Lack of Faith

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012318.cfm) reminds me of the warning to those who lack faith. 

Yesterday, we saw the importance and power of faith. Now we see the opposite. 

David in the first reading ordered a census. That in itself is not bad, but the motivation behind it was what made it bad. We may be surprised why God reacted that way for David ordering a census. He just got the numbers. It was not read, but verse 3 of the reading says that Joab tried to warn David not to do it, but David did not listen. David wanted to know the number of people to see how strong he was, how strong his army was and not to be able to serve the people better. In doing so, he was becoming proud, relying on his army rather than God. This showed lack of faith in God and his arrogance.

In the gospel, Jesus was not able to do many things in his own town because of the people’s lack of faith. His power and love has not changed. It was the attitude of the people that’s different. This lack of faith of the people prevented him from doing great things.

Our lack of faith limits God's power on us. 

When we realize we lack faith, and worse, when we sin because of that lack of faith, we must quickly turn back to God. We must be humble and be truly sorry, and ask God’s forgiveness. Kapag nagkasala, Dapat kapalan na natin ang mukha natin at wag mahiya, kasi pag nahiya tayong bumalik at lumapit sa kanya, lalo tayong mapapalayo. 

David, although he sinned greatly, was humble and quickly asked God for forgiveness, unlike the people in the gospel who did not realize what they had just done. 

God loves us. God is powerful. He can and he will forgive us. We just need to be humble, repent, and ask for His fogiveness. 

May we always remember these things, and always remember that we need faith in order to experience God’s love and power. May we be sensitive enough to realize when we are starting to lack faith, and be quick to do something about it, before it’s too late.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to know you more. Thank you for the warning that should be my inspiration to develop my faith and relationship with you. Sorry for the times I act like David - arrogant when things are doing great, forgetting that you made all things possible and not myself. Sorry for being like the people who question you. Help me be a child you would be proud of. Help me be a child that would bring a smile on your face. May I glorify you by living right, by having faith developed from a good personal relationship with you. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 31, 2018

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Lectionary: 325

Reading 1 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17

King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him,
"Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba
and register the people, that I may know their number."
Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered:
in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service;
in Judah, five hundred thousand.

Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people,
and said to the LORD:
"I have sinned grievously in what I have done.
But now, LORD, forgive the guilt of your servant,
for I have been very foolish."
When David rose in the morning,
the LORD had spoken to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying:
"Go and say to David, 'This is what the LORD says:
I offer you three alternatives;
choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.'"
Gad then went to David to inform him.
He asked: "Do you want a three years' famine to come upon your land,
or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you,
or to have a three days' pestilence in your land?
Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me."
David answered Gad: "I am in very serious difficulty.
Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful;
but let me not fall by the hand of man."
Thus David chose the pestilence.
Now it was the time of the wheat harvest
when the plague broke out among the people.
The LORD then sent a pestilence over Israel
from morning until the time appointed,
and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died.
But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it,
the LORD regretted the calamity
and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people,
"Enough now! Stay your hand."
The angel of the LORD was then standing
at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
When David saw the angel who was striking the people,
he said to the LORD: "It is I who have sinned;
it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong.
But these are sheep; what have they done?
Punish me and my kindred."

Responsorial Psalm PS 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

R. (see 5c) Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Alleluia JN 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Powerful Faith

The WORD (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/013018.cfm) today reminds me how powerful faith is. 

The gospel today tells us of two stories of faith and healing and miracles. The first one was the woman with hemorrhage. She had great faith in Jesus, so great that she knew even a touch on his cloak would save and heal her. Probably this is what most of us Filipinos feel and think, when we touch the image of Christ. We do not say that the image itself has power, same as the woman not saying that the cloak itself has power. It is Jesus, whom the cloak (and image) represents who has power and who we have faith into, that heals us. And the woman was brave, admitting that she was the one who touched Jesus, though she doesn’t know how Jesus would react on her admitting it. Jesus affirmed her and said that “Daughter…your faith has saved you…be cured..”

The second story is about Jairus daughter. Jesus was on the way to heal her when they were told she is dead. We feel like this a lot of times, when we are told situation is hopeless and we cannot do anything about it anymore. Jesus is telling us today what He told Jairus. Do not listen to them. “Do not be afraid; just have faith” Simple words. Powerful words. Jesus is asking us, like he asked Jairus, to not mind other people telling us bad things, or making us feel down. Do not let the world bring you down. Do not be afraid of what is happening. Just focus on me. Have faith in me. And as we do so, we will surely be pleasantly surprised like Jairus when the seemingly hopeless situation would be turned around by God’s grace, power, and love.

Jesus appreciates our faith, and rewards us for it.

In both circumstances, Jesus tells us how important faith is. “Daughter, your faith has saved you, go in peace and be cured of your affliction” and “Do not be afraid, just have faith.” These words of Jesus should remind us how important faith is, and inspire us to have faith in Jesus, no matter what the situation may be. This should encourage us to build and strengthen our faith, by praying, reading his word, partaking of the sacraments, so we would know him more and experience him more so our faith would be strengthened. 

May we be inspired and moved into action.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder how important and powerful faith is. Lord, I am sorry for the times I doubt. Sorry for the times I give in to the temptation and power of the world. Sorry for the times I let the situation bring me down and doubt you. Lord, I pray that you give me faith – faith that would heal, faith that would work miracles, faith that would just focus on you in the midst of all that is happening around me. May you be happy with my faith, as I wait for the day you will tell me “my Child your faith has saved you…” Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 30, 2018

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 324

Reading 1 2 SM18:9-10, 14B, 24-25A, 30–19:3

Absalom unexpectedly came up against David's servants.
He was mounted on a mule,
and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth,
his hair caught fast in the tree.
He hung between heaven and earth
while the mule he had been riding ran off.
Someone saw this and reported to Joab
that he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth.
And taking three pikes in hand,
he thrust for the heart of Absalom,
still hanging from the tree alive.

Now David was sitting between the two gates,
and a lookout went up to the roof of the gate above the city wall,
where he looked about and saw a man running all alone.
The lookout shouted to inform the king, who said,
"If he is alone, he has good news to report."
The king said, "Step aside and remain in attendance here."
So he stepped aside and remained there.
When the Cushite messenger came in, he said,
"Let my lord the king receive the good news
that this day the LORD has taken your part,
freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against you."
But the king asked the Cushite, "Is young Absalom safe?"
The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king
and all who rebel against you with evil intent
be as that young man!"

The king was shaken,
and went up to the room over the city gate to weep.
He said as he wept,
"My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom!
If only I had died instead of you,
Absalom, my son, my son!"

Joab was told that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom;
and that day's victory was turned into mourning for the whole army
when they heard that the king was grieving for his son.

Responsorial Psalm PS 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (1a) Listen, Lord, and answer me.
Incline your ear, O LORD; answer me,
for I am afflicted and poor.
Keep my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God.
R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
R. Listen, Lord, and answer me.

Alleluia MT 8:17

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ took away our infirmities
and bore our diseases.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat
to the other side,
a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
"My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live."
He went off with him
and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to him,
"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, Who touched me?"
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said,
"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
"Do not be afraid; just have faith."
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
"Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep."
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.

Other Plans

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012918.cfm) reminds me that despite our good intentions, God may have other plans for us. 

It is relatively easier to pray when we have good intentions. It is relatively easier to ask for God's blessings and favors when what we are praying for or what we are asking is good. However, this do not guarantee that God will hear our prayer. 

Good intentions do not always get a yes from God. 

In the gospel, Jesus healed a man. He set him free from a lot of evil spirits. And not surprising, after being healed, the man wanted to come with Jesus to be with him, to thank him through his service. However, surprisingly, Jesus did not accept him but instead told him to serve God in another way - by going home and announce what God has done for him. 

God sometimes has other plans for us. But it is always better that what we initially have in mind. 

The man did what he was told. And as he did, all were amazed. God sent him to do something and equipped him. And used him mightily. He brought awareness of God to people, even if Jesus was not with him. That was definitely better than just being with Jesus as he was used as a force multiplier. 

There are times we experience the same thing. We feel God is rejecting us and our plans, even if we feel our plans and intentions are good. However, just because his plans are different from us doesn't mean we won't like it. His plans are always better than ours, and as we humbly submit and follow his plans and allow him to use us, we will realize the wisdom of his plans. 

May we be like the man, humbling ourselves before God, submitting to his plans, and doing what he asks us to do. 

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 week. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for being so generous. Lord, sorry for the times I prefer my plans instead of yours. Sorry for being hard headed. Sorry for not being humble enough to submit to your will, to your plans. help me be like the man. Help me humble myself before you always. Help me be submit to your will and your plans, especially when they are not what i expect. Help me just obey, and as I do, I have faith that you will use me mightily for your kingdom. Amen. 

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

January 29, 2018

Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 323 

Reading 1 2 SM 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13

An informant came to David with the report,
"The children of Israel have transferred their loyalty to Absalom."
At this, David said to all his servants
who were with him in Jerusalem:
"Up! Let us take flight, or none of us will escape from Absalom.
Leave quickly, lest he hurry and overtake us,
then visit disaster upon us and put the city to the sword."

As David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing.
His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot.
All those who were with him also had their heads covered
and were weeping as they went.

As David was approaching Bahurim,
a man named Shimei, the son of Gera
of the same clan as Saul's family,
was coming out of the place, cursing as he came.
He threw stones at David and at all the king's officers,
even though all the soldiers, including the royal guard,
were on David's right and on his left.
Shimei was saying as he cursed:
"Away, away, you murderous and wicked man!
The LORD has requited you for all the bloodshed in the family of Saul,
in whose stead you became king,
and the LORD has given over the kingdom to your son Absalom.
And now you suffer ruin because you are a murderer."
Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king:
"Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?
Let me go over, please, and lop off his head."
But the king replied: "What business is it of mine or of yours,
sons of Zeruiah, that he curses?
Suppose the LORD has told him to curse David;
who then will dare to say, 'Why are you doing this?'"
Then the king said to Abishai and to all his servants:
"If my own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life,
how much more might this Benjaminite do so?
Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.
Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction
and make it up to me with benefits
for the curses he is uttering this day."
David and his men continued on the road,
while Shimei kept abreast of them on the hillside,
all the while cursing and throwing stones and dirt as he went.

Responsorial Psalm PS 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (8a) Lord, rise up and save me.
O LORD, how many are my adversaries!
Many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"There is no salvation for him in God."
R. Lord, rise up and save me.
But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, you lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
he answers me from his holy mountain.
R. Lord, rise up and save me.
When I lie down in sleep,
I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.
I fear not the myriads of people
arrayed against me on every side.
R. Lord, rise up and save me.

Alleluia LK 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 5:1-20

Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea,
to the territory of the Gerasenes.
When he got out of the boat,
at once a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit met him.
The man had been dwelling among the tombs,
and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain.
In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains,
but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed,
and no one was strong enough to subdue him.
Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides
he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.
Catching sight of Jesus from a distance,
he ran up and prostrated himself before him,
crying out in a loud voice,
"What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
I adjure you by God, do not torment me!"
(He had been saying to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!")
He asked him, "What is your name?"
He replied, "Legion is my name. There are many of us."
And he pleaded earnestly with him
not to drive them away from that territory.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside.
And they pleaded with him,
"Send us into the swine. Let us enter them."
And he let them, and the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine.
The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea,
where they were drowned.
The swineherds ran away and reported the incident in the town
and throughout the countryside.
And people came out to see what had happened.
As they approached Jesus,
they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion,
sitting there clothed and in his right mind.
And they were seized with fear.
Those who witnessed the incident explained to them what had happened
to the possessed man and to the swine.
Then they began to beg him to leave their district.
As he was getting into the boat,
the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
"Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.

Priority

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012818.cfm) reminds me who should be our first in life. 

People usually give time, or lack of it, as an excuse. If only I had time, I would do this. Or do that. Or go here. We always blame the lack of time for not being able to do things. However, I believe that we have enough time - enough for the things we value. Its a matter of prioritizing things. We have time, and we will make time, for our priorities. 

The second reading, at first glance, seems like it goes against marriage. However, if we take a closer look, we will see that it is not a literal sermon that it is better to be unmarried rather than to be married. This is obviously not the case, especially since matrimony is one of the sacraments. What God means by unmarried here is being unattached to anything or anyone, especially if they come in before God in our lives.

Nothing should be more important than God. 

In life, there are a lot of distractions. For parents, they think of their children, their education and being able to provide for their family. A married couple thinks of being able to pay the bills, to be able to support each other, and prepare themselves to start a family. Older people think about their health and finances. Young professionals think of their careers and business, how they can succeed and improve their quality of life. Of course, there are hobbies, vices, and other things that keep us busy. With all of these, it is very easy to lose focus, to lose sight of God, to forget him.

When we have a lot of things on our head, we have less space in our heart for God.

When we have a lot of things on our head, when we have a lot of plans, when we have a lot of problems, when we worry too much, we wont be able to give God what’s due him. It will take time away from God, from worshipping him and working for him. It takes away time and energy for prayer, and even if we pray, it will all be supplications, asking God what we need – and we wont be able to thank and listen to Him. These things can easily take God’s place in our lives. We should learn how to prioritize, and put God on top of that list. 

May we be sensitive to these things, and may we do our best not to let anything and anyone take God’s place in our lives. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times you are not first in my life. Sorry for the times I let my emotions, my worries, my fears, my plans, and other things take your place. Sorry for losing focus on you. Help me be unmarried to anything In this world. Help me to always put you first, because that’s what you deserve in my life. You know how much I love you and how much I want you to be first in my life, and I ask you help me live it consistently. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

January 28, 2018

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 71

Reading 1 DT 18:15-20

Moses spoke to all the people, saying:
"A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you
from among your own kin;
to him you shall listen.
This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb
on the day of the assembly, when you said,
'Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God,
nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.'
And the LORD said to me, 'This was well said.
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin,
and will put my words into his mouth;
he shall tell them all that I command him.
Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name,
I myself will make him answer for it.
But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name
an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak,
or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.'"

Responsorial Psalm PS 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2 1 COR 7:32-35

Brothers and sisters:
I should like you to be free of anxieties.
An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord,
how he may please the Lord.
But a married man is anxious about the things of the world,
how he may please his wife, and he is divided.
An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord,
so that she may be holy in both body and spirit.
A married woman, on the other hand,
is anxious about the things of the world,
how she may please her husband.
I am telling you this for your own benefit,
not to impose a restraint upon you,
but for the sake of propriety
and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

Alleluia MT 4:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light;
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death,
light has arisen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
"What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Repentance and Faith

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012718.cfm) reminds me that we should always have faith in God, and it should also lead to repentance. 

In the first reading, we see Nathan confronting David for the evil he has done. He may not have realized what he did, until Nathan pointed it out. What’s nice about David is that he quickly admitted his sins. He did not deny it. His attitude made things better. Instead of being sorry, blaming himself and going away from God, he repented, fasted and wore sackcloth… At least he was humble enough to accept his sins and repent. He did not move away from God, feeling ashamed and sorry for his sins. Instead, he worked on getting back on track, on making peace with himself and most especially, with God. We can see he was truly repentant because this was when he wrote Psalm 51 which we started reading yesterday – the prayer of repentance. Indeed, David was deeply sorry and longed to be in God’s grace once again.

God is always there even if we do not always see or feel him. God saw what David did to Bathsheba and Uriah, even if David did not feel his presence. The apostles in the gospel also had the experience. Jesus was sleeping in their midst when a strong hit them. They did not feel his presence, and asked Jesus upon waking him up if he did not care if they all die. However, when he made his presence felt, it was just awesome.

God wants us to have faith in Him – especially when we do not see or feel him. Maybe this was what Jesus wanted the disciples to develop. This is what he wants us to develop. We all know how great and powerful God is. We have seen him work in the bible, and we are continuing to see him work in our daily lives. 

May we have faith in Him, be it in asking for forgiveness like David, or during times of trouble like the disciples. Let us be still, and know He is God.

“When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with you above the storm. Father you are king over the flood, I will be still, and know you are God…”

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. Lord, sorry for the times I run away from you. Sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for being hard hearted. Help me be like the repentant David. Help me be truly sorry and do my very best to repent and get right with you. As I do, I have faith that you would welcome me back into your arms. Amen. 

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/01/forgiven-but-accountable.html

January 27, 2018

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 322

Reading 1 2 SM 12:1-7A, 10-17

The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him,
Nathan said: "Judge this case for me!
In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor.
The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers.
But the poor man had nothing at all
except one little ewe lamb that he had bought.
He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children.
She shared the little food he had
and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom.
She was like a daughter to him.
Now, the rich man received a visitor,
but he would not take from his own flocks and herds
to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him.
Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb
and made a meal of it for his visitor."
David grew very angry with that man and said to him:
"As the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death!
He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold
because he has done this and has had no pity."

Then Nathan said to David: "You are the man!
Thus says the LORD God of Israel:
'The sword shall never depart from your house,
because you have despised me
and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.'
Thus says the LORD:
'I will bring evil upon you out of your own house.
I will take your wives while you live to see it,
and will give them to your neighbor.
He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight.
You have done this deed in secret,
but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel,
and with the sun looking down.'"

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."
Nathan answered David: "The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin:
you shall not die.
But since you have utterly spurned the LORD by this deed,
the child born to you must surely die."
Then Nathan returned to his house.

The LORD struck the child that the wife of Uriah had borne to David,
and it became desperately ill.
David besought God for the child.
He kept a fast, retiring for the night
to lie on the ground clothed in sackcloth.
The elders of his house stood beside him
urging him to rise from the ground; but he would not,
nor would he take food with them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17

R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God;
then my tongue shall revel in your justice.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Alleluia JN 3:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
"Let us cross to the other side."
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
"Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up,
rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?"
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
"Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

Timothy and Titus

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012618.cfm) reminds me again that I should proclaim God. 

Yesterday, I was reminded of the need and call to proclaim God. Today, as we commemorate Timothy and Titus, I am again reminded to proclaim God, just like them. 

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus. The first reading shows us two options – both written by Paul, one to Timothy and one to Titus. Two different people, but the message is similar – to continue doing God’s work and proclaim God.

We too are called to do that. Probably the reason both readings have the same message is to tell us that the task is not for one person alone. We are all called to proclaim God, to glorify him, to testify as we continue God’s work.

We may have a different calling from Titus and Timothy, but we are called to still do the same. We need not be full time evangelists like them to do God’s work. It does not also mean that because we are not doing full time mission and evangelization, our work means less to God. We are all called differently to do different things – but wherever we are and whatever we do, we are called to serve God, to do his work, and proclaim Him.

Proclaiming God should be an everyday decision and action. We need not speak in front of thousands to tell others about God. The way we live, the way we talk, the way we drive, the way we treat others – they all contribute to our proclaiming God through our lives. 

May we always remember that there are a lot of ways we can proclaim God, and be motivated to be creative and happy, no matter how simple we think our proclamation to God is.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to love. Thank you for another opportunity to do things for you. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you are asking me to proclaim you through my life. Thank you that you gladly accept even the little things I can do for you. Lord, sorry for the times I am unwilling to do this. Sorry for being lazy and distracted. Help me Lord to be always aware and sensitive of my purpose, so that in my simple everyday ways, I may proclaim and glorify you through my life. Amen

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 26, 2018

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops
Lectionary: 520/321

Reading 1 2 TM 1:1-8

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
for the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
to Timothy, my dear child:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God,
whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did,
as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day.
I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears,
so that I may be filled with joy,
as I recall your sincere faith
that first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice
and that I am confident lives also in you.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

or Ti 1:1-5

Paul, a slave of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ
for the sake of the faith of God's chosen ones
and the recognition of religious truth,
in the hope of eternal life
that God, who does not lie, promised before time began,
who indeed at the proper time revealed his word
in the proclamation with which I was entrusted
by the command of God our savior,
to Titus, my true child in our common faith:
grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.

For this reason I left you in Crete
so that you might set right what remains to be done
and appoint presbyters in every town, as I directed you.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 7-8A, 10

R. (3) Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Alleluia SEE 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.

Gospel MK 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come.”

He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Go Proclaim

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012518.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to go and proclaim Him to the world. 

They say that we Filipinos are very resourceful. We can do a lot of things. However, sad to say, some of us use that quality to do things that are not so nice. That’s why there are corruption, a lot of pirated materials, etc in our country. We can be a lot more progressive if people would only use their creativeness and resourcefulness in a positive way - just like how St Paul did. 

Today, we celebrate the feast of St Paul's conversion. He was one of the greatest evangelizers in the bible. He proclaimed the Word of God, and was not afraid to suffer for the kingdom. However, he did not have it right when he started. He was doing things against God. In fact, he was actively persecuting Christ's followers. But today we commemorate his conversion, the time when God called him, and he responded yes to God. 

No matter what point you are in right now, God is calling you and asking you to proclaim Him. 

We may be in a situation like St Paul. We may not have been living right. We may not have been doing the right things. We may not have been serving God. However, God does not give up on us. And just as he has plans for St Paul, he also has plans for us. And he is calling us and asking us to do things for him. 

In the gospel, we again see Jesus calling his disciples to proclaim God in the world. He told them that signs will accompany them as they do God's work, meaning God will look after them. God will bless them. God will work in and through them. Just like how he will be as we proclaim Him.

We need not be full time missionaries to proclaim God. Wherever we are, whatever we do, whatever state we are in - God is calling us to proclaim him. How we relate to others, How we treat others, how we live - these are ways how in our own little way, we can proclaim God. If we live right despite all the temptations, if we treat others right regardless of how they treat us, if we respect others regardless if they deserve it or not, if we are calm despite all the challenges, then we are making God more real and more alive. Then people would eventually wonder why we are acting this way. And eventually discover God's role in our lives.

May we be willing to live the psalm by going into the world and proclaiming God's good news through our lives. 

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 Keep my heart away from you. Sorry for the times I choose to have a hard heart and not listen to you. Sorry for not having the desire and the will to proclaim you. I ask that you to not give up on me. Keep calling me, until I come to my senses and be like St Paul, who was humble enough to accept you and obedient enough to do your work, especially when times got tough. I know as I try to act like this, you will use me mightily to proclaim your kingdom. Help me live right, help me live proclaiming you and glorifying you. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 25, 2018

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Lectionary: 519

Reading 1        ACTS 22:3-16

Paul addressed the people in these words:
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia,
but brought up in this city.
At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law
and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
I persecuted this Way to death,
binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.
Even the high priest and the whole council of elders
can testify on my behalf.
For from them I even received letters to the brothers
and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem
in chains for punishment those there as well.

"On that journey as I drew near to Damascus,
about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me,
'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
I replied, 'Who are you, sir?'
And he said to me,
'I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.'
My companions saw the light
but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me.
I asked, 'What shall I do, sir?'
The Lord answered me, 'Get up and go into Damascus,
and there you will be told about everything
appointed for you to do.'
Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light,
I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus.

"A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law,
and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
came to me and stood there and said,
'Saul, my brother, regain your sight.'
And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.
Then he said,
'The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will,
to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice;
for you will be his witness before all
to what you have seen and heard.
Now, why delay?
Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away,
calling upon his name.'"

or
Acts 9:1-22

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him
for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that,
if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,
he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus,
a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,
"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
He said, "Who are you, sir?"
The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,
for they heard the voice but could see no one.
Saul got up from the ground,
but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;
so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.
For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias,
and the Lord said to him in a vision, AAnanias."
He answered, "Here I am, Lord."
The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight
and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul.
He is there praying,
and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias
come in and lay his hands on him,
that he may regain his sight."
But Ananias replied,
"Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man,
what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem.
And here he has authority from the chief priests
to imprison all who call upon your name."
But the Lord said to him,
"Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine
to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel,
and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name."
So Ananias went and entered the house;
laying his hands on him, he said,
"Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me,
Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came,
that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes
and he regained his sight.
He got up and was baptized,
and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.

He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus,
and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God.
All who heard him were astounded and said,
"Is not this the man who in Jerusalem
ravaged those who call upon this name,
and came here expressly to take them back in chains
to the chief priests?"
But Saul grew all the stronger
and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus,
proving that this is the Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 117:1BC, 2

R. (Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
or:
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Alleluia SEE JN 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
To go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 16:15-18

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."