Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

21st WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 4 / (Green)
 
Ps 90:3-5a, 12-13, 14 & 17
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!

1^st Reading: 1 Thes 3:7-13

What a consolation for us, brothers and sisters, in the midst of our troubles and trials, this faith of yours! It is a breath of life for us, when you stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough, for all the joy that we feel before God, because of you? Day and night, we beg of him, to let us see you again, that we may complete the instruction of the believers.

May God, our Father, and Jesus, our Lord, prepare the way for us to visit you. May the Lord increase, more and more, your love for each other and for all people, as he increases our love for you. May he strengthen you, internally, to be holy and blameless before God, our Father, on the day that Jesus, our Lord, will come with all his saints.

Gospel: Mt 24:42-51

Stay awake then, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Obviously, if the owner of the house knew at what time the thief was coming, he would certainly stay up and not allow his house to be broken into. So be alert, for the Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect.

Imagine a faithful and prudent servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time. Fortunate, indeed, is that servant, whom his master will find at work when he comes. Truly I say to you, his lord will entrust him with everything he has.

Not so with the bad servant, who thinks, ‘My master is delayed.’ And he begins to ill-treat his fellow servants, while eating and drinking with drunkards. But his master will come on the day he does not know, and at the hour he least expects. He will punish that servant severely; and place with him with the hypocrites. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

REFLECTION:

It is often said that the purpose of our earthly life is to prepare for the next one beyond the grave. But how many of us really take that seriously? More often than not we live our lives as though this was the only one we will ever have. Jesus reminds us once more that a day of judgement will certainly come and we will all have to render an accounting of our stewardship. We better be ever-ready and vigilant because “the Son of Man is coming at the time you least expect.” Preparedness for the coming of the Lord as judge will conquer all our fears especially that of being taken by surprise. The best way to prepare for that coming is to obediently do His Will. When we are busy being about the Father’s business we can hope to be blessed by Him when He returns.

There is a stern warning directed to the “worthless servants” who abuse the authority entrusted to them. A severe punishment awaits those who use the power entrusted to them for their personal agenda. They will end up “wailing” and “grinding their teeth.” The “wailing” is expressive of the pain of their loss of heaven. The “grinding of teeth” is indicative of their disappointment of seeing others in the kingdom while they themselves are excluded.

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

21st WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 4 / (Green)
 
Ps 139:7-8, 9-10, 11-12ab
You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

1^st Reading: 1 Thes 2:9-13

Remember our labor and toil; when we preached the gospel, we worked day and night, so as not to be a burden to you. You are witnesses, with God, that we were holy, just and blameless toward all of you who now believe. We warned each of you, as a father warns his children; we encouraged you, and urged you to adopt a way of life worthy of God, who calls you to share his own glory and kingdom. This is why we never cease giving thanks to God for, on receiving our message, you accepted it, not as human teaching, but as the word of God. That is what it really is, and, as such, it is at work in you who believe.

Gospel: Mt 23:27-32

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, beautiful in appearance; but, inside, there are only dead bones and uncleanness. In the same way, you appear religious to others, but you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness within. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets, and decorate the monuments of the righteous. You say: Had we lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets. So, you, yourselves, confess to be the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

And now, finish off what your ancestors began!

REFLECTION:

In today’s Gospel text we continue to read Jesus’ denunciations against the scribes and Pharisees. Their hypocrisy is the one big stumbling block which is preventing them from accepting Jesus’ teaching and thereby enter the kingdom of heaven. There is a disturbing incongruity between their external appearance and their interior life. On the outside they “appear religious …but are full of wickedness within.”

When reading this passage there could arise in us a strong temptation toward self-righteousness. We could develop a holier-than-thou attitude. Arrogantly we could look down on the Scribes and Pharisees and quietly enjoy seeing them receive the humiliation they deserve. Perhaps unconsciously we could be thinking of the people we dislike, those whom we consider to be undeserving of the love and mercy of God, and wish that they too be castigated and punished by the Lord.

It would be best that we place ourselves into the shoes of the Scribes and Pharisees. Admit it or not, we are sometimes no better than them. Because we are oftentimes guilty of hypocrisy and inconsistency, let us allow ourselves to be addressed by Jesus as he utters the denunciations. Let us allow him to awaken our consciences, admit our faults and make a firm resolve to change for the better.

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

THE PASSION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
 Psalter: Proper / (Red)
 
Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab & 17
I will sing your salvation.

1^st Reading: Jer 1:17-19

But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you. Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence!

See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but shall not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue you—it is Yahweh who speaks.”

Gospel: Mk 6:17-29

Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her and John had told him, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John (...)

Herodias had her chance on Herod's birthday. (...) On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you." And he went so far as to say with many oaths, "l will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom." She went out to consult her mother, "What shall I ask for?" The mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried to the king and made her request: "l want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish."

The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother (...)

REFLECTION:

Today's liturgy reflects and celebrates the martyrdom of John the Baptist, the quintessential prophet whose greatness shines throughout his life and ministry. The highpoint of his prophetic mission was the laying down of his life for the truth. The Lord Jesus reserved for him the highest compliment: "No one born of women is greater than John" (Luke 7:28). 

The prophetic mission of Jeremiah and John the Baptist is likewise the mission of every Christian. Basically, the mission of the prophet is to be the “mouthpiece of God,” to proclaim the message he receives from God. He is an instrument of God’s love, mercy and compassion, justice and truth. The mission or ministry of the prophet is not always easy. Prophets often disturb people’s consciences. That is why there are those who are not always disposed to heed the prophetic message. Many times people resist conversion and would go as far as intimidate, persecute or even kill the messenger because their message brings discomfort. Herod and Herodias succeeded in eliminating John the Baptist so that they could continue living in sin. Or so they think. In God’s view of things, it was John who was victorious because of his fidelity to his mission as a prophet.

As prophets in today’s world, it is inevitable that like Jeremiah and John the Baptist we will undergo suffering. We expect to suffer the consequences of proclaiming the inconvenient truth. Many people today who feel uncomfortable with the truth would rather have us remain silent about sin and other moral issues affecting our communities. But we have to remain courageous and steadfast and proclaim the truth without fear or compromise. God is on our side.

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

21st WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
 Psalter: Week 4 / (White)
St. Augustine, bishop & doctor

Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a & 9b
The Lord takes delight in his people.

1^st Reading: 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10

From Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy, to the church of Thessalonica, which is in God, the Father, and in Christ Jesus, the Lord.

May the peace and grace of God be with you.

We give thanks to God, at all times, for you, and remember you in our prayers. We constantly recall, before God, our Father, the work of your faith, the labors of your love, and your endurance, in waiting for Christ Jesus our Lord.

We remember, brothers and sisters, the circumstances of your being called. The gospel we brought you was such, not only in words. Miracles, the Holy Spirit, and plenty of everything, were given to you. You, also, know how we dealt with you, for your sake.

Since, from you, the word of the Lord spread to Macedonia and Achaia, and still farther. The faith you have in God has become news in so many places, that we need say no more about it. Others tell, of how you welcomed us, and turned from idols, to the Lord. For you serve the living and true God, and you wait for his Son, from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who frees us from impending trial.

Gospel: Mt 23:13-22

But woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door to the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You, yourselves, do not enter it, nor do you allow others to do so.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You devour widows’ property; and as a show, you pray long prayers! Therefore, you shall receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel by sea and land to make a single convert; yet, once he is converted, you make him twice as fit for hell as yourselves!

Woe to you, blind guides! You say: To swear by the temple is not binding; but, to swear by the gold of the temple is binding. Foolish men! Blind men! Which is of more worth: the gold in the temple, or the temple which makes the gold a sacred treasure? You say: To swear by the altar is not binding, but to swear by the offering on the altar is binding. How blind you are! Which is of more value: the offering on the altar, or the altar which makes the offering sacred? Whoever swears by the altar, is swearing by the altar and by everything on it. Whoever swears by the temple, is swearing by the temple, and by God, who dwells in the temple. Whoever swears by heaven, is swearing by the throne of God, and by him, who is seated on it.

REFLECTION:

In this Gospel text we read Jesus’ full-scale public denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. His fundamental indictment against them is hypocrisy – a gap between appearance and reality, between what they say and what they do, due to a misplaced hierarchy of values and excessive emphasis on external matters to the neglect of the interior. According to D. Harrington, in the Prophetic tradition the goal of denunciations is to highlight evil actions or patterns, and to warn people not to follow those who do them, as well as to bring back those who err to the way of righteousness. In these condemnations Jesus accused the scribes and Pharisees of hindering the spread of the gospel (23:13), and raising up enemies against it (v. 15) and of engaging in foolish casuistry regarding oaths (v. 16-22). Their leadership had become a stumbling block to people’s growth in holiness.

The prophetic warnings can serve as a checklist for all who exercise leadership in church. It can serve as a summons to an examination of conscience of the way leaders play their roles and accomplish their functions. It is not an exaggeration to say that excessive casuistry, misplaced priorities, overemphasis on externals, etc. are found in every religion.

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