The WORD
today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091316.cfm)
reminds me that God gives us blessings even without us asking for
them.
I am a believer of “just because” gifts. You don’t need an
occasion to give gifts. It is actually what makes the gift more special. You
don’t need an occasion to give flowers or simple gifts to your love ones. Gifts should be given not out of duty for an occasion,
but out of love. This is what Jesus did to the woman in the gospel.
Most
probably, Jesus did not know who the woman was. The woman probably did not know
who Jesus was, and did not even ask him to help her. Jesus just knows she is a
widow, and after losing her only son, she now is considered very little in society (because women at that time get their identity
from their husbands and their sons). That’s why Jesus had pity on her. She has
no husband. She has no sun. She was practically helpless. She was not only grieving, she was also
probably afraid of what will happen to her. Afraid of how she will
live. This was probably why Jesus healed the son and gave her back to her
mother.
Just because.
God
does to us as well. There are a lot of
things we do not pray for. There are a lot of things we
certainly do not deserve.
Blessings abound, to the point that we don’t consider them blessings anymore.
The mere fact we have work, can read and write, can eat – these are some blessings
we sometimes take for granted, just because God has always given us these, and
because we see these in others as well. But it is out of God’s love and
goodness that we have these. Looking in our lives, we see other specific
blessings – things we unexpectedly get, things we do not deserve, favors that
go our way.. these things are reminders of
God’s love and blessings, not because we ask for them or deserve
them, but just because God loves us so
much. Just because, as the psalmist says it, we are God's people.
May we be more conscious and
aware of God’s “just because” blessings and gifts in our lives. And may it lead
us to thank him and love him more.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another Tuesday. Thank
you for my work, Lord. I thank you for my everyday blessings, especially those
I do not deserve and pray for. Thank you for your great love for me, Lord. I am
sorry for not being grateful and not appreciating these things. Sorry for
forgetting you in times of distress and great problems. Sorry for not calling
unto you. May I always be sensitive and may these things make me love you more.
As you bless me, use me to bless others as well. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
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September 13, 2016
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 444
Reading 1 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Alleluia Lk 7:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain,
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 7:11-17
and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him.
As he drew near to the gate of the city,
a man who had died was being carried out,
the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.
A large crowd from the city was with her.
When the Lord saw her,
he was moved with pity for her and said to her,
“Do not weep.”
He stepped forward and touched the coffin;
at this the bearers halted,
and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
The dead man sat up and began to speak,
and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming,
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst,”
and “God has visited his people.”
This report about him spread through the whole of Judea
and in all the surrounding region.
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