Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Miyerkules ng ika-15 linggo ng karaniwang panahon Pinasya ng Ama na makita siya hindi sa pamamagitan ng makapangyarihan at marurunong kundi sa pamamagitan ng isang hamak na bata.   Huwag na po nating kainggitan ang makapangyarihan.  Hangging dito lamang sila sa mundo. May isang paanyaya sa ating lahat - ang makita ang tunay - ang Diyos at kanyang katotohanan. Ito'y sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod: 1. Kay Hesus - siyang pangunahing pinagkatiwala ng Diyos ng kanyang katotohanan.  At ganap ang pagiging katiwala ni Hesus.  Siya ngayon ang ating daan patungo sa Ama. 2. Pagkakaisa - ganap na pagkakaisa ng Ama at Anak.  Sa kapanahunan ng Israel, may konkretong mukha ang hindi nakikitang Diyos; tignan lamang si Kristo. 3.  Yaong pinagpahayagan ng Anak - binibigyan tayo ng pagkakataong makita ang Ama ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.  Ang mga sinugo na may puso ng isang alipin ang makakakita ng nais ni Hesus.

restoredministriesblog.com Thursday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:21-29 it is not enough that we call God "Lord, Lord". If we don't do his will it all accounts to nothing. The author of the Book of Kings narrated this story to point out that even Israel was not exempted from the punishment just because they were the chosen people of God.  Even they were exiled to Babylon like Adam and Eve who were removed from paradise  simply because they disobeyed God and have turned to gods. Matthew recalled the image of the house built on rock.  We should know the solid rock to base our faith on.  We need to anticipate the trials our faith would undergo. And third, we need to act of them. What is that rock?  Jesus; God himself.  The tests to faith? Temptation and the world's persecutions.  They will do everything to veer us away from God. Acts of faith?  Faithfulness, obedience to God, compassion to others.  Faith manifested in concrete ...

quintoevangelio.com Tuesday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:6,12-14 Since yesterday, Matthew has been emphasizing love for neighbor, "Judge not and you will not be judged." Today, our statement still holds:  Our love for God reflects back to how we deal with our neighbors. First, Matthew clarifies the role of loving others.  They are not above loving God.  From loving him flows love for self and others. Second, Matthew emphasizes the Golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  It's what loving one's neighbor as oneself means.  If we want success and happiness, bring success and happiness to others too.  And third, there's no easy way to loving oneself and others.  Discipline, education, formation, planting the seeds, they all demand time, talent, and treasure for caring.   Formation of children and parishioners, it will demand a lifetime of pain.  But the rewards are endless. Thus, give God what is due him - ...

http://thepositivitysolution.com/judging-others/ Monday of week 12 in Ordinary Time Matthew 7:1-5 Our relationship with God is reflected on our relationship with others.  If we are the judgmental type, we play the role of a god who judges.  Thus, we become our own gods.  Matthew teaches simply, "Don't judge and you will not be judged."  We are fond of looking down at others but we are blind to ourselves.  Thus, everyone should stop this practice since we have all sinned before God and are worthy to receive his just punishment. Second, our measure of judgment comes back to us.  How unfortunate this is!  Just when Jesus underscored saving the other through forgiveness, here we are condemning others.  Thus, we shall be measured by measure we use against others. Third, Matthew stresses on self-correction as our main purpose in this life. There is not one moment in this world when sin would abandon us.  Thus, we don't have time to correct others b...

Saturday of week 9 in Ordinary Time Mark 12:38-44 "The fighting the good fight, running the race, keeping the faith" from St. Paul marks the true meaning of life. This norm helps us be pointed to our life's goal and not be sidetracked with other concerns.  Though we understand that it is the different facets of life that make life exciting, still we would like to see a golden thread tying all these things together. The gospel says the same thing: "The widow put in everything she had".  Everything!  Where would I put everything of my life?  These are my suggestions to make like truly meaningful: 1. Devote your life to teaching. Our lives serve as teaching modules for the younger generation.  All accomplishments, prayers, and good works as well as the scandals, shortcomings, and frailties - though our lives are not perfect, they teach valuable lessons for the next generation.  And young people, lest you want to commit the same mistakes over and ove...

Friday of week 9 in Ordinary Time Mark 12:35-37 There are three ways of knowing things. This is also true in knowing God. The first one is knowing in the level of the mind.   We have been taught that the only reason for man's existence is to know, love, and adore God.  But now, there are much more that we need to learn about life - science, arts, humanity, social sciences, technology, medicine.  We also need to know how to become rich, how to take care of ourselves above others, and how to priorities oneself and not God. But the more we become ignorant of God, the more we put our and others' lives at risk.  The more selfish we become, the more we abuse this earth, the more we cause pandemics, social sicknesses, and so forth, and the more we put this world at an end. Heed the words of Socrates then, "The more I know, the more I do not know." In knowing about God, we need a huge dosage of humility.  The affects us, that spiritual pride and arr...

Saturday of the 6th week of Eastertide John 16:23-28 The gospel today offers us a lively faith far than we can ever imagine.  It is faith just as Jesus says, "Anything you ask from the Father he will grant in my name." It's been two months since we've been praying that God may remove the virus from the world.  It also has happened in our lives that though we prayed, our prayers were not granted.  But we never faltered in that faith.  We may have doubted sometimes, but the faith was never removed from our hearts.  Instead, we were taught to be steadfast in our faith, forever trusting the Lord that things would always turn out better in the end.  The faith that God has given us through Jesus in the Spirit call us: First, to continue being steadfast in the faith amidst trials as if it is being purged in fire or pruned to perfection.  Faith itself is the gift that no one can take away from. Second, even in the midst of trials, that f...

Tuesday of the 5th week of Eastertide John 14:27-31 How easy is it to proclaim the Good News! In the first reading, the apostles acknowledged that it is not easy being proclaimers of the Word, "We will have to suffer much before we can proclaim the Good News."   We will have to rid ourselves of every selfish intentions before we can deliver to others the purity of the Good News. In the Gospel, Jesus lays down the gifts the proclaimers need to effectively deliver the Good News. First, peace that comes from God himself and not as the world gives.  The world gives temporary peace like our money in the midst of covid.  But that money will soon disappear.  What kind of peace does God offer?  The gift of a heart that is oriented to every kind of goodness to others.  The rich is not at peace if the intention is to survive only on one's own.  But the peace that comes from God is oriented to serving everyone; that is peace. Second, courage....

 Wednesday of the 3rd week of Eastertide John 6:35-40 The persecution continues in the first reading.  But so is the work of Jesus till this very day.  In the Gospel, Jesus underscores eternity. Food is temporary.  We need food each day.  Physical food becomes stale.  But Jesus as food is eternal. It's undeniable that we're living on a day-to-day basis.  We need to be sustained till we age.  But we also need to understand eternity.  There are young people who floated the idea of not having a "forever".  But there are things that last forever.  These are: 1. God and all heavenly things - are forever 2. a heart changed in time - that's why we don't adhere to capital punishment.  The life God has given to every person is a call to a transformed self. 3.  love - indeed is forever.  It is perfection in God who is love. We are seeing things from a temporal perspective.  But if we imagine the perfectio...

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Eastertide John 6:30-35  Jesus invited the people: I am the bread of life.  he who believes will never be hungry.  He who believes in me will never thirst. In this Easter season, we may not be allowed to assemble as a community because of the covid, Jesus is still here in the midst.  But the Eucharist now becomes the family.   In what ways the family can be a Eucharist? First, every action comes from God.  It is Jesus who saves, not our action.  The family clings to Jesus who gathers them as a family.  Each family member is guided by God. Second, the fruit of communion is unity.  Family unity is very important.  The "mesa" is reminiscent of the "misa", the commemoration of the Last Supper of the Lord. Third, sacramental and actual graces - good works.  Every good work is a reflection of Jesus.  Every member becomes an Alter Christus.

Monday of the 3rd week of Eastertide John 6:22-29 At this stage, Stephen was already giving glory to God by testifying, to the consternation of the pharisees. Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus confronted a crowd that was only interested in physical food and not the one that lasts forever. For us to truly experience what true Easter means, we need to shift from preoccupation exclusively with worldly things and aim for the food that really gives us life.  What is this food? First, that food is Jesus himself and how we regard him;  is he Lord only of the heavens, or someone who resides deep in our hearts? Second, his word.  His word is food that gives life and being, heals us, consoles us, strengthens us, molds us.  His word continues to resound this very moment as we listen to him. Third, his paschal mystery is food for our entire being.  Life is an experience of passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  If our preoccupation is physical food, th...

Feast of St. Mark Mark 16:15-20

Friday of the 2nd week of Eastertide John 6:1-15

Thursday of the 2nd week of Eastertide John 3:31-36 When we mention the word "heavenly", sometimes it connotes something very beautiful and pleasing, like food, "It tastes heavenly".  But the real definition of "heavenly" is one that is holy, coming from above, or "Godly", having the attributes of God.  This can also be contrasted with "earthly", or material.  For example, the threat of financial straits confronts us during this time of covid.  We need food and money to sustain our lives.  These are earthly concerns.  But inspite of financial difficulties, we have become responsible stewards, utilizing God-given gifts, and even in the midst of difficulties, we still do our part to help others and really plan in this time of crisis by planning for the good of all, and assist those who have turned hungry, then the attribute of stewardship becomes a "heavenly" reality. This is what Peter and John said, "It is bet...

Martes sa ikalawang linggo ng Muling Pagkabuhay Pagbasa: Juan 3:7b - 15

Monday of the 2nd week of Eastertide John 3:1-8 The excitement of Easter is when we ourselves become instruments of bring the resurrection of the Lord to others. But the great challenge is to stay focused on the Holy Spirit as the main provider of that inspiration to proclaim to others the Good News of the Risen Lord. In order to live in the Spirit, we have to do these three things: 1. Desire to live in the Holy Spirit. The best way to recognize the risen Lord even in today's world is to live in the Spirit.  It simply means getting rid of sinful inclinations and desires to please the self. 2. Discern what comes from the Holy Spirit. The main indicators that decisions and actions are coming from the Holy Spirit are two:  first, the beneficiaries are others more than self; and secondly, the greatest motivation is to please the Lord.  If the self is main motivation of all actions and decisions above God and all others, it's not coming from the Holy Spirit. ...

Easter Friday John 21:1-14  We have two stories about the resurrection: the first reading is about the post-resurrection, when Peter and John healed a lame through Jesus Christ; and the miraculous catch of fish in the gospel, reminiscent of what Jesus did when he called Petter. Two stories.  What are they saying to us who also have a story to tell? In the first reading, Peter reiterated that the act of healing was attributed mainly to Jesus Christ, whose actions continue right to this very day when Jesus continues to heal.  There are two types of healing there: the healing of the lame, and second, the very act of kindness done to a cripple is itself a miracle coming from Jesus. In the gospel, the apostles dare not ask, for they knew it was Jesus who called them to try catching fish again. Two stories, reminiscent of the very healing of Jesus.  How much do we know about the stories of Jesus? Now, we are hearing of stories of people who have contracted ...

Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent Luke 18:9-14 "God did not promise us an easy life, but he promised us a meaningful life." This came into mind when I was reflecting on how God chastises us as in the reading for today: "He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wounds; after a day or two he will bring us back to life, on the third day he will raise us and we shall live in his presence." Mercy is what the Lord wants, not just sacrifice.  Search the heart on what it really loves.  If it's not the Lord, ask for forgiveness.  But if it's love that it loves above all things, then nothing is impossible.  We shall be giving to the Lord what is due him - total adoration, and to others, a pure sacrifice.

Tuesday of the 2nd week of Lent Matthew 23:1-12 Lent calls us to review our every outlook and attitude of life in relation to God.  God demands in the first reading utmost obedience to him.  Only then could we have real order in the world. Furthermore, in the gospel, Jesus called to transcend the ways of the pharisees.  We have to transcend from mere external observances to total dedication to serving the Lord from the inside if we want to be his disciple. What lies in the heart of a disciple?  Three things: Humility .  Humility marks the spot when we recognize our proper place in God's world.  We also know that our place in this world is to assist others rather than lord it over them. Obedience .  If we continue to rebel against God, we bring havoc to the world he created.  Then, the "sword shall eat us instead." Purity .  Purity of mind and heart enables us to be attuned with God.  It also enables us to love one another...

Good News at your Fingertips by Fr. Lito Jopson Wednesday of the 2nd week of Lent Matthew 20:17-28 Power.  How should it be used? Jesus taught James and John's mother: "Anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Meanwhile, there are those who seek the end of persons whom they hate like in the case of Jeremiah.  Their hearts and eyes were blinded by sin and evil, even violence they espouse. God is the author of power.  He used his power to create.  Sin destroys, but God's power renews all created things. God's power heals and saves.  Every action of Jesus, even his death on the cross, brings salvation to us. Third, God's power inspires and perfects.  The Church is gifted with charisms and ministries that enlivens our faith and perfects us in love....

Wednesday of the 1st week of Lent Luke 11:29-32 As we strive to know Jesus, Jesus explicated, "No sign shall be given." Then he quoted the story of Jonah and how he prophesied to the Ninevites.  The Ninevites repented in sackcloth and ashes, but the Jews did not repent because they didn't recognize the ultimate sign:  Jesus himself. Let's reflect on the every sign.  People for one.  Do we recognize Jesus in them enough not to judge them and instead, serve them? Secondly, do we recognize the signs of the times if we are going in the right or wrong direction?  We are going against God if the fruits of our actions lead us to desolation and sin; we are on the road to Jesus if the fruits of our actions are peace and love.

Monday of the 1st week of Lent  Matthew 25:31-46  Where are our lives going? The first reading speaks explicitly of the 10 commandments of God, meant to give order to the world.  In the Gospel, Jesus reveals where our obedience or disobedience will take us - heaven or hell. The 10 Commandments directly affects our moral lives.  We affect each other - either help one another or abuse another.  For Jesus, this has a direct bearing on our relationship with God, "As long as you did this to the least, you do it to me." Let us then be more aware of our dedication to serve our Lord through our service to one another.  Then we shall know where we are really going with our lives.

Tuesday of the 1st week of Lent Matthew 6:7-15 We would like to explore the love of God which goes deeper and deeper until we can see its destination - the perfection of love in God. God says, all of what he says will be fulfilled.  Let the words be proofs that indeed, they can be reach their completion. The prayer of the Our Father is a prayer of completion. It gives the entire essence of a follower and a disciple of the Lord. It speaks of one acknowledging the awesome presence and power of the Lord and his existence. It speaks of ones dependence on the Lord, even for the food. It speaks of the contents of the heart - love. It implores mercy at the last moment of life to lead us to heaven in God. May Lent be a fulfillment of all these - our destination in God.

Thursday of the 1st week of Lent Matthew 7:7-12 Esther's prayer is a prayer of oblation or total offering of self to God.  Her life was a prayer. I would like to focus on prayer as an act of love of God for us. Prayer is God's gift - we pray because it is grace planted into our hearts prayer is a covenant - God's promise that he will stay always with us. Prayer is communion - a picture of heaven in our love for God and one another.

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...

Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary time Mark 9: 14 - 29 Real wisdom is found in one's conduct or actions.  Wisdom with jealousy is demonic.  It should produce peace and love. Jesus exorcised a man with a mute spirit.  First, he reprimanded the apostles for having a weak faith.  Secondly, he acknowledged the humility of the father, "Help me in my unbelief." And finally, he revealed the secret of exorcising this kind of demon, "Only through the power of prayer." Grant we may see the signs of wisdom in these three things: coming from a pure heart, a humble heart, and a prayerful heart.

Saint Peter's Chair Matthew 16:13-19 This feast brings to mid the mission of teacher and pastor conferred by Christ on Peter, and continued in an unbroken line down to the present Pope. We celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle, and renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, extended both to truths which are solemnly defined ex cathedra, and to all the acts of the ordinary Magisterium. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Rome has been celebrated from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch, commemorating his foundation of the See of Antioch, has also been long celebrated at Rome, on 22 February. At each place a chair (cathedra) was venerated which the Apostle had used while presiding at Mass. One of the chairs is referred to about 600 by an Abbot Johannes who had been commissioned by Pope Gregory the ...

Friday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:34-9:1  Central to the faith is the willingness to carry our crosses just as Jesus did.  That cross is translated to good works as mentioned in the first reading. St. James underscored the importance of deeds in in manifesting faith: "Faith without works is dead."  A lively faith can be shown through the following deeds: 1. Renouncing - upon knowing what we want, let's have the courage to value others, much more, God himself. 2. Taking up the cross - to understand the whole notion of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and how we are saved everyday if we also do the same. 3.  Following Jesus - which could serve as the greatest joy of our lives, because every moment is spent on actually his will all for the sake of others.

Thursday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:27-33 Faith in Jesus entails knowing him, loving him, and serving him. Know Jesus - Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say I am?" Then he asked, "But you?  Who do you say I am?" If we know the heart and mind of Jesus and everything about him, our outlook of ourselves would be affected; we would see the world as God sees. Loving Jesus - search the heart; what do we feel about Jesus?  What do we feel about others as well?  Do we see them simply as the world sees them?  Do we judge people by classes as St. James hinted?  Care and compassion lie in the very heart of Jesus. Serve Jesus - Jesus reprimanded Peter for not following him to the cross.  Serving as Jesus wants to be served is the deepest aspiration of faith, to be one with him and cause the salvation of others. Bibliarasal, Taon A Available in all St. Pauls Bookstore

Wednesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:22-26 Think of every kind of blindness we can think of - physical blindness, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual blindness.  They're all reflected in the readings for today.  From physical blindness, emotional blindness is cured when we would "be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to rouse your temper"; pyschological blindness would be like "like looking at your own features in a mirror and then, after a quick look, going off and immediately forgetting what you looked like"; curing social blindness in "coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it"; and spiritual blindness from being " religious while he still goes on deceiving himself and not keeping control over his tongue". Jesus cured the blind man by means of: 1. touching him - the importance of reaching out to the sick through the power of caring touch; 2. seeing him - the first thing  the blind saw w...

Monday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:11-13 The skeptics asked for a sign from Jesus in order to test him.  Jesus retaliated by saying, "No sign shall be given." The real sign is already in their midst, Jesus Christ, Incarnate Son of God.  But the skeptics weren't able to detect the miracle infront of them. Pray that we may recognize the sign in our midst.  In the first reading, James expounded on the world of trials as tickets to discovering God's presence.  We abhor trials, but they could serve as opportunities to deepen our faith and commitment to God.  If in the midst of trials, we remain faithful to God then, trials become graces. Second, trials are given to us so we may discern God's action.  This too is a sign if we opt to stay close to Jesus and discern his will. Thirdly, trials help us to be humble.  This too is a sign. God prunes our hearts according to his own heart. Reflect:  How do we treat the trials in our lives?...

Tuesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:14-21 We shall be entering Lent. In its etymology, it means length or long. We need length of time to deepen our relationship with Jesus.  It takes time to know his leaven.  It takes time to know the leaven of the pharisees.  It takes time and wisdom to know the ways of temptation. The fruit of temptation is sin.  It is rendering nothing what God has made.  It is to destroy what God has built. The starting point of temptation is desire.  The desire to commit sin is not yet sin.  Desire is a free gift from God who have us free will so that we might desire freely heaven and our Lord.  As there is a tendency to use desire to please self, we use more the desire to come closer to God. Thus, we can counter temptations by desiring for the ultimate goodness - God, and serve him.  Be repulsed with temptation.  Counter it immediately as it comes.  Fight nothingness and destruction with pow...

Thursday of week 5, II Mark 7:24-30 St. Therese of the Child Jesus was speaking of the Little Way.  If she could just offer even the smallest part of her life to God, she would experience heaven. "From little things, big things grow" so we came to know.  Each day is a little thing.  Whatever we do each day, even the little thing, accounts for so many when the time is ripe. "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do it to me" points to the relational aspect of the faith. Finally, the smallest crumb of Eucharist contains the fullness of Jesus himself.  If in the Eucharist we cannot give ourselves, how can this whole world be sanctified.

Wednesday of the Week 5 Mark 7:14-23 Is wisdom today a scarce commodity?  All people can have the gift of wisdom as Solomon has. Let's start with the the conventional definitions of wisdom.  It is knowledge gained by experience.  Life itself is a school where we learn the lessons of life.  We need the grace of the Lord to show us the way. Wisdom is also the natural ability to understand. In order to gain wisdom we need the following: knowledge, the heart to discern, and the right judgement untainted by evil intentions. In St. Ignatius' spirituality, he recommends that our decisions should be for the common good, for the salvation of others and for greater glory of God.  All these tie up harmoniously to produce good works on earth, the fruits of wisdom of God. *** Jesus teaches us the nothing from the outside makes us unclean; but rather what comes inside, for inside, there are 'fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, ind...

Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time Mark 6:53-56 The first reading mentions a thick cloud covering the Ark of the Covenant.  God sanctifies Solomon's gestures. Where things are made holy, God dwells. From the Churches to the byways and every place made holy, God dwells everywhere.  In God's creation, He dwells. He dwells in us.  by virtue of baptism, we are made holy.  We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Who are my mother and brothers and sisters?  He who does the will of my Father." Does God dwell in you? *** Everywhere Jesus went, people are cured.  Good News spreads everywhere. Solomon continued what David started - constructing the temple.  Now that he completed it, they performed the ritual of putting in the Ark of the Covenant.  A cloud was hovering over them; it marked the dwelling of the Lord. Where does the Lord dwell in us? In our homes - do we consecrate our families to the Lord? In the C...

Thursday of week 4, II Mark 6:7-13 It would be nice to learn from David's life.  After all the weaknesses and sinfulness, at the end of the day, it will still redound to passing on the knowledge and love of God. In the Gospel, knowing that he would not stay in the world for long, but eventually would pass on his very presence in all generations, he instructed the Twelve and sent them to proclaim his Good News. We are sent to pass on to others and to the next generation all the things that we have experienced from Jesus.  There is so much to share from the love of Jesus. All goodness and sharing; memories that will last forever, especially ones that will lead all people to heaven. Stop passing on sin and hatred.  Pass on the Lord.

Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary time Mark 7:1-13 Faith in God cannot be limited simply be tradition.  God is the author of tradition. What he wants is mercy and not sacrifice. Solomon's prayer reflects true love for the Lord.  He asks for God's constant and abiding presence in the temple. Search for a more dynamic relationship witht the Lord.  Search for him in everyday life. Let us adjust to a living, dynamic form of prayer that is truly reflective of an active relationship of love with God.  This authentic pray moves us now to life as we embrace the mission to share Jesus to others. May the prayer in our hearts moves us to experience Jesus in our daily lives.

Saturday of week 3 in Ordinary Time Mark 4:35-41 Jesus reprimanded the apostles for having a weak faith.  He nevertheless showed his power to contain the sea. In the first reading, David realized the story of Nathan was about him.  He deserved just punishemnt.  On the other hand, God accepted his repentance and forgave him. David is just like us, faltering in our faith. Let's explore the fruits of a weak and faltering faith.   First, it's prone to sin.   Second, it affects another, more so, the innocent. Third, it blames others and not the self. Let's be more concerned with pleasing the Lord with a livelier faith, a faith that takes responsibility for one's life and vocation, a faith that propagates grace, and a faith that invluences others for good.

Tuesday of week 3 in Ordinary Time 2 Samuel 6:12-15,17-19 Mark 3:31-35  Let’s explore David’s situation as a man who does God’s will as underscored by Jesus. David gives to the Lord all adoration. To adore is to give oneself completely to Go whom we adore. David gives the offering of his life. David teaches us that true worship is not complete without the counterpart of the offering of our time, talent, and treasure for God. Thirdly, he blesses the people and consecrates them to God. The Lord looks inside our hearts and he sees what he sees - love. Perhaps the most important quality David had was to be humble in God’s sight. These are the things that make us “mothers, brothers, sisters” - doing God’s will every moment of our lives.

Friday of week 1 in Ordinary Time Mark 2:1-12 Intercession is an integral part of Christian life.  To intercede means to intervene on behalf of another.  The greatest intercessor is of course, Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who intereceded on our behalf for the forgiveness of sins.  The Blessed Mother too, the saints and angels are great intercessors. Jesus commended the four for bringing to him the paralytic.  We could also be intercessors on behalf of others.  This is the mark of a church, when we pray for one another and support one another in any way. In the first reading, Israel wanting a king to replace God is not the work of intercession.  Nevertheless, God ceded to teach us that as we become intercessors, we need to cling on to God as Jesus clings to His Father.  The intercessor should have the qualitiees of the One whom he asks intercession.  Moreover, he should be totally humble and pleasing to the Lord, with his every action an ...

Thursday of week 1 in Ordinary Time Mark 1:40-45 Photo courtesy of: http://www.fromhisword2u.com/jesus-heals-a-leper-matthew-8-1-4-mark-1-40-45-luke-5-12-16/ There is sea of difference between "I will it" and "You will it for me." Such is the case of the first reading.  The Israelites thought that by carrying the Ark of the Covenant, they would win the war against the Philistines.  They were badly mistaken. The gospel, on the other hand, revealed the heart of the leper, "If you want to, you can cure me." Jesus said, "Of course!" Faith is not a matter of superstition.  Nor is it a set template that leads one to sure salvation.  We sometimes think that by simply doing good and avoiding evil, we could get to heaven.  Others think that by simply serving in the church as liturgical ministers, they're already active Catholics. The only gauge of true faith is in Jesus himself.  We could only adhere to him to save us in his good pl...

Tuesday of week 1 in Ordinary Time Mark 1:21-28 Hannah's case of barreness and the gospel account of the man possessed by the unclean spirit depict a situation of sinfulness; this is also our situation on earth. But Hannah was able to concieve; the man was freed from the evil spirit only through the power of God and of his Son Jesus Christ.  We only need to rely on the authority of Jesus to heal us make our lives straight. Like Hannah, we need a trusting faith that God will manifest his authority.  Let's humbly implore the Master to live out this total, unquestionable faith. And for the people in Jesus' time, in the world of skepticism, Jesus was not purturbed.  He did what he had to do - cure people.  This is authority that comes from God, that complete intention to do His will.  God takes over and heals us.

Saturday after Epiphany John 3:22-30 As we are about to conclude the Christmas Season, let us imitate John the Baptist whose life points to Jesus.  He said, "He must increase while I must decrease."  This is the essence of Christian life.   In the first reading, St. John wrote, "We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them." This describes the person whose life is totally attuned to the presence of God. What does it take for a Christian to increase in Christ?  A Christian:  1. is concerned with the spiritual and wholistic wellbeing of others; he  or she treats others as one's  own; 2. follows Christ; an Alter-Christus in the world doing Christ's work, not one's own; 3. pure as Christ; nothing evil can harm him / her.

January 4 John 1:35-42  For St. John the Evangelist, there are only two forces, and they are manifested either in the fruitfulness or destruction of daily life - the one which is born from the ultimate Goodness, God himself, and the one that destroys what God is creating, the devil.  Consequently, this has a bearing on our acceptance or rejection of being children of God. The Gospel describes the genesis of becoming disciples.  The first is the one pointing to the Son of God, "There he is!" The second is the question, "Where are you staying?" The third is the response, "Come, follow me."  Each of these has a bearing on our roles as disciples. The first is responding to the one pointing to Jesus like John the Baptist; yet, we say no because of our preoccupation with the affairs of this world. The second is the intense desire or longing for the Master, in knowing and loving him.  Our preoccupation in this world reflect a loss of interest in getti...

January 3 John 1:29-34 Every item points to something; every cause points to an effect; every life points to someone, something, or somewhere; either to God or to the world. It is stated in the first reading, "You know that God is righteous – then you must recognise that everyone whose life is righteous has been begotten by him."  Jesus is the cause; we are the effects.  And if we are encompassed by sin, then we would surely know who is guiding us. Meanwhile, the kingdom of the Heaven is already here, but not yet.  We still need to purify ourselves in Jesus in order to make our lives truly fruitful. John the Baptist's life and testimony points to Jesus. He did justice to the presence of Jesus among the people of his time till our time today. Pray to give living testimonies of the presence of Jesus to others.

January 2 John 1:19-28 Happy New Year 2020! How do we make alive the Holy Trinity and the work of God in our lives? The knowledge of God is born out of intense experience of faith. St. John gave testimony to the coming of Jesus.  When was the last time we gave witness to God? The revelation of God started with the history of the call of Israel to be "God's people".  The experience of sin even in Israel continued till the time of Jesus.  His resurrection is witnessed by many.  His ascension to heaven was witnessed by many.  St. Paul said, "If Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is totally useless." Yes, we are witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus.  We also aim for the resurrection of our lives.  We are giving witness to the end of sin and sinful inclinations only in Jesus.  So, how do we make the work of God alive in our hearts?  Through the practice of daily life - when we are forgiven of our sins, when we practice fo...