Weekly Prayer Guidelines: June 24-30, 2019

​“The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had”

(Philippians 2:5)

June 24-30, 2019

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​General Theme:
Transformation into Love—to be Christ
 
General Objective:
To discover and be convinced that to be Christ is our identity as children of God
To be Christ is the maximum fulfillment of our vocation to love. Our mission is to help others live out this same goal.
 
Week 4 Objective:
To discover that we are called to be ‘extensions’ of the humanity of Christ in today’s world by continuing his same mission

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INTRODUCTION

This final week of the invitation to be Christ reminds us to have that attitude that we should have--the attitude of Christ. Doing so, we will discover that imitating Him makes us extensions of Him in every reality and state of life we are now.
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            Christ’s attitude is that of a Good Shepherd who takes good care of His flock. We too are invited to be good shepherds to others no matter the sacrifices and challenges.  And like a mother in childbirth, we will have to undergo the sacrifices of forming our brothers and sisters. The difficulty of accompanying the flock of Jesus to their liberation will be our pains of childbirth, but Jesus is telling us, “that is how I loved you. I never give you up until you become like me.” Jesus is telling us to do the same, not to give up loving and sacrificing for the sake of His people, for it is the only way that they too, will become like Him and in return can become Christ for others. 

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MONDAY
Personally called to be with him and to announce him 
(Feast of St. John the Baptist)

Mk 3:13-19
“Then Jesus went up a hill and called to himself the men he wanted. They came to him, and he chose twelve, whom he named apostles. “I have chosen you to be with me,” he told them. “I will also send you out to preach, and you will have authority to drive out demons.” These are the twelve he chose: Simon (Jesus gave him the name Peter); James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee (Jesus gave them the name Boanerges, which means “Men of Thunder”); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.”

The call of Jesus is personal. He calls each one of us and sends us to announce Him to our specific realities--in our families, neighborhood, work place, and in our daily interactions with others along the way. Let us reflect today how John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus. Let us do the same.
 
What is the specific call of Jesus for you today?
What concrete ways are you invited on how you can announce Jesus to others?

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TUESDAY
Continue his mission by being a shepherd to others

John 21:15-17
“After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” A third time Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” and so he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.”

When we follow Jesus, we become open to loving others like He did. The love that we profess for Christ compels us to do action--to take care and be concerned with His flock.
 
Who are those flock Jesus is pointing to you to take care and be concerned of?

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WEDNESDAY
Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me. Called to form Christ in others.

​​Matthew 10:40-42  
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes God's messenger because he is God's messenger, will share in his reward. And whoever welcomes a good man because he is good, will share in his reward. You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward.”

Christ intention becomes our own. As He is forming us to be like Him, He desires that others too will be formed through our lives.
           
What are the transformations Christ is asking you to have so others will be formed through your life?

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THURSDAY
Forming Christ in others by announcing the word

​2 Timothy 4:1-5
 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and because he is coming to rule as King, I solemnly urge you to preach the message, to insist upon proclaiming it (whether the time is right or not), to convince, reproach, and encourage, as you teach with all patience. The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.” 

The call to announce the Word of God is daily and continuous. It is the daily bread of our spiritual life.
 
How can you do the mission with more patience and perseverance so that others may savor the love of our God in daily basis?

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FRIDAY
Forming Christ in others by our witness of life

​1 Corinthians 10:31
“Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory.”
 
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, then, just as I imitate Christ.”

Pope Francis said about fruitful proclamation “the mission of proclaiming Christ,” and of living as Jesus “taught us to live must be in harmony with what we preach.” Christ invites us to be His authentic witnesses.
 
How can we become authentic witnesses of the Word of God?

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SATURDAY
Forming Christ in others by embracing the cross of discipleship

​Luke 9:51-62
“As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. But the people there would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then Jesus and his disciples went on to another village. As they went on their way, a man said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But that man said, “Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.” Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” Someone else said, “I will follow you, sir; but first let me go and say good-bye to my family.” Jesus said to him, “Anyone who starts to plow and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God.”

The only way to follow Jesus is through the cross. Let us embrace the cross of discipleship along with the challenges and the sacrifices it entails. So just as Jesus did so we can have eternal life, we too must do the same so others will have it too.
           
What are the challenges Jesus is asking you to embrace so you can bring eternal life to others?

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SUNDAY

1st Reading – 1 Kgs 19:16b,19-21
Responsorial Psalm – 16:1-11
2nd  Reading – Gal 5:1, 13-18
Gospel – Lk 9:51-62