Your parish needs all the help it can get from you. Volunteer and be part of any service in your parish today - Daily Bible Reflections September 15, 2017

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

FROM PERSECUTOR

TO PROMOTER

 

“I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man” – 1 Timothy 1:13

 

       Bro. Noe Dora was a radical Protestant preacher. He was determined to convert as many people as possible to his religion, especially Catholics. He hated the Catholic Church and believed that it was teaching evil, not good. He would visit the houses of his members to destroy the images and materials related to the Catholic Church.

       One day, he was in the house of a newly converted follower doing his usual practice of destroying Catholic images. He picked up a statue of Mama Mary and stared at it. He felt something strange and heard these words in his mind: “What did My mother do, for her image to be destroyed this way?”

       That odd event led him to study the Catholic faith. He secretly read about the faith, met up with a priest, and attended Mass. His six-year study led him to receive the sacrament of baptism and later he became a Catholic. Bro. Noe now travels around the Philippines and nearby countries to share his testimony. His personal goal is to bring back as many people as possible to the Catholic Church.

       It’s never too late for anyone to repent and change. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Your parish needs all the help it can get from you.  Volunteer and be part of any service in your parish today.

 

Lord, help me to be a credible Catholic witness so that others may return to our Mother Church.

 

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Lord, protect us from envy. Keep our hearts close to You. We trust in Your good plans for us - Daily Bible Reflections July 12, 2017

 

ENVY VS. INSPIRATION

 

“Go to Joseph and do whatever he told them.” – Genesis 41:55

 

        Envy led the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave. It was also envy that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. Today, envy leads to the killing of one’s reputation and good name. When people are envious, they kill their brother and sister with their tongues or with their words through malicious gossip.

         We need to guard our hearts for envy can creep to us subtly. We can be tempted to envy our brother or sister when they are promoted, when they do better than us in their families and careers, when they receive the things we want for ourselves.

       Instead of feeling envious, we should be inspired. These people deserve their reward because of their hard work, faithfulness and obedience. They are blessed because they follow God’s will for their lives. The Holy Spirit teaches us to be happy for other people when they are blessed. Their success are good examples for us to follow. When we do our best in what God has called us to do and when we follow His ways, He also has His own reward in store for us. Marjorie Duterte (marjorie.travels@gmail.com)

 

Reflection:“I too, invite myself — and everyone — to see if, in my heart, there is any jealousy, any envy, which always leads to death and doesn’t make me happy; because this sickness always leads us to regard the good others possess as if it were against us. And this is an ugly sin. It is the beginning of many, many crimes.” (Pope Francis)

 

Lord, protect us from envy. Keep our hearts close to You. We trust in Your good plans for us.

 

St. John Jones, priest and martyr, pray for us.

:“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6) - Daily Bible Reflections June 21, 2017

BLESSED ARE THE

NAMELESS

 

“And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” – Matthew 6:18

 

       I am a silent worker in our office. Even after two years in my current job, I’m still not used to our office culture of everyday meetings and detailing the things I do and have worked on. For me, as long as my supervisor knows what I am doing, I’m OK with it.

    I also happened to meet someone who is planning to enter the seminary. During a search-in session which I attended, he shared that he always brings a piece of bread or biscuit in his bag. Not for him, but to give to a beggar who enters the jeepney or bus he is riding in. And even if I had not seen him since then, I fondly remember him for such a kind act. I knew there and then that he would be a good fit for priesthood.

      I also greatly admire those who donate church pews without revealing their names. They’re the ones who believe that their reward is not in this earth, but in heaven. Indeed, blessed are those who are humble and do not boast for they will receive God’s greatest blessing. Gracious B. Romero (graciousromero@gmail.com)

 

Reflection:“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

 

Lord, help us to be cheerful givers. Amen.

 

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, martyr, pray for us.

Are you comfortable jumping into the unknown, with only God’s love to catch you? It’s easier said than done - Daily Bible Reflections June 2, 2017

EVERYDAY

MARTYRDOM

 

“But when you grow old... someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” – John 21:18

 

       Nanay Remy was my foster mother when I spent two weeks in the mountains of Batangas on an immersion camp in college. She was a spirited elderly woman, with hair grayed by age, legs toughened by walking, hands calloused by labor, and face wrinkled by smiles. Each day, I accompanied her as she went around to do chores. Among many tasks, I would carry the buckets of water, collect the wood for cooking, and occasionally pound some corn for chicken feed. She was a busy woman, wrapped in the poverty of life.

       I couldn’t forget how she spoke with much dignity and wisdom. “I’m a native of Pampanga,” she said. “I grew up in a well-off family, and I had a future ahead of me. But then I met Banoy, who was a farmer here in Batangas. We fell in love. He uprooted me from that life and brought me here. Many times, I regretted that decision. I wasn’t ready for this poor life. I would complain, but I still held on. Now I have no regrets. My family is here, and so my heart is here.”

       That’s martyrdom. It’s dying to yourself every day because you know what is really important. Migs Ramirez (migsramirez.seminars@gmail.com)

 

Reflection:Are you comfortable jumping into the unknown, with only God’s love to catch you? It’s easier said than done.

 

Mama Mary, saying yes to God wasn’t easy but you did it. Teach me to say yes and follow Jesus closer even during my trials.

 

Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs, pray for us.

There are five languages of love – words, touch, gifts, presence and service. How do you express your love to your significant other? How do you show your love to God? - Daily Bible Reflections May 31, 2017

Feast of the Visitation of the

Blessed Virgin Mary

 

TRUE LOVE

 

Let love be sincere. – Romans 12:9

 

       “I married her soul, her character, and she’s the only woman who will continue to fulfill my dreams.” This was the declaration of a gentleman when asked if he ever thought of leaving his girlfriend.

       In 2015, the social network carried the love story of a beautiful ex-model and her handsome boyfriend. The woman figured in a fire accident. Sixty-five percent of her body, including her face, was burned and she lost the fingers and thumb on her right hand. Instead of leaving, her boyfriend quit his job and took care of her. They remained a strong couple in love in spite of her disfigured appearance.

       Men naturally choose the beautiful, sexy and intelligent woman. When her body becomes fat and saggy, her facial lines appear, and her character flaws surface, men find a reason to find a new partner.

       How much do we love God? Is it only up to the point where His commandments are easy to follow and everything seems to be going our way? We may be fickle with our love for God, but His love for us is unconditional. He will remain with us forever in spite of our disfigured character. Marie Franco (mariefranco_pie@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: There are five languages of love – words, touch, gifts, presence and service. How do you express your love to your significant other? How do you show your love to God?

 

Lord, I am not worthy of Your unconditional love. But the promise of it fills my heart and makes me confident to face life.

 

St. Mechtildis, pray for us.

How can you be a good example to children around you? - Daily Bible Reflections March 22, 2017

 

CHILDREN SEE,

CHILDREN DO

 

“But teach them to your children and to your children’s children...” – Deuteronomy 4:9

 

      When I meet parents for coaching, I share with them a life lesson I learned from my sister, a preschool teacher: “Our kids pick up from our actions more than we realize.”

       There’s a video of five-year-old toddlers following every move of their adult companion.

       When mom litters, daughter litters.

       Dad curses clerk, son curses clerk.

       Driving mom gives a dirty finger, son gives a dirty finger.

       Dad raises hand at mom, son raises hand at baby.

       Children see, children do.

       The good side of this is that children learn good things the same way. They learn kindness, respect, forgiveness, humility, caring, love, happiness, celebration, confidence, persistence, aspiration when they see you do it.

       Whatever we know to be good, to be true, to be kind, to be loving, let’s do it even in the simplest way. Smile. Greet good morning. Say thank you. Clean as you go. Let others pass through before you.

  Because what people see, people do. Edwin S. Soriano (edwin@winningcoaching.net)

 

Reflection:How can you be a good example to children around you?

 

Lord, as Your child, let me show Your love through my actions.

 

St. Nicholas Owen, pray for us.

Reflection:“Don’t let your trials blow you down; let them lift you up.” (Woodrow Kroll) - Daily Bible Reflections March 15, 2017

 

KEEP YOUR FOCUS

 

“And they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified.” – Matthew 20:18, 19

 

         I was on the way to Batangas to pick up my 12-year-old son from his summer youth camp. The highway was almost empty because it was a Sunday and Manny Pacquiao also had a boxing match that morning. The skies were clear, the radio played good music and the scenery was peaceful. It was such a relaxing drive that that I missed my toll exit. I had no choice but to take the next exit a few kilometers away to make a U-turn. I lost time and money because I got too comfortable.

        I changed my attitude as I reentered the highway. This time, I was more alert so I wouldn’t miss the right exit. I arrived at the campsite only a few minutes late.

       It’s the same with our lives. Sometimes, we forget to focus and we get lost when life gets too comfortable.

        If you experience trials and life seems hard, simply be alert and focus on Jesus so you may reach your destination. Jesus also experienced difficulties. He was persecuted, mocked, scourged and crucified. Yet He remained focused on His mission so that we may receive the gift of salvation. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection:“Don’t let your trials blow you down; let them lift you up.” (Woodrow Kroll)

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me the way. You experienced trials and difficulties to save us.

 

St. Louise de Marillac, pray for us.

“You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin… Take no revenge and cherish no grudge… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Leviticus 19:16,18 - Daily Bible Reflections March 6, 2017

NEGATRONS

 

“You shall not go about spreading slander among your kin… Take no revenge and cherish no grudge… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Leviticus 19:16,18

 

     I have a confession to make. I’m a certified nutcase for this phenomenal love team the country was gaga over a year ago. Well, not to the extent of joining a fans club or following them to location shoots or collecting all the magazines with their faces on them. I just stalk them on social media.

         It’s appalling to see how bashers and haters are so filled with envy that they’d do anything to try and bring this love team down. They pose as fake fans to spread rumors and incite negative comments. Loyal fans call them negatrons. Clearly, they are minions of the dark side.

         I find it admirable how the love team and the enlightened members of the fandom deal with these negative people. They take no revenge and just encourage each other to spread good vibes. This is what makes the love team and their “nation” truly phenomenal. And this is how God wants us to love others, negatrons or otherwise. Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)

 

Reflection:You have a choice in dealing with negative people. You can either spread good vibes or make yourself miserable like them.

 

Help me to follow Your code of conduct, Lord, and not give in to the negativity around me.

 

St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes, pray for us.