Body and Blood of Christ

The readings today show us how great the love and power of Jesus is.

In the first reading, we see Moses facilitating the covenant between God and the people. The people agreed to obey all that God told them through Moses. This covenant was sealed by the offering of the blood of holocausts and sacrifices.

People broke the first covenant, they did not always follow God, in fact, they even rebelled against God, so the covenant was broken. This is when Jesus comes in.

In the second reading, we see a new, more powerful covenant – this time sealed not with the blood of animals offered as sacrifices, but by the blood of God’s only begotten Son. We see Jesus’ love and power, sacrificing himself for us, the powerful, unblemished Son of God. Jesus came, died and rose again to give us life – life to the fullest.

In the gospel, we see Jesus himself instituting the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He gave us his body and blood. He loves us so much and he is capable of saving us. We just need to make the decision to accept him and allow Him to do so

What is the significance of the Holy Eucharist for me? Do I make the most out of it? Am I willing to accept Christ in my life and allow him to take control of my life?

Father God,

I thank you for sending your only Son to die for me. Thank you for loving me however unworthy I am. I pray that I see myself the way you see me – beautiful, lovable, priceless, and worthy of your life. May I always remember how much you love me, and in turn, love you the best way I can. Amen.

Stay Blessed!

In Christ,

-g-

Will you finish strong?

The readings today remind us that life will end, sooner or later.

Our community has a fundraising activity, which for two years was a fun run, whose verse anchor was taken from today’s first reading. “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”

As servants of Christ ready to meet our creator, how fulfilling it must be to be able to say those words. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Yes, everyone will meet our creator. Everyone will die. This life on earth is temporary.

In the first reading, Paul tells Timothy to persevere in serving God, especially when it gets tough. Things will not be easy, but Paul asks them to keep the faith. He encourages them by his faith in God’s promise, that those who faithfully serve God till the end will be rewarded. Paul tells Timothy that it is possible to do so, as proven by Paul’s life, being faithful to God till the end.

Jesus also warns us in the gospel. Even if people regarded the scribes of that time as holy and revered, he tells us they will be condemned because their hearts are not so clean. God sees what human beings cannot, and God can bring justice when human beings cannot, and He will do as such when he comes again.

God sees the inside. The way Jesus tells us the woman, who offered a couple of cents, gave in a lot more than others, tells us He can see what’s inside. It is more than the monetary value of our offering. It is how much of ourselves we are offering. No matter how insignificant you think your offering is, however small you feel your time, talent and treasure is, God sees what is inside. God sees not just the value of what you give him, but how much of yourself you put into whatever you give him. Then he will judge accordingly when he comes again.

How am I living my life? Do I really know that life on earth is temporary, and that I should also prepare for eternal life? How can I finish strong in this life?

May we live our lives with the end in mind, and when the time comes that we will meet God, may we be able to say in faith, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”

Dear God,

Thank you for this weekend. Thank you for your word today that reminded me to focus on what lies ahead this life. I know Lord I am not always able to focus on that. I get so tangled with the concerns of this world. Help me remember to prepare for eternity with you as well, and help me live my life doing your work and keeping the faith. Amen.

Happy Weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

See related reflections:

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

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/it-aint-easy.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-forward-to-retirement.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-do-i-love.html

The Word

The readings today focuses on the Word.

I once attended a teaching emphasizing that the Bible is not a collection of books and letters. We, as followers of Chist, believe that the bible is the WORD. It is God’s word to us.

The first reading says that the bible, referred to as the Scripture, is capable of giving us wisdom and salvation. Not only that, it is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, correction, refutation and training so we, as followers and servants of Christ, may be competent and equipped.

Ang galing no! Such powerful Word!

Even Jesus quotes the Scripture in the gospel to prove his point.

Indeed, the Scripture, the Word, the Bible is very effective and powerful.

It is God’s way of communicating to us, strengthening us, and empowering us.

In life, we face a lot of things, and the bible is God’s direct and ready means of communicating to us It is through his word that we get to know him more as we build a deeper and personal relationship with him. It is through reading God’s word and his promises of a bright future for us that we are strengthened as we face problems, like the psalmist today says. It is God’s word that comforts that encourages us to press on even if we face challenges. It is God’s word that empowers us as we proclaim God’s kingdom and serve Him.

What is the bible for me? How important is God’s word for me? Do I seek and desire to know God more by reading his word? Do I have faith that his word is powerful?

May we see the power of God’s word and immerse ourselves into it.

Dear God,

Thank you for your word. Thank you that you constantly reach out to us through your word. I pray that we see the beauty and power of your word and immerse ourselves into it as we serve you. All this I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

How Do I Love?

In the gospel today, Jesus tells us the two greatest commandments.

First and greatest is acknowledging that God is the one true God, and loving him the way he should be loved. How do we love him? With everything we’ve got – with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Lahat na. God asks us to love him with everything we are – with our whole being. Then this love should extend to others as well. Second is to love the neighbour as yourself.

God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s standards are not our standards. Agree?

Our standards for loving are different with God’s. As human beings, we think we love, but sometimes we are just reciprocating. We love people who love us and treat us good. However, God wants more than that. He wants us to love our enemies. Ang labo diba? Kaaway nga eh. But that’s God’s standards. He wants us to give all our being to him – that includes everything we are and everything we are not. That includes our desires and human limitations. He wants us to give it to him, to offer those things to him, and receive what he wants to give to us. He wants us to love other people the way he loves – unconditional.

We need to be humble to be able to love as God wants us to, because we cannot do this by ourselves. St Paul in the first reading was humble enough to accept that God allow that he suffer for His cause. Paul did not question God why he was captured and put to chains. The focus was not on himself – but on God. He knows that the word of God cannot be chained and physical chains cannot stop God’s work through him. We have to be humble and accept God’s plans for us, and have faith that even if things are not easy, God’s work cannot be stopped by the enemy, we just have to continue working for Him.

Examine your life. What things are you doing your way? Are there things you are doing God’s ways? How can I slowly change my attitude to reflect more and more of God? Do I pray that God teach me how he wants me to live and love?

Prayer:

Father God,

I love you. In my own little way, I love you. I am sorry for not being able to do what you want me to and what you ask of me. But father God, you know deep down in my heart that I do love you. Kahit minsan, or madalas, pasaway ako, alam mong mahal kita. Lord, I ask that you help me love you the way you want to be loved, and the way you ought to be loved. May I always be humble and accept your will in my life, and seek your ways, not mine. Amen.

May we humbly pray with the psalmist – Teach me your ways, o Lord.

God bless!

In Christ,

-g-

God of the Living

The gospel today again presents us with people trying to trap and make fun of Jesus. The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, presents Jesus with a hypothetical scenario. They want to prove a point that there really is no resurrection, as opposed to what Jesus was saying. They wanted to prove that there could possibly be no resurrection where a woman will be wife of seven men, because based on the law, she married seven men and died childless. Jesus tells them upfront that they are misled. They did not understand the resurrection. It is NOT a continuation of life on earth. In the resurrection, we will be like angels.

Jesus emphasizes that God is a God of the living, not of the dead. It was custom belief that time that immortality was connected with the existence of the physical body. Thus, they did not believe that the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still exist or are immortal. Jesus quotes the Scripture – I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Present and living God. God did not say I WAS the God. I AM the God means HE is still alive, that he is the same God who guided Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and because of their relationship with Him, they are immortal as they live one with the living God.

The first reading tells us to bear our share of hardship for the Gospel. Yes, again, God is reminding us that it is not easy serving Him. However, the living, present and powerful God gives us what we need to serve Him. He gives us power, love and self-control. He gives us strength to face hardships.

We are asked to live a holy life not according to our standards and through our efforts, but through the grace of God. As we remember to live a life based on God’s grace, we will remember to give him back all the honor, glory and praise. We strengthen our faith not for our benefit, but for God’s work and his people, as we allow ourselves to be used by God to proclaim his kingdom.

Do I believe that God is living and present here in this world? Am I living my life like he is present and living in me?  Do I always focus on Him, his love and power, as I work to give him glory and serve Him? How can I make God more alive and living to the people I interact with?

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you that you are a living God. Thank you that you are always with me during times of troubles and persecution. Help me remember that especially when times are tough, you are there with me even if I don’t always feel it. May I always have that faith in you, and live my life in honor and glory of you – the one true living God. Amen.

Let us think of a way we can make God more alive through us today!

God bless!

In Christ,

-g-

Wait for the Lord

The first reading today tells us that this earth we’re living in right now is temporary, and we are waiting for a new one…

But according to his promisewe await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.

Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned,be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall from your own stability.But grow in grace
and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
To him be glory now and to the day of eternity. Amen

The reading reminds us that there will be a better heaven and earth, and we should be patient as we await in faith for it to happen. We should be on guard and remain pure as we wait on Him. We are asked to be faithful and serve him while we are waiting for him.

The psalmist tells us life is short. Seventy to eighty years at least (Yes, we can claim this promise!). This may seem a long time based on our earthly standards, but this is nothing compared to eternity with God. However hard and challenging it may be, we are asked to live a life of service to God – a life pleasing to God, while we wait for his coming and for his plans to come true to our lives.

Let us have faith that as we live in Him, however challenging it may be, God will reward us, protect us, and be with us in a special way, like he was in Jesus in the gospel giving wise answers to those trying to put him down. God never fails!

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/06/thirst-for-god.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-will-serve-you-while-im-waiting.html

Rejecting Christ

How long will you reject Christ?

Such a strong question. Valid, nonetheless.

If someone was to ask you, how long would you reject Christ, what would be your reaction?

Denial? I am not rejecting Christ! I am following his word, I am a good person.

Questioning? Am I really rejecting Christ? How am I living my life?

Acceptance? Yeah, I think I am rejecting Christ in one way or another.

Repentance? I am rejecting Christ. I am sorry. I need to do something about it, now.

In the gospel today, we see Christ being rejected by the leaders of that time – the chief priests, scribes and elders. The people who were supposed to be building the Church, were rejecting Him. Thus, the stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. The supposedly builders rejected Christ, who is the cornerstone – the very foundation of our faith.

They were rejecting him not just out of ignorance, but out of hardness of heart. They saw the same thing other people who believed saw. They saw Jesus’ teachings, healings and acts proclaiming God. Yet their hearts were closed to him. They were more concerned of their current status in society. They were afraid that welcoming Him would take them out of their comfort zones, that welcoming Him would mean the end of their glorious and prestigious days on earth as the leaders of faith.

Come to think of it, we do not differ so much. We reject Him when we do not allow him to rule in our lives. We reject him when we refuse to make the most out of the sacraments, when we do not confess or receive him in holy communion, because we think we are okay by ourselves and we don’t need him in that way. We reject him when we want total control of the things in our lives and refuse to let him take charge. We reject him when we do things our way and not his. We reject him if we consistently refuse to die of our selves, of our own worldly needs and wants, and refuse to let him be God in our lives.

May we take time off to see what areas of our lives are not yet opened to him. Let us examine our lives and see what else we need to surrender. May we see the need to surrender everything to him and accept him in our lives, and be one with the psalmist in saying: “In you, my God, I place my trust”

Prayer:

Father God,

I am sorry for rejecting you in my life. Lord you know I try to live a good life, but I know that there are things that I have not surrendered. There are aspects of my life that I have not yet given to you. There are things that I am yet to give up. Lord, I ask that you help me surrender. Give me the desire and the will to accept you and surrender my life to you, even if it entails pain, even if entails dying of myself, because Lord I know that it is the only way that you will live in me. All this I ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-