Who Am I to You?

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080714.cfm) challenges me to work on my relationship with Jesus.

Sharing an excerpt of the gospel:

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

The gospel shows us Jesus asking the disciples the question: Who am I to you? He asked them who other people said he was, but it was not important to Jesus. What matters to him is who and what his disciples see him for. Who he is to his disciples. Peter proclaimed that Jesus is the messiah. Jesus then affirmed that it was God who revealed this to Peter, and he said his blessings on Peter as the head of his Church.

Today, God is asking us the same question: Who am I to you? It does not matter what other people say Jesus is. It does not matter what sins we have committed in the past. It does not matter what we intend to do in our lives. What matters for Christ is our answer to his question. And we can only say he is our messiah if we have an intimate and personal relationship with him. if we don’t pray, if we don’t hear mass and take the sacraments, if we don’t read the bible, if we don’t experience Jesus, we cannot honestly say that he is our messiah. Probably we can say that other people say he is, or other people say he is a great and loving God, but unless we build an intimate relationship with Him, we cannot say the same.

We are challenged today.

Aside from building an intimate and personal relationship with Him, we are also challenged to maintain it. In the same gospel, we see Jesus calling Peter as Satan. Ganon kabilis. This should remind us that we should never be too complacent or too confident with our faith. Just because we have experienced him and served him, does not mean we are set for life. The relationship with God should also be maintained. We should work hard to maintain and grow our relationship and love for Jesus. This is the next phase of God’s challenge for us.

Who is Jesus to you? Who is Jesus in your life? Do you put Him first in your life? Do you believe that He is the all loving, all merciful, all powerful God? Do you believe that He can work great things to and through you?

May we find it in our hearts to answer him like Peter did – that he is the Messiah, that he is God in our lives. May we work to have an intimate and personal relationship with Him, and work harder to maintain and grow it.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. I praise and adore you for who you are. Lord, I am so blessed that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that no matter what I do, you will not love me less. I am so grateful to be worshipping the same God that Peter worshipped, and I believe that you will use me in a mighty way the same way you used Peter for your glory. Lord, I ask that you help me live my life proclaiming that you are the Messiah, that you are my God, so that I can bring people to you and glorify you. Help me build and sustain an intimate and personal relationship with you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/06/who-am-i-to-you.html

Transfiguration 2014

  

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080614.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to serve Him as he fills us up.

As we celebrate the Feast the Transfiguration, we are reminded of God’s call.

In the first reading, we see how human words describe God’s power glory and dominion. Such an amazing sight to see. We could only imagine how great and majestic it really is. This shows how great and powerful God is, and how powerful Jesus, the Son of Man is, receiving dominion, glory and kingship from God.

The second reading is Peter’s testament of what happened in the gospel. In the gospel, we see an account of Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus chooses to reveal a glimpse of his glory to three of his closest friends, the big three of the apostles – Peter, James and John. They see Jesus transfigured, and saw Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, with him. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then to cap it off, they heard God’s voice – “This is my chosen Son, listen to Him.”  Probably they were thinking that Wow! this Jesus is indeed the real thing.

We see how great and powerful God is. We see how anointed and glorious Jesus is. This should lead us to remember and be thankful to Jesus and God. God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to be separated with him in his glory and become one like us. How special we really are!

However, this should not end here. Knowing how great God is, knowing how glorious Jesus is, is not enough. In other accounts of the transfiguration, the big three wanted to stay in the mountain. OF course, it was such a glorious sight, a spiritually high moment. But Jesus said no. Jesus asked them to come down the mountain. What does it tell us? We should go back to reality. We should go back into the world and live the gospel. Preach the gospel. It is not enough that we know and experience how great God is. We should also go back and proclaim him to other people. That’s the challenge. That’s the work we need to do.

Do I believe God is really all powerful, all glorious? Do I know and appreciate how much God loves me? When do I experience God in a special way? Am I willing to go back to reality and work to proclaim his greatness? Where is he calling me to preach? How?

Father God,

Thank you today. thank you for giving me another day to live and to serve you. Thank you for reminding me of how great the God I am serving. Lord, help me respond to your call. Alam ko mahirap, minsan gusto ko nalang magdasal mag isa, or masaya na ako sa experience ko sa iyo, or I just want to live right and not care about others. But Lord, I know you want me to act. I know you want me to move. I know you want me to make disciples for you. So I ask you Lord to give me faith to step out of my comfort zone and do what you want, so I can do my part in building your kingdom. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/02/filled-to-give.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/transfiguration-2013.html

From the Inside

  

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080514.cfm) reminds us that what makes a person unclean does not come from outside, rather, from the inside.

It is easy to appear good to other people. Superficial level. Surface level. Mukhang mabait, mukhang magalang. Mukhang matulungin. It is easy to organize and attend socio civic activities that alleviate poverty. It is easy to organize fundraising activities for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. It is easy to attend prayer gatherings and appear holy. However, doing these things does not necessarily mean that goodness is inside the person. God sees beyond the superficial level.

He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”

What makes us clean, or unclean, comes from the inside. Organizing and attending such activities with hidden agenda, may make no difference in the surface level. Probably money will still go to the poor even if the intention is not really to help them, but to build up your reputation. Seems the same, but God sees what is in our hearts. God sees if our service to him is genuine or fake. God sees is our worship is pure or not. These things will make us clean or unclean in God’ eyes.

God is reminding us today to check our hearts. Check our reasons and intentions for doing good to others, for worshipping God. Is it really to give back to God, to share our blessings to others, or just for our personal hidden agenda? God sees what others cannot, so we always have to pray that we be guided and our intentions always be pure as we do things for God.

Do I always pray that my intentions be pure as I serve God? Do I even reflect to see what my intentions are, or am I satisfied with merely doing things? Do I judge others based on their actions, or do I pray for guidance to discern their intentions?
Father God,
Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me that what makes me unclean comes from inside. Lord, help me purify my intentions as I serve you, as I do things for you. I know it is easy to get distracted in this world. May I always put the focus on you, and may my reason for doing these things be to praise and glorify you, not myself. Amen.
Blessed day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/01/from-inside-out.html http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/stay-awake.html
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/from-inside-out.html

Never Doubt Him

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080414.cfm) reminds us not to doubt God’s power
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."

It’s easy to trust God when things seem to cooperate. it is easy to trust Him when situations seem to be improving. When Jesus told Peter to come to him, he did just that. He believed Jesus words, trusted in him, and looked at him as he started to walk on water. However, when he looked around and saw the strong wind, he lost his focus on Jesus. He let the world distract him.

How often are we like Peter?                             

Sometimes we think that God is powerless over the situation we are in. We think that like the winds, our problems are so overwhelming and Jesus has no power over them. We think that health, finances, relationships and other aspects of our lives are more powerful than Jesus simply because it seems to be logical.

In today’s gospel, Jesus is asking us to focus on Him and come to him. We need to have full faith in Him despite the things that are happening around us – our personal lives, our families, our country. Nothing is more powerful that God, so we just have to humbly come to him, and pray in faith as we focus on Him and his love and power.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another week to live my faith. Thank you for your reminding me of your great power and love for me, a man of little faith like Peter. Thank you for never being frustrated at my little faith, and for never giving up on me. Lord, I pray that you increase my faith. I know that nothing and no one is more powerful than you. All my problems, concerns, worries and fears are no match for you. I humbly come to you, in faith, bringing all of these, and I trust that you would continue to take care of me. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,
-g-

PS

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/dont-doubt.html

pps
Sharing with you a song by casting crownshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVg0cWkgAw&feature=related

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Prayer Power

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080314.cfm) reminds me how important and powerful prayer is.

In the first reading, we see God inviting us to come to him so he can fill us and take care of our needs. The second reading reminds us that nothing can separate us from God and his love. In the gospel we see Jesus putting these together – coming to God in prayer and doing his part to be nearer and closer to God through prayer.

Prayer is powerful.

In the gospel, when Jesus learned about the death of John the Baptist, he turned to prayer to mourn and grieve. He knew that in prayer, he would feel and be reminded of God’s comfort during the difficult time. And when people came to him, he turned to prayer to accomplish something great – to feed thousands of people. He knew how powerful prayer is.

The same prayer Jesus prays is the same prayer we can pray.

Whether the concern is to deal with loneliness, grief, or depression, or to accomplish great tasks in God’s name, we can turn to prayer for help. In prayer, we get closer to God. We get more intimate with God. And we become more and more like him – inheriting his love, power and blessing as we go about everyday.

May we be reminded how powerful prayer is, and inspired to use and develop it in our lives.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to rest and spend time with you and my loved ones. Lord, thank you for the gift of prayer. Thank you that my hotline to you is always open, that my hotline to you is always free. Lord, I am sorry for the many times I take prayer for granted. Give me a heart that would desire nothing more than to be one with you in constant prayer. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

He’s Got You

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080214.cfm) reminds me that God’s protection is always with us as we work for Him.

In the first reading, we see Jeremiah doing God’s work of telling the people to repent, even if it was dangerous. We see how others wanted him dead. But Jeremiah remained faithful and courageous as he was doing God’s task. And we see how God protected him.

Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
“This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us.”

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death

Working for God is not always fun and easy. At first, it usually is. But as we mature, as we grow in faith, it becomes more challenging. But one thing we are sure of is God’s hand of protection over us as we do these things for Him. things may be hard, challenging or dangerous, but God always has his eyes on us, his hands protecting us.

May this encourage us to just focus on him and do his work, and have faith that he will do the rest. Not even powerful and influential people of this world can harm us with God by our side.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding me that you always have my back as I work for you. Lord, may I always have this faith in you and continue to do your work, even when it’s not fun, even when it’s challenging or dangerous, even when I would rather do other things. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/11/hes-got-your-back.html

Lack of Faith

  

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080114.cfm) reminds me how lack of faith affects us.

In today’s gospel, we see the power and importance of faith, ironically through the lack of it.

“And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith”

Jesus went to his hometown, and the people, instead of being proud that Jesus came from there, belittled him and took offense at him. They did not believe that someone from their own could really be God’s Child. This lack of belief, this lack of faith, was the reason why Jesus did not do a lot of miracles. Yes, Jesus needs our faith. His love and power does not change, but our hearts and our lack of faith limits his power over us.

I believe we are challenged by God. We are asked to look at ourselves and see what our heart says. Is our faith strong, or are we like the people who do not trust in God? When we pray, do we really have complete faith in God and his love and power, or do we just pray just in case God hears us? Is our faith strong enough to be willing to suffer for God? When God does not seem to hear us, do we have a humble heart and will still continue to serve Him, or do we walk away from him when we don’t get what we want?
Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another weekend coming.  Thank you for the gift of faith. Lord, I ask that you help me strengthen my faith. I know faith is such a powerful and important aspect of my life, and I ask that you help me develop it. Kahit maliit, kahit mala mustard seed, I know it is enough, that it is a good start. May I have faith and may I be willing to suffer and still serve you because of that faith, knowing that your name will be glorified in everything. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/lack-of-faith.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/02/no-faith_5.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/lack-of-faith.html