God in Others

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082115.cfm) reminds me that we should live our love for God through others.

Saying and doing are two different things. Words and actions are two different things. Saying we love God is different from actually living like we do. Saying we love God is different from actually loving God.

In the gospel, we see the two greatest commandments. Pretty simple, but tough. First if of course, love God with all that we have. Second is to love others.  Jesus did not stop at the first. he did not say that we should just love God, and we’re all set. Love for God should be greater than lip service. Love for God should be more concrete than words.

Love for God should be lived through others.

The application of God’s love is us loving other people. We cannot say we love God and hate other people. We cannot say we love God but not care about the situation of other people in the world. God is alive in each person, and our love for God should be lived as we treat and relate to others – especially those who we feel are unlovable.

May we be encouraged to love God beyond words, and live that love by the way we treat others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to love you and experience your love. Thank you for an early rest. Lord, you know that I love you. and I ask that you help me live that love for you through others. May I treat others the way I would treat you. may I help others like it was you I was helping. May I love others as I love you. help me make you more alive in this world by seeing you in others and loving you through others. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/high-but-simple.html

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August 21, 2015

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Lectionary: 423

 

 

Reading 1 Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22

 

Once in the time of the judges there was a famine in the land;
so a man from Bethlehem of Judah
departed with his wife and two sons
to reside on the plateau of Moab.
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died,
and she was left with her two sons, who married Moabite women,
one named Orpah, the other Ruth.
When they had lived there about ten years,
both Mahlon and Chilion died also,
and the woman was left with neither her two sons nor her husband.
She then made ready to go back from the plateau of Moab
because word reached her there
that the LORD had visited his people and given them food.

Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye, but Ruth stayed with her.

Naomi said, “See now!
Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god.
Go back after your sister-in-law!”
But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you!
For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge,
your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

Thus it was that Naomi returned
with the Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth,
who accompanied her back from the plateau of Moab.
They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 146:5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10

 

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
The LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

 

 

Alleluia Ps 25:4b, 5a

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God,
guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mt 22:34-40

 

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him,
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Prepared and Dressed

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082015.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to prepare and be dressed for heaven

Not being dressed for the occasion is a very awkward feeling. It goes both ways – be it being overdressed and underdressed. It is important that one dress appropriately for the specific occasion.

The gospel tells us of a story – a king calling a wedding fest. The original invitees did not attend, so the invite was opened to all. However, the king saw someone not dressed with a wedding garment, and it enraged the king.

OA si king! Bakit ganun? Paano kung mahirap lang talaga yung tao at walang damit na pang kasal?

They say that back then, the clothes were not a problem. When the king invited people, it was said that

he also prepared the clothes for them to wear to the feast. How cool is that? Libre na ang pagkain, libre ka pa sa damit! That’s how festive and how well taken care of the guests were. So we can understand the king expecting, and in this case, demanding the guests be in the proper attire.What is the significance of this in our lives? This does not happen anymore anyway. Right?

We know that God, our king, invites us to the feast – heaven. It is now up to us if we will heed his call, if we will go to the invitation. However, it does not end there. We cannot just say we want to go to heaven, and show up there like the man. We need to be dressed appropriately. We need to prepare and do our part. As the king gave clothes, God also gave us this life to wear properly. He gives us opportunities to shine for Him , and to prepare for us attending the feast. Then when he sees us, we will know if we prepared enough – if he will be happy to see us in the feast, appropriately dressed, or if he will get mad at us attending not being properly dressed, and send us away.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and experience your love for me. Lord, thank you for inviting me to the feast. And thank you for all the opportunities you give me to prepare myself for it. You know I want to be there, Lord, so I ask that you help me live my life preparing for it. May you be delighted to see me appropriately dressed for it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/dressed-for-heaven.html

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August 20, 2015

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 422

 

 

Reading 1 Jgs 11:29-39a

The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah.
He passed through Gilead and Manasseh,
and through Mizpah-Gilead as well,
and from there he went on to the Ammonites.
Jephthah made a vow to the LORD.
“If you deliver the Ammonites into my power,” he said,
“whoever comes out of the doors of my house
to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites
shall belong to the LORD.
I shall offer him up as a burnt offering.”

Jephthah then went on to the Ammonites to fight against them,
and the LORD delivered them into his power,
so that he inflicted a severe defeat on them,
from Aroer to the approach of Minnith (twenty cities in all)
and as far as Abel-keramim.
Thus were the Ammonites brought into subjection
by the children of Israel.
When Jephthah returned to his house in Mizpah,
it was his daughter who came forth,
playing the tambourines and dancing.
She was an only child: he had neither son nor daughter besides her.
When he saw her, he rent his garments and said,
“Alas, daughter, you have struck me down
and brought calamity upon me.
For I have made a vow to the LORD and I cannot retract.”
She replied, “Father, you have made a vow to the LORD.
Do with me as you have vowed,
because the LORD has wrought vengeance for you
on your enemies the Ammonites.”
Then she said to her father, “Let me have this favor.
Spare me for two months, that I may go off down the mountains
to mourn my virginity with my companions.”
“Go,” he replied, and sent her away for two months.
So she departed with her companions
and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
At the end of the two months she returned to her father,
who did to her as he had vowed.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 40:5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10

R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Blessed the man who makes the LORD his trust;
who turns not to idolatry
or to those who stray after falsehood.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me.
To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

 

 

Alleluia Ps 95:8

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

 

 

Gospel Mt 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables
saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
The king was enraged and sent his troops,
destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready,
but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
Go out, therefore, into the main roads
and invite to the feast whomever you find.’
The servants went out into the streets
and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
and the hall was filled with guests.
But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Comparison

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081915.cfm) reminds me that we will fail to appreciate God’s blessings if we always compare ourselves with others.

There will always be someone better than us. Just read the papers and in social media, we can see a lot of beautiful, rich and powerful people who seem to have it all. They have beauty, money, fame and influence. Sometimes, we get distracted and we subconsciously compare ourselves. It can lead us to pity our situation, to want more and more, and to just envy them. However, there is always more to what meets the eye. We see a lot of these people get into drugs and depression, so what we see or think may not be the entire story. There is something we don’t see and understand about their situation, so we should not envy or even compare ourselves with them.

Comparing ourselves with others makes can lead us to not appreciate what God has been giving us.

In the gospel, we see this. The people experienced the goodness of the landowner. They were all given work. They were all promised pay. They were supposed to be happy, because they had work for the day, and they were given what was promised to them. Fair. But when they saw what others had, when they compared what they did to others, there came the issue. They wanted more since they worked longer. They felt it was not fair for everyone to get the same amount, since others only worked a bit.  What they fail to see is first, that they were given what was promised to them, so they were not cheated. And second, they did not experience what the others felt. Probably during lunch time, the others were scared or worried because they still do not have work for the day. They will not have the means to provide for their family. They were just lucky that the landowner found them. However, the first people, though they worked longer, knew since the day started that they are done for the day, that they can provide for their family already.

God is generous, and we should not take that against him. He has been giving us a lot, more than we actually deserve. I have always believed that we have everything we need to survive and to be able to serve him. We should always be happy and contented, and sometimes we are. However, it is only when we see what others have, when we compare and we envy them that problems arise. We feel God should give us more. We feel we need more. But we’re almost always wrong.

May we be contented with all the blessings God is giving us, and not compare ourselves 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 all the blessings. Lord, I am sorry for being selfish and unappreciative. Sorry for the times I feel bad and want more. Sorry for the times I compare myself with others, and I end up envying them or questioning you. Lord, help me have a happy and contented heart, for I know you have blessed me with so much, and I have everything I need to live for you. May my comparison only be towards others who serve you and bless others, and may I be moved to serve you more and be a blessing to others more. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/generous-god.html

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August 19, 2015

Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 421

 

 

Reading 1 Jgs 9:6-15

 

All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together
and proceeded to make Abimelech king
by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem.

When this was reported to him,
Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim and, standing there,
cried out to them in a loud voice:
“Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you!
Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves.
So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
But the olive tree answered them, ‘Must I give up my rich oil,
whereby men and gods are honored,
and go to wave over the trees?’
Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come; you reign over us!’
But the fig tree answered them,
‘Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit,
and go to wave over the trees?’
Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come you, and reign over us.’
But the vine answered them,
‘Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men,
and go to wave over the trees?’
Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, ‘Come; you reign over us!’
But the buckthorn replied to the trees,
‘If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith,
come and take refuge in my shadow.
Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

 

R. (2a) Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
O LORD, in your strength the king is glad;
in your victory how greatly he rejoices!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you refused not the wish of his lips.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
For you welcomed him with goodly blessings,
you placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked life of you: you gave him
length of days forever and ever.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.
Great is his glory in your victory;
majesty and splendor you conferred upon him.
You made him a blessing forever,
you gladdened him with the joy of your face.
R. Lord, in your strength the king is glad.

 

 

Alleluia Heb 4:12

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of God is living and effective,
able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Gospel Mt 20:1-16

 

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
he found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Possible

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081815.cfm) reminds me that anything is possible with God.

The gospel today is the continuation of yesterday’s. Jesus further explains that it will be very hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Why? Are they cursed? Of course not. It will be hard for most of them because of the value of riches in their lives. People who have a lot are not willing to lose what they have. They do everything to protect what they have, or even increase what they have. This is why a lot of people continue to do bad just to increase what they already have, no matter how many they already have. These riches have taken the place of God in their lives, thus it will be impossible for them to enter God’s kingdom – simply because they don’t give importance to it.

So what will happen to them? Will they all die? Can they ever change?

Jesus said, for human beings it is impossible. Probably not. There is no one they can talk to that can talk them out of it. No single person can make them come to their senses. No warning will be enough to wake them up. However, Jesus further states that for God, nothing is impossible. We as humans cannot do it, but God can. His power can wake people up. His whisper can make them come to their senses. His favor is enough to make a human testimony so powerful and inspiring that it can turn a sinner around.

As we allow God to use us, and as we follow God, we are certain that we will be rewarded. God is generous. Not that it should be the sole reason to do these things, but it should inspire us to continue the work. It should inspire us to move forward. It should inspire us that God can and will use us to further his kingdom. We need not be well educated and well gifted. God’s favor makes us gifted. In the first reading, he called Gideon to do his work. Gideon’s background did not prevent God from using him. He may be of humble origin, but nothing is impossible with God, and with his favor, he can use you mightily.

May we be inspired and motivated by God’s love and power, and ask him to continue to use us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for the reminder. Lord, help me to always surrender to you. I know my actions are useless if they are not rooted on you. i just trust in you. and I ask you to use me mightily. May my words, actions and my life be a testament of how great you are. Equip me for your task, use me for your kingdom, do with me as you please. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 18, 2015
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 420

 

 

Reading 1 Jgs 6:11-24a

 

The angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah
that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite.
While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press
to save it from the Midianites,
the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said,
“The LORD is with you, O champion!”
Gideon said to him, “My Lord, if the LORD is with us,
why has all this happened to us?
Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers
told us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’
For now the LORD has abandoned us
and has delivered us into the power of Midian.”
The LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have
and save Israel from the power of Midian.
It is I who send you.”
But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,
and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”
“I shall be with you,” the LORD said to him,
“and you will cut down Midian to the last man.”
Gideon answered him, “If I find favor with you,
give me a sign that you are speaking with me.
Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you
and bring out my offering and set it before you.”
He answered, “I will await your return.”

So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour
in the form of unleavened cakes.
Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot,
he brought them out to him under the terebinth
and presented them.
The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and unleavened cakes
and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth.”
When he had done so,
the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held,
and touched the meat and unleavened cakes.
Thereupon a fire came up from the rock
that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes,
and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight.
Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD,
said, “Alas, Lord GOD,
that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”
The LORD answered him,
“Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die.”
So Gideon built there an altar to the LORD
and called it Yahweh-shalom.

 

 

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

 

R. (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

 

 

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 Mt 19:23-30

 

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Unattached

 

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081715.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be detached from everything in this world so we can be free to follow him.

The gospel today shows us a man asking Jesus.. “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, pretty much like all of us, says that he is trying to do these things. We all try to be good. However he did not stop there. He knows, like we all know, that we can still improve. He knows what he is doing is not enough, that he can do more. He asked again Jesus what he still lack. 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."

In Mark’s account, it says that 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. This is what happened in the first reading. We see that the people have turned away from God. They forgot all the great things God has done for them, and did what they wanted to do. they worship false gods. When we give too much importance to material things, then we lose the focus on God, then we forget about him and all he has done for us.

 

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 follow God and want to 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. Thanky you for another day to live. Thank you for last weekend. Thank you for this new week you gave me. Thank you for the gospel that reminds me that you love me and you want me to be saved. 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. I pray for faith – in you, your love, and your power in my life. May I live this week aware of what I should do to glorify you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,
-g-

ps,

see related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/detached.html

 

 

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August 17, 2015

Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 419

Reading 1 Jgs 2:11-19

 

The children of Israel offended the LORD by serving the Baals.
Abandoning the LORD, the God of their fathers,
who led them out of the land of Egypt,
they followed the other gods of the various nations around them,
and by their worship of these gods provoked the LORD.

Because they had thus abandoned him and served Baal and the Ashtaroth,
the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel,
and he delivered them over to plunderers who despoiled them.
He allowed them to fall into the power of their enemies round about
whom they were no longer able to withstand.
Whatever they undertook, the LORD turned into disaster for them,
as in his warning he had sworn he would do,
till they were in great distress.
Even when the LORD raised up judges to deliver them
from the power of their despoilers,
they did not listen to their judges,
but abandoned themselves to the worship of other gods.
They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken,
and did not follow their example of obedience
to the commandments of the LORD.
Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, he would be with the judge
and save them from the power of their enemies
as long as the judge lived;
it was thus the LORD took pity on their distressful cries
of affliction under their oppressors.
But when the judge died,
they would relapse and do worse than their ancestors,
following other gods in service and worship,
relinquishing none of their evil practices or stubborn conduct.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 106:34-35, 36-37, 39-40, 43ab and 44

 

R. (4a) Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They did not exterminate the peoples,
as the LORD had commanded them,
But mingled with the nations
and learned their works.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They served their idols,
which became a snare for them.
They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to demons.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
They became defiled by their works,
and wanton in their crimes.
And the LORD grew angry with his people,
and abhorred his inheritance.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
Many times did he rescue them,
but they embittered him with their counsels.
Yet he had regard for their affliction
when he heard their cry.
R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

 

 

Alleluia Mt 5:3

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Gospel Mt 19:16-22

 

A young man approached Jesus and said,
“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good?
There is only One who is good.
If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He asked him, “Which ones?”
And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
honor your father and your mother;
and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man said to him,
“All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go,
sell what you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad,
for he had many possessions.

Bread of Life

 

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081615.cfm) reminds me that Jesus is the bread of life.

Food gives energy. When people train and exercise, it is important that they eat properly, so they would have nutrients and energy to train. In the gospel, we see Jesus telling people about a food more powerful and more important than the usual. Jesus, the bread of life is powerful and will never make us hungry and thirsty.

 

As Catholics, we are blessed because we believe that the consecrated wine and host during mass is the actual body and blood of Christ, and not just representations as some believe. This is the bread of life. Everytime we attend mass, we have the opportunity to partake of it. To be one with him. And for him to consume us and be one with us. God loves us so much and he is capable of saving us. We just need to make the decision to accept him and allow Him to do so, and allowing Him to consume us during mass makes it easier to make that decision.

IF we focus on Jesus and partake of him, the bread of life, then we will always be nourished. We will never be hungry for God, and will never thirst for God, because he is always with us. IF we have him in our lives, He can use us mightily to further his kingdom. We will know how important God’s kingdom is, compared to the here and now.

May we make the most of the Eucharist and allow Jesus to consume us and use us.

Father God,

Thank you for today.  thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for sending your only Son to die for me. Thank you for loving me however unworthy I am. Thank you for a very beautiful gift of the Holy Eucharist. I pray that I would always remember the importance and power of it. May I always do my best and prepare to receive you each time I hear mass. Give me the heart and the desire to always be thirsty for you and make the most out of the Eucharist. As i receive you, I ask that you consume me and make me more and more like you. May I always remember how much you love me, and in turn, love you the best way I can. Amen.

 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

 

ps

see related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/04/bread-of-life.html

 

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August 16, 2015

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 119

 

Reading 1 Prv 9:1-6

 

Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up her seven columns;
she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine,
yes, she has spread her table.
She has sent out her maidens; she calls
from the heights out over the city:
“Let whoever is simple turn in here;
To the one who lacks understanding, she says,
Come, eat of my food,
and drink of the wine I have mixed!
Forsake foolishness that you may live;
advance in the way of understanding.”

 

 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

 

R. (9a) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

 

 

Reading 2 Eph 5:15-20

 

Brothers and sisters:
Watch carefully how you live,
not as foolish persons but as wise,
making the most of the opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance,
but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.
And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery,
but be filled with the Spirit,
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,
giving thanks always and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

 

 

Alleluia Jn 6:56

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Gospel Jn 6:51-58

 

Jesus said to the crowds:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Lifted Up

 

As we celebrate Mama Mary's Assumption into heaven, the WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081515-day.cfm) reminds me how God loves to lift up the humble.

Humility is not thinking of less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.

God loves each and every one of us. All of us are fearfully and wonderfully made - into the image and likeness of God. This is why there is no reason for us to think less of ourselves. There is no reason to look down on ourselves. However, we are called to be humble - to think of ourselves less, to think of our desires and comfort less, and think of others, and most especially God more.

Mary did not have it easy. From the start, she made a bold leap of faith. She surrendered to God even if saying yes to be the mother of Jesus is not going to be easy. This shows her humility - dying of herself and stepping out of her comfort zone as she serves God, as she surrenders to God. In the gospel we see her serving Elizabeth - even if she was pregnant she travelled to serve her. Despite being the earthly mother of the Son of God, she served her. That is real humility.

God loves to use the humble.

 

Like what he has for Mama Mary, God has great plans for us. God will use us mightily - no matter how simple we may see ourselves, no matter how normal we think we are. God does not need great qualifications to use us. God does not need tons of accomplishments for him to do great things through us. All he needs is what Mama Mary has - a pure and humble heart ready to die of ourselves, our needs and desires, ready to serve and love him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your power. Thank you for reminding me how great and loving you are. Lord, I pray that I may have a heart like Mama Mary. May i not work to have worldly qualifications and achievements, but heavenly ones. May I be ready to die of my own wants and desires, and be willing to step out of my comfort zone as I serve you. I know it will not be easy but it will be worth it, and that you will do great things through me. As I humble myself, I know you will make me great in your eyes. As I humble myself, may you be exalted and glorified. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/08/lift-up-humble.html 

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

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-little-one-made-big.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/03/mercy-and-grace.html

 

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August 15, 2015

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 622

 

 

Reading 1 Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

 

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

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

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

 

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 45:10, 11, 12, 16

 

R. (10bc) The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

 

 

Reading 2 1 Cor 15:20-27

 

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

 

 

Alleluia 

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Mary is taken up to heaven;
a chorus of angels exults.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

Gospel Lk 1:39-56

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

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.”

Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.