Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Heb 2, 14-18 / Mk 1,29-39

In leaving the synagogue [Jesus] entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

IN OTHER WORDS

I was second year high school then when I had dengue. I got scared for my life because I thought no one would recover from dengue. I stayed in the hospital for three weeks where I learned not to give up hoping for a better day without tubes attached to my body. But most of all, seeing that my mother was praying the rosary all the time, I learned to have faith.

The Gospel for today tells us how Jesus healed numerous individuals who were sick. Illness is a human experience which makes the individual realize that he/she is not super human. Upon this realization, he/she begins to acknowledge being like one of those ill persons in the Gospel who longed to be cured.

Wanting to be cured from an illness be it physiological, psychological or spiritual — is one of the most common prayer in the world today. Faith has always been the fundamental element in the process of healing. If the individual in the first place does not have any faith in the doctor or does not believe that medications can/will cure, he/ she will not go to the doctor nor take the medication.

When we are ill, having faith in Jesus will make us courageous. Faith will make us strong enough to hope for things to be better. We may find ourselves on the verge Of giving up but even the slightest act of faith will make us realize that we are not alone in our suffering. It's this little act of faith which makes us believe that Christ, who is beyond all suffering, will cure us in the end.

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Heb 2,5-12 / Mk 1,21-28

When Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

IN OTHER WORDS

One time the son was asked by the father to show his report card.
Father: You have again a failing grade. Why don't you imitate Peter who is consistently an honors student?
Son: Dad, it's unfair to compare me with Peter?
Dad: Why?
Son: His father is intelligent.

It seems to be a human tendency to compare - especially highlighting the defects of one and the good qualities of the other. In today's gospel, we see how the people of Capernaum could not help but compare Jesus with others. Here in the early part of Jesus' public life, He was compared to those who preached in the synagogue. They saw at once the difference between Jesus and the Scribes: He taught with authority. Jesus' authority was further proven when the unclean spirit obeyed Him. Why did He speak with such authority? First of all, because His message came from the heart. He was passionate about what He preached and how he behaved. All this reflected the very reason why He came: to reveal God's unconditional love and His very person is the embodiment of that Love. Secondly, He knew a lot about the message and was, thus, confident with what He said and did. Thirdly, there was consistency in what Jesus said and did. His was not merely words but His words were followed by actions. As the saying goes "He walks the talk, and He talks the walk." May we not only admire the message of the passionate, confident, and consistent Jesus but also follow and live it too.

• Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD (HNU, Bohol)

The Word in other words 2017

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Is 42,1-4.6-7 / Ac 10,34-38 / Mt 3: 13-17

When Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

IN OTHER WORDS

One of the things I hated doing as a young seminarian was washing my clothes but I had to do it because it was part of the training. Without much notion about this chore, once I soaked all my dirty clothes together without separating the colored from the white ones. After some hours I found out that a red colored shirt stained the rest especially the white ones. It took only one shirt to affect the others.

Jesus' baptism is understood as a dimension of his incarnation; it is considered as his immersion or his being "soaked" into humanity's condition as sinner though He was sinless. By going down to the Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus joined the rank of sinners and assumed that "ugly" dimension of his incarnation - humanity's sin. Through this action, Jesus showed his solidarity with his brothers and sisters burdened by their sinfulness.

Furthermore, the Church Fathers loved to say that Jesus needed to plunge into the waters in the Jordan so that by His being "soaked" in it, He might consecrate it and this might cleanse His brothers and sisters' sinfulness.

Just as Jesus needed to be "soaked" into humanity's condition in order to become truly a credible savior in touch with humanity's core and predicament, so does humanity need to be "soaked" also into the Spirit of God to become truly Christ-like children of God.

• Fr. Ronnie R. Crisostomo, SVD (Dasmarifias City, Cavite)

The Word in other words 2017

The Word in other words 2017

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

FIRST READING: Is 60,16

Arise! Shine, for your light has come,/ the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you./ Though darkness covers the earth,/ and thick clouds, the peoples,/ Upon you the LORD will dawn,/ and over you his glory will be seen./ Nations shall walk by your light,/ kings by the radiance ofyour Raise your eyes and look about;/ they all gather and come to you—4 Your sons from afar,/ your daughters in the arms of their nurses] Then you shall see and be radiant,/ your heart shall throb and overflow./ For the riches of the sea shall be poured out before you,/ the wealth of nations shall come to you./ Caravans of camels shall cover you,/ dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;/ All from Sheba shall come/ bearing gold and frankincense,/ and heralding the praises of the LORD.

SECOND READING: Eph 3,2-3a. 5-6

Brothers and sisters: I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, [namely, that] the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier, which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

GOSPEL: Mt 2,1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel. "'

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

IN OTHER WORDS

Babushka's story, the only Christmas play that I ever joined in high school, is about this old woman who met the three wise men and was invited to join them in their search for the new born king. When she reached Bethlehem, however, the star had dimmed and the child had gone with his parents to Egypt. Babushka was very sad that she had missed Jesus and legend says that she is still roaming the earth looking for Him.

Who actually gets to find Jesus? The feast of the Epiphany is our second chance at Christmas. The invisible God manifested Himself in the flesh and wanted to be seen and found. In fact, we are told that this feast is Christmas for the Gentiles, the non-Jews, outsiders of the faith, the migrants and the unchurched. It is a gospel affirmation that Jesus Christ is indeed for everybody, setting the tone for Jesus' ministry to both Jews and Gentiles. St. Paul writes "that the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and co-partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Eph 3:6) The Lord's Epiphany gives credence to what mission means.

To find Jesus, our gospel today gives four pointers: the journey, the star, the gifts, and a different way home. While God took the first step of coming down to earth to reveal Himself more fully, we too need to embark on the journey in search of Him. Herod and his assembly of priests and scribes knew what the scriptures said but did not follow what they contained. Only those who walk the road, no matter how difficult, are really following the star. The westward pilgrimage of the wise men is a metaphor of our inward journey towards discovering Jesus in our humanity and around our community. The star of Bethlehem is no longer an impossible dream, an unreachable star, something we only wish upon. It has become the person of Jesus - that radiant light of which the Prophet Isaiah spoke in the first reading: "Though darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds, the peoples, upon you the LORD will dawn." (Is. 60: 1) Those who find Jesus live openly in the light and radiate that light to others.

The gifts of the wise men might be too literal or too theological for us to offer, but homage to God, which they really signify, is what we must give to Christ our King. Let us return to God in greater quantity all our time, resources, talents, and gifts from God as our homage to him.

Finally, those who find Jesus never return to their old ways but lead by the better way home. As we begin the new year and move to the ordinary days of life, may we never backtrack on our pre-new year resolutions, but forge ahead always seeking Jesus, guided by Jesus, offering to Jesus, until we find him at the end of our earthly journey.

• Fr. Emil Lim (St. Jude Catholic School Manila)

The Word in other words 2017

The Word in other words 2017

The Word in other words 2017

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word