Our being Baptized and Confirmed dedicates us into the “Listeningness” of Jesus. As he listened to the mysterious God and to the bewildering voices of humanity within and around Him, by these same sacraments we plunge into the waters of “Discernment”. To be guided by the spirit does not mean our being subtracted from the attractive voices which sure can sound “divine”. Our ears were blest at our baptisms to begin this process of learning what God sounds like and what our egos, our flesh, and our worldliness too, sound like.
The Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10.
Acts 10:34-38
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Meditation by Larry Gillick, S.J. ( Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality)
PRE-PRAYERING
We pray with a great time-shift in today's Gospel. Thirty years have passed since last-Sunday’s Gospel wherein the Magi were visiting the Holy Family. We pray for our personal coming to maturity; with us, it has taken longer than a week. We can pray also for an increase in our desire to pray “with” and less to pray “for”.
Jesus heard the ordaining words of his being the “beloved” and we long to hear those words from around us and within us. Who we listen to does determine what we hear. We pray to hear, to listen and to believe the message and the Messenger. He walks us prayerfully through his very public life of love.
REFLECTION
We hear of a certain “Servant” in the First Reading of our liturgy. Isaiah, within the fifteen chapters forty through fifty-five, compiles the Book of Consolation. This prophet writes often of Israel as a “servant”. More definitely, Isaiah, within these chapters, proclaims four special Servant Songs describing a particular person. We hear the First Song in which, in the words of the Lord, he calls to and points out this one “servant”.
This person has a specific mission which involves his going beyond the boundaries of Israel , bringing a “light”. This “light” will bring “justice” to the earth as well as recovery of sight and freedom for those in darkness and prison. This “Servant” will be gentle and not like other prophets who work themselves up into a feverish frenzy resulting in shouting and convulsions. He will be gentle of speech and action. He will be upheld by the Lord and loved explicitly so as to bring “justice” between God and God’s creation.
While it is a text announcing a special person for that time of hope, it has a taste of the characteristics of the coming Messiah. The Spirit of God will be upon and within him and his identity will be known by the people of Israel through his actions.
The Gospel is one more “Annunciation” scene. As with Gabriel’s announcing to Mary that she would give birth to a son who will be born of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is announced as the “beloved son” by the same Spirit. John has baptized the crowd and Jesus fulfills his ritual tradition. Then, while praying, there is a new form of baptism specifying him as the “beloved servant”. In a sense, it is more of a “confirmation” or even more, an “ordination”. This is not the moment when Jesus takes upon himself a “Divine Nature”, but an announcement of his coming of age in our salvational history. By the overshadowing by the Spirit he became incarnate. By the “over-hovering” of the same Spirit he becomes incorporated, that is embracing himself as “servant-Messiah” of God and for all God’s people. The same Spirit “incarnates” and “Incorporates” that family in Luke’s account of Pentecost in The Acts of the Apostles.
With our being baptized, we enter this same coming of age, this same being part of Jesus’ salvific embrace of God’s mission of returning creation to its proper state of praise and order. The work of the Spirit is bringing about flesh and family. The Spirit overshadowed and conceived a fleshly presence and a family of faith. We are likewise inspirited to take flesh anew and our mission of extending God’s family in Christ.
We have been celebrating these past weeks, the Word becoming flesh. Mary’s flesh was more than it seemed; her body was more than others knew. In time her cousin, the shepherds; the Magi came to reverence that which was different from what it had seemed to be. That Word Made Flesh was transformed too, from being what it seemed to be seen for what he was, the “Beloved Son”.
Ah, here’s the rub. My flesh and your flesh have been immersed in the baptismal experience of Jesus. His body and person were united by God to unite us within ourselves and incorporate us with and for each other. It is a “rub” because, like Jesus, we are baptized, confirmed and all are ordained to go public. Jesus had to leave his praying alone, leave the riverbank, leave the association with John and begin his walk towards Jerusalem . We in our turn must leave our privacy our pews, our comfort zone, our well-planned, surpriseless ways. The “rub” is that our flesh, our persons, our presences are much more than they seem. We are so close to ourselves though, that what “seems” is deceptive. As Jesus heard his new name, he moved from "seems" to "is", as did Mary of Nazareth. The “rub” is that we have to rub against the same spirits of this world which confronted Jesus from shortly after his “baptism” to shortly before he baptized the earth with his blood.
Our being Baptized and Confirmed dedicates us into the “Listeningness” of Jesus. As he listened to the mysterious God and to the bewildering voices of humanity within and around Him, by these same sacraments we plunge into the waters of “Discernment”. To be guided by the spirit does not mean our being subtracted from the attractive voices which sure can sound “divine”. Our ears were blest at our baptisms to begin this process of learning what God sounds like and what our egos, our flesh, and our worldliness too, sound like. Jesus learned to listen to it all with receptivity and discretion. We will spend these next weeks of the Liturgical Year listening so that we might hear, and hearing, we might live what we come to believe.
“This is he of whom John said, 'I have seen and have given witness that this is the Son of God.” Jn. 1, 32
Supplementary Reading
SNACK TREAT
They all ate and were satisfied. – Mark 6:42
I was in a dilemma. My caring group (CG) head scheduled a council meeting at a time when my finances were tight. Because I had to limit my spending, I had no budget for my food. After much contemplation, I decided to attend anyway. I figured I could take a heavy lunch at home and bring crackers for snacks.
I was already at the restaurant where we were supposed to meet at 2 p.m. when my CG head texted that she would be late. By 3 p.m., I was starving. Although I had crackers, it wasn’t enough to satisfy my hunger. The sight and aroma of the food from the restaurant made me even hungrier. It was torture for me!
My CG head arrived at 3:30 p.m., apologetic for her tardiness. She said, “Since I’m late, I’ll treat you all to a snack.” In our Gospel today, Jesus was able to feed and satisfy the multitude even if they initially had a measly five loaves and two fish. All I had that day were crackers but the Lord turned it into a full meal. That experience taught me not to worry over anything because the Lord provides.Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)
REFLECTION:
“My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Lord, You are my Great Provider. I trust that You will provide for my every need.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Jan 9, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (Serve Jesus Alone!)
Our Lord and Savior models the life of service to which he calls us.
1 John 5:14-21
Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
John 3:22-30 (alternate reading: Luke 5:12-16) After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea ; there he remained with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Ae'non near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been put in prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26 And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease."
Meditation by Dennis Hamm, S.J.
John the Baptist must have been much more powerful and influential than we usually think. The gospel writers work hard to keep him in his place. Matthew includes a little dialogue in the baptism by the Jordan scene to underscore Jesus’ superiority over the Baptizer:
John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. (Matt 3:14-15).
And the Fourth Evangelist interrupts his poetic prologue to make sure his readers understand John’s proper place relative to Jesus: “He [i.e. John the Baptist] was not the light, but came to testify to the light” (John 1:8).
When Saint Paul , well into his missionary career, first met a group of disciples in Ephesus , he discovered that they thought receiving John’s baptism made them Christian, and he had to set them straight:
“John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:4-5).
These things help us appreciate the powerful figure he must have been, even years after his death, in the days of early Christianity. Keeping this in mind, we are all the more impressed with what he says in today’s reading from chapter 3 in the Gospel of John. It seems that his disciples were disturbed by the growing influence and popularity of Jesus. They say to their master John, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John the Baptist has to insist, “I am not the Messiah, but the one who was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
Isn’t it interesting that what the Baptist says about his relationship to Jesus is much like the relationship that St. Paul says we should have to fellow Christians? I’m thinking about what Paul writes to the Christians in the town of Philippi : “Humbly regard others a more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for those of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). Then Paul proceeds to present Jesus as the ultimate model of that mindset: Jesus, “who did not consider equality with God something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness . . .” This is Paul’s way of celebrating the mystery of the revelation we celebrate in Christmas and in the Epiphany. Our Lord and Savior models the life of service to which he calls us.
SApplementary Reading
MASSAGE CHAIR, ANYONE?
We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. – 1 John 3:22
In June 2008, I was asked to make the souvenir program for the Light of Jesus 28th anniversary celebration.
I incurred some miscellaneous expenses, but I just rolled my eyes and bragged to God, “It’s OK, Lord. This one’s for you.”
But, as we always say in community, the Lord will not be out-given. Sometime in May, I won a massage chair at a raffle. I’d been praying for a laptop, not a massage chair, so I sent e-mails to friends to sell my prize.
There were no takers until September 6, 2008. On this day we sent the souvenir magazine to press. On this day, too, a brother in community bought my massage chair — at the amount I needed for my laptop! It then occurred to me: Even before I accepted the job for the community, God had already paid me — more than my asking price for editing. Yes, as the words of God in today’s reading put it: “We receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” Cynthia Santiago (boses2go@yahoo.com)
REFLECTION:
Have you asked something from the Lord lately? Have you also been obeying His commands?
Lord, may I obey You not in exchange for things I need, but because I just love You so!
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
1 John 5:14-21
Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
John 3:22-30 (alternate reading: Luke 5:12-16) After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea ; there he remained with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Ae'non near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been put in prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. 26 And they came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 John answered, "No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease."
Meditation by Dennis Hamm, S.J.
John the Baptist must have been much more powerful and influential than we usually think. The gospel writers work hard to keep him in his place. Matthew includes a little dialogue in the baptism by the Jordan scene to underscore Jesus’ superiority over the Baptizer:
John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. (Matt 3:14-15).
And the Fourth Evangelist interrupts his poetic prologue to make sure his readers understand John’s proper place relative to Jesus: “He [i.e. John the Baptist] was not the light, but came to testify to the light” (John 1:8).
When Saint Paul , well into his missionary career, first met a group of disciples in Ephesus , he discovered that they thought receiving John’s baptism made them Christian, and he had to set them straight:
“John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:4-5).
These things help us appreciate the powerful figure he must have been, even years after his death, in the days of early Christianity. Keeping this in mind, we are all the more impressed with what he says in today’s reading from chapter 3 in the Gospel of John. It seems that his disciples were disturbed by the growing influence and popularity of Jesus. They say to their master John, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John the Baptist has to insist, “I am not the Messiah, but the one who was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
Isn’t it interesting that what the Baptist says about his relationship to Jesus is much like the relationship that St. Paul says we should have to fellow Christians? I’m thinking about what Paul writes to the Christians in the town of Philippi : “Humbly regard others a more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for those of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). Then Paul proceeds to present Jesus as the ultimate model of that mindset: Jesus, “who did not consider equality with God something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness . . .” This is Paul’s way of celebrating the mystery of the revelation we celebrate in Christmas and in the Epiphany. Our Lord and Savior models the life of service to which he calls us.
SApplementary Reading
MASSAGE CHAIR, ANYONE?
We receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. – 1 John 3:22
In June 2008, I was asked to make the souvenir program for the Light of Jesus 28th anniversary celebration.
I incurred some miscellaneous expenses, but I just rolled my eyes and bragged to God, “It’s OK, Lord. This one’s for you.”
But, as we always say in community, the Lord will not be out-given. Sometime in May, I won a massage chair at a raffle. I’d been praying for a laptop, not a massage chair, so I sent e-mails to friends to sell my prize.
There were no takers until September 6, 2008. On this day we sent the souvenir magazine to press. On this day, too, a brother in community bought my massage chair — at the amount I needed for my laptop! It then occurred to me: Even before I accepted the job for the community, God had already paid me — more than my asking price for editing. Yes, as the words of God in today’s reading put it: “We receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” Cynthia Santiago (boses2go@yahoo.com)
REFLECTION:
Have you asked something from the Lord lately? Have you also been obeying His commands?
Lord, may I obey You not in exchange for things I need, but because I just love You so!
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Jan 8, 2010 - Friday Meditation (Be Compassionate)
The Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with the love of Christ that we may reach out to others with compassionate care, especially to those who have been rejected and mistreated. The love of God impels us to do as Jesus did – to love the unlovable, to touch the untouchable, and to forgive the unforgiveable. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love and compassion of Christ for others?
Memorial of Saint John Neumann
1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Luke 5:12-16 (alternate reading: Mark 6:34-44) While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 13 And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." 15 But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
Meditation by Don Schwager
Why do people shun others? Jesus did the unthinkable. He touched the untouchable and he loved the unlovable. In the ancient world leprosy was one of the most dreaded diseases because it caused not only physical affliction and isolation, but psychological and mental affliction as well. Leprosy in Palestine could refer to a very bad skin disease or to the more serious disease that ate away the flesh until the sufferer was left with a stump of a hand or leg. Lepers in Jesus' time where shamed and despised and treated as the untouchable. They were driven from their homes and communities and left to fend for themselves. Their physical condition was terrible as they slowly lost the use of their limbs and withered away. They were not only shunned but regarded as "already dead" even by their relatives. The Jewish law forbade anyone from touching or approaching a leper, lest ritual defilement occur.
The leper who met Jesus did something quite remarkable. He approached Jesus confidently and humbly, expecting that Jesus could and would heal him. Normally a leper would be stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near a rabbi. Jesus not only grants the man his request, but he demonstrates the personal love, compassion, and tenderness of God in his physical touch. The medical knowledge of his day would have regarded such contact as grave risk for incurring infection. Jesus met the man's misery with compassion and tender kindness. He communicated the love and mercy of God in a sign that spoke more eloquently than words. He touched the man and made him clean – not only physically but spiritually as well.
Some eleven centuries later, another man, named Francis, met a leper on the road as he journeyed towards Assisi . "Though the leper caused him no small disgust and horror, he nonetheless, got off the horse and prepared to kiss the leper. But when the leper put out his hand as though to receive something, he received money along with a kiss" (from the Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano). Francis did what seemed humanly impossible because he was filled with the love and compassion of Christ. The Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with the love of Christ that we may reach out to others with compassionate care, especially to those who have been rejected and mistreated. The love of God impels us to do as Jesus did – to love the unlovable, to touch the untouchable, and to forgive the unforgiveable. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love and compassion of Christ for others?
"May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 13th century)
Supplementary Reading
MEDALS
“Rise up splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” – Isaiah 60:1
March 2008 was a special month for our family. Our two kids took home a couple of medals for being outstanding students. I asked them not to remove their medals so everyone could see their achievement. They wore the medals from the school to the restaurant where we celebrated, until we got home. I also posted their pictures on the Internet for relatives and friends to appreciate. The recognition they received made me even prouder about my kids.
Similarly, our heavenly Father is also proud of you. The only difference is, He doesn’t need to see a medal hanging on your neck to be pleased. Doing simple acts of love and goodness is more than enough for Himto say, “Look, this is My child whom I love and care for.”Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)
REFLECTION:
Medals or none, God’s love for you remains the same.
Lord, may I be a mirror that reflects Your glory. May others feel Your love through the acts of love I share with them. Amen.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Memorial of Saint John Neumann
1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Luke 5:12-16 (alternate reading: Mark 6:34-44) While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and besought him, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 13 And he stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one; but "go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." 15 But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
Meditation by Don Schwager
Why do people shun others? Jesus did the unthinkable. He touched the untouchable and he loved the unlovable. In the ancient world leprosy was one of the most dreaded diseases because it caused not only physical affliction and isolation, but psychological and mental affliction as well. Leprosy in Palestine could refer to a very bad skin disease or to the more serious disease that ate away the flesh until the sufferer was left with a stump of a hand or leg. Lepers in Jesus' time where shamed and despised and treated as the untouchable. They were driven from their homes and communities and left to fend for themselves. Their physical condition was terrible as they slowly lost the use of their limbs and withered away. They were not only shunned but regarded as "already dead" even by their relatives. The Jewish law forbade anyone from touching or approaching a leper, lest ritual defilement occur.
The leper who met Jesus did something quite remarkable. He approached Jesus confidently and humbly, expecting that Jesus could and would heal him. Normally a leper would be stoned or at least warded off if he tried to come near a rabbi. Jesus not only grants the man his request, but he demonstrates the personal love, compassion, and tenderness of God in his physical touch. The medical knowledge of his day would have regarded such contact as grave risk for incurring infection. Jesus met the man's misery with compassion and tender kindness. He communicated the love and mercy of God in a sign that spoke more eloquently than words. He touched the man and made him clean – not only physically but spiritually as well.
Some eleven centuries later, another man, named Francis, met a leper on the road as he journeyed towards Assisi . "Though the leper caused him no small disgust and horror, he nonetheless, got off the horse and prepared to kiss the leper. But when the leper put out his hand as though to receive something, he received money along with a kiss" (from the Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano). Francis did what seemed humanly impossible because he was filled with the love and compassion of Christ. The Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with the love of Christ that we may reach out to others with compassionate care, especially to those who have been rejected and mistreated. The love of God impels us to do as Jesus did – to love the unlovable, to touch the untouchable, and to forgive the unforgiveable. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love and compassion of Christ for others?
"May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 13th century)
Supplementary Reading
MEDALS
“Rise up splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you” – Isaiah 60:1
March 2008 was a special month for our family. Our two kids took home a couple of medals for being outstanding students. I asked them not to remove their medals so everyone could see their achievement. They wore the medals from the school to the restaurant where we celebrated, until we got home. I also posted their pictures on the Internet for relatives and friends to appreciate. The recognition they received made me even prouder about my kids.
Similarly, our heavenly Father is also proud of you. The only difference is, He doesn’t need to see a medal hanging on your neck to be pleased. Doing simple acts of love and goodness is more than enough for Himto say, “Look, this is My child whom I love and care for.”Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)
REFLECTION:
Medals or none, God’s love for you remains the same.
Lord, may I be a mirror that reflects Your glory. May others feel Your love through the acts of love I share with them. Amen.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Jan 7, 2010 - Thursday Meditation (His Words Are Forever Settled! This is our HOPE!)
Jesus awakened their hope in the promises of God. They, in turn, received his words favorably and wondered what would become of "Joseph's son". Their hearts were hungry for the word of life and they looked to Jesus with anticipation and wonder. Do you look to Jesus with confidence and hope in the fulfillment of all God's promises?
1 John 4:19–5:4
Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17
Luke 4:14-22 (alternate reading: Matthew 4:12-17,23-25) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee , and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth , where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up to read; 17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
Meditation by Don Schwager
In Jesus we see the grace of God in action. His gracious words brought hope, joy, and favor to those who were ready to receive him. Where did Jesus began his public ministry? In his own land of Galilee where he was reared from his youth in Nazareth . His proclamation of the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah brought wonder to his kin and townsfolk. Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus awakened their hope in the promises of God. They, in turn, received his words favorably and wondered what would become of "Joseph's son". Their hearts were hungry for the word of life and they looked to Jesus with anticipation and wonder. Do you look to Jesus with confidence and hope in the fulfillment of all God's promises?
What did Jesus come to do for us? He came to set us free from the worst tyranny possible – slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the eternal destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion and error, and from hopelessness and the fear of annihilation. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?
"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit you bring us grace, life, truth, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame my heart with love and zeal for your kingdom and your will for my life.
Supplementary Reading
tHE proMISE
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. – 1 John 2:25
“You came for me,” the girl said in disbelief as she sobbed convulsively. Embracing his daughter, the father replied, “I told you I would.” This is one of the scenes that struck me in the action film Taken. The movie is about a retired CIA operative in the US who did everything to save his daughter from human trafficking in Paris . Earlier in the film, the girl, in order to get her father’s consent for her to travel in Paris , made a promise that she would call and let him know of her itinerary. But she forgot all about the promise when she arrived in Paris until she was taken by the syndicate involved in human trafficking.
We get so used to broken promises around us that it’s easy to take for granted the significance of God’s promise to us — eternal life. It’s not just about the absence of death but, more importantly, it’s about having a life of glory in union with God. Many, if not all of us, desire this kind of life, but sadly only a few are able to remain faithful to God. Jesus came to save us. All that He asks of us is to call on Him at all times and abide in Him. Let us not be overwhelmed with the trivial promises of the world. There is a life far greater than what we have now and a promise that will definitely be fulfilled. Jane Gonzales (mjsg2468@yahoo.com)
rEflECtIonS:
The future glory that awaits us is far beyond anything we have yet experienced. Would we be content with less when we can get the best?
Thank You, Lord, for the promise of eternal life. Help me remember that nothing in life has value compared to a life of glory with You. Amen.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
1 John 4:19–5:4
Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17
Luke 4:14-22 (alternate reading: Matthew 4:12-17,23-25) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee , and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth , where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up to read; 17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
Meditation by Don Schwager
In Jesus we see the grace of God in action. His gracious words brought hope, joy, and favor to those who were ready to receive him. Where did Jesus began his public ministry? In his own land of Galilee where he was reared from his youth in Nazareth . His proclamation of the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah brought wonder to his kin and townsfolk. Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to those oppressed by sin and evil (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus awakened their hope in the promises of God. They, in turn, received his words favorably and wondered what would become of "Joseph's son". Their hearts were hungry for the word of life and they looked to Jesus with anticipation and wonder. Do you look to Jesus with confidence and hope in the fulfillment of all God's promises?
What did Jesus come to do for us? He came to set us free from the worst tyranny possible – slavery to sin and the fear of death, and the eternal destruction of both body and soul. God's power alone can save us from emptiness and poverty of spirit, from confusion and error, and from hopelessness and the fear of annihilation. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for us today. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?
"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit you bring us grace, life, truth, and freedom. Fill me with the joy of the gospel and inflame my heart with love and zeal for your kingdom and your will for my life.
Supplementary Reading
tHE proMISE
And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. – 1 John 2:25
“You came for me,” the girl said in disbelief as she sobbed convulsively. Embracing his daughter, the father replied, “I told you I would.” This is one of the scenes that struck me in the action film Taken. The movie is about a retired CIA operative in the US who did everything to save his daughter from human trafficking in Paris . Earlier in the film, the girl, in order to get her father’s consent for her to travel in Paris , made a promise that she would call and let him know of her itinerary. But she forgot all about the promise when she arrived in Paris until she was taken by the syndicate involved in human trafficking.
We get so used to broken promises around us that it’s easy to take for granted the significance of God’s promise to us — eternal life. It’s not just about the absence of death but, more importantly, it’s about having a life of glory in union with God. Many, if not all of us, desire this kind of life, but sadly only a few are able to remain faithful to God. Jesus came to save us. All that He asks of us is to call on Him at all times and abide in Him. Let us not be overwhelmed with the trivial promises of the world. There is a life far greater than what we have now and a promise that will definitely be fulfilled. Jane Gonzales (mjsg2468@yahoo.com)
rEflECtIonS:
The future glory that awaits us is far beyond anything we have yet experienced. Would we be content with less when we can get the best?
Thank You, Lord, for the promise of eternal life. Help me remember that nothing in life has value compared to a life of glory with You. Amen.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Jan 6, 2010 - Wednesday Meditation (True and Lasting Peace, Only Thru JESUS!)
"Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace" (Thomas Aquinas). To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally. In the encounter of the wise men with Jesus we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well. The Lord Jesus came that both Jew and Gentile might find true and lasting peace with God.
Wednesday in the Second Week of Christmas USA
1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
Matthew 2:1-12 (alternate reading: Mark 6:45-52)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem , saying, 2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 6 `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem , saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; 11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Meditation by Don Schwager
If Jesus truly is who he claims to be, the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world, then why is he not recognized by everyone who hears his word and sees his works? John the Evangelist states that when Jesus came into the world the world knew him not and his own people received him not (John 1:10-11). Jesus was born in obscurity. Only the lowly shepherds recognized him at his birth. Some wise men also found their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel. These men were not Israelites, but foreigners. They likely had read and discussed the Messianic prophecies and were anxious to see when this Messianic King would appear. God led them by means of an extraordinary star across the desert to the little town where Jesus was born. In their thirst for the knowledge of God, they willingly left everything, their home and country, in pursuit of that quest. In their diligent search they were led to the source of true knowledge – to Jesus Christ, the Light and Wisdom of God. When they found the newborn King they humbly worshiped him and gave him gifts fitting for a king.
What fueled their search for the Messianic King? Faith in the promise of God to send a Redeemer, a King who would establish God's reign of peace and righteousness. Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. It is through the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and opens the eyes of the mind, that we are able to understand, accept, and believe the truth which God reveals to us. In faith, the human will and intellect cooperate with grace. "Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace" (Thomas Aquinas).
To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally. In the encounter of the wise men with Jesus we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well. The Lord Jesus came that both Jew and Gentile might find true and lasting peace with God. Let us pray today that Jew and Gentile alike will find the Lord and Savior on their journey of life. Do you bring the light of Jesus Christ to those you meet through the witness of your life and testimony?
"Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for bringing salvation to all the nations. May the gospel of salvation be proclaimed to every nation today and to every person on the face of the earth. Help me to be a good witness of the joy of the gospel to all I meet."
Supplementary Reading
mESSAGE RECEIVED AND SENT
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit…” – Luke 2:26
In one prayer meeting, I felt an urge from the Lord to proclaim this message: “There is a sister here who is suffering from low self-worth. She feels unloved because of the many rejections she had in her life. The Lord is telling you that He loves you so much. Even if everybody rejects you, He is here waiting for you with open arms to embrace you.” I prayed to the Lord that night to confirm to me the message. The following day, a sister in community called and requested for a one-on-one. I had no idea what her concerns were. When we met, she poured out to me the things that were bothering her. I probed further to discover the root of the problem. It dawned on me that this was the sister that God was referring to.
God chose to reveal His message to me so I could pray for this person even if at first I didn’t know who she was and later to minister to her. Let us be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and respond to His prompting so that we may be able to fulfil God’s purpose.Judith Concepcion
REFLECTION:
What message have you received from the Lord that you have not yet acted upon? Act now before it’s too late.
Lord, I open myself to Your leading. Show me what I should do.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Wednesday in the Second Week of Christmas USA
1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
Matthew 2:1-12 (alternate reading: Mark 6:45-52)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem , saying, 2 "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 6 `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; 8 and he sent them to Bethlehem , saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." 9 When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; 11 and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Meditation by Don Schwager
If Jesus truly is who he claims to be, the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world, then why is he not recognized by everyone who hears his word and sees his works? John the Evangelist states that when Jesus came into the world the world knew him not and his own people received him not (John 1:10-11). Jesus was born in obscurity. Only the lowly shepherds recognized him at his birth. Some wise men also found their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel. These men were not Israelites, but foreigners. They likely had read and discussed the Messianic prophecies and were anxious to see when this Messianic King would appear. God led them by means of an extraordinary star across the desert to the little town where Jesus was born. In their thirst for the knowledge of God, they willingly left everything, their home and country, in pursuit of that quest. In their diligent search they were led to the source of true knowledge – to Jesus Christ, the Light and Wisdom of God. When they found the newborn King they humbly worshiped him and gave him gifts fitting for a king.
What fueled their search for the Messianic King? Faith in the promise of God to send a Redeemer, a King who would establish God's reign of peace and righteousness. Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. It is through the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and opens the eyes of the mind, that we are able to understand, accept, and believe the truth which God reveals to us. In faith, the human will and intellect cooperate with grace. "Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace" (Thomas Aquinas).
To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally. In the encounter of the wise men with Jesus we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well. The Lord Jesus came that both Jew and Gentile might find true and lasting peace with God. Let us pray today that Jew and Gentile alike will find the Lord and Savior on their journey of life. Do you bring the light of Jesus Christ to those you meet through the witness of your life and testimony?
"Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for bringing salvation to all the nations. May the gospel of salvation be proclaimed to every nation today and to every person on the face of the earth. Help me to be a good witness of the joy of the gospel to all I meet."
Supplementary Reading
mESSAGE RECEIVED AND SENT
“It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit…” – Luke 2:26
In one prayer meeting, I felt an urge from the Lord to proclaim this message: “There is a sister here who is suffering from low self-worth. She feels unloved because of the many rejections she had in her life. The Lord is telling you that He loves you so much. Even if everybody rejects you, He is here waiting for you with open arms to embrace you.” I prayed to the Lord that night to confirm to me the message. The following day, a sister in community called and requested for a one-on-one. I had no idea what her concerns were. When we met, she poured out to me the things that were bothering her. I probed further to discover the root of the problem. It dawned on me that this was the sister that God was referring to.
God chose to reveal His message to me so I could pray for this person even if at first I didn’t know who she was and later to minister to her. Let us be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and respond to His prompting so that we may be able to fulfil God’s purpose.Judith Concepcion
REFLECTION:
What message have you received from the Lord that you have not yet acted upon? Act now before it’s too late.
Lord, I open myself to Your leading. Show me what I should do.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Jan 5, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Miracle of Giving!)
Now that the Lord has come and is manifested to all who believe, they will hear his message to hear the cry of the poor. In this way we join all others in the world in our worship and adoration of the Savior. Now, in early January after the Epiphany we see that love is like the five loaves and two fishes – there never seems to be enough food to go around until we start giving it away.
Memorial of Saint John Neumann
1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Mark 6:34-44 (alternate reading: John 1:43-51) As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; 36 send them away, to go into the country and villages round about and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?" 38 And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Meditation by Paul Mahowald, S.J.
We all are moving from the warm feelings of the holidays to the long cold winter of a more ordinary time. We reflect also in today’s readings about the change from the coming of the baby Jesus in the infancy stories to teachings of the Sermon on the Mount - the service of the adult Jesus treating our needs. Both are based on his love for us. John says we have had the love of God revealed to us when God sent his only begotten Son so that we might have life through him.
The gospel tells the familiar story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes to feed the large crowd following him. He was moved with pity for them and then fed them. Jesus blessed the people and served them as he still does for us. Always because of our needs he has pity on us and helps us.
He has given us the gift of faith so we trust in his love for us. He forgives our sins again and again when we have sorrow for them and a desire to become better. He shows us that the Kingdom of God is present even now in each of our lives if only we help the poor and needy, the depressed and fearful.
The Psalm today reminds us that we are to follow the Lord and treat the people with justice and love. Every nation on earth will adore the Lord God when his people follow his teachings to bring peace and justice to all and defend the afflicted and the children of the poor.
These readings prompt us to continue the good feeling we have had during this Christmas season. Now that the Lord has come and is manifested to all who believe, they will hear his message to hear the cry of the poor. In this way we join all others in the world in our worship and adoration of the Savior. Now, in early January after the Epiphany we see that love is like the five loaves and two fishes – there never seems to be enough food to go around until we start giving it away.
Supplementary Reading
PRomISES
… to fulfill his vows… – 1 Samuel 1:21
My friend met a man on a tour. They became prayer partners, remained close even outside community activities, then fell for each other. But fear kept them from divulging their real feelings.
I knew how much they cared for each other and longed to grow old with each other. But the man had a serious issue. Years before he met my friend, he had consecrated himself to the Lord, much like what a priest vows at his ordination — celibacy, poverty, obedience. How could he marry her?
One Sunday, after giving a seminar to a group of nuns, they went home. She rode a taxi; he crossed the street and waved a hand in goodbye. She never saw him again.
My friend grieved over him. I believe the man did, too. But fulfilling his vows to the Lord was more important than any earthly vow he could make.
In life, we make promises — some we keep, some we break. But nothing should get in the way of fulfilling our promises to the Lord. In a few days, it will be 2009. Are there any promises you have yet to fulfill to God before the year is over? Tess Atienza
REFLECTION:
“Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.” (Denis Waitley)
Lord, help me fulfill my promises to You.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
Memorial of Saint John Neumann
1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8
Mark 6:34-44 (alternate reading: John 1:43-51) As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late; 36 send them away, to go into the country and villages round about and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?" 38 And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Meditation by Paul Mahowald, S.J.
We all are moving from the warm feelings of the holidays to the long cold winter of a more ordinary time. We reflect also in today’s readings about the change from the coming of the baby Jesus in the infancy stories to teachings of the Sermon on the Mount - the service of the adult Jesus treating our needs. Both are based on his love for us. John says we have had the love of God revealed to us when God sent his only begotten Son so that we might have life through him.
The gospel tells the familiar story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes to feed the large crowd following him. He was moved with pity for them and then fed them. Jesus blessed the people and served them as he still does for us. Always because of our needs he has pity on us and helps us.
He has given us the gift of faith so we trust in his love for us. He forgives our sins again and again when we have sorrow for them and a desire to become better. He shows us that the Kingdom of God is present even now in each of our lives if only we help the poor and needy, the depressed and fearful.
The Psalm today reminds us that we are to follow the Lord and treat the people with justice and love. Every nation on earth will adore the Lord God when his people follow his teachings to bring peace and justice to all and defend the afflicted and the children of the poor.
These readings prompt us to continue the good feeling we have had during this Christmas season. Now that the Lord has come and is manifested to all who believe, they will hear his message to hear the cry of the poor. In this way we join all others in the world in our worship and adoration of the Savior. Now, in early January after the Epiphany we see that love is like the five loaves and two fishes – there never seems to be enough food to go around until we start giving it away.
Supplementary Reading
PRomISES
… to fulfill his vows… – 1 Samuel 1:21
My friend met a man on a tour. They became prayer partners, remained close even outside community activities, then fell for each other. But fear kept them from divulging their real feelings.
I knew how much they cared for each other and longed to grow old with each other. But the man had a serious issue. Years before he met my friend, he had consecrated himself to the Lord, much like what a priest vows at his ordination — celibacy, poverty, obedience. How could he marry her?
One Sunday, after giving a seminar to a group of nuns, they went home. She rode a taxi; he crossed the street and waved a hand in goodbye. She never saw him again.
My friend grieved over him. I believe the man did, too. But fulfilling his vows to the Lord was more important than any earthly vow he could make.
In life, we make promises — some we keep, some we break. But nothing should get in the way of fulfilling our promises to the Lord. In a few days, it will be 2009. Are there any promises you have yet to fulfill to God before the year is over? Tess Atienza
REFLECTION:
“Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.” (Denis Waitley)
Lord, help me fulfill my promises to You.
For meditation/readings of the previous days/months , please click any of the following links:
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/
http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html
http://butuanglobalforum.org/cgi-bin/dboard/YaBB.pl?num=1229339492/220
http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/
Daily Mass and Gospel Meditation Broadcast (Tagalog) thru DWXI (5am Phil Time), pls click this link: http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=62#STS=g1jais7y.zk6
GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.
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