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.
12/22/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 22, 2018December 22, 2018 - Saturday
Gospel: Lk 1: 46-56 Let our spirit rejoice! Today, our Mother is singing: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior”. As we pray and sing, we pray to embody Mary’s attitude of rejoicing in this time and stage of our lives. May our spirits rejoice and be enlivened by God’s act of self-giving. We ask the special intercession of Mother Mary to continue to pray for us, to be a source of joy and happiness especially to the less fortunate ones, that they may also feel and receive the good news this Christmas.
12/21/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 21, 2018December 21, 2018 - Friday
Gospel: Lk 1: 39-45 Rejoice with gladness! Even before Mary could announce the good news, Elizabeth rejoiced with gladness already just with Mary’s coming to her home. Let us be like Elizabeth and Mary who are conscious and always find moments in our lives to rejoice with gladness for the coming of the messiah. Today, we pray to seek and find the reason of our rejoicing, to be rooted and connected with God in prayer as we receive the coming of the birth of Jesus, our savior. Mother Mary, help us to be conscious of this desire to be connected to the Father.
12/20/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 20, 2018December 20, 2018 - Thursday
Gospel: Lk 1:26-38 You have found favor with God! When angel Gabriel came to Mary in the annunciation, Mary was young and not aware of the depth and weight of carrying the Messiah in her womb. She was afraid, yet she found consolation with the words, “Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God”. In times when we receive news that surprise or question our capacity, God’s favor reigns. His favor is clear and is easily received by us. With our Mother, let us offer our current challenges and mission to God trusting in His providence and grace.
12/19/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 19, 2018December 19, 2018 - Wednesday
Gospel: Lk 1: 5-25 Believe in the good news! Our gospel today is about Zechariah’s disbelief in the good news that the angel has brought to him. Zechariah prayed so hard for the good news to happen, but he did not believe it at first. Are we also like him? Do we feel undeserving or unworthy of the blessings that we receive from the Lord? Today, we are invited to believe in the good news that God will bring into our lives. Let us not be trapped with the past and negative things we have experienced. Mary, help us to be hopeful and positive just like you when you receive the good news of the Lord.
12/18/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 18, 2018December 18, 2018 - Tuesday
Gospel: Mt: 1: 18-25 Emmanuel, God is with us! The situation presented in the gospel must have been difficult for Joseph since he loved Mary so much. The words “Emmanuel” which means “God is with us!” must have made Joseph braver and obedient to God’s will. Like Joseph, we are invited to brave our own battles and be obedient to God’s will because God is always with us every step of the way.
12/17/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 17, 2018December 17, 2018 - Monday
Gospel: Mt 1: 1-17 Behold Christ! Our gospel today is a list of names in Jesus’ family tree. It shows us the origin of Jesus. Just like us, Jesus had his own family. And in reality, we too have become his own family. And as one family, let us continue to wait actively and seek Jesus in our own ways of celebrating wherever we belong: family, friends, community. Let us behold Christ in our family! Be there for someone so Jesus presence can be seen, express love so Jesus love can be felt. Observe Jesus little ways and make his presence known in your family!
12/16/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 16, 2018December 16, 2018 - Gaudete Sunday
Gospel: Luke 3:10-18 “Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.” It was the people who asked what they should do and John told them what they needed. When one hears what we really need to hear even if it means to change, one appreciates it because we realize its what will make us happy. Maybe this is why people started to be filled with expectation that John might be the Messiah. See, if we imitate John in giving what people NEED (not want), somehow they will sense that this must be from Christ. #PrayVD
12/15/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 15, 2018December 15, 2018 - Saturday
Gospel: Matthew 17:9-13 “He will go ahead of the Lord.” There are people in our time who are like John the Baptist who serve as a prophetic voice in the world today. However many people still choose not to believe in the goodness of the news that they bring and even condemn them. The good thing is that the propagation of the Good News is not hindered with this because of people that take courage in fulfilling their mission. Today, Jesus invites us to take courage in doing our mission and to believe in the goodness of the Word of God. #PrayVD
12/14/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 - Friday
Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19 “But wisdom is vindicated by her works” Jesus in the gospel compared the generation of people in his time to children who are hard to please. John didn’t do anything against their tradition yet the people condemned him. And in the same way, they also condemned Jesus for doing deeds different from John’s. Maybe you have also experienced that.. “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”. But Jesus encourages us to carry on our good deeds regardless of what people will think. The wise knows how to persevere despite discouraging results. St. John of the cross, pray for us. #PrayVD
12/13/2018
Daily Guidelines: December 13, 2018December 13, 2018 - Thursday
Gospel: Matthew 11:11-15 “John the Baptist stands as prophets do to this very day.” (Eugene Kennedy) In today’s Gospel, Jesus testified to the people about John the Baptist. He testified about John’s greatness, the prophesy about him and his identity – as Elijah. John, indeed, has shown his greatness by letting people hear his prophetic voice, by proclaiming the Kingdom of God and by preparing the hearts of the people through baptism. Like John the Baptist, may we also live our lives baptized as prophets proclaiming the Kingdom of God and helping others to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah. #PrayVD |
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