Inspirations at your Fingertips!

light Luke 2:22-35 Let's focus on the light.  According to a common dictionary, light either refers to that which makes things visible.  Materially speaking, we are referring to the light bulbs as examples of light sources.  Another definition is what is happening inside the human disposition: an understanding of a problem or mystery. What John is referring to as light? Jesus himself is the light of life.  So, if anyone is not living according to the light of Christ, he is in darkness, especially when he hates his brother / sister. In the gospel, Simeon also talks about the light whom he can now see and he can now rest.  But the second one is this: through Jesus, all actions would be laid bare.  He will always be a sign of contradiction for many.  And that all thoughts may be laid bare. Thus, we are talking of two lights: one that refers to Jesus, and another that lays bare the secret longings of the heart whether we are for or against Christ...

Remedies to violence Matthew 10:17-22 A day after Christmas and we are exposed to violence: the death of Stephen and the warning of Jesus.  It shows us that this is the world Jesus entered and saved from sin.  It would entail also the offering of his life.  This is our Christmas as well. In the face of violence and in front of non-God-fearing people, the best remedies are trust in the Lord, commitment to serve him, and perseverance in faith. Trust in the Lord because when the time comes, it is the Lord who will speak through us. Be committed to serve him despite all odds, so that when we face our accusers, we can face them with clear consciences. Last but not the least, persevere in faith; in time, we will reap the fruits of this perseverance: the conversion of our brothers and sisters.

Our home in Jesus LK 1:26-38 In the first reading from the book of Zechariah, "Rejoice o daughter Zion, for the Lord will make his dwelling upon you." In the gospel of Luke, Jesus made his dwelling in Mary.  The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe reflects this. Let's reflect on our dwelling place.  It can be a house where we live.  But the real essence is the home, where relationships and warmth exist.  Those who live in it is now called "a family". God offers this kind of home.  Mary is the picture of this home as Jesus is in her.  But this home is really Jesus, the source of the warm love of God. Let's also make our home in Jesus, with love and mercy enveloping us.  Salvation is found in this kind of real home and family.

Vocation Matthew 11:11-15 Vocation ... a call to greater things only God can do. Vocation is ultimately the promise of the Lord entrusted to those who are open to follow his will.  Such is John the Baptist; he opened the fulfillment of prophets; the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence by his words and actions. Vocation is ultimately total accountability to God.  Our actions should reflect the plan of God to save; not for us to simply exist in this world. Vocation is the very core of our being, not an aside to the priorities of our lives.  It eventually marks our very being.  Let the joy of our lives be God alone. .... Children's version: May we learn from the life of St. John the Baptist.  He was faithful to God that he lived a simple life.  In his heart he wants to serve Him.  And so he prepared the way of Jesus although he hasn't seen him yet.  But the purity of heart led him to see Jesus. When you grow up, some ...

Jesus and us Luke 21:29-33  I would simply like to dwell on the Word as spoken in the Book of Daniel and the Gospel for today.  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away," Jesus said. Another reality that is congruent to the word that will never pass away or "eternal" is the Incarnate Word himself - the Son of Man who's sovereignty is eternal; his empire will never be destroyed. Let us reflect on Jesus; but in knowing him let us reflect on who we are. Who is Jesus?  Who are we then? Jesus is eternal, we are temporary, fleeting.  We will pass from this earth.  Our lives are short but He will remain forever.  Yet he offers us everlasting life. Jesus is powerful and we are powerless. But Jesus gives us power only to manage and build and not destroy. Finally, Jesus is all in all, we are nothing, but by his love we become something. Love brought us to this world. Pray that in the littleness our lives, in the temporarin...

God's power vs. man's power Luke 21:20-28 God showed his mighty power by saving Daniel in the den filled with lions while those who accused Daniel were pounced upon by the lion even before they could reach the floor. In the Gospel, Jesus warned us of the imminent destruction of Jerusalem before the coming of the Son of Man, in a cloud with power and great glory. Let us reflect on God's power vis-a-vis our own. Power does not come from us; rather, it comes from the One who has the power to create and give order to the universe.  His power heals and unifies.  But our sense of power can sometimes be used to destroy, divide, and hurt people. God's power is also his justice.  His power is just; he will reward the upright.  Man's power corrupts; consequently it is meant to proliferate sin, greed, and selfishness, and pride. God's power in Jesus saves and liberates us from sin so we can all become sons and daughters of God.  Our power enslaves us further ...

The end times Luke 17:26-37 The gospel refers to the end times when people would not recognize the coming of the Lord while they continue eating and drinking. It also goes true with the first reading: foolish people will fail to recognize the presence of the Lord, exulting science and dynamics of the world but not attributing them to God. But our God is a talking God in constant communication with us.  He is not a deity or a symbol.  He is alive and happy are the people who in the normal course of life can detect God's promptings. The end times are marked by our capacity to be sensitive to the presence of Lord.  We need God's grace to detect this.  Our lives also should be oriented to God even when we were born.  We also need to commit ourselves to seeing the Lord in our daily lives and work towards our end goal of being with Him for all eternity.