Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Bring God to Others (Visitation 2022)

As we celebrate the feast of Mama Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth, the WORD today reminds me that we should bring God to others.

When we have problems, we usually don't have the will and desire to help others. We focus on ourselves and our situation. Helping others is the least of our concerns. In fact, it is the other way around. We want others to help us. However, we saw today that Mama Mary did the opposite.

After being told by the angel Gabriel that she would be the earthly mother of Jesus, the Son of God, Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant in her old age. Imagine how simple, humble and selfless Mama Mary is! Instead of taking care of her own needs or asking others to take care of her because she’s carrying inside her the Son of God, she herself travelled to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

Our concerns should not be our excuses for not bringing God to others.

Elizabeth recognized how blessed Mama Mary is. John, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb, recognized it too! They recognized God visiting them, not as a glorious and powerful king, but as a simple and humble woman in Mary.

We too should bring God to others!

Just as Mama Mary's visitation brought God to Elizabeth and her baby John, our presence and visitation to others should bring God to them as well. I believe it is not that hard to do it. Like Mama Mary, she did not come prepared with an exhortation or a preaching about God. She just came as she was with the intent of serving others. Simple as that. I believe this is what we should do as well. We can bring God to others by doing simple things out of love. Genuinely serving others. Being willing to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to others. Treat others right. Simple things, but these could be used by God to reach out to others. These simple things are made more impactful if done with love, especially despite all the concerns and problems we have.

Do I believe that God visits me everyday? In what ways? Am I ready and willing to be used by God to visit other people as well? Does my presence bring God to others? What concrete actions can I do to bring God to others? Do my problems and concerns hinder me from bringing God to others? What is God reminding me today?

May we be sensitive of God’s visitation to us today, and allow him to use us to visit others as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. I thank you for choosing Mama Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Thank you that you chose a simple and humble woman from a simple place to be the earthly mother of your Son. Thank you because I know that just as you chose and used her, you can also choose me, a simple servant of yours, to accomplish your work and use me in a great way to proclaim your kingdom. Sorry for the times I don't act like her. Sorry for focusing on my concerns and problems, instead of focusing on you and on serving you. sorry for having lots of excuses. I ask that I be more aware of your presence as you visit me today through other people and the circumstances surrounding me. And as I become sensitive to you visiting me, may I also be sensitive and cooperative to allow you to use me to visit others as well. Fill me with your love and presence, so I may bring you to others through the things that I do. Use me and my life to bring and proclaim you to others. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary: 572

Reading I

Zep 3:14-18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
            Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
            O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you,
            he has turned away your enemies;
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
            you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
            Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
            a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
            and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
            as one sings at festivals.

Or

Rom 12:9-16

Brothers and sisters:
Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;
do not be wise in your own estimation.

Responsorial Psalm

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R.        (6)  Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
            I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
            and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
            at the fountain of salvation.
R.        Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
            among the nations make known his deeds,
            proclaim how exalted is his name.
R.        Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
            let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
            for great in your midst
            is the Holy One of Israel!
R.        Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

Alleluia

See Lk 1:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 1:39-56

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

And Mary said:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
            my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
            for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
            the Almighty has done great things for me,
            and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
            in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
            he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
            and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
            and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
            for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
            the promise he made to our fathers,
            to Abraham and his children for ever.”

Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.

Monday, May 30, 2022

Take Courage

The WORD today reminds me that as followers of Christ, we should take courage in Him.

In school, upper class students are usually effective tutors and guides. This is because they themselves have experienced what the lower class students are going through. Not only have they experienced, they have overcome as well, so they have powerful stories to share about their experiences, and tips on how to win over the challenges. This is what Jesus has done. He experienced the things we are experiencing, so we can take inspiration from him and look up to him.

Jesus knows what you are going through. And he knows how to get you through it.

Jesus is not the ruler of the world. He has told his disciples a lot of times that the enemy is the ruler of the world. But Jesus has conquered the world. In the gospel we see Jesus reminding his disciples, as he is reminding us today, that He has conquered the world.

"In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.

Jesus experienced a lot of challenges and troubles while doing God’s work on earth, but he did not lose his focus. Saints also experienced persecution and hardships for Jesus. However, they remained focused on Jesus, they remained focused on serving God.

We all have problems. We all have concerns. And as followers of Christ, we experience extra challenges in life, as we are not in the team of the king of the world. However, Jesus reminds us that we should just continue to trust in him, he may not be the ruler of the world, but he conquered, he is more powerful than the ruler of the world.

We are still concerned with what is happening. The pandemic has been affecting our lives for over two years. People are dying. People are losing jobs. Lifestyle has changed. However, we are reminded to continue to trust in Jesus. We are reminded to take courage. He is still with us.

Being on God's team may not exempt us from challenges, problems and persecutions of the world..but it gives us a very powerful support and protection as we face these things.

Do I realize that problems and persecutions come with being a disciple of God? What are the things I experience as a disciple of God? How do I react? Do I realize that these things are normal, and more importantly, that God is watching over me? What is he telling me today?

May we always look to God and take courage and inspiration from Him, especially when faced with the challenges of the world.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another monday. Thank you for another week. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you have conquered the world. Sorry for the times I lose my faith and focus in you. Sorry for giving up. As I live for you, I just have faith that you will always be there, and I know I am safe because you are bigger and more powerful than my problems and the enemy. I take courage and look up to you for you know what I am going through and you know what to do. I trust in you. Guide me and lead the way. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/05/peace-in-him.html

Daily Readings

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Lectionary: 297

Reading I

Acts 19:1-8

While Apollos was in Corinth,
Paul traveled through the interior of the country
and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples.
He said to them,
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
They answered him,
“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
He said, “How were you baptized?”
They replied, “With the baptism of John.”
Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,
that is, in Jesus.”
When they heard this,
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly
with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm

68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab

R.        (33a)  Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
God arises; his enemies are scattered,
            and those who hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
            as wax melts before the fire.
R.        Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
            they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
            whose name is the LORD.
R.        Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
            is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
            he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.
R.        Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Col 3:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 16:29-33

The disciples said to Jesus,
“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.
Now we realize that you know everything
and that you do not need to have anyone question you.
Because of this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?
Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived
when each of you will be scattered to his own home
and you will leave me alone.
But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.
In the world you will have trouble,
but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Ascension Sunday 2022

The WORD today reminds me that Jesus watches over us from above.

As we celebrate this Sunday the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, we are reminded that He watches over us and blesses us from above. Both the first reading and the gospel tell us of Jesus’ ascension – him being taken back to heaven. It was probably a very awesome sight to see, and the fact that Jesus will come again in that glory is exciting to see – for those who are ready to see him.

Jesus wants us to continue his work while we wait for his return.

In the gospel, Jesus told his disciples before he was taken up into heaven, that repentance and forgiveness of sin should be preached in the world in His name. He is basically telling them to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. If that is his last message, it must really be important. However, as he asks us to do this, we are not by ourselves. Jesus is watching from above – guiding and protecting us as we continue his work. The second reading also affirms us of God's power, dominion and protection as he watches over us from above.

We need not be missionaries to do this. We need not have great signs or miracles for us to do this. As St Vincent Pallotti says, God wills that you sanctify the world in your everyday life. Whatever we do and wherever we are, we can do God’s work. When we do simple things extraordinarily well for the love of God, we are pleasing him. When we treat others right, we are proclaiming the gospel. St Francis of Assisi said that we should preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. The way we live is just as important, if not more important, as preaching the gospel by mouth.

Today, with the pandemic still going on and with all the issues the elections brought about, we should work harder to make God more alive. We should make God more real to all. To everyone. We should spread his goodness and his love. As we continue to serve and proclaim him, we should also continue to hold on to his promises. We should continue to hold on to his power. Just as he was taken up to heaven, he is still watching over us and we just need to have faith he is still in control. God is still in control, no matter how bleak or frustrated we may feel with all that is happening. Let us have faith in Him.

Am I proclaiming God in this world? Am I doing my part in making God’s love and forgiveness more real and more alive in this world? How? What else can I do today to proclaim God and heed his call? Do I have faith that God is still in control? What is he reminding me today?

May we heed Jesus’ call to proclaim him, and take comfort that he watches, blesses and guides us from above.

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 blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, thank you for always watching over me, for protecting me and for guiding me. Sorry for the times I forget it. Sorry for the times I do not proclaim you. Sorry for being lazy and selfish, just doing what I want in life. Sorry for being stubborn. Help me be able to do what you ask of me, Lord. May I proclaim you to the people I meet, not just in words but more importantly, by the way I live my life. Help me to live right and pleasing to you. May my life glorify you and bring you to others, especially this pandemic. Help us get through this. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter - Ascension

The Ascension of the Lord

Lectionary: 58

Reading I

Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for “the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
            shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
            is the great king over all the earth.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
            the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
            sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
            sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
            God sits upon his holy throne.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.

Reading II

Eph 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might:
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

OR:

Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23

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

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have "a great priest over the house of God,"
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

Alleluia

Mt 28:19a, 20b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 24:46-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city
until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They did him homage
and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and they were continually in the temple praising God