Have you ever tried to run away from God’s love? Did you succeed? - Daily Bible Reflections May 6,2015

ALWAYS WITH ME   “Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” – John 15:4          My father passed away in October 2012. A year and a half later, I would still cry whenever I share about him during a talk or a recollection. I’d be surprised to find that I still hadn’t gotten over his death. Then I heard someone on a TV show say, “When someone you love passes away, they stay with you forever. You don’t get over it, you just get through it.”        The significant things that happen to us in life affect us forever. The high or low of the moment will pass, but after we experience them, we have been changed for good. Although Dad is gone, he will always be with me. Everything I’ve learned from him, all the love he showed me, all the time we spent together — they will always be a part of my life.        It’s the same with Jesus. I once tried to run away from Him, but it didn’t work. I found myself all the more embraced by His mercy as I broke down in tears on my bathroom floor, feeling His forgiveness and grace.        Once we allow God to enter our lives, His love makes its home in our hearts. Even if we turn our back on Him and try to forget Him, we can never get rid of His stubborn love. It will remain with us forever. George Tolentino Gabriel (george.g@svrtv.com)   Reflection: Have you ever tried to run away from God’s love? Did you succeed?   Jesus, thank You for never giving up on me.   Sts. Marian and James, pray for us.

Are you getting yourself disqualified from heaven because you’re too puffed up with pride? - Daily Bible Reflections May 5,2015

BE HUMILIFIED   It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. – Acts 14:22          Humilify. I needed a word that describes how God corrects us when we forget He’s the one in charge, the boss, the one who makes things happen. I didn’t even think there was such a word. My computer’s spell checker underlined it in red.      But I wanted to use this word instead of “humiliate” because in humiliation there’s shame involved. I wanted a more loving word because even when God corrects, He still loves.        I was surprised that when I Googled it, there it was. One definition given was “gently putting someone in their place.”        Don’t you sometimes feel that God is humilifying you? A project or event you prepared for wasn’t the hit you thought it would be. You get bypassed for a promotion or removed from a prestigious position. You get tossed by your One True Love for someone prettier or hunkier or younger. And these things happen just when you thought you were the best, the most powerful, the most wonderful creature in the universe.        Being humilified is a hardship we need to undergo because it purifies us and qualifies us to enter God’s Kingdom. Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)   Reflection: Are you getting yourself disqualified from heaven because you’re too puffed up with pride?   Lord, help me to see that the hardships that humilify me are just Your ways to keep me grounded on You.   St. Asaph, bishop, pray for us.

Do you run “toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)? - Daily Bible Reflections May 4,2015

LOVER OF JESUS

 

“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.” – John 14:21

 

      On October 10, 2013, one of the pioneers of the Charismatic Renewal in the Philippines suddenly went home to be with the Lord.

       Mike Joseph, Jr. was just 60 years old when he died. He was the spiritual mentor of lay preacher Bo Sanchez in his younger years.

       Mike touched many lives during his not-so-long stint on earth. Those who know him remember him to be a humble and compassionate person.

       In our sharing group of preachers, where Mike used to be a member, all of us would hush and listen whenever he spoke. His words were powerful and full of wisdom, not just because of his decades of experience in ministry but more so because he was someone who loved and lived for Jesus. It was easy to see that Mike reflected the love of Christ.

       On the last day of his life, Mike was at the gym on a stationary bike. He unceremoniously slumped and looked like he had fallen asleep. Mike died with his running shoes on. For sure, at the last moment of his life, he ran to Jesus. Rissa Singson Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: Do you run “toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)?

 

Lord, our life here on earth is so short. Teach us to love and obey Your commandments that will bring us to eternal happiness with You. Amen.

 

Blessed Michael Giedroyc, pray for us.

 

Do you share God’s love to the people you work with? Do you reflect Jesus to the people you meet? - Daily Bible Reflections April 30,2015

DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY?   “... Whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” – John 13:20          “It’s very difficult to be unhappy when life has meaning.”        I got this phrase from Father Dennis Paez’s homily in a singles’ retreat organized by the Makati Feast. He said that if you know your purpose, you can never be unhappy, even if you try.        I started attending prayer meetings at a young age because someone was bold enough to invite me. At first, I was too embarrassed to invite my friends to join the prayer meetings because I didn’t want to be mocked at and labelled as corny.        Then, as I matured in my spiritual life, I heard the Lord telling me deep in my heart, “I don’t want you to just invite people. I want you to bring the light to the people around you.”        Once I reflected on this, I did my part in becoming the best I could be. I began my day by asking Him to bless the work that I’d be doing. I still experience the same problems as before but what changed is that I go through these trials with a smile in my heart.        I believe that this disposition radiates to the people I work with and they appreciate the light I bring to them — the light that comes from God. Jan Carlo Silan (jan@makatifeast.com)   Reflection: Do you share God’s love to the people you work with?  Do you reflect Jesus to the people you meet?   Lord, You are my source of happiness and hope. Fill me so that I can share this love to others. Amen.   St. Pius V, pope, pray for us.