Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

1 Cor 9,16-19.22-27 / Lk 6,39-42

[Jesus told his disciples] a parable, “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

IN OTHER WORDS

My brother lost his vision at the age of two from having had measles. He got married to a special education teacher who had also lost her sight at an early age for the same reason. Trained by my mother to an almost normal life, my brother, Nony, had confidence in himself to live life. He knew a lot of skills: doing household chores, earning a living as a masseur at a plush hotel, playing string music, rearing up three children. Imagine him cook meals, wash and iron his clothes, crack pili nuts, buy goods at Project 4 Wet Market, take public vehicles to his workplace, or attend Holy Mass. He could even give me clear directions to places in Manila. He was a practical teacher to his wife. A blind leading another blind and the sighted as well!

Acceptance of Nony’s own blindness gave him insight that beyond his physical blindness was a vision of himself doing good because deep within was a spring of God’s goodness; a vision which opened him up to seeing other people whose presence he could feel, as persons whom he could trust, work, and live with. He conquered his blindness, thus, enabled him to see the truth and beauty of others while fulfilling his own role in the family and service in the society.

Learn before you teach; cleanse yourself before you require it of others; clarify ideas before you demand action; search for the truth before you give your judgment; forgive before you ask to be forgiven; renew your mindset and transform your ways before you claim your Christian identity.  Then perhaps we would hear Jesus telling us, “Happy are you, humble and true, hypocrisy is far away from you. You are my disciple.”

• Sister Tessa Artita, SSpS | Tarlac 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

Mic 5,1-4 or Rom 8,28-30/Mt 1,1-16.18-23

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brother.

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. Uzziah bcame the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

IN OTHER WORDS

A London unbeliever sat watching an Irish shoeshine boy polishing his shoes. The man noticed a medal on the boy’s neck and asked, “What is that you’re wearing around your neck, Pat?”

“A medal, with the Mother of Christ on it!”

“Why do you honor her? She is just like my mother.”

“Ahh... but there’s a hell of a difference between the two sons!”

The story might well illustrate the difference in attitude towards the Blessed Virgin between Catholics and non-Catholics.

Today, September 8, is the birthday of the Blessed Mother. Are Catholics overdoing their veneration of Mary?

Ardent Marian devotees might indeed have an exaggerated devotion to Mother Mary. For instance, in church some devotees focus their prayers and attention ONLY on the Blessed Mother without paying attention to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Catholics are not supposed to adore Mary nor make her equal to God in any respect.

The special honor Catholics show to her comes no less from God who honored her rst by choosing her from billions of women to be the Mother of his own Son.

Mary herself prophesied: “All ages to come shall call me blessed” (Lk. 1, 48). While it’s a basic truth of Catholicism that there is only one God who alone is to be worshipped, that does not mean that we are forbidden to pay proper and sensible honor to creatures.

God explicitly commands us to honor our own father and mother. Is it then wrong to honor God’s Mother?

SVD FOUNDATION DAY

The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) marks its 131th Foundation Anniversary today, September 8. The German founder Arnold Janssen, canonized saint on October 5, 2003, had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. He chose the inauguration of his mission congregation to fall on her birthday in 1875.

The SVD sister congregations: the Missionary Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) and the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (popularly known as “Pink Sisters”).

• Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD | CKMS, QC

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

1 Cor 7,25-31 / Lk 6,20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.

“Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven. For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. But woe to you who are filled now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will grieve and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

IN OTHER WORDS

 “Beatitude” literally means happiness or blessedness. Jesus in this gospel is presenting us with the qualities of life that should make us happy and live in blessedness.  A High School student in Colegio Verbo Divino, Guaranda, Ecuador came up to me with tears in her eyes: “Me sentimuyenojado con mi familia y no estoy feliz!” (I feel very angry with my family and I am not happy.) Coming from a rich family she didn’t need money but the warmth and loving caress of her Mom and Dad.

Her experience challenged me and made me reflect on the importance of Christ’s message in the gospel today. What then is the true source of happiness in life? From his teaching of God’s Kingdom, Jesus addresses the issue of true happiness as demanding a transformation from within and a conversion of heart and mind with the help of the Holy Spirit. Sure enough we can be lled with happiness if we empty ourselves first of the “extra baggage” of worldly things in our lives. For a man of faith, possessing God and Him alone is surely the greatest treasure in life. Working with the Indiginas in the mountains of Guaranda, Ecuador and with the Mangyans of Mindoro gave me great rejoicing that such people taught me to be happy in spite of their “nothingness.” It was a challenge that inspired me to offer more time with them even beyond the call of duty. Let us not forget the promise of Jesus to his disciples when he told them that the joys of heaven will compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world.

• Fr. Jun Pateño, SVD | U.S.A.

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

1 Cor 6,1-11 / Lk 6,12-19

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground. A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.

IN OTHER WORDS

 “PRAY FOR ME”, were the rst words of Pope Francis after his election to the papacy. From then on, everywhere the Pope went, he asked for prayer. Before and after his visit to the Philippines in 2014, the people recited the “Prayer for Pope Francis” in response to the Pontiff ’s request for the faithful to pray for him.

In the gospel today, we see Jesus spending the night in prayer to God. The following day, Jesus gathered His followers as a community of disciples. After choosing the twelve apostles, He began His ministry. Clearly, Jesus did the will of the Father by spending a lot time in prayer, by forming a community, and by doing His ministry. Pope Francis learned from Jesus Himself.

Like Jesus, we also need to spend time alone with God in prayer, to hear God’s voice in the silence of our hearts. When we listen to God in prayer, we nd inspiration and guidance in dealing with life’s ups and downs. Like Jesus, we also need a community to help and support us, to encourage and to strengthen us. In a community, we learn to work with a team. Surely, we can work alone and be like Lone Ranger. But to do the ministry entrusted to us by God, we need prayer and community.

Read the gospel. Spend moments of silence with God in prayer. Remember the people in your community. Reflect on the work that God has entrusted to you.

The concluding prayer of the “Prayer for Pope Francis” summarizes the need for prayer and community so we can perform our ministry: “Lord Good Shepherd, bless and protect Pope Francis. Safeguard the church from all harm. Guide us in the path of faith and charity. Amen.”

• Fr. Jose Honorio P. Mateo, SVD | Paraguay, South America

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