No Secret Agent

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030713.cfm) reminds me that God does not want a secret agent.

There is a story of a man who is married to a religious woman. When they go to mass, the wife sits in front while the man always stays outside, smoking his cigarette and just waiting for the mass to finish. One Sunday, the priest gave a homily about Christians being soldiers of God, and those sitting in front of the church are the front liners. Knowing that the husband is fan of action movies, the wife thought that the homily would somehow make her husband her mass inside the church. When she talked to him about it, he jokingly answered – “it’s okay, I’ll still stay outside. I’m not a soldier, I’m God’s secret agent!”

In today’s gospel, we see that God does not want secret agents.

Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters

He wants us to be explicit when we choose. Either for him or against him, no in between. God wants us to live our lives showing him what side we are on.

In the first reading, we see a people whose backs are turned away from God. We see people living lives that displeases God. In the gospel, we see people who act similarly. After Jesus drove out a demon, the people, instead of having faith and praising God for it, spoke ill of Jesus. Their hearts were closed and Jesus knew it.

May we be challenged to be soldiers of Christ, not like those who turned their backs and hardened their hearts to God, and live our lives as evidence of that.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me that I need to be a soldier for you – an explicit soldier, living my life as a testament of my love for and faith in you. I ask that you help me, especially when I live like a secret agent, when people don’t see you in me and in how I live my life, to be decisive and live for you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Crab Mentality

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030613.cfm) reminds me that we should not bring others down.

Jesus warning in the gospel is very strong and very clear

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven

One of the bad habits of man is crab mentality. Like crabs in a basket, when one crab seems to be able to rise above the rest and nearing the escape from the basket, other crabs would pull him back to the group. This is not what God wants us to do – to bring others down, to pull others down.

Committing sin is one thing, and is bad as it is. However, leading others to sin is another thing is an entirely different thing.

May we be challenged to not only fight our battle against sin, but also to not bring others to sin.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for sending your sun to shine over us. Lord, I ask for strength to face life’s challenges. Help me be strong in the face of temptation. As I fight my battle against sin, help me also to not bring and lead others to sin. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Pay It Forward

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030513.cfm) reminds me to pay it forward.

Losing my temper is while driving is not uncommon to me, especially when I am in a hurry. I would use my horn excessively, and would not give way to other drivers. Me first, then others. This attitude of mine is something my girlfriend always tries to manage. She tells me to be extra nice to other drivers, give way and be patient with them, because it will ripple the good effect, that people who receive good acts tend to pay it fowrad. This made me more aware of it, and true enough, when I am on the receiving end of another driver’s good will on the road, I tend to appreciate it and want to pay it forward as well.

God wants us to pay it forward. God wants us to pass the forgiveness mercy, and love we receive from God.

In the parable, the man was forgiven his debts, but instead of paying it forward to others, he did the opposite. He was harsh on others, forgetting the mercy he received. This got the master angry, who had him tortured until he paid the last penny of his debt.

God’s forgiveness, mercy, blessings and love should not stop at us.

Like running water, God’s love, blessings and forgiveness do not run out. It continues to flow. Our hands, however, are limited. We can only get so much water. If we close our hands, yes, we may keep the water we have, but it will eventually run out and we will not be able to receive new blessings. The only way we can receive continuous blessings from God is if we open our hearts, open our hands, and let his blessings flow through us. Same is true for God’s forgiveness,  mercy and love.

May we always be sensitive to whatever we receive from God, and open our hearts and hands to give more so we can receive more.

Am I too attached to my blessings that I close my hands and hold on to them? Am I willing to share these things with others? Do I realize that I cannot hold on to something, that as I close my hands, they will eventually become empty. Do I realize that the only way to receive new and continuous blessings from God is to open my heart and my hand and let these blessings flow to others through me? Am I willing to pay forward whatever I receive from God?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your generous heart that your love, mercy and forgiveness never run out. Lord, I ask that you help me open up my heart, may I be willing to be used as your vessel of love. May I be willing to let these blessings flow through me and not try to hold on to them and keep them. May I always remember that the only way to receive continuous blessings and love is to open my heart and allow these things to flow to others through me. As I receive these blessings, mercy, forgiveness and love from you, may I also in my own little way let others experience these as well. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Do Your Part

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030413.cfm) reminds me that we should also do our part and not just leave everything to God.

A lot of people pray. It is relatively easy to pray. We lift our concerns to God, we ask for help, we pray for the things we want. God is also very accessible. You can pray anywhere, whatever you’re doing. God adjusts to us, and meets us where we are.

However, doing is not as easy. Actually moving our body, doing something for God, and doing what God wants, is not that easy – especially when it’s not what we expect or want.

In the first reading we see Naaman, a highly esteemed and respected man, but was a leper. When he was told to go to the prophet of Samaria – Elisha. Of course, he was excited to go, expecting to be cured of leprosy. He travelled  and eventually when he came to the door of Elisha, he was surprised when he was told to wash himself seven times to be clean.

He was hesitant and became angry. God’s response was different from what he expected.

How often do we feel the same? How often do we want God to conform to our needs, to our wants, to our desires? How often do we want changes in our lives, in our families, and in our country, but are unwilling to do our part. How often do we pray and expect God to do everything, thinking that we already prayed and put our faith in God, without acting, without doing our part, without living our faith.

We need to act, like Naaman who eventually did what he was told and washed himself in the river, and not just expect God to do everything for us. We need to act, even if it is not what we expect to receive from God. We need to put our faith, our prayer, in action.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day. Lord, I ask that as I start this week, you help me challenge myself to act. May I not be contented in merely praying, in merely saying I trust in you, but also move my feet and act. I know Lord you are powerful, but you also need me to act and live my faith so that you may work in my life and through my life. Amen.

Blessed Monday.

In Christ,

-g-

Ps,

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/03/just-do-it.html

One More Chance

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030313-third-sunday-lent.cfm) reminds me that God will always give us one more chance.

In the gospel, we see a parable of the fig tree. The landowner wanted it to be cut down for it has not been bearing fruit for three years. Then the gardener asked for an extension. One more chance for the fig tree. He would take care of it more, he would give more of himself and do whatever he can so the fig tree would grow. Then if still it doesn’t bear fruit, then it can be cut down.

How often do we feel God giving us another chance? How many times have we failed to bear fruit, only to feel Jesus giving us another chance?

There are a lot of times in our lives where God gives us another chance. We failed him a lot of times, but even if we don’t deserve it, he still gives us another chance. Not only that, he does more for us. He puts more effort for us to help us bear fruit, to help us make the most of that chance we have been given.

The story of Jonah is one of the more famous stories in the bible. God asked him to do something, but he ran away. What did God do? Did God get mad?

He gave him another chance.

After spending days in the belly of a whale, he came to his senses and realized he can’t escape God. Then he made good use of the second chance. Jonah did what God wanted him to do, and as a result of that, the people of Nineveh were saved.

God always gives us another chance. His ways are different, sometimes he would be gentle like the gardener in the parable, doing what he can to make us bear fruit, but sometimes like he did with Jonah, a more challenging way. Whatever God’s way is, he knows that is what will get through to us.

May we always be sensitive to God’s second chances, and make the most out of it. May we bear fruit not only for ourselves but for others as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how much you love me. Thank you for always giving me second chances. Lord, I pray that I may be sensitive to you and may I make the most out of the chances, the opportunities you give me and bear fruit not only for me but for others as well.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

The Good Father

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030213.cfm) reminds me how good and great God is.

The first reading tells us that God removes guilt, pardons sin and shows compassion. The psalmist echoes this is saying that the Lord is kind and merciful. Early on, we are reminded how loving God is.

The gospel tells us the story of the prodigal son. We have always been asked what we relate to: the prodigal son and his actions, or the other son who feels envious to the attention given to the prodigal son. Today, I am reminded of the father. He is kind and merciful. First of all, he immediately gave his son the inheritance. Then after the son squandered the money, he welcomes him with joy and love. Then when the other son states his sentiments, he woos the son and reminds him how much he is loved as well. The father does not judge, is generous,  forgiving, and loving.

God is the father.

No matter what we do, no matter what our concerns us, he will always love us. He will always be ready to welcome us if we come to him with repentance and humility. He will always remind us of his love for us.

God loves us so much. May his love move us to love him and express it to others.

Father God,

Thank you for the weekend. Thank you for the opportunity to sleep longer. Lord, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for never giving up on me, for always being ready to welcome me, to forgive me when I come to you in repentance. Lord, may I always allow you to love me, and may your love move me into loving you through others. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Part 1

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030113.cfm) reminds me that part 1 is not the end of the story.

A usual story plot is that the main character is introduced and the plot is established. Then the main character experiences difficulties, challenges or persecution. Then the climax, leading into the happy, successful or victorious ending.

I believe our lives are similar to this as well.

The first reading tells us of the story of Joseph. Yes, he was the favourite of his dad, but hated by his envious brothers. We see the first part of his story, that there was a plot to kill him, but he was eventually sold as a slave.

Imagine the change. From being the favourite of your dad, you were suddenly sold as a slave. What big a change is that.

He may have asked himself what the reason is for that happening. He probably was not a selfish person who keeps things to himself. Probably he was sharing to his brothers as well. Probably not a bad person just because his dad liked him. but why did this happen? Why turned into a slave?

There are times like these in our lives. Times when we feel we do not deserve the bad things or challenges happening in our lives. Times when we question God. Times when we feel helpless or hopeless, when we feel and think there’s no bright future in sight.

Be not afraid.

This is just the first part of your story.

Like with Joseph, God has a beautiful future for us. He has great things in store for us. He has great plans for us!

We may not see it now, we may not feel it now, but do not worry. Have faith. Your part 2 is coming up!

Father God,

Thank you for giving me another day to live. Thank you for your wisdom, that you see beyond what our eyes can see. Thank you for your goodness, that you have for us the best plans. Lord, there are times when I am in the situation where Joseph is – when things seem dark, when there seems to be no future of hope, when I question the not so nice things that are happening to me. Lord, during these times, help me remember that I am just in part 1 of my life story. Remind me that you have the best in store for me, that my part 2 will be better. Help me have faith, and as I wait for the next part of my life, may I continuously serve you, love you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-