Daily Bible Reflections- February 05, 2012

sharing jesus

 

But Jesus answered, “We must go on to the other villages around here. I have to preach in them also, because that is why I came.” – Mark 1:38

 

Everyone knows the phrase TGIF. Fridays are great because it’s the end of work or school week. It’s a time to eat out, go shopping, meet up with friends and engage in other forms of relaxation.

When our small community group was assigned to handle an evangelization project, I had mixed emotions. First, it was because of the daunting effect of the word evangelization. And second, it meant being deprived of the stuff I just mentioned about Fridays because that’s when our sessions were scheduled.

During my prayer time the following day, I reviewed my journal and was surprised to see a common entry in my reflection notes since the previous year. My recurring prayer request was to be given the opportunity to serve in the evangelization ministry. I was enlightened after my morning prayer and my earlier hesitations disappeared.

Now, my Fridays are great not because of its usual activities. Fridays are great because it allows me to introduce Jesus to more people. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

In Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life, he mentioned that evangelization is one of the purposes why we live. How much of your time are

you using for this purpose?

 

Father, I pray that someone may hear about Jesus today. May I do my part to make this happen. Amen.

 

St. Agatha, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections- February 04, 2012

CONFESSIONS OF A WORKAHOLIC

 

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

 

I once thought that rest was synonymous with doing nothing — and that was bad. That’s because my Lolo Ino, my maternal grandfather, taught me that “an idle mind is the devil’s playground.” He explained that when you don’t have anything to think about, you are likely to do something bad. And so doing nothing was a no-no for him. Every time he was around, I kept busy — reading, doing my homework, dusting our narra sofa even if it was already squeaky, gleaming, shimmering clean.

That was good discipline — until I turned out to be a workaholic. Because when I had nothing to do I could hear Lolo Ino drumming the devil line into my ear.

Then I heard a talk of lay preacher Bo Sanchez about having a rest. He said resting from work does not mean doing nothing. It means doing something else — going on a trip, having fun with our loved ones, or, as Jesus said in today’s reading, going to a quiet place and, yes, getting some rest.

So I have resolved to have a regular rest time. Promise, I am working on it. Cynthia Santiago (cusantiago@gmail.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Remember the cliché: Work while you work. Play while you play. That’s the way to be happy and gay.

 

Lord, be with me at my work time and play time.

 

St. Joseph of Leonissa, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections- February 03, 2012

WITH EVERY DEED

 

With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung. – Sirach 47: 8

 

For St. Therese of Lisieux, it was the way of simplicity and perfection in doing small things and daily duties. For Brother Lawrence, it was cooking in the kitchen. Dr. Joseph Moscatti’s way was practicing medicine.

Rod is an IT Manager. Renato is financial consultant. Regina is a housewife. Elma is a teacher.

The saints and the lay people have one thing in common. For each one, everything they do is for the Lord, an offering, a means to praise God.

We usually take our routines for granted, those daily things we do. We dismiss them as irrelevant, even unspiritual.

That is why you often see people who grumble and complain about what they do. They feel miserable and make those around them feel gloomy, too.

But, as many saints and everyday people have discovered, every little thing that we do can be our own form of worship. When we do our best with the task at hand, we honor God. When we offer our efforts and work, we adore God.

Today, let everything you do be an offering of praise. Jun Asis (mabuting.balita@gmail.com)

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REFLECTION:

What is my attitude toward my work and duties?

 

Lord, take the work of my hands as my gift to You. May they sing out the love I feel in my heart for You.

 

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

Daily Bible Reflections- February 02, 2012

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

92.5 PERCENT

 

“He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver.” – Malachi 3:3

 

I craft religious themed fashion accessories using semi-precious stones. The accents I use are silver beads, spacers, charms and pendants. Many of these I buy in supply stores in Quiapo. The pieces I make are not spectacularly unique because other crafters use them. The thin silver coating also fades or chips in time, exposing the plastic or low quality metal underneath.

To fashion one-of-a-kind, high quality pieces, I use sterling silver accents. I get them from a silver jewelry export company. They are not found in the local market. Some are even custom-made for me. Although they tarnish in time, a dab of silver polish brings back the luster because they’re 92.5 percent silver.

At the end of our lives, we will be judged like these silver accents. Will we be deemed silver-plated — a person with a thin veneer of goodness overlaid on a selfish, sinful core? Or will we be deemed sterling silver — an extraordinary life refined by the fires of sacrifice, love and mercy; strengthened by an alloy of prayer and service?

May we allow the Lord to purify usuntil we are sterling like silver. Lella Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

Do I look at my trials as burdens or as character-forming opportunities?

 

Father, cleanse me from all the impurities that tarnish my soul.

 

St. Joan de Lestonnac, pray for us.