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.
6/10/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 10, 2020June 10, 2020 Wednesday
Matt 5:17-19 I have come to fulfil the law With the recent riots in the United States brought about by the death of George Floyd, the matter of the law is in focus. What does the law have to say about this? Why are those who enforce the law themselves, not following it? In today's Gospel, Jesus talks about the fulfillment of the law of God. The Law of God is about mercy, compassion, love and service towards others. The law also is about redemption for sins and wrongdoings. But unlike the law of the world which seeks retribution, God's justice meant that our redemption was bought by Jesus' sacrifice. This is the kind of law that brings hope and salvation to others. Thus, we ourselves should follow our Master in the way He fulfilled God's law on earth. Lord Jesus, we pray for grace and strength to fulfill the law you have placed in our hearts. #PrayVD
6/9/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 9, 2020June 9, 2020 Tuesday
Matt 5:13-16 A lamp is placed on a stand and it gives light to all in the house Jesus asks us today as His followers, to bring his light to others. But before a lamp or a candle can give light, it has to endure being burned. In our missionary life, we are afflicted by our own sufferings and trials. There are times when the burning hurts so much, that we wish for it to go away. To let someone else be light. Let us ask Jesus for strength to persevere and not give up. With each new day and each new trial, let us rely on Him because He is the Easter candle from whom we light our lamps. We become God's light to the world when we strive to do and proclaim the Good News in the face of our own suffering and affliction. And how different a house becomes when a light shines in the darkness! #PrayVD
6/8/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 Monday
Matt 5:1-12 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted Seems like these days there is no relief in sight to our troubles, whether it is in our personal situation or the larger reality. We mourn for what we have lost. Maybe we have lost a loved one, a job, a sense of security, a way of life. Jesus tells us today that we who mourn will be comforted by God. Scripture gives us the image of God hovering over the waters of the earth before creating life, as if to say that He will bring order in the chaos. But more importantly, the image of hovering over us like a protective and loving presence brings us comfort. No matter what our sadness or fear – God is here, and He reaches into our hearts to bring us healing and hope. Let us allow Him to comfort us in these days of trouble. #PrayVD
6/7/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 7, 2020June 07, 2020 – Sunday
Communion Antiphon: Gal 4:6 “Since you are children of God, God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of His Son, The Spirit who cries, Abba, Abba!” Today, in this Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, the Three Divine persons known to us as God the Father who is our Creator and continues to love and provide for us; God The Son, sent to us by the Father, who teaches us how to live our lives and save us, and the Holy Spirit who continues to inspire and guide us, breathing life into our hearts and souls. How do we define the Blessed Trinity in our lives today? Are they present in all aspects of our lives? Do we consciously say and do the sign of the Cross with reverence? Let us pray that our hearts and souls are conducive as a dwelling place of the Blessed Trinity, and our minds constantly open to grace, with Mary’s help, we pray. Amen. #PrayVD
6/6/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 6, 2020June 06, 2020 – Saturday
Gospel: Mark 2: 38-44 “from her poverty, she gave all she had, her whole livelihood.” We’re familiar with this story of the poor widow. The Lord appreciates what little we can share, the amount is not important, but the mere gesture of sharing. “Give until it hurts” is not true; giving should not hurt. It is in fact a grace, we allow God’s grace to flow through us. There is also this saying, that as we increase in income or capability, all the more we should increase our level of generosity. Dear Lord, open our hearts more to be kinder to our neighbor,, teach us not to count the cost but seek more ways and means to help ...and yet be humbled by it.. #PrayVD
6/5/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 5, 2020 June 05, 2020 – Friday
Reading: Second Letter of St Paul to Timothy 3:10-17 “....remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it....from the Sacred Scriptures.....” All our wisdom come from knowledge of the Holy Scripture. We are fortunate to have opportunities presented to us from many sources to learn more and deepen our faith. Being children of God , let us grow closer to Him, and be constant in our daily prayer. Nowadays, with technology, we are bombarded with information which may confuse us, or dilute our beliefs. Let us pray for discernment that we may know the difference between good and bad information. Let us grow our roots more deeply in the Lord, that when a storm strikes, we are not easily discouraged and broken into pieces. Mama Mary, help us please to be strong and faithful to the Lord. #PrayVD
6/4/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 4, 2020June 04 , 2020 – Thursday
Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 “Thou shalt love the Lord above all......” To follow Christ is a hard path specially when we’re living in this demanding world – where material needs to come first, like food, clothing, work, money etc. These are basic needs, the lowest in Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs, yet consumes our time and attention. The Lord could be the last priority for many. Let us ask Mama Mary, to continue to teach and guide us how to be faithful to the Lord, And keep us on track when we forget our priorities.. #PrayVD
6/3/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 3, 2020June 03, 2020 - Wednesday
Reading: Second Letter of St Paul to Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 “For God did not give us the spirit of cowardice, but of power, love and self-control.” We have been blessed to have received these gifts from God, and we are being called to bear the hardships that go with these gifts. Admittedly, it is difficult to be steadfast in our faith during times of trials and crises when called to evangelize and teach others, when we ourselves are feeling down and anxious, or depressed. St Paul tells his followers to be of great courage, due to these gifts from the Lord. We forge on despite the obstacles thrown our way; these are temporary and the Lord will guide us in our journeys, despite the fear in our hearts.. We ask Mama Mary to continue to comfort us, and help us gather courage in these difficult times. Mary, Health of the Sick, pray for us. #PrayVD
6/2/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 2, 2020June 02, - Tuesday
Reading: Second Letter of St. Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18 “we await new heavens and a new earth.... Where righteousness dwells... St. Peter says that we should be without blemish at all times, when we are before him, or even before. In the Our Father, we pray to the Lord in a similar way “Thy Kingdom come, “ that we experience heaven here on earth and not wait until we die to experience heaven. Heaven starts here on earth by doing God’s will, by being faithful to Him. We acquire and grow in grace, we are always at peace, knowing that God is always with us. No matter what crisis falls on us, we manage to overcome it, and not be discouraged. . Let us call on Mama Mary to help us in our journey to holiness, make us strong and faithful. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us. #PrayVD
6/1/2020
Daily Guidelines: June 1, 2020June 01, 2020 - Monday
Gospel: John 19 : 25- 34 “Woman, behold your son......Son , behold your Mother.” Today, we observe the Solemnity of the Holy Mother as Mother of the Church. When Jesus was in his last moments on the Cross, Jesus bequeaths His own Mother to John and the other Apostles. They found comfort that she is with them after Jesus died, and Mary is now mother to them tooand thus to us too. We know that as the Mother of God, she sits close to Her Son, whispers to Him our pleas, and intercedes for our needs. We seek comfort in her presence in our lives when we have no one to run to. She has proven time and time again, during crises, disasters, wars or pandemics, that she can be our source of strength and refuge. Let us continue to honor her, to be faithful, and devoted to her, just like she has been faithful to us. Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us. #PrayVD |
Archives
August 2021
CategoriesAll Daily Guidelines Reflections On The Word Of God School Of The Word Thoughts From A Disciple |