Daily Bible Reflections - January 6,2013

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

 

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CONCERT

 

They all gather and come to you. Your sons come from afar.– Isaiah 60:4

 

It couldn’t have been any better: a dark sky, amazing fireworks, a canopy of stars overhead and thousands of people standing within inches of each other in a wide open field. It was the presence of warm-blooded individuals that actually made the difference, and what made the entire night most memorable.

This wasn’t a concert or a pyrotechnic competition. It was God’s presence manifested at the Kerygma Conference Grand Feast 2011.

Throughout the event, there were moments when I just found myself marveling at the sight of God’s people coming together and praising in unison. I imagined God smiling from ear to ear, pleased at seeing His children.

As I looked around, I told myself that these are thousands of people who may have failures and ongoing difficulties, who may have broken hearts and broken relationships, and who may still have unfulfilled dreams and unanswered prayers. But they are also thousands of people who still choose to praise God in the midst of the trials they face.

Such thoughts compelled me to remain an avid fan, a loyal follower and a firm believer of the God of the universe, my loving Father.Osy Erica (osy.erica@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: If you can shout, dance and sing at the top of your lungs for your favorite artist, how can you not do the same for your God?

 

Lord, You are the Greatest Artist. Yours is a song of unconditional love and compassion. Instill in me the heart of a loyal follower.

 

St. Andre Bessette, religious, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - January 4,2013

The Grace of OOPS!

 

In this way, the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain; no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God, nor anyone who does not love his brother. – 1 John 3:10

 

Driving to work one morning, a brother from my community was so uplifted by a praise song, he sang along in worship. Suddenly another car cut into his lane. Jolted by the near accident, he stuck his head out the window and shouted at the careless driver, “Idiot!” Oops!

Another member is a mother with grown-up children. Like any mother, she is pained when her children are wronged. One incident drove her to scream and curse at a person who had caused her son grief. Her son asked, “Shouldn’t you be able to forgive this person since you belong to a religious community? If I can forgive the one who hurt me, why can’t you?” Oops!

Both these people shared that they immediately realized that what they did was wrong.

Belonging to a Charismatic community doesn’t mean we’ve become fault-proof. It only means that we are a work in progress, walking on the path to righteousness with God’s grace.

Because we are His children, God helps us up, dusts us off and points us in the right direction when we say, “Oops!” Lella M. Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Have you slipped up? Did you realize your mistake? Remember, it’s never too late to correct it.

 

Merciful Father, forgive us our sins and lead us onto the path of righteousness.

 

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - January 3,2013

Whose Child Are You?

 

Beloved, we are God’s children now... – 1 John 3:2

 

For a long time, I had repressed my temper because I saw its negative effect in my family’s history. But age has a way of making one more accepting of oneself. So a time came when, instead of reining in my temper, I let it go. It was liberating for a time but it was tiring too, not to mention the hurt I caused others. I found myself praying, “Lord, please give me the grace to control my temper. I can’t do it on my own.”

God did, in the way He knows how. I’m a regular Bible reader and His Word is important to me. One day, as I was reading my Bible, the words “Blessed are the peacemakers for they are called children of God” leapt out of the page. If peacemakers are called children of God, then what do you call those who cause quarrel and conflict? I thought. Oh no! Children of... oh no!

I prayed, “Lord, help me to control my temper from now on. I don’t want to be anyone else’s child but Yours.”

Our life must reflect our belief if we are to be truly called children of God. I had to face that truth on that day and I continue to do so with the choices I make every day. Joy Sosoban (jsosoban@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

Dearest Jesus, I find my strength in You. Help me to live out my faith.

St. Genevieve, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - January 1,2013

THE POWER OF WORDS

 

The Lord bless you and keep you! — Numbers 6:24

 

Two altar boys lived in two different cities, serving in two different churches, but both of them wanted to become priests.

Both of them had the exact same experience. One altar boy was late for Mass. Because he was in a hurry to do everything he needed to do, he accidentally hit the chalice that contained the wine.

After the Mass, the priest called the boy and shouted, “Get out of here! You’ll never serve as an altar boy again!”

At another church, the other altar boy was also late for Mass. And he, too, hit the chalice that contained the wine, pouring it onto the red carpet. After the Mass, the priest, who happened to be a bishop, called the altar boy and said, “Hey, everybody makes mistakes. I’m clumsy, too. And you know what? Maybe you’ll become a priest, too,” and he chuckled.

Thirty years later, the second altar boy became Archbishop Fulton Sheen, one of the most loved religious leaders in America. And the other altar boy? He became Joseph Tito, an atheist and the ruthless dictator of Yugoslavia.

Words are powerful. They can heal or bless. They can encourage or destroy. This year, start the habit of blessing others with your words and be blessed, too. For what you give, you receive. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

 

Reflection: Do your words bless others or destroy them?

 

Bless my thoughts, Lord, that I may speak only words that bless, not destroy, others.

 

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God