In The Light

The WORD today reminds me I should always live in God's light. 

Whenever there are bazaars where Tshirts are sold, it is not unusual for stores to use UV lights or the violet / light blue bulbs. When I was a kid, I asked my parents to buy a shirt because I really liked it on display under that kind of light. However, when we got home, I was disappointed because under the normal bulb, it looked different! I eventually found out that those lights make things looks better. And the real light, the white lights, really expose the real nature, the real appearance of things. This is what the light of God does. 

God’s light exposes the truth.

The first reading reminds us that if we want to really be in and stay in the light, we need to live a life consistent to God’s ways. It is not a one-time decision or once a year action. We cannot say we love Jesus and are followers of Him if we do not always live like it. Being a true Christian is more than just saying it. We need to live it every day, in little and big things. This is what it takes to live in the light of Christ. We need to choose Christ in the little and big decisions that we make every day.

In the gospel, we see a man living this. Simeon was a righteous and devout man, and we see that the Spirit was with him. We can tell that he was living a life consistent with Christ’s values, since he felt and obeyed the Spirit, and as shown when he recognized Jesus in the temple. If we live right, if we live in the light, then we will recognize God visiting us. We will recognize God when he comes to us, no matter what form he takes – be it as a helpless child, a person in need, or an annoying person who needs comfort and understanding.

Christmas day may be over, and this is probably just another working day for some. However, may we never forget the essence of Christmas. Though Christmas day is over, may we continue to live the values of Christmas. It is easy to profess our faith. What’s more challenging is actually living it day by day, especially during this pandemic.  

Who is God for me? Do I hear him when he calls me? Do I recognize him in my life? How do I live my faith? How do I profess my faith? Is my life consistent with my faith?

May we be inspired and challenged by the Word today to strive to live a life of faith, to live a life in the light of Christ - always. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for being patient with me. Lord, sorry for not always living in your light. Sorry for being moody in doing your work. Sorry for not consistently living in the way you want me to. Lord, I ask that you help me live and stay in the light. There are a lot of things that distract me in living a life you want me to. Give me the grace and the strength to remain consistent with your word, to live a life pleasing to you, to live and stay in the light and shine with you. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• DECEMBER 28, 2021
• December 29, 2021
• DECEMBER 30, 2021

• Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr

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The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Lectionary: 202

Reading I

1 Jn 2:3-11

Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus 
is to keep his commandments. 
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him. 
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. 
The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining. 
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. 
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. 
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Responsorial Psalm

96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

R.    (11a)  Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
    sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name. 
R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
    among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
    praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia

Lk 2:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. 
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

God Knows

The WORD today reminds me that God's wisdom is infinite and he knows what is going to happen in our lives. 

Today, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Innocents. The gospel tells us what happened. When Herod realized he has been deceived, he ordered the massacre of all the boys two years and below. How horrible, right? 

Bad news – bad things will happen in life. The powerful people in the world have power in this world! 

Even though God is all powerful and is in control, he is not the ruler of this world we live in. Satan is, and as such, he has power in this temporary, earthly world. and in the gospel, we see that in action. However, that is not the end. 

Good news - God is still in control, even if we do not understand what is happening!

We do not know why those innocent children died. We feel it is unfair and evil. We do not know why God let that happen. We do not know how the parents of those children coped up with what happened. They did not do anything wrong! It Does not seem to make sense. But what we do know is that everything is still in accordance with God’s perfect plan. It was written that this would happen, and salvation still happened when Jesus rose from the dead to save us, so this incident is not enough to destroy God’s perfect plan. God knows what he is doing and what he is allowing to happen - like what he did with Job.  

In our lives, we do not understand a lot of things. If we’re blessed, we will eventually understand things. However, time is not a guarantee. Some things are left for God’s wisdom to know and understand. We simply have to surrender and trust Him. no matter what we are going through right now, no matter how tough things may be, we just need to have faith that God is totally in control, and that as long as we stick to Him, nothing could get in the way of his perfect plan for us.

We still have a lot fo questions and concerns with this pandemic. With how out officials are responding. With the new strains of the virus found in other countries. With the fact that children are now really affected. We have worries and fears, but we are reminded that God is still in control. He knows. We just need to trust in Him. 

What previously unclear things before do I understand now? What things in my life do I still not understand? What is my reaction to it?  Do I get mad at God, or do I continue to trust in him? 

May we learn to trust and have faith in God's plan, goodness, and infinite wisdom - especially when we do not understand the things that are happening. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.  Thank you for another chance to know you more. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I question you when I do not understand things. Sorry for doubting you, your plans, and your wisdom. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Lord, I ask that as we commemorate the feast of the holy innocents, I may learn to surrender to you completely. There are a lot of things I do not understand now, probably things that I will never understand, and I ask that you give me faith and a heart that would just totally surrender to you. I know that you are in control, and that there is nothing that will get in the way of your perfect plan for us, as long as we remain close to you as long as we remain faithful. May we always remember this, and live this. Amen

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• DECEMBER 27, 2021
• December 28, 2021
• DECEMBER 29, 2021

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Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

Lectionary: 698

Reading I

1 Jn 1:5—2:2

Beloved:
This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” 
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
If we say, “We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just 
and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, 
and his word is not in us.

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, 
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. 

Responsorial Psalm

124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

R.    (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Had not the LORD been with us—
When men rose up against us,
    then would they have swallowed us alive,
When their fury was inflamed against us.
R.    Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;
The torrent would have swept over us;
    over us then would have swept the raging waters.
R.    Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.
Broken was the snare,
    and we were freed.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
    who made heaven and earth.
R.    Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Alleluia

See Te Deum 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,
and stay there until I tell you.
Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night
and departed for Egypt.
He stayed there until the death of Herod,
that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,
    Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,
he became furious.
He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity
two years old and under,
in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

    A voice was heard in Ramah,
        sobbing and loud lamentation;
    Rachel weeping for her children,
        and she would not be consoled,
        since they were no more.

Share His Love

The WORD today reminds me that I should always share God's love to others. 

They say it is better to give than to receive – and in a lot of ways, this is true. Members of our community generally feel more blessed in giving and in serving others, especially as they serve as sponsors in a retreat, than participating in one. In giving to others, in serving others, we allow God to use us to spread his love to others. That in itself is a great blessing, to be used by God. The more love we receive from God, the more we want to spread and share it to others. 

As we celebrate the Feast of St John, the apostle and evangelist, we see this in action. John probably felt this way. In the gospel, we see him regarded as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Some say he is the favorite. Of course, Jesus loved them all, in a way that he loves us all, but probably John was special. He was one who probably felt Christ’s love the most, but this feeling, this being special, did not make him act like a spoiled, selfish person. Instead, this made him love others more, this made him spread God’s love to others, as seen in the first reading. He wanted to share God to others “so that our joy may be complete” 

We should share God to others and not keep him for ourselves. 

Knowing God is not for one's gain and appreciation only. Knowing God brings joy, but sharing God to others would bring even greater joy. That is why we are called to share God to others too - to share our stories, our encounters and our faith with others. 

Sharing the love, sharing Jesus, is not through preaching only. They say actions speak louder than words. When we do good and help others; when we are constantly trying to do good and be honest; when we continue to be happy and peaceful despite all the challenges we encounter - then that's when we really share God. Why? because That's when people will wonder - what God is this person serving? Why is he so happy and peaceful? Why is she genuinely good? I want to be like him. I want to know his God

What are my blessings for this year? What are my greatly undeserved blessings? What am I sharing with others? Am I spreading God’s love to others? How can I concretely share God to others?

May we be inspired by John and spread God’s love to others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings, both evident and in disguise, that you continue to give to me. Lord, sorry for the times I do not recognize them. And sorry for not acting like John, sorry for not sharing you to others. Sorry for being too lazy to move and act.  Disturb me. Make me like John. Lord, may I always feel your love and blessings, and as I do, help me spread your love to others. Help me share you to others. Use me to make your love more alive and more real in this world. May my life remind people how great and loving you are. May you be glorified through my life. Amen.

Blessed Week!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• DECEMBER 26, 2021
• December 27, 2021
• DECEMBER 28, 2021

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Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

Lectionary: 697

Reading I

1 Jn 1:1-4

Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon
and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life —
for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father and was made visible to us— 
what we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you,
so that you too may have fellowship with us;
for our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

Responsorial Psalm

97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R.    (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
    let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
    justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R.    Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
    before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
    and all peoples see his glory.
R.    Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Light dawns for the just;
    and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
    and give thanks to his holy name.
R.    Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Alleluia

See Te Deum 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 20:1a and 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.