Pack Light

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070719.cfm) reminds me that we need to pack light in life and just trust in God. 

A few years ago, My wife and her sister joined a travel group and went to Mt Pulag. As she as preparing for the trip, she rearranged her bag a number of times. She wanted to travel light and bring only the essentials. There were a number of things she eventually discarded to optimize her backpack. I asked her if that would be enough since there are some things she did not bring anymore. She told me that the travel organizers would take care of other things, and they need not think of everything for the trip. This is how God wants us to travel in life. This is the faith God wants from us. 

God wants us to pack light and travel light, and trust in Him with other things. 

In the gospel, Jesus instructed his disciples to bring just what is necessary, the very basics. In other accounts of the passage, He told them not to take anything except a walking stick.

Why a walking stick…?

In those times, it was normal for people to have a walking stick. People, especially those advanced in age and those who often travel, have a walking stick. It helps them since they travel through far distances. It gives them additional strength by acting sort of their third leg, or something that would support their weary legs so as not to take all the weight of the body. It is also used to protect themselves from stray animals as they travel. Also, we see in the bible that God used the walking stick or staff to perform great things - Moses parted the red sea, led Israelites to victories in wars, and drew water out of a stone all by using a staff or a stick.

How light the disciples must have felt in that trip. No extra things to weigh them down.

However, in today’s day and age, we feel that as though we need a lot of things to survive. There are a lot of gadgets, smartphones and power banks, that we feel we need with us every time. When we travel, we bring with us a lot of these things. We take pictures and videos, and upload them at once to social media instead of savoring the moment. That’s why sometimes, instead of enjoying our journey and focusing on it, our attention is diverted because we have to think of what we brought, making sure nothing gets lost or left behind. We lose our focus from the really important things. 

This is exactly what Jesus did not want to happen to his apostles. He wanted them to remain simple so they could focus on their task. More than that, they wanted them to have faith that God will provide as they stay focused on God. Divine Providence.

With my wife’s climb, true enough, the organizers took care of other things. Tents. Some meals. Etc. and in as much as the organizers came through with their word, how much with Heavenly Father? He keeps his word and will always be there to guide and protect us. He will always be there to provide for us. We just need to obey. To have faith. And to focus in Him. 

As I look at my life, what are the extras that seem to be necessities? What are weighing me down? What things, people or habits are hindering me from focusing on God and on the task he has for me? What are hindering me from fully trusting and surrendering to God? Am I willing to let go?

May we be challenged and see what things we do not really need, the things that are taking our focus away from God and the task he has in store for us. Let us develop our faith in God’s providence – he still provides and will always do. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for reminding us the importance of staying light – to rid ourselves of anything and everything that prevents us from focusing on you and from doing what you want us to do. Thank you for Pope Francis who reminds us and who lives this. Sorry for not always doing this. Sorry for wanting a lot. Sorry for focusing on the wrong things in life. I am sorry for allowing myself to be distracted, and for considering as necessary some of the extras in life. Lord, there are a lot of distractions in my life, and I ask that you help me keep my focus on you. Help me have faith and travel light as I take this journey towards you. I have faith that you will always provide, so I just need to focus on you and put you first. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 7 2019

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 102

Reading 1 IS 66:10-14C

Thus says the LORD:
 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,
 all you who love her;
 exult, exult with her,
 all you who were mourning over her!
 Oh, that you may suck fully
 of the milk of her comfort,
 that you may nurse with delight
 at her abundant breasts!
 For thus says the LORD:
 Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,
 and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
 As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,
 and fondled in her lap;
 as a mother comforts her child,
 so will I comfort you;
 in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice
 and your bodies flourish like the grass;
 the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.

Responsorial Psalm PS 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
 sing praise to the glory of his name;
 proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
 sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
 his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
 through the river they passed on foot;
 therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. 
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
 what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
 my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Reading 2 GAL 6:14-18

Brothers and sisters:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world.
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation.
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule
and to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.

Alleluia COL 3:15A, 16A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 10:1-12, 17-20 

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.'
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."

The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and  scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Time For Everything

The WORD today reminds me that there is a time for everything. 

When I was new to corporate life, I was blessed to be part of a good team. People were friendly - my teammates and even our manager at that time. I felt at ease and comfortable with my team. However, I was surprised when I attended my first team meeting/conference call. I saw the other side of my teammates and my boss. They were very serious and professional. They taught me that indeed, there is a time for everything – a time to be friendly, casual and warm, and a time to be serious, professional and to mean business. This is what Jesus is telling us in the gospel. 

There is a time for everything. 

When the disciples of John, who always fast, asked why Jesus’ disciples don’t fast, his reply was that there is a time for his disciples to fast, but not yet now since Jesus was still with them. Jesus is a reason to celebrate and they should learn all they can from him. Eventually, they will fast. 

There is a time for everything. And he is reminding us that this applies until now. There is a time to be happy, have fun, and celebrate God’s goodness and love, but there is also a time to be serious, to be sorry for our sins and confess, and to fast. There should be a time to spend time with family, work, self and with loved ones, but also a time for God – of loving, praising and serving Him. There is a time to pray and wait for God’s plans to come true in our lives, and a time to enjoy it and thank him for it. There is a time for problems and challenges, but a time to enjoy victory and blessings from God as well. Too much of one is not good. There should always be a balance.

Do I believe in God’s timing and his perfect plan? Do  respect his timing, his plans, and his wisdom? Do I make the most of my time, or do i just focus on what I want and not make time for God?

May we remember how important it is to know the proper time for everything, and trust in God’s perfect timing.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for not giving you the time you deserve. Sorry for just doing and wanting things for myself. Sorry for not trusting in you. I ask that you give me the knowledge to know the right time for doing things. Always remind me that there is a time for everything. Remind me that I should have a balanced life. I know you hold everything at the palm of your hand, and I just trust in your great plans for me. May I always strive to have a balanced life for you. May I never forget you amidst the busyness of life. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/07/new-life.html

Daily Readings

July 6 2019

Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 382

Reading 1 GN 27:1-5, 15-29

When Isaac was so old that his eyesight had failed him,
he called his older son Esau and said to him, "Son!"
"Yes father!" he replied.
Isaac then said, "As you can see, I am so old
that I may now die at any time.
Take your gear, therefore–your quiver and bow–
and go out into the country to hunt some game for me.
With your catch prepare an appetizing dish for me, such as I like,
and bring it to me to eat,
so that I may give you my special blessing before I die."

Rebekah had been listening
while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau.
So, when Esau went out into the country
to hunt some game for his father,
Rebekah [then] took the best clothes of her older son Esau
that she had in the house,
and gave them to her younger son Jacob to wear;
and with the skins of the kids she covered up his hands
and the hairless parts of his neck.
Then she handed her son Jacob the appetizing dish
and the bread she had prepared.

Bringing them to his father, Jacob said, "Father!"
"Yes?" replied Isaac.  "Which of my sons are you?"
Jacob answered his father:  "I am Esau, your first-born.
I did as you told me.
Please sit up and eat some of my game,
so that you may give me your special blessing."
But Isaac asked, "How did you succeed so quickly, son?"
He answered,
"The LORD, your God, let things turn out well with me."
Isaac then said to Jacob,
"Come closer, son, that I may feel you,
to learn whether you really are my son Esau or not."
So Jacob moved up closer to his father.
When Isaac felt him, he said,
"Although the voice is Jacob's, the hands are Esau's."
(He failed to identify him because his hands were hairy,
like those of his brother Esau;
so in the end he gave him his blessing.)
Again he asked Jacob, "Are you really my son Esau?"
"Certainly," Jacob replied.
Then Isaac said, "Serve me your game, son, that I may eat of it
and then give you my blessing."
Jacob served it to him, and Isaac ate;
he brought him wine, and he drank.

Finally his father Isaac said to Jacob,
"Come closer, son, and kiss me."
As Jacob went up and kissed him,
Isaac smelled the fragrance of his clothes.
With that, he blessed him saying,

"Ah, the fragrance of my son
is like the fragrance of a field
that the LORD has blessed!

"May God give to you
of the dew of the heavens
And of the fertility of the earth
abundance of grain and wine.

"Let peoples serve you,
and nations pay you homage;
Be master of your brothers,
and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be those who curse you,
and blessed be those who bless you."

Responsorial Psalm PS 135:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6

R.(3a) Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the name of the LORD;
Praise, you servants of the LORD
Who stand in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
R. Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, which we love;
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel for his own possession.
R. Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!
or:
R. Alleluia.
For I know that the LORD is great;
our LORD is greater than all gods.
All that the LORD wills he does
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and in all the deeps.
R. Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia JN 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 9:14-17

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
"Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?"
Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast.
No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth,
for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse.
People do not put new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined.
Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."

Calling Sinners

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070519.cfm) reminds me that God is always calling sinners, whatever state we may be in.

I remember that when I was little, I used to look forward to my parents arriving home. I get excited when I hear the car’s horn, knowing it was them. However, there was one time I broke a glass something, and when I heard the car’s horn, I was so scared because I thought they would be mad if they find out what I broke. I think this is a usual behavior. When children make mistakes, they are usually afraid to go to their parents. When they break something in the house, they are not really excited to see their parents. When they have low grades at school, they are not exactly looking forward to telling their parents. We want to make our parents proud and happy, and having done these things are necessarily good news for them. They will not be happy and proud of these things, but they still love their children. If our parents are like this, how much more God? 

God does not need you to change before he loves you. 

I believe that God's church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners. God does not need saintly and godly people. He makes you one. He takes in sinners and loves them. He loves them so much that they become filled with his love. And they slowly change to be better people. However, in as much as God aims that we become saints, he does not require it from us as we come to him. 

The gospel says that Jesus called Matthew, a sinner, a tax collector and went to his place. Not only that, he dined with Matthew and his friends and co sinners. And when people were murmuring, he defended them, saying that he came to call sinners. That he is there to extend love and mercy to these sinners. 

God is calling us whatever state we are in. 

Jesus called Matthew as he was doing his usual work. He was doing something bad. He does that to us too. We may be sinners. We may have issues and concerns. We may have unresolved things in our lives. God does not ask that we change, clean ourselves and fix our lives before we come to him. God is just asking us to follow him. To come to him. And to allow him to love us. And as we experience his love. His peace. His forgiveness. Then we will slowly be transformed and become more like him. 

Am I willing to come to God as I am? Do I set things, situations and conditions first before I go come to God? Do I believe that God will accept me for what I am? How can I come to God today?

May we humble ourselves and follow God wherever 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. Lord, sorry for the times I stay away from you. Sorry for thinking that I have to clean myself first and fix myself first before I come to you. Sorry for all my excuses. Help me be like Matthew who followed you. No matter where I am and what I am doing, no matter how imperfect my life is, I will stand up, follow you, and allow you to love and transform me. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 5 2019

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 381

Reading 1 GN 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

The span of Sarah's life was one hundred and twenty-seven years.
She died in Kiriatharba (that is, Hebron)
in the land of Canaan,
and Abraham performed the customary mourning rites for her.
Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites:
"Although I am a resident alien among you,
sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground,
that I may bury my dead wife."

After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah
in the cave of the field of Machpelah,
facing Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Abraham had now reached a ripe old age,
and the LORD had blessed him in every way.
Abraham said to the senior servant of his household,
who had charge of all his possessions:
"Put your hand under my thigh,
and I will make you swear by the LORD,
the God of heaven and the God of earth,
that you will not procure a wife for my son
from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live,
but that you will go to my own land and to my kindred
to get a wife for my son Isaac."
The servant asked him:
"What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land?
Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?"
"Never take my son back there for any reason," Abraham told him.
"The LORD, the God of heaven,
who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin,
and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me,
'I will give this land to your descendants'–
he will send his messenger before you,
and you will obtain a wife for my son there.
If the woman is unwilling to follow you,
you will be released from this oath.
But never take my son back there!"

A long time later, Isaac went to live in the region of the Negeb.
One day toward evening he went out . . . in the field,
and as he looked around, he noticed that camels were approaching.
Rebekah, too, was looking about, and when she saw him,
she alighted from her camel and asked the servant,
"Who is the man out there, walking through the fields toward us?"
"That is my master," replied the servant.
Then she covered herself with her veil.


The servant recounted to Isaac all the things he had done.
Then Isaac took Rebekah into his tent;
he married her, and thus she became his wife.
In his love for her, Isaac found solace
after the death of his mother Sarah.

Responsorial PsalmPS 106:1B-2, 3-4A, 4B-5

R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Who can tell the mighty deeds of the LORD,
or proclaim all his praises?
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Blessed are they who observe what is right,
who do always what is just.
Remember us, O LORD, as you favor your people.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
Visit me with your saving help,
That I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
rejoice in the joy of your people,
and glory with your inheritance.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

Alleluia MT 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

Real Offering

The WORD today reminds me what an offering to God should be like.

In one way or another, we offer things to God. During Sunday mass, we give our love offering. When we pray and when we serve him, we offer our time. However, we do not always give God the best, the first fruits as we offer him. Sometimes, we just offer our surplus – extra money on Sunday, extra time in service, or we pray just when we are about to sleep and tired from the day’s work.

God deserves the best we can offer Him

Abraham had a lot of properties and resources, but the most important for him is his son Isaac. It was probably the greatest gift God gave him. However, his love for God is greater than anything he has in this world. when God asked him to offer his own son, he did not bargain or think twice. He just followed – until the angel told him to stop, and he offered an animal instead.

IF we love God so much, we would offer him the best that we can. We will not be contented with offering him from our surplus – extra money, extra time, extra resources. We only want what’s best for the one we love, and we should always strive to give God our very best in everything we offer him – actions, time, talent and treasure.

Do I offer to God? What do I offer him? Do I willingly give the best of my time, my energy, my resources for his kingdom? Or do I just give him the surplus? What can I offer him today?

May we be inspired by Abraham, and remember that when we offer God the best, God will give us back more than what we offer him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another reminder. Thank you for your love. Lord, help me build my faith. Help me increase my love for you. sorry for the times I get contented with just offering you what I have. Sorry for the times I don’t strive to give you my best. May I always feel and remember your love. May I love you more and more, so that I would always strive to give you the very best I can. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 4 2019

« July 3  |  July 5 »

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 380

Reading 1 GN 22:1B-19

God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
Then God said: "Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a burnt offering
on a height that I will point out to you."
Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,
took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well,
and with the wood that he had cut for the burnt offering,
set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar.
Then he said to his servants: "Both of you stay here with the donkey,
while the boy and I go on over yonder.
We will worship and then come back to you."
Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering
and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders,
while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham:
"Father!" he said.
"Yes, son," he replied.
Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood,
but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?"
"Son," Abraham answered,
"God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering."
Then the two continued going forward.

When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Next he tied up his son Isaac,
and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am," he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son.
Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh;
hence people now say, "On the mountain the LORD will see."
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:

"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessingBall this because you obeyed my command."

Abraham then returned to his servants,
and they set out together for Beer-sheba,
where Abraham made his home.

Responsorial PsalmPS 115:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R.(9) I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your kindness, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
"Where is their God?"
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone who trusts in them.
The house of Israel trusts in the LORD;
he is their help and their shield.
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia2 COR 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Courage, child, your sins are forgiven."
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
"This man is blaspheming."
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
:Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
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 then said to the paralytic,
"Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home."
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Do Not Doubt

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070319.cfm) reminds me that that I should believe in, and not doubt, God.

Hebrews defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don’t see.” In the gospel, we initially do not see St Thomas exhibiting this faith. When the disciples told him they saw the risen Jesus, he did not believe, and even said that he will not believe until he touches the wounded body of Jesus. He is not contented with merely seeing Jesus but wanted to touch him as well. So when Jesus appeared to them and Thomas was with them, he told Thomas to touch him.

If St Thomas did not exhibit faith, why are we celebrating his feast day today?

Well, maybe for us to be reminded what we too, in one way or another, in one circumstance or another, are acting like St Thomas. When we don’t believe God and his plans, when we belittle his love and his power, when we get discouraged by the challenges and evil in this world, we are acting like St Thomas. But I think  more than that, God wants to remind us that he sees the potential in us. He sees what we can become. He sees past our failures and weakness.

God sees us not for what we are and what we do, but for what we can become if we cooperate with him.

St Thomas may have lacked faith, but Jesus reached out to him in  a personal way, enabling him to say “My Lord, and my God!” – what each one of us say everytime we celebrate mass. His profession of faith after his personal encounter with Jesus is meant to inspire us, that Jesus does not give up easily, and will come to us and will reach out to us in a way we need to. And our encounter with Jesus will enable us to believe, to have faith, and to do great things for him, through him.

Do I have faith in God? What conditions do I set before I believe in God? In what ways has God proven his love and power to me? How can I improve my faith?

May we be inspired by St Thomas, and be challenged by Jesus words – “Blessed are those who have not seen me and have believed”

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to love. Thank you for St Thomas. Lord, I am sorry for acting like him. sorry for not having faith in you, for wanting signs and manifestations of your love and power in my life. Sorry for letting challenges in life and evil in this world to drown me and discourage me. Thank you for not giving up on me, Lord. I pray that you would always reach out to me. I pray that you would always believe in me. and as you do so, may it continue to inspire me and build my faith, so that I could do great things for and through you. Use me to spread your kingdom and your glory. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 3 2019

Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Lectionary: 593

Reading 1 EPH 2:19-22

Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm PS 117:1BC, 2

R.(Mark 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness for us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Alleluia JN 20:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
But Thomas said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

No Looking Back

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070219.cfm) reminds me that as I live in Christ, I should not look back at my old way of life.

We have a saying that goes “Ang hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan.” This shows that in our journey in life, it is important to know and remember where we came from, where we started, and not to forget our beginnings. However, in God’s kingdom, it may not always be best to look back as we move forward to serve him.

Everyone in Christ is a new creation.

In the first reading, we see that the wife of Lot was not saved. In Genesis, there is a story about Lot and his family. They were supposed to escape the destruction of Sodom, and the angel told them to just flee and don't look back. However, Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.

Looking back can hinder the progress of moving forward.

It is not necessary to look back to your old life. This just opens the door to temptation and relapse.  Once you decide to choose God, to follow Him, then it should be permanent. No need to reminisce your old life, or old decisions or sins. As we choose God, as we allow ourselves to be transformed, we should just let God use and mold us, and not look back to what we are before

However, the reading and the psalm also remind us how merciful God is. He sent angels to forcibly take out Lot from the evil city. And he gave Lot and his family a safe place ti be in. God will not judge us based on where we are or on what situation we are in. Lot was living in a sinful city, but he was living pleasing to God. So God saved him. As long as we are living pleasing to God, wherever we are, God sees it.

How do I live my life? Do I live in a way pleasing to God? Do I live consistently with the gospel values? Do I keep walking and keep moving forward and not look back at my  old life and past sins?

As we live our new life in Christ, as we allow Him to mold and use us, may we not be tempted to look back at our old lives and just focus on what lies ahead.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Lord, thank you for always welcoming me as I come to you. Thank you for fresh starts. Lord, sorry for the times I do not focus on you. Sorry for the times I look back and get affected in the process. Sorry for the times I relapse. I pray that I may continue to submit to you, and never look back to what I was before you in my life. Help me surrender and just focus in you. I allow you to mold me and change me. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/06/have-faith.html

Daily Readings

July 2 2019

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 378

Reading 1 GN 19:15-29

As dawn was breaking, the angels urged Lot on, saying, "On your way!
Take with you your wife and your two daughters who are here,
or you will be swept away in the punishment of Sodom."
When he hesitated, the men, by the LORD's mercy,
seized his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters
and led them to safety outside the city.
As soon as they had been brought outside, he was told:
"Flee for your life!
Don't look back or stop anywhere on the Plain.
Get off to the hills at once, or you will be swept away."
"Oh, no, my lord!" Lot replied,
"You have already thought enough of your servant
to do me the great kindness of intervening to save my life.
But I cannot flee to the hills to keep the disaster from overtaking me,
and so I shall die.
Look, this town ahead is near enough to escape to.
It's only a small place.
Let me flee there–it's a small place, is it not?–
that my life may be saved."
"Well, then," he replied,
"I will also grant you the favor you now ask.
I will not overthrow the town you speak of.
Hurry, escape there!
I cannot do anything until you arrive there."
That is why the town is called Zoar.

The sun was just rising over the earth as Lot arrived in Zoar;
at the same time the LORD rained down sulphurous fire
upon Sodom and Gomorrah
from the LORD out of heaven.
He overthrew those cities and the whole Plain,
together with the inhabitants of the cities
and the produce of the soil.
But Lot's wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Early the next morning Abraham went to the place
where he had stood in the LORD's presence.
As he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah
and the whole region of the Plain,
he saw dense smoke over the land rising like fumes from a furnace.

Thus it came to pass: when God destroyed the Cities of the Plain,
he was mindful of Abraham by sending Lot away from the upheaval
by which God overthrew the cities where Lot had been living.

Responsorial Psalm PS 26:2-3, 9-10, 11-12

R.(3a) O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
Search me, O LORD, and try me;
test my soul and my heart.
For your mercy is before my eyes,
and I walk in your truth.
R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
Gather not my soul with those of sinners,
nor with men of blood my life.
On their hands are crimes,
and their right hands are full of bribes.
R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.
But I walk in integrity;
redeem me, and have mercy on me.
My foot stands on level ground;
in the assemblies I will bless the LORD.
R. O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes.

Alleluia PS 130:5

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 8:23-27

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea,
so that the boat was being swamped by waves;
but he was asleep.
They came and woke him, saying,
"Lord, save us!  We are perishing!"
He said to them, "Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?"
Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was great calm.
The men were amazed and said, "What sort of man is this,
whom even the winds and the sea obey?"

What It Takes

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070119.cfm) reminds me of what it takes to follow God, and how serious it is.

It is very hard to be an athlete. They train for hours to be the best in their sport. Not only that, it is actually a lifestyle. They eat proper food, get enough sleep, and skip late night activities and other things that will be bad for their training and conditioning. Serious stuff. They do a lot and give up a lot to be able to prepare well and be the best they can be. This should also be our attitude as we serve God.

In the gospel, Jesus is saying that serving God is serious. We see Jesus telling us what it takes. The scribe came to him, wanting to be his disciple. But he reminded him how challenging it will be. Animals have places to stay, Jesus the Son of Man do not. This just shows how unrewarding in the world this would be. Probably applicable to him since as a scribe, he is used to honors and in being important in society. You won’t get that with Jesus. On the other hand, The other disciple told Jesus that he would first take care of things at home. He is delaying responding to God. He has worldly things to take care of first. This reminds us that One’s obligations to family and social responsibilities should not get in the way of our serving God. Once we say yes to serving God, we should not look back at our old life, at other responsibilities, or anything that will hinder us from serving Him.

This is what is takes to serve God, full focus on Him.

There are times it is easy to serve God. When things are new and fun, when you’re serving with friends, when activities are nice and easy, it is very fun to serve God. However, we should continue serving Him when things change. When the demands at work are overwhelming, or when there are concerns in life – financial concerns, health concerns, relationship concerns, then it becomes a challenge serving God. We should serve him even if we are not rewarded by the world, or if we are not acknowledged and even judged by the world. This is the time our character is built. This is the time we really need to serve God. This is the time to focus on Him and not on other things that hinder us from serving Him.

Do I serve God in my life? How? Am I living my life pleasing to God and in accordance to his values? Do I seek worldly rewards and recognition as I serve God? Do I give excuses for not serving God? Do I delay in serving him? In what ways? What is he telling me today?

May we be inspired by the readings to take seriously serving God.

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 week. thank you for the reminder. Lord, thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Sorry for the times I do not serve you. Sorry for having lots of reasons and excuses for not serving you. Sorry for delaying serving you. And sorry for expecting rewards as I serve you. Lord, I will serve you because I love you. I know you call us to serve in different ways, and I pray that I would always be sensitive to the ways you are calling me to serve you. and when I hear you, help me be serious about it. Despite all the challenges and distractions, help me focus on you and serve you despite of everything. I know it will make you happy. As I serve you, use my service to bring glory to your name. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 1 2019

Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 377

Reading 1 GN 18:16-33

Abraham and the men who had visited him by the Terebinth of Mamre
set out from there and looked down toward Sodom;
Abraham was walking with them, to see them on their way.
The LORD reflected: "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
now that he is to become a great and populous nation,
and all the nations of the earth are to find blessing in him?
Indeed, I have singled him out
that he may direct his children and his household after him
to keep the way of the LORD
by doing what is right and just,
so that the LORD may carry into effect for Abraham
the promises he made about him."
Then the LORD said:
"The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great,
and their sin so grave,
that I must go down and see whether or not their actions
fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me.
I mean to find out."

While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom,
the LORD remained standing before Abraham.
Then Abraham drew nearer to him and said:
"Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?
Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city;
would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it
for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it?
Far be it from you to do such a thing,
to make the innocent die with the guilty,
so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike!
Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?"
The LORD replied,
"If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom,
I will spare the whole place for their sake."
Abraham spoke up again:
"See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord,
though I am but dust and ashes!
What if there are five less than fifty innocent people?
Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?"
He answered, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."
But Abraham persisted, saying, "What if only forty are found there?"
He replied, "I will forbear doing it for the sake of forty."
Then Abraham said, "Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on.
What if only thirty are found there?"
He replied, "I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there."
Still Abraham went on,
"Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord,
what if there are no more than twenty?"
He answered, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty."
But he still persisted:
"Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time.
What if there are at least ten there?"
He replied, "For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it."

The LORD departed as soon as he had finished speaking with Abraham,
and Abraham returned home.

Responsorial Psalm PS 103:1B-2, 3-4, 8-9, 10-11

R. (8a)  The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

AlleluiaPS 95:8

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

Gospel MT 8:18-22

When Jesus saw a crowd around him,
he gave orders to cross to the other shore.
A scribe approached and said to him,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
Another of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But Jesus answered him, “Follow me,
and let the dead bury their dead.”