Give

Today’s WORD (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081012.cfm) we are reminded how happy we make God when we give from the heart.

First reading says – “God loves a cheerful giver.” We make happy when we give, especially when we give happily and in faith. We are not selfish and think only of our self. We give happily not just when we have a lot, but because we have faith in God. We have faith that God will continue to provide for us, that’s why we are able to give whatever we have to others. The psalm also says blessed is the man who gives. Indeed, we can see that it is really better to give than to receive.

In the gospel, Jesus talks about a different kind of giving. Here, we should give not just our money, but our whole self. We generally love our self and work to have what’s the best for us. This is what Jesus wants to take us away from. He wants us to hate ourselves, just to show we love God more. We should be willing to die of our selves – of our own desires and wants, and trust in God and allow Him to fill us up with everything that is of his. The only way we can truly live is when we let God live in and through us.

God really speaks to us through the bible! Today, we are faced with an opportunity and a challenge. Our country just experienced a very tough couple of days. Now is the time to act and give back. Giving is not only money. Personally, more than money, what’s important for me is time. When I give my time, I am giving a part of my life that I can never get back. You can earn money, you can buy things, but you can never get back time you gave. There are a lot of different relief efforts which gives us different opportunities to help. Money, clothes, food, packing, distribution and most especially, prayers. Now God is giving us a challenge to step up, die of our selves, step out of our comfort zones, and let him live in and through us as we help others in whatever way we can.

Father God,

Thank you for speaking to us today. Thank you for reminding me the importance of giving and of allowing you to live in me. Lord, I ask that you put in my heart the desire to help out others in whatever way I can. Take me out of my comfort zone and help me die of myself to allow you to live in me as I help others. May every act I do be offered to you and glorify you. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

God’s Ways

In today’s WORD (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080912.cfm) , we see how differently God thinks.

In the first reading, we see him as a loving and forgiving God. What if someone whom you love, who you gave a lot of yourself to, just ignores and hurts you. Syempre maiinis ka. Maaasar. Masasaktan. You’ll probably have a hard time trusting and loving that same person the same way again. But God is different. He chose to forgive and continue to bless us. Kahit alam nyang sasaktan natin sya ulit, he still forgave us and loved us. He still wants to reveal himself to us, he wants us to know him, not for him, but for us to be truly happy. Ibang klase.

In the gospel, we see that Peter knows who Jesus is. God revealed this to him, and He does to each one of us. We just need to listen to him and be sensitive enough. We see Jesus thinking differently too. As human beings, we would probably feel loved by Peter’s statement – ayaw kong masaktan at mahirapan ka! But Jesus does not think like us. He knows that the only way to really love us and really make us know that love is for him to die and suffer – for love of God and us.

In life, we may not always see the way God sees. We don’t see the entirety of his plan, that’s why we just need to trust in Him. We just have to surrender and put our full faith in Him. We just need to look deep in our hearts to hear God’s voice and to experience God’s love… and like Peter, we will be able to say that Jesus is the Messiah in our life.

Father God,

Thank you for your word. Thank you for reminding me that your ways are not my ways, because your ways are far better. Lord, today, we may not understand what is happening in our country, but we just put our faith in you. We know that you know what’s best and we know that you will never leave or forsake us. Like a child, we put our trust in you, and we know you will take care of us. Amen.

Stay blessed!

In Christ,

-g-

Persistent Faith

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080812.cfm) reminds us to have persistent faith in God, especially when He seems not to listen to us.

In the gospel, we see Jesus being seemingly snobbish to the Canaanite woman. Well, Jesus was right in saying he came for the Jews, the lost child of Israel – in other words, parang sinabi nya na “Hindi ako pumunta para sa mga katulad mo.” However, this did not dampen the woman’s faith. She just replied “Lord, help me.” Then Jesus again seemed to refuse her, even comparing the woman to a dog. However, instead of being insulted or angered by this, the woman showed even greater faith, and was so humble when she said “Even the dogs eat the scraps.” No hint of anger, pride or of being defensive. Pure humility and faith. Jesus rewarded her faith and healed her daughter.

Right now, we may relate with the woman. We’re praying so hard for our country – for the rain to stop, for the flood to subside, for people to be safe.  We may feel that God is turning a deaf ear on us. Malakas parin ang ulan. Baha parin sa madaming lugar. Kawawa parin ang mga tao. Instead of questioning God, let us be humble and patient. Let us show him even greater faith. Let us pray all the more. Let us continue to trust in Him. Hindi naman sya instant noodles na after 3 minutes, makukuha mo na ang gusto mo. He has his reasons, perfect reason and perfect timing. We just need to have faith and continue to pray and trust in Him. We should hold on to his promises  in today’s word – I will restore you… and the Lord guards us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Father God,

We continue to trust in you. We continue to have faith in you. We continue to pray for our country, we continue to pray for the safety of our loved ones and of other Filipinos. We humbly come to you, acknowledging that we need you, that only you can stop the rain, that only you can save and protect us. Help us not to lose faith and be persistent in clinging to your promise. Amen.

Keep the faith!

In Christ,

-g-

Don't Doubt

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080712.cfm) , specifically the gospel, reminds us not to doubt God’s power. See excerpt

At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."

What a remarkable sight it must have been. Seeing Jesus walking on water and asking you to step out of the water and come to him. Peter did just fine at first, but when he let the world distract him, when he lost his focus on God, he began to sink. Buti nalang mabait talaga si Jesus and came to his rescue!

Right now, most of us are probably feeling what Peter felt when he lost focus on God. It has been raining for more than a week now.  Since yesterday, it’s raining hard, even if there’s no typhoon in our country. We may get anxious and scared of what may happen. People think this may be another Ondoy. Well, in today’s gospel, Jesus is asking us to focus on Him and come to him. We need to have full faith in Him despite the things that are happening around us. We need to know that the winds obey him. Nothing is more powerful that God, so we just have to humbly come to him, and pray in faith as we focus on Him and his love and power.

Father God,

Thank you for your Word today that reminds us that nature is under your command. Lord, we humbly come to you in faith. We ask that you control the weather and not let us be subjected to danger. We ask you to calm not only the weather, but our heats as well. We pray for the members of our community, of families and our friends. Keep us safe, those who are at home and those stranded in the roads or office. We also pray for others who are greatly affected by the weather. Keep our country safe and protect us. May this remind us to always come to you, in humility and faith, and remember how powerful you are. May we never be too proud of comfortable not to think of you or not to take care of this earth you’ve shared with us. We ask this in full faith in Jesus’ mighty name, through the powerful intercession of Mama Mary. Amen.

Stay safe!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

Sharing with you a song by casting crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVg0cWkgAw&feature=related

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Transfiguration 2012

Today, we celebrate the feast of Jesus Transfiguration (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080612.cfm) .

In the first reading, we see how human words describe God’s power glory and dominion. Such an amazing sight to see. We could only imagine how great and majestic it really is. This shows how great and powerful God is, and how powerful Jesus, the Son of Man is, receiving dominion, glory and kingship from God.

In the gospel, we see an account of Jesus transfiguration. Jesus chooses to reveal a glimpse of his glory to three of his closest friends, the big three of the apostles – Peter, James and John. They see Jesus transfigured, and saw Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, with him. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then to cap it off, they heard God’s voice – “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”  Siguro naisip nila, iba talaga ‘tong si Jesus.

We see how great and powerful God is. We see how anointed and glorious Jesus is. This should lead us to remember and be thankful to Jesus and God. God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to be separated with him in his glory and become one like us. How special we really are!

However, this should not end here. Knowing how great God is, knowing how glorious Jesus is, is not enough. The big three wanted to stay in the mountain. Syempre, ibang klase ang nakita at naramdaman nila eh. But Jesus said no. Jesus asked them to come down the mountain. What does it tell us? We should go back to reality. We should go back into the world and live the gospel. Preach the gospel. It is not enough that we know and experience how great God is. We should also go back and proclaim him to other people. That’s the challenge. That’s the work we need to do.

Do I believe God is really all powerful, all glorious? Do I know and appreciate how much God loves me? When do I experience God in a special way? Am I willing to go back to reality and work to proclaim his greatness? Where is he calling me to preach? How?

Father God,

Thank you for starting the week right. Thank you for reminding me of how great the God I am serving. Lord, help me respond to your call. Alam ko mahirap, minsan gusto ko nalang magdasal mag isa, or masaya na ako sa experience ko sa iyo. But Lord, I know you want me to act. I know you want me to move. I know you want me to make disciples for you. So I ask you Lord to give me faith to step out of my comfort zone and do what you want, so I can do my part in building your kingdom. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Transformed

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080512.cfm) tells us how we are and can be transformed

In the first reading, we see a people who are forgetful. They grumbled against their leaders. They quickly forgot that it was Moses who led them out of slavery. They forgot all the great things God has shown to and done for them that enabled them to be where they were. They focused too much on their current situation and needs. However, we see God not giving up on them. He took care of them and fed them daily.

In the gospel we see people following Jesus not because they believe in Him, but because they saw miracles. They saw and ate the loaves and were filled. Mahilig sila sa libre. This is Jesus version of the first reading. The way God took care of the Israelites by giving them food, Jesus also took care of the people following him. He gave them food, not only the physical bread, but more so, the spiritual food, the spiritual nourishment that we all need.

God wants to transform us, from being like these people who are after physical food, superficial things, to people really seeking spiritual nourishment. God wants to transform us to being more and more like Him. The psalm says that He takes care of us, he gives us food, not just to fill our stomach, but to fill our spirit. The second reading says that we should put on the new self and let go of our old, sinful self. How? Jesus in the gospel says to come to him, and we will be transformed.

Do I remember all the great things God has done in my life? Do I quickly forget them when I feel there is an urgent need or concern in my life? Do I look not just for physical nourishment, but more for the spiritual which only God can provide? Am I willing to come to Christ, humble myself, and allow Him to transform me to be more and more like him?

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for always providing for me. Thank you for all the things you’ve given me and for all the times you’ve been there for me. Sorry Lord if I am quick to forget these things when there seem to be an urgent concern in my life. I pray that you never tire of loving me, and as I let you love me, I know that I will be transformed and give you back the love you deserve. Amen.

Have a blessed Sunday!

In Christ.

-g-

Men of Great Faith

Today’s WORD (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080412.cfm) show us examples of men with great faith, faith that is firm until the end.

In the first reading, we see a continuation of yesterday’s story. The people wanted to put the prophet Jeremiah to death. However, this did not dampen his faith. His faith was unshaken. He still remained true to God and was rewarded for it.

The gospel tells us how John the Baptist died. He went head on against Herod, the king at that time. He did not let Herod’s power and position intimidate him. This got him in trouble with a lot of people, including Herodias who asked for his head. John was unfazed, even to the point of death. He remained true to God and his purpose of preparing the way for Christ.

In this life, it is not always easy to stand up for our faith. There will be situations where we will be tested. Persecutions, intimidations and humiliations will come. No one is exempted from this – the saints and even Jesus experienced this. However, what’s different is how we would react to this. Will we let the seemingly powerful people intimidate us? Will we bend our ways to fit into a sinful society, so we can be one with them, so we can be cool with them? We know how we should react, problem is, are we strong and confident enough to stand up for our faith, to stand up for Jesus?

When is following God and his ways not easy? Have I ever experienced pressure, persecution, humiliation or mockery as I follow him? How did I react? Am I willing to stand up and suffer to Christ, if necessary? Do I have faith that God is powerful and nothing is impossible for Him?

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for this weekend. Lord, I ask that I always be inspired by people who really lived their faith. May I get strength from you to stand up for my faith. May I be confident enough in your will and power and be ready to face whatever as I serve you. May my life be an example that would also bring people to loving, trusting and serving you. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-