Daily Bible Reflections

April 10, 2011
NEED-TO-KNOW BASIS

But if one walks at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him. – John 11:10

My car had been making a strange, crunching noise for some time. It took me a while before I brought it to the mechanic. When I finally did, what he told me gave me goose bumps. He said that the noise was coming from loose nuts and bolts holding the wheels together. If I had not brought my car to him, the wheels could’ve come off at any moment. The bolts were so loose that the wheels were on the verge of coming apart. I remember a friend of mine once told me, “Your wheels are your life.” Without knowing it, I was courting possible death.
There was also a time when I didn’t know I was courting spiritual death. My spiritual wheels were so loose, they were about to come off. I was so deep into a habitual sin, my conscience was already close to numb. But because I wasn’t aware of it, I kept on going — until God’s Word convicted me. Then I allowed Him to tighten my bolts and fix me up. Thank God for bringing me into the light. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)

REFLECTION:
Is there any area in your life that needs fixing? Are you aware of it?

Lord, reveal to me my unknown sins and bondages. Set me free today.

Daily Bible Reflections

April 8,2011
HIGH -TECH or low-Tech?

“Stop judging by appearances, but judge justly.“ – John 7:24

I lost my mobile phone so I borrowed an old phone that my husband, Ed, no longer used. I wasn’t sure if the phone had a roaming feature so I went into a store to inquire. The salesman said, “Nope, that phone is low-tech.” Ready to buy the phone I needed, I asked him for a high-tech one. He pointed at the phones in a glass case and attended to another customer. The guy snubbed me!
When I told Ed what happened, he said, “Maybe he thought you couldn’t afford the expensive one.” Aside from carrying a cheap phone, I was wearing an old T-shirt and denims. I bought the phone anyway but from another store with a salesman who apparently didn’t judge me by how I looked.
A few months after, we were at a black-tie event. We happened to be seated next to one of the richest men in the Philippines. I noticed we had the same phone. I told him, for a man of his stature, I thought he should have a much more expensive phone. But he said, “All I need is a phone with a roaming feature — like yours.”
Yes, as the Gospel today reminds us, we should be careful not to judge people by their appearance.Cynthia Santiago (boses2go@gmail.com)
8
REFLECTION:
What first comes to your mind when you look at the way people dress?

Lord, grant that I may see what’s good in every person I meet today.

Daily Bible Reflections

April 4, 2011
UNDAUNTED

The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. – John 4:53

The wrath of typhoon Ondoy made the waters in Laguna Lake overflow, uprooting our fruit-bearing trees and demolishing the bamboo fence surrounding our house. Only then did I realize that we were along the outskirts of the lake.
I was with my mother then, far from my children who were at home. I trembled just imagining how they scampered to safety when the waters came in.
The evacuation center became their refuge for several days but they opted to return home due to congestion, lack of facilities and fear of the outbreak of various diseases. Throughout their ordeal and with no means of communication, all I could do was pray for them. I never prayed so hard in my life — even more than when I was sentenced to life imprisonment!
With the Lord, we victoriously survived that ordeal. My children and I never lost faith in His power as our God and Savior. We may have lost a lot of material things as a consequence of the typhoons but they can never equal the love, protection and life that my family enjoys as a blessing from God! Beth Corral (bethcorral_0330@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:
Those who trust and have faith in Jesus without any doubt are saved from harm and peril.

Lord Jesus, thank You so much for the love You poured upon my loved ones. Praise and glory to You, Jesus, my God and Savior!

Daily Bible Reflections

March 31, 2011
AUDITION

But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” – Luke 11:15

Let’s call him Jitters, my friend who used to tremble and sweat big time in front of crowds. His hand would sweat so much when he held the microphone, he needed a hanky for him not to get electrocuted.
He knew he could speak, host, sing, dance and act. One day he went to an audition for the sake of conquering his stage fright but had no intentions of joining the sing-actdance group. With that pressure off, he gave his all and enjoyed the process. He passed!
The others who made it have been in showbiz since birth. They’ve done albums, movies and TV shows. Jitters considered it a miracle. Some didn’t believe in him and didn’t see what was in front of them. Years later, he went on to record an album, appeared and hosted TV shows and made commercials.
In today’s Gospel, the crowd saw a miracle happen right in front of them: Jesus driving out a demon. But some, instead of seeing and believing, chose to look the other way and convinced themselves Jesus was in cahoots with the devil.
Big and small “miracles” happen in front of us every now and then. With big faith, let’s recognize them and be God’s witnesses. Carlo Lorenzo (carloflorenzo@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:
When good things happen to other people, do I choose to be happy for them or do I put malice in the situation?

Open our eyes, Lord, to see Your greatness in situations when others are exalted. Take away the dirt in our hearts that poison how we see the big and small miracles already in front of us.