The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021417.cfm)
reminds me that I should never
forget all the great things God has done for me.
Early 2015, we were so
spiritually high. During Pope Francis’ visit, people were all smiles, all were
extra patient despite the traffic or road closures, all were extra nice.
However, it did not stay that way for so long, for after a few days we had news
of the death of 44 SAF men. People were so mad, annoyed and frustrated with the
government. It was as if the Pope did not visit us, and we forgot what he told
us.
Negative
situations can lead us to easily forget all the good God has done for us.
It
seems easy to forget God’s goodness and blessings. In the first reading, after
God gave them everything, we see that man eventually became wicked and forgot God,
thus God destroyed almost everything. In the gospel, we see the apostles
seemingly forgetting the power of Jesus, and was focused only on what they
think, on what they understand.
A
lot of times, we too are like this. We forget everything God has done for and
to us. We forget his love and goodness. We forget all the times he got us out
of trouble, and the times he provided for our needs. We get stuck on what we
think, we focus on what we understand. We let situations dictate how we react,
and not anchor our behavior on our faith. God is patient, but we should not
test his patience, and live pleasing God and following his commands.
May
we remember all the good God has done to and for us, especially when life’s
challenges overwhelm us.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love
and experience your love. Thank you for all the blessings and the goodness you
have consistently been providing me. I am sorry for the times I let myself be
drowned with my emotions and with the situation, that it leads me to forget
you. Sorry for forgetting. Open my mind and my heart, and may I always remember
all the good you have done to and for me. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
February 14, 2017
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
Lectionary: 336
Reading 1 Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10
and how no desire that his heart conceived
was ever anything but evil,
he regretted that he had made man on the earth,
and his heart was grieved.
So the LORD said:
"I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created,
and not only the men,
but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air,
for I am sorry that I made them."
But Noah found favor with the LORD.
Then the LORD said to Noah:
"Go into the ark, you and all your household,
for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just.
Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs,
a male and its mate;
and of the unclean animals, one pair,
a male and its mate;
likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs,
a male and a female,
and of all the unclean birds, one pair,
a male and a female.
Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth.
Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth
for forty days and forty nights,
and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth
every moving creature that I have made."
Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him.
As soon as the seven days were over,
the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Alleluia Jn 14:23
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord;
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 8:14-21
and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.
Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out,
guard against the leaven of the Pharisees
and the leaven of Herod."
They concluded among themselves that
it was because they had no bread.
When he became aware of this he said to them,
"Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread?
Do you not yet understand or comprehend?
Are your hearts hardened?
Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?
And do you not remember,
when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand,
how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?"
They answered him, "Twelve."
"When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand,
how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?"
They answered him, "Seven."
He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
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