Shine in the Dark

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050713.cfm) reminds me that God can turn a dark situation into something that would glorify his name.

In the first reading, we see the Paul and Silas being imprisoned. Not only that, they were beaten before being thrown into prison. They must have felt down and tired. The physical darkness of being in the innermost cell probably added to the spiritual and moral darkness they felt. However, this did not dampen their spirits. They were still faithful to God – singing songs and praying. Imagine, after being beaten and thrown into prison, they were still having this “prayer meeting.” God did not disappoint them – he made them feel his power and protection over them, and not only that, he made them realize that darkness cannot stop God’s glory from shining brightly. The guard and his whole household was converted and came into faith.

In the gospel, we see Jesus preparing his disciples for his leaving. Yes, there is grief in their hearts, but this grief will be turned into gladness when the Holy Spirit comes to them. The dark situation of Christ’s leaving them turned into a glorious one when he rose from the dead and sent the holy spirit to always be with the disciples.

God cannot be stopped by the darkest night.

Again we see that what the enemy designed to stop God was actually turned into something to glorify God. God is powerful and loving that no amount of darkness is enough to stop his love from flowing, to stop his glory from shining.

May we remember this as we love and serve God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for always talking to me through your WORD and the people around me. Thank you for your love that strengthens relationships and makes it easier to get by through life’s challenges. Lord, I pray that I always allow you to fill my life with your love. I also pray that I would always be faithful to you, no matter how challenging life may become, may I be like Paul and Silas who continued to pray and praise you despite the darkness around them. Lord, as I do this, I know that you will continue to manifest yourself and your glory will continue to shine bright. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/03/dark-night.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/04/cant-stop-him.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/03/who-can-stand-against.html

Warm Bodies

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050613.cfm) reminds me that God needs people like us to proclaim his kingdom.

In the first reading, we see the disciples talking with some women during a Sabbath. During that time, we are sure that at least one of the women, and her household, was converted and baptized.

This reminds us that we need to work for God. God needs warm bodies to proclaim his kingdom. We really are not the one responsible for the conversion of hearts. As we can see in the first reading, it was God who opened the heart of Lydia. We are mere instruments used by God to get his message across.

As we work for God, he will equip us. However, we are reminded in the gospel that it will not be easy. There will be a lot of challenges as we work for Him, but we should always remember that God is with us, and he will continue to protect us as we work for Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your love and concern for me. Thank you for using me, however unworthy I am, to get your message to other people. I pray that I will always have an open and willing heart to work for you, to allow myself to be used by you, and as I do so, may I always give you back the honor and glory. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

He Knows Me!

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050513.cfm) reminds me that God knows us, more than we know ourselves.

The gospel tells us the words of Jesus...

And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

Jesus knows that as human beings, it is not that easy for us to believe. That is why he gives us things and situations that would help our faith, that would remind us how great he is, how loving he is.

His word says that he knows our name, that he knows even the number of strands of our hair. He knew, and loved us, even before we were born. He has been taking care of us, even if sometimes we so do not realize or recognize it.

May we be reminded that God loves us and knows us more than we know ourselves, so he will not give us more than what we can handle, and that whatever we are facing right now, he is surely working in us through different people and situations.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for always reminding me how much you love me and that you always work in my life, even if i do not recognize it. Thank you for reminding me how much you know me, and that you will always make ways to reach out to me and make me feel your love, care and protection. I pray that my heart always be open to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,
-g-

Let's Bounce!

The WORD today ( see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050413.cfm) reminds me to go out into the world and proclaim God's kingdom.

In ghetto language, the word 'bounce' means to go. So when people say 'let's bounce', it means let's go. And today, God is asking us to bounce and proclaim His kingdom.

In the first reading, we see the disciples proclaiming God's kingdom to different places. Today, he asks us to proclaim his kingdom wherever we are, whatever we we can. We do not need to be missionaries or preachers to do this. In our own families, homes, offices and friends, we can proclaim Him. Whatever language, whatever we are comfortable with, we can and should proclaim it.

May we be challenged and encouraged to proclaim God's kingdom wherever we are, in whatever way we can.

Let's bounce!

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for continuing to equip me as i work for you. I ask that you always put that desire in my heart to serve you and proclaim your kingdom. And i ask that in whatever way i can, i may proclaim you to others, and that you magnify my service to glorify your name. Amen.

Blessed day!


In Christ,
-g-

Not Once

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050313.cfm) reminds me that as we proclaim God’s kingdom, once is never enough.

As human beings, patience is one of the things we really need. The world around us causes us to become impatient – with people, things and situations. We want instant solution and do not want to wait. That’s why we came up with instant things – instant noodles, coffee, etc. We also have instant money via ATM or credit card, so we can avoid long lines in banks. We are impatient with people, expecting them to understand what we are saying after one discussion with them.

However, Jesus reminds us today that as we proclaim God’s kingdom and his message, once is never enough.

We can see in today’s first reading that Paul keeps on reminding the people of the message he preached to them. He did not give up on them, and he was patient with them, repeating God’s message to them. He did not expect them to get it the first time he taught them, the same way he did. In the gospel, we see Jesus again repeating his message to his disciples. It is again not his first time saying these things to them, and we can see that when he said “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? But he was still patient to them, not giving up, and continuing to preach despite of them not getting it yet.

As we work for God, may we be reminded to never give up on people, to never expect too much, to never be disheartened when they don’t seem to get what we are saying or don’t seem to understand. Let us continue to be patient with them, because as we work for God, once is not enough.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me that you will never give up on me. Lord, I thank you for always being patient with me, for always reaching out to me and making your message and lesson get through me. Lord, I ask for the same patience as I work for you. May I also never give up on people, and may I never tire of preaching you, of proclaiming you to others, even if they don’t seem to undersatand. Give me the patience and the strength to do your work tirelessly. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

He Loves You

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050213.cfm) reminds me that Jesus loves me.

In the first reading, we are reminded that God loves each and everyone of us, whatever our race or nationality is. During that time, the Jews were the chosen people, a people loved by God. All the rest were called Gentiles. However, when Jesus was sent, it was not only to and for the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well. This is why we see that God’s love is for all- both Jews and Gentiles alike.

In the gospel, we see that Jesus loves us as God loves him. and he tells us that as we keep his commandments, we will remain in his love. Yes, it is written that nothing can separate us from God’s love…however, if we choose to ignore God, and if we choose not to let him love us, he definitely cannot love us. However, he says that his love is always there for us, it is just up to us if we will choose to remain in his love, or seek love elsewhere.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your love. Thank you for loving me. Lord, there are a lot of times I need love and affirmation, and I am sorry if I don’t seek you or go to you for love. Sorry if I look for love elsewhere and not primarily on you. Sorry if  I do not let you love me. Sorry if I don’t feel or acknowledge your love. Lord, I pray that you give me a heart that would always want to remain in your love, and as I do so, I pray that I always see myself the way you see me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Be Connected

The WORD today ( see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050113.cfm) reminds me that we should always be connected to God.

Nowadays, everyone wants to be connected. If we go out of town, we still want to be connected to the internet. Wherever we are, we want to have connection to power - thats why there ate portable battery packs. Wherever we go, we want to have phone signal so we can call other people anytime.

In our faith, we are reminded that we need to be connected as well - not to the internet, or electricity - but to God. Only if we are connected, founded and rooted in Christ will we be able to really bear fruit. Only God can magnify our actions. For him.

May we be reminded on the importance of being connected and rooted with God as we serve Him.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for always reminding me that you are with me. Lord i pray that i always remember to be connected to you and may my actions be deeply rooted in you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,
-g-