Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Sir 48,1-4,9-11 / Mt 17,10-13

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

IN OTHER WORDS

This brief passage refers to prophetic figures, mentioning in particular Elijah as well as John the Baptist, considered the last in the long line of pre-Jesus (Old Testament) prophets. Prophets were God’s spokespersons. God sent them to announce his word and to proclaim his will. In Jesus we had the prophet par excellence, for who could be more prophetic and reveal God more completely than the Divine Word who became flesh.

The messages of the prophets addressed all aspects of human life (personal, institutional, social, economic, religious, etc.) and all classes of society (leaders and masses, sophisticated and simple).  Depending on what their messages brought, prophets before Jesus were either hailed as ‘prophets of hope’ or reviled as ‘prophets of doom’. Understandably, perhaps, prophets who brought ‘bad news’ – of God’s displeasure at people’s in fidelity and hardheartedness, injustice and other forms of wickedness – were unwelcome and rejected, persecuted and even killed. Jesus predicted that he would suffer the same fate: “So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”

The days of the Biblical prophets are long gone, but the prophetic voice has not lost, nor will ever lose, its relevance. There will always be voices sent by God to warn us of our waywardness, to awaken us from complacency and indifference, to challenge and inspire us to rise above our mediocrities and pettiness and to call us back from the sinful path of selfishness to that of love as revealed and incarnated by Jesus Christ. God never ceases to call us to seek him (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 30). But what do we do when we actually hear such prophetic voices today, especially if they are directed at us? If today you hear his voice, says the psalmist, harden not your hearts! (Ps. 95,8).

• Fr. Paulino Belamide, SVD | Rome, Italy

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Is 48,17-19 / Mt 11,16-19

Jesus said to the crowds, “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

IN OTHER WORDS

A plumber came to x the faucet in a house with a dog, Dexter, and a parrot. The lady owner had warned him not talk to the parrot. But irritated by the parrot’s yelling, cursing and name calling, the plumber shouted: “Shut up, you stupid, ugly parrot!” To which, the parrot replied: “BITE HIM, DEXTER, BITE HIM.” The moral of the story is we should listen carefully whatever others tell us.

Today’s gospel reading is about listening to what God is saying to us. Jesus got angry with the crowd for not understanding the signs and not listening to His Message. He compared them to children in the market place who complained to their playmates: “We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.”

Why do many fail to listen to God’s message? First, rationalization. When John came neither eating nor drinking, they said, “He is possessed by a demon.” When the Son of Man came eating and drinking, they said, “Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”

If we do not want to hear what God is saying, we can easily rationalize and look for many alibis.  Second, being close-minded. We tend to see God according to our standards and biases and fail to realize that God can speak to us though different media and agents. Third, our lack of faith. No matter how God exhausts all possible means of communicating his message to us if we don’t have faith in Him, His message of love will never reach our heart.

Like the parrot in the story, let us not be disturbed by the many distractions that block God’s message to us. Let us not rationalize; let us open our hearts, and have full trust in Him. In this way, we can listen devotedly to God’s message of hope and love.

• Fr. Generoso Rebayla, Jr., SVD | USC, Cebu City

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Gen 3,9-15.20 / Eph 1,3-6.11-12/ Lk 1,26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

IN OTHER WORDS

PAEWAN” --- Pray About Everything, Worry About Nothing. It could also mean Pray About Everyone, Worry About No one. “Ewan” means, I don’t know, but God knows! “EWAN” could also mean, leave it all in God’s heart.

Mama Mary was strong in spite of everything and inspite of everyone because she knew how to trust God and obey God. “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.”

There are many things that we do not understand nor can explain in life, but we must continue to just trust in God’s will and plan. Let us stop rewinding and keep on thinking of the could-havebeens and should-have-beens. Also, let us stop fast forwarding, worrying and fearing. Like Mama Mary, let us learn to joyfully trust and surrender everything and everyone to God, here and now.

The most important virtues we should ask from Mama Mary are humility and obedience. Without these, our journey to God’s heart will be slow, if not, labored and uncertain.

Humility is the key, and obedience is the way to God’ heart. Let us consecrate ourselves to Mama Mary today and pray: “Oh my Queen, oh my Mother, remember that I am your very own. Remember that I am your very own defense, and protect me as your personal possession. Amen.

With Mama Mary, today we say, Yes, Lord, Thy will be done, Lord.

• Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD | San Jose, Batangas

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word

 

THE WORD

Is 40,25-31 / Mt 11,28-30

“Come to me,” Jesus invites us, “all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

IN OTHER WORDS

Climbing for the first time the mountains to Sitio Yangka, in Capas, Tarlac, where a community of our Aeta brothers and sisters live, was an unforgettable experience. I had mixed feelings: enthusiastic and excited to reach the mountain top and see how the place looked; afraid and anxious at the thought of falling, getting bruised or having broken bones and consequently, ending my new mission among the indigenous people.

It did not dawn on me that I might die. In my heart and mind, I was being led by Jesus and surrounded by His angels on my way up. True enough, I reached the plateau safely with the aid of fellow climbers who took turns assisting me. They were the angels of God in disguise.

Joy, peace, relief! A feeling of being loved filled my being. Tired and sweating I lied down for some moments in the staff house. It was then when I heard Jesus’ sweet invitation: “Come to Me.

Take your rest, relax. I’m happy that you are here with Me in this place. Welcome home.” Lying at on the bamboo floor, I closed my eyes and savored those assuring words. My heart was singing of relief from the burdens of fear, anxiety and doubts that day. From then on, “Come to Me” had become my mantra in whatever situation I was in. It was not a command but a gentle persuasion to be with Jesus; a gesture of welcome and total acceptance; a generous offer of 100% presence by Someone who cares without condition.

“Come to Me”. Heed Jesus’ words and experience Him lifting any kind of burden you are carrying, setting you free to soar like an eagle with renewed strength to carry on.

• Sr. Sister Flora Mallari, SSpS | Holy Spirit Aeta Mission, Tarlac

The Word in other words 2016

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 © 2015 Society of the Divine Word