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.
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11/30/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 30, 2018 November 30, 2018 - Friday
Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22 1st Rdg: Rom 10:9-18 “Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” Today’s gospel is an account of Jesus inviting men who would accompany Him during His ministry. He did not choose the most influential at that time, nor the one with the purest heart or with the most available time. He called simple men who were busy doing their usual daily tasks, but with the will to come and follow Him. Who would have imagined that their simple ‘yes’ would change the lives of millions spanning centuries, up until today? Likewise, our simple ‘yes’ to Jesus as we go about our usual daily tasks might seem small and insignificant to us. But who knows? Our voice can be the key to reach the heart of the unreachable. #PrayVD
11/29/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 29, 2018 November 29, 2018 - Thursday
Gospel: Luke 21:20-28 "Stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near.” There is a saying that goes, “People wait all week for Friday, all year for summer, all life for happiness.” We may not always realize it, but indeed most of our time is spent in waiting. They say that the longer the wait, the more we appreciate. This season of advent, we are called upon to await Christ’s coming. To wait does not only mean to laze off and do nothing. But Jesus is asking us to have a ‘meaningful waiting’- full of anticipation and eagerness, raising our heads while proclaiming our faith. Let us ask the help of our dearest Mother to accompany us in our meaningful waiting. #PrayVD
11/28/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 28, 2018 November 28, 2018 - Wednesday
Gospel: Luke 21:12-18 "I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking.” We live in a world of silence. Many people would often opt to ‘mind their own business’ and carry on with their lives rather than discuss pressing issues. Sometimes, to speak out against the norm results in being persecuted and labeled as ‘weird’, old-fashioned, kill-joy, etc. But Jesus cautions us that in following Him, we are bound to face these situations. We sometimes even have to go against our relatives and friends in order to stand for what is right and just. To follow Him means to speak up against the evilness around us. To love Him is to speak in behalf of those who have no voice or no position for others to listen to. Mother Mary, give us the strength to let our voice be heard, and to stand up for what is right even though it may lead to our own discomfort. #PrayVD
11/27/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 27, 2018 November 27, 2018 - Tuesday
Gospel: Luke 21:5-11 "What sign will there be?” It seems paradoxical that as we begin our new liturgical year, the readings and gospel talk about the end, or the final judgement. And so the people asked Jesus, “What sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?." We, too, are oftentimes like them. We ask for signs before we act. We cram when the deadline is about to come. However, we cannot ‘cram’ our faith. We must act now, begin now. Indeed, we need not look far enough for signs. All around us, in many places, we see injustice, discrimination, inequality and depression. Sometimes these signs are right before us, and we just couldn’t recognize them. Why wait, when we can act now?
11/26/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 26, 2018 November 26, 2018 - Monday
Gospel: Luke 21:1-4 "Offer it up" Today’s gospel is about someone unnamed, poor, alone, and likely ostracized. This widow who gave up 2 coins- her entire livelihood- must have been judged as impractical and crazy. Jesus, on the other hand, saw her extreme trust and deep faith. Like her, may we be able to offer up everything to Him, and completely rely on God’s love. Offer it all up, because He will never forsake us. Mother Mary, help us to understand that poverty in worldly things is not something to be ashamed of. May we realize that it is the gate through which God’s graces enter. #PrayVD
11/25/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 25, 2018 November 25,2018 – Sunday
Gospel: John 18:33-37 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe Our King! “If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.” We are no longer living in the time where Christ is hidden from us. We now know he is truly King. We now know his kingdom reigns in the here and now. If we say he is our King, then let’s prove it best way we can through his help. Let the kingdom of love, of justice, of peace really reign in us in the most simplest of things and in the most complicated. Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, teach us how to fight for Him! #PrayVD
11/24/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 24, 2018 November 24,2018 – Saturday
Gospel: Luke 20:27-40 Take me higher. In the Gospel, the man was asking Jesus who will be the husband of the woman (in heaven) who got married to all 7 brothers. Because of our limitations, we will always have questions in life that needs the help of God to make us understand a little bit more the mysteries of life both here and there. That’s why after answering the question, people concluded, “Teacher, you have answered well.” Let us not be afraid to ask God our questions, to bring to prayer our doubts. For through that prayer, God clarifies. Sometimes instantly, sometimes in his time. What matters is we know who to go to to give us answers that will take us higher. #PrayVD
11/23/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 23, 2018 November 23,2018 – Friday
Gospel: Luke 19:45-48 1st Rdg: Rev 10:8-11 Sweet and Sour! When John swallowed the scroll he said, “In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.” When we follow the Word the God, there are moments when it is sweet. But then God is clear, it will taste sour in our stomach. As the word reaches us more deeply, we can experience that sourness of having to go out of our comfort zone, of having to go where we do not dare to go. It must have not been easy for Jesus to drive those people away and to tell them bluntly their sin. Sometimes, when we have to do what is right, we have to struggle through it. #PrayVD
11/22/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 22, 2018 November 22,2018 – Thursday
Gospel: Luke 19:41-44 Cry with me “…he saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If this day you only knew what makes for peace’ ”. When you walk in the streets, watch the news, do you see the sad realities of the world? Does it also make you cry? Pope Francis once told us, “the world of today lacks the capacity of knowing how to cry.” Sometimes we need to go with Jesus so he can show us what’s making him cry. And as we cry with him, there we receive the grace for our hearts not to grow numb but to grow in love. St Cecilia, may the song in heart always sing a hymn of love for the ones in need. #PrayVD
11/21/2018
Daily Guidelines: November 21, 2018 November 21,2018 – Wednesday
Gospel: Luke 19:11-28 It’s up to you… He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.' Some obeyed and some did not. God rewarded and he punished. Not that he punished because he is an unmerciful God but he gave us the choice to do as we wish. It is up to us. We know our actions have corresponding consequences. God has given us everything we need, what will you do with your gold coin? Blessed Virgin, intercede for us that we can make the best choice always. #PrayVD |
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