Daily Reflection

August 15, 2018 Wednesday

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16
The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

1^st Reading: Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

Then, the Sanctuary of God, in the heavens, was opened, and the Ark of the Covenant of God could be seen inside the Sanctuary. There were flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a violent hailstorm. A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant, and cried out in pain, looking to her time of delivery. Then, another sign appeared: a huge, red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and wearing seven crowns on its heads. It had just swept along a third of the stars of heaven with its tail, throwing them down to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman, who was about to give birth, so that, it might devour the child as soon as it was born. She gave birth to a male child, the one who is to rule all the nations with an iron scepter; then, her child was seized, and taken up to God, and to his throne, while the woman fled to the desert, where God had prepared a place for her; there, she would be looked after, for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Then, I heard a loud voice from heaven: Now has salvation come, with the power and the kingdom of our God, and the rule of his anointed. For our brothers’ accuser has been cast out, who accused them night and day, before God.

2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 15:20-27

Gospel: Lk 1:39-56

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary‘s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord‘s word would come true!“ And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior! He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, Holy is his Name! From age to age his mercy extends to those who live in his presence. He has acted with power and done wonders, and scattered the proud with their plans. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up those who are downtrodden. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He held out his hand to Israel, his servant, for he remembered his mercy, even as he promised our fathers, Abraham and his descendants forever.“

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.

Reflections

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

Because she remained sinless, death could not touch her body. At the moment of death, Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. She is thus the first to participate in her Son’s bodily resurrection. The Father and Son through the Spirit share with her the resurrection promised to all who remain faithful to the end; that is, redemption of one’s entire personhood and eternal communion with God.

Mary is thus the icon of our ultimate aspirations. In her glorious Assumption, we glimpse what God offers us also — preservation of our transformed body and soul and eternal life with God.

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 14, 2018 Tuesday

19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, priest & martyr
Psalter: Week 3 / (Red)

Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
How sweet to my taste is your promise!

1^st Reading: Ez 2:8—3:4

Listen then, son of man, to what I say, and don’t be a rebel among rebels. Open your mouth and take in what I’m about to say.”

I looked and saw a hand stretched out in front of me holding a scroll. He unrolled it before me; on both sides were written lamentations, groaning and woes.

He said to me, “Son of man, eat what is given to you. Eat this scroll and then go; speak to the people of Israel.” I opened my mouth and he made me eat the scroll; and then he said to me, “Eat and fill yourself with this scroll that I’m giving you.” I ate it; and it tasted as sweet as honey.

He said, “Son of man, go to the Israelites; speak to them with my words.

Gospel: Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, “I assure you, that, unless you change, and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble, like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child, in my name, receives me.

See that you do not despise any of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.

What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray. It is the same with your Father in heaven. Your Father in heaven doesn’t want even one of these little ones to perish.

Reflections

Your Father in heaven doesn’t want even one of these little ones to perish

In 1941, Maximilian Kolbe was arrested by the German Gestapo, imprisoned in Pawiak then transferred to Auschiwtz where he was killed by the guards by a lethal injection of carbolic acid. It is not the manner of death that is remarkable but the circumstances that led to his execution. During his second month in Auschwitz, several inmates were chosen to be starved to death, in order to threaten those contemplating escaping from prison. Kolbe was not among those chosen but volunteered to take the place of an inmate with a family. He sacrificed his life that another may live.

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 13, 2018 Monday

19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Pontian, pope & martyr &
St. Hippolytus, priest & martyr
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green/Red)

Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

1^st Reading: Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c

On the fifth of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of king Jehoiachin) the word of Yahweh came to Ezekiel, son of Buzi, the priest, in the land of the Chaldeans by the banks of the Kebar. There the hand of Yahweh was upon me. Ezekiel sees the glory of Yahweh.

I looked: a windstorm came from the north bringing a great cloud. A fiery light inside it lit up all around it, while at the center there was something like a glowing metal.

In the center were what appeared to be four creatures with the same form. I heard the noise of their wings when they moved, similar to the roar of many waters, similar to the voice of the Most High, the noise of a multitude or of a camp. When they were not moving they lowered their wings.

I heard a noise above the platform over their heads. Above it was a throne resembling a sapphire; and high on this throne was a figure similar to that of a man. Then I saw a light as of glowing bronze, as if fire enveloped him from his waist upwards. And from his waist downwards it was as if fire gave radiance around him.

The surrounding light was like a rainbow in the clouds after a day of rain. This vision was the likeness of Yahweh’s glory. On seeing it I fell on my face; and then I heard a voice speaking.

Gospel: Mt 17:22-27

While Jesus was in Galilee with the Twelve, he said to them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. But he will rise on the third day.” The Twelve were deeply grieved.

When they returned to Capernaum, the temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked him, “Does your master pay the temple tax?” He answered, “Yes.” Peter then entered the house; and immediately, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Simon? Who pays taxes or tribute to the kings of the earth: their sons or strangers and aliens?” Peter replied, “Strangers and aliens.” And Jesus told him, “The sons, then, are tax-free. But, so as not to offend these people, go to the sea, throw in a hook, and open the mouth of the first fish you catch. You will find a coin in it. Take the coin and give it to them for you and for me.”

Reflections

Does your master pay the temple tax?

The Jews paid a yearly per capita tax to the Roman Empire. Their harvest was taxed, so was their use of the Roman highways and fishing docks. Scholars estimate that as much as one-third of their income went to their Roman occupiers.

Jesus did not instigate a violent revolt against the Romans. He collaborated when called for — like paying taxes — but was critical of them when necessary.

We also need to discern our relationship with the State — when to cooperate and when to be critical, what to affirm and what to denounce, using the Gospel as our moral compass.

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 12, 2018 Sunday

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green)

Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

1^st Reading: 1 K 19:4-8

He himself disappeared into the desert going on a day’s journey. Then he sat down under a broom tree and prayed to die, “That is enough, Yahweh, take away my life for I am dying.”

He lay down and went to sleep under the broom tree. Then an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” Elijah looked and saw, at his head, a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and went back to sleep. The angel of Yahweh came a second time to him, saying, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you.” He got up, ate and drank, and on the strength of that food, he traveled for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

2^nd Reading: Eph 4:30—5:2

Do not sadden the Holy Spirit of God, who you were marked with. He will be your distinctive mark on the day of salvation. Do away with all quarreling, rage, anger, insults and every kind of malice: be good and understanding, forgiving one another, as God forgave you, in Christ.

As most beloved children of God, strive to imitate him. Follow the way of love, the example of Christ, who loved you. He gave himself up for us, and became the offering and sacrificial victim, whose fragrance rises to God.

Gospel: Jn 6:41-51

The Jews murmured because Jesus had said, “I am the bread which comes from heaven.” And they said, “This man is the son of Joseph, isn’t he? We know his father and mother. How can he say that he has come from heaven?”

Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise him up on the last day. It has been written in the Prophets: They shall all be taught by God. So whoever listens and learns from the Father comes to me.

For no one has seen the Father except the One who comes from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

I am the bread of life. Though your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, they died. But here you have the bread from heaven, so that you may eat of it, and not die.

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.”

Lectio Divina

Read: Elijah, who is depressed and suicidal, feeds on the food of the angels and recovers. Anything that separates us from God saddens the Holy Spirit and we must avoid them. His listeners have a hard time taking in his “strange” teachings, but Christ insists that they take him seriously, for their own good.

Reflect: “They shall all be taught by God.” It looks like a great honor to be taught by God Himself, but when God does so, people tend to shy away in disbelief. This is what we find in the reactions of the people to Jesus’ teachings. Such reluctance to be taught by God is presumably because what God teaches goes against our sinful inclinations and inconveniences us. But such reluctance is to our own peril and saddens the Holy Spirit whose passion it is to help us understand Jesus’ teachings. What we need is an openness to the Spirit so that he can drive home what God wants us to learn, do and be.

Pray: Say a little prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Act: Do the Eucharist today.

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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