Relax

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/071318.cfm) reminds me that I should be still, relax, and trust in God. 

As Christians, we can have the tendency to extend our faith. We sometimes take things out of context. Some of us may have the tendency to just pray and pray, asking God to do everything without us doing anything. We think prayer is magic, and that it is enough. However, you cannot pass a test if you don't study. You will not be able to answer a question without knowing anything. We need to act. We need to do our part. Sabi nga, nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.

God will find it easier to help those who act and help themselves. 

This is true for a lot of things. In life. In school. At work. And even in our faith life. We cannot just ask that we develop faith. We cannot just ask for a close relationship with God. We have to do our part. We have to pray. Read the bible. Know our doctrines. We need to research to get to know him more. We need to act. 

However, we need to do so in faith. With calmness in our hearts. 

In the gospel, we see Jesus telling his disciples not to worry and just wait for God to tell them what they should say to defend themselves. Again this should not be taken out of context. It does not mean we need not do anything and expect God to help us in times if need. They need not worry what they are about to say, but they need to act. They need to constantly talk to God. They heed to constantly serve God. They need to constantly be filled with God. They need to know God's voice, because if they don't, they won't hear God helping them. 

However, we should be still and relax as we prepare. We should have faith. We need not think of a lot of things in life. God can take care of all those. We just need to worry about our relationship with God. We just need to have faith in Him. We just need to work on having a good and personal relationship with Him. And he will take care of the rest. 

How do I react when I have problems and concerns? Do I stress myself out and try to solve everything? Do I pray and hope for the best? Or do I pray and do what I can, and trust that God will take care of the rest, of the things I cannot do? How is me relationship with God? Do I build and strengthen it? How? What can I do today to strengthen my relationship with God? What is my biggest concern now? How does God want me to react?

May we realize how important a good relationship with God is, and do our best to strengthen it so we can repax and have faith in times of challenges. 

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 coming up. Lord, thank you for the reminder. Sorry for the times I worry about a lot of things. Finances. Career. Relationships. Lord, nakaka overwhelm minsan.  Madalas, actually. Sorry for being stressed out about these things. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Thank you for reminding me what is important. Help me focus on that. Help me focus on you. Help me make the best use of my time and resources by focusing on you. By serving you. By getting to know you. By loving you. As I do so, I have faith that you would continue to take care of things. I have faith that you would continue to take care of me. So I will just do my best and do what I can to solve my concerns, and I lift up to you the rest. I know you will take care of things. I know you will take care of me. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

July 13, 2018

Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 387

Reading 1 HOS 14:2-10

Thus says the LORD:
Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;
you have collapsed through your guilt.
Take with you words,
and return to the LORD;
Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity,
and receive what is good, that we may render
as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.
Assyria will not save us,
nor shall we have horses to mount;
We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’
to the work of our hands;
for in you the orphan finds compassion.”
I will heal their defection, says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
His splendor shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
Again they shall dwell in his shade
and raise grain;
They shall blossom like the vine,
and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?
I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.
“I am like a verdant cypress tree”—
because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things;
let him who is prudent know them.
Straight are the paths of the LORD,
in them the just walk,
but sinners stumble in them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14 AND 17

R. (17b) My mouth will declare your praise.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. My mouth will declare your praise.
Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart,
and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
R. My mouth will declare your praise.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. My mouth will declare your praise.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. My mouth will declare your praise.

Alleluia JN 16:13A; 14:26D

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you to all truth
and remind you of all I told you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 10:16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.”