Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

1 Jn 1: 5–2: 2 / Mt 2: 13–18

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.

Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.”

IN OTHER WORDS

We all love the underdog. That is why Ginebra is our national Barangay and Fernando Poe Jr. is the King. God too loves the underdog. He sided with Israel, that tiny, slave nation whose little children were massacred in Egypt.

But God took it a bit farther though. He did not just side with the underdog; He Himself became the underdog. In the Gospel today, Matthew presents Jesus as like Moses of old, who escaped from the wrath and madness of the strong and powerful by the skin of his teeth.

Moses ran. Jesus ran…and hid. But it’s fine. Everybody knows that Moses is going to raise his staff and divide the Red Sea. You and I are one hundred percent certain that after three days the Tomb will be empty. And so we shout G-I-N-E-B-R-A with all our hearts, stick FPJ posters in our rooms, watch Ten Commandments over and over again, and cry and praise, worship and raise our hands through, with and in Jesus.

But how can we cheer for the Holy Innocents? They will not be splitting any sea or resurrect on the third day. The Gospel presents a power struggle between God, the force of good, and Herod, the power of the world. God, in the baby Jesus, would be the underdog. But like FPJ we know He will win in the end. The Holy Innocents though were a totally different story. They were caught in the crossfire. They had no idea what was going on. They were not given a chance.

We might be fighting the Evil Incarnate…let us proceed slowly though, for we might step on the weak and the voiceless. And repeat the same massacre.

• Fr. Dante Barril, SVD (Rome, Italy)

The Word in other words 2015

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 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 © 2012 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

FIRST READING

Sir 3: 3–7.14–17

Those who honor their father atone for sins;
they store up riches who respect their mother.
Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children,
and when they pray they are heard.
Those who respect their father will live a long life;
those who obey the Lord honor their mother.
Those who fear the Lord honor their father,
and serve their parents as masters.
Kindness to a father will not be forgotten;
it will serve as a sin offering—it will take lasting root.
In time of trouble it will be recalled to your advantage,
like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.
Those who neglect their father are like blasphemers;
those who provoke their mother are accursed by their Creator.
My son, conduct your affairs with humility,
and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.

SECOND READING

Col 3: 12–21

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.

GOSPEL READING

Lk 2: 41–52

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

IN OTHER WORDS

I love its silence despite the busy piazza outside it and the street in front of it so it has become almost a daily habit for me to visit the Church especially during our class breaks. This church is near the Italian language school where I was then studying. Aside from being a place of worship, it houses great works of art which are so common in Rome. Silence, art, prayer and a desire for a momentary break from the drills and exercises have brought me there. Little did I know that my teacher had noticed this habit and knew from my classmates that I would fly to this basilica at every breaktime. One day, I opted to stay in the classroom during the break to do some reading. Suddenly one classmate asked me what was I doing in the classroom. Surprised by the query, I asked in turn why should I not be in the classroom. Then her funny response, “You are supposed to be in Church!”

“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This response of Jesus underlines strongly His identity and His mission. Being the Son of God and being sent by the Father mean to him that He is naturally to be found doing what is expected of Him as the Son and, of course, in the place where humanity and God would meet in prayer. It was like being in his natural habitat – in His Father’s house - and largely preoccupied by the Father’s concerns and mission. This reminds us also that being Christians, we have a calling to preoccupy us, to be busy about the Father’s business. A Christian, a follower of Christ, is naturally expected to be doing the work and mission of Christ. Going about the ministries of love, doing things in joy, promoting peace in the community and asserting justice, as well as the willingness to take up every cross that comes daily, are the natural things to do rather than gossiping and backbiting, hating one another or sowing division in the community. How blessed are we to be found doing the Father’s business!

• Fr. Ferdinand Bajao, SVD (Rome, Italy)

The Word in other words 2015

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 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 © 2012 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Acts 6: 8–10; 7: 54–59 / Mt 10: 17–22

Jesus said to his apostles: “Beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

IN OTHER WORDS

I had the privilege of presiding at the 70th wedding anniversary of a couple from the parish. During the homily, I asked the couple how old they were considering that they had been together for 70 years. The woman said: “Father, I am 96.” Then, I turned to the man and asked the same question. The woman answered: “He is 98.” Wow, in two years he will be 100 years old. So my next question was: “After 70 years of married life, are you still happy?” The woman said: “Oh yes, Father!” So I turned to the man and asked the same question. The woman replied right away: “Oh yes, Father, he is still happy.” No wonder, they were still together after 70 years. They had endured to this point because they knew what it meant to be in a relationship: you need to know who is in charge. Not the woman, although she was the one who answered all the questions. It was God! That was why they came to church to celebrate this milestone: to give thanks to the One who made it possible for them to continue life together. It was the same One who empowered them to go through the ups and downs of life; the same One who provided for all their needs and wants. They were able to save their relationship after 70 years because they held on to The One.

They are like the saint we commemorate today, St. Stephen, who gave up his life for the faith, imitating the example of the One who called him to be a disciple. In the Acts of the Apostle, just before he was martyred, we see the power of Stephen’s words against his accusers; how he stood up for what he believed was true. For this, he paid the ultimate price. His last words were: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Until the end, he remained faithful to the faithful God. He was able to endure the pain of martyrdom because he knew the reward waiting for him from the One. As we celebrate the Season of Christmas, may we continue to rejoice and remain faithful to the gift of GOD to us: The Word made Flesh, Jesus, the One who saves.

• Fr. Carlos Macatangga, SVD (Toronto, Canada)

The Word in other words 2015

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 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 © 2012 Society of the Divine Word

 

December 25, 2015 Friday

THE WORD

FIRST READING

Is 52: 7–10

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the one bringing good news,
Announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”
Listen! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
For they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD’s return to Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD has comforted his people,
has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
All the ends of the earth can see
the salvation of our God.

SECOND READING

Heb 1: 1–6

Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the first-born into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

GOSPEL READING

Jn 1: 1–18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

IN OTHER WORDS

I am reminded of a heartwarming story I once read in the Internet. There was a couple who celebrated Christmas in one of New York City’s upscale restaurants. After finishing their meal and paying their bill, the husband told his wife: “So, shall we go home now?” The wife said,” Wait, today is Christmas Day. We should do something to spread the special message of Christmas.” The husband asked, “How?” The wife said, “Do you see this couple in the next table? Let us secretly pay their bill!” They called the head waiter and told him they would pay the bill of the couple in the next table, and told the waiter to wait until they have left before informing the other couple what they had done. When the other couple called for their bill, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that unknown strangers did a very good thing to them. Then spontaneously, they told the waiter they would also pay secretly the bill of the people in the next table. Later on, the waiters would recall how an unplanned and unexpected chain reaction of generosity spread that day in that restaurant. It was a truly Christmas experience for the diners and the waiters who witnessed it, a reminder of what a wonderful world it can be when love and sharing abound.

The birth of Jesus was described by John as the coming of the true Light that enlightens everyone. Through His love and self-sacrifice, we learn how good it is to imitate it in our little way. As the diners in the restaurant were inspired to pass on the good experiences they received, they realized that something good must not be kept to themselves, it is better to let others experience it also. The light that came into the world brings light into our hearts and we should kindle also in others this same light to make the world a truly brighter and better place.

• Fr. Gil Alejandria, SVD (CTManila)

The Word in other words 2015

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 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 © 2012 Society of the Divine Word