Use and Grow

The WORD today reminds me that God wants me to use my talents and that I should allow Him to grow them. 

I have a tendency to not immediately use my new things, especially if I really like it. For me, I don’t want to risk it being damaged that’s why it takes time - months, even years, before I use something I like. And when I use it, I don't use it often to avoid getting it worn out easily. Yes, I'm weird. My wife tells me that it defeats the purpose of these things, and she feels I do not like what she gives me that's why it takes long before I use it or I don't use it often. This may be similar to what God feels when we don't use our talents enough. 

In the gospel, we see that God wants us to use whatever he has given us.

His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!

So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?

God wants us to use and grow whatever he gave us. 

God gave us different gifts – Time, talent and treasure, that we should not compare with others and instead, we should use to grow. God did not compare how much they grew the talents. What was important was that they grew whatever they had, and the master was pleased. However, our gifts will not grow and be preserved if we do not use it. We should be generous in using and sharing them. Else, God may take it away from us and give it to those who are using what they have.

God is a generous God, and he wants his children to experience his love, blessings and care. 

However, we should not just be contented in experiencing it. We should also be willing to share it with others. We should also be willing to be used by God to touch other people’s lives, and one way we can do that is to use whatever he has given us for the benefit of others. 

What are my God-given skills, talents and gifts? Do I use them? In what way? Am I able to praise and glorify God as I use them? How can I grow whatever God has given me? 

May we be ready and willing to share our time, talent and treasure as we build God’s kingdom here on earth.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for all the blessings you have given me. Lord, sorry for the times I don't use what you have given me. Sorry for not giving and serving all out. I pray that I may always be generous and share whatever you have given me. May I not keep these things to myself, but be ready and willing to share all your goodness to others, so they too may experience you more. As I do this, I know you will continue to bless me, not because I am doing a good job, but because you want me to share more blessings to others. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/to-whom-much-is-given.html

Daily Readings

August 31 2019

« August 30  |  September 1 »

Saturday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 430

Reading 1 1 THES 4:9-11

Brothers and sisters:
On the subject of fraternal charity
you have no need for anyone to write you,
for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Indeed, you do this for all the brothers throughout Macedonia.
Nevertheless we urge you, brothers and sisters, to progress even more,
and to aspire to live a tranquil life,
to mind your own affairs,
and to work with your own hands,
as we instructed you.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 7-8, 9

R.(9) The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
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. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Alleluia JN 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
'Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then!  Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

Be Prepared

The WORD today 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 bridegroom finds the virgins unprepared. The unprepared virgins were locked outside. They were not allowed to go inside. It is not enough to start good. Like with the gospel, our meeting with God may be delayed. So just as it is important to start well, we should continue to prepare and live right as we wait for him. This is what being wise is. 

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 2019

 August 29  |  August 31 »

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

Reading 1 1 THES 4:1-8

Brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God–
and as you are conducting yourselves–
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

This is the will of God, your holiness:
that you refrain from immorality,
that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself
in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion
as do the Gentiles who do not know God;
not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter,
for the Lord is an avenger in all these things,
as we told you before and solemnly affirmed.
For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.
Therefore, whoever disregards this,
disregards not a human being but God,
who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1 AND 2B, 5-6, 10, 11-12

R.(12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! 
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

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.”

Stay Firm

The WORD today 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 2019

« August 28  |  August 30 »

Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist
Lectionary: 428/634

Reading 1 1 THES 3:7-13

We have been reassured about you, brothers and sisters,
in our every distress and affliction, through your faith.
For we now live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you,
for all the joy we feel on your account before our God?
Night and day we pray beyond measure to see you in person
and to remedy the deficiencies of your faith.
Now may God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus
direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase
and abound in love for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm PS 90:3-5A, 12-13, 14 AND 17

R. (14) Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

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 still 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 2019

« August 27  |  August 29 »

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 427

Reading 1 1 THES 2:9-13

You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery.
Working night and day in order not to burden any of you,
we proclaimed to you the Gospel of God.
You are witnesses, and so is God,
how devoutly and justly and blamelessly
we behaved toward you believers.
As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children,
exhorting and encouraging you and insisting
that you walk in a manner worthy of the God
who calls you into his Kingdom and glory.

And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly,
that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us,
you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God,
which is now at work in you who believe.

Responsorial Psalm PS 139:7-8, 9-10, 11-12AB

R.(1) You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
and your right hand hold me fast.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall hide me,
and night shall be my light"–
For you darkness itself is not dark,
and night shines as the day.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

Alleluia 1 JN 2:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever keeps the word of Christ,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 23:27-32

Jesus said,
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside,
but inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth.
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous,
but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You build the tombs of the prophets
and adorn the memorials of the righteous,
and you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our ancestors,
we would not have joined them in shedding the prophets' blood.'
Thus you bear witness against yourselves
that you are the children of those who murdered the prophets;
now fill up what your ancestors measured out!"

From Inside

The WORD today reminds me that what makes a person unclean does not come from the outside, rather, from the inside.

It is easy to appear good to other people. Superficial level. Surface level. Mukhang mabait, mukhang magalang. Mukhang matulungin. It is easy to organize and attend socio civic activities that alleviate poverty. It is easy to organize fundraising activities for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. It is easy to attend prayer gatherings and appear holy. However, doing these things do not necessarily mean that goodness is inside the person. 

In the gospel, Jesus warns us not to be like the scribes and Pharisees who are whitewashed tombs. They look good and clean outside, but dirty inside. It is easy to appear righteous to others even if the inside - what are in our thoughts, minds and actions, are filled with evildoing. 

God sees beyond the superficial level.

What makes us clean, or unclean, comes from the inside. Organizing and attending such activities with hidden agenda may make no difference in the surface level. Probably money will still go to the poor even if the intention is not really to help them, but to build up your reputation. Seems the same, but God sees what is in our hearts. God sees if our service to him is genuine or fake. God sees if our worship is pure or not. These things will make us clean or unclean in God’ eyes.

God is reminding us today to check our hearts. Check our reasons and intentions for doing good to others, for worshipping God. Is it really to give back to God, to share our blessings to others, or just for our personal hidden agenda? God sees what others cannot, so we always have to pray that we be guided and our intentions always be pure as we do things for God

Do I always pray that my intentions be pure as I serve God? Do I even reflect to see what my intentions are, or am I satisfied with merely doing things? Do I judge others based on their actions, or do I pray for guidance to discern their intentions?

May we always check our intentions and our hearts as we do things.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me that what makes me unclean comes from inside. Lord, sorry for the times I am contented with superficial goodness. Sorry for focusing on what others see. I ask that you help me purify my intentions as I serve you, as I do things for you. I know it is easy to get distracted in this world. May I always put the focus on you, and may my reason for doing these things be to praise and glorify you, not myself. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/08/clean-inside.html

Daily Readings

August 27 2019

 August 26  |  August 28 »

Memorial of Saint Monica
Lectionary: 426

Reading 1 1 THES 2:1-8

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters,
that our reception among you was not without effect.
Rather, after we had suffered and been insolently treated,
as you know, in Philippi,
we drew courage through our God
to speak to you the Gospel of God with much struggle.
Our exhortation was not from delusion or impure motives,
nor did it work through deception.
But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the Gospel,
that is how we speak,
not as trying to please men,
but rather God, who judges our hearts.
Nor, indeed, did we ever appear with flattering speech, as you know,
or with a pretext for greed–God is witness–
nor did we seek praise from men,
either from you or from others,
although we were able to impose our weight as Apostles of Christ.
Rather, we were gentle among you,
as a nursing mother cares for her children.
With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you
not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well,
so dearly beloved had you become to us.

Responsorial Psalm PS 139:1-3, 4-6

R.(1) You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
too lofty for me to attain.
R. You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

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.

Gospel MT 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 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 26 2019

August 25  |  August 27 »

Monday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 425

Reading 1 1 THES 1:1-5, 8B-10

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

We give thanks to God always for all of you,
remembering you in our prayers,
unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love
and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ,
before our God and Father,
knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen.
For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.
You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake.
In every place your faith in God has gone forth,
so that we have no need to say anything.
For they themselves openly declare about us
what sort of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead, Jesus,
who delivers us from the coming wrath.

Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B

R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

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.

GospelMT 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."

Doers for God

The WORD today reminds me of the importance of doing things for God. 

In life, they say who you know is important. Actually, it is true. Some even say that what you know is not as important as who you know. We see people in powerful positions not because of their skills and abilities, but because of their connections. However, in our spiritual life, it is different. It is not enough to just know God. We should go deeper than that. 

Knowing God is not enough. 

In the gospel, we saw Jesus say that the master of the house will close the door and lock the house, and the people outside will ask him to let them in. They will remind them that they know each other, spending time with each other in eating, drinking, and in other occasions. And eventually, the master will tell them that as evildoers, they do not have a place inside. This is how important our actions are. 

Our actions tell God how we see him in our lives. 

Yes, we may know God, just like the people knew the master. We may occasionally spend time with him. However, this is not enough. Our actions are important. Our actions tell God who he is in our lives. If we live right and pleasing to him, if we live doing good in his sight, then we are telling him he is God in our lives. we are telling him he is important to us and we want to be like him, and eventually want to be with him in paradise. However, if we do evil, just like the people in the gospel, then we are telling God he is not important and we do not want to be with him forever. 

However, doing what God wants and living in a way pleasing to him do not guarantee an easy life. The second reading tells us that we should expect challenges. God disciplines us to improve us. To make us more like him. To purify us, and the intentions for our actions. We should just be faithful as we serve God and have faith on our eternal reward. 

Do I know God? Do I love God? Do I show it in my life? Do I live my faith and love for God by doing his work here on earth? 

The psalmist reminds us that we should go out into the world and proclaim the good news. May we be reminded of this, and may our actions always be pleasing to God. 

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. Lord, sorry for the times I don't live right. Sorry for the times I think it is enough to know you and spend little time with you. Sorry for stopping there. Help me live right. Help me live a way pleasing to you. May my actions tell you how much i love and value you in my life. May my actions proclaim you in this world. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 25 2019

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 August 24  |  August 26 »

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 123

Reading 1 IS 66:18-21

Thus says the LORD:
I know their works and their thoughts,
and I come to gather nations of every language;
they shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations:
to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,
to the distant coastlands
that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;
and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations
as an offering to the LORD,
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,
to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,
just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 117:1, 2

R.(Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
or:
R. 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.
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.

Reading 2 HEB 12:5-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters,
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges."
Endure your trials as "discipline";
God treats you as sons.
For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,
all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Alleluia JN 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
'Lord, open the door for us.'
He will say to you in reply,
'I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."