Daily Bible Reflections- February 01, 2012

LOOK FOR GOLD

 

And they took offense at him. – Mark 6:3

 

Andrew Carnegie was the richest man in the world. If you translate his wealth using today’s values, Carnegie would be more than two times wealthier than Bill Gates and Warren Buffet combined.

And he knew about the importance of relationships. At one time, he had 43 millionaires working with him. This was the secret of his success. Because you can’t become wealthy (in the long term) if you don’t make others wealthy as well.

One day, he said something profound about relationships. Carnegie said, “Dealing with people is like digging for gold. To discover gold, you have to move a lot of dirt. But when you dig, you look for gold, not for dirt.”

Many times, we look for dirt in the people around us.

No wonder we’re not happy!

Of course you’ll find dirt.

The holiest saints had lots of dirt in their lives. After all, they were human beings, too. Just as we are.

But if you want to be happy, you’ll have to train your eyes to look for gold.

And believe me, you’ll find lots of it, too. Because every person is made in the image of God. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Have I found the gold in the people around me and in myself as well?

 

Lord, train my eyes to see the gold in others.

 

St. Ansgar, bishop, pray for us.

 

Daily Bible Reflections- January 31, 2012

ONLY BELIEVE

 

“Don’t be afraid, only believe.” – Mark 5:36

 

“You have to undergo thyrodectomy immediately,” the doctor told me. “It’s not as simple as you think. The more you postpone it, the riskier it is. You’re not getting any younger,” he added.

For the ninth time I had to go under the surgeon’s knife.

My first surgery was a simple tonsilectomy in 1980 where they removed my right tonsil.

In 1986, I was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in my left breast, so I had to go through a mastectomy.

Four years later, there was a lump and grape-like clusters of mass in my right ovary, which were all malignant. The doctor ordered a hysterectomy to avoid the big C.

During my thyrodectomy, I kept praying while I was at the operating room, “Lord, please restore my voice. Don’t take away my privilege of proclaiming Your Word.”

God promised me, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” This gave me assurance before I passed out with the anesthesia.

Three weeks after my thyrodectomy, I proclaimed God’s Word at the Rizal Feast — with my voice even better than ever!  Beth Corral (bethcorral_0330@yahoo.com)

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REFLECTION:

“My son, when you are ill, delay not, but pray to God, who will heal you... Then give the doctor his place lest he leave; for you need him, too.” (Sirach 38:9, 12)

 

Lord, let me know Your will in any sickness You allowed in me. Heal me, Lord, for You are the greatest physician.

 

St. John Bosco, priest, pray for us.

God Whispers January 30, 2012

Don’t lash out at that impolite security guard or that rude officemate. Don’t take offense at your irritating boss or that driver who cut you in traffic. That’s my way of reminding you to pray for them.

Love,
God

P.S. Find every reason to pray for people you encounter daily.

Daily Bible Reflections- January 30, 2012

the higher road

 

“Notice my misery and give me blessings…” – 2 Samuel 16:12

 

I looked up to my ex-boss because she was efficient in performing her work. But I didn’t like the way she corrected me and my colleagues when things went wrong. She’d shout at the top of her voice. She’d curse and humiliate me in front of other people. I couldn’t help but feel angry.

But in my misery, the Lord used my family to console me. They were supportive especially in my moments of pain. I was also comforted through the Catholic Charismatic community where I belong. There I found grace to control myself and gained emotional strength that kept me from taking any form of vengeance against people who hurt me.

A nun friend once told me that I shouldn’t be angry at people who curse or ridicule me. Instead, I must feel sorry for them. She said that people who usually curse others are those who are deeply wounded themselves. If we want to become true instruments of peace and God’s love, it is better for us to take the higher road of forgiveness and understanding. I believe that the Lord exceedingly gives grace to people who know how to hate the sin but love the sinner. Dho Rimando (dougsterrimando@yahoo.com.ph)

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REFLECTION:

Has anybody hurt you? Are you being persecuted? Take the higher road. Forgive.

 

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Grant that I may not so much seek to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

 

St. Hyacintha of Mariscotti, pray for us.