Daily Bible Reflections - April 4,2013

Easter Thursday

 

MARRIED TO A WALL

 

“Now I know, brothers and sisters, that you acted out of ignorance.” – Acts 3:17

 

I found this entry in Ripley’s Believe It or Not: “Driven by love for the Berlin Wall, Eija-Riitta Berliner-Mauer of Sweden married it in 1979 and took its name as her surname.”

It’s obviously crazy to marry a wall. We may not do something as bizarre but are we any different in our love for material things?

How about the husband who pours time and money on his car and yells at his wife and children if they so much as scratch its glossy finish or spill something inside its pristine interior?

How about the mother who watches telenovelas nonstop rather than sit with her child who needs help with homework?

How about the career-driven person who backstabs a colleague to get ahead in the corporate rat race?

How about the employee who takes home office supplies to save on his kids’ school supplies?

Many times we act like we are ignorant of the fact that people and values are more important than things. Let us consciously seek to know God’s ways and His will so that we can act like the Christians that we’re supposed to be. Lella M. Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: What worldly thing has become more important to you than God, values and relationships?                         

 

Lord, reign in my heart forever. You are my Number One.

 

St. Isidore of Seville, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - April 3,2013

Easter Wednesday

A QUIET HEART

But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. – Luke 24:16

When I fled from my own hometown due to a big conflict between me and a close relative, the pain was so intense. It was difficult to see beyond it.

In our story today, the disciples going to Emmaus must have been in so deep a sorrow over the death of Jesus that they couldn’t see that the Resurrected One was already standing before them.

In the deep sorrows, trials and confusions of our lives, we need to imitate the reaction of Jesus’ mother, Mary. What could be more astounding than to learn that you, a virgin, will be pregnant with the awaited Messiah, the Savior of mankind? And what could be more confusing and frightening when doing so might mean your death — for pregnancy out of wedlock was punishable by stoning? But Mary “kept these things in her heart.” Thus, she recognized God’s plan and cooperated with Him.

Like Mary, let us learn to be quiet, to listen to God’s ways in our lives and gain understanding through them. In the end, by His grace, we will be able to say yes to His plans for our lives. Joy Sosoban (jsosoban@gmail.com)

Reflection: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

Dear Lord, grant me the grace of a quiet heart like Mary’s. Enable me to listen to You and follow You. Amen.

St. Benedict the African, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - April 2,2013

Easter Tuesday

 

A BLESSING TESTIMONY

 

Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” – John 20:18

My genius friend is an addict.

A “God addict,” that is.

He is such an addict that he started this Facebook group called: “Anong Blessing Mo Ngayon?” (“What’s Your Blessing Today?”) As I write this, it already has 1,084 members, and counting. And the best part is, the 1,084 are already God addicts, too.

Obviously, your post should answer the perpetual question: “Anong Blessing Mo Ngayon?” And you’ll be surprised at the various answers written there! Some could be as deep as “Thank You, Father God, for making me the person you want me to be now,” or as trivial as, “Another day with great breakfast!” Whatever the blessing may be, it’s drawn from the heart and shouted out to the world!

Imagine if Mary Magdalene had this Facebook group when she saw the risen Lord. Hers would be the blessing to top off all other blessings! But even without Facebook, she was able to spread the Good News and became a blessing to many people because of her faith. Migs Ramirez (migoy3@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: What small and big blessings did you receive today? Are you bold enough to share these blessings to others?

 

Jesus, make me aware of the countless blessings You bestow on me. When I receive them, let me shout them to the world and, thus, become a blessing myself.

 

St. Francis of Paola, hermit, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - March 31,2013

EASTER EVERY DAY

 

Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:2-3 As a newborn, my son thoroughly enjoyed bath times. Today, at two years old, he still loves them, but I find that I’ve got more grime to clear off when he bathes. Since he plays outside and gets really filthy, I have to work extra hard to get him scrubbed and clean. But I don’t mind, because at the end of every bath, he’s a sweet little boy all over again, smelling fresh and clean as he did when he was a newborn.

This Easter Sunday, our Heavenly Father looks at us in the same way: sweet, clean and new, like a newly bathed baby. Why? Because today, we celebrate the wisdom of God’s ultimatum: Jesus paid for our sins, and now all is new.

But what if we fall into sin and beat ourselves up with guilt? What if the world lures us away from our so-called “holy” life? This is the Good News of Easter. Christ is risen, and His Holy Spirit dwells in us, because of what happened that first Easter Sunday. So let’s claim our power and use it, in Jesus’ Name, to live each day as the new creation Christ made us to be. Martine De Luna (the.dainty.mom@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:11)

 

Thank You, Jesus, for what You did for me. I will spend my life living for You.

 

St. Stephen of Mar Saba, pray for us. Easter Sunday