Whose voice do you hear and follow? - Daily Bible Reflections December 7,2013

THE GUIDING VOICE

 

While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21

 

Lea was sent by her company to Xian, China for a four-day business trip. Since there was no direct flight to Xian, she made a stopover in Shanghai and spent the night in a hotel. The following morning, she went to the domestic airport to catch her flight. But many flights were canceled due to a blizzard, causing many passengers to be stranded. Because of the language barrier, she couldn’t figure out where she should check in her baggage. Fearing that she might miss her flight, she prayed to the Lord for guidance.

       Then she heard a voice-over announcement in Mandarin. Surprisingly, she somehow understood what was announced. Three people out of the multitude of stranded passengers stood up and ran, and she followed them… to the check-in counter for the flight going to Xian.

       In today’s first reading, God spoke about His promises for the people of Jerusalem. In verse 21, God assures us that He will give clear direction as to where we should go. In our world full of confusion, it’s hard to know which way to go. But if we are attuned to the voice of God at all times and follow His ways, He will lead us to the right path. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Whose voice do you hear and follow?

Lord, help me to be sensitive to Your leading that I may not stray from Your path.

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

What are the areas in your life that you think are not healthy? - Daily Bible Reflections December 6,2013

WHY WAIT?

 

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” – Matthew 9:27

 

My friend Patricia used to be a youth leader, one of the best and inspiring in fact. But when she started working, things slowly changed. She stopped receiving nourishment from her spiritual family and her life revolved around her high-paying, high-stress job and her boyfriend. Her world crumbled when her boyfriend ended the relationship and she eventually found out that another girl was part of the reason. It was only after that when she started attending the prayer meeting regularly.

       Some people wait for their lives to crumble or for their problems to become so complicated before they start looking for Jesus.

       Some people wait to get sick literally or figuratively before they look for Jesus to help them.

       Some people will wait until they’re at the end of their rope before they think of turning to Jesus.

       Of course, the Lord will never say no to us, but why do you have to allow yourself to experience such anguish and suffering?

       Didn’t the doctors say that prevention is always better than the cure? JPaul Hernandez (jpaulmh@yahoo.com)

 

 Reflection: What are the areas in your life that you think are not healthy?

 

Jesus, remind me to seek You first even before trouble comes.

 

St. Nicholas, bishop, pray for us.

 

Put some variety in your prayer time today by singing your praise to God - Daily Bible Reflections December 5,2013

THE POWER OF A SONG

 

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. – Isaiah 26:1,4

 

It was the birthday of Tess, a sister in community, that day. Her birthday coincided with our community’s monthly assembly. So Tess received a shower of personal greetings and honoring from brothers and sisters. I am sure she also had a lot of greetings via text, email and phone calls that day.

       But one of the more special greetings she received that day was a song. Around 15 kids from our community lined up in front of her to sing for her. Each of them also offered her a flower. I saw the glow on her face as the kids sang.

       What song did the kids render? Nothing extraordinary. They sang the regular version of “happy birthday!” It was a simple and familiar song. A performance by kids with zero rehearsal but offered with sincerity and love. The offeringwas simple but the joy it gave Tess was incredible.

       I think offering a song to God also makes the same impact. It allows the one offering the song the chance to present his sincere love to God in another form. As the saying goes, “One who offers a song to God in worship prays twice.” Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Offering songs of worship to God is also a form of honoring and thanking Him. Put some variety in your prayer time today by singing your praise to God.

 

Let my life be a love song to You, Jesus.

 

St. Sabas, pray for us.

 

“Thank you” is commonly known but barely used. Have you thanked someone today? Have you thanked God today? - Daily Bible Reflections December 3,2013

AND THE WINNER IS...

 

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” – Luke 10:21

 

The clock ticked to... 3 seconds... 2 ... then the buzzer sounded. Game over. The crowd jumped from their seats. We were the champion for the second time in a row in the Altar Servers Basketball League. High fives, big hugs and jumping here and there showed our joy. We went home and celebrated.

       During the party, our parish priest congratulated the team and gave each of us words of affirmation. He reminded us that all things come from God, and that our skills and talents that helped us win the championships are blessings He bestowed on us. With this in mind, we began and ended our celebration with a prayer to show our gratitude for the God-given talents He entrusted to us.

       What blessing did you receive today? Maybe you’ve been promoted or closed a high-paying deal. Maybe you just passed an exam or received recognition. Or you just feel extra blessed today. Remember this, at the end of the day, may we have the heart to acknowledge that all our blessings came from the Lord and we should glorify Him. Jan Carlo Silan (jan@makatifeast.com)

 

Reflection: “Thank you” is commonly known but barely used. Have you thanked someone today? Have you thanked God today?

 

Dear Jesus, grant me a grateful heart so that in all things, I will see Your glory in my life.

 

St. Francis Xavier, priest, pray for us.