Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
At the coming of the Son of Man, it will be just as it was in the time of Noah. In those days before the Flood, people were eating and drinking, and marrying, until that day when Noah went into the ark. Yet, they did not know what would happen, until the flood came and swept them away. So will it be, at the coming of the Son of Man: of two men in the field, one will be taken and the other left; of two women grinding wheat together at the mill, one will be taken and the other left. 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.

Lectio Divina
READ: “Therefore, stay awake? For you do not know on which day the Lord will come.” (Gospel)
REFLECT: “Find Ways and Means to overcome your weak­ness (say flesh and purity) this is what it means also to stay awake”. This first Sunday of Advent ushers us to listen to these words “stay awake”. This means being prepared, being ready: opening up of our minds and hearts. Because we do not know when the Lord comes. When we are caught off guard we will be ashamed at others. We become the butt of jokes. When the Lord tells us today: “staying awake”, this means a serious caution. In the Second reading this “staying awake” is translated to “putting on Christ” and do not be led by the flesh nor follow its desires. Putting on Christ means embracing His ways. Be ready for any even­tuality that Christ wants us.
PRAY: “Lord, lead me to your path, enlighten my mind and heart. Let your WORD be my light.
ACT: Be keen with what leads us to the sins of the flesh which destroys purity.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus walked by the lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come, follow me; and I will make you fish for people.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He went on from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them.
At once, they left the boat, and their father, and followed him.

Reflections
“I will make you fish for people.”
Joan Caroll-Cruz wrote a book entitled “Mysteries, Marvels and Miracles in the Lives of the Saints. It is a 581-page compendium of facts and recorded stories of 289 beatified and canonized saints. Concerning St. Andrew, we find this account: On the first anniversary of his martyrdom (crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece), November 30, 61, perfumed oil flowed from his sepulcher. For years it was so abundant that at times it flowed from the tomb down to the aisle of the church. In the year 357, his re- lics were transferred from Greece to Constantinople; the perfumed oil continued to flow. In 1204, his bones were transferred into a silver urn. A century later, the perfumed oil was replaced by a white granu- lar substance. When this was ap- plied to a blind man, his vision was restored.
The miracles surrounding his relics are living testimonies that even after death, this blessed apostle continues to strengthen others’ faith in the Lord; many have been healed and many have been reconciled to Jesus. It is indeed the vocation of St. Andrew to introduce people to Jesus (cf. John 1:42; John 6:8ff; John 12:20ff). And in the course of his life he travelled to many lands facilitating an encounter between people and Jesus through his preaching. In other words, we have in St. Andrew an excellent model in evangelization. He labored with dedication for others to know Jesus. May we have the same inspiration.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 21:29-33
And Jesus added this comparison, “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Reflections
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
The film “Magnifico” was a story of a young boy who was surprisingly aware of the situation his family was in. They were poor and with that, they were financially down. One day his grandmother fell ill and he overheard that she may not last long and die; the family will need money for funeral expenses. And so began his ad- venture. He inquired about funeral arrangement costs. And when he learned it was something they cannot afford, he devised a plan. From a local carpentry he asked for wood scraps and slabs and innocently measured his grand- mother’s length and width. The twist in the story came when the boy met an accident and died; the coffin he prepared for his grand- mother became his.
Life has many uncertainties. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring and what will happen after today. And so we endeavor to give ourselves some sense of security, we make plans – educational plans, health plans, memorial plans, and other plans. But these are for our material and physical well-being. What about plans for our spiritual security in the future? Only one can give us that crucial sense of security: adherence to God’s Word because it will never abandon us. Everything will be gone, but God’s Word will remain. And this will be our key to heaven.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28,
When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. If you are in Judea, flee to the mountains! If you are in Jerusalem, leave! If you are outside the city, don’t enter it!
For these will be the days of its punishment, and all that was announced in the Scriptures will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women, and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and wrath upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword, or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans, until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.
Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, perplexed when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. Then, at that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
So, when you see things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.”

Reflections
“They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
The gospel passage describes the destruction of Jerusalem which has historically happened. The highlight of which was the destruction of the temple which was basically central to Jewish faith and life. The destruction was traditionally associated with the end of the world. Destructions are terrifying because of accompanying extraordinary disasters. Destruction are terrifying especially because they are attendant to loss and demise. But Jesus hints at rejoicing and not fear. Destructions are only a portion of the whole picture and it is only on the surface. A bigger part of it is deliverance. At the end of the world is the coming of the Son of Man for liberation and freedom. It is a time of salvation for those who will endure the tribulations while remaining faithful to Christ. It should therefore be an exciting event. An image of caution though should not be entirely missed. Behind this excitement emerges a despairing portrait of punishment. Those who have not and did not recognize Christ will be sentenced. And judgment will be severe.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019