Improve, not Embarrass

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050716.cfm) reminds me that I should aim to improve others and not embarrass them for their shortcomings. 

Teachers have different ways of reaching out to their students. Some teachers prefer to embarrass those who do not know a lot, either in the desire to show themselves as superior, or forcibly make the students study more to avoid further embarrassment. Others however, are patient with their students.  They take time out to reach out and explain to the students who are having a hard time. They do their best to reach out, inspire, and eventually improve the students. This is how God wants us to act as we reach out to others. 

We should aim to improve others, not embarrass them. 

In the first reading, we see Apollos doing God's work. However, he did not know everything. He did not understand everything. And when Priscilla and Aquila saw this, instead of embarrassing him and making him feel he do not know what he is talking about, they took him aside and explained things to him. They improved him. And because if this, he was able to do greater things for God. 

We should treat others with love. There are times when people may be annoying, that you just want to make them feel they are wrong and you are right. However, God wants us to be gentle. God wants us to be patient. And God wants us to improve others, not embarrass them. As we do this, we are serving God. We are equipping others to serve God better. And we are glorifying God. 

May we be reminded to see others with eyes of love, and work to improve and not embarrass others. 

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 lose my temper on others. Sorry for the times I don't take time out to improve them. Help me see them as you do. Help me see them with eyes of love. Use me to improve others. As I focus on loving them and helping them and improving them, I know I am doing these things to you as well. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 7, 2016
Lectionary: 296
Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 18:23-28

After staying in Antioch some time,
Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence
through the Galatian country and Phrygia,
bringing strength to all the disciples.

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,
an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus.
He was an authority on the Scriptures.
He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,
with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although he knew only the baptism of John.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue;
but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him,
they took him aside
and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.
And when he wanted to cross to Achaia,
the brothers encouraged him
and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.
After his arrival he gave great assistance
to those who had come to believe through grace.
He vigorously refuted the Jews in public,
establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm PS 47:2-3, 8-9, 10

R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The princes of the peoples are gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For God’s are the guardians of the earth;
he is supreme.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 16:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I came from the Father and have come into the world;
now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

“I have told you this in figures of speech.
The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures
but I will tell you clearly about the Father.
On that day you will ask in my name,
and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me
and have come to believe that I came from God.
I came from the Father and have come into the world.
Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Great Reward

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050616.cfm) reminds me that a great reward awaits the faithful servants of God. 

I do not have strong lungs. I get tired easily. Probably because I have asthma, and because of my weight. I remember when I was young, we would go to the beach house in Batangas where you have to go down about 120 steps to go to the beach. Going down was easy, what's tough is going back up. I always have a hard time, and one time an older relative told me to think of something I want waiting for me when I reach the top. Food, drinks, or a toy. That encouraged me to walk up faster. And just as something like that could inspire a kid, how much more would God's reward inspire us?

God has a great reward for those who faithfully serve Him. 

Jesus told a lot of times that there will be pain, persecutions and hardships as we follow Him. In the first reading we see St Paul experience these as he preached the gospel to the world. However, he did not give up. Despite all the persecution and pain, he kept on going. He continued to serve God. In the gospel we see why. 

Jesus told his disciples that even though they weep and mourn, that grief will eventually become joy. A woman's labor may be challenging, but as they say, the reward of seeing your child born in this world will take away the pain and replace the challenges with joy. This is true with what God will give us. 

Eternal rewards await those who are faithful to Him. We suffer in this world, temporarily, but our reward will be permanent. It may not be immediate, but it will be permanent. And this should inspire us to keep going, to keep doing things for God, to keep serving Him. 

May we be inspired by Jesus promises and St Paul's conviction, and continue to serve God despite the worldly challenges and persecutions it brings us. 

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. Thank you for your promise. Lord, sorry for the times I feel like giving up when experiencing pain and challenges. Sorry for the times I actually gave up. Remind me of your promise. Help me be faithful to you. May I glorify you and live a life pleasing to you and serving you. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 6, 2016
Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 295

Reading 1 Acts 18:9-18

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,
“Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.
No one will attack and harm you,
for I have many people in this city.”
He settled there for a year and a half
and taught the word of God among them.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews rose up together against Paul
and brought him to the tribunal, saying,
“This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.”
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,
“If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,
I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles
and your own law, see to it yourselves.
I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.”
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,
and beat him in full view of the tribunal.
But none of this was of concern to Gallio.

Paul remained for quite some time,
and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,
together with Priscilla and Aquila.
At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

Responsorial Psalm PS 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Lk 24:46, 26

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 16:20-23

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,
while the world rejoices;
you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;
but when she has given birth to a child,
she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy
that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish.
But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

Ascension 2016

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050516-ascension.cfm) reminds me that Jesus watches us from above. 

As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into heaven, we are reminded that He watches over us and blesses us from above. Both the first reading and the gospel tells us of Jesus’ ascension – him being taken back to heaven. It was probably a very awesome sight to see, and the fact that Jesus will come again in that glory is exciting to see – for those who are ready to see him.

Jesus wants us to continue his work.

In the gospel, Jesus told his disciples before he was taken up into heaven, that repentance and forgiveness of sin should be preached in the world in His name. He is basically telling them to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. If that is his last message, it must really be important. However, as he asks us to do this, we are not by ourselves. Jesus is watching from above – guiding and protecting us as we continue his work. 

We need not be missionaries to do this. We need not have great signs or miracles for us to do this. As St Vincent Pallotti says, God wills that you sanctify the world in your everyday life. Whatever we do and wherever we are, we can do God’s work. When we do simple things extraordinarily well for the love of God, we are pleasing him. When we treat others right, we are proclaiming the gospel. St Francis of Assisi said that we should preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. The way we live is just as important, if not more important, as preaching the gospel by mouth.

May we heed Jesus’ call and take comfort that he watches, blesses and guides us from above.

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 blessings. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, thank you for always watching over me, for protecting me and for guiding me. Help me be able to do what you ask of me, Lord. May I proclaim you to the people I meet, not just in words but more importantly, by the way I live my life. Help me to live right and pleasing to you. May my life glorify you and bring you to others. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 5, 2016 - Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Lectionary: 58

Reading 1 Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for “the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Eph 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might:
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Or Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that men and women die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus
we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,
and since we have Aa great priest over the house of God, “
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,
with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

Alleluia Mt 28:19a, 20b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 24:46-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city
until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They did him homage
and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and they were continually in the temple praising God.

The Spirit

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050416.cfm) reminds me that the Holy Spirit is with us always. 

On one episode of the TV series called “The Blacklist”, the person he cares for doesn’t know that he sent someone to secretly follow her and keep her safe. She was living her life as it is. She only knew about it when the person actually saved her from danger. This is similar to Jesus sending us the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is with us always, even though most of the time we do not feel his presence. 

The verse before the gospel is inspiring. Jesus tells us that He will tell the Father to send us the Holy Spirit to be with us always. Always.

Jesus may not be physically present with us, but he sent the Holy Spirit to be with us always. The Holy Spirit guides us and enables us to know what God wants us to do and how God wants us to live. we see the Holy Spirit in action in the first reading as Paul preached to the Athenians. Not all understood it and were ready, but some came with him. In the gospel Jesus said that we cannot understand everything, but the Holy Spirit will be with us to guide us. 

In our lives, we feel the Holy Spirit even if we may not know it is the Holy Spirit guiding and protecting us. Sometimes we feel additional strength, patience and love that we just cannot explain. Sometimes we feel God saving us and guiding us. Sometimes we feel additional wisdom to explain the scripture, or understand situations and things to bring glory to God. Or sometimes, we actually do not recognize the protection and power of the Holy Spirit, working silently in the background and protecting and guiding us. The Holy Spirit is with us always, and is working in us always.

May we be more aware that the Holy Spirit is alive and moving in our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for the reminder. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be with us always. Sorry for the times I do not recognize or acknowledge him. Sorry for not being sensitive, and for not believing your word that He is with us always.   Help me be more aware of his presence, and may I always allow myself to be used and changed to be more and more like you by the way I live. amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 4, 2016
Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 293

Reading 1 Acts 17:15, 22—18:1

After Paul’s escorts had taken him to Athens,
they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy
to join him as soon as possible.

Then Paul stood up at the Areopagus and said:
“You Athenians, I see that in every respect
you are very religious.
For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines,
I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’
What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you.
The God who made the world and all that is in it,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands,
nor is he served by human hands because he needs anything.
Rather it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything.
He made from one the whole human race
to dwell on the entire surface of the earth,
and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions,
so that people might seek God,
even perhaps grope for him and find him,
though indeed he is not far from any one of us.
For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’
as even some of your poets have said,
‘For we too are his offspring.’
Since therefore we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the divinity is like an image
fashioned from gold, silver, or stone by human art and imagination.
God has overlooked the times of ignorance,
but now he demands that all people everywhere repent
because he has established a day on which he will ‘judge the world
with justice’ through a man he has appointed,
and he has provided confirmation for all
by raising him from the dead.”

When they heard about resurrection of the dead,
some began to scoff, but others said,
“We should like to hear you on this some other time.”
And so Paul left them.
But some did join him, and became believers.
Among them were Dionysius,
a member of the Court of the Areopagus,
a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

After this he left Athens and went to Corinth.

Responsorial Psalm PS 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has lifted up the horn of his people;
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
R. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 14:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will ask the Father
and he will give you another Advocate
to be with you always.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 16:12-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”

In His Name

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050316.cfm) reminds me how powerful the name of Jesus is. 

In life, connections are important. In school, work, business and anywhere, knowing someone powerful gives you an advantage already. This is what Jesus is giving us.

There is real power in Jesus name. 

We are CHRISTIANS. If you take away CHRIST, what remains are IAN - I Am Nothing. We cannot do anything on our own, so Jesus gave us the authority to work for his name. To ask for God's favors in his name. There is power in his name, as we see that the disciples were able to heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, expel demons and work miracles all in the name of Jesus. Thats how powerful his name is. 

What is asking in His name? What is asking in Jesus name? 

I believe asking in Jesus’ name means putting yourself in His shoes. It is like Jesus himself asking that something to God. Yes, he will grant the requests to glorify God the Father. He will grant the request as long as it is in accordance with God’s perfect will. Even Jesus said this – “take this cup away from me…but not my will, but yours, be done” 

This reminds us what God wants. He wants us to seek him first, to subject to his will. Yes, our intentions may be good, it may be to glorify his name. However, that does not always guarantee that it is in accordance to God’s will. As we pray, we should also work on having childlike faith in seeking God’s perfect will first and being humble enough to accept when what we want is not in accordance to his.

May we remember the power in Jesus name, and ask God to make us more like Him as we pray in Jesus name. 

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the beautiful reminder. Thank you for your powerful name that I can use. Lord, i pray that I would always remember how much you love us and how much power there is in your name. Awaken my soul and make me thirst for you deeper every day. Make me more and more like you. May I always depend on you and remember that as long as I ask in your name and for your glory, and as long as it is in accordance to your most perfect will, it will be given. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/05/gloriy.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 3, 2016
Lectionary: 561
Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Reading 1 1 Cor 15:1-8

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers and sisters at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.

Responsorial Psalm PS 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 14:6b, 9c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord;
Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

Be Strong

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050216.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to be strong with the trials in life. 

Life is not fair. Good people suffer and get abused, while bad people prosper and have the finer things in life. However, God wants us to be strong amidst the challenges and persecutions that life bring us, especially with regards to us being followers of God. In the gospel, Jesus said that we will experience persecutions. Being persecuted is one thing, but people thinking that they are serving God as they persecute Christ's followers is another. In fact, it may even make us doubt ourselves and our service to God. Good thing God knows this and warns us through Jesus that this might happen. In the gospel, he warns us ahead so we may be prepared and not fall away when we experience these things.

Following Christ is not easy. 

Jesus experienced his share of suffering and persecution in this world, and we should expect them too if we are real followers of Christ. But He does not want us to succumb to these challenges. He wants us to be strong and hold on to his word as we experience these. God will give us strength to endure it, and the wisdom to look forward and know what is really important in life.

When we experience challenges that come with following Christ, may we learn to be strong and focus on Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I get weak and succumb to these challenges and persecutions. Sorry for the times I prioritize other things instead of my faith. I ask that you continue to be patient with me. give me strength to face the challenges that come with following you. give me the wisdom to know what is really important and be able to focus on you. Use me for your glory.  amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 2, 2016
Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 291

Reading 1 Acts 16:11-15

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,
and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,
a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.
We spent some time in that city.
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.

Responsorial Psalm PS 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 15:26b, 27a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord,
and you will also testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 15:26—16:4a

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
They will expel you from the synagogues;
in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you
will think he is offering worship to God.
They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.
I have told you this so that when their hour comes
you may remember that I told you.”

Of Work

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050116.cfm) reminds me how important work is. 

A lot of people love Pope Francis. And here in the Philippines, as we celebrate Labor Day and the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, I am reminded of one of his quote about work. 

Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. Work, to use an image, "anoints" us with dignity, fills us with dignity, makes us similar to God, who has worked and still works, who always acts.

And in another instance, he said that where there is no work, there is no dignity. 

St Joseph is the chaste husband of Mary and the earthly foster father of Jesus. We celebrate two feasts on him - March 19 on being the husband of Mama Mary, and today on being a worker. We know little about him, but we know he is a good man, obedient to God, chaste and a hard worker. He worked hard as a carpenter to be able to provide for his family. And he served God by doing his best in his work and silently serving and loving his family. 

God does not need grand gestures for him to know that we love him.

As human beings, it is very difficult to be like St Joseph. It is difficult to work silently for the Lord – people want to be praised and acknowledged. And more often than not, those who are loud are those who get attention. We sometimes think God is like that as well, that we need to do grand things for him to notice us. We think that we need to announce the good that we are doing so that others can affirm us and we sometimes equate that to God’s affirmation as well. God is not like us. He looks at the heart and it does not matter if we work silently – he still sees our hearts.

God is sensitive. He hears and sees what people cannot. He sees the quiet and sincere heart we have for Him, so we need not broadcast all the good we are doing for Him. People’s affirmation does not always mean God’s affirmation.

May we be inspired by St Joseph to work hard for our family, and work silently for the Lord... and follow God no matter how challenging the situation may be.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to rest from work. Thank you for giving me my work, for as Pope Francis said, it gives me my dignity to be able to decently provide for my family. Sorry for not giving it its due importance and for taking it for granted. Thank you for giving us St Joseph – a human being too but has the qualities of a great servant of God. I am sorry for the times I seek for human affirmation and recognition for the work I do for you. Sorry for the times I think that I need to get their attention in order to get yours. Lord, I ask that you give me a heart like St Joseph. May I never want praise and attention to myself, but work hard and silently to build your kingdom. May I be sensitive to others and put the welfare of others above my own, above my concern. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

May 1, 2016
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 57

Reading 1 Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved.”
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders
about this question.

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:

“The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Rev 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gave it light,
and its lamp was the Lamb.

Alleluia Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,
and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.”