Month: August 2020

MATTHEW 15:21-28 “Desiring God in Hope and in Faith”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 15:21-28 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (August 5, 2020)

Leaving that place. Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from the area came and cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

But Jesus did not answer her, not even a word. So his disciples approached him and said, “Send her away! See how she is shouting after us.”

Then Jesus said to her, “I was sent only by the lost sheep of the nation of Israel.”

But the woman was already kneeling before Jesus, and said, “Sir help me!”

Jesus, answered, “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies.

The woman replied, “That is true, sir, but even the puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”

Then Jesus said, “Woman, how great is your faith!  Let it be as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Today’s mentality is way far from the olden days, for many find their happiness and comfort of this life  by distancing themselves unto  Jesus.  They even brag their sinfulness, misfits and wayward than their inherent goodness. When called to attend a mass and religious gathering, they would likely say no for no reason. In fact, they would normally say that they are not worthy. It seems they are not putting God to their topmost priorities. They do not mind how Jesus, through his disciples, tries to reach  them to enjoy His goodness.  In other words, today’s general behavior and character of men is almost opposite to the behavior and character display of the Canaanite woman in this Bible reading. The woman has bothered Jesus so much with the hope of counting her and her daughter as worthy beneficiaries of his divine blessings.   She even begged for a little by saying “even the puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” 

Her behavior of screwing oneself into Jesus even if He had told her that “It is not right to take the bread from the children and throw it to puppies,” was a show of extraordinary desire into Jesus. Her hope of inclusion and faith in Him was great. She was  determined not to surrender into asking Jesus mercy in favor of  her daughter’s deliverance and freedom from the torment of a demon. 

Brothers and sisters, life on earth has the semblance of the torment described in this Bible reading that enslaved us in so much fear and hesitation. The weight of earthy baggage seemed unbearable. It almost upset us any moment from now but  with Jesus in life, all will go well and good in the passage of time.  All needed to do is to constantly fix one’s eye unto Jesus alone and follow Him in hope and in faith till the end of time. 

Brothers and sisters  in Christ, let us acknowledge our sameness to this Canaanite woman. What she was doing is our guide of the right things to do of this life.

Inclusion, desiring God must be an unending call of one’s hearts. Our action should be guided in the light of  total persistence in hope and in faith to unleash the real goodness of God.

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MATTHEW 15:1-2, 10-14 “Don’t Be Sharp of Tongue”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 15:1-2, 10-14 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (August 4, 2020)

Then, the Pharisees, and the teachers of the law, who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around Jesus. And they said to him. “Why don’t your disciples follow the tradition of the elders? For they, they don’t wash their hands before eating.”  Jesus then called the people to him, and said to them, “Listen and understand: What enters into the mouth does make a person unclean. What defiles a person is what comes out of his mouth.” After a while the disciples gathered around Jesus and said, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended by what you said?” Jesus answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be uprooted. Pay no attention to them! They are blind, leading the blind. When a blind person leads another, the two will go into the pit.”

POINTS OF REFLECTION

What makes a person unclean is the one  that comes out of their mouth not the one who enters into their mouth. 

Brothers and sisters, this Bible reading teaches us that what we take in does not count or matter but what really counts are the tackles words that come out from the sharp tongue capable of hurting  anyone. 

Brothers and sisters it is better to become deaf and mute if you are sharp of tongue for it might be the cause of your going into hell.

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MATTHEW 14:22-36 “Do Not Underestimate the Power of God”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

 

MATTHEW 14:22-36 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (August 3, 2020)

Immediately, Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away. And having sent the people away, he went up the mountain by himself, to pray. At nightfall, he was there alone. Meanwhile, the boat was very far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves, for the wind was against it.

At daybreak, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking that is was a ghost. And they cried out in fear. But at once, Jesus said to them, “Courage! Don’t be afraid.  It’s me!” Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said to him, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and began to sink; and he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?”

As they got into the boat, the wind dropped. Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God!”

They came ashore at Genesaret. The local people recognized Jesus and spread the news throughout the region. So they brought to him all the sick people, begging him to let them touch just the hem of his cloak. All who touched it became perfectly well.

 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Our claim of oneness or being with the Lord is not the same as God’s claim  to us. That is why life is not totally free from any turbulence that most of the time rocks our faith with the Lord. Like Jesus disciples in the olden days, fear is abound within us  because of our human nature. This very nature of man is a whistle blower letting it know the quality of  faith. 

What is consoling brothers and sisters, human fear becomes a hotline for help unto Jesus. His feel of presence is also  a touch of safety and security that humans need. 

Fear also symbolizes lack of trust and faith in the Lord amidst challenges, trials, and problems  of this life. Despite this, Jesus is always on time to be in the rescue by stretching his arms for those who really believe in Him. His voice is a command of authority from which nature is bound to follow.

Brothers and sisters, fear is simply doubting God. Do not fear, not even doubt for by doing so, you underestimate the power of God. It is He  and no one else who takes control of everything in life. 

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MATTHEW 14:13-31 “PARTY IN THE COURT HALL AND COURT YARD” (AUGUST 2, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 14:13-31 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 2, 2020)

When Jesus heard of it, he set out by boat for a secluded place, to be alone. But the people heard of it, and they followed him on foot from their towns. When Jesus went ashore, he saw the crowd gathered there, and he had compassion on them. And he healed their sick. 

Late in the afternoon, his disciples came to him and said, “We are in a lonely place  and it is now late. You should send these people away, so that they can go to the villages and buy something to eat.”  They answered, “ We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.” 

Jesus said to them, “Bring them here to me.” Then he made everyone sit down  on the grass. He took the five loaves, and handed them to the disciple to distribute to the people. And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets. About five thousand men had eaten there, besides women and children. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This Bible reading depicted two inviting occasions, the birthday party of King Herod who had his selected royal guest  (Party in the Court Hall) and the compassionate healing and feeding of Jesus to the people in dire needs (Party in the Court Yard). 

  1. Party in the Court Hall

The royal birthday party of king Herod was a celebration  of foods, drinks and many excesses to boast the king’s personality. In fact, this is a no need celebration because all the visitors and attendees were “the haves personalities.” They do not need to be treated with so much food and drinks for they have the capacity to have it in their home without needing a party. The party is not about the visitors or the attendees, instead it is about the one who initiated the party. The party is about the valor and pride of the celebrant to gain more respect and social credit. It is about the personal interest of the celebrant for satisfaction and recognition. It is in a promise and  so much pride  that John the Baptist was ordered to be beheaded  for the evil motive and personal interest of Herodias. This happened because John was Herod’s living conscience and kept telling him that it is not right to have  Herodias as she is her brother’s wife. The party was a blessing in disguise to John the Baptist with the note that he has done his mission but a great tragedy and perdition to the life of King Herod, Herodias and her daughter . The party does not culminate in great joy and satisfaction but end as an evil’s triumph. 

  1. Party in the Court Yard

The party in the courtyard was a party of healing, compassion and love. It was conducted in the grassy ground with all the simplicity and beauty of nature. It was a gathering in the meekness of Jesus and performances of miracles to answer the needs of the people who tirelessly followed him in the secluded place. It was a necessary gathering to answer their needs. The followers or attendees were not chosen instead chose  themselves to be one of the huge crowd in hope and faith unto Jesus. The gathering is not about Jesus but it is about everyone’s concern to ease their problems and sufferings. It is a gathering with very limited resources, few loaves of bread and fish to feed a huge crowd. Jesus took the limited into  unlimited and were able to feed the huge crowd in full satisfaction and able to keep enough reserves of foods out of the limited. He has amazingly multiplied the bread and fish to answer their needs. Jesus culminates the celebration in great satisfaction for everyone and even leaves a message that “What is limited to God is more than enough to  man.”

Brothers and sisters, the whole message in this Bible reading tells us  not to stay focused on oneself instead get involved with the needs of others even if you have limited for God’s grace is unlimited to what is limited to us.

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MATTHEW 14:13-21 Jesus is the healing and energy icons

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 14:13-31 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 2, 2020)

When Jesus heard of it, he set out by boat for a secluded place, to be alone. But the people heard of it, and they followed him on foot from their towns. When Jesus went ashore, he saw the crowd gathered there, and he had compassion on them. And he healed their sick. 

Late in the afternoon, his disciples came to him and said, “We are in a lonely place  and it is now late. You should send these people away, so that they can go to the villages and buy something to eat.”  They answered, “ We have nothing here but five loaves and two fishes.” 

Jesus said to them, “Bring them here to me.” Then he made everyone sit down  on the grass. He took the five loaves, and handed them to the disciple to distribute to the people. And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered up the leftovers, filling twelve baskets. About five thousand men had eaten there, besides women and children. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This Bible reading points out two important facts of life which is “the compassion of Christ and healing of the sick and the miraculous multiplication the bread and a fish”

“The compassion of Christ and healing of the sick” is a tell of reality that all in the shadow of this world are sick. We are all dying in spirit and that the need of healing is immediate, as can be seen by the effort of the people who follow Jesus in the secluded place. But because of their faith unto Jesus, He offered in return by healing of the sick not limited to  the physically but included as well the healing of the spirit. 

On the other hand, the miraculous multiplication of the bread and the fish for the crowd is not an ordinary means of crisis intervention instead more of sustaining the people’s energy and enthusiasm to keep oneself to Jesus. It is also a clear message that God is abundant  and there is no need for us to worry if we are with Him. God is very much willing to supply all our needs (“not wants and  excesses) for satisfaction. Always remember God has all the reserves for you.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is our healing icon and the energy to sustain different trials, problems and challenges waiting ahead of us. 

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MATTHEW 14:1-12 “Be-careful! Pride is an Evil Inside”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 14:1-12 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( August 1, 2020)

At that time the reports about Jesus reached king Herod. And he said to his servants, “ This man is Johns the Baptist. John has risen from the dead. that is why miraculous powers are at work in John.” Herod had in fact ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had said to Herod, “ It is not right for you to have her as your wife.”  Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare, because he feared the people,  who regarded John as the prophet. On Herod’s birthday the  daughter of Herodias  danced among the guests; she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked for. Her girl,  following the advice of her mother, said, “ Give me the head of John the Baptist, here,  on a dish.” The King was  very displeased, but because he had made his promise oath, in the presence of the guests,  he ordered it to be given to her. So he had John beheaded in prison,  and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother. Then John’s disciples came, took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Promise is an advocate of pride. Pride is regarded as the evil inside a human person. It is where the battle of life begins, inside ourselves. Herod from the very start is struggling fighting close to his own lust with Herodias. John’s presence in the life of Herod was a blessing shedding light to him on what is good or bad.  John mitigated the impact of evil into the life of Herod but the Daughter of Herodias became Herod’s destruction by eliminating John the Baptist to further the interest of  her mother and give way to Herod’s perdition. 

Brothers and sisters, pride is the darkest side of a human person. It is always  in association with a promise from which many become a victim.  We need to be extra careful about these things that might curse you into hell. 

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