Heavenly Investment

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/103116.cfm) reminds me how we can invest for heaven. 

Investment in the sense of the world is usually equated to making profit or getting something back with what you give or let go. You buy something that will be beneficial in the future. You buy something that you could sell at a higher cost, such as stocks or properties, or something that would be beneficial or useful in the future, in the case of education. You do something that could potentially help you in the future. There's always something we expect or hope to eventually get back. This is also true with heavenly things. 

Jesus also tells us to invest – for our future in heaven.

In the gospel, He tells us to give to others who cannot repay us back. That definitely is not investment in the sense of the world. Of course you want to give to people you love, people close to you, people who would be useful in your career of those who may do good to you in the future. 

However, Jesus wants us to look beyond the worldly aspect of investment, and look beyond what our eyes can see. He wants us to invest, to put something where only He can repay us back. He wants us to give our time, talent and treasure to build his kingdom, even if, and especially for those who cannot repay us back. 

Some people we help cannot repay us in this world. People who have no capacity. People who do not know us or would not remember what we did for them. However, as we do things with love for God expressed through others, God takes notice. God cannot be outgiven. So since humans cannot repay us, God will repay us himself, but probably not in this world, but in His kingdom, in his perfect time. 

As we genuinely help others, God transforms us to be more like him, and prepares us for eternity wth Him. 

That is real investment, when you know that God would be the one who will repay you… and when he does, it is out of this world.

Where am I investing my time, talent and treasure? Do I follow Jesus and what he tells today? When I do things for him, do I always expect a return – such as an approval, appreciation, fame or a good reputation? What is my intention for doing things for him?

May we be challenged and inspired to genuinely do good to others snd help others with whatever God has given us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to love. Thank you for another week. Lord, as I start another week, I ask that you help me look beyond what the eyes can see. Help me look beyond the physical concerns of the world. May I invest my time, talent and treasure in building your kingdom. May I genuinely give of myself and genuinely help others as an expression of my love for you. Help me give my best, knowing in faith that you will take care of me as I serve you and will reward me accordingly when the right time comes. Make me more like you so i can serve others better. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/08/pay-it-forward.html

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October 31, 2016
Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 485

Reading 1 Phil 2:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also everyone for those of others.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Alleluia Jn 8:31b-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
He said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Effort

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/103016.cfm) reminds me that God rewards our effort to know Him more. 

Back in high school, we usually joke our teachers in the hopes of getting effort points, especially in math and essays. Even if the final answer is wrong, we ask for a point or so for effort in trying to come up with a solution. On essay questions, even if the answer or thought is incorrect, we also ask for a point for the paragraph/s written to answer the question. Some teachers give in and award effort points, but some do not. In today’s gospel, we see Jesus awarding in a big way the effort done for Him.

Now a man there named Zacchaeus,

who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature. 
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house

Minsan, kailangan mo lang mag effort sa pananampalataya. 

Zacchaeus was probably just curious of Jesus, what he looked like and what he really does, so he made the effort to just see him. And Jesus rewarded him when he not only acknowledged Zacchaeus but also ate in his house. Zacchaeus not only saw Jesus, he experienced Jesus. Good thing he did. 

No one leaves the presence of God unchanged. 

Zacchaeus experienced Jesus, and he was changed for good. But he had to do something on his part. Jesus’ mere presence cannot change him if he did not allow Jesus to. Zacchaeus also had to do his part. He allowed Jesus to move him into action. He allowed Jesus to save him. 

We cannot expect to just sit and allow Jesus to change us, we also have to do our part.

Everyday, Jesus reaches out to us in different ways. Through circumstances around us. Through the news. Through people in our lives. But realizations are not enough. Experiencing him is not enough. We have to act, and do our part, so we can be changed, so we can be saved.

May we be willing to act and exert effort not just in seeing Jesus, but in changing for Jesus.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for all the opportunities you give me to experience you. Thank you also for rewarding my effort for you. Sorry for the times I do not make the effort to see you, to get to know you. Sorry for not doing my part in being a better person. Help me be like Zacchaeus, Lord. May I be ready and willing to step out of my comfort zone, to take the extra step, extra effort for you. As I do, I know you will change me, save me, and transform me to become more like you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/11/action-man.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-would-you-do.html

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October 30, 2016
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 153

Reading 1 Wis 11:22-12:2

Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance
or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.
But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;
and you overlook people's sins that they may repent.
For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.
And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;
or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?
But you spare all things, because they are yours,
O LORD and lover of souls,
for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,
warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,
that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14

R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Reading 2 2 Thes 1:11-2:2

Brothers and sisters:
We always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose
and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in him,
in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask you, brothers and sisters,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our assembling with him,
not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed
either by a “spirit,” or by an oral statement,
or by a letter allegedly from us
to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Alleluia Jn 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house.”
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
“He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
“Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over.”
And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek

and to save what was lost.”

Thirsty

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102916.cfm) reminds me that I should always be thirsty for God and remain humble. 

They say that humility is not thinking less at yourself. There is no need to. We were all created by God. We are all his masterpieces. We are all wonderfully made. So there is no reason to think less of ourself, or feel inferior to others. That is not humility. Rather, humility is thinking of ourselves less. And as we think of ourselves less, we think of others more. We think of God more. 

We can only remain humble if we focus on God and not on ourselves. 

It is easy to be drowned with power and success in this world. Powerful and influential people at work or in society tend to internalize their situation. They feel they are a cut above the rest. They feel everyone should bow down and respect them. It is easy to be distracted by the world. This is what Jesus tells us in the gospel. We should not aspire for places of honor. We should not focus too much on ourselves, our worldly worth, on our influence, power and accomplishments. There would always be someone greater than us - both in this world and in the next. Instead, God wants us to focus on him. 

The psalmist tells us how to focus on God. He tells us what we should do. We should thirst for God. We should remain hungry for God. We should search for God. We should fill our life with God. It is only by doing this that we will have the right perspective, that we will remain humble, that we will be able to live in the way God wants us to. 

May we always be thirsty for God and be humble as we live, focusing on Him and not on ourselves.  

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I think to much of myself. Sorry for the times I focus on my worldly accomplishments. Sorry for the times I am not humble. Lord, help me live right. I humble myself and acknowledge that you are my God. I humble myself and acknowledge that without you, I am nothing. May my focus always be on you. May I always thirst for you, and may I do actions to quench that thirst. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 29, 2016
Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 484

Reading 1 Phil 1:18b-26

Brothers and sisters:
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.
And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 42:2, 3, 5cdef

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.
I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Alleluia Mt 11:29ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Iron Man and Me

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102816.cfm) reminds me how important and powerful it is to have Jesus Christ at the center of my life. 

Iron man is one of the more famous superheroes. He is powerful and intelligent, both as tony stark and as iron man. As iron man, he is a very strong superhero, having great powers in his armour. However, what really powers him is the small arc reactor in his chest. This arc reactor enables him to do great things and gives him superhuman abilities. Without this reactor, it will be very difficult for him to do what he does, even with his armor. 

What is the relationship between iron man and me? Just as the Arc Reactor is the center of and power's Iron Man, Christ should be the center of my life so he can empower me. 

and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.

We are reminded to make Christ as the capstone, the center, the foundation of our lives. Like iron man and his reactor, we can only do great things if Jesus is in the center of our lives. We can only achieve real greatness if he is in our hearts, and if we allow Him to control our lives. On our own, our abilities are very limited, but with God’s power, we can achieve great things with whatever we have. As we put Jesus in the center of our lives and allow Him to control us, he will take what we have, and magnify it for his purpose, for his glory.

Is Jesus in the center of my life? Do I allow him to control my life? What prevents me from making him the center and from giving him total control of my life? Do I realize that I can start with prayer and building a relationship with him, and from there, he can and will slowly consume me, if I let him?

May we be move to make Jesus Christ the center of our lives, and allow him to take control, to empower, and to use us mightily for his purpose and his glory. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for your love. Lord, sorry for the times I do not make you the center of my life. Sorry for focusing on other things. Sorry for not giving you full control of my life. Lord, I ask that you help me surrender to you. help me give my life to you and make you the center of my life. I know that it is only through this that I can do great things for you. I know that without you, I can do nothing, so help me stay in you and I have faith that you will slowly consume me, empower me, and use me mightily. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/10/prayer-power.html

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October 28, 2016
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Lectionary: 666

Reading 1 Eph 2:19-22

Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5a) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia - See Te Deum

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Spiritual Armor

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102716.cfm) reminds me that even though we are busy with things in this world, we should also work on building and strengthening our Spiritual Armor. 

They say that if you believe in the gospel, then you should also believe in evil. God is good, but not all people want Him. Not all people follow him. God gave us free will, and because of that, evil is present because there are people who do not accept God.  If you do not believe in evil, then maybe you do not really believe in the gospel. 

Evil is real. It is strong, even if we do not see it physically. However, God is stronger. And as followers of God, we are told how to fight evil. How to fight spiritual warfare - by using our spiritual armor. The first reading tells us how to fight it with God. The Spiritual Armor, more than anything, is a lifestyle. This is not an actual battle where we fight on God's side against the enemy. This is a battle we fight (and win) everyday with our lives. 

The spiritual armor as described in the first reading, is not a gift given to us when we follow Christ. We have to work on it. We have to do our part. We need to live in righteousness and truth. We need to live the gospel of Christ's peace. We need to attend mass, read the bible, and pray to remember that we are saved, to have a stronger faith and to know God's Word. 

Evil is around us and always attacking us. That is probably why most of the parts of the armor are for defense. Defending ourselves against the attacks of the enemy - belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, shield of faith, and helmet of salvation. Knowing these things and having these things will protect us from all attacks of the evil one. However, there is one offensive weapon. The sword of the Spirit, the WORD of God. That is how powerful his word is! It is sufficient not just to defend ourselves, but attack the evil one. 

May we be willing to fight the enemy and do our part to build and strengthen our spiritual armor. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to grow in faith. Thank you for the reminder and inspiration. Lord, sorry for the times I do not exert effort to build and strengthen my spiritual armor. Sorry for being lazy to act. Help me do my part. Lord, I pray that you help me live for you. Help me do my part and live in a way pleasing to you. May my lifestyle be consistent with how you want me to live, and may it help me grow and strengthen my spiritual armor so I can fight the evil in this world. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 27, 2016
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 482

Reading 1 Eph 6:10-20

Brothers and sisters:
Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm
against the tactics of the Devil.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood
but with the principalities, with the powers,
with the world rulers of this present darkness,
with the evil spirits in the heavens.
Therefore, put on the armor of God,
that you may be able to resist on the evil day
and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
So stand fast with your loins girded in truth,
clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,
and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield,
to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.

With all prayer and supplication,
pray at every opportunity in the Spirit.
To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication
for all the holy ones and also for me,
that speech may be given me to open my mouth,
to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel
for which I am an ambassador in chains,
so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10

R. (1b) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My mercy and my fortress,
my stronghold, my deliverer,
My shield, in whom I trust,
who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you;
with a ten stringed lyre I will chant your praise,
You who give victory to kings,
and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Alleluia See Lk 19:38; 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said,
“Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.”
He replied, “Go and tell that fox,
‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow,
and on the third day I accomplish my purpose.
Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day,
for it is impossible that a prophet should die
outside of Jerusalem.’

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you,
how many times I yearned to gather your children together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
but you were unwilling!
Behold, your house will be abandoned.
But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say,

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Parents

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102616.cfm) reminds me that I should always honor my parents. 

They say that in life, you easily hurt the people closest to you – the people you love, the important people, the people you are comfortable with… simply because with them you can be yourself, you can show the real you. Unfortunately, our parents, because of their genuine love and understanding for us, usually experience this from their children. However, the first reading today reminds us how we should treat our parents.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
The fourth commandment is relating to the parents. after the first three, which are all about God, he put the parents next. This tells us something – how God wants us to really respect and honor our parents. So much that he gives us a promise as we do so – a long and good life. Wow, powerful. God must be really serious about this, right?
Our parents are the first “Jesus” in our lives.
Our parents showed and made us feel real love, care and concern. When we were helpless children, they cared for us. When we were always crying, they tried to go down to our level and understand what we need – basing only from our cry. When we were growing up, they made themselves always available for us. When we need support – financial, emotional, spiritual, etc, they do their best. They make miracles happen that despite all the challenges they face in life and in their careers, they were there for us, making us feel that everything is normal and fine. Come to think of it, they were one of the most strong, if not the strongest, embodiment of Jesus and God’s love in our lives. Thus, it is just right that we should treat them as we would Jesus.
Our parents may be imperfect, like everyone else. But they try their best,  not to be perfect, but to be the best version of themselves for us. May we obey God and show our love for God through our parents.


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.  Thank you for my parents, Lord. Thank you for sending them in my life. Thank you for blessing them with love, graces, understanding and peace – for they give us these things as well. Sorry for the times I do not treat them the way they should be treated. Sorry for the times I do not love them the way they should be loved. I ask that you continue to bless my parents, and that you help me do my best to show them my love. May I always do my best to honor them in my life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 26, 2016
Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 481

Reading 1 Eph 6:1-9

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord
for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd-14

R. (13c) The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.

Alleluia See 2 Thess 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,

and some are first who will be last.”

Little and Mighty

The WORD Today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102516.cfm) reminds me that God can use our little faith in a mighty way. 

We went to Davao last month for my cousin's wedding. And as they say, a visit to Davao is incomplete without eating Durian. Durian is a very intriguing fruit. It is one of the fruits with the strongest smell, and others would say one of the tastiest fruit. A lot of people don’t like its smell, that is why there are hotels and places around Davao have signs explicitly saying that durian is not allowed. Others who cannot take the smell does not even want to taste the fruit. Others, however, are comfortable with the smell, and like the fruit very much. Well they say it’s a love it or hate it relationship with Durian, no in between.

Same is true with our faith. Either you have faith, or not. Probably some have greater faith than others, that’s why the disciples in the gospel asked Jesus to increase their faith. But if you have faith in you, that’s a good start. Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, then we can move mountains. Really, that small faith is enough? I used to think that yes, that probably is enough. But others present an interesting perspective -  that our little faith becomes enough not because only small faith isnrequired, but because God has faith in us! It is his faith in us that increases the power of our little faith. His faith adds to ours. It is his faith in us, our capacity to do good, our capacity to do great things through him, that enables us to do so, to move mountains. Yes, I believe that it is not just our faith, but God’s faith in us, that enables our mustard seed sized faith to move mountains.

God's faith in us adds to our faith and enables great things to happen. 

We cannot do anything on our own. Our knowledge and wisdom and understanding are limited. No matter how we think or what we think of ourselves, it is only by God's goodness, love and blessings that we are able to do things. No matter how small our faith is, he takes it, increases it, and uses it to be able to involve us in his plans and do great things to and through us. 

May we always remember how much God loves us, how he sees us, and how he uses us to do great things - no matter how small our faith is. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings you have been giving me. Thank you for the reminder. Lord. Lord, I pray that you continue to complement my faith. I know I have little faith, so I pray that you never get tired of having faith in me. Your faith in me increases the power of my little faith, and I pray that as I continuously experience your love and faith in me, my faith will slowly and eventually increase as well. Lord, I also ask that you always remind me to put things in perspective. As you use me to do great things, may i never be proud and just continue to work for you and allow you to use me. I will surrender always as a sign of my trust, love and gratitude for all the blessings and love you have been giving me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/10/small-to-big.html

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October 25, 2016
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 480

Reading 1 Eph 5:21-33

Brothers and sisters:
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the Church,
he himself the savior of the Body.
As the Church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the Church,
because we are members of his Body.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.

This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.
In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself,
and the wife should respect her husband.

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

R. (1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk 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.
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.
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.

Alleluia See Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Children of Light

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102416.cfm) reminds me that being children of light should be all the time - there are no breaks. 

Sabbath is a holy day for the people. It commemorates the day that God rested from all the work he was doing. It was supposed to be a day away from worldly work, and totally dedicated not just for resting, but for serving and worshipping God. However, somewhere along the way, the essence was overshadowed by a lot of their rules - what are prohibited to do on a Sabbath. Good thing Jesus does not always follow worldly rules!

The first reading and responsorial psalm are both telling us what to do and how to live. We should live like children of the light - which is God. And in the gospel, Jesus tells us how. We should always do good. We should always serve God. We should always help others. Always. No exceptions. That is how we should live. That is how we should act. 

Sometimes we choose when to do good. When we feel like doing good. When we feel good about something. When we just want to do good. However, God reminds us that there should be no break in doing good. There should be no break in acting and living like God's children. 

May we be conscious to always do good, and always act as God's children - no breaks, no excuses, no dependencies. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I become choosy when to do good. Sorry for the times My mood dictates how I act. Sorry for making excuses. Lord, help me live right. Help me live in a way pleasing to you. Help me always do good. Help me always act right. May my life please and glorify you. Amen. 

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 24, 2016
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 479

Reading 1 Eph 4:32–5:8

Brothers and sisters:
Be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.
Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you,
as is fitting among holy ones,
no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place,
but instead, thanksgiving.
Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person,
that is, an idolater,
has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments,
for because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.
So do not be associated with them.
For you were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R. (see Eph. 5:1) Behave like God as his very dear children.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Behave like God as his very dear children.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Behave like God as his very dear children.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Behave like God as his very dear children.

Alleluia Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 13:10-17

Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath.
And a woman was there who for eighteen years
had been crippled by a spirit;
she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.
When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said,
“Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.”
He laid his hands on her,
and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.
But the leader of the synagogue,
indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath,
said to the crowd in reply,
“There are six days when work should be done.
Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.”
The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites!
Does not each one of you on the sabbath
untie his ox or his ass from the manger
and lead it out for watering?
This daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now,
ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day
from this bondage?”
When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated;
and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.

Content and Intention

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102316.cfm) reminds me that God looks at the content and intention of our prayers. 

According to the Little Prince, what is essential is invisible to the eye. In a lot of times, if not all, this is true. There is more than what meets the eye. There is almost always something more, a deeper meaning and reason deeper than the surface level. There are people who seemingly say one thing but actually mean another. There are people who seem to proclaim and share their work for God but are actually looking for applause and building up themselves, not God. This is what happened to the story in the gospel. 

It is not enough that we pray. God looks at the content of our prayers, for the content tells God the state of our hearts. 

The Pharisee prayed, but the focus was not on God. The focus was on himself - how he thinks he is a good person, a God fearing person that people should look up to. He was boasting of how advanced his state is compared to others. And God did not like that. On the other hand, the sinful man had a short prayer. Short but sincere, humble and repentant. Simple, but deep because it was from the heart. the focus was on God. he knows how small he is compared to God's greatness, and  because he knows and hopes God will forgive him. 

Our prayers tell God the state of our hearts. 

When we are like the Pharisee, focusing on ourselves and how great a servant of God we are, then we are not praying. We are boasting and telling God how great we are. We are not focusing on God, but on ourselves. We do not ask God to fill us up, but are telling God we are doing well and must be emulated by others. However, if we are repentant like the tax collector, then God sees how serious, repentant and humble we are. And will help us improve and become more like him. 

It is not enough that we merely pray. We should pray with pure intentions. We should pray with a pure heart. We should pray having faith and humility. May we not be contented by merely praying, but examine our prayers and see if we are focusing on God or on ourselves. 

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 another Sunday. Lord, sorry for the times I don't pray. And sorry for the many times I am not able to pray properly. Sorry for having the focus on myself and not on you. I ask that you help me be more aware of my prayers. Help me be sensitive of my prayers. Disturb me and make me aware if my prayers are focusing on myself, and not on you. Help me have a humble and contrite heart, and as I come to you, I ask that you not only forgive me, but fill me and make me more like you. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 23, 2016
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 150

Reading 1 Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Reading 2 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved:
I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Another Try

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102216.cfm0 reminds me that God gives us opportunities to repent.

The first time to do something is always challenging. We are currently working on an ISO certification, the first time we are doing it, and it is very challenging, especially when creating templates and other documents. We are not sure if we are doing it right. We do not know what to expect. We do not know a lot of things. That is why we feel better and more comfortable the second time we do things. This is what we are given. 

Jesus gives us second chances to do things right.

In the gospel, we see Jesus as the gardener who asks the owner, God, for a second chance for us, the tree not bearing fruit, before cutting it down. What's interesting to note is that it was not a spur of the moment decision. He owner waited for three years for the tree to bear fruit. He was patient. And when he was about to have it cut, the gardener asked him for another chance for the tree.

The gardener will not just ask for another chance and then do nothing, expecting the tree to bear fruit on its own. He will do his part. He will give his best effort. He will do whatever he can, fertilize the soil, water the tree, etc, to make a better environment for the tree. He will do everything in his capacity to help the tree. The only thing he cannot do is bear fruit for the tree. That’s the part of the tree already.

This is also how God deals with us. 

God gives us opportunities to bear fruit and do things right. He gives us opportunities to grow in Him. He gives us people to guide and inspire us. He gave us the Church and the sacraments to help us grow in our faith.  He gives us all that we need to grow in him and bear good fruit. But ultimately, it is our choice if we will allow Him to get through us. It is our choice to bear fruit for God and make the most out of the opportunities and second chances he gives us.

May we be sensitive to God's call and opportunities, and cooperate with and submit to him so he can transform us to bear fruit. 

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 your patience. Thank you for your great love for me. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you and your messages and reminders. Sorry for doing things my way. I ask that you help me be sensitive to your calls and opportunities you give me to change my ways and repent. Help me have the will to do it. Help me choose you over all the pleasures of this life. As I do so, I have faith that you would transform me and enable me to bear fruits for you. May my life show you how much I love you. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/03/one-more-chance_1835.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/10/second-chances.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/10/another-chance.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/02/last-chance.html

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October 22, 2016
Saturday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 478

Reading 1 Eph 4:7-16

Brothers and sisters:
Grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Therefore, it says:

He ascended on high and took prisoners captive;
he gave gifts to men.

What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended
into the lower regions of the earth?
The one who descended is also the one who ascended
far above all the heavens,
that he might fill all things.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood
to the extent of the full stature of Christ,
so that we may no longer be infants,
tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching
arising from human trickery,
from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.
Rather, living the truth in love,
we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ,
from whom the whole Body,
joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
with the proper functioning of each part,
brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5

R. (1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Alleluia Ez 33:11

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,
but rather in his conversion that he may live.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
He said to them in reply,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them–
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!”

And he told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.’”