Ready and Prepared

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/083118.cfm) reminds me again to be ready and prepared for God’s coming. 

The gospel today is a continuation of yesterday’s. we again see Jesus telling us something about preparing for God’s coming. We see the story of the ten virgins – half were wise, half were foolish.

During those times, it was customary to meet the bridegrooms. And they know that it usually takes time, that is why the five wise ones brought with them extra oil. The five foolish ones were not just foolish, but lazy as well. They probably thought that the bridegroom will arrive early, or that they can ask anyway from others who brought oil. They did not make an effort to prepare. They just planned to depend on others and ask from others if they need help. 

This is the same with God’s coming. We all know that we will all face God. We all know what we need to do. Like the virgins who knew they just need to bring oil but were lazy and just depended on others, we too know what we need to do to be prepared when God comes. He has been telling us what we need to do to prepare – read his word, pray, love him, do good to others, live right. All of us know it, but just that like the virgins, not all of us are willing to do it. Some are lazy and just think that others may help them, or that they will still have time to prepare when the time is near. However, this may not be the case. And there are some things we cannot expect others to help us with. There are some things, like spiritual preparation, that we have to do ourselves. When we stand with God, it will be him and ourselves. No other people to help us or to back us up. Kanya kanya. That is why we also need to prepare individually. 

Am I preparing for God’s coming, or do I delay or expect others to help me? In what ways can I prepare for God’s coming? What aspects of my life need to be prepared? What should I stop or start doing to prepare for God’s coming? 

May we make the most out of what God is giving us. He tells us what we need to do, and he gives us the opportunities to do these things. May we be like the wise virgins who prepared to meet the bridegroom, so we can like them celebrate with God forever.

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, I am sorry for the times I get lazy. Sorry for not doing my best to prepare to meet you. sorry for being complacent in my preparations, thinking that you will not come soon, or that there will always be time to prepare in the future. Help me live right. Help me live like the wise virgins, who diligently prepared what they need. As I do so, I know that when you come in your glory, I will be able to celebrate with you forever. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 31 , 2018

Friday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 429

Reading 1 1 COR 1:17-25

Brothers and sisters:
Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the learning of the learned I will set aside.

Where is the wise one?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?
For since in the wisdom of God
the world did not come to know God through wisdom,
it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation
to save those who have faith.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

R. (5) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
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. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For 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. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Alleluia LK 21:36

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray,
that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
'Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise ones replied,
'No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.'
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!'
But he said in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour."

Be Prepared

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/083018.cfm) reminds me that I should always be prepared for God’s coming. 

There are a lot of things we are busy with in this life. Family, career, business, relationships and social responsibilities. Others are also busy planning and taking trips and vacations. It is easy to be distracted and to lose focus. We only have 24 hours in a day, and it is not enough if we think about all these things. This can lead us to forget the important things in life – like preparing for eternity.

The gospel today reminds us that God will come like a thief in the night – when we least expect it. I believe this is not just true for the second coming, but also, our face to face meeting with God. Death comes when we least expect it, and when it does, we should always be ready to meet our creator. We should always be prepared. 

Being unprepared sometimes bring grave consequences. 

The gospel also tells us that there will be grave consequences when the master finds the servant unprepared. Worse, unprepared and deliberately ignoring the master’s instructions. Too complacent. We should act as St Paul instructed the Corinthians in the first reading. We should love right and stay firm as we wait God’s revelation, the time we see face to face. 

God wants us to be prepared and be ready. He knows us and he helps us. This is why every day, he gives us a chance to prepare for our meeting with Him. he gives us opportunities to do good and live right. He reminds us of his love and what we can do to remain in Him. We should never lose focus on him, especially with the many things we do and the many things on our minds. Let us remember that just as we are in the middle of preparing and organizing things of this world,  he can come to meet us. and when he does, there will be no second chance. 

What am I busy with in this life? What takes most of my time? What are my priorities? Do I give importance to eternal things or am I too busy with worldly things? How can I prepare for my meeting with God? If he takes me now, am I ready to meet him?

May we do our part to always be ready and prepare for that meeting.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another reminder. Thank you for being patient with me. Sorry Lord for the times I allow myself to be busy and distracted. Sorry for allowing myself to forget you and to disregard preparing for my meeting with you. I ask that you help me prepare. Give me the desire and the will to prepare my life for eternity with you. Help me prepare amidst all my concerns and all the distractions in this life. May I always remember what is important and prepare for it. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 30 , 2018

Thursday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 428

Reading 1 1 COR 1:1-9

Paul, called to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother,
to the Church of God that is in Corinth,
to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,
with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Alleluia MT 24:42A, 44

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stay awake!
For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 24:42-51

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this:
if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant,
whom the master has put in charge of his household
to distribute to them their food at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.
Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is long delayed,'
and begins to beat his fellow servants,
and eat and drink with drunkards,
the servant's master will come on an unexpected day
and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely
and assign him a place with the hypocrites,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

Stay Firm

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082918.cfm) reminds me that I should stay firm as I serve God. 

Today, we commemorate the Passion of St John the Baptist. Jesus himself told his disciples that they should expect suffering just as He, their master, suffered on earth for doing God’s work. John the Baptist experienced this, and faced this head on. He did not shy away from doing God’s work, even if he knew he offended powerful people in the course of doing it. He continued to do God’s work, despite the opposition and challenges he faced. He stayed firm in his faith. 

Only a strong faith will enable us to stay firm in times if great challenges.

John had this, and we should aspire to have it too. He worked for God despite these challenges against him. He lived the first reading - setting a good example to others and working (for God), and in the process doing his best to earn the eternal great reward of life in eternity with God. 

In one way or another, we all suffer. We all experience problems and challenges. But we are also reminded that it is better to suffer for doing good, than suffer as a consequence of your actions and decisions. Doing God’s work, like St John the Baptist, caused him to suffer in the hands of powerful people at that time. We too can experience this in the form of oppression from others, mockery, among other things. These are sufferings, but because of doing good, and are temporary. St John the Baptist’s suffering was the end of his hardships here on earth and the beginning of his life eternal with God in heaven. However, some can also suffer for doing bad. A drug addict can suffer from addiction, torn family, financial problems, etc. these are also sufferings, but not caused by doing God’s work, but by our own decisions. 

How do I look at sufferings and problems? Do I live right, or are my sufferings the result of my wrong decisions and lifestyle? Do I offer my sufferings to God, and keep my faith, continue doing good despite of these? How can I strengthen my faith in Him?

May we be inspired by St John the Baptist’s focus on God, courage and strength as he experienced suffering in doing God’s work.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for the inspiration. Lord, I am sorry for the many times I don't act like John the Baptist. Sorry for being scared and not staying firm when faced with powerful oppositions. And sorry for making bad decisions that cause my sufferings and hardships. Lord, I ask that you help me be like St John the Baptist. May I always find courage from and strength in you, especially as I experience challenges and suffering in doing your work. Help me be brave and strong in doing your work. Make me a firm soldier. Use me for your kingdom wherever I may be. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 29 , 2018

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Lectionary: 427/634

Reading 1 2 THES 3:6-10, 16-18

We instruct you, brothers and sisters,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to shun any brother
who walks in a disorderly way
and not according to the tradition they received from us.
For you know how one must imitate us.
For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,
nor did we eat food received free from anyone.
On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked,
so as not to burden any of you.
Not that we do not have the right.
Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,
so that you might imitate us.
In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that
if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.

May the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.

This greeting is in my own hand, Paul's.
This is the sign in every letter; this is how I write.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

Responsorial Psalm PS 128:1-2, 4-5

R. (1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Alleluia MT 5:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 6:17-29

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias' own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
"Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you."
He even swore many things to her,
"I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom."
She went out and said to her mother,
"What shall I ask for?"
She replied, "The head of John the Baptist."
The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request,
"I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Clean Inside

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082818.cfm) reminds me how important it is to be clean inside.

It is easy to clean the outside. This is true with cars. There are a lot of carwash which provide cleaning services. And its relatively cheap.  You don't even need to go to a carwash. You can clean the car at home, and it won't take a lot of time and effort. However, what requires more time and effort is cleaning the inside of the car - the interior, the engine, among other things. That’s why they charge more for detailing and cleaning services, because it is harder and more time consuming than cleaning just the outside of the car.

This is what Jesus says in the gospel. We should not just focus on being clean outside, like the Pharisees who appear clean outside but very dirty inside. What is inside is more important than the outside, than what people see. 

Being clean inside would eventually be manifested outward. 

As with cars, what requires more time and effort and what is really important, is that we are clean from the inside. This is what Jesus wants us to do and to work on, not the easier exterior cleaning. 

Being clean outside does not mean that the inside is clean as well. It is easy to seem clean. It's easy to go to the church, go to outreach activities and relief operations, help the less fortunate. It's easy to show others you go to mass, confess and serve. However, this does not guarantee the inner state of the person. Jesus wants us to work harder and clean ourselves from the inside. What are our motives as we do these things? Do we do it for show, or because we really love God so much? 

Being clean inside may not be easily seen by others. In fact, it may never be seen by others. So affirmation and praise from people may not come. But God sees everything. God sees the inside - our intentions, motives and values. And having a clean heart, a clean soul, would eventually manifest to the outside. It will show by the way you talk, react, and deal with others.

What do I prioritize - being clean outside, where people can see and affirm, or do I work to clean the inside, the more important although unseen parts? Am I more concerned on pleasing others and getting affirmation and praise, or on pleasing God, no matter how silent and delayed his reward is? What areas of my life do I need to clean? 

May we work to have a clean heart, a clean spirit first. Clean and pure motives and intentions. May we pray for these, so that eventually, these things will be manifested in our actions. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your reminder. Lord,sorry for the times I focus on the outside rather than the inside. Sorry for the times I feel contented with looking clean to others.  I pray that you help me have a clean heart. Purify my thoughts, purify my spirit, purify my heart, so that my actions would follow what is inside me. May my life be pleasing to you, and may I always give you importance, not other people. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 28 , 2018

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 426

Reading 1 2 THES 2:1-3A, 14-17

We ask you, brothers and sisters,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our assembling with him,
not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly,
or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement,
or by a letter allegedly from us
to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.
Let no one deceive you in any way.

To this end he has also called you through our Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm
and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught,
either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement
and good hope through his grace,
encourage your hearts and strengthen them
in every good deed and word.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:10, 11-12, 13

R. (13b) The Lord comes to judge the earth.
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. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.
Before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Alleluia HEB 4:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 23:23-26

Jesus said:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.

Bad Influence

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082718.cfm) reminds me that I should not be a bad influence on others.

In this world, there are a lot of people who want influence. They want to be and know people in powerful places and positions. They want their voices and opinions to matter. They want to be influential. It Is powerful to be influential in the worldly sense, but even more powerful in the spiritual sense.

God wants us to do good. We all know that. But in today’s gospel, we are warned and inspired at the same time. Jesus is telling us not to be like the Pharisees who prevent others from entering God's kingdom by being negative influences on others. They are bad influence who teach wrong things and hinder the spiritual growth of others. 

Influence is powerful and important.

How we influence others affect us. If we break the law, we will be punished. But if we influence others to break God’s laws, then we will be punished more severely. On the other hand, if we follow God, and influence others to do the same, then we will be great in God’s eyes.

What we do to others affect them. it affects us as well. 

There are people in this life we influence. Officemates. Friends. Family. There may be people who look up to us, or at least watch what we are doing or how we live our lives. This is why it is important to always live right and to always choose God. What we do and how we life is important to God, but it is also important how we influence others – in a bad or hopefully a positive way.

Who are the people that I get to influence? How am I influencing them? Is my life a good influence on other people? Or are they led astray because of me? How can I be a positive influence on others? What specific thing can I do to be a positive influence this week? 

May we be inspired and be more alert on how our lives influence others around us and work on bring a good influence, not a negative one. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not become a positive influence on others. More importantly, sorry for being a bad influence on others. Sorry for not living right. I ask that you help me live right all the time. Help me live consistent to your ways. May I always seek and do your will. Use me, Lord. In my own little way, may I influence others in a positive way. may I lead them closer to you. amen.

Blessed Week,

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 27, 2018

Memorial of Saint Monica
Lectionary: 425

Reading 1 2 THES1:1-5, 11-12

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church of the Thessalonians
in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters,
as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more,
and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.
Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God
regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions
and the afflictions you endure.

This is evidence of the just judgment of God,
so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God
for which you are suffering.

We always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose
and every effort of faith,
that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,
and you in him,
in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 4-5

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.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.

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 MT 23:13-22

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men.
You do not enter yourselves,
nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You traverse sea and land to make one convert,
and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna
twice as much as yourselves.

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say,
'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.'
Blind fools, which is greater, the gold,
or the temple that made the gold sacred?
And you say, 'If one swears by the altar, it means nothing,
but if one swears by the gift on the altar, one is obligated.'
You blind ones, which is greater, the gift,
or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
One who swears by the altar swears by it and all that is upon it;
one who swears by the temple swears by it
and by him who dwells in it;
one who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God
and by him who is seated on it."

Serve the Lord

The WORD Today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082618.cfm) reminds me that I should decide to serve God, regardless if other people serve him or not. 

For a lot of people, peer pressure is very powerful. People do not want to be left out. No man is an island, as they say. We want to be part of the group. That's why there are a lot of bandwagons. We want to be with the majority. This may not be harmful in other things, but it can be with our faith.

God wants us to choose him, regardless of what other people say or do. 

In the first reading, we see Joshua exhorting the people. Some people were not living the way God wants them to. So he told them to choose if they will serve and follow God or not. He did not force them. He wanted them to choose on their own. But He lived by example. As he was telling them to choose a God to worship, he gave his choice. He did not wait for others to talk. He did not wait for the majority to decide. He chose before they did. Their decision did not affect his. He proclaimed that he and his household will serve the Lord. 

God wants us to decide on our own. God wants us to be sure. He does not want us to choose him just because our friends do, or ignore him because if others. In fact, he does not force us to choose him. In the gospel, Jesus even asked his disciples if they would also want to leave. He did not force them to stay. God wants us to be sure and be firm with our decision. No matter what other people say or do, no matter what other people choose, we should choose to serve God and be firm with it. 

Do I always choose God in my decisions and in how i live? Or do I change my answer and decision based on the people I am with, the circumstances, or what is comfortable with me? How can I show God I choose him with my actions and decisions? What is he telling me today? 

May we have the resolve to always choose to serve God, no matter what the situation may be. 

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 Sunday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not choose you. Sorry for the times I go with others, instead of with you. Sorry for putting more weight on the approval of others than of yours. Help me live right. Help me choose you always. May I always be firm in faith and love, no matter what. May I always choose you no matter what the situation may be. As I do, may others be inspired and choose you as well. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/08/no-forcing.html

Daily Readings

August 26, 2018

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 122

Reading 1 JOS 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B

Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,
summoning their elders, their leaders,
their judges, and their officers.
When they stood in ranks before God,
Joshua addressed all the people:
"If it does not please you to serve the LORD,
decide today whom you will serve,
the gods your fathers served beyond the River
or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling.
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

But the people answered,
"Far be it from us to forsake the LORD
for the service of other gods.
For it was the LORD, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey
and among the peoples through whom we passed.
Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Many are the troubles of the just one,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him;
he watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2 EPH 5:21-32 OR 5:2A, 25-32

Brothers and sisters:
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the church,
he himself the savior of the body.
As the church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

or

Brothers and sisters:
Live in love, as Christ loved us.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.

AlleluiaJN 6:63C, 68C

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 6:60-69

Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said,
"This saying is hard; who can accept it?"
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, "Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending
to where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life,
while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe."
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said,
"For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father."

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer accompanied him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."

Double Lives

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082518.cfm) reminds me that we should not live double lives. 

In the movie “The Amazing Spider Man”, there was a line by Aunt May to Peter Parker. “Secrets have a cost. They’re not free.” We know how applicable it was in the movie, but I believe this is true as well even to us, normal human beings. Secrets have a cost. Spider man was living a double life. He is Peter Parker and Spider Man. Some of us, too, have double lives. We may not have a different identity, we may not be a superhero, but we are living double lives if we are not living consistently with what we say

In the gospel, the scribes and Pharisees know what they should do. Even Jesus acknowledges this. “Do and observe whatever they tell you” These Pharisees and scribes know how we should behave, how God wants us to behave. But they are not living it. Jesus further says – “but do not follow their example” Yes, double lives.. What you say is different from what you actually do.

Words and actions go hand in hand. They should be in agreement with each other.

Sometimes, we may not realize, but we may already be living double lives. We know what God wants. We know the 10 commandments, we know we should be good people, we know the importance of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. However, we may not necessarily do these things. We may say these, but we may not do these things, especially when no one is watching us, when no one can see what we are doing. It is easy to be good when you’re with good people, with church friends, with people who have the same values as you. However, when we are with other people, people who do not necessarily value these things, we may get carried away and act differently from what we say, from what we know, from how we act when we’re with church friends. Double lives.

In what ways am I living double lives? Do I have secrets? What are the bad habits and vices I cannot let go? What is keeping me from letting go of these things? Am I willing to let God control my life?

May we be conscious of how God wants us to live, and strive to live right and pleasing to God. May we live our faith and knowledge of God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for reminding me to live a life consistent with your ways all the time. Thank you for challenging me not to live double lives. I am sorry Lord for living double lives sometimes. Sorry for not living my faith all of the time. Sometimes I act differently or behave differently when I am with other people, when no one can see me. I forget that you Lord always see what I do. Help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. Help me live my faith. I pray that you give me the strength to submit to you and follow you all the time. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps see related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/03/great-servant.html

Daily Readings

August 25, 2018

Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 424

Reading 1 EZ 43:1-7AB

The angel led me to the gate which faces the east,
and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel
coming from the east.
I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters,
and the earth shone with his glory.
The vision was like that which I had seen
when he came to destroy the city,
and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.
I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple
by way of the gate which faces the east,
but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court.
And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD.
Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple,
while the man stood beside me.
The voice said to me:
Son of man, this is where my throne shall be,
this is where I will set the soles of my feet;
here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (see 10b) The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

Alleluia MT 23:9B, 10B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."