The WORD today reminds me work on my faith and personal relationship with God.
We Filipinos love basketball. We love to watch games. And when we do, we almost always have something to say, either about the players or coaches. We say that a particular player lack speed, or power, or shooting. Or this and that can be improved. Same with coaches. We have something to say about them. However, that's it. We can give our inputs or comments, but most cannot do what they are able to do. We cannot play or coach at the same level as they do. This should remind us to look up to them and give them the credit due them, because we cannot do these things ourselves. It is similar to what Jesus said in the gospel.
Your personal faith is important to God. Not that of other people.
In the gospel, two blind men came to Jesus for healing. And when Jesus asked them if they believed, they said yes. Then Jesus told them that they will be healed according to their faith. Not according to God’s power or according to the faith of others. But according to their faith. To their own personal faith in Jesus and his power. Well, they were healed, so they really had faith in Jesus power. How about us?
If God would ask us if we had faith in him, what would he tell him? If he asked if we really believe that he could do things we pray for, or if he could really answer our prayers, can we honestly say yes? Can we honestly say we believe in him, his love, and his power - despite the situation we are in?
This should encourage us to work on our faith and relationship with God. Only if we have an intimate relationship with God can we build our faith. And we can build our relationship with him by working on it. By getting to know him more. By reading his word, attending mass, and praying. This season, as we prepare for Christmas, is a good time to work on our faith and relationship with him so we can have a more meaningful celebration.
We may not be in a perfect situation, but we should still work on our faith. On our relationship with God. We should use this time to build and strengthen our relationship with him as this would help us get through these challenging times.
How is my faith? How is my relationship with God? Do I have faith that God can answer my prayers? Do I sincerely believe he can and will help me with what I am praying for? How can I improve my faith and relationship with God?
May we do our best to work on our relationship with God so our faith can increase.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I lack faith. And sorry for not doing my best to build my relationship with you. Help me do my part. Increase my faith as I do my best to build and strengthen my relationship with you. Help me make my faith greater than my fears and problems. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
Daily Readings
Friday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 179
Reading 1
Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
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