And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26) - Daily Bible Reflections June 13,2014

A CUT ABOVE THE

REST

 

“If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you....” – Matthew 5:30

 

Aron Lee Ralston is widely known for having survived a canyoneering accident in Utah in 2003, during which he amputated his own right arm with a dull multi-tool in order to free himself from a dislodged boulder that had trapped him there for five days and seven hours. After he freed himself, he had to climb down a 65-foot cliff face to reach safety. He documented  this in his book Between a Rock and a Hard Place. He doesn’t see what he went through at the time he lost his arm but rather, when he got back his life.

       Hopefully we don’t have to reach that point where we have to physically cut off a body part, too. But there may come a time when we may find ourselves between a rock and a hard place, like maybe finding a bag with the money you desperately need at the moment to pay for your son’s operation. Or getting a big bonus at work for keeping quiet about some anomalous transaction. It’s like deciding between the devil and the deep blue sea. Our choice will reveal who the real Lord of our life is. Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

 

Reflection: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

 

Abba, grant me the courage to “cut off” whatever is necessary when I find myself being tempted.

 

St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

There’s a war going on: a battle between the forces of good and evil. The prize is you! So choose well what side you are fighting for - Daily Bible Reflections June 11,2014

Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle

 

BE A CHAMPION!

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

 

Modern man defines “champion” as someone who beats everyone in a contest or a battle. Hence, the title carries an air of pride and superiority. This reflects the competitive “dog-eat-dog” mentality in our world.

       As a former “warrior,” I know the word in a very deep sense. “Champion” means “combatant”; “gladiator” or “fighter”; “to fight for, defend, protect”; “field of combat”. These definitions remove the arrogant connotation of the word and instead carries a deep sense of sacrificial duty. It tells me that the champion is sent as a sacrifice to fight the strongest opponent in order to avoid a massive war.

       Sounds like John 3:16 to me. Let me rephrase that famous passage in warriorspeak: “For the Commanding General-God is so committed in His love of the subject-world, that He unleashed His only begotten Champion-Son; that whoever rallies behind Him and joins His Army will not lose life’s battle but will have eternal victory.”

       Today let’s redefine our identity: We aren’t just children of God; we’re God’s Powerful Champions! And our strategy? To obey His command and champion His greatness (Matthew 5:19). Ahoo! Ahoo! Obet Cabrillas (kpreacherobet@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: There’s a war going on: a battle between the forces of good and evil. The prize is you! So choose well what side you are fighting for.

 

Lord, You can move mountains. You are mighty to save!

 

St. Barnabas, Apostle, pray for us.

When we worry, it only means we are focused more on the lack in our pockets rather than on the abundance in our Father’s hand - Daily Bible Reflections June 10,2014

JEHOVAH-JIREH

 

And she and he and her household ate for many days. – 1 Kings 17:15

 

She only had enough money to buy food for her family that evening and for her ride home. But when the love offering time came during the prayer meeting, she felt that God wanted her to give all that she had. The joy she felt after giving was inexplicable, but she also thought of how long it would take her to walk home.

       Right after the prayer meeting, someone approached her and asked her if she wanted to hitch a ride. She got home in no time! But she had no food to feed her family. So they all went to bed early to forget the hunger. Later, they were aroused from their sleep by an urgent knock on the door. She got up to open the door a little since it was blocked by their bed. The person thrust his hand through the partly opened door, holding a big plastic bag. She almost cried when she saw that it was filled with food! She quickly moved the bed to open the door and see who their generous donor was but no one was there.

       When the Spirit moves you to give or to do something, never ignore it. Otherwise, you may miss out on the chance of seeing God at work. More than your sacrifice, what God wants is your absolute trust that cries out, “Jehovah-Jireh, my God will provide!” Ronna Ledesma (ronna_ledesma@yahoo.com.ph)

 

Reflection: When we worry, it only means we are focused more on the lack in our pockets rather than on the abundance in our Father’s hand.

 

Father, forgive me for those times I worried and stressed over what I do not have instead of looking at everything You have.

 

Blessed Joachima, pray for us.

Are you a believer? Do you allow yourself to grow in your faith by reading the Bible and spiritual books, attending seminars, and other ways? - Daily Bible Reflections June 9,2014

WANTED: CATECHISTS

 

And he opened his mouth and taught them... – Matthew 5:2

 

       When Jesus walked the earth, it wasn’t enough for Him to just model by His life and examples how we should follow Him. Notice that people didn’t understand many of the things that Jesus said and did. That’s why teaching was an important part of the way the Lord evangelized, especially since His ways are not our ways. He had to explain what He did and taught, especially since it was revolutionary and sometimes even contrary to what the people knew about God.

       As a catechist, I see my role as crucial because Christian doctrines and teachings that were revolutionary during Jesus’ time are now considered old-fashioned and passé. The world teaches freedom as opposed to Christ’s call to obedience and submission to the will of God.

       As followers of Jesus, we need to teach. We need to catechize to bring people back to the faith. The bad news is there’s not enough of us, and not all baptized parents effectively catechize their children.

       Let’s do our part and share our faith! Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Are you a believer? Do you allow yourself to grow in your faith by reading the Bible and spiritual books, attending seminars, and other ways?

 

Here I am, Lord, ready to grow as a Christian. I am willing to serve You to evangelize others. May You use me to bring the faith to others.

 

St. Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church, pray for us.