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.
2/7/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 7, 2018Be Careful With Your Own HeartFebruary 7, 2018 - Wednesday Mark 7:14-23 "Whatever your heart says, follow it! It knows the way!"
Sounds familiar, right? Maybe this holds true for some people. When we are unsure or faced with options, we tend to choose what our heart feels because we fully trust that it's gonna bring us to the right decision. But in the gospel, Jesus warns us that while it is true that good and beautiful things come from within, we must be careful to not overlook the other side--- that evil things also come from the inside. It is not always what we hear, see, and absorb from the outside that can make us unclean but what we cultivate and let grow deep in our hearts. What is there in your heart now? Is there anger, hatred, unforgiveness towards someone who hurt you? Is there pride and impatience? Today we can come to Jesus in prayer and allow Him to renew our hearts.
2/6/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 6, 2018Why Do You Do Such?February 6, 2018 - Tuesday Mark 7:1-13 Tradition has been part of Filipino's expression of faith. Processions, rosary at 6pm, celebrating feast day of saints, and many more creative ways!
All these are beautiful. However, the threat in our faith comes when we become engrossed in these observances to the point of losing its purpose which is to grow in our relationship with Christ. In the gospel, Jesus' words to the Pharisees remind us that it is not only about WHAT we do but WHY we do such. Tradition may not or cannot be taken away from us. Yet, we must know that at the end of the day, we will all be judged on how much we loved and not on how long we defended the practices handed down to us. Today we can examine ourselves: Are there times that I tend to equate my external observances to the depth of my faith? How is Jesus inviting me to personalize my relationship with Him?
2/5/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 5, 2018Tassel, Hope, and HealingFebruary 5, 2018 - Monday Mark 6:53-56 Throughout Jesus' ministry, He never stays where He is. He always "crosses over" to different places. Yet, where ever His feet land, He brings newness to people He encounters.
Today's gospel is another account on this. As soon as Jesus arrived by the shore of Gennesaret, many rushed towards Him --- bringing their sick loved ones; longing to get healed; hoping that even a touch on the tassel of His cloak is enough to cure them. And it worked! As soon as they touched its hem, they were made whole -- physically and spiritually. Where are you? Whether you are glued in familiar struggles or stuck in strange circumstances, Jesus assures you of His same presence in the Eucharist and in the people you encounter each day. Where are your loved ones? Whether or not you know what they go through, Jesus is inviting you to be a tassel of His cloak in your encounter with them -- bridging hope and healing -- through a smile, a tap on their back, an embrace, a kind word, a surprise visit. And who knows? It could make a big difference in their world! Be His cloak's tassel to someone you encounter today and every day!
2/4/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 4, 2018Jesus All-Ever PowerfulFebruary 4, 2018 – Sunday Mk 1: 29 – 39 In our gospel, some disciples witnessed how Jesus drove out the bad spirits from the ill and possessed. He continues to preach and at the same time drove out demons throughout the towns of Galilee. Jesus conquers and frees the spirit of the people.
In our life, we can witness the possession of bad spirits. It can be us being possessed by life’s challenges, problems and negative thoughts, etc. Or it can be the people that surround us and the society where we live in: gossips, stereotypes, war, violence... Amidst the existence of all these bad spirits, Jesus remains to be the one, strong, all-ever powerful reason why we are persevering in our own faith. Jesus is there for us. Jesus continues to remind us that he is stronger than any bad spirit. He invites us to seek after him to continue to journey faithfully by opening to him our words, deeds and thoughts. Let us pray that our relationship with our Lord be stronger and more powerful than the temptations that life offers. Let us enter and open our hearts to Jesus and make our deepest desire to come to Him and be more connected to Him through the most powerful weapon: prayer.
2/3/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 3, 2018Come Away and Rest with MeFebruary 3, 2018 – Saturday Mk 6:30–34 In our gospel, the disciples of Jesus have been working very hard and Jesus invited them to stay for a while and have some rest. A lot of people were following them... a large crowd coming and going just to see and hear Jesus' preaching.
In our own way, we are not so different from the disciples of Jesus. We work every day. We study. We deal with a lot of people: family, friends, colleagues, people in the streets, etc. Many times these people seek to be nourished by Jesus through our lives--a piece of advice, a prayer... Jesus knows that we need time to rest and recharge. Through what? Prayer is the key to the rest that we have been longing for. Jesus is inviting us to come away and rest together with him in prayer. Let us take some moments to rest and dialogue with Him. Share to Him how you want to start this day and how things have ended yesterday. Ask for the grace to receive the nourishment you need in order to feed the many hungry hearts that he will place in front of you today.
2/2/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 2, 2018Jesus is Presented to UsFebruary 2, 2018 – Friday Lk 2:22-40 Simeon, a righteous and devout man was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was within Him and revealed to him that he would see the Lord’s Messiah before he died. Moved by this promise, he went to the temple courts to see Jesus.
In the gospel, we are reminded by the canticle of Simeon about the consolation of Israel. It is also the invitation for us to think of the consolation of our world today. To be aware of the disappointments, sufferings and so many situations in our world today that need God's consolation. Like Simeon the Holy Spirit is within us, and He will guide and move us to see Jesus in our world today--seek for Him and go wherever He wants us to go to proclaim his consolation and share the good news of salvation. We are blessed to have the Holy Spirit within us. Let us allow Him move us and bring consolation to the world through Jesus.
2/1/2018
Daily Guidelines: Feb. 1, 2018Be Simple, Be JesusFebruary 01, 2018 – Thursday Mk 6:7-13 In the gospel, Jesus instructed his disciples to bring nothing but walking sticks and wear sandals only. These gestures are signs of the simple life that Jesus wants his disciples to live.
Moreover, he told them this, “Whatever place that does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them." In this modern and extravagant world we're living, we are enticed by a lavish and comfortable life. There is a lot happening in our society today--big changes and trends in big and small things that seem to be important. The gospel invites us to be simple like Jesus, and walk with the changes happening in our lives without changing the essential: living the words that we have received from Him. Let us pray that our lives be a simple yet great witness to other people who do not know God. Let us not persecute them rather, as disciples of Jesus, attract them by the simplicity and beauty of the gospel. Let us ask Him the grace to be humble and simple in our own ways today. |
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