Work and Reward

The WORD today reminds me that we should work first before getting our reward from God. 

I personally believe in earning your reward. I would rather work hard first then rest and enjoy after the work is done, rather than what others do which is to mix work and fun - Some reward themselves or take breaks while working. 

The first reading shows us Abraham and how he was. He had to work for God and patiently wait for a very long time before God gave them Isaac. Then we see today that God asked him to sacrifice Isaac which he would have obeyed. Then when God saw his heart, he told him not to do it, and promised him numerous descendants. He had to work before getting his reward from God. 

In the gospel we see Jesus bringing his closest apostles to the mountain to witness his transfiguration. However, Jesus did not allow them to stay there. He told them that they should all go back down the mountain first, in essence telling them that they should work first for God's kingdom before enjoying the reward of being forever with Jesus, Moses and Elijah. 

God loves us and had great plans for us. Surely he has rewards in store for us. However, we need to do our part first and work for his kingdom. We need to show him how much we really love him and how much we are willing to sacrifice to please and obey him - even if to us it doesn't make sense. Then when our hearts are full of love for him, and when we continuously live that, then we will enjoy our reward - eternal life with him. 

What are the things I do for God? How do I serve him? How do I show my love for him? Am I willing to work for and serve God, despite what is happening to my life?

May we always have it in our hearts to serve God and work for him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.  Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for your reminder that I need to work hard for you first. Lord, sorry for being lazy. Sorry for not doing things for you. Sorry for all my excuses. Lord,  you know I love you and I ask that you help me live it. Help me be faithful to you. Help me live my love for you through others. May I do my best for you, and I have faith that when the perfect time comes, you will give me your reward. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related refections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2020/03/back-to-ground.html

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/02/real-offering.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/03/listen-to-him.html

February 28, 2021

2nd Sunday of Lent; St. Romanus and St. Lupicinus

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FIRST READING

Genesis 22:1–2, 9a, 10–13, 15–18

God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” he replied. Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.” 

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. 

Again the LORD’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said: “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing— all this because you obeyed my command.”

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 116:10, 15, 16–17, 18–19 (116:9)

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. 

I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones. 

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. 

O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. 

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. 

My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. 

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

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SECOND READING

Romans 8:31b–34

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 

Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us, who will condemn? Christ Jesus it is who died—or, rather, was raised— who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

see Matthew 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, listen to him.

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GOSPEL

Mark 9:2–10

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; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they 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.

Love the Unlovable

The WORD today reminds me that I should be like God and love those unlovable. 

In the gospel, God is reminding us how he wants us to love. It is easy to love those who love us. It is easy to give to our family, our friends, and special people who treat us well. It is easy to do that - even sinners act this way. Even the criminals and corrupt public officials do that. They love their family and those who do good to them. However, God expects more from us. God expects us to love others, especially those unlovable – the annoying person in the office, the person who spreads rumors about you, the corrupt person who steals money that could have gone to good projects for the poor. God wants us to love them, just as he loves them.

Love is not an investment.

You don’t love a person with the hopes of receiving back that love. You don’t help a person hoping that in the future the person will help you too. That’s investment, not love. Loving like God is loving with no strings attached, not expecting anything in return, just loving and helping others out of our love for God, as our way of loving and serving God. 

God loves us. In fact, we know love because God loved us first. And as we are filled with his love, as we experience his love, we should be moved to love others back. We should be moved to pass on God's love to others, to love others as God loves us. 

In the first reading, we are reminded to act now. To love now. It is not an abstract concept. It is not a plan we should have. It is something concrete we should do today. Now. 

What is love for me? Do I treat it as an investment and love only those who will eventually pay me back that love? How do I express my love to others? What does God want me to do? How can I live that love today?

May we be challenged and inspired by how God wants us to love – perfectly.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for all the blessings you continue to give me. I don’t deserve all these, Lord, and I thank you for continuing to bless me nonetheless. Lord, I am sorry for the times I treat love and service as a investments. Sorry for loving only those lovable, those easy to love, those who I know will love me back. Sorry for serving others in the hope of one day getting that service back when I need it. Lord, I pray that you help me love like you do. may I love perfectly, without wanting anything back in return. To just love because I love you, and I want to share that love to others. May my heart be like yours. To love out of the fullness of your love in me. Use me to make your love more real and more alive in this world. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2020/03/love-now.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/06/fatherly-love.html

February 27, 2021

1st Week of Lent - Saturday; St. Gabriel Possenti

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FIRST READING

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Moses spoke to the people, saying:
“This day the LORD, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised.”

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

R. (1b) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! 

Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. 

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! 

You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept. Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping your statutes! 

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! 

I will give you thanks with an upright heart, when I have learned your just ordinances. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. 

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

2 Corinthians 6:2b

Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Final Answer

 

The WORD today reminds me that I should choose God all the time, and until the end.

In the game who wants to be a millionaire, the contestant is given choices. After analyzing the choices and picking an answer, the host will ask if it is the final answer. If the contestant says yes, then thats the only time the choice will be checked if correct. The contestant can change the answer until he says it is final. The same is true with God. 

God looks at our final answer. Our final action and decision will be judged, not the initial one. 

In the first reading, they say the wicked men refer to the sinners and outcasts at that time, while righteous men are the scribes and pharisees. However, God gives opportunities to sinners, to wicked people to change their ways and follow God. Maybe they have not known who God really is. Maybe they're just waiting for someone to guide them to repentance. That is why God is waiting for them to repent and he will save them. However, the righteous already know what to do and how to act. So if they do evil, it is with the knowledge that it is indeed evil, and it shows they are choosing wickedness over good, so they will be punished even if they did good works before. 

We all sin. We all hurt God. And we all have the opportunity to choose God, or choose wickedness. God does not judge us by our sins, but by our heart. Our heart determines our final action, our final answer. The state of our heart will determine if we choose God or wickedness. Then when we make that choice, that's the time we will be judged. 

Choosing God is not a one time decision. It is not a before-you-die decision. We should choose God every day. We should choose goodness in every situation we can. This is how God wants us to live. 

Do I choose God every time, or just when I want to? Am I aware that I can choose God and that I can glorify him in all my actions and decisions, no matter how big or small they may be? 

May we take comfort in the fact that God does not judge us by our initial actions, and make the most of every opportunity to repent and choose God consistently until the end. 

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. Thank you for this reminder. Thank you for your patience and love for me. Lord, sorry for my sins. Sorry for hurting you. Sorry for the times I choose wickedness over you. Help me live right. Help me live pleasing to you. I want to be with you. Help me see you and choose you in the little decisions in life, so that as I live, I will be consistently showing you what my final answer is. May my actions tell you how much I love and choose you.  Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2017/02/higher-standards.html

February 26, 2021

1st Week of Lent - Friday; St. Porphyry

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FIRST READING

Ezekiel 18:21-28

Thus says the Lord GOD:
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? 

And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, “The LORD’s way is not fair!” Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8

R. (3) If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, LORD, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the LORD more than sentinels wait for the dawn. Let Israel wait for the LORD. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? 

For with the LORD is kindness and with him is plenteous redemption; And he will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. 

R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. 

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

Ask Seek Knock

The WORD today reminds me that God will give me my desires as long as they would be good for me and are according to God's great plans. 

The first reading shows us a child of God coming to Him in prayer. Queen Esther comes to God with her petitions and opens up herself to God. She is desperate, and put her faith on God. And we see in the gospel what God’s response to such prayers is. 

The words of Jesus in the gospel are very uplifting.  Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. He even illustrates that our earthly father gives us what we ask for, what more God our heavenly father? However, this does not mean we will get absolutely anything we ask for. God’s love is too great that he will not give us what is not good for us.

Ask. Seek. Knock.

God knows what we ask of Him even before we actually ask. However, that does not mean he will give everything we ask of him. Our parents love us, but would not give us what we ask if they know what we ask will be bad for us. More so with God. God also knows what will be good for us, so he will only give us what is best for us, he will give us only what is according to his perfect plan.  This is why it is important to stay close to God, so we would know what he wants from us, and be sensitive enough to his voice, and let humble ourselves and submit ourselves to his will.

God is giving. He will always give us what we ask for, sometimes more than we ask for... As long as these things are in accordance to what he wants for us. To what his plans for us are. So as we ask, seek and knock, we should not just have faith, but humility as well. 

What things am I asking for from God? What seems to be his answer? How do I react when God doesn’t give me what I pray for, especially when those things are very important for me? What is God telling me today?

May we learn to humbly ask according to the will of God, and be assured of his love for and protection to us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me how much you love me and how much you care for me. Lord, sorry for being hard headed. Sorry for not having faith - in your power, in your plans, and in your love for me. Sorry for wanting things done my way. Lord, I thank you for my earthly parents. They may not be perfect, but you gave them to me to be ambassadors of your love to me. Help me show how much I love and appreciate them. I pray for those who are orphans or those who do not have parents that make them feel your love. I pray that you send them people that would keep your love alive in their lives. I also ask that you mold my heart. Increase my faith. May I always trust you. May I always surrender to you. May I always be sensitive to your will, and always submit myself to your will, having the assurance that you have the best for me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

February 25, 2021

1st Week of Lent - Thursday; St. Caesarius of Nazianzen

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FIRST READING

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: “God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand. As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O LORD, my God. 

“And now, come to help me, an orphan. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. 

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name. 

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. 

Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise. When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me. 

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. 

Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me; your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands. 

R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Psalm 51:12a, 14a

A clean heart create for me, God; give me back the joy of your salvation.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Repentance

The WORD today reminds me of the importance of repentance. 

As we get into the first week of Lent, we are again reminded of the importance of repentance. In the gospel, we see that Jesus appreciated the people of Nineveh for repenting at the preaching of Jonah. They listened, fasted, and repented. Eventually, they were spared. And in the first reading, we see that account – the people, led by their king, repented and turned from their evil ways because of Jonah’s warning. They were spared by God from the punishment intended for them. Even Jonah repented. The reading is taken from the third chapter of the book, and in the first chapter, God called him for the first time but Jonah did not listen. He ran away. Eventually he repented and listened when God called him for the second time. 

All sin and fall short of the glory of God. 

All of us sin, no matter how big or trivial the sin may be. God does not qualify, a sin is a sin, and whatever the degree is, it still hurts God. A sin still shows we love others and ourselves more than we love Him. However, as we see in the first reading, God is a very forgiving God. As long as he sees us turning away from sin and humbly repenting, he will forgive us. Just like he did with Jonah and the people of Nineveh. He will honor a heart that is sorry and repents. 

God wants us to change our ways and repent.

The psalmist tells us the attitude God wants from us – to have a humble and contrite heart. No matter how serious our sins are, God can and will forgive truly repentant people. That is how much God loves us. The people of Nineveh repented through Jonah’s warning. We have someone greater than Jonah. We have Jesus telling us to repent and change our ways. And especially in this season of Lent, he calls us to repent and change our ways. It is just up to us if we will obey and heed his call. 

What are the things in my life I should give up? Am I willing and ready to repent and change our ways? What prevents me from doing what God wants? What can I do starting now? 

May we see how sinful we are and how much we hurt God. May we humbly come to him for forgiveness, and allow his transforming love to penetrate our hearts to heal us from all the hurts and melt away evil in our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for my sins. Sorry for abusing or ignoring your love. Sorry for hurting you. I humbly come to you with a repentant heart, asking your forgiveness, and for your grace to help me live a life pleasing to you. Transform me with your love. Heal me and make me whole. Help me live in a way pleasing to you. Help me glorify you. As you do, use me to bring your love to others as well.  Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/02/repent-and-act.html

February 24, 2021

1st Week of Lent - Wednesday; Blessed Josefa Naval Girbes

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FIRST READING

Jonah 3:1-10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you.” So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD’s bidding. Now Nineveh was an enormously large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. 

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his nobles: “Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; every man shall turn from his evil way and from the violence he has in hand. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish.” When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. 

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. 

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. 

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. 

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. 

For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Joel 2:12-13

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful.

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GOSPEL

Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”Yeah 

Powerful

The WORD today reminds me that God's word is very powerful, especially when we get to digest it.

For those who went to Catholic schools, and those who grew up in catholic families, it is very common to be exposed to different prayers. Especially in school, students are asked to memorize it. They should know it by heart. Unfortunately, memorizing it and knowing it by heart do not mean we understand and internalize it. It is easy to memorize it, but takes a lot of effort to understand and digest it. However, the effectiveness of these prayers is related to how well we understand it. 

In the first reading, we see that God's word is powerful and will do to accomplish its purpose. Yes, I believe this is true. But i also believe that the rate it will accomplish its purpose or how powerful it will be is affected by how much we know and understand the prayer. 

Like food, the better we digest the prayer, the more effective and powerful its effects are. 

In the gospel, Jesus teaches us the Lord's prayer. Probably almost all of us memorize it. But not all of us digest it. If we take the time to digest snd study it, we will see a different beauty in it. We will see it's power. And we will understand more why this short prayer is the prayer Jesus taught his disciples (see related reflection). 

How do I see prayer? Do I spend time in prayer? Do I give it the importance it deserves? How Is my relationship with God? 

May we go beyond superficial level memorization of prayers, and take time to understand it, to dig deeper and digest it. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, help me make the extra effort for you. Help me understand deeper the prayers. Help me understand the real meaning and what you indented me to know and reflect on with the prayers. Guide me and talk to me, so I may get to know you more. May I digest it well enough, snd may it strengthen me in my life of faith. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/03/jesus-prayer.html

February 23, 2021

1st Week of Lent - Tuesday; St. Polycarp

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FIRST READING

Isaiah 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just. 

Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

R. From all their distress God rescues the just. 

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. 

R. From all their distress God rescues the just. 

The LORD has eyes for the just, and ears for their cry. The LORD confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. 

R. From all their distress God rescues the just. 

When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. 

R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Matthew 4:4b

One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

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GOSPEL

Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

“This is how you are to pray: 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”