Are you afraid to stand up and speak for what is right and moral? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you - Daily Reflections January 22, 2016

SPEAK OUT FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

Today is the 43rd anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The case divided people into pro-choice and pro-life camps, while launching various movements on both sides. January 22 has been formally named as the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.”

       About four years ago, I took a sabbatical course in California. It was a highly rewarding break for me. I was not only spiritually enriched but was drawn closer to the needs and challenges of the people, especially in that part of the world. During my stay in the United States, I learned about pro-life campaigns like “Walk for Life, Respect Life” and the “40 Days for Life.” I got involved in the initiatives. On a regular basis, a prayer rally was held in front of the Planned Parenthood facility there, with Catholics coming from different areas, armed with their rosaries, seeking Mama Mary’s intercession to put a stop to abortion, notwithstanding the various reactions to the campaign.

       But the grace of God flows. I learned that by the end of a “40 Days for Life” campaign in 2015, two more abortion centers, where the campaigns were conducted, shut down, bringing the total number of closed abortion facilities to 59 in just eight years, saving a total of 10,000 would-have-been “unborn” lives. Also, six more workers had a change of heart that same year and quit the abortion industry, bringing the total number of workers who have quit to 107.

    That changed my life. I experienced first-hand that standing for righteousness is not easy. It is most of the time challenging but always fruitful and fulfilling. In our daily lives, we hear about senseless crimes directed to the unborn. We are exposed to countless evils in our society, and we seem helpless, or simply not helping. But the truth is, there is something we can do. Let us not think twice to denounce evil actions — to speak out for what is moral and right. Fr. Erick Santos, OFS

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you afraid to stand up and speak for what is right and moral? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you.

 

Holy Spirit, I depend on You to embolden me to speak up for God’s truth whenever I see and experience anything that is contrary to His commands. Amen.

 

Do you spend time communing with God every day? - Daily Reflections January 21,2016

WASTING TIME WITH GOD

 

Jesus’ popularity had increased and it became hard for Him to move around freely. The news of His preachings had spread all over the cities and a large crowd sought Him. He asked His disciples to secure a small boat to be away from the crowd for a while. In the end, He gave strict orders to those who had been healed not to tell others about Him.

       Jesus was afraid that people sought Him other than the purpose for which He had come, which was to proclaim the Good News of salvation and not just to heal and perform miracles. While He was compassionate to those who were sick, He was more concerned about the spiritual healing of everyone.

       It is interesting that Jesus decided to withdraw awhile from the crowd. He was not tired, irritated or had enough. Jesus always allotted time for Himself and the Father. In other words, Jesus prayed a lot. Prayer is the mark of a leader. It is the mark of a Christian.

     Particularly, that private moment of Jesus with His Father is about seeking inspiration, asking for continued guidance,commitment to obedience, and knowing God’s will. The intimacy and bond with His Father are present throughout Jesus’ life and ministry. Human as He was and subjected to a lot of temptation, He weathered everything not on His own strength but with the Father.

       We can learn from Jesus. We, too, should constantly be in touch with the Father. Our life’s direction should be in accordance with the Father’s will. We cannot but depend on Him. What we have should always be complemented by the Father’s grace.

    Jesus was able to fulfill His mission because of His constant communication with the Father. We are expected to do no less. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you spend time communing with God every day? If not, try doing so daily and see how your life will change through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

 

Dearest God, make me more faithful in spending time with You each day. Amen.

Are there practices that you are doing but do not know why? It’s time to look at them closely and see if they are attuned to God’s will - Daily Reflections January 18,2016

OLD OR NEW?

 

Jesus and His disciples were questioned why they were not fasting. Jesus reminded them that they did not fast because He was still with them. Then He told them the parable of the old and new wineskins.

       It was customary to fast while waiting for the coming of the bridegroom during weddings. It was an anticipation of the celebration upon the groom’s arrival. In this case, Jesus was the Bridegroom. He was the Messiah, the One they were waiting for. Since He was already with them, fasting was pointless. The rituals of the Pharisees were already irrelevant since their purposes were now fulfilled in Jesus.

       The same message is embodied in the succeeding parables. Old cloth should not be patched with new cloth because the latter would shrink and worsen the tear. New wine should not be put into old wineskin because fermentation of the new wine will make it expand, thus stretching the old wineskin. Simply put, they could not be together. Similarly, the old ways of the Pharisees could not fit with the newness that Jesus brings.

       The situation of the Pharisees was not easy. Their blindness and rigidity even worsened it. They could not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

       Laws are important but they are not absolute and perfect. We have to give space for flexibility and spontaneity. God is active and living. He is not stagnant. God continues to reveal Himself. We must be ready to meet Him when He comes. We should not be tied and paralyzed by rituals and laws. We must continue to discern and be humble to accept what God will give us. That way, we will not miss Him like the Pharisees did. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are there practices that you are doing but do not know why? It’s time to look at them closely and see if they are attuned to God’s will.

 

Lord, grant me light and wisdom in everything that I do. To love You and serve You is my lone desire. Amen.

Do you need forgiveness and healing? Avail of the sacrament of reconciliation today - Daily Reflections January 15,2016

FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY

 

The Gospel tells us of one man and his friends who badly wanted to avail of the healing touch of Jesus. They climbed up the roof and dug their way down to be in His presence. To lower the sick man through the roof, they created a stir in the room below, both from the noise and the falling pieces of mud and dirt. Jesus saw their faith, Mark tells us, which is a clue and a key to this whole story. They demonstrated their faith through their actions.

       In the story, the crowd, which includes religious leaders, represents a barrier that is keeping the man away from Jesus. This is the man’s experience as a result of his paralysis. Paralytics then were of little or no value in society and often left to fend for themselves. But Jesus demonstrated again that He has authority to forgive sins and to make the lame walk. His works showed that His authority was genuine just as our actions demonstrate the genuineness of our faith.

       Forgiveness is a basic need which comes in two forms: the need to be forgiven, and the need to forgive. In both cases, the result is release, liberation and healing: release from the prison of guilt and fear that is caused by the thought of hurting somebody and making his life miserable; liberation from the bondage of doubt and uncertainty that we are loved despite our shortcomings; and healing from anger and resentment caused by negative memory that keeps us fixated on the past.

       I invite you to spend time in silence today. Look at the cross of Jesus and meditate on this message:“Your sins are forgiven.” The cross means forgiveness. It has the shape of a key because forgiveness is the key. Talk to a priest. Spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and there find mercy, joy and peace. Know in your heart that your sins are forgiven.

       May we all take up our mats and walk, glorifying the Lord with our lives! Fr. Erick Santos, OFS

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you need forgiveness and healing? Avail of the sacrament of reconciliation today.

 

Lord, I need Your healing grace so I can walk more faithfully with You. Forgive me for my transgressions and lead me to Your light. Amen.

Are you in need of healing? Go to God’s instruments of healing and pray in faith that you will be healed - Daily Reflections January 14,2016

IT IS GOD WHO HEALS

 

Jesus cures a leper who asked if He was willing to do it. It was a bold and desperate move by the leper. Jesus responded positively. How can He refuse such faith? It is interesting that He told the leper to be mum about it except to the priests in the temple.

       Much of what Jesus required were Jewish customs. The instruction to keep quiet was more because He did not want to be known only as a miracle worker. There were others who also healed during those times. Even today, an act like that would immediately draw attention and following. People hunger for miracles. Jesus was afraid He would be lined up with other  miracle workers then. In the process, it would be more difficult to convince them that He is the Messiah. They will seek and follow Him because of the miracles and not the Good News.

       Leprosy was an incurable disease then. It was sin-related. Lepers were not allowed to mix with the community. They were thrown outside the village and they all lived together. They were considered living dead. Thus, the desperate move by the leper on Jesus. The leper had nothing to lose. His faith and courage earned him his healing, both spiritually and physically. The visit to the priest and the offering of his healing were acts of gratitude to God and a message to the priests. Unfortunately, the priests denied the sign.

       The healing continues today. Jesus’ healing power is present in every Christian in varying degrees. All who are sick today — spiritually and physically — may seek healing in Jesus’ name. Priests are designated healers in a special way because of the order of the priesthood. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is an avenue of the healing power of God. Priests, nuns and lay healers emerge now and then. God uses them to effect total healing. But never forget that it is God who heals. Fr. Benny Tuazon

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you in need of healing? Go to God’s instruments of healing and pray in faith that you will be healed.

 

Heal me, Lord, and make me whole so I can serve You more. Amen.