Follow Him

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121418.cfm) reminds me that it is both wise and rewarding to follow God. 

In the movie Dr Strange, he found his way to the Ancient One who told him that if he would follow her and her ways, he could learn a lot of things. This is somehow similar to what God reminds us in the first reading today. 

I, the LORD, your God,

teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.

The psalmist also reminds us this - Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

God is willing to lead us. And following him has great rewards. 

However, more than the earthly rewards of following God, what we should look forward to are the eternal rewards. Rewards that no moth can destroy. God is willing to lead us, but it is not very easy to follow him. It is more fun staying in this world, living by this world. The world loves its own. But rewards here are temporary. In the gospel we are reminded that wisdom is vindicated by her works. The rewards and ways of God may not be attractive in the sense of the world, but in his time, we will be vindicated by choosing Him. 

We can only know where God leads us if we take time to know him. If we take time to recognize his voice through prayer, reading the bible, and reading about him. Then if we are dedicated enough to submit and surrender to his will, if we are dedicated enough to follow him, then we will be rewarded. Not because we deserve it, but because as we pray and submit to his will, as we surrender, he can change us to be more like him. And we will be ready to receive and handle blessings from Him. 

Do I take time to know God more? Do I recognize his guiding voice in my life? Am I willing to do what he asks me to? Do I live my life following his ways? 

May we take time to know God's voice and his will, and decide to follow 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 the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times, for the many time I do not follow your will. Sorry for not spending enough time knowing you. Worse, sorry for the times I know what you want but still decide to go against your will and do what I want. Help me surrender always. Help me focus on you. Help me submit to your will always, not to mine, no matter how hard it is to submit to you. No matter how earthly-rewarding doing my will is. Transform me and make me more and more like you. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/12/follow-and-be-blessed.html

Daily Readings

December 14, 2018

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 185

Reading 1 IS 48:17-19

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.

Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6

R. (see John 8:12) Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds:
"To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
'He is possessed by a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'
But wisdom is vindicated by her works."

In the Background

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121318.cfm) reminds me that God recognizes what we do for Him, even if we work silently in the background. 

The world recognizes loud people. People who brag their accomplishments are recognized and looked up to. However, those work and accomplish things silently and in the background often remains there. They are not noticed and recognized. This is usually how the world reacts. Good thing God does not work that way. 

In the gospel, we see Jesus telling people how great John the Baptist is. Among those born of women, no one is greater than John. Wow. Lakas! That's how important and special John was. That's how God recognizes work we do for Him. John worked in the background, silently preparing the way for Jesus. He did not want attention to himself, but humbled himself and focused people on Jesus. The world did not really reward him, he did not have a lot of followers and did not get attention and recognition for his work for God. But God saw his love and work, and recognized and rewarded him for it.

God sees what we do for Him silently in the background. 

We need not worry about affirmation and recognition of others for the work we do for God. As we see with John, the world did not recognize and affirm him. Still, God who sees everything, rewards and recognizes everything. The lack of affirmation from others should not discourage us. We should not look for those things. We just need to focus on God, do his work, and have faith that he sees everything. And will reward us. 

Do I seek human praise and affirmation to what I do for God? Do I give more importance to human recognition or to the approval of God? How can I improve my attitude? 

May we be willing to work for God silently, regardless of how the world sees or treats 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. Lord, sorry for the times I look for affirmation from others. Sorry for wanting others to see and recognize my good works for you. Help me be like John the Baptist. Help me just focus on you. Give me a heart that would be willing to work silently for you. I know you see everything and you know everything. I have faith that even if the world does not see and recognize it, you do, and that is what's important. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

December 13, 2018

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 184

Reading 1 IS 41:13-20

I am the LORD, your God,
who grasp your right hand;
It is I who say to you, "Fear not,
I will help you."
Fear not, O worm Jacob,
O maggot Israel;
I will help you, says the LORD;
your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
I will make of you a threshing sledge,
sharp, new, and double-edged,
To thresh the mountains and crush them,
to make the hills like chaff.
When you winnow them, the wind shall carry them off
and the storm shall scatter them.
But you shall rejoice in the LORD,
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain,
their tongues are parched with thirst.
I, the LORD, will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open up rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the broad valleys;
I will turn the desert into a marshland,
and the dry ground into springs of water.
I will plant in the desert the cedar,
acacia, myrtle, and olive;
I will set in the wasteland the cypress,
together with the plane tree and the pine,
That all may see and know,
observe and understand,
That the hand of the LORD has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:1 AND 9, 10-11, 12-13AB

R. (8) The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
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 gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.
Let them make 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 gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Alleluia SEE IS 45:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the clouds rain down the Just One,
and the earth bring forth a Savior.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 11:11-15

Jesus said to the crowds:
"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."

Ready to Serve

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121218.cfm) reminds me that I should be ready to serve whatever situation I may be in. 

When we look at the players in the NBA, we are amazed at their skills and talents. We feel that they are superior. However, I was struck when I saw the article about an NBA superstar, and he mentioned that it is very rare that he is 100% coming into the game. There will always be injuries, pain and difficulties coming into the game, but he just focuses on the game, gives it all he has, and when he plays, you will not think that he is playing hurt. That’s how God wants us to serve.

We should serve God no matter what situation we are in.

In the gospel, Mama Mary just found out she was pregnant. Things were not clear yet. she did not know what will happen, and who will be the “earthly father” of the child she’s bearing. She did not know the details. And she is already pregnant, so she could have just rested since she’s carrying God’s son. However, she did not. Instead, despite her situation, she still served God as she travelled to serve her cousin Elizabeth. That’s the kind of service God wants.

We will never be 100% okay in life. 

There will always be challenges. There will always be problems. This is why we should not wait for these things to be over before we serve God. We should not wait until work settles down, or that we are financially stable before we serve God. There will always be something that will prohibit you from being 100% okay. We should serve God right now.

God is not asking that we reach a certain level in work or in life achievement before we serve him. what he wants is for us to simply serve him, to simply do his work and do what we can – no matter how simple we think it may be. As we serve Him, He will use us and our actions and magnify them to give glory to his name. 

Do I serve God right now? In what way? Do I wait for the perfect situation or condition before I serve God? What prevents me from serving God? What is he telling me today? 

May we never wait for the perfect situation to serve God, but serve him where we are right now.

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 reminder. Thank you for Mama Mary who constantly inspires me. Lord, I am sorry for the many times I give a lot of excuses for not serving you. Sorry for focusing on my challenges and the imperfections instead of on you. Sorry for letting myself be distracted. Sorry for being weak. I ask that you give me a heart like Mama Mary. Give me a heart that would always want to serve you no matter what situation I may be in. give me a heart that would love you more than I love myself. As I do my best to serve you where I am now, I ask that you bless my actions and glorify your name through it. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/serve-despite-of.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/07/servant.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/10/serviam.html

Daily Readings

December 12, 2018

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Lectionary: 690A

Reading 1 

ZEC 2:14-17

Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people,
and he will dwell among you,
and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land,
and he will again choose Jerusalem.
Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD!
For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.

Or RV 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB

God's temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed."

Responsorial Psalm JUDITH 13:18BCDE, 19

R. (15:9d) You are the highest honor of our race.
Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God,
above all the women on earth;
and blessed be the LORD God,
the creator of heaven and earth.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.
Your deed of hope will never be forgotten
by those who tell of the might of God.
R. You are the highest honor of our race.

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 LK 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

Or LK 1:39-47

Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."

And Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior."

Special Ka

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121118.cfm) reminds me reminds me how special I am in God's eyes. 

Self-esteem is a very big problem. Sometimes, the people we think that are confident, beautiful, or successful are the ones who have big self-esteem issues. They do not see their worth, or their importance, that’s why some try to cover it with achieving things, or appearing beautiful or confident. Self-esteem issues can also ruin relationships. One cannot trust another person if he or she is very unsure about the self. 

The gospel today should help us feel better about ourselves. God thinks highly of us.

“What is your opinion?

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost

Every creation of God is important. 

Everyone. And our importance is not based on how we see ourselves, or our achievements in life. We are important because God created us. We are important and God loves us.

God sees us not for what we are right now, but for what we can be. 

He made us with great potential. All our sins, concerns, problems, and issues do not change that. Despite all these things and imperfections, God still sees the beautiful and wonderful creation he made in us, and we are invited to just surrender to him, to come to him as he looks for us, and allow him to use and mold us.

God will go the extra mile for you. 

No matter where you are, no matter how far you may feel from him, no matter how little or insignificant you may feel, God will search for you and go looking for you. He will find you. However, he won’t force you to come with him. He will just wait and hope you will go with him. 

How do I see myself? Do I feel good about myself, or is the way I see myself dependent on what other people say? Do I believe God when he says I am special? Do I recognize what he says or does the opinion of others more important for me? 

May we find the heart to surrender to God when he comes looking for us, and allow him to mold us to be the great creation we were intended to be.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thanks you for the inspiring reminder. Lord, sorry for letting my concerns and the issues of the world get the best of me. Sorry for making these things Affect the way I see myself. Help me focus on you, Lord. Help me see myself the way you see me – beautiful, full of potential, capable of doing good, destined for greatness. I know you love me and how special I am to you. I surrender Lord and allow you to use my for whatever purpose you have for me. I know you have great plans for me, and I will do my best to just cooperate with you as you work in and through me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

December 11, 2018

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Lectionary: 182

Reading 1 IS 40:1-11

Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.

A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
The rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

A voice says, "Cry out!"
I answer, "What shall I cry out?"
"All flesh is grass,
and all their glory like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.
So then, the people is the grass.
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,
the word of our God stands forever."

Go up onto a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
Cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
Carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96:1-2, 3 AND 10AC, 11-12, 13

R. (see Isaiah 40:10ab) The Lord our God comes with power.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. The Lord our God comes with power.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The day of the Lord is near:
Behold, he comes to save us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 18:12-14

Jesus said to his disciples:
"What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost."

Faith of Others

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/121018.cfm) reminds me that the faith of others can bless me. 

There are people in our lives that we look up to in the aspect of faith. We ask people to pray for and with us. There are people whose faith inspires us. And in today’s gospel, we are reminded that God uses the faith of others and blesses us because of them. 

Your faith can bless others around you.

People came and brought the man in a stretcher. In the gospel of Mark, it was specified that there were four people who brought the man. These people, probably friends of the paralytic man, had great faith. It was not easy to carry the man and bring him to Jesus. They probably could have just thought of themselves and their concerns and came to Jesus, instead of making the effort to bring the man in a stretcher. But they had great faith in Jesus that they were willing to go the extra mile for the paralyzed man. They had faith Jesus could do something about it, else they would not make the effort to bring him. And when Jesus saw this, especially the faith of the men, he forgave the man and healed him. 

Like stars that shine brightest during the darkest of night, faith shines brightest during the toughest of situations.

In life, we are also faced with challenges. Things don’t come easy. There are a lot of problems. However, we are reminded to have faith for God will honor it. God does not disappoint, and will hear those who have great faith in Him.  We are also reminded not just to have friends who have a lot of faith or who are very spiritual, but be that kind of friend to others as well. 

How is my faith in God? Do I feel I have a strong faith? How can I strengthen my faith in God? Am I willing to do my part and pray, read about God and know him so I can build my relationship with him and strengthen my faith in the process? Does my faith bless others around me? Do I pray for others? 

May our faith benefit not just ourselves, but others around us as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I don't have enough faith in you. Sorry for the times I give up and surrender, instead of fighting for my faith. Increase my faith. Lord, I thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for honoring my faith, and for giving me friends who pray for me. I also ask you that you help me strengthen my faith, not just for myself and my needs, but so that I may be able to bless others through it. May my faith be instrumental in blessing others and bringing them to you. May my faith bring glory to your name. Use me for your purpose. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

December 10, 2018

Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Lectionary: 181

Reading 1 IS 35:1-10

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
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;
The abode where jackals lurk
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14

R. (Isaiah 35:4f) Our God will come to save us!
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Our God will come to save us!
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Our God will come to save us!
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. Our God will come to save us!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth,
and he himself will lift the yoke of our capacity.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 5:17-26

One day as Jesus was teaching,
Pharisees and teachers of the law,
who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem,
were sitting there,
and the power of the Lord was with him for healing.
And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed;
they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.
But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up on the roof
and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles
into the middle in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said,
"As for you, your sins are forgiven."

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves,
"Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply,
"What are you thinking in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"–
he said to the one who was paralyzed,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."

He stood up immediately before them,
picked up what he had been lying on,
and went home, glorifying God.
Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God,
and, struck with awe, they said,
"We have seen incredible things today."

Prepare to be Bold and Proclaim

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120918.cfm) reminds me that my inner preparation for Christmas should also lead me to be bold and proclaim God in and through my life. 

Last week, the first Sunday of Advent, we were reminded to prepare for Christmas. This Sunday, God wants us to take a step further – do so something aside from preparing. We cannot just prepare and prepare. We cannot be stuck in preparation and not actually execute it. This is similar to analysis paralysis. We need to do something concrete.

Our inner preparation should lead into proclamation of God.

Th first reading tells us that we should proclaim God. And it also prophesies about the gospel. What John the Baptist would do and his role in the salvation history. In the gospel, we see John the Baptist proclaiming God’s kingdom. He was in the dessert when the word of God came to him. What was he doing in the dessert? Same as what we are trying to do – to prepare spiritually. John was preparing himself and his spirit to become one with God, to be filled with God. However, he did not end there. When God’s word came to him, his preparation enabled him to have the boldness to proclaim God’s word. He went out and proclaimed the need for repentance in the whole region of Jordan. Same with us, as God asked us to prepare, he is also asking us to proclaim his word. He is asking us to go out to the world and spread his word, his love, and his goodness. 

We should proclaim God through our lives. 

We cannot be preparing forever. Our preparation should make us more intimate with God. And as we become more intimate with God, as we get to know him more, as we feel his love and protection, we should be ready and willing to be bold and go out to the world. As we become one with God, we should be willing to obey him and proclaim him, and share him to others. As we do this, we need not be an expert in faith. We just need to know and have a personal relationship with God. Sometimes, we feel we are inadequate or incomplete. God is faithful, and he will continue to be with us and guide us as we serve Him.

The second reading tells us that God is patient and wants all of us to be saved. But he cannot wait forever. He will not wait forever. This is why we should act fast. We should repent. Prepare. And proclaim him to others, not just because God tells us to, but because we want others to be prepared, repent, and eventually be saved as well. 

How ready am I for Christmas? How is my preparation for Jesus and for Christmas? How can I prepare myself more for Christ? What is he telling me today? 

May we be ready to go out, be bold, and proclaim God to others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday, Thank you for knowing me. Thank you for guiding me. Thank you for the reminder, for telling me how you want me to progress. Sorry for the times I stop at preparation. Sorry for not being willing to be bold and proclaim you to others. Lord, help me do my best in preparing for Christmas. And give me your spirit and enable me to be bold and proclaim you. There are a lot of reasons why I do not do it. Sometimes I feel scared, that I am not worthy or I am not the right person to do it. Sometimes I just feel tired to act. Sometimes, I just don’t know how. Lord, guide me. Show me the ways I can be bold and proclaim you through the way I live and treat others. Magnify my actions and my words so that it may glorify you. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

December 9, 2018

Second Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 6

Reading 1 BAR 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company..

Responsorial Psalm PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.

R. (3) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Reading 2 PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11

Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel
from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it
until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is my witness,
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.

Alleluia LK 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Fiat 2018

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120818.cfm) reminds me to always submit and say yes to God. 

Wen I was new to community, my shepherd would always tell me that whenever I am asked to do things, to serve, or to take on responsibility, the answer should always be yes. “Yes lang ng yes”. Always say yes, even if you don’t know how you would do it. Just say yes even if you have concerns. Just say yes even if you doubt if you can do it. Say yes even if you do not know what it will take to do it. 

This is what Mama Mary did as we see in the gospel. 

Mary’s Fiat, her “yes” to God was the start of her powerful life of service to God. It became the start of God using her intensely for His purpose.

Mama Mary was surprised when the angel visited her, much more when the angel addressed her as “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” She was even more surprised when the angel told her God’s plan. Yes, she asked a question, but eventually said yes. She may not know what she’s getting herself into. She probably knew the consequences of saying “yes” during that time, being pregnant outside marriage is a grave offense. She would be stoned for it. But she still said yes to God’s plan. She trusted in God so much, that even if there were doubts, even if there were questions, even if there were possible consequences of her yes, she still gave it to God. That’s faith. That’s grace.

Always saying Yes is a sign of great faith in God.

As we commemorate and celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Conception today, may we also rejoice, not just because Mary was conceived without original sin, but because God loves us so much. In the first reading we see how sin entered this world. However, Mama Mary changed that. She was conceived without original sin. Immaculate conception. God wanted Jesus’ earthly mother to be pure, because God wants to show us what we can become when we come to Him. Jesus died to save us from our sin, a sin that he, or his mother, did not have. That’s pure love. And the bible tells us that we are new creations if we are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). The second reading affirms that “God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.”

As we participate in the celebration of the holy mass today (being one of three holy days of obligation in the Philippines, the other two being Christmas (Dec 25) and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1)), may we rejoice with and for Mama Mary. May we feel extra blessed because Mary, our mother, was so special to God and to Jesus. Let us ask for God’s grace so we could be like Mary, who consistently said Yes to God and gave her life for God. Let us also remember the words of Pope Francis: “Every time we give in to selfishness and say no to God, we spoil his loving plan for us.”

Do I always give my “fiat” to God, even if I don’t fully understand what He is asking of me? What is hindering me from always saying “yes” to God’s call? Do I trust God completely with my life, knowing that He loves me so much? Do I have faith that like the angel said in the gospel, nothing is impossible with God?

May we always be inspired by Mama Mary's great faith in God, and in our own ways, always give our yes to Him. 

Father God,

Thank you today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you Lord for loving me so much. Thank you for giving me what I do not deserve. Thank you for Mama Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother, for you used her to bring salvation to us. Thank you for her example. Sorry for the times I make up excuses to say no to you. Sorry for the times I let my fear and concerns win over my faith in you. Sorry not having enough faith in you. I ask that you help me be like Mama Mary. May I open up myself and my life and allow you to use me for your purpose, for your glory. Lord, I know how powerful a spoken word is, and I ask that I give my “yes” to you, so you can use me for your purpose too. May I live my life like Mary, submitting my will to yours, and trusting in you completely. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

December 8, 2018

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 689

Reading 1 GN 3:9-15, 20

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself."
Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with meC
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."
The LORD God then asked the woman,
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."

The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

R. (1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
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. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
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. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Reading 2 EPH 1:3-6, 11-12

Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.

Alleluia SEE LK 1:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.