Perform The Works

The WORD today reminds me that doing God's work glorifies Him and makes him happy. 

Parents usually like obedient children. They take pride in their attitude and humility in obeying their parents or people in authority. This is probably similar to what God feels for us when we obey him, when we humble ourselves and do his work. 

Natutuwa ang Diyos kung susunod ka sa kanya. 

In the gospel, we see Jesus asking the people to believe him because he is doing God's work. He said that he won't be surprised if they won't believe him if he does not do God's work, but since he does God's work, they should believe him. This reminds us that doing God's work is important. It distinguishes us from others. It tells God we love him. It proclaims God's kingdom in this world. 

We need not do missionary work to do this. We just need to live godly lives wherever we are. Whatever we do, we can do God's work. We can proclaim his kingdom whatever we do. If we treat others right, if we respect others, if we live right, then we are proclaiming God's kingdom and performing his works. 

How do I show my love for him? Do I serve him? Am I willing to do his work here on earth? What is he reminding me today? 

May we always remember to proclaim God and perform his works everyday. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings and the gift of life. Thank you for the reminder and the challenge. Lord, sorry for not doing this. Sorry for not doing your work. Sorry for being busy with concerns of the world. Give me the will and the desire to do your work. Help me live for you. May my actions glorify you and proclaim your kingdom always.  Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2020/04/challenges.html

Daily Readings

• MARCH 30, 2023
• March 31, 2023
• APRIL 1, 2023

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Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Lectionary: 255

Reading 1 

Jer 20:10-13

I hear the whisperings of many:
"Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!"
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
"Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him."
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame,
to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart,
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
For he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!

Responsorial Psalm 

Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7

R. (see 7)  In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears. 
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Verse Before the Gospel 

See Jn 6:63c, 68c

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel 

Jn 10:31-42

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?"
The Jews answered him,
"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God."
Jesus answered them,
"Is it not written in your law, 'I said, 'You are gods"'? 
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,
and Scripture cannot be set aside,
can you say that the one
whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world
blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? 
If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Then they tried again to arrest him;
but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan
to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. 
Many came to him and said,
"John performed no sign,
but everything John said about this man was true."
And many there began to believe in him.

Faithful

The WORD today reminds me that God keeps his word forever. 

In the first reading, God made a covenant to Abram. God told Abram that he shall now be called Abraham, and that he will be the father of nations. Probably this was not too easy for Abraham to believe. Why? Because when this happened, he was ninety-nine years old! To be told that he will be the father of nations was probably something he would not take seriously. However, Abraham kept his faith. He trusted in God. 

Good thing God really keeps his word!

We see in the gospel that indeed, God kept his word. The Jews have high regard for their father Abraham. Though they cannot see and understand who Jesus is because they are blinded by their hardened hearts, we still see that God kept his covenant to Abraham – that he became the father of nations. That he became great. 

God keeps our covenant to us. He will keep his word – that he will take care of us, that he has great plans for us, that he will protect us, that he will love us. No matter what we are facing right now, God’s covenant still holds true. 

However, we need to keep our part of the covenant as well. Does this mean that God will only keep his part if we keep ours? Probably not… but if we wont keep our part, it’s like us saying we don’t want God to keep his part. IF we wont submit to his will, it will be hard for him to make his great plans for us come true. If we run away from him, it will be hard for him to protect us. IF we do not take care of ourself and others, it will be hard for God to take care of us. If we continue to sin and harden our hearts towards him, it will be hard for him to make his love alive in our lives, because we don’t allow God to love us

The psalmist is right – the Lord remembers his covenant forever… he is faithful, so should we.

Do I have faith in God? Do I believe in his words? Do I live right and pleasing to him? Do I believe that God is powerful and faithful, and will be faithful as we overcome the corona virus crisis we are in today? What is he reminding me today?

May we always remember that God keeps his covenant, and be encouraged to hold our end as well

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me that you will always be faithful to your covenant. I am sorry for the many times I broke my word to other people. I am sorry for the many times I broke my promises to you, Lord. Sorry for the times I lose faith in you, or when I lose hope because of the situation. Help me have faith in your power and goodness. I also ask that you help me to be faithful to my word. Help me keep my promises – to other people and most especially, to you. Help me submit myself to your wlll. Help me be focused on you and on serving and loving you, and not to be distracted with the lies the world tells me. I know you are faithful and will help us get through this. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• MARCH 29, 2023
• March 30, 2023
• MARCH 31, 2023

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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Lectionary: 254

Reading 1

Gn 17:3-9

When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him:
"My covenant with you is this:
you are to become the father of a host of nations.
No longer shall you be called Abram;
your name shall be Abraham,
for I am making you the father of a host of nations.
I will render you exceedingly fertile;
I will make nations of you;
kings shall stem from you.
I will maintain my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
throughout the ages as an everlasting pact,
to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
I will give to you
and to your descendants after you
the land in which you are now staying,
the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession;
and I will be their God."

God also said to Abraham:
"On your part, you and your descendants after you
must keep my covenant throughout the ages."

Responsorial Psalm 

Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations –
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Verse Before the Gospel 

Ps 95:8

If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.

Gospel

Jn 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever keeps my word will never see death."
So the Jews said to him,
"Now we are sure that you are possessed.
Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say,
'Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.'
Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?
Or the prophets, who died?
Who do you make yourself out to be?"
Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing;
but it is my Father who glorifies me,
of whom you say, 'He is our God.'
You do not know him, but I know him.
And if I should say that I do not know him,
I would be like you a liar.
But I do know him and I keep his word.
Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day;
he saw it and was glad."
So the Jews said to him,
"You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?"
Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
before Abraham came to be, I AM."
So they picked up stones to throw at him;
but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area.

Faith in Hot Times

The WORD today reminds me that I should have faith in God, especially in difficult situations. 

In the movie "Facing the Giants" one of the moving scenes I like was when the team was in the locker room and their leader was exhorting them - "if we win, we praise Him. If we lose, we still praise him. Either way, we're giving God the glory". No matter what happens, they resolved to praise God and offer him whatever the outcome of the game. This is what God wants from us. 

God wants us to have faith in him, no matter what situation we are in. 

The first reading tells us an amazing story! Imagine three men (with cool names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) thrown to a furnace so hot, with their hands tied. Seemed like there was no escape. All odds were against them. However, they did not falter in faith. They remained faithful to God, no matter if God saves them or not. They resolved to put their faith in God, regardless of the situation and regardless of how God would respond. Thats how great their faith is. That's how much they trust God. 

If our God, whom we serve, 

can save us from the white-hot furnace 

and from your hands, 

O king, may he save us! 

But even if he will not, know, O king, 

that we will not serve your god or 

worship the golden statue that you set up.” 

That's faith, and surrender. And God rewarded them by saving them. 

They had firm faith in God. Their faith was not dependent on the outcome. Their faith was not dependent on the situation. Their faith was not dependent on how God would respond. They did not bargain. They had faith. Full faith. However, we sometimes don’t. We sometimes bargain. Lord, grant me this prayer request and I will go to mass every Friday. Lord, may I pass this important interview, and I will give 10% of my salary to the church. Lord, please give me my ideal girlfriend and I will stop playing around. We have conditions. We want to get what we want first before doing what God wants. This is the opposite of how the men acted, of how God wants us to act. The three men decided to serve God no matter what happens. we should also resolve to. 

Right now, we are probably facing a similar situation. The corona virus is still a problem, even after more than three years. We still can’t seem to see an end. A lot of people are not confident on the response and plans of the government. People are getting hungry because a lot cannot work. It is frustrating. It is scary. But it is still right to trust in God.  God is still more powerful than this virus. God is still loving. We just need to trust in him. We just need to have faith. We just need to act out faith and help others. 

Do I have faith in God in all situations? Do I have faith in him when times are tough, or just when things are easy? Do I trust in his saving love and power? 

May we choose and decide to follow, serve, and love God no matter what the situation is, and even if he does not grant us our deepest desires and prayer requests. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another interesting and inspiring story. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for the inspiration. Thank you for your great love for me. Thank you for your great power. Lord, sorry for the times my faith falters. Sorry for the times I do not trust you. Sorry for the times I compromise my faith and my values. Help me live pleasing to you. Lord, may I be like the three men in the first reading who decided to stand up for you regardless if you hear their prayer or not, even if it can cost them their lives. Help me have faith like theirs. Help me live that faith in you. Strengthen me and prepare me until the time I can confidently do the same for you.  May this virus strengthen my faith in your love and your power. I continue to trust in you. And as I do what I should to prevent further spread, I will also do my best to help other people who need help. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• MARCH 28, 2023
• March 29, 2023
• MARCH 30, 2023

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Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Lectionary: 253

Reading 1 

Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95

King Nebuchadnezzar said:
""Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
that you will not serve my god,
or worship the golden statue that I set up?
Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made,
whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet,
flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe,
and all the other musical instruments;
otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace;
and who is the God who can deliver you out of my hands?""
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar,
""There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you
in this matter.
If our God, whom we serve,
can save us from the white-hot furnace
and from your hands, O king, may he save us!
But even if he will not, know, O king,
that we will not serve your god
or worship the golden statue that you set up.""

King Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage
against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual
and had some of the strongest men in his army
bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
and cast them into the white-hot furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles,
""Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?""
""Assuredly, O king,"" they answered.
""But,"" he replied, ""I see four men unfettered and unhurt,
walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.""
Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed,
""Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him;
they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies
rather than serve or worship any god
except their own God.""

Responsorial Psalm

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

R. (52b)  Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim;
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!
"Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever."
R. Glory and praise for ever!

Verse Before the Gospel 

See Lk 8:15

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.

Gospel 

Jn 8:31-42

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
"If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone. 
How can you say, 'You will become free'?"
Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains. 
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you. 
I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father."

They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." 
Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham. 
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!"
So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication. 
We have one Father, God." 
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me."