The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051919.cfm)
reminds me that I
should trust in God and have peace while undergoing challenges and hardships in
life.
They
say that nothing worthwhile comes easy. I believe this is true. You have to
work hard for things. You have to persevere. And I believe that challenges make
victories sweeter. This is true in this world, and even when you relate it to
the spiritual world.
In the first reading,
we see the leaders exhorting the disciples to persevere in faith
They strengthened the spirits
of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere
in the faith, saying,
"It is necessary for us to
undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God."
Why
is it necessary to undergo hardships? Why do we face difficulties and challenges
in life?
I
believe this is God’s way of purifying us. Like silver being purified by fire
(See http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/12/refiner-and-purifier-of-silver.html),
or probably, like Job’s story, the enemy wants to test us and God is just
allowing him as long as he does not take our life, because God knows we can
withstand it, God knows we are faithful. God has faith in us.
It
is normal to experience pain, because as they say, no slave is greater
than his master. Just as Jesus experienced these, so would his disciples.
Jesus is not of the world, that’s why the world hates him. However, we should
have peace even as we go through these things. In the second reading, we are
reminded that God makes all things new. Challenges and problems should not
prevent us from having God’s peace.
In
the same way Jesus was subjected to worldly hardships, as disciples of
Jesus, we should not be surprised if we experience the same.
However, we should act like Jesus, who remained faithful to God till the end,
even when it was hard to.
What
is the one thing that is troubling me right now? Why is it bothering me? Do i
believe that God is victorious and will be with me as I face life’s challenges?
When experiencing challenges, do I persevere in faith? Do I pray for
faith and for God’s peace as I face life’s challenges? What can I do to
strengthen my faith?
May
we be ready and willing to face challenges with Christ's peace that come with
being his disciples
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 lose hope. Sorry for the times I give up. Sorry for
the times I get affected. Help me have faith in you. Help me love right and
pleasing to you. Give me peace amidst all the challenges in life. Help me
persevere and act in a way you want me to - with humility, dependence in and
love for you. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
May 19 2019
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 54
Lectionary: 54
Reading
1 ACTS 14:21-27
After
Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news
to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God."
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
to that city
and made a considerable number of disciples,
they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples
and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,
"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God."
They appointed elders for them in each church and,
with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord
in whom they had put their faith.
Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.
After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.
From there they sailed to Antioch,
where they had been commended to the grace of God
for the work they had now accomplished.
And when they arrived, they called the church together
and reported what God had done with them
and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Responsorial
Psalm PS
145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13
R.
(cf. 1) I will praise your name
for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them make known your might to the children of Adam,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading
2 REV 21:1-5A
Then
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away."
The One who sat on the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new."
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away."
The One who sat on the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new."
Alleluia JN
13:34
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN
13:31-33A, 34-35
When
Judas had left them, Jesus said,
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another."
"Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another."
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