Inspirations at your Fingertips!

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...

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...

Disciples or betrayers? Matthew 26:14-25 With a day away from the celebration of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the sin of betrayal is planted in Judas' heart.  He now fulfills his role as a traitor. In the first reading from Isaiah, "The Lord has given me a disciple's tongue."  We now are confronted with this question: Who are we - disciples or betrayers? The disciple's identity springs from his relationship with God himself.  As God is Lord, he is a follower.  He is not the owner.  Judas started owning his own plan of salvation apart from Jesus. Second, the disciple is molded to perfection by the master himself.  In Isaiah, we witnessed a meek disciple who let the violent hurt him.  But he stayed meek and humble.  On the other hand, Judas seeks more power; he just received thirty pieces of silver. Finally, a disciple is fruitful because everything is God's work and he is witness of God's blessings.  the traitor o...

Be a disciple Matthew 9:35-10:1,5,6-8  Isaiah's reading is filled with promises.  What is remarkable is that it is God who fulfills all those beautiful promises of peace and plenty. Today's gospel compliments the first reading.  To fulfill those promises, God needs workers for the harvest.  We are all called to be disciples and workers in the vineyard of the Lord.  We need to orient ourselves as a community of disciples if we regard ourselves as Christians. Disciples are invited.  The call is from God Himself.  Disciples learn from the Master.  Disciples DO the Master's will.  Their lives would be fruitful. Be Jesus' disciple.

Cheerful disciples Luke 14:15-24  Ever wonder why of all living things, God chose man to be the stewards of his creation?  Because God gifted them with a free will so that in his full freedom, man may decide to go to the Lord and serve him. Who is a cheerful disciple? First, he is one called by God who "loves a cheerful giver."  This is a mark of a disciple: someone who not only gives, but he gives freely, with joy, and without asking for anything in return. Jesus wants us to be cheerful disciples because he himself is: salvation is done in fullest freedom, with joy, and unconditional that he decided to become man and do what his Father commands him to do. In the gospel, the parable talks about guests who freely go to the banquet instead of those who were invited but do not want to attend. In the epistle, cheerful disciples freely and lovingly share their gifts, sincere, one with others, and resolute even in times of persecution.  These are the real di...