Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

THE WORD

Hos 6,1-6 / Lk 18,9-14

He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justifi ed, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

IN OTHER WORDS

What is prayer? Do we pray? If ever we pray, how do we pray?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shared a parable about two people who prayed – a Pharisee and a tax collector. How did they pray? The Pharisee, looking up to God, said: “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity - greedy, dishonest, adulterous - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes on my whole income.” The tax collector, however, bowed his head, beat his breast and prayed: “O God, be merciful to me - a sinner.”

Who do we think truly prayed? The answer is obvious: the tax collector.

I personally de ne prayer as a connection. Anyone who truly prays connects. That’s what the tax collector did. He knew he sinned that’s why he went to the temple to be forgiven and asked God to remove all disconnections from his life.

If prayer is a connection, what is sin? Disconnection! Anyone who sins disconnects himself from God. That’s what the Pharisee did. He disconnected himself from God and from the rest of humanity. Actually, he did not pray; he just talked to himself and enumerated his self-importance. There is a big difference between praying to God and merely talking to oneself.

Instead of just asking who truly prayed, Jesus talked about “justification.” Jesus concluded that the tax collector “went home justified.” He added, “…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The tax collector was so humble that’s why he was exulted. On the other hand, the Pharisee exalted himself that’s why he was humbled.

Now, we know who truly prays and who will be exalted.

• Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD | DWC, San Jose, Occ. 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

Hos 14,2-10 / Mk 12,28-34

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself ’ is worth more than all burnt off erings and sacrifices.”

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

IN OTHER WORDS

Setting direction. Checking goal. These are some of the important points our gospel reading is sharing to us in this season of Lent. Usually, we pray and go to Church because of some personal intentions. This is the normal way. We pray for financial sustenance, success in studies, promotion in work, physical and emotional healing, and enlightenment when in mental and emotional confusion, among many others. These become the highlight of our belief, the center of our religious practice. And these define the way we approach God.

However, our gospel today is reminding us that in as much as the Kingdom of God can be experienced here on earth by the answers of God to our prayers, it is also reminding us that the Kingdom of God is more than this. The Kingdom of God also means being with Him in eternity. How? By loving our neighbors because our love for them is our concrete expression of our love for God who offers us His Kingdom.

I am not saying that praying for personal intentions is bad. It can only be bad when all prayers are directed to the self because that act becomes selfish. Personal prayers directed solely to the self make us forget our neighbors about whom our gospel is reminding us today. Neighbors are part of our existence. They are part of who we are as followers of Christ. They are part of our expression of our love to God.

Let us then be more conscious the next time we pray to include the needs of our neighbors. They are our family, friends, and officemates. They are also our acquaintances no matter who they are and what religion they profess. They are the sick people we meet in the hospitals when we have our executive check-up. They are the homeless we see everyday on our way to work. They are the street children who knock at the glass windows of the restaurants and fast-food chains where we usually eat. They are our church officials and government leaders who are plagued with scandals. Let us also pray for them. Or better still, let us put all of these prayers for these people into action.

• Fr. Ross Heruela, SVD | DWIMS, 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

 

THE WORD

Jer 7, 23-28/Lk 11, 14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon (that was) mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed.

Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.

But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

But if it is by the fi nger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

IN OTHER WORDS

Words: some spoken; some unspoken.

In the Chinese Filipino school where I am missioned, we made a study on how the news aboutour school got around. With the dwindling population among the Chinese Filipino schools, weneeded to know how best to advertise the school.

I was surprised at the result: it was primarily by word of mouth.

I, therefore, made repeated appeals, among the employees and parents to be conscious withwhat they say about the school. Any trivial comment that’s circulated becomes a de ning characteristic, even if the school has more than enough news about its successes -- nationally and internationally. Bad news gets around with more gusto than any good news, as anyone with a personalexperience may confirm.

The school can opt to have a very expensive PR (Public Relations) group to sell it to the world.However, the best way to “sell” it will still be by being the best school it could be: teachers teachingwell; offi ce staff effi cient; janitors clearing the spaces clean. Everybody should be doing the job inthe best possible way. After all, what we do is not only work. It is a mission.

Margaret Thatcher is quoted to have said: Greatness is like being a lady. If you spend too muchtime convincing others that you are, then you are not.Yes, the mute speaks!

• Fr. Vic Rayco, SVD | SJCS, Manila

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

Dt 4,1.5-9 / Mt 5,17-19

Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches
others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys
and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

IN OTHER WORDS

Even little children understand that there are some things you better get right and understand to be true, or you get yourself into big trouble. I came across a little document entitled: “Great truths about life that little children have learned.” Here are some of them:

“No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats.
When your mom is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair.
If your sister hits you don’t hit her back; they always catch the second person.
Never ask your three-year-old brother to hold a tomato.
You can’t trust dogs to watch your food.
Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a tic tac.
Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.
You cannot hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
Don’t wear polka dot underwear under white shorts.” (James Merrit, You Had Better Get It Right)

Working here in Switzerland, I have noticed that there are rules to be observed too in order to put things right. And certainly there are things that we have to do rightly if we want to be near and close to God or if we want our names to be written on the list of Christians.
Today’s gospel, Matthew 5:17-19, is exactly the absolute basis for truth, for law, for morals, for what is right, and for what is wrong and putting things in order. The Gospels reminds us three things: firrst, not to deny God’s truth; second, not to disobey God’s truth and; lastly not to distort God’s truth. If you intend to be pleasing to God and your brothers and sisters then you had better get that right.

• Fr. Antonio “Onyot” Enerio, SVD | (Switzerland)

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