“The human family has received from the Creator a common gift: nature.” - Daily Bible Reflections January 22, 2016

NATURE’S SYMBOL

 

May your glory appear above all the earth. – Psalm 57:6

 

       During our trip to Japan, we were lucky to spend a day at Mt. Fuji. I mean, for an entire day, Mt. Fuji was not obscured by clouds. It was a magnificent site and I couldn’t help but say a prayer of thanks to God.

       God has made wondrous things around us, always reminding us that He is with us, no matter what our situation is. In the simple blossoming of a flower in the garden or a newborn billy goat, nature is the most obvious symbol of God’s majesty. In one of the God Tales by Fr. Nil Guillemette that I read, even an atheist could not help but believe that there is a Higher Being who created the trees.

       When challenges come my way, I cannot help but feel depressed. In moments like these, spending a few moments to commune with nature refreshes me and reminds me that God loves me. He has surrounded me with His wonderful creation and reminds me that I will overcome the challenges I am going through.

   God, in all His glory, will always be with me. Mae Ignacio (maemi04@aim.com)

 

Pope Francis Says: “The human family has received from the Creator a common gift: nature.”

 

Lord, thank You for all Your blessings. May we not forget to glorify You through those blessings.

 

St. Vincent, deacon and martyr, pray for us.

God wants to help you far, far more than you think He can. Come to Him - Daily Bible Reflections January 21,2016

AN ADRENALIN PILL

 

My enemies turn back when I call upon you. Now I know that God is with me. – Psalm 56:10

 

       It was a long hard day — a seven-hour meeting, and before that, a deadline to beat, signing a contract that was worth hundreds of thousands of pesos and with strategic importance. There were issues to be resolved and group conflicts to be defused and pressure, pressure, pressure pouring in all day long.

       Ever had a similar day when everything seems to come to a head in the same space of time? At the end of that day, my mind felt like a deflated balloon. As I rested my weary head, these words from Scripture came to me: “This I know: God is on my side.” It was like cold water poured over my head to refresh me. It injected me with spiritual adrenalin. It allowed me to work some more that night till the wee hours of the morning. I was able to accomplish a lot. And as I finally slept, I had peace with the thought that God was working for me and with me.

    The Scripture is an antidote for mental weariness and physical lethargy. Try this “adrenalin pill.” It will perk you up in a super way! Rolly España (rollyespana@homeliving.com.ph)

 

Reflection: God wants to help you far, far more than you think He can. Come to Him.

 

God, I lean unto You and put my head on Your shoulder. I ask that You ease my burden.

 

St. Agnes, martyr, pray for us.

 

“It is through an unbroken chain of witnesses that we come to see the face of Jesus.” - Daily Bible Reflections January 18,2016

BIG IN GOD’S EYES

“Though little in your own esteem, are you not leader of the tribes of Israel?” — 1 Samuel 15:17

     I used to be a proud and angry person. If my friends wanted somebody scolded — like a waiter who couldn’t serve our food properly or on time — I was the person they would go to. I would jut my chin out, raise an eyebrow, and scold the poor person using an extensive but debilitating vocabulary. I could make somebody feel like a heel with a few choice words. My temper was just as legendary. I was a volcanic eruption waiting to happen.

       So imagine my surprise when, in spite of being an ill-tempered bully who takes great pleasure in making others feel stupid, I was suddenly standing on a stage, in front of a big crowd, leading people into worship. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,” I sang as tears ran down my face. How utterly overwhelming, that in spite of all my transgressions, God has chosen me to be His servant.

       I realized then that God doesn’t call the qualified or the worthy. He qualifies and makes worthy those whom He calls to His service. We might think too little of ourselves, but we are always big in God’s eyes. Karren Renz Seña (karren.s@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Pope Francis Says: “It is through an unbroken chain of witnesses that we come to see the face of Jesus.”

Dear Lord, please help us see ourselves as You see us. Amen.

St. Charles of Sezze, pray for us.

“You are not your sin.” (Marc V. Lopez) - Daily Bible Reflections January 15,2016

IN OTHER WORDS,

FORGIVEN

 

“Child, your sins are forgiven.” – Mark 2:5

        

       I didn’t feel like praying that night but I was scheduled to visit Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament. So I went anyway. I had just come from a fight with a colleague. I was exhausted and moody, but it was not an excuse for me to snap back at her. I left the office feeling bad and not wanting to face Jesus. I sat there at the pew, ashamed of myself. I shared with God what I felt but I still felt bad about what I had done.

       Finally, I went out of the little chapel to St. Joseph’s sleeping statue and there met a grandmother who struck a conversation with me. I listened to her still feeling ashamed of myself, until she said, “You’re beautiful when you smile. You’re a blessing, an angel in disguise.”

       I almost laughed. Me? I’m awful, I thought to myself. But as her words made their way to my heart, I felt the Lord offering His forgiveness to me through her words of affirmation. He reminded me of my true identity as His child, a child who sins but a child of God nonetheless. I went out of the church feeling better, receiving Jesus’ mercy that knows no bounds and ready to offer the same mercy to myself and to my friend. Marjorie Ann Duterte (marjorie.travels@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: “You are not your sin.” (Marc V. Lopez)

 

Lord, forgive us our weaknesses. Remind us that Your mercy is always available to us and, with Your grace, we can rise again.

 

St. Paul the Hermit, pray for us.

Pope Francis Says: “Jesus is more than a friend. He is a teacher of truth and life who shows us the way that leads to happiness.” - Daily Bible Reflections January 14,2016

WANNA HAVE A

BABY?

 

“I do will it. Be made clean!” – Mark 1:41

 

       I met a couple who have been married for 11 years but still didn’t have a child. They asked me to pray over them. I did, and after a month, the wife got pregnant.

       A friend confided in me that she and her husband of five years could not conceive. I prayed over them. They now have a healthy baby boy.

       Another friend suffered an ectopic pregnancy. I prayed over her and her husband. They now have a baby girl.

       My niece who lives in the United States has been married for four years and couldn’t get pregnant. I prayed over her and her husband via Skype. After one year, my niece gave birth to twins — a boy and a girl!

       Last year, I also prayed over two couples, but as of this writing, they still don’t have a baby.

      God uses us to reach out to those who need His blessings. But today’s readings tell us that there are times when God does not grant what we pray for, and there are times when He is willing to do what we ask of Him. Ours is not to ask Him why, but rather to believe He does what’s best for us. Cynthia U. Santiago (cusantiago@gmail.com)

 

Pope Francis Says: “Jesus is more than a friend. He is a teacher of truth and life who shows us the way that leads to happiness.”

 

Lord, cleanse me and let me desire what You desire for me!

 

St. Felix of Nola, pray for us.