Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Gospel: John 1:35-42
On the following day, John was standing there again, with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, “There is the Lamb of God.” On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. He turned and saw them following, and he said to them, “What are you looking for?”  They answered, “Rabbi (which means Master), where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come and see.”  So they went and saw where he stayed, and spent the rest of that day with him. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.  Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard what John had said, and followed Jesus. Early the next morning, he found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means the Christ), and he brought Simon to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John, but you shall be called “Cephas” (which means Rock).

REFLECTION:
The best way to establish a happy family is spen­ding time together, sharing and listening to one another.  On the one hand, modern gadgets have made this difficult for they take most of our time and interest.  On the other hand, modern technology has facilitated communication among families and friends separated by distance and place.  With many forms of entertainment the society offers, quality time with our fa­mily and community members is neglected.  We are faced with the challenge to prioritize spen­ding time with our love ones and above all with the Lord.  Being with the Lord in solitude and prayer overflows itself to our family and friends, we bring them to the Lord.

Reference: http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/daily-gospel

Gospel: John 1:29-34
The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
It is he of whom I said: A man comes after me, who is already ahead of me, for he was before me. I myself did not know him,
but I came baptizing to prepare for him, so that he might be revealed in Israel.”
And John also gave this testimony, “I saw the Spirit coming down on him, like a dove from heaven, and resting on him.
I myself did not know him, but God, who sent me to baptize, told me, ‘You will see the Spirit coming down,
and resting on the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ Yes, I have seen! And I declare that this is the Chosen One of God!”

REFLECTION:
“To see is to believe” is often said by people who want proofs to confirm a fact or event.
John the Baptist perceives Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
His intimacy with God made him recognize Jesus as the “chosen one of God.”
As children of God we are called to an intimate relationship with the Lord.
Receiving the Lord at holy communion is an intimate moment with Him.
Personal and common prayers are means to deepen our intimacy with the Lord.
This intimacy is best expressed in good dealings with my neighbors,
especially with the needy and people I dislike.

Reference: http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/daily-gospel

Gospel: John 1:19-28
This was the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, Who are you?” John recognized the truth, and did not deny it.
He said, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “Then who are you? Elijah?” He answered, “I am not.” They said, “Are you the Prophet?”
And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?”
And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord!”
Those who had been sent were Pharisees; and they put a further question to John, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah,
or the Prophet?” John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me,
I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

REFLECTION:
The way John the Baptist responds to the Jews who asked for his identity is a good example on how to relate with one another.
His answers are honest and direct to the point. We can see in John the Baptist what it is to be Jesus’ witness, that is, to know oneself,
and to lead people to Jesus. He knows that he is not the Messiah nor the Prophet.
By virtue of our baptism, we have become God’s children and we have also the responsibility to give witness to God’s saving love through our words and deeds.
This is an urgent task in our present world wherein many people are drawn more to worldly concerns, forgetting the gospel values.

Reference: http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/daily-gospel

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
So they came hurriedly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. On seeing him, they related what they had been told about the child; and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds. As for Mary, she treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds then returned, giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them. On the eighth day, the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

REFLECTION:
A humble scene is described in the gospel – the baby Jesus lying in the manger, yet the shepherds give glory and praise to God. What a contrast to our present situation wherein children are considered more as a liability instead of an asset. Many countries allow abortion. Bles­sed Mother Teresa of Calcutta calls this the “greatest crime of the century.” “Children are bles­sings,” says Pope Francis. Children are our future. Growing up with my ten siblings was a joyful and memorable experience, and even more precious now than we are grown-ups. There were quarrels and misunderstandings but there was more fun that came out from those experiences.
May civil governments protect, nourish and promote the well-being of children, especially those who are displaced by civil wars. Mother Mary, we entrust to you the unborn and all abandoned children.

Reference: http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/daily-gospel