Category: Gospel Reading

Gospel Reading and Reflection

MATTHEW: 7: 6. 12-14 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JUNE 23, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Do not give what is holy to the dogs, or throw your pearls before pigs. They might trample on them, and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.

So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there, you have the law and the prophets. Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the road, that leads to destruction, and may go that way. How narrow is the gate that leads to life; and how rough, the road; few there are, who find it.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Truly the world is not a resemblance of heaven. Man’s mindset of this world is to have things done or happen in an easy way, live in an easy way, and even die in an easy way. Men do not like to sweat for themselves to have a quality life.

This Bible reading speaks from the other side. As Jesus said “narrow is the gate to life and wide is the road to destruction.” This means that choosing an  easy way of this life would not end us to the Father’s house in heaven. Yes! it is true that most of the time humans love shortcuts and cutting corners but be reminded to choose a long journey  if you want to reach the final destination  in heaven for straight is the road to destruction while long and winding is the road  to life.

Views: 60

MATTHEW: 7: 1-5 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JUNE 22, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Do not judge; and you will not be judged.  In the same way you judge others, you will be judged; and the measure you use for others will be used for you.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Come, let me take the speck from your eye, as long as that plank is in your own? Hypocrite, remove the plank out of your own eye; then, you will see clearly, to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

 Confucius said, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.” This saying is considered as the “Golden Rule” for  it promotes justice and equal treatment of  fellow men. However, many of us are not hook with this rule for the consequence of one’s action   may take sometimes longer to be noticed. What is very interesting  about this  rule is its unwavering application throughout the ages.

In a closer look,  this “golden rule” comes in various corollary that guides many in their pursuit of life in accordance to the behavior, values and will  of the Lord Jesus Christ some two thousand years ago. This could be easily seen in relation to man’s various walks of life. Like for instance, “one reaps only what he has sown”, “what ones give to the world is the same and equal thing ones will receive from the world.”    This Bible reading revealed to us that the world is following a vicious cycle for us men of no escape.

In fact, this rule is a core shadow of the second greatest commandment “love your neighbor as yourself”, Matthew 22:39. If one loves others as himself then logically will follow the converse of the golden rule, “Do unto others what you want others do unto you.”

Views: 45

MATTHEW 10: 26-33 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 21, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered. There is nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I am telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the house tops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but have no power to kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of Him who can destroy both body and the soul in hell. For a few cents you can buy two sparrows. Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing. As for you, every hair of your head has been counted. Do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows!

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Whoever rejects me before others, I will reject before my Father in heaven.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

When Jesus immerse into the world and enjoin the activities of man, He open up himself to his disciples and to his followers. His life gradually turns into an open book as the Father in heaven had allowed it to ordinary man like us.
In similar way, the Bible reading of today teaches us to completely open ourselves to the Lord because our God is a known God.

When He said “What I am telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light.” Jesus is simply telling us to recall moments of our darkness and got to share how the Lord helps us  overcome those trying times. This is the very reason why we are encourage to share our own experiences with the Lord neither in the private nor in the group of few but if possible have it done in the “house tops” according to this reading. Do not keep what is happening in secret but be bold to share the goodness of the Lord to those who really needs it.

Often times, when given a chance to share how God works in their ups and downs would normally think it twice and more often say no than yes. Why? Because they don’t have the guts or in fear of doing the whole thing, thinking it would lead them to become a laughing stock. But Jesus reminded us in return that our Father does not even allow a sparrow to fall into the ground without him knowing it. He even added that not a single hair of our head is not accounted. Meaning, every details of our lives is under His close management and there is no enough reason  to be afraid of in this life.

In the final note of this reading, Jesus said ” Whoever acknowledge me before others, I will do the same before my Father and those who reject me, will be rejected before my Father in heaven.” Jesus encourages us to witness him before men of this world for when judgement comes He will also stand as our witness in front of the Father in heaven. All we need is to pour out all our trust to him and all things happen according to His will here on earth as it is in heaven.

Views: 86

LUKE 2:41-51 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JUNE 20, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Every year, the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast. After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents did not know it. They assumed that he was in their group of travelers, and, after walking the whole day, they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem, searching for him; and, on the third day, they found him on the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents were very surprised when they saw him; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your Father and I were worried while searching for you.”

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This Bible reading highlighted the occasion wherein Jesus left the crowd of his parents and chooses to be with the teachers listening and asking questions. Upon the knowledge of  Mary and Joseph that Jesus was not with the crowd leaving Jerusalem, they search for him and there found Jesus in the Temple with the Teachers. Seeing Jesus, Mary who was overwhelmed with so much worries said “Son, why have you done this to us? Your Father and I were worried while searching for you.”

Humanity has so much to worry about life. They worry for supplies, securities, future, profession, positions, love life, etc. They are too much occupied by their daily activities and advancement like Mary and Joseph who were not able to make notice when Jesus had left the crowd until the next day.

Much of our worries belong to this world. However, regardless of how many worries we may have now, this Bible reading reminded us that none of these worries are worth worrying for. Mary and Joseph did worry when Jesus was nowhere to be found in the accompanying crowd. That is why; the real thing that is worth worrying of this life is the tendency of losing the kingdom of God without Jesus.

Views: 56

MATTHEW 11: 25-30 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JUNE 19, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

On that occasion, Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, praise you; because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to simple people. Yes, Father, this was your gracious will.

Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is easy; and my burden is light.”

POINTS OF REFLECTION

This Bible reading speaks to us the greatness of God’s love. The Father unpacked himself through Jesus who for long time, in the period of the Old Testament, has remained hidden to the wise and the learned few. Through Jesus, He has made himself known to us as He said” No one knows the Son except the Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to Reveal him.”

Ancient Greek Philosophers hold the beliefs that Supreme Being cannot be “moved” or “touched” by anything that go on in the world. They added, He is “detached”, and “unconcerned” because his perfection prevent him from being moved by the plight of the mortal. But God showed the complete opposite of their stance by letting him known to the simple people.

Knowing God is neither a choice nor an accident but by His grace for it is He who chooses whom He may reveal himself.  In the context of the Bible, God chooses to reveal himself to the simple people not to the wise and to the learned. It is to the people like them whom God entrusted his identity by grace and love.

God clearly revealed to us Christian His Sacred Heart as opposed to the beliefs of the wise and the learned. When Jesus immerse to this world, showed that He weeps with us, he care for us and even died for us. His love is so great and pure as he said to comfort “come to me who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Not only that, He even offered his yoke in exchange of his, meaning He is truly moved and touched by the plight of human.

Views: 60

MATTHEW 6: 7-15 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JUNE 18, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, holy be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as in heaven. Give us today, our daily bread; forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are in debt to us. Do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from evil one.

If you forgive others their wrongdoings, your Father in heaven will also forgive yours. If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive you.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

In this Bible reading, Jesus taught us how to pray. Though it is okay to recite the “Lord’s Prayer” Jesus had taught us some two thousand years ago  would be better if we would go a little further by visualizing it beyond the literal lines.

When we say “Our Father in heaven, holy be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as in heaven” the whole thing tells us to recognize how powerful God is, and worthy of our love and praises. Saying “Give us today, our daily bread” means that God is quick to answer for our needs of survival not for our wants and luxuries. Saying” Forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are in debt to us” means asking forgiveness of our trespasses to God with the promise of forgiving others in away like a child does keeping no memories of hatred of the past. It is in fact letting go of those who have severely offended us day by day. Saying “Do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from evil one” means, we also need to pray for God’s deliverance on hard trials and evil one of this life.

In totality, the prayer Jesus taught us how, highlighted what we need to prioritize of this life which includes: knowing and loving God in a way of adoration, asking Him enough only for this life, asking for His pardon with the promise of doing the same to others, freeing us from the test of life, and deliverance from the evil one. Thus, Christian believer adopted this prayer format alliterated as ACTS which means Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

Views: 53

MATTHEW 6: 1-6, 16-18 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (JUNE 17, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

Be careful not to make a show of your good deeds before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. When you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted before you, as do those who want to be noticed in the synagogues and in the streets,  in order to be praised by people. I assure you, they have their reward. If you give something to the poor, do not let your left know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift remains really secret. Your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not be like those who want to be noticed. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues or on street corners,  in order to be seen by everyone. I assure you, they have their reward. When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is with you in secret; and your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.

When you fast do not put on a miserable face, as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face so that people can see they are fasting. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already. When you fast, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, because you are not fasting for appearances or for people, but for your Father, who sees beyond appearances; And your Father, who sees what is kept secret, will reward you.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Doing well to our fellow men is doing any good to the Father in heaven. Those deeds that are left unrewarded here on earth would be rewarded by the Father in heaven. But why happen in this way?

Brothers and sisters in Christ, God is a loving God and could not endure watching the sacrifices and heartbreaks of men without Him being involve. Remember God promise not to ever leave us alone. Hence, God always take more than half of our struggles, undertaking and frustration of this life. Seeing someone and having a heart to those who are  in so much pain and difficulty is like seeing God’s presence in them. Helping a person in suffering is simply helping God of His suffering for God shares that suffering with him. And if the human counterpart of that sufferer cannot offer a reward to compensate that goodness, then the Father will prepare a reward for you in heaven.

Jesus said “If you give something to the poor, do not have it trumpeted, instead do it in a way like your left hand without knowing what your right hand is doing.” Meaning it’s better doing good in the joy of the Lord rather than doing something to be recognized in public. Tell you, blessings abound to those who are considered joyful giver.

Remember, whether we like it or not much of ourselves belong to this world that we are now living. Doing self denials like: giving support to the poor, doing fasting, doing penance and other acts of reparation out of our sins are like trading off our worldly lures, desires and belongings  in exchange to the heavenly merit that God had prepared for us in Heaven.

Views: 81

MATTHEW 5: 43-48 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you:  love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust. If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Human are bounded of their own earthly limitation. They relate among others by a cup of equality not just in a matter of act but even more to emotional upkeep. We were taught by Jesus how important to have a good relationship to God by way of having a perfect loving relationship with the people around us. But wait; can we imagine ourselves within the forefront of our enemy? This is going to be very difficult. On this, God reminded us that if we hate our enemy we are no different to the tax collectors and the pagans. Of course, we do not want to be like them. We wanted to free ourselves from sins and live with Jesus in heaven.

My dear brothers and sisters, God told us in this Bible reading to love our enemies and pray for them and have faith in His promise to become children in heaven. This is the real justice and righteousness that God wants us to do to the rest of our lives. God really wanted us to exemplify His great love on us. Thus, this Bible reading speaks about justice and righteousness of God to man which is none other than the greatness of His love.

Views: 35

MATTHEW 5: 43-48 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION (June 16, 2020)

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you:  love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust. If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

Human are bounded to their own earthly limitation. They relate among others by a cup of equality not just in a matter of act but even more to emotional upkeep. We were taught by Jesus how important to have a good relationship to God by way of having a perfect loving relationship with the people around us. But wait; can we imagine ourselves within the forefront of our enemy? This is going to be very difficult. God reminded us that if we hate our enemy we are no different from the tax collectors and the pagans. Of course, we do not want to be like them. We wanted to free ourselves from sins and live with Jesus in heaven.

My dear brothers and sisters, God told us in this Bible reading to love our enemies and pray for them and have faith in His promise to become children in heaven. This is the real justice and righteousness that God wants us to do to the rest of our lives. God really wanted us to exemplify His great love on us. Thus, this Bible reading speaks about justice and righteousness of God to man which is none other than the greatness of His love.

Views: 61

JOHN 6:51-58 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION

by Roger, posted in Gospel Reading

JOHN 6: 51-58 GIFT OF BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

I am the living bread from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh, and I will give it for the life of the world.”
The Jew were arguing among themselves, ” How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

So Jesus replied, ” Truly, I say ti you, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. The one who eats my flesh and drink my blood lives eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. My flesh is really food, and my blood is truly drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me, and I in them. Just as the Father who is life, sent me, and I have life from the Father, so whoever eats me will have life from me. This is the bread from heaven; not like that of your ancestors. Who eat and later died. Those who eats this bread will live forever.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

There is a saying that goes ” We become what we eat and drink.” The gospel of the day is about the gift of the body and blood of Christ to us. Brothers and sisters this is the gift of the Holy sacrament where in, symbolically, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ during the Holy Communion.

This is not only about the ceremonial practice that we usually do during attendance of masses but more of how we become Christ like in our daily chores and activities.

When we say “Eating the flesh of the Son” , we mean to offer or dedicate our temporal body in the same way Jesus had done while He was with us some two thousand years ago. And “Drinking the blood of the Son” means living a life not just in the comfort of this world but in the discomfort of this world to win the kingdom of God in heaven.

When Jesus said ” those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me and I in them”, He mean that by embracing  the procedural growth in the Christian community would lead us to him and he would be with us till eternity. It is true that we all need substantial food and drink to satisfy this temporal body but more we need the food and drink of the spirit’s presence to nourish our soul unto the Father.

Views: 83