Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

33Rd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 4 / (Green)

Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.

1^st Reading: 1 Mac 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63

From their descendants there came a godless offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of king Antiochus, who had been held as hostage in Rome. He became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the Greek era (in the year 175 B.C.).

It was then that some rebels emerged from Israel, who succeeded in winning over many people. They said, “Let us renew contact with the people around us for we had endured many misfortunes since we separated from them.”

This proposal was well-received and some eagerly went to the king. The king authorized them to adopt the customs of the pagan nations. With his permission, they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem in the pagan style. And as they wanted to be like the pagans in everything, they made artificial foreskins for themselves and abandoned the Holy Covenant, sinning as they pleased.

Antiochus issued a decree to his whole kingdom. All the people of his empire had to renounce their particular customs and become one people. All the pagan nations obeyed and respected the king’s decree, and, even in Israel, many accepted the imposed cult. They offered sacrifices to idols and no longer respected the Sabbath.

On the fifteenth day of the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-five (in the year 167 B.C.), Antiochus erected the “abominable idol of the invaders” on the altar of the temple. Pagan altars were built throughout the whole land of Judea; incense was offered at the doors of their houses and in the squares. There wicked men tore up the books of the law they found and burned them. They killed anyone they caught in possession of the book of the Covenant and who fulfilled the precepts of the law, as the royal decree had ordered.

But in spite of all this, many Israelites still remained firm and determined not to eat unclean food. They preferred to die rather than to make themselves unclean with those foods (prohibited by the law) that violated the Holy Covenant.

Gospel: Lk 18:35-43

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!“ The people in front of him scolded him. “Be quiet!“ they said, but he cried out all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!“

Jesus stopped, and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?“ And the man said, “Lord, that I may see!“ Jesus said, “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.“ At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

REFLECTION:

Admirable is the faith of the people in the first reading, “They remained firm and determined not to eat unclean food. They preferred to die rather than make themselves unclean“ (Mac. 1:62-63). The martyrs of the Church died rather than deny their Christian faith and Jesus. The Church today needs people who have the same conviction, joyfully proclaiming the gospel and joyfully dying for it. Did we ever deny our faith, or preferred to sin because it is the much easier way to pursue our personal desire? How strong is our faith?

Admirable too is the blind man in the gospel reading today. He was scolded by the people. Everyone tried to silence him. But, no one was able to stop him. The more he screamed. He got what he wanted from Jesus. Firm Faith, determination and resolve can conquer great and big challenges.

Most Admirable is Jesus‘ action. He stopped, talked to the blind, and acted on his needs. He restored his sight instantly. Jesus gave so much importance to the blind man, considered by the crowd as nobody. Jesus raised him to be somebody. Truly, God hears the cry of the poor.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product 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

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
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

33Rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 4 / (Green)

Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

1^st Reading: Pro 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

The woman of character, where is she to be found? She is more precious than any jewel.
Her husband has complete confidence in her; she will be of great benefit to him.
She brings him only good and not evil, all the days of her life.
She has obtained wool and flax, and works them with skillful hands.
She puts her hand to the distaff and her fingers hold the spindle.
She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.
Charm is deceptive and beauty useless; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
May she enjoy the fruits of her labor and may all praise her for her works.

2^nd Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6

You do not need anyone to write to you about the delay, and the appointed time for these events. You know, that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people feel secure, and at peace, the disaster will suddenly come upon them, as the birth pangs of a woman in labor, and they will not escape.

But you, beloved, are not in darkness; so that day will not surprise you like a thief. All of you are citizens of the light and the day; we do not belong to night and darkness. Let us not, therefore, sleep as others do, but remain alert and sober.

Gospel: Mt 25:14-30

Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He gave five talents of silver to one servant, two talents to another servant, and one talent to a third, to each, according to his ability; and he went away. He who received five talents went at once to do business with the talents, and gained another five. The one who received two talents did the same, and gained another two. But the one who received one talent dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master‘s money.

After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who had received five talents came with another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see, I have gained five more.‘ The master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.‘

Then the one who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; with them I have gained two more.‘ The master said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you in charge of many things. Come and share the joy of your master.‘

Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said, ‘Master, I know that you are a hard man. You reap what you have not sown, and gather what you have not scattered. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours!‘ But his master replied, ‘Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered. You should have deposited my money in the bank, and given it back to me with interest on my return.

Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.‘

REFLECTION:

Read: The Book of Proverbs highlights the significance of character and wisdom over and above external beauty and charm. The parable of the talents reveals how a right attitude of the heart gets rewarded by the Lord. Those with the soundness of soul do not need to fear the advent of the Day of the Lord and His judgement.

Reflect: One might wonder about the justice of unequal distribution of the talent among the servants. However, it is not what one receives that counts, but what one does with what he/she has received. The Master‘s delight and offer of reward are the same towards the servants who doubled their talents. God looks not at the quantity of our offerings, but their quality as well as the attitude with which we offer.

Pray: Pray for the right attitude of the heart that makes us pleasing to the Lord.

Act: List out three talents God has bestowed on you. Plan out how well you can double them at the service of God and His people.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product 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

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
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

32nd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 3 / (Green/White)
Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter & Paul / St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin /
Memorial of Blessed Virgin Mary

Ps 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
Remember the marvels the Lord has done!

1^st Reading: Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9

While all was in quiet silence and the night was in the middle of its course, your almighty word leapt down from the royal throne—a stern warrior to a doomed world. Carrying your fearful command like a sharpened sword and stretching from heaven to earth, he filled the universe with death.

All creation in its different forms was fashioned anew at your command, in order to protect your people. The cloud covered the camp with its shadow, dry land emerged where water had been. A safe passage was opened through the Red Sea, the tempestuous flood became a green plain where the whole nation of those protected by your hand passed across, witnessing your astounding deeds.

They were like horses led to pasture, or like frolicking lambs, praising you, their Lord, who had delivered them.

Gospel: Lk 18:1-8

Jesus told them a parable, to show them that they should pray continually, and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain town there was a judge, who neither feared God nor people. In the same town there was a widow, who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Defend my rights against my adversary!‘ For a time he refused, but finally he thought, ‘Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much, I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out.“

And Jesus said, “Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night, even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. But, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?“

REFLECTION:

The first reading shows the Lord‘s mighty power as He delivers Israel from the Egyptian‘s slavery. “A safe passage was opened through the Red Sea, the tempestuous flood became a green plain where the whole nation of those protected by your hand passed across, witnessing your astounding deeds.“

Lk.18:1-8

The judge in today‘s gospel is described as “neither fearing God nor people“ and as “evil judge.“ Yet evil and bad as he is, he did listen to the widow‘s request and rendered decision favoring her. The corrupt judge did goodness. Truly, in the depth of one‘s being, resides the goodness God has sown. It is not totally blotted out by sin. God‘s image and likeness are not permanently erased by sin. Goodness has power over evil. It naturally comes out of a man.

The perseverance and courage of the widow reminds of what St. James wrote: “ Happy is the person who remains faithful under trials, because when he succeeds in passing such a test, he will receive as his reward the life which God has promised to those who love him“ (Jas. 1:12).

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product 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

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
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

32nd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 3 / (White)
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, religious

Ps 19: 2-3, 4-5ab
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

1^st Reading: Wis 13:1-9

The natural helplessness of humans is seen in their ignorance of God. The experience of good things did not lead them to the knowledge of Him who is. They were interested in his works, but they did not recognize the author of them.

Fire, wind, air, the sphere of the stars, rushing water and the lights in the sky were held as the rulers of the world.

If, charmed by such beauty, they took them for gods, let them know how far superior is their sovereign. And if they were impressed by their power and activity, let them understand from this how much mightier is he who formed them. For the grandeur and beauty of creatures lead us to ponder on their Author, greater and more magnificent.

No doubt these people are not to be blamed severely, for possibly they strayed though they searched for God and desired to find him. They pondered over the created things that surrounded them and were captivated by the sight of such beauty.

Even so they are not to be excused, for if they were able to explore the world, why did they not discover first the world‘s Sovereign?

Gospel: Lk 17:26-37

As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be on the day the Son of Man comes. In those days people ate and drank and got married; but on the day Noah entered the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all. So it was in the days of Lot: people ate and drank, and bought and sold, and planted and built; but on the day Lot left Sodom, God made fire and sulfur rain down from heaven, which destroyed them all. So will it be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

 On that day, if you are on the rooftop, don‘t go down into the house to get your belongings; and if you happen to be in the fields, do not turn back. Remember Lot‘s wife! Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever gives his life will be born again.

I tell you, though two men are sharing the same bed, it might happen that one will be taken, and the other left; though two women are grinding meal together, one might be taken and the other left.“

Then they asked Jesus, “Where will this take place, Lord?“ And he answered, “Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather.“

REFLECTION:

Many are frustrated. Many too stopped praying because they do not receive reply from God. Asked what they are praying for, their prayers are all petitions, asking for their needs. This reminds me of our retreat master when we were college seminarians who told us; “You love the works of the Lord but you do not love the Lord of the works.“ People pray for miracles but do not pray to the God of miracles. True then is what our first reading is telling us: “They were interested in His works, but they did not recognize the author of them all.“

The world is habituated by different peoples, different in races, religion, profession, cultures and by good and bad. Christians are different from them all. Most often Christians are misinterpreted, misunderstood, discriminated, poor. Many times the bad triumphs, has better financial resources, powerful, happy and easy living. In their times, Noah and Lot lived differently, unnoticed among the marrying, the drinking and perverse people. Only God‘s eyes saw the difference.

God knows who belongs to Him and who is His. When the Son of God comes, God knows whom to take and whom to leave behind. No worry then if our goodness is unnoticed, not recognized, not rewarded. God does not sleep. It will not escape God‘s eyes. He will reward the good and punish the wicked.

Daily Reflection

Daily Gospel ® is a product 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

 

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
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