Divided

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102016.cfm) reminds me that God will divide us into those who are with him and those who are against him. 

In our society, affiliations are powerful. We see entitled people get their way just because of their or their family's money, power and connections. Even if one is personally not powerful, being a spouse, children, or even relative of a powerful and influential person can make a big difference in society. It may work in the world, but not with God. 

Each of us has to choose if we are for or against God. Individually. 

Jesus is the price of peace, but the gospel seems to contradict that at first glance. However, looking at it closely, we will see that it is not an intentional division. Jesus reminds us that he comes to divide those who are following him from those who are not. And we have to choose individually. Our family cannot choose for us. 

Choosing him is a personal decision. And it is not a one time decision. If we constantly sin, we are telling God we want death over life with him. This is why God wants to separate us, his followers, from those who do not follow him. This is why he brings division - even from our families. 

Family is very important, especially to us Filipinos. Through thick and thin, family stays together. A family should be one, with no issues and division. However, we are reminded in today’s gospel that nothing should come in between us and God. Nothing and no one. A division may occur among friends, among those we love, and even among family members, as we try to follow God.  However, we are reminded that we should not let attachment come in between our faith, and nothing should separate us from God.

God’s ways are not always easy, but it always worth it. May we be encouraged to stand firm, and avoid division by doing our best to bring our loved ones to Christ as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to experience you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not choose you. Sorry for not always standing up for you.  Lord, I pray for strength to stand firm, to stand for you no matter what happens. Help me be brave and live and defend my faith and love for you. I ask that you help me to also spread your love to others. May I also bring others, especially those whom I love, closer to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 20, 2016
Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 476

Reading 1 Eph 3:14-21

Brothers and sisters:
I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine,
by the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19

R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
But see, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Phil 3:8-9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I consider all things so much rubbish
that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”