The WORD today
(see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/043018.cfm) reminds
me that I should always give credit to God.
A
good manager knows not just how to manage, but to develop and improve his or
her team. He should also know how to give credit where credit is due. A good
team performance reflects on the manager as the head, but he should know that
it would not be achieved without the people doing their work well. No single
manager can take credit for the success of his team, because a lot of people
are involved. In the same way that managers should give credit to his team, the
more we should give credit to God
We cannot achieve anything without God’s blessings.
In
the first reading, we see Paul and Barnabas do great works in the name of God.
However, people gave them credit for that and treated them as gods. However,
They did not let this get into their heads, and instead pointed to God as the
source and the reason for all their works. In the gospel Jesus reminded the
apostles that the Holy Spirit will cause them to remember his teachings - the
Holy Spirit, not themselves and their memory.
In
our lives, we strive for greatness. We want to be achievers. We want to be
respected and accomplished. And sometimes, we get it, and even accomplish
greater than what we wanted. However, we should not let these things get in our
heads. It is God who allowed these things to happen. God gave us the
intelligence, the right opportunities and connections, the breaks that allowed
these things to happen. We may have worked hard, but we should always remember
that God is the one ultimately responsible for everything – thus we should always
remember not just to thank him, but also to point to him and acknowledge all
his works in our lives. We should always give him back the credit, and give
back to others a portion of what we have received from Him.
What
are the things I am praying for? What are the things that i prayed for and now
have or have accomplished? How do I feel about these things? Am I proud to have
had accomplished these things due to my own hardwork and perseverance? Or do I
know, realize and acknowledge God’s helping hands blessing and guiding me
throughout?
As
we start another week, may we be one with the psalmist in praying “Not to us,
Lord, but to your name give the glory”
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
thank you for another week. thank you for another chance to experience your
love and blessings. Lord, I thank you for helping me achieve things in life.
Thank you for your provisions. Thank you for everything. Lord, sorry for the
times I forget you. Sorry for the times I get proud. Sorry for forgetting that
your guiding and helping hand is always with me. Help me live right. I
give you back all the praise and honor that come with them. I also pledge to
give back to others and in my own little way, help them experience your love
and blessings on earth. Amen.
Blessed Week!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
April 30, 2018
Monday of the Fifth Week of
Easter
Lectionary: 285
Lectionary: 285
Reading 1 ACTS 14:5-18
There
was an attempt in Iconium
by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders,
to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it,
and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside,
where they continued to proclaim the Good News.
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked.
He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,
saw that he had the faith to be healed,
and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet."
He jumped up and began to walk about.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they cried out in Lycaonian,
"The gods have come down to us in human form."
They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes,"
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.
The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments
when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
"Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.
In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts."
Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds
from offering sacrifice to them.
by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders,
to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it,
and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside,
where they continued to proclaim the Good News.
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked.
He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,
saw that he had the faith to be healed,
and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet."
He jumped up and began to walk about.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they cried out in Lycaonian,
"The gods have come down to us in human form."
They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes,"
because he was the chief speaker.
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,
brought oxen and garlands to the gates,
for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.
The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments
when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,
"Men, why are you doing this?
We are of the same nature as you, human beings.
We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God,
who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.
In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;
yet, in bestowing his goodness,
he did not leave himself without witness,
for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,
and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts."
Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds
from offering sacrifice to them.
Responsorial Psalm PS 115:1-2,
3-4, 15-16
R.
(1ab) Not to us, O Lord, but to
your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
"Where is their God?"
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
"Where is their God?"
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth he has given to the children of men.
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia JN 14:26
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN 14:21-26
Jesus
said to his disciples:
"Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
"Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name --
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
"Whoever has my commandments and observes them
is the one who loves me.
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him."
Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,
"Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us
and not to the world?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit
whom the Father will send in my name --
he will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
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