Daily Reflections

November 30, 2011
FISHERS OF MEN

Unlike most of the apostles, we can make some assumptions on the life of Andrew. He is the brother of Simon, later named Peter. He was a fisherman like his brother and lived in Galilee. He was a disciple of John the Baptist. He brings the two fish to Jesus in response to Jesus’ challenge of feeding the multitudes.
It is not hard to notice that Andrew is an evangelist. He is the one who leads Peter to Jesus. It was to Andrew that we owe the visitation of the Greeks. Some Greeks came to him to inquire about Jesus. Right from the start of Jesus’ public ministry, he had a glimpse of who He was. He was curious to know more about Jesus. Upon asking Jesus where He lived, Jesus invited him to come and see. Andrew and his companion stayed with Jesus for the rest of that day. Who knows what exchange went on in those hours?
In today’s Gospel, we read that Jesus was watching them cast their nets before He called out to them. This watchful gaze of the Lord pierces the heart of men when they notice and hear Him calling them. What is amazing is their readiness in following Jesus. Perhaps in his heart Andrew knew it would only be a matter of time before the Lord would capture his heart. They left everything to follow Him. I would imagine that Andrew, touched by his first encounter with Jesus, would have found it easy to leave his nets to follow Jesus.
The response of Andrew is an example for us. He left everything and followed the Lord. A simple fisherman, yet his heart was set upon the Lord and His call for his life. Too many times, we cast our nets into empty waters.
Is the Lord calling you to cast a glance His way and follow Him? Maybe you are casting your net in the wrong direction. Ask the Lord and He will guide you in the right direction. Then you will be a fisher of men. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Are we willing to let go and let God take over our lives?

Lord, thank You for calling me to be a fisher of men. Amen.

St. Zosimus, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 29, 2011
THE JOY OF JESUS

One can almost feel joy leap from the pages of Scripture as we read the Gospel today. Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit because the will of the Father is being fulfilled in His very midst. There is a great sense of exultation and exuberant gratitude in Jesus’ prayer to the Father.
The disciples have just returned from the various ministries. They are overwhelmed at the wonders and marvels of God. As they report all that has been accomplished, Jesus responds in joy. That which has been kept hidden from the wise and the clever is being revealed to mere children, those not so knowledgeable. This is Jesus’ joy! This is also our joy. We have been given the blessing of the knowledge of the Father. Jesus has chosen us to have this knowledge.
Having made the public display of praise, He turns to His disciples in a very private way and proclaims their blessedness. They see and hear what the prophets of old have longed for — the coming of the Messiah. St. John of the Cross informs us that God has spoken one definitive word and that is Jesus the Word made Flesh. He has nothing more to say. The Church teaches us that Jesus is the revelation of the Father. He is the image of the invisible God — that is something to rejoice in. Jesus teaches us the will of the Father. He communicates the desires, hopes, plans and love of the Father. To see Jesus is to see the Father.
In this time of Advent, let us imitate the joyous expression of Jesus. We are made co-sharers and co-workers in Jesus’ joy. Jesus has come into our midst to provide access to the Father. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Him, our hopes are restored and we find the true joy of salvation. In His name, we can rejoice because what has been hidden is now exposed and made clear to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our names are written in the book of Life. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
How is the revelation of Jesus made known to you?

Thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus has revealed Himself to me. Amen.

St. Sadwen, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 28, 2011
I AM NOT WORTHY

A foreigner, a Gentile, approaches Jesus. He asks Jesus to cure a servant who happens to be paralyzed. Jesus is amazed at the centurion’s faith. He simply asks Jesus to issue the command and the centurion believes that it will occur.
As a man of authority himself, he understands the power there is in issuing commands. He knows that people would obey him. People are under his authority. He commands and they act! Jesus is amazed at this act of faith. The faith of the centurion opens the door for Jesus to enter the world of the Gentiles. Jesus has come to save and heal.
The response of the centurion is the same response we proclaim to the Lord at the time of Holy Communion in Mass. When the priest raises the Sacred Host in his hand and points to the Lamb of God, we say, “Lord I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” These are the very same words of humility spoken by the centurion. We participate in the Lord’s Supper, the communion of love and life, healing and salvation of the Lord. May our faith please Him as we seek Him who is our Savior.
Advent is that time we remember that salvation has dawned upon us. During this time, we remember the humility of God in becoming a small child. He is born in utter poverty out of love for humanity. In this light, we want to respond in humility. Jesus comes under our roof, into our homes, into our hearts, into our lives, into our society. Are we ready to receive Him, the Healer and Savior of the world? The Greek word salous is close to our English word saved. It is derived from the word “health.” So Jesus is Savior, the Health of the world, the Healer of the world. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Pray that the Lord will come and heal those who are sick in your midst.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed. Amen.

St. James Thompson, Blessed, pray for us.

Daily Bible Readings

November 27, 2011
THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS

A beautiful song, “The Potter’s Hand,” describes God as the potter who molds us into His own awesome work of art. It is the first Sunday of Advent. As we begin a new liturgical year, we renew ourselves with the truth that we are God’s children, the work of His hands. Today’s first reading reminds us again that we are the clay and God is the potter.
Pottery is a wonderful craft —extremely time consuming, constantly dirty, always awkward, yet very rewarding. Imagine what the potter beholds after he completes his hard work. The potter’s hands are constantly dirty. God, similar to the potter, comes to us in our mess. We remember at this time Christ who was born for us into the messiness of humanity’s sin.
Pottery is time consuming. Many times the potter has to remold and reshape the work until it becomes perfect. In the heat of the kiln, time flies as the clay dries up and is fashioned according to the mind of the creator.
Clay is very awkward. It takes a lot of patience to shape and mold the wet clay that too often slips in the potter’s hands. If the potter’s hands are not strong and steady, the clay goes whichever way it wills. Thus, the image of the clay and potter is an apt image as we begin this Advent season.
Advent is a time of preparation. We prepare our hearts like clay before the Potter, Creator God. Our hearts have wandered away from the Lord, hardened and obstinate, unwilling to submit to God’s love and care. The prophet tells us we have become like polluted rags, withered leaves. It is time to call upon the Redeemer, the all-powerful Potter to reshape and fashion us according to His likeness and image.
Let us rejoice again in our Creator God, the Potter, whose hands are steady and strong, ready to uphold us again in His mighty power and merciful love. We are messy sinners, wet clay, needing the Redeemer to bring us back into His loving presence. We need the warmth of His love, like the kiln, to purify us and bring the work of His hands to completion.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
You are like wet, supple clay, ready for the Lord to work on this season of Advent.

Melt me, mold me, use me, walk beside me. I give myself to the Potter’s hands.

Blessed Michael Takeshita, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 26, 2011
THE LAST DAY

Today is the last day of the liturgical year. The Church has us reflect on the last things in today’s liturgy. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray that we may not be put to the test and that we may be delivered from evil. This is a prayer of protection for the last days, that we would endure and hold fast when the time of testing comes.
Jesus informs His disciples to pray constantly and pray for the strength to escape the final temptation to resist the enemy who is at hand. Jesus tells us that we are to be sober, not drunk in self-indulgence and revelry. The last day will come upon us like a trap as Jesus often explained in the parables. The Second Coming will not be unannounced. Unlike the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, all people will see the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus is kind and considerate. He knows how easily we forget these things.
Each day we should act as if it will be our last. We never know when we will be called back to the Living God. Death comes upon us so suddenly. Jesus is telling us the same thing — when He comes again, it will be sudden. Let us be watchful and vigilant at heart.
As we end another season (Ordinary Time), it is always good to see how we have been vigilant. Our hearts must be willing and able to meet the Lord when the call of death comes. Jesus informs us in the Gospel to be secure in the knowledge of God’s love for us. Let us live accordingly. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Have you been a faithful follower of Jesus?

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

St. Conrad, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 25, 2011
VISION OF GOD

The first reading is one of the four visions of Daniel. God has also bestowed the gift of insight upon Daniel. He gazes upon visions into the night, similar to what we hear in John’s revelations. The language is similarly apocryphal. Daniel completed the book shortly after the fall of the Babylonian Empire.
As Daniel gazes upon his visions, he notices four immense beasts. They represent the various empires that were to take dominance over the Jewish people, namely, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. As he gazes, he sees the sovereign God, the Ancient One, take His place upon the throne. As the books of judgment opened in heaven, he sees one like the son of man. In the new Covenant, this finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the Christ.
The great sea represents the world and all its people. Each beast in the vision has a story of victory and defeat. The lion with eagle’s wings depicts the nation of Babylon with its power torn from beneath it. The bear on its side represents the superiority of the Persian with their various conquests over Lydia, Babylon and Egypt. The leopard signifies the speedy conquests of Alexander the Great. The fourth terrifying beast is the great Roman Empire with its irresistible and surpassing power.
The language is rich in detail and graphics. One can easily imagine this entire scene taking place as if in a movie. One can almost become lost and overwhelmed by the imagery presented to us in the book. The visions are full of hope, awe and wonder at the ultimate victory that God has over His chosen people. Written at the time of Jewish persecution, it would have given a new heart to those who read it.
There are times in our lives when we need vision; without a vision people perish. It is a way of looking beyond, seeing that there is a way out of the present trials and hardships that one is facing. It is not an escape from reality but a looking into the future. It tells us that all will be well because God is in control. Let us be encouraged by the vision of Daniel that we can look beyond the dark night of death into the glorious light of the resurrection. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
What is your vision?

Lord, give me a vision for my life that I may see Your guiding light. Amen.

St. Jucunda, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 24, 2011
SAVED FROM THE LIONS

The first reading is a well-known story for most of us. Daniel is thrown into the den of the lions out of disobedience to the decrees of the king.
The king has great admiration for Daniel for his exceptional administrative qualities. In fact, the king plans to have him rule over the kingdom. Out of jealousy, his fellow administrators seek to make charges against him. Daniel is the faithful Jew. He prays three times a day as is the custom of the Jews. He prays facing Jerusalem in his land of exile. While at prayer, his conspirators rush to the king to demand his life. He has disobeyed the absolute and irrevocable decree of the king that no one is to address a plea except to the king. The king is disturbed. He considers Daniel as one of his chief of staff. Because of his decree and its irrevocable status, it must be obeyed. Daniel, the disobedient, must be punished for his crime against the king. In a remarkable act of God, Daniel is saved from the lions. God in His goodness kept the lions at distance from Daniel the whole evening. It was another act of the sovereign God. With this miracle, the king issues a new decree — the God of Daniel is to be revered and feared. In a beautiful testimony, the king converts the whole nation to the Deliverer and Savior, the God of Daniel, the Lord God of Israel.
The story reveals the just rewards of the ones who place their faith in God. “Nothing will ever separate us from the love of God,” proclaims St. Paul. He who remains faithful to the end, enduring all trials and difficulties, will always see the victory of God. This is the story of Jesus. Right to the very end of His life, He placed His faith in the Lord, the only one who could save him. The story of Daniel is a fine example for us all. In the face of trying circumstances, are we willing to trust in the Lord? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
What are the pressing issues surrounding your life? Will you stand up for the truth?

Lord, You are my Deliverer and Savior. Save me from those who persecute me. Amen.

St. Colman of Cloyne, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 23, 2011
HOLINESS OF GOD

One of the main themes that we see throughout the Book of Daniel isthat of God’s sovereignty. This is the theme of the story of the first reading today.
The king is having an elaborate party with his friends. The party has many guests, officials of the kingdom. It was a party for the richest and finest of the kingdom. While under the influence of alcohol, they revel in sacrilegious ritual. The temple’s finery of vessels are handed over to the people. As they begin to drink from the costly vessels stolen from the temple in Jerusalem, they notice a strange sight. The fingers of a hand appear, writing on the wall for everyone to see. This sight shakes the king. He does not understand the writing, but he has some kind of feeling that it is not good. He calls upon his sages to interpret the writing. None of them could interpret it.
Daniel, the wise interpreter of the king, comes into his presence and begins to decipher the writing on the wall. It reveals measures of weight and monies. The king is weighed against the standards of God and is seen as abominable in the sight of God. God appears in the form of a hand to bring down the judgment to the king. God is the righteous King and would have no one underestimate His authority and power. Jesus states in the Gospel that by the finger of God, Satan is cast out. Evil has no place in the Kingdom of God. God will not tolerate absurd and idolatrous worship.
We must be very careful with the way we act. God will not tolerate behavior that is opposed to His commandments. All of us are to give an account of what we have done in service to the Lord and in keeping His commandments. We must respect things that are of God. We need to develop a reverence for the holy. Jesus is present in every tabernacle and awaits our adoration. At Mass, we must prepare well for what we are to receive in communion. In our daily lives, we must treat one another with utmost respect and dignity for the Sacred Presence is within him. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Let us examine our conscience again this day and seek to reverence the Lord who is among us.

God, all powerful Father, we adore You and reverence Your presence in our lives. Amen.

St. Columban, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 22, 2011
The END

A city can be quite dazzling to a newcomer. Lights, towering buildings and huge malls catch the eyes of a new person hitting a city for the first time. One can imagine how awestruck the disciples were as they wandered around the Temple of Herod. Herod’s Temple was known for its extravagance in beauty, architecture and adornments. It was one of Herod’s main projects. Jesus turns their attention to the fact that the beauty they see will one day be no more. As a prophet, He is speaking of the destruction of the temple and the city itself, Jerusalem. Forty years after His death this was fulfilled. The destruction of the temple and city was a great blow to the people of Israel.
Jesus connects the prophecy of the destruction of the temple with the end of the world. The things that will happen to Jerusalem will be the prelude to the end of the world. The world as we know it will be destroyed. Some people think the end of the world is near, judging by the catastrophes that are happening nowadays, one after the other. Luke gives his version of the eschatological discourse. It will be a dramatic sight for all. All will know the end is nigh, but Jesus reminds His followers to not be afraid, to trust in Him.
I once heard of a nervous lector who, at the end of the first reading, stated triumphantly, “Brothers and sisters, this is the end of the world!” Everyone was aghast as they realized she meant, “Brothers and sisters, this is the Word of the Lord!”
The language that we hear of the end times is weird indeed. It is hard to put our heads around it because it seems so other-worldly. Earthquakes and famine will occur, terror and signs in the sky will be appearing, but there is no cause for alarm. Many will say, “I am he,” referring to the anti-Christ. Many will say the time is at hand, but even Jesus mentioned He did not know the hour or day. The important thing is to be watchful and ready for the coming of the end of the world. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
How will you spend your last day on earth?

Lord, prepare my heart for the coming of Your Son. Amen.

Sts. Mark & Stephen, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 21, 2011
The riches of god

The Gospel of Luke has a number of titles associated with it. One of the many titles is the Gospel of the Poor. Luke has a preferential option for the poor. Today, Jesus observes the widow, who represents the poor of Israel.
The setting is that of the women’s court in the temple. Within the temple, there are trumpet-like receptacles for people to drop their donations. Jesus watches as the people enter the temple and the sight of a widow catches His attention. The widow pays her respects to the Presence of God in the Temple. Jesus notices that many of the rich make their offerings. However, this widow gives her all — every penny she had to live on!
The coins that the widow puts in are perhaps equivalent to five centavos in the Philippines — the smallest currency used nowadays. The copper coins of the widow were the smallest in circulation at the time of Jesus. Most striking, according to Jesus, is the fact that the widow puts in two coins. She could have kept one coin for herself. Instead, the whole of her livelihood is spent for the Lord. The others contributed out of their surplus. They had other resources that they could rely upon — but not the poor widow. Her act surely touched the heart of Jesus.
Often we act like the rich. We are willing to give our all to God, but keep the little that we have — just in case. Do we really trust in the Lord? He will surely provide. This was the faith of the widow. She trusted in her God that He would provide. Who knows how she lived that day? Perhaps some good and kind person had pity upon her.
Today, the Church celebrates the Presentation of Mary in the temple. Tradition tells us that Mary, at a young age, presented herself to the Lord. This prophetic act would find its fulfillment in her submission to God — on becoming the mother of Jesus.
Let us imitate Mary’s faith and that of the widow in the Gospel. Both women placed their lives in the hands of God’s providential care. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
What return will I make for the Lord?

Lord, You have given all to me. Now I return it to You. Amen.

St. Digain, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 20, 2011
YOU DID IT TO ME

The Last Sunday in Ordinary Time is always the celebration of Christ the King. It was formerly on the last Sunday of October. After Vatican II, it was transferred to the Last Sunday in Ordinary Time. Pope Pius XI instituted this feast on December 11, 1925 to combat the rising secularism and atheistic communism so rampant at that time. He established this feast so that people might again turn to their King and their Lord — Jesus Christ.
In the first reading, we hear of the call of the shepherd King who separates people as sheep and goats. The mixed flocks of sheep and goats were a common sight in Palestine. At night, the goats were inside since they preferred the warmth, whereas the sheep preferred the open air. Admired by their shepherds, the sheep are given preferential treatment, hence the Gospel of the sheep and goats.
In this Gospel, we read about the sin of omission. At the Last Judgment, we will not only be judged by our actions, good or evil. We will also be judged on our failure to do good when the need arises in our lives. Mother Teresa of Calcutta would teach her sisters the “Gospel on five fingers,” as she would count on the fingers of her hand the words of Matthew 25:40, “You did it to me.” Did we see and help the Christ among us or did we reject them? How often in a day do we reject or accept Christ among us?
Once, Jesus said to the disciples as the woman washed His feet, you will always have the poor among you. Every day we have an opportunity to visit the sick, visit the lonely prisoners, feed the hungry, quench the thirsty and clothe the naked. Christ is on our doorstep every day. Are we able to recognize Him? Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Reflect on the words “you did it to me.”

Lord, help me clothe the naked, feed the hungry, comfort the sick, visit the lonely and satisfy the thirsty. Amen.

St. Edmund Rich, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 19, 2011
LIFE FOREVER

I once heard a joke: The Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection so they are “sad, you see” (Sadd...u... cees). Get it?
The Sadducees were a dominant religious group that originated during the times of the Maccabees dynasty. Their name meant “righteous ones.” They were the society’s aristocrats, rich descendants of high priests. In their many belief systems, they denied the concept of life after death and the resurrection of the body.
The Sadducees opposed Jesus because He accepted more than the teachings of the Torah, the authoritative tool for the Sadducees. They also opposed Jesus out of fear of losing their powerful wealth and influence with the ruling power of the day, the Romans.
They came to pose their problem to Jesus, hoping to ridicule His belief in the resurrection. They began by citing the Law of Moses, the chief authority on such matters of life and religion. Jesus was intelligent in His reply as He stated the obvious: there is no marriage in heaven. Marriage is an earthly reality, instituted by God for man and woman on earth. They are no longer united in heaven as if married, but all become sons and daughters of God in the Kingdom. He was able to turn the issue on their head by citing Moses. The famous burning bush account clearly suggested that God is the Lord of the living.
All are alive in God. Jesus has given us access to the Father of life. It is the will of the Father that none be lost. While we live on earth, there are certain realities and states of life that are good and holy in living out God’s will. Our time on earth is short so we are to make the most of it.
There is a resurrection of the dead. There is life eternal and there is life after death. Eternal life awaits those who have put their trust in the Lord. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
What are you waiting for?

I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come. Amen. (Profession of Faith)

St. Crispin, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 18, 2011
CoME!

A little more than a week ago, we celebrated the dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica. Today we celebrate the memorial of two basilicas in Rome — Sts. Peter and Paul. Both basilicas share the same date though one is slightly older than the other. The Basilica of St. Peter is on top of the tomb of St. Peter. He was crucified upside down during the great persecution in Rome under Emperor Nero, 64 A.D. The Basilica of St. Paul is on Via Ostia, outside the ancient city walls of Rome. Paul was beheaded with a sword, as the legend goes; his head bounced three times, hence the Tre Fontan (Three Fountains).
The story narrated by Matthew is a delightful story of placing our trust in the Lord. The Apostles, caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, are struggling. Interestingly, the waters are the places whereby evil reign. It is no wonder that in their fright, the Apostles scream that the one walking on the water is a ghost. Immediately, Jesus calms their fears by calling out to them.
As Peter begins to walk on the water, I guess the greatest mistake he made was to look down. The moment he perceived the wind, he became frightened and began to sink. From this account, we notice that the Lord is always willing to save. We just need to call upon His name and we shall be saved. Jesus always encourages us: Do not be afraid!
Perhaps we are to take the risk, similar to Peter, to step out of the boat. The boat represents that comfort zone where we would rather stay because it is a shelter from the storm. In fact, Peter is the bravest of all the Apostles — perhaps the most stupid also! Yes, he takes the step of faith. He believes in Jesus. He is ready to follow the call of the Lord.
Certainly, in our lives, the winds may become fierce and the storm so destructive, but the Lord is always ready to hasten to our aid. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Is Jesus calling you to step out of the boat?

Faithful and kind God, I place my faith in You. Do not abandon me when I call upon Your name. Amen.

St. Odo, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 17, 2011
GOD AMONG US

In the Gospel, there are only two instances when we see Jesus weeping. First, when he approaches Jerusalem, and secondly, upon hearing the news of the death of Lazarus. The evangelists often state the human emotions of Jesus. He thought with a human mind, worked with human hands and truly loved with a human heart. Jesus weeps here at the closed heart of the people. God is right there in the midst to visit His people and He goes unnoticed. As prophet, He foretells the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem, which saw its fulfilment in 70 A.D.
For Luke, the whole Gospel has been the journey towards Jerusalem. Now, as Jesus catches the sight of the city, which He loves and has travelled many times before, His heart breaks. His face has been set like flint. He is very aware of His plight. Many prophets have gone before Him to the city and have died for the cause of right. He seems like one of the many — and yet He is determined to set foot once again. Jesus weeps at their non-acceptance of the Savior and the future destruction of the city.
What a shame to miss the opportunity. Jesus’ heart is shattered at the loss they will experience. He has done all He could. He taught and worked among His own. St. John states in his prologue, “His own did not accept Him.” His heart wrenched as He experienced the despair and faithless people whom He loved. Only a few days from now, Jesus would die from a broken heart on the Cross.
The contrast of this visitation is amazing as we reflect on the visitation of Mary to her relative, Elizabeth. One is characterized by joy; another by sadness. One is gladly accepted; the other is utterly rejected. The Spirit-filled Elizabeth proclaimed the mighty deeds of God. The influence of evil, like a dark cloud hanging over the city, overshadows the visit to Jerusalem. Jesus sets His heart on the will of the Father; we can imagine His anguish in the garden that night at Gethsemane. Let us accept the Lord as He visits His people. Let us be willing to take up every opportunity as He comes to save, heal and deliver. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Jesus desires to visit you. Will you welcome His visitation?

Emmanuel, God with us, come and set Your people free. Amen.

St. Hilda, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 16, 2011
AT THE HOUR OF DEATH

The pagan empires that sought to bring destruction to the lives of the people constantly tested the Jewish faith. The Seleucids took over the Roman Empire and sought to establish their reign with pagan gods and rituals. The book of Maccabees is an inspiring account of the early Jewish martyrs who sought favour from the Lord in the midst of horrific trials.
In the first reading, we read an amazing account of a mother’s exhortation to her sons during the trial of the King. The woman speaks to her sons reminding them of their ancestors and the faith they put in the Lord. The King summons her to influence her son to obey his will. The woman does not give way to the King’s will but instead calls her son to obey the will of the Creator, the One who in His mercy gives life and breath. In the face of death, the young son does not shrink from his faith in the Lord. With firm resolve before the King and his mother, he obeys the commands of the law given through Moses.
The character of the mother is very inspiring. She is noble in her speech towards her son, offering words of encouragement. She edifies them in their faith by speaking the truth in love. She prefigures the most noble mother, Mary, who stands by us offering words of hope. We are to be encouraged by the presence of the mother at the hour of the death of her sons. She exhorts them to live as they have died — in faithful obedience to the law of God, by which we are all to be judged at the last day. Mary also supports us in our faith despite the hurling accusations of the evil one. Beautifully illustrated in the story is the heart of a mother. Let us have recourse to our Mother Mary who will be with us to the very end. She assists us in our life; she will not abandon us at the hour of death. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Mediate on the words of exhortation of the mother in the first reading.

I call upon You, Lord, for You will answer me. Amen.

Daily Reflections

November 15, 2011
WELCOME HOME!

I can really sympathize with Zacchaeus. I am a short man myself and often find it difficult looking over the crowd. He has a good idea. In order to catch a glimpse of this Jesus, Zacchaeus decides to climb a sycamore tree. Can you imagine a short, fat man climbing a sycamore tree? The sycamore was a sturdy tree found on the roadside for its shady branches, 30 to 40 feet high. It must have been quite a sight that day in Jericho. In a humorous way, Luke tells us that he was trying to see what Jesus looked like.
Jesus was passing by and Zacchaeus did not want the opportunity to pass. He had heard of Jesus’ fame for it had spread through the countryside. Now the chance had come for Zacchaeus to meet the Lord. Luke informs us that Zacchaeus was a wealthy man. He was the chief tax collector, despised by his fellow Jews for his corruption since he sided with the Romans. Today was going to be fortunate for short Zacchaeus. Jesus asked to stay at his house. The response of the chief tax collector was amazing. He hurriedly descended and at once welcomed his guest to the house.
Zacchaeus reconsidered, and Luke narrates a conversion going on in his heart. At the murmuring offences of the crowd, Zacchaeus made a stand. He gave half of his belongings to the poor and a fourfold payback to whomever he had extorted anything as a chief tax collector. Something happened! Zacchaeus came to his senses. He welcomes Jesus into his home, welcoming the gift of salvation. He repents of his injustice and is found by the Lord. Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Do you want to see Jesus? Zacchaeus did not realize he was the one being sought after by the Lord. Jesus is always searching for the lost. He is our Savior and desires that we have eternal life. We may not have to climb a sycamore tree to see Jesus. In fact, Jesus is right here in our midst. As we meet the Lord, something happens. We realize that we are loved and accepted. We are forgiven and given the chance to repent and live again. Jesus has saved us. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
What stops you from receiving Jesus into your life?

Lord, I repent of my sins and welcome You into my home. Amen.

St. Leopold, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 14, 2011
THE BLIND WILL SEE

One can imagine the joy the blind beggar experienced at having his sight restored. Many people would have passed this beggar, as we often do so in our own city streets. Blind beggars are a common sight to us as they were in the days of Jesus. Sometimes we might feel obliged, or out of pity, to give a few coins or some food. For the blind man of Jericho, today was a fresh beginning for the rest of his life.
In a beautiful way, Luke tells us that Jesus stopped and asked that the man be brought to Him. The first thing that Jesus does is ask him a question, “What do you want me to do for you?” The reply is obvious, “Lord, I want to see.” The blind beggar had enough of this lifestyle. Imagine the shame and embarrassment of having to beg at the side of the road. His life must have been one of constant rejection. He was an outcast thrown on the edges of society. He must have heard of Jesus, the miracle worker, the teacher, the Rabbi. He makes his own mind. For him, Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of David. Like the widow in the Gospel, we see the persistence of the beggar. He would not allow the voices to drown his calling out to the Lord. His cry for mercy reached the ears of Jesus. The faith of the man touches the heart of Jesus. By his faith, the man receives his sight. His immediate response when receiving his sight is to follow Jesus. He becomes a disciple of the Son of David.
We, too, must cry out to the Lord for His mercy. We are beggars on the outside, seeking a place within the heart of Jesus. As we cry out, many will silence us. This must not be a cause for disappointment but, with renewed vigor and faith, we should continue to cry out to the Lord.
We, too, are blind through our sins. We need the Lord to restore our sight so that we see Him again. Perhaps we have lost sight of the Lord. We have become blind to His presence in our lives. The blind beggar was never the same. He met Jesus on the road and Jesus met the deepest need within his heart. The blind man could see again and, with renewed sight, he followed the Lord. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Is there anything that blinds you from the presence of the Lord in your life?

Lord, I want to see. Amen.

St. Modanic, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 13, 2011
TIME , TALENT AND TREASURE

As we draw near the end of the year, the Church’s liturgy is focused upon the end times. Today, we hear about the steward’s talents, given and shared. Right from the start of the parable, Jesus tells us that the landowner gives each servant the funds according to their ability. The owner knows his men and in giving them the talents according to their ability, he expects that they will put their talents to good use. The first two are productive; the third is lazy with his talents.
The term talent was equivalent to a weight measure of 75 pounds. Notice that the owner distributes the talents accordingly. Nowadays, the term talent is used to describe some kind of gift or ability. Talents or abilities are given to us, and it is up to us to use them well. The first two are reliable, productive, industrious and dependable. Lazy and wickeddescribe the third. God expects us to use our talents well, not to be lazy and wicked with what we have.
The three Ts are very good for our meditation, namely, time, talent and treasure. How well do we use them? The servants were well rewarded in using their time, talent and treasure accordingly. The amount given them doubles as they prove to be trustworthy. The other had his talents taken from him and given to one who would use them more
productively.
God will deal with us accordingly. We must take every opportunity to use our time well. We have 24 hours in a day — how do we use it for God? What is our treasure? How well do we share our wealth? Do we hide it? What are our talents? How well do we use them for God, church and society? The measure with which we give is the measure by which we will be judged. Would it not be wonderful to hear the Lord say to us at the end of our life, “Well done, you shall share your Master’s joy”? So let us begin today by reflecting on our time, talents and treasure with firm resolve to use them accordingly. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
What are my time, talents and treasure? Do I use them well?

Lord, You have truly blessed mewith time, talents and treasure. Help me to use them according to Your will. Amen.

St. Didacus, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 12, 2011
PERSEVERE IN PRAYER

One of the many titles of Luke’s Gospel is the “Gospel of prayer.” Within this Gospel, we see many accounts of prayer. The reading today is one of many.
Today, we meditate on the prayer of petition. Luke makes his comment at the beginning of the parable: pray constantly and do not lose heart.
Luke describes two characters. One is the judge who has no regard for people. He is incapable of shame. On the other hand, there is the widow, an example of the poor and marginalized in the society. Luke does not tell us of the widow’s circumstances. We do know that she is persistent; she would come repeatedly. The judge, as we understand, has no care for God or man. However, because of the persistence of the widow, he gives in to her petitions. He wants to be spared from any violence; he does not want a black eye. The moral of the story is that if this corrupt judge can give in, how much more God, the righteous judge, will give in to the cry of those who call upon him?
The story is very simple, touched with Luke’s humor. We are to “storm heaven” with our prayers. Jesus tells us to call out day and night. No matter how often we pray, we are not to lose hope and heart over what may seem so impossible. St. Paul tells us that good things come to those who wait upon the Lord. The widow could have easily become discouraged. Moreover, she could have given up a long time ago. Seemingly, the judge would not budge. He would not give in. It was only to spare himself from being bothered that he gave in. One may wonder why it took the judge so long to favor the widow. It tells us just how corrupt and non-fearing he was to God and man. Taking care of the widow was one of the highest statutes of the law. This poor widow had every right to be heard and fairly dealt with. The widow gives us a fine example of persistence in prayer. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Are you persistent in prayer?

Lord, I always call upon You in my need. Help me not lose heart. Amen.

St. Machar, pray for us.

Daily Reflections

November 11, 2011
ARE YOU READY OR NOT?


Every Mass, we acclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. The first two events have come and gone, the third has yet to be fulfilled. Some say that Jesus has already come by the coming down of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Others say He has come again at the Resurrection, or at the moment of the believer’s conversion. Jesus tells us that it will be noticeable to all.

At least we have an idea when Jesus will come again when we do not expect it. We are to be watchful, ready and waiting. The Second Coming reminds me of the children’s game, hide and seek. One cries out, “Ready or not, here I come!” I suppose it will be like that when Jesus comes again. Are you ready… or not?

In the Gospel, Jesus warns us of the suddenness of His coming. He cites two characters, Noah and Lot, as examples. Noah was a righteous man. God asked Noah to build an ark in preparation for the upcoming flood that would wipe out all of humanity. God was grieved at the wickedness of man. Some would be spared, such as Noah and his family. People were doing normal activities when the flood came unexpectedly.

Lot was the nephew of Abraham. After the visitors came to his place, they warned Lot to escape the imminent destruction of the city of Sodom. At once, the whole city was destroyed. It was as sudden as a tropical storm that one experiences in the rainy season of the Philippines.

The suddenness and unexpected arrival of the coming of the Son of man need not be a cause for alarm. We are to stand in firm confidence that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Therefore, we should take care of how we act. That’s why the daily examen is a good spiritual practice. It enables us to keep a check upon our life. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

Reflection Question:
Are you ready?

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

St. Aba Mina, pray for us.