Free

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120713.cfm) reminds me that God indeed gives us a lot of things for free

They say that the best things in life are free. Some agree, some don’t – depends on what you consider best, or essential in life. Jesus words in the gospel reminds me of this “without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.”

I attended a recollection a couple of weeks ago, and I was so inspired by the speaker. She gives recollections for free! She does not charge a single cent for her expenses on the materials gas going to the venue, her time, etc. She does not profit from serving God, and actually spends out of her own pocket (from her corporate work!) for the expenses in proclaiming God’s word. Indeed, she lives this bible verse, “without cost you have received, without cost you are to give”

God gave us a lot of gifts. God gave us a lot of talents. God gave us these things for free, so we should also be ready and willing to share of our gifts and talents to others for free, not with a fee. With the recent calamities that has struck us, we have a lot of opportunities and reasons to give. Giving is not just monetary, but services as well. Time is helpful – in repacking, in doing work for others, in talking to others and proclaiming God to them. Skills are also needed, on counselling, stress debriefing, etc.

We have a lot we can give, so may we be moved to give freely, and with a happy heart.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the opportunities you give me to know you more. Lord, I pray that you give me a giving and cheerful heart. May I be generous with all that I have, and may I happily give and share these things to and with others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

According to You

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120613.cfm) reminds me that God sometimes rewards us according to what we say.

There is a story of a car salesman who, even if people regard him well because they think he is an honest and fair man, is actually greedy and tricks people with his deals. Because of his reputation, their pastor went to him to buy a second hand car. The salesman, even if it was the pastor, still treated him the same way - giving him a seemingly good and honest deal, but in fact not. The pastor was so happy that he prayed over the salesman and gave him the blessing - "may the Lord reward you with how you treated me in this deal"

How others see us is not always how God sees us. The approval of man is not the approval of God.

In the gospel we see two blind man asking for Jesus mercy. "Have pity on us!" Yes their situation may be pitiful. But Jesus does not stop there. To ask for help is one thing, to have faith in doing so is another. So Jesus asked them if they really think he can heal them. They said yes, so Jesus said "let it be done to you according to your faith"

What if the men were lying? What if they were really just asking for mercy, but did not have faith? What would have happened?

As we pray, as we come to Jesus, it is good to ask ourselves - do we really have faith in His love and power? Do we really think he can and will help us? What if Jesus tells us - let it be done according to your faith. What will happen?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you it's friday! Thank you for reminding me that you reward me according to my faith too! Lord, I pray that you help me strengthen my faith in you. As I pray, no matter how small or big my concern is, may I come to you in full faith. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Doing It Wisely

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120513.cfm) teaches us how to be wise doers.

We need to act to get things done. We won’t lose weight if we are u willing to sweat it out. Things can't get done without us working for it. Planning is good, but not enough to complete a task.

The gospel tells us that we will not be saved and be in heaven just by mere words. We need to act.

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven”.

And he further tells us that acting upon his word is the right, the wise decision. In the sense of the world, it is like a sure investment, that you will surely, eventually reap the rewards.

May we be reminded to act, and to do so according to his will.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live for you. Thank you for another day to act for you. Lord, may I always have the desire to live for you. May it always be in my heart. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Overflowing

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120413.cfm) reminds me that God's love, power and goodness is overflowing!

In the gospel, we see a lot of people coming to him for healing. Different cases. Different severity. However, he did not choose who to heal. He did not single out the easy ones, or the serious ones. He had overflowing power that he healed them all - all who came to him, all who wanted to be healed.

Not only that, he also took care of their physical need for food. He fed not only those who are poor, or those who need to eat. He fed them all, and there are still excess food! How overflowing his love, power and goodness is.

Sometimes we feel our problems are so simple God's time will be wasted if we ask him to help us out. Sometimes we feel our concerns are so big we don't want to bother God, or we don't know if he can help us out. But today reminds us that his love, power and goodness is overflowing...

Come to him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your reminder of your overflowing love, power and goodness. I pray that I always be reminded, and may it push me to come to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Be A Child

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120313.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be a child in his sight

In today’s gospel, we again see Christ telling us how important and beneficial it is to be childlike (See related reflections below). We see this in action in the life of Saint Francis Xavier, whose feast day we are celebrating today. From a life comfortable life, he became childlike and allowed himself to be a missionary and to spread God’s word in foreign lands. As a result, he was rewarded by God.

As we grow old, as we achieve things in life, as we experience a lot of things, it becomes harder to become childlike. It becomes harder to allow God to control our lives, especially to those control freaks who want to know everything, and want to be in control of everything. As we experience success in life, it is hard to be childlike and allow God to tell us what to do, because we feel we know more, we feel that we can do anything. As we experience challenges and difficulties, it is harder to become childlike because we do not want those things to happen to us again, and we want to avoid instances where we could experience these things again.

God’s way is not the same as the world’s, and even if it may be hard to follow His, it is wise to do so.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for always giving us examples of how we should live our lives. We ask that we don’t let this world rule our lives. Whatever happens, may we always allow you to be God in our lives, and may we always do our best to be childlike and submit to you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/are-you-childlike.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/10/childlike-job.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/05/dont-you-worry-child.html

Say the Word

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120213.cfm) reminds me how powerful Jesus’ word is.

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword. Words are powerful and strong. Our national hero, Jose Rizal, did not carry a gun but his words, through his writings, inspired a lot of people. Guys courting ladies are waiting for one powerful and happy word to be said to them – “yes!”, which brings much joy to the guy. These are some instances we see how powerful words are.

In the gospel we see Jesus being amazed by the faith, humility and goodness of the centurion. Being a man of power, he cared so much for his people that he went to go to Jesus not for his own concerns, but for his servant! Second, he knew he was a sinful man, and he knew who Jesus was. So he did not want to let Jesus come to his home because he knew he is unworthy to receive him. lastly, he knew the power of Jesus’ word. He had a lot of faith in Jesus, that his word is powerful enough to heal and restore to health anyone.

May we be like the centurion – having genuine concern for others, especially to the least; having a humble heart, knowing who we are as compared to who Jesus is; and having great faith in Jesus and his word.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week to live. Lord, I pray that you help me live like the centurion. May I have genuine concern for others, especially now that we have a lot of people that need help and concern. May I have humility and always recognize who you are and who I am. may this drive me to confess to at least try to improve and prepare myself as I welcome you. Lastly, may I have faith in your word, your goodness and your power. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Prepare

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/120113.cfm) reminds me that we should prepare for Christ’s coming.

They say that Christmas is celebrated longest here in the Philippines. As early as September, or when the “-ber” months come in, we hear Christmas songs being played on the radio, and even on malls. Then even before the first week of December, gifts are already being given. We also have lots of Christmas dinners, reunions and celebrations. There are also a lot of weddings during Christmas season. Truly a long and festive event.

However, this does not necessarily mean we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. All these are external, superficial celebrations and commemorations. Today, God is reminding us to really prepare for Christ’s coming, which we also commemorate this season when Christ came as a baby for us.

Superficial preparation should not be the end. We should also prepare inside of us.

Aside from cleaning our homes for visitors this season, we should also confess and make peace with others as we clean our hearts to receive him. Aside from decorating our homes with Christmas themes , we should also decorate our lives and hearts with good works done to others. Aside from feeding our relatives and guests during Christmas parties, we should also do our part to feed the hungry, and give time to those who need help. These things should go hand in hand.

May we remember that if we truly want to prepare for Christmas, it should not only be superficial, but needs to go deeper.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Lord, I pray that you help me prepare my life for you. may my preparations not be all superficial, but go deeper as I prepare my life for your coming. May I make the most out of these four Sundays so I may feel the real essence of Christmas. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-