Stay Together

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/013119.cfm) reminds me me that we should stay together and encourage everyone to grow in faith.

There is strength in numbers. A  normal pencil would be easy to break, but when 10 pencils are joined together, it is almost impossible to break them. They get strength from each other and make each other stronger. This is how God wants us to behave with our spiritual life.

In the first reading, we are again reminded that Jesus made a way for us to be able to worship God. And we are told to encourage one another as the day (of God’s coming) draws near. We should be helping each other grow and mature in faith. This is what the psalmist tells us, that we should be the people that longs to see God’s face. As we wait for God’s second coming, we should help and encourage one another to prepare spiritually and grow in faith. We should help each other out. We should inspire each other. 

To one who has, more will be given.

The gospel says this. We all love God, and we are working towards strengthening our relationship with Him. However, the love and support of others can help us to further develop our love and relationship with Jesus Christ. As we obey him and encourage each other, we will attain the words of Jesus in the gospel, that more will be given to us. Our faith will increase. Our relationship with God will deepen. Our love for Him will grow. We just have to encourage and support each other, and grow in faith together.

Do I have a faith community? Do I actively serve and participate in my faith community or in my church? How can I grow in faith with others?

May we be reminded and encouraged to be faithful and love one another, despite all the challenges that make us want to do otherwise.

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 all the love you have been giving me. Thank you for my friends and my community. Lord, sorry for not being active in community. Sorry for being lazy. Help me give of myself more. Help me to inspire and encourage others around me, as you use others to nourish and strengthen my faith and relationship with you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 31 2019

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Lectionary: 320

Reading 1HEB 10:19-25

Brothers and sisters:
Since through the Blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have "a great priest over the house of God,"
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Responsorial Psalm PS 24:1-2, 3-4AB, 5-6

R. (see 6)  Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

AlleluiaPS 119:105

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples,
"Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear."
He also told them, "Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Your Soil

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/013019.cfm) reminds me that our readiness to receive God will determine the effects that we will experience in our lives.

My wife took subjects on agriculture before we got married, and one interesting fact she shared was that there are different kinds of soil. Not all will be conducive for plants and fruits. It depends on the kind of soil if the seeds will bear fruit. In the gospel today, Jesus uses this in the context of spiritual growth and maturity.

The sower went out to sow. He put out the same seeds to the different soil. It was the same sower, and the same kind of seed. What was different was the kind of soil that received the seeds. 

The readiness and receptiveness of the soil determines what will happen to the seeds.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.

We all have the same bible. We all have the same God. We all experience the great, unconditional and forgiving love of God through Jesus. However, we receive it differently. Some chose to prioritize worldly riches over spiritual ones, some allow stress and problems overwhelm us and take the focus away from God, some allow the devil to take away what God gave us, while some keep everything in their hearts and lives and allow God’s seeds of love to bear fruit in their lives.

God is powerful. He can make things happen. Great things. The first reading reminds us that God sent his powerful Son, greater than any man, to help us be right with him. God is willing and able to help and forgive us. We just need to come to him and allow him to grow in us. 

How is my relationship with God? Do I give him space in my life? Do I allow his word to grow and bear fruit in my life? How can I make more space for Him?

May we be challenged and inspired by the fact that God gave us all his love, his word, his blessings and protection. May we prepare our hearts to receive him and allow him to bear fruit through us.

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 all the blessings you have been continuously giving me. Lord, sorry for rejecting you. Sorry for being distracted. Sorry for not welcoming you and for not allowing your word to bear fruit in my life. Help me prepare my heart to receive you Lord. Help me be good soil, that your word in my life may take effect. May I be able to absorb it, give it its due importance, and allow you to bear fruit through me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 30 2019

Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 319

Reading 1 HEB 10:11-18

Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering he has made perfect forever
those who are being consecrated.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying:

This is the covenant I will establish with them
after those days, says the Lord:
"I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them upon their minds,"

he also says:

Their sins and their evildoing
I will remember no more.

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

Responsorial Psalm PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R.  (4b)  You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
"Rule in the midst of your enemies."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live for ever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.
A very large crowd gathered around him
so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.
And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.
And he taught them at length in parables,
and in the course of his instruction he said to them,
"Hear this!  A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and the birds came and ate it up.
Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.
And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it produced no grain.
And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.
It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."

And when he was alone,
those present along with the Twelve
questioned him about the parables.
He answered them,
"The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.
But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that

they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but not understand,
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven."

Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable?
Then how will you understand any of the parables?
The sower sows the word.
These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.
As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once
and takes away the word sown in them.
And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,

when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.
But they have no roots; they last only for a time.
Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
they quickly fall away.
Those sown among thorns are another sort.
They are the people who hear the word,
but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,
and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,
and it bears no fruit.
But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it
and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Sacrifice and Surrender

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012919.cfm) reminds me what kind of sacrifice God wants.

The first reading tells us what sacrifices were offered to God. In the earlier times, sacrifices as burnt offerings were offered to God. These burnt offerings tell God that we love Him and we adore Him. We give him a good portion of what we have. However, he wants more than that. He does not want just any burnt offering. He wants something deeper than that. He wants us not to just offer animals, but our very selves to him – not by killing ourselves but by surrendering ourselves to his will. Sacrifice of praise and surrender. God takes away the sacrificing of burnt and sin offerings, and wants to establish us surrendering and doing His will.

In the gospel, we see Jesus further enhancing this when he said that his mother and brothers are those who do the will of God. That’s how much God wants us to surrender and do his will. That’s how important that is to Him. As we sacrifice ourselves, as we submit and surrender ourselves to his will, we tell God we trust in him and his plans. We tell God that he is greater than our personal wants in life. Only when this happens can he give us the best he has in store for us, because it is when we are ready to receive him.

In life, it is not always easy to do this. We all have plans. We have targets and milestones. There are a lot of articles in the internet saying things you should do or have before turning 30, 40 or 50. We have bucketlists of places we want to go and things we want to do and have. We can be so commercialized and lost in the world that we forget God. We forget that his will is always better than ours, though it may not seem so in the sense of the world. We forget who gave us life and who we should live for. It is easy to forget the essentials, the basics in life.

What sacrifices do I offer to God? How do I tell God that I love him? How do I show that through my life? Do I submit myself to his will? What prevents me from fully surrendering to him?

God works is not enough. Sacrifices are not enough. God wants us to surrender and do his will. May we be one with the psalmist and say “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will”

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget you and focus on myself. Sorry for the times I forget who you are and I just do what I want and what pleases me. Sorry for the times I become stubborn and do my will instead of yours. Lord, I ask that you help me be humble. Help me remember who you are in my life. Help me surrender my plans and my will to yours, everyday, everytime. Your plans are always greater than mine, and I will always surrender to you. Do with me as you please. Use me for your kingdom. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 29 2019

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 318

Reading 1 HEB 10:1-10

Brothers and sisters:
Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come,
and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect
those who come to worship by the same sacrifices
that they offer continually each year.
Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered,
since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer
have had any consciousness of sins?
But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins,
for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
take away sins.
For this reason, when he came into the world, he said:

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll,
Behold, I come to do your will, O God.

First he says, Sacrifices and offerings,
burnt offerings and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in.
These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will.
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this "will," we have been consecrated
through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Responsorial Psalm PS 40:2 AND 4AB, 7-8A, 10, 11

R. (8a and 9a)  Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.
R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

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 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you."
But he said to them in reply,
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother."

Forgiveness for Me

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012819.cfm) reminds me that I will decide if I want to ask for God's forgiveness or not. 

God is a loving God. He is a peaceful God. He is a forgiving God. There is no sin too big that he cannot and will not forgive. His love is greater than any sin. However, we see in the gospel that anyone who blasphemes and sins against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness. Why is this?

Forgiveness is a gift. One cannot have it if unwilling to ask or receive. 

God is always ready to forgive. However, if someone sins against the Holy Spirit, it means that the person does not at all believe in Jesus. Not believing in Jesus and denying the very foundation of the faith means that person cannot receive God's forgiveness. It is not because God cannot or will not forgive. It's just that the person does not want forgiveness. The person does not accept who God is. That is why no forgiveness will be given because no forgiveness is asked, or even recognized. 

We know how loving and forgiving God is. We should make the most out of this. And as we are forgiven, we should strive to live right and pleasing to Him. We should strive to live consistent with the gospel values. 

How do I see God? Do I recognize that he can forgive me? Do I ask for his forgiveness? When he forgives me, do I live right and pleasing to him?

May we always remember how loving and forgiving God is, and may it lead us to humbly come to him and ask for forgiveness. 

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 am unwilling to come to you for forgiveness. And sorry for not living properly after receiving your forgiveness. Help me live in a way pleasing to you. As I receive forgiveness, may it lead me not just to forgive others, but love you more by the way I live. Amen. 

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 28 2019

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 317

Reading 1 HEB 9:15, 24-28

Christ is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place
for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6

R. (1a)  Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Reading 2 SEE 2 TM 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
"He is possessed by Beelzebul," and
"By the prince of demons he drives out demons."

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
"How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin."
For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." 

One Body of Christ

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012719.cfm) reminds me that God unites us and that we all make up his body. 

One of my childhood favorites is Voltes V. The cartoon shows unity and team work. Different people with different capabilities unite and work as one to defeat enemies. This is similar to the second reading. 

No matter what our differences are, God unites us. And we all form his body. 

The second reading says that we are all different parts of the body, but we have one God. God unites us. We need not be the same with others. No matter how different we are from others, we only have one God. And it is in his wisdom and power how to use us differently but coherently - to make us all function in the way God wants us to. 

We are all different. We have different gifts and talents. But we all play a part in Christ’s body. We are all useful. God sees everything and knows how each contributes to his great plans. We just need to do what we can, do our part, and trust in Him. 

There are always differences with other people. There may be misunderstandings. But God unites us all, and he understands us all. And if we remain in Him, if we submit to him, then he can use us no matter what we are and what we do, to serve his ultimate purpose. 

What are my gifts? What are my talents? What do I do to build God’s kingdom? Do I have faith in God that he knows how to use me, and allow him to do so?

May we be reminded to trust in God, remain in him, and allow him to use us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, Sorry for the times I feel that I am always right. Sorry for the times I feel others should adjust to me. Sorry for being proud. Sorry for not having the willingness to do my part. For being lazy and selfish. Help me to always remain in you. Help me humble myself and allow you to use me. As I do, I know you will do great things. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 27 2019

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 69

Reading 1 NEH 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10

Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,
which consisted of men, women,
and those children old enough to understand.
Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,
he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,
in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand;
and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform
that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll
so that all the people might see it
— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;
and, as he opened it, all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
"Amen, amen!"
Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,
their faces to the ground.
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.
Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to all the people:
"Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:8, 9, 10, 15   

R. (cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Reading 2 1 COR 12:12-30

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

Now the body is not a single part, but many.
If a foot should say,
"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, "
it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
Or if an ear should say,
"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, "

it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
But as it is, God placed the parts,
each one of them, in the body as he intended.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, "
nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."
Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker
are all the more necessary,
and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable
we surround with greater honor,
and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,
whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.
But God has so constructed the body
as to give greater honor to a part that is without it,
so that there may be no division in the body,
but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;
if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.

Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the church
to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Or 1 COR 12:12-14, 27

Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,

and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
You are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.

Alleluia CF. LK 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

Timothy and Titus

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012619.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.  

How do I proclaim God? How can I concretely proclaim him in my life? 

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 live. Thank you for another weekend. 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 Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

January 26 2019

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

Lectionary: 560/316

Reading 1 2 TM 1:1-8316

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 ACTS 16:14B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, "He is out of his mind." 

Go Proclaim

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012519.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.

How do I proclaim God through my life? Is my life a testament of God’s goodness and love? What can I do to make God more real and more alive in this world? 

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-

Daily Readings

January 25 2019

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."