How Do I Love?

In the gospel today, Jesus tells us the two greatest commandments.

First and greatest is acknowledging that God is the one true God, and loving him the way he should be loved. How do we love him? With everything we’ve got – with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Lahat na. God asks us to love him with everything we are – with our whole being. Then this love should extend to others as well. Second is to love the neighbour as yourself.

God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s standards are not our standards. Agree?

Our standards for loving are different with God’s. As human beings, we think we love, but sometimes we are just reciprocating. We love people who love us and treat us good. However, God wants more than that. He wants us to love our enemies. Ang labo diba? Kaaway nga eh. But that’s God’s standards. He wants us to give all our being to him – that includes everything we are and everything we are not. That includes our desires and human limitations. He wants us to give it to him, to offer those things to him, and receive what he wants to give to us. He wants us to love other people the way he loves – unconditional.

We need to be humble to be able to love as God wants us to, because we cannot do this by ourselves. St Paul in the first reading was humble enough to accept that God allow that he suffer for His cause. Paul did not question God why he was captured and put to chains. The focus was not on himself – but on God. He knows that the word of God cannot be chained and physical chains cannot stop God’s work through him. We have to be humble and accept God’s plans for us, and have faith that even if things are not easy, God’s work cannot be stopped by the enemy, we just have to continue working for Him.

Examine your life. What things are you doing your way? Are there things you are doing God’s ways? How can I slowly change my attitude to reflect more and more of God? Do I pray that God teach me how he wants me to live and love?

Prayer:

Father God,

I love you. In my own little way, I love you. I am sorry for not being able to do what you want me to and what you ask of me. But father God, you know deep down in my heart that I do love you. Kahit minsan, or madalas, pasaway ako, alam mong mahal kita. Lord, I ask that you help me love you the way you want to be loved, and the way you ought to be loved. May I always be humble and accept your will in my life, and seek your ways, not mine. Amen.

May we humbly pray with the psalmist – Teach me your ways, o Lord.

God bless!

In Christ,

-g-

God of the Living

The gospel today again presents us with people trying to trap and make fun of Jesus. The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, presents Jesus with a hypothetical scenario. They want to prove a point that there really is no resurrection, as opposed to what Jesus was saying. They wanted to prove that there could possibly be no resurrection where a woman will be wife of seven men, because based on the law, she married seven men and died childless. Jesus tells them upfront that they are misled. They did not understand the resurrection. It is NOT a continuation of life on earth. In the resurrection, we will be like angels.

Jesus emphasizes that God is a God of the living, not of the dead. It was custom belief that time that immortality was connected with the existence of the physical body. Thus, they did not believe that the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still exist or are immortal. Jesus quotes the Scripture – I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Present and living God. God did not say I WAS the God. I AM the God means HE is still alive, that he is the same God who guided Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and because of their relationship with Him, they are immortal as they live one with the living God.

The first reading tells us to bear our share of hardship for the Gospel. Yes, again, God is reminding us that it is not easy serving Him. However, the living, present and powerful God gives us what we need to serve Him. He gives us power, love and self-control. He gives us strength to face hardships.

We are asked to live a holy life not according to our standards and through our efforts, but through the grace of God. As we remember to live a life based on God’s grace, we will remember to give him back all the honor, glory and praise. We strengthen our faith not for our benefit, but for God’s work and his people, as we allow ourselves to be used by God to proclaim his kingdom.

Do I believe that God is living and present here in this world? Am I living my life like he is present and living in me?  Do I always focus on Him, his love and power, as I work to give him glory and serve Him? How can I make God more alive and living to the people I interact with?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you that you are a living God. Thank you that you are always with me during times of troubles and persecution. Help me remember that especially when times are tough, you are there with me even if I don’t always feel it. May I always have that faith in you, and live my life in honor and glory of you – the one true living God. Amen.

Let us think of a way we can make God more alive through us today!

God bless!

In Christ,

-g-

Wait for the Lord

The first reading today tells us that this earth we’re living in right now is temporary, and we are waiting for a new one…

But according to his promisewe await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned,be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen

The reading reminds us that there will be a better heaven and earth, and we should be patient as we await in faith for it to happen. We should be on guard and remain pure as we wait on Him. We are asked to be faithful and serve him while we are waiting for him.

The psalmist tells us life is short. Seventy to eighty years at least (Yes, we can claim this promise!). This may seem a long time based on our earthly standards, but this is nothing compared to eternity with God. However hard and challenging it may be, we are asked to live a life of service to God – a life pleasing to God, while we wait for his coming and for his plans to come true to our lives.

Let us have faith that as we live in Him, however challenging it may be, God will reward us, protect us, and be with us in a special way, like he was in Jesus in the gospel giving wise answers to those trying to put him down. God never fails!

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/06/thirst-for-god.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-will-serve-you-while-im-waiting.html

Rejecting Christ

How long will you reject Christ?

Such a strong question. Valid, nonetheless.

If someone was to ask you, how long would you reject Christ, what would be your reaction?

Denial? I am not rejecting Christ! I am following his word, I am a good person.

Questioning? Am I really rejecting Christ? How am I living my life?

Acceptance? Yeah, I think I am rejecting Christ in one way or another.

Repentance? I am rejecting Christ. I am sorry. I need to do something about it, now.

In the gospel today, we see Christ being rejected by the leaders of that time – the chief priests, scribes and elders. The people who were supposed to be building the Church, were rejecting Him. Thus, the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. The supposedly builders rejected Christ, who is the cornerstone – the very foundation of our faith.

They were rejecting him not just out of ignorance, but out of hardness of heart. They saw the same thing other people who believed saw. They saw Jesus’ teachings, healings and acts proclaiming God. Yet their hearts were closed to him. They were more concerned of their current status in society. They were afraid that welcoming Him would take them out of their comfort zones, that welcoming Him would mean the end of their glorious and prestigious days on earth as the leaders of faith.

Come to think of it, we do not differ so much. We reject Him when we do not allow him to rule in our lives. We reject him when we refuse to make the most out of the sacraments, when we do not confess or receive him in holy communion, because we think we are okay by ourselves and we don’t need him in that way. We reject him when we want total control of the things in our lives and refuse to let him take charge. We reject him when we do things our way and not his. We reject him if we consistently refuse to die of our selves, of our own worldly needs and wants, and refuse to let him be God in our lives.

May we take time off to see what areas of our lives are not yet opened to him. Let us examine our lives and see what else we need to surrender. May we see the need to surrender everything to him and accept him in our lives, and be one with the psalmist in saying: “In you, my God, I place my trust”

Prayer:

Father God,

I am sorry for rejecting you in my life. Lord you know I try to live a good life, but I know that there are things that I have not surrendered. There are aspects of my life that I have not yet given to you. There are things that I am yet to give up. Lord, I ask that you help me surrender. Give me the desire and the will to accept you and surrender my life to you, even if it entails pain, even if entails dying of myself, because Lord I know that it is the only way that you will live in me. All this I ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Equipped for the task

The gospel this Sunday struck me.. they doubted…

When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

The disciples worshipped, but they doubted. They had a lot of things in their head. They were just told that Jesus has risen and will meet them there. Yes, they went to the mountain, but was uncertain of what they would see, if Jesus has indeed risen. Then when they saw him, they worshipped but doubted.

It is interesting to know how Jesus responded. Hindi nya sila pinagalitan. He did not say, hello, why are you doubting? Touch me! Do you not have faith?! Instead, he gave positive reinforcement. He told them who he was and what he wants them to do.

Then Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

He reminded them who he was. He has all the power  in heaven and on earth (kung di ka pa matuwa na ganun ang bossing mo, ewan ko nalang!). He wants them to know and remember how great a God they are serving – how powerful God really is.

Then he gave them the task.

Knowing that his disciples doubted, Jesus still gave them the task of proclaiming and spreading the Kingdom. How much faith he had in us, much more than we have in ourselves!

You know why? It was not because he knew the disciples were going to change. It was not because he knew he prepared them well. It was not because he knew peter was a strong leader.

He had much faith in us because He is with us. Because the Holy Spirit is with us. O, diba?! Bakit ka pa kakabahan? It is normal to be afraid. It is normal to doubt or question from time to time. However, God sends us everything we need. Yes, we have problems, concerns and issues, but we have something greater than all of these. The gospel says we have Jesus. He himself told us, he will be with us until the end. He also sent the holy spirit. There’s no reason to fear or worry, because God is sending us everything we need to proclaim his kingdom.

Do I feel what the disciples felt? Am I doubting God? Am I doubting his love? Am I doubting His plans for me and my future? Am I doubting my talents and skills? God is saying that He is with me until the end of age, take comfort in that. No matter how unworthy, unloved or unprepared you think you are, Jesus is telling you that it’s okay. We should just allow him to use us. We should just surrender ourselves to him and allow him to use us mightily. We should just allow him to equip us. We should just have faith that indeed, he will be with us until the end of age.

May we always remember that even if we doubt, God still loves us and will still use us mightily if we let Him. Let us have faith that he will be with us until the end of age.

Dear God

Thank you for loving me. Thank you for seeing the goodness in me. Thank you for dying and rising up for me. I ask Lord that whatever concerns I may have, that I just lift them up to you in full faith. Help me have that faith that will trust in you no matter what. Help me allow you to work through me and use me to proclaim your kingdom. May I always remember that you love me so much, and that you are always with me no matter what. Amen.

Stay Blessed!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/04/eyes-on-him-who-equips.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/01/he-sees-inside.html

Thirst for God

The readings today remind and challenge us to always thirst for God

In the gospel, we see again Jesus using his divine wisdom to get out of a seemingly dead end situation. He did not answer the question directly, rather he asked them a question that put them in the spot. We also see this when Jesus answered the question about paying taxes to Caesar, and when Jesus asked that the one without sin be the first to throw a stone. Personally, I think these answers to situations are cool, and I know that it is only by God’s guidance and wisdom that Jesus is able to do these things.

How come Jesus comes up with these answers full of wisdom?

Well, because he is thirsty for God.

Jesus always prays. He wakes up early in the morning to pray (See reflection http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/he-rose-early-to-pray.html). He prays hard before and after a major decision. He is focused on his mission of proclaiming God’s kingdom. He loves God above all. Yes, he’s just crazy about God.

The first reading says the apostles gave the people directions – build up your faith, pray, stay close to God, love others. These were things they themselves learned from Jesus. These are the things they saw and experienced first-hand. They saw this was real and doable, and this is needed to have an intimate relationship with God. This was needed to live a life most pleasing to God.

In this busy life, can I honestly say that I am still thirsty for God? Do I know what great things I can accomplish through God if I stay with Him? Am I willing to pray for that thirst, and to work to quench it?

May we be one with the psalmist in saying: “My soul Is thirsting for you, O Lord, my God”

Father God,

Thank you for giving me this day to rest. Thank you for being with me throughout the week. Lord I’m sorry for not giving you the time and attention you deserve. I’m sorry for letting myself be drowned by the concerns of this world. Thank you for reminding me with the readings today. I ask that you give me a heart that would be thirsty for you, and that you help me work to quench that thirst. As I work on quenching that thirst, as I work on getting to know you more, I have faith that you will continue to bless me and use me mightily to proclaim your kingdom. All this I ask in faith, in Jesus name. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Have faith in God

The readings today point to having faith in God

The first reading asks us to serve God using God given talents.

Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God;
whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies,
so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In serving him, we should not rely on ourselves, on our own abilities, skills and experiences. Yes, we need to move, we need to act for God to be glorified and his work be done, but it should not be us doing God’s work. IT should be God doing his work through us. We should die of ourselves and allow God to live in us. We should have faith that he will equip us with words, strength, patience and love to serve Him, to glorify him. it is only in knowing that we are not doing this on our own and the realization that it is by God’s grace that we are able to serve Him, can we really give back the glory to Him – because we know that it was not us, it was all Him doing things through us.

The first reading also says that we will experience trials. God never fails to warn us that it will not be easy all the time, that we will experience trials. However, he also reminds us to focus on Him and have faith that he is watching over us and protecting us when these trials hit our lives. We are asked to focus on Him, and rejoice, that in as much as we are one with Christ on his suffering, we will also be one with him in his glory.

In the gospel, we see Jesus saying these words to his disciples. “Have faith in God.” He acknowledges that it is God’s power making things possible, and that our faith in God gives Him the opportunity to unlock not only his power, but also his blessings in our lives.

Jesus said to them in reply, "Have faith in God.

Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain,
'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,'
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen,
it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer,
believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.

Yes, our faith is that powerful. I believe Jesus was not exaggerating when he said this. God’s power is not limited. We only need to have that much faith as well for Him to bless us with these things. We need to have faith and be ready for the outpouring of his blessings, of his grace.

Do I believe that God can and will use me mightily to proclaim his kingdom? What am I praying for right now? What is my biggest concern or problem? What is my biggest struggle? Is it a health problem for me or my loved one? Is it me wanting a partner, or having things fixed with my partner? Is it getting rid of a bad habit, or an unhealthy relationship? Is it about my career and my future? Do I have faith in God, that he can take care of these things is I let him, if I surrender? Can I honestly say that in praying to God, I have full faith and confidence in God? Do I want to improve my faith? How?

May we see the beauty  and the power of faith in God, and have the desire to work to improve ours.

Father God,

Thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for giving me something very powerful. I ask Lord that you help me strengthen my faith. I know there are a lot of times that I get weak, especially when things seem uncertain, when the world seems to tell me it is impossible. But Father God, you say that with you, anything is possible. I ask that you help me believe that will all my heart. Strengthen my faith that I may serve you more, that I may serve you well. All this I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

PS,

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/it-aint-easy.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/faith-without-works-is-dead.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/05/joy.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/12/refiner-and-purifier-of-silver.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/05/pray-and-prepare.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/of-faith-and-humility.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/01/confidence-in-god.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/01/jesus-heals_31.html