Daily Bible Reflections - March 14,2013

HIS OWN WITNESS

 

These works that I perform testify on my behalf. – John 5:36

 

I needed an architect for a construction job at home and my friend recommended his pal. “He’ll do a good job because he owes me a lot. He’ll be ashamed to foul up the job,” he said. Although I had two other choices, it was my friend’s assurance that made me choose his architect.

Unfortunately, his friend did a bad job. He used the wrong pipe size. His men were not well supervised and wasted time and materials. Worst of all, he overcharged. And to think he knew that I was paying him with borrowed money, which at the time I didn’t know how to pay up!

Yes, it’s what we do that speaks of us, more than what other people say about us.

In the Gospel, Jesus tried to explain that what John and other people said about Him are already worthwhile testimonies. Yet, He continued, “I do not accept testimony from a human being.... But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me” (John 5:34, 36).

Jesus is not just “a friend’s recommendation.” He is everything that people say He is and more. If we open our hearts and our minds to what He does, we will know He is for real. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Do you experience how Jesus is moving in your life?

 

Jesus, I want to experience You more and more. St. Maximillian, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - March 12,2013

HIS PROVISION

 

Fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. For they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. – Ezekiel 47:12

 

It was another dry season. Almost seven months of job hunting for me. Over 180 applications sent. No offers, no job.

But having been soaked in God’s goodness, this time around my family and I were not afraid. We had confidence that the Lord would provide for us, just like the tree planted near a river in today’s reading.

We continued to enjoy the life the Lord had given us despite my lack of employment. Instead of focusing on the problem, we focused on His promise. We took a vacation at a beach in Batangas, enjoying the money that was pouring in through our stock market placements.

On another day, a man offered to buy our property even if we were not selling it. We profited over P1 million from that.

During this dry season, we were also able to upgrade our car. We took a tour of northern Luzon and enjoyed many scenic places like the Bangui Windmills, Pagudpud Beach, the Callao Cave in Cagayan and the Rice Terraces in Benguet.

Our God supplied our every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). And before long, I got a job. A much better one, too! Danny Tariman (dtariman.loj@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Are you in a dry season? It is just a season; it will pass!

 

Lord, forgive me for focusing on my problems instead of Your promises. I claim Your promise now, and I thank You in advance for my answered prayer.

 

Blessed Angela Salawa, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - March 10,2013

DESERVING A SECOND CHANCE

 

“Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.” – Luke 15:29

 

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the father gladly welcomes his penitent son. The elder brother is astonished. “What? That brat gets a party instead of getting punished? What about me?”

We can understand the older son’s feeling of being unappreciated. But love is not logical. A father doesn’t divide portions of his love between a worthy and an unworthy son. Just as God the Father does not differentiate mankind accordingly. We are all sinners yet God gave His only begotten son to save the world.

I know of a friend whose brother was a drug user. No matter how many times he fell astray, she would intervene and bring him to a rehab clinic. Thankfully, he was able to kick his habit because his sister never wavered. Her love for her brother was real and unconditional.

Even if we deserve punishment from society, we are still God’s creation. When we are truly sorry for our sins, surely we deserve a second chance. Gina Verdolaga (mgjver@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Do you practice compassion?

 

Lord, if I must truly love, let me not cast the first stone. Teach me to be humble.

Daily Bible Reflections - March 8,2013

BEARING FRUIT

 

Because of me you bear fruit. – Hosea 14:9

More than 15 years ago, my life was in a drought. It was dry and empty.

I had a business, yes, but there was no life in it despite the daily busyness.

Our shops were just in front of the church, but I rarely went to Mass.

I read a lot, but I failed to read the life-giving Word of God.

In that emptiness and dryness, God spoke.

He called — and I unknowingly listened to His promptings in my heart.

Because I listened, things started to come alive in my life.

After several retreats, recollections, a life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land and community life, I was ready to bear fruit for Him.

Service to God took several forms in the beginning —counseling, teaching, facilitating workshops — until finally He led me to that one thing that I could do best for Him: writing.

And only because of Him do I bear fruit in what I am doing now. Tess V. Atienza (svp_tvatienza@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Does your life bear fruit now?

 

Continue, Lord, to make my life fruitful for Your glory.

 

St. John of God, religious, pray for us.