Unafraid

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020615.cfm) reminds me that we should face life unafraid.

They say that the words “Do not be afraid” is repeated in the bible for 365 times, which is pretty much God reminding us everyday to not be afraid. We are afraid of a lot of things, and we worry about a lot of things, that is probably why God made his WORD full of reminders for us not to. And today, we are again reminded of that though the readings.

A lot of people worry about finances – of being able to provide for the family and giving the family a comfortable life. Some stress over it, and even get sick thinking about the problems and concerns. God tells us in the first reading not to worry. He promises us that he will never forsake or abandon us, so we need not worry about money and material things in life.

We may not have everything, but we will always have what we need, especially to do God’s work.

Problems and stress sometimes are the result of our own thinking. We worry too much, or we want too much. We will always have what we need. God will provide us, as he promises us. Problem is, we are never satisfied. We want more than what we have. We want what other people have. We don’t need a lot of money, or live in a big house, or have fancy cars, or have expensive gadgets and jewelry – these are all superficial things. We don’t need these to survive. We don’t need these to do God’s work on earth. We will not be able to bring these when we die.

God did not promise to give us everything we want, but he promised that he will never leave us or abandon us. May we remember to put things in perspective, and be unafraid in living, knowing that God will always provide what we need to survive, to work for him, and to glorify Him. As the psalmist say – the Lord is our light and salvation, we need not be afraid of anything.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for being with me throughout the week. Thank you, Lord, for the reminder today. I am sorry for the times I stress myself thinking of what is to come. Sorry for the times I lose sleep thinking of what the future will bring, if I can make it and if I can provide for my family. Sorry for letting what other people say get to me and worry me. Lord, I put my trust in you. I hold on to your word that you will never leave and forsake me. I hold on to your word that you will provide for and protect me. As I do so, I will continue to live for you, and do your work in whatever way I can, knowing that you will always be there behind me. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 6, 2015

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Lectionary: 327

Reading 1 Heb 13:1-8

Let brotherly love continue.

Do not neglect hospitality,

for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,

and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,

for you also are in the body.

Let marriage be honored among all

and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,

for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.

Let your life be free from love of money

but be content with what you have,

for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.

Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.

Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

Though war be waged upon me,

even then will I trust.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

For he will hide me in his abode

in the day of trouble;

He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,

he will set me high upon a rock.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Your presence, O LORD, I seek.

Hide not your face from me;

do not in anger repel your servant.

You are my helper: cast me not off.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia See Lk 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,

and yield a harvest through perseverance.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,

and people were saying,

“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;

That is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;

still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”

But when Herod learned of it, he said,

“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison

on account of Herodias,

the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

John had said to Herod,

“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Herodias harbored a grudge against him

and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,

and kept him in custody.

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,

yet he liked to listen to him.

Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,

gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,

and the leading men of Galilee.

His own daughter came in and performed a dance

that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl,

“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

He even swore many things to her,

“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,

even to half of my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother,

“What shall I ask for?”

Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,

“I want you to give me at once on a platter

the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was deeply distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests

he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner

with orders to bring back his head.

He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

He brought in the head on a platter

and gave it to the girl.

The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it,

they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb

Trust

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020515.cfm) reminds me how important it is to trust God.

In the gospel, we see how important trusting in God is. Jesus told his disciples to proclaim God’s kingdom. He did not give them all that they wanted in the journey to make it comfortable. He just told them to bring the essentials – what they need to do God’s work. A walking stick to help and guide them as they walk and sandals to protect them. And of course, faith and trust as they depended on God to provide for others they need – food, sack, money, shelter. Their trust in God is founded on faith. They had faith that God would indeed provide for what they need as they do God’s work.

They also trusted in God to make their efforts worthwhile. Jesus told them that they should leave whatever place that do not welcome them. In essence, he was telling them that they will not be able to change everybody, so they don’t need to force themselves to those who does not want to accept God, and just have faith in God to do his part as they do theirs.

Sometimes, God just wants us to obey and trust him, and not worry about the results of our actions.

Nowadays, it’s easy to be preoccupied with the world. Technology is rapidly changing. There are a lot of gadgets we want, we have, and we worry about. We think about the battery, the picture, the internet connection, the connection to social media, that we get so preoccupied and forget the essentials in life. We forget God, and the need to trust in Him. We forget that we cannot control everything, and there are things that we just have to give our best and leave the rest to Him.

May we remember the importance of trusting in God as we live our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for the beautiful reminder to just trust in you. Lord I am sorry for being so preoccupied with the things of the world that I forget you, that I forget the essentials in life. Sorry for the times I want everything planned and ironed out that I forget to leave space for you. Help me trust in you more. Help me surrender to you. I will give my best in everything, and will just lift the rest up to you, knowing that your blessing is what makes my work prosper. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 5, 2015

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Lectionary: 326

Reading 1 Heb 12:18-19, 21-24

Brothers and sisters:

You have not approached that which could be touched

and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness

and storm and a trumpet blast

and a voice speaking words such that those who heard

begged that no message be further addressed to them.

Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,

“I am terrified and trembling.”

No, you have approached Mount Zion

and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,

and countless angels in festal gathering,

and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,

and God the judge of all,

and the spirits of the just made perfect,

and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,

and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently

than that of Abel.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11

R. (see 10) O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised

in the city of our God.

His holy mountain, fairest of heights,

is the joy of all the earth.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”

the city of the great King.

God is with her castles;

renowned is he as a stronghold.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

As we had heard, so have we seen

in the city of the LORD of hosts,

In the city of our God;

God makes it firm forever.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

O God, we ponder your mercy

within your temple.

As your name, O God, so also your praise

reaches to the ends of the earth.

Of justice your right hand is full.

R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Alleluia Mk 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Kingdom of God is at hand;

repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two

and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick

–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.

He said to them,

“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.

Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,

leave there and shake the dust off your feet

in testimony against them.”

So they went off and preached repentance.

The Twelve drove out many demons,

and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them

Discipline

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020415.cfm) reminds me that God disciplines his children.

Discipline usually has a strong connotation. In school, the discipline office is not somewhere you would want to be sent. The discipline officers are not the people you would want to get your attention. Discipline has sometimes been associated with finding fault, but the first reading today tells us otherwise.

God disciplines those whom he loves. Discipline is God’s way of strengthening us and making us more like him.

Discipline should be looked at from a different perspective. It is not finding fault, but an act of love. True love disciplines, not to hurt, but to improve. One should not lose hope or feel bad when being disciplined, or undergoing challenges, but rather stay strong and focus on the God, and look forward to the result when we overcome the challenges and discipline.

Discipline brings strength.

Challenges in life can either make us or break us. If we give up, we will be broken. But if we endure, if we remain focused on God, we will emerge stronger and better. God has his wisdom for allowing things to happen, and he has his purpose, so we should not waste our energy to think about it, or to complain or question Him, but rather trust in God and remain in Him as we endure the challenges and discipline he brings.

In the gospel, we see Jesus experiencing the challenges of faithless people. He did not give up or get frustrated, but remained focused on the task God has for him. And the psalmist reminds us that God’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. May we be inspired by these reminders.

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 reminder that you want me to endure and improve through your disciplining me. Lord, help me be faithful and focused on you as I experience challenges. I know you have a purpose and everything will be for my good. I trust in you as I endure the challenges. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 4, 2015

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 325

Reading 1 Heb 12:4-7, 11-15

Brothers and sisters:

In your struggle against sin

you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:

My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord

or lose heart when reproved by him;

for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;

he scourges every son he acknowledges.

Endure your trials as “discipline”;

God treats you as his sons.

For what Ason” is there whom his father does not discipline?

At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,

yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness

to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.

Make straight paths for your feet,

that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

Strive for peace with everyone,

and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God,

that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble,

through which many may become defiled.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a

R. (see 17) The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,

For he knows how we are formed;

he remembers that we are dust.

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity

to eternity toward those who fear him,

And his justice toward children’s children

among those who keep his covenant.

R. The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Alleluia Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;

I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.

When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,

and many who heard him were astonished.

They said, “Where did this man get all this?

What kind of wisdom has been given him?

What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!

Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,

and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?

And are not his sisters here with us?”

And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them,

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place

and among his own kin and in his own house.”

So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,

apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.

He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Courageous Faith

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020315.cfm) reminds me that we should have a courageous faith.

In the gospel, we see two instances of people who had faith. Jairus, the synagogue official, came to him and begged that Jesus come with him to heal his sick daughter. The other one was the woman with hemorrhages. Both had faith in Jesus and both got what they wanted, but not on an easy way. The woman was inspiring, not only because she had great faith in Jesus, but also because she stood up for her faith. She admitted what she had done, even though she was scared of how Jesus would react. Jairus, on the other hand, kept his faith in Jesus even if people told him that his daughter was dead – thus he was rewarded when her daughter got well.

Jesus appreciates our faith, and rewards us for it.

In both circumstances, Jesus tells us how important faith is. “Daughter, your faith has saved you, go in peace and be cured of your affliction” and “Do not be afraid, just have faith.” These words of Jesus should remind us how important faith is, and inspire us to have faith in Jesus, no matter what the situation may be. This should encourage us to build and strengthen our faith, and the first reading tells us one way how – by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.

May we be inspired and moved into action.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder of how important and powerful faith is. Lord, I am sorry for the times I doubt you, your love, and your power – especially when situations are tough and I feel that you can’t do anything about it. Sorry for giving up and looking at other things or people, instead of keeping my eyes fixed on you. Help me be like the woman who stood up for my faith. Help me be like Jairus who kept his faith on you no matter what other people said. May I be a living witness of your love, power and goodness. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 3, 2015

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 324

Reading 1 Heb 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us

and persevere in running the race that lies before us

while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,

the leader and perfecter of faith.

For the sake of the joy that lay before him

Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,

and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.

Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,

in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin

you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32

R. (see 27b) They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.

The lowly shall eat their fill;

they who seek the LORD shall praise him:

“May your hearts be ever merry!”

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

All the ends of the earth

shall remember and turn to the LORD;

All the families of the nations

shall bow down before him.

To him alone shall bow down

all who sleep in the earth;

Before him shall bend

all who go down into the dust.

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

And to him my soul shall live;

my descendants shall serve him.

Let the coming generation be told of the LORD

that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born

the justice he has shown.

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

Alleluia Mt 8:17

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Christ took away our infirmities

and bore our diseases.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,

a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.

Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,

“My daughter is at the point of death.

Please, come lay your hands on her

that she may get well and live.”

He went off with him

and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors

and had spent all that she had.

Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.

She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd

and touched his cloak.

She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.”

Immediately her flow of blood dried up.

She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,

turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?”

But his disciples said to him,

“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,

and yet you ask, Who touched me?”

And he looked around to see who had done it.

The woman, realizing what had happened to her,

approached in fear and trembling.

She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you.

Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.”

While he was still speaking,

people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said,

“Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?”

Disregarding the message that was reported,

Jesus said to the synagogue official,

“Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside

except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,

he caught sight of a commotion,

people weeping and wailing loudly.

So he went in and said to them,

“Why this commotion and weeping?

The child is not dead but asleep.”

And they ridiculed him.

Then he put them all out.

He took along the child’s father and mother

and those who were with him

and entered the room where the child was.

He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,”

which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”

The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.

At that they were utterly astounded.

He gave strict orders that no one should know this

and said that she should be given something to eat.

Presented and Purified

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020215.cfm) reminds me that we should present and offer ourselves to God and allow Him to purify us.

As we celebrate the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple, we are reminded that Jesus is like us in every way except sin. He was presented in the temple, as was customary at that time. In the second reading, we see that he was tempted and suffered on this earth as well, just like us. Being the son of God did not exempt him from feeling what we feel, from going through what we go through. He can realted to us, because he knows what we are going through, and he can help us because he was able to go through all those things.

When Jesus was presented in the temple, his parents were told that things will not be easy for them. Same goes to us as well. Even if we present and offer ourselves to God, things will not be easy from then on. We will experience challenges and hardships, just as Jesus did. However, just as Jesus was able to win over those challenges and sufferings, we too can triumph over them and emerge victorious in Christ. The second reading assures us that because Jesus was tested, he can and will help us who are undergoing suffering.

Not all suffering are bad. Not all suffering are because of the enemy. The first reading tells us that sometimes we suffer because we are being purified. God sometimes allow challenges to strengthen and purify us, just like fire purifies silver. However, just as a silversmith keeps his eyes on the silver being purified, God too keeps his eyes on us as we undergo purification, to be sure we will not be subjected to more than we can handle. He does this until such time that he can see his face in us. And as we become purified, as we become more and more like him, we can please and glorify God more.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another month. Lord, I pray that you help me surrender and offer myself to you. May I die of myself and present myself to you, and allow you to mold me and live in me. I know that as I surrender, you will purify me, that it can cause pain. I just ask that you hold my hand and never let me go, especially when I feel like giving up and running away from you. May I be faithful and trust in you throughout the process. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 2, 2015

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Lectionary: 524

Reading 1 Mal 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord God:

Lo, I am sending my messenger

to prepare the way before me;

And suddenly there will come to the temple

the LORD whom you seek,

And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.

Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

But who will endure the day of his coming?

And who can stand when he appears?

For he is like the refiner’s fire,

or like the fuller’s lye.

He will sit refining and purifying silver,

and he will purify the sons of Levi,

Refining them like gold or like silver

that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.

Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem

will please the LORD,

as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;

reach up, you ancient portals,

that the king of glory may come in!

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is this king of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty,

the LORD, mighty in battle.

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;

reach up, you ancient portals,

that the king of glory may come in!

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Who is this king of glory?

The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.

R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Reading 2 Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and flesh,

Jesus likewise shared in them,

that through death he might destroy the one

who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,

and free those who through fear of death

had been subject to slavery all their life.

Surely he did not help angels

but rather the descendants of Abraham;

therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters

in every way,

that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God

to expiate the sins of the people.

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested.

Alleluia Lk 2:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A light of revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for your people Israel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem

to present him to the Lord,

just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

and to offer the sacrifice of

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,

in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.

This man was righteous and devout,

awaiting the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

that he should not see death

before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple;

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go

in peace, according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;

and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is destined

for the fall and rise of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be contradicted

—and you yourself a sword will pierce—

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple,

but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him.

Unmarried

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020115.cfm) reminds me that God should be first in our lives.

The second reading, at first glance, seems like it goes against marriage. However, if we take a closer look, we will see that it is not a literal sermon that it is better to be unmarried rather than to be married. This is obviously not the case, especially since matrimony is one of the sacraments.  What God means by unmarried here is being unattached to anything or anyone, especially if they come in before God in our lives.

In life, there are a lot of distractions. For parents, they think of their children, their education and being able to provide for their family. A married couple thinks of being able to pay the bills, to be able to support each other, and prepare themselves to start a family. Older people think about their health and finances. Young professionals think of their careers and business, how they can succeed and improve their quality of life. Of course, there are hobbies, vices, and other things that keep us busy. With all of these, it is very easy to lose focus, to lose sight of God, to forget him.

When we have a lot of things on our head, we have less space in our heart for God.

When we have a lot of things on our head, when we have a lot of plans, when we have a lot of problems, when we worry too much, we wont be able to give God what’s due him. It will take time away from God, from worshipping him and working for him. It takes away time and energy for prayer, and even if we pray, it will all be supplications, asking God what we need – and we wont be able to thank and listen to Him. These things can easily take God’s place in our lives.

May we be sensitive to these things, and may we do our best not to let anything and anyone take God’s place in our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, I am sorry for the times you are not first in my life. Sorry for the times I let my emotions, my worries,  my fears, my plans, and other things take your place. Sorry for losing focus on you. Help me be unmarried to anything or anyone In this world. Help me to always put you first, because that’s what you deserve in my life. You know how much I love you and how much I want you to be first in my life, and I ask you help me live it consistently. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 1, 2015

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 71

Reading 1 Dt 18:15-20

Moses spoke to all the people, saying:

“A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you

from among your own kin;

to him you shall listen.

This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb

on the day of the assembly, when you said,

‘Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God,

nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.’

And the LORD said to me, ‘This was well said.

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin,

and will put my words into his mouth;

he shall tell them all that I command him.

Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name,

I myself will make him answer for it.

But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name

an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak,

or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.’”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;

let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;

they tested me though they had seen my works.”

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2 1 Cor 7:32-35

Brothers and sisters:

I should like you to be free of anxieties.

An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord,

how he may please the Lord.

But a married man is anxious about the things of the world,

how he may please his wife, and he is divided.

An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord,

so that she may be holy in both body and spirit.

A married woman, on the other hand,

is anxious about the things of the world,

how she may please her husband.

I am telling you this for your own benefit,

not to impose a restraint upon you,

but for the sake of propriety

and adherence to the Lord without distraction.

Alleluia Mt 4:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light;

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death,

light has arisen.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 1:21-28

Then they came to Capernaum,

and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.

The people were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;

he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us?

I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus rebuked him and said,

“Quiet! Come out of him!”

The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another,

“What is this?

A new teaching with authority.

He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.