The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122716.cfm)
reminds me that I should always share God's love to others.
They say it is better to give
than to receive – and in a lot of ways, this is true. Members of our community
generally feel more blessed in giving and in serving others, especially as they
serve as sponsors in a retreat, than participating in one. In giving to others,
in serving others, we allow God to use us to spread his love to others. The
more love we receive from God, the more we want to spread and share it to
others.
John
probably felt this way. In the gospel, we see him regarded as “the disciple
whom Jesus loved.” Some say he is the favorite. Of course, Jesus loved them
all, in a way that he loves us all, but probably John was special. He was one
who probably felt Christ’s love the most, but this feeling, this being special,
did not make him act like a spoiled, selfish person. Instead, this made him
love others more, this made him spread God’s love to others, as seen in the
first reading. He wanted to share God to others “so that our joy may be
complete”
We should share
God to others and not keep him for ourselves.
Knowing
God is not for one's gain and appreciation only. Knowing God brings joy,
but sharing God to others would bring even
greater joy. That is why we are called to share God to others too -
to share our stories, our encounters and our faith with others.
Sharing
the love, sharing Jesus, is not through preaching only. They say actions speak louder than words. When we do
good and help others; when we are constantly trying to do good and be honest;
when we continue to be happy and peaceful despite all the challenges we
encounter - then that's when we really share God. Why? because That's when
people will wonder - what God is this
person serving? Why is he so happy and peaceful? Why is she genuinely good? I
want to be like him. I want to know his God.
What are my blessings for this
year? What are my greatly undeserved blessings? What am I sharing with others?
Am I spreading God’s love to others? How can I concretely share God to others?
May we be inspired by John and
spread God’s love to others.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings, both
evident and in disguise, that you continue to give to me. Lord, sorry for the
times I do not recognize them. And sorry for not acting like John, sorry for
not sharing you to others. Sorry for being too lazy to move and act.
Disturb me. Make me like John. Lord, may I always feel your love and
blessings, and as I do, help me spread your love to others. Help me share you
to others. Use me to make your love more alive and more real in this world. May
my life remind people how great and loving you are. May you be glorified
through my life. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In Christ,
-g-
December 27, 2016
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Lectionary: 697
Reading 1 1 Jn 1:1-4
Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life—
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us—
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life—
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us—
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
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.
On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 20:1a and 2-8
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
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