Victor In Christ

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/010618.cfm) reminds me that I am a victor in Christ. 

Almost everyone wants to be part of the winning team. In school, people would want to be group mates with responsible and intelligent students. In sports, even in street basketball, people want to be part of a strong team. Of course, who wants to have a hard time or to lose? This is the logic why we should always pick God's team. 

The first reading tells us that we will be victors in Christ. We will be victors if we believe in Jesus Christ. Further in the reading, we see why. It is only Christ who can give us eternal life. Life that is greater than anything in this world. Life that transcends this world. It may not be as enticing as the things of this world, but it is eternal. It is forever. 

In the gospel, we see someone who clearly understood this. We see someone who clearly lived this. John the Baptist knew who Christ was and lived it. He may not have been great in the eyes of the world, but he was a victor in Christ. He was faithful in his calling. And we know how pleased God was with him. 

Things of this world will pass away. Worldly riches are temporary. They are only good in this world. Achievements and power are only good for this world. Very temporary. As we see in the bible, we came in this world naked, and we will leave naked. We cannot bring anything to life after this world. This is why it is foolish to invest in this world. This is why it is wise, that it is victory to follow and have faith in Christ - the only one that can give eternal life. 

May we not focus too much in the things of this world, and remember to hold on to Christ, as we are victors in Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget this. Sorry for the times I focus too much on the world. Sorry for the times I ignore you. Help me choose you always. Help me be wise. I know I am a victor in you, for only you can give me eternal life. I will do my best to choose you always. I will do my best to live for you. Help me be like John the Baptist who focused on you. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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January 6, 2018

Christmas Weekday

Lectionary: 209

Reading 1 1 Jn 5:5-13

Beloved:
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and Blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and Blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the Blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.
Whoever believes in the Son of God
has this testimony within himself.
Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar
by not believing the testimony God has given about his Son.
And this is the testimony:
God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you so that you may know
that you have eternal life,
you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R. (12a) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia  SEE Mk 9:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
"One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."