sorrows? Did I feel God being with me all throughout the year? How? What can I do to make his presence more alive and real in my life? What does knowledge of Him being always there bring me?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day. And thank you for another year. As we close this year, I want to thank you for always being with my in my journey. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for all the joys and triumphs I experienced in my life. Thank you for your goodness. Thank you for reminding me how loving you are and how loved I am. I also thank you for all the challenges and hardships, for these things made me stronger and made me cling to you more. Lord, I ask that you continue to be patient with me, that you continue to be with me and mold be until I become more and more like you. May I continue to walk in faith and walk with you. Amen.

In Christ,

-g-

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December 31, 2015

The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 204

 

 

Reading 1 1 Jn 2:18-21

 

Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared.
Thus we know this is the last hour.
They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;
if they had been, they would have remained with us.
Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number.
But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I write to you not because you do not know the truth
but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13

 

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD comes,
he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

 

 

Alleluia Jn 1:14a, 12a

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
To those who accepted him
he gave power to become the children of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Jn 1:1-18

 

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him

It Takes Time

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/123015.cfm) reminds me that great things take time to happen.

Nothing great happens overnight. Athletes train for years to reach their full potential. A tree takes years growing its roots to become a strong and mighty tree. No tree grows overnight, and no athlete gets to top condition in an hour. It takes time, effort, hard work and patience to get to their full potential. This is what God wants us to remember.

If we want God’s best, we have to learn how to wait.

In the gospel, the prophetess Anna never left the temple and prayed day and night. Wild! Solid! Imagine her love for God.  It took time, effort and patience to be where she is – spiritually. It did not happen overnight, but when she saw Jesus, it was well worth it. Also, we see that Jesus did not become a wise man overnight. It took him 30 years of growing, learning, waiting, before God told him to start his ministry. God’s best takes time. That time is necessary to grow, improve, and build a strong foundation. But when God’s plans come into fruition, it will be all worth it.

We all have prayers we want to happen. There are still unanswered prayers until now. We are waiting for different things – promotion at work, break in our career or business, or that prayer we have been asking God. It is very hard to wait, we want things done right away. We want God’s plans to happen right away. We feel we are ready. And looking at others makes it worse – we feel envious that they seem to have more than us, or that God’s best is given them already. We don’t know God’s reason, but we just need to trust his wisdom.

God cannot give us what we cannot handle – be it problems or blessings. Some people get things right away because they do it their way, they do it the world’s way which sometimes result to problems since they’re not ready. We need to wait for God’s perfect timing. And while we do, we just need to do our part, to be patient and do our best to prepare for great blessings will send our way.

What things am I praying for? Why do I want them so much? What is God telling me? What should be my reaction while I still don’t have them? How should I prepare myself while waiting for God’s time?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, I pray that you help me be patient. It’s hard, Lord, because I want things to happen my way. It’s hard because I sometimes feel that I am ready. It’s hard because I feel I should be given it. Sorry for being impatient Lord. Sorry for feeling that my timing is better than yours. Help me just trust in you. Help me have faith in you. I surrender and let you have control of my life. While I wait, I will do my best to prepare, work hard, and be faithful to you. And I have faith that in your perfect time, your best will come. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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December 30, 2015

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 203

 

 

Reading 1 1 Jn 2:12-17

 

I am writing to you, children,
because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,
because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,
because you are strong and the word of God remains in you,
and you have conquered the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things of the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world,
sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yet the world and its enticement are passing away.
But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10

 

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts;
worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before him, all the earth.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

 

 

Alleluia

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 2:36-40

 

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

In the Light

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122915.cfm) reminds me that we should always live in the light of God.

Whenever there are bazaars wherein Tshirts are sold, it is not unusual for stores to use UV lights or the violet / light blue bulbs. When I was a kid, I asked my parents to buy a shirt because I really liked it on display under that kind of light. However, when we got home, I was disappointed because under the normal bulb, it looked different! I then found out that those lights make things looks better. And the real light, the white lights, really expose the real nature, the real appearance of things. This is what the light of God does.

God’s light exposes the truth.

The first reading reminds us that if we want to really be in and stay in the light, we need to live a life consistent to God’s ways. It is not a one-time decision or once a year action. We cannot say we love Jesus and are followers of Him if we do not live like it. Being a true Christian is more than just saying it. We need to live it every day, in little and big things. This is what it takes to live in the light of Christ. We need to choose Christ in little and big decisions that we may every day.

Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,

In the gospel, we see a man living this. Simeon was a righteous and devout man, and we see that the Spirit is with him. We can tell that he is living a life consistent with Christ’s values, since he felt and obeyed the Spirit, and as shown when he recognized Jesus in the temple. If we live right, if we live in the light, then we will recognize God visiting us. We will recognize God when he comes to us, no matter what form he takes – be it as a helpless child, a person in need, or an annoying person who needs comfort and understanding.

Christmas day is over, and for some, today is another working day. The last one for the year. However, may we never forget the essence of Christmas. Though the day is over, may we continue to live the values of Christmas. It is easy to profess our faith. What’s more challenging is actually living it day by day. May we be inspired and challenged by the Word today to strive to live a life of faith, to live a life in the light of Christ.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for this last working day of the year. Thank you for being patient with me. Lord, I ask that you help me live and stay in the light. There are a lot of things that distract me in living a life you want me to. Give me the grace and the strength to remain consistent with your word, to live a life pleasing to you, to live and stay in the light and shine with you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection and song:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/12/in-light.html

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December 29, 2015

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 202

 

 

Reading 1 1 Jn 2:3-11

 

Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

 

R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

 

 

Alleluia Lk 2:32

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 2:22-35

 

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

 

He Knows

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122815.cfm) reminds me that God’s wisdom is infinite, and he knows that is going to happen in our lives, even if we do not understand things.

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Innocents. The gospel tells us what happened. When Herod realized he has been deceived, he ordered the massacre of all the boys two years and below. How horrible, right?

Bad news – bad things will happen in life. The powerful people in the world have power in this world!

Even though God is all powerful and is in control, he is not the ruler of this world we live in. Satan is, and as such, he has power in this temporary, earthly world. and in the gospel, we see that in action.

Good news! God is still in control, even if we do not understand what is happening!

We do not know why those innocent children died. We feel it is unfair and evil. We do not know why God let that happen. We do not know how the parents of those children coped up with what happened. But what we do know is that everything is still in accordance with God’s perfect plan. It was written that this would happen, and salvation still happened when Jesus rose from the dead to save us, so this incident is not enough to destroy God’s perfect plan. God knows what he is doing and what he is allowing to happen.

In our lives, we do not understand a lot of things. If we’re blessed, we will eventually understand things. However, time is not a guarantee. Some things are left for God’s wisdom to know and understand. We simply have to surrender and trust Him. no matter what we are going through right now, no matter how tough things may be, we just need to have faith that God is totally in control, and that as long as we stick to Him, nothing could get in the way of his perfect plan for us.

What previously unclear things before do I understand now? What things in my life do I still not understand? What is my reaction to it?  Do I get mad at God, or do I continue to trust in him?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Lord, I ask that as we commemorate the feast of the holy innocents, we may learn to surrender to you completely. There are a lot of things we do not understand now, probably things that we will never understand, and we ask that you give us faith and a heart that would just totally surrender to you. I know that you are in control, and that there is nothing that will get in the way of your perfect plan for us, as long as we remain close to you as long as we remain faithful. May we always remember this, and live this. Amen

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/12/every-little-thing.html

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December 28, 2015

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Lectionary: 698

 

 

Reading 1 1 Jn 1:5—2:2

 

Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,”
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, “We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

 

R. (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Had not the LORD been with us—
When men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
over us then would have swept the raging waters.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

 

 

Alleluia See Te Deum

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the white robed army of martyrs praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mt 2:13-18

 

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

A voice was heard in Ramah,
sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children,
and she would not be consoled,
since they were no more

Holy Family

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122715.cfm) reminds me that I should do my part to foster my own Holy Family.

This is my first Christmas Season as a married man, and even if it is still me and my wife, the readings today reminds me and inspires me to foster my own Holy Family.

The basic unit of society is the family. It is very important, although nowadays there are a lot of things and forces that threaten the family. Unfortunately, some (or a lot) of people now give more importance to the self rather than family. Self first - If things are not doing well between spouses, instead of working together to improve things, they just opt to separate – which affects the children. Some people love themselves too much, that sex is done outside marriage or even if they feel they’re not ready to have a baby, and when something happens, they choose themselves and let go of the baby.

Family is important, and God wants us not only to remember that, but to live that.

The fourth commandment, the first pertaining to human beings, tells 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 promised rewards. Indeed, no matter how imperfect our parents may be, God wants us to honor, respect, serve and love them. Looking at our lives, they were the first to show us unconditional love. They were the first to make us feel what love is. They were the first Jesus in our lives, and this is the least we can do to thank them and to show them how much we appreciate and love them. 

God sets a father in honor over his children;

a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

and preserves himself from them.

When he prays, he is heard;

he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,

and, when he prays, is heard.

Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;

he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;

grieve him not as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;

revile him not all the days of his life;

kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

firmly planted against the debt of your sins

—a house raised in justice to you.

The gospel shows us that Jesus, God’s only Son, had an earthly family. He had earthly parents. This shows us how important family is to God, that he gave his Son an earthly family. The second reading explicitly says how God wants us to value family.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,

as is proper in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives,

and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything,

for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke your children,

so they may not become discouraged.

May we always be thankful for the gift of family. May we always see the importance of family and always look at our parents with high respect and authority.  And for those of us who already have their own family, may we work harder to make God’s love real and alive in our own family, and aspire to emulate Jesus and his holy earthly family.

Am I thankful for my family? What things have I realized today? How can I improve my family? How can I love my parents more? Am I willing to raise a family like the Holy Family – founded on God?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. 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 fail to treat my parents the way you want me to. I pray that you help me be a better person, to be a better child or parent to my family.  May I be able to show to my parents, my children, and my family how important they are and how much I love them.  Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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December 27, 2015

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Lectionary: 17

 

Reading 1 Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

 

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

 

Reading 2 Col 3:12-21

 

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.

 

 

Alleluia Col 3:15a, 16a

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 2:41-52

 

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man

Back to Reality

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122615.cfm) reminds me that after the Holiday, we should get back to reality.

Christmas day is over. After months of preparation and anticipation, it is over. Even though the holiday season is not over, and there are still a lot of decors and get togethers, Christmas day itself is over, just like that. However, the spirit of Christmas should not go away after December 25.

We should live Christmas everyday.

It is by no accident that the day after Christmas, we commemorate the feast day of St Stephen, the first martyr. Like what Jesus told Peter, James and John in the mountain during transfiguration, he too is telling us to go down the mountain, back to reality, back to our daily lives, and continue to live the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of love – and continue to stand up for God.

God loves us so much, and as we feel that love, we should be moved to love him back.

Stephen died for his faith. He was not forced to. He probably could have run away from the people, but he chose not to. He chose to stand up for his faith. In the same way, we are called to be like Stephen. We do not need to be martyrs to show God we love him, that we appreciate his coming to save us, and that we are grateful. We should, little by little, everyday, make a decision to stand up for him - to honor him and live for him.

May we be challenged and inspired to live our faith, to go back to reality and stand up for our faith and love of God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for this weekend. 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. May I focus on you and your glory, instead of focusing on and complaining about my pains and difficulties. Help me stand up for you everyday. Help me live for you and die of myself, so that you may live in me, and through me. May I make you more real and more alive through my life. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/12/stand-up-everyday.html

 

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December 26, 2015

Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
Lectionary: 696

 

 

Reading 1 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

 

Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this, they were infuriated,
and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven
and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and he said,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God.”
But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,
and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

 

R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 

Alleluia Ps 118:26a, 27a

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD:
the LORD is God and has given us light.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mt 10:17-22

 

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”