Sunday, July 31, 2022

Right Treasure


The WORD today reminds me of the kind of treasure I should store up. 

When we say treasure, what usually comes to mind is a treasure chest filled with gold and precious items. That is what we see in cartoons and movies. However, not all treasures are worldly. Worldly treasures are easy to lose and spend. Mauubos at mauubos ito. No matter how much we have or how slowly we use it up. It is finite. What is more important are heavenly treasures. 

While it is good to save and accumulate treasures in life, we should also store up heavenly treasures. 

In the first reading, we see what earthly treasures are : vanity. Everything in this world will stay in this world. Vanity. Temporary. Superficial. The second reading then teaches us what is important - to seek what is above and not what is here on earth. In the gospel we are reminded why it is foolish to focus too much on worldly things and riches. God can take us away from this world anytime. And whatever riches and treasures we accumulate on this world will remain on this world. We cannot take it to where we are going. That is why we should store up heavenly treasures as well. 

Good news! We can use our earthly treasures to store up heavenly ones!

Money is not inherently bad. If we are in the proper disposition, money can do a lot of good things. I believe God blesses us so we can bless others. The more we are blessed, the more we should give it away so it can bless others as well. This is how earthly riches should be used - for God's purpose and kingdom. We should not be attached to them, but use them for God's greater glory. The more we give up for God, the more God transforms us to become more like him, the more we store up heavenly treasures to prepare our place in eternity. 

What do I value in life? What are my treasures? Am I too attached to worldly things? Do I use my blessings for God’s purpose and to build God’s kingdom? How can I improve? 

May we know how to use our earthly treasures well, and do it. 

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. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I focus too much on earthly treasures. Sorry for the times I let the world get into me. Help me live right. Help me use my earthly treasures to store up heavenly ones. Fill me with your love and remind me that you are always there for me. Fill me with your love and transform me to be more like you. I know that this will help me put things in perspective and will enable me to be generous with my blessings, because I know you would continue to provide for me. Use my treasures for your kingdom and your purpose. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,
-g-


Daily Readings

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 114

Reading 1 

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!

Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill,
and yet to another who has not labored over it,
he must leave property. 
This also is vanity and a great misfortune. 
For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart
with which he has labored under the sun? 
All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation;
even at night his mind is not at rest. 
This also is vanity.
R. (1) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
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. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
 the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
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. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
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. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2 

Brothers and sisters:
If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. 
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry. 
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator. 
Here there is not Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all and in all.

Alleluia 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel 

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” 
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable. 
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. 
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. 
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God.”

Saturday, July 30, 2022

Holy Courage

 



The WORD today reminds me that I should have courage as I do God’s work.

Some people equate courage with being brave. To not back down and be ready to fight in war and battles. In some sense, this is true. But it is more than that, especially when it comes to our spiritual life. That is what I am reminded of today.

Courage is the will and decision to continue doing God's work despite of the powerful worldly opposition.

We see people exhibiting that courage in the readings. Jeremiah proclaimed God's message even if the powerful people did not initially approve of it. Powerful priests and prophets were against him. They wanted him dead. However, He was brave and did God's work, even if it could cause him his life. In the gospel, John the Baptist also did the same. He preached God's word to the king and the powerful people, even if it put him in prison. These two did not let powerful people bring them down and prevent them from doing God's work. They had Holy Courage to go on and do His work despite powerful opposition.

God wants us to be like that as well.

Doing God's work is not easy. Proclaiming his message is not always exciting. Living his ways are not always rewarding. There are others, powerful in the world, who may threaten us, disrespect us, or entice us to stop following God and live of the world. However, we should take courage and trust that God will always be there for us no matter what.

However, doing God’s works do not guarantee good results or even safety. God's ways are not our ways. His plans may be different from ours. We need to trust him, but it does not guarantee it will get us what we want. Jeremiah was spared, but John the Baptist was killed. Both had courage and trusted in God, but different things happened to them. However, we should always remember that everything happens with God's permission, and God's plans are always perfect. So we just need to trust in Him in everything.

How do I react when faced with powerful opposition? Do I trust God, especially at these times? Do I let powerful people intimidate me, or do I know my purpose and keep doing God’s work despite of this? How can I strengthen my faith and have more courage for God?

May we be inspired to have courage as we do God's work, and trust in him all throughout.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for always being there for me. Lord, sorry for the times I don't trust you enough. Sorry for the times I back down when I experience opposition from the world. Help me to just focus on you. Help me have faith in you. Give me courage to do your work no matter what. Equip me and use me to further your kingdom here on earth. Amen. 

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflections:
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/hes-got-you.html


Daily Readings

Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 406

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
“This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears.”
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
“It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands; 
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear.”
Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.” 
So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Responsorial Psalm 

R.(14c)  Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Alleluia 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
“It is not lawful for you to have her.”
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.





Friday, July 29, 2022

Faith in Action


The WORD today reminds me that I should always live my faith. 

There is such a term as “Analysis Paralysis.” It is good to understand the situation and study before making a move. However, sometimes we get stuck understanding the situation and analyzing things. We over analyze things and take into consideration all the factors. We want to be overly prepared and want answers to all that can happen. However, this can lead to us not doing anything because we get caught up in analysis and preparation. IF we are in this state, we cannot accomplish anything. 

In the spiritual sense, this is true as well. We should not over analyze or simply profess our faith. We should live it. In the bible, it says that “Faith without works is dead.” Yes, it is true. We should spread our faith. We should work for our faith.

The gospel shows us how action oriented Martha is, whose feast we are celebrating today, together with her siblings Mary and Lazarus. In one gospel option, we see her doing all the work, serving Jesus (though she lost her focus on Jesus and got stressed and carried away by the tasks). And in the other gospel, we see her maturing in faith. Although she again acted and welcomed Jesus as he was going on his way to their house, it did not stop there. We see not only her actions, but her profession of faith as well. 

We see her faith that was translated into action. We see her action based on her faith. Perfect combination.

Martha did not have it all at once. In one story, we see her being action oriented but lacking faith and focus. But Jesus' love and compassion eventually led her to improve her faith, thus in the second story, we see her action backed up by faith. We are not perfect and we may lack faith just like Martha, but God’s love will eventually transforms us. We just have to listen and allow him to do that in our lives – like he did in Martha’s.

Do I have faith in God? Do I love God? Do I live my love for and faith in God? 

May we be inspired by St Martha’s faith and action working in hand in hand as we do God’s work.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder and inspiration in St Martha. Thank you for reminding me that your love can transform me. Sorry for the times I act like an immature version of Martha. Sorry for losing my focus on you, for being stressed and for complaining as I serve you. May I have her faith and action – faith that knows you and trusts in you, and may that faith be translated into action. Likewise, may my actions for you always be founded on your love and founded on my faith in you, that I may not be distracted with anything or anyone as I work for you. Lord, in a special way, I also lift up to you those celebrating their birthdays today, especially my wife Mady. Thank you for all the blessings and for making your presence alive in her life. I pray that you continue to deepen and strengthen our faith and guide and bless all our actions so we can become like St Martha. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflection:


Daily Readings

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Lectionary: 405/607

Reading I

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim,
son of Josiah, king of Judah,
this message came from the LORD: 
Thus says the LORD:
Stand in the court of the house of the LORD
and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah
who come to worship in the house of the LORD;
whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing.
Perhaps they will listen and turn back,
each from his evil way,
so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them
for their evil deeds.
Say to them:  Thus says the LORD:
If you disobey me,
not living according to the law I placed before you
and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets,
whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them,
I will treat this house like Shiloh,
and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth
shall refer when cursing another.

Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people
heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD.
When Jeremiah finished speaking
all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people,
the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying,
“You must be put to death!
Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD:
‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and
‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?”
And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

 

Responsorial Psalm

R.        (14c)  Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Those outnumber the hairs of my head
who hate me without cause.
Too many for my strength
are they who wrongfully are my enemies.
Must I restore what I did not steal?
R.        Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Since for your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R.        Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R.        Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
to comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,
she went to meet him;
but Mary sat at home.
Martha said to Jesus,
“Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died.
But even now I know that whatever you ask of God,
God will give you.”
Jesus said to her,
“Your brother will rise.”
Martha said to him,
“I know he will rise,
in the resurrection on the last day.”
Jesus told her,
“I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord.
I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God,
the one who is coming into the world.”

OR:
Lk 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”




Christ is Risen!

The WORD today reminds me that  Christ is Risen and has won over sin and death. The gospel tells us different accounts/stories about Christ’...