God First

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081416.cfm) reminds me that God should always be first. 

Jesus is the price of peace, but the gospel seems to contradict that at first glance. But looking at it closely, it is not an intentional division, but rather, he reminds us that he wants us to put him first in everything. 

Nothing should come between you and God.

Family is very important, especially to us Filipinos. Unlike with other cultures, we give so much importance to family, and we take care of our family, especially in their old age. However, we are reminded in today’s gospel that nothing should come in between us and God. Nothing should be more important that God in our lives. Nothing should hinder us from loving and worshipping God. 

The second reading also tells us what we should do. We should be ready to rid ourselves of every burden and sin. This includes people and relationship that are not helping our faith. This includes people close and dear to us. No one should take God's place in our lives. 

A division may occur among friends, among those we love, and even among family members, as we try to follow God. However, this should not matter as much as God matters to us. This is just a reminder that we should not let attachment come in between our faith, and nothing should separate us from God.

God’s ways are not always easy, but it always worth it. May we be encouraged to stand firm, and avoid division by doing our best to bring our loved ones to Christ as well.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another opportunity to love and to experience you. Thank you for another Sunday. Sorry for the times I let other things or other people come before you. sorry for giving importance to others instead of putting you first in my life all the time. Lord, as I consume you today, I ask that you consume me. I pray for strength to stand firm, to stand for you no matter what happens. May I also bring others, those whom I love in live, closer to you. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 14, 2016
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 120

Reading 1 Jer 38:4-6, 8-10

In those days, the princes said to the king:
“Jeremiah ought to be put to death;
he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city,
and all the people, by speaking such things to them;
he is not interested in the welfare of our people,
but in their ruin.”
King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your power”;
for the king could do nothing with them.
And so they took Jeremiah
and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah,
which was in the quarters of the guard,
letting him down with ropes.
There was no water in the cistern, only mud,
and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Ebed-melech, a court official,
went there from the palace and said to him:
“My lord king,
these men have been at fault
in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah,
casting him into the cistern.
He will die of famine on the spot,
for there is no more food in the city.”
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite
to take three men along with him,
and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before
he should die.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2, 3, 4, 18

R. (14b) Lord, come to my aid!
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me.
R. Lord, come to my aid!
The LORD heard my cry.
He drew me out of the pit of destruction,
out of the mud of the swamp;
he set my feet upon a crag;
he made firm my steps.
R. Lord, come to my aid!
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in awe
and trust in the LORD.
R. Lord, come to my aid!
Though I am afflicted and poor,
yet the LORD thinks of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, hold not back!
R. Lord, come to my aid!

Reading 2 Heb 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him
he endured the cross, despising its shame,
and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Alleluia Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Return and Live

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081316.cfm) reminds me that the only way to live forever is to return to God and remain in his presence. 

There are things in this life that we do not have control of the results. There are things wherein we just do our best, we just give it all, and wait and hope that it will be enough. However, there are also things whose outcome that we have control of. And the readings today tell us one. 

Where you would spend eternity is dependent on you. 

The first reading basically says that God will punish evil people just as he will reward good people. Yes, he will be the judge, but he will judge us not based on what he wants or what he feels, but based on us - our actions, our decisions, our way of life. If we love right, then we will be with him. But if we constantly sin, then we will get what we want - eternity away from God. 

The only way to be with God forever is to come back to and remain in Him. 

God reminds us. God gives us warnings and opportunities to go back to Him. To remain in HIM. That is the only way to live. That is the only way to spend eternity with Him. 

May we be reminded of this, and do our best to remain in Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I don't live right. Sorry for the times I put off coming back to you. Help me live pleasing to you. You know I love you and that I want to be with you forever. Help me live telling you that. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 13, 2016
Saturday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 418

Reading 1 Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32

The word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, what is the meaning of this proverb
that you recite in the land of Israel:

“Fathers have eaten green grapes,
thus their children’s teeth are on edge”?

As I live, says the Lord GOD:
I swear that there shall no longer be anyone among you
who will repeat this proverb in Israel.
For all lives are mine;
the life of the father is like the life of the son, both are mine;
only the one who sins shall die.

If a man is virtuous—if he does what is right and just,
if he does not eat on the mountains,
nor raise his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel;
if he does not defile his neighbor’s wife,
nor have relations with a woman in her menstrual period;
if he oppresses no one,
gives back the pledge received for a debt,
commits no robbery;
if he gives food to the hungry and clothes the naked;
if he does not lend at interest nor exact usury;
if he holds off from evildoing,
judges fairly between a man and his opponent;
if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances,
that man is virtuous—he shall surely live, says the Lord GOD.

But if he begets a son who is a thief, a murderer,
or lends at interest and exacts usury–
this son certainly shall not live.
Because he practiced all these abominations, he shall surely die;
his death shall be his own fault.

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel,
each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.
Turn and be converted from all your crimes,
that they may be no cause of guilt for you.
Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.
Why should you die, O house of Israel?
For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,
says the Lord GOD. Return and live!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God;
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Alleluia See Mt 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
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.”
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Too Full

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081216.cfm) warns me of what will happen if we are too full of ourselves. 

When we talk about Snow White, one thing that will get on our mind is the evil queen and her vanity. Mirror mirror on the wall. She wanted to be the prettiest. She wanted all the attention and beauty to herself. And knowing someone was prettier than her drove her to do evil things. This is what can happen if we are too full of ourselves. 

If we are too full of ourselves, God cannot enter our lives. 

In the first reading, we see a story of how good God is. From nothingness, God made her a queen. However, in her beauty because of God's goodness, she forgot who she really was. She forgot that she only had those things because of God. She was too full of herself and forgot the reason why she got there in the first place. 

We should not forget that it was God who gave us everything.

When we accomplish great things, when we get successful and triumph in life, there is a tendency to think too highly of ourselves. This should not happen to us. We should never forget that we have everything by God's grace. We should not forget that we accomplished great things because of his goodness. We are nothing, and he gave us everything. 

May we never get drowned with ourselves and forget who God is in our lives. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget who you are. Sorry for the times I forget all you have done for me. May I always be aware of who I am and who you are. I humble myself and always allow you to use me. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 12, 2016
Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 417

Reading 1 Ez 16:1-15, 60, 63

The word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations.
Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem:
By origin and birth you are of the land of Canaan;
your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.
As for your birth, the day you were born your navel cord was not cut;
you were neither washed with water nor anointed,
nor were you rubbed with salt, nor swathed in swaddling clothes.
No one looked on you with pity or compassion
to do any of these things for you.
Rather, you were thrown out on the ground as something loathsome,
the day you were born.

Then I passed by and saw you weltering in your blood.
I said to you: Live in your blood and grow like a plant in the field.
You grew and developed, you came to the age of puberty;
your breasts were formed, your hair had grown,
but you were still stark naked.
Again I passed by you and saw that you were now old enough for love.
So I spread the corner of my cloak over you to cover your nakedness;
I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you;
you became mine, says the Lord GOD.
Then I bathed you with water, washed away your blood,
and anointed you with oil.I clothed you with an embroidered gown,
put sandals of fine leather on your feet;
I gave you a fine linen sash and silk robes to wear.
I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms,
a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose,
pendants in your ears, and a glorious diadem upon your head.
Thus you were adorned with gold and silver;
your garments were of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth.
Fine flour, honey, and oil were your food.
You were exceedingly beautiful, with the dignity of a queen.
You were renowned among the nations for your beauty, perfect as it was,
because of my splendor which I had bestowed on you,
says the Lord GOD.

But you were captivated by your own beauty,
you used your renown to make yourself a harlot,
and you lavished your harlotry on every passer-by,
whose own you became.

Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were a girl,
and I will set up an everlasting covenant with you,
that you may remember and be covered with confusion,
and that you may be utterly silenced for shame
when I pardon you for all you have done, says the Lord GOD.

Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R. (1c) You have turned from your anger.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You have turned from your anger.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You have turned from your anger.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You have turned from your anger.

Alleluia See 1 Thes 2:13

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but, as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 19:3-12

Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and tested him, saying,
“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”
He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning
the Creator made them male and female and said,
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate.”
They said to him, “Then why did Moses command
that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?”
He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts
Moses allowed you to divorce your wives,
but from the beginning it was not so.
I say to you, whoever divorces his wife
(unless the marriage is unlawful)
and marries another commits adultery.”
His disciples said to him,
“If that is the case of a man with his wife,
it is better not to marry.”
He answered, “Not all can accept this word,
but only those to whom that is granted.
Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so;
some, because they were made so by others;
some, because they have renounced marriage
for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.”

Ungrateful

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081116.cfm) reminds me that we should never be ungrateful and forget all God has done for us. 

Forgive and forget. This is a very common saying, but very hard to actually do. Yes, easier said than done. So, just how important is it to forgive? Aside from today’s gospel, we can look at the Lord’s prayer, the prayer that Jesus himself taught us, how important it is to forgive…

“..Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”

This means we should first forgive others before we ask God to forgive us. We should first give forgiveness before we receive it. Not forgiving others is like saying that we do not need and do not ask God’s forgiveness. Not forgiving others is like telling God that we love ourselves more than we love him... That we focus more on our hurts and pains rather than His goodness, blessings, and commandment. Yes, it is that important.

When reading the gospel, we may feel angry at the servant. Nakaka inis! Ang kapal ng mukha! Walang utang na loob! After being forgiven his huge debt, he chose not to forgive someone who owes him a much smaller amount. Ungrateful. Inconsiderate. So many words to describe the person. But come to think of it, we are just like that. Yes, minsan or madalas ganoon din tayo.  We tend to forget that God forgave us from our sin. He sent Jesus, his only Son, to die for us to save us, because he loves us and forgave us. Tapos tayo, hindi mapatawad yung taong nagsinungaling or yung taong sinaktan ka. Just because we know God readily forgives us from our sins doesn't mean our sins are negligible. Minsan hindi natin nararamdaman na grabe na ang kasalanan natin. Sometimes we don't recognize how much we are hurting God. So we don't feel God's great goodness and forgiveness. Kaya hirap tayo magpatawad.

The more we hate, the more we find it hard to forgive, the more we show God we are full of ourselves. We are too focused on our feelings, on our emotions, on our hurts. We forget what great forgiveness we received from God and focus on the little hurt someone has caused us. We refuse to accept God’s love and forgiveness, and choose to hold on to whatever hurt, bitterness and pain the other person has caused us. Sino talo? Sino makulit? Sino ungrateful? 

How do I feel towards forgiveness? Do I accept and acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I need God’s forgiveness? Do I confess to ask for his forgiveness? IS there someone I find really hard to forget? Why? What prevents me from letting go of my personal hurt and pain, and from accepting God’s love and forgiveness? 

May we be aware of our sins and of God's great love and forgiveness. And may it move us to forgive others as well. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. I thank you for loving and forgiving me, even before I ask for it. Thank you for your great love that is always ready to forgive me. Lord, I am sorry for taking you and your love for granted, and for holding on to past hurts that prevent me from loving and forgiving others. I ask that you help me let go and accept your love. Fill me up and enable me to forgive, so that everything of me is from you. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/08/pay-it-forward.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/08/peace-na_4704.html

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August 11, 2016
Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
Lectionary: 416

Reading 1 Ez 12:1-12

The word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house;
they have eyes to see but do not see,
and ears to hear but do not hear,
for they are a rebellious house.
Now, son of man, during the day while they are looking on,
prepare your baggage as though for exile,
and again while they are looking on,
migrate from where you live to another place;
perhaps they will see that they are a rebellious house.
You shall bring out your baggage like an exile in the daytime
while they are looking on;
in the evening, again while they are looking on,
you shall go out like one of those driven into exile;
while they look on, dig a hole in the wall and pass through it;
while they look on, shoulder the burden and set out in the darkness;
cover your face that you may not see the land,
for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel.

I did as I was told.
During the day I brought out my baggage
as though it were that of an exile,
and at evening I dug a hole through the wall with my hand
and, while they looked on, set out in the darkness,
shouldering my burden.

Then, in the morning, the word of the LORD came to me:
Son of man, did not the house of Israel, that rebellious house,
ask you what you were doing?
Tell them: Thus says the Lord GOD:
This oracle concerns Jerusalem
and the whole house of Israel within it.
I am a sign for you:
as I have done, so shall it be done to them;
as captives they shall go into exile.
The prince who is among them shall shoulder his burden
and set out in darkness,
going through a hole he has dug out in the wall,
and covering his face lest he be seen by anyone.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 78:56-57, 58-59, 61-62

R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
They tempted and rebelled against God the Most High,
and kept not his decrees.
They turned back and were faithless like their fathers;
they recoiled like a treacherous bow.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
They angered him with their high places
and with their idols roused his jealousy.
God heard and was enraged
and utterly rejected Israel.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
And he surrendered his strength into captivity,
his glory in the hands of the foe.
He abandoned his people to the sword
and was enraged against his inheritance.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!

Alleluia Ps 119:135

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your countenance shine upon your servant
and teach me your statutes.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 18:21–19:1

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused.
Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed,
and went to their master and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

When Jesus finished these words, he left Galilee
and went to the district of Judea across the Jordan.

Die to Live

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081016.cfm) reminds me that i need to die of myself so that Christ may live in me. 

In this world, your supply decreases as you use it or as you give it away. That's how it works. That's logic. However, it is different with God. The more you give to and for Him, the more you will have. This is what the readings remind me. 

The first reading clearly explains this. The more we give for God, the more we will have. The more God will give us. 

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully... Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

The gospel teaches us that we should die of ourselves, in whatever we have, for us to attain something great. In order for Christ to live in us.

Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.

How strong Jesus’ words are. We will only produce fruit if we die of ourselves. Scientifically, it’s true. The seed has to die to give life to a tree. When the seed dies in the soil, something bigger than it comes to life. This shows that dying is not enough. It has to die in a good soil for it to become a tree and bear fruits. 

We need to die of ourselves and allow God to dwell and live in us. Jesus says that whoever hates his life in the world will preserve it. If we live our lives not for our own comfort and personal worldly concerns, but rather die of our natural worldly desires and allow God to live in us by following and serving Him, then we will have life for eternity, after we live on this world. That is real life. That is real living. We need to realize that this world is fleeting and we are merely passers-by in this world. We need to prepare for eternity. 

Christ, God’s only son, out of his great love for God and us, obeyed God and suffered in this world. However, when he was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation. Like Christ, we need to obey and trust God’s plan and expect him to use us mightily as we obey him, as we die of ourselves.

We are all living ON this world, but am I also living OF the world? What things do I need to die of in order that Christ may live in me? Do I realize that this world is temporary and that I need to prepare for eternity? Am I willing to die of myself and of my worldly concerns to be able to live for eternity with God?

May we be inspired and moved to die of ourselves so Christ may be fully alive in and through us. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I love myself too much. Sorry for the times I enjoy this world too much. Help me have a big heart for you. Help me love you more than i love myself. I surrender and empty myself. I submit to your will. As I do so, I ask that you fill me with your love. Fill me with good things. Love me and live in me, so that I may love others and make you alive in this world. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/03/die-to-live.html

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August 10, 2016
Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
Lectionary: 618

Reading 1 2 Cor 9:6-10

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written:

He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (5) Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Lavishly he gives to the poor,
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

Alleluia Jn 8:12bc

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 12:24-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.

The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

Sweet Words

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080916.cfm) inspires me to work on my faith until God's words become sweet to my mouth and my soul. 

Children generally like sweets. Candies, chocolates, cakes, ice cream – these are happy food for children. I remember the lyrics of a song by 50 cent – “I love you like a fat kid love cake.” And even for a lot of adult people, these are comfort food until now – food we don’t really want to eat because of the calories that make us gain unwanted weight, but when stressed or tired, generally make us feel happy. Comfort food. Reward food. Happy food. This is how we should feel about God's words. 

In the first reading, we see how sweet God’s word is to the mouth.

So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll.
He said to me, “Take and swallow it.
It will turn your stomach sour,
but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.”
I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it.
In my mouth it was like sweet honey,.

And in the psalm, we continue to see declaration of how sweet God’s promise is.

How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Wow, How sweet God’s word is. How sweet his promises are. When he says he has great plans for us, that should be sweet. When he says he will always be there for us, to bless and protect us, that is sweet. When he says with Him, nothing is impossible, that is sweet. When he says that he will give us eternal life, that is sweet. His word, the bible, is full of sweet promises. Inspiring words. Strengthening and encouraging us to move forward and face the challenges. But we need to know it. We need to read and understand, so we would know and feel it alive in our lives.

The gospel tell us how this can happen. How we can be so excited to hear and know god's words. We should be like children. Childlike faith. That will trust in God's words. That will Trust in God's promises. That will focus on and listen to God, not on what is happening around us. 

How do we see God’s word? How do we feel when we hear God’s promises to us? Are we too busy to read God’s word, or do we give it it’s due importance in life? when God tells us he has great plans for us, and he promises salvation to those who come to him, do we feel impatient because we don’t want to wait for it to happen? Do we feel anxious because these may not be what we want to happen in our lives? Or do we feel excited, and feel want more of his word and his promises?

May we be inspired snd challenged to work on our faith on and relationship with God, so his words will always be sweet not only to our mouth but to our soul as well. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love you, to feel you, to get closer to you. Lord, I am sorry for not giving importance to you and your word. Sorry for justifying my not being able to read and bask in your word with my being busy and tired. Help me feel and realize your sweet words in my life. Grant me a heart Lord that would always want you and desire you. May I have childlike faith and heart, that your every word and promise would be sweet to me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2014/11/sweet-promises.html

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

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August 9, 2016
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 414

Reading 1 Ez 2:8—3:4

The Lord GOD said to me:
As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you:
be not rebellious like this house of rebellion,
but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.

It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was:
Lamentation and wailing and woe!

He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
Son of man, he then said to me,
feed your belly and fill your stomach
with this scroll I am giving you.
I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Alleluia Mt 11:29ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever becomes humble like this child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”

Good Example

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080816.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to be a good example to others. 

When we have idols or people we look up to, how they act affect us. When we see athletes, leaders or celebrities doing great things outside the court or in real life, helping others and living up to our expectations on why we look up to them, we feel inspired. However, when we see them involved in scandals and issues, we feel disappointed. This is probably what Jesus was thinking in the gospel. 

In the gospel, we see that Jesus, being the Son of God, was supposed to be exempted from paying temple tax. The temple is his Father's house. But so he may not offend others, he pays this tax. Some say that this means not really to avoid issues with authorities, but more for those looking up to him and following him. He does not want them to mistake his not paying tax as a revolt against the temple, or that he is too proud. He does not want to have a stumbling block to those who look up to him and follow him. 

We should be good examples to others. 

Just as Jesus was, we should too. Wether we know it or not, as Christians, we reflect Jesus. People associate Jesus to us - our actions, our decisions, our way of life. As workers for Christ, er should be good examples to others. We should be extra careful on our actions and what we do. Because our lives may affect the faith and belief of others. 

May we be aware that our lives say a lot about our faith, and strive to lo live good, honorable lives for God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I ignore how I act snd how I live. Sorry for the times I forget that I reflect you to others. Help me be aware. Help me be willing to live right. May my life be pleasing to you. May my life reflect the gospel values. May others see you in me. Amen. 

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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August 8, 2016
Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
Lectionary: 413

Reading 1 Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c

On the fifth day of the fourth month of the fifth year,
that is, of King Jehoiachin’s exile,
The word of the LORD came to the priest Ezekiel,
the son of Buzi,
in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar.—
There the hand of the LORD came upon me.

As I looked, a stormwind came from the North,
a huge cloud with flashing fire enveloped in brightness,
from the midst of which (the midst of the fire)
something gleamed like electrum.
Within it were figures resembling four living creatures
that looked like this: their form was human.

Then I heard the sound of their wings,
like the roaring of mighty waters,
like the voice of the Almighty.
When they moved, the sound of the tumult was like the din of an army.
And when they stood still, they lowered their wings.

Above the firmament over their heads
something like a throne could be seen,
looking like sapphire.
Upon it was seated, up above, one who had the appearance of a man.
Upward from what resembled his waist I saw what gleamed like electrum;
downward from what resembled his waist I saw what looked like fire;
he was surrounded with splendor.
Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day
was the splendor that surrounded him.
Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14

R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels;
praise him, all you his hosts.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Let the kings of the earth and all peoples,
the princes and all the judges of the earth,
Young men too, and maidens,
old men and boys,
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
His majesty is above earth and heaven.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
And he has lifted up the horn of his people.
Be this his praise from all his faithful ones,
from the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Alleluia.
R. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See 2 Thes 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called you through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 17:22-27

As Jesus and his disciples were gathering in Galilee,
Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men,
and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.”
And they were overwhelmed with grief.

When they came to Capernaum,
the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said,
“Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes,” he said.
When he came into the house, before he had time to speak,
Jesus asked him, “What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or from foreigners?”
When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him,
“Then the subjects are exempt.
But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook,
and take the first fish that comes up.
Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Give that to them for me and for you.”