The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/092918.cfm) reminds me that I should be
confident in battle against the evil one.
Culture
depicts the devil/satan as a powerful and scary creature, and it depicts God as
a peaceful and loving creature. We also associate angels with cute babies and
kids. This sometimes make us think that the devil is more powerful than
God. However, this is not true. As they say, angels are
not cute babies, but mighty beings. They are soldiers of God.
That's why they defeated Satan in the first reading. We tend
to forget that though God is peaceful and loving God, He is also powerful
- more powerful than the devil. As such, as long as we are on God's side,
we need not be afraid of anything or anyone.
The
first reading shows us three saints whose feast we are celebrating today.
Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael bravely and confidently fought the
devil. They have a reason to do so, because they are on God's side.
War
broke out in heaven;
Michael
and his angels battled against the dragon.
The
dragon and its angels fought back,
but
they did not prevail
and
there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The
huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who
is called the Devil and Satan,
who
deceived the whole world,
was
thrown down to earth,
and
its angels were thrown down with it
In
the gospel, we again see a glimpse of how powerful God through Jesus is. He is
not bound by time and space. He may be in this world, but he is definitely not
of this world.
Sometimes,
when problems overwhelm us, we feel helpless. When the world seems to crush on
us, we feel hopeless. When situations seem too strong for us, we feel afraid
and insecure. We fear the power of the devil and what he can do to us. Today,
we are reminded to be strong and confident as we fight for and with
God. No problem or sickness is too strong for God. He is powerful and
loving. We should just trust in Him.
God
is powerful and strong. His angels watching over us are powerful and strong as
well. We are in good hands as long as we are in God's hands. We should be
confident in battle, especially as we face challenges because of our faith in
and love for God.
What
are my current concerns and fears? What is troubling me right now? How do I
feel about these? Do I know that God is in control and he is all powerful and
all loving? Do I have faith in his goodness, power and love?
Just
as God is loving and peaceful, he also is very powerful. May this calm us
and remind us who we should fight for.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the encouraging reminder. Lord,
sorry for the times I forget how powerful you are. Sorry for the times I forget
how powerful your angels are. Sorry for the times I forget how loving you are.
Remind me of your great love and power. May we always be ready and willing
to bravely and confidently fight for you, the way the archangels did. May I
defend your kingdom with the way I live. Lord, I thank you for the gift of
life. In a special way, I ask you to bless all those celebrating their
birthdays today especially my uncle Miguel. Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for always being with him. I ask that you continue to bless, protect and defend him. May
he continue to experience your love and your power in his life. And May he
always be a blessing to others. Amen.
Blessed Weekend!
In Christ,
-g-
September
29, 2018
Feast of Saints Michael,
Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels
Lectionary: 647
Lectionary: 647
Reading 1 DN 7:9-10,
13-14
As
I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Or RV
12:7-12AB
War
broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them."
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them."
Responsorial Psalm PS
138:1-2AB, 2CDE-3, 4-5
R.
(1) In the sight of the angels I
will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
"Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
"Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Alleluia PS
103:21
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN 1:47-51
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."
"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."
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