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.

Luke 7:31-35

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.'
For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, 'He is possessed by a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children." 

Commentary of the day :

Saint Bernard (1091-1153), Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church
Commentary on the Song of Songs, Sermon 38

The ignorance of those who refuse to turn to God

The apostle Paul says that there are some who have no knowledge of God (1 Co 15,34). My opinion is that all those who lack knowledge of God are those who refuse to turn to him. I am certain that they refuse because they imagine this kindly disposed God to be harsh and severe, this merciful God to be callous and inflexible, this lovable God to be cruel and oppressive. So it is that wickedness plays false to itself, setting up for itself an image that does not represent God as he truly is.

What are you afraid of, you men of little faith? That he will not pardon your sins? But with his own hands he has nailed them to the cross. That you are used to soft living and your tastes are fastidious? But he knows the clay of which we are made (Gn 2,7). That a prolonged habit of sinning binds you like a chain? But the Lord loosens the shackles of prisoners. Or perhaps that angered by the enormity and frequency of your sins he is slow to extend a helping hand? But where sin abounded, grace became superabundant (Rom 5,20). Are you worried about clothing and food and other bodily necessities so that you hesitate to give up your possessions? But he knows that you need all these things (Mt 6,32). What more can you wish? What else is there to hold you back from the way of salvation? This is what I say: you do not know God, yet you will not believe our words. I should like you to believe those whom experience has taught.

"Do not weep"

Luke 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 

As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. 

When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." 

He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" 

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people." 

This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. 

Reflection:

Often times when someone in our family die we really weep to show our deep sorrow of their loss. But, today's Gospel challenges us not to, for He provides us with the merciful love. Just like the mother in our Gospel who weep much but Jesus told her "do not weep" and he commanded the child saying "Young man, I tell you, arise!". And the young man rise up and spoke to Jesus.

This Gospel portrays the loving mercy of our God, and the promise that after our earthly life we will be with him in the heavenly homeland. We should not worry about our dead bodies, instead take care of our soul's nourishment.

We must Glorify our loving God at all times despite of our loss. I know the pain and sorrow, however, if we believe in Him and we trust to him with all our heart  He has surely taken our loved ones to be with him in heaven. Jesus console us in a very special way even if we grieved. But their is always hope after all. And truly in accepting death can actually liberate us froim our worldly attachment and lead us to happiness with our God.

"Our Lady of Sorrows"

John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."

Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. 

Reflection:

Today is the memorial of "Our Lady of Sorrow" given to the mother of Jesus (Mary) who is in deep sorrow and pain seeing her son on the cross.

I am inviting all my friends to reflect on Mary's sorrow at the foot of the cross of Jesus. And Jesus upon seeing Mary uttered this words "Woman, behold, your son" and "Son behold, your mother." This portrays Jesus' love to his mother and that he entrusted his mother to John the beloved who journeyed with him even at the foot of the cross. We see Mary's down moments and pain but with her acceptance to the mercy and love of God she surrendered everything even her son (Jesus).

I thank my mother and all the mothers who really took time to take care of their children and love them to the fullest. I thank all the mothers who bears all the pain just to provide our needs. How painful it is to see her son dying and hanged in the cross but she endured it for our redemption and salvation. We see how important is the role of our mothers even in our conception. They give us inspiration and we give them in return the true love.

The challenged for us in today's gospel is to love our parents, love our mothers. We should give them time to rest and we should spent time with them. Just like Jesus, he assured that Mary will be fine even without him on her side. May we also value our mothers and assure them of our love and prayers.

I now exhort to love more and more our mothers who first feel the pain like Mary before us. May the qualities of Mary be our guide of loving others.

"Give and gifts will be given to you"

Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples : "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful.
Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." 

 Reflection

  I am inviting all my friends to journey with me today as we reflect on the passage "Give and gifts will be given to you" taken from our Gospel for today.

 "Give and gifts will be given to you" it may sound cool and as if were doing this as often as we could but check out! Are you really doing this?

 

  Part of our human nature is to seek for prestige and recognition from the people around us for things we do. We give most especially if there's a witness, but, think of it?, if others may not see you doing all this good deeds will you still do it? Yes, probably, but what are the conditions? This are some of our questions and doubts in life.

  Jesus is inviting us today not just to respond literally by giving but be "generous". Be generous of your time for others and be generous of the things that you have that could be of benefit to others. Jesus' invitation of generosity encompasses the virtue of humility, that being generous with a discerning heart to follow the will of God for me today. If others may ask what i don't have i can be generous by referring them to friends and people who has or by looking for ways and means to provide them. Even me, it very difficult to do such but, Jesus' invitation can liberate us a lead us to happiness if we do such.

 Be generous of understanding others, even if they commit lapses against you. Give them time to explain and let them discover what they have done. Be generous to your self and love your self. At the end of our journey "God will not ask what have you done?, but,  what have you learn?" Id you give wholeheartedly them your Heavenly Father will reward you more of an everlasting gifts and treasures in Heaven.

Things to ponder! Give and gifts will be given to you........

"Rejoice and leap for joy "

                                                                                        Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.

Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.

Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

 Reflection

     "Rejoice and leap for joy"

     Our Gospel exposition for today is all the about the blessedness or Beatitudes. It is very clear that Jesus gives us the picture of how should we treat and how should we deal with life's circumstances. We forgot a lot of things that God had bestowed on us because we are so accustomed with the mundane demands and wants.

   Our Gospel for today invites to be grateful in our low moments for in this way we can see the blessedness. Despite of the temptation that we are invited to be great and have powers yet our Lord invites us to care for humility and be a man for others. In everything we do there are positive and negative things implied, but, if we accept them into our life and ponder to them we can be assured that later on we will  "Rejoice and leap for joy" for its fruits and rewards. Though we cannot feel directly the persecution of others we are persecuted somehow in words and actions of others. Bullying can be a good example. But, how you respond to this? Not to be a sarcastic one but, respond with humility in expressing your hurts and let others know that you are hurt. And truly they will learn something from you.

    

   Though you have something in life, do not be proud for sooner or later all these things will be gone. Do not speak too much evil for they can harm others and worst it can personally harm you as a person. Be gentle and be kind.

   Rejoice and leap for joy for the reward of the Heavenly Father is greater than the earthly rewards. Be contended for what you have today and feel blessed then you will be happy.

Luke 6:12-19

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured.
Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all. 

Commentary of the day :

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Letter 130, to Proba on prayer, 14-15 (trans. cf breviary 29th Friday)

"He spent the night in prayer to God"

Whoever asks “one thing” of the Lord, and “seeks it” (Ps 26[27],4), is asking in security and certainty… It is the true and only happy life, the eternal contemplation of God's delight in immortality and incorruptibility of body and spirit. All things are desired and not unreasonably asked for on account of this one thing. Whoever has this will have everything he can desire, nor can he desire anything he ought not to have.
There is the fountain of life which we have now to desire in prayer, as long as we are living in hope and do not see the object of our hope. We are concealed “under the protection of his wings, who beholds all our desire” (Ps 35[36],8), that we may be “inebriated with the abundance of his house, and drink of the torrent of his delight”, because “with him is the fountain of life, and in his light we shall see light” (Ps 35[36],8f.). Then our desire will be filled with good, and we shall have no need of seeking anything with tears, we shall have only joyful possession.
Still, as it concerns the “peace which passes all understanding” (Phil 4,7), we “know not how to pray for it even it as we ought” (Rm 8,26). For we are totally ignorant of that which we are unable to think of as it is… The apostle Paul writes: “The Spirit comes to help us in our infirmity. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the same Spirit pleads for us with ineffable groanings” (Rm 8,25f.).

"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets."
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection:

   Our Gospel for today shows Jesus' journey with Peter the Apostle. We know some of the basic characteristic of Peter and previous Gospels showed how Jesus showed His love, mercy and greatness in humility.

   We reflect on Peter's obedience and humility for today. In the Gospel Jesus ask them to lower their nets and even if Peter said they worked hard for night and caught nothing he still obeyed the Lord Jesus. He knows well that day time is not a good time to fish and they can't catch anything, but, his obedience to Jesus was there. And when they caught more fish, with all humility he said "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."He acknowledge his sinfulness and with humility ask the Lord to get way from him. But Jesus, instead inspire him and gave a promising task and work for the future of his Church in the world.

  
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." Rightly, as the first pontiff and caretaker of the Church as Jesus promised, Peter with all obedience and humility continued the works of Jesus and bravely spread the good news to the gentiles.

  The challenge for us of today's Gospel is how do we acknowledge our sinfulness and do we have time to go to the Lord and say to Him that we are really sinful and so we ask for his mercy and love and forgiveness? The church gives us the sacrament of reconciliation to be in union with our God if we commit sins and through its minister, anointed ministers, we are absolved from our sins. Hopefully, today's Gospel inspired us to be humble enough like Peter to recognize our sinfulness and with humility let us approach the confession box to confess and commit to be in union with our God. Only God's loving mercy can save us.

    I also exhort to all my follower and friends to pray for all our priest, pastors and seminarians and our lay faithful for a fruitful and well directed vocation.

   May God Bless All of Us!

"Jesus left and went to a deserted place"

Luke 4:38-44

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her.
He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them.
But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent."
And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Reflection:

            In today's Gospel Jesus showed to us his power as Son of God and His Missions. He heal, He pray and He preach. Moreover, we will focus now on His ministry in prayer. 

            We as people of God are all invited in the priestly mission of Jesus to offer sacrifices and prayers. Prayers are our way of expressing gratitude and way of communicating to our God. Remember that even if Jesus is very busy with his ministry and his missions and attending to the peoples need He never forget to PRAY.

            In today's Gospel taken from Luke we can see his visible action 'At Daybreak, Jesus Left and WENT to a Deserted place." He alone prays and talk to the father. He withdraw himself to be in union with our God and pray for his ministries guidance, to honor God, and be grateful to Him.

          The challenge to us of today's Gospel is how often we PRAY? If Jesus does why can't we? 

          In our daily life in the seminary formation aside from the Eucharist as the center and core of our formation and charisma in the seminary we also devote time to be alone, be silent, and pray. In this way we unite with our God and despite of our busy schedules and loaded academic requirements we need to manage our time and give more time or even devote time to pray. It is only in prayer that we can be united with God and be transform for a moment. Even if difficulties come, let us try to pray.

   Be grateful of what you have and be grateful for what you do not have.

"Have you come to destroy us?"

Luke 4:31-37

Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice,
Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!
Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm.
They were all amazed and said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out."
And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

Commentary of the day :

Catechism of the Catholic Church
§ 311-314

"Have you come to destroy us?"

Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus has moral evil, incommensurably more harmful than physical evil, entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil.176 He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it… From the greatest moral evil ever committed - the rejection and murder of God's only Son, caused by the sins of all men - God, by his grace that "abounded all the more", brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption. But for all that, evil never becomes a good.
"We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him." (Rm 8,28) The constant witness of the saints confirms this truth. St. Catherine of Siena said to "those who are scandalized and rebel against what happens to them": "Everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind"… And Dame Julian of Norwich: "Here I was taught by the grace of God that I should steadfastly keep me in the faith... and that at the same time I should take my stand on and earnestly believe in what our Lord shewed in this time - that 'all manner (of) thing shall be well.'"
We firmly believe that God is master of the world and of its history. But the ways of his providence are often unknown to us. Only at the end, when our partial knowledge ceases, when we see God "face to face" (1Cor 13,12), will we fully know the ways by which - even through the dramas of evil and sin - God has guided his creation to that definitive sabbath rest for which he created heaven and earth.