Who Is God In Your Life?

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082717.cfm) reminds me to work on my relationship with God. 

Parents are very fond of their children, especially babies. And as they start to talk, parents love to ask their children to say their name. Daddy. Mommy. Papa. Mama. They love to their their children calling their name. They love the fact that their children know who they are. This is probably what God wants from us as his children. 

The gospel shows us Jesus asking the disciples the question: Who am I to you? He asked them who other people said he was, but it was really not important to Jesus. He was not interested in what others think. What matters to him is who his disciples see him for. Who he is to his disciples. Peter proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ of God. Jesus then affirmed that it was God who revealed this to Peter, and he said his blessings on Peter as the head of his Church.

Today, God is asking us the same question: Who am I to you? It does not matter what other people say Jesus is. It does not matter what sins we have committed in the past. It does not matter what we intend to do in our lives. What matters for Christ is our answer to his question. And we can only say he is our God if we have an intimate and personal relationship with him. if we don’t pray, if we don’t hear mass and take the sacraments, if we don’t read the bible, if we don’t experience Jesus, we cannot honestly say that he is our God. Probably we can say that other people say he is, or other people say he is a great and loving God, but unless we build an intimate relationship with Him, we cannot say the same.

We are challenged today.

Who is Jesus to you? Who is Jesus in your life? Do you put Him first in your life? Do you believe that He is the all loving, all merciful, all powerful God? Do you believe that He can work great things to and through you?

May we find it in our hearts to answer him like Peter did – that he is Christ the God, that he is God in our lives. May we work to have an intimate and personal relationship with Him, and work harder to maintain and grow it.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to rest. I praise and adore you for who you are. Lord, I am so blessed that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that no matter what I do, you will not love me less. I am so grateful to be worshipping the same God that Peter worshipped, and I believe that you will use me in a mighty way the same way you used Peter for your glory. Lord, I ask that you help me live my life proclaiming that you are the Messiah, that you are my God, so that I can bring people to you and glorify you. Help me build and sustain an intimate and personal relationship with you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 27, 2017
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 121

Reading 1IS 22:19-23

Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace:
"I will thrust you from your office
and pull you down from your station.
On that day I will summon my servant
Eliakim, son of Hilkiah;
I will clothe him with your robe,
and gird him with your sash,
and give over to him your authority.
He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
and to the house of Judah.
I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder;
when he opens, no one shall shut
when he shuts, no one shall open.
I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot,
to be a place of honor for his family."

Responsorial PsalmPS 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8

R. (8bc) Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple.
R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.
I will give thanks to your name,
because of your kindness and your truth:
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.
The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,
and the proud he knows from afar.
Your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R. Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.

Reading 2ROM 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! 
How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has given the Lord anything
that he may be repaid?
For from him and through him and for him are all things. 
To him be glory forever. Amen.

AlleluiaMT 16:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. 
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 
Then he strictly ordered his disciples

to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Reward

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082617.cfm) reminds me that God rewards mightily those who are loyal to him. 

They say you will know who your real friends are when you are under fire. When life is easy, when you’re rich and successful, it is easy to have friends. Everyone wants to be close to you, to be associated with you. however, when life is tough, when your back is pushed against the wall, when you are left with nothing, then that’s the time you’ll know who your real friends are – people who will not leave you and be with you in your suffering and challenges. That’s how God saw Ruth.

The first reading is the continuation of yesterday’s reading. We saw that Ruth stayed with her mother in law Naomi, even when her husband died. She could have gone back to her family, but she decided to stick to Naomi, who has nothing left. In the reading, we see how she eventually found favor with God and rewarded her faith and love. She got married to Boaz, and bore a son which would eventually be the grandfather of David!

God rewards those who are faithful to Him.

In the same way that Ruth did not leave her mother in law when she was left with nothing, and continued to love and serve her, we too should not leave God when life is tough and our backs are pushed against the wall. It is easy to love and serve God when things are great, when we are happy with life, when we have a lot of free time. However, doing it is a challenge when life is tough. However, it is during these challenges that we are defined, that we improve and become strengthened. As fire sharpens steel, these challenges in life should sharpen and strengthen our faith and love for God.

May we be inspired and challenged to stick to God, especially when life is tough, knowing that he is always watching and will continue to reward and take care of those loyal to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. thank you for the reminder. Thank you for being perfect and for seeing everything. Lord, sorry for the times I let go when times are tough. Sorry for the times I am not faithful to you. I ask that you hold my hand and never let me go. Help me remain faithful and loyal to you, especially when life is tough. May I always choose to love and serve you no matter what situation I may be in. amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 26, 2017
Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 424

Reading 1RU 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17

Naomi had a prominent kinsman named Boaz,
of the clan of her husband Elimelech.
Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi,
"Let me go and glean ears of grain in the field
of anyone who will allow me that favor."
Naomi said to her, "Go, my daughter," and she went.
The field she entered to glean after the harvesters
happened to be the section belonging to Boaz
of the clan of Elimelech.

Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter!
Do not go to glean in anyone else's field;
you are not to leave here.
Stay here with my women servants.
Watch to see which field is to be harvested, and follow them;
I have commanded the young men to do you no harm.
When you are thirsty, you may go and drink from the vessels
the young men have filled."
Casting herself prostrate upon the ground, Ruth said to him,
"Why should I, a foreigner, be favored with your notice?"
Boaz answered her:
"I have had a complete account of what you have done
for your mother-in-law after your husband's death;
you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth,
and have come to a people whom you did not know previously."

Boaz took Ruth.
When they came together as man and wife,
the LORD enabled her to conceive and she bore a son.
Then the women said to Naomi,
"Blessed is the LORD who has not failed
to provide you today with an heir!
May he become famous in Israel!
He will be your comfort and the support of your old age,
for his mother is the daughter-in-law who loves you.
She is worth more to you than seven sons!"
Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became his nurse.
And the neighbor women gave him his name,
at the news that a grandson had been born to Naomi.
They called him Obed.
He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Responsorial PsalmPS 128:1B-2, 3, 4, 5

R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
You wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

AlleluiaMT 23:9B, 10B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You have but one Father in heaven;
you have but one master, the Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

God in Others

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082517.cfm) reminds me that I should live my love for God through others. 

Saying and doing are two different things. Words and actions are two different things. Saying we love God is different from actually living like we do. Saying we love God is different from actually loving God.

In the gospel, we see the two greatest commandments. Pretty simple, but tough. First is of course, love God with all that we have. Second is to love others.  Jesus did not stop at the first. he did not say that we should just love God, and we’re all set. Love for God should be greater than lip service. Love for God should be more concrete than words.

Love for God should be lived through others.

The application of God’s love is us loving other people. We cannot say we love God and hate other people. We cannot say we love God but not care about the situation of other people in the world. God is alive in each person, and our love for God should be lived as we treat and relate to others – especially those who we feel are unlovable.

May we be encouraged to love God beyond words, and live that love by the way we treat others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to love you and experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not live my love for you. Sorry for just saying it. Help me be real. you know that I love you. and I ask that you help me live that love for you through others. May I treat others the way I would treat you. may I help others like it was you I was helping. May I love others as I love you. help me make you more alive in this world by seeing you in others and loving you through others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 25, 2017
Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 423

Reading 1RU 1:1, 3-6, 14B-16, 22

Once in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land;
so a man from Bethlehem of Judah
departed with his wife and two sons
to reside on the plateau of Moab.
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died,
and she was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women,
one named Orpah, the other Ruth.
When they had lived there about ten years,
both Mahlon and Chilion died also,
and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.
She then made ready to go back from the plateau of Moab
because word reached her there
that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed with her.

Naomi said, "See now! 
Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god.
Go back after your sister-in-law!"
But Ruth said, "Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you!
For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge,
your people shall be my people, and your God my God."

Thus it was that Naomi returned
with the Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth,
who accompanied her back from the plateau of Moab.
They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

Responsorial PsalmPS 146:5-6AB, 6C-7, 8-9A, 9BC-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
The LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

AlleluiaPS 25:4B, 5A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God,
guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Come and See

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082417.cfm) reminds me that God invites me to come to him and experience him. 

In the gospel, Nathaniel was surprised when Philip told him that Jesus from Nazareth is the one whom Moses wrote about. Nazareth was a small and insignificant town, and he was surprised that anything good can come out from Nazareth. But Philip told him to come and see for himself who Jesus is. And he eventually believed.

There are times where we act like Nathaniel. When people tell us how great and loving God is, we are hesitant. When we are overwhelmed with problems with health, finances or relationships and people tell us God is all powerful, we are hesitant and feel he cannot do anything with our situation. God invites us today like Philip invited Nathaniel – to come and see Jesus.

Only when we experience firsthand what God can do will we believe his love, goodness and power.

However, we cannot experience these, or at least get to acknowledge them, if we will not allow him to. If we will stay on our own and not be willing to come and see Him, we will not be able to experience him. if we will close ourselves to him, even if he comes to us unceasingly, we will not be aware that it is his love, his guidance, and his provisions that see us through. 

May we find it in our hearts to open up ourselves and come to Jesus so we can experience firsthand his love, power and goodness.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Lord, thank you for the reminder. Thank you for always coming after me. Thank you for chasing me. Sorry for the times I am hesitant to come to you and believe what you can do. Sorry for being hard headed. Help me open up my heart and myself to receive and experience you. help me take the first step to come to you and see all you have done and all you can still do in my life. As I experience you, may I be moved to always stay in you and share you to others.  Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 24, 2017
Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Lectionary: 629

Reading 1RV 21:9B-14

The angel spoke to me, saying,
"Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Responsorial PsalmPS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R. (12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

AlleluiaJN 1:49B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" 
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."