Daily Reflection

November 8, 2017 Wednesday

31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)

Ps 112:1b-2, 4-5, 9
Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.

1^st Reading: Rom 13:8-10

Do not be in debt to anyone. Let this be the only debt of one to another: Love. The one who loves his or her neighbor fulfills the law. For the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not covet, and whatever else, are summarized in this one: You will love your neighbor as yourself. Love cannot do the neighbor any harm; so love fulfills the whole law.

Gospel: Lk 14:25-33

One day, when large crowds were walking along with Jesus, he turned and said to them, “If you come to me, unwilling to sacrifice your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not follow me, carrying his own cross, cannot be my disciple.

Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost, to see whether you have enough to complete it? Otherwise, if you, have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.‘

And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponent? And if not, while the other is still a long way off, he sends messengers for peace talks. In the same way, none of you may become my disciple, if he doesn‘t give up everything he has.

REFLECTION:

“Do not be in debt to anyone“ “The only debt of one to another is Love“ These passages must move one to a serious examination of conscience and of himself. St. Paul reminds us all, that nothing is more important than love. In fact this is the only thing God asks from us to “love one another“ (Jn. 15:17). “If you love me, you will do my commandment“ (Jn. 14:15). Blessed Teresa of Calcutta exhorts all: “It is not the effort that counts but the amount of love that one puts in his work.“ St. John of Cross says; “In the evening of our life, we shall be judged by love.“

The cost of discipleship is high. The conditions to follow Jesus are not easy. However, if one loves Jesus everything will be smooth. No one will refuse. Love conquers all.

Daily Gospel ® is a product Claretian Publications, a division of Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) which is a pastoral endeavor of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines that brings the Word of God to people from all walks of life. CCFI aims to promote integral evangelization and renewed spirituality that is geared towards empowerment and total liberation in response to the needs and challenges of the Church today.

CCFI is a member of Claret Publishing Group, a consortium of the publishing houses of the Claretian Missionaries all over the world: Bangalore, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Madrid, Macao, Manila, Owerry, São Paolo, Varsaw , Yaoundé.

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

DAILY GOSPEL ® 2017
Readings and Reflections
Copyright © 2O16
Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc.
U.P. P.O. Box 4, Diliman,
1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (63-2) 921-3984
Fax: (6352) 921-7429
Email: ccfi@claretianpublicationscom
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.claretianph.com

November 7, 2017 Tuesday

31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)

Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

1^st Reading: Rom 12:5-16ab

The same with us; being many, we are one body in Christ, depending on one another. Let each one of us, therefore, serve, according to our different gifts. Are you a prophet? Then give the insights of faith. Let the minister fulfill his office; let the teacher teach, the one who encourages, convince. You must, likewise, give, with an open hand, preside with dedication, and be cheerful in your works of charity.

Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil and hold to whatever is good. Love one another and be considerate. Out do one another, in mutual respect. Be zealous in fulfilling your du ties. Be fervent in the spirit, and serve God.

Have hope and be cheerful. Be patient in trials and pray constantly. Share with other Christians in need. With those passing by, be ready to receive them.

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not wish evil on anyone. Rejoice with those who are joyful, and weep with those who weep. Live in peace with one another. Do not dream of extraordinary things; be humble and do not hold yourselves as wise.

Gospel: Lk 14:15-24

Upon hearing these words, one of those at the table said to Jesus, “Happy are those who eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God!“

Jesus replied, “A man once gave a feast and invited many guests. When it was time for the feast, he sent his servant to tell those he had invited to come, for everything was ready. But all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘Please excuse me. I must go and see the piece of land I have just bought.‘ Another said: ‘I am sorry, but I am on my way to try out the five yoke of oxen I have just bought.‘ Still another said, ‘How can I come, when I‘ve just got married?‘

The servant returned alone, and reported this to his master. Upon hearing his account, the master of the house flew into a rage, and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly, into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.‘

The servant reported after a while, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out, but there is still room.‘ The master said, ‘Go out to the highways and country lanes, and force people to come in, to ensure that my house is full. I tell you, none of those invited will have a morsel of my feast.“

REFLECTION:

Baptism is the sacrament of initiation. The officiating priest address the candidate: “My dear child, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for our Christ our Savior by the sign of the Cross.“ The baptized becomes a member of the Church, the BODY of CHRIST as St. Paul explains in our first reading.

The preface of the wedding mass has this; “You have designed the chaste love of husband and wife for the increase both of the human family and your family born in baptism. Nature‘s gift of children enriches the world and your grace enriches also your church.“ It is God‘s plan to fill up His Kingdom, fully and no space vacant. He invites everyone to be in His house, He has prepared from the beginning..

St. Paul speaks of the responsibility of all the members of the Church. “You are Christ‘s Body and individually parts of it“ (1 Cor. 12:28). Bishop David exhorted: “We are called–each one of us, members of His Body, the Church-to witness to Christ risen and alive in us. Our call is not just to speak about Christ, but rather TO BE CHRIST to the world.“

Daily Reflection

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

November 6, 2017 Monday

31ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)

Ps 69:30-31, 33-34, 36
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

1^st Reading: Rom 11:29-36

Because the call of God, and his gifts, cannot be nullified.

Through the disobedience of the Jews, the mercy of God came to you who did not obey God. They, in turn, will receive mercy, in due time, after this disobedience, that brought God‘s mercy to you. So, God has submitted all to disobedience, in order to show his mercy to all.

How deep are the riches, the wisdom and knowledge of God! His decisions cannot be explained, nor his ways understood! Who has ever known God‘s thoughts? Who has ever been his adviser? Who has given him something first, so that God had to repay him? For everything comes from him, has been made by him and has to return to him. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Gospel: Lk 14:12-14

Jesus also addressed the man who had invited him, and said, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don‘t invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives, or your wealthy neighbors. For surely they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid. When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright.“

REFLECTION:

One time at LCC mall I bought some personal needs. At the cashier, behind me was a young boy. He was holding a tube of toothpaste and small bar of soap. He kept on counting his coins and looked at the tag of the items. After the cashier registered all my items, I told her to include the items of the boy and I will pay for it. The boy looked at me surprisingly, and thanked me. Driving back to the rectory, I kept on thinking of the boy whose face was shining with joy. The following day, a balikbayan box arrived from California containing toiletries and other items. I said to myself, God repaid me immediately. A seminarian gave me a t-shirt. I was so touched by the gesture. I treasured it. I kept it at the bottom of my folded shirts, so it will always remain new. One rainy day, a trusted seminarian passed by the parish rectory. He was wet but has no extra shirt. I told him to get a shirt in my closet and change. Coming back to my office, he was wearing the shirt I treasured. Though feeling something, I let it go. A few days later, a parishioner brought a gift. To my surprise, it was a pack of three shirts, same color, same brand and size of the shirt the seminarian got from my closet. My heart simply shouted: Wow! My God you did it again?

Every time I remember these incidents, I feel deep joy in my heart. “Fortunate are you…You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright.“ Truly, the Lord is risen and alive. What an experience of JOY!

Daily Reflection

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

November 5, 2017 Sunday

31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)

Ps 131:1, 2, 3
In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

1^st Reading: Mal 1:14b–2:2b, 8-10

Cursed be the cheater, who, after promising me a bull from his herd, sacrifices a stunted animal. For I am a great king; and my name is respected through all the nations, says Yahweh of hosts or concern yourself, to glorify my name, says Yahweh of hosts, I will send the curse on you and curse even your blessings.

But you, says Yahweh of hosts, have strayed from my way, and, moreover, caused many to stumble because of your teaching. You have broken my Covenant with Levi. Therefore, I let all the people despise you and consider you unworthy, because you do not follow my ways; and you show partiality in your judgments.

Do we not all have the same father? Has the same God not created all of us? Why, then, does each of us betray his brother, defiling the Covenant of our ancestors?

2^nd Reading: 1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13

On the contrary, we were gentle with you, as a nursing mother, who feeds and cuddles her baby. And so great is our concern, that we are ready to give you, as well as the gospel, even our very lives, for you have become very dear to us.

Remember our labor and toil; when we preached the gospel, we worked day and night, so as not to be a burden to you.

This is why we never cease giving thanks to God for, on receiving our message, you accepted it, not as human teaching, but as the word of God. That is what it really is, and, as such, it is at work in you who believe.

Gospel: Mt 23:1-12

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees have sat down on the chair of Moses. So you shall do and observe all they say; but do not do as they do, for they do not do what they say. They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even lift a finger to move them. They do everything in order to be seen by people: they wear very wide bands of the law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels. They enjoy the first places at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and they like being greeted in the marketplace, and being called ‘Master‘ by the people.

But you, do not let yourselves be called Master, because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, he who is in heaven. Nor should you be called Leader, because Christ is the only Leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all. For whoever makes himself great shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be made great.

REFLECTION:

Read: The prophet denounces cheating, violence, betrayal, and defilement of the Covenant. On the contrary, Paul reveals his commitment to the Gospel, his readiness to give up life for it. Jesus criticizes the mismatch between the words and the acts of spiritual leaders.

Reflect: It is only in God the word and the deed are perfectly identical. What God utters, is. In our human lives, we often struggle with the mismatch of our words and deeds. Whether in marriage or priesthood or religious life, we solemnly profess vows and commitment, but in living them, we may fail in varying degrees. However, we shall not be found wanting in our sincere desire and effort to match our words with deeds. God, who sees the heart, will be the judge of our authenticity.

Pray: Pray for those who are in leadership roles in the Church, that their lives may match what they preach, and thereby glorify God.

Act: Recite a decade of the Rosary for the leaders of the Church.

Daily Reflection

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

November 8, 2017 Wednesday

Daily Reflection

November 7, 2017 Tuesday

Daily Reflection

November 6, 2017 Monday

Daily Reflection

November 5, 2017 Sunday

Daily Reflection

More Articles ...

Daily Reflection

RVA Mass