Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Gospel: Luke 9:43b-45
And all who saw it were astonished at God’s wonderful work.
But while all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen, and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men.” But the disciples didn’t understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Reflections
“Betrayed into the hands of men.”
Humans are not without intellectual and affective faculties so that they would not know that this behavior or those practices pose danger to the life, good and well-being of each member of the community of life on Earth. We certainly know when human activities are destructive of our fellow humans and of other creatures. We know when our actions violate the rights and dignity of others and compromise the flourishing of life on Earth. Human common sense and intelligence is so wired to the truth and the good that we receive signal(s) from within when our thoughts and actions become detrimental to life.
Are not people betrayed when the mountains are blasted and mined, when trees are cut down indiscriminately, and when the waters, the land and the air are being polluted. Look at what happened in countries, in areas struck by landslides, tsunamis, typhoons, etc.! Look at what hap- pens when we continuously use coal and fossil fuel. Are we not supposed to be “keepers” of our “sisters” and “brothers”, and protectors of God’s creation? Betray people, and some will voice out their complaints. But others re- sign in hopelessness and silence. Betray nature, and it will hit back, unforgiving.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 9:18-22
One day, when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, “What do people say about me?” And they answered, “Some say, that you are John the Baptist; others say, that you are Elijah; and still others, that you are one of the prophets of old, risen from the dead.” Again Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.
And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law, and be put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”

Reflections
“Who do you say that I am.”
Fortunate are the disciples to have interacted personally with Jesus, face to face, witnessed his healing activities, and heard his preaching. (How could the Pharisees and other religious leaders miss the God-person be- fore them!)
As for us, “Who is Jesus?” The descriptions of Jesus handed down by our parents, by our religious education teachers, by the Church, etc. become real only when we experienced them ourselves. Jesus is who/ what he is said to be only when we encounter him personally in our lives. We may recall that in the Prologue of the gospel of John, it is said: “All things came into being through him” (1:3). If we are created through him, this must, indeed, say something about us and Jesus. It would say that he is in every fiber of our being and that he would be so close to us than we know. Would not this closeness reveal who he is? This closeness allows for his revelation so that we can truly say who he is to us.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 9:7-9
King Herod heard of all this, and did not know what to think, for people said, “This is John, raised from the dead.” Others believed that Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets, had come back to life. As for Herod, he said, “I had John beheaded. Who is this man, about whom I hear such wonders?” And he was anxious to see him.

Reflections
“Who is this man.”
The answer to the question “Who is this man?” will tell us why, in the absence of Jesus, one is said to have harvested little even though she/he had sown much; and, why she/he was not satisfied although he had“eaten” and “drunk”. Having observed this in others and in ourselves, we are able to conclude that something is missing. An ingredient in the formula is left out, and that is Jesus. Without Jesus, life is incomplete. There is always a sense of something missing, a sense of emptiness. We think that we have worked out many things and have given our best, but still, there is a fee- ling of “These are not the things I’m supposed to be doing.”When Christ fills our life, we are led to those things that serve our purpose in life and to those things that provide a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. When he takes over our lives, our burdens, our failures are light to bear; and, we find direction. We know Jesus to be all of these that is why we are at peace and feel secure.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
Then Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He instructed them, “Don’t take anything for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and don’t even take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. And wherever they don’t welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them.”
So they set out, and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Reflections
“Don’t take anything for the journey.”
A suitcase company has for its trademark “Travel Lite”, found on its suitcases. The company simply wants to convey that using its suitcases we can travel (very) lightly, while having plenty of stuff inside and without having to pull hard. Indeed, the suitcases with their four wheels and very light material, but durable are reliable and can help travelling overseas more comfortable.
Our journey through life can also be light with all its ups and downs, with all its burden and difficulties. We can still Travel Lite in our daily life, enjoying and living life to the full. To Travel Lite could mean being critically aware of the things that are necessary and essential. It means discarding the things that do not contribute to our general well-being and good. It means being able to go through life in a relaxed, calm manner. It means being able to forgive others  and also our selves. To Travel Lite means to let go of resentments, chronic frustrations, mistakes and failures, rising above them. It means travelling with Jesus who said: “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” With Jesus, we can Travel Lite.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019