What’s Your Choice?

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021213.cfm) reminds us that we have to make our choices everyday.

Yesterday, we saw that everything that God created was good. (See http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2013/02/is-god-glad.html). Today, we are again reminded that he created the other creatures of the earth, and again, he found everything good.

However, when God created man, he not only found them good, but he made them in His image and likeness.

Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, and the cattle,
and over all the wild animals
and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”

God created man in his image;
in the divine image he created him;
male and female he created them

We were created in the image and likeness of God, he put more effort in creating us, and gave us dominion over everything that God created.

If God created us in his image and likeness, why do we see “bad” people, as Christ tells the Pharisees and scribes in the gospel?

God loves us so much that he gave us free will. Even if he created us in his image and likeness, it is up to us if we will stay that way or if we will choose to let the world and all its evil corrupt us.

In as much as he loves us and gave us dominion over other things, he also gave us the responsibility to care and protect them, not to exploit them for our needs. It is our choice if we will take care of them or exploit them. It is also our choice if we will stay in the image and likeness of God, loving him and serving him, or if we will let the evil of the world drown us and corrupt us. We are given choices everyday, and we should always make a choice – for God or against him.

What is your choice?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me how much you love me, and that I am made in your image and likeness. Thank you for the gift of freedom, of having choices in life to do good or otherwise. Lord, I pray that I always make the right choice. Help me focus on you and not let the world and all its evil corrupt me. May I keep my eyes on the prize and constantly choose to love and serve you, as I stay in your image and likeness. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Is God Glad?

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021113.cfm) reminds me that we should make God glad.

The first reading reminds us of the story of creation. God created everything from nothing. God created everything with his word, his powerful word. We believe that everything that God created is beautiful, indeed it is written – “God saw how good it was.” God did not create something ugly or evil – everything God created was seen as good in the eyes of God, they made God glad.

In the gospel, we see someone who made God really glad. Jesus, out of love for God, became man, did God’s work on earth, and died so that we could live. His life on earth, his love for God, surely made God glad.

We are challenged and encouraged by the psalmist to do the same. “May the Lord be glad in his works.”

Is the Lord glad in you?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another week. Lord, I ask that you help me live a life that would make you glad. I know that sometimes, or a lot of times, I am not able to make you happy by the way I live my life, and for that, I am sorry.  You know my heart, and you know how much I love you. I pray that that love may be translated into action. May my life be pleasing to you and others. Amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Conversion

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021013.cfm) shows us three separate instances of conversion.

In the first reading, we see Isaiah being converted. He was made clean by God.

Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed!
For I am a man of unclean lips,

He touched my mouth with it, and said,
“See, now that this has touched your lips,
your wickedness is removed, your sin purged

God is like soap. He doesn’t run away from dirty objects, but his mere presence cleans us from all sin and unworthiness. We just need to humble ourselves and come to him.

The gospel shows us the conversion of his first apostles -  Simon, James and John. From their usual routine, these fishermen were called to become fishers of men. No matter how simple, normal or routinary our lives may be, Jesus still calls us to serve him in ways more than one. We just need to be open to Him and respond when he calls us.

Probably one of the greatest conversion story in history is St Paul’s conversion. We see his story in the second reading. From one of the fierce persecutors of Christians, Saul was called by God, and was converted to become Paul, one of the great evangelists of all time.

because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am,
and his grace to me has not been ineffective.
Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them;
not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me

No matter how lost we may be, God will still find us, and will still invite us to serve him. we just need to be open and allow him to use us.

Where are you right now in your life? Are you needing conversion? Are you open to be used by God?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for seeing the goodness in me. Lord, I may not be serving you now in the way you want me to, or in the way I should be. Give me humility and faith to just come to you. Help me become open to you and be sensitive to ways you are calling me to be converted, ways you are calling me to serve you. Lord, I pray that I see myself as you see me- precious, capable of doing good, and worthy to serve you. May I also be open and allow you to use me, however unworthy I may see myself. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

Others First

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020913.cfm) reminds me to be like Christ and put others first

We see in the gospel that Christ put others first – his disciples and the people.

The disciples were telling him stories on their journey. They were tired but happy. Fulfilled with their mission. Jesus probably would have wanted to continue listening to them, or to continue working with them to further God’s kingdom. However, he knew they were tired, so he put them first and told them to go away and rest – both physically and spiritually.

Then when they got to the place, instead of resting and spending time with the disciples, Jesus again out others first, this time the people. They were hungry for God’s word, as shown by their effort to go to the place even before Jesus and his disciples arrived.  Jesus was moved and taught them many things, he satisfied their desires and longing to know God more.

As Christ is willing and ready to put others first, we too are encouraged to do the same. Sometimes, or a lot of times, we have personal needs and desires. However, we also are called to be sensitive to others, and reach out to others and not just focus on ourselves. As we experience God’s love, we are expected to share it to others.

Am I willing to put others first, or am I too focused on my own concerns?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another weekend. Lord, thank you for putting me first. Thank you for always being ready to come to my rescue, and thank you for your heart that is moved with pity for us who seek you, for us who are hungry for you. Lord, may I have the heart of Mama Mary, that even if she was pregnant and had her concerns on her pregnancy and her being the mother of Christ, she put others first and travelled to serve her cousin Elizabeth. Lord, give me that heart, and enable me to serve and put others first despite my personal concerns. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

Don't be Afraid

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020813.cfm) reminds is not to be afraid.

They say that the word “Do not be afraid” appears in the bible more than 365 times, and that is more than enough to remind us every day not to be afraid, that God is with us and he is in control.

The readings are full of reminders for us not to be afraid…

Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?

Further on, the psalmist tells us..

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

Be it people or circumstances, we are reminded not to be afraid. God is on our side, and he is in control of everything.

In the gospel we see a man who lived this. John the Baptist was not afraid to live his faith. He was not afraid to work for God, even going against the powerful during his time. He was committed to God’s work, to the point of death. He may have died on earth, but we know that God is taking care of him for eternity.

Having God on our side does not necessarily mean life is going to be easy. Jesus himself said that he is not of this world, and that the devil is the prince of this world. That’s why we should expect the world to treat us bad, since we are of God, and God is not of this world. Whatever challenges we may experience in the world, we are reminded not to be afraid, God is on our side and is always in control. Like John the Baptist we just need to be faithful in doing God’s work despite of everything.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding me again to not be afraid. Thank you for always reminding me that I should not be afraid, that you are on my side, and that you are in control. Father God, help me always remember that. Help me surrender to you and live my life in serving you, knowing that my work for you will not be vain. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Travel Light

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020713.cfm) reminds us of the importance of travelling light.

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick--
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.

Jesus instructed his disciples to bring what is necessary, the very basics. He told them not to take anything except a walking stick.

Why a walking stick…?

In those times, it was not unusual for people to have a walking stick. People, especially those advanced in age and those who often travel, have a walking stick. It helps them since they travel through far distances. It gives them additional strength by acting sort of their third leg, or something that would support their weary legs so as not to take all the weight of the body. It is also used to protect themselves from stray animals as they travel. Also, we see in the bible God using the walking stick or staff to perform great things. Moses parted the red sea, led Israelites to victories in wars, and drew water out of a stone all by using a staff or a stick.

How light the disciples must have felt in that travel.

However, in today’s day and age, we feel that as though we need a lot of things to survive. There are a lot of gadgets, smartphones, portable battery source and even internet, that we feel we need with us every time. When we travel, we bring with us a lot of these things. That’s why sometimes, instead of enjoying our journey and focusing on it, our attention is divided because we have to think of what we brought, making sure nothing gets lost or left behind, checking if we have battery, and spare battery, to take pictures; making sure there’s signal for mobile and internet use, etc.

This is exactly what Jesus did not want to happen to his apostles. He wanted them to remain simple and focus on their task. More than that, they wanted them to have faith that God will provide as they stay focused on God.

As I look at my things, what are the extras that seem to be necessities to me? As I look at my life, what are the extras that seem to be necessities? What are weighing me down? What things, people or habits are hindering me from focusing on God and on the task he has for me? What are hindering me from fully trusting and surrendering to God? Am I willing to let go?

May we be challenged and see what things we do not really need, the things that are taking our focus away from God and the task he has in store for us. Let us develop our faith in God’s providence – he still provides, until now!

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for reminding us the importance of staying light – to rid ourselves of anything and everything that prevents us from focusing on you and from doing what you want us to do. Lord, there are a lot of distractions in life, and I ask that you help me keep my focus on you. I am sorry for allowing myself to be distracted, and for considering as necessary some of the extras in life. Help me have faith and travel light as I take this journey towards you. I have faith that you will always provide as long as I focus on you and put you first. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/light-journey.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/10/go-by-pairs.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/09/power-over-sickness.html

Dad’s Discipline

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020613.cfm) reminds me that God the Father has his ways of disciplining us.

The first reading tells us:

My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as his sons.
For what A son is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it

Yes, God is like our earthly father who disciplines us. God has his best interests in his heart, and no matter how difficult or challenging the situation may be, we should have faith that God is arranging everything to benefit us, to make us stronger individuals, to make us better children of God

It gives a new light to our challenges in life, as it is written “he scourges every son he acknowledges” He cares enough to give his attention to us. He cares enough to train us, to strengthen us, and to mold us to become more and more like him. We should look at challenges in life as God the Father’s love notes to us, blessings in disguise, that though at present may seem hard or may dishearten us,  in his perfect time, these things would make sense and make us better children of God, as long as we bear it with love, and cooperate with God all throughout.

What challenges am I going through right now? How do I react to these challenges? Am I dishearten by them, or do I have faith that in these challenges, God is moving his hand secretly, silently making me strong and more and more like him?

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for your reminder. Lord, I would admit that I complain about a lot of things. I complain especially when I feel I am suffering for doing good. Lord, I am sorry for being disheartened, or for thinking of giving up in following you. Like Jesus, I pray that even if I want you to take these challenges away, I submit to your will and pray that not my will, but yours, be done. Thank you for taking time to give me these trials and mold me to become the person you want me to be, to become more and more like you. I pray that I be strong enough to remain faithful to you and humble enough to always submit to your will. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-