Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Tuesday of the 7th week of the Ordinary Season Mk. 9: 30 - 37 The readings teach us to be wary about raw ambitions.  St. James rationalized the destruction of the world as arising from a brazen desire to overthrow the other.  This is where we're going if we don't watch our conduct. Jesus pointed to a child as the model for servanthood:  "Whoever received one child such as this in my name received me." Furthermore, he said, "Whoever wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." What does servanthood do? First, it places us at the service of one another.  More generosity awaites those who serve rather than be served. Second, it makes us humble, realizing that all of us humans are as weak as ourselves and thus, need more caring rather that be neglected upon becuase of our pride. Third, it is a sure mark of our unity with Jesus crucified, "who came not to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him...

Be God's servants John 13:16-20 When was the last time we placed ourselves under the total service of the Lord? Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us the way, by making himself a servant. Everything in the Eucharist serves us so that we might serve God.  The fruit of the Eucharist is the offering of ones life to God. In order to live out the life of servanthood, we have to know our Master through and through.  We have to lose ourselves to fall in love with the Master and to follow him at all cost. To be a servant also means we now know who are are: servants entrusted with a task.  Obedience is a mark of a true servant. Finally, we have to live out servanthood in our entire lives.  All time and space become opportunities of service, giving life to others and glorifying God. In a world where people want to serve themselves let us show how to gain true life and happiness - by being God's servants.

Active servanthood Luke 17:7-10 Active servanthood is not just being servants who do what the Master commands. These servants are actively working because they possess the mind and heart of the Master. That is the heart of our readings today.  Others might misunderstand God's servants, but as long as they do their work faithfully and conscientiously, they shall be rewarded.  They shall be counted among the saints because of their perseverance. Do we treat ourselves as servants, knowing the Master, loving the Master, and faithfully serving the Master?

Serve! Matthew 20:1-16 Jotham's parable speaks of the leader that the Israelites are asking for.    He has the capacity to burn the cedars of Lebanon for those who don't follow him. Jesus is the true leader who invites people in different times and lives to serve him in his vineyard. What time is it in our lives when we have made a firm decision to follow and serve the Lord? When we serve, do we desire also to be served?  Is that the reason why we are serving the Lord?  Serve unconditionally and the Lord will reward us in His time. Third, serve because God himself is a God who serves and not served.  This lesson in generous and unconditional service is the true key to Christian discipleship.

Maria, halimbawa ng katapatan ng isang lingkod Luke 10:25-37  The true lay leader is a generous lay leader who offers time, talent and treasure to love the other whom God loves. a loyal leader is a neighbor in three forms: 1.  kapibahay - based on territory, a leader will exert effort to take care of his community.  He will involve himself to be an asset to his community; 2.  kapwa - a person in need of one's kindness; a leader will have the heart for his neighbor (Mary and Elizabeth); he will gear himself so that his community will be a living church in the midst; 3.  kapwa kalooban - intersubjectivity, when our hearts connect with one another and with God's heart.  Because of Mary's love for God, her only desire was to completely offer her life so we can love Jesus.  The leader is like Mary and Jesus in the manner by which we can offer our very own lives because of love for God and our neighbor. For its practical application, offering ...

The bible and I John 15:12-17 I believe that quite analogically, my life should be the living bible of the Lord. Whatever happens to the bible happens to my life. If there are things that don't have any connection with God's word, it is not coming from the Holy Spirit. I am the embodiment of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit works in me.  I should be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel message is so beautiful.  "Love one another as I have loved you."  Whatever love is in our hearts, it should mirror Jesus' love for us. "I call you friends, not servants..." marks our relationship with one another. "I chose you..." simply means that it is Jesus who leads us.  Every task we do in this world should arise from being chosen to do Jesus' task.