Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Is 29,17-24 / Mt 9,27-31

As Jesus passed [by], two blind men followed (him), crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

IN OTHER WORDS

Once I sat beside a blind but attentive beggar. Just by the sound of a coin dropped into his can, he could decipher correctly how much it was. Or by the feel of paper money, he could tell a Php 20 bill from a Php 50 or Php 100.

God is great! Lacking one human sense, blind people have a more developed sense of hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling or touch. Today’s gospel presents two blind men following Jesus and crying out. They might not see the Lord but their better sense of hearing led them to Jesus. When Jesus entered a house, they approached him there. Perhaps their sense of hearing and smell probably helped them encounter Jesus directly.

Two good things opened their way to the heart of the Lord who appreciated their efforts: their humility borne of a desperate search for a better life, and their simple uncluttered faith. Uttering “Son of David” showed their recognition of who Jesus was, and gave them the chance to ask for help. When Jesus himself asked if they had faith in him to heal them, they responded positively.

Do we have such kind of simple disposition and faith? We need to continue listening to the Lord and following his instructions, otherwise we get lost in the joy of basking in the Lord’s blessings and forget to follow his other instructions. The measure of how great our gratitude is could be seen in the effect of our faith life on those around us. It would also be good for us to take a more appreciative look at our senses and how we could use them better to further the Kingdom of God.

• Fr. Carlos Lariosa, SVD | Radio Veritas Asia, Q.C.

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 26,1-6 / Mt 7,21.24-27

Jesus said to his disciples, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who build his house on rock.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.  The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

IN OTHER WORDS

In Timor-Leste, I saw the building of a school dormitory with flooring and walls almost done but the posts still missing. Fr. Reniel Nachima, SVD said that here, without typhoons, floods and earthquakes, building a house is easier, cheaper, and without worries about its foundation and security.

Our gospel today tells us that entering God’s eternal dwelling (built on love, justice, mercy, peace) isn’t at all easy, cheap and reassuring. “For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mt. 7:14). It sets a condition which can make exclusion inevitable. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you’ve faith but don’t have works?

Can faith save you?” (James 2:14). Indeed, saying “Lord, Lord” is not enough. Professing our faith, teaching, and preaching the Word of God are empty without the outward manifestations of doing the Father’s will. Jesus tells his disciples that the Father’s will is about taking care of the little ones- children, the lost, outcasts, the sick, naked, hungry, thirsty, prisoners, strangers (Mt. 18, 25:35ff ); about changing one’s mind, believing and working in the vineyard (Mt. 21:28ff ).

St. Paul urges us to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share (1Tim. 6:18). Just “saying” is not enough; it is too hypocritical. Just “doing” is neither enough; it is too secular. Saying and doing, listening and acting, praying and performing, faith and good works must always go together. As we begin this new liturgical season, let’s build our lives and homes on the spirit of Christ’s Adventus.  Amidst life’s storms, we will never be ruined if our foundation and security are solidly built on the Eternal Rock, Jesus Christ.

• Fr. Jay Baliao, SVD | Timor Leste Region

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

Rom 10,9-18 / Mt 4,18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men” At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they le their boat and their father and followed him.

IN OTHER WORDS

Raised up in a fishing community, I had direct encounters with fishermen.  Using mostly    traditional practices, they possessed exceptional skills and qualities, including strong body physique and navigational discernment and expertise in various weather conditions.

No wonder that Jesus chose the first four apostles from a fishing village to be FISHERS OF PEOPLE. Despite lack of education and training, they were expert fishermen. One of them was Andrew, the saint we remember today – the “ first called/ first chosen”. In John’s Gospel, he is portrayed as bringing news to Jesus. During the feeding of the multitude he said to Jesus, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” (6:9). Together with Philip, Andrew also told Jesus of some Greeks who worshipped at the Passover feast (12:22). But before this, Andrew underwent a full program of discipleship. So, when Jesus finally called him to be a fisher of men, he sensed the urgency and immediately left his boat and father and followed him.

Everyone is called to follow Jesus who expects an immediate response. We are to be like the fishermen who possess strong arms and can read the signs of the times. Strong arms, not to hurt but to hold and carry people towards God. Reading the signs of the times, we should not mislead but lead others in the right direction. In a dark night, we are challenged to go back to the shore where Jesus is waiting. We need to know, follow, and recognize HIM like Andrew did when he heard the witness of John about Jesus as the Lamb of God. In that way, we can bring others closer to HIM and be a TRUE WITNESS.

• Fr. Victor Florida, Jr., SVD | Mangyan Mission, Calapan, Or. Mindoro

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 11,1-10 / Lk 10,21-24

At that very moment Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

IN OTHER WORDS

My father used to take me with him on trips and delighted me with stories or vignettes of real life. On a visit to Palo, Leyte near the Sacred Heart Seminary, he asked me to look at the statue of the Sacred Heart fronting the chapel. At barrio fiestas, after the mass, we would go to his friends’ or relatives’ house for a meal. Once a drunkard hit his left shoulder with a long sharp blade (sundang).

My father refused to file a case against his attacker. It was enough for him to have received two hundred pesos for his hospitalization. He could easily forgive his enemies. Tagging me along with him was my father’s way of sharing ‘secrets’ about his life, attitudes, values, and interests.

If my father is willing to share his life with me, how much more is our Father in heaven so delighted to share his life with us his children through his Son Jesus, the Christ. Jesus had such a childlike attitude that his Father easily “handled over to him all things”. Jesus knew the Father and the Father knew him. Thus, whatever Jesus said and did in his mission on earth was always in union with the Father, guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the Father for his complete revelation of things to his childlike Son. Our Father in heaven will also reveal to us himself if we remain childlike and truly love Him. After all, Christ says in John’s gospel: “He, who loves me, I will manifest myself to him.” Similarly, our love for our Father in heaven will lead him to manifesting Himself to us. Let us then continue to be childlike and love our Father in heaven.

• Fr. Antonio O. Pegon SVD | Tagaytay 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