To Each His Own

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020413.cfm) reminds me that each one of us is called for a specific mission in life.

The first reading tells us of different ways Christ’s followers were persecuted. it tells how they suffered and died for the faith. In the gospel, we see a man tormented by evil spirits, and was set free by Jesus. When the man told Jesus he would follow Him, Jesus turned him away, and instead told him to go proclaim God’s work to his family.

God calls each of us in different ways. Some, like the followers in the first reading, were persecuted, suffered and died for the faith. Some, like the man in the gospel, are asked not to evangelize in other places, but at home. I believe that does not mean one if more favoured than the other. It’s probably because Jesus needs us to do different work for his kingdom.

Nowadays, some are called to be missionaries, here and abroad. Some are called to religious life. Others are called to serve God through community, or through their own families and friends. God calls us in different ways, and it does not matter how you are called to serve. What is more important is we respond to his call to serve in our own little way.

How is God calling me to serve? How am I serving God now? Do I continuously say yes to his call to service?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Lord, as I start another week, I ask that you help me be sensitive to your call. I know there are different ways you call us, and I pray that I hear your voice when you call me. And as I hear your voice, may I always say yes to your call to serve, no matter how easy, or difficult, your call may seem. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Faith, and lack of it

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020313.cfm) reminds me how important Love is, as well as faith.

We have heard so many times that faith is important for God to do miracles in our lives. In the gospels we have seen that Christ healed a lot of people who had faith in him. Different ways were used to heal, but one thing is common, the person to be healed, or those who asks for healing for others (in the case of the centurion who asked that his servant be healed) should have faith in God. That’s how important faith is.

In today’s gospel, we again see the impact of not having faith. Jesus power and love does not change from town to town. Wherever he goes, his love for the people and power over sickness and death is the same. However, when he went back to his hometown, he did not see faith in the people. Instead, they challenged him and his power, knowing that he is the son of a carpenter, so they know his origin and knows that he is one of them, not the son of God. They also feel entitled to experience and benefit from his so called power, so they asked him to perform miracles as well. When Jesus did not give into them, and told them that they will not get what they want, they became mad and drove him out of the city.

Do I have faith in the love and power of Christ? Do I feel entitled to receive his blessings, just because I am a follower of Christ?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me the importance of faith. Lord, as I live this day, may I always be reminded to build and strengthen my faith in you, so that you may work miracles and wonders to and through me. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Presentation

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020213.cfm) reminds me that we should present and consecrate ourselves to God.

Sharing an excerpt of the gospel..

Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

Jesus was presented in the temple. He was consecrated to God. So should we.

I believe consecrating ourselves to God is not a one-time thing. It is not just being baptized and that’s it. I believe that consecrating ourselves and offering ourselves to God should happen every day. We should be reminded who we are living for. What we should do with our lives. Who we should be serving.

Consecrating ourselves, offering ourselves to God does not mean that everything else will be easy afterwards. The first reading says that God will be there to purify us as well. However, we should take comfort in the fact that God would be there every step of the way, watching protecting us, making sure we will be subjected to what we can handle with his grace.

Am I constantly striving to consecrate myself to God?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me of the need to continuously consecrate myself to you. Lord, I am sorry for the times I forget. Sorry for the times I live on my own and do what I want. Lord, I ask that you constantly remind me to consecrate myself to you. I ask that you never give up on me, even if I may seem to be hard headed, because you know deep in my heart, I have a longing for you. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Insignificant?

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020113.cfm) reminds me that nothing that God created is insignificant

There are a lot of people with insecurities, and one of the reason for this is because of our attitude of comparing ourselves with others. On our own, we are okay, but once we start comparing ourselves with others, these insecurities arise. I am not intelligent as him, or I am not as beautiful or popular as her, or I am not as powerful or successful as them. These things cause us to feel insecure about ourselves and overlook the blessings we have.

In the gospel, we see that the mustard seed starts small. It is the smallest of the seeds.it may feel insignificant or small compared to other seeds especially the trees in the forest. On its own, it would really be small and probably not so important, but when it dies of itself, it becomes huge. As the seed is planted, it dies of itself and allows God to take control. With God’s soil, sunshine, air and water, the small seed grows to be one of the biggest trees, and is able to be of great use to the birds and the environment.

This is true with us as well.

We may feel small and insignificant if we compare ourselves with others, and if we don’t allow God to take over.

We will continue to feel small and insignificant if we remain closed to God and just rely on ourselves and our own efforts. We will continue to feel insignificant if we always compare ourselves with others and overlook our blessings and graces from God. Only when we die of ourselves and allow God to work through us can we reach our full potential. God can magnify our efforts and use us mightily to further his kingdom and fulfil his purpose for us. Only God can enable us to reach our full potential and do great things for his kingdom. Only God can make us feel really significant and important as we build his kingdom and work for Him.

Do I feel insignificant? Am I insecure? Why? Do I compare myself with others? Am I willing to die of myself and surrender to God so he can use me mightily and so I can reach my full potential?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your word that reminds me of the need to surrender to you. Lord, a lot of times I try to do things my way. I want things done my way, on my own. I sometimes leave you in church and do not include you in my day to day living. Lord, help me die of myself and surrender to you – be it in my service to you, in the workplace and in the home. May I be humble enough and let you take control of my life, because I know that I can only reach my full potential if I surrender to you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Don’t Give Up

  

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/013113.cfm) reminds me how important having and staying in a community is

The First reading reminds us…

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
We should not stay away from our assembly,
as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near

They say being in a community is like being part of a bonfire. It’s easy to keep burning while you are with others. You have other people who support you. But once you go out of the group, does the fire die? Probably not, it will still burn. But eventually, it will die down. Same with community. It’s easier to serve, it’s easy to do and be good if you’re with people who tries to do the same. Easier to pray if there are people praying as well. But if we go out, for whatever reason, the fire in us might not immediately die down, but eventually, if there is no one to nourish and support that fire, it will die down.

Jesus knows how important it is to be part of a community. He established communities. He sent out disciples to evangelize by pairs. He chose 12 apostles. Even the great apostle Paul had companions in his journey. No man is an island, and we all need each other to keep our fire burning. As Christ said, “whenever two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them”

No community is perfect. Even if we are all serving God, we have differences in opinions, upbringing and attitudes. However, these differences should not weigh us down. These should not tire us out. We should continue to be committed and not give up on our community life, not give up on others. We should continue to remember that we are all serving God, and focus on Him as we serve him.

Am I part of a community? If no, am I willing and ready to be a part of one? Do I realize the importance of community? What challenges do I experience being a part of a community? How do I overcome these challenges?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how important community is. Thank you also for giving me a community of faith. Lord, I know that no community is perfect, there are differences among members, and challenges that we will and are facing. Lord, give us faith to persevere and not give up on community. May we always remember that we are all gathered in your name, to love and serve you. As we serve you, help us focus on you and not let distractions get the best of us. May we be faithful servants building your church, your community here on earth. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Sow Some Seeds

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/013013.cfm) reminds me to sow seeds of faith

It is normal for people to want to see the output of their efforts. I believe this is the reason why community building outreach activities are so popular. Institutions like “habitat for humanity” and “gawad kalinga” who give people the chance of seeing the immediate output of their actions are much suported. After working for a day, volunteers get to see the output – be it hollow blocks or other materials being moved from one place to another, a house being painted or walls buing built – these things give a sense of fulfillment or joy, knowing that the effort spent was not put to waste.

However, it is not always like this when we are doing God’s work.

We may not always see the effects of our service to God. We may not always get good results, as we see in the gospel. However, these things should not dishearten us and prevent us from doing God’s work, from planting seeds.

God needs workers to plant seeds of faith. God needs our help to spread his word.

We do not need to see the effects of our actions. We do not need to know that the seeds bore fruit. We should not seek comfort and approval from the output of our work, because everything is dependent on God’s time and plan, not ours. We should just focus on God as we do his work, and have complete faith that our work for Him is not futile. We may not see the effects but it does not mean God is not pleased with us, that our actions were not effective.

May we continue to sow seeds of faith without the need to see the effects of our actions.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for the opportunity to continue to sow seeds of faith to others around me. Lord, guide me so I wont be too focused on the results, on the fruits of the seeds. Remind me that those seeds would bear fruit, not necessarily in my time, but definitely in your perfect time. May I just continue to sow seeds of faith and focus on you as I work for you, knowing in faith that my work for you will always bear fruit. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Love Him Back?

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012913.cfm) reminds me to ask myself if I am loving Jesus.

The first reading reminds us of the ultimate love of God and Jesus to us. God sent his only son Jesus to die and save us from sin and death.

Question is – what effect does it have on us? Do we give importance to it? How do we pay him back?

In the gospel, we see what is important to Jesus. More than the affinity, what is important to him is if we follow God..

But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.

We are all children of God, but we can only be real children of God if we obey God’s will and submit to his will – even if it is not necessarily what we want for ourselves, even if other people say otherwise, even if it is difficult to.

May we echo what the psalmist says – “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will” and be called children of God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how much you love me. I believe, Lord, that one of the greatest lies of the devil is that I am not loved. I may not have everything in life, I may want a lot of things that other people have, but that does not make me less loved. May you always remind me that more than any kind of love in this world, you gave me the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate expression of love. Thank you for loving me, Lord. May I always remember that and may I always desire to seek your will and obey your will to show you that I love you back. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-