Daily Reflection

June 4, 2018 Monday

9TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 1 / (Green)

Ps 91:1-2, 14-15b, 15c-16
In you, my God, I place my trust.

1^st Reading: 2 P 1:2-7

May grace and peace abound in you, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and piety. First, the knowledge of the One who called us through his own glory and Might, by which we were given the most extraordinary and precious promises. Through them, you share in the divine nature, after repelling the corruption and evil desires of this world.

So, strive with the greatest determination, and increase your faith, with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with moderation, moderation with constancy, constancy with piety, piety with mutual affection, mutual affection with charity.

Gospel: Mk 12:1-12

Using parables, Jesus went on to say, “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press and built a watch tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenants and went abroad.

In due time, he sent a servant to receive from the tenants the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized the servant, struck him and sent him back empty-handed. Again, the man sent another servant. They also struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent another, and they killed him. In the same way they treated many others: some they beat up and others they killed. One was still left, his beloved son. And so, last of all, he sent him to the tenants, for he said, ‘They will respect my son.’

But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the one who is to inherit the vineyard. Let’s kill him and the property will be ours.’ So they seized him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. Now, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

And Jesus added, “Have you not read this text of the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the keystone; this is the Lord’s doing, and we marvel at it?”

They wanted to arrest him, for they realized that Jesus meant this parable for them, but they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

Reflections

The stone which the builders rejected
has become the keystone

Jesus presents a parable that foreshadows his rejection by some of his people and their religious authorities. Jesus knew that exposing the hypocrisy of the chief priests and scribes of his time was life-threatening. Eventually, Judas betrays him, the Sanhedrin convicts him and the Roman authorities execute him. Not because his death is willed by the Father, but rather is the consequence of his fidelity to his mission of proclaiming God’s inclusive love Kingdom. Let us pray for the grace to witness to the inclusive love of God notwithstanding the consequences.

Daily Reflection 2018

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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

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June 3, 2018 Sunday

SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY
AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

Psalter: Proper / (White)

Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
I will take the cup of salvation,
and call on the name of the Lord.

1^st Reading: Ex 24:3-8

Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh and all his laws. The people replied with one voice: “Everything that Yahweh has said, we shall do.”

Moses wrote down all the words of Yahweh, then rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve raised stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. He then sent young men from among the sons of Israel to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice bullocks as peace offerings to Yahweh.

And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins; and with the other half of the blood he sprinkled the altar. He then took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. They said, “All that Yahweh said we shall do and obey.” Moses then took the blood and sprinkled it on the people saying, “Here is the blood of the Covenant that Yahweh has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

2^nd Reading: Heb 9:11-15

But, now, Christ has appeared, as the high priest, with regard to the good things of these new times. He passed through a Sanctuary more noble and perfect, not made by hands, that is, not created. He did not take with himself the blood of goats and bulls, but his own blood, when he entered, once and for all, into this Sanctuary, after obtaining definitive redemption. If the sprinkling of people, defiled by sin, with the blood of goats and bulls, or with the ashes of a heifer, provides them with exterior cleanness and holiness, how much more will it be, with the blood of Christ? He, moved by the eternal spirit, offered himself, as an unblemished victim, to God, and his blood cleanses us from dead works, so that we may serve the living God.

So, Christ is the mediator of a new Covenant, or testament. His death made atonement for the sins committed under the old testament, and the promise is handed over, to all who are called to the everlasting inheritance.

Gospel: Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the day when the Passover Lamb was killed, the disciples asked him, “Where would you have us go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

So Jesus sent two of his disciples with these instructions, “Go into the city, and there, a man will come to you carrying a jar of water. Follow him to the house he enters and say to the owner, ‘The Master says, Where is the room where I may eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ Then he will show you a large room upstairs, already arranged and furnished. There, you will prepare for us.”

The disciples went off. When they reached the city, they found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. And he said, “Take this. It is my body.” Then he took a cup; and after he had given thanks, he passed it to them and they all drank from it. And he said, “This is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not taste the fruit of the vine again, until that day when I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.”

After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Lectio Divina

Read: Moses sprinkles the blood of the Covenant on the people who declare obedience to God. Christ, as the mediator of the new Covenant, offers his own blood for the cleansing of the people. At the Last Supper, Jesus institutes the Eucharist offering his own body and blood as the spiritual food for his people.

Reflect: Hunger is the greatest drive of human beings, and eating-drinking is the primordial and primal act. Without food, we die. Hence, food is the least common denominator of human edifice. The same dynamics works in the spiritual realm as well: just as our body needs bodily food, our soul needs spiritual food. In his visions on the evolution of soul, German mystic Jakob Böhme saw soul eating of God and becoming God. Indeed, the food our souls need is the very essence of God – his own body and blood so that we consume them and become like God. This is what Jesus offers us – his own life so that we grow into him. It is our Christian calling, too – to be the food for the world.

Pray: Lord, give me the generosity to become eucharistic for the good of the world.

Act: Feed a hungry person today.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

June 2, 2018 Saturday

8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Blessed Virgin Mary
Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, martyrs
Psalter: Week 4 / (Green/Red/White)

Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord, my God.

1^st Reading: Jd 17, 20b-25

But, most beloved, remember what the apostles of Christ Jesus, our Lord, announced to you.

But, dearly beloved, build your life on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Remain firm, in the love of God, welcoming the mercy of Jesus Christ, our Lord, which leads to eternal life.

Try to convince those who doubt; others you will save, snatching them from condemnation. Treat the others with compassion, but also with prudence, shunning even the clothes that touched their body.

To the one God, who is able to keep you from all sin, and bring you, happy and without blemish before his own glory, to the one God, who saves us through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to him be glory, honor, might and power, from past ages, now and forever. Amen.

Gospel: Mk 11:27-33

They were once again in Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him and asked, “What authority do you have to act like this? Who gave you authority to do the things you do?”

Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a question, only one, and if you give me an answer, then I will tell you what authority I have to act like this. Was John’s preaching and baptism a work of God, or was it merely something human? Answer me.”

And they kept arguing among themselves, “If we answer that it was a work of God, he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’” But neither could they answer before the people that the baptism of John was merely something human, for everyone regarded John as a prophet.

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know,” and Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you what authority I have to act as I do.”

Reflections

What authority do you have to act like this?

Who has not been disturbed by the image of Jesus overturning the moneychangers’ tables and setting free the doves? His violent outrage does not seem to fit our image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Perhaps Jesus was enraged not by legitimate commercial activity within the temple precincts, but by the systematic exploitation of the poor devoted Jews who may have been cheated by scrupulous moneychangers and merchants. Jesus’ outburst was thus not a manifestation of moral imperfection — a violent temperament — but rather of moral perfection — courageous indignation over oppression of the weak and poor.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

June 1, 2018 Friday

8TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Justin, martyr
Psalter: Week 4 / (Red)

Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13
The Lord comes to judge the earth.

1^st Reading: 1 P 4:7-13

The end of all things is near; keep your minds calm and sober for prayer. Above all, let your love for one another be sincere, for love covers a multitude of sins. Welcome one another into your houses without complaining. Serve one another with the gifts each of you received, thus becoming good managers of the varied graces of God. If you speak, deliver the word of God; if you have a special ministry, let it be seen as God’s power, so that, in everything, God may be glorified, in Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

My dear people, do not be surprised at the testing, by fire, which is taking place among you, as though something strange were happening to you. Instead, you should be glad to share in the sufferings of Christ, because, on the day his glory is revealed, you will also fully rejoice.

Gospel: Mk 11:11-26*

So Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. (…)

The next day, when they were leaving Bethany, he felt hungry. In the distance, he noticed a fig tree covered with leaves; so he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Then Jesus said to the fig tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit!” And his disciples heard these words.

When they reached Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple, and began to drive away all the people he saw buying and selling there. (…)

(…) “Does not God say in the Scriptures: My house will be called a House of Prayer for all the nations? But you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

(…) Early next morning as they walked along the road, the disciples saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter then said to him, “Master, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.” And Jesus replied, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and have no doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it shall be done for you. And when you stand to pray, if you have anything against anyone, forgive, so that your heavenly Father may also forgive your sins.”

Reflections

Let your love for one another be sincere,
For love covers a multitude of sins

Peter instructs the members of the Church in Jerusalem to serve one another by using the charisms God has given them for the good of the community and, by doing so, glorify the Lord. In stark contrast, we are presented the image of a fig tree that does not utilize its gifts and its potential for doing good. We are also presented the negative image of the moneychangers and dove sellers who use their talents and skills for selfish purposes. We pray for the grace to use all the Lord has given us in service of others.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

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