Daily Bible Reflections - October 31,2012

they know best

 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. – Ephesians 6:1

 

Acute laryngitis. My voice was nearly gone. Not a good thing for a First Grade teacher. I read the scribbles on the white slip from the doctor. It said, “Complete voice rest for one week.” What? Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am a talker. So this prescription was a tall order. I was successfully silent the first day, but by the second day I had given in. The consequence? My vocal cords were damaged. I cannot sing the way I used to. My voice becomes scratchy and hoarse after talking for a long time.

Pray. Don’t stay out too late. Drive carefully. Save up.

The counsels given to us by our parents are like those doctor’s prescriptions. They’re given with good intentions and from the experience of those who know best. We can choose to follow or ignore. In the end, the consequences are the results of our actions.

Our parents, like doctors, are human and imperfect. But God has put them in charge over us and has placed in their hearts enough love to make sure that what they ask of us is what they feel is for our own good. As we receive their often unsolicited advice, God tells us to obey. In obeying them, we obey Him too. Geraldine G. Catral (teachergeegee@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me perfectly through my not-so-perfect parents. I decide to cherish their words as I cherish Yours.

 

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve been disobedient to You and those You’ve placed above me.

 

St. Wolfgang of Regensburg, pray for us.

God Whispers - October 29,2012

Don’t be impatient when things don’t happen according to your planned schedule. I am the Lord of Eternity and everything is beautiful in My time.  
Loving you,
God
 
P.S. There’s a time for everything under the sun. When the time is right, things will fall into place.
 

God Whispers - October 28,2012

You may have been abused by immature, self-absorbed, cruel and narcissistic parents. But do not lose hope. Even if your father and mother abandon you, I will hold you close.
Embracing you,
God
 
P.S. If you only know how precious you are to Me, you’d value yourself so much more.

God Whispers - October 27,2012

People express their love in different ways. So do I. Sometimes I send you a material blessing that you’ve been praying for. Other times, I just overwhelm you with an unexplainable feeling of My love.
 
Loving every bit of you,
God
 
P.S. Can you tell how I’m showing My love for you at this very moment?

Daily Bible Reflections - October 30,2012

LOVE AND RESPECT

 

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave His life for it. – Ephesians 5:25

 

After more than 15 years of marriage, I have found out that men and women are different. My wife, Ambec, and I never had a major argument when we were dating — until we got engaged. My priorities were simple: reserve the church, the venue for the reception, produce the money and stay within my budget. Simple! But she wanted a “memorable” and beautiful wedding.

On special occassions, she would make a career out of wrapping our gifts while I prefer to delegate the wrapping to the store personnel.

I n Dr. Eme r s o n Eg g e r i c h s ’ book, Love and Respect, he wrote that women want love from their husbands while men want respect. This is echoed in today’s reading. Couples often go into a “crazy cycle” when men don’t give love to their wives because they feel they’re not respected, and women don’t give respect because they feel love-deprived.Who should stop this downward spiral? The author gave a solomonic answer: “The one who is more mature!”

So when Ambec says, “Honey, you’re the best!” my response would be, “Yes, sweetheart, I love you, too!”Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.

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REFLECTION:

Have I affirmed my spouse lately by saying the very thing that would encourage him/her?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me maturity to understand the needs of my spouse and to respond according to Your Word. Amen.

 

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 29,2012

I love and forgive you

 

Instead be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another as God has forgiven you through Christ. – Ephesians 4:32

 

Adela was a full-time housewife and mother, caring for her three young boys. Her husband was doing well in business and life was good. Until she accidentally learned from a friend that her husband had a girlfriend who had given birth to their daughter. Adela’s world came crashing down.

For months, Adela was like a volcano erupting at her husband who was constant  with his apologies and vowed not to do it again. But eventually she had sympathy for the other woman who gave birth to the baby.

She brought up her husband’s daughter and treated her as her own, loving her husband more for giving her this girl. Now, that daughter has a little baby, her granddaughter.

One day, an old woman carrying a baby knocked at Adela’s door. Adela has always had a kind heart for people in need. After feeding the old woman, Adela carried the baby in her arms. She had some affinity with the infant that she couldn’t understand. Then the woman said, “I am leaving the baby with you. She is your husband’s. The woman who gave birth to her has gone and wants nothing to do with the kid. This baby is yours now.” Chelle Crisanto (ellehcmaria@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

Let us grab the opportunity to show love and not anger, compassion not distrust, kindness not harshness.

 

Make me slow to anger, Lord. Teach me to humble myself before men, to love the sinner and hate the sin.

 

St. Narcissus of Jerusalem, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 28,2012

GOD’S INTRUMENTS

 

In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honor of being a high priest. – Hebrews 5:5

 

The study of medicine entails long years of rigid academic discipline and clinical training before one becomes a full-fledged physician. The road is long and arduous. There is no shortcut to becoming a doctor. One has to spend approximately 12 years of one’s life after high school graduation to be educated in this field.

A physician is one whose mission in life is to provide the best health care service to the community. He holds much responsibility for people’s lives. He is an emissary of health, a counselor, a comforter of the afflicted and the forlorn. A physician is one who listens with sympathetic ears and treats with a heart.

It is always such an indescribably exhilarating feeling whenever patients come  to thank us for healing them. But we always tell them, “It is not us but God who healed you. We are just God’s instruments in His healing ministry. We dress the wounds; God provides the healing.” Dr. Henry Yu (henrio_md@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

We are all children of the same God who loves us unconditionally at all times.

 

Father, remind us always to love our neighbors as much as You love us and to stay humble at all times as You use us as Your instruments.

 

Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 26,2012

the power to decide

 

“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” – Luke 12:57

 

A friend and I were once standing in front of a cashier at a fast food restaurant. After paying for our meal, the waiter placed my friend’s change in coins on the counter and proceeded to pick up our order.

When our food arrived, she suddenly noticed that her change of P20 was missing. It was then that we saw a street beggar beside her counting coins in his hand. No one else was in sight.

“Excuse me, sir. I think that money belongs to her,” the waiter pointed out to the beggar.

“No! This is mine!” His words were forceful as he defended himself. My friend responded by smiling at the waiter and, shaking her head, said, “Those are his coins. It’s OK.”

We then left with our order. I couldn’t help but ask, “You knew that money belonged to you. We all knew it. Why didn’t you fight for it?”

She simply shrugged her shoulders. “He looked like he needed it more.”

Friends, God gave us the power to make our own decisions. He trusts us to use it wisely and for what we believe is the greater good.  Eleanore Lee (elyo.lee@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

When you make decisions, do you take into consideration the best interest of everyone else concerned?

 

Lord, give me the strength and patience to always put others’ needs before my own.                                                                                                                    

 

Blessed Contrado Ferrini, pray for us.

 

God Whispers - October 25,2012

Your past wasn’t perfect, but it was perfect for your purpose. Even if the parenting you received was bad parenting, I will use that bad parenting for your good purpose. 
 
Dedicated to your success,
God
 
P.S. I transform people’s lives, no matter what upbringing they’ve experienced.  

Daily Bible Reflections - October 25,2012

a witness at home

 

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” – Luke 12:51

 

Jim’s family was suspicious. As he joined our community, he became more demonstrative at home. He’d talk over dinner, help with chores, and most of all he started saying “I love you” to his family members. One time, his parents asked him if he was doing drugs. But one by one, Jim brought his family to Jesus.

Peter was also part of our group but his story was different. Try as he might, his business-minded parents  dismissed his witnessing and told him sternly, “You won’t make any money by being an honest Christian.” He hasn’t given up.

Witnessing to family is often painful; you struggle through all that tradition, familiarity and bias. Sometimes it takes years. But we know Jesus today because someone in our family introduced Him to us. First and foremost, greater than any mission place, we need to start at home. For what will it profit us if we are able to convert the entire world but forget to share Jesus with our own families? Every time I’m unable to serve in community because of family, my leader would often say, “You serve the Lord when you serve your family.” Rod Velez (rod.velez@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

How do I witness for Jesus in my family? Here are some suggestions. Take out the garbage. Do your chores. Eat your vegetables. Jesus is there too and that is where we need to begin.

 

I lift up to You my family. You love them more than I ever can. Make me a channel, Lord, to bring them always to You.

 

St. Antonio de Sant’Anna Galvao, pray for us.

 

 

God Whispers - October 24,2012

It’s so easy to fall into despair when you focus on all the wrong things that are happening to you. Instead, fix your eyes on My ability to do the impossible, and suddenly your problems will shrink.
 
Be hopeful,
God
 
P.S. Whenever you’re intimidated by a problem, hold up that problem against My greatness and you’ll have the right perspective.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 24,2012

LET’S GO TAGLISH

 

…in whom we have boldness of speech... – Ephesians 3:12

 

I hardly slept. It was going to be my first time to teach in Tagalog and I wanted to make sure I could deliver. Being a nativeborn Pangasinense, I needed several Tagalog dictionaries to aid me before finally completing my Powerpoint presentation for my teaching. “Practice makes perfect,” I told myself so I ran through my lesson plan many times over, just to make sure.

All set, we took off for the Fr. Paul Lehman GK Village in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija early Sunday morning. This was built by our community, Bukas Loob Sa Diyos (BLD) Covenant Community, and I was part of the BLD GK Ministry that was going to give the one-day Basic Bible and Growth in Prayer seminar that day.

We were met by very simple folks gathered in the multi-purpose hall to listen  to the Word of God. My fear and anxiety quickly vanished. When my turn came, the words just flowed out from my mouth. After all the Tagalog preparation, I ended up speaking mostly in Taglish. But they understood.

Whenever we ask in humility, the Holy Spirit takes over. Mari Sison-Garcia (mari_sison_garcia@yahoo.com)

24

REFLECTION:

“Quit all, strip yourself of all, and you will have all in God.” (Gerson)

 

Lord, fill us with Your Spirit that we may have boldness, joy and humility towards others.

 

St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop, pray for us.

God Whispers - October 23,2012

Sin always starts out small. An impure thought. A careless act. An angry word. But if you let it have its way, it’ll destroy your soul.
 
Life Giver,
God
 
P.S. Guard your heart and don’t let temptation have a foothold in your life.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 23,2012

 

BUILDING TEMPLES

 

Every structure knit together in him grows into a holy temple in the Lord. – Ephesians 2:21

 

The Las Lajas Sanctuary stands as one of the most beautiful churches ever built. Its neo-Gothic architecture and towering height is only as remarkable as its location deep in a gorge spanning the Guaitara River in Columbia.

Legend has it that a girl and her mother saw an apparition while they were traversing the cliffs to a neighboring village. When the other villagers found out, they rushed to the location and beheld an exquisite image of Mama Mary with the child Jesus on a vertical rock face. The church was built around this image, which continues to be visited by pilgrims who attribute various miracles to it.

I can just imagine the effort of those early builders in constructing a church in an inaccessible area. It must have been a labor of love because indeed, they went all out and built not just a house but a grand cathedral in praise and honor of God.

We, too, house a precious image inside us: God’s image imprinted in our soul. May we find the same dedication and love in building our bodies into a holy temple of God. Cecil Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)

23

REFLECTION:

“Do everything as if He were dwelling in us. Thus we shall be His temples and He will be within us as our God – as He actually is.” (St. Ignatius of Antioch)

 

Jesus, You are my firm foundation! Help me to build my life to become a worthy oblation to God.

 

St. John of Capistrano, priest, pray for us.

 

God Whispers - October 22,2012

 

What you thought was insignificant was actually indispensible, what you thought was negligible was actually necessary, what you thought was forgettable was actually fundamental, what you thought was petty was actually pivotal in preparing you for your divine purpose. 
That you may be one,
God         
 
P.S.   I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

God Whispers - October 21,2012

Need help to accomplish something during your day? Call on your guardian angel. Instruct him to open doors of opportunity, to make the person you are meeting receptive to you, to clear the path before you.
 
King of All,
God
 
P.S. I’ve assigned angels to watch over you every moment of the day.

God Whispers - October 20,2012

Nurturing resentment is like having an infected wound that remains untreated. If you let it stay there long enough, it starts to rot and infect the rest of your body. The sure cure? Forgive and let go of your anger.
 
Healing you,
God
 
P.S. You’ll feel so much better after you forgive.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 22,2012

GOD’S G.R.A.C.E

 

It is by God’s grace that you have been saved. – Ephesians 2:5

 

While on assignment in Geneva, Switzerland, God blessed me by revealing to me another meaning of my name.

I was assigned to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations as minister and consul general from 2004 to 2007. Despite my busy schedule as both diplomatic and consular officer, I made sure that there was time for another field that I felt I could serve and glorify God with — writing.

One time, the wife of a former head of an international organization in Geneva gave a seminar on “ How to be a Christian Writer.” One of the Filipino participants also working there suddenly said to me, “Do you know the meaning of your name?”

I said, “God’s undeserved gift and mercy.”

She smiled and said, “It is also God’s Rewards At Christ’s Expense.”

That made me pause and ponder. Extremely true.

The Father God’s gift at the expense of His Beloved Son, Jesus, dying on the cross gave us back our lives.  Saved us. Freed us from sin. Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

22

REFLECTION:

The devil does not have power over us. The choice is always ours to avail of G.R.A.C.E.

 

Dear Lord, let me never forget how great and sacrificial Your love is for us. Let me repay with a life dedicated to loving You by serving others.

 

St. Peter of Alcantara, pray for us.

 

Daily Bible Reflections - October 21, 2012

NO RESERVATIONS

 

“But to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they are prepared.” – Mark 10:40

 

Reserved — the familiar word we see on tent cards that are used in restaurants to set aside a table of choice for a distinguished client or a wise diner who prepared ahead and made a reservation. How cool would it be to go past a long line of hopeful patrons outside a famous restaurant, with the maître d’ leading you to the best table in the house?

When it comes to eternal life in heaven, however, no reservations can be made. It’s not even on a “first come, first served” basis. Just take a look at the experience of James and John. When they attempted to ask Jesus for a favor to be seated with Him in the Kingdom — one at His right and the other on His left — Jesus declined. Being the Son of God, He could have probably made an exception for these hopeful brothers. But out of love and respect for the Father, Jesus left that decision for Him to make. What humility and divine wisdom Jesus has shown.

The moral of the Gospel is this: Eternal life is a gift from the Father. While Jesus tells us that there are many rooms in the Father’s house, it’s still the sole initiative of the Father to invite those whom He chooses to take their rightful place with Him. Dina Pecaña (dpecana@yahoo.com)

21

REFLECTION:

Do you desire to be invited home to heaven by the Father?

 

O God, my God, for You I long. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh faints for You. Forever to You I belong. May You bring me home to be with You in heaven.

 

St. Hilarion, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 20,2012

The Helper

 

“For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” – Luke 12:12

 

My husband and I love watching a game show on TV called Lingo. To get the jackpot prize, the contestants will have to guess 10 sets of five-letter words within two minutes. The more words they guess right, the more chances they get to win the prize. The contestants are given bonus letters that will help them figure out the right words. But due to much pressure, sometimes contestants forget about these bonus letters and get stuck in trying to guess one word, thus, limiting their chances of winning the big prize.

Sometimes it gets so frustrating when we try to witness to people around us and they just won’t listen or simply not show interest. But I think the real problem in this situation is that we rely too much on our own abilities and fail to realize that we have a helper to aid us in sharing our faith and in convincing people of their need to follow Christ.

The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom beyond our natural abilities and the boldness to witness in the right manner in any given situation. Let us not forget about this gift so we may not miss the chance to win the prize of bringing others to Christ. Jane Gonzales-Rauch (mgr516@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

We are useless as Christians without the Holy Spirit to guide us.

 

Father, fill me with the gifts of the Holy Spirit that I may honor Jesus with courage, conviction and effectiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

St. Maria Bertilla Coscardin, pray for us.

 

Daily Bible Reflections - October 19,2012

SSShhhh… IT’S A SECRET

 

“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.” – Luke 12:2

 

When our son Angelo was younger, he’d get excited whenever we made him part of a secret. Like when my husband ordered a bouquet of flowers for our wedding anniversary, Angelo told me, “Ma, I know of a secret but I won’t tell you.” Little did he know that he had already revealed half of it.

Whenever surprise parties are organized, more often than not, the celebrant gets a hint because of some invited guest who made the mistake of revealing the affair.

When we share a secret to friends, before we know it, the whole world is already talking about it. Secret recipes get stolen. Criminals are caught because their accomplices turn into state witnesses. Truly, there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed.

For the many times that we thought we secretly sinned, well, we didn’t. For our God sees everything we think, say and do. We may not have been caught or others may not have known about it, but God does.

Yet for every time that we sin, it is no secret that He is always there ready to forgive us. Sol Saura (sol_saura@yahoo.com)

19

REFLECTION:

With how you live your life, do you reflect God’s goodness and greatness?

 

Lord, grant me the grace that through my thoughts, words and deeds, You shall be revealed.

 

Sts. John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues and companions, pray for us.

God Whispers - October 18,2012

My name is I AM because I am whatever you need Me to be. I am your Healer. I am your Lover. I am your Protector.
 
Loving you,
God
 
P.S. I am Your All in All.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 18, 2012

Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist

SERVANTS WANTED

 

He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. – Luke 10:2

 

Two years ago, Bo Sanchez did something that, to me, was unthinkable. He branched out. He asked nine men to establish Feasts (the weekly gathering of the Light of Jesus Family) all over Metro Manila. But he wouldn’t be there. They would be the preachers. And that, in my opinion, wasn’t going to work.

At the time, Bo was drawing 4,500 every single Sunday to listen to him preach. I felt no one would attend a Feast unless it was him preaching. I was wrong. Very wrong. In less than a year, the Feast attendees grew from 4,500 to 11,000. Every Feast was successful.

Bo felt that there was just too much work to be done for him to hog it all. He trusted people. He knew God would use anyone who was willing. Anyone. And because he realized and acted upon this, thousands more are now being blessed by our ministry. Our servants have multiplied exponentially as well.

But there’s still so much to be done. Will you serve the Lord today? He can use you, too. No matter who you are or what your gifting is, there’s a place for you on His team. All He needs is your yes. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)

18

REFLECTION:

What gifts can you use to serve God’s people?

 

If You can use anything, Lord, You can use me.

 

St. Luke, evangelist, pray for us.

God Whispers - October 17,2012

 
People may lose their patience with you and get tired of you. But I never do. Even when you fail again and again, I always believe in your goodness.
 
Working on you,
God
 
P.S. My mercy never runs out. You have a fresh supply every morning.
 

Daily Bible Reflections - October 17,2012

LED BY THE SPIRIT

 

But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law. – Galatians 5:18

 

When we were being courted by different guys, my dad would always remind us, his daughters, that we should never look at what a man has now. Instead, we should look at his potential. At the time he was courting my mom, my dad had nothing to show for except the potential of being a good husband and provider. If my mom had not been a prayerful woman, she could have very well chosen her other suitor who was richer, more handsome and had a car. (Shucks, we could have looked like Spanish mestizas!) Through prayer, she was able to choose wisely. True enough, my dad was able to give her the kind of life she could only dream about.

If we’d take the time to seek God in prayer, He will open our hearts to be guided by His Spirit to live a life of no regrets. The Holy Spirit fills us with true love while the world corrupts us with lust. His Spirit gives us joy while the world gives us temporary happiness. The Holy Spirit can give us peace in a world filled with hostility. With all the benefits of living a life led by the Spirit, it’s really a mystery why we don’t take advantage of it all the time.

All we need to do is ask.Ronna Ledesma (ronnaledesma@email.ccom)

17

REFLECTION:

“The term Holy Spirit is actually another name for the experience of eternal life working in human beings here and now.” (Oswald Chambers)

 

Come, Holy Spirit, we need You. Come with Your strength and Your power. Come in Your own special way.

 

St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr, pray for us.

God Whispers - October 16,2012

You are talkative for a purpose. You are quiet for a purpose. You are analytical for a purpose. You are friendly for a purpose. You are laid-back for a purpose. You are musical for a purpose. You are reserved for a purpose. You are adventurous for a purpose.

 

Crazy about you,

God

 

P.S. Don’t be ashamed of your personality because your personality has wonderful strengths. Share the strengths of your personality. This is your special gift to the world.

Daily Bible Reflections - October 16,2012

 

HUMAN – DIVINE

 

He did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. – Luke 11:38

 

You’ve heard it before.

Not everything legal is moral.

But more and more people want to legalize than moralize.

Could it be to “escape” morality? And reason out that, well, “I didn’t break any law”?

Human law that is.

But how about the Divine Law?

So I can now marry for the 10th time, or get rid of the baby in my womb, or commit mercy killing if it becomes legal? But if I promote prayers in a public school or reasonably discipline my own child, I can be sued because I may have broken a law?

So is that the direction we want to go now?

Legal over moral? Human above divine?

Hmmm. Could Jesus have been intentionally “breaking” some human laws in His time to show that there is a far greater law that we should be more concerned with?

Because there is a God whose ultimate law is the law of love!

Unless of course you’re giving up on believing in Him, too. Alvin Barcelona (alvinbarcelona@gmail.com)

16

REFLECTION:

Am I as conscious in obeying God’s law as I have been in observing the laws of men? Pray a little longer today.

 

Dear God, help me to be a law-abiding citizen. But above all, remind me that I shall be a citizen of heaven forever whose law of love I embrace now. Amen.

 

Blessed Marguerite d’Youville, religious, pray for us.

 

Daily Bible Reflections - October 15,2012

Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila

15

substance of the unseen

 

The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. – Galatians 4:23

 

Imagine you had a rich grandmother who owns tracts and tracts of land in Bacolod. One day, she conks out and her lawyer shows up at your door. He hands you a land title for hectares of her farmland. The title doesn’t have a picture of your inheritance, not even a satellite shot from Google Earth. But because you hold the deed in your hand, you believe that you are now the new owner of an estate.

       That is faith.

You have no proof that the land exists. You’ve never seen it. You’ve never walked on it. But you believe it  because you have a piece of paper with your name on it that describes the length and breadth of that land.      

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

When we claim something that God has promised, we can lay hold of it in faith. Our eyes do not see it yet. Our ears do not hear it yet. Our nose doesn’t smell it yet. Our tongue doesn’t taste it yet. Our hands haven’t touched it yet. But our faith tells us it’s real and it’s ours already!Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

What has God promised you? Believe it and you shall see it!

 

Lord, let me live my life in faith.

 

St. Teresa of Avila, virgin, pray for us.