Never let hatred brew in your spirit for a long time - God Whispers October 13,2015

Never let hatred brew in your spirit for a long time. Resentment and other negative feelings like these rot your soul.


Be filled with love,
God


P.S. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 10:12).

Think about the last time you acted contrary to your faith. How can you prevent that from happening again? - Daily Bible Reflections October 13,2015

VACANT TABLE

 

Although they knew God, they did not accord him glory as God. – Romans 1:21

 

     The black shirt he wore told me he was a servant in the Catholic conference I was attending.

       It was lunch time and the conference had gone on break. I, with my friends, and the guy in the black shirt lined up in the nearby fast food chain to alleviate our hunger. The restaurant was packed, and vacant tables got easily occupied, mostly by conference attendees.

       “That’s my table! That’s my table!” All the way from the counter, the guy in the black shirt was pointing to an unclean table, angrily yelling to a teenage girl who was standing near it. Stunned, the girl left quickly.

       I could have imagined the guy, all hyped up in service inside the halls of the conference venue, but at the restaurant, he was just an angry man to me.

       Sometimes, we also act contrary to what our faith tells us. Impatience gets the best of us and we choose to react unlovingly. We forget we are a semblance of God and His reflector to the world.

       Friends, let us stop just “knowing” God and start “living out” God in every moment. Osy Erica (osy.erica@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Think about the last time you acted contrary to your faith. How can you prevent that from happening again?

 

Father, forgive me when I acted differently from what You would have wanted me to do. Humble me so that in everything I do I may glorify You.

 

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.

It is not enough that we get rid of a bad habit; we must replace it with a good one - Daily Bible Reflections October 9,2015

CLEANED AND FILLED

 

“But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order.” – Luke 11:25

 

       Edgar used to drink with his buddies till the wee hours in the morning, but one day, he decided to change. It worked for a few weeks. But because he did not replace his old habit with a new one and was still hanging out with the same group, he was easily tempted and his vice came back with a vengeance.

       What is the problem with this scenario? Why doesn’t change last? It is not enough to remove bad habits and the sins in our lives; they must be replaced with good habits and virtues. Empty spaces in our lives do not remain empty for long. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit so as not to return to our old ways. Only then can lasting transformation take place. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to spend time in prayer, fill our mind with the truths of the Bible to replace negative thoughts, and receive the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Communion.

     Spend time with kindred spirits in a spiritual community who will support you in your journey towards change. Marjorie Ann Duterte (marjorie.travels@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: It is not enough that we get rid of a bad habit; we must replace it with a good one. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you change and fill you with His grace.

 

Dear Father, please fill our empty spaces with the gifts of the Holy Spirit – Your light, love and peace. Amen.

 

Blessed John Henry Newman, pray for us.

 

Have you given up on someone? Persevere - Daily Bible Reflections October 8,2015

BE PUSHY

 

“… He will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.” – Luke 11:8

 

       It’s very easy to give up on people. When you try to share God with a friend and he tells you, “God is not my thing,” or, “That’s so corny,” you stop trying and accept that maybe you just have different interests. You walk away and make a mental note not to invite that person to any God-related event ever again.

       Guilty? Many of us are. But I’m thankful to have been surrounded by people who don’t take no for an answer!

       When I was 15 years old, I started attending prayer meetings. But after a few months, I was nowhere to be found. Some people noticed and started texting me to attend again. Every week, someone would invite me back. I’d say no. But that person would invite me again the following week until I said yes! My heart softened because of the persistent care and love of my friends in community, and I can’t thank them enough for introducing me to a life full of God.

       It is easy to give up on people, but I’m glad they didn’t give up on me. The truth is, no matter how resistant a person is, there will always be a small void that longs for Someone higher, Someone greater. So, don’t stop trying! Be pushy and let God take care of the rest. Pia Angelica Suiza (piasuiza@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Have you given up on someone? Persevere.

 

O God, grant me the grace to be more loving and patient in my words and actions so that many will see Your face though me. Amen.

 

St. John Leonardi, priest, pray for us.