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.
10/18/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 Sunday
Mt 22:15-21 “Jesus, what do you think?” In today’s gospel, the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus with questions because they wanted to catch Him saying or doing something wrong. And so, trying to pick His mind about paying taxes, they asked him the question, “What do you think?” Although done without the purest of intention, there is something we can learn from the Pharisees. In our prayer, when was the last time we asked Jesus what He thinks? Sometimes, we have this tendency to be self-sufficient, doing things alone, relying on our own strengths and capacity. We get so immersed with our own thinking and ideas that we forget to hear from the one who is supposed to be our head, Jesus. Today, Jesus invites us to be open, and be amazed on His message for us revealed through prayer and through the people around us. Dearest Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, grant me humility to listen and learn from you today and every day. Amen. #PrayVD
10/17/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 17, 2020October 17, 2020 Saturday
Luke 12: 8-12 “The Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.” As we follow Jesus, we are called to proclaim the truth of our faith, His message of love, to all the ends of the earth. This mission could be very intimidating, yes, there sure are challenges and persecutions along the way. But in spite of all these, Jesus invites us to be bold and courageous, because we are not to do this mission with our own strengths and capacity. The Holy Spirit is our help. He who would empower us and teach us what to say and do. All he asks from us is our “Yes!” Holy Spirit, today, I open myself up to you. Teach me, lead me, guide me as I respond to the mission I am being called for. By your power, may the Father’s love be proclaimed through the life I live. Amen. #PrayVD
10/16/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 16, 2020October 16, 2020 Friday
Luke 12:1-7 “So do not be afraid.. you are worth more than may sparrows.” Jesus, in today’s gospel, warns us to be on guard against the sin of hypocrisy. Perhaps there are parts of us that we try to hide because they’re not so pretty for others to see. But no matter how much we try to keep these things unseen, Jesus knows about it. He knows our hearts and everything inside it. Today, Jesus invites us to have a closer look into our hearts, name what we see and call it as it is. Yes, we may see goodness in there, but we could be certain that we will also see things that we are not so proud of. But Jesus assures us that no matter how much darkness we see inside our hearts, we don’t have to be afraid, because He desires to bring light to those dark places so we could be free and happy and live life to its fullness. Dearest Jesus, thank you for reminding me today of your great love for me.. a love that is bigger than all of my sins. May I seek to be cleansed by your love so I could act with complete authenticity always and in all ways. Amen. #PrayVD
10/15/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 15, 2020October 15, 2020 Thursday
Luke 11:47-54 “ the key of knowledge” Laws are put in place to make our lives easier.. to put order to things where there is chaos, light where there is darkness, certainty where there is confusion. But Jesus, in the gospel, rebukes the teachers of the law because although they know and teach people many things about the it, they have missed to teach them it’s true Spirit which is Love. Love is the key that allows us to enter the Kingdom of God. As Catholics, we are known for the different traditions and doctrines about our faith. But more than these, are we known for our kindness? Are we known for our selflessness? Humility? Love? And in knowing and following such teachings and traditions, are we becoming more like Jesus? Holy Trinity, thank you for the gift of knowledge of the Law to help me grow in my relationship with you. As I learn more about you and your commandments, may I be able to love you and my neighbors more and more. May I be able to love as you love. Amen. #PrayVD
10/14/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 14, 2020October 14, 2020 Wednesday
Luke 11: 42-46 “like unmarked graves which people walk on without knowing it” In today’s gospel, Jesus continues to challenge the Pharisees for being faithful with the laws such as giving tithes, yet not loving God and others, for they do it for their own selfish intentions. For doing so, Jesus described them as “unmarked graves” for they may appear clean and holy on the outside, but inside, they are filled with death and filth. Sometimes, we could be like the Pharisees who strive so hard doing so many righteous things, but have we asked ourselves, why and for whom do we do such things? And in doing so, are we able to give life to the people around us? Whose kingdom are we building? Are we building God’s kingdom? Or is it our own kingdom that we’re trying to build? Mama Mary, today, I ask for the grace to be pure with my intentions in doing the things that I do, just like you. May my thoughts, words and actions today glorify the Most Holy name of your Son, Jesus. Amen. #PrayVD
10/13/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 13, 2020October 13, 2020 Tuesday
Luke 11: 37-41 “Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?” In this time of pandemic, we have realized more than ever the value of washing our hands so we could protect ourselves from catching the corona virus. But more than washing our hands, what we are called for is to keep our internal immune system strong so that we could not get infected by whatever virus that would get through our body. Today’s gospel is the same reminder from Jesus when it comes to keeping our souls clean and healthy. He reminds us that more than being scrupulous in performing external purification rituals to keep us clean and holy, what we should focus more is the internal. It’s our hearts, our intentions, that we need to purify. So, how is your heart? What is it full of? Dearest Jesus, as I desire to be holy as you are, help me purify my heart. Wash it from all sins. Make it clean so I could have a heart like yours—selfless, compassionate, humble, kind and pure. Amen. #PrayVD
10/12/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 Monday
Luke 11:29-32 ..there is something greater Sometimes, for us to recognize God’s presence in our lives, we demand for signs, and we want it to be extraordinary. We seek for mind-blowing miracles to happen for us to be affirmed that really, God is within our midst. In today’s gospel, Jesus invites us to recognize miracles in the most ordinary of things and people, in the most mundane moments. He invites us to see the greatness behind every small blessings, every small promptings of hope and love that God is sending us through people and situations around us. Because in the same way that he used someone as ordinary as Jonah to be His sign for the people of Nineveh, He continues to work miracles in the ordinary. Dearest Jesus, help me to be more attentive to your presence in my life today.. to see beyond the ordinariness of things and people. May I be able to recognize your great love behind all these. And just like Jonah, by your grace, may I be someone’s miracle today, through my little offerings of love. Amen. #PrayVD
10/11/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 11, 2020October 11, 2020 Sunday
Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14 “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (cf. Matthew 22:14) Today’s Gospel narrates to us the parable of the wedding banquet in which Jesus likened the Kingdom of God to a king giving a wedding banquet for his son and inviting many guests to attend. We may think which ones are we in those invited guests. Are we those who refused the invitation? Are we those who accepted? Or are we the one who attended but did not follow the dress code? Whoever we may relate ourselves, one thing is common – we have been invited. Today, Jesus is pointing out that we are all called to live out the kingdom of God but not all are doing so – not all are acting on the word of God. Let us have a moment to assess our acts and reflect on how we can live out the word of God as we receive it in our daily lives. #PrayVD
10/10/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 10, 2020October 10, 2020 Saturday
Gospel: Luke 11:27–28 “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (cf. Luke 11:28) In today’s Gospel, a woman raised her voice and praised the woman who gave birth to Jesus and in response He praised those who listen to the word of God and act on it. The word of God is given to us every day and it continues to invite us live out the Kingdom of God. Living out the word blesses our lives as well as those whom we influence in doing so. Let us ask Mother Mary to help us persevere more in living out the word of God and to give us the capacity to invite others to listen and act on it. #PrayVD
10/9/2020
Daily Guidelines: October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 Friday
Gospel: Luke 11:15–26 Jesus, come to my aid. Unclean spirits exist in our world and they continue to possess those who are poor in spirit. To give an example, in times when we choose to be fed into anger and let the rage come out upon us, unclean spirit possesses our frail hearts and glorifies in our awful acts. Such instance could be prevented when we choose to be silent first and pray before we get fed into overflowing emotions. Today Jesus is encouraging us to pray and let Him come to our aid when we feel lost into negativity. Let us also ask Mother Mary to help us stand our ground as we face temptations in our journey of life. #PrayVD |
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