Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Ac 5,17-26 / Jn 3,16-21

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

IN OTHER WORDS

Once, in a Mass celebrated with a charismatic group in Quezon City, I asked an elderly lady this question, “What is your favorite gospel passage?” Without hesitation, she quoted John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not die but have everlasting life.” Amazed, I uttered, “Wow, it’s superb, it’s wonderful.”

In my reflection, I asked myself, “How can I return the goodness of God to me?”

Two weeks ago we remembered and celebrated how this Jesus willingly offered himself for our sake, redeeming us from our sins and giving us again a new life and a new hope. God is so good that he himself does the first move even though we have turned our back to him by our hard heartedness and disobedience to His will. In this season of Easter let us ask the Lord to grant us graces to imitate his life, his kindness and his mercy. That we may be able to live according to his will. Let his mind be our mind that we may not think selfishly; rather that, in charity, we off er ourselves in the service of our least brothers and sisters.

Let us come to the light of the Lord and live in his truth for we cannot do anything without him.

Let us start today a new life in Christ so that way we can return the goodness of the Lord to us

• Fr. Melencio “Jun” Balay, SVD | CKMS, Quezon City

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Ac 4,32-37 / Jn 3,7-15

Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’

The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with every-one who is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

IN OTHER WORDS

Nicodemus was a different kind of Pharisee. He was ready to accept his ignorance and was sincere in his pursuit of the truth. Thus Jesus patiently taught him the difference between spiritual birth and physical birth.

Physical birth is a human process through which everyone enters this world. Spiritual birth is of the Spirit. Born of water and the Spirit refers to Baptism which everyone needs to enter the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus is emphasizing that Baptism is important for our entry into heaven. That is the reason why the baptism of children and of those who desire it should not be deferred because of the importance of being born in the Spirit. God dwelling in us.

How many of us have the simplicity to ask for the right answer or seek counselling when we are confronted with doubts or questions about the faith? Let us learn to be humble and simple to accept our lack of knowledge. Let us turn to the Holy Spirit who will guide us. In times of difficulties, the Holy Spirit is always ready to help. Let us pray to him always.

• Sr. Isabel Angela, SSpS | Arnold Janssen Sprituality Center, Quezon City

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Is 7,10-14; 8,10 / Heb 10,4-10/ Lk 1,26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you. ” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her

IN OTHER WORDS

I remember watching a very intense basketball game. Everybody was really into it. All of a

sudden the players stopped. I remember thinking, “What is going on? Is somebody hurt”? Then I noticed that the players were making the sign of the cross as a church bell was ringing somewhere. I realized that the players were praying the Angelus! I was maybe 10 years old when I saw this and it has made a powerful impression on me. So powerful that more than 20 years have passed but I can still picture it in my mind as if it happened only yesterday.

The Gospel today, in this feast of the Annunciation is prayed in the Angelus. In both the Annunciation and the Angelus the idea of “stopping” is implied. I imagine the Blessed Mother stopping whatever it was she was doing to listen to the announcement of the Angel. When the Angelus is prayed we are supposed to stop also whatever it is that we are doing, even for just a few minutes.

Stopping is very biblical. God stopped. He wanted His people also to stop. It is even included in the Ten Commandments. The Hebrew word for Sabbath taken as a verb means to stop.  The Sabbath was a memorial, a praise and a rest rolled into one - a holy “stop”. In the annunciation Mary stopped and heard about the great things that God was about to accomplish through her. In that basketball court 20 years ago the players stopped in the middle of a game…it is as if saying: there is more to life than basketball.  By stopping, we get to rest, to listen and to see that which truly matters.

• Fr. Dante Barril, SVD | Rome, Italy

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

FIRST READING: Ac 5,12-16

Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles.  They were all together in Solomon’s portico. None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them. Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them. Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.

SECOND READING: Rev 1,9-11.12-13.17-19

I, John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus.10I was caught up in spirit on the Lord’s day and heard behind me a voice as loud as a trumpet, which said, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and when I turned, I saw seven gold lampstands and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest.

When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives.  Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. Write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards.

GOSPEL: Jn 20,19-31

 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.  Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

IN OTHER WORDS

Have you ever had the experience of having a bad day, of so many emotions coming to the fore, but you had to check them because you still had work to do? A very difficult thing to do. But I congratulate anyone who can do it because it is a testament of commitment to do what needs to be done without waiting another minute given its importance. To be convinced that your work is important enables you to have the proper energy and motivation to do it immediately without procrastination.

This is one of the themes found in our Gospel today. The apostles were afraid. They were inside a locked room. Then Jesus appeared and the first thing he said was: “Peace be with you.” He understood their fear and their anxiety. The words he uttered were not only a greeting but a powerful remedy for their emotional turmoil. However, the Lord did not stop with alleviating their fears.  Now, he sent them on a mission. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” It is as if he was saying: “I know you are afraid and full of questions. But fear not. I am here. I will always be with you. Now, go and proclaim the Good News to all.”

We are here in this world for a reason. We have been chosen by God to be His witnesses. There are times when, like the apostles, we also are afraid of people and of the uncertain future. But if we believe and persevere in our faith, Jesus will make his presence felt and give us peace of mind and heart. Then he sends us on a mission. A mission to witness to the faith we hold dear. He does not send us empty-handed. Just like the apostles, we are given the Holy Spirit whose gifts we use in order to believe and strengthen our faith enabling us to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.

• Fr. Chito Lorenzo, SVD | Japan

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word