Reflections of Faith
Read and be inspired by a reflection based on today's Gospel made by members of the Verbum Dei Family in Manila.
11/20/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 20, 2018November 20,2018 – Tuesday
Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 1st Rdg: Rev 3:1-6,14-22 He is knocking on your door God shows us his desire: “I wish you were either cold or hot” (not lukewarm!). In fact he wants it badly that he goes all the way to knock on the doors of our hearts. He wants us on fire! Or super cool because of the amazing things we are able to do because of Him. Like Zacchaeus, we too can act on that silent longing for Jesus in the depths of our hearts. We long to be set free. Today, you can make things happen. Open the door to Christ, let Him in and make Him make you cold or hot! Make Him grant you a change of heart! #PrayVD
11/19/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 19, 2018November 19, 2018 – Monday
Gospel: Luke 18:35-43 1st Reading: Rev 1:1-4,2:1-5 It is Faith not Sight that saves us. God tells us in the 1st reading, "I know your works, your labor, … Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary.” God sees you. He perfectly knows your heart and values all what you do. The blind man couldn’t see and begged for it. Jesus gave it to him but it was not his sight that saved him, it was his faith in Jesus - the one whom he can run to in the moment of need, in the moment he cannot see. When we can’t see clearly, we can trust that we have a God who sees everything and knows what he’s doing. We can hope in Him. #PrayVD
11/18/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 18, 2018November 18, 2018 – Sunday
Gospel: Luke 13:24-32 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 13:31 Today’s Gospel describes the signs of the end of times – darkened clouds and moon, fallen stars, etc. The words are not be taken literally, it is a writing style. The intention is not to frighten or scare us, but to stir in us the sense of vigilance on how we are living our lives. Jesus desires that we may be with Him in His coming that is why He accompanies us each day through something that never passes away – the Word of God. To pray it, live it, and share it – that is the best way to be prepared for His coming. And when that day comes, our hearts will surely be filled with nothing but complete joy! Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help us to cling to Your Word each day. #PrayVD
11/17/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 17, 2018November 17, 2018 – Saturday
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8 “..always pray and never become discouraged.” (cf Luke 18:1) What challenges your prayer life? Jesus knows that we may get discouraged when our petitions seem to be unanswered. Yet today, He encourages us to never give up on praying - whether things are clear or uncertain; whether you feel high or low, pray; whether you feel it or not; whether you are happy or sad. No prayer goes unheard and He answers not in the way that we want, but in the best way that He knows. Let us trust His time, His way, His plans – and surely, He will never disappoint us. Mother Mary, you never get discouraged in praying to God. Teach us to persevere like you did. #PrayVD
11/16/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 16, 2018November 16, 2018 – Friday
Gospel: Luke 17:26-37 “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33) How do you make the most out of your life? We usually relate a very good life with having big amounts of money in the bank, a new house, car, etc. And to have them all, we need to do so many things. Our days then become no different with the days of Noah and Lot – filled with doing this and that trying to meet the demands of each day. Jesus reminds us that amidst the need to work hard, we should not lose sight of what matters most - that is, our relationship with Him. Even if we have all the material riches in the world, but are not in communion with Christ, we are losing our life. Mother Mary, Help us each day to look forward to a beautiful and closer relationship with Him. #PrayVD
11/15/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 15, 2018November 15, 2018 – Thursday
Gospel: Luke 17:20-25 “The kingdom of God is within you.” (cf Luke 17:21) Whenever you utter the words “Thy Kingdom come” in the prayer of Our Father, what do you understand from it? How do you expect the Kingdom to come to you? Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel clearly affirms that the Kingdom of God is not far from our reach. It is already dwelling in us. When we were baptized, our hearts have been opened to the Kingdom of God and we continue to experience this Kingdom whenever we dialogue with God in prayer, when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, and when we encounter Jesus through our brothers and sisters. Mother Mary, you experienced the Kingdom of God each day of your life. Continue to teach us how to pray, how to listen to the Spirit, and how to see Jesus in others. #PrayVD
11/14/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 14, 2018November 14, 2018 – Wednesday
Gospel: Luke 17:11-19 The attitude of gratitude When was the last time you stopped to give thanks to God? Life offers a lot that we are to be grateful for. Sometimes, instead of thanking God for what He has given us, we end up complaining of the little we receive or what we do not have yet. Worse is even when we get what we prayed for, we become the nine lepers, who forget to acknowledge God’s blessings in our lives. We are invited to cultivate in us the attitude of gratitude and experience the grace that comes from it. Lord, all that we have come from you. Help us to grow in gratitude each day. #PrayVD
11/13/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 13, 2018November 13, 2018 – Tuesday
Gospel: Luke 17:7-10 Heart of a true servant How many of us, when we do something good for others, wait for a reward, a gratitude, an affirmation? At times, we unconsciously bring this attitude towards God. We tend to take our servanthood as a guarantee to receive God’s answers and blessings when we pray for something. Today, Jesus reminds us what the heart of a true servant is. He does not boast of what he does; does not claim entitlement to rewards; but finds joy and fulfillment in doing good deeds because he knows that the greatest opportunity is to be able to do the greatest commandments – to love God with all his heart, mind, and soul and to love his neighbor as he loves himself. Let us continue to ask the intercession of our Mother Mary that we may have a heart of a true servant so we can continue to follow Christ each day in total and complete freedom. #PrayVD
11/12/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 12, 2018November 12, 2018 – Monday
Gospel: Luke 17:1-6 “Watch what you do.” (Luke 17:3) Jesus understands that human as we are, the possibility of committing sin is inevitable. But he also warns us that worse than this is when we cause others to sin. That is why today, He strongly reminds each one to be always on guard – to be mindful of our words and actions because both are powerful – they can either transcend life or death to a person. How would you want to make an impact to someone’s life today? #PrayVD
11/11/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 11, 2018November 11, 2018 - Sunday
Gospel: Mark 12: 38-44 "she gave from her poverty, and put in everything she had, her very living." Mark 12: 44 When we consider something as our god, we store it up, keep it the way we want, but it will never be enough, it will never satisfy us. Today's gospel talks about the widow who has given everything she had. Her act of giving means a deep faith and trust in God's providence. She gives everything because she trusts that God will take care of her. Jesus today invites us to give our all, it can be our time, talents, treasure, love, peace, mercy, forgiveness, joy, happiness to Him with the hope and trust that He will be the one to provide everything that we need Help us Mother Mary to be like the widow in the Gospel that we may also give our everything putting our trust in Jesus. Amen # PrayVD |
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