Weekly Guidelines
Read this week's guidelines and be nourished as you journey with our Community in Cebu.
 “I’m in my Father, and you are in me, |
|||||||
| 
| ||||
INTRODUCTION
One of the tasks of the Church is to reveal the face of the Trinity.
“The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #261 )
James McTavish, FMVD wrote in his book “Sharper than a Sword” said: “ But it is not a mystery to be totally grasped and understood intellectually. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is something much more to be tasted than to be understood, to be experienced than to grasp, to enjoy rather than to be solved.” Fr. Jaime Bonet the founder of the Verbum Dei Community wrote: “Knowing the treaty of the Trinity will be useless if we do not savor, taste and drink from the inexhaustible fountain of the infinite love of God that flows from within ourselves.”
It is beautiful and amazing to note that the Trinity dwells in us and wanted to share their life with us. We receive the indwelling of the Holy Trinity as we receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Are you conscious of the presence of the Holy Trinity in you? We have a God so close to us. A Father who desires that all be saved and come to know the truth. Moses was one of the first persons who experience the closeness of the presence of God as he went up the mountain and he said: “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity” (Exodus 34:6)
We already receive the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in us, but to keep in mind that it is always fully renewed everytime we participate in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is an external manifestation of the Trinitarian Union. How great to live in the company of the Holy Trinity. Remember we are part and parcel of the responsibility of the Church to reveal the face of the Trinity. We are even the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity. Let us always come closer to the Eucharist as often as we could. As Verbum Dei disciple, we need to put into our hearts and minds, “On the Holy Trinity as the source of our Verbum Dei spirituality”, that is why Fr. Jaime Bonet stated his firm conviction that:
There is no greater declaration of love to man than the love our God, one and Triune. God declares and gives himself to us as Host, relative, friend, father, and spouse, more intimate to us than our own self.
This is what God strongly desires pass it on the Church, then Fr. Jaime Bonet understood about it and Jaime passed it on to us. That this must be shared with all peoples of all nations – that they can experience this love of the Trinity, the greatest and most powerful of all forms of love, in their hearts and lives.
This week is our time to enjoy the closeness of the Holy Trinity in our daily prayers. We are invited to experience our Triune God intimately so that we will be able to reveal his face, especially to the people who needs to experience:
“The infinite love of the Holy Trinity truly present, alive and real in us, inexpressibly transcends all relationship and expressions of affection and intimacy that man could ever experience.” (Fr.Jaime Bonet, FMVD, A Heart on Fire p. 30)
“The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #261 )
James McTavish, FMVD wrote in his book “Sharper than a Sword” said: “ But it is not a mystery to be totally grasped and understood intellectually. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is something much more to be tasted than to be understood, to be experienced than to grasp, to enjoy rather than to be solved.” Fr. Jaime Bonet the founder of the Verbum Dei Community wrote: “Knowing the treaty of the Trinity will be useless if we do not savor, taste and drink from the inexhaustible fountain of the infinite love of God that flows from within ourselves.”
It is beautiful and amazing to note that the Trinity dwells in us and wanted to share their life with us. We receive the indwelling of the Holy Trinity as we receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Are you conscious of the presence of the Holy Trinity in you? We have a God so close to us. A Father who desires that all be saved and come to know the truth. Moses was one of the first persons who experience the closeness of the presence of God as he went up the mountain and he said: “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity” (Exodus 34:6)
We already receive the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in us, but to keep in mind that it is always fully renewed everytime we participate in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is an external manifestation of the Trinitarian Union. How great to live in the company of the Holy Trinity. Remember we are part and parcel of the responsibility of the Church to reveal the face of the Trinity. We are even the tabernacle of the Holy Trinity. Let us always come closer to the Eucharist as often as we could. As Verbum Dei disciple, we need to put into our hearts and minds, “On the Holy Trinity as the source of our Verbum Dei spirituality”, that is why Fr. Jaime Bonet stated his firm conviction that:
There is no greater declaration of love to man than the love our God, one and Triune. God declares and gives himself to us as Host, relative, friend, father, and spouse, more intimate to us than our own self.
This is what God strongly desires pass it on the Church, then Fr. Jaime Bonet understood about it and Jaime passed it on to us. That this must be shared with all peoples of all nations – that they can experience this love of the Trinity, the greatest and most powerful of all forms of love, in their hearts and lives.
This week is our time to enjoy the closeness of the Holy Trinity in our daily prayers. We are invited to experience our Triune God intimately so that we will be able to reveal his face, especially to the people who needs to experience:
“The infinite love of the Holy Trinity truly present, alive and real in us, inexpressibly transcends all relationship and expressions of affection and intimacy that man could ever experience.” (Fr.Jaime Bonet, FMVD, A Heart on Fire p. 30)
MONDAY
“I’m in my Father, and you are in me, just I’m in you”
“I’m in my Father, and you are in me, just I’m in you”
15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.
18 “When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; and because I live, you also will live. 20 When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me, just as I am in you.21 “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”
(Jn14:15-21)
Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.
(Ephesians 3:19)
The Eucharist is holy not only because it is ordained to holiness, but because it is holiness itself: it is the real, substantial presence of Christ. Participation in the Eucharist is a participation in the divine life itself. On the other hand, the Trinity is the same divine life. It is the relationship of the three Persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The participation of the Trinity is the divine life itself. It is not given us to know the Eucharist or the Trinity through human reason. Both mysteries are revealed to us in Jesus Christ, God and man, He who has incarnated, whose presence in the Eucharist (body, blood, soul and divinity) does not modify at all his relationship with the Father and the Spirit in the Trinity and whose kenosis does not diminish in any way his Trinitarian existence. (Prof. Michael F. Hull, New York)
How essential is the Eucharist for it is the source of the real presence of the Trinity. How often do you participate in the Eucharist? Do you find the meaning of it to your life? Let us encounter the Trinitarian love of God in our personal prayer today.
18 “When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the world will see me no more, but you will see me; and because I live, you also will live. 20 When that day comes, you will know that I am in my Father and that you are in me, just as I am in you.21 “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”
(Jn14:15-21)
Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.
(Ephesians 3:19)
The Eucharist is holy not only because it is ordained to holiness, but because it is holiness itself: it is the real, substantial presence of Christ. Participation in the Eucharist is a participation in the divine life itself. On the other hand, the Trinity is the same divine life. It is the relationship of the three Persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The participation of the Trinity is the divine life itself. It is not given us to know the Eucharist or the Trinity through human reason. Both mysteries are revealed to us in Jesus Christ, God and man, He who has incarnated, whose presence in the Eucharist (body, blood, soul and divinity) does not modify at all his relationship with the Father and the Spirit in the Trinity and whose kenosis does not diminish in any way his Trinitarian existence. (Prof. Michael F. Hull, New York)
How essential is the Eucharist for it is the source of the real presence of the Trinity. How often do you participate in the Eucharist? Do you find the meaning of it to your life? Let us encounter the Trinitarian love of God in our personal prayer today.
TUESDAY
“Through him, with him, in him”
“Through him, with him, in him”
Doxology :“Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father, forever and ever.”
Now this is the Catholic faith: We worship on God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance; for the person of the Father is one, the Son’s is another, the Holy Spirit’s another; but the Godhead of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit is one, their glory equal, their majesty co-eternal.
(Athanasian Creed)
How wonderful that the Triune God is introduced to us today. These words encapsulate the prayer of the Church: honour and glory to the Triune God through with and in Christ.
It is beautiful and amazing to realize that the Trinity who dwells in us want to share their life with us. As Fr. Jaime Bonet, founder of the Verbum Dei Congregation wrote that it would be useless to know the doctrine of the Trinity if we do not taste and experience the goodness of their presence in us. Today, we have to learn how to glorify them.
Now this is the Catholic faith: We worship on God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the persons or dividing the substance; for the person of the Father is one, the Son’s is another, the Holy Spirit’s another; but the Godhead of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit is one, their glory equal, their majesty co-eternal.
(Athanasian Creed)
How wonderful that the Triune God is introduced to us today. These words encapsulate the prayer of the Church: honour and glory to the Triune God through with and in Christ.
It is beautiful and amazing to realize that the Trinity who dwells in us want to share their life with us. As Fr. Jaime Bonet, founder of the Verbum Dei Congregation wrote that it would be useless to know the doctrine of the Trinity if we do not taste and experience the goodness of their presence in us. Today, we have to learn how to glorify them.
WEDNESDAY
“Through him”
“Through him”
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “Lord, how can it be that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them. 24 Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.
(Jn14:21-24)
It is only through Jesus Christ that the humanity have access to the Father. The existence of Jesus Christ as God-man and His work for the salvation of the world are the fullest glorification of the Fathers. Do you fully understand how deep our relationship is to the Eucharist? It is through Jesus in the Eucharist that we can enter in communion with the Father. Jesus is the bridge between God the Father and us. When we obey Jesus’ commandments, we are also obeying the Father.
23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them. 24 Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.
(Jn14:21-24)
It is only through Jesus Christ that the humanity have access to the Father. The existence of Jesus Christ as God-man and His work for the salvation of the world are the fullest glorification of the Fathers. Do you fully understand how deep our relationship is to the Eucharist? It is through Jesus in the Eucharist that we can enter in communion with the Father. Jesus is the bridge between God the Father and us. When we obey Jesus’ commandments, we are also obeying the Father.
THURSDAY
“With him”
“With him”
When, however, the Spirit comes, who reveals the truth about God, he will lead you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come. 14 He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you. 15 All that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the Spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.
(Jn 16: 13 – 15)
It is a great reminder to us Christians that authentic prayer is the fruit of union the Christ. This is even the strong support of this union and honoring both son and the Father. How is your personal prayer? How much time do you spend to be in union with Christ each day? Remember, with Jesus, we are consecrated by the Holy Spirit and by the action of the Holy Spirit, we are offered and consecrated with Jesus in one offering.
(Jn 16: 13 – 15)
It is a great reminder to us Christians that authentic prayer is the fruit of union the Christ. This is even the strong support of this union and honoring both son and the Father. How is your personal prayer? How much time do you spend to be in union with Christ each day? Remember, with Jesus, we are consecrated by the Holy Spirit and by the action of the Holy Spirit, we are offered and consecrated with Jesus in one offering.
FRIDAY
“In him”
“In him”
20 Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.21 At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought. 22 But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.
(Col 1, 20-22)
How much do you value the communitarian life? It is a grace from God to make us realize that we don’t exist alone in following Him. Remember, we cannot follow Jesus properly without a community to lead us.
Let us thank the Lord today for providing us the Verbum Dei Community which it is where we are taught about the following: our belongingness to one Body, the Mystical Body of Christ, the incarnation of Christ that brings humanity back to communion with the Trinity, the communion that is realized in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. How essential is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in your life? This represents the Calvary where Jesus allows us to participate in His body and blood in order that we will be presented as immaculate and blameless before the Triune God.
(Col 1, 20-22)
How much do you value the communitarian life? It is a grace from God to make us realize that we don’t exist alone in following Him. Remember, we cannot follow Jesus properly without a community to lead us.
Let us thank the Lord today for providing us the Verbum Dei Community which it is where we are taught about the following: our belongingness to one Body, the Mystical Body of Christ, the incarnation of Christ that brings humanity back to communion with the Trinity, the communion that is realized in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. How essential is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in your life? This represents the Calvary where Jesus allows us to participate in His body and blood in order that we will be presented as immaculate and blameless before the Triune God.
SATURDAY
“Through the Holy Spirit, one become the tabernacle of the body and blood of Jesus like Mary”
“Through the Holy Spirit, one become the tabernacle of the body and blood of Jesus like Mary”
The angel said to her, “Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. 31 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, 33 and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God.
(Lk 1:30-35)
“Blessed is she who believed” (Lk 1:45). Mary also anticipated, in the mystery of the incarnation, the Church's Eucharistic faith. When, at the Visitation, she bore in her womb the Word made flesh, she became in some way a “tabernacle” – the first “tabernacle” in history – in which the Son of God, still invisible to our human gaze, allowed himself to be adored by Elizabeth, radiating his light as it were through the eyes and the voice of Mary. And is not the enraptured gaze of Mary as she contemplated the face of the newborn Christ and cradled him in her arms that unparalleled model of love which should inspire us every time we receive Eucharistic communion?
(ENCYCLICAL LETTER ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA, 55)
As Christians, we are tabernacle of the body and blood of Christ. We need to learn and value that everytime we participate in the Eucharist, it is renewed in us the indwelling of the Triune God. This happened sacramentally in every believer who receives under the signs of bread and wine, the Lord’s body and blood. Today, we are invited to fix our eyes on Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our mother in the Christian faith. We need to learn from her how to live a Eucharistic faith. Mama Mary is the best model on how to carry the Triune God as she said “Yes” to the Angel during the annunciation. What about you, are you ready to say YES? Our yes is needed by our Triune God in order to reveal His face to all peoples.
34 Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God.
(Lk 1:30-35)
“Blessed is she who believed” (Lk 1:45). Mary also anticipated, in the mystery of the incarnation, the Church's Eucharistic faith. When, at the Visitation, she bore in her womb the Word made flesh, she became in some way a “tabernacle” – the first “tabernacle” in history – in which the Son of God, still invisible to our human gaze, allowed himself to be adored by Elizabeth, radiating his light as it were through the eyes and the voice of Mary. And is not the enraptured gaze of Mary as she contemplated the face of the newborn Christ and cradled him in her arms that unparalleled model of love which should inspire us every time we receive Eucharistic communion?
(ENCYCLICAL LETTER ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA, 55)
As Christians, we are tabernacle of the body and blood of Christ. We need to learn and value that everytime we participate in the Eucharist, it is renewed in us the indwelling of the Triune God. This happened sacramentally in every believer who receives under the signs of bread and wine, the Lord’s body and blood. Today, we are invited to fix our eyes on Mary, the Mother of Jesus and our mother in the Christian faith. We need to learn from her how to live a Eucharistic faith. Mama Mary is the best model on how to carry the Triune God as she said “Yes” to the Angel during the annunciation. What about you, are you ready to say YES? Our yes is needed by our Triune God in order to reveal His face to all peoples.
Archives
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
RSS Feed
