Love for Sinners

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032419-yeara.cfm) reminds me that God loves me, even as the sinner that I am. 

It is easy to love those who love us and are good to us. Family. Friends. Nice people. However, this is not real love. Real love is a decision. Real love is loving even, and especially, those who are unlovable. This is how God loves. The second reading tells us that God proved his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hindi hinintay ng Diyos na mahalin mo sya bago ka nya minahal. 

He did not wait for us to acknowledge him in our lives. He did not wait until we believe in and follow Him. He loved us because he is love. He loved us because he is full love, because he is love. He just loved us, hoping we would recognize. He loved us hoping we would appreciate. He loved us hoping we would love him back.

Just as God loves us no matter what state, he would also use us whatever state we are in. In the first reading, God still blessed and provided for the Israelites despite their hardness of heart. In the gospel, Jesus used the Samaritan widow to proclaim his kingdom and bring others to him. He used them no matter what state they are in. No matter what state you are in, God loves you.

Gagamitin ka ng Diyos kahit ano ang kalagayan mo.

God loves us so much. He loved us first. He loves us even if we do not love and value him. And he will continue to bless and use us, even if we do not appreciate his love, even if we do not reciprocate his love, even if we are not yet the best version of ourself. 

Do I realize that God loves me so much? Is God’s love enough for me or do I look for love and validation through other people and circumstances? Do I love back God in return? Is my life a testament of my love for God? 

May we always remember how much God loves and blesses us, no matter how we are. And may it move us to love him back, the way he wants to be loved. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for loving me, even before I loved you. Lord, sorry for not loving you back. Sorry for ignoring you. Sorry for hurting you. Help me live right. Always remind me of your love. Never let me go. I allow you to love me. May your love fill and transform me. As you love me, may I be moved to love you back and serve you. Amen

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 24 2019- Year A

Third Sunday of Lent – Year A Readings
Lectionary: 28

Reading 1 EX 17:3-7

In those days, in their thirst for water,
the people grumbled against Moses,
saying, "Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?
Was it just to have us die here of thirst
with our children and our livestock?"
So Moses cried out to the LORD,
"What shall I do with this people?
a little more and they will stone me!"
The LORD answered Moses,
"Go over there in front of the people,
along with some of the elders of Israel,
holding in your hand, as you go,
the staff with which you struck the river.
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb.
Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it
for the people to drink."
This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel.
The place was called Massah and Meribah,
because the Israelites quarreled there
and tested the LORD, saying,
"Is the LORD in our midst or not?"

Responsorial Psalm PS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9.

R. (8)  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
 as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
 they tested me though they had seen my works."
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Reading 2 ROM 5:1-2, 5-8

Brothers and sisters:
Since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.

And hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Verse Before The Gospel CF. JN 4:42, 15

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world;
give me living water, that I may never thirst again.

Gospel JN 4:5-42

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob's well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
"Give me a drink."
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him,
"How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?"
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
"If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink, '
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water."
The woman said to him,
"Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself
with his children and his flocks?"
Jesus answered and said to her,
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The woman said to him,
"Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty
or have to keep coming here to draw water."

Jesus said to her,
"Go call your husband and come back."
The woman answered and said to him,
"I do not have a husband."
Jesus answered her,
"You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.'
For you have had five husbands,
and the one you have now is not your husband.
What you have said is true."
The woman said to him,
"Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem."

Jesus said to her,
"Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand;
we worship what we understand,
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth."
The woman said to him,
"I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything."
Jesus said to her,
"I am he, the one speaking with you."

At that moment his disciples returned,
and were amazed that he was talking with a woman,
but still no one said, "What are you looking for?"
or "Why are you talking with her?"
The woman left her water jar
and went into the town and said to the people,
"Come see a man who told me everything I have done.
Could he possibly be the Christ?"
They went out of the town and came to him.
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat."
But he said to them,
"I have food to eat of which you do not know."
So the disciples said to one another,
"Could someone have brought him something to eat?"
Jesus said to them,
"My food is to do the will of the one who sent me
and to finish his work.
Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'?
I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
The reaper is already receiving payment
and gathering crops for eternal life,
so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.'
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for;
others have done the work,
and you are sharing the fruits of their work."

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him
because of the word of the woman who testified,
"He told me everything I have done."
When the Samaritans came to him,

they invited him to stay with them;
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman,
"We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world."

Waiting for You

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032319.cfm) reminds me that no matter how much I sin, God is waiting for me to return to Him.

When we sin, we usually go away from God or from others who we have wronged. Part because we are ashamed of what we did, part because we are afraid of the consequences of our sin. However, the first reading and psalm are consistent in telling us that God will forgive, will pardon us, and is kind and merciful. This should remind us that no matter what we do, God will forgive us. 

The gospel further tells us how loving and forgiving God is. It tells us the story of the prodigal son. We have always been asked what we relate to: the prodigal son and his actions, or the other son who felt envious to the attention given to the prodigal son. Today, I am struck by the father. He is kind and merciful. First of all, he immediately gave his son the inheritance - no questions asked, no arguing. Then after the son squandered the money, he welcomes him with joy and love. Not only that, he ran to his son while he was still a long way off. Meaning, he was waiting for the son to come home. Then when the other son states his sentiments, he woos the son and reminds him how much he is loved as well. The father does not judge, is generous,  forgiving, and loving.

God is the father.

No matter what we do, no matter what our concerns are, he will always love us. He will always be ready to welcome us if we come to him with repentance and humility. He will always remind us of his love for us. No matter how much we sin and hurt him, he will be waiting for us. Waiting for when we will come to our senses and come back to him. Waiting for us to repent. Ready and willing to take us back again. This is how much God loves us. 

Do I realize God loves me so much? Do I know he will always forgive me no matter what? Do I humbly come to him with a repentant and contrite heart? When was the last time I confessed?

May we always remember God's love, and may his love move us to love him back and express it to 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 this weekend. Lord, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for never giving up on me, for always being ready to welcome me, to forgive me when I come to you in repentance. Sorry for the times I sin and hurt you. Sorry for loving myself more than I love you. Lord, I allow you to love me, and may your love move me into loving you through others. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 23 2019

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 235

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 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

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

Verse Before The Gospel LK 15:18

I will get up and go to my father and shall say to him,
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

Gospel LK 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
"A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.'
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
'How many of my father's hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."'
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.'
But his father ordered his servants,
'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.'
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
'Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.'
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
'Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.'
He said to him,
'My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.'"

Keep Dreaming

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032219.cfm) reminds me to keep dreaming despite what is happening at the moment. 

One of the tagline or marketing campaign I really like is Johnnie Walker's - Keep Walking. Work hard and persevere. No matter what happens, no matter what life throws at you, keep walking. Keep working hard. Persevere. And you'll be in a better place. And you'll eventually get there. This is similar to what Joseph did in his life. 

We should keep dreaming, no matter what happens to us. 

In the first reading, we see what happened to Joseph at a young age. He was their father's favorite, so he was not popular with his brothers. They wanted to kill him, but eventually sold him as a slave. He experienced a lot of challenges even after that. A lot. But he never lost hope. He never let go of his faith in God. He never stopped dreaming. And he continued to be faithful to God. 

The psalmist reminds us what happens. Fast forward, we saw that Joseph who was sold as a slave was able to help not only his family, but his whole nation. Since he did not lose his faith, God used him mightily to save a lot of people, and to show the saving power and merciful love of God - no matter what you went through. 

God wants us to keep walking. To keep dreaming. No matter what challenges we encounter, no matter how unfair life is, no matter how much we want to give up. God is watching. And God is faithful. We just need to trust in Him. We just need to be faithful and persevere. And God will eventually reward us.

What are my problems right now? What are the seemingly show stoppers or heavy problems in my life? What do I do about it? Do I let those problems stop me, or do I persevere in faith? 

May we be inspired by Joseph who kept his faith in God, and allowed himself to be used by God mightily. May it lead us to trust in God, to persevere, and to allow God 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, I am sorry for the times I feel like giving up. Sorry for the times I actually did. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Lord, I ask that you help me be like Joseph. Help me never to give up, but instead keep on walking. Keep on dreaming. And I have faith that one day you will use me mightily, and things will make sense. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/03/zero-to-hero.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/03/envy.html

Daily Readings

March 22 2019

Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 234

Reading 1 GN 37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A

Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons,
for he was the child of his old age;
and he had made him a long tunic.
When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,
they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.

One day, when his brothers had gone
to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem,
Israel said to Joseph,
"Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.
Get ready; I will send you to them."

So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.
They noticed him from a distance,
and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.
They said to one another: "Here comes that master dreamer!
Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;
we could say that a wild beast devoured him.
We shall then see what comes of his dreams."

When Reuben heard this,
he tried to save him from their hands, saying,
"We must not take his life.
Instead of shedding blood," he continued,
"just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;
but do not kill him outright."
His purpose was to rescue him from their hands
and return him to his father.
So when Joseph came up to them,
they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;
then they took him and threw him into the cistern,
which was empty and dry.

They then sat down to their meal.
Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,
their camels laden with gum, balm and resin
to be taken down to Egypt.
Judah said to his brothers:
"What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,
instead of doing away with him ourselves.
After all, he is our brother, our own flesh."
His brothers agreed.
They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land
and ruined the crop that sustained them,
He sent a man before them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
They had weighed him down with fetters,
and he was bound with chains,
Till his prediction came to pass
and the word of the LORD proved him true.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

Verse Before The Gospel JN 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son;
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel MT 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
"Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, 'They will respect my son.'
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
'This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.'
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"
They answered him,
AHe will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times."
Jesus said to them, ADid you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit."
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they knew that he was speaking about them.
And although they were attempting to arrest him,
they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

Hope in God

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032119.cfm) reminds me that it will never be useless to hope in God. 

They say that life is unfair, and it a lot of sense, this is true. You don’t always get what you deserve, both in the positive and negative aspect of if. However God is always fair, and we just need to hold on to that thought when subjected to unfair situations. This reality should give us hope.

May pakialam ang Diyos sa kapakanan mo. 

The first reading and the psalm remind us of the benefits of hoping in God. He will reward those who hope in him. He will reward those who are faithful. We just need to persevere. In the gospel, we see someone who never lost his hope in the Lord. Lazarus was a very poor and sick man, yet he did not blame God or question God. He lived right and did his best in the tough situation he was in. Thus, the Lord rewarded him in due time and brought him to paradise to spend eternity with Him.

God may not always answer us the way we want to, but his answer is always better than ours.

God did not give Lazarus a better life or at least improved his situation during his last days on earth. Hindi fairy tale ending ang nangyari sa kanya. But God gave him something better – eternal rest with Him in paradise. Sometimes God does not answer how we want him to, but his answer will always be better. Sometimes God does not reward us in this life, but his reward will always be better. Eternal paradise is definitely a lot better than temporary comfort in this world.

No matter what situation we may be in. No matter how hopeless and helpless we may feel. No matter how the world treats us. We should always remember that God loves us. That he is watching over us. And he has great plans for us - in this world and the next. We just need to have faith and trust in Him. 

What are my concerns in life? What are my prayers? Do I lift them to God? How does God respond? Do I ask God to do as I want, or do I trust in him enough to surrender and obey? 

May we remember the words of the psalmist – “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord” and have full faith and hope in him despite whatever stuation we may be in. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and experience your love. Thank you for always reminding me of your goodness. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my faith in you. Sorry for letting the world overwhelm me. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Lord, I ask that you never let me go. I put my faith and hope in you. I know you will continue to bless me and provide for me, and you see what I am going through and my concerns. I know you have a great plan for me – in this world and the next. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/09/do-good-to-others.html

Daily Readings

March 21 2019

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 233

Reading 1 JER 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.

Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6

R. (40:5a)Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Verse Before The Gospel SEE LK 8:15

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

Gospel LK 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.'
Abraham replied, 'My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.'
He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father's house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.'
But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.'
He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
Then Abraham said,
'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Servant Leader

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032019.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to be a servant leader. 

Most of us want to be successful. We want to be rich and powerful. We want to be achievers. We want to be leaders. However, As followers of Christ, we should imitate him. We should imitate how he lived his life. We should not be contented with just being a leader. 

In the gospel, we see that Jesus told his disciples that those who want to be great should serve first. He knows what he was saying. He lived it. Jesus, the Son of God, came down to our level and became human. Not only that, he came not as a strong and mighty king, but as a baby in a manger in a small town of Bethlehem. No fuss, no attention to himself.

Christ’s life was of pure obedience to God the Father. It was pure surrender to God’s will, even when it is difficult to. It was pure service to God through human beings, even the unlovable ones. This is a result of Christ’s pure love to God the Father – willing to empty himself and allow God to fill him, to control him, to use him. This is how Christ wants us to live.

Christ came to serve us. He could have asked his disciples or the angels to do all the work. Preaching. Proclaiming. Miracles. Praying. But he did not. He did things himself. Instead of asking others to serve him, the son of God, he came to serve us to the point of death. Napaka baliktad sa mundo natin where  powerful people are being served by those who have less. So we are called to live like Christ. 

 Christ was not just a leader, he was a servant leader. In that regard, being a servant comes first before being a leader. Thus being a great leader requires being a great servant as well. 

What is my definition of greatness? In what way am I a leader? More than a leader, am I a servant leader? What do I want to do or accomplish with my life? Am I humble enough to let God control my life or do I want things to happen my own way?

May we be inspired to live right, serve God, and be a servant leader in whatever way we can. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you Lord for reminding me that your ways are not the same as the way of this world we are currently living in. Lord, sorry for the times I seek greatness in the ways of the world, not yours. Sorry for not having the willingness and desire to serve you through others. help me have the desire to strive for greatness, not in terms of this world, but in yours. Help me use my life on earth to prepare for eternity with you. May I desire to serve other people, for in serving them, I serve you Lord. Use me and fill me with everything that is of you as you take away everything that is not of you. Fill me to the overflowing so I can share this to others. This I ask in faith in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/03/help.html

Daily Readings

March 20 2019

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 232

Reading 1 JER 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said,
“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.
It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,
nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.
And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;
let us carefully note his every word.”

Heed me, O LORD,
and listen to what my adversaries say.
Must good be repaid with evil
that they should dig a pit to take my life?
Remember that I stood before you
to speak in their behalf,
to turn away your wrath from them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

R. (17b)  Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,
as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Verse Before The Gospel JN 8:12

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

Gospel MT 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day."

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, "What do you wish?"
She answered him,
"Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom."
Jesus said in reply,
"You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"
They said to him, "We can."
He replied,
"My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Silent Worker

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031919.cfm) reminds me that it is okay to be a silent worker for God. 

Today, we celebrate the feast day of St Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and the husband of Mama Mary. Little is known about him – but we know he had an important role in the salvation history. He was there to help, support and care for Mama Mary when she was pregnant with Jesus. He was the earthly father who took care of Jesus as an infant, and probably taught him carpentry. We cannot deny he was a true follower of God. In today’s reading, we see him having the decency and righteousness not to want Mary to be exposed to shame for being pregnant without a husband. We also see his faith and obedience in God - when the angel told him to take Mary into his home, he followed.

God does not need grand gestures for him to know that we love him.

As human beings, it is very difficult to be like St Joseph. It is difficult to work silently for the Lord – people want to be praised and acknowledged. And more often than not, those who are loud are those who get attention. We sometimes think God is like that as well, that we need to do grand things for him to notice us. We think that we need to announce the good that we are doing so that others can affirm us and we sometimes equate that to God’s affirmation as well. God is not like us. He looks at the heart and it does not matter if we work silently – he still sees our hearts.

God is sensitive. He hears and sees what people cannot. He sees the quiet and sincere heart we have for Him, so we need not broadcast all the good we are doing for Him. People’s affirmation does not always mean God’s affirmation.

How do I serve God? Do I announce to the world what I do for God?  Or am I willing to serve God silently without telling others? 

May we be inspired by St Joseph to work silently for the Lord, and follow God no matter how challenging the situation may be.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for giving us St Joseph – a human being too but has the qualities of a great servant of God. I am sorry for the times I seek human affirmation and recognition for the work I do for you. Sorry for the times I think that I need to get their attention in order to get yours. Lord, I ask that you give me a heart like St Joseph. May I never want praise and attention to myself, but work hard and silently to build your kingdom. May I be sensitive to others and put the welfare of others above my own, above my concern. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 19 2019

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 543

Reading 1 2 SM 7:4-5A, 12-14A, 16

The LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David,
'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.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 AND 29

R. (37)  The son of David will live for ever.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. The son of David will live for ever.

Reading 2 ROM 4:13, 16-18, 22

Brothers and sisters:
It was not through the law
that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
that he would inherit the world,
but through the righteousness that comes from faith.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,
who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
I have made you father of many nations.
He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into being what does not exist.
He believed, hoping against hope,
that he would become the father of many nations,
according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.
That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.

Verse Before The Gospel PS 84:5

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord;
they never cease to praise you.

GospeLMT 1:16, 18-21, 24A

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.

Or LK 2:41-51A

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.

Of Mercy and Being Merciful

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/031819.cfm) reminds me that I should be aware and thankful of God’s mercy towards me, and it should lead me to be merciful and forgiving towards others. 

The readings today teach us about mercy. The first reading, psalm and the gospel shows us what God wants us to realize and do when it comes to mercy.

In the first reading, we can see that the people are asking for God’s mercy. They know that they have sinned and did not do what God wanted them to do. They recognized God’s goodness and their wickedness. This is what God wants from us – humility to accept and recognize our sins which brings about us asking for God’s mercy. No matter what we do, we all sin, and in one way or another do what we want, not what God wants. That is why God wants us to be humble and sorry enough and ask forgiveness to Him.

The psalm echoes our prayer. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins. In the movie flywheel, Jay, the used car salesman, was not a very honest one. When the pastor bought from him, the pastor was so happy, thinking he had a good deal, so he said a prayer. Lord, I ask that you treat Jay just like he treated me today in this deal. It got Jay thinking, because he knew he did not treat the pastor fairly. If God would treat us the way we are treating him, if his blessings would be proportional to our love and service of him, then probably we would be in trouble. We hurt God so much. We sin and choose ourselves more than him. We deserve punishment. However, God is good and merciful. As we acknowledge our sins, we ask that God be merciful and not treat us based on our sins. And we should pay it forward. 

We know and we should claim in faith that God is merciful. However, the gospel reminds us to do our part as well. Jesus said “Be merciful, just as your father is merciful” God is willing and ready to forgive us, but we should also do our part. We should also forgive others who have sinned against and hurt us. “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” God is asking something from us as well.

Am I humble enough to admit that I sin? Am I truly repentant for those sins? Am I ready and willing to forgive others who have hurt me, even if they have not asked forgiveness? IF not, am I praying that God help me be forgiving, just as he is forgiving?

May we always remember that we should be truly sorry for our sins, and that as we ask for God’s forgiveness, we too should be forgiving to others, no matter what.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, thank you for being loving and forgiving. I do not deserve your goodness, but you give it to me anyway. Thank you. Lord, sorry for the many times I sin. Sorry for hurting you. Sorry for doing what I want and not what you want. Help me always be sensitive. Help me repent and do my best not to sin and hurt you. And help me love and forgive others. As you forgive me and love me, may it make me more like you. Amen. 

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/02/siksik-liglig-at-umaapaw.html

Daily Readings

March 18 2019

Monday of the Second Week in Lent
Lectionary: 230

Reading 1 DN 9:4B-10

"Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets."

Responsorial PsalmPS 79:8, 9, 11 AND 13

R. (see 103:10a)  Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Verse Before The Gospel See JN 6:63C, 68C

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel LK 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."