You Follow Me

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061116.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to focus on Him and serve Him. 

It is said that John is the favorite of Jesus, or at least that he was special to Jesus. Probably he knew that he would eventually entrust his earthly mother to John, that’s why he was special. John was referred to as “the disciple that Jesus loved,” and in the gospel today, we see Peter asking Jesus what will happen to John. This was after Jesus told Peter that he would suffer for Christ. 

Siguro medyo takot si Peter. Kaya tinanong nya si Jesus what will happen to John. Mahihirapan din ba si John parang ako? He was probably thinking.

The Jesus said to him: "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me."

They thought John would not die, although of course, this was not the case. He died too.  But more than answering what will happen to John, Jesus wants to make a point – It is not your concern. You follow me.

Sometimes, as human beings we tend to envy others. We tend to see and recognize what others have that we don’t. We compare ourselves, our lives, with others. This is true even with those whom we serve with, sometimes we can’t help but compare. Bakit siya maganda ang career…? Bakit sya may lovelife? Bakit sya gwapo o maganda? Bakit siya masagana ang buhay…? E pare pareho naman kami naglilingkod sayo, Lord..?

Jesus is telling us today to just FOCUS on HIM, not on other people, not on what other people have. He did not tell Peter something like “E leader ka naman e, first Pope ka nga, o diba?” Instead, he told Peter to mind his own business and just follow God. You follow me, nevermind other people, nevermind what they have. You serve me. You love me. 

Ikaw.

Ikaw ang gusto ni God. Ang buong pagkatao mo. Ang buong sarili mo. Not your accomplishments on earth. Not your beauty. Not your richness. Ikaw mismo. And for us to be able to give our whole selves to Him, we should be happy with whatever blessings we have, we should be contented and thankful for everything. We should focus on Him.

Do I feel that way too? Am I like Peter who looks around and compare my life with other people? Am I envious of other people’s lives? What does it take to make me realize that God wants me, my whole self? What can I do to be able to focus on God? How can I strengthen my personal relationship with Him so I would be able to focus on Him more?

May we always remember what Jesus said to Peter. You follow me. Let us focus on God and offer our whole self to Him

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for weekend. I thank you for giving me another opportunity to rest and recharge. Lord, I ask that you help me give myself to you.  Help me build my relationship with you so I can focus on you and not compare my life with that of other people. Help me serve you with love. May I never be envious of what other people have, and just follow and serve you. All this I ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 11, 2016
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Lectionary: 580/364

Reading 1 Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3

In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Alleluia Ps 119:36a, 29b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees;
and favor me with your law.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 5:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
Do not take a false oath,
but make good to the Lord all that you vow.
But I say to you, do not swear at all;
not by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make a single hair white or black.
Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’

Anything more is from the Evil One.”