Come and See

The WORD today reminds me that God is consistently inviting me to come and experience Him. 

There are a lot of things that is not easily believable. There are situations, events and people that are out of the ordinary, and would make you think twice. Minsan hindi nakakapaniwala ang kwento. We think it is a joke, or that it is impossible...until we see for ourselves and then we believe. We believe because we have seen it and because we have experienced it. This is what happened to the gospel.

In the gospel, Nathaniel was surprised when Philip told him that Jesus from Nazareth is the one whom Moses wrote about. Nazareth was a small and insignificant town, and he was surprised that anything good can come out from Nazareth. But Philip told him to come and see for himself who Jesus is. And he eventually believed

There are times where we act like Nathaniel. When people tell us how great and loving God is, we are hesitant. When we are overwhelmed with problems with health, finances or relationships and people tell us God is all powerful, we are hesitant and feel he cannot do anything with our situation. God invites us today like Philip invited Nathaniel – to come and see Jesus 

Only when we experience firsthand what God can do will we believe his love, goodness and power.

However, we cannot experience these, or at least get to acknowledge it, if we will not allow him to. If we will stay on our own and not be willing to come and see Him, we will not be able to experience him. if we will close ourselves to him, even if he comes to us unceasingly, we will not be aware that it is his love, his guidance, and his provisions that see us through. 

Do I believe God’s love and God’s power? What are the problems, things and concerns that overwhelm me right now? Do I believe God can do something about it, or do I doubt his love and power? What is preventing me from fully trusting in God?

May we find it in our hearts to open up ourselves and come to Jesus so we can experience firsthand his love, power and goodness.

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 weekend. Lord, thank you for the reminder. Thank you for always coming after me. Thank you for chasing me. Sorry for the times I am hesitant to come to you and believe what you can do. Sorry for being hard headed. Help me open up my heart and myself to receive and experience you. help me take the first step to come to you and see all you have done and all you can still do in my life. As I experience you, may I be moved to always stay in you and share you to others.  Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 24 2019

« August 23  |  August 25 »

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Lectionary: 629

Reading 1 RV 21:9B-14

The angel spoke to me, saying,
"Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R.(12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Alleluia JN 1:49B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rabbi, you are the Son of God;
you are the King of Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him,
"We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth."
But Nathanael said to him,
"Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
Philip said to him, "Come and see."
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

God in Others

The WORD today reminds me that I should live my love for God through others. 

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

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

Love for God should be lived through others.

The application of God’s love is us loving other people. In the first reading, Ruth lived this. She loved God by loving and serving her mother in law when she did not have to. We cannot say we love God and hate other people. We cannot say we love God but not care about the situation of other people in the world. God is alive in each person, and our love for God should be lived as we treat and relate to others – especially those who we feel are unlovable.

Do I love God? How do I express my love for him? Do I love it in other people? In what way? What is God telling me today? 

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

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another day to love you and experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not live my love for you. Sorry for just saying it. Help me be real. you know that I love you. and I ask that you help me live that love for you through others. May I treat others the way I would treat you. may I help others like it was you I was helping. May I love others as I love you. help me make you more alive in this world by seeing you in others and loving you through others. In a special way, I lift up to you my sister Kat who is celebrating her birthday today. May you remind her how much you love her, and may that move her to love you through others. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 23 2019

« August 22  |  August 24 »

Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 423

Reading 1 RU 1:1, 3-6, 14B-16, 22

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

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

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

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

Responsorial Psalm PS 146:5-6AB, 6C-7, 8-9A, 9BC-10

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

Alleluia PS 25:4B, 5A

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

Gospel MT 22:34-40

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

Prepared and Dressed

The WORD today reminds me that I should prepare myself and be dressed for God’s banquet. 

Not being dressed for the occasion is a very awkward feeling. It goes both ways – be it being overdressed and underdressed. It is important that one dress appropriately for the specific occasion. It is a sign of respect and of being ready, both of which we should be.

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

But when the king came in to meet the guests

he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

OA naman ni king?! Di lang naka damit ng maganda, galit na? E pano kung walang damit, diba?? 

They say that the clothes were not a problem that time. When the king invited people, it was said that he also prepared the clothes for them to wear to the feast. How cool is that? Libre na ang pagkain, libre ka pa sa damit! That’s how festive and how well taken care of the guests were. So we can understand the king expecting, and in this case, demanding the guests be in the proper attire.

What is the significance of this in our lives? This does not happen anymore anyway. Right?

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

Am I preparing myself to meet God, or am I too busy and too focused with things and concerns on this world? How am I preparing for my meeting with God? Am I making the most of the opportunities he gives me to repent and prepare for Him?

May we be sensitive and recognize what we should do with and in this life, and do our part to live wise, preparing ourselves for God's banquet. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for another day to love and experience your love. Lord, thank you for inviting me to the feast. And thank you for all the opportunities you give me to prepare myself for it. Sorry for the times I ignore you and choose to do other things. Sorry for not preparing for it. You know I want to be there, Lord, so I ask that you help me live my life preparing for it. Help me live right and pleasing to you. May you be delighted to see me appropriately dressed for your banquet. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 22 2019

«

 August 21  |  August 23 »

Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 422

Reading 1 JGS 11:29-39A

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

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

Responsorial Psalm PS 40:5, 7-8A, 8B-9, 10

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

Alleluia PS 95:8

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

Gospel MT 22:1-14

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

God is Generous

The WORD today reminds me that God is generous. 

God is a generous God. 

God's standards are not the same as ours. Mas mabait sya. Mas maunawain. That is why in the gospel, he gave the same benefit to those who worked little with those who worked the whole day. 

‘My friend, I am not cheating you.

Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?

Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?

Unfair to those who worked for the whole day? Probably, in the twisted sense of the world. We would think those who worked more should be given more. We would think that they are entitled to more since they worked more than others. If we were in their shoes, we probably would expect more, and get mad with what happened. That is what we get by comparing ourselves with others. This us what happens when we focus on ourselves. they were given what was told them when they started,  but they focused on what they feel they should have.

God is fair and did not cheat those who worked for the whole day. He just decided to be extra generous and gracious to others who came in late - like the ones who worked last and like the repentant thief crucified beside Jesus whom he brought in heaven. If the workers had not known there were late comers who got the same benefits as them, probably there wouldn't be a problem because they got what they expected. They got what they were told. However, being envious changed everything.

We can feel like this if we focus on ourselves. We have been trying to live a good life, following God, and we think that others who enjoy this world too much should go to hell. We only think of ourselves and our efforts, and not their salvation. We only focus on ourself. We feel entitled. Probably we are envious of them – that they enjoy this world, yet if they repent on the last minute, they can still go to heaven.

Unfair?

Looking at our lives, we have enough. We can read, can write, can eat, can move about, can breathe, can work. We may not have much, but we have what we need to survive. We have what we need to serve and love God. We should be contented, right? Problem is when we look at other people and see things they have that we don't. That's when things change. That’s when we feel envious. That’s when we feel God is unfair.

Am I happy with my life? Do I look at what others have in life? Do I compare my life and my blessings with others? Do I realize that God is very generous? Do I take it against God that he is generous to others as well? What is God telling me today?

May we focus on God, his generosity and grace, and not on our own concerns, wants, and feeling of envy towards others. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for your generosity. Lord, sorry for the times I focus on myself and not on you. Sorry for the times I look at what others have, and compare myself with them, instead of being grateful for all my blessings. Lord, I  ask your help me focus on your blessings and not on what other people have. Help me focus on you. May I always be contented, knowing how much you love me and how much you have been providing for me, and not look at what other people have. As I experience your love and blessings, may I also want to share you to others and may I want other people to be saved as well. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 21 2019

« August 20  |  August 22 »

Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Lectionary: 421

Reading 1 JGS 9:6-15

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

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

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

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

Alleluia HEB 4:12

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

Gospel MT 20:1-16

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

It’s About God, Not You

The WORD today reminds me to trust in God, his love and his power, and not focus in me and my human limitations. 

A lot of people have self esteem problems. We do not feel so good about ourselves. We have issues and concerns. And these things come out as we deal with others. In the first reading, we also see this. God called Gideon and asked him to serve God. However, Gideon had issues. initially did not receive it well. He had a lot of doubts, of questions…

But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?

My family is the lowliest in Manasseh,

and I am the most insignificant in my father’s house.”

Why was he like this? Was he not trusting God? Does he think God is not that powerful?

A lot of times we are also like Gideon. When God asks us to do something for him, something we think is big or something we have not done before, we tend to question – “why me?” or “Can I really do it?.” This shows one thing – we focus too much on ourselves. We focus on what we think we can do, on what we have previously done, on what we think we are capable of.

God can do what we cannot. 

God does not choose based on our qualifications. He looks at our heart. And as we are called to serve him in different ways, we should not doubt as we look at ourselves. Rather, we should focus on him and be excited at what he can accomplish as he uses us. The gospel says that nothing is impossible with God. He can do anything, and he can do mighty things to us and through us.

What are my concerns? What are my issues in life? Do I realize that God is more powerful than these concerns? Do I doubt God, or do I believe and have faith in him? 

May we not look at ourselves and instead, focus on God, for God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder and inspiration. Lord, I am sorry for looking at and focusing on myself as you call me, thinking that it is only through my abilities that I can serve you.  Sorry for the times I doubt you, times I doubt your powers and what you can do to me and through me. Also, I am sorry for the times I feel so confident and proud and believe I can do whatever you want me to do because of my own abilities and talents. Put my heart in the right place. Increase my faith. May I focus on you as I serve you, never on myself. May I always remember how great your love for me is, and how powerful you are. That as long as I allow you to, you can and will use me mightily for your purpose and glory. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/08/possible.html

Daily Readings

August 20 2019

« August 19  |  August 21 »

Memorial of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 420

Reading 1 JGS 6:11-24A

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

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

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

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

Alleluia 2 COR 8:9

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ became poor although he was rich
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 19:23-30

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
"Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,

"For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible."
Then Peter said to him in reply,
"We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?"
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Unattached

The WORD today reminds me that I should be unattached so I can follow God wholeheartedly. 

The gospel today shows us a man asking Jesus.. “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life…” Well, he certainly knew who Jesus was and was humble enough to ask Jesus what he needs to do. Jesus told him the basics – to follow the commandments. The man, pretty much like all of us, said that he was trying to do these things. We all try to be good. However he did not stop there. He knows, like we all know, that he can still improve. He knows that what he is doing is not enough. He knows that he can do more. He asked again Jesus what he still lack. Then Jesus said something harder for him to do: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

In Mark’s account, it says that Jesus looked at him and loved him, and told him what he needed to do. Yes, Jesus loved the man, even if Jesus knew the man was not yet ready to give up everything for Him.

Good news – if we can say that we have been doing (or at least have been trying to do) the commandments that Jesus told the man, we are on the right path. We are halfway there!

Bad news – is it not enough. There is still something lacking. Jesus wants us to be detached from material things.

Jesus is not telling us getting rich is bad. Jesus is not telling us material wealth is bad. Of course it is nice to be rich – especially if you would share your blessings to those who need it. What’s bad is the attachment to material things – money, power, fame, etc. It becomes dangerous if accumulating such becomes the goal in life – when these things become the gods ruling our lives, and we lose sight of eternity with God. This is what happened in the first reading. We see that the people have turned away from God. They forgot all the great things God has done for them, and just did what they wanted to do. they worshiped false gods. When we give too much importance to material things, then we lose the focus on God, then we forget about him and all he has done for us. The psalmist also reminds us of this, that we should not forget God, his goodness and his love. 

Only when we are detached from material things can we truly focus on God and can wholly follow Him

We cannot truly love and serve God if we focus on material things. We cannot love and serve God if our goal is to accumulate worldly power and riches. We cannot focus on God if we are distracted by what this world can offer. That is why we need to be detached from this world so we can focus on heavenly things. 

What am I clinging on right now? Do I follow God and want to have eternal life? What is preventing me from fully following God? Material things? A bad habit? An unhealthy relationship? Do I feel that I cannot let go of these things? Do I believe in God when he says he loves me, like he loved the man in the gospel? Do I pray to God to give me the desire to let go, and ask him to help me all the way?

May we pray that God help us and grant us the desire to follow him and let go of anything that is preventing us from fully following Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for last weekend. Thank you for this new week you gave me. Thank you for the gospel that reminds me that you love me and you want me to be saved. Lord, sorry for being attached to worldly things. Sorry for losing focus on you. Sorry for wanting a lot of worldly things. I ask that you help me have the desire in my heart – to follow you and to rid myself of anything that is hindering me from fully following you. I pray for faith – in you, your love, and your power in my life. May I live this week aware of what I should do to glorify you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 19 2019

« August 18  |  August 20 »

Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 419

Reading 1 JGS 2:11-19

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

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

Responsorial Psalm PS 106:34-35, 36-37, 39-40, 43AB AND 44

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

AlleluiaMT 5:3

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

Gospel MT 19:16-22

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

God First

The WORD today reminds me that God should always be first in my life. 

Jesus is the price of peace, but the gospel seems to contradict that at first glance. But looking at it closely, it is not an intentional division, but rather, he reminds us that he wants us to put him first in everything. 

Nothing should come between you and God.

Family is very important, especially to us Filipinos. Unlike with other cultures, we give so much importance to family, and we take care of our family, especially in their old age. However, we are reminded in today’s gospel that nothing should come in between us and God. Nothing should be more important that God in our lives. Nothing should hinder us from loving and worshipping God. 

The second reading also tells us what we should do. We should be ready to rid ourselves of every burden and sin. This includes people and relationship that are not helping our faith. This includes people close and dear to us. No one should take God's place in our lives. 

A division may occur among friends, among those we love, and even among family members, as we try to follow God. However, this should not matter as much as God matters to us. This is just a reminder that we should not let attachment come in between our faith, and nothing should separate us from God.

Wha are the things I consider important in life? What are my treasures? How important is God in my life? Is there anyone or anything more important than God in my life? 

God’s ways are not always easy, but it always worth it. May we be encouraged to stand firm, and avoid division by doing our best to bring our loved ones to Christ as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to love and to experience you. Thank you for another Sunday. Sorry for the times I let other things or other people come before you. sorry for giving importance to others instead of putting you first in my life all the time. Lord, as I consume you today, I ask that you consume me. I pray for strength to stand firm, to stand for you no matter what happens. May I also bring others, those whom I love in live, closer to you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

August 18 2019

« August 17  |  August 19 »

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 120

Reading 1 JER 38:4-6, 8-10

In those days, the princes said to the king:
"Jeremiah ought to be put to death;
he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city,
and all the people, by speaking such things to them;
he is not interested in the welfare of our people,
but in their ruin."
King Zedekiah answered: "He is in your power";
for the king could do nothing with them.
And so they took Jeremiah
and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah,
which was in the quarters of the guard,
letting him down with ropes.
There was no water in the cistern, only mud,
and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Ebed-melech, a court official,
went there from the palace and said to him:
"My lord king,
these men have been at fault
in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah,
casting him into the cistern.
He will die of famine on the spot,
for there is no more food in the city."
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite
to take three men along with him,
and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before
he should die.

Responsorial Psalm PS 40:2, 3, 4, 18

R. (14b)  Lord, come to my aid!
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me.
R. Lord, come to my aid!
The LORD heard my cry.
He drew me out of the pit of destruction,
 out of the mud of the swamp;
he set my feet upon a crag;
 he made firm my steps.
R. Lord, come to my aid!
And he put a new song into my mouth,
 a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in awe
 and trust in the LORD.
R. Lord, come to my aid!
Though I am afflicted and poor,
 yet the LORD thinks of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
 O my God, hold not back!
R. Lord, come to my aid!

Reading 2 HEB 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
he endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

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 LK 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."