Burning

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/043017.cfm) reminds me that I should be burning with God's love so I can share him to others. 

I personally believe that coaches should be good inspirational speakers. They should be able to give inspirational messages to players, especially during games. This affects the players. They would feel inspired, they would feel their purpose, And it would lead them to play well and give their all. This is similar to our spiritual life as well. We should be filled with inspiration, with purpose, and with God's love before we go out into the world. 

"If you are not burning with God's love, you cannot inspire others"

Makes sense, right? Because truly, we cannot give what we do not have. We cannot love others and inspire others if we do not experience love from God, if we are not full of it, and if we are not burning with God's love. 

In the gospel, we see the disciples felt this. Jesus has just risen, so he was burning with the love of and for God the Father. He was filled with God. And as he was speaking to the disciples while they were walking, as they were talking and while he was explaining things to them, he was able to pass this on burning love to others. 

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

We also see this In the first and second readings. The apostles, led by Peter, spoke about God. Peter proclaimed God to others. He was filled with God's love, and this enabled him, this inspired him to proclaim God to others. He shared God's word, God's message to others. 

We should also aim to be burning with God's love. We should allow God to love us so we can experience his love. We should also do our part, like praying, reading the bible, and partaking of the sacraments. These would help us be aware and conscious of God's love. 

How do I feel God's love in my life? What was the moment i felt God's love in my life the most? Am I burning with God's love? Am I able to share this to and inspire others?

May we do our best to be filled with God's love. May we ask God to continue to love us and fill us. And as we are filled, may we be generous enough to pass on his love to others. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for all your blessings. Thank you for loving me. thank you for being so generous. Lord, sorry for the times your love is nOt enough for me. Sorry for looking for love and affirmation somewhere else. Sorry for the times I ignore and refuse your love. Lord, I allow you to love me. I allow you to fill me with your love, your blessings, your presence. I ask you to fill me so I may be able to share you to others. Help me feel and be sensitive to your love. As i do so, may I inspire others. May I bless others. Use me Lord for your purpose and glory. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

--------------------------------------

 

April 30, 2017
Third Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 46

Reading 1ACTS 2:14, 22-33

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
You who are Israelites, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.
"My brothers, one can confidently say to you
about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,
and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld
nor did his flesh see corruption.
God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father
and poured him forth, as you see and hear."

Responsorial PsalmPS 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, 
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 21 PT 1:17-21

Beloved:
If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one's works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world 
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.

AlleluiaCF. LK 24:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us;
make our hearts burn while you speak to us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelLK 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, 
two of Jesus' disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, 
"What are you discussing as you walk along?"
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"
They said to him, 
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning 
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see."
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two recounted 
what had taken place on the way

and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. 

No Trivial Task

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042917.cfm) reminds me that there is no trivial task as I work for God. 

They say life is unfair. And in a lot of ways, this is true. There are a lot of powerful and influential people. However, there are more poor, simple, and exploited people. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. The poor, because of their situation, do not usually get good education. Their environment is not conducive for learning. This is the reason why they do not get the necessary experience and qualifications, plus they don't have the connections needed for most important positions in society. They are usually given just small, menial tasks and roles. However, this is not the same with God. 

There is no small task as we work for God. And as we work for him, all are on equal footing. 

In the first reading, we see that the apostles needed hep with admin tasks - such as feeding the people and taking care of their physical needs. As leaders, their focus was on the spiritual aspect so they were not able to do other admin tasks that needed to be done. Because of this, they asked the people to choose leaders with good standing and filled with the Spirit and wisdom. Their task was administrative in nature, not the spiritual one like the apostles, but they needed to be spiritually strong and mature. This shows that as we work for God, no task is trivial. God expects the same spiritual preparation for us whether we are leading praise and worship or taking out the trash in His name. This is because a strong spiritual foundation will enable us to see him in everything we do - however little or big the world classifies it. 

We all have different talents. We all have different gifts. And sometimes we look down on ourselves when we realize or when we feel we don't have the gift of others. We sometimes feel we are so normal and will not be able to offer much for God. However, we are reminded today that this is not true. Whatever we can do for God is important. And he expects our best as we do it. He expects us to prepare spiritually and live right no matter how small we think our service to him is. 

May we be inspired to do everything the best way we can for God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I look down on myself. Sorry for feeling small, for thinking I have nothing to offer you. Sorry for failing to see the goodness and the gifts you have given me. Help me live in a way pleasing to you. Help me prepare spiritually for any task. May I do my best in whatever task you give me. May I give you my all, my best service in everything. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 29, 2017
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 272

Reading 1ACTS 6:1-7

As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows 
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
"It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word."
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the Apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Responsorial PsalmPS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, who made all things;
he has shown mercy on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 6:16-21

When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid."
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore

to which they were heading.

God With You

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042817.cfm) reminds me that if God is with us, nothing can be against us. 

Gamaliel in the first reading tells us a very insightful thought. Human effort is not enough to sustain groups. It should be blessed by God to be able to continue and flourish. God should be present and should be the center for a group to flourish and survive. The Apostles who experienced Jesus as they were proclaiming God's kingdom are the very early fathers of our church. Their acts and service to God lived on, and until now that group they were referring to in the first reading, the group that believes in God still exist. We still exist, more than 2000 years from the time of the Apostles, so we know this has God's blessings, and that God is truly in our midst. 

If God is with you, nothing can destroy you. 

The first reading also says that fake groups not founded on God were eventually destroyed. They died a natural death. Needless to say, groups with God in the center can withstand anything. They can withstand everything. This should inspire us and strengthen us. If God is really in us, in our midst, then we would always be safe. 

We need not experience something like the gospel. No miracle is needed. No physical presence of Jesus is needed. These are not needed for us to know that God is alive in us. History shows he is. And if we do our part, we will make God's presence more alive and more real in this world. In the same way that Jesus took what the boy had, the little that he had, and used it mightily, God too will take whatever little we are able to give and use it mightily for his kingdom and glory. 

May we be willing to offer what little we can, and have faith that God can use it to make him more alive and real in our lives, so indeed people can see God is truly in our midst. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming up. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, sorry for the times I doubt your love, power and protection. Sorry for letting myself be overwhelmed. And sorry for keeping things to myself. Lord, help me be willing to share like the boy. I may not have a lot, but your touch can change everything. I don't have great talents lord, but i offer myself and I have faith that you will take the little i have and use it mightily to glorify your name. Use me to make you more alive and more real in our midst. I also ask that you increase my faith and remind me that as long as you are with me, nothing can go against, that I will always have your protection. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 28, 2017
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 271

Reading 1ACTS 5:34-42

A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,
a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,
stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel,
be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,
and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,
and all those who were loyal to him
were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.
He also drew people after him,
but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you,
have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.
For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,
it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;
you may even find yourselves fighting against God."
They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,
ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,
and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,
they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.

Responsorial PsalmPS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (see 4abc) One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
One thing I ask of the LORD
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

AlleluiaMT 4:4B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 6:1-15

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples. 
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
"Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little."
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people recline." 
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. 
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
"Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted."
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
"This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." 
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.

Obey God Alone

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042717.cfm) reminds me that I should obey God alone, and not be intimidated by worldly powers of men. 

Power is intimidating. There are a lot of people who love to use their worldly power to get their way. Helpless people are forced to obey them because of their power. A lot of times, powerful people get their way, even on illegal or immoral things. However, today we see that we should not be intimidated by worldly power. 

We should obey God, not men, however powerful they are in this world. 

In the first reading, we see powerful people intimidating the apostles. They were in the presence of powerful people. They were in the territory of powerful people. We could just imagine what the disciples must have felt. Trapped. Powerless. However, they did not let themselves get intimidated. They were faithful to what God wanted them to do. They followed God, not men. Probably the reason for this is the gospel. Jesus told them before that the one from heaven is above all. They knew who Jesus was. And they knew he is above all. And even though they were in the presence of powerful men, they remained faithful to Jesus. 

In our lives, we might be put in situations we feel powerless. Powerful people may gang up on us. Situations may force us in one corner. We might be forced into doing something we should not. We may be forced to compromise our values. But we should take courage. God sees everything. And God is above all. He has power over everyone, so we should just continue to trust him and have faith like the apostles who knew God will protect them and will make a way when there seems to be no way. 

May we have faith in God's protection and resolve to always obey God, not men. 

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. Lord, sorry for the times I let myself be intimidated by powerful people. Sorry for the times I forget you. Sorry for being weak and scared. Help me live like the apostles. Help me have faith in you. Your word. Your power. Your promise. Help me be bold and faithful in obeying you, not men. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 27, 2017
Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 270

Reading 1

ACTS 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
"We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man's blood upon us."
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
"We must obey God rather than men. 
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial PsalmPS 34:2 AND 9, 17-18, 19-20

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.

AlleluiaJN 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe?
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,

but the wrath of God remains upon him.