Not Bothered

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090715.cfm) reminds me that we should not be bothered by the opinion of others and just do good.

People generally want affirmation. We want acceptance. That is why a lot of people do not do something that will get the ire of others. they don’t want conflicts and issues. And unfortunately, some withhold doing good just to avoid conflicts and issues. This is what Jesus does not want us to do.

You should never withhold doing good to others.

In the gospel, he knew the intentions of the scribes and Pharisees. He knew they were watching him closely. He know their concern was not for the man to be healed, but blind adherence to the law. He knew he would get on their bad side and get in trouble for healing the man, but still Jesus healed him. he did not withhold doing good to the man. And he did not try to explain himself or ask for empathy for the situation of the man. He just did what he had to do and was not  bothered on what others would do.

We should be brave in doing God’s work.

We will find oppression – people saying bad things about us, people questioning our motives, and other things. However, we should not be bothered on what other people say or think. We should just be focused on doing God’s work. Jesus told his disciples a lot of times that they will find oppression in working for Him, just as he did. However, he also promised them protection and strength as they do God’s work.

May we find it in our hearts not to be bothered with the opinion of others as we do God’s work. We cannot please everyone, but we can always please God. May we choose the latter.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another week. thank you for your word. sorry for the times I withhold doing good to others for whatever reason. Sorry for the times I take into consideration what other people will say, and not what you would say. Help me be like Jesus, who bravely did your work on earth. Help me focus on you. and I have faith that as I do so, you will continue to bless and protect me. amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 7, 2015

Monday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 437

 

 

Reading 1 Col 1:24–2:3

 

Brothers and sisters:
I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his Body, which is the Church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
For this I labor and struggle,
in accord with the exercise of his power working within me.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I am having for you
and for those in Laodicea
and all who have not seen me face to face,
that their hearts may be encouraged
as they are brought together in love,
to have all the richness of assured understanding,
for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 62:6-7, 9

 

R. (8) In God is my safety and my glory.
Only in God be at rest, my soul,
for from him comes my hope.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed.
R. In God is my safety and my glory.
Trust in him at all times, O my people!
Pour out your hearts before him;
God is our refuge!
R. In God is my safety and my glory.

 

 

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 Lk 6:6-11

 

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught,
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
“Come up and stand before us.”
And he rose and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them,
“I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?”
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
“Stretch out your hand.”
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

Away From the Crowd

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090615.cfm) reminds me how important it is to have time alone with God and away with everyone.

They say that the environment has a big influence on what you become. Behavior is affected by the environment you are in. if you are in a conducive environment and are always with intelligent and diligent people, you tend to be like them. If you are always with church friends who take their faith and spiritual growth seriously, you will most probably put a premium on your faith. However, this can also affect in a negative way. when you are with people who don’t give importance to their faith, you may also become affected. This is probably the reason why in the gospel, Jesus took the man by himself away from the people before healing him.

Alone time with God is important, and powerful.

Probably there were people in the crowd who were doubting Jesus. Probably they did not believe in his love and power. Probably their intention from bringing him the man was not for his healing, but to see if Jesus has power. Probably the man’s faith would be affected if he stayed with the people, so Jesus took him by himself away from them.

Personal relationship with God is very important.

No matter what other people may say or think, no matter what the situation may be, it is important to have faith in God. And this can be strengthened if we have a deep and personal relationship with him. and this relationship will be developed just like any other relationship – if we spend time alone, if we give importance, if we get to know him better.

In life, people will have different opinion. Some will encourage you, and some will dishearten you. it is because of this that it is important to have our own personal relationship with God. No matter what other people may say, we should be firm in faith, focusing on Him and his love and trusting his plans. May we be encouraged to work on our personal relationship with God, and regularly spend time alone with him.

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 Sunday. Thank you for the reminder on the importance of having a personal relationship with you. I want a deep personal relationship with you. help me work on it. I promise to make the effort to build  and strengthen it, and I ask you to bless my effort. As I receive you today, may you continue to work to and through me. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/02/time-alone.html 

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/he-took-him-away.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/02/you-and-him.html

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September 6, 2015

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 128

 

 

Reading 1 Is 35:4-7a

 

Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

 

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

 

Reading 2 Jas 2:1-5

 

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality
as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes
comes into your assembly,
and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes
and say, “Sit here, please, ”
while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ”
have you not made distinctions among yourselves
and become judges with evil designs?

Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
that he promised to those who love him?

 

 

Alleluia cf. Mt 4:23

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mk 7:31-37

 

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
“Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” —
And immediately the man’s ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
“He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Lord of Sabbath

 

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090515.cfm) reminds me that God is not bound by laws and traditions.

In the gospel, we see people questioning the actions of Jesus and his disciples. They were picking up and eating grain on a Sabbath, something prohibited because no work should be done on Sabbath. Then Jesus tells them that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Law should serve man, not man serving the law.

God is God even on Sabbath, where there are a lot of laws prohibiting a lot of things. God does not follow man made laws – he is the source of the law. God is not bound by our traditions and laws. His power is not limited by anyone or anything.

However, this should not be abused. The law should serve man is not an excuse for breaking the law. Not following traffic signs when there are no police or other vehicles is still wrong. Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is still wrong. God should never be an excuse from breaking the law. What God is telling us is that we should put things in perspective and respect the law. Even Jesus followed the law when he paid taxes. He allowed his disciples to break the law in the gospel not to show his power, but to show that life is greater than any law. Life is more sacred, and in that situation, protecting life by eating is more sacred than keeping a law which prohibits work to be done.

May we pray for a discerning heart so as not to abuse God’s power and Word, while bravely doing his work with and for him. Amen.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for the reminder of your great love and great power. Lord, I pray that I would always remember that your love and your power is not limited by anything – by laws and traditions and by circumstances around me. Thank you also for reminding me how precious life is – that protecting it is above any man made law. Lord, as I work for you, help me to always put things in perspective. May I not abuse you, your love, and your power. Amen.

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/lord-of-sabbath.html

 

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September 5, 2015

Saturday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 436

 

 

Reading 1 Col 1:21-23

 

Brothers and sisters:
You once were alienated and hostile in mind because of evil deeds;
God has now reconciled you
in the fleshly Body of Christ through his death,
to present you holy, without blemish,
and irreproachable before him,
provided that you persevere in the faith,
firmly grounded, stable,
and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard,
which has been preached to every creature under heaven,
of which I, Paul, am a minister.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 54:3-4, 6 and 8

 

R. (6) God himself is my help.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. God himself is my help.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. God himself is my help.

 

Alleluia Jn 14:6

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 6:1-5

 

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?”
Then he said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath

 

Let Go

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090415.cfm) reminds me that I should let go of the old to be able to experience the new.

Change is something not everyone welcomes. That is why in organizations and companies, changes are often met with resistance. People do not want to change. They do not want new things. They want to stick to the old. Some are afraid of change, or afraid they may not be able to keep up with the changes, or that they may become obsolete because of the changes. They want the status quo, for things to remain the way they are.

We can only experience the new if we give up the old.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us that new wine should be put in new wineskins. New wine should not be put in old wineskins, because both will be ruined. New for new, old for old. In the same way, we cannot enjoy the new life, and blessings and great things God has for us if we hang on to old things – old habits, old sins, old way of living against his will.  We need to give up and let go of the old, bad things in life to enjoy the new ones.

Letting go is not easy. In as much as wine gets better with age, old things are hard to give up. Status quo. Same routine. Same sins. Same lifestyle. We have become accustomed to the old things, to the comfortable things, that we do not always readily give them up. However, unless we learn to give them up and accept changes, unless we become willing to let go of the old, comfortable things in life, we cannot enjoy the greater things, the new things, God wants to give us.

May we be inspired and challenged.

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. Lord, sorry for the times I get too comfortable in life. Sorry for the times I am not willing to give up the old things in favor of new things from you. help me. I want to open up and surrender. I want to let go – of my sins, of my bad habits, of other things in life that are not of you. as I let go of these things, I ask that you send me with new things, new blessings. Fill me up with things that are of you. Lord, in a special way I ask for blessings for those celebrating their birthday today, especially my mom. Be with them, bless them, guide them and protect them. May you continue to send your blessings upon them. May they be able to let go of the old things that are not of you, as you bless them with new, great things from you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-life.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/09/old-is-good.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/old-and-new.html

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September 4, 2015

Friday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 435

 

 

Reading 1 Col 1:15-20

 

Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the Body, the Church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the Blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5

 

R. (2b) Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
For he is good,
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

 

 

Alleluia Jn 8:12

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 5:33-39

 

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
“The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,
and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;
but yours eat and drink.”
Jesus answered them, “Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
then they will fast in those days.”
And he also told them a parable.
“No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.
Otherwise, he will tear the new
and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Will you still have faith?

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090315.cfm) makes me think if I will still have faith in God after all the setbacks and disappointments.

A lot of people have become skeptical these days. We don’t believe what politicians are saying, because we have tested time and again how they break their promises, or have not kept their word when they are elected already. We don’t readily believe in the goodness of others, because we see in the news and social media that criminals come in different forms, and sometimes target the helpful ones, or disguise themselves as people who want to help. We have experienced a lot of evil and disappointments in this life, that we find it hard to easily believe something good.

That was probably what the disciples felt. They were tired and disappointed after fishing all night and catching nothing. They were fishermen, yet someone asks them to throw their nets on their side. They were about to go down, so most probably that is a shallow part already and no fish are expected to be caught. Yet, they followed. And they were rewarded.

Every disappointment brings us closer to glory

Sometimes in life, we may feel like the fishermen. Tired of waiting, and nothing seems to happen. Tired of trying but to no avail. It may come in the form of health concerns that we feel cannot be healed anymore, financial problems we cannot seem to get out of, career growth that just does not seem to come. Sometimes we feel it’s unfair. Sometimes we feel so tired that we just want to retreat and give up. However, just when we are about to give up, God comes and tells us to give it another shot.

Are you going to follow?

The disciples caught a great number of fish, in a very unlikely place and a very unlikely time. That’s how great God is. However, they will not be able to catch these, they will not be able to experience this if they did not follow what Jesus told them. What he told them was not new, it was just to lower the nets, which is what they have been doing all night. There was no special ritual or special formula given to add to what they were doing. They were just asked to do it, and God blessed their actions.

What God may be telling us to do is nothing new. We may have been doing it for the longest time. Live healthy. Work well. Spend wisely. However, it is different when our actions have God’s blessings. It is different when our actions are out of obedience and faith in God. Our actions become more powerful,  and the blessing of God is more active and alive. Thus, we can get the reward, unexpected and greater than what we originally want – if we just obey.

May we be inspired by the disciples to trust in God, and do what he tells us, no matter how simple or normal it may seem.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to experience your love and provisions. Thank you for everything. Lord, I am sorry for the times I give up on myself. Sorry for the times I give up on my faith. Sorry for the times I let me frustrations and weariness get the best of me. sorry for doubting your love and your plans. Help me be more patient and have more faith in you. help me be an obedient and faith filled servant. I know you have great plans for me, and I know that I just need to continue to have faith and obey you, and you will use me, you will bless me, you will give me immense blessings just for doing what I usually do. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/09/obey-nonetheless.html

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September 3, 2015

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 434

 

 

Reading 1 Col 1:9-14

 

Brothers and sisters:
From the day we heard about you, we do not cease praying for you
and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit
and growing in the knowledge of God,
strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience,
with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share
in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
He delivered us from the power of darkness
and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

 

R. (2) The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

 

 

Alleluia Mt 4:19

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 5:1-11

 

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men.”
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

 

Immediate

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090215.cfm) inspires me to immediately respond to God’s call.

I was talking to some friends from church and they mentioned their reaction when they were called to serve God in different positions/roles in community. Majority felt inadequate or unprepared, and asked for time to think and pray over it. While it is normal to be like this, the gospel today just inspires me to be like Simon’s mother in law who served Jesus immediately when she had the chance.

A grateful heart will always give an immediate yes to serving.

When she got well, Simon’s mother in law immediately served Jesus. She did not wait for a few moments to be sure she’s okay to serve, but immediately got up and served Jesus. She knew her previous state, she knew she was sick, and when she felt she got well, she was moved to immediately serving Jesus. She had a grateful heart for experiencing Jesus love and healing, and that brought her to immediately serve Jesus when she can.

Having a grateful heart is the result of our awareness of who we are, of where we are, and of what God has done for us. and one way to have this is to do what Jesus did. After healing people, he went to a deserted place. In other translations, it says he went to a deserted place to pray. Prayer makes him aligned with God. Prayer makes him aware of who he is, and who God is. Prayer makes him aware and realize all that God has done for him. and prayer can do this for us too.

In our lives, we will always have opportunities to serve God. He will call us in different ways, and sometimes we will feel inadequate or unprepared to serve him. when it happens, may we be inspired by Simon’s mother in law and immediately serve God when we have the opportunity to. And while we are waiting, may we immerse ourselves in prayer so we can be more aware of how great God is, and be more inspired to serve him.

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 loving me. thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I say no to serving you. sorry for being scared or for feeling I am not equipped enough to do your task. Help me be like Simon’s mother in law and immediately serve you when I have the chance. No matter how small my service to you, I know you will be pleased. May the little things I do for you make you happy. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 2, 2015
Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 433

 

 

Reading 1 Col 1:1-8

 

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
grace to you and peace from God our Father.

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we pray for you,
for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and the love that you have for all the holy ones
because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.
Of this you have already heard
through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you.
Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing,
so also among you,
from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth,
as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave,
who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf
and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 52:10, 11

 

R. (10) I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones.
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.

 

 

Alleluia Lk 4:18

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 4:38-44

 

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon.
Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever,
and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her.
She got up immediately and waited on them.

At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.”
But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.

At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.
The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him,
they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, “To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent.”
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea

Not Enough

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090115.cfm) reminds me that merely knowing Jesus is not enough.

In the gospel, we see Jesus proclaiming God’s word. He was teaching in the synagogue. That time, the people still do not know who Jesus was. However, someone knew. We see that the demon/s inside the man knew who Jesus was. He proclaimed it. But Jesus was not pleased with it, and instead told the demon/s to be quiet and come out of the person.

Merely knowing Jesus is not enough.

Jesus knew the intention of the demon for telling who he really was – to disrupt his work in proclaiming God’s kingdom. And though he proclaimed with the lips who Jesus was, of course the heart is not one with it. His actions are not in synch with what the lips know. Knowing who Jesus is, is not important as living in our lives who Jesus is. If we know with our lips that Jesus is the Holy One of God, then we should also live our lives proclaiming that truth.

We all know who Jesus is. We all know who God is. That is a good thing, but not enough. God wants us to go further. God wants us not only to tell the world with our lips, but more importantly, by our lives. May we be challenged and inspired to go beyond lip service and tell who Jesus is by our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Thank you for reminding me that knowing you is not enough. Thank you for reminding me that telling others about you is not enough. Help me live my faith and knowledge of you. may I share you to others not just with my words, but with my actions and through my life as well. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 1, 2015

Tuesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 432

 

 

Reading 1 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11

 

Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters,
you have no need for anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.
When people are saying, “Peace and security,”
then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness,
for that day to overtake you like a thief.
For all of you are children of the light
and children of the day.
We are not of the night or of darkness.
Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do,
but let us stay alert and sober.
For God did not destine us for wrath,
but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep
we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up,
as indeed you do.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

 

R. (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
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. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

 

 

Alleluia Lk 7:16

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Gospel Lk 4:31-37

 

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee.
He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching
because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon,
and he cried out in a loud voice,
“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, “Be quiet! Come out of him!”Then the demon threw the man down in front of them
and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another,
“What is there about his word?
For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits,
and they come out.”
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region