My Soil

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012418.cfm) reminds me that my readiness to receive God will determine his effects in my life. 

I used to think that there is only kind of soil. They all look the same for me. So it is interesting to know that there are different kinds of soil. Not all will be conducive for plants and fruits. It depends on the kind of soil if the seeds will bear fruit. In the gospel today, Jesus uses this in the context of spiritual growth and maturity.

The sower went out to sow. He put out the same seeds to the different soil. It was the same sower, and the same kind of seed. What was different was the kind of soil that received the seeds. 

The readiness and receptiveness of the soil determines what will happen to the seeds.

The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.

We all have the same bible. We all have the same God. We all experience the great, unconditional and forgiving love of God through Jesus. However, we receive it differently. Some chose to prioritize worldly riches over spiritual ones, some allow stress and problems overwhelm us and take the focus away from God, some allow the devil to take away what God gave us, while some keep everything in their hearts and lives and allow God’s seeds of love to bear fruit in their lives.

May we be challenged and inspired by the fact that God gave us all his love, his word, his blessings and protection. May we prepare our hearts to receive him and allow him to bear fruit through 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 all the blessings you have been continuously giving me. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for choosing other things over you. Help me prepare my heart to receive you Lord. Help me be good soil, that your word in my life may take effect. May I be able to absorb it, give it its due importance, and allow you to bear fruit through me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 24, 2018

Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 319

Reading 1 2 SM 7:4-17

That night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?
I have not dwelt in a house
from the day on which I led the children of Israel 319
out of Egypt to the present,
but I have been going about in a tent under cloth.
In all my wanderings everywhere among the children of Israel,
did I ever utter a word to any one of the judges
whom I charged to tend my people Israel, to ask:
Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'

"Now then, speak thus to my servant David,
'The LORD of hosts has this to say:
It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his Kingdom firm.
It is he who shall build a house for my name.
And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
And if he does wrong,
I will correct him with the rod of men
and with human chastisements;
but I will not withdraw my favor from him
as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul,
whom I removed from my presence.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David.

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30

R. (29a) For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will make your dynasty stand forever
and establish your throne through all ages.”
R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.
“He shall cry to me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock that brings me victory!’
I myself make him firstborn,
Most High over the kings of the earth.”
R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.
“Forever I will maintain my love for him;
my covenant with him stands firm.
I will establish his dynasty forever,
his throne as the days of the heavens.”
R. For ever I will maintain my love for my servant.

Alleluia 

R.  Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower;
all who come to him will live forever.
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.
A very large crowd gathered around him
so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.
And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.
And he taught them at length in parables,
and in the course of his instruction he said to them,
"Hear this! A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and the birds came and ate it up.
Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.
And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it produced no grain.
And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.
It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
He added, "Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."

And when he was alone,
those present along with the Twelve
questioned him about the parables.
He answered them,
"The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.
But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but not understand,
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven."

Jesus said to them, "Do you not understand this parable?
Then how will you understand any of the parables?
The sower sows the word.
These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.
As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once
and takes away the word sown in them.
And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,
when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.
But they have no roots; they last only for a time.
Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
they quickly fall away.
Those sown among thorns are another sort.
They are the people who hear the word,
but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,
and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,
and it bears no fruit.
But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it
and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold."

Dance with Abandon

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012318.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to dance with Abandon. 

Generally, people are very conscious of other people. We mind how people see us. We take note of how people think of us. We give importance to our reputation. This is especially true for leaders or people in power or authority. They are careful how to act and how others, especially those under their jurisdiction, see them. 

David did not act this way. 

What struck me the most was how David danced. He Danced with abandon – meaning he let go of everything. Never mind if he is king, or what other people will think of him when they see him dancing like that, or if they will still respect and obey him after that. David danced with abandon because he was dancing for God – to praise, worship and glorify God. He was happy, for God was with them throughout their journey, their battles. God was with them, and they knew everything will be blessed, that everything will fall into place.

This is what God wants from us. 

In the gospel, Jesus said that his family are the people who does the will of God. The will of God, not of other people. Focus on God, on how God sees us, and not on our worldly reputation. This is how God wants us to act. This is how he wants us to live. 

How do you dance? How do you serve? 

Do you serve half-heartedly, worrying what other people may think of you, or worrying about your career, reputation, finances, etc? Or are you like David, who let go, who danced with abandon? What you do for God doesn’t matter too much, it may be big or small, maybe simple singing or dancing, as long as done with abandon for God, is well appreciated by God. What’s important for him is we give our all as we serve him, no matter what we do for Him. 

May we let go of what is holding us back from serving God with abandon, and expect him to bless us mightily as we surrender everything to Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the many times I hold back. Sorry for the many times I focus on other people instead of you. Sorry for giving more importance on my image and reputation, instead of on what you see in my heart. Help me be like David. Help me dance with abandon. Help me focus on you. Help me give you my best, my all. Because that is what you deserve. Amen.  

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 23, 2018

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 318

 

Reading 1 2 SM 6:12B-15, 17-19

David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom
into the City of David amid festivities.
As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps,
he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.
Then David, girt with a linen apron,
came dancing before the LORD with abandon,
as he and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD
with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn.
The ark of the LORD was brought in and set in its place
within the tent David had pitched for it.
Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
When he finished making these offerings,
he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
He then distributed among all the people,
to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel,
a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake.
With this, all the people left for their homes.

Responsorial Psalm PS 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

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

Gospel MK 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you."
But he said to them in reply,
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother. 

Promise Fulfilled

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012218.cfm) reminds me that God keeps his promises.

The readings last Tuesday reminded us that Samuel anointed David, the youngest and a simple shepherd. David was anointed because of his heart. He was told he would be king. But he did not immediately become king. In face, he fought first. He served the king first. And he even feared for his life when the King Saul wanted to kill him. Doesn't seem like a king's path, right? However, Last Friday’s readings reminded us that eventually, even King Saul believed that David would be king. Now, we see David became King. That is how faithful God is.

God fulfils his promises.

David was thirty years old when he became king,
and he reigned for forty years:
seven years and six months in Hebron over Judah,
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem
over all Israel and Judah

David’s life was not without challenges. Yes, he was chosen and anointed to be king. However, he still experienced hardships. Trials. Problems. He saved the people, but after, King Saul wanted to kill him. He lost a dear friend in Jonathan, and someone he looks up to in King Saul. However, David was faithful to God. He did not give up. He had faith in God. And now we saw God fulfilled his promise, his anointing, that David would be king, and that the Lord was with him in his life. In the gospel, we see Jesus having challenges as he was doing God's will. But he pressed on, he had faith in God, he was faithful to God and to his mission. and God kept his promise.

We know God loves us and wants the best for us. We know his promise that He has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Life will not always be easy and we will have challenges, but we should always hang on to God’s promise, and have faith that one day, God’s promise will be fulfilled.

May we always have faith in God and his promises. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder as I start the week. Lord, sorry for the times I lose faith in you. Sorry for the times I get weak. sorry for the times I get disheartened when faced with challenges, even if I know you have great plans for me. Increase my faith. May I see your hand amidst all the distractions. I will trust in you and your promises for me no matter what, for I know they will always come true. In your perfect time. In your perfect way. Amen. 

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

January 22, 2018

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Lectionary: 317

Reading 1 2 SM 5:1-7, 10

All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:
"Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
In days past, when Saul was our king,
it was you who led the children of Israel out and brought them back.
And the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel
and shall be commander of Israel.'"
When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,
King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,
and they anointed him king of Israel.
David was thirty years old when he became king,
and he reigned for forty years:
seven years and six months in Hebron over Judah,
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem
over all Israel and Judah.

Then the king and his men set out for Jerusalem
against the Jebusites who inhabited the region.
David was told, "You cannot enter here:
the blind and the lame will drive you away!"
which was their way of saying, "David cannot enter here."
But David did take the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David.

David grew steadily more powerful,
for the LORD of hosts was with him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:20, 21-22, 25-26

R. (25a) My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
Once you spoke in a vision,
and to your faithful ones you said:
“On a champion I have placed a crown;
over the people I have set a youth.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
I will set his hand upon the sea,
his right hand upon the rivers.”
R. My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him.

Alleluia SEE 2 TM 1:10

R.  Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
"He is possessed by Beelzebul," and
"By the prince of demons he drives out demons."

Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
"How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.

Repent

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012118.cfm) reminds me that I should continue to repent and live right. 

During the Christmas season, a lot prepared spiritually for Christ’s coming. Novena masses were always full. And come new year, a lot made resolutions on improving themselves and their lives. However, sometimes we are quick to forget. After the holidays, when we get back to work and start the year, we forget those things. We forget God. We focus too much on working again. On the things of the world. Today, we are reminded not to forget those things, and remember that one day, we would face God, so we should repent and live right.

In the first reading, we see Jonah sent to the people of Nineveh to tell them to repent, which they did. This caused God to change his mind on the evil intended for them. In the second reading, we are reminded that the world is passing away and we should repent and prepare. And the gospel shows us Jesus directly telling us that God’s kingdom is at hand, and we should repent and believe in the gospel.

We all need to repent and live pleasing to God. 

Everything of this world will pass away. The world will pass. This is why it is important not to forget our souls. It is important to nourish our soul and prepare for our meeting face to face with God. 

May we be reminded to repent and live right, and may we echo the words of the psalmist – Teach me your ways, Lord.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder today. Lord, sorry for forgetting you. Sorry for being busy with work and with life that I again forget you. I forget all the preparations I did last Christmas. Lord, help me live right. Give me a humble and repentant heart. Help me see the evil in my life, and help me change my ways. May I have a heart like yours what would hate evil and sin. As I try to repent, help me live right for you. Help me live pleasing for you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

January 21, 2018

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 68

Reading 1 JON 3:1-5, 10

The word of the LORD came to Jonah, saying:
"Set out for the great city of Nineveh,
and announce to it the message that I will tell you."
So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,
according to the LORD'S bidding.
Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;
it took three days to go through it.
Jonah began his journey through the city,
and had gone but a single day's walk announcing,
"Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, "
when the people of Nineveh believed God;
they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,
he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;
he did not carry it out.

Responsorial Psalm PS 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (4a) Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice
and teaches the humble his way.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Reading 11 1 COR 7:29-31

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.
From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,
those weeping as not weeping,
those rejoicing as not rejoicing,
those buying as not owning,
those using the world as not using it fully.
For the world in its present form is passing away.

Alleluia MK 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 1:14-20

After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.

Nourishment

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012018.cfm) reminds me how important nourishment is. 

We Filipinos have a special love for food. During the holidays, people look forward to gatherings and get togethers not just because of the company, but because of the food as well. We all love to eat, that’s why a lot get bigger after the holidays. We love food, and we need food to survive. 

In the first reading, when David heard the tragic news, he and his men mourned and fasted. They fasted from food - from something essential to them. In the gospel, we saw Jesus' relatives seized him and took him away because he was so busy he did not have time to eat. This shows the importance of food. Of nourishment. Both physical and spiritual. 

Just as we take care of our body with physical food, so we should also take care of our souls with spiritual food. 

We eat physical food, so we should also consume spiritual food. We need spiritual nourishment. Praying, reading the bible, going to mass and going to confession are just some of the usual forms of spiritual nourishment we can give our souls. These things are essential for our souls to survive. We should be more cautious of this, because unlike physical food that we partake daily and we are obviously reminded when we lack, spiritual emptiness is not always obvious. We can ignore signs of spiritual dryness and still be able to live, unlike with physical food. This is why we should take extra caution to be careful and be more aware of our souls. 

May we never forget to nourish our souls just as we nourish our bodies. 

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. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for my physical nourishment. Sorry for the times I ignore spiritual nourishment. Sorry for not giving it the importance it deserves. Help me be conscious of it. I ask that you help me be reminded to nourish my soul. May I never be too busy to realize spiritual dryness. Help me work hard to nourish and strengthen my soul. May I have the same desire for spiritual nourishment just as I love physical food. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

January 20, 2018

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 316

Reading 1 2 SM 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

David returned from his defeat of the Amalekites
and spent two days in Ziklag.
On the third day a man came from Saul's camp,
with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
Going to David, he fell to the ground in homage.
David asked him, "Where do you come from?"
He replied, "I have escaped from the camp of the children of Israel."
"Tell me what happened," David bade him.
He answered that many of the soldiers had fled the battle
and that many of them had fallen and were dead,
among them Saul and his son Jonathan.

David seized his garments and rent them,
and all the men who were with him did likewise.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening
for Saul and his son Jonathan,
and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel,
because they had fallen by the sword.

"Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul,
slain upon your heights;
how can the warriors have fallen!

"Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished,
separated neither in life nor in death,
swifter than eagles, stronger than lions!
Women of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and in finery,
who decked your attire with ornaments of gold.

"How can the warriors have fallen–
in the thick of the battle,
slain upon your heights!

"I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother!
most dear have you been to me;
more precious have I held love for you than love for women.

"How can the warriors have fallen,
the weapons of war have perished!"

Responsorial Psalm PS 80:2-3, 5-7

R. (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

Alleluia SEE ACTS 16:14B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel MK 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 

No Revenge

The WORD today ( see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011918.cfm) reminds me that God does not want us to get revenge at others. 

I saw a sign in a church some time ago that says: "Take care of your valuables, other people may think it's God's answer to their prayers". It may seem funny, but there is a lot of truth in it. We have lots of prayers, and most of them are financial. And when we come across financial things, money, jewelry, and other valuables, there may be a temptation to think that it should not be returned to the owner for it may be God's answer to our prayers. This is similar to what happened to David. 

David was in hiding because Saul wanted him dead. And when he got the opportunity to kill him, people told him God delivered him to his hands. It is one way of looking at it, but that is similar to taking things not yours thinking they are God's answer to your prayers. God never wants violence, and his ways are different and peaceful. And he does not want us to take revenge on others, no matter how unfair we were treated. How David responded to the situation should inspire us. 

The state of our heart determines how we respond to situations. 

Last Tuesday we saw that God chose David because of his heart. and today we see that heart is still in the right place. Instead of taking advantage and taking revenge, David did the right thing for God is with him. He was good with God. And God rewarded him by making Saul change his heart towards David. 

There are times we are faced with similar situations. There are times we are given a choice, and seem to have God answer our prayers. However, we should remember that God answers our prayers in the right way, and we should not resort to bad things in doing God's will. 

May we be inspired by David's heart and be guided by our decisions.  

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I don't act like David and instead thinking like his men. Sorry for understanding and interpreting things in a worldly way. Sorry for letting emotions take over instead of a peaceful heart. Help me have a heart like David who clearly sees your ways. Help me live right and pleasing to you. As I do so, use me and glorify your name. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/01/kill-enemy.html 

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/05/discern.html 

 

January 19, 2018

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 315

Reading 1 1 SM 24:3-21

Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel
and went in search of David and his men
in the direction of the wild goat crags.
When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave,
which he entered to relieve himself.
David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

David's servants said to him,
"This is the day of which the LORD said to you,
'I will deliver your enemy into your grasp;
do with him as you see fit.'"
So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off
an end of Saul's mantle.
He said to his men,
"The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master,
the LORD's anointed, as to lay a hand on him,
for he is the LORD's anointed."
With these words David restrained his men
and would not permit them to attack Saul.
Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul,
"My lord the king!"
When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul:
"Why do you listen to those who say,
'David is trying to harm you'?
You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you
into my grasp in the cave.
I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead.
I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord,
for he is the LORD's anointed and a father to me.'
Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold.
Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you,
see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion.
I have done you no wrong,
though you are hunting me down to take my life.
The LORD will judge between me and you,
and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case.
I shall not touch you.
The old proverb says, 'From the wicked comes forth wickedness.'
So I will take no action against you.
Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel?
Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea!
The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you.
May he see this, and take my part,
and grant me justice beyond your reach!"
When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered,
"Is that your voice, my son David?"
And Saul wept aloud.
Saul then said to David: "You are in the right rather than I;
you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm.
Great is the generosity you showed me today,
when the LORD delivered me into your grasp
and you did not kill me.
For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed?
May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day.
And now, I know that you shall surely be king
and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession."

Responsorial Psalm PS 57:2, 3-4, 6 AND 11

R. (2a) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge,
till harm pass by.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
I call to God the Most High,
to God, my benefactor.
May he send from heaven and save me;
may he make those a reproach who trample upon me;
may God send his mercy and his faithfulness.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
R. Have mercy on me, God, have mercy.

Alleluia 2 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 MK 3:13-19

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

Unfair

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011818.cfm) reminds me that the world is unfair. 

They say that life is unfair. The world is unfair. There are a lot of good and innocent people who dying and suffering, while a lot of bad and evil people prosper. We should remember that the enemy is the ruler of the world, and it will always be unfair to those not of it, to those belonging to Christ. We see that in the reading. 

David did God's work and was successful. However, envy wrapped Saul's heart and instead of being happy with what God did through David, he focused on himself and how other people see him. He valued his reputation so much that he wanted to kill David to get the attention all to himself. How unfair, for David was just doing what was asked of Him. David's intentions were pure. But this happened. 

Though the world may be unfair, God is fair. 

God used Jonathan to bring Saul to his senses. And eventually David's life was spared. God is fair and faithful to those who trust in him. He takes care of those who love him. We just need to be faithful and trust in Him. 

There are times that we feel like David. We feel we are at a disadvantage. We feel the world is so unfair, especially because we are trying to do good and live right. We feel that people are against us - powerful people that we cannot do anything anymore. Times like these, we should be like David. Yes, we cannot do anything but pray and trust in God. And as we do so, as we are limited by our own means, God will work and do for us what we cannot do. 

May we be inspired that though life is unfair, God is always watching over us and he is fair. 

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, a lot of times I feel like David. A lot of times I feel the world is unfair, that I am at a disadvantage. Sorry for focusing on that. Sorry for having a weak faith. Sorry for not trusting in you enough.  I will do what David did and just trust you. I just lift up all the pain, hurt, and all I am feeling and ask that you continue to take care if me. I trust you for I know you are fair and generous. I have faith in you, in your power and love for me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 18, 2018

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 314

 

Reading 1 1 SM 18:6-9; 19:1-7

When David and Saul approached
(on David's return after slaying the Philistine), 
women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul,
singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
The women played and sang:

"Saul has slain his thousands, 
and David his ten thousands."

Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought:
"They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.
All that remains for him is the kingship."
And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.

Saul discussed his intention of killing David 
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.
But Saul's son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him:
"My father Saul is trying to kill you.
Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; 
get out of sight and remain in hiding.
I, however, will go out and stand beside my father 
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know."

Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him:
"Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, 
for he has committed no offense against you, 
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, 
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all Israel through him, 
you were glad to see it.
Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood 
by killing David without cause?"
Saul heeded Jonathan's plea and swore, 
"As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed."
So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him.
Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 56:2-3, 9-10A, 10B-11, 12-13

R. (5b) In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.

 

Alleluia SEE 2 TM 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 3:7-12

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing, 
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, 
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, 
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, 
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him 
and shout, "You are the Son of God."
He warned them sternly not to make him known.