Daily Bible Reflections - January 24,2013

Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church

 

POWER IN JESUS’ NAME

 

Whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” – Mark 3:11                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

I saw an interesting video that someone posted on my Facebook account. It was a robbery captured on video by a

CCTV camera of a jewelry shop in the US.

A masked man entered a jewelry store and held up the store owner and a customer at gunpoint. Without even a hint of panic, the store owner firmly told the robber, “You get out of my store right now in the name of Jesus!” She spoke those words again firmly, commanding the masked man to obey her.

True enough, the robber was rattled and didn’t know what to do. The lady’s words made him back away and exit her store.

I was stunned with what I saw on the video. I even thought that what the store owner did was insane because

she could have been shot. But I realized that she did the right thing at the right time. The name of Jesus held more firepower than the gun that was aimed at her. His name was more powerful than the evil spirit that caused the man to commit the crime. This woman stood her ground and allowed the power of God to take over. Monty Mendigoria (montymendigoria@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

 

Jesus, I need Your protection from the hands of the enemy. Let Your Mighty Name be my weapon in times of battle. Amen.

 

St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - January 23,2013

HAVE A SEAT

 

“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” – Mark 3:4

 

I saw a picture on Facebook that touched my heart. It had 179 comments and 2,083 shares, including mine. It was a photo of a guy waiting in a terminal with a woman, a very old man — probably his father — and their baggage.

So, what was so moving about it?

Without any chairs to sit on, the guy sacrificially squatted on the floor and let the old man sit on his lap as he secured him from falling by embracing him. It was not a comfortable position for the guy, but it gave relief to the old man as they waited for their ride.

The guy’s good deed toward the old man is a good example of Jesus’ compassion and love. Their picture brought hope and it inspired me to be kinder even through simple acts. I’m pretty sure those who liked and shared this FB postfelt the same.

In spite of persecutions, Jesus healed people even on the Sabbath, giving comfort and love to those in need. He planted hope and inspiration in the hearts of people.

This 2013, don’t let time, place, people or situations stop you from being Jesus to others. Ma. Luisa De la Cruz (theessence_byluisa@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: How can you ease someone’s suffering today?

 

Dear Jesus, unite my heart, mind and soul with You. Help me make my life a fragrant offering to the Father.

 

Blessed Mother Marianne Cope, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - January 22,2013

AN OVERLOAD OF GUILT

 

God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. – Hebrews 6:10

 

       I could sense she was distraught just from her text message.

She told me her story as soon as we sat down. She was burdened by heavy personal problems and her spiritual disciplines, instead being a source of refreshment, only served to weigh her down even more. Attending prayer meetings had become an obligation because she feared the judgment of others if she didn’t show up. She kept a list of her debt to the Lord in the form of tithes she had not been able to turn over because of her financial woes. She felt that if she didn’t continue with her spiritual obligations, the Lord would stop blessing her. But I knew she loved the Lord sincerely.

I felt sorry for her. She was carrying a load we were not meant to bear. She was weighed down by Pharisaism.

I assured her that our God was not a cosmic potbellied policeman ready to whack us with a club for every misdemeanor. Our God is the Prodigal Father in the Parable of the Lost Son. He is the One who runs to us with open arms and clothes us with His robes even if we have sinned.

Even if our own hearts make us feel guilty, God is infinitely greater than our hearts, and He knows everything (1 John 3:19-20). Rissa Singson-Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: There is nothing you can do that will make God love you less.

 

Lord, correct my image of You. Amen.

 

St. Vincent, deacon and martyr, pray for us.

Daily Bible Reflections - January 21,2013

Pray, Forgive and Bless

 

He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness. – Hebrews 5:2

 

I often share that one of the litmus tests of being a true Christian is when we pray, forgive and bless our enemies.

The Lord challenged my words a few years ago — if indeed I would walk my talk. Some people were trying to destroy my integrity and I struggled with being patient with them. It was painful to see them seemingly winning in their erring ways and glorifying in their perceived triumph.

I realized later on that I was going through a learning experience, a test. God was reminding me that if I claim to be not just an ambassador for my country but also for God, then I should make sure I am worthy, especially of the latter title or responsibility. He showed me that I was indirectly contributing to the situation I was in through my own mistakes and weaknesses. He validated His message through the readings in the Bible and other daily devotionals.

That made me forgive and bless my detractors but not to trust them. God was reiterating that in this world, we should indeed be wise as serpents but gentle as doves.Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Patience is concentrated strength, not weakness. It is easier to give in to anger than to choose to love.

 

“Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring Your love. Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord.”

 

St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, pray for us.