Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God).
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"
John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit."

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB



Commentary of the day : 

Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church
Sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent

"Prepare the way of the Lord"

Since our divine Savior is so near, what are we to do to prepare ourselves for his coming ? Saint John the Baptist teaches us : « Repent! » he says, « bring low those mountains of pride, fill those valleys of laziness and pusillanimity, for salvation is near at hand. » The ‘valleys’ are nothing other than fear which, when it becomes too great, leads to discouragement. The sight of the great sins we have committed brings with them a shock and fear that strikes the heart. These are the valleys we have to fill with trust and hope for the coming of our Lord.

« Bring low mountains and hills » : what are these but presumption, pride and self-esteem, which is a very great hindrance to our Lord’s coming, who is accustomed to humble and bring low the proud, for he penetrates right to the bottom of our hearts to uncover the pride hidden within them. “Level the highways, the crooked ways make straight to make them a plain.” This is as though he were to say: “Put right all those doubtful intentions so that you may have none but that of pleasing God by doing penance, this being the goal to which we should all aim.”

Make straight the path, smooth down your feelings by the mortification of your passions, inclinations and aversions. Oh, what a desirable thing it is, this equanimity of mind and feeling; how faithfully we ought to work to acquire it! For we are more changing and inconstant than can be told. People are to be found who at one moment, being in a good temper, will be of a pleasant and joyful conversation; yet look on the other side and you will find them sad and restless – in sum, the winding and uneven ways are to be made straight for the coming of our Lord.

 

“Great signs in heaven”

Luke 21:5-11.

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said,
"All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. 

Commentary of the day : 

Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350), Bishop of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church
Baptismal catechesis 15

“Great signs in heaven”

The Lord who was lifted up in the clouds will come from heaven on the clouds (Acts 1,9). Indeed, it was he who said: “And they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory”, (Mt 24,30). But what will the true sign of his coming be, for fear that the powers of our enemies dare to deceive us by simulating them? “And then the sign of the Son of Man,” he said, “will appear in heaven,” (Mt 24,30). Now, the true and distinctive sign of Christ is the cross. The sign of a shining cross goes before the king designating the one who had first of all been crucified so that those who beforehand had pierced him with nails and surrounded him with snares might beat their breasts at this sight (Zec 12,10), saying: “Behold him who was buffeted, whose face was spat upon, the one who was bound with chains, who in times past was humbled on the cross.” “Where shall we flee from the face of your anger?” they will say. And, surrounded by the angelic hosts, they will find no hiding place anywhere, (cf Rv 6,16-17).

Fear will be the sign where enemies of the cross are concerned; but joy for its friends, who have believed in, preached or suffered for it. Who will then have the happiness of being found a friend of Christ? This glorious king, whom a guard of angels surrounds and who sits on the same throne as his Father, will not shun his servants (Rv 3,21). So that the elect are not confused with his enemies, “he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds,” (Mt 24,31). He did not forget Lot in his isolation (cf. Gn 19,15; Lk 17,28); how could he forget the great multitude of the just? “Come, you who are blessed by my Father,” (Mt 25,34) is what he is going to say to those who will be carried off on chariots of cloud and whom the angels will gather together.

"If this day you only knew what makes for peace"

Luke 19:41-44

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it,
saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."

 


Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB



Commentary of the day :

Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938), Spanish Trappist monk
Spiritual writings, 23/02/1938


"If this day you only knew what makes for peace"

I leaned out of the window… The sun was beginning to rise. A great peace reigned over nature. Everything began to wake up: earth, sky, birds. Everything began, little by little, to wake up under God’s order. Everything obeyed his divine laws without complaint or sudden spurts, gently, smoothly, the light as much as the darkness, the blue sky as much as the hard earth covered with morning dew. How good God is, I thought! There is peace everywhere except in the human heart.

And delicately, gently, by means of this sweet and peaceful dawn, God taught me, too, to obey : a very great peace filled my soul. I thought how God alone is good, how all is ordained by him, how nothing is of importance in what people do or say, and how, where I am concerned, there must be nothing else in the world but God. God who will arrange everything for my good. God who causes the sun to rise each morning, who makes the ice melt, who cause the birds to sing and changes the clouds of heaven in a thousand soft colors. God who offers me a little corner on this earth for prayer, who gives me a little corner in which to wait for what I hope.

God is so good to me that, in the silence, he speaks to my heart and teaches me, little by little, sometimes in tears, always with the cross, to detach myself from creatures, not to look for perfection except in him, and who shows me Mary and says to me : « Here is the only perfect creature ; you will find in her the love and charity you fail to find in men. What are you complaining about, Brother Raphael? Love me; suffer with me; it is I, Jesus!”

"for today I must stay at your house."

Luke 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

Reflection:

Our Gospel for today is inspiring us every moment of our life. Let me share to you 2 points as my reflection of our Gospel for today. Let me talked about our desire and openness to God. I chose the line for "today I must stay at your house."Because it struck me most and good phrase to reflect. 

Firstly, our desire to know Gd and be with God is always innate in us. We search for Him in our life without knowing and recognizing that it is God who finds us first. This desire like Zacchaeus will lead us to a better sight of looking God in our life. The bright side of life is to be with God despite of our trials and tribulations in life. As Zacchaeus desired to see Jesus we too need to have that desire so we can see Him in the dept of our heart. Seeing Jesus to other people is difficult but, if we ask for the grace he will surely provide us.

Secondly, because we desire for God or to see Jesus working in us then we must open our heart for Him. Remember the openness of Zacchaeus' heart that he even welcomed Jesus. Have you seen or have you observed how these encounter change Zacchaeus' life. His conversion right then and there save him and his faith to Jesus was really evident. For Jesus reminds us that "the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost." 

Many times we were lost in our Christian way of life, but always remember and ponder that God is always there waiting for all of us. We just need to desire and ask for God's grace of openness to see Him in our day to day life encounter. 

Have a blessed day to all of us.

Seminarian Carlito Brazil -Gemina

St. Joseph Seminary of Ipil

Mathew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately
the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master's money.
After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'
(Then) the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”

 Commentary of the day :

Saint Jerome (347-420), priest, translator of the Bible, Doctor of the Church

"A man... called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them"

There is no question but that this householder is Christ. After his resurrection, when he was about to return triumphantly to the Father, he called his apostles and entrusted them with the Gospel teaching, giving more to one, less to the other, never too much or too little but according to the abilities of those who received it. In the same way the apostle Paul said that he had fed with milk those unable to take solid food (1Co 3,2)...

Five, two, one talent: let us take these to be the different graces granted to each, whether the five senses for the first; understanding of faith and works for the second; the reasons for distinguishing us from other creatures for the third. “The one who received five talents went away and traded with them and made another five.” That is to say, besides the physical and material senses he had received he added knowledge of heavenly things. His knowledge was raised from the creatures to the Creator, from the corporal to the incorporeal, from the visible to the invisible, from the transient to the eternal. “The one who received two made another two.” This one likewise, according to his ability, doubled in the school of the Gospel what he had learned in the school of the Law. Or perhaps we could say that he understood that knowledge of faith and the works of this present life lead to future happiness. “But the man who received one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.” In the grip of works here below and of worldly pleasures the wicked servant neglected God's commands. However, let us note that, according to another evangelist, he wrapped it in a linen cloth: by this we could understand that he took away the force of his master's teaching by a life of softness and pleasure...

The master welcomed the first two servants… with the same words of praise. “Come,” he said, “share in your master's joy and receive what eye has not seen and ear has not heard and what has not entered the human heart” (1Cor 2,9). What greater reward could be bestowed on a faithful servant?

"The kingdom of God is among you"

Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, “The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, 

and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you."

Then he said to his disciples, "The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 

There will be those who will say to you, 'Look, there he is,' (or) 'Look, here he is.' Do not go off, do not run in pursuit. 

For just as lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be (in his day). 

But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation. 

Commentary of the day :

Isaac the Syrian (7th century), monk near Mosul, saint of the Orthodox churches
Discourse, 1st series, no.30

"The kingdom of God is among you"

Thanksgiving and the gratitude of the receiver encourages the giver to give yet more. But someone who does not say ‘thank you’ for the smallest of things can only be a liar and unjust in great ones. Someone who is sick and knows about his sickness is able to ask for healing; someone who acknowledges his suffering is close to healing and will easily find it…

Remember the fall of those who believed themselves strong and be humble in the midst of virtue… Cast out your ‘self’ and your enemy will be cast at a distance. Set yourself at peace and heaven and earth will fill you with peace. Strive to enter into the treasure house of your heart and you will see the treasure house of heaven. For both are the same thing; entering one you will see both. The ladder to this Kingdom is within you, concealed in your soul. Plunge within yourself to uncover your sins there: it is there that you will find the steps by which to raise yourself up… “The Kingdom of heaven is within you.” 

A farewell to my big sister sarah....

Luke 17:7-10

Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

Let me deal with my reflection today on 'we have done what we were obliged to do".

This reflection is more of a tribute to my big sister Sarah, who has somehow influence me in my way of life. If i am in WMSU i make it sure i pass by her or else ambot nalang. 

She's brave i would say and she does things with sincerity and hardworking. A good leader i would say. She does when it can help her or even others. She's one of a kind of specie that will be honest to you and will not leave you hanging unless other wise. 

May she be blessed in all her endeavor and think that she is obliged to do the will of God and not of any others will. She's a little bit singer too. talented, i can vouch that.

Be of help to those in need and continue to serve others. The Lord is always in your side if anything goes for better or for worst PRAY. Prayer is our obligation to God and can strengthen our relationship to our God. 

Always in prayer,

Carlito

"Forgiving seven times a day"

Luke 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur.
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him."
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Commentary of the day :

Isaac of Stella (?-c.1171), Cistercian monk
Sermon 31 : PL 194,1792, SC 207

Forgiving seven times a day

« Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ »; « Bearing with one another in love » (Gal 6,2 ; Eph 4,2) : these are indeed Christ’s law. When I notice something in my brother that cannot be corrected due to some difficulty or physical or moral infirmity, why can’t I bear with him patiently, why not wholeheartedly comfort him according to the words of Scripture: “As nurslings you shall be carried in their arms and comforted on their lap”? (Is 66,12). Could it be that I am lacking in the charity that bears with everything, that upholds with patience and loves with indulgence? (cf 1Cor 13,7). Such, in any case, is the law of Christ. In his Passion he truly : “took our sufferings on himself” and in his mercy “endured our sorrows” (Is 53,4), loving those he carried and carrying those he loved.

But he who, to the contrary, shows himself aggressive to this brother in difficulty, who sets a snare for his weakness, whatever it might be, obviously submits to the devil’s law and does it. So be compassionate to one another and full of brotherly love; bear with weaknesses and cast out vices… And truly, any kind of life that allows us to give ourselves more genuinely to the love of God and, for his sake, to love of neighbour – whether in religious or secular life – is pleasing to God.

"bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame"

Luke 14:15-24

incarnationparish.org 

One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God."

He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. 

When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, 'Come, everything is now ready.' 

But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.' 

And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.' 

And another said, 'I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.' 

The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.' 

The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.' 

The master then ordered the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. 

For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'" 

Reflection:

Let me share to you my simple reflection on the passage that strike me most. I will be sharing two (2) points in the passage; being called and being blessed.

First, being called. We are all called by God in a very special way as He describes in the book of Psalms and in Jeremiah...He knows us through and through. We are invited by our God to be a good follower and doer of Christian values. Yes, it may sound heavy bu the very invitation is to learn to love others and self so that we can love God.

Second, being blessed. Day to day in our existence we are called and were blessed in a special way by God. We are blessed by the gift of life and graces we have. The gift of Family or even our gift of community. We have the gift of people, friendship and companionship. We are all blessed for He is with us from time to time and He called us to be united in Him in prayer and by doing good to others. Our act of doing good is an act of LOVE that we transcend to others.

Lastly, because we know for a fact that we are called and blessed by God, we have an invitation to do good things to others who are in need and show our act of LOVE to others. Be a bearer of God's love and peace. Be an instrument of God for others to know God and show how God loves His flock.

HAPAGASA PICTURE

                                                      













LUKE 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Commentary of the day :

Saint Gregory Nazianzen (330-390), Bishop and Doctor of the Church
On love of the poor, 4-6; PG 35, 863

“You taught your people by these deeds that those who are just must be kind” (Wis 12:19)

The first and the greatest of the commandments, that on which the Law and the prophets are based (Mt 22,40), is love, which it seems to me brings its greatest proof in love of the poor, in tenderness and compassion for one’s neighbor. Nothing gives as much honor to God as mercy, for nothing is more like him. “Mercy and truth go before him,” (Ps 88[89],15) and he prefers mercy to judgment (Hos 6,6). Nothing attracts the kindness of the Friend of humankind as much as kindness towards humankind (Wis 1:6); his reward is just, he weighs and measures mercy.

We must open our hearts to all who are poor and unhappy, whatever their suffering might be. That is the meaning of the commandment which requires us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Rom 12,15) Since we are also human, is it not right and proper for us to be kind towards those who are like us?

"Reclining at table in the kingdom of God"

Luke 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them,
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'
And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Commentary of the day :

Julian of Norwich (1342-after 1416), recluse
Revelations of divine love, ch. 39 (trans. ©Classics of Western spirituality, 1978)

"Reclining at table in the kingdom of God"

[When sinners acknowledge their sin], divine grace causes such great contrition, compassion and true longing for God that the sinner, suddenly delivered from sin and from pain, is raised up… By contrition we are made clean, by compassion we are made ready, and by true longing for God we are made worthy. These are three means, as I understand, through which all souls come to heaven, those, that is to say, who have been sinners on earth and will be saved. For every sinful soul must be healed by these medicines. Though he be healed, his wounds are not seen by God as wounds but as honors. And as we are punished here with sorrow and penance, in contrary fashion we shall
be rewarded in heaven by the courteous love of our almighty God… For he regards sin as sorrow and pains for his lovers, to whom for love he assigns no blame. The reward which we shall receive will not be small, but it will be great, glorious and honourable. And so all shame will be turned into honor and joy.

For our courteous Lord does not want his servants to despair because they fall often and grievously; for our falling does not hinder him in loving us... He wants us so to take heed that he is the foundation of our whole life in love, and furthermore that he is our everlasting protector, and mightily defends us against all our enemies, who are very cruel and very fierce towards us, and so our need is great, the more so because by our falling we give them occasion.

"I" created by "YOU"

 by: Sem. Carlito Brazil Gemina

 

You know me through and though,
You know me through rough and smooth,
You know me through my fears and strength,
You know me through thick and thin.


I know you created me,
I know you love me,
I know you value me,
I know you first seek me.

You care because you love me,
I know that you love me.
You called me first before i answer you,
I know you called me.

This is my reflection on 2nd day of retreat inspired by PSALM 27.

"blessed are those servants"

Luke12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants." 

Reflections:

 "blessed are those servants"

Many of us would really like to be served by others. We want and easy life and we always want to be at the top. Let me journey with you today as we reflect on the phrase "blessed are those servants." May would say they wanted to serve God but it is really difficult to do such. Our human limitations are sometimes the hindrance to commit our selves in the service.

But, friend let me tell you that serving God is to serve first the "least of our brethren". If we cannot sere their needs how more we can serve God. May we always be an instrument to serve others, to others, and for others.

Have an open heart and ask for the grace of God today with humility to show you and let you feel his divine service in your existence. Be with others and serve others needs. The Church needs you now. Serve the Church, help the Church of the poor.

If I have not yet served my family how can i serve my other neighbor, so my friend today's invitation is to know more of our self and reflect if "have i serve? for we heard "blessed are those servants" for the greater glory of God serve others with out any return.

"And they began to act with hostility toward him"

Luke 11:47-54

The Lord said: “Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed.
Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building.
Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute'
in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."
When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things,
for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

Commentary of the day :

Baldwin of Ford (?-c.1190), Cistercian abbot
The Sacrament of the altar, II, 1 (SC 93)

"And they began to act with hostility toward him"

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3,16). This only Son “was offered”, not because his enemies overcame him but because “he surrendered himself” (cf. Is 53,12). “He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end” (Jn 13,1). This “end” was the death he accepted on behalf of those whom he loved; this was the end of all perfection, the end of perfect love, for “there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends” (Jn 15,13).

This love of Christ's was more stronger in the death of Christ than his enemies' hatred, for hatred could only do what love permitted it to do. Judas - or the enemies of Christ –delivered him up to death through wicked hatred. The Father delivered his Son, and the Son delivered himself to death through love (Rom 8,32; Gal 2,20). Love, however, is by no means guilty of betrayal; it is innocent even when Christ dies of it. Since love alone is able to carry out with impunity whatever it pleases. Only love can constrain God and, as it were, give him orders. This it was that caused him to descend from heaven and placed him on the cross; this it was that shed Christ's blood for the remission of sins in an act that was as innocent as it was salutary. All our thanksgiving for the salvation of the world is thus owing to love. And it constrains us, with inescapable logic, to love Christ as much as people were able to hate him.

 

"Blessed is she who believed"

Luke 11:27-28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed."
He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." 

Commentary of the day :

Pope Francis
Apostolic Exhortation « Evangelii Gaudium /The Joy of the Gospel» § 288 (trans. © copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

"Blessed is she who believed" (Lk 1,45)

Mary, Virgin and Mother,
you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,
welcomed the word of life
in the depths of your humble faith:
as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,
help us to say our own “yes”
to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,
to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

Filled with Christ’s presence,
you brought joy to John the Baptist,
making him exult in the womb of his mother (Lk 1,41).
Brimming over with joy,
you sang of the great things done by God (Lk 1,46f).
Standing at the foot of the cross
with unyielding faith (Jn 19,25),
you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection,
and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit
so that the evangelizing Church might be born (Acts 1,14).

Obtain for us now a new ardour born of the resurrection,
that we may bring to all the Gospel of life
which triumphs over death.
Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,
that the gift of unfading beauty
may reach every man and woman.

Virgin of listening and contemplation (Lk 2,19),
Mother of fair love (Si 24,24 Vg),
Bride of the eternal wedding feast (Rev 19,7),
pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are,
that she may never be closed in on herself
or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.

Star of the new evangelization,
help us to bear radiant witness to communion,
service, ardent and generous faith,
justice and love of the poor,
that the joy of the Gospel
may reach to the ends of the earth,
illuminating even the fringes of our world.

Mother of the living Gospel,
wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones,
pray for us.

Amen. Alleluia!

Luke 11:1-4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

Commentary of the day :

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Letter 130, to Proba on prayer, 11-12 (trans. cf Breviary, Tuesday of the 29th week)

"Teach us to pray"

We need words to help us recollect ourselves and see what we are asking for; not to make us suppose that the Lord must be given information or swayed by words. So when we say, “Hallowed be thy name,” we are counseling ourselves to desire that his name, which is always holy, may be held holy also among men; that is, that it may not be treated with contempt: and this for the benefit not of God but of men. When we say, “Thy kingdom come,” which will certainly come whether we wish it or not, we arouse our desire for that kingdom, that it may come for us, and that we may be worthy to reign therein. When we say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are asking him for obedience for ourselves, that his will may be done in us as it is done in heaven by his angels…

When we say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” we are advising ourselves both as to what we should ask for, and what we should do to be worthy to receive it… When we say, “Deliver us from evil,” we bring ourselves to reflect that we are not yet in that happy state where we shall suffer no evil. This last petition in the Lord's prayer has such a wide scope that a Christian may in any trouble express his pain by it, pour forth his tears, begin from it, linger over it, and end his prayer at this point.

It is necessary by these words to impress the realities themselves on our memory. For whatever other words we may say… if we are praying in the right way, we say nothing that has not already a place in the Lord’s prayer.

 
Luke 9:57-62.

As Jesus and His disciples were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

Commentary of the day :

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church
Poem « Jesus, my beloved, remember ! » ; v. 1, 6-8

"The Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head"

Remember the Father's glory,
Remember the divine splendor
You left in exiling yourself on earth
To redeem all the poor sinners.
O Jesus! Humbling yourself to the Virgin Mary,
You veiled your infinite greatness and glory.
Ah! Your mother's breast
Was your second heaven,
Remember…

Remember that on other shores
The golden stars and silver moon
On which I gaze in the cloudless sky
Delighted and charmed your Infant eyes.
With your little hand that caressed Mary
You upheld the world and gave it life,
And you thought of me,
Jesus, my little King,
Remember.

Remember that you worked in solitude
With your divine hands.
To live forgotten was your sweetest task.
You rejected human learning.
O You who with just one word could charm the world,
You took delight in hiding your profound wisdom.
You seemed unlearned,
O All-powerful Lord!
Remember.

Remember that you wandered as a Stranger on earth.
You, the Eternal Word,
You had nothing, no, not even a stone,
Not a shelter, like the birds of heaven.
O Jesus! come within me, come rest your Head,
Come, my soul is truly ready to receive you.
My Beloved Savior,
Rest in my heart.
It is Yours.

Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. 

Commentary of the day :

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Meditations, ch.18

The road to Jerusalem

The weight of our fragility makes us bend towards realities here below; the fire of your love, O Lord, raises us up and bears us towards realities above. We rise there by means of our heart's impetus, singing the songs of ascent. We burn with your fire, the fire of your goodness, for it is this that transports us.

Where is it that you thus cause us to rise? To the peace of the heavenly Jerusalem. “I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to the house of the Lord” (Ps 122[121],1). Nothing will bring us to it except the desire to remain there for ever. While we are in the body, we journey towards you. Here below we have no abiding city; we are constantly seeking our home in the city to come (Heb 13,14). May your grace guide me, O Lord, into the depths of my heart, there to sing of your love, my King and my God... And as I remember that heavenly Jerusalem my heart will rise up towards it: to Jerusalem my true homeland, Jerusalem my mother (Gal 4,26). You are its King, its light, its defender, its protector, its pastor; you are its unquenchable joy; your goodness is the source of all its inexpressible blessings... - you, my God and my divine mercy. 

"angels of God ascending and descending"

John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

Reflection:

 I will invite every to reflect on their personal experiences on the angels aided by the grace of God. Recall our childhood and simply cherish the moments we pray the 'Angel of God" as our prayer for day to day protection.

Let us dwell on the nature of the angels as they ascend to heaven and descend to earth to give good tidings to us and to protect us.

May we cherish those special moments that we ask for intercessions and their protection. We remember the Angel Gabriel as he announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceived a child (Jesus). We repeatedly acknowledge him during Angelus prayer.

Angels are very special they serve as messengers of God aside from the prophets. They announces God's direct messages and reveal to us in mysterious ways.

This day is dedicated to them, the Church honors them as they are enrolled in the official Calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. Today is their feasts and let us implore their providence to protect us day to day.

Luke 9:43 b-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples,
"Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."
But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB 



Commentary of the day : 

Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Dominican theologian, Doctor of the Church 
Commentary on the Letter to the Galatians, ch. 6 

The Son of Man draws his glory from the cross

Some people draw glory from their knowledge, but the apostle Paul finds supreme knowledge in the cross. “No, he says, I desired to know nothing among you but Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ crucified” (1Cor 2,2). Is not the cross the fulfilment of the whole law and art of living well? To those who glory in their own power, Paul can answer that he draws matchless power from the cross: “The language of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1Cor 1,18). Do you draw glory from the freedom you have gained? Paul draws his from the cross: “Our old self was crucified with him… that we might no longer be in slavery to sin” (Rm 6,6).

Yet others draw their glory from being chosen as members of some famous group or other ; but as for us, through Christ’s cross we are invited to the congregation of heaven. “Reconciling all things, whether those on earth or those in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col 1,20). And finally, some people glory in the insignia of victory bestowed on the victorious, but the cross is the triumphal standard of Christ’s victory over demons: “He destroyed Principalities and Powers, making a public spectacle of them, leading them away in his triumphal procession” (Col 2,15)…

What is it that the apostle Paul wants to glory in above all else ? In that which can unite him to Christ. What he desires is to be with Christ. 

"Jesus was praying in solitude"

Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'"
Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God."
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." 

Reflection:

We now focus our reflection on the act of Jesus praying in SOLITUDE. We can reflect on the importance of prayer life. We say that everything we do and act is accordingly for good and to be offered to God. Our daily reflections and food for thoughts will teach us to be prayerful. Our prayer is a form of communication to our God. Our constant prayer can lead us to an authentic relationship to our God. And this level of intimacy depends on the quality of time we spend with our God. It's not a matter of how many hours but, how much have you given to listen to Him and talk to Him. It requires a personal encounter with God in SILENCE or in SOLITUDE. It is through quite moments that God can reveal to us. 

There are moments that even our very self we are noisy. It is because of our mundane activities and secular lifestyle. Jesus is trying to portray a picture of praying before moving or even before talking. We need to be reflective in our words and actions. We must be aware of the movements of the Holy Spirit in our day to day experiences. He (Jesus) prayed a lot before asking His disciples of who he was according to the people? Then, the disciples replied with many attributes that does not reflect on the reality of Jesus' mission and purpose of coming. Then, we are challenge to know more our relationship to God through prayers. If we will be asked, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"then, we can tell to Jesus who He is on others understanding but how about your personal encounter with Jesus?

This provides an insight of knowing more and more our God and through prayers we can also open our heart and allow the wisdom of God to reveal to us hid Fatherly love and mercy. May the divine providence of God be with us and Bless all our endeavors for the day.

For the Greater Glory of God! pray in solitude and have a quite and intimate time in praying.

"Sent forth"

Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure
He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."
Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Commentary of the day : 

Pope Francis
Apostolic Exhortation « Evangelii Gaudium / The Joy of the Gospel» § 181-183 (trans. © copyright Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

"They went from village to village proclaiming the good news"

Our mandate is to “go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mk 16,15), for “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8,19). Here, “the creation” refers to every aspect of human life… The Church’s teachings concerning contingent situations are subject to new and further developments and can be open to discussion, yet we cannot help but be concrete… The Church’s pastors, taking into account the contributions of the different sciences, have the right to offer opinions on all that affects people’s lives, since the task of evangelization implies and demands the integral promotion of each human being.

It is no longer possible to claim that religion should be restricted to the private sphere and that it exists only to prepare souls for heaven. We know that God wants his children to be happy in this world too, even though they are called to fulfillment in eternity, for he has created all things “for our enjoyment” (1 Tim 6,17), the enjoyment of everyone. It follows that Christian conversion demands reviewing especially those areas and aspects of life “related to the social order and the pursuit of the common good” (St John Paul II).

Consequently, no one can demand that religion should be relegated to the inner sanctum of personal life, without influence on societal and national life, without concern for the soundness of civil institutions, without a right to offer an opinion on events affecting society. Who would claim to lock up in a church and silence the message of Saint Francis of Assisi or Blessed Teresa of Calcutta? They themselves would have found this unacceptable. An authentic faith – which is never comfortable or completely personal – always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better that we found it.

"hear the word of God and act on it"

                                                                    Luke 8:19-21.

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you."
He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who

hear the word of God and act on it."




Reflection:

"Hear the word of God and Act on it", this sounds cool and worth reflecting for today. I invite you to pause for a moment and slowly close your eyes. Listen to beat of your heart breathing in and out 3 times.
After doing so, I now invite you to listen to your breathing and listen to the sound of silence.
Ask your self on the following question:
1. Have i listen to God's word for today?
2. Have i heard God talking to me today? or
3. Have i acted rightly as i am suppose to do?

Hearing is very important to every individual, and this act pertains to someone should speak of the word of God like our church ministers or Priest and we hear them. Most of the time we hear them during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Now, hear the word of God and act on it, its an invitation that after we hear the mass and reflected on the readings and the Gospel it also expected from us to act in a very special way. The act may not really be very big or should be seen by others. An authentic act starts within your heart and your self. The so-called transformation from information (the word of God that we hear) begins in us. By the help of the grace of God we are slowly transform we change in a very special way. The way we talk and the way we respond to situations that calls our being Christian.

After listening have i responded generously to Gad's word? or Is there a time that i just neglected the words of God and never acted on it?

It requires humility and acceptance before we know thoroughly our self. That is why the very invitation for today is to open our heart and have a discerning heart to listen to God's word and be generous to yourself for others. After hearing, it's your time now to act. It's not yet late, so come on! lets act on something in a very special way!

Be reflective and active to respond, "hear the word of God and act on it." 

"Be the Light for others"

Luke 8:16-18.

Jesus said to the crowd : "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed ; rather, he places it on a lamp stand so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away." 

Reflection:

Be the light to others in a very special way. Jesus is inviting us to be generous

of whatever we have and whatever we can d. Be not afraid to darkness and do not hide whatever you have in life. Surely God will share to us the grace we need to be a light for our-self and later on for others. The light represent the divine grace of God and wisdom that may relate to how we open our self for others. Darkness represents our sinfulness and whatever we hide in our life.

The invitation to all of us now is to be open to God's goodness and the workings of the Holy Spirit in our life.

May we have an open heart for God and for others.

"Your sins are forgiven"

Luke 7:36-50

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A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 

Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, 

she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. 

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner." 

Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.

Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages and the other owed fifty.

Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?" 

Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly." 

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 

You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. 

You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. 

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."

He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 

The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 

But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Reflection

This is one of my favorite Gospel, simple yet very memorable and moved my heart for my discernment. "Your sins are forgiven", how beautiful passage from Jesus Christ. I am inviting everyone to reflect on this passage as we journey in our life in this mundane time. Let us reflect on our being sinful and what have we done to overcome sins?

This invitation is probably very heavy for us yet this is a reality. Trying to look back my sinfulness i could say that i don't even deserved to where i am now. But the grace and love and mercy of God keep me moving. The love and mercy that assures us to everlasting happiness.

Have i tried to talk to Jesus today? If i am to talk to him, what will i say? If i am to talk to Jesus reflecting on the Gospel i would surely praise and glorify him and ask for pardon and forgiveness. I am not  perfect one but, i tried to be a holy one. I have tried to be more reflective of my actions and doings day to day. I would thank him for despite of being hardheaded he still love me. He still care for me. He still shared grace to me.

Who among us who do not have sinned? Of-course, none of us! And we so our Gospel today remind us of the very important sacrament in the Church the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation. 

My very humbling experience in my formation is when i submit fully and whole heatedly in the confessional box. It is a very special moment for me to tell to my Lord how sorry i am of what have i committed against him and against other people. Most of us are afraid of the confession, do not be threatened by the fear, or by the priest. They are there to administer the sacrament, they are instrument of God to absolve sins. What is important is your communication and communication to God. Your turning back to God and to fully receive is merciful love. It requires courage and strength but with God's grace we're forgiven. Be humble enough and "Your sins are forgiven".

Transform, be informed, and change your old and crooked ways slowly but surely.