Weekly Guidelines
Read this week's guidelines and be nourished as you journey with our Community in Cebu.
The Holy Trinity within us introduces others to live in love and be born to lifeAugust 27 - September 2, 2018 General Theme: Holy Trinity: constitutes and forms the primary home in which God’s children will be born to Life, in the vital warmth of His Love General Objective: To continue building up the VD Family as place of encounter with the Holy Trinity
INTRODUCTION We’ve been talking about the Holy Trinity, deepening in our understanding of the mystery of one God in three divine persons: the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we start praying, we invite the Holy Spirit to come upon us so that we may be one with the Father and the Son. The Father is a God of love who wants to manifest his love through Jesus his son. The life of Jesus perfectly demonstrates the extravagant love of the Father who excludes no one, even the worst sinners in this world. The Spirit of the Lord lives in Jesus who we call the Holy Spirit to connect to the Son and to the Father. Jesus is not alone in this world to fulfill the will of the Father; God the Father himself and his spirit abide in him. We too must be the dwelling place of the Holy Trinity. Let us make ourselves available to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. How do we know that the Blessed Trinity lives in us? We become Christ like, accomplishing the will of the Father. The nature of the Father is love and this love is the Holy Spirit that is in us to make us become joyful in proclaiming the gospel. We become peaceful persons even in the midst of troubles and circumstances. We become patient and understanding in all our undertakings even to the point of sufferings. We become happy to serve others even the unlovable ones and most of all generous of our time in listening to others’ problems and available to do the mission. With all these, we exactly demonstrate our faithfulness and fidelity to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Where do you get your source of strength being a Verbum Dei apostle? Have you become the dwelling place of the Holy Trinity? What are your fruits as you make yourself available to the Trinity? MONDAY The love within us needs to be communicated 1 John 1:1-4 We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it. 2 When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us. 3 What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We write this in order that our[a] joy may be complete. We are so blessed that we know Christ and experience his love every day especially in moments of troubles. God is inviting us to share our wonderful experiences with him to others because he is generous of his love and he wants others to feel and know that he is a God who continually loves everyone despite the shortcomings. He wants others to see the beauty of life in him. What God is so concerned about is the salvation of everyone—that they should return to him and not to risk their lives in meaningless and sinful ways. Let us enjoy this privilege being offered to us by God to become his intimate companion. In what way have you encountered Christ in your daily life? How often do you share your life experiences with him to others? To whom do you share? What is your point of sharing your life to others? TUESDAY Faith that comes from hearing Rom 10:12-17 12 This includes everyone, because there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him. 13 As the scripture says, “Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.” 14 But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? 15 And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the scripture says, “How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!” 16 But not all have accepted the Good News. Isaiah himself said, “Lord, who believed our message?” 17 So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ. Faith is a special gift of God. It is very vital in our following because it opens our hearts and minds to understand his word. It makes it easier for the Holy Spirit to work with us especially in the field of mission, for God’s message is meant to be spread to everyone and to all the corners of the earth. We should not be scared of proclaiming his word for it’s the work of the Holy Spirit to provide us wisdom in what to say. And the real attitude for those who proclaim is joy and availability to serve even to the point of sacrifice. How is your journey with the Lord? How often are you available to work with the Lord? WEDNESDAY You need to be born again John 3:3 3 Jesus answered, “I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.” God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus to save us all. He granted us another chance to return to him. His love didn’t end after Jesus’ time because he sent us the Holy Spirit to accompany us all the way. Let us take this present opportunity to empty ourselves from our human desires and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us and live in us in order to speak about the faithfulness of God to us and how we must do likewise to him through others. THURSDAY That gives us encouragement 1 Thes 2:11-12 11 You know that we treated each one of you just as parents treat their own children. 12 We encouraged you, we comforted you, and we kept urging you to live the kind of life that pleases God, who calls you to share in his own Kingdom and glory. The Holy Spirit has been given to us by God in order to have a continuous relationship with him. This is a big opportunity for us to reunite ourselves to God. God is tireless in extending his love to us sinners just to save us. He offered us the Holy Spirit that enables us to determine right from wrong and encourages us to do good. Let us take advantage of this present opportunity to enjoy living with the spirit of the Lord to speak in his name and to extend his loving invitation for all people to return to him. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is working on you? When do you invite the Holy Spirit to come upon you? FRIDAY Love that leads us to action 1 John 3:16-18 16 This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! 17 If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? 18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. We are called to journey with the Lord. He made all the initiatives for us to be in union with him. He doesn’t want us to wander in darkness and live our lives as strangers with him. The Lord is always good, looking for someone to receive his grace of love and to tell everyone especially those who are ignorant of him. Let us be available to receive his grace and become the abode of the Holy Spirit. It is his spirit that inspires us to love and to make Jesus become alive in us. As Jesus is in our heart, we can help others open their eyes that God is present and active who offers his mercy, forgiveness, compassion to everyone. How can you grow in union with God? In what way can you collaborate with the Holy Trinity? SATURDAY Love that continues to build our own Verbum Dei Family as a place of encounter for all 1 Cor 11:30-31 30 That is why many of you are sick and weak, and several have died. 31 If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God's judgment. The love of God is abundant and extravagant. His love must be contained to every human heart. God would never refuse those hearts that empty themselves for him. His love brings joy, healing, and transformation. We must be grateful to Fr. Jaime Bonet who taught us to receive Christ wholeheartedly and selflessly. With him, we, the Verbum Dei apostles and disciples become the vessels of God’s love. How blessed are we being the beneficiaries of his love. As an act of gratefulness, let us continually be available in serving the Lord with commitment to our family, community, and workplace. Are you willing to be transformed by the love of God each day? How often do you express gratefulness to God’s goodness? SUNDAY
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading Dt 4:1-2, 6-8 Psalm Psalm 15 2nd Reading Jas 1:17-18,21b,22,27 Gospel Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 |
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