Family of God

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072418.cfm) reminds me what I should do to tell God I want to be a part of his family. 

Life is unfair, both in good ways and in bad. Some people are born at an advantage - to a good family, financially abundant, healthy, with all the needed connections, etc. however, others are born at a disadvantage - with sickness, financial problems, etc. This may be the situation in the world, but not in our spiritual life. 

We can all be part of God's family if we want to. 

In the gospel, Jesus said that his mother and his brothers are not just in the worldly sense, but more so in the faith aspect. Jesus considers his mother and brothers, his family, those who do the will of God the Father. This means that even if we are born at a disadvantage in this world, we can still be part of God's family if we want to. If we do God's commandments. 

Doing God's commandments welcomes us in God's family. We are all welcomed. It is just up to us if we really want to be a part of it. When we do God's commandments and live in his ways, then we are telling him we want to be part of his family. We are telling him that we love him. We are telling him that we are willing to surrender and be governed by Him. We are telling him that we subject ourselves in his will and he can do to us what he wants to do. 

Surrendering to God makes it easy for Him to bless us according to his plans and to his will. Opening up ourselves and our lives to him makes it easier for God to give us all he wants to. Doing these things make it easier for us to enjoy the benefits that come with being God's children. 

How is my life? Do I feel that I am very blessed, or do I feel I am at a disadvantage? What am I doing about the situation? Am I sharing my blessings to others? Am I working hard to improve my situation? Do I want to be part of God’s family? Am I doing what God wants? How can I tell God I want to be part of his family?

We may not be in the best situation in this world, but we can in our spiritual life. May we be willing to surrender to God, do his will, and let him treat us as his children. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another chance to be part of your family. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I let the world dictate how my life would be. Sorry for thinking I cannot do anything about my situation. Sorry for not doing what I can to be part of your family. Lord, help me do my part. I humble myself and allow you to take control. I will do my best to always do your will. Because Lord you know that I want to be part of your family. You know I love you. And I will do my best to tell you that and to prove that to you every day. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 24, 2018

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 396

Reading 1 MI 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.

Responsorial Psalm PS 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (8a) Lord, show us your mercy and love.
You have favored, O LORD, your land;
you have brought back the captives of Jacob.
You have forgiven the guilt of your people;
you have covered all their sins.
You have withdrawn all your wrath;
you have revoked your burning anger.
R. Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Restore us, O God our savior,
and abandon your displeasure against us.
Will you be ever angry with us,
prolonging your anger to all generations?
R. Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Will you not instead give us life;
and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O LORD, your kindness,
and grant us your salvation.
R. Lord, show us your mercy and love.

Alleluia JN 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 12:46-50

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you."
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Know and Obey the Signs

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072318.cfm) reminds me that God wants us not only to know, but also to obey signs from Him. 

Road signs are very important and helpful, especially if one is not familiar with the road. It tells motorists where to go, how to go there, what the rules are, etc. They help keep people safe. However, there are a number of tests and studies that show that a lot of motorists, especially those driving public utility vehicles in our country, do not know the meaning of these signs. Therefore, they lose their purpose. They become useless. Signs would only be useful t if motorists know what they mean and if they are followed properly.

Sometimes, or a lot of times, we want those kinds of tangible signs from God too.

Why not?

Who would not want affirmation or assurance of what God wants us to do in a specific situation? Who would not want what God wants us to choose, or where he wants us to go? Even people in the bible asked for signs from God.

However, it can also be taken out of bounds.

In the gospel we see Jesus warning the people about asking for signs. While it is normal to ask for signs, it becomes bad if the heart is closed to God’s signs. It is bad if the heart wants God to conform to what we want, not for us to be open to what God wants. The people of Nineveh were living in sin, and did not ask for a sign. But when God sent Jonah to warn them, they repented. However, the people already had Jesus with them to warn them and preach to them, but their hearts were closed. They did not want him, they wanted a sign based on their own expectations and standards. They wanted God to conform to what they want, that’s why Jesus said no sign will be given to them.

The 

Signs will only be useful if recognized and followed.

Aside from being open to what the signs tell us, we should also know how to recognize signs. Drivers are supposed to take examinations to familiarize themselves with road signs. If they don't know the meaning, research should be done. Else, signs would be useless. In the same way, we should also exert time and effort to know God more, so we can recognize his answers and his signs for us, and not just recognize what we want and be closed to our idea of signs.

However, knowing and recognizing signs are not enough. There should be more. Action should be done. Hindi pwedeng puro realizations lang. it is not enough to know signs. That benefits no one. We should act upon it. We should live and obey signs. The first reading tells us what he wants us to do. Not to just offer things and sacrifice things to and for him. God simply wants us to serve and obey him. God wants us to do what is right, to live right, and to walk humbly and surrender our lives to God. 

How about us? Do we ask for signs or do what we can – reading the bible, praying, receiving the sacraments, to know what God wants us to do and how God wants us to live our lives? If we ask for signs, are we open and sensitive to get and recognize signs not just based on what we want, but what God wants? Or do we want God to conform to what sign we want from Him? When we recognize signs, do we obey God, or are we just contented with recognizing sings from God? Do I surrender to God?

May we do our part to prepare so we can recognize signs from God, and do what we can to obey Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I am close minded. Sorry for not being open to you and for only wanting specific signs. Sorry for not recognizing you. Sorry for not doing what you want me to do, especially after recognizing your signs.  Lord, I pray that you always make you presence alive in my life. Help me do my part so I will always be sensitive to you. May I work and do my part to build a strong and personal relationship with you, so that I would know you more and recognize you, instead of just asking for signs. And help me have the resolve to do your will and submit to you. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

July 23, 2018

Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 395

Reading 1 

MI 6:1-4, 6-8

Hear what the LORD says:
Arise, present your plea before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice!
Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,
pay attention, O foundations of the earth!
For the LORD has a plea against his people,
and he enters into trial with Israel.

O my people, what have I done to you,
or how have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
from the place of slavery I released you;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.

With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow before God most high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with myriad streams of oil?
Shall I give my first-born for my crime,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
You have been told, O man, what is good,
and what the LORD requires of you:
Only to do the right and to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 50:5-6, 8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Gather my faithful ones before me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
And the heavens proclaim his justice;
for God himself is the judge.
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Alleluia PS 95:8

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

Gospel MT 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
He said to them in reply,
“An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here.”

Time Alone

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072218.cfm) reminds me how important it is to have time alone with God. 

People are generally excited about new things. When there’s a new restaurant, a new sport, or a new place, we want to go there to experience it. However, the excitement doesn’t last, and sometimes, because of too much excitement and having too much of something too soon, people get bored after a while. This is probably why when we were new to our relationship, my girlfriend used to say that we also need to have time for ourselves. Yes, it’s always fun and nice to spend time with each other and get to know each other, but we also need time apart. This is true, as we deal with people and with God.

We need time alone with God.

In the gospel, after doing the task given them, Jesus told the apostles to go off and have time alone. To have time with themselves. To rest. To have time with God. This is important for us as well.

It is easy to get lost in the busyness of life. It is easy to be so focused on your career, business or anything in this world, that we forget how important it is to spend time alone with God and to recharge. Getting some rest is not a waste of time, for it should nourish and enable us to come back stronger, to continue what we do, and to be able to give our best in what we do.

As we rest, as we spend time for ourselves and with God, we should remember that God will take care of things as well. In the gospel, when Jesus told his apostles to rest, he took care of the people who were going to the apostles. This means that as we rest in Him, as we give importance to Him, he will take care of the things we leave behind. He will take care of the things we cannot do. As we give importance to God, he assures us that he will take care of things in our life.

Do I regularly spend time alone with God? Why not? What hinders me from this? What excuse do I give God for not having time alone with Him? Is my time alone with God intimate and useful? How can I improve my time alone with God? What does he want me to start doing today?

May we have the humility to submit and rest in Him, and have faith that as we do so, he will continue to take care of things.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I get so busy and get lost in the things of the world. sorry for thinking that it is a waste of time to rest and be with you. sorry for not giving you the importance you deserve. Sorry for making a lot of excuses why I do not spend time with you. Help me change that. Help me improve my time alone with you. Help me improve my relationship with you. I come to you, surrendering my life and my plans. I come to you to rest. I come to you for nourishment. I ask that you continue to bless me, empower me, and strengthen me as I do your work. I know you will take care of other things as I spend time with you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 22, 2018

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 107

Reading 1 JER 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."

Responsorial Psalm PS 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2 EPH 2:13-18

Brothers and sisters:
In Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he who made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

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 he 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

He Cured All

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072118.cfm) reminds me of God’s generosity in giving his love and blessings. 

People nowadays are not as generous in giving love. Perhaps it is the thought of getting hurt, or how other people will receive the love given. Perhaps it is the fear of being abused by opportunists. However, God is not like that. He generously gives his healing and saving love to those who come to him, to those who asks for it.

In the gospel, we see that God does not disappoint. The people made an 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.

Do I know God is all loving and all powerful? Do I believe God’s love and his power? Do I come to Him with my problems and concerns, having faith that he can cure and will cure me? What concern have I not yet offered to Him? Do I believe he can cure and heal me?

May we always be reminded of God’s infinite love and goodness. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. 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 doubt. Sorry for having doubts and concerns. may I always remember your love, and may I always have faith. 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. 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. May I just have that faith to come to you with whatever concerns I have. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 21, 2018

Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 394

Reading 1 

MI 2:1-5

Woe to those who plan iniquity,
and work out evil on their couches;
In the morning light they accomplish it
when it lies within their power.
They covet fields, and seize them;
houses, and they take them;
They cheat an owner of his house,
a man of his inheritance.
Therefore thus says the LORD:
Behold, I am planning against this race an evil
from which you shall not withdraw your necks;
Nor shall you walk with head high,
for it will be a time of evil.

On that day a satire shall be sung over you,
and there shall be a plaintive chant:
"Our ruin is complete,
our fields are portioned out among our captors,
The fields of my people are measured out,
and no one can get them back!"
Thus you shall have no one
to mark out boundaries by lot
in the assembly of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14

R. (12b) Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof?
Why hide in times of distress?
Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted,
who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
For the wicked man glories in his greed,
and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought.
The wicked man boasts, "He will not avenge it";
"There is no God," sums up his thoughts.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceit;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
He lurks in ambush near the villages;
in hiding he murders the innocent;
his eyes spy upon the unfortunate.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,
taking them in your hands.
On you the unfortunate man depends;
of the fatherless you are the helper.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

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 MT 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope

Salvation

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/072018.cfm) reminds me that God focuses on our salvation, not our condemnation. 

Confrontation should always be done in love. 

When you confront someone and tell the person what is wrong with him, the focus should be on conversion. The aim should be to make the person realize the mistake and have him learn from it. And have him change and improve. The focus should not be on condemnation or fault finding. Focus should not be on humiliating the person and making him feel bad about himself. This is what God wants from us. 

In the first reading, Hezekiah was supposed to die. He was given a few days to fix everything. But he prayed hard. And God, in his infinite goodness and mercy, healed him and extended his life. God wants salvation. God wants healing. Not death or condemnation. 

In the gospel, Jesus focused on life instead of the law. He let them do work and eat on a Sabbath, even if it was prohibited by the law. His focus was on them. Was on life. Not on blindly following the law. He desires mercy, not sacrifice. 

God loves us, and wants our salvation, not for us to be condemned. 

With this in mind, we should not be afraid to come to God. We should not be afraid that he will punish us or what we did cannot be forgiven. He is a loving God, and his love is greater than our sins. He wants us to he saved, not to be punished. He wants us to live. And we can only really live if we come to him and allow him to love us. To fill us. And to change us. 

How do I see God? Do I see him as a strict and punitive God, or as a generous and loving God? Do I confront others? When I do, is my purpose to change and improve them, or do I just want to embarrass, blame or point fingers? What is God telling me today?

May we always remember how much God loves us, and that he wants us to be saved. May we be one with the psalmist to proclaim that God saved us, and we shall not die in sin. 

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 get scared of coming to you. Sorry for thinking that you cannot forgive me. Sorry for thinking that my sins are so great that you cannot look at me with love. Help me always remember your love for me. Lord, I allow you to love me. I allow you to fill me. Because I know that it is only through your love that I can live, that I can be saved. Love me, fill me, and transform me. As you do, use me to share your light in this world. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/09/lord-of-sabbath.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/mercy-not-sacrifice.html 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 20, 2018

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 393

Reading 1 IS 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8

When Hezekiah was mortally ill,
the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, came and said to him:
"Thus says the LORD: Put your house in order,
for you are about to die; you shall not recover."
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD:

"O LORD, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedly
I conducted myself in your presence,
doing what was pleasing to you!"
And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: "Go, tell Hezekiah:
Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David:
I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.
I will heal you: in three days you shall go up to the LORD's temple;
I will add fifteen years to your life.
I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria;
I will be a shield to this city."

Isaiah then ordered a poultice of figs to be taken
and applied to the boil, that he might recover.
Then Hezekiah asked,
"What is the sign that I shall go up to the temple of the LORD?"

Isaiah answered:
"This will be the sign for you from the LORD
that he will do what he has promised:
See, I will make the shadow cast by the sun
on the stairway to the terrace of Ahaz
go back the ten steps it has advanced."
So the sun came back the ten steps it had advanced.

Responsorial Psalm ISAIAH 38:10, 11, 12ABCD, 16

R. (see 17b) You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
Once I said,
"In the noontime of life I must depart!
To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned
for the rest of my years."
R. You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
I said, "I shall see the LORD no more
in the land of the living.
No longer shall I behold my fellow men
among those who dwell in the world."
R. You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
My dwelling, like a shepherd's tent,
is struck down and borne away from me;
You have folded up my life, like a weaver
who severs the last thread.
R. You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.
Those live whom the LORD protects;
yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and life.
R. You saved my life, O Lord; I shall not die.

Alleluia JN 10:27

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

Gospel MT 12:1-8

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath.
His disciples were hungry
and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,
"See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath."
He said to the them, "Have you not read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry,
how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering,
which neither he nor his companions
but only the priests could lawfully eat?
Or have you not read in the law that on the sabbath
the priests serving in the temple violate the sabbath
and are innocent?
I say to you, something greater than the temple is here.
If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
you would not have condemned these innocent men.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.

Come to Jesus

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071918.cfm) reminds me of the importance and power of coming to Jesus. 

In this world, a lot of things can weigh us down. Focusing too much on work, studies, career, business and worldly achievements and accomplishments will weigh us down. The quest for fame, power and fortune will burn us out. These things of the world are temporary, and as long as long as we focus on these, we will never be satisfied and will just be tired, because thirst for worldly things will never be quenched. There will always be someone more beautiful, more successful, more intelligent, more powerful, and more famous than you. IF we will focus on these things, no matter how hard we work, we will never attain the fullness of life, and it will only weigh us down.

What can we do then?

Come to Jesus.

In the gospel, Jesus himself says that all who are tired and burdened come to him. He will give us rest. How can we rest? Will he give us what we want? Money, fame, power, achievements. Will we have all that when we come to Jesus? No – but we will have something much more than those.

Coming to Him is not the only thing he is asking from us. With coming to him comes the need to surrender to him. 

Take my yoke and learn from me. 

It is not enough to come to him. We should also submit ourselves to him. We should also surrender to Him. Yes, the famous saying, Let go and let God. As we come to him, as we submit our self to him, we will slowly be transformed to be more and more like him. As we come to him, we will get a new perspective on things and on life. And that perspective will make life easier for us, because we will realize everything in this world is temporary. That we should focus instead on Godly things. 

As we surrender our personal desires, we allow God to empty us, only then will he be able to fill up with everything that is of his. Then as we are transformed, we see that all the material things in the world should not be the focus of our lives, thus not be burdened with these things anymore.

What is weighing me down right now? What is my biggest concern? Am I willing to come to God for help? Am I willing to submit myself, including all my desires, to Him? Am I willing to empty myself out so he can fill me with everything that is of his? Am i ready to let go and let God?

May we take time to reflect and eventually surrender and come to Jesus. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you Lord for consistently reminding me that you are always thinking of me and my concerns. Thank you for always calling me to you, and for always being ready to accept me with open arms. Lord, sorry for not coming to you. Sorry for not surrendering to you. Sorry for being busy with things of the world. Sorry for being distracted. Lord, I ask that I build my faith in you. I know Lord that as I surrender to your will, I will be transformed and that you will take care of everything. You always do, Lord. You have never failed to bless me with things more than I need and more than I deserve. May I always seek your will in my life, and have faith that you will continue to provide and take care of me. Transform me and make me more like you. In everything. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 19, 2018

Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 392

Reading 1 IS 26:7-9, 12, 16-19

The way of the just is smooth;
the path of the just you make level.
Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD,
we look to you;
Your name and your title
are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night,
yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you;
When your judgment dawns upon the earth,
the world's inhabitants learn justice.
O LORD, you mete out peace to us,
for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.

O LORD, oppressed by your punishment,
we cried out in anguish under your chastising.
As a woman about to give birth
writhes and cries out in her pains,
so were we in your presence, O LORD.
We conceived and writhed in pain,
giving birth to wind;
Salvation we have not achieved for the earth,
the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth.
But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise;
awake and sing, you who lie in the dust.
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the land of shades gives birth.

Responsorial Psalm PS 102:13-14AB AND 15, 16-18, 19-21

R. (20b) From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
You, O LORD, abide forever,
and your name through all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to pity her.
For her stones are dear to your servants,
and her dust moves them to pity.
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."
R. From heaven the Lord looks down on the earth.

Alleluia MT 11:28

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

Gospel MT 11:28-30

Jesus said:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

Childlike

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071818.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be childlike towards him. 

Young children usually obey their parents. When they are asked to be quiet, to do or not to do something, they don't usually ask why. Sometimes they do, but even if they don't fully understand the explanation of their parents, they obey. They follow. They respect their parents. Hindi sila pasaway na gagawin ang gusto nila. This attitude is what God wants us to have. This is what God wants us to be - childlike. 

What is being childlike? A childlike attitude puts full faith and trust in the parents  

Kapag bata, walang choice eh. The child needs to rely on the parents to walk, stand up, eat, etc. Ganun nalang yung dependency nya sa magulang. Ganun nalang yung tiwala nya sa magulang. Complete faith.

A childish attitude is the opposite. 

It is when a person wants to have things their way. Kapag hindi nakuha ang gusto, magdadabog o magagalit. Gusto laging masunod. The focus is on the self.

This is why God reminds us to be childlike. He blessed those who relied on Him, instead of relying on their own personal achievements. He blessed those who know that they are nothing and everything that they have is from God, not those who think highly of themselves because of their accomplishments and credentials. And in the gospel, Jesus said that God revealed himself to the childlike and not to the learned. Because the childlike have open hearts ready to welcome Him and will not argue with him or push him away. 

God wants us to have that childlike faith – faith that will humble ourselves and totally rely on and trust in Him, knowing that He is the only one who loves us enough to die for us and save us from our sin, and that everything happening will lead to a full life in Him.

Are you childlike or childish? Are you proud of your own accomplishments and credentials that you forget the source of all those? Do you get mad at God when things don’t go your way, or when you don’t understand everything that is happening? Do you have full faith in God, confidently walking with him even if you can only see until the next step, knowing that He will be there every step of the way? Do you believe the psalmist when he says that God will not abandon his people, including you?

May we have childlike faith in God, no matter what the situation may be. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live and to experience your love. Thank you for reminding me the importance of being childlike and not childish. Lord, sorry for the many times I act childish. Sorry for getting mad at you when things do not go my way. Sorry for wanting things my way. Sorry for not having faith in you. Increase my faith. May I always trust in you, especially when things are challenging. A lot of times, I do not understand what is happening and how all these could turn into something great. But Lord, i have faith that you can see, and that as long as I cooperate in your plan, things will turn out great. May I develop that childlike faith as I live my life in service of you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 18, 2018

Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 391

Reading 1 IS 10:5-7, 13B-16

Thus says the LORD:
Woe to Assyria! My rod in anger,
my staff in wrath.
Against an impious nation I send him,
and against a people under my wrath I order him
To seize plunder, carry off loot,
and tread them down like the mud of the streets.
But this is not what he intends,
nor does he have this in mind;
Rather, it is in his heart to destroy,
to make an end of nations not a few.

For he says:
“By my own power I have done it,
and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd.
I have moved the boundaries of peoples,
their treasures I have pillaged,
and, like a giant, I have put down the enthroned.
My hand has seized like a nest
the riches of nations;
As one takes eggs left alone,
so I took in all the earth;
No one fluttered a wing,
or opened a mouth, or chirped!”

Will the axe boast against him who hews with it?
Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it?
As if a rod could sway him who lifts it,
or a staff him who is not wood!
Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts,
will send among his fat ones leanness,
And instead of his glory there will be kindling
like the kindling of fire.

Responsorial Psalm PS 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 14-15

R. (14a) The Lord will not abandon his people.
Your people, O LORD, they trample down,
your inheritance they afflict.
Widow and stranger they slay,
the fatherless they murder.
R. The Lord will not abandon his people.
And they say, “The LORD sees not;
the God of Jacob perceives not.”
Understand, you senseless ones among the people;
and, you fools, when will you be wise?
R. The Lord will not abandon his people.
Shall he who shaped the ear not hear?
or he who formed the eye not see?
Shall he who instructs nations not chastise,
he who teaches men knowledge?
R. The Lord will not abandon his people.
For the LORD will not cast off his people,
nor abandon his inheritance;
But judgment shall again be with justice,
and all the upright of heart shall follow it.
R. The Lord will not abandon his people

Alleluia 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 MT 11:25-27

At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”