Prayer Power

The WORD today reminds me how important and powerful prayer is.

Good leaders lead by example. It is one thing to teach or tell others what to do and what needs to be done, and it is another thing to do it yourself. This is why people have greater respect for leaders who do what they preach. People have higher respect to leaders who can actually do what they are asking people to do. Jesus is this kind of leader.

In the gospel, we see how much Jesus values prayer. He does not only teach about the importance of prayer. He actually prays. A lot. He knows how powerful and important it is to pray and be one with God, so he spent the night in prayer before making an important decision - choosing his apostles

Prayer is a free and direct line to God. 

Jesus, being the Son of God, knows how important prayer is. He knows how powerful it is. He knows that he needs it and he spends time for it. This should tell us something. This should remind us of something. 

We make a lot of decisions in life. We make a lot of decisions daily. And just as Jesus immersed himself in prayer, so should we. Hopefully, we also include God in the picture. Hopefully we spend time with him and also consult him to know what he wants from us, not just what we think is the best for us. and hopefully, we can be humble and obedient to God.

In the first reading, we see that we are members of the household of God - with Jesus as the capstone or the foundation. We are all part of God’s family. As we realize this, may we also give value to what Jesus gives value to - prayer. 

We are still in a pandemic. Yes, we need to help others. We should share our blessings and be of help to others. However, we should not forget to pray. This is something very important, and something we can consistently do. No matter what the situation is, we should never forget to pray and have faith. 

How do I see prayer? Is it something I consider very important? Do I realize it is a direct line to God? How often do I pray? Do I remember to pray not just for guidance, but for thanksgiving as well? 

May we realize the importance and power of prayer, and make the most out of 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 the reminder of the power and importance of prayer. I am so sorry for the many times I don't give much importance to prayer. Sorry for the many times I do not give it the importance it deserves. Sorry for making excuses - that i'm tired, busy or that I love you anyway so it's okay not to pray from time to time. May I have the same thirst and hunger for prayer as Jesus, and work little by little to improve my relationship with you through it. As I pray, I ask that you continue to mold me and talk to me. May I love you more through prayer. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/10/iron-man-and-jesus.html 

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/he-rose-early-to-pray.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/power-of-prayer.html

Daily Readings

• OCTOBER 27, 2021
• October 28, 2021
• OCTOBER 29, 2021

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Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Lectionary: 666

Reading I

Eph 2:19-22

Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God, 
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm

19:2-3, 4-5

R.    (5a) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
    and night to night imparts knowledge.
R.    Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
    whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
    and to the ends of the world, their message.
R.    Their message goes out through all the earth.

Alleluia

See Te Deum 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 6:12-16

Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.

When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Doers

The WORD today reminds me of the importance of doing things. 

In life, they say who you know is important. Actually, it is true. Some even say that what you know is not as important as who you know. We see people in powerful positions not because of their skills and abilities, but because of their connections. However, in our spiritual life, it is different. It is not enough to just know God. We should go deeper than that. 

Knowing God is not enough. In the gospel, we see Jesus saying that the master of the house will close the door and lock the house, and the people outside will ask him to let them in. They will remind him that they know each other, spending time with each other in eating, drinking, and in other occasions. And eventually, the master will tell them that as evildoers, they do not have a place inside. This is how important our actions are. 

Our actions tell God how we see him in our lives. 

Yes, we may know God, just like the people know the master. We may occasionally spend time with him. However, this is not enough. Our actions are important. Our actions tell God who he is in our lives. If we live right and pleasing to him, if we live doing good in his sight, then we are telling him he is God in our lives. we are telling him he is important to us and we want to be like him, and eventually want to be with him in paradise. However, if we do evil, just like the people in the gospel, then we are telling God he is not important and we do not want to be with him forever. 

This pandemic is a good chance for us to show this to God. In as much as there are a lot of people affected, there are also a lot of things we can do for others. Small and big things. We can show God through our actions that we love him through others. 

May we be reminded of our actions, and may our actions always be pleasing to God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Lord, sorry for the times I don't live right. Sorry for the times I think it is enough to know you and spend little time with you. Sorry for stopping there. Help me live right. Help me live a way pleasing to you. May my actions tell you how much i love and value you in my life. May my actions proclaim you in this world. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• OCTOBER 26, 2021
• October 27, 2021
• OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 481

Reading I

Rom 8:26-30

Brothers and sisters:
The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.
And the one who searches hearts
knows what is the intention of the Spirit,
because he intercedes for the holy ones 
according to God’s will.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers.  
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.

Responsorial Psalm

13:4-5, 6

R.    (6a) My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Look, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Give light to my eyes that I may not sleep in death
    lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him”;
    lest my foes rejoice at my downfall.
R.    My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
Let my heart rejoice in your salvation;
    let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
R.    My hope, O Lord, is in your mercy.

Alleluia

See 2 Thes 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them, 
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”

Small to Big

The WORD today reminds me that God can turn our small offerings into big blessings. 

They say that great things start from small beginnings. That is true. As we look in our lives, we know that we all started small. We were born a baby, not knowing anything on our own. Even Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a baby. It was God’s love and protection, through other people, that got us where we are today. No matter how much one achieves in life, that person started small. And it is by God’s love and grace, not by human power, intelligence, influence and connections, that one is able to achieve things.

in the gospel, we see Jesus telling us something similar. The mustard seed and yeast are small. Yet they eventually affect a lot. The mustard seed grew into a huge tree, and the yeast affected the flour. They were able to do great things and accomplish a lot, even if they started small. Whatever they accomplished, they started small. 

Small things can accomplish great things with God’s blessing.

We may feel simple and normal, but that will not stop God from using us mightily. Mustard seed. Yeast. Simple stuff. Small stuff. But eventually did great things. This is what God does. He turns what we have, the simple that we have, and multiplies it. He turns it to something great. He blesses us so we can bless others and build God's kingdom. 

God’s kingdom is also like this. Jesus was explaining to his disciples what the kingdom of God is like. It is like a small mustard seed that grew into a huge tree. It is like yeast that affected the flour. During that time, it may seem small, since they were the only ones working for it. But Jesus is telling them that in God’s perfect time, God’s kingdom will be immensely huge, bigger than what they can imagine. I believe this also applies to us right now. Looking at the world, God’s kingdom may seem so small. People are busy with achieving and accomplishing a lot, especially with all the advancements and technology in place. We put very small importance on God’s kingdom since we really cannot feel it, unlike things on this world. However, in his perfect time, we will realize how huge God’s kingdom really is.

This pandemic, problem seems to be so huge. Everyone is affected. And we don’t see how our actions can help other people. But God can. Like the mustard seed and yeast, he can turn our small actions to help others into a bigger blessing. He has the power. We just need to trust in him. And of course, we just have to do our part, no matter how simple or little we may feel.

How do I see myself? Do I look down on myself because I feel insignificant and too simple, with nothing special to offer to the world? Am I too proud with all my achievements and accomplishments? What is God telling me today? 

May we learn to trust in God, that he will magnify whatever little we can offer, especially as we work for His kingdom. 

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 losing my focus on you. Sorry for allowing myself to be distracted by the world and what it has to offer. Sorry for being too busy and focused on achieving worldly things. Sorry for ignoring you. sorry for thinking that I would have the time to work for your kingdom later on. Lord, I ask that you help me put things in perspective. Help me have faith in you, however small like a mustard seed. I know that even if I have just a tiny bit of faith and knowledge of you, you will help me grow it, so I would always be aware of your kingdom, work for your kingdom, and prepare for your coming to this world. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/10/little-and-mighty.html

Daily Readings

• OCTOBER 25, 2021
• October 26, 2021
• OCTOBER 27, 2021

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Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 480

Reading I

Rom 8:18-25

Brothers and sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
For in hope we were saved.
Now hope that sees for itself is not hope.  
For who hopes for what one sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

Responsorial Psalm

126:1b-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R.    (3a) The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
    we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with rejoicing.
R.    The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
    “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
    we are glad indeed.
R.    The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
    like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
    shall reap rejoicing.
R.    The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
    carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
    carrying their sheaves.
R.    The Lord has done marvels for us.

Alleluia

See Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 13:18-21

Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like?
To what can I compare it?
It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden.
When it was fully grown, it became a large bush
and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.”

Again he said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?
It is like yeast that a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour
until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”