Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Heb 13, 1-8  /Mk 6,14-29

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

IN OTHER WORD 

It was one thirty in the aftemoon when I met four young ladies leaning on the wall with shoes off their feet. Beaming with smiles, they greeted me, their aura vibrant. They asked for my blessing and said, “We are volunteers for food service.” I guessed they were dead tired. I thanked them. I knew it was not a joke to serve more than five thousand delegates to the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City on January 24-31, 2016. There were five thousand of them who volunteered to serve in any capacity they could. Filipinos at their best are capable of service to humanity, foregoing their personal needs and comfort zones. Admirable! In the Gospel of today Jesus Went to a deserted place for He and His apostles haS no opportunity even to eat. However, when He disembarked, He saw the people like sheep without a shepherd. His heart was moved with pity and He taught them many things. Can I too, “disembark from my boat,” my comfort zone and be like Jesus? What can l do to reach out to the poor?

•    Sister Mildred Arcos, SSpS (Tayum, Abra)

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Heb 13,1-8/ Mk 6,14-29

King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him. Others were saying, “He is Elijah”; still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.” But when Herod learned of it, he said, “It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask of me Whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore (many things) to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom. She Went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.” The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

IN OTHER WORDS
Entering the clinic of my dentist, I was greeted by her new secretary and in haste gave me a paper bag saying, “Eto po angpinapadala ni Doc sa inyo!” (This is what the doctor wants you to deliver...) She thought I was the errand boy who was there to pick up a package. Later when she realized I wasn’t, she apologized. What an unforgettable mistake. If all our mistakes are unforgettable then they have served their purpose! When John was becoming famous, he was mistaken to be the Messiah. (Jn 1:19) When Jesus’ fame became widespread, he was mistaken to be John. What a mistake to speak of Messiah as Fame. It is the Crucified Lord, when stripped of all fame, that saved us. It is shame, not fame that makes a Messiah. The pain of “shame” or letting go of fame authenticates a Messiah. It is all about letting go. May we not repeat the same mistake again.    “Ask of me anything you Want and I Will grant it to you,” promised the king. These words made Herod famous but not a Messiah. Fame is the natural habitat of a blotted ego. To avoid shame, he had to order the killing of an innocent man, John. How many have been sacrificed to avoid shame? To be a Messiah or Christ or Christian (a follower of Christ) means to take the shame for the sake of others, to take the burden and spare the other. It is also perhaps to be mistaken as an errand boy by the secretary and be recognized by the doctor when she comes.

•    Fr. Aris Martin, SVD (USA)

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Mal 3,1-4/Heb 2,14-18/Lk 22-23;

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses.  They took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

IN OTHER WORD

Married people, by virtue of the marriage sacrament, is mandated to be open to new life and take the corresponding responsibility for children. Today’s feast underlines the importance of “presenting” the children to God through the Sacrament of Baptism which welcomes them to the Family of God, allowing them to call God our Father.

One challenge we have in the parish is to educate young parents of the meaning and importance of the Sacrament of Baptism. Most of the parents just consider it as “tradition.” They were baptized so their children must be baptized as well. While it is true that it is partly tradition, Baptism is, more importantly, a part of our Faith. It makes us children of God. It removes the stain of the original sin we inherited from our first parents. It welcomes us to the Church, to God’s Family.

Joseph and Mary, being good Jews, observed the law as well. They presented the boy Jesus with their corresponding sacrifice. Today, we do not have to offer “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” What we have to offer as a sacrifice is a “good witness” to the children. That by our words and examples we mirror to them what it means to be a child of God. The presentation of the Lord was also witnessed by Simeon Who, when he saw the baby Jesus, praised God for fulfilling his promise.

Today, we continue to have witnesses or godparents to assist our parents in raising the children of God. May we continue to have good and responsible godparents who will help parents fulfill their own promise made at the Sacrament of Matrimony.

• Fr. Carlos Macatangga, SVD (Toronto, Canada)

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Heb 12,4-7.11-15 / Mk 6,1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.  When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him  were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?  And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them. ‘A prophet is not Without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there.  Apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.

IN OTHER WORDS

We, human beings, have many good traits but one of our glaring weaknesses is jealousy. Jealousy kills, literally and figuratively speaking. Jesus, in 'today's Gospel.

experienced it. When he came home and visited his hometown, people were perplexed his intelligence. They found him too brilliant and amazing. Instead of patting him on the back, they started to murmur behind his back: “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? Is he not the carpenter?” This biblical passage concludes: “ And they took offense at him.”

Jealousy is defined as “an unhappy or angry feeling of Wanting to have what someone else has.” Psychologically speaking, jealousy is a sign of inner insecurity and weakness. An insecure person feels bad when something good happens to someone.  A weak person’s belief system is: Your promotion is my demotion; your success is my failure.

We seldom read in the Bible Jesus expressing his emotion. Today’s gospel gives us a glimpse of that. When Jesus felt that he was rejected by his own townmates and relatives, he said: “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” He was so emotionally affected that the gospel ended with this narrative: “So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there. Apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.”

I can personally resonate with Jesus. Every time I experience rejection from other people because of jealousy, today’s gospel becomes my inspiration and strength. lt also helps me to look within if I become judgmental knowing that my judgment of other people does not define them; it only defines who I am.

• Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD (DWC—San Jose, Occ. Mindoro)

The Word in other words 2017

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
	Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	Telephone : +63 2 711 1323
	Fax : +63 2 732 273
	Copyright © 2016 Society of the Divine Word