New Wine

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012113.cfm) reminds me to constantly strive to live a new life in Christ

An excerpt of the gospel says…

“Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the

Wine and the skins are ruined,

Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins”

Saying and doing are two different things. You can say one thing, but do the exact opposite. That is why saying and doing goes hand in hand. Say and do. Jesus tells us a similar thing. New wine into new wineskin.

When we decided to follow Christ, we are in effect throwing away our old life – with all its worldliness and sin, and are putting on a new self – one made in the image and likeness of Christ.

We should act that way.

We cannot claim to be followers of Christ, but continue to live a life of sin. Just like putting new wine into old wineskins. It’s not a match.

No matter how difficult it is, we should constantly strive to live new lives. We should take a fresh start and live lives that are pleasing to God, fitting for the new wineskins God has given us. Else, everything will burst and will be put into waste.

Have I really decided to live a life for Christ? Am I actually doing my best to live it? What old habits and sins have I not given up yet? What things should I let go to really live a new life for Christ? What is holding me back from giving them up?

Father God,

Thank you for the weekend. Thank you for the opportunity to rest and spend time with family and friends. Lord, I also thank you for today. Thank you for giving me another day, another week – another fresh start. As I live this day, may I do things that will make you happy. Help me to live a life pleasing to you. May I continuously strive to live a new life for you, no matter how challenging it may be, and no matter how strong the urge to go back to my old life. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Sto Nino 2013

Today in the Philippines, we celebrate the feast of Sto Nino, and the WORD (See http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2013-01-20) reminds me that we should never lose that childlike attitude towards God

In the gospel, we see the young Jesus being left in the temple, and after days, his parents came to pick him up.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished,

and his mother said to him,

“Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

But they did not understand what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them

Jesus knew his purpose even at that time, and he knew he was doing God’s work when he was left in the temple. However, when his earthly parents came to get him, even if they did not understand everything yet, he obeyed, he came down with them. He did not insist that they should let him stay in the temple because he should do God’s work. He did not get frustrated at his earthly parents not knowing and not understnading God’s plan and mission for Jesus. Instead, he humbly went home and obeyed his parents.

There are times that we will not agree with our parents. Probbaly it must be the age, or the way we were brought up. We may sometimes have different views and opinions on things. However, like Jesus, even if we know we are right, we should honor God’s commandment and respect our parents. We should not insist on what we know or thinkg, but rather always be obedient and subject ourselves to them (of course as long as they don’t lead us to sin).

In this life, we want to be independent. We want to earn well, we want to be respected in our own fields – be it corporate or having our business. We want to know more things and be educated. However, no matter how much we have accomplised in our life here on earth, no matter how powerful or independent we may be, we should not forget to always subject ourselves to God, to continue to have that childlike attitude towards God.

As we celebrate the feast of Sto Nino, the baby Jesus, may we always be reminded to obey and subject ourselves to God, having a childlike attitude towards him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for the reminder that no matter what we are able to accomplish in this life, we should always be humble and subject ourselves to you. Lord, help me always have that childlike faith, that childlike attitude towards you. Never let my worldly accomplishments get the best of me and make me forget your place in my life. As I submit myself to you, use me to reach out as well to the little ones of this world – may I be able to make them feel your love in my own little way. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Powerful WORD

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011913.cfm) reminds me how powerful God’s WORD is.

In the first reading, we see how powerful and effective God’s WORD is. His Word, the truth, is able to penetrate the deepest and innermost of our being. His word makes us realize things, and assures us on our concerns in life. God’s word gives us consolation, hope and the truth.

God speaks to us through a lot of things, and one of which is his WORD,  the bible. As we read and get familiar with the bible, we learn a lot of things. There are times when we feel God talking directly to us through his word. We feel God’s messages of love, hope and call to conversion. As we see in the psalm, his words are spirit and life. His word gives life, both physically when he raised and healed people during his time, and spiritually when we are reminded to come back to him through his word.

Jesus words are effectve and powerful. In the gospels, we see him raise dead people, heal and cure with his word. And as we see in the first reading, he is one with us except sin. He can sympathize with us because he went through what we are going through. He was tempted as well, but his faithin and realtionship with God helped him overcome these temptations. May we be inspired to be like Christ, and give importance to God’s Word as he did.

Do I read the Word? Is it important to me? Do I realize that God cannot speak to me if I don’t know his voice, if I do not read up on his Word?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, there are a lot of things I want to do this weekend. I want to rest, but at the same time, I also want to maximize the weekend by spending time with people that matter to me. Despite all these things, help me Lord to spend time with you. Help me spend time with you and get to know you, and may I give importance and read and listen to your Word. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

How Far Would You Go?

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011813.cfm) asks me – How for would you go for faith? How far are you willing to go for other people?

In the gospel, we see a familiar story (See related reflections below). It is inspiring how four people, which may or may not be friends of the paralyzed man, had the will, the faith, and made the effort to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus. It was not easy since there were a lot of people already, but these guys went the extra mile to bring the paralytic t Jesus, in hopes of healing for the person.

I don’t know if I would have done the same.

Sometimes compassion is not translated to action. Yes, you may feel sorry for the person, but actually doing something to help a person is a whole different thing. But these guys did not just act, they acted in a different level. Probably others will try to bring him to Jesus, but after seeing the house full, will say to the person – Sorry, a lot of people already. Maybe you’re not meant to be healed today. But not these guys. These guys went all the way to the roof, and brought the man down, resulting to him being healed.

It is not always easy to serve God. It is not always easy doing things for others. Sometimes God gives us challenges not to dishearten us, but to inspire, encourage and strengthen us. May we be inspired by the four men, whose love, faith, will and determination to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus, despite the challenges brought healing to the man, and glory to God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you that it’s the last working day of the week! =) Lord, I ask that you give me opportunities to strengthen my faith. May I be able to bring others to you, no matter how difficult or challenging it may be. It may not always be easy, but it is worth the effort to bring others to You. As I live my faith, may I not be dishearten by challenges, but take it as it is – challenges to build and develop my faith. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/12/positive-influence.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-far-will-you-go.html

Result of Actions

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011713.cfm) reminds me that our actions would always result to something, even if we do not mean it, or see it while doing the act itself.

In Science, there is such a thing called Newton’s third law – For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you throw a ball and it hits the wall, it comes back to you. Your force on the ball it matched by the wall’s force on the ball. I believe this is true in life as well. Our actions have results and implications, which sometimes are unexpected or greater that what we thought.

Jesus told the man, whom he healed, to not tell others about his healing. For whatever reason Jesus has, we cannot be sure. But what we do know is the man disobeyed Jesus command. Probably he was just overwhelmed and very happy so he thought of sharing his healing to others. Maybe he meant no offense, but his actions had effects on Jesus – he was not able to go about freely because his fame spread.

There are times in our lives when we don’t mean harm. There are times when we don’t think our actions would cause a great effect on others or on ourselves. We are reminded to be careful, and to always follow whatever Jesus tells us, so that as we live our lives, no matter what happens, we know that we are following Jesus and we are doing our best to live lives pleasing to him and not against him.

What actions in my life caused unexpected results? Am I careful in the way I act? Do I know that even if I go against God’s will, he will still make a way for his plans to come true?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me to check my actions. Lord, there are a lot of times I do not think well enough before I act. There are times I do not consider the implications of my actions. Sorry for those times my actions hurt you. Lord, help me become more careful with my actions. Help me follow you and not let me emotions get the best of me. And always remind me that even if I go against your will, it won’t be enough to stop your great plans, and I will always have another chance to act and serve you better. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Pray to be Focused

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011613.cfm) reminds me how important it is to pray to so we can always be focused on God’s work

Rest is very important. We need rest to recharge our body. That is why it is important to get adequate sleep every night, to rest our body from a busy day, and recharge it for a new day ahead.

In the readings, we see that Jesus is human like us. The first reading says he became like us in every way. He feels what we are feeling. So in the gospel, after healing a lot of people until late at night. If I were in his position, I would probably sleep until late in the morning, thinking that I need (and deserve) some rest for doing God’s work. But not Jesus. In fact, he did the opposite. He slept for a while, and woke up very early, before dawn, to pray. This is where he gets his strength. This is where he recharges. Imagine, the Son of God, rising early to pray! Wow, so inspiring!

Prayer is also how Jesus is able to focus on God’s work. When his disciples found him and told him there are people waiting to be cured, he did not go back, but instead went to another place to preach there. He knew he already proclaimed God’s love and power in that place, and it is time to move to another place to do the same. He did not look for the easy way – it would have been easier to go back because people already knew his power. He would be given much respect and attention – people would take care of him since he was powerful. But he chose to remain faithful to God’s task.

May we be able to realize how important and powerful prayer is, even in our busiest day =)

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how important and powerful prayer is. Lord, I am sorry for taking prayer for granted, for not making the most out of it. It is more convenient to say that I’m tired from working, or from doing your work, and I am excused to pray. Lord, give me a heart that would love prayer. May I never be too busy or too tired to want to and actually spend time with you in prayer, for I know how much it can do to me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/he-rose-early-to-pray.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/01/recharge-and-pray.html

Saying and Doing

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/011513.cfm) reminds me again that knowing Christ, saying He is God, is very different from doing His work.

In the first reading and psalm, we see how great God’s love is for us, that he sent his only son and made him human just like us, to save us from our sins. We also see Jesus love for God, when he obeyed and went down to our level to save us from our sins. This is one fact that not everyone during Jesus’ time did not know, could not understand and do not want to understand.

In the gospel, we see someone knowing who Jesus is. The man with unclean spirit knows who Jesus really is. “What have you to do, Jesus of Nazareth?... I know who you are – the Holy One of God.” Jesus was not happy with the man’s word. Why? Because he was not saying that out of faith and love of him. he was saying that to mock Jesus. We then saw Jesus commanding the unclean spirit to shut up come out of the man.

Knowing Jesus is not enough. Professing Jesus is not enough. Especially know, it is easy to say who Jesus is. It is easy to tell what he did for us. We know it. We study it in school. We hear it from people. What is harder, and what is more important, is living it. We need to live our faith. We need to profess our faith, not with our lips, but with our actions. As we do this, we can say that Jesus would be happy and pleased with us.

Am I living my faith in God?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding us that it is not enough to profess my faith with words. Lord, I am sorry for sometimes being complacent with my faith, for being contented with simply knowing you, simply telling others about you. I ask that you help me live my faith. May I translate my words into actions and may I live a life pleasing to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-