Saturday, May 28, 2022

Improve Not Embarrass


The WORD today reminds me that I should aim to improve others and not find fault or embarrass them for their shortcomings. 

Teachers have different ways of reaching out to their students. Some teachers prefer to embarrass those who do not know a lot, either in the desire to show themselves as superior, or forcibly make the students study more to avoid further embarrassment. Others however, are patient with their students.  They take time out to reach out and explain to the students who are having a hard time. They do their best to reach out, inspire, and eventually improve the students. This is how God wants us to act as we reach out to others. 

We should aim to improve others, not embarrass them. 

In the first reading, we saw Apollos do God's work. However, he did not know everything. He did not understand everything. And when Priscilla and Aquila saw this, instead of embarrassing him and making him feel he does not know what he was talking about, they took him aside and explained things to him. They improved him. And because if this, he was able to do greater things for God. 

We should treat others with love. 

There are times when people may be annoying, that you just want to make them feel they are wrong and you are right. However, God wants us to be gentle. God wants us to be patient. And God wants us to improve others, not embarrass them. As we do this, we are serving God. We are equipping others to serve God better. And we are glorifying God. 

What is my attitude towards people who are missing out on things? Am I patient with others? Do I take time to explain to them and improve them? Or am I impatient and embarrass others? 

May we be reminded to see others with eyes of love, and work to improve and not embarrass others. 

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 another weekend.  Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my temper on others. Sorry for the times I don't take time out to improve them. Help me see them as you do. Help me see them with eyes of love. Use me to improve others. As I focus on loving them and helping them and improving them, I know I am doing these things to you as well. Amen. 

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflection:
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/06/work-and-reward.html


Daily Readings

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Lectionary: 296

Reading I

Acts 18:23-28

After staying in Antioch some time,
Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence
through the Galatian country and Phrygia,
bringing strength to all the disciples.

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,
an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus.
He was an authority on the Scriptures.
He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,
with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although he knew only the baptism of John.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue;
but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him,
they took him aside
and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.
And when he wanted to cross to Achaia,
the brothers encouraged him
and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.
After his arrival he gave great assistance
to those who had come to believe through grace.
He vigorously refuted the Jews in public,
establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm 

47:2-3, 8-9, 10

R.        (8a)  God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands;
            shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
            is the great king over all the earth.
R.        God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
            sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
            God sits upon his holy throne.
R.        God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
The princes of the peoples are gathered together
            with the people of the God of Abraham.
For God’s are the guardians of the earth;
            he is supreme.
R.        God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 16:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I came from the Father and have come into the world;
now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

“I have told you this in figures of speech.
The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures
but I will tell you clearly about the Father.
On that day you will ask in my name,
and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world.
Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”




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Friday, May 27, 2022

God’s Joy


The WORD today reminds me that God’s joy is greater than all our pain and concerns. 

Back in high school, I remember that for some reason, I feel down when rain is pouring hard, but when the sun is brightly shining, I feel better. The sun gives me energy and good vibes. I associate darkness  with sadness, and light with hope and energy. Then in one of our chemistry class, our teacher explained that there are molecules or elements in the rain that really affects the mood of a person. The same way that the sun gives us energy, it symbolizes hope and new beginnings.  

In the gospel, we see Jesus explain this. We will weep and mourn, but our sadness will become joy. And the joy he gives us is great – great enough to make us forget the sadness we experienced before it. IT is a joy that only God can give. It is a joy because of God’s love. It is the joy we can get if we remain in God.

God's joy is greater than all of the pain and challenges in life. 

Our lives are full of challenges and trials – especially when we do God’s work. However, we should be inspired and assured of a joy that will make us forget everything. God is faithful, and as long as we remain in Him, we will surely experience his blessings and his joy. We will surely experience God’s love. And when we do, we will forget the pain. We will be overwhelmed with God's joy, with God's peace, with God's love. 

What are my problems and concerns now? What are weighing me down? How do I handle those things? What instances in the past did i feel lonely and sad? What did God do during those times? How did he manifest his love for me during challenging situations? What is he telling me today?

May we remember that despite everything we are going through, despite all the problems and difficulties, God will eventually give us joy that will make us forget all the pain. We just have to remain in him and endure the challenges until that time.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another weekend coming up. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for forgetting this. Sorry for the times I let grief, pain and challenges overwhelm me and bring me down.  Sorry for forgetting who you are and what you bring. Lord, I pray that you help me remain focused on you. i experience challenges and difficulties in life, but I remain focused on you and will hope on the joy only you can bring. Keep me in your love. Strengthen me. Guide me. Use me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-


Ps
See related reflection:


Daily Readings

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Lectionary: 295

Reading I

Acts 18:9-18

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
“Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city.”
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
“This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.”
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
“If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.”
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.

Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

Responsorial Psalm

47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R.        (8a)  God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
            shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
            is the great king over all the earth.
R.        God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
            nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
            the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R.        God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
            the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
            sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R.        God is king of all the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

See Lk 24:46, 26

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”




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Thursday, May 26, 2022

Ascension 2022


The WORD today reminds me that Jesus watches over us from above.

As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, we are reminded that He watches over us and blesses us from above. Both the first reading and the gospel tell us of Jesus’ ascension – him being taken back to heaven. It was probably a very awesome sight to see, and the fact that Jesus will come again in that glory is exciting to see – for those who are ready to see him.

Jesus wants us to continue his work while we wait for his return. 

In the gospel, Jesus told his disciples before he was taken up into heaven, that repentance and forgiveness of sin should be preached in the world in His name. He is telling them to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. If that is his last message, it must really be important. However, as he asks us to do this, we are not by ourselves. Jesus is watching from above – guiding and protecting us as we continue his work. The second reading also affirms us of God's power, dominion and protection as he watches over us from above.

We need not be missionaries to do this. We need not have great signs or miracles for us to do this. As St Vincent Pallotti says, God wills that you sanctify the world in your everyday life. Whatever we do and wherever we are, we can do God’s work. When we do simple things extraordinarily well for the love of God, we are pleasing him. When we treat others right, we are proclaiming the gospel. St Francis of Assisi said that we should preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. The way we live is just as important, if not more important, as preaching the gospel by mouth.

With the corona virus pandemic, it is very important to do this. It is continue to do God’s work. It is continue to spread love and goodness. There are already a lot of negativity. A lot of complains. We do not need more of those. We need people who will also do good. We need people who will show God’s love and his blessings and goodness. We need to proclaim God and remind people that he is very much alive through us.

Am I proclaiming God in this world? Am I doing my part in making God’s love and forgiveness more real and more alive in this world? How? What else can I do today to proclaim God and heed his call?

May we heed Jesus’ call to proclaim Him, and take comfort that he watches, blesses and guides us from above.

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 blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, thank you for always watching over me, for protecting me and for guiding me. Sorry for the times I forget it. Sorry for the times I do not proclaim you. Sorry for being lazy and selfish, just doing what I want in life. Sorry for being stubborn. Help me be able to do what you ask of me, Lord. May I proclaim you to the people I meet, not just in words but more importantly, by the way I live my life. Help me to live right and pleasing to you. May my life glorify you and bring you to others. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,
-g-


Daily Readings

The Ascension of the Lord

Lectionary: 58

Reading I

Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for “the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm 

Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 

R (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
            shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
            is the great king over all the earth.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
            the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
            sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
            sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
            God sits upon his holy throne.
R God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R Alleluia.

Reading II 

Eph 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might:
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

OR:

Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that men and women die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have "a great priest over the house of God,"
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

Alleluia

Mt 28:19a, 20b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 24:46-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city
until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They did him homage
and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and they were continually in the temple praising God.




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