Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Communion with God Matthew 13:36-43 God communicates with Moises in the giving of the 10 commandments. In the gospel, Jesus explains the parable of the darnel in the field, stating that both the wheat and the weeds would be gathered accordingly, the wheat be placed in the barn while the weed gets burnt. Simply put, the evil man is not in communion with God, while the good man is. How do we live a life of communion with God? We live a life of communion with God if we regularly receive the sacraments and be in the state of grace. Second, if we live a life of prayer and our whole lives become prayer or a constant communication and communion with God. Third, if we can meet prayer with action and be Alter Christus , then we are in constant communion with God.

God's actions Matthew 12:1-8  In the readings, we witnessed the saving action of God.  In the gospel, Jesus says, "The Son of the Man is the Lord of the Sabbath."  His action saves instead of man's actions. We are all doing something, but how do we know that our actions save? Every action saves if it heals and frees, like forgiveness that links us back with one another and with God.  We first need to be freed from sin and from its clutches.  Second, every action saves if it educates people in the ways of the Lord.  Third, every action saves if delivers eternal love and if that love is shared unconditionally, including all its pains and sacrifices. Let our every action be God's action in the world.

Instruments of salvation Matthew 10:7-15 In the readings, God fulfills his promise to save Israel from famine.  In the gospel, Jesus instructs his apostles how to save people through the path of presence and dialogue with life. What is our response to God's action to save?  Let us follow God's action of salvation.  Remove all negative thoughts of judgment and condemnation that the world is hopeless and we can only save ourselves.  Our more important task is not to survive but to lead people to God. Remove all hindrances when we are to work for the salvation of others.  Let us go out of our homes and start serving.  Let our worldview be God's worldview.  The view of the world is saving its own. There people don't have time to save others. Third, fit all worlds to God's world.  God leads everyone in the world to serve others.  Whatever we can contribute, let's go for the greater good.  We would be able to see our role in the greater scheme of things.

Salvation Matthew 9:32-37 Our reflection for today is how to possess God's intention to save.  Our behavior in this world should not merely be about surviving in this life but of saving others. There are two connotations of salvation I wish to share: First, salvation means out rightly, "to be saved from harm" which we obtained through the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  We contribute to this cause by engaging in the forgiveness of Jesus. But the second connotation of salvation is "to bring to life" or to a state of being eternally alive.  We contribute by bringing life to others through service and sacrifice. In this way, we contribute to being workers of the Lord in the field of great harvest.

Ever-trusting faith John 20:24-29 Our faith tells us, "We are standing in a firm foundation of the apostles with Jesus as the cornerstone."  This faith is also grounded on the faith of St. Thomas, commonly labeled as the "doubter." Thomas' disbelief is more of a deep yearning to see Jesus who deepened his experience by saying, "Happy are those who haven't seen and yet believed." What constitute this ever-trusting faith in the Almighty? First, believe in God's presence in the world today, in us and around us.  We can actually "see" him in one another. Second, respond also in faith.  For children, we can develop an early positive experience of faith through our own lives lived in love.  Show to them the love of God himself.  Only then can we know that God resides in our hearts.

Healthy lifestyle Matthew 9:1-8 For this day, Jesus challenges us to a healthy lifestyle.  What constitutes a healthy lifestyle? Forgiveness constitutes a healthy lifestyle.  A person who has no forgiveness is always stressed out. Second, faith in the Lord constitutes a healthy lifestyle.  A person who has no faith and trust in the Lord will always live life according to himself.  A parent who at the end of the day would entrust his or her children to the care of God is bound to live a healthy lifestyle.