Are you spending quality time with God and His people through your parish or community? - Daily Bible Reflections August 12,2015

PICTURE TAKING!

 

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

 

       Filipinos are known for endless photo opportunities when it comes to taking pictures with celebrities, of their food and their travel adventures, including their selfies and, most of all, group pictures.

        Once, after we had just finished our annual Kerygma Conference, I decided to call all the servants to have a group photo. These were the words that came out from my mouth: “Where two or three are gathered... there is picture taking!” Everyone laughed upon hearing it.

     In today’s Gospel, we are reminded about how it is to be a community. This is what the Holy Eucharist is all about. It is when we come together to break bread and worship as one family that we experience our Lord Jesus Christ.

       Indeed, when people are gathered, there is picture taking — and the photographer is no other than Christ Himself, who creates timeless memories with us when we come in prayer and devotion.

   So smile! Jesus is taking your photo right now. JC Libiran (jclibiran@ymail.com)

 

Reflection: Are you spending quality time with God and His people through your parish or community? Why or why not? How do you spend time with fellow believers?

 

Lord Jesus, may I continue to smile for You and Your people. Amen.

 

St. Louis of Toulouse, pray for us.

Is it true that in heaven there’s a sign saying, “For Children Only, Adults Not Allowed”? - Daily Bible Reflections August 11,2015

THE KINGDOM BEGINS

 

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3

 

       These are the things I hated in myself when I lived a life of low selfworth: I’m short. I’m insecure. I’m not articulate. I’m shallow. I’m not mestizo. I hated my nose, eyes and lips.

      Then something pivotal and life-changing happened. More accurately, Someone happened in my life. His name is Jesus. He didn’t remove the things I hated in myself but He changed them to something better. He revalued them. In His Kingdom, everyone is made new!

       People find me approachable and huggable.

       I don’t let anyone feel left out and unloved.

       I turned childlike, sporty, strong and energetic!

       I can easily connect with people.

       I look so ordinary that people can easily identify with me.

       Bottom line, unless you are ready to become like a little child in your heart, you will not be able to move on and into His Kingdom!

       Let His Kingdom begin, because no one else can bless the world the way you can! Obet Cabrillas (kpreacherobet@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Is it true that in heaven there’s a sign saying, “For Children Only, Adults Not Allowed”?

 

Help me realize, O God, that when You created me, You broke the mold. Because You want me to touch the world in my own unique, loving way.

 

St. Clare, virgin, pray for us.

Has the sadness in your heart been dragging for too long? “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!” (Psalm 34:8). It’s time to get up and eat. Better days are coming - Daily Bible Reflections August 9,2015

IT’S TIME TO MOVE

 

“Get up and eat!” – 1 Kings 19:5

 

       Two years ago this day, I fell into depression. My heart was broken and I felt so sad. I just wanted to sleep the whole day like Elijah in the Scriptures. I dreaded waking up for it meant feeling the gnawing pain in my heart. Sleep became a form of escape for me. I didn’t want to eat and I became very sickly.

       I knew it was alright to feel sad when one is grieving. But at some point, prolonged sadness must end because it is unhealthy and kills your spirit. I realized that I needed to help myself. I opened my heart to God’s healing love and picked myself up by finding joy in the simple things again. Like eating my favorite food.

       As I began to enjoy eating, it gave me strength to face each day. Moving helped too, especially walking. Taking that first step is literally healing in itself.

       Helping your body become strong again through proper nutrition and exercise will help you overcome the blues. Along with prayers, they helped me move on and keep moving forward. Marjorie Ann Duterte (marjorie.travels@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Has the sadness in your heart been dragging for too long? “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!” (Psalm 34:8). It’s time to get up and eat. Better days are coming.

 

Dear Father, You are close to the brokenhearted. May there be joy where there is sadness. You will turn our mourning into dancing as we put our hope in You. Help us to help ourselves. Amen.

 

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.

Has anyone seen Jesus in you today? - Daily Bible Reflections August 8,2015

WITNESSING

 

... and let them be as a pendant on your forehead... – Deuteronomy 6:8

 

       Jim Henson, known as the creator of The Muppets and The Sesame Street characters among others, once said, “Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”

       Christian teachers are best remembered not by what they teach but how they live. The same is true for us parents who are first evangelizers in our own home long before we “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

       Our children, Peevee and Trina, are now adults, living their own lives, by God’s grace. But Raul and I know that no matter where they are, they would start a meal with a prayer, hear Mass every Sunday, look forward to attending the nine-day Misa de Gallo (Christmas dawn Masses), love the poor, speak the truth, and much more.

       Today’s First Reading reminds us to “love the Lord, your God, with your whole heart, and with your whole being, and with your whole strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Loving God begins at home and it begins with us. We are to be living witnesses for transformation in Christ and the best testimony would be our own children. “For every tree is known by its fruits” (Luke 6:44) Mari Sison-Garcia (mari_sison_garcia@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Has anyone seen Jesus in you today?

 

Lord, fill me with Your love and grace that You may become a pendant on my forehead wherever I go.

 

St. Dominic, priest, pray for us.