Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Reflections
WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD IS BROTHER, SISTER AND MOTHER TO ME
      When Jesus said this, He surely did not mean to diminish the importance of a family. He was only pointing at a new level of rela¬tionship that goes beyond blood relationship — the bond of FAITH AND LOVE. In our experience as members of a human family, we know the many factors that can lead to conflicts in the family even to rifts and even to hatred. How many cases have we known where the death of old parents can cause envy, jealousy and en¬mity over inheritance. Blood rela¬tionship seems not to overcome such sad alienation among family members. But if their bond goes beyond blood into a strong relationship of FAITH, even if conflicts happen, there is a great chance that they will overcome these and remain in close spiritual union. There is a saying that “blood is thicker than water” – that some¬how we tend to look beyond the failings of those related to us by blood. But I think the one that is more effective in preserving this family unity is when each mem¬ber has truly a deep faith and that each one sincerely wishes to do or to accept God’s will in faith and love. FATHER, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Daily Reflection 2018

Bible Diary ® is a product of Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

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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     Truly, I say to you, every sin will be forgiven humankind, even insults to God, however numerous. But whoever slanders the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He carries the guilt of his sin forever.”
This was their sin when they said, “He  has an unclean spirit in him.”

Reflections
THE HOLY SPIRIT
      In the Scriptures, we can quote words of God the Father and of Jesus but we cannot find any word that we can attribute to the Holy Spirit. It is the aspect of the Holy Trinity that shows that God remains MYSTERIUM TREMENDUM. But in my expe¬rience it is the Holy Spirit that seems to be the one that is most active in my spiritual life. I love the feast of the Pentecost. I feel that the Holy Spirit realizes most of the aspirations of my life, enlightening me when I am in darkness or when confronted with difficult choices. I attribute to the Spirit the sudden insights the inspirations that sud¬denly present themselves to my mind. There are also unexpected events not only in my personal life but in our life as a people that I attribute to the Spirit — like EDSA1. When things seem to go all wrong and there is no solu¬tion in sight, the Holy Spirit acts in a manner exceeding our wildest imagination. Maybe that is why Je-sus kept on saying that when the Paraclete comes, she will teach the apostles all truth and they would begin to understand what Jesus was trying to tell them all along.
     “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and we shall be created and thou shalt renew the face of the earth!”

Daily Reflection 2018

Bible Diary ® is a product of Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

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

 

Bible Diary ® 2018
Copyright © 2O17 
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

Lectio Divina
Read: Isaiah captures the joy and delight of the people at the birth of the child of the promise, and how this child would redefine their destiny. Paul highlights how the birth of Christ Jesus births us into the identity of God’s own children. Mark reports that Jesus was “very angry” when children were prevented from coming to him.
Reflect: We celebrate the feast of St. Niño today, and fittingly, the readings revolve around the theme of birth and children. The birth of a child is more than the birth of a child; it is the harbinger of many new beginnings – often it brings along with it hope, redemption, forgiveness, reunion, love. The presence of children in our lives keeps us alive to the possibilities within and around us. Children prevent the ossification of our souls. No wonder Jesus was furious that the disciples blocked the presence of children with him. And great is the need for us to nurture the presence and connection to the little babe of Bethlehem within us, for he can give us light and hope when we walk in the shadow of death.
Pray: Pray to Santo Niño to be ever present to you as the Prince of your heart.
Act: Reach out and do an act of charity to a child in distress. Be a blessing.

Reflections
HOW THE MIGHTY ONES HAVE FALLEN
       Everyone aspires for power of some sort — even just the ability to influence one or two people. There is actually nothing wrong with power — it is the energy behind any action or movement. What is important is how one uses power. According to a native American eco-feminist, Starhawk, there are 3 ways of using power: controlling power which uses power to manipulate and coerce people, power within — which discovers and develops the innate capabilities of people and power with – which harnesses and collects the gifts of everyone for the good of the community. Controlling power is the power that corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. People in power feel that they can do anything with impunity and can coerce everyone to do their will. They seem to think they will be in power always and they do everything to perpetuate their positions of power. But as Scripture shows and human experiences tell us: HOW THE MIGHTY ONES HAVE FALLEN! There is an end to everything and the higher one is, the deeper one’s fall. And in the Magnificat, Mary exclaims: GOD SHALL PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR SEAT AND EXALT THE HUMBLE! Gracious Lord, help us to use whatever power we have to make other people bloom and to create peace and prosperity in our community. Remind us always that there is an end to everything and that we should hold power lightly in the palm of our hands. Amen.

Daily Reflection 2018

Bible Diary ® is a product of Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

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

 

Bible Diary ® 2018
Copyright © 2O17 
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com