Lifted High

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091415.cfm) reminds me that we should lift God up high in our lives.

In the first reading, we see an amazing story. God sent serpents to kill the evil people. However, Moses pleaded with God, and God told him what he can do. They made a bronze serpent who heals everyone who looked up at it,. In the gospel, we see the realization, the real healer who should be lifted up. We are reminded of Jesus being lifted up and healing, curing and saving people. In the second reading, we see that God greatly exalted Jesus and lifted him up. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross, we are reminded that God deserves to be lifted high, and that we should lift him up in our lives.

God has been good to us, even if we do not deserve it. Though sometimes we easily forget God’s goodness and blessings in our lives, as the psalmist warns us.

God deserves to be lifted up in our lives.

Jesus is an example of how we can lift God high through our lives. To lift God up, we should humble ourselves before Him. Jesus did this. He was God, but took human form because he loves God the Father. He gave up everything, even being one with God – when he bore our sins on the cross. He lived a simple life being carpenter’s son and not a son of a king. He preached about God’s kingdom. He healed the sick and brought glory to God. He stepped out of his comfort zone and emptied himself and allowed God to be exalted.

In the same way the people looked up to the serpent to live and be saved, we too as God’s children should look up to God to live. He should be God in our lives.

In our lives, there are a lot of serpents. People and things that will try to kill and destroy us. They will succeed, if we let them. And the only way for us to be saved is to lift Jesus in our lives. Look up to him and focus on him, not on others around us. How do we do that? By choosing to focus on Him and spread his compassion by not joining others who talk ill about an annoying person in the office. By choosing to lift him up and obey traffic rules even if no one will see if you break them. By choosing to lift him up and do good even if others around us do not. By stepping out of our comfort zone and do things for God, no matter how simple they may be, for his glory.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Monday as we start the week. Thank you for your great love and all your blessings. Thank you for reminding me that you don’t look at my credentials or accomplishments, rather, you look at my heart. Lord, I ask that you help me empty myself so I may be humble and willing to lift you up in my life. Rid me of everything that is not of you. As I start this week, help me step out of my comfort zone and trust you as I do things for and with you. As I do, I know you will do great things so your name would be lifted up and glorified. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/04/high-and-lifted-up.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/04/lifted.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/03/high-and-lifted-up.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/lift-god-up.html

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September 14, 2015

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Lectionary: 638

 

 

Reading 1 Nm 21:4b-9

 

With their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,
where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!”

In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents,
which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said,
“We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you.
Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us.”
So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses,
“Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live.”
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole,
and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent
looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38

 

R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
Hearken, my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,
I will utter mysteries from of old.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
While he slew them they sought him
and inquired after God again,
Remembering that God was their rock
and the Most High God, their redeemer.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
But they flattered him with their mouths
and lied to him with their tongues,
Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him,
nor were they faithful to his covenant.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
But he, being merciful, forgave their sin
and destroyed them not;
Often he turned back his anger
and let none of his wrath be roused.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

 

 

Reading 2 Phil 2:6-11

 

Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

Alleluia

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Jn 3:13-17

 

Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him

Faith and Love

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091315.cfm) reminds me that faith and love should be lived.

The readings today has the same theme as yesterday's. Today, we explicitly see the verse that says "Faith without works is dead." We are again reminded and challenged to live out our faith in and love for God.

in the gospel, we see Jesus saying something similar to his disciples. He told them that anyone who wishes to come after him should take up his cross and follow him. Actions. He did not say that those who want to follow him should study the bible, or memorize prayers. He wanted them to act. He needed them to act to further his kingdom, to make his love known in this world. He needs that from us as well.

Christ lived his faith and love for God. IF we want to follow him, we should do that also. We need not preach to people about how good he is or how great and powerful he is. We do not need to write books or compose songs to preach him. All we need to do is live right. live in the way God wants us to. Live in the way Jesus did. Treat others right and fair. Then we can live what James said in the second reading - "I will demonstrate my faith to you by my works"

May we be inspired and challenged, and may St Francis of Assisi's words be our inspiration - Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.

Father God,

thank you for today. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, move me. Stir in me the desire to do your will. Awaken my spirit to do good and to live right. Give me the desire and the will to always do what you want, to proclaim your kingdom through my life. Help me live my faith in and love for you through my life. May other people see how great you are by the way I treat them and the way I live. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/faith-without-works-is-dead.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/02/faith-and-work.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/05/from-above.html

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September 13, 2015

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 131

 

Reading 1 Is 50:5-9a

 

The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let that man confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?

 

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

 

R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
Because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
And I called upon the name of the LORD,
“O LORD, save my life!”
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

 

Reading 2 Jas 2:14-18

 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, ”
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it?
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.
Indeed someone might say,
“You have faith and I have works.”
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

 

Alleluia Gal 6:14

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord
through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mk 8:27-35

 

Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.”

Act

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091215.cfm) reminds me that we should act upon God's word.

Faith without works is dead. This is true. Faith is not enough. Love is not enough. IT should be lived. It should be realized and actualized. We cannot say we have faith in God, but act as if everything depended on our actions, worrying about a lot of things and being negative of everything. We cannot say we love God but treat others bad, especially those who are mean to us.

in the gospel, Jesus tells us how to have a strong foundation, like a man building his house on a rock. We should not just listen, but more importantly, act upon God's word. A foolish man merely listens.

It is wise to act upon God's word.

It is easy to know what God wants. There are a lot of online resources that tell us how God wants us to live. Priests and preachers have videos and podcasts to make it easy for us to know God's word and messages. It is very easy to know these things, but the more important part is always the hardest. More than just listening and knowing these, God wants us to act upon these. What do we do with these things? Do we live them and allow God to transform us, or do we just listen to them.

God can only work in us and through us if we act.

God cannot use you if you will not move. God cannot bless others with your presence if you will just stay in your room. God wants us to act because he wants to bless us and bless others. IT is wise to act because if we act, we get blessed and others get blessed through us. And if we continuously allow God to act through us, we slowly get changed and transformed to be more and more like him, thus we are preparing our place in heaven for eternity. That is being wise.

May we be inspired not just to listen and know God's word, but more importantly, to act upon it.

Father God,

thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for reminding me how important and wise it is to act upon your word. Sorry for the times i stop at merely listening. Sorry for the times i get contented with knowing you more, with learning things about you, but forget to act upon it. Sorry for the times i do not live my faith and love for you. Sorry for the times i do not allow you to use me to be a blessing to others. Help me have a surrendered and humble heart. Help me to be wise and act upon your word. As i try to do so, use me and my actions to bless others. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/12/built-strong.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/12/house-on-rock.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/wise-builder.html

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September 12, 2015

Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 442

 

 

Reading 1 1 Tm 1:15-17

 

Beloved:
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5 and 6-7

 

R. (2) Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.
Who is like the LORD, our God,
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor.
R. Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever.

 

 

Alleluia Jn 14:23

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whover loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 6:43-49

 

Jesus said to his disciples:
“A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,
nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
For every tree is known by its own fruit.
For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,
nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,
but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil;
for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I command?
I will show you what someone is like who comes to me,
listens to my words, and acts on them.
That one is like a man building a house,
who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock;
when the flood came, the river burst against that house
but could not shake it because it had been well built.
But the one who listens and does not act
is like a person who built a house on the ground
without a foundation.
When the river burst against it,
it collapsed at once and was completely destroyed

 

You First

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091115.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to fix ourselves first before fixing others.

In airplanes, we are told by the crew that in case of emergencies, we should first put on our oxygen mask before helping out others. This makes a lot of sense. We cannot and should not help other people put on the oxygen mask if we ourselves are not wearing it. We may teach the person the wrong way. We cannot effectively help others if we are not safe ourselves.

Correction should first be done on oneself, then others.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us to fix ourselves before helping others or pointing the mistakes of others. I believe this has two effects – first is to remind us that we too are imperfect, so we should not be feeling good on helping others or pointing out their mistakes, for we also have our own mistakes. Second is to make sure our hearts are in the proper place, that we can see clearly to help out and point out to others how they can improve.in as much as one who has problems with his own eyes cannot effectively help someone else, we cannot help out others or point out their mistakes or sins if we ourselves have grave sins we should take care of.

God is forgiving. We just need to humble ourselves and be right with him. and when we are right with him, when we have confessed and aligned ourselves with him, when our hearts are one with him, then we can effectively help out others.

May we be reminded to fix ourselves first before looking at what needs fixing in others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am quick to find fault in others, because I am too ashamed or too lazy to correct my own faults. Sorry for distracting myself and focusing on others instead of focusing in myself first. help me humble myself and stay good with you. as I try this, I know you will equip me and enable me to look at others with love and help them improve their own selves. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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September 11, 2015

Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 441

 

 

Reading 1 1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14

 

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our savior
and of Christ Jesus our hope,
to Timothy, my true child in faith:
grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord,
because he considered me trustworthy
in appointing me to the ministry.
I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man,
but I have been mercifully treated
because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.
Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 11

 

R. (see 5) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

 

 

Alleluia See Jn 17:17b, 17a

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 6:39-42

 

Jesus told his disciples a parable:
“Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

Packed Shaken Overflowing

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091015.cfm) reminds me that love has great rewards.

The first reading shows us Paul telling the Colossians how to act, that they should love others. God loves us, and we area called to pass that love to others. and in the gospel, Jesus explicitly tells us to love our enemies. And he reminds us, and assures us, that as we give love, more will be given back to us.

God is love, and he wants us to love. When you love others, they usually give you back the love. It is easy to love family and friends, and other people who are good to you. in fact, it is great to love them, for you know they will love you back, and the love you give them is not only appreciated, but will be returned to you in one way or another. But God wants more.

God wants us to love the unlovable.

God wants us to extend love to those who we do not feel like loving. The annoying people, the hard to love people, those who treat us bad. These people will most probably not repay our love and kindness, but loving them will still bring great rewards. This is where God comes in. he will be the one to repay us. he will be the one to reward us. and as we love others, especially those unlovable, we become more and more like him – which by itself is a great reward already!

May we be challenged and inspired to share God’s love to others, especially to those who we feel not deserving of it.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for loving me. Lord, help me spread your love. Help me love my family, friends and those around me. may they always be reminded of your love. But in a special way, I ask that you help me love those who I feel are unlovable. Help me be kind and extend goodness and love to the annoying people in my life, to those who I do not know, and to those who I feel do not deserve love. Help me love even if I know the love I will give will not be appreciated and accepted. Help me love like you do. As I try to do so, I know I will be more and more like you. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/just-give.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/03/give-to-receive.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/11/give-to-receive.html

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September 10, 2015

Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 440

 

 

Reading 1 Col 3:12-17

 

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

 

R. (6) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise him with the blast of the trumpet,
praise him with lyre and harp,
Praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipe.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise him with sounding cymbals,
praise him with clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise the LORD! Alleluia.
R. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

 

Alleluia 1 Jn 4:12

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If we love one another,
God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Lk 6:27-38

 

Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

Instructions

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090915.cfm) reminds me of God’s instructions for our lives.

God is a caring God. He sees us and is always there for us. And we see in the readings that he gives us instructions on how we should live, so when we meet him, we would be ready.

In the first reading, Saint Paul tells the Colossians on how they should act. They should think of heaven, not of this earth. Their focus should be on eternity with God. They are asked to put off sins and old habits and be renewed, be transformed, and put on their new self in preparation for meeting God.

In the gospel, we see Jesus himself giving us the Beatitudes or what others call the “Be-Attitudes.” This is how God wants us to be. It reminds me that as we live this life on earth, everything will not be easy. We will experience challenges and persecutions, we will be frustrated with what is happening around us. However, Christ exhorts us to be faithful and to continue trusting in Him despite everything that is happening to us and around us. At the same time, it reminds me that those who having a great time, those who are worldly and powerful, will one day have to face God as well, and will be accountable for their actions.

What is happening on our lives here on earth is not the end. This is not everything. God reminds us that there is a greater life after our life here on earth. All his promises in the beatitudes does not necessarily mean comfort will come in this life. Actually, if we examine the promises, all of those will come in the next life. However, we need to be faithful and remain living in God’s light as we live on earth to realize and experience those promises.

May we be encouraged and strengthened, and follow God’s instructions for our lives in preparation for eternity with Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live and love. Thank you for your promises and encouragement. Thank you for taking care of us and knowing and providing what we need to get by. Thank you for the instructions. Lord, I pray that we be faithful to you. Help us follow your instructions. May we be firm in faith and focus on you as we live this life on earth, having faith that we will claim and receive your promises as we do so. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-than-here.html

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September 9, 2015

Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Lectionary: 439

 

 

Reading 1 Col 3:1-11

 

Brothers and sisters:
If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly:
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire,
and the greed that is idolatry.
Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.
By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way.But now you must put them all away:
anger, fury, malice, slander,
and obscene language out of your mouths.
Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge,
in the image of its creator.
Here there is not Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all and in all.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:2-3, 10-11, 12-13ab

 

R. (9) The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.

 

 

Alleluia Lk 6:23ab

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and leap for joy!
Your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Gospel Lk 6:20-26

 

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

Lifted Up

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/090815.cfm) reminds me how God lifts up those who depends on Him.

Today, we celebrate the nativity of Mama Mary. We see how God looks not on the worldly standards and accomplishments, but rather on the heart. He chose a simple woman from a simple town to be the earthly mother of Jesus. God did not choose a queen or someone from a powerful family. God chose someone with a pure heart, with a heart that would surrender to Him, and God lifted her up.

When Mama Mary said yes to the angel to be the earthly mother of the Son of God, she made no demands. She made no conditions. She humbly surrendered herself to God. We see that in the gospel, that she did not even ask what will happen to her, who will be her partner, and other details. She just surrendered to God and trusted that God will take care of everything. In the gospel, we see that when Joseph had plans of leaving Mary, God sent an angel to prevent him to – without Mary knowing and asking. God takes care of those who trust in Him.

We are encouraged to know what is important in the eyes of God. Not human achievements, not power or fame, not money or wealth, not physical beauty, not strength. God looks for a clean, humble heart that would surrender to him. That is all he needs to use us mightily, that is all he needs to fulfill his purpose in and through us. Let us work on having that.

What are my goals in life? Do I strive for human achievement, fame, power and money? Do I also recognize and work on things for God? Do I believe that he can and will use me mightily if I let him? Do I know that he only needs a clean and humble heart that will submit to him?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for sending Mama Mary to be our model of a servant, of a mother. Thank you for reminding me that you don’t need and wont look at my worldly achievements. Thank you for letting me know that all you need is a humble heart that will submit to you. May I always be inspired by Mama Mary’s simple yet great faith as seen in her life. May I always say “yes” to you, and may I always submit myself to you as Mama Mary did, having faith that you would take care of me and would do great things through me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/lift-up-humble.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-lowly-lifted-high.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-little-one-made-big.html

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September 8, 2015

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 636

 

Reading 1 Mi 5:1-4a

 

 

The LORD says:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
From you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
Whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
(Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
And the rest of his brethren shall return
to the children of Israel.)
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
And they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 13:6ab, 6c

 

R. (Isaiah 61:10) With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Though I trusted in your mercy,
let my heart rejoice in your salvation.
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.
Let me sing of the LORD, “He has been good to me.”
R. With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

 

 

Alleluia

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mt 1:18-23

 

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”