Dressed for Heaven

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082114.cfm) reminds us that God wants us to be properly dressed for the occasion

Not being dressed for the occasion is a very awkward feeling. It goes both ways – be it being overdressed and underdressed. It is important that one dress appropriately for the specific occasion.

The gospel tells us of a story – a king calling a wedding fest. The original invitees did not attend, so the invite was opened to all. However, the king daw someone not dressed for a wedding garment, and it enraged the king.

But when the king came in to meet the guests
he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it
that you came in here without a wedding garment?’
But he was reduced to silence.
Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet,
and cast him into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

OA si king?! Why? Paano kung mahirap lang talaga yung tao at walang damit na pang kasal?

They say that the clothes were not a problem that time. When the king invited people, it was said that he also prepared the clothes for them to wear to the feast. How cool is that? Libre na ang pagkain, libre ka pa sa damit! That’s how festive and how well taken care of the guests were. So we can understand the king expecting, and in this case, demanding the guests be in the proper attire.
What is the significance of this in our lives? This does not happen anymore anyway. Right?

We know that God, our king, invites us to the feast – heaven. It is now up to us if we will heed his call, if we will go to the invitation. However, it does not end there. We cannot just say we want to go to heaven, and show up there. We need to be dressed appropriately. We need to prepare and do our part. As the king gave clothes, God also gave us this life to wear properly. He gives us opportunities to shine for Him ,and to prepare for us attending the feast. Then when he sees us, we will know if we prepared enough – if he will be happy to see us in the feast, appropriately dressed, or if he will get mad at us attending not being properly dressed, and send us away.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and experience your love for me. Lord, thank you for inviting me to the feast. And thank you for all the opportunities you give me to prepare myself for it. You know I want to be there, Lord, so I ask that you help me live my life preparing for it. May you be delighted to see me appropriately dressed for it. Amen.
Blessed day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/dressed-for-occasion.html

Generous God

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082014.cfm) reminds me how generous God is.

God is a generous God. His standards are not the same ours. That is why in the gospel, he gave the same benefit to those who worked a bit as to those who worked the whole day.

‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?

Unfair to those who worked for the whole day? Probably, in the twisted sense of the world. We would think those who worked more should be given more.

However, they were given what was told them. God is fair and did not cheat those who worked for the whole day. He just decided to be extra generous and gracious to others, like the ones who worked last, like the repentant thief crucified beside Jesus whom he brought in heaven. If the people had not known there were late comers who got the same benefits as them, probably there wouldn't be a problem because they got what they expected, what they were told. Being envious changed everything.

We can feel like this if we focus on ourselves. We have been trying to live a good life, following God, and we think that others who enjoy this world too much should go to hell. We only think of ourselves and not their salvation. Probably we are envious of them – that they enjoy this world, yet if they repent on the last minute, they can still go to heaven. Unfair?

Looking at our lives, we have enough. We can read, can write, can eat, can move about, can breathe, can work. We may not have much, but we have what we need to survive. We have what we need to serve and love God. We should be contented, right? Problem is when we look at other people and see things they have that we don't. That's when things change. That’s when we feel envious. That’s when we feel God is unfair.

May we focus on God, his generosity and grace, and not on our own concerns, wants, and feeling of envy towards others.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for your generosity. Lord, I  ask your help me focus on them and not on what other people have. May I always be contented, knowing how much you love me and how much you have been providing for me, and not look at what other people have. As I experience your love and blessings, may I also want to share you to others and may I want other people to be saved as well. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,
-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/envy-and-generosity.html

You Already

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081914.cfm) reminds me that we should always know where we stand

There are people who are so intelligent and so great. They seem to have Midas’ touch, that anything they get their hands into, succeeds and they prosper. They seem to know everything. And a common expression we say to these people is “Ikaw na!” (Humorously translated into You Already). Ikaw na ang magaling. Ikaw na ang matalino. Ikaw na ang mayaman. Ikaw na ang gwapo. These qualities and achievements sometimes get into people’s heads and they think so highly of themselves.

This is what God warns us in today’s readings.

In the first reading, we see God reminding us that no matter how intelligent or rich we are, we should remember that everything came from God. We cannot take credit that what we have is a result of our own efforts or intelligence. In the gospel, we see Jesus warns the disciples and he is warning us today, that it is hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. Is he against rich people? Of course not! What makes it hard for worldly-rich people is that they are too attached and too engrossed in their riches that have no time and space for God. So if that’s the case, then they really won’t be able to enter God’s kingdom – because they would rather enjoy their riches here on earth.

As we grow older, we usually tend to accomplish more things. We get more successful in life – whether to grow our business or climb up the corporate ladder. We get to send our children to good schools, and are able to provide our family a better, more comfortable life. we tend to make connections to important and influential people in this world. Ikaw na! But we are reminded today to not let these things get in our heads. All of these are because of God – of God’s grace, of God’s goodness, of God’s love. They are never because of us.

The psalmist echoes God’s reminder – It is I who deal death and give life.

May we always know where we stand with God. Let us heed his call and know our place before our God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love you. Lord, I thank you for all the blessings you have been giving me and my family. Thank you for your goodness, thank you for your grace. And Lord, I ask that you help me to always be grounded. May I never think of myself more than what I am. May I always remember to continue loving and serving you, especially despite of all the great blessings you give me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Detached

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081814.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to be detached from everything in this world so we can be free to follow him wholly

The gospel today shows us a man asking Jesus.. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life…” Well, he certainly knew who Jesus was and was humble enough to ask Jesus what he needs to do. Jesus tells him the basics – follow the commandments. The man, like pretty much like all of us, he says he is trying to do these things. Then Jesus says something harder for him.: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
We can see by his answer that the man is looking for something. The man knows he must do something else. When Jesus said he must follow the commandments, which he already does, he knew he must do something else. Alam nya, kasi hindi nya sinabing “yey, ok na ako, thanks!.” Jesus also saw what the man needed to do. In Mark’s account, it says that Jesus looked at him and loved him, and told him what he needs to do. Yes, Jesus loved the man, even if Jesus knew the man was not yet ready to give up everything for Him.

Good news – if we can say that we have been doing (or at least have been trying to do) the commandments that Jesus told the man, we are on the right path. We are halfway there!
Bad news – is it not enough. There is still something lacking. Jesus wants us to be detached from material things.

Jesus is not telling us getting rich is bad. Jesus is not telling us material wealth is bad. Of course it is nice to be rich – especially if you would share your blessings to those who need it. What’s bad is the attachment to material things – money, power, fame, etc. It becomes dangerous if accumulating such becomes the goal in life – when these things become the gods ruling our lives, and we lose sight of eternity with God. This is what happened in the first reading and the psalm. In the first reading, we see that the people have turned away from God. The psalmist says that you have forgotten God. When we give too much importance to material things, then we lose the focus on God. Only when we are detached from material things can we truly focus on God and can wholly follow Him.

What am I clinging on right now? Do I want to follow God and have eternal life? What is preventing me from fully following God? Material things? A bad habit? An unhealthy relationship? Do I feel that I cannot let go of these things? Do I believe in God when he says he loves me, like he loved the man in the gospel? Do I pray to God to give me the desire to let go, and ask him to help me all the way?

May we pray that God help us and grant us the desire to follow him and let go of anything that is preventing us from fully following Him.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for last weekend. Thank you for this new week you gave me. Thank you for the gospel that reminds me that you love me and you want me to be saved. Lord, I ask that you help me have the desire in my heart – to follow you and to rid myself of anything that is hindering me from fully following you. I pray for faith – in you, your love, and your power in my life. May I live this week aware of what I should do to glorify you. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,
-g-

PS
See related reflections
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/05/stay-in-world-but-not-of-it.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/05/good-teacher-what-must-i-do.html
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/03/empty.html

HPF

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081714.cfm) reminds me of the power and importance of a humble yet persistent faith.

The first and second readings, together with the psalm, reminds us that God is for everyone. For all people. For all nations. And in the gospel, we see Jesus enacting this.

We see an inspiring woman in the gospel:
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her.
Jesus’ disciples came and asked him,
“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”
He said in reply,
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.”
He said in reply,
“It is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters.”
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
“O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish.”
And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

What humility, persistence, and faith the woman showed. This is one of the few times Jesus actually “tests” a person. Usually, Jesus grants the people’s requests – for healing from sickness and disease, from freedom from evil spirits, even from death. However, today’s gospel shows us a different side of Jesus. His approach initially seems tough. “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs” – meaning Jews first, the chosen people. Sila muna ang tutulungan ko. It doesn’t stop there. Jesus even compares her (being Greek makes her a non Jew, a gentile) to a dog. Grabe diba, request denied na nga, tapos kinumpara pa sa aso.

Did she stop there?

Of course not! It’s inspiring how great the woman’s faith, persistence and humility is. She was humble to come to him for her daughter’s healing, and was humble enough to accept and not be offended by Jesus words. Then we see her faith, na kahit parang nireject na sya ni Jesus, she still believed. We also see her persistence. She did not just leave. She humbly insisted on her request. on her faith. Sabi nya “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Kung baga, sabi nya, OK lang Lord na kung tingin mo aso kami, pero may faith parin ako na kahit konti, kahit tira tira nalang ng para sa Jews, ay makakapag pagaling sa anak ko. And when Jesus told her that her daughter is free from the demon, she did not say “Lord, sumama ka naman sakin para sure” or “Lord, sure ka ha?” She just went home having faith that Jesus words will come true, and she was rewarded seeing her daughter free. How great her faith is! How humble she is! Inspiring!

How about us? How do we react? When God seem to say “no” to our requests, even if we feel that our request is for our good, or for other people’s good, what do we tell him? Do we get mad, insisting that what we are asking is a good thing, or do we humbly accept his will but keeping the faith? Do we respectfully ask in faith, or are we proud, demanding that God grant our requests because we feel we are entitled to it?

May we always remember to have complete faith in God, yet humble enough to know and accept that His will is perfect, even if it does not seem to coincide with ours.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Lord, I thank you for reminding me how important faith, humility and persistence is. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me, Lord. I am sorry for the times I act like a spoiled child – wanting things done my way, wanting prayers to be answered my way. Lord, I pray that you help me have a heart like the woman. May my faith be firm, even when you’re not answering me the way I want to. May I be persistent in praying even when I don’t seem to get what I want. And may I always be humble to submit to your perfect will, not mine, especially when my will is different from yours. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Clean Heart

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081614.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to have a clean heart.

Kids are very honest. They say what they think is true - without the intention of hurting or disrespecting anyone. When a kid says you are pretty or not pretty, that is how the kid sees you. When a kid says you smell good or bad, that is what the kid smells. Sometimes adults prevent kids from being honest in an attempt not to offend older people, but even if kids say something not nice or not pleasant to hear - they mean it from the heart and they mean no disrespect. They are just saying what is true for them.

This is the quality of kids that God wants from us. A clean heart, an honest heart.

The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

In the gospel, Jesus welcomed children. In those days, children (together with women) are given less importance in society. They were not looked upon as adorable as we see children now. Back then, only the men matter. That is probably the reason why people rebuked the children. They felt that Jesus was too important and too busy to deal with children. But Jesus asked that the children come to him - for he wants us to emulate the heart of children. Honest. Humble. Dependent on God.

May we be one with the psalmist as we ask God to create a clean heart in us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for another chance to rest and do other things aside work. Lord, thank you for the reminder that you want me to be like a child. In this world, we all want to succeed and to get ahead. Thank you for keeping me grounded and reminding me that all the worldly things are not important for you…but having a heart of a child is. Help me to always be humble, honest, and dependent on you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/07/child-like.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/02/childlike.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/05/dont-you-worry-child.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/are-you-childlike.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/12/be-child.html

Lift Up the Humble

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081514-day-mass.cfm) reminds me how God loves to lift up the humble.

Humility is not thinking of less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.

God loves each and every one of us. All of us are fearfully and wonderfully made - into the image and likeness of God. This is why there is no reason for us to think of ourselves less. However, we are called to be humble - to think of ourselves less, to think of our desires and comfort less, and think of God more.

Mary did not have it easy. From the start, she made a bold leap of faith. She surrendered to God even if saying yes to be the mother of Jesus is not going to be easy. This shows her humility - dying of herself and stepping out of her comfort zone as she serves God, as she surrenders to God. In the gospel we see her serving Elizabeth - even if she was pregnant she travelled to serve her. Despite being the earthly mother of the Son of God, she served her. How truly humble Mama Mary was!

As we celebrate Mama Mary's Assumption, we see that God loves to use the humble. Like with Mama Mary, God has great plans for us. God will use us mightily - no matter how simple we may see ourselves, no matter how normal we think we are. God does not need great qualifications to use us. God does not need tons of accomplishments for him to do great things through us. All he needs is what Mama Mary has - a pure and humble heart ready to die of ourselves, our needs and desires, ready to serve and love him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for reminding me how great and loving you are. Lord, I pray that I may have a heart like Mama Mary. May I be ready to die of my own wants and desires, and be willing to step out of my comfort zone as I serve you. I know it will not be easy but it will be worth it, and that you will do great things through me. As I humble myself, I know you will make me great in your eyes. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

ps

see related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/08/serve-despite-of.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-little-one-made-big.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/03/mercy-and-grace.html