Small to Big

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/103117.cfm) reminds me that God's power can turn our small offerings to big blessings. 

They say that great things start from small beginnings. That is true. As we look in our lives, we know that we all started small. We were born a baby, knowing nothing on our own. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a baby. It was God’s love and protection, through other people, that got us where we are today. No matter how much one achieves in life, that person started small. And it is by God’s love and grace, not by human power, intelligence, influence and connections, that one is able to achieve things.

in the gospel, we see Jesus telling us something similar. The mustard seed and yeast are small. Yet they eventually affect a lot. The mustard seed grew into a huge tree, and the yeast affected the flour. They were able to do great things and accomplish a lot, even if they started small. Whatever they accomplished, they started small. 

Small things can accomplish great things with God’s blessing.

We may feel simple and normal, but that will not stop God from using us mightily. Mustard seed. Yeast. Simple stuff. Small stuff. But eventually did great things. This is what God does. He turns what we have, the simple that we have, and multiplies it. He turns it to something great. He blesses us so we can bless others and build God's kingdom. 

God’s kingdom is also like this. Jesus was explaining to his disciples what the kingdom of God is like. It is like a small mustard seed that grew into a huge tree. It is like yeast that affected the flour. During that time, it may seem small, since they were the only ones working for it. But Jesus is telling them that in God’s perfect time, God’s kingdom will be immensely huge, bigger than what they can imagine. I believe this also applies to us right now. Looking at the world, God’s kingdom may seem so small. People are busy with achieving and accomplishing a lot, especially with all the advancements and technology in place. We put very small importance on God’s kingdom since we really cannot feel it, unlike things on this world. However, in his perfect time, we will realize how huge God’s kingdom really is.

In the first reading, Paul was writing to the romans, telling them that even though they may be experiencing challenges right now, that is very small compared to the magnitude and blessing of being in God’s kingdom when the time comes. We too are reminded to put things in perspective, and do our part to prepare as well so we won’t be caught off guard when the fullness of God’s kingdom appears.

May we learn to trust in God, that he will magnify whatever little we can offer, especially as we work for His kingdom. 

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 losing my focus on you. Sorry for allowing myself to be distracted by the world and what it has to offer. Sorry for being too busy and focused on achieving worldly things. Sorry for ignoring you. sorry for thinking that I would have the time to work for your kingdom later on. Lord, I ask that you help me put things in perspective. Help me have faith in you, however small like a mustard seed. I know that even if I have just a tiny bit of faith and knowledge of you, you will help me grow it, so I would always be aware of your kingdom, work for your kingdom, and prepare for your coming to this world. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/11/faith-in-you.html

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October 31, 2017
Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 480

Reading 1ROM 8:18-25

Brothers and sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. 
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

Responsorial PsalmPS 126:1B-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6

R. (3a) The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.

AlleluiaSEE 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.

GospelLK 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."

Lakas Mo

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/103017.cfm) reminds me how much God loves me and what He would do for me. 

There are people who we know are in very good terms with others. If we need something with parents, we tend to ask someone who's in very good terms with them. A favorite child, or family member. Someone they can or won't say no to. Same at work, we tend to go through or include someone who we know is in very good terms with the boss so we can get support as well. Malakas. This is how we are with God. 

Malakas ka sa Diyos. 

God will go out of his way for us. That’s how special we are to him.

In the gospel, Jesus could have ignored the woman. Or he could have just cured her by his words. However, Jesus loved her so much that he wanted her to feel a personal connection. After telling her she is free and cured, Jesus laid her hands on her. Jesus went out of his way to personally make her feel his love and healing. And when other people questioned him, Jesus defended his actions and the importance of the woman. He went out of his way for the woman. He was willing to go through to all the trouble for the woman, just so the woman would feel his personal connection and concern for her. This is also how God sees each one of us. Indeed, he goes out of his way for us.

There are times in life we feel our concerns are too shallow, or too complex for God. We may also feel God is too busy for us. Today, we are reminded that He will go out of his way for us. that’s how much he loves us. That is how special we are to Him. 

May we always remember how special we are to God, be inspired to repay him with our love and service, just like the woman in the gospel who glorified God after being healed.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for having issues. Sorry for being dramatic and not coming to you for whatever reason. Sorry for not having faith in you. Sorry for thinking you cannot do anything about my problems. Lord, as you went out of your way for the woman, I know you are telling me that you will also go out of your way for me. Thank you for loving me that much. I come to you in humility and faith bringing my concerns, and I have faith that you will take care of them. And as I come to you, as I experience your love, I will praise and glorify you with me life. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 30, 2017
Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 479

Reading 1ROM 8:12-17

Brothers and sisters,
we are not debtors to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body,
you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a spirit of adoption,
through which we cry, "Abba, Father!"
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.

Responsorial PsalmPS 68:2 AND 4, 6-7AB, 20-21

R. (21a) Our God is the God of salvation.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
and those who hate him flee before him.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.
Blessed day by day be the Lord,
who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.
God is a saving God for us;
the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death.
R. Our God is the God of salvation.

AlleluiaJN 17:17B, 17A

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

GospelLK 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.

God In Others

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102917.cfm) reminds me that I should live my love for God through others. 

Saying and doing are two different things. Words and actions are two different things. Saying we love God is different from actually living like we do. Saying we love God is different from actually loving God.

In the gospel, we see the two greatest commandments. Pretty simple, but tough. First is of course, love God with all that we have. God deserves our best. God deserves our all. He gave us everything, and we should give him back everything. We should love him with everything we have, with everything we can. He deserves nothing less. 

The Second is to love others.  Jesus did not stop at the first. he did not say that we should just love God, and we’re all set. Love for God should be greater than lip service. Love for God should be more concrete than words. Love for God should be real and alive. 

Love for God should be lived through others.

The application of God’s love is us loving other people. In the first reading, we see that we are told to love and respect others.  This is what God wants from us. This is what he asks from us. We cannot say we love God and hate other people. We cannot say we love God but not care about the situation of other people in the world. God is alive in each person, and our love for God should be lived as we treat and relate to others – especially those who we feel are unlovable.

May we be encouraged to love God beyond words, and live that love by the way we treat others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to love you and experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not live my love for you. Sorry for just saying it. Help me be real. you know that I love you. and I ask that you help me live that love for you through others. May I treat others the way I would treat you. may I help others like it was you I was helping. May I love others as I love you. help me make you more alive in this world by seeing you in others and loving you through others. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/06/god-first.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/06/with-everything-we-have.html

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October 29, 2017
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 148

Reading 1EX 22:20-26

Thus says the LORD:
"You shall not molest or oppress an alien,
for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. 
You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. 
If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me,
I will surely hear their cry. 
My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword;
then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.

"If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him. 
If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. 
What else has he to sleep in?
If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."

Responsorial PsalmPS 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives and blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

Reading 21 THES 1:5C-10

Brothers and sisters:
You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. 
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit,
so that you became a model for all the believers
in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth
not only in Macedonia and in Achaia,
but in every place your faith in God has gone forth,
so that we have no need to say anything. 
For they themselves openly declare about us
what sort of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God
and to await his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead,
Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.

AlleluiaJN 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.

GospelMT 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" 
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Iron Man and Jesus

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102817.cfm) reminds me how important and powerful it is to have Jesus 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, Jesus 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.

In the first reading, We are reminded to make Christ 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.

We see this in action in the gospel. Jesus prayed overnight. It shows that God is in the center of his life. God is the one powering him and giving him direction and inspiration. Then he chose his apostles afterwards. He shows who should be in the center of our life. 

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 the weekend. 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 weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

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

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October 28, 2017
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles
Lectionary: 666

Reading 1EPH 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 PsalmPS 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.

GospelLK 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.

Early Stages

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102717.cfm) reminds me that we should change our ways on the early stages, while it is still possible. 

In software development, managers, programmers and analysts want corrections to be done in the earlier phases of the project. It is easier to correct and will cost less, as compared to having all the corrections and changes done when a system or a product is already almost finished. Worse, if a product or software is already released and in production, and errors are discovered, it will be most costly, not to mention the negative image the group will have on the users. This is similar to what God wants us to do in the gospel.

It is easier to repent early, than wait for the final judgment and suffer the consequences.

In the gospel, Jesus tells the people to make amends and settle things on the way to the magistrate. Otherwise, if no  amends were made before the decision is finalized, they will have to suffer the full consequences of their actions. Jesus wants us to prepare and change our ways early on, when it is still easier, and when we still can. Otherwise, if we don’t make amends and settle, God will eventually come and judge us, and we will be made accountable for all the sins we have committed. We will bear eternal punishment.

Sometimes, we don’t feel like making amends. Sometimes we don’t feel like repenting or changing our ways. We think judgment day is far off, and that we will have time when we are old or before we die. Sometimes we totally forget about it when we get caught up in the busyness of life. Today, we are reminded of what we should do and how we should act.

May we heed His call and act early, repent, and prepare for eternity. 

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 weekend coming up. Lord, sorry for the times. Ignore you. Sorry for not preparing for eternity. Sorry for being complacent. I thank you for knowing me and knowing how to get through me. Sometimes life gets very busy that I forget these things. Sometimes I just push it off. Help me to make the resolve. Help me to repent and live right, so that I won’t have to face you on judgment day unprepared. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/10/change-while-possible.html

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October 27, 2017
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 477

Reading 1ROM 7:18-25A

Brothers and sisters:
I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh.
The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.
For I do not do the good I want,
but I do the evil I do not want.
Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it,
but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle
that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.
For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,
but I see in my members another principle
at war with the law of my mind,
taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Miserable one that I am!
Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial PsalmPS 119:66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

R. (68b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Never will I forget your precepts,
for through them you give me life.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

AlleluiaSEE 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.

GospelLK 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds,
"When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

"Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny."