September 30, 2018 – Sunday
Gospel: Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

“Rewards and consequences”

The followers of Christ are not meant to be an exclusive group but we are encouraged to work with other Christians in living out the mission of Christ. Sometimes we are scared to work with others we don’t know but Christ shows in the gospel that we need not be afraid as long as we have a common goal.

We are blessed to have the gift of mission for we are able to experience the joy of the Lord especially when diverse people put everything in common.

Do you already have a mission? Do not be afraid to work with people you think are different from you.

September 29, 2018 – Saturday
Gospel: John 1:47-51

“You will see heaven opened”

Like Nathanael, Jesus knows us more than anyone else. He wants us to be close to Him. Nathanael is the one who came to Jesus after Philip said that he found the Messiah. Nathanael comes to Jesus out of curiosity.

In our world of today, there are many people who are curious about Jesus and the invitation for us is to be a Philip in this world that will proclaim that we have found the messiah and will open up the curiosity of the people and lead them to the path of knowing Jesus personally.

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September 26, 2018 – Wednesday
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6

“Jesus gave us Power”

Have we discovered the power Jesus gave to us? It could be the power to drive out demons, to cure the sick or to proclaim the gospel that touches the heart of the people around us. We can drive out demons by influencing people around us not to commit sin. We can cure the sick maybe not physically but spiritually and emotionally by showing our care and affection. We can be preachers that testify the love of Christ.

Jesus invites us to realize the gift He has given to us and use it for God’s glory.

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September 25, 2018 - Tuesday
Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

“Blessed are those who hear the word and act on it”

We hearers of the gospel are blessed because Jesus put so much trust in us. Even if Jesus is not with us physically He trusts us that we will live the gospel in our lives. There are times when we are not able to live the gospel in our lives but the trust Jesus has for us will always be the same.

Let us pray to Jesus to strengthen more our faith to the gospel, the same with how Jesus put His faith to us so that the gospel may be proclaimed through our lives.

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September 24, 2018 – Monday
Gospel: Luke 8:16-18
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“So that those who enter may see the light”

We followers of Christ received light from Jesus through mercy, blessings, graces in the form of the gospel or from the testimony of life of people who are faithful in following Christ. Jesus said that the light we received is not meant to be concealed but it should be placed on a lampstand so that people around us will receive the light from Christ.
You have received a lot of light from Jesus through your prayer, your experiences. It is time to share it.

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September 23, 2018 Sunday
Gospel Mark 9:30-37

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the servant of all.”

The apostles were discussing who among them was the greatest. Jesus corrected their misconceptions about greatness by placing a child in their midst. He reminded them that “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

The child’s simplicity, willingness to be taught and molded, and dependence on the Father are characteristics Jesus is inviting us to imbibe as His true followers.

Mother Mary, help us to replace our desire to be served with a desire to serve. May we be truly Jesus’ voice, hands and feet serving with integrity against the skewed standard of greatness the world gives.

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September 21, 2018 Friday
Gospel Matthew 9: 9-13

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”

As we celebrate the Feast of Saint Matthew, today’s reading narrates how Jesus called Matthew as He passed by the customs post. It could have been just like any ordinary day of collection for Matthew, but with Jesus’ call to “follow Him” and Matthew’s immediate response, his entire life was never the same. From sinner, he became a saint.

Jesus calls us to follow Him in our day-to-day experiences, amidst our ordinary circumstances. He seeks to be with us especially when we are most vulnerable or feel most unworthy of His love so that his mercy can transform us from sinner to saint one day at a time.

St. Matthew, pray for us to be quick to follow Christ.

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September 17, 2018 - Monday
Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

"But say the word and let my servant be healed!"

These words came froma Roman-officer, a centurion and Jesus was amazed by his humility and faith- that despite his position and power, he treated his slave like kin and sought Jesus’ presence, even though he felt unworthy to receive Him.

It reminds us that faith can’t only be seen in holy places and among holy people. Faith can be manifested even in the most unlikely situations. It only takes genuine concern, humility and conviction.

Mother Mary pray for us that we may not be hindered in approaching Jesus and trust in His amazing power. Amen.
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September 16, 2018 - Sunday
Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

And He charged them not to tell anyone about Him

Regarding the stuff we desire in our life, there is our time and then there is God's time. And all the time, God's timing is the best. Often in the Gospels, we hear Jesus telling the disciples not to tell anyone about Him. It is the same in today's passage when the disciples acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, a divine revelation. Its likely that Jesus felt people would misunderstand if the disciples spread the word about Him at that time. When He was resurrected and conquered death, it was then that He commissioned the disciples to go to the ends of the earth to spread the Word.

Are there moments too when we experience Jesus telling us to wait? Telling us gently, it is not yet time? In the same way that there is divine revelation, there is divine patience! It is a patience that is founded on our faith in God's plan and our hope that God knows best. It is also a patience that comes from prayer, from listening to God's voice in our day to day life.

In the gospel reading, its mentioned that Jesus "spoke plainly". Its the same with us. God speaks to us plainly and constantly throughout our day. Let us strive always to keep attuned to Him as He encourages us to keep up our faith. When we are waiting for something good to happen, wait in faith. When we are waiting for the solution to a problem, wait in faith. When we want so much to say something but feel that its not the right time, wait in faith.

Lord, may we trust in You that You make things happen in the perfect time. Help us to keep close to You that we may wait in faith as the moment demand

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What is so blessed about suffering and being in want? This is a normal human question and one that has occupied many of my prayers, especially during times of distress.

It’s only after the crisis passes and I look back that I truly see what blessings there are. The first is the blessing of making it thru the difficulty. The second is the realization that, as you go through the hard times, I was always able to find a way to go on and to make do. But perhaps most importantly, I find God abiding with me in suffering like a true friend.

It is then I come to better understand what it means to “be satisfied”. Survivors of calamities sometimes mention that when they lose every possession they have, they find that God does suffice and that He is more than what we seek.

Lord, may we put our trust in Your unfailing love in moments of our hunger.

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