When it is full, they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. – Matthew13:48 - Daily Bible Reflections September 30, 2016

Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and

Doctor of the Church

 

 

BAD FISH

 

When it is full, they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. – Matthew13:48

 

       This scene is very vivid to me. Years ago, my class group had to go to the Navotas Fishport for the feasibility project we were doing. We witnessed how fish were loaded into many big banyera (tub) and were sorted according to kind, quality and size. This was done so the fish can be priced accordingly. The bad ones were then thrown into a separate container and deposited into the trash bin.

       I still remember the awful stench coming from the bin that contained the bad fish. People stayed away from it because, aside from the foul smell, a lot of flies swarmed around it.

       I dread to think that come Judgment Day, I will be among those that the angels will discard and throw into the burning furnace. Reng D. Morelos(hermierengmorelos@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: On Judgment Day, Jesus will ask you practical questions: When I was hungry, did you give Me food? When I was thirsty, did you give Me a drink? Did you welcome Me, clothe Me, visit Me in prison? What do you need to do today to be able to answer Him in the affirmative?

 

Lord, continue to mold me into the person that You want me to be so I may be in Your presence forevermore.  

St. Jerome, priest and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

As you find Him in your life, declare this with love and surrender, “I will follow You, Lord, wherever You go - Daily Bible Reflections September 28, 2016

LOST BUT FOUND

 

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” – Luke 9:57

 

       It was time for our family bonding and we went to an old mall in Manila. I was a kid and I remember my mommy saying to me, “Kein, hold my hands so you will not get lost.”

       I whispered a soft yes, which was the same as, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

       We entered an arcade. I was amazed by the flash of lights, loud sounds and video game machines inside. Wow, it was paradise!

       Then the inevitable happened. I let go of my mommy’s hand. And I got lost. I was horrified! I prayed hard as I wiped away my tears.

       Several minutes later, I spotted my daddy who was looking for me together with my mom. I was relieved.

        My parents made the effort to find me. Why? Because their life would not be complete without me and vice versa.

       It’s the same reason why God makes an effort to search for us whenever we are lost in our spiritual life. He will always find us because He wants us to be with Him in heaven.

   Friend, make the effort to find Him, too. Kein Chito (kein.chito@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: As you find Him in your life, declare this with love and surrender, “I will follow You, Lord, wherever You go.”

 

Lord, give me a heart that follows You.

 

St. Wenceslaus, martyr, pray for us.

 

What are your prejudices? How is this preventing you from receiving blessings and from being a channel of blessings to others? - Daily Bible Reflections September 27, 2016

PREJUDICE

 

“Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to consume them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. – Luke 9:54-55

 

       After the death of King Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was split into two parts, Judah in the south, and Samaria in the north. The two kingdoms were often in disagreement. The northern kings loved their pagan idols and were constantly at odds with Jerusalem. When the Assyrians conquered Samaria, some Samaritans remained in their homeland and intermarried with the pagan settlers. When the Babylonians allowed the Judeans to return to their homeland, some sources say that the Samaritans offered to help rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, but were rudely refused because of their pagan impurity. Other sources say the Samaritans were the ones who refused to help their brothers of Judah to rebuild. Sadly, disagreements, wars, differences in worship, and miscommunication resulted in the simmering hatred that divided the people of Israel that were once brothers.

       Can you see similarities between the first century Jewish-Samaritan problem and cultural and religious conflicts we face today in our family, churches, community, country and nations? Can you hear Jesus rebuking you? Meann Tee (meanntytee@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: What are your prejudices? How is this preventing you from receiving blessings and from being a channel of blessings to others?

 

Father, please remove my prejudices. Help me accept and love people who may have different beliefs, values and convictions to promote true and lasting peace and unity. Amen.

 

St. Vincent de Paul, priest, pray for us.

 

Do you recognize that your family members are God’s gifts to you? Do you consciously set aside time to bond with them so that they would know and feel that they are important to you? - Daily Bible Reflections September 23, 2016

Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

 

TIME FOR FAMILY

 

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. – Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

       The family is the basic unit of society. Yet, it is threatened by so many things nowadays. There are a growing number of broken homes that produce children who are also broken. One factor that leads to this is when one or both parents fail to invest time in their family. Many parents are too busy with their jobs or businesses that they spend too much time at work. And when they get home, they still spend their time looking at their computers or mobile phones instead of looking at their loved ones in the eye.

       It has been said that relationships are like plants. You need to water them daily or they die. So we need to invest time in our relationships. Otherwise, they would deteriorate.

     Ecclesiastes 3 says that there’s an appointed time for everything. There is a time for work and a time for rest. A time to be out of the house and a time to be home. “A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.”

       Take time to embrace your family members today and look them in the eye. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag (teregmps@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Do you recognize that your family members are God’s gifts to you? Do you consciously set aside time to bond with them so that they would know and feel that they are important to you?

 

Father, You made time to create and to rest. Help me to remember to make time for all that You want me to do. Grant me wisdom in the use of my precious time so I can give glory to You.

 

St. Padre Pio de Pietrelcina, pray for us.

Do we take time to sing to the Lord in a solo concert daily? He loves our voices raised up in a double prayer - Daily Bible Reflections September 22, 2016

LET ALL MY LIFE BE

MUSIC

 

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. – Psalm 90:14

 

       I was blessed to be the president of our glee club when I was a third year high school student in St. Agnes Academy in Legaspi City. I now always preface that information that I earned the position not because of my Alto 1 voice, but because I was courageous enough to sing. Maybe even then, I realized that he who sings, prays twice, as St. Augustine said.

       I was raised, though, as a Benedictine student with the dictum ora et labora, pray and work. More aptly perhaps, we pray by singing and then work joyfully for the Lord and His perfect will in our lives.

       We have a God who blesses our every day with His constant love and, thus, we can sing and be glad all our life. As we do this,   our lives become the melody that we sing to the Lord, just as the song, “Let All My Life Be Music” says: “Let all my life be music, ah, let the heart of me be as a harp, where joy and pain are blended harmony... And, when the Great Musician plays, in notes of joy or pain, then let my heart respond and sing... A wondrous song, a living song, a rapturous song, oh send. And on a thrilling major chord, there let life end.” Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Do we take time to sing to the Lord in a solo concert daily? He loves our voices raised up in a double prayer.

 

Lord, let my life be a beautiful song for You.

 

St. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions, pray for us.

“Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) - Daily Bible Reflections September 21, 2016

Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist

 

FROM ADMIRATION TO

IMITATION

 

He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed. – Matthew 9:9

 

       For four blessed days we went agog over Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines. We were glued to the TV, we lined up the streets to get a fleeting glance, we waited at the places where he would be. We wore papal T-shirts and bought all sorts of souvenirs to remember those days.

       At the University of Sto. Tomas grounds, he exhorted the youth to love with the three languages of your mind, heart and hands. I took it to mean that it is not enough that we believe; we need to take steps of action. In our country, he was “walking his talk” and taking giant papal strides to demonstrate it. He was here to comfort those afflicted by Typhoon Yolanda. Like Jesus, he came to feel what we feel. In spite of a storm, he still went to Tacloban to be with the people of God — to pray with them and comfort them personally.

      Now that the Pope is gone, I will take on a priest-commentators advice on TV — to turn admiration to imitation.

       I resolved then, and it’s driving my actions now, to be like Pope Francis, but more importantly to be like Jesus. Rolly España (rollyespana@homeliving.com.ph)

 

Reflection: “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

 

Lord, I pray for a strong resolve to conform to Your mind and do what You’ve commissioned me to do — to make disciples.

 

St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, pray for us.

“If you have patience and diligence, the seeds of knowledge will certainly give good fruit.” (Leonardo da Vinci) - Daily Bible Reflections September 20, 2016

HASTE MAKES WASTE

 

The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty. – Proverbs 21:5

 

       “The Banker’s offer is P999,000. Is it a deal or no deal?” Kris Aquino, the host of the game show, Deal or No Deal, asked the contestant.

       “No deal!” the player answered with full conviction.

     Two million pesos was still on the board and the only substantial amount; the few remaining were just measly sums.

       “Why did you choose ‘No deal’?” Kris asked.

       “Because before I went to the studio, I opened my Bible and was able to read this verse from Psalm 37:4, ‘Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart,’” the contestant said.

       “And what is your heart’s desire?” Kris asked.

      “To get the two million pesos!” She won only a small amount for the two million was not in the briefcase she held.

      The contestant joined the game show to try her luck so she could provide for the tuition fees of her younger siblings. The two million blinded her from her true desire and her hasty decision kept her from walking away with almost a million pesos.

       Let us learn to be wise and prudent in the decisions we make so we can avoid costly mistakes. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: “If you have patience and diligence, the seeds of knowledge will certainly give good fruit.” (Leonardo da Vinci)

 

Lord, teach me to be prudent, not only in temporal things but also in spiritual ones, that I may do what is pleasing in Your sight.

 

Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang and Companions, martyrs, pray for us.

 

Do you feel as if there’s no hope of bearing fruit in what you’re doing? Fret not. The Lord might just surprise you! - Daily Bible Reflections September 19, 2016

HE REMEMBERS

 

But the dwelling of the just, he favors. – Proverbs 3:33

 

       “Lord, Your will be done. You know everything!” Carla prayed. Not that she wanted to be promoted, but because she felt it was unjust that she should be doing the job of her superior who was often out of the country. It happened for years.

       She loves her job and considers it her mission — with God as her boss. But somehow she felt abused during those years. Still, she kept quiet and shared about it only to a close friend, all the while praying, confident that the Lord sees everything. Humbly, she did her work and gave it her best shot. She made the company’s interest her priority over her own.

       After four years, she got promoted, not only once but twice! God did not fail her.

       You and I go sometimes go through life situations where we want to fight back or demand for our rights. That is certainly necessary in some cases, especially when our dignity is trampled upon. But no matter how bad the situation is, there is always hope. God doesn’t sleep. He sees everything and, just like in Carla’s case, He has a way of bringing about justice — in His time. We only have to trust Him. Tess V. Atienza (theresa.a@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

 

Reflection: Do you feel as if there’s no hope of bearing fruit in what you’re doing? Fret not. The Lord might just surprise you!

 

Thank You, Lord, for being there for me when nothing seems to be happening down here, and for the hope that Your Word gives me. Amen.

 

St. Januarius, bishop and martyr, pray for us.

 

Are you tired of working hard, but finding no results? Let go. God has already won this battle for you. Wait for Him to deliver the victory to you - Daily Bible Reflections September 18, 2016

GOD’S TIMING,

NOT OURS

 

“When will the new moon be over,” you ask, “that we may sell our grain?” – Amos 8:5

 

       Amy has been working for the bank for years, but she has yet to be promoted. Karl has met the sales quota over and over again, but he has yet to receive his commission. Andy has been working so hard to be known as a public speaker, but he has yet to book a speaking gig that would cover his bills.

       Have you ever felt like you’ve been trying so hard, working so long, and fighting so strong, but nothing’s happening? The nights are long and the days are hard, and each time you take one step forward, you get shoved three steps backwards. Sometimes, it’s so tiring to fight for our dreams; it’s much easier to give up.

       I get tired, too. But I know that I get tired because I am impatient, because I want to see results immediately. It took me a long time to learn that my timing is different from God’s, because His is perfect. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who know what was, what is, and what will be. He has already set out before us, and won our battles for us.

       And when I learned to accept that, I learned to let go. It’s His timing. Not ours, not ours. Karren Renz Seña (karren.s@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

 

Reflection: Are you tired of working hard, but finding no results? Let go. God has already won this battle for you. Wait for Him to deliver the victory to you.

 

Lord, I pray to have the patience to accept Your timing, Your answers to my prayers, and Your version to these answers. Amen.

 

St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us.

Christ died that you may live. So make your life count by living for Him - Daily Bible Reflections September 14, 2016

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

 

 

THE FRUIT

 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:17

 

       Remember when Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent? The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

       The reason why I took these verses is to emphasize that God never said that they can’t eat from any tree in the garden. Neither did He say that they can’t taste the delicious fruits nor that they can’t be happy. Rather, God said, they could eat any fruit except the fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, because it will cause them harm.

       Friends, God wants to protect us. And I believe that the reason why God sent His only Son in this world is because He wanted us to understand this very fact. We need Jesus. Jesus Christ is our bridge to God. He is the connection we need to understand deeper the great love the Father has for us.

     The Father sent Jesus not to condemn us but to save us. Erika Mendoza (epaulmendoza@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Christ died that you may live. So make your life count by living for Him.

 

Thank You, Lord God, for sending us Your Son, Jesus Christ.

 

St. Notburga, pray for us.

Do you have the inner strength to accept life’s challenges, the determination and resilience when troubles come raging in on us? - Daily Bible Reflections September 13, 2016

THE WATERSPOUT

CHALLENGE

 

He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” – Luke 7:14

 

    Warning: The following discussion might be highly intellectual. Cereb-ral even. I apologize in advance. Here we go...

       Eensy Weensy Spider went up the waterspout

       Down came the rain and washed the spider out

       Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

       And the Eensy, Weensy Spider went up the spout again.

       Whoa! Fierce! Our courageous Eensy Weensy has to go somewhere very important. He accepted the waterspout challenge. It wasn’t just a downpour. The waterspout unleashes the momentum of the downpour full strength upon Eensy Weensy. But he held on. He dug in his heels and clung to dear life. Water poured and flowed mightily… until it was over. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain. Resilience paid off! Eensy Weensy Spider went up the spout again!

    May a “psychological coffin” of our own making — of fear and hesitation and apathy — not contain us. Today, may Jesus’ touch and voice make us come alive!

        “Young man, I say to you, arise!”Obet Cabrillas

(kpreacherobet@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Do you have the inner strength to accept life’s challenges, the determination and resilience when troubles come raging in on us?

 

Lord, I can do all things through You who strengthen me! (Philippians 4:13)

 

St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

 

“The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (St. Jean Vianney) - Daily Bible Reflections September 11, 2016

ORDAINED

 

Because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. – 1 Timothy 1:12

 

        As I sat in the pew that Saturday morning, I felt an excitement I could barely contain. From where I sat, I could see his face light up with joy as he took his final vows. I felt his wonderment as he read his part during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I admired his sincere gratitude as he thanked family, friends, formators and all those who journeyed with him and his batch mates. I clapped resoundingly upon hearing that his first assignment will be in Culion, Palawan. Finally, after more than a decade of formation, education, mentoring and fervent prayers, Fr. Bros Flores, SJ, was ordained to the priesthood.

       During the Mass, I silently praised and thanked the Lord for calling my best friend to be His priest. Bros is far from perfect. I have seen him at his worst and weakest. Yet I am awed by the way God’s grace encourages and urges him to keep on trying to become the man he was meant to be. Brokenness, imperfections and insecurities aside, Bros is anointed to make Christ visible to all whom he will be sent to serve. Dina Pecaña (dpecana@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. When you see a priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (St. Jean Vianney)

 

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your Son who is close to you because of His priestly ordination, and because of the power which He has received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs Him so much. (Prayer for a Priest)

 

St. Cyprian, pray for us.

“Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” (Jean Anouilh) - Daily Bible Reflections September 9, 2016

CHILDREN ARE GIFTS

 

They do it to win a perishable crown but we an imperishable one. – 1 Corinthians 9:25

 

    In the stillness of the night, we were gliding quietly through the darkness along the Abatan River in Bohol. It was surreal. Our family of five was kayaking with only the moon and the stars lighting our path.

       And there it was — an entire mangrove tree all lit up like a Christmas tree by thousands of fireflies hovering around it. There were four other glowing trees along the river, a sight to behold that was so magical. This was the highlight of our family vacation in Bohol, which was a precious gift from our children, Peevee, Trina and her hubby, Jang.

       As parents, our hearts swell with joy at how generous our children are with their hard-earned money whenever they give us gifts. More than the monetary value, it’s the show of lavish love and appreciation that gratifies us.

       Our experience makes me wonder how much our heavenly Father is delighted by big and small acts of kindness that we do to others. It must bring Him such delight that is beyond measure! As we try to do our utmost best to please Him, we know that what awaits us is a crown that will last forever. Mari Sison-Garcia (mari_sison_garcia@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: “Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” (Jean Anouilh)

 

Lord, teach us to delight You in all our ways.

 

St. Peter Claver, priest, pray for us.

 

Are you discouraged by challenges or do you embrace them? - Daily Bible Reflections September 8, 2016

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed

Virgin Mary

 

GOOD LUCK, BAD LUCK

 

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

 

       One of my favorite stories that my dad shared with me while growing up was a Chinese folk tale about a man and his horse. One day, the horse ran away and the neighbors of the farmer came to him. “What bad luck! Your horse ran away!” Strangely enough, the man wasn’t disappointed. He simply said, “We’ll see.”

       A few days later, the horse returned with 12 beautiful stallions. Again the neighbors chimed in, “What good fortune!” He shrugged. “We’ll see.” One day, while taming the wild horses, his son was thrown to the ground and broke both of his legs.

       The neighbors said, “This is such a tragedy!” The man had the same answer. “We’ll see.” Soon, war broke out and all the sons of his neighbors were called to serve as soldiers. The neighbors sobbed at the news but the farmer’s son was spared from the draft as he was still injured. “What great luck,” they told the man. He shook his head at his neighbors. “You never learn.”

       We must never assume that we are born either of good or bad luck. Our fate was predetermined by God’s will to serve a greater purpose. Our struggles are as vital to become resilient in our faith as the victories that build our confidence. Eleanore Teo (elyo.lee@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Are you discouraged by challenges or do you embrace them?

 

Father, give me the resolve to stand up when I stumble in the darkness as I humbly follow and steadily trust in Your voice.

 

St. Adrian, pray for us.

Today, go and find someone who is “really poor.” Do something for that person — now! - Daily Bible Reflections September 7, 2016

YEAR OF THE POOR

 

Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. – Luke 6:20

 

       Last year was declared the Year of the Poor. It’s also been months now since the national elections have been held. “The Poor Man” is suddenly thrust at the limelight again, claiming to be the reason for every politician’s campaign.

       After a year or so of the Year of the Poor, and before campaign promises are quickly forgotten, it should be good to ask, “What are we doing for the poor?”

         It was good for the Church to point out the “real poor.” And again, of what we, who claim to be “also poor,” have done for them. Because it’s not just the Church’s or the politicians’ concern. It’s everybody’s.

         That’s why I’m grateful to belong to a spiritual community, the Light of Jesus Family, that runs mercy ministries such as Anawim (Home for the Elderly), Tahanan ng Pagmamahal (for orphans), partnership with He Cares (for street kids), and more works of love and charity for the “real poor.”

       Yet, I know I have much to do, in my own little world, in my own little way. After all, when we minister to the poor, we are privileged to serve those to whom the kingdom of God has been given. Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection:Today, go and find someone who is “really poor.” Do something for that person — now!

 

Dear God, grant me the grace to help others who are truly in need, even if I think I myself need help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Blessed Frederick Ozanam, pray for us.

“A man is powerful on his knees.” (Corrie ten Boom) Abba Father, forgive me for those times I was too busy to even get down on my knees... - Daily Bible Reflections September 6, 2016

THE SECRET TO DOING

THE IMPOSSIBLE

 

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. – Luke 6:12

 

       Choosing the twelve disciples. Walking on water. Healing those who touched Him. The transfiguration. The crucifixion. What took place before these powerful events? Jesus spent the whole night on the mountain to pray.

       Sometimes when I get so busy, my prayer time is the one that suffers. My priorities get mixed up and I end up forgetting to do the very thing that will give me the ability to do the impossible. Then I remember that Jesus always made time for prayer. The harder the task He had to do, the more time He spent in prayer. Even if He is the Son of God, He always made time to pray to draw strength and power, not from Himself, but from His Father.

       When my daughter was about to take her college entrance exams, she studied well for it. When she was saturated with studying, she prayed and went to Mass every day, trusting in God’s mercy to help her. When the results of the Ateneo exams came out, she was in the top 40 out of the 19,000 applicants, which qualified her for a full scholarship in any course she wanted!

       You may not be able to walk on the water as Jesus did, but you can do what seems impossible if only you spend more time on your knees praying. Ronna Singson-Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

 

Reflection: “A man is powerful on his knees.” (Corrie ten Boom) Abba Father, forgive me for those times I was too busy to even get down on my knees...

 

Blessed Claudio Granzotto, pray for us.

Can you commit today to watch others closely, looking for the good in them? - Daily Bible Reflections September 5, 2016

WATCH FOR THE GOOD

 

The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely, to see if he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. – Luke 6:7

 

       I held a glass of clean drinking water in front of my students and asked who would like to have some water. Several hands went up and they begged to be called. I then added some sand to the water and asked again, “Who would like a drink?” To my surprise, some hands still showed. Then, I added muddy pebbles and pencil shavings. “Water anyone?” They all squealed in disgust.

       The Pharisees in the Gospel today were watching Jesus closely, not because they wanted to learn from Him, understand His words, or follow His example, but because they were waiting for Him to do something they could use against Him.

       In our daily living, do we also find ourselves watching others closely to criticize or correct them? Are our hearts as pure as clean drinking water, or are our hearts murky with sandy self-righteousness, pebbles of jealousy, and shavings of pride? Instead of always spotting what is wrong in others, could we focus on what is good? Could we encourage, support, and appreciate?

       Jesus is our ultimate example of love and purity. May we learn from Him. Geraldine G. Catral (catral.geegee@beaconschool.ph)

 

Reflection: Can you commit today to watch others closely, looking for the good in them?

 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew the right Spirit within me.

 

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.