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1/31/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 31, 2019

January 31, 2019 - Thursday
Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

"Take care of what you hear.”

When God gives us light, it is to make it shine bright for us and the people around us. It would be silly to turn on your flash light and hide it. We have all received a lot of light and nourishment from God through his word, the sacraments, the witness of others, the experiences we have. Let us take care of what we hear from God for what we listen from him and what we try to live will be food for many.

St John Bosco, help us not to hide the light we have.

#PrayVD

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1/30/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019 - Wednesday
Gospel: Mark 4:1-20

"A seed sown on rich soil grew and yielded a hundredfold.”

The world has countless ways of measuring productivity. Most people are measured by net worth, power, popularity, FB friends or likes. In today’s gospel, Jesus explains what it really means to be fruitful. It entails building a sturdy foundation in our belief and faith and trying to obtain the richness of life. How can we do this? It is only by establishing a deeper relationship with Him thru prayer and multiplying the fruit of our prayer by sharing it with others.

#PrayVD

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1/27/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 27, 2019

January 27, 2019 – Sunday
Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4;14-21

"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)

The passage that Jesus read expresses the presence of the Spirit upon Him to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, to recover the sight of the blind, and to free the oppressed. Jesus indeed fulfilled this written passage during His public ministry.

This promise of God remains true even up to now. We can always come to Jesus whenever we feel hopeless, blind, and oppressed and He will surely give us the hope, the sight, and the freedom that we long for. Let us always cling to God’s promises because He never disappoints.

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1/26/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 26, 2019

January 26, 2019 – Saturday
1st Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8
Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

“Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” (2 Tim 1:8)

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Timothy and Titus – the two companions of St. Paul in the mission whose following of Christ started when they heard St. Paul’s preaching about the Gospel.

Like them, we got to know Christ because someone willingly shared to us the Word of God. As Christians, we are called to continue this mission bearing all its challenges and struggles. How beautiful that with the life of Saints Timothy and Titus, Jesus is assuring us that no matter how hard the mission is, it will always be sustained by God’s strength.

What challenges your mission of sharing the Word of God? Carry on! Believe that God accompanies you and will give you the strength that you need.

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1/25/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 25, 2019

January 25, 2019 – Friday
Gospel: Mark 16:15-18

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

This is the mission Jesus gave to His disciples. Today, he reminds and gives us the same mission. He trusts us so much that He calls us to go not only in a place where we are, but in the whole world to preach the Gospel to every person we encounter. He sees and believes in our capacity that even only one person we can bring to Him, it will mean a lot for the conversion of the world.

As we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, let us ask his intercession that we may also allow Jesus to work in us so we can boldly respond to the mission He shares with us.

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1/24/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 24, 2019

January 24, 2019 – Thursday
Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

“For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.” (Mark 3:10)

People from different places got attracted to come to Jesus when they heard and saw His compassion in curing the sick. Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church, whose great love for God attracted also a lot of people to live their faith.

Let us ask the grace from the Holy Spirit that we may live our lives magnifying God’s love and fidelity so that others too may be attracted to come and know Him more.

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1/23/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 23, 2019

January 23, 2019 – Wednesday
Gospel: Mark 3:1-6 “

Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4)

Today’s gospel speaks of the Pharisees watching closely if Jesus would cure the man with a withered hand on sabbath day so they could accuse Him. Are there times in which we become the Pharisees who, instead of seeing the needs of others, become caught up to following the rules and regulations? More than strict compliance to the law, the gospel teaches us mercy and compassion. Ultimately, the greatest law that Jesus wants us to be adherent to is to the law of love. After all, love is all that matters in the world.

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1/22/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019 – Tuesday
Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

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

On the seventh day of creation, God took a rest to wonder, keep in touch, and savor His creation. He gives us the same day of rest so that we may find time to be with Him. How do you make the most out of it? Do you go to church and receive Him in the Eucharist? Do you spend time with your family and friends? Do you make an effort to have a longer time of prayer? Or rest day has only become a routine of sleeping, watching, and browsing the social media?

More than being physically rested, God has gifted us the Sabbath day so we can rest with Him and be present with Him. Make the most out of it.

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1/21/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 21, 2019

January 21, 2019 – Monday
Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

“Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” (Mark 2:22)

Each day, God offers us newness. This newness opens our hearts to new ways of living and loving and sometimes entails letting go of the old.

Perhaps, there is an old attitude you must change to gain a new perspective; or an old relationship that you have to abandon to give way to a new and better one. This letting go might come with adjustments and discomfort but just like the process of fermenting wine, Jesus assures us that this gradual transformation and newness will make the best taste of life.

What is God asking you to let go so you can embrace the newness He is pouring in your life

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1/20/2019 Comments

Daily Guidelines: January 20, 2019

January 20, 2019 - Sunday
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

"I must be in my Father's house."

In today's Gospel, Jesus proclaimed His Father as the center of His life and asked Mary and us to do the same, that we must be in the Lord's house.

Jesus' intention to be in His Father's home doesn't mean rejection of Mary and Joseph but means prioritizing His relationship with God. Growing up spiritually involves leaving our comfort zones and letting go of what is familiar.

It is in the Father's house that we can know ourselves and are identified as His beloved children. We are also called to grow and be at our Father's house.

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