The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111918.cfm)
reminds me that I
should remain firm in faith, especially when the world do not agree with us.
Things are very different nowadays. People are more liberal in what they say, what they wear, and how they act. Values and morals usually get overruled by worldly power and riches. We see powerful people doing evil in broad daylight, in the view of people…and no one can do anything because of their worldly power and influence. Doing good and living right is not given much importance. We may lose hope with all that are happening, but we see in the readings that these are not new things.
In
the first reading, we see that we should stay firm in faith and continue to
obey God. We should be ready to suffer for God and not grow weary of living
right, even if there are a lot of people who do not.
Even
when the world do not agree with us, we need to stay firm in faith and be
faithful to God.
In
the gospel, we see another example of how we should act. The blind man was
probably tired of his life, but when Jesus passed, he was given new hope. He
did not have it easy as people seem to be going against him, telling him to be
quiet. But he was firm. He did not lose hope. And he shouted louder. In the
end, he got what he asked and more. He not only get healed, but he got saved.
Who do I react when things do not go my way? How does my
faith get affected? How should I react? What is God telling me today?
When
things are going bad, when situations seem to go against us, may we remember to
be like the blind man. Let us have faith and be firm in our faith and love of
God – knowing that one day, we will be rewarded for it and get what we ask for
and more.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
thank you for this brand new week. Thank you for another chance to love and
serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, there are times I lose hope
because of what is happening in this world. Thank you for inspiring me. I am
sorry for doubting you, your love and your power. Sorry for losing hope and
losing faith. Help me be focused on you as I live. help me be firm In faith and
love of you. May I not let worldly distractions keep me from being your loving
servant. Amen.
Blessed Week!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
November 19, 2018
Monday of the Thirty-third Week
in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 497
Lectionary: 497
Reading 1 RV 1:1-4; 2:1-5
The
revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him,
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me:
"To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
"'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
"I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."'"
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.
I heard the Lord saying to me:
"To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:
"'The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
"I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."'"
Responsorial Psalm PS
1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6
R.
(Rev. 2:17) Those who are victorious I will
feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.
Alleluia JN
8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LK
18:35-43
As
Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me!"
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
"What do you want me to do for you?"
He replied, "Lord, please let me see."
Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
"Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
He shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me!"
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
"What do you want me to do for you?"
He replied, "Lord, please let me see."
Jesus told him, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
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