Inspirations at your Fingertips!

 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 ...