Stressed and Busy

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100714.cfm) reminds me not to stress myself with life’s busyness.

Service is good. It is actually one of the love languages. Some people express their love by serving others – especially those they love. We also see that God wants us to serve him through others as a means of expressing our love for Him. He said that “faith without woks is dead,” and we see in the first reading how Paul served God as he spread his message to others.

So why is it that in the gospel, Jesus seemed to favour Mary, who was not serving him? why did Jesus tell Martha that Mary, who was listening to Him, chose the better part?

Service should be done with love. You should be a happy servant. We should be happy as we serve God, because it is our way of telling him we love him. it is one way of expressing our love to him. as such, it should not be considered a burden, and should not stress us out – which was what happened to Martha. She was so busy doing the work that she forgot to focus on, and even complained to, the one she should serve.

There is a time for everything. Yes, Jesus needs someone who will attend to their needs, but it is wiser to first focus on Jesus because he will not be around forever. With us, yes, service is important, but we should also have time for spiritual nourishment and rest as we serve. This makes our service more empowered and more effective.

So, what are you stressed and busy with? Take a break, talk to Jesus.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for continuing to remind me how you want me to live my life. Thank you for reminding me how important and necessary service is. And I ask that you give me a heart of service -  a heart that would always want to serve you through others. But Lord, as I serve, please remind me to take a break to rest and refresh my body and spirit. Like Mary, may I take time to rest and listen to you. may I work to be nourished by you. I am sorry for the times I focus too much on serving that it overwhelms me and stresses me, thus I lose focus on you. May I be a balanced and happy servant of you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/07/stressed-and-busy.html                

Neighbourly Love

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100614.cfm) reminds me that we are called to love our neighbour.

The gospel shows us one of the most common parable – the good Samaritan. Yes, we see how difficult and challenging it may be to love. It can sometimes be inconvenient. But that’s love. If it is something fun, not taking a lot of your time, effort and resources, then probably it is not love. Real love entails effort, commitment, time and resources – as what the Samaritan did in the parable. He did not just give the man something. He did not just leave the man to the innkeeper and left some coins. He took care of the man, took time off to bring him to an inn, gave up resources, and even planned to come back to make sure the man is fine and properly taken care of. Add the fact that they are enemies with each other That’s love!

Jesus expects the same from us.

We may not have the chance to do this to others, but God wants us to be ready to. God wants us to be willing. But more than the desire, God wants us to act now. Does not matter how simple our act of love may be. Does not matter to whom. What matters is we start acting, that we start loving our neighbour. In school, in the office, in the community, and in family. God wants us to do even simple acts of love, and as we do so, he will slowly transform us and ready us to do even greater acts of love.

May we heed his call to do good to others, to spread God’s love to our neighbours.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. And thank you for an extra day to rest. Thank you for the reminder Lord. As I start the week, help me to start acting this love as well. May I love others even in small ways, simple ways. As I do so, I know that you will slowly transform me, and love me as I love you through others. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/detached.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/05/good-teacher-what-must-i-do.html

Calm and Deep

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100514.cfm) reminds me how calming God’s peace is.

There is a saying that “still waters run deep.” The more silent and calm the water, the deeper it is. They also say that it is peaceful in the eye of the storm. Amidst all the noise and distractions outside or on the physical / surface level, when one looks deep inside, there is peace. This is what God wants us to do when faced with life’s problems. The second reading says:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

No matter how stressful or chaotic the world may be, God just wants us to go deep in prayer and let his peace surround his heart. There is no condition to it. He did not say he will only give peace to you if you have easy problems. He did not say that this peace is special and is only applicable to very difficult problems. This peace is for all – no matter what the problem and situation is.

The world’s challenges are no match for Christ’s peace.

If we are deeply rooted in Christ, then no amount of trouble in this world can disturb our peace. However, we can only get this peace if we look deep within us. We can only feel his peace if we submerge ourselves in prayer. We will only experience this peace is we are deeply rooted in and strongly connected with God. If problems in life overwhelm us, whether they be big or small, then we should work on our relationship with God. When our outlook changes instantly when faced with challenges, when we automatically expect the worse to happen, then we are not deeply rooted in Christ,

Prayer is powerful as it is peaceful. May we make the most out of prayer, and work on our prayer life so we can have the peace that this world cannot take away.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience you in the mass. Thank you for the gift of prayer. Thank you for the power and peace prayer brings. Lord, give me the desire to work on my relationship with you through prayer. Give me the desire for prayer, and the will to work on it. As I pray, transform me so I can become more and more like you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

More Than

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100414.cfm) reminds me that God rewards us with more than we can imagine

In the first reading, we see the final chapter of the book of Job. His is a story that inspires me, to get through challenges and look forward to God's reward as we remain faithful to Him.

Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job
more than his earlier ones

God rewarded Job with more than what he initially had. God took everything away from Job, except his life. But as Job remained faithful to God, everything was given back... everything and more.

God is generous.

In the gospel, we see Jesus' disciples returning to him happy because of a successful mission. However, more than God being there to help them and enabling them to do great things in his name, Jesus reminds them that the real reason they should be happy is that their names are written in heaven. That is more than what the disciples wanted and expected.

As long as we do what God asks us to do, as long as we remain faithful to Him, we will experience immense blessings, more than we can imagine. Why, is it God's reward for his good children? I believe it's more than that. It is more than a reward.  God only wants the best for us. He will not give us what we cannot handle - both with problems and with blessings. God gives these things to those who are ready to accept them, and following God and staying faithful to Him shows that we love him more than we love this world, and that we are ready to receive properly these blessings, for God is first in our lives.

Despite all the problems and challenges in life, may we remember that God's love and blessings is always more than what we need.

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. Lord, thank you for Job. Thank you for reminding me it is possible to remain faithful to you, despite being human, despite all the emotions and all the sadness we may have in our hearts. Help me be faithful like him, and be ready workers like your disciples. I know that as I live my life for you, you will take care of everything. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

When We Complain

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100314.cfm) reminds me that God is always wiser than us.

People always complain. In sports, athletes usually complain and contest the calls of the referees. In basketball, you will always hear athletes say  "Foul Ref!" when no foul is called, and "No Foul Ref!" when a foul is called. We like to complain, and we are like that even with God.

We complain to God when his plans does not go with ours, like he should conform to our plans. We want our plans to happen. We have this perfect and good plan, and we complain if God's plan does not align with ours. We feel that our plan is better than his. We feel that our plan is just fair and just for us. We feel that God owes it to us to allow our plans to happen. We sometimes forget who God is and who we are.

In the first reading, God reminded Job of who He is, and who Job is not.

Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning

and shown the dawn its place

For taking hold of the ends of the earth,

till the wicked are shaken from its surface?

The earth is changed as is clay by the seal,

and dyed as though it were a garment;

But from the wicked the light is withheld,

and the arm of pride is shattered.

Have you entered into the sources of the sea,

or walked about in the depths of the abyss?

Have the gates of death been shown to you,

or have you seen the gates of darkness?

Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?

Tell me, if you know all:

Which is the way to the dwelling place of light,

and where is the abode of darkness,

That you may take them to their boundaries

and set them on their homeward paths?

You know, because you were born before them,

and the number of your years is great!

Boom! Puts us in the proper perspective, right?

We only see a very small bit of what God sees. We only know a very small percentage of what God knows. We plan only for ourselves, but God plans for everyone - humans, animals, even the things of this world. We are reminded today to see who God is, how big and great he is. This should not intimidate us, or just make us submit ourselves blindly to him. Instead, this should remind us of how great he is, of how special we are that despite all the things he is taking care of, he still has time for us, and should lead us to trust him for he only has great plans for his creatures.

We are God's creations, and only God knows what he wants to do to. Only he knows what we are created for. Whatever it is, it is good. May we remember this, and submit to his will and his wisdom.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming up. Lord, I thank you for reminding me today of who you are. I am sorry for the times I acted as if I am greater than you, and my plans are better than yours. Help me to constantly submit to you, knowing in faith that you only have great plans for me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Greatest

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100214.cfm) reminds me who the world’s greatest is in God’s eyes

A few years back, there was a movie about the life of Muhammad Ali, whom many considered one of if not the world’s greatest boxer. The theme song was titled that – The World’s Greatest. He won many fights, he was a respected boxer in the ring, and his skills are superior… that’s why he is a great fighter.

However, God’s standards are different from the world. In fact, it is the opposite.

The greatest in God’s eyes are not the strong and mighty, but the dependent and childlike.

Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,

you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Whoever becomes humble like this child

is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me

Why is a child great? Because of his nothingness. He knows he cannot do anything on his own, so he is fully dependent on his parents. The same way, God wants us to be like that, to know and remember that we really cannot do anything on our own… that we should be fully dependent on God, our father. This is something difficult, especially for successful and independent people who thinks they can do anything and can exist on their own.

Only when we have this childlike attitude, this childlike faith, will we be able to say what Job told his friends in the first reading – that despite his problems and situation, he still depended on God and still longed for Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your reminder. Thank you for sending people in my life who remind me how much you love me and how special I am to you. Lord, I am sorry for the times I put you out of the picture, when I just rely on myself and do things on my own. Help me have the childlike attitude and faith that will always rely on you as I live this life on earth. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

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

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/01/sto-nino-2013.html

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

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-worlds-greatest.html

Don't Look Back

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100114.cfm) reminds me not to look back and keep moving forward in Christ.

In Genesis, there is a story about Lot and his wife. They were supposed to escape the destruction of Sodom, and the angel told them to just flee and don't look back. However, Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.

Looking back can hinder the progress of moving forward.

In the gospel, we see Jesus saying this.

No one who sets a hand to the plow

and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.

It is not necessary to look back. Once you decide to choose God, to follow Him, then it should be permanent. No need to reminisce of your old life, or old decisions or sins. As we choose God, as we allow ourselves to be transformed, we should just let God use and mold us, and not look back to what we are before.

As we live our new life in Christ, as we allow Him to mold and use us, may we not be tempted to look back at our old lives and just focus on what lies ahead.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Lord, thank you for always welcoming me as I come to you. Thank you for fresh starts. I pray that I may continue to submit to you, and never look back to what I was before you in my life. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-