Persistent Faith

The first reading today continues the story of Elijah yesterday.

We see again Elijah’s great faith in God.

In today’s reading, Elijah had faith in God’s power that he told king Ahab that a heavy rain is approaching. This was the time that there was famine in the land, so for him to say there would be heavy rain is such a bold statement – a statement that could only be made with someone who has great faith.

Elijah prayed to God. His posture, putting his head between his knees, is a sign of how intense and how surrendering his prayer was. Syempre naman, sabihan mo ba naman ang hari na may malakas na ulan e, kung di ka magdasal ng ganun.

What’s inspiring about Elijah is his persistent faith.  As compared to the previous story, wherein God immediately sent fire to consume the offering, now we see God being initially quiet. Walang ulan. Hindi madilim. When Elijah sent his servant to check, the servant said – nothing. However, this did not dampen Elijah’s spirit. He did not say, “Lord, diba close tayo? Bakit mo naman ako papahiyain?” Instead, he was persistent in prayer, unwavering in faith. He knew God would listen to him.

Siguro nakukulitan na yung servant. He looked  six times na wala parn talaga. Siguro iniisip nya, wala pala to, mahina si Elijah, ang kulit pa. Sabi nang wala eh. However, Elijah’s faith in God made the servant see something great. On the seventh try, he saw a small cloud.

Boom!

That was more than enough for Elijah. That was the mustard seed that would grow into a huge tree. That was the start of great things from God. He knew that it was God’s answer to his call. He had faith that the small cloud was the start of heavy rain… and God did not disappoint him.

We can have Elijah’s faith if we are close to Jesus. However, in the gospel, Jesus tells us that we cannot truly worship him, that we cannot really develop an intimate relationship with God if we have issues – specifically anger towards others.

Anger is not inherently bad. Jesus was angry at the people who made his father’s house a den of thieves. Elijah in yesterday’s reading, was angry at the people for not making the decision. Ok lang yun. What’s bad is if it leads us to sin. What’s bad is if anger makes us hate the person, not the act of the person. We cannot fully worship God and claim to love him if we cannot love others as well.

Do I find Elijah’s faith inspiring? Why? Why not? What can I do to improve my faith? When God does not seem to answer my prayers, what do I do? Do I stop and think that God is not listening, or am I like Elijah who is persistent in faith? Is there someone I need to forgive from my heart? Is anger residing in my heart?

May we be inspired by Elijah’s faith and work to live our lives building that faith while truly praising God.

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me that even if you don’t immediately answer, it doesn’t mean you won’t give me what I pray for. Lord, I ask that you help me build my faith. May I be like Elijah that has full faith in you even if you seem to be silent. As I live my life, help me build that faith, and help me release anger in my heart that is preventing me from fully worshipping you. Amen.

God bless!

In Christ,

-g-

God’s power unleashed through our faith

The first reading today is one of my favourite faith stories in the Bible.

Who is Elijah? He is THE prophet! Remember during transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. Moses represented the law, Elijah represented the prophets. Ganun sya ka astig! =) Sinasabi pa nga dati na si Elijah yung babalik from Heaven when the time comes.

Anyway, the story shows God’s great power unleashed by Elijah’s great faith.

In the reading, the 450 prophets of Baal took the whole day – dancing, praying, shouting and even hurting themselves so Baal would listen to them and accept their sacrifice. All this time, Elijah was just watching, and even taunted them to shout louder because Baal might be doing something else. Then when the time came, we see Elijah’s faith and confidence in God. He asked that water be poured on the offering, not once but three times. Then he prayed. Immediately, God sent fire to consume the offering, including the overflowing water. Astig talaga si God!

Elijah’s purpose in this is not to make himself known. Hindi para sumikat sya na may powers, or na malakas kay God. His intention was for the people to make the decision – to follow Baal or to follow God. Kailangang pumili, hindi pwedeng best of both worlds. Elijah had faith that God will help him as he serve him and ask the people to decide. This faith of Elijah, kahit na 450 prophets ni Baal yung kalaban nya at inasar pa nya, tapos pinalagyan pa nya ng madaming tubig yung offering, enabled God to manifest his great power.  This event converted many people to the faith, not formally, but they made the choice to follow God. They proclaimed that “The LORD is GOD.”

Where do we see ourselves in the story?

Are we like Elijah, who is actively serving God and having faith in God and his great powers kahit na in the sense of the world, mas madami yung kalaban ni God? Natatakot ba tayo pag mukhang malakas yung kalaban or mukhang alanganin tayo? Are we confident enough with our faith in God, and in our God in whatever we are facing?

Are we like the people who are undecided wether to follow Baal or God?  Do we claim to follow God in some aspects, but cling to other gods as well in forms of horoscopes, predictions of the future, and the like? Are we following God only on aspects of faith that are comfortable and beneficial to us, but not on doctrines that require more from us, like going to mass, confession, forgiveness, etc? When will we take a stand and choose?

We are encouraged to have faith like Elijah. We can have faith like Elijah. Tao lang din naman sya eh, parang tayo! He is not an angel, nor someone who came down from heaven. We can have faith like Elijah’s if we pray, work hard in building and strengthening our faith and relationship with God. Eto nanaman ulit – nanjan ang bible na dapat natin basahin at gamitin. There’s the mass. We have the sacraments that will help us grow deeper in the faith. The things that we need are readily available, we just need to make the decision – decision to choose God and to improve and strengthen our faith and our relationship with him. As we do this, then we can be used by God, like Elijah, to bring others to Him.

Father God,

I am sorry for not choosing you all the time. Sorry Lord that minsan, hindi buo ang pagsunod ko sa inyo. Hindi buo ang pag lingkod ko sa inyo. Lord, I ask that you help me make the decision. Alam ko naman kung ano yung dapat eh, I just need to make the decision to stick to it and choose you everytime. Thank you Lord for the gift of faith, and I ask you to help me strengthen my faith. I know that as I choose you, my faith will be strengthened and you will use me to unleash your great power and bring people to you. All this I ask in faith in Jesus name, Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Shine for God

The readings today remind us that we should shine for God – that all our actions should magnify and glorify God.

The gospel shows Jesus telling his disciples to be salt and light. In ancient times, salt was used not only to give food taste, but mainly to preserve food. Salt is not the main ingredient or the focus in cooking. If it was, food will be salty. The same way, as disciples of God, we should preserve not food, but the people God has chosen. We should preserve God’s kingdom in whatever capacity we can, and as we do so, the focus should never be on ourselves and what we are doing, but on God, his greatness, his kingdom.

Jesus also tells his disciples they are the light. Not just ordinary light, but light of the world. A lamp does not keep light to itself. It is put on a lampstand to illuminate the house. Again, focus is not on the light. As we work for God, as bring light into the world by proclaiming his kingdom and serving God, focus should not be on our accomplishments, or on how many people we’ve helped or brought to the faith… Focus should always be on God. As Jesus tells them, people should see our good deeds and glorify your heavenly father.

We see an example of this in the first reading. Elijah, by the grace and power of God, helped a widow about to die of starvation. The entire time, Elijah was glorifying God. He did not claim the miracle on his own credit. He was always pointing to God as the reason for the flour and oil being present. By allowing God to use him, Elijah glorified God by his actions.

We need to have faith to be used by God.

Elijah was told to go and rely on a widow. Widows are one of the poorest in a community, so probably Elijah was thinking why God asked him to rely on a widow. Nevertheless, he obeyed and had faith in God. The widow, on the other hand, knew she and her son was about to die of starvation. However, when a man of God came to her, she had faith in his words coming from God, and relied totally on God. In the end, both were rewarded. Faith.

Do I excel in the things that I do? Do I give my best in what I do? For whom do I achieve and excel? Am I working hard for God? Do I glorify God in my actions, and bring him all the glory and fame that he rightfully deserves? Do I work on improving my faith that will allow God to use me mightily for His kingdom?

May we allow God to use us and let us shine for His greater glory.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for reminding me who I should always be glorifying. Lord, I know at times I get distracted, that even if I work for you, sometimes I want to receive recognition and affirmation on my actions. Help me Lord to always remember that I am doing everything for you and your greater glory. Also help my faith, that especially when what you ask seems to go beyond reason, I still have full faith and trust in your plan, and allow you to use me in whatever way you want. Amen.

In Christ,

-g-

Encouragement

Today we celebrate the feast of St Barnabas, and the first reading tells us something about him.

St Barnabas’ real name is Joseph, but was later called Barnabas, which means son of encouragement.

He is a real encourager, and he sees the goodness in people.

In the bible, it was Barnabas who saw the goodness of Paul’s heart. After his conversion, the people were afraid of Paul and suspicious of his intentions, and they had great reason to, because before his conversion, Saul was a fierce persecutor of Christians, and was even there when St Stephen was martyred. However, Barnabas was willing to give him a second chance, he saw the goodness in Paul’s heart, and introduced and welcomed Paul to the community.

In another occasion, Paul, Barnabas and Mark went on a missionary journey, however Mark turned back in the middle of the trip. After that, they were again set to go on another journey, and Paul did not want to take Mark because of how he acted before. However, Barnabas gave him a second chance and took Mark with him.

Seeing the goodness and encouraging others can do a lot to them.

Mark responded well to the encouragement and trust given by Barnabas. Paul eventually referred to Mark as a valuable assistant. On the other hand because of Barnabas’ encouragement to Paul, he was able to do a lot of great things. We all knew what St Paul has done to spread God’s kingdom.

How can we encourage people in the faith?

The first reading tells us some of Barnabas’ characteristics – rejoicing (and not getting jealous) on the grace of God on others, a good man – filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. We can have these things too. We can be a good person if we imitate Christ. We will be filled with the Holy Spirit if we work on our relationship with Christ. Our faith will increase if we communicate with God and build an intimate relationship with Him. Yes, all these things are doable through prayer, scripture reading, and building a personal and intimate relationship with God.

What do I think about encouragement? Do I find it necessary? Do I encourage others and see the goodness in them, or do I do the opposite? Am I willing and happy to encourage others, even if they do greater things than me?

May we work to develop in us the gift of encouragement, and be happy to build God’s kingdom by encouraging other people.

Prayer:

Father God,

Thank you for reminding me the beauty and power of encouragement as I start another week. Lord, sometimes I fail to see the importance of encouragement. Sometimes, though my words and actions, I put others down instead of encouraging them. Sometimes, I underestimate encouragement. Lord, may I always see the importance of encouragement in building your kingdom. Help my build my faith that will enable me to be an encourager for your kingdom. Like Saint Barnabas to St Paul, may I be truly happy when people I encourage reach greater heights than I, because I know that as long as we work for your kingdom, nothing is too big or too little a contribution. I know that whatever little I think I can give, you will magnify so that your name would be glorified. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

See a short story on the power of words of encouragement and seeing the goodness in others:

In the early 1900's, in the small village of Podsreda, Croatia, an altar
boy named Josip Broz was serving the priest at Sunday mass. As he was
holding the wine cruet, it accidentally dropped and shattered. The village
priest struck the altar boy sharply on the cheek and in a gruff voice shouted:
"Leave the altar and don't come back!" Crushed, Josip left the church and by
the time he was eighteen, he joined the newly formed Croatian Social Democratic
Party. During World War II, Josip changed his name to Marshal Tito and in
1945 Tito became the communist dictator of Yugoslavia.

There was another altar boy in the early 1900's named John who grew up in El
Paso, Illinois. He too was serving Sunday mass to a bishop when a wine cruet
accidentally fell from his hand during communion. With a warm twinkle in his
eyes the bishop gently whispered: "Someday you will be a priest." John took
that lesson of forgiveness and hope to heart. John not only grew up to become
a priest, but Archbishop John Fulton Sheen was one of the most captivating
radio preachers and influential religious authors in America.

What power we have when we say the right word at the right time. Are your words
"Apples of Gold"? Today in prayer, thank Christ for His example of aptly
spoken words.

http://www.godswork.org/inspiration165.htm

http://www.gerhardy.id.au/epiph1_08.htm\

http://www.stpauls-satx.org/article/99/worship/sermons/low-sunday-uplift

Body and Blood of Christ

The readings today show us how great the love and power of Jesus is.

In the first reading, we see Moses facilitating the covenant between God and the people. The people agreed to obey all that God told them through Moses. This covenant was sealed by the offering of the blood of holocausts and sacrifices.

People broke the first covenant, they did not always follow God, in fact, they even rebelled against God, so the covenant was broken. This is when Jesus comes in.

In the second reading, we see a new, more powerful covenant – this time sealed not with the blood of animals offered as sacrifices, but by the blood of God’s only begotten Son. We see Jesus’ love and power, sacrificing himself for us, the powerful, unblemished Son of God. Jesus came, died and rose again to give us life – life to the fullest.

In the gospel, we see Jesus himself instituting the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He gave us his body and blood. He loves us so much and he is capable of saving us. We just need to make the decision to accept him and allow Him to do so

What is the significance of the Holy Eucharist for me? Do I make the most out of it? Am I willing to accept Christ in my life and allow him to take control of my life?

Father God,

I thank you for sending your only Son to die for me. Thank you for loving me however unworthy I am. I pray that I see myself the way you see me – beautiful, lovable, priceless, and worthy of your life. May I always remember how much you love me, and in turn, love you the best way I can. Amen.

Stay Blessed!

In Christ,

-g-

Will you finish strong?

The readings today remind us that life will end, sooner or later.

Our community has a fundraising activity, which for two years was a fun run, whose verse anchor was taken from today’s first reading. “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”

As servants of Christ ready to meet our creator, how fulfilling it must be to be able to say those words. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Yes, everyone will meet our creator. Everyone will die. This life on earth is temporary.

In the first reading, Paul tells Timothy to persevere in serving God, especially when it gets tough. Things will not be easy, but Paul asks them to keep the faith. He encourages them by his faith in God’s promise, that those who faithfully serve God till the end will be rewarded. Paul tells Timothy that it is possible to do so, as proven by Paul’s life, being faithful to God till the end.

Jesus also warns us in the gospel. Even if people regarded the scribes of that time as holy and revered, he tells us they will be condemned because their hearts are not so clean. God sees what human beings cannot, and God can bring justice when human beings cannot, and He will do as such when he comes again.

God sees the inside. The way Jesus tells us the woman, who offered a couple of cents, gave in a lot more than others, tells us He can see what’s inside. It is more than the monetary value of our offering. It is how much of ourselves we are offering. No matter how insignificant you think your offering is, however small you feel your time, talent and treasure is, God sees what is inside. God sees not just the value of what you give him, but how much of yourself you put into whatever you give him. Then he will judge accordingly when he comes again.

How am I living my life? Do I really know that life on earth is temporary, and that I should also prepare for eternal life? How can I finish strong in this life?

May we live our lives with the end in mind, and when the time comes that we will meet God, may we be able to say in faith, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”

Dear God,

Thank you for this weekend. Thank you for your word today that reminded me to focus on what lies ahead this life. I know Lord I am not always able to focus on that. I get so tangled with the concerns of this world. Help me remember to prepare for eternity with you as well, and help me live my life doing your work and keeping the faith. Amen.

Happy Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/05/good-teacher-what-must-i-do.html

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

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-forward-to-retirement.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-do-i-love.html

The Word

The readings today focuses on the Word.

I once attended a teaching emphasizing that the Bible is not a collection of books and letters. We, as followers of Chist, believe that the bible is the WORD. It is God’s word to us.

The first reading says that the bible, referred to as the Scripture, is capable of giving us wisdom and salvation. Not only that, it is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, correction, refutation and training so we, as followers and servants of Christ, may be competent and equipped.

Ang galing no! Such powerful Word!

Even Jesus quotes the Scripture in the gospel to prove his point.

Indeed, the Scripture, the Word, the Bible is very effective and powerful.

It is God’s way of communicating to us, strengthening us, and empowering us.

In life, we face a lot of things, and the bible is God’s direct and ready means of communicating to us It is through his word that we get to know him more as we build a deeper and personal relationship with him. It is through reading God’s word and his promises of a bright future for us that we are strengthened as we face problems, like the psalmist today says. It is God’s word that comforts that encourages us to press on even if we face challenges. It is God’s word that empowers us as we proclaim God’s kingdom and serve Him.

What is the bible for me? How important is God’s word for me? Do I seek and desire to know God more by reading his word? Do I have faith that his word is powerful?

May we see the power of God’s word and immerse ourselves into it.

Dear God,

Thank you for your word. Thank you that you constantly reach out to us through your word. I pray that we see the beauty and power of your word and immerse ourselves into it as we serve you. All this I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-