From The Inside

The WORD today reminds me that what makes me unclean, or clean, comes from inside.

People generally want instant and visible results for their efforts. People who go to the gym often work on their upper body, since it is relatively easier to see the results on the arms and shoulders, plus it can be easily seen by other people, unlike the lower body which is almost always covered (Except when one is always wearing shorts). However, in the gospel, Jesus reminds us that sometimes, what is not seen is more important than what is seen.

There were many laws and regulations on food during the time of Jesus, so people follow a lot of things. They take in clean food to remain clean. They are careful what to eat, what to take in. However, Jesus reminded them in the gospel that what makes a person unclean is not food which goes inside a person, but things that are already in him and go out of him. Unlike food, these things are not easily seen, but they are actually more important than those readily seen.

The inner state of a person determines the outer state.

A person full of hatred, greed and evil may not be easily spotted just by looking at the appearance. The appearance may seem nice and normal, but the important things, the inner attitude and state of a person which affects the entirety of someone, are not immediately visible or obvious. In fact, other people may not see them, for evil people can do things to hide their real intentions and actions. But God sees.

God knows what are inside of us. God knows our hearts. He knows if we are full of bad things, even if other people doesn’t see them. He also sees if we are full of goodness and love. This is the reason why we should work on our inner state, on what is on our hearts, and not on other things.

What is the state of my heart right now? What things go out of me - are they goodness and love, or hate and evil intentions? What are the things I can do to make sure good things come out of me?

May we take time to check the inner state of our souls, of our beings, and do our best to improve them as well, even if people may not see the effects of it.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder of what is important in life. Thank you for reminding me how important the state of my soul is. Sorry for the times I ignore the importance of this. Sorry for focusing on the outside. Sorry for not having the will to clean my heart and my life. Help me be sensitive and to take time off to improve and clean my heart, so that what will come out of me and how I will live my life will always be pleasing to you. Amen

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

February 12 2020

«

 February 11  |  February 13 »

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 331

Reading 1 1 KGS 10:1-10

The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon’s fame,
came to test him with subtle questions.
She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinue,
and with camels bearing spices,
a large amount of gold, and precious stones.
She came to Solomon and questioned him on every subject
in which she was interested.
King Solomon explained everything she asked about,
and there remained nothing hidden from him
that he could not explain to her.

When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon’s great wisdom,
the palace he had built, the food at his table,
the seating of his ministers, the attendance and garb of his waiters,
his banquet service,
and the burnt offerings he offered in the temple of the LORD,
she was breathless.
“The report I heard in my country
about your deeds and your wisdom is true,” she told the king.
“Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes,
I have discovered that they were not telling me the half.
Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard.
Blessed are your men, blessed these servants of yours,
who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom.
Blessed be the LORD, your God,
whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel.
In his enduring love for Israel,
the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.”
Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty gold talents,
a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones.
Never again did anyone bring such an abundance of spices
as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

Responsorial Psalm PS 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40

R. (30a)  The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom
and his tongue utters what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart,
and his steps do not falter.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.

Alleluia  JN 17:17B, 17A

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

Gospel MK 7:14-23

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them,
“Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.” 

When he got home away from the crowd
his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them,
“Are even you likewise without understanding?
Do you not realize that everything
that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach
and passes out into the latrine?”
(Thus he declared all foods clean.)
“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.
From within the man, from his heart,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile.”

Own Interpretation

The WORD today reminds me of the danger of following my own interpretation, and not that of God's.

I remember riding the MRT, and one of the posters on the wall displayed their KPIs or Key Performance Indicators. Some of the things i remember were availability and customer satisfaction. Considering their performance as seen in the news, I was surprised that they had almost 100% on these items. When I read their interpretation of these items, I understood how it came about. Availability for them is not the transport system being always up and running, rather they measure it by not missing the first and last trip of the train. On the other hand, customer satisfaction is not pleasant experience of customers or riding public, but rather their ability to acknowledge complaints within one week. Not to address complains or even work on complains, just acknowledging them. This is similar to what Jesus was saying in the gospel

Following our own interpretations of things can mislead us and take us away from God

In the gospel, Scribes and Pharisees were contented with just how they understand things. They give more importance to what they know and not what is right. They focused on what they think is right and what will work on their favor, instead of being open to know and understand what is the truth. Being focused and contented on our own interpretation of things can lead us to do the wrong things, and is dangerous to the soul

There is real danger in being comfortable and accepting what works for us, what is advantageous for us and not what God wants. It is easy to justify our actions, or inactions, by the worldly value of what we can spare for God. Our own interpretation of things can be used to justify wrong things that we do.

How do I interpret things that are happening and God’s word? Do I take time to really immerse myself and understand the context of what God wants to tell me? Do I take time to read His word and get to know him more?

May we never be too proud or too focused on just what we understand, especially on what works for us. May we always pray for an open heart and open mind to seek God and see Him in different things in life.

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. Sorry for the times I do not make the effort to know you more. Sorry for the times I interpret things the way i want to. Help me live right. May I never lose my focus on you. May I never get too comfortable or too focused on things that will put me in an advantage. May I always seek you in life. May I always be open and humble to be corrected so I will know what you really want and intend for me to do. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

February 11 2020

«

 February 10  |  February 12 »

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 330

Reading 1 1 KGS 8:22-23, 27-30

Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD
in the presence of the whole community of Israel,
and stretching forth his hands toward heaven,
he said, “LORD, God of Israel,
there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below;
you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants
who are faithful to you with their whole heart.

“Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth?
If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you,
how much less this temple which I have built!
Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O LORD, my God,
and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant,
utter before you this day.
May your eyes watch night and day over this temple,
the place where you have decreed you shall be honored;
may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place.
Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel
which they offer in this place.
Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 84:3, 4, 5 AND 10, 11

R. (2)  How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Even the sparrow finds a home,
 and the swallow a nest
 in which she puts her young—
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
O God, behold our shield,
and look upon the face of your anointed.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
I had rather one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I had rather lie at the threshold of the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
R. How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!

Alleluia PS 119:36, 29B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees;
and favor me with your law.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
“Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?”
He responded,
“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites,
as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
In vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.”
He went on to say,
“How well you have set aside the commandment of God
in order to uphold your tradition!
For Moses said,
Honor your father and your mother,
and Whoever curses father or mother shall die.
Yet you say,
‘If someone says to father or mother,
“Any support you might have had from me is qorban”’
(meaning, dedicated to God),
you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.
You nullify the word of God
in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things.” 

He Cured All

The WORD today reminds me that God has power for all.

In this world, there is a limit to almost everything. Concerts and events can only accommodate unto a certain number. Once the limit has been reached, no more people will be welcomed, for it will be dangerous. No matter how much you try, if you've reached the limit, you won't be accepted. There is almost always a cutoff for free items and other things. Good thing this is not how it works with God.

God can accommodate all who come to Him. 

God does not disappoint.

In the gospel we saw that a lot of people came to Jesus. People with different backgrounds. People with different sickness and diseasees. However, these people made the effort and showed their faith when they followed Jesus to be cured, to be healed. And he rewarded that. He cured them all.

How powerful. How generous. What a great reminder of Jesus’ love and power.

There were a lot of people who followed Jesus, a lot of people who showed faith. I’m sure they all had different sickness and diseases. Some had grave ones, who is at the point of helplessness and hopelessness. Some probably had minor ones, like fever or maybe even headache. But what is inspiring is how God cured them all. Lahat sila. Everyone who was there. Everyone who had faith in him. Everyone who wanted to be cured. God did not say he will cure only the serious sickness – those at the point of death. He did not say he will cure only the easy to cure stuff, the minor ones .No sickness or concern is too small for God to pay attention to, or too big that he cannot handle. He cured them all.

Good news – this love, power and generosity shown by Jesus two thousand years ago is still alive until now!

God is still able and is still willing to cure all who come to him. All who have faith to come to him. All who humble themselves to come to him. It does not matter if we come to him with huge, almost impossible situations, sickness or concerns.. it doesn’t matter if we come to him with almost trivial, small concerns. From then until now, God cures all who come to him… we just need to come to him in faith.

What are my concerns as I come to Jesus? Do I have faith that He can and will cure me? Or do I doubt his love and power just because of what the world tells me? What is he reminding me today?

May we learn to trust in God more, and have faith in his power and goodness.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the weekend. Thank you for another week! Thank you your great and generous love for us. Thank you for reminding me today that you can and will still heal and cure all who come to you. Lord, sorry for the times I lose faith. Sorry for the times I doubt you. Sorry for focusing on the world. Sometimes, especially when my concerns are too big or too small, I do not come to you. Sometimes when it’s too big, I think that you cannot do anything about it anymore. When it’s too small, I get ashamed or shy to bring these little concerns to you. Sorry for those times. Sorry for thinking like that. But father God, I know that I am important to you, and my concerns, no matter how big or  small they may be, are important and that you can do anything. Increase my faith. May I just have that faith to come to you with whatever concerns I have. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

February 10 2020

« 

February 9  |  February 11 »

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, virgin
Lectionary: 329

Reading 1 1 KGS 8:1-7, 9-13

The elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes,
the princes in the ancestral houses of the children of Israel,
came to King Solomon in Jerusalem,
to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant
from the City of David, which is Zion.
All the people of Israel assembled before King Solomon
during the festival in the month of Ethanim (the seventh month).
When all the elders of Israel had arrived,
the priests took up the ark;
they carried the ark of the LORD
and the meeting tent with all the sacred vessels
that were in the tent.
(The priests and Levites carried them.)

King Solomon and the entire community of Israel
present for the occasion
sacrificed before the ark sheep and oxen
too many to number or count.
The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD
to its place beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary,
the holy of holies of the temple.
The cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the ark,
sheltering the ark and its poles from above.
There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets
which Moses had put there at Horeb,
when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel
at their departure from the land of Egypt.

When the priests left the holy place,
the cloud filled the temple of the LORD
so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud,
since the LORD’s glory had filled the temple of the LORD.
Then Solomon said, “The LORD intends to dwell in the dark cloud;
I have truly built you a princely house,
a dwelling where you may abide forever.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 132:6-7, 8-10

R. (8a)  Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
Let us enter into his dwelling,
let us worship at his footstool.
R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest!
Advance, O LORD, to your resting place,
you and the ark of your majesty.
May your priests be clothed with justice;
let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.
For the sake of David your servant,
reject not the plea of your anointed.
R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest!

Alleluia MT 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom
and cured every disease among the people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 6:53-56

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea,
Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret
and tied up there.
As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country  
and began to bring in the sick on mats
to wherever they heard he was.
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered,
they laid the sick in the marketplaces
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak;
and as many as touched it were healed.

Shine For God

The WORD today reminds me that I should always shine for God.

Almost all of us want recognition. Almost all want affirmation for doing good or for doing the right thing. Almost all want success and fame. While it may not be inherently bad to want these things, we should not forget that first and foremost, our life should glorify God.

All our actions should magnify and glorify God.

The gospel shows us Jesus telling his disciples to be salt and light. In ancient times, salt was used not only to give food taste, but mainly to preserve food. Salt is not the main ingredient or the focus in cooking. If it was, food will be salty. The same way, as disciples of God, we should preserve not food, but the people God has chosen. We should preserve God’s kingdom in whatever capacity we can, and as we do so, the focus should never be on ourselves and what we are doing, but on God - his greatness, his kingdom.

Jesus also tells his disciples they are the light. Not just ordinary light, but light of the world. A lamp does not keep light to itself. It is put on a lampstand to illuminate the house. Again, focus is not on the light but on the good the light does. As we work for God, as we bring light into the world by proclaiming his kingdom and serving God, the focus should not be on our accomplishments, or on how many people we’ve helped or brought to the faith. The focus should always be on God. As Jesus tells them, people should see our good deeds and glorify your heavenly father.

Nowadays, it is not always easy to live this. We see a lot of good intentions and good people, but once worldly accomplishments and praise get to them, they start to lose focus on their cause. They get corrupted. They put the focus on themselves already. We are reminded today not to let that happen. In everything we say, do or think, and in every accomplishment and acknowledgement, we should always bring the focus to God. We should always bring back the glory to God. We should always shine for God.

Do I excel in the things that I do? Do I give my best in what I do? For whom do I achieve and excel? Am I working hard for God? Do I glorify God in my actions, and bring him all the glory and fame that he rightfully deserves? Do I keep my focus on him? Do I shine for him?

May we remember the words of the psalmist, and be inspired to live by it: "the just man is a light in darkness to the upright"

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for reminding me who I should always be glorifying. Lord, I know at times I get distracted, that even if I work for you, sometimes I want to receive recognition and affirmation on my actions. Sorry for being weak. Sorry for being distracted. Help me Lord to always remember that I am doing everything for you and your greater glory. Help me focus on you and keep my eyes on you. May I never lose sight of you. May my actions and accomplishments reflect you. Help me shine for you in everything I do. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

February 9 2020

« February 8  |  February 10 »

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 73

Reading 1 IS 58:7-10

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Responsorial Psalm PS 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.

Reading 2 1 COR 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

Alleluia JN 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Seek God

The WORD today reminds me that God rewards those who genuinely seek Him.

When we are looking for something really important, we give a lot of effort to it. We do whatever we can to find it. We let go of other things so we can focus on finding what we are looking for. Sometimes we even ask the help of others. This is also how we should act when we look for God.

In the first reading, we see something similar. God asked Solomon, the new and young king, what he wanted. Solomon asked for what he needed to serve God and his people. He did not ask for worldly riches or power. He asked for wisdom. He asked for God - to know him and to be guided by him as he rules the people. This shows what is in his heart, what is really important for him. And we see that God rewarded him with what he asked for, and more. 

God rewards those who seek him.

We also see this in the gospel. Jesus and his disciples have been working hard. They need rest. They are tired. So Jesus told them to come to a deserted place to pray, to recharge, and to spend alone time with God. But when Jesus saw that people genuinely want to find him, that they made the effort and went out of their way to hear him speak and get to know him, Jesus obliged. He rewarded those people even if he was tired. Even if he would have wanted to do something else.

If we seek God with all our hearts, we will find him. The bible tells us so. And as we seek him, as we show him our hearts and what is important to us, he will reward us with not just what we ask, but with more. Because he knows we can take it, and we will use these rewards and share them with others.

How is my relationship with God? What are my desires? Do I spend time strengthening my relationship with God? What is he telling me today?

May we work on our relationship with God, and seek him with all of our hearts. As we do so, let us have faith that we will find him, and will be rewarded with more than our heart desires.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and serve you. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for looking for worldly things. Sorry for being busy with work, with life, with worldly things, that I forget you. Sorry for not having the desire and for not making the effort to find you. Help me be like Solomon. May I never get lost and twisted in the world. May I always know and recognize you. May I always give you importance. And may I always seek you in my life, in my little and big decisions in life. In a very special way, I lift up the soul of brother Ceci Hojilla. May he always be with you in paradise. And may his life and his stories continue to inspire and proclaim you in this world. Amen. 

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

February 8 2020

« February 7  |  February 9 »

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 328

Reading 1 1 KGS 3:4-13

Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,
because that was the most renowned high place.
Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered:
“You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David,
because he behaved faithfully toward you,
with justice and an upright heart;
and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today,
seating a son of his on his throne.
O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this–
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right–
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

R. (12b)  Lord, teach me your statutes.
How shall a young man be faultless in his way?
By keeping to your words.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

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 MK 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

Trust and Faith

The WORD today reminds me that I should continue to trust and have faith in God, no matter what happens.

We have seen a lot of times how God’s power saves his followers - Jonah and the whale, Daniel and the lion, the three men in the fiery furnace, Peter and the angel leading him out of prison, and even Abraham and his son Isaac. God is powerful, as we saw what he did in the first reading - how he blessed David mightily. We have seen how God does the impossible in seemingly impossible situations. There’s no question in that. However, it does not happen all the time.

In the gospel, we see how John the Baptist died. His head was cut off, as requested by Herodias’ daughter. OF course, there were a lot of ways God could have saved him. His death does not mean God loves him less, or God’s power is not enough for him. Rather, this probably means that John has already done his part, and God loves him so much that he wants John to be with him in his kingdom. He was probably happy with the life John lived, how faithful he as until the very end, and he gave him the eternal rest he deserves.

God wants us to be faithful to him, no matter what situation we are faced with.

In our lives, God has been saving us through little and big ways. However, this does not mean we will be free from sufferings and challenges. Like John, there will come a time when we will be imprisoned and will experience the challenges of the world, because we are not of the world, but followers of God. And inevitably, we will experience what John did, leaving the earth. This should not scare us, but rather, excite us… because the only way we can be with God in his kingdom is if we leave this earth. And as we wait for this final exit, we should be like John who was faithful until the end, not stopping his love and service to God, no matter how tough and dangerous the situation may be.

What am I praying for today? What are my fears and concerns? Do I have faith in God’s love and power? will I still love him and have faith no matter how he responds to my prayers? Do I love him until the end, or only as he answers my prayers?

May we continue to trust in God no matter what situation we may be in, and be faithful to him until the very end.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live! Lord, thank you for reminding me how loving and powerful you are. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my faith in you. Sorry for being mad at you when I don't get what I pray for. I pray that even if I don’t feel your power and I experience challenges in this earth, I may always remain faithful to you. Help me live like John, whose love for you was greater than the fear and danger in this world. And I pray that when the time comes that you call me from this earth, I may be ready and excited. I will do my best to be faithful to you until the end. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

February 7 2020

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February 6  |  February 8 »

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 327

Reading SIR 47:2-11

Like the choice fat of the sacred offerings,
so was David in Israel.
He made sport of lions as though they were kids,
and of bears, like lambs of the flock.
As a youth he slew the giant
and wiped out the people’s disgrace,
When his hand let fly the slingstone
that crushed the pride of Goliath.
Since he called upon the Most High God,
who gave strength to his right arm
To defeat the skilled warrior
and raise up the might of his people,
Therefore the women sang his praises,
and ascribed to him tens of thousands
and praised him when they blessed the Lord.
When he assumed the royal crown, he battled
and subdued the enemy on every side.
He destroyed the hostile Philistines
and shattered their power till our own day.
With his every deed he offered thanks
to God Most High, in words of praise.
With his whole being he loved his Maker
and daily had his praises sung;
He set singers before the altar and by their voices
he made sweet melodies,
He added beauty to the feasts
and solemnized the seasons of each year
So that when the Holy Name was praised,
before daybreak the sanctuary would resound.
The Lord forgave him his sins
and exalted his strength forever;
He conferred on him the rights of royalty
and established his throne in Israel.

Responsorial Psalm PS 18:31, 47 AND 50, 51

R. (see 47b)  Blessed be God my salvation!
God’s way is unerring,
the promise of the LORD is fire-tried;
 he is a shield to all who take refuge in him.
R. Blessed be God my salvation!
The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations,
and I will sing praise to your name.
R. Blessed be God my salvation!
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed,
to David and his posterity forever.
R. Blessed be God my salvation!

Alleluia LK 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;
still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.