Choose Him Daily

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030719.cfm) reminds me that I should choose God daily. 

Yesterday, we celebrated Ash Wednesday. We ushered in the Season of Lent. Probably most of us did fasting and abstinence. God was pleased. But it should not end there. Lent is not a one day event. Lent is a season. Love offerings and sacrifices should not be done just for one day. They should be done daily. 

We make a lot of small decisions everyday: what to eat, what to wear, where to eat, what task to do, how to do it, etc. However, we sometimes do not realize that these small decisions are part of a “bigger decision” of following God. The gospel tells us that if we want to follow Jesus, we must do so everyday.

Our little everyday decisions contribute to our decision to follow Jesus daily.

They say that your thoughts become your words, and your words become your actions, and your actions become your habits, then your habits eventually determine your character. This has a lot of sense into it, and following it, we are reminded that we should start our decision to follow God with our thoughts, for they eventually shape us. We should start our decision to follow God through our simple everyday decisions for they contribute and eventually determine the kind of life we are living. 

No decision is too small that it is trivial. 

No decision is too small or trivial that it can’t glorify God. What we wear shows if we are following God and treating our body with the dignity it deserves as the temple of the holy spirit. What we eat shows if we follow God, if we nourish our bodies properly and keep it healthy so we can continue to serve God. How we react during situations of stress or even traffic shows if we are following God. How we treat others shows if we are following God. 

Following God is not a one time, major decision. It is a conscious, everyday decision, just as Jesus said in the gospel. The first reading and the psalm reminds us again of the benefits of following God. As we take our spiritual journey this Lent, let us make the most out of this opportunity. 

How do I follow God? Do I choose him daily, in seemingly small and big decisions? Am I conscious about my decisions and how they can glorify God? What can I do to actively choose him everyday? 

May we make everyday decisions to love God, to serve Him through others, and to do our love offerings or sacrifices for him. Daily. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder of how you want me to live and how I can follow you. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore these things. Sorry for not giving you the importance you deserve. Help me live pleasing to you. Be with me and guide me as I live my life. Be with me in a special way this Lent, that I may do daily my love offering and sacrifice for you. May I grow closer to you as i choose you daily. May I praise and glorify you through my acts, through my life. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 7 2019

Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Lectionary: 220

Reading 1 DT 30:15-20

Moses said to the people:
"Today I have set before you
life and prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.
I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore
he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

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

R. (40:5a)  Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
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. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
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. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
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. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Verse Before The Gospel MT 4:17

Repent, says the Lord;
the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Gospel LK 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples:
"The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised."

Then he said to all,
"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?"

Return to Him

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030619.cfm) reminds me that I should maximize lent and return to God. 

Today, we usher in the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a day where we Catholics do fasting and abstinence. The readings show us how God values fasting. It is one of the spiritual disciplines we do in order to get closer to God and show him how much we love him, as well as how much we are sorry for our sins.

When we fast, we detach ourselves from the comforts of this world and take time to be one with God in his suffering for our sins. We reject the pleasures of this world, even the food we need, and depend fully on God to get us through the day. We offer the pain and suffering and discomfort from lack of food, and allow God to give us strength. We try to show God that our love for him and the desire to be one with him and to be more like him is greater than our desire to be comfortable.

The gospel is pretty straightforward. It reminds us that we should not fast for others to see. It will either be God, or others, who will reward us for fasting. This is true for prayer and almsgiving as well. We should fast, pray, give alms and abstain for the right intentions - for God, and not to be seen and praised by others.

However, fasting is not the only thing we can do this lent. Pope Francis, in his Lenten message four years ago, suggests what we can give up: Indifference. We sometimes get so busy with life that we just focus on ourselves and our loved ones, and forget about others. Or when life is good, we just enjoy and stay in our comfort zones and ignore the needs and pains of others. Manila Archbishop Chito Tagle also encourages the people to give to the church the money they will be saving from fasting , which the church will use to feed the poor. This is real fasting – focusing on others and giving to others.

Am I ready to fast and abstain today? This holy week, what am I ready to give up for Christ? How can I make God’s love more alive in this world? What is he asking from me today?

As we usher in the season of Lent, may we be inspired to fast, abstain, pray more, partake the sacraments, and focus to help others. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the Season of Lent which reminds us to go back to you.  Thank you for your love that is always ready to welcome me back into your arms. Thank you for sending Godly people to remind me of your love and your message. Lord, sorry for having lots of reasons and excuses not to fast and abstain. Sorry for being busy and distracted. Sorry for being lazy. Lord, as we usher in the season of lent, help me be ready and willing to fast and abstain. Lead me Lord and tell me what you want me to give up this lent. Help me also to become extra sensitive to the needs of others, and spend more time in prayer and partake in the sacraments. This season, may I be one with you in suffering and detachment from this world, not because I want pain, but because I want to go back and grow even more closer to you, and more in love with you, just like Jesus and Mary. Amen.

Blessed Lent!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reading:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/wondering-what-to-give-up-for-lent-try-indifference-pope-says-78643

Daily Readings

March 6 2019

Ash Wednesday
Lectionary: 219

Reading 1 JL 2:12-18

Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.

Responsorial Psalm PS 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17

R. (see 3a)  Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Reading 2 2 COR 5:20—6:2

Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:

In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

Verse Before The GospelSEE PS 95:8

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

Gospel MT 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

"When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

Give Generously

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030519.cfm) reminds me that I should give generously for God, and give with a happy heart. 

There is a saying that it is better to give than to receive. Some people believe in this. Although of course it is nice to receive gifts and other things from people, it is better to give. It is better to be on the giving end, because it usually means that you have enough so you can afford to give. It also means that you are not too attached to things and that you are willing to help others out. This is what God wants from us. 

God wants us to not just give, but generously give to and for Him. 

In the first reading, we see how much God appreciates us giving back to him and sharing our blessings with others. God has given us so much. We have more than enough. So he appreciates if we can share these blessings with others. We should give what we can. We should give our best to God - to God who has given us everything. And as we give him, we should give with a happy heart. With a cheerful heart. With a joyful heart. He also says that God will repay us sevenfold of what we offer him. In the gospel, we also see Jesus validating that people who gave up things and relationships for him will receive greater blessings than what they gave up. 

God is a generous God. He cannot be outgiven. 

Probably this is also one of the reasons why it is better to give than to receive. If you give to and for God, if you wholeheartedly offer to God, he will surely repay. He will surely give you back more than what you gave up...not for you to be rich, not for you to use as an investment for giving, but so you can continue to give to others. So you can continue to give back more. 

What are my blessings in life? What do I share with others? Do I share my blessings to others? In what way? Do I share the best of what I have, or just the excess? Do I give with a happy or with a heavy heart? How does God want me to give? 

May we always be thankful for God's blessings, and be generous enough to give back and share these with 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 hold on to your blessings. Sorry for the times I am not willing to share my blessings to others. Sorry for the times I do not offer and give back to you. Give me a humble and grateful heart. Give me a generous heart. May I always he willing to generously share your blessings to others so I can spread your love here on earth. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 5 2019

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 348

Reading 1 SIR 35:1-12

To keep the law is a great oblation,
and he who observes the
commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
In works of charity one offers fine flour,
and when he gives alms he presents his sacrifice of praise.
To refrain from evil pleases the LORD,
and to avoid injustice is an atonement.
Appear not before the LORD empty-handed,
for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.
The just one's offering enriches the altar
and rises as a sweet odor before the Most High.
The just one's sacrifice is most pleasing,
nor will it ever be forgotten.
In a generous spirit pay homage to the LORD,
be not sparing of freewill gifts.
With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,
and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.

For the LORD is one who always repays,
and he will give back to you sevenfold.
But offer no bribes, these he does not accept!
Trust not in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.
For he is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.

Responsorial Psalm 50:5-6, 7-8, 14 And 23

R. (23b)  To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Hear, my people, and I will speak;
Israel, I will testify against you;
God, your God, am I.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Offer to God praise as your sacrifice
and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus,
'We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first."

What To Do?

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030419.cfm) reminds me what to do to have eternal life, that I should be detached from everything in this world so I can follow God wholeheartedly. 

The gospel today shows us a man asking Jesus.. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life…” Well, he certainly knew who Jesus was and was humble enough to ask Jesus what he needs to do. Jesus tells him the basics – follow the commandments. The man, like pretty much like all of us, says he is trying to do these things. Then Jesus says something harder for him.: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

God knows when we can still give more. God pushes us to the limit so we can improve and be more like Him. 

We can see by his answer that the man was looking for something. The man knows he must do something else. When Jesus said he must follow the commandments, which he already does, he knew he must do something else. Alam nya, kasi hindi nya sinabing “yey, ok na ako, thanks!.” Jesus also saw what the man needed to do. Jesus looked at him and loved him, and told him what he needs to do. Yes, Jesus loved the man, even if Jesus knew the man was not yet ready to give up everything for Him.

Good news – if we can say that we have been doing (or at least have been trying to do) the commandments that Jesus told the man, we are on the right path. We are halfway there!

Bad news – is it not enough. There is still something lacking. Jesus wants us to be detached from material things.

Jesus is not telling us getting rich is bad. Jesus is not telling us material wealth is bad. Of course it is nice to be rich – especially if you would share your blessings to those who need it. What’s bad is the attachment to material things – money, power, fame, etc. It becomes dangerous if accumulating such becomes the goal in life – when these things become the gods ruling our lives, and we lose sight of eternity with God. When we give too much importance to material things, then we lose the focus on God.

Only when we are detached from material things can we truly focus on God and can wholly follow Him.

What am I clinging on right now? Do I want to follow God and have eternal life? What is preventing me from fully following God? Material things? A bad habit? An unhealthy relationship? Do I feel that I cannot let go of these things? Do I believe in God when he says he loves me, like he loved the man in the gospel? Do I pray to God to give me the desire to let go, and ask him to help me all the way?

May we pray that God help us and grant us the desire to follow him and let go of anything that is preventing us from fully following Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another week. Thank you for the gospel that reminds me that you love me and you want me to be saved. Sorry for the times I cannot detach myself from this world. Sorry for giving importance to things of this world. Lord, I ask that you help me have the desire in my heart – to follow you and to rid myself of anything that is hindering me from fully following you. Help me learn how to let go of the enjoyable and fun things in life if they hinder me from fully following you. I pray for faith – in you, your love, and your power in my life. May I live aware of what I should do to glorify you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 4 2019

Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 347

Reading 1 SIR 17:20-24

To the penitent God provides a way back,
he encourages those who are losing hope
and has chosen for them the lot of truth.
Return to him and give up sin,
pray to the LORD and make your offenses few.
Turn again to the Most High and away from your sin,
hate intensely what he loathes,
and know the justice and judgments of God,
Stand firm in the way set before you,
in prayer to the Most High God.

Who in the nether world can glorify the Most High
in place of the living who offer their praise?
Dwell no longer in the error of the ungodly,
but offer your praise before death.
No more can the dead give praise
than those who have never lived;
You who are alive and well
shall praise and glorify God in his mercies.
How great the mercy of the LORD,
his forgiveness of those who return to him!

Responsorial Psalm PS 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

R. (11a)  Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.

Alleluia 2 COR 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement, his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the Kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.

My Fruit

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030319.cfm) reminds me to be conscious of my fruit. 

A mango tree bears mango, a buko tree bears 

buko. Looking at a tree will not only give you what fruit it will bear, but also what quality. A strong, mighty and leafy mango tree would usually give good fruit. A good tree bears good fruit, a rotten tree bears bad fruit.

A fruit gets its quality from what's inside the tree. 

Jesus warns us to look past the superficial level – to look beyond the seemingly harmless appearance and see what is inside. Jesus wants is to look deep into our hearts and see beyond what other people see, beyond what we project, beyond what we say. Jesus is asking us to examine our lives and see what is inside of us, because eventually it will come out and bear fruit. What is inside would manifest outside. Goodness or evil inside would translate into good fruit or bad fruit. The first reading also reminds us of this. The fruit of the tree is due to the care it had, and that what one speaks is what's inside. 

We all bear fruit.

Jesus sees what is inside of us. He sees way past our actions, our image and reputation and what we say or project to other people. Kahit sabihin mo, or ipakita mo sa ibang tao, alam ni God ano yung nasa loob ng puso mo. Minsan, kahit hindi mo alam, kahit hindi ka aware, alam ni God. God knows. That’s why it is important to always pray and ask his guidance as he reveal what is really in our hearts.

Am I seeking God’s will in my actions? Are my words consistent with my actions? What fruits am I bearing in my life?  Do I bear good fruit? Or do I bear bad fruits? What can I do so that I will always bear good fruit for God? 

May we be inspired and do our best to bear good fruit for God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for reminding me that I should bear good fruit. Lord, Sorry for the times I don't give it much thought. Sorry for the times I get contented with a good reputation and image, and not a good fruit. Lord, I ask that as I live my life, You help me to be always aware of my intentions, of what is inside my heart. I pray that I always seek your guidance and seek and obey your will above all so that I can glorify you. May my actions always be consistent with my words. May my life be my love letter to you. May my life bear good fruit for your glory. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 3 2019

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 84

Reading 1 SIR 27:4-7

When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear;
so do one's faults when one speaks.
As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace,
so in tribulation is the test of the just.
The fruit of a tree shows the care it has had;
so too does one's speech disclose the bent of one's mind.
Praise no one before he speaks,
for it is then that people are tested.

Responsorial Psalm PS 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16

R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout the night.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree,
like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
They that are planted in the house of the LORD
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age;
vigorous and sturdy shall they be,
Declaring how just is the LORD,
my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.

Reading 2 1 COR 15:54-58

Brothers and sisters:
When this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility
and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality,
then the word that is written shall come about:
 Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters,
be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Alleluia PHIL 2:15D, 16A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 6:39-45

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.

"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."

Enter His Kingdom

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030219.cfm) reminds me how I can enter God's kingdom. 

What makes children so special? Nowadays, we probably will say that children are special because they remind us how simple life is, or how beautiful life is, or that they can take our stress away. However, during the time of Jesus, children were the least in society, together with women. That is why in one of the accounts of the feeding of multitude, only the men were counted – women and children were excluded from the count (Mt 14:13-21 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mat%2014:13-21;&version=NASB)

However, God's ways are not our ways. His standards are not our standards. 

In the gospel, the disciples prevented children from touching Jesus. Probably for them, children were not important. They probably think that only important people should come to Jesus. But Jesus surprised them by saying that God's kingdom belong to the children. Not only that, he also said that people should imitate a child. Wow. 

Why?

Probably because of the reason why the children were the least in society. They were least because as they cannot contribute anything to their family and to society, they were totally dependent on their parents to survive. They have their full trust in their parents. Jesus wants this attitude – to be totally dependent on God to survive, to know that we cannot do anything or contribute anything significant if not blessed by God. Only when we have this attitude can we receive God's kingdom. Only when we know who we are versus who he is can we begin to appreciate him, his blessings, his goodness. Only can we give importance to his kingdom - the importance he deserves. 

May we realize that God’s standard of greatness is not like ours, and be humble and surrender our lives to Him like children to their parents… then we can expect to be welcomed in God’s kingdom as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not act like a child. Sorry for being proud and dependent on myself and my achievements. Sorry for losing my focus. Give me the heart of a child. I surrender to you my plans, and I allow you to bring me where I would be able to glorify you the most. Lord, May I always remember that your standards of greatness are different from the world, and may I always remember to humble myself and submit to you, totally depending on you as I live my life, pretty much how I was when I was a child. Use me to glorify your name. Help me for eternity with you as I live on earth. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 2 2019

Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 346

Reading 1 SIR 17:1-15

God from the earth created man,
and in his own image he made him.
He makes man return to earth again,
and endows him with a strength of his own.
Limited days of life he gives him,
with power over all things else on earth.
He puts the fear of him in all flesh,
and gives him rule over beasts and birds.
He created for them counsel, and a tongue and eyes and ears,
and an inventive heart,
and filled them with the discipline of understanding.
He created in them knowledge of the spirit;
With wisdom he fills their heart;
good and evil he shows them.
He put the fear of himself upon their hearts,
and showed them his mighty works,
That they might glory in the wonder of his deeds
and praise his holy name.
He has set before them knowledge,
a law of life as their inheritance;
An everlasting covenant he has made with them,
his justice and his judgments he has revealed to them.
His majestic glory their eyes beheld,
his glorious voice their ears heard.
He says to them, "Avoid all evil";
each of them he gives precepts about his fellow men.
Their ways are ever known to him,
they cannot be hidden from his eyes.
Over every nation he places a ruler,
but God's own portion is Israel.
All their actions are clear as the sun to him,
his eyes are ever upon their ways.

Responsorial Psalm PS 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18

R. (see 17)  The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
Man's days are like those of grass;
like a flower of the field he blooms;
The wind sweeps over him and he is gone,
and his place knows him no more.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant.
R. The Lord's kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it."
Then he embraced the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.

True Friend

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030119.cfm) reminds me how much of a blessing a true friend is. 

It is easy to have many acquaintances. It is easy to know a lot of people by name, or on a superficial level. It is easy to be popular. However, what is hard, and more important, is having deep and quality relationships with friends. This takes time and effort to build, but is very worth it. 

Having one true friend is worth more than having a thousand acquaintances. 

In the first reading, we see how important it is to have a true friend. Important and helpful. It is easy to have "friends" but until you go through challenges and tough times will you be able to tell the real ones from fake, superficial ones. It is easy when things are happy. However, when challenges come, when the going gets tough, the real character of a person would be revealed. These are the times when true friends will be revealed. And when you find the real ones, keep them. 

True friends not only stick with you, they also bring you closer to God. They improve you. They genuinely care about you. This is also what we should be to others. We should be there not only to be with them, but also to bring them to God. We should be there not to tolerate them, but to improve them. 

How many friends do I have? Out of all of them, how many do I consider real and genuine? Am I a real friend to others? Do I bring my friends closer to God? 

May we make the effort to build quality relationships and friendships, and do our best to be a real friend to 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 am not willing to spend time and effort in building quality relationships. Sorry for focusing on superficial friendships. Help me be a real friend, and I ask that you guide me in making real friends that would not only improve me and be with me, but would also bring me to you. And may I bring my friends to you as well. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 1 2019

Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 345

Reading 1 SIR 6:5-17

A kind mouth multiplies friends and appeases enemies,
and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
Let your acquaintances be many,
but one in a thousand your confidant.
When you gain a friend, first test him,
and be not too ready to trust him.
For one sort is a friend when it suits him,
but he will not be with you in time of distress.
Another is a friend who becomes an enemy,
and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
Another is a friend, a boon companion,
who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
When things go well, he is your other self,
and lords it over your servants;
But if you are brought low, he turns against you
and avoids meeting you.
Keep away from your enemies;
be on your guard with your friends.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
he who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy,
such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly,
and his friend will be like himself.

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35

R. (35a)  Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
In your statutes I will delight;
I will not forget your words.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Open my eyes, that I may consider
the wonders of your law.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

Alleluia SEE JN 17:17B, 17A

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

Gospel MK10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.
Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,
he again taught them.
The Pharisees approached him and asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.