Category: Gospel Reading

Gospel Reading and Reflection

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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MATTHEW 13:47-53 ” A Doubting Heart is Unyielding”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 13:47-53 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JULY 31, 2020)

He went to his home town and taught the people in the synagogue. They were amazed and said, “ Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers? Isn’t he the carpenter’s Son? Isn’t Mary his mother and aren’t James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brother? Aren’t all his sisters living here? Where did he get all these things?”

And so they took offense to Him. Jesus said to them, “ The only place where prophets are not welcome is his hometown  and in his own family.” And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of  faith. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

It is true that too much familiarity does not bring any good. The reason why many  of us do not prosper in their hometown is the issue of too much familiarity. Community folks often do not believe someone who heals from the lower social classification for people was greatly valued by their social standing most especially in the nature of their work. 

The mentality of man is not the mentality of God. Man acknowledge classification by their worldly positions forgetting the real source of abundance, God. It is in this orientation that man might go out of the sight of God. This worldly attachment hinders into seeing God in some ordinary ways and ordinary persons like Jesus in His time which in a way hinder him to perform any miracle in His hometown as a consequence of their little faith. 

In their  expression of doubt unto Jesus base on the profile of Mary and Joseph together with His brothers boxes the God on them. In that way God was not able to operate on them smoothly because their hearts were rough and unaccommodating.  

The gesture of  poor faith blocks the power of God to do amazing things in order for us to fully enjoy the manifold blessings from the Lord. 

Brothers and Sisters, let us now examine our hearts for we might not know that this same thing has come to surface in our daily works most especially in the closer community of our own. 

Finally, expressions of doubts for any reasons unto Jesus are unyielding and even  hold Him doing great in one’s life in a form of miracles. 

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MATTHEW 13:47-53 “The Way To Salvation and The Promise of Resurrection”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

 

MATTHEW 13:47-53 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JULY 30, 2020)

Again,  the kingdom of heaven is like a big fishing net, let down into the sea, in which every kind of fish has been caught. When the net is full, it is dragged ashore. Then they sit down and gather the good fish into buckets, but throw the bad away. That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just, and to throw the wicked into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth.”

Jesus asked, “Have you understood all these things?” “ yes,” They answered.

So he said to them, “ Therefore, every teacher of the law, who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder, who can produce from his store things both new and old.”

When Jesus had finished these parables he left that place. 

 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This gospel reading depicts  what will happen to the ends of time. The net signifies no exemption. All are judged alike not on the values of our position in life but according to the individual value and quality of our soul on the duration of our stay here on earth. 

On the judgement day, the judge is the Father and the counsel is Jesus.   Jesus is the only way to salvation and the promise of resurrection to have an everlasting life with the Father in heaven. 

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MATTHEW 13: 36-43 “We Are The Army of The Lord”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 13: 36-43 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JULY 28, 2020)

Then he sent the crowds away and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

Jesus answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed are the people of the kingdom; the weeds are those who follow the evil one. The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil; the harvest is the end of time, and the workers are the angels.

Just as the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of time. The Son of man will send angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom all that is scandalous and all who do evil. And there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the just will shine, like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. If you have ears, then hear.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

In this Bible reading, the disciples ask Jesus to clarify some technical terms about the parables of the weeds in the field.

Jesus was so kind and gentle to clarify what his disciples had requested. Not only that, but Jesus also highlighted that the world of goodness would be under the challenge and pressure of the devil with the presence of his advocates making life on earth full of problems, trials and struggles difficult to handle. In other words, the order of the world would be affected by their presence, but cautioned not to have so much worries on them for God in his chosen time will come to rescue us from the devil’s advocates and restore His godly orders.

With all these things, Christian followers are not to cross their arms on these matters, for before His coming, we are considered as God’s advance party to fight against those who are devil advocates to mitigate the impact of their presence. This is called faith in action as St. James Apostle said “Show me your faith without work and I’ll show you my faith with the work.”

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, life has its own trouble day after day and part of these troubles are attributed by its counterpart. Let us advance with Jesus, praise His holy name, in  hope and in faith for we are His army unbeaten by this battle till the end of time. Amen.

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MATTHEW 13:44-52 The Kingdom of God

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 13:44-52  GOSPEL READING  AND REFLECTION (JULY 26, 2020)

The  kingdom of  heaven is like the treasure hidden in the field. The one who finds it, buries it again; and so happy is he, that he goes and sells everything he has, in order to buy that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader, who is looking for fine pearls. Once  he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is  like a big fishing net, let down into the sea, in which every kind of fish has been caught. When the net is full, it is dragged ashore. Then they sit down and gather the good fish into the buckets, but throw the bad away. That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just, and to throw the wicked into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth.”

Jesus asked,” Have you understood all these things?’ “Yes,” they answered.

So He said to them, “ Therefore, every teacher of the law, who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven, is like a householder, who can produce from his store things both new and old.”

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Life  is offered with a lot of choices from everywhere. It is in fact a continuous search  for  something that is worthy for this life. It is something satisfying. It is something  amazing. It is something wonderful. It is something that could offer all out satisfaction for happiness and securities of life. But what is sad, there is nothing in this world that could  satisfy every man’s wants, not even owning the whole world.

According to St, Thomas Aquinas, “ The ultimate goal of man is to return to his creator.”  in saying this he added that man could  attain total satisfaction in life even to the point of owning the whole world until he would find his way to the Father, his creator.

Worldly choice may cause a delay of man’s  final search for the kingdom of heaven  but this could not hinder his desire if  he has little faith in Him. God from that little faith would do more in the person’s heart and bless him with the needed understanding about the kingdom of heaven.

And by the grace of God, He would be able to figure out all the hidden treasures in heaven. He would be very happy and willing to give up everything he has in this life in exchange for what he has just found amazing in the kingdom of heaven.

Brothers and sisters in Christ do not be too much into something of this world. This will gradually take us away from the real purpose and course of life that all of us are supposed to be into. Let us all go and look for  the kingdom of God for in the final day His angels in heaven will come and separate those who really have it and those who do not have it and throw those who do not have into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth.” 

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MATTHEW 13:31-35 “God Wants Our Little Faith”

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 13:31-35 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JULY 27, 2020)

Jesus  offered them another parable: “ The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is smaller than all other seeds, but once it is fully grown, it is bigger than any garden plant; like a tree, the birds come and rest in its branches.” 

He then made another parable, “ The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast that a woman took, and hid in  three measures of flour, until the whole mass of dough began to rise.”

Jesus taught a;; these things to the crowds by means of parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. This fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet:  I will speak in parables. I will proclaim things kept secret since the beginning of the world. 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

The  power of God is beyond man’s quantification. Even his very simple language would be enough for man to become a fool.  

In 1Corinthian 1:25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weaknesses of God is stronger than man’s strength.” This is the very reason why Jesus always uses parables in his daily teaching during his time.  There exists no direct communication means for us to understand God unless God makes his way unto us. The use of the parable is the only way allowing us to weigh things according to the human perspective. God also uses parables because He does not want us to be dull. He wanted us to think of Him  as He always thinks of us by providing us with all our needs in this life.  

The first of these two parables is the parable of the mustard seed. A mustard seed is very small to be inviting to the human eye. But Jesus uses it as an object of man’s hope of having this faith to the Lord. God in this semblance of minuteness, seems to be less demanding to us. He only needs a little of our faith and then there after He will make it bloom within us like the largest tree in the garden.  Once a man will be blessed with the necessary maturity of  this faith, he will be dependable providing rest and shelter to those who needed him most.

The second parable is the yeast of the woman. An act of accepting God  in one’s life is a milestone of faith. It is the gateway of many blessings from which man can fully enjoy the goodness of God’s manifold blessings. Growing in God’s presence is very significant that even a mere presence in a community inspires others to be God’s followers. Such maturity is holistic which may come in character, wisdom, faith, hope and resilience to the worldly issues and concerns. 

In conclusion my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, what God wants from us is our little faith for Him to effectively work within us. Amen.

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MATTHEW 20:20-28 Jesus is the Leading Figure of Servant Leadership

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 20:20-28 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JULY 25, 2020)

Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down,  to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, “What do you want?” And she answered, “ Here,  you have my sons. Grants, that they may sit, one at your right hand and  one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said to the brothers, “ You do  not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink? They answered, “ We can.” 

Jesus replied, “ You will indeed drink my cup;  but to sit at my right and at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those, for whom my Father has prepared it.”

The other ten heard all this,  and were angry with the two brothers.

Then Jesus called them to Him and said, “You know that the rulers of nations behave like tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall not be so among you: whoever wants to be great in your community, let him minister to the community. And if you want to be the first of all, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to redeem many.” 

POINTS OF REFLECTION

While it is harder to set aside the disguise of personal interest in this life than the genuine motive of  a quality service to all ranging from the nameless to the famous and known personalities, this Bible reading reminded us to serve not just for promotion but rather for the satisfaction of those whom the services are intended for. 

Leadership is not tyranny. It is not oppressive. It is not being served but rather a servant of all. Leadership commences within oneself by guiding the whole being to do what is rightfully to be done. Leading a few is the next level of leadership where some people choose to follow not because they are forced to follow but because they have the same advocacy that is  to serve for the greater good.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus is an all out figure of a true leader. He employs servant leadership. His disciples were  chosen not because they are knowledgeable but because they are hard workers, they were taken  by Jesus from the shore  doing fishing the whole night without a single catch till daybreak. 

Finally Jesus is considered as the leading figure of leadership and his disciples are the leading figure of a true follower. 

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MATTHEW 13:18-23 The Field is The Heart of Man

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

MATTHEW 13:18-23 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JULY 24, 2020)

Now listen to the parable of the sower. When a person hears  the message of the kingdom but does not take it seriously the devil comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed that fell along the foot-path. The seed fell on the rocky ground stands for the one who hears the word, and accepts it at once with joy. But such a person had no roots, and endures only for a while. No sooner is  he harassed or persecuted because of  the word, then he gives up. The seed that fell among the thistles is the one who hears the words; but then, the worries of this life and the love of money choke the word;  and it does not bear fruit. As for the seed that fell on the good soil, it is the one who hears the word and understands it; this seed bears fruit and produces a hundred. or sixty, or thirty times more.” 

 

POINTS  OF REFLECTION 

Human hearts do not have the same disposition when hearing the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. In this Bible reading the heart of man is likened to a field from which the sower in the parable had sown the seeds.

The heart of man could be like a foot-path; it does not accommodate the word of the Lord seriously so that the devil can easily take it away by the tendencies of the worldly lures. The heart of man could be like a rocky ground; it hears the word and accepts it with joy but his faith does not endure within the challenge of time. The heart of man could be like a thistles ground: it hears the word but his faith is shaky and easily affected by the worries of life, love of material things and love of money. The heart of man could be like a ground in a good soil; it hears and understands the word, bears fruits and multiplies even up to more than  thirty  times.  This is represented by the person who has fully grown in faith and a bold witness of God’s presence. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, now is the time for us to assess the kind of heart we have and be able to reconfigure it in such a way that this heart would become  a kind of heart fully grown in faith and stand as a bold witness of the Father in heaven. 

 

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