LOVE HAS NO HOLIDAY

LOVE HAS NO HOLIDAY

 

So faith, hope, love remains, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

 

The long holiday at the end of 2008 nearly emptied Manila streets of its usual inhabitants. So on that day, I should have reached the church quicker. But the driver of the jeepney I was riding decided to meander in the almost silent streets, stopping at every corner like he had all the time in the world. Since I was running late, it frayed my nerves. In my mind, I was commanding the driver to hurry. But he continued on his slow and merry way.

I was almost hyperventilating with impatience as I alighted from the jeep. That’s when the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Love does not take a holiday.

I went to church chastened that day. It’s almost automatic for us to think that others should treat us well and kindly. But do we do the same to others? As that simple yet deep message says, there’s no holiday when it comes to loving. Joy Sosoban (jsosoban@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“Love is patient, love is kind.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)

 

Dear Lord, make my love untiring and indiscriminate — just like Yours.

 

 

JEALOUSY IS SUCH A WASTE OF TIME

 

Jealousy is much worse than simply a waste of time. It also has the potential to waste an enormous amount of energy and resources. Time and energy that we spend competing with one another over usually a trivial matter could be far better spent working together to ensure that the Gospel is proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

In the Gospel today the leaders of the Jewish people get angry because they are jealous of Jesus’ popularity and also because Jesus is implying that they are no different from their faithless forebears who wearied the patience of God. From their reaction, it seems to me that Jesus has pretty much got it right. Before we become too judgmental, it might be good to reflect upon our own lives to see whether or not we have fallen into the same trap as the leaders of the Jews did in Jesus’ time.

We need to learn to rejoice in the gifts and powers that God has given to others, and not see them as competition for the attention of the people. Normally if this is the case, we are focused incorrectly in at least two ways. The first is that we are not working together with others to proclaim the Gospel — we want the glory for ourselves. The second is that we are focusing on gaining the attention of those already evangelized and we are not putting our energy and efforts into evangelizing those who have not or need to hear again, the Word of God. Jesus was never interested in any attention the people wanted to give Him — His sole concern was to live and proclaim the Gospel as best as He could.

It is this example that we must seek to follow. Otherwise, we will become distracted from the things that should be our focus and we will fail to achieve what we could have achieved, if only we had been wholly obedient to God.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I live my life in accordance with the will of God? Do I rejoice in the gifts God gives to others?

 

Jesus, help me to see that I am only one aspect of the work of the Kingdom of God; help me to know how to work with others in proclaiming the Gospel.

 

St. Marcella, pray for us.

WHEN GOD INTRUDES

WHEN GOD INTRUDES

 

“Let us cross to the other side.” – Mark 4:35

 

I was a contented, happy, normal employee in a multinational company preoccupied with attending prayer meetings, Bible studies and actively serving in ministries. I was also hoping I could one day do the latter fulltime.

But I found myself heavily involved in representing the company in international competitions. This derailed my normal day-to- day routine and altered my desired plan. At 30, I was a young manager with an exciting career. I also met the girl of my dreams.

But after 23 years in the electronics industry and with a thriving family business, suddenly my major project got scrapped. At the same time, my wife and I had some deep personal issues with relatives plus business challenges that came our way.

The Lord has a way of intruding in our lives, doesn’t He? He disturbs us when we are too comfortable, or when He needs to fix something in us or in our lives, or when He simply wants us to grow.

I must admit that I still don’t like it. But we are reminded in today’s Gospel, “Quiet! Be still!” As we cross to the other side, He is with us in our boat. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

What are God’s intrusions in your life lately? Are you complaining or growing?

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to recognize Your hand in my life and grant me the grace to respond accordingly — joyfully and peacefully! Amen.

 

WHAT DO WE DO WITH SIN?

 

It is easy enough to identify the sin in our lives, though at times we can have blind spots (like David) or we can actually rebel against admitting that what we have done is wrong. Be that as it may, what we need to do when we recognize sin is confront it and put it to death. It is absolutely essential that we do not tolerate any sin for one iota of a moment, or else it will stick its foot into the door of our heart, and we will have a hard time getting rid of it.

Sin is never fair; it is always evil and it will take advantage of the smallest mistakes we make. We must be equally ruthless in dealing with such a foe. If not, we will constantly find ourselves “behind the eight ball,” having an enormous struggle trying to get rid of it. Sin, by its nature, will not give up easily. The devil, although he has been defeated, continues to live in the hope that he can gain us for his kingdom. It is important that we do not give him any latitude to work in our lives because I can assure you he will do whatever he can to win us over to his way of thinking and living.

Nathan confronts David with his sin regarding Uriah the Hittite in a very clever manner so that David passes judgment on himself. We must always seek to look at our moral choices with the same sort of objectivity that Nathan helps provide to David — only then can we judge the moral worth of our proposed actions in a dispassionate manner. Feelings are not usually very helpful in determining the moral rectitude of an action. They tend to cloud the issues more than bring them into stark relief.

As we seek to be disciples of Jesus, it is important that we open our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit who will help us discern what we should do in any given situation. Let us be open to the grace and help of God that He provides us and not insist on doing things on our own strength — a formula that is certain to get us into a lot of trouble. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I tend to tolerate sin in my life? Even if the sin is small, little sins lead to big sins. Let us not allow this vicious cycle to begin.

 

Jesus, help me to discern what is good, true and perfect as regards my life and the decisions I make every day. Let me be humble enough to submit fully to the grace and power of Your Holy Spirit.

 

St. Hippolytus, pray for us.

DERELECTION OF DUTY

DERELECTION OF DUTY

 

At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign… David sent out his officers and the army of Israel…. David however remained in Jerusalem… saw a woman bathing, had relations with her. – 2 Samuel 11:1-4

 

David’s first sin was not adultery with Bathsheba and then murdering her husband, Uriah. It was his failure to do what was expected of him as king at that time of the year — to go out to war with his men. Instead, he chose to “take a vacation.”

When I heard this interpretation, it made me ponder. The faithful performance of one’s duty at the proper time is important whether one is a king or a commoner. When I am lazy as a government official, coming in late and forgetting my deadlines, my job suffers. I turn in substandard work. Indeed, laziness becomes the workshop of the devil.

I have resolved to do what God expects of me in all the different roles I play. As a princess and daughter of the King. A single mother of five. A daughter of an earthly father. A sister, relative and friend. A contemplative missionary and truly rich ambassador for Christ and country who prays to be a servant to her S.O.U.L. (Spirit; Others, especially OFWs and their families; Unbelievers, unwanteds and unlovables; and Loved ones).

Our God deserves no less. Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:

Non-performance of duties at the right time can lead to serious, even sinful and deathly consequences.

 

Dear Lord, help me to do my God-appointed duties on time.

 

JUDGING IS GOD'S BUSINESS

Judging is GOD’S Business

 

 

“The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.” – Mark 4:24

 

When we see a person having tantrums or going nuts, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and say that the person has a bad attitude. But we don’t really know what that person went through to make him or her act that way. For all we know, he or she just had a horrible and painful experience.

The command of God regarding judging others is very clear. Remember that He alone knows the motives of one’s heart. Let us always leave room for understanding and give others the benefit of the doubt when they act in an irrational or irritating way. We always have a choice: to focus on the good side of things or the not-so-good. Let’s make it a habit to always look for the bright side because “all things work for good for those who love God.” Jess Santos (jesus_santos_07@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

What do you focus on most of the time: the good or the not-so-good? Your honest answer will be your first step to a stress-free life.

 

Dear God, teach me to see things the way You want me to see them. Grant me the grace of humility to admit that I have to change my perspective for Your glory, in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

 

 

THE AMOUNT YOU MEASURE OUT

 

I think the texts in the Gospels where Jesus challenges us the most are those where He reminds us of the eternal consequences of our individual choices. The amount we measure out is the amount we will be given is a case in point. I think any Christian who does not seriously consider and reflect upon this saying of Jesus is extremely short-sighted. It is a text that reminds both the importance of generosity (who could outdo God in generosity) and also the eternal natureof our moral choices.

The Catholic Church teaches us that we have a hand in creating our own character. We can thus know a person from the choices they make. So it is essential that we consider this when we make choices in our lives. If I choose to be stingy with my wealth when others appeal to me for help, how will God be generous with me when I ask Him for the gift of salvation and the forgiveness of my sins? I am not saying that we can control God through our choices, but through the way we relate with others.

Jesus’ authority and witness is made manifest to us through the choices He makes during His life. It is here that we have an example of what it means to give our lives in the service of others; in putting the needs of others before our own needs and desires. The promise of the Scriptures is that God will always be sufficient for us. The question we have to ask of ourselves is, “Do we believe this to be true?” and if we do, “Are we willing to stake our lives on this truth?” Our answer will as likely or not determine the depth of our discipleship and our value as witnesses to the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Jesus calls us to be generous in giving our lives in the service of the Gospel. He will not force anything on us, though He can make life pretty uncomfortable at times, until He gets His way. If we know His will, the simplest response is to be obedient to it. This will save us a lot of heartbreak and struggle.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Am I truly aware of the consequences of my individual actions and how they can have a bearing on my eternal destiny?

 

Jesus, help me to make good choices in life; choices that will lay the foundation of a life lived for You and for Your Kingdom and not something selfish that I lose the gift of eternal life in the process.

 

St. Cannera, pray for us.

SOWING THE SEEDS

 

SOWING THE SEED

 

 

“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.” – Mark 4:3

 

Almost every day, I meet all kinds of people — former officemates, friends, neighbors, business partners, former staff, people who belong to our organization, relatives….

Come to think of it, I would meet hundreds of people a month in different venues. They can be one-on-one meetings, big conferences, small group sessions, etc. Whether I like it or not, I influence them in one way or another.

The big question is, how have I sown the seed of God’s Word in their lives? Am I a sower of His Good News through my words or, more importantly, my actions? Have I used what the Lord has given me (tangible or otherwise) to lead them to Jesus? Have I responded to situations in a way that people are attracted to the Christian way of life?

These are just some compelling questions for us to consider. Let’s sow our seed boldly, trusting that it is His grace that will produce the fruits. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Have I shared the Lord lately?

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to share You effectively and boldly with people I meet every day. Amen.

 

 

AVOID SCORCHING YOUR ROOTS!

 

The Church invites us to reflect on a number of possibilities today in terms of how we embrace the Gospel when we hear it. I want to focus on just one — the scorched roots. I like to picture this image on those who fail to deepen their lives in the truth and thus find themselves led astray by the fads and fashions of the day and age. It is as though they are not willing to allow their life of discipleship to go deeper in relationship with Jesus.

A plant given only a thin layer of soil in which to live will find its roots getting scorched on a hot day because there is no protection from the burning sun. It is the same with our faith — unless we are firmly and deeply rooted in the truth we will not flourish and prosper as human beings. We may survive for a while as long as the challenges do not get too big, but eventually we will discover that we are not firmly rooted in the soil of the truth and we will wither and die. The assault of the lies of sin and the world will be too great for us to endure and they will overcome us. We will be burnt out struggling against them.

However, if we are deeply rooted in the truth, when the struggles and trials come, when the enemy sends his lies to distract and disorient us, we will be able to persevere because we will be founded in the truth of our faith to the point that we will not be moved by fads and fashions, lies and distractions. This is the sort of faith that the world needs today. Society has so compromised the truth of our humanity with its bowing down to the gods of expediency and materialism that it is very difficult for someone not rooted in the truth of their humanity(their being created in the image and likeness of God) to know how to

respond when confronted with the errors and lies of the modern age.

It is no different today as it has been in the past. The truth is always under assault from sin. It just seems that, in certain aspects, the world is coming close to establishing its doctrine rather than that of the truth of the Creator, God. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Where do I look when I seek for truth today? Do I look to the world and its errors for the answers to my questions or is my life firmly rooted in the Word of God?

 

Holy Spirit, help me to overcome the lies and errors of modern society by building my life on the truth of the Word of God and thus maintaining a faithful witness to the Gospel.

 

St. Marius, pray for us.

AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY

Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops

 

 

AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY

 

So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. – 2 Timothy 1:8\

 

My wife and I take pride in our Christian faith and we try to give glory to God at every proper opportunity we have.

In our home, the family Bible is visibly enthroned at the entrance and foyer.

In our business, we took our company name from the Holy Scriptures. When you open our websites, you’ll readily see the Christian character of its owner.

Once, we had a chance to share our faith with our neighbors at the subdivision we recently moved into. During our turn to host the monthly acquaintance party, we had Christian musicians as entertainers. My wife and I also sang a song about our heart’s thirst and longing for Jesus even if we don’t sing well.

We wanted our guests to know that we were striving to be Christians — and even prospering — in the business world. We want to tell the world that we can be in the world without compromising our faith. Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)

 

REFLECTION:

Are you a cabinet Christian whose faith, like your Sunday wear, is seen only in church?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me a heart that is always bold to proclaim that You are my God, my Savior and my personal Friend.

 

 

EARLY BISHOPS OF THE CHURCH

 

The structure of ministry within the Church was established as bishop, priest and deacon emerged very early in the life of the Church. We see the foundations of it as early as Paul’s letters and the explicit wording within about 100 years after the death of Christ. Paul writes to both Timothy and Titus in what are sometimes known as the Pastoral Epistles. He writes to them in their capacity as leaders of the local churches he has established in Ephesus and Crete. It is quite clear that Paul intends that there be an institutional element to the leadership structure of the Church albeit one where the charismatic dimension of ministry is not lost.

Unfortunately through the years, the Church has tended to focus on the institutional element to the detriment of the charismatic, and thus while the Church can be very good at preserving structures, it can sometimes lose track of its most vital reason for existence, namely to evangelize all people — to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. It is easy to see how necessary it is to have structure to guide and coordinate such an ambitious project — it is equally obvious that without the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in the lives of the leaders of the Church through the charisms, such a goal will be impossible.

As we remember Timothy and Titus today, let us pray for our leaders that they will be always guided by the Spirit of God in all that they do and that they will never lose sight of the call to proclaim the Good News of salvation to all men and women. I am sure Timothy and Titus made this goal their foremost concern in their ministries — let us do the same ourselves.

St. Paul would not have entrusted such difficult tasks to men who were not ready for the job; in the same way we need to believe that whatever the shortcomings of our leaders may be, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, they have all that they need to lead us along the path and in the work of salvation.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

How often do I really set aside time to pray for my leaders? Am I willing to make this sacrifice for their sake and the sake of the Body of Christ?

 

Holy Spirit, empower and guide all who lead the Church so that they will avail themselves of every gift You offer them in their ministry.

 

St. Paula, pray for us.

STAYING POWER OF GOD

Feast of the Conversion of Paul, Apostle

 

STAYING POWER OF GOD

 

He got up and was baptized…. – Acts 9:18

 

On the morning of February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia re-entered the earth’s atmosphere after a 16-day scientific mission. A few minutes before its expected landing, the shuttle burst into flames, lost its power, disintegrated and crashed in the desert of California.

Columbia needed a large amount of power for it to take off from earth, to stay up in the sky and return to earth. It needed 1.9 million liters of fuel (approximately 47 thousand cars with full tank) and five million pounds of energy (equivalent to the weight of 25,000 200-pound men) to push the shuttle 23 miles up in the sky in two minutes. Saul became a changed man through the power of the Holy Spirit. This same power fueled him to spread the Gospel and sustained Him through all the trials and persecutions he faced.

Our human powers are limited. If we rely only on our own powers, we just might end up like the space shuttle Columbia. We won’t be able to sustain our flight. But if we turn to God, the Source of all power, and allow Him to take control of our lives, we can fly high. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings. They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

 

Empower me with Your Spirit, oh Lord.

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CONVERTED?

 

The story of Paul’s conversion ought to cause anyone with sense to reflect on the meaning of their life. He believes he is a man with a God-given mission and yet he is totally wrong in his most fundamental suppositions. He encounters Jesus and his life is turned upside down and inside out! It is enough to make any sinner tremble with trepidation and begin to wonder if they are really on the right path.

Paul is not bad — he is in fact a good man. However, goodness in this sense is not a measure of whether or not he has a correct understanding of either faith or God. Listening to a preacher over the last weekend, I heard him say that it is not the “good person” who will enter heaven, but the one who is obedient to God’s will. What he means is that we assign the adjective “good” to a person without understanding about salvation. Avoiding evil is a good thing but it will not get you into heaven — only God can do that. And what God requires of us in order that we might be saved and have eternal life is that we believe in Jesus and do what He commands us to do as His disciples.

Faith is not just an intellectual reality — it galvanizes us into action and causes us to become a new creation in Christ. This is the experience of Paul and it is precisely this experience that we hear about again and again in his epistles. It is not a matter of what we can achieve on our own strength but what God has done for us and what He consequently calls us to as His followers.

Jesus is different from other prophets as His life is the path to eternal life (John 14:6). It is a path of obedience — of dying to Himself and living the will of His Father. This is the example He sets out for us and calls us to as His disciples. As He tells Peter at the end of John’s Gospel, it is his faith that will lead and direct him, not his own desires. We need to pray for a level of surrender and obedience to God’s will that none of us have ever truly fathomed yet. If we do fathom it, it is certain that we will become saints.Fr. SteveTynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I really seek to do God’s will in my life or do I pay lip-service to this goal and do what I want to do with my life?

 

Jesus, help me to follow Your example and always be open to Your will for my life. Grant me the grace to be obedient to it always.

 

St. Apollo, pray for us.

THE REAL WINNER

The Real Winner

 

“The Lord will be the judge.” – 1 Samuel 24:16

 

Miss California, Carrie Prejean, could have won the title of Miss USA 2009 if not for her answer to a touchy subject on same-sex marriage during the question and answer portion of the pageant. She knew that the particular judge asking the question was a homosexual and she could have easily answered it to please the judge. Instead, she chose to stand by her convictions. “In my country and in my family, I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.”

God bless her. She may not have brought home the pageant’s crown but surely she’s a winner in God’s eyes.

It’s a shame how many of us, even those who claim to have a personal relationship with God, are easily swayed by the popular beliefs of the majority even if it goes against our Christian beliefs. Sometimes, we are willing to set aside, or even give up, our Christian values especially when confronted with an awkward situation when there’s a need to stand by our faith. Our actions are not to be dictated by our so-called peers and friends, but by God who is our Lord and Savior. In the end, it is not the impression we make on people that matters but the judgment of God on the way we live our lives. Jane Gonzales (mjsg2468@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Are we willing to be ridiculed in defense of our Christian values?

 

Heavenly Father, I pray for courage and strength to always stand by my faith. Amen.

 

 

DO YOU RESPOND WHEN JESUS CALLS YOU?

 

I believe Jesus summons us all into the wilderness at various times of our lives. Being called to reflect a little more constantly and without distraction as we set time aside for a retreat means that God gets to speak to our spirits and forms us in His ways in a stronger and more effective way. This formation in the quiet is essential in our growth in holiness. Many will respond by saying that they are too busy. I truly believe it is all a matter of priorities.

Jesus made it a number one priority to draw aside from ministry from time to time in order to “recharge His batteries” so to speak; to ensure that His relationship with His Father in heaven was always in good shape. We have to take our cue from Him and prioritize time aside with God in prayer each day and every now and then treat ourselves to a retreat where the focus is God alone. This is all a matter of life and death for our souls. Without such time with God, our spirits will wither away, consumed with the worries and anxieties of the world.

In the Gospel today, we read that Jesus retreats into the hills before making one of the most important decisions of His life — the choice of His apostles. Herein lies the future of His ministry once He returns to the Father. That the Church is still functioning today, 2,000 years later, is a testimony to the fact that He made a good choice. When we make big decisions we must be willing to do the groundwork that will ensure that we make a good decision. Part of that groundwork is setting aside time in prayer to consult what God might want to say to us about the issue at hand.

I wonder how faithful we are to really putting before God the decisions of our lives. Or do we make them and then ask God to bless them? These are very different approaches. The first is a recipe for good decision-making; the second for disaster. We cannot expect God to “make things better” just because we have committed to them — He may not be committed to the path of action we have chosen.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I consult God enough about the decisions I make in my life?

 

Holy Spirit, please speak into the decisions I make in my life so that I will be confident that what I do have the blessing of God and are not just according to my own will.

 

St. Blaesilla, pray for us.

 

ARCHIE DULCE PRE NUP AVP

CRAB MENTALITY

Crab Mentality

 

 

 

 

And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. – 1 Samuel 18:9

 

 

Because we live in a Third World country, we tend to have a scarcity mentality. When others are blessed, we’re likely to be jealous, unconsciously thinking that they’re getting something that could possibly be ours. For example, when someone gets a promotion at work, instead of rejoicing with that person, you’ll hear others say, “Sipsip kasi,” implying that corporate patronage was behind the move.

But God’s blessing is for all. It’s like the Niagara Falls with its mighty water rushing to the bottom. The water travels upstream first before it flows downstream but it eventually reaches its destination. Its falls generates so much mist that it projects a number of rainbows.

Like the waters of Niagara, God’s blessings may seem to reach others first. We just have to stay thankful and faithful even as we persevere in claiming His promises. And just as the rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant with His people (Genesis 3), He is faithful in keeping His promises to us. Rolly España (rolly@homeliving.com.ph)

 

REFLECTION:

Do you always feel that the neighbour next door or your co-worker is being blessed more often than you?

 

Lord, give me a thankful heart that I may realize that You always provide for what I need.

 

 

AND THE CROWDS JUST KEPT COMING

 

The few ministry years of Jesus must have been something to experience — a phenomenon of unprecedented proportions. I do not think I can really grasp what it would have been like. Perhaps if we envisage the huge crowds that gather when the pope arrives in a country and then repeat that again and again we will have some idea of the crowds that followed Jesus. It must have been an amazing experience.

I am reminded of a song I heard at a youth formation seminar with the main line exhorting us to “be prepared for the ride of a lifetime,” when we commit ourselves to follow Jesus as His disciples. This ought to be the truth. It is not that being a disciple means having amazing adventures all the time though they certainly should be a part of the mix of our lives. In 25 years of serious discipleship, I have seen miracles that blow my mind, yet there is a feeling at the back of my mind and heart that there is so much more available to us if only we would be more committed to our faith and let go of the controlling strings of our lives.

The lives of the saints have always fascinated me. I devour every book I can find on the saints and always feel inspired to do great things after reading them. However, the reality is that there are little changes in my life. Why? I think I lack the deep trust that is necessary to become a saint; I lack that absolute foolhardy depth of commitment to the will of God in my life. I am too much a child of our intellectual age — putting the cerebral before the spiritual —and hence reaping the fruit of such a decision. I think my faith is too conservative and I am not willing to totally leave everything in the hands of God and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells us that we will do greater things than He does. Why then don’t I see more miracles in my life and ministry? The only answer I can come up with is my lack of faith and trust in God. I wonder how it is in your life?Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

 

Reflection Question:

Perhaps we can make a commitment to one another to pray for a deeper faith in each others’ lives and that the will of God will be manifest in our lives every moment of every day. How about it? Let’s give it a go!

 

Father, I pray for every person who reads this reflection, that You will deepen their faith and work miracles through them every day.

 

Blessed Inez, pray for us.

AS EASE AS ADDITION

AS EASY AS ADDITION

 

“The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine.” – 1 Samuel 17:37

 

I can still feel the thrill when I first performed two-digit addition. As a first grader, my knowledge was limited only to single digit math. But one day, while I was on a school bus with a friend’s grade two Math book, I was able to solve “complicated” two-digit addition problems.

Who would have thought that much, much later, I would learn to do Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and — the mother of them all — Calculus? If you told me back in that school bus that I’d have to solve problems with limits, derivatives, integrals and infinite series, I would have probably dropped out of school.

It’s the same with the Lord. He prepares us all our lives to carry out His calling. Just as David’s work as a shepherd boy trained him for his encounter with Goliath, our education, experiences, family background, even trials and difficulties are our qualifications for the tasks God asks us to do today. So if you really think about it, following God can be as easy as grade two math. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

 

Lord, when it seems that You are asking me to do the impossible, remind me that You have prepared me all my life for it.

 

IS IT RIGHT OR WRONG?

 

If you are anything like me, you will be wondering how on earth anyone could complain about the healing of a sick person on the Sabbath! What is at work in a person’s heart for them to do this? To be fair, I do not think it is malice towards the sick person, just a very legalistic understanding of the Law and its application to individual circumstances. I would hope that those who question Jesus’ actions would change their minds if they were to imagine that they were the sick person in question! However, there are forms of legalism that are so strong that they can even seem to be totally devoid of compassion.

Now by compassion I do not mean compromise. Compassion literally means “to suffer with,” that is, to take on the position of the other person and try to see things from their perspective. It is important for us to develop compassion as it can help us to understand why people do the things they do, and when the person is suffering, help us to realize the depth of their struggle and thus be inspired to help them.

Jesus was a compassionate person in that He was always ready to listen to those around Him and He was able to address their issues and needs from the standpoint of understanding. Help for others that comes from a purely theoretical or philosophical point of view is a “cold” sort of help. It is better than nothing but not as “warm” and comforting as help that comes from a compassionate understanding of another and being with the person who is suffering. As Christians, we ought to move from the first position to that of the second.

Jesus calls us to have a special love for the poor and suffering. Even in the midst of prosperity and progress, the poor and outcast are forgotten as they are not part of what is happening and so they get passed over. Let’s make it a point to remember them and try to bring them along with us as best we can and help them make the best of their lives. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I have a heart for the poor and suffering or do I tend to ignore their plight as something beyond my control?

 

Jesus, help me to have a heart for the poor and suffering of the world and to do all I can to better their lives and help them out of their suffering.

 

St. Fenchin, pray for us.

 

SUNDAY STRUGGLE

SUNDAY STRUGGLE

 

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27

 

 

There are very few “big things” that my wife and I quarrel about. One is attending Sunday Mass first thing in the morning and being on time. That’s the least that I can do as my way of giving my Sunday to the Lord. So I demand that of myself… and my wife. After all, isn’t He supposed to be number 1?

However, my beloved has a problem waking up early on Sundays. This is where the struggle begins. I persuade her to get up and give her a series of short, powerful lectures on putting God first as we get ready for Mass. The result? We make it there alright but you can sense the tension between us. We do make peace as the Mass progresses but I’ve already missed the whole point of the Lord’s Sabbath — to worship and love God with delight as a couple and be renewed by Him on His special day.

When I think about it, my wife and I work at our business six days a week and sometimes it even takes us out of town. I forget that my wife’s physical well-being is more important than the “rules” I impose on myself. After all, there are Sunday Masses from morning to evening. More than manmade guidelines, it’s being an instrument of God’s love that counts. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Do I impose stern rules on the people around me and forget to love?

 

Lord Jesus, loving people with Your love is more important than sacrifice. Please remind me of this always. Amen.

 

LET US BE FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT MATTER

 

One of the first tactics of the devil is to try to distract us from the things that should be the foci of our life. If he can achieve this goal, he will have succeeded in neutralizing our impact in bringing the Gospel to others. This means that the Church’s mission will be blunted and bringing back humanity to its proper place of submission to the will of God will be delayed.

There is an urgency to proclaim the Gospel and to proclaim it in truth without any accretions that take away from its power to save. The Gospel stands in judgment over the world and its various cultures. The Gospel does not have to adapt its truths to the cultures in which it is being proclaimed. It must be proclaimed in truth and all that is in a particular culture that is not in conformity to that truth must go. Yes, we adapt the manner of proclaiming the Gospel to the individual culture, but never the content of the Gospel.

Sociologists, anthropologists and many others will defend the primacy of culture over and against the Gospel, but they are wrong. The truth of the Gospel is not open to debate; it is not open to alteration in the name of cultural sensitivity. If we fail to be clear about the truth of the Gospel when we proclaim it, we do a disservice to those who hear it and we become at least partially responsible for their errors. I’m sure none of us want to be responsible for the errors of others so we had better heed the call to both live and proclaim the Gospel faithfully in response to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, we must always seek to understand different cultures, but we must also be willing to call to conversion various aspects of the cultures in which we work. Otherwise, we will condemn ourselves to an exercise in futility because unless the Gospel is proclaimed in its fullness, it will not be able to establish itself in the lives of those who hear it. Our task of proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the earth will never be completed. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Do I tend to let slide certain culturally accepted aspects of my life even though I know they are contrary to the Gospel? If so, it is time I did something about it.

 

Jesus, You proclaimed the truth whether it made You popular or not. Help me to do the same and so be faithful to You.

 

St. Branwallader, pray for us.

OUR FATHER WILL HANDLE IT

Feast of Sto. Niño

 

OUR FATHER WILL HANDLE IT

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heaven. – Ephesians 1:3

When my son was four years old, I brought him along to watch a professional basketball game. It was a good opportunity for us to have a father-son bonding time.

The section where we sat was not too packed. This allowed Jac to roam around and try every available seat. When the game became intense, I focused more on it than what my son was doing.

Right after the game, a vendor approached me. “Sir, you owe me for a hotdog, juice and a couple of candies. Your son told me to approach you because his dad will handle everything,” he said. I looked for Jac and saw him happily munching on the hotdog while holding the juice with his other hand. I smiled and paid the vendor.

Our union with Christ entitles us to all the spiritual blessings we need. Through Christ, we can approach our Heavenly Father and ask Him any favor or request. Never hesitate to pray to our heavenly Father.Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:

When temptation comes, declare, “My Father will help me overcome this!” When faced with danger, claim, “My Father will protect me!” When you are sick, say, “My Father

is the best doctor!”

My Father, I present my needs before You and ask for them in Jesus’ name. Amen.

CELEBRATING THE CHRIST CHILD WITHIN

There is a world of difference between being childlike and being childish. In the spiritual life, the first is a virtue of the highest degree. In any situation, the latter is a problem. Being childish as an adult is always a sign of an unwillingness or incapacity, for one reason or another, to take on responsibility in a mature and healthy way.

It is essential for the spiritual wellbeing of anyone that they be willing and able to take on responsibility for their life and actions. Without this, there is no such thing as discipleship! Without embracing the call to discipleship, there is no salvation for the individual and the Church will cease to exist. Today’s Feast of the Sto. Niño is a reminder to us of the need to be childlike in our faith, but never to be childish.

Christ always maintained a childlike attitude in His relationship with His Father as we see expressed in His desire for and willingness to set aside time for prayer. It is also present in His attitude in life. He knows He has been sent to do His Father’s will, and that is precisely what He is going to do. There is nothing that will distract Jesus from the task at hand, namely, obedience to the will of His Father that the Good News of salvation be proclaimed to the people. Even though Jesus realizes that this mission will bring a premature end to His life on earth, this does not cause Him to waver in His intention to fulfill His Father’s wishes.

As we reflect on this attitude of Jesus, let us pray that we can imitate it more and more in our own lives. Let us pray that we can set aside the world’s and others’ agenda for our lives and embrace the will of God as the perfect plan and the only way for us to salvation. Jesus has demonstrated that being committed to the will of His Father involves paying at times a costly price but it is worth it. I cannot think of any more satisfying words to say to the Father at the end of my life than, “It is accomplished.” Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:

Do I tend toward childishness or childlikeness? If the former, what am I going to do about this problem? If the latter, how can I go still deeper in my faith?

Father, Your will is the only way to true perfection and happiness. Help me to know this truth and to live it every day of my life.

Blessed Gonzalo de Amarante, pray for us.

FRIENDS IN DEED

FRIENDS IN DEED

 

They came bringing to Him a paralytic carried by four men. – Mark 2:3

 

My eight-year-old cell phone went kaput. I was on a shoestring budget then and buying a new cell phone, even the cheapest one, was a luxury. I needed a replacement soonest but my circumstances prevented me from getting one. I informed some friends and sisters in community that they could get in touch with me either through landline or email only.

After a month, I received a call from Dimples, one of my friends from a previous employment. “Can you drop by the house tomorrow? Cindy, Alma and I decided to give you an early Christmas and birthday gift… a new cell phone. It’s ready for pick-up.”

In today’s Gospel, four men brought a paralytic to Jesus so he could be healed. They were determined to get close to Jesus that they even made an opening in the roof above Him to lower the mat carrying their paralyzed friend.

Human need and love moved these four men to action. It was the same for my friends. Let it also move us to do the same. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:

Do you know of someone who is in need? Be the answer to their prayers.

 

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to be sensitive to the needs of others. Help me to go the extra mile for my neighbor without counting the cost.

 

WHY IS JESUS ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY?

Jesus is accused of blasphemy by the scribes because they live in a world where there are certain no-go areas. One of these is the forgiveness of sins. This is the domain of God alone and to enter it is to blaspheme or dishonour the person of God. We know that Jesus was sent by the Father to break down some of the artificial barriers that religion had placed between God and His people. Jesus wants us all to approach God with freedom and to dwell in His presence daily. The Jews had a very strict understanding of who and when was the right time to approach God and such must be done with great care and solemnity.

The freedom of the sons and daughters of God who have placed their faith in Jesus tells a totally different story. We speak of being in dialogue with God daily and seek every opportunity we can find to be close to Him. We understand that Jesus has broken down the barriers set up by sin and human beings and thus we are offered a new opportunity to approach our Father in heaven.

However, we must be careful that we do not take the blessings of the New Covenant too lightly and thus dishonor God. The paralytic’s friends seek to bring him into the physical presence of Jesus because they believe wholeheartedly that this will make all the difference for his healing. Have you ever heard of anyone removing the roof of the house to gain entry to meet someone? Perhaps this is an indication of both the commitment and ingenuity we should be exercising to deepen our faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus heals the man after He has forgiven his sins. Which is the greater gift? The latter of course but this does not mean that we should forget about the first gift. Let us never be afraid to bring all of our needs, even those that may have little direct influence upon our faith, to the Lord and ask Him to transform them through His power. It is only when we give God the opportunity to move in our lives that He is able to really do His work within us.Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

Have I truly opened up every area of my life to God or do I still maintain control in some areas?

 

Lord Jesus, You have made it possible for us all to enter into the presence and throne of God. Help us to take up this opportunity as often as possible.

 

St. Bonitus, pray for us.