Give Back

  

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031614.cfm) reminds me that God continues to fill us so that we can continue give back to others.

The gospel tells us the story of transfiguration. How amazing Peter, James and John must have felt. So great that they were speechless and wanted to just stay there. Imagine, Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus! Big names!

We all have transfiguration moments.  Probably for most of us, it was during a retreat or a religious activity wherein we felt very close to God, we feel God’s love and power in our lives, in a personal and intimate way. Probably for others these moments come in miracles like healing from sickness, undeserved blessings and graces, calmness, peace and strength amidst problems, and freedom from sin or bad habits – moments when we feel God’s love for us, that we know it is only by his grace and power that we experience these things. However, God does not want us to just focus on these things.

Jesus asked his disciples to come down the mountain and back to their regular lives. Back to doing God’s work – healing the sick, driving out demons, and proclaiming God’s kingdom and message, In the same way, our transfiguration moments are not the end or reward, rather, they should serve as nourishment and inspiration for us to continue to do good, to work harder to proclaim God’s kingdom on earth.

May we be willing to continue to serve God as he continues to nourish us and reveal himself to us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another Sunday! Thank you for reminding me how much you take care of me. Lord, I thank you for the transfiguration moments in my life. Thank you for making your love more alive in my life. As I continue to experience these, I promise to continue working for you, as long as you want me to. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/transfiguration-2013.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/transfiguration-2012.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/02/surprise.html

Goodness and Justice

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031514.cfm) reminds me that God is good and just.

The readings today seem to contradict each other. The first reading and psalm exhorts us to follow God and obey his commandments. However in the gospel, we see that God makes the sun shine on both the good and the bad. So why be good, right?

God is a good God, but he is also a just one.

God's blessings does not mean his tolerance. Just because he blesses you doesn’t mean he is okay with your wicked lifestyle. As Jesus said, the time will come when the master will gather all his harvest, and he will separate the good and the bad. The day will come when the good will be rewarded, and the bad condemned, so we just have to continue doing good and patiently and joyfully wait for the masters coming.

How do I live my life? Do I envy evil and prosperous people? Do I question God's goodness? What is God telling me today?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for always reminding me how much you love me. Lord, help me live a good life - a life pleasing to you, a life lived according to your ways. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/02/perfect-love.html

Small Start

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031414.cfm) reminds me that it is better and easier to address the problem while it is still small.

In the gospel we see Jesus raising the standards on sin. This should remind us that even at the slightest hint of sin, or seed of sin, we should be ready and willing to address it. As they say prevention is better than cure. The seemingly small things - hatred, bitterness, anger, envy, lust, should be addressed already before it gets bigger and manifest into actions, into actual sins.

May we pray for a sensitive heart and be ready and willing to address these feelings and concerns before they manifest into actions, behavior and sins.

What feelings are weighing me down? What are the causes of it? What am I doing about it? Am i willing to confess and be right with God and ask him to help me be free from these?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming up. Lord, help me recognize and address sins even before they start and manifest. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Simple

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031314.cfm) reminds me that following God is simple.

In the old testament, there are hundreds of laws that people follow. Also, God sent a lot of prophets to the people. Both the law and the prophets were given to tell the people how they should live. The reading tells us:

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

Plain and simple. Sometimes we get too technical and focus on the details. God wants something simple from us. To treat others right. To treat them as we would treat Christ. That simple.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, I ask that you help me treat others right. May i see you in others, especially the least, the last, and the lost. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Repent

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031214.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to repent.

The first reading tells us the story of Jonah, and how God, after the people repented, changed his mind on the punishment. The psalmist reminds us that God wants a contrite and humble heart. And the gospel further tells us that Jesus wants us to repent because of Him. Well, this must mean he is serious when he tells us he wants us to repent.

God is a loving God. He is a forgiving God. And no matter how big or grave our sin is, he is always ready and willing to forgive. His love and forgiveness is bigger than our sins. We just need to be truly sorry, to repent, and humble ourselves to come to him.

As we go into lent, let us make the most out of the sacrament of reconciliation and repent of our sins.

When was the last time I went to confession? What prevents me from repenting, from being right with God? What sins do i need to release from my life?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, I pray that I may be able to make the most out of the sacrament of reconciliation. May I have a humble and contrite heart. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Lord's Prayer

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031114.cfm) reminds us how powerful and complete the Lord’s prayer is.

The gospel shows us Jesus teaching us how to pray. It is a simple prayer, one of the first prayers we usually memorize. Unfortunately, because we have known this prayer since we were kids, we sometimes fail to see the beauty and depth of this prayer who Jesus himself taught us. Sharing with you a way I learned on how to see this prayer in a different way – with a foundation verse and some things to ponder upon as we pray each part of it.

Our Father who are in heaven, hollowed by thy name

So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but bringing punishment for their parents’ wickedness on children and children’s children to the third and fourth generation! (Exodus 34: 6-7 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/exodus/34)

               --- We remember our God. We remember what our God is like. We remember what God has done for us. We remember how blessed we are having such a great God. We are blessed that we can call him our God, our Father. We should be thankful and be full of awe as we pray, as we worship our God.

thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides (Matthew 6:33 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6)

                --- Out of love for him, we pray that we would have the heart to seek and obey God’s will in our lives. We pray for faith, knowing that as we seek His will, he will bless us and give us the things that we need in this world, as we serve and glorify him with our lives. We also pray for others, that they also seek and obey God's will in their lives.

Give us this day our daily bread

so you might know that it is not by bread alone* that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3b –http://www.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/8)

                --- We pray for God daily to sustain us, not just physically, but more importantly, spiritually. We remember that in this life, we need more than just physical food. Yes, man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. We need his word, we need to get to know him more, so we would be able to truly live, to truly serve and glorify Him.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/1)

                  --- The gospel says we should forgive so we would be forgiven. We also pray for humility that we would recognize our sins. We are far from perfect, and we ask God for forgiveness. We humbly come to him for forgiveness. We have faith that as we do, God forgives us and cleanses us. We also pray for those who have sinned against us, that as we forgive them and as God changes us, they also welcome God and allow Him to change their lives.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/10)

                   ---  In faith, we call on Him to save and protect us. We have faith that he will not give us what we can’t bear. We have faith that God will be with us as we fight our battles, as we win over the enemy. We also pray for others who are undergoing challenges, that they may remain faithful to God, and realize that God will always be with us as we become victorious in Him.

May we see the Lord’s prayer in a new perspective and make it our own, personal prayer.

Am I taking enough time for prayer? Do I know how important prayer is? What is God telling me today about my prayer life?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how important and powerful prayer is. Thank you for the Lord’s prayer that is a simple, yet complete prayer. May I look past the normalcy of this prayer and see the beauty and completeness of this, and may I make this my own personal prayer to tell you how much I love you, how much I am sorry for my sins, how I long for you, how I praise you, and how I surrender my life to you. Amen.

Be Holy Now

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031014.cfm) reminds us that God wants us to follow Him now.

One of the bad habits of us Filipinos is the Mañana habit - or mamaya na habit. We procrastinate or put off doing something until such time we have no choice anymore but to do it. This is what God wants us to avoid.

The first reading reminds us that God wants us to be holy. The gospel further affirms this, and adds that we will be rewarded for being holy - for treating others the way we should. We all know we should be holy and treat others right. But not all of us do it.

The verse before the gospel reminds us: Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

God wants us to start now. Today. Some people say they will be holy when they are old or when they retire, because then they would have more time. Well, God does not need us to stop working and do full time missionary or church work. God just wants us to live right. Treat others right. To be fair. Treat officemates with respect. Simple things, yet often overlooked and neglected. These are some things we can do today to start our journey of being holy.

Am I living a life God would be pleased with? What are the things i should start, or stop doing, to please God? Am I ready to face God when he calls me?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Lord thanks for the reminder that you want me to be holy, and you want me to start now. Help me Lord to start and be consistent at it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-