We have to be aware of how often we fall short, because it is only when we realize how much we need a savior, that we will allow one to enter our lives. We can ask for Jesus' grace to change what comes out of us, to bless our envy, blasphemy, arrogance and folly, and to transform it by his love into generosity, kind words, compassion and a willingness to let go of our stubbornness.
Memorial of Saint Scholastica
1 Kings 10:1-10
Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40
Mark 7:14-23 And he called the people to him again, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him." 17 And when he had entered the house, and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man."
Meditation by Maureen McCann Waldron
My husband and I were once invited to join a Jewish family for Passover dinner in their home. We loved the stories behind each course and every ritual and it gave me a better sense of my own faith. To someone unfamiliar with Jewish dietary laws, they seemed complicated, but to this family it was an important and respected part of their religous practice.
In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks to a crowd who would have been very familiar with the food laws. But, as sometimes happens to all of us, there might have been more focus on the technicalities of the law rather than the importance and meaning of the religious practice. Jesus tries to shift the focus from the rules about the defilement of our bodies to something more important – what is in our hearts. We see a very human Jesus using the example of the most basic bodily functions. He says that it is not what comes out of our body that defiles us but what goes into our hearts.
Then he notes the kinds of sins that might be in our hearts. It’s a list most of us can start reading comfortably, knowing we don’t commit those sins. Jesus begins his list: “unchastity, theft, murder, adultery…” Really, those are the kinds of sins other people commit.
Then Jesus gets to the end of his list: “envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly”… Now I feel the pinch. These are clearly things Jesus says will defile us. Am I ever envious? Do I use God’s name in vain? Arrogance – it’s one of my best sins! Folly? It means the lack of good sense and to that I must sometimes admit guilt, most often during a good bout of arrogance.
The list of things that defile us, take away from the dignity and sanctity we have as human beings, is a list of ordinary struggles of everyday life. When we run into a situation that is overwhelming, do we spontaneously turn to God or do we conclude we can handle this situation ourselves? That arrogance, that independence, draws us away from feeling God’s presence in our lives. God is still there just as deeply, but we are so busy testing our own power, sure we can go it alone.
Today’s gospel is a reminder that we aren’t created to “go it alone” and that Jesus is our savior, wanting to heal us. We have to be aware of how often we fall short, because it is only when we realize how much we need a savior, that we will allow one to enter our lives. We can ask for Jesus' grace to change what comes out of us, to bless our envy, blasphemy, arrogance and folly, and to transform it by his love into generosity, kind words, compassion and a willingness to let go of our stubbornness.
Lord, change my heart and what comes out of it. Bless my efforts and my life and allow me to really feel how much I need you as a savior in my life. Let my heart be open to everyone you have sent to be in my day.
Supplementary Reading
Receive His Mercy
"…Mercy triumphs over judgment" James 2:13
We've all made mistakes. We've all made wrong choices; but as believers in Jesus, that doesn't change our heritage. God doesn't kick us out of the kingdom because we're not perfect. Maybe you don't feel like you deserve God's goodness, or you think you're supposed to suffer through life and just endure that problem. But friends, this is what mercy is all about. His mercy will renew and restore you if you receive it by faith today.
No matter what you may have done wrong, you are still the apple of God's eye. You are still His most prized possession. You can still activate God's promises by faith today. Why don't you shake off the guilt and condemnation? Put your shoulders back and say, "I refuse to live below my privileges. I may not be perfect, but I am forgiven. I may have made mistakes, but God knows my heart is to please Him, and I am changing my ways. Even though I may have brought this trouble on myself, I'm going to stay in faith and expect God to turn it around."
" Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for receiving me, loving me, cleansing me, and changing me. I dedicate every area of my life to You and invite You to have Your way in me. In Jesus' Name. Amen." (Joel Osteen)
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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Feb 9, 2010 - Tuesday Meditation (Enlarge Your Vision and Make Room for God)
The Scripture tells us that the darker it gets in the world the brighter it’s going to be for God's people. The worse it gets, the brighter you're going to shine. Be determined to set the tone for the new decade by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future. As you do, you'll enlarge your vision and make room for God to do amazing things in every area of your life!
Tuesday in the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11
Mark 7:1-13 Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" 6 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' 8 You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men." 9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! 10 For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; 11 but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) — 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."
Meditation by Tom Shanahan, S.J.
As we continue to read the First Book of Kings the spotlight today shines on Solomon, King David’s son; at this time David is old and infirm and awaiting his final days.. He had planned on building the Temple in Jerusalem , but that task would fall to his son Solomon.
In today’s part of the saga Solomon speaks before the Ark of the Covenant in the completed Temple . Built of the Cedars of Lebanon, the Temple is brand-spanking new. What must it have been like on that day? Imagine being there with its ambience, feel and smell of a newly constructed special ediface complete with new altar furnishings and a spotless look that couldn’t fail to inspire us. Now at last was a presentable place for the Lord. This was the place where the God of Israel will reside, the God of the Covenant constantly and without fail showing his love for us, His people.
The voice of the wise Solomon rings out against the Temple ’s virgin walls, floor and ceiling with its prayer of gratitude and supplication to the Lord as the King speaks to the assembled people of Israel .
The beautiful and surprising mystery contained here in this magnificent scene is that each one of us, like Solomon’s Temple , surrounds the Presence of the good and loving God. We learned long ago that our bodies are the “temples of the Holy Spirit,” and that as such we literally carry in our hearts the very presence of God our Lord and Savior.
What an incredible and humbling truth that is for us to ponder – that little me bears within her/himself the presence of the Eternal God. God loves us that much! How can I possibly respond to that?
Like Solomon in all his wisdom I desire to approach God with gratitude and humble prayer. As the wise Solomon’s voice rung out in the newly minted Temple , my prayer and deep gratitude needs to flow out of and encompass my heart, body and soul filled as it is with the presence of the God, the Incomprehensible One. May that wondrous reality suffuse my life and be of service to others, particularly those in need.
Supplementary Reading
Set the Tone
"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises" Psalm 34:1
When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone for success, favor, and blessing? We're in the second month of the new year and we're not only beginning a new year, but we're beginning a new decade. This last decade may have had some hardships, some difficulties but it's time to set the tone for a new season.
The Scripture tells us that the darker it gets in the world the brighter it’s going to be for God's people. Things may be bad all around you, people may be negative, complaining, and discouraged but don't let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you're going to shine. Be determined to set the tone for the new decade by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future. As you do, you'll enlarge your vision and make room for God to do amazing things in every area of your life!
Father in Heaven, I choose to bless you at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive your favor, grace and mercy. Thank you for your faithfulness to me at all times! In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel Osteen)
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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Tuesday in the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11
Mark 7:1-13 Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" 6 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' 8 You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men." 9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! 10 For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; 11 but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) — 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."
Meditation by Tom Shanahan, S.J.
As we continue to read the First Book of Kings the spotlight today shines on Solomon, King David’s son; at this time David is old and infirm and awaiting his final days.. He had planned on building the Temple in Jerusalem , but that task would fall to his son Solomon.
In today’s part of the saga Solomon speaks before the Ark of the Covenant in the completed Temple . Built of the Cedars of Lebanon, the Temple is brand-spanking new. What must it have been like on that day? Imagine being there with its ambience, feel and smell of a newly constructed special ediface complete with new altar furnishings and a spotless look that couldn’t fail to inspire us. Now at last was a presentable place for the Lord. This was the place where the God of Israel will reside, the God of the Covenant constantly and without fail showing his love for us, His people.
The voice of the wise Solomon rings out against the Temple ’s virgin walls, floor and ceiling with its prayer of gratitude and supplication to the Lord as the King speaks to the assembled people of Israel .
The beautiful and surprising mystery contained here in this magnificent scene is that each one of us, like Solomon’s Temple , surrounds the Presence of the good and loving God. We learned long ago that our bodies are the “temples of the Holy Spirit,” and that as such we literally carry in our hearts the very presence of God our Lord and Savior.
What an incredible and humbling truth that is for us to ponder – that little me bears within her/himself the presence of the Eternal God. God loves us that much! How can I possibly respond to that?
Like Solomon in all his wisdom I desire to approach God with gratitude and humble prayer. As the wise Solomon’s voice rung out in the newly minted Temple , my prayer and deep gratitude needs to flow out of and encompass my heart, body and soul filled as it is with the presence of the God, the Incomprehensible One. May that wondrous reality suffuse my life and be of service to others, particularly those in need.
Supplementary Reading
Set the Tone
"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises" Psalm 34:1
When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the goodness of God in your life? Do you set the tone for success, favor, and blessing? We're in the second month of the new year and we're not only beginning a new year, but we're beginning a new decade. This last decade may have had some hardships, some difficulties but it's time to set the tone for a new season.
The Scripture tells us that the darker it gets in the world the brighter it’s going to be for God's people. Things may be bad all around you, people may be negative, complaining, and discouraged but don't let that spirit rub off on you. The worse it gets, the brighter you're going to shine. Be determined to set the tone for the new decade by praising God and speaking words of faith over your future. As you do, you'll enlarge your vision and make room for God to do amazing things in every area of your life!
Father in Heaven, I choose to bless you at all times. I choose to set the tone to receive your favor, grace and mercy. Thank you for your faithfulness to me at all times! In Jesus' Name. Amen (Joel Osteen)
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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Feb 8, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Expect God's Favor)
So many people miss out on the good things because they allow fear to distract them and hold them back. They say, "What if I fail?" "What if they don't like me?" "What if I make a mistake?" To that I say, "What if you succeed?" "What if they like you?" "What if you do it better than anyone else?" That's expecting God's goodness and favor
Monday in the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13
Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10
Mark 6:53-56 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes'aret, and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55 and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
Meditation by Tom Bannantine, S.J.
Several things catch my attention about today's gospel reading. The first is that this reading begins by recounting the crossing of the Lake of Galilee by Jesus and his disciples. There is nothing particularly noteworthy about that. Jesus and his disciples often crossed the lake during their travels. What struck me on reading this gospel for today's reflection is just that fact. How often Jesus and his disciples traveled around and across the Lake of Galilee . The lake was not very big, but it played an important part in the daily life of the people of Galilee , and they used it all the time. Crossing the lake by boat between different towns was a good way to travel because it saved time as compared to going on foot around the lake shore. It also had the advantage for boat passengers of being a more comfortable way to travel than walking was. And Jesus was usually able to find a boat since a number of the apostles were fishermen. The lake was obviously well stocked with fish, and a number of people like the apostles made their living as commercial fishermen. In addition to this the Lake of Galilee provided income for many others who built the fishing boats, made the nets, and provided other fishing equipment. Jesus and his disciples were very familiar with the lake and used it often in their travels. Some of the most descriptive passages in the gospels recount events that took place on the lake of Galilee .
Another thing that struck me in this gospel reading was the last sentence of the reading. St. Mark says: "and as many as touched it were healed." The fame of Jesus in Galilee , even early in his public life, was such that when people heard he was coming they hurried to gather together their sick in hopes for a cure. On this day Jesus was recognized as soon as he came ashore at Gennesaret. And the townspeople rushed in a great frenzy to gather together their sick. They placed them on mats in the marketplace where they hoped to touch the cloak of Jesus as he passed by. When Jesus arrived he was not in a great hurry. He probably moved slowly through the town so as to give as many as possible the opportunity to reach up and touch him. There must have been great crowds in each town that Jesus passed through. And so there were probably a great many healings that day.
In some of the miracles mentioned in the gospels the evangelists give many details about the persons healed and about the words and actions of Jesus. In the healings in today's gospel no details at all are given. We don't know the names of those who were healed. We don't know their illnesses. We don't know what Jesus said or did as he passed through their towns. But we do know the most important thing about this day. We know that many sick people were healed. We know that on this day Jesus was doing the work that he was sent to do. Through these miraculous healings he was teaching all the people in those towns to believe in him. He was giving them the gift of faith. And I think that the important thing for us today is the gift of faith. The details of these healings are not as important as what they represent: The faith in Jesus that we share with all of those he heals.
Supplementary Reading
Good Things in Store
"…time and chance happen to them all" Ecclesiastes 9:11
When God laid out the plans for our lives, He lined up the right people, the right breaks, and the right opportunities that we needed to fulfill our destiny. The Scripture talks about how time and chance will come together for every person. In other words, there are moments of favor that God has already released into your future. If you'll let that sink down into your heart today, it will change your whole outlook on your future.
So many people miss out on the good things because they allow fear to distract them and hold them back. They say, "What if I fail?" "What if they don't like me?" "What if I make a mistake?" To that I say, "What if you succeed?" "What if they like you?" "What if you do it better than anyone else?" That's expecting God's goodness and favor. And when you go out each day with an attitude of faith and expectancy, you'll see those good things He has in store. You'll walk into divine moments of favor, moments of blessing, moments of increase; and you'll be fully equipped to live the life of victory!
Father God, thank You for the good things You have in store for my future. Thank You for Your peace and joy that surrounds my every step. I choose today to keep my heart focused on the good things You have in store for my future. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel Osteen)
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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Monday in the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13
Psalm 132:6-7, 8-10
Mark 6:53-56 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes'aret, and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55 and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
Meditation by Tom Bannantine, S.J.
Several things catch my attention about today's gospel reading. The first is that this reading begins by recounting the crossing of the Lake of Galilee by Jesus and his disciples. There is nothing particularly noteworthy about that. Jesus and his disciples often crossed the lake during their travels. What struck me on reading this gospel for today's reflection is just that fact. How often Jesus and his disciples traveled around and across the Lake of Galilee . The lake was not very big, but it played an important part in the daily life of the people of Galilee , and they used it all the time. Crossing the lake by boat between different towns was a good way to travel because it saved time as compared to going on foot around the lake shore. It also had the advantage for boat passengers of being a more comfortable way to travel than walking was. And Jesus was usually able to find a boat since a number of the apostles were fishermen. The lake was obviously well stocked with fish, and a number of people like the apostles made their living as commercial fishermen. In addition to this the Lake of Galilee provided income for many others who built the fishing boats, made the nets, and provided other fishing equipment. Jesus and his disciples were very familiar with the lake and used it often in their travels. Some of the most descriptive passages in the gospels recount events that took place on the lake of Galilee .
Another thing that struck me in this gospel reading was the last sentence of the reading. St. Mark says: "and as many as touched it were healed." The fame of Jesus in Galilee , even early in his public life, was such that when people heard he was coming they hurried to gather together their sick in hopes for a cure. On this day Jesus was recognized as soon as he came ashore at Gennesaret. And the townspeople rushed in a great frenzy to gather together their sick. They placed them on mats in the marketplace where they hoped to touch the cloak of Jesus as he passed by. When Jesus arrived he was not in a great hurry. He probably moved slowly through the town so as to give as many as possible the opportunity to reach up and touch him. There must have been great crowds in each town that Jesus passed through. And so there were probably a great many healings that day.
In some of the miracles mentioned in the gospels the evangelists give many details about the persons healed and about the words and actions of Jesus. In the healings in today's gospel no details at all are given. We don't know the names of those who were healed. We don't know their illnesses. We don't know what Jesus said or did as he passed through their towns. But we do know the most important thing about this day. We know that many sick people were healed. We know that on this day Jesus was doing the work that he was sent to do. Through these miraculous healings he was teaching all the people in those towns to believe in him. He was giving them the gift of faith. And I think that the important thing for us today is the gift of faith. The details of these healings are not as important as what they represent: The faith in Jesus that we share with all of those he heals.
Supplementary Reading
Good Things in Store
"…time and chance happen to them all" Ecclesiastes 9:11
When God laid out the plans for our lives, He lined up the right people, the right breaks, and the right opportunities that we needed to fulfill our destiny. The Scripture talks about how time and chance will come together for every person. In other words, there are moments of favor that God has already released into your future. If you'll let that sink down into your heart today, it will change your whole outlook on your future.
So many people miss out on the good things because they allow fear to distract them and hold them back. They say, "What if I fail?" "What if they don't like me?" "What if I make a mistake?" To that I say, "What if you succeed?" "What if they like you?" "What if you do it better than anyone else?" That's expecting God's goodness and favor. And when you go out each day with an attitude of faith and expectancy, you'll see those good things He has in store. You'll walk into divine moments of favor, moments of blessing, moments of increase; and you'll be fully equipped to live the life of victory!
Father God, thank You for the good things You have in store for my future. Thank You for Your peace and joy that surrounds my every step. I choose today to keep my heart focused on the good things You have in store for my future. In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Joel Osteen)
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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Feb 7, 2010 - Sunday Meditation (Will You Answer His Call?)
The sinner is not banished, just purged for action. Unworthiness cannot be used as an excuse to keep to safe old ways. Isaiah is not allowed to stay in the temple and Peter cannot remain on the shore. They are both sent out into the sinful world. God calls us not to just savour his holiness in the safety of the familiar but he sends us out into the deep, into the unknown, to make his glory manifest to a hostile world. Isaiah is sent to preach justice to an unrepentant Israel and Simon is sent to preach the Gospel to a society where many felt lost and set apart from the holiness of God.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11 While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennes'aret . 2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zeb'edee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Meditation by David Sanders O.P.
Called to Holiness
We often pigeon-hole people. We are certain we know them and we fix their identity. We treat them more like things than people. Then suddenly we see in them a new dimension, a surprising depth, a different person.
And if we do this to people we do it even more to God. We may treat him as an impersonal deity, an abstract entity, something that can be manipulated by our religious formulas. But the God of the Bible whom we worship is a personal God who cannot be pinned down or easily defined. God is other, mysterious, different - that is what makes him holy. But where do we encounter this holy God?
Isaiah tells us that he encountered this holy God in the temple, he saw him through the smoke of incense in the midst of the liturgy. He had a vision of the all-holy God seated upon his heavenly throne and surrounded by the worshipping seraphs. And this is how many people see the holiness of God: in a sacred place, served by priests, and cut off from the outside world. And many want to keep it that way. Holiness should be kept safe in its own sacred world and not be allowed to interfere with the secular.
But when we come to Luke's Gospel today, the Holy One of God has come out of church and is there in the workplace. Jesus is teaching from a fisherman's boat and then commanding Simon to put out into the deep and to begin fishing again. In fact we encounter the holy God when he comes to where we are actually living our lives - to the priestly Isaiah, it is in the temple and to Simon the fisherman, it is among his nets.
But notice in both cases the ordinary, familiar world is broken open. The sacred boundaries cannot confine the transcendent presence of the holy God in the temple ritual for as the angelic hosts assert 'His glory fills the whole earth'. Isaiah is seized by this new fascinating presence he had not expected to encounter.
And Simon no doubt had paid his regular visits to the Temple in Jerusalem and had been awestruck by the sacred atmosphere there. Now he was back in a world where he was in control. He knew at least when it was a good time to catch fish. But he had been fascinated by the words of this teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, as he preached to the crowds from Simon's own boat. And, like Mary before him, he consented to what seemed the impossible. He obeyed the word to put out into the deep and fish when his own senses told him to expect nothing. The huge catch of fish, almost bursting the nets, which followed was for him a sign of the presence of the holy God in Jesus. 'Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man'
But the call of the holy God does not conform to what we expect. The sinner is not banished, just purged for action. Unworthiness cannot be used as an excuse to keep to safe old ways. Isaiah is not allowed to stay in the temple and Peter cannot remain on the shore. They are both sent out into the sinful world. God calls us not to just savour his holiness in the safety of the familiar but he sends us out into the deep, into the unknown, to make his glory manifest to a hostile world. Isaiah is sent to preach justice to an unrepentant Israel and Simon is sent to preach the Gospel to a society where many felt lost and set apart from the holiness of God.
God calls the prophets and apostles in dramatic ways but he also calls each of one of us. He breaks open our familiar defences and transcends our limited expectations. We cannot plead our sinfulness as an excuse not to obey his word. He invites us to put out into the deep wherever we are. And he goes on calling us even when we think we are safe. Only by responding to his call and encountering his holy presence we will finally discover the true identity for which he created us.
Supplementary Meditation
Searching for God and Finding Him
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." – Luke 19:10
The story of Zacchaeus is a remarkable one. Jesus was passing through Jericho one day and was surrounded by people who were trying to catch a glimpse of the Miracle Worker! One man who was too short to see over the crowds ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree beside the road. He clung to the strong branches of that enormous tree and watched for Jesus.
Zacchaeus was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business. But he was a traitor to his own people—a Jew who surrendered his patriotism by selling out to the Romans. Zacchaeus thought that money would give him power and that power would give him self-confidence.
So why did Zacchaeus want to see Jesus? To collect money? No! Zacchaeus was searching for self-confidence, which is really a hunger for God. Only God can satisfy. Money, power, following the crowd—none of these provide the deep satisfaction that comes from putting ourselves in a position where we find God. That's why Zacchaeus climbed the sycamore tree! He wanted to be in a place where he and God could meet.
Lord Jesus, today I can live with confident assurance knowing that when I search for you, I will find 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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11 While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennes'aret . 2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zeb'edee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Meditation by David Sanders O.P.
Called to Holiness
We often pigeon-hole people. We are certain we know them and we fix their identity. We treat them more like things than people. Then suddenly we see in them a new dimension, a surprising depth, a different person.
And if we do this to people we do it even more to God. We may treat him as an impersonal deity, an abstract entity, something that can be manipulated by our religious formulas. But the God of the Bible whom we worship is a personal God who cannot be pinned down or easily defined. God is other, mysterious, different - that is what makes him holy. But where do we encounter this holy God?
Isaiah tells us that he encountered this holy God in the temple, he saw him through the smoke of incense in the midst of the liturgy. He had a vision of the all-holy God seated upon his heavenly throne and surrounded by the worshipping seraphs. And this is how many people see the holiness of God: in a sacred place, served by priests, and cut off from the outside world. And many want to keep it that way. Holiness should be kept safe in its own sacred world and not be allowed to interfere with the secular.
But when we come to Luke's Gospel today, the Holy One of God has come out of church and is there in the workplace. Jesus is teaching from a fisherman's boat and then commanding Simon to put out into the deep and to begin fishing again. In fact we encounter the holy God when he comes to where we are actually living our lives - to the priestly Isaiah, it is in the temple and to Simon the fisherman, it is among his nets.
But notice in both cases the ordinary, familiar world is broken open. The sacred boundaries cannot confine the transcendent presence of the holy God in the temple ritual for as the angelic hosts assert 'His glory fills the whole earth'. Isaiah is seized by this new fascinating presence he had not expected to encounter.
And Simon no doubt had paid his regular visits to the Temple in Jerusalem and had been awestruck by the sacred atmosphere there. Now he was back in a world where he was in control. He knew at least when it was a good time to catch fish. But he had been fascinated by the words of this teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, as he preached to the crowds from Simon's own boat. And, like Mary before him, he consented to what seemed the impossible. He obeyed the word to put out into the deep and fish when his own senses told him to expect nothing. The huge catch of fish, almost bursting the nets, which followed was for him a sign of the presence of the holy God in Jesus. 'Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man'
But the call of the holy God does not conform to what we expect. The sinner is not banished, just purged for action. Unworthiness cannot be used as an excuse to keep to safe old ways. Isaiah is not allowed to stay in the temple and Peter cannot remain on the shore. They are both sent out into the sinful world. God calls us not to just savour his holiness in the safety of the familiar but he sends us out into the deep, into the unknown, to make his glory manifest to a hostile world. Isaiah is sent to preach justice to an unrepentant Israel and Simon is sent to preach the Gospel to a society where many felt lost and set apart from the holiness of God.
God calls the prophets and apostles in dramatic ways but he also calls each of one of us. He breaks open our familiar defences and transcends our limited expectations. We cannot plead our sinfulness as an excuse not to obey his word. He invites us to put out into the deep wherever we are. And he goes on calling us even when we think we are safe. Only by responding to his call and encountering his holy presence we will finally discover the true identity for which he created us.
Supplementary Meditation
Searching for God and Finding Him
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." – Luke 19:10
The story of Zacchaeus is a remarkable one. Jesus was passing through Jericho one day and was surrounded by people who were trying to catch a glimpse of the Miracle Worker! One man who was too short to see over the crowds ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree beside the road. He clung to the strong branches of that enormous tree and watched for Jesus.
Zacchaeus was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business. But he was a traitor to his own people—a Jew who surrendered his patriotism by selling out to the Romans. Zacchaeus thought that money would give him power and that power would give him self-confidence.
So why did Zacchaeus want to see Jesus? To collect money? No! Zacchaeus was searching for self-confidence, which is really a hunger for God. Only God can satisfy. Money, power, following the crowd—none of these provide the deep satisfaction that comes from putting ourselves in a position where we find God. That's why Zacchaeus climbed the sycamore tree! He wanted to be in a place where he and God could meet.
Lord Jesus, today I can live with confident assurance knowing that when I search for you, I will find 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.
Facebook Acct: bobot.apit@yahoo.com.ph
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Feb 6, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (God's Perfect Time)
God takes time to develop character before anything else. God could not afford to have a prideful 30-year-old managing the resources of an entire region of the world. We can sometimes delay this timetable if we refuse His correction. Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, the Lord is just and gracious in His dealings with His children. When He does decide to move on our behalf, we will appreciate the delay and will often understand the reason it was needed.
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and his companions
1 Kings 3:4-13
Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Mark 6:30-34 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 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.
Meditation by Carol Zuegner
God, grant me an understanding heart.
That’s what Solomon asked God for in the first reading. He sought an understanding heart to tell right from wrong as he governed his people. God was pleased with the request and promised many other things to Solomon as well. I may not be the ruler of a kingdom, but I, too, pray for an understanding heart: To be forgiving, to be strict, to see beyond the facades of anger or humor or sarcasm that mask true feelings of fear or inadequacy or confusion. Along with that understanding heart, I also ask God for patience and strength. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the apostles to come away in a boat to find a place to rest awhile. But the people figure out where the boat is going and got there beforehand. Mark tells us Jesus saw a people who were like sheep without a shepherd and began to teach them. So much for the time away to rest awhile. Sometimes we have to keep going, to keep our hearts open and understanding.I also thank God for those people whose understanding hearts have helped me see the right path. I am indebted beyond measure to those who help me when I am struggling.
Today is also the feast of Saint Paul Miki, a Jesuit martyr, and his companions. He and his 25 companions were put to death in Nagasaki , Japan , in 1597. According to Loyolapress.com, “he forgave his persecutors from his cross and told the people to ask Christ to show them how to be truly happy.” Saint Paul Miki’s advice to those Christians resonates today. We need to look inside and ask God what we really need to be truly happy.Lord, grant me an understanding heart and the patience and strength to make the right decisions and carry through with them.
Supplementary Readin
When the Lord Tarries
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. ~ Habakkuk 2:3
God has a storehouse of blessings that He has reserved for you and me. However, our timing to receive those blessings may not be the same as our Lord's. God has a specific timetable that He requires to accomplish His purposes in the life of the believer. Sometimes that timetable seems excruciatingly cruel and painful, yet it is needful.
When we read that Joseph remained a slave in Egypt and was then placed in prison after being wrongfully accused, it would be easy to second-guess the God of the universe. Oh, how cruel and uncaring, we might think. Joseph thought he was going to be delivered from prison when he interpreted a dream for a court official, but then he was forgotten another two years. Why? An early release would have disrupted God's perfect plan.
God takes time to develop character before anything else. God could not afford to have a prideful 30-year-old managing the resources of an entire region of the world. We can sometimes delay this timetable if we refuse His correction.
Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, the Lord is just and gracious in His dealings with His children. When He does decide to move on our behalf, we will appreciate the delay and will often understand the reason it was needed. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him! (Is. 30:18)
If you are awaiting the fulfillment of a vision in your life, ask the Lord for His grace to sustain you. It will be worth the wait. (OS Hillman)
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 Paul Miki and his companions
1 Kings 3:4-13
Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Mark 6:30-34 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 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.
Meditation by Carol Zuegner
God, grant me an understanding heart.
That’s what Solomon asked God for in the first reading. He sought an understanding heart to tell right from wrong as he governed his people. God was pleased with the request and promised many other things to Solomon as well. I may not be the ruler of a kingdom, but I, too, pray for an understanding heart: To be forgiving, to be strict, to see beyond the facades of anger or humor or sarcasm that mask true feelings of fear or inadequacy or confusion. Along with that understanding heart, I also ask God for patience and strength. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the apostles to come away in a boat to find a place to rest awhile. But the people figure out where the boat is going and got there beforehand. Mark tells us Jesus saw a people who were like sheep without a shepherd and began to teach them. So much for the time away to rest awhile. Sometimes we have to keep going, to keep our hearts open and understanding.I also thank God for those people whose understanding hearts have helped me see the right path. I am indebted beyond measure to those who help me when I am struggling.
Today is also the feast of Saint Paul Miki, a Jesuit martyr, and his companions. He and his 25 companions were put to death in Nagasaki , Japan , in 1597. According to Loyolapress.com, “he forgave his persecutors from his cross and told the people to ask Christ to show them how to be truly happy.” Saint Paul Miki’s advice to those Christians resonates today. We need to look inside and ask God what we really need to be truly happy.Lord, grant me an understanding heart and the patience and strength to make the right decisions and carry through with them.
Supplementary Readin
When the Lord Tarries
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. ~ Habakkuk 2:3
God has a storehouse of blessings that He has reserved for you and me. However, our timing to receive those blessings may not be the same as our Lord's. God has a specific timetable that He requires to accomplish His purposes in the life of the believer. Sometimes that timetable seems excruciatingly cruel and painful, yet it is needful.
When we read that Joseph remained a slave in Egypt and was then placed in prison after being wrongfully accused, it would be easy to second-guess the God of the universe. Oh, how cruel and uncaring, we might think. Joseph thought he was going to be delivered from prison when he interpreted a dream for a court official, but then he was forgotten another two years. Why? An early release would have disrupted God's perfect plan.
God takes time to develop character before anything else. God could not afford to have a prideful 30-year-old managing the resources of an entire region of the world. We can sometimes delay this timetable if we refuse His correction.
Although it is sometimes difficult to understand, the Lord is just and gracious in His dealings with His children. When He does decide to move on our behalf, we will appreciate the delay and will often understand the reason it was needed. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him! (Is. 30:18)
If you are awaiting the fulfillment of a vision in your life, ask the Lord for His grace to sustain you. It will be worth the wait. (OS Hillman)
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.
Feb 5, 2010 - Friday Meditation (Seeing from God's View Point
They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise. Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself?
Memorial of St. Agatha
Sirach 47:2-11
Psalm 18:31, 47 and 50, 51
Mark 6:14-29 King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "It is Eli'jah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 17 For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee . 22 For when Hero'di-as' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." 23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Meditation by Maryanne Rouse
In her words: “You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone.”
The Church commemorates St. Agatha today. According to legend, St. Agatha lived and died in Sicily in the Third Century. Having pledged herself to God, she spurned the advances of a lesser public official, though he had enough power to see that she was sent to a brothel. When that did not result in her renunciation of God and embrace of him, he sent her to prison where she was subjected to a series of tortures, among them the removal of her breasts. St. Peter appeared, however, and healed her. It appears that this sequence of events has merited her being named a special intercessor for breast maladies, cancer and the like.
Because she was credited with quieting the eruption of Mount Etna , she is asked for protection against fire. She is one of a few saints named in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.
Agatha has many characteristics with which it is difficult for us to identify. For example: Different century; different country; different language; as a married person, a different commitment to God.
And yet…
As I reflect on her story, I find myself asking: What is it I hold sacred enough to suffer and yes even die for? Family, friends, and beliefs, I hope. How do I choose to play out that valuing in my life? Or, ouch! Does it appear that I am more committed to some of the things I own? My “place” in the world? Someone’s opinion of me? My reputation?
The two readings for today bring forth two examples, John the Baptist’s of faith upheld, and David’s of betrayal with a later turning back to God.
Today’s invitation may be to a truthful pondering: What is our treasure? What’s so precious that I cannot imagine being without it? Where do our lives demonstrate our commitments? And if we don’t like the answer, what am I willing to do about it?
Supplementary Reading
Going Against the Flow
But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. ~ Numbers 14:10a
Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.
Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.
Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites (Numbers 14:5-10).
Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.
Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land.
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). (OS Hillman)
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 St. Agatha
Sirach 47:2-11
Psalm 18:31, 47 and 50, 51
Mark 6:14-29 King Herod heard of it; for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 15 But others said, "It is Eli'jah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16 But when Herod heard of it he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 17 For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. 18 For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19 And Hero'di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee . 22 For when Hero'di-as' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." 23 And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 24 And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
Meditation by Maryanne Rouse
In her words: “You see my heart, you know my desires. Possess all that I am—you alone.”
The Church commemorates St. Agatha today. According to legend, St. Agatha lived and died in Sicily in the Third Century. Having pledged herself to God, she spurned the advances of a lesser public official, though he had enough power to see that she was sent to a brothel. When that did not result in her renunciation of God and embrace of him, he sent her to prison where she was subjected to a series of tortures, among them the removal of her breasts. St. Peter appeared, however, and healed her. It appears that this sequence of events has merited her being named a special intercessor for breast maladies, cancer and the like.
Because she was credited with quieting the eruption of Mount Etna , she is asked for protection against fire. She is one of a few saints named in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.
Agatha has many characteristics with which it is difficult for us to identify. For example: Different century; different country; different language; as a married person, a different commitment to God.
And yet…
As I reflect on her story, I find myself asking: What is it I hold sacred enough to suffer and yes even die for? Family, friends, and beliefs, I hope. How do I choose to play out that valuing in my life? Or, ouch! Does it appear that I am more committed to some of the things I own? My “place” in the world? Someone’s opinion of me? My reputation?
The two readings for today bring forth two examples, John the Baptist’s of faith upheld, and David’s of betrayal with a later turning back to God.
Today’s invitation may be to a truthful pondering: What is our treasure? What’s so precious that I cannot imagine being without it? Where do our lives demonstrate our commitments? And if we don’t like the answer, what am I willing to do about it?
Supplementary Reading
Going Against the Flow
But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. ~ Numbers 14:10a
Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.
Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.
Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites (Numbers 14:5-10).
Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.
Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land.
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). (OS Hillman)
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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