Daily Reflection

March 8, 2018 Thursday

3RD WEEK OF LENT
St. John of God, religious
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)

Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.

1^st Reading: Jer 7:23-28

One thing I did command them: Listen to my voice and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in the way I command you and all will be well with you. But they did not listen and paid no attention. They followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away from me. From the time I brought their ancestors out of Egypt until this day I have continually sent them my servants, the prophets; but this stiff-necked people did not listen. They paid no attention and were worse than their ancestors. You may say all these things to them but they will not listen. You will call them but they will not answer. This is a nation that did not obey Yahweh and refused to be disciplined. Truth has perished and is no longer heard from their lips.

Gospel: Lk 11:14-23

One day, Jesus was driving out a demon, which was mute. When the demon had been driven out, the mute person could speak, and the people were amazed. Yet some of them said, “He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the chief of the demons.” Others wanted to put him to the test, by asking him for a heavenly sign.

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them, “Every nation divided by civil war is on the road to ruin, and will fall. If Satan also is divided, his empire is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by calling upon Beelzebul? If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive out demons? They will be your judges, then.

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God; would not this mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you? As long as a man, strong and well-armed, guards his house, his goods are safe. But when a stronger man attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all the weapons he relied on, and disposes of his spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters.

Reflections

TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS

In the Scriptures, we read of incidents of God calling specific persons. Today, God speaks more to our hearts. But the call is no less real. Many religious men and women have heard this call in their hearts and have responded. There might be other calls apart from a call to a way of life. It might be an inspiration to leave an addiction, to repulse a temptation, to come back to righteousness, to help someone in need, to forgive someone, to ask forgiveness from someone, etc. The call is often so quiet that one can actually not hear it because of the noisy distractions one surrounds oneself with. It is a moment of grace and that is why we are exhorted “not to harden our hearts”. Instead we keep the ear of our hearts always open to such unexpected invitations. This requires a continuous state of MINDFULNESS, living each moment in watchful awareness. SPEAK LORD, YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING!

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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March 7, 2018 Wednesday

3RD WEEK OF LENT
Sts. Felicity & Perpetua, martyrs
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)

Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

1^st Reading: Dt 4:1, 5-9

And now, Israel, listen to the norms and laws which I teach that you may put them into practice. And you will live and enter and take possession of the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, gives you.

See, as Yahweh, my God, ordered me, I am teaching you the norms and the laws that you may put them into practice in the land you are going to enter and have as your own. If you observe and practice them, other peoples will regard you as wise and intelligent. When they come to know of all these laws, they will say, “There is no people as wise and as intelligent as this great nation.” For in truth, is there a nation as great as ours, whose gods are as near to it as Yahweh, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? And is there a nation as great as ours whose norms and laws are as just as this law which I give you today?

But be careful and be on your guard. Do not forget these things which your own eyes have seen nor let them depart from your heart as long as you live. But on the contrary, teach them to your children and to your children’s children.

Gospel: Mt 5:17-19

Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them, but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change, until all is fulfilled. So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

Reflections

I HAVE COME NOT TO ANNUL THE LAW BUT TO FULFILL IT

Laws are meant to facilitate life in community. Without laws or rules, there will be chaos and conflicts among people living together. But laws have a tendency to assume an independent existence of their own and to become oppressive if absolutized. When Jesus said he came to fulfill the law, he meant the laws that genuinely promote the peace, harmony and well-being. But he is aware that people in power can manipulate the law to their own ends or to make life harder for people. So there are instances in the Gospel when Jesus seemed to break the law — like when he healed during the Sabbath, when he allowed his disciples to pick grains during the Sabbath, when he and his disciples omitted the purification rituals before meals, etc. It is important that we have a healthy relationship to the law. We recognize that laws are important to guide peoples’ relationship. But we should not follow them blindly. We have to see them in the context of the concrete situation and their impact on people. In education, what should be emphasized should not be comformity to rules and regulations but the development of good judgment and responsible decision-making that is guided by reason and one’s conscience. It also means taking responsibility for one’s decision and the consequences of our actions.

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

March 6, 2018 Tuesday

3RD WEEK OF LENT
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)

Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 & 7bc, 8 & 9
Remember your mercies, O Lord.

1^st Reading: Dn 3:25, 34-43*

Azariah stood up in the midst of the fire and prayed aloud: Do not abandon us forever, do not reject your Covenant for your name’s sake.

Do not withdraw your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, your friend, of Isaac, your servant, of Israel, your holy one, to whom you promised to multiply their race as the stars of heaven and the sand on the shore of the sea. (…)

But at least when we present ourselves with a contrite soul and humbled spirit may we then be acceptable to you, more than by offerings of rams and calves as holocausts, and of thousands of fat lambs. (…)

Gospel: Mt 18:21-35

Then Peter asked him, “Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother or sister? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “No, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

This story throws light on the kingdom of Heaven: A king decided to settle accounts with his servants. Among the first of them was one who owed him ten thousand pieces of gold. As the man could not repay the debt, the king commanded that he be sold as a slave with his wife, his children and all his goods, as repayment.

The servant threw himself at the feet of the king and said, ‘Give me time, and I will pay you back everything.’ The king took pity on him, and not only set him free, but even canceled his debt.

When this servant left the king’s presence, he met one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred pieces of silver. He grabbed him by the throat and almost choked him, shouting, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ His fellow servant threw himself at his feet and begged him, ‘Give me time, and I will pay everything.’ But the other did not agree, and sent him to prison until he had paid all his debt.

Now the servants of the king saw what had happened. They were extremely upset, and so they went and reported everything to their lord. Then the lord summoned his servant and said, ‘Wicked servant, I forgave you all that you owed me when you begged me to do so. Weren’t you bound to have pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ The lord was now angry. He handed the wicked servant over to be punished, until he had paid the whole debt.”

Jesus added, “So will my heavenly Father do with you, unless you sincerely forgive your brothers and sisters.”

Reflections

NOT SEVEN TIMES BUT
SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN TIMES

Sometimes it seems like Jesus is asking the impossible of his followers. It is hard enough to forgive once – but Jesus demands that we forgive seventy times seven times which actually means ALWAYS. In fact, when he taught us the Our Father, the prayer is asking for forgiveness AS WE forgive others which means that if we don’t forgive others we are asking God not to forgive us! Yes, it is not easy to forgive. When I think for example of rape or incest victims, I understand why it is so hard for them, almost impossible, to forgive their abuser. It will take a long time. And to forgive does not mean to say that there was no sin or no harm done. No the perpetrators are still guilty and it can also mean that the victim can sue them. But forgiveness means not to wish these persons ill, also not to “wallow in the luxury of our misery”. Many of us find it hard to forgive the slightest slight or hurt to our ego. These are the ones that occur in our lives seventy times seven times and we are enjoined to forgive every time. Because every time we forgive, we weaken our ego and we come closer to finding our true selves.

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

March 5, 2018 Monday

3RD WEEK OF LENT
Psalter: Week 3 / (Violet)

Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4
Athirst is my soul for the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

1^st Reading: 2 K 5:1-15b*

Naaman was the army commander of the king of Aram. This man was highly regarded and enjoyed the king’s favor, for Yahweh had helped him lead the army of the Arameans to victory. But this valiant man was sick with leprosy. (…)

Naaman went to tell the king what the young Israelite maidservant had said. The king of Aram said to him, “Go to the prophet, and I shall also send a letter to the king of Israel.”

So Naaman went and took with him ten silver talents, six thousand gold pieces and ten festal garments. (…)

When the king read the letter, he tore his clothes to show his indignation, “I am not God to give life or death. (…)

”Elisha, the man of God, came to know that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, so he sent this message to him: (…) Let the man come to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and stopped before the house of Elisha. Elisha then sent a messenger to tell him, “Go to the river Jordan and wash seven times, and your ﬂesh shall be as it was before, and you shall be cleansed.”

Naaman was angry, so he went away. He thought: “On my arrival, he should have personally come out, and then paused and called on the name of Yahweh, his God. (…)

His servants approached him and said to him, “Father, if the prophet had ordered you to do something difﬁcult, would you not have done it? But how much easier when he said: ‘Take a bath and you will be cleansed.’

”So Naaman went down to the Jordan where he washed himself seven times as Elisha had ordered. His skin became soft like that of a child and he was cleansed.

Then Naaman returned to the man of God with all his men. He entered and said to him, “Now I know that there is no other God anywhere in the world but in Israel.

Gospel: Lk 4:24-30

Jesus added, “No prophet is honored in his own country. Truly, I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens withheld rain for three years and six months and a great famine came over the whole land. Yet, Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in the country of Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, the prophet; and no one was healed except Naaman, the Syrian.”

On hearing these words, the whole assembly became indignant. They rose up and brought him out of the town, to the edge of the hill on which Nazareth is built, intending to throw him down the cliff. But he passed through their midst and went his way.

Reflections

NO ONE IS A PROPHET
IN HIS OWN COUNTRY

First of all, it is hard enough to be called to be a prophet. It is not something you choose to be. You are chosen to be such. But of course the kern of prophecy has been embedded in us since we are baptized. And if we are religious that kern has grown into a full blown plant. In our present society, there are many situations that call for our prophetic response. There is the chronic poverty that is caused not by lack of resources but by the unequal distribution of wealth and the foreign control of our economy. The endemic and systemic corruption that riddles our society from top to bottom daunting to say the least. When you try to awaken people to these evils in our society, in our homes, convents, or communities, people can oppose us, criticize us, become suspicious of us or even publicly denounce us. Since they know us or even grew up with us, they cannot believe that we have truly been converted from our egoistic selves and are now engaged in this altruistic endeavor. But we have to expect this. Like the biblical prophets we can have “our heads cut off” figuratively, but as I tell my co-activist: “Don’t worry, it will grow again.”

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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