Weekly Guidelines
Read this week's guidelines and be nourished as you journey with our Community in Cebu.
 Offer the message of LIFEWeek 4 September 21- 27, 2020 General Theme: A COMMUNITY OF PROPHETS General Objective: To help one another in the community to become prophets among ourselves. Specific Objective: To recapture the spirit of the first Christian community centering its mission in the Word of God, assimilating it until it becomes our own life, transforming ourselves in it and teaching others to do the same, so that they may pray, live and teach it experientially to others.
INTRODUCTION The Church is not a community of perfect people, but of disciples on a journey, who follow the Lord because they know they are sinners and in need of his pardon. Thus, Christian life is a school of humility which opens us to grace. (Pope Francis) As disciples of Christ, we are called to continue the mission of our master. We are to bring light to those who live in darkness, awaken those who are asleep in Christ, lead to freedom those in chains, and bring back those who are weary and lost. However, this mission may not be easy for us. Many times, we have to face our fears, the fears of others to open up to us. There can be barriers and obstacles in the desert of our lives and in the lives of others. May we have the same courage like that of the first Christian community to let our light of faith shine brightly to others. For this, we need to encounter God again and again to experience how He is loving us deeply and unconditionally. It is then that our fears dissipate as we allow His message of life and love to guide us along our journey. Let us listen attentively to Him and through His messengers who sincerely proclaim to us the Gospel through their words and lives. Let us be reminded that we are being sent to offer the message of His love, peace and joy to those who come our way. Let us go with a heart full of trust in God that He will provide us with the strength, the joy and enough enthusiasm to continue to participate in the mission. MONDAY (Feast of St. Matthew) God's gaze of love Mt. 9:10-13 10 While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. 11 Some Pharisees saw this and asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such people?” 12 Jesus heard them and answered, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. 13 Go and find out what is meant by the scripture that says: ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts.” Jesus didn’t regard Matthew as an undesirable person. He looked at him with the same way He looks at us with the gaze of love as He called us to journey of following Him closely. What is it that Jesus made me to understand today in prayer? TUESDAY You are light Mt. 5:14-16 You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. Be who we are called to be. We are called to let our faith shine for God to be seen through our actions and words. We have the capacity within us to do so as we allow Him to do His work through us. In what way can I be light today in my present situation? What are the challenges I am facing right now to bring light? WEDNESDAY (St. Pius of Pietrelcina) Follow with greater determination Lk. 9:1-6 Jesus called the twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. 2 Then he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick, 3 after saying to them, “Take nothing with you for the trip: no walking stick, no beggar's bag, no food, no money, not even an extra shirt. 4 Wherever you are welcomed, stay in the same house until you leave that town; 5 wherever people don't welcome you, leave that town and shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them.”6 The disciples left and traveled through all the villages, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere. We are challenged to be actively on the move like Jesus to proclaim the Good News of God’s love to those around us. Let us renew our commitment in following Him with greater determination. How can I have the same passion of Jesus in bringing the Good News to others? THURSDAY It's our turn to do the same Heb.13:7 Remember your former leaders, who spoke God's message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. “The most important thing that can happen to a person is to encounter Jesus, who loves us who has saved us, who gave His life for us.” (Pope Francis) Who we are now is the fruit of having encountered someone who has brought us to have the experience of a living and a familiar God. Their life has spoken to us of God’s message. It is now our turn to do the same to our lost brothers and sisters. Do I see the need to offer to others God’s Word? Or of leading them to encounter Jesus? FRIDAY Proclaim God’s wonderful acts 1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light. 10 At one time you were not God's people, but now you are his people; at one time you did not know God's mercy, but now you have received his mercy. 1Thes. 5:14 14 We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. In what way can I lead others to this transformative encounter with Jesus? SATURDAY (Sts. Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs) Offer them message of life Phil.2:15b-16 You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, 16 as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted. We are being compared to stars as we are called to be shining brightly, to show others that life remains to be beautiful regardless of the circumstances. We are invited to shine like stars for others to perceive God in their lives. Today, there are many people on whom we can shine to bring the message of life to them. What is it that Jesus made me to realize in prayer that I want to put His Word into practice? SUNDAY 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28
Resp. Psalm: Ps 25:4-9 2nd Reading: Phil 2:1-11 Gospel: Mt 21:28-32 |
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