Daily Reflection

August 31, 2018 Friday

21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 1 / (Green)

Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

1^st Reading: 1 Cor 1:17-25

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim his gospel. And not with beautiful words! That would be like getting rid of the cross of Christ. The language of the cross remains nonsense for those who are lost. Yet for us who are saved, it is the power of God, as Scripture says: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and make fail the foresight of the foresighted. Masters of human wisdom, educated people, philosophers, you have no reply! And the wisdom of this world? God let it fail.

At first, God spoke the language of wisdom, and the world did not know God through wisdom. Then God thought of saving the believers, through the foolishness that we preach.

The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks for a higher knowledge, while we proclaim a crucified Messiah. For the Jews, what a great scandal! And for the Greeks, what nonsense! But he is Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God, for those called by God among both Jews and Greeks.

In reality, the “foolishness” of God is wiser than humans, and the “weakness” of God is stronger than humans.

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13

This story throws light on what will happen in the kingdom of heaven: Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were sensible. The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were, and did not take extra oil. But those who were sensible, took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.

But at midnight, a cry rang out, ‘The bridegroom is here, come out and meet him!’ All the maidens woke up at once, and trimmed their lamps. Then the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some oil, for our lamps are going out.’ The sensible ones answered, ‘There may not be enough for us and for you. You had better go to those who sell, and buy some for yourselves.’

When the bridegroom came, the foolish maidens were out buying oil, but those who were ready went with him into the wedding feast, and the doors were shut.

Later the other bridesmaids arrived and called out, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered, ‘Truly I do not know you.’

So stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Reflections

So stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour

For the Jews God is Totally Other. For the Infinite God to become enfleshed in a finite creature is foolishness. For the Greeks, the material world is defiled and imperfect, a mere shadow of the Real. For the infinite God to be incarnate in a fragile human being is a scandal.

For us Christians, while the Incarnation reveals the perfect love of God who condescends to embrace our human condition, the Cross reveals the breadth and depth of the love of God who embraces death in order to save us. How foolish and beautiful our God is.

Daily Reflection 2018

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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

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August 30, 2018 Thursday

21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 1 / (Green)

Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
I will praise your name forever, Lord.

1^st Reading: 1 Cor 1:1-9

From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, and from Sosthenes, our brother, to God’s Church which is in Corinth; to you, whom God has sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be holy, together, with those, who, everywhere, call upon the name of our Lord Christ Jesus, their Lord and ours. Receive grace, and peace from God, our Father, and Christ Jesus, our Lord.

I give thanks, constantly, to my God, for you, and for the grace of God given to you, in Christ Jesus. For you have been fully enriched, in him, with words, as well as with knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you. You do not lack any spiritual gift and only await the glorious coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord. He will keep you steadfast to the end, and you will be without reproach, on the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus. The faithful God will not fail you, after calling you to this fellowship with his Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Gospel: Mt 24:42-51

Stay awake then, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Obviously, if the owner of the house knew at what time the thief was coming, he would certainly stay up and not allow his house to be broken into. So be alert, for the Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect.

Imagine a faithful and prudent servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time. Fortunate, indeed, is that servant, whom his master will find at work when he comes. Truly I say to you, his lord will entrust him with everything he has.

Not so with the bad servant, who thinks, ‘My master is delayed.’ And he begins to ill-treat his fellow servants, while eating and drinking with drunkards. But his master will come on the day he does not know, and at the hour he least expects. He will punish that servant severely; and place with the hypocrites. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Reflections

Stay awake then, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come

On his deathbed, St. Stanislaus Kostka was asked if he feared death. He replied, "None at all. My heart is ready, O God! My heart is ready!" Wheelchair-bound, Karl Rahner was asked whether he feared death. He replied that to die is to be thrust into the awaiting arms of God.

We fear dying because of our fear of pain. We may fear death because of the uncertainty of what lies beyond. We may fear judgment because of the manner we have lived our lives.

Let us pray for readiness to encounter the Lord at any moment in our life.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

August 29, 2018 Wednesday

THE PASSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Psalter: Proper / (Red)

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab & 17
I will sing your salvation.

1^st Reading: Jer 1:17-19

But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you. Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence!

See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue you—it is Yahweh who speaks.”

Gospel: Mk 6:17-29

For this is what had happened: Herod had ordered John to be arrested; and had had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her; and John had told him, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him; but she could not, because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man, and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him; although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him.

Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee. On that occasion, the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you.” And he went so far as to say with many oaths, “I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” The mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried to the king and made her request, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish.”

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards, with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.

Reflections

I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish

John the Baptist was imprisoned for denouncing Herod’s adulterous relationship with his sister-in-law Herodias. Incarceration was meant to silence him. But speak the truth he continued to do, with Herod secretly listening to him with fascination.

Like Herod, we attempt to conceal the falsehoods about us, yet are mysteriously drawn by grace to the truth. Do we ultimately silence the truth about us, preferring to live a lie? Do we have the courage to allow the truth to reveal ourselves to us? Or, like John the Baptist, are we willing to speak the truth notwithstanding the dire consequences?

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

August 28, 2018 Tuesday

21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Augustine, bishop & doctor
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)

Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13
The Lord comes to judge the earth.

1^st Reading: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17

Brothers and sisters, let us speak about the coming of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and our gathering to meet him. Do not be easily unsettled. Do not be alarmed by what a prophet says, or by any report, or by some letter said to be ours, saying, the day of the Lord is at hand. Do not let yourselves be deceived, in any way. Apostasy must come first, when the man of sin will appear,

To this end he called you, through the gospel we preach, for he willed you, to share the glory of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Because of that, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you, by word or by letter. May Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has loved us, may God our Father, who, in his mercy, gives us everlasting comfort and true hope, strengthen you. May he encourage your hearts and make you steadfast in every good work and word.

Gospel: Mt 23:23-26

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You do not forget the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you demand the tenth of everything; but then, you forget what is most fundamental in the law: justice, mercy and faith! You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a mosquito, but swallow a camel.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You fill the plate and the cup, with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them. Blind Pharisee! Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified.

Reflections

Purify the inside first, then the outside, too, will be purified

Augustine, the restless soul, sought for meaning in his life by giving in to his appetites and pursuing his carnal desires, which left him empty. He temporarily found meaning in Manichaeism, a dualistic philosophy and way of life that, through reason and will power, promoted an ascetical life. However, he did not find peace in such moral gymnastics — until he encountered Jesus through the Gospels and the preaching of St. Ambrose.

He ultimately found peace and joy, truth and meaning not in his commitment to a philosophy but in his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

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