Order to Love

The WORD Today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051414.cfm) reminds me that God commanded us to love each other.

In today's gospel, we see Jesus telling us twice that we are commanded to love each other. It says:

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

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This I command you: love one another.”

If he says it twice, he must really be serious! And it is not a request or a favor. It is a commandment. That we should love one another.

He commanded us to love one a other. Not just to love him. Our love for God should be lived as we love one another - especially those unlovable. It is easy to love family and friends, those who have been good to you. But God did not say to just love those easy to love. In the same way he died for us, we too should also die of our desires and allow God to love others through us.

Loving one another does not always entail pain or sacrifice. We can love others by not joining people who treat an annoying or weird person badly. We can love others by sharing our food to those who does not have much. We can love others by lending a listening ear to a friend who is depressed and lonely. Simple things, done out of love, become great actions.

Who does God want me to love in a personal way today? How can I love him/her? What is Jesus telling me about love?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love. Lord, help me love others because I love you. In my own little way, may I remind them of your love. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Stolen

  

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051314.cfm) reminds me that we will never be stolen from God's hands.

An excerpt of the gospel:

“No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.”

Unlike worldly things and accomplishments that can easily be stolen, we cannot be stolen from God's hands. No matter what the devil does, he cannot force us out of God's hands. He can tempt us all he wants, but he cannot force us into sin.

Reassuring, right?

No one and nothing can steal us out of God's hands. However, only we ourselves can decide to move out of God's hands. If we give in to temptation, if we follow the ways of the world, if we choose sin over God, then it is us who are choosing to move out of God's hands.

Nobody can force us out of God's hand. Nobody can steal us. The decision to remain or move out is ours.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to work and do my best for you. Thank you for the assurance that nothing and no one can take me out of your hands! But Lord, I also ask for strength and wisdom to always choose you, to always decide to stay in you, and live that decision. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Love 'til Death

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051214.cfm) reminds me that God loves us so much.

I attended a wedding two weeks ago, and the priest's homily struck me. He said that it is 'foolish' in the worldly sense to get into marriage. A husband should be ready to die to protect his wife. Literally. Crazy, right? To step out of the comfort zone and not think only of oneself.

This is what Jesus is telling us in today's gospel. He repeated three times that he was willing to die for us. And he did. Nobody took his life. Nobody forced him to. He just surrendered and died to save us, so that we may live.

Christ is true to his word. When he says he loves us, it is true and he was able to prove it. And until now, he still continues to prove it to us, everyday as we are given the gift of life. No matter how the world makes us feel, Christ's love is unchanging. And we are reminded of it, and as we feel and realize it, may it cause us to love him back through others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to feel and experience your love. Thank you lord, even if a lot of times I take your love for granted. Sorry that I don't appreciate your love. May you never get tired of loving me and of reminding me of your love, and as I I feel your love, may I always be ready and willing to love you through others, especially the least, the last, and the lost....even when it is uncomfortable to do so. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

The Voice

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051114.cfm) makes me think if God's voice is clear in my life.

There is a competition in television called "The Voice" in which coaches would choose their team members based on their singing voice, not on the appearance or stage presence. These coaches know how to determine a good singing voice when they hear it. They know what they are looking for in a voice. This is similar to the gospel reading.

“When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice”

The sheep knows the voice of the shepherd. No matter how many thieves or robbers come to lure them, they do not follow because it is not the voice of the shepherd. Amidst all the distractions, they know the voice of their shepherd when they hear it.

This makes me think if I am like the sheep who knows the voice of the shepherd. A lot of things are distracting me in life. Work struggles and dreams.  Health issues. Family concerns. Financial responsibilities. Social acceptance. These could overpower the voice of God, the one true shepherd of our life. To be able to make sure we distinctly hear his voice, we should practice hearing it, and do our part. Praying. Reading the bible. The sacraments. These are things that would help us recognize God's voice in this world.

May we take time off today and make sure we seek and hear God's voice.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to know you more, to pray to you, to hear your voice. Lord, sorry for the times I fail to hear your voice in the busyness of life. May today be the start of me being more conscious of hearing it. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Transformed

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051014.cfm) reminds me how God's love can transform us!

When Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Jesus three times. So frustrating from a man considered to be the leader of the apostles. However, God did not give up on him. His love transformed Peter to the man we see in the first reading. Proclaiming God's kingdom. Healing the sick. And even raising the dead. What a transformation!

God does not give up on us! No matter how much we hurt him when we sin. No matter how much we deny him in the way we live our lives. His love endures. And as long as we allow Him, he will transform us and change us to do great things for him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings and for this weekend. May I always allow you to love me, Lord. For I know that your love transforms. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Step Out In Faith

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050914.cfm) reminds me that God calls us to step out of our comfort zone and step out in faith.

The story of David and Goliath is one of the more popular stories in the bible. It shows how great God is. Imagine David, from being a shepherd, was put up to face one of the biggest enemy Goliath. But God was only able to use him when he allowed himself to be used. When we stepped out of his comfort zone and trusted in God to do what he himself cannot.

In the first reading, we see a couple of stories of that as well. Saul was asked to step out of his comfort zone and serve Jesus whose very followers he was persecuting. Then Ananias was also asked to step out of his comfort zone and minister to Saul, a fierce persecutor of christians. He initially did not want to, but God assured him and he eventually obeyed.

In our lives, God will ask us from time to time to step out of our comfort zone. But as he does, we have his assurance that he will take care of us. We just have to obey and trust in him.

When was the last time God asked me to step out of my comfort zone for him? What happened when I did?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, sorry for the times I say no to you and give in to fear and doubt. May I have faith to always be willing to step out of my comfort zone in faith. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Don’t’ Stop, Keep Going

  

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050814.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to keep going, especially when times are tough.

In sports and even in life, you build stamina and you improve not when things are normal, but when things are difficult. You build stamina in sports when you continue to run and give your all even if you are tired already. In life, you improve and build your character if you continue to do the right things even if people or the situation is difficult. That's how you improve. When you keep going.

In the first reading, we see the eunuch do the same. He was reading scripture even if he does not understand what he was reading. He just kept reading. He kept going. And God sent Philip to enlighten and baptize him.

Things may not be perfect. It never will be. But we are encouraged to keep going. Keep doing what is right. Keep praying. This will build us up and improve us. God sees us, and will reward us. See video link and be reminded on how God wants us to keep going as he works with us. http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/100-Concert

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, life is not perfect. I have lots of challenges. There are times I am tempted to give up, or just compromise. But Lord I know that you do not want that, and you don't deserve that. So I ask that you help me to keep going ad living your way. May this praise and glorify you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See video link http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/100-Concert