The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022319.cfm)
reminds me that in
times of troubles, challenges and uncertainties, I should be still because of
my faith in God.
There
was a time when I was applying for a job and I felt so scared before the
interview. I did not feel confident because I was applying for a job different
from what I was currently doing then, then I was told that I would be
interviewed not only by the immediate head, but by her head as well. I was new
to my faith community at this time, and while I was waiting to be interviewed,
I suddenly remembered the song “still". It was one of the first christian
songs I learned, and at that time, it just meant to much to remember how God is
in control of everything, and we just have to be still and trust in him. It
helped relax me a bit, though I was still nervous. Good thing the bosses were
both nice during the interview.
Being
still in times of trouble is a sign of great faith in God.
The
first reading shows us one of the definitions of faith that I really like
- realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Faith
nalang, kahit mukhang imposible. Faith nalang, kahit hindi mo makita paano
mangyayari. Faith kahit di mo alam kung may pag asa pa. We are also reminded of
Noah who obeyed God and built the ark even if it was very sunny. He had faith -
even if it did not seem to make sense.
Sometimes,
we get overwhelmed by problems in this life. Sometimes we
get stressed with the things happening around us, or not
happening to us. Sometimes we feel prayers cannot do anything with the
situation and with powerful people we are faced with. However, Jesus is telling
us to be still and have faith in him. To have faith in
his love. To have faith in his power. Be steady. Relax. If we have faith, we
will not have time to be terrified or troubled. If we know how much God loves
us, and how powerful he is, then no storm in life can bother us. We just have
to trust him and surrender, and tell him to fight our battles.
God
is faithful. His plan is perfect. Always. We should just be still, be calm, and
have faith in Him no matter what situation we are facing.
What
situation am I in right now? What are my worries and concerns? How am I
reacting? Do I keep myself calm and have faith in God? Or do I panic worry, not
trusting in God and his plans and power?
May we do our part and seek God
in prayer, bible reading and the sacraments to solidify our faith and
relationship with him...so we can be still in times of troubles and challenges.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the timely reminder. Thank you for
reminding me of your great love and power. Sorry for the times I get so
stressed and scared of what is happening around me. sorry for the times that I
know you are there beside me, but I still feel scared and stressed. Sorry for
not having enough faith in you. help me strengthen my faith and my relationship
with you. I will do my part and read the bible, pray more, and take the
sacraments, and I ask you to help me strengthen my faith. may I always be still
in times of trouble, knowing that you are always there protecting me. I have
faith that you are fighting my battles as I surrender to you. And I ask that
you surprise me with how powerful and loving and generous you are. amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
February 23 2019
Memorial of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 340
Lectionary: 340
Reading
1HEB 11:1-7
Brothers
and sisters:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,
so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous,
God bearing witness to his gifts,
and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,
and he was found no more because God had taken him.
Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,
with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.
Through this, he condemned the world
and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,
so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.
Through this, he was attested to be righteous,
God bearing witness to his gifts,
and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,
and he was found no more because God had taken him.
Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him,
for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,
with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.
Through this, he condemned the world
and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11
R.
(see 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.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. 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.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Alleluia SEE
MK 9:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:
This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MK
9:2-13
Jesus
took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Then they asked him,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,
yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man
that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?
But I tell you that Elijah has come
and they did to him whatever they pleased,
as it is written of him.”
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
then from the cloud came a voice,
“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
Then they asked him,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,
yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man
that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?
But I tell you that Elijah has come
and they did to him whatever they pleased,
as it is written of him.”
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