Keep Dreamig

The WORD today reminds me to keep dreaming despite what is happening at the moment.

One of the tagline or marketing campaign I really like is Johnnie Walker's - Keep Walking. Work hard and persevere. No matter what happens, no matter what life throws at you, keep walking. Keep working hard. Persevere. And you'll be in a better place. And you'll eventually get there. This is similar to what Joseph did in his life.

We should keep dreaming, no matter what happens to us.

In the first reading, we see what happened to Joseph at a young age. He was their father's favorite, so he was not popular with his brothers. They wanted to kill him, but eventually sold him as a slave. He experienced a lot of challenges even after that. A lot. But he never lost hope. He never let go of his faith in God. He never stopped dreaming. And he continued to be faithful to God.

The psalmist reminds us what happens. Fast forward, we saw that Joseph who was sold as a slave was able to help not only his family, but his whole nation. Since he did not lose his faith, God used him mightily to save a lot of people, and to show the saving power and merciful love of God - no matter what you went through.

God wants us to keep walking. To keep dreaming. Keep trusting God. No matter what challenges we encounter, no matter how unfair life is, no matter how much we want to give up. God is watching. And God is faithful. We just need to trust in Him. We just need to be faithful and persevere. And God will eventually reward us.

What are my problems right now? What are the seemingly show stoppers or heavy problems in my life? What do I do about it? Do I let those problems stop me, or do I persevere in faith?

May we be inspired by Joseph who kept his faith in God, and allowed himself to be used by God mightily. May it lead us to trust in God, to persevere, and to allow God to use 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, I am sorry for the times I feel like giving up. Sorry for the times I actually did. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Lord, I ask that you help me be like Joseph. Help me never to give up, but instead keep on walking. Keep on dreaming. And I have faith that one day you will use me mightily, and things will make sense. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/03/zero-to-hero.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/03/envy.html

Daily Readings

March 13 2020

« 

March 12  |  March 14 »

Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 234

Reading 1 GN 37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A

Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons,
for he was the child of his old age;
and he had made him a long tunic.
When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,
they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.

One day, when his brothers had gone
to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem,
Israel said to Joseph,
“Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.
Get ready; I will send you to them.”

So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.
They noticed him from a distance,
and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.
They said to one another: “Here comes that master dreamer!
Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;
we could say that a wild beast devoured him.
We shall then see what comes of his dreams.”

When Reuben heard this,
he tried to save him from their hands, saying,
“We must not take his life.
Instead of shedding blood,” he continued,
“just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;
but do not kill him outright.”
His purpose was to rescue him from their hands
and return him to his father.
So when Joseph came up to them,
they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;
then they took him and threw him into the cistern,
which was empty and dry.

They then sat down to their meal.
Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,
their camels laden with gum, balm and resin
to be taken down to Egypt.
Judah said to his brothers:
“What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,
instead of doing away with him ourselves.
After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.”
His brothers agreed.
They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.

Responsorial Psalm PS 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R. (5a) Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
When the LORD called down a famine on the land
and ruined the crop that sustained them,
He sent a man before them,
Joseph, sold as a slave.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
They had weighed him down with fetters,
and he was bound with chains,
Till his prediction came to pass
and the word of the LORD proved him true.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done

Verse Before The Gospel JN 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son;
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel MT 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
AHe will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, ADid you never read in the Scriptures:

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they knew that he was speaking about them.
And although they were attempting to arrest him,
they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

Hope in God

The WORD today reminds me that it will never be useless to hope in God.

They say that life is unfair, and it a lot of sense, this is true. You don’t always get what you deserve, both in the positive and negative aspect of if. However God is always fair, and we just need to hold on to that thought when subjected to unfair situations. This reality should give us hope.

May pakialam ang Diyos sa kapakanan mo.

The first reading and the psalm remind us of the benefits of hoping in God. He will reward those who hope in him. He will reward those who are faithful. We just need to persevere. In the gospel, we see someone who never lost his hope in the Lord. Lazarus was a very poor and sick man, yet he did not blame God or question God. He lived right and did his best in the tough situation he was in. Thus, the Lord rewarded him in due time and brought him to paradise to spend eternity with Him.

God may not always answer us the way we want to, but his answer is always better than ours.

God did not give Lazarus a better life or at least improved his situation during his last days on earth. Hindi fairy tale ending ang nangyari sa kanya. But God gave him something better – eternal rest with Him in paradise. Sometimes God does not answer how we want him to, but his answer will always be better. Sometimes God does not reward us in this life, but his reward will always be better. Eternal paradise is definitely a lot better than temporary comfort in this world.

No matter what situation we may be in. No matter how hopeless and helpless we may feel. No matter how the world treats us. We should always remember that God loves us. That he is watching over us. And he has great plans for us - in this world and the next. We just need to have faith and trust in Him.

What are my concerns in life? What are my prayers? Do I lift them to God? How does God respond? Do I ask God to do as I want, or do I trust in him enough to surrender and obey?

May we remember the words of the psalmist – “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord” and have full faith and hope in him despite whatever stuation we may be in.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to love and experience your love. Thank you for always reminding me of your goodness. Lord, sorry for the times I lose my faith in you. Sorry for letting the world overwhelm me. Sorry for not trusting in you enough. Lord, I ask that you never let me go. I put my faith and hope in you. I know you will continue to bless me and provide for me, and you see what I am going through and my concerns. I know you have a great plan for me – in this world and the next. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/09/do-good-to-others.html

Daily Readings

March 12 2020

« 

March 11  |  March 13 »

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 233

Reading 1 JER 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.

Responsorial Psalm PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6

R. (40:5a)  Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

Verse Before The Gospel LK 8:15

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.

Gospel LK 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead

Servant Leader

The WORD today reminds me that God wants me to be a servant leader.

Most of us want to be successful. We want to be rich and powerful. We want to be achievers. We want to be leaders. However, As followers of Christ, we should imitate him. We should imitate how he lived his life. We should not be contented with just being a leader.

In the gospel, we see that Jesus told his disciples that those who want to be great should serve first. He knows what he was saying. He lived it. Jesus, the Son of God, came down to our level and became human. Not only that, he came not as a strong and mighty king, but as a baby in a manger in a small town of Bethlehem. No fuss, no attention to himself.

Christ’s life was of pure obedience to God the Father. It was pure surrender to God’s will, even when it is difficult to. It was pure service to God through human beings, even the unlovable ones. This is a result of Christ’s pure love to God the Father – willing to empty himself and allow God to fill him, to control him, to use him. This is how Christ wants us to live.

Christ came to serve us. He could have asked his disciples or the angels to do all the work. Preaching. Proclaiming. Miracles. Praying. But he did not. He did things himself. Instead of asking others to serve him, the son of God, he came to serve us to the point of death. Napaka baliktad sa mundo natin where powerful people are being served by those who have less. So we are called to live like Christ. 

Christ was not just a leader, he was a servant leader. In that regard, being a servant comes first before being a leader. Thus being a great leader requires being a great servant as well. This is how God wants us to live. To be servants of others. To be his physical body for others here on earth.

What is my definition of greatness? In what way am I a leader? More than a leader, am I a servant leader? What do I want to do or accomplish with my life? Am I humble enough to let God control my life or do I want things to happen my own way?

May we be inspired to live right, serve God, and be a servant leader in whatever way we can.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you Lord for reminding me that your ways are not the same as the way of this world we are currently living in. Lord, sorry for the times I seek greatness in the ways of the world, not yours. Sorry for not having the willingness and desire to serve you through others. help me have the desire to strive for greatness, not in terms of this world, but in yours. Help me use my life on earth to prepare for eternity with you. May I desire to serve other people, for in serving them, I serve you Lord. Use me and fill me with everything that is of you as you take away everything that is not of you. Fill me to the overflowing so I can share this to others. This I ask in faith in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

March 11 2020

«

 March 10  |  March 12 »

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 232

Reading 1 JER 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said,
“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.
It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,
nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.
And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;
let us carefully note his every word.”

Heed me, O LORD,
and listen to what my adversaries say.
Must good be repaid with evil
that they should dig a pit to take my life?
Remember that I stood before you
to speak in their behalf,
to turn away your wrath from them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

R. (17b)  Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,
as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Verse Before The Gospel JN 8:12

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel MT 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Preach and Act

The WORD today reminds me that our actions should be consistent with our words.

It is easy to say things. A lot of people say sorry, even politicians do it on national television. However, meaning it is harder. You can say sorry without meaning it. You can say sorry without changing your ways. You can say sorry without repenting. This is what Jesus tells us in the gospel.

Actions should be consistent with our words. Our words should be backed up by actions.

The holy people during Jesus time knew what to do. They tell people what they should do and how they should act. However, they stop at saying it. They don't do it. They are contented with just knowing what needs to be done, and find it not worth their whole to act. To actually do it. To live their convictions.

Knowing is not enough. It should be continued to doing.

Jesus told the people they should do things for God and others. That they should act. In the first reading, God wants us to listen to his word, and act on it. That we could make up for our sins if we obey. Obedience and action are very important to God.

This Lenten season, may we not stop at being sorry and knowing what should be done. May we do it and act as well, to tell God we are really sorry and we love 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 stopping at knowing your word. Sorry for being complacent and lazy. I ask that you disturb me. May I never be satisfied with just knowing things, but be moved to act as well. Help me live my love for and faith in you through others. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2018/02/double-life.html?m=0

Daily Readings

March 10 2020

« 

March 9  |  March 11 »

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 231

Reading 1 IS 1:10, 16-20

Hear the word of the LORD,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right,
says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.
If you are willing, and obey,
you shall eat the good things of the land;
But if you refuse and resist,
the sword shall consume you:
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

Responsorial Psalm PS 50:8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23

R. (23b) To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
“When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

Verse Before The Gospel EZ 18:31

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Gospel MT 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Siksik Liglig at Umaapaw

The WORD today reminds me to be a generous giver.

They say that the more you give, the more you will have. Does not make sense, right? The more you give, the less there will be for you - at least in the worldly sense. But today's gospel tells us otherwise.

Give and gifts will be given to you;

a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,

will be poured into your lap

There are some things better expressed and more heartfelt when said in the native language. And this is one of them. The Filipino translation of the verse says:

Magbigay kayo at kayo'y bibigyan ng Diyos;

hustong takal, siksik, liglig, at umaapaw pa

ang ibibigay sa inyo.

The more you give, the more you will receive. This does not just relate with financial blessings. As we see in the gospel, God wants us to be generous in giving mercy, love, and forgiveness as well. If you want to have more of these things, you should learn how to give and let go. We should be generous in giving love. In giving our forgiveness to others. The first reading and the psalm remind us how sinful we are, yet God continues to love and forgive us anyway. So we should pass this to others. When God sees you are generous in giving away, he will give you more - not just so you can have more, but so that you can give away more.

God cannot be outgiven.

This is just how he is. He will not let you give him more than he gives you. Whatever we give him will surely be returned back to us. We all sin. We all hurt God. But he continues to love us. To bless us.  And the more we give, the more he can give us back, because God can only fill us up when we are empty.

What am I giving to God? How do i give - do i give the best, the first fruits, or just my surplus? Looking back in my life, what situations have I given to God - my time, talent and treasure? In what ways has he rewarded me?

May we be generous to give and share what we have to others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord I thank you for being generous. Indeed you cannot be outgiven. Lord, sorry for not being like this. Sorry for keeping things to myself. Sorry for not having the desire to share to others. I pray that you give me a heart like yours. Give me a heart that will always be ready and willing to give you my best, not because I want something in return, but because I am just full of your love and blessings, and the natural reaction is to share you to others. Let me be generous as well in giving love and forgiveness, as I get these from you even if I do not deserve them. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/03/of-mercy-and-being-merciful.html

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2016/02/measured.html

Daily Readings

March 9 2020

«

 March 8  |  March 10 »

Monday of the Second Week in Lent
Lectionary: 230

Reading 1 DN 9:4B-10

“Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 79:8, 9, 11 AND 13

R. (see 103:10a)  Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise.
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.

Verse Before The Gospel JN 6:63C, 68C

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel LK 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

Back To The Ground

The WORD today reminds me that God does not just want me to be with him, but to get my hands dirty and go back to the ground doing his work in loving service of Him.

Going to vacations is always something special. You look forward to what will happen, to the place, to the people, to the food, and most importantly, to be away from the normal routine of work/business and get some rest and recreation. I went into a one month vacation last December and it felt good and refreshing. However, no matter how much you love it, vacation will always end. You would always need to go back to reality, back to work, and do what you should do. This is probably similar to what the disciples felt.

The gospel tells us the story of transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured, his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Solid. To add to that, Moses and Elijah appeared to them. They were talking with Jesus! Big names! Moses represented the Law, Elijah representing the prophets. Then they heard the voice of God! How amazing Peter, James and John must have felt. They must have wanted to stay there. However, Jesus did not allow them to.

Jesus asked his disciples to come down the mountain. Come down the mountain and back to their regular lives. Back to doing God’s work – healing the sick, driving out demons, and proclaiming God’s kingdom and message. This is also what God wants from us. Yes, it ia good to know God snd to experience him. We should have a personal relationship with Him.  But it should not stop there. God wants us to act. God wants us to get our hands dirty as we serve him. It may be challenging, but the second reading reminds us to ask for God's strength as we serve him and do his work.

How do I serve God? What do I do for him? How do ai show my love for him? Do I give excuses for not serving him? What is he telling me today?

May we be willing to get our hands dirty and serve God as he continues to nourish us and reveal himself to us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday! Thank you for reminding me how much you take care of me. Thank you for making your love more alive in my life. Lord, sorry for the times I am not willing to love and serve you. Sorry for being contented with just experiencing you. Sorry for being too lazy to get my hands dirty in service of you. Give me the strength and the will, Lord. As I continue to experience your love and blessings, I promise to continue working for and serving you. Use me for your purpose and your glory. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflection:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2019/03/listen-to-him.html

Daily Readings

March 8 2020

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March 7  |  March 9 »

Second Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 25

Reading 1 GN 12:1-4A

The LORD said to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.

“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”

Abram went as the LORD directed him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Reading 2 2 TM 1:8B-10

Beloved:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.

Verse Before The Gospel MT 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Gospel MT 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Love Now

The WORD today reminds me that God wants us to love now.

In the first reading, we see that God wants us to act, and do it now. Today. As human beings, we always say that we are waiting for the perfect time. That we are waiting for the perfect opportunity. We wait for a perfect time before we ask someone out. We wait for a perfect time before we tell someone our feelings. We wait for a perfect time before we make that career move. We wait for a perfect time before we apologize to someone. We wait for a perfect time, when we have more, before we give to others. We wait for the perfect time before we serve God. However, when we wait for the perfect time and perfect opportunity, we just might not get it. There will always be something that could be improved. It will almost always never be perfect. So we should make the most of what we have, especially with God.

In doing God’s work, now is the perfect time to act.

We should not delay serving God through different things, different people, and different ministries. We should not delay helping out others – regardless of our social status in life. We should not delay apologizing to others, and receiving these apologies. We should not delay bringing others to Christ and Christ to others. We should not delay praising God and glorifying and magnifying him in our lives. We should not delay loving And serving God. We should not delay loving others.

Now is the time to love.

God is not waiting for a perfect time. God expects us to create the perfect time – and that time is now.

What aspects in your life are you waiting for “the perfect time” before you act on it? What things in your life are in your “to do” list? What things have you been putting off, giving yourself “valid” excuses for doing so? What things in your life do God want you to start doing now?

May we heed God’s call to love now.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for giving me another day to live. And thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for making a lot of excuses. Sorry for having a lot of reasons for not loving you and others. Sorry for waiting for the perfect time and perfect opportunity which is not necessary for you. I pray that you give me courage and enable me to do things for you now. Give me the will to start serving you and start loving you through others now. Today. May I not wait for the perfect time to do your will and to serve you. May I not delay doing what you are asking me to do. Lord, may I make the most out of today. Amen.

Blessed Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

https://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2017/03/love-unlovable.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2017/06/perfect-love.html

Daily Readings

March 7 2020

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March 6  |  March 8 »

Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Lectionary: 229

Reading 1 DT 26:16-19

Moses spoke to the people, saying:
“This day the LORD, your God,
commands you to observe these statutes and decrees.
Be careful, then,
to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
Today you are making this agreement with the LORD:
he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways
and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees,
and to hearken to his voice.
And today the LORD is making this agreement with you:
you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you;
and provided you keep all his commandments,
he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory
above all other nations he has made,
and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God,
as he promised.”

Responsorial Psalm PS 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8

R. (1b)  Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
Oh, that I might be firm in the ways
of keeping your statutes!
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
I will give you thanks with an upright heart,
when I have learned your just ordinances.
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Verse Before The Gospel 2 COR 6:2B

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

Gospel MT 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.