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General Theme: The call to holiness General Objective: Each one can believe and live out the call to holiness Objective of the week: To realize how Jesus is encouraging us to achieve His happiness INTRODUCTION We continue this week praying on the Beatitudes as the path to happiness. Let us listen again to the Pope through his Apostolic Exhortation “Gaudete et Exsultate” to deepen more about the Beatitudes. Gaudete et Exsultate (GE) will be the foundation for our reflection during this week as it was in the previous one. MONDAY Seeing and acting with mercy: that is holiness Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” GE 80. Mercy has two aspects. It involves giving, helping and serving others, but it also includes forgiveness and understanding. Matthew 7:12 sums it up in one golden rule: “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.” GE 81. Giving and forgiving means reproducing in our lives some small measure of God’s perfection, which gives and forgives superabundantly. For this reason, in the Gospel of Luke we do not hear the words, “Be perfect” (Mt 5:48), but rather, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you” (Lk 6:36-38). Luke then adds something not to be overlooked: “The measure you give will be the measure you get back” (6:38). The yardstick we use for understanding and forgiving others will measure the forgiveness we receive. The yardstick we use for giving will measure what we receive. We should never forget this. GE 82. Jesus does not say, “Blessed are those who plot revenge.” He calls “blessed” those who forgive and do so “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22). We need to think of ourselves as an army of the forgiven. All of us have been looked upon with divine compassion. If we approach the Lord with sincerity and listen carefully, there may well be times when we hear his reproach: “Should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” (Mt 18:33). Matthew 18:21-35; 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times seven,[a] 23 because the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who decided to check on his servants' accounts. 24 He had just begun to do so when one of them was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 The servant did not have enough to pay his debt, so the king ordered him to be sold as a slave, with his wife and his children and all that he had, in order to pay the debt. 26 The servant fell on his knees before the king. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay you everything!’ 27 The king felt sorry for him, so he forgave him the debt and let him go. 28 “Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he said. 29 His fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back!’ 30 But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were very upset and went to the king and told him everything. 32 So he called the servant in. ‘You worthless slave!’ he said. ‘I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. 33 You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.’ 34 The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount.” 35 And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Luke 6:36-38; 36 Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. 38 Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands—all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” All of us are receivers of the mercy of God. His love and mercy is abundant for each one of us and does not keep records of wrongs 1Cor 13:4-5. He forgives and forgets Jer. 31:34. He invites us to do the same to our brothers and sisters. As we receive mercy, we should transmit mercy. We are invited to be transmitters of mercy. Mercy to those who are in need and forgiveness to those who wronged us. We know indeed, that it is not an easy task to do. But if we remember how many times God blot out our transgressions to Him (Is. 43:25) and how His mercy abounds, it will be possible to do it to others. We just have to remember what He has done to us. We give what we receive. We are indeed His channels of mercy and forgiveness.
TUESDAY Keeping a heart free of all that tarnishes love: that is holiness Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” GE 83. This Beatitude speaks of those whose hearts are simple, pure and undefiled, for a heart capable of love admits nothing that might harm, weaken or endanger that love. The Bible uses the heart to describe our real intentions, the things we truly seek and desire, apart from all appearances. “Man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart” (1Sam 16:7). God wants to speak to our hearts (cf. Hos 2:16); there he desires to write his law (cf. Jer 31:33). In a word, he wants to give us a new heart (cf. Ezek 36:26). GE 84. “Guard your heart with all vigilance” (Prov 4:23). Nothing stained by falsehood has any real worth in the Lord’s eyes. The Father, “who sees in secret” (Mt 6:6), recognizes what is impure and insincere, mere display or appearance, as does the Son, who knows “what is in man” (cf. Jn 2:25). GE 85. Certainly, there can be no love without works of love, but this Beatitude reminds us that the Lord expects a commitment to our brothers and sisters that comes from the heart. In Matthew’s Gospel too, we see that what proceeds from the heart is what defiles a person (cf. 15:18), for from the heart comes murder, theft, false witness, and other evil deeds (cf. 15:19). From the heart’s intentions come the desires and the deepest decisions that determine our actions. Matthew 15:15-20; Peter spoke up, “Explain this saying to us.” Jesus said to them, “You are still no more intelligent than the others. Don't you understand? Anything that goes into your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body. But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make you ritually unclean. For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others. These are the things that make you unclean. But to eat without washing your hands as they say you should—this doesn't make you unclean.” Holiness comes from a change from within our heart. Humans can easily be fooled by looking at the physical appearance or actions but God sees beyond all this - He sees what’s in our heart and minds. He knows us. Yet He waits on us.
WEDNESDAY Sowing peace all around us: that is holiness Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” GE 87. This Beatitude makes us think of the many endless situations of war in our world. Yet we ourselves are often a cause of conflict or at least of misunderstanding. For example, I may hear something about someone and I go off and repeat it. I may even embellish it the second time around and keep spreading it… And the more harm it does, the more satisfaction I seem to derive from it. The world of gossip, inhabited by negative and destructive people, does not bring peace. Such people are really the enemies of peace; in no way are they “blessed.” GE 88. Peacemakers truly “make” peace; they build peace and friendship in society. To those who sow peace Jesus makes this magnificent promise: “They will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). The word of God exhorts every believer to work for peace, “along with all who call upon the Lord with a pure heart” (cf. 2 Tim 2:22), for “the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas 3:18). And if there are times in our community when we question what ought to be done, “let us pursue what makes for peace” (Rom 14:19), for unity is preferable to conflict.” GE 89. It is not easy to “make” this evangelical peace, which excludes no one but embraces even those who are a bit odd, troublesome or difficult, demanding, different, beaten down by life or simply uninterested. It is hard work; it calls for great openness of mind and heart, since it is not about creating “a consensus on paper or a transient peace for a contented minority,” or a project “by a few for the few.” Nor can it attempt to ignore or disregard conflict; instead, it must “face conflict head on, resolve it and make it a link in the chain of a new process.” We need to be artisans of peace, for building peace is a craft that demands serenity, creativity, sensitivity and skill. Jn 14.27; 27 “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. Mark 9:50; 50 “Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? “Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another.” Ephesians 2:11-18; 11 You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to what men do to their bodies)—remember what you were in the past. 12 At that time you were apart from Christ. You were foreigners and did not belong to God's chosen people. You had no part in the covenants, which were based on God's promises to his people, and you lived in this world without hope and without God. 13 But now, in union with Christ Jesus you, who used to be far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ.[a] 14 For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. 15 He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace. 16 By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. 17 So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all—to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. 18 It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father. God trusts us so much as "makers of peace." GE 89 says," we need to be artisans of peace for building peace is a craft that demands serenity, creativity, sensitivity and skill." Who can teach us this craft and skill of being a peacemaker? It is only Jesus, for he is the real source of peace. Let us listen to Jesus as he tells us that he needs us to be the "peacemakers that truly builds peace and friendship in society."(GE88) He encourages us to be "sowers of peace "in the whole face of the earth. GE 88 says, "To those who sow peace, Jesus makes this magnificent promise; "They will be called children of God."(Mt.5:9) How can we become the sowers of peace, when we are not connected to the very source of peace? Jn 14:27 says, " Peace is what I leave with you, it is my own peace that I give." These are concrete words from Jesus telling us to connect to him strongly each day as trusted peacemakers. How? By being faithful to our commitment in our daily prayer as Verbum Dei disciples. It is in this way that we can listen to the words of God. The WORD that allows us to personally encounter Jesus and learn from him on how to become real peacemakers of today. We are also reminded of the importance of the Holy Eucharist as the center of everything as makers of peace. For it is the great moment where Jesus gives himself to us. In this way we can receive the "seeds of peace" that can readily be sown wherever we are: home, school, work, and neighborhood. Let us be attentive to what Jesus will be telling us on how to sow peace. Though, Jesus is very clear that sowing peace entails hard work. But he assures us that he will be the one to capacitate us in everything we need. What is to be a peacemaker in action? To forgive , ready to ask forgiveness, and to show kindness and mercy for others even in our own human judgment they don't deserve it. To practice having a sincere listening ear and many other acts of kindness, mercy, and love for others with all humility. As a peacemaker of today's society, are you aware of the so-called "World of Gossip"? It is the number one cause of many conflicts nowadays. GE 87 says,"The world of gossip inhabited by negative and destructive people, does not bring peace. Such people are really the enemies of peace; in no way are they blessed." Today we are invited to fix our eyes on Jesus. For he wanted us to walk the path of holiness being sowers of peace. Let us be open in mind and heart to his words in Mk 9:50 that says, "Salt is good; but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have the salt of friendship among yourselves, and live in peace with one another. "Mother Mary , Queen of Peace, Pray for us.”
THURSDAY Accepting daily the path of the Gospel, even though it may cause us problems: that is holiness Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” GE 90. Jesus himself warns us that the path he proposes goes against the flow, even making us challenge society by the way we live and, as a result, becoming a nuisance. He reminds us how many people have been, and still are, persecuted simply because they struggle for justice, because they take seriously their commitment to God and to others. Unless we wish to sink into an obscure mediocrity, let us not long for an easy life, for “whoever would save his life will lose it” (Mt 16:25). GE 91. In living the Gospel, we cannot expect that everything will be easy, for the thirst for power and worldly interests often stands in our way. GE 92. Whatever weariness and pain we may experience in living the commandment of love and following the way of justice, the cross remains the source of our growth and sanctification. We must never forget that when the New Testament tells us that we will have to endure suffering for the Gospel’s sake, it speaks precisely of persecution (cf. Acts 5:41; Phil 1:29; Col 1:24; 2 Tim 1:12; 1 Pet 2:20, 4:14-16; Rev 2:10). GE 94. Persecutions are not a reality of the past, for today too we experience them, whether by the shedding of blood, as is the case with so many contemporary martyrs, or by more subtle means, by slander and lies. Jesus calls us blessed when people “utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Mt 5:11). At other times, persecution can take the form of gibes that try to caricature our faith and make us seem ridiculous. Matthew 5: 11-12; 11 “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted. Matthew 7:13-14; 13 “Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. 14 But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it. Acts 5:41; 41 As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus. Philippians 1:29; 29 For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him. 1 Pe 2:20 “For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it.” 1Peter 4:14-16 “Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you. If you suffer, it must not be because you are a murderer or a thief or a criminal or a meddler in other people's affairs. However, if you suffer because you are a Christian, don't be ashamed of it, but thank God that you bear Christ's name.” The love of God covers the multitude of sins. Humans as we are, frail and vulnerable to the deceptions of the world, are called to be holy. The heart of Jesus welcomes everyone who humbly turns to Him. He knows all our struggles, problems, and pains; yet, we must learn to embrace them as Jesus does to his cross. To embrace our cross is to embrace Jesus; we suffer for him and with him, where we can find meaning, fulfillment, and joy. It is a process of emptying ourselves so that Christ may be in us making our life as living witnesses of the Gospel. Witnessing is difficult because it is against the invitation of the world where persecutions like personal judgment, labeling, ridicule, and indifference are evident, but an opportunity to be holy. It is an awakening that prayer is essential that we need Jesus and fix our eyes on Him so not to be carried by our pride and any temptations. A call to be humble before the Lord to have the strength and endure temptations and persecutions to remain holy and close to Him. As St. Paul says: "For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in Him, but also by suffering for Him."(Phil. 1:29) And St. Peter emphasizes: "Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers, this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God is resting on you." (1P 4:14)
FRIDAY To live the Beatitudes in fidelity to the Master GE 95. In Mt 25: 31-46, Jesus expands on the Beatitudes that call the merciful blessed. If we seek the holiness pleasing to God’s eyes, this text offers us one clear criterion on which we will be judged. GE 96. Holiness, then, is not about swooning in mystic rapture. As Saint John Paul II said: “If we truly start out anew from the contemplation of Christ, we must learn to see him especially in the faces of those with whom he himself wished to be identified”. Mt 25:35-36 is a call to recognize him in the poor and the suffering. In this passage is revealed the very heart of Christ, his deepest feelings and choices, which every saint seeks to imitate. GE 104. We may think that we give glory to God only by our worship and prayer, or simply by following certain ethical norms. It is true that the primacy belongs to our relationship with God, but we cannot forget that the ultimate criterion on which our lives will be judged is what we have done for others. Prayer is most precious, for it nourishes a daily commitment to love. Our worship becomes pleasing to God when we devote ourselves to living generously, and allow God’s gift, granted in prayer, to be shown in our concern for our brothers and sisters. GE 109. The powerful witness of the saints is revealed in their lives, shaped by the Beatitudes and the criterion of the final judgement. Jesus’ words are few and straightforward, yet practical and valid for everyone, for Christianity is meant above all to be put into practice. It can also be an object of study and reflection, but only to help us better live the Gospel in our daily lives. I recommend rereading these great biblical texts frequently, referring back to them, praying with them, trying to embody them. They will benefit us; they will make us genuinely happy. Matthew 25:31-46; 31 “When the Son of Man comes as King and all the angels with him, he will sit on his royal throne, 32 and the people of all the nations will be gathered before him. Then he will divide them into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the righteous people at his right and the others at his left. 34 Then the King will say to the people on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. 35 I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, 36 naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 The righteous will then answer him, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Away from me, you that are under God's curse! Away to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels! 42 I was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would not give me a drink; 43 I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes, naked but you would not clothe me; I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.’ 44 Then they will answer him, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?’ 45 The King will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.’ 46 These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life.” Luke 11:28; 28 But Jesus answered, “Rather, how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” Matthew 7:13; 13 “Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. Jesus summarizes our should be disposition and attitude (Be Attitude) in the Beatitudes in our pursuit to holiness (The desire of God for all of us and the fulfillment of our life here on earth). Jesus is inviting us and showing us how to live this life, it may sound challenging and difficult but the narratives of the life of the saints would tell us and encourage us more to live this life of holiness with our life coach and master Jesus Christ. He always understands our baby steps and side sways, He is there supporting us all the way to our process of becoming holy, be still, be patient, it is a daily exercise and conversion of heart till we get used to it and become a way of living, honoring and praising God always in all circumstances till the end of our life.
SUNDAY The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 1st Reading: Dn 7:13-14
Psalm Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 2nd Reading: Rv 1:5-8 Gospel: Jn 18:33b-37
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About the Guidelines SheetThe Guidelines sheet is a prayer guide with the Word of God to help us journey together and be one in our weekly prayer as one community. This contains daily passages from scriptures together with reflections focused on a common theme and intention for the week. Archives
January 2025
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