Day: July 7, 2020

MATTHEW 10: 1-7 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 8, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him , and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve Apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.

Jesus sent these twelve on mission, with the instruction: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Being a unique and wonderful creation of God is expected to have also our calling of authority over many things of the world. In fact in this Bible reading, Jesus clearly said that as His disciple, we have authority over unclean spirits, drive  demons  away  and heal every kind of diseases and sickness.

Looking backward, the mentioned authority was more of magical powers from which disciples were doing out of their faith as Jesus had taught them. How about taking these things into present perspective? Could we still claim this authority most especially in this trying time that we are in now? Brothers and sisters, it seems that men were not able to enjoy this authority since the day of global pandemic. Since the onset of  quarantine measures, man’s religious functions were denied in exchange for health safety. With COVID man’s authority was taken, adversely affecting the existing world order. The scenario seems to be a complete opposite, of God’s mandate over us to have authority over the things on earth. After all, life after death is precious and important to be able to enjoin unto the Father in Heaven.

What God has set brothers and sisters will remain until the ends of the world. This global pandemic should not contain us instead, we will contain it and continue to triumph with God’s promise of authority. These things will happen very soon not the way like some two thousand years ago but rather in another way as God continue to bliss those who are task to study and work for the containment of this novel coronavirus.  After all God’s promise and plan is not reputable.

In totality, brothers and sisters, God always takes all authority on earth. And Being His sons and daughters, His authority is with us till the ends of time secured by the quality of faith while doing His works and proclaiming His words.

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MATTHEW 9:32-38 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 7, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

As they were going away, some people brought to Jesus a man who was dumb, because he was possessed by a demon. When the demon was driven out, the dumb man began to speak. The crowds were astonished and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

But he Pharisees said, “He drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.”

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.

POINT OF REFLECTION

“Divided we fall united we stand”. Jesus was considered as the universal healer for He healed all kinds of sickness and driven demons to ease burdens. Being a healer, Jesus does not necessarily mean providing relief to physical, emotional and spiritual pain but considered as the great provider of all men’s need out of His love for us. But despite all these goodness, the Pharisees said that “ He drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.” Jesus answered that these could not be possible because  if evil fights against each other they would surely end up as losser.

Notice brothers and sisters in Christ that, many of our troubles are within the family. It has even resulted to killing of father, mother, brother, sister and son. Without God’s presence in the family would mean evil’s presence instead. Life is always define by one’s choice between the two forces, the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Family will bear no good in division.

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MATTHEW 9:18-26 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 6, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

 

While speaking to them, official of the synagogue came up to Him, bowed before Him and said, “My daughter has just died, but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.” Jesus stood up and followed him with his disciples.

Then a woman, who had suffered from severe bleeding for twelve years, came up from behind and touched the edge of his cloak; for she thought, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned and said, “Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.” And from the moment, the woman was cured,

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the excited crowd, he said, “Get out of here! The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping!”  And they laughed at Him, but once the crowd had been turned out, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up. The news of this spread through the whole area.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

When a member of a dear family passed away unexpected, unimaginable sorrow would normally ruled over life dragging down spirit. Friends of the family would normally come to console for the purpose of giving their share to the bereaved family with the hope of consoling  a heavy heart. Yes, this is good but one thing that one needs to remember that their presence around does not mean owning very own grief but merely a co-griever. Though, their presence is needed but more than them, the bereaved family needs the presence of the giver of life, Jesus Christ.

It should be noted that on one’s downfall, the first and foremost hot line would be Jesus. Not anyone of the closest friends or even a family

from which many of us use to do.

This Bible reading told us that, Jesus is the solution of our toughest times. Only Jesus has the power to end up our unbearable and prolonged sufferings like the woman who had suffered severe bleeding for twelve long years. One might be suffering for a long time like the woman’s condition in this Bible reading but, Jesus said to the woman “courage my daughter, your faith has saved you.”

Ancient believers opined that God cannot be touched or moved by the ways of man because of His power. But such beliefs is completely nullified for Jesus was moved or completely touched by the depth of faith as illustrated by the faith of synagogue official who firmly believe that his dead daughter would surely came back to life upon Jesus’  laying hands. Likewise, the woman has shown equal faith by just touching the hem of Jesus cloth.

In general brothers and sisters, it is our faith that matters to the Lord. life’s sorrows and trials are  driving forces for us to come closer to the Father.

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