Daily Reflections- May 31, 2012

BURST OF BLESSINGS

 

The story of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the spirit of today’s liturgy is the exemplification of God’s graciousness. The grace that she received from God is the greatest wish of every Jewish lady: that of being chosen by Yahweh- God to be the mother of the much awaited Messiah. With such experience of God’s goodness, she goes with solicitude to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, to share the news of her unique pregnancy and to assist Elizabeth who was herself gifted with motherhood in her advanced years. The words of Mary’s “Magnificat,” however, underline to us that her visit to her cousin was more than a mere family event. Everything is part of the spiral of blessings that reaches out from her to the generations after her.

This has always been God’s way — that His grace burst out from the one He calls to the generations after. With Abraham, He promised blessings to the descendants after him. With Jacob, He blessed the 12 tribes that will form the chosen nation of Israel. With Moses, God opened His gift of liberation for all of Moses’ people, no matter how stubborn and stiff-necked they were. In David, Yahweh-God extended the blessings of a kingdom to generations after, until around 525 B.C. In the course of His three-year ministry, Jesus Himself used the figure of the sun to illustrate how the Heavenly Father spreads His benevolence to all, even to the good and the bad, the just and the unjust. In fact, during the evening meal that marked His last night with the disciples, Jesus ended the meal with a prayer of intercession for His disciples and for all those who will come to believe because of them.

Human memory works in a similar pattern. Good deeds done by an ancestor are remembered by others and they become a benediction for their children and their children’s children. The descendants reap the harvest of goodness long after the well-appreciated forefather is laid to rest.

It is no wonder then that grace is described in songs as a river flowing. Grace flows on and on — it bursts its way through. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Look into your own family line. Identify each member’s contribution to your life of blessings as a family. In what way can you also contribute to the burst of goodness and blessings in your family and the future generations?

 

Thank You, Lord, for my family. Use me to bless them even more, Lord.

Daily Bible Readings - May 31, 2012

1^ST READING

 

Mary goes to visit Elizabeth in order to do what she can to help the latter in her pregnancy. It is highly likely that she needs help as she was way past childbearing years when she became pregnant. First, it is Mary’s obedience to God that attracts our attention to her and now, it is her selflessness. Any study of her life is like a course in how to live as a Christian — Class 101.

 

Zephaniah 3:14-18 (or Romans 12:9-16)

14 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. 16 On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! 17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, 18 as one sings at festivals.

 

P S A L M

 

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

R: Among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Mary’s role in the work of salvation is unique. No one will ever bear the Son of God in their womb again. Yet, we are all called to bear the Son of God to the world through the lives we live — wherever we are, whatever we do and however we do it. Let us seek to grow in our understanding of the mission God has for each one of us so that we can fulfill it.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.

 

Luke 1:39-56

39 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 46 And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; 47 my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: 49 the Mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. 50 He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 51 He has shown strength of his arm, he has scatteredthe proud in their conceit. 52 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to help his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, 55 the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and to his children forever.” 56 Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

READING 2nd READING

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think: We are all called to bear the Son of God to the world through the lives we live — wherever we are, whatever we do and however we do it.

 

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

_________________________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Samuel 1-4  

Daily Reflections- May 30, 2012

THE ONE WHO DRANK THE CUP OF JESUS

 

Jesus challenged James and John that if they are to sit with Him in glory, to His right or to His left, they ought to be able to “drink the cup” that He Himself will drink. This expression of Jesus refers to His saving Passion and Death in Jerusalem (cf. Mark 14:36). The Lord corrects the popular thought among many Israelites who held the belief that the coming Messiah will be a Son of David who will continue the tradition of freeing the nation by political and military might. Also, among the circle of the Twelve Apostles, Jesus would like to underline that triumphalism is never His way. Instead, grace and blessings will flow through hardships and through the mystery of the Cross.

While preparing my talks and reflections that I wanted to share to various groups seeking retreats and recollections during the Lenten Season of 2011, I came to understand that Jesus’ words about the way of perfect discipleship were realized to the letter by the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was the one who was able to really “drink the cup” of Jesus’ Passion and Death. She did this when she stood calmly and faithfully at the foot of the Cross of Jesus in Calvary. She was not just there as a true mother to her Son Jesus. She was there, united with Jesus in her suffering, for the salvation of the world. She was there to immolate herself as Jesus also immolated Himself. Hence, a well-known theologian in the Church once said that next to Jesus, Mary was and is the only creature who understood not the theology of the Cross but the reality of the Cross.

There can be no complete picture of Christianity then without Mary. The Blessed Mother is not just the necessary conduit through whom the Mystery of Jesus’ Incarnation had to happen. The Blessed Mother is one with Jesus in His entire mission of doing the Heavenly Father’s will. Therefore, in His papal coat of arms, Pope John Paul II summarized Mary’s dignity not in terms of the story of Bethlehem but with consideration of her role during the Passion. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Is the Blessed Virgin Mary part of your own prayer and spirituality? Pray to her today for the grace to be able to “drink the cup” of Jesus.

 

Lord Jesus, thank Your for giving us the Blessed Virgin Mary to be our Mother, too. Grant me the grace to imitate her example of faithfulness and generosity in following Your will.

Daily Bible Readings - May 30, 2012

1^ST READING

 

Peter reminds us that a ransom was paid to free us from sin. It was Christ’s life that was given for this reason. This image of a ransom to make us understand the work of salvation helps to some degree, but we must remember that all images fall short of the full truth of the matter. In this case, the image does not provide an answer to the question, “Who was paid?” God is certainly not paying the devil.

 

1 Peter 1:18-25

18 Beloved: Realize that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 20 He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 21 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Since you have purified yourselves by obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another intensely from a pure heart. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, 24 for: “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

 

P S A L M

Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20

R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 14 He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Seeking places of honor in the Kingdom of God is anathema to Jesus. James and John, or at least their mother, ought to have known this. However, what can you do with a mother’s aspiration for greatness for her children? Let us learn from this story the need to be humble if we are going to pursue a life of holiness. That we are on the way to heaven will be sufficient for us; we do not need to aspire to

particular places at the feast of eternal life.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Son of Man came to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

Mark 10:32-45

32 The disciples were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles 34 who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” 37 They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The chalice that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. 42 Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. 43 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; 44 whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

READING 2nd READING

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think: We need to be humble if we are going to pursue a life of holiness.

 

 

1st READING 2nd READING

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

_________________________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 29-31 

Daily Reflections- May 24, 2012

ONENESS IS GODLINESS

 

This part of the long Last Supper story of Jesus according to St. John is called “the Priestly Prayer.” Jesus, exercising His role as mediator between the Heavenly Father and us, offers intercessory prayers in the manner of a priest — first for the Twelve Apostles, then for all of us. Above all things, Jesus prays for the grace of oneness for all believers in the same way that He and the Heavenly Father are one.

         Oneness is not a simple virtue in building relationships, like any other virtue in community. Oneness is part of a supernatural anointing for persons in a relationship, whether it is in a family or in a community. In the conferences for the Marriage Encounter Weekend, when the dynamics of the weekend come into the aspect of discussing marriage as a story about “You, I and God,” the presentation develops the following progressive flow of teachings:

1. Marriage is not just a human decision to love but a divine call. It is God who made man and He willed that man be male and female. God did so because it is not good for the male to be alone. In marriage, the man and the woman complete each other.

2. The divine call is first a call to be image and likeness of God. God is love, and a man and a woman in a relationship, more so in marriage, are called to be the image of love for one another. In fact, the creation of woman was brought about by God’s loving desire for man to be happy. Woman is then essentially the highest expression of God’s love for the man.

3. The divine call is secondly a call to be a community of oneness. God is love, and this essential nature of the divinity is manifested in two manners: first, in God’s being a community of Three Persons in one God, and second, in God’s care and oneness with humanity. Jesus communicated the Oneness of God to us by becoming truly human like us. The gift of oneness and unity is not just a human ideal then, but a true mark of godliness!Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: In what ways do you foster unity in mind and heart between you and your community members? In what ways do you experience personally the truth that Oneness is godliness?

 

Lord Jesus, teach me to be one with You, and may this unity flow to my relationship with others.

 

Daily Bible Readings - May 24, 2012

1^ST READING

 

Paul sets two rival groups against each other to distract them from getting together on the one issue that unites them. He is an astute man when it comes to politics. We saw a similar sort of ingenuity when he discovered the grave to the unknown God in Athens and proceeded to tell the Greeks that he knows the name of this God, namely Jesus. We need to pray for the grace to be able to think as quickly as Paul does when the situation demands it.

 

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11

30 Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. 23: 6 Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. 9 A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, “We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him into the compound. 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in  confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)                   

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus prays for unity among the believers. This is why disunity among the Christian Churches, within the Christian denominations, within the individual Churches, and within Christian families is a scandal to the proclamation of the Gospel. How are we to convince an unbeliever that we proclaim a Gospel of love and communion when the witness they see is fighting and division?

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the word may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.

 

John 17:20-26

20 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. 26 I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”

1st READING 2nd READING

GOSPEL PSALM`1

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think: How are we to convince an unbeliever that we proclaim a Gospel of love and communion when the witness they see is fighting and division?

 

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

_________________________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Sam

Daily Reflections- May 23, 2012

HEARTFELT AND AFFECTIONATE PRAYER

 

We have already noted from yesterday that our Gospel passages these days are unique. It is of course the prayer of Jesus for us, the High Priestly Prayer. In the words of the Preface for Easter III, He is indeed “our priest, our advocate who pleads our cause.”

In the meantime, our First Reading today is also a very tender scene. It is the farewell of Paul to the church leaders of Ephesus, with him giving them his final advice before he leaves for Jerusalem. Afterwards, it is stated that Paul “knelt down with them all and prayed. They began to weep without restraint, throwing his arms around him and kissing him.”

Somehow we can understand such a display of heartfelt emotions and affectionate gestures on the part of the early Christian community. They would never see Paul again after that. Also we, in our prayer, need not be “stiff and formal,” as though it’s only done through formulas and rituals. Giving way to our genuine feelings and sincere affections need not be alien to prayer.

Just like the Ephesians together with Paul then, our prayer should be just as heartfelt, affectionate and sincere. And, if even Jesus Himself prays (for us, at that), then there should be no excuses for us to skip this most important expression and component of our faith. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How open are you in expressing to God your deepest feelings and thoughts? What is preventing you from doing so?

 

Father in heaven, help me to break down the barriers between us. Help me to see You as a gentle and loving God who accepts me as I am, weaknesses and all.

Daily Bible Readings - May 23, 2012

1^ST READING

 

It is good to reflect on the idea that there is more blessing in giving than in receiving. The irony of this statement is that if we all believed this as true, then we would probably receive more gifts than if we believe the opposite. We would all seek to give of ourselves to each other. However, the human spirit, being what it is, seems to rule the day and we tend to seek to receive rather than give.

 

Acts 20:28-38

28 At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. 33 I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. 35 In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, 38 for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

 

P S A L M

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35, 35-36

R: Sing to the God, O kingdoms of the earth.

28 [29] Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; 29 [30] for your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. (R) 32 [33] You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord 33 [34] who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. (R) Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: 34 [35] “Confess the power of God!” (R) Over Israel in his majesty; his power is in the skies. 35 [36] Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

The more we follow Jesus and commit ourselves to the Kingdom of God, the more we leave behind the world and all its ways. This is what conversion is all about — letting go of the world in order to take up a new life that is focused on heaven. Let us reconcile ourselves to this idea as we make the choices a disciple of Jesus needs to make to be faithful to the Gospel.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

 

John 17:11-19

11 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. 12 When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. 16 They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19 And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

1st READING 2nd READING

GOSPEL PSALM

think: The more we follow Jesus and commit ourselves to the Kingdom of God, the more we leave behind the world and all its ways.

1 Samuel 1-4

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

_________________________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 1-4

Daily Reflections- May 22, 2012

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER

 

We begin reading Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel, which is still part of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. This time, however, there is a decisive shift. Instead of Jesus addressing His disciples (as He has been doing so far, like leaving His final instructions, assuring them of His continuous presence, and so on), this time we have a Jesus who “looked up to heaven” and prayed to the Father. Today, tomorrow and on Thursday, our Gospel reading is from this so-called High Priestly Prayer of Jesus during the Last Supper.

To think that Jesus prayed for us is already in itself a source of inspiration. “The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful” (James 5:16). We often ask people (close friends, priests and religious, especially) to pray for us. But here now is a plain and simple fact that we can forever take consolation and strength in. Imagine: no less than Christ Himself, at that one crucial point in His life, prayed for us.

Hopefully we shall not render Jesus’ prayer in vain, or undo it with our lives! It’s true — no less than Jesus Himself is the one praying for us. How can God the Father not hear His prayer? But it’s also true that in some strange, mysterious way, the answer to His prayer lies in our own hands. Why is that? As Aesop pointed out from of old, “Heaven helps those who help themselves.” There are no guarantees that prayer alone automatically generates positive results.

          And so even if no less than Jesus Himself is the one praying for us — we repeat — it all still depends on us. The essential collaboration and fusion between God’s grace and man’s effort is definitely non-negotiable. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who do you rely on to pray for you when you need it? How can you be that someone, too, for others?

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for praying for us. Thank You for the sending us righteous people to intercede for us in prayer.

Daily Bible Readings - May 22, 2012

1^ST READING

 

Paul senses that his life is soon coming to an end. This does not cause him to despair or worry about his future; all he can think of is the welfare of the communities he has founded and perhaps the future that awaits him in heaven. Let us all seek to be detached from the things of the world so that when God calls us home to Himself, we will be more than ready to go.

 

Acts 20:17-27

17 From Miletus Paul had the presbyters of the Church at Ephesus summoned. 18 When they came to him, he addressed them, “You know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me because of the plots of the Jews, 20 and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes. 21 I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, 23 except that in one city after another the Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. 24 Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. 26 And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, 27 for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21

R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

9 [10] A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance; you restored the land when it languished; 10 [11] your flock settled in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy. (R) 19 [20] Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation. 20 [21] God is a saving God for us; the Lord, my Lord, controls the passageways of death. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

It is an interesting exercise to reflect on the life of the Triune God to understand how their relationships work. Theologians over the centuries have done this and still they report that the nature of the Trinity remains a mystery to us. However, we do know that as three Persons in one substance, the relationships They have with each other become the basis for any true understanding of communion.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.

 

John 17:1-11

1 Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, 2 just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him. 3 Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. 6 “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, 8 because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, 10 and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

READING 2nd READING

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think: Let us all seek to be detached from the things of the world so that when God calls us home to Himself, we will be more than ready to go.

 

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

 

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ruth 1-4

Daily Reflections- May 21, 2012

TAKING COURAGE WITH THE LORD

 

With the Solemnity of the Ascension just yesterday, we are in a mood of serene acceptance, calm and confidence. Similar to the disciples’ reaction to Jesus in the Gospel of today, we can rest our case and just let Jesus be. We, too, are telling Him, “There is no need for anyone to ask you questions.” But Jesus shatters our naiveté again. “An hour is coming... when you will be scattered and each will go his way... You will suffer in the world.” Sure, the inescapable realities of hardship and suffering are ours as well. Elsewhere our Lord Jesus declared, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). But the best part is that the very same Jesus — who endured suffering for our sake — is assuring us, “I tell you all this that in me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world.”

It’s quite hard to believe that Jesus first uttered these words on the night before He died, shortly before He was captured and tried. “I have overcome the world.” How could He have said that?

In hindsight, we do know that He is right, just as He always is. He has, indeed, overcome the world. What a jump from His saying, “You will suffer in the world,” to “I have overcome the world.”

It is such a power of Jesus Christ which gives us the proper serenity, confidence and calm. Not any sort of cocky naiveté on our part. Rather, it is Jesus — and Jesus alone. Indeed, He alone is our rock, our fortress, our shield, our place of refuge. With Him alone, we truly do not need to ask Him any more questions. With Him alone, we can indeed take courage. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What helps you overcome your trials and difficulties? Do you take courage in Jesus’ words?

 

Lord Jesus, grant me courage, serenity and confidence in the midst of a challenging world.

Daily Bible Readings - May 21, 2012

1^ST READING

 

There is more to baptism than the forgiveness of sins. It is also the time when we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that distinguishes the baptisms of John and Jesus, and it is an enormous difference. Without the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to live the life of holiness that we are all called to. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live as true disciples of Jesus.

 

Acts 19:1-8

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” 4 Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 Altogether there were about twelve men. 8 He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 68:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

1 [2] God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. 2 [3] As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire. (R) 3 [4] But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. 4 [5] Sing to God, chant praise to his name, extol him who rides upon the clouds, whose name is the Lord. (R) 5 [6] The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. 6 [7] God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus knows that the Apostles will struggle to remain faithful to His commission to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. In fact, the Church today still struggles with exactly the same commission. It is up to us to take up the task of proclaiming the Gospel and so continue the work of the Church in our day.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

 

John 16:29-33

29 The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32 Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

TODAY’S

BLESSING

LIST

think: Without the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to live the life of holiness that we are all called to.

 

T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

_________________________________________________________

 

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judges 17-21

Daily Reflections- May 20, 2012

CHRIST’S CONTINUING PRESENCE

 

How ironic of Jesus to assure us of His continuing presence (“Know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!” – Matthew 28:20) right at the moment of His departure. But perhaps He is implying that His Ascension into heaven isn’t really a leave-taking in the first place. Rather, our Lord is now entering into a new dimension of presence. No longer physical, but nonetheless real and valid.

In fact, now that we no longer have the literal, physical presence of Jesus with us, He is nevertheless present in us through various other ways: in our liturgical gatherings, in His Word, and in the Holy Eucharist.

We can also say, to some extent, that He is present in the human person, in each and every one of us. And thank God, even in today’s world, we are not without shining exemplars of God’s loving presence in the saints. Through them (even if not necessarily the official, canonized ones), the light of Christ’s earthly life shines in our midst.

Saints need not be exceptional, hard-to-find people in this world. They’re just actually there, going about their ordinary everyday affairs. They’re not bathed in celestial light or perfumed with sanctity. They have no visions and perform no miracles. They are men and women who simply love God and their neighbor, and they prove it in a thousand different ways in their work, in their prayer, and acts of self-sacrificing charity.

And so, since Jesus is no longer physically present with us now, it’s up to the “plain saints” (including us hopefully) to continue His work here on earth. Not just to continue it, in fact, but even to “surpass” it (see John 14:12)! If Jesus were to remain here on earth still, He would be in a sense “limited” by the dimensions of time and space. We now can “exceed” Him in our own little way as we carry out the unfinished business He had begun. We are now the extensions of our Lord Jesus, His proxies, if you will.Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: In what ways are you carrying out Jesus’ unfinished business?

 

Lord Jesus, You have left us with the mission to fulfill Your plan for our lives. Help us to do them with zeal and with love.