Daily Reflection

July 26, 2017 Wednesday

16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 3 / (White)
Sts. Joachim & Anne, parents of Mary

Ps 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28
The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

1^st Reading: Ex 16:1-5, 9-15

The Israelites left Elim and the entire community reached the desert of Sin, between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving Egypt.

In the desert the whole community of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of Yahweh in Egypt when we sat down to caldrons of meat and ate all the bread we wanted, whereas you have brought us to this desert to let the whole assembly die of starvation!“

Yahweh then said to Moses, “Now I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to gather what is needed for that day. In this way I will test them to see if they will follow my Teaching or not. On the sixth day when they prepare what they have brought in, they will find that there is twice as much as they gather each day.”

Then Moses directed Aaron to say to the whole community of Israel, “Draw near to Yahweh for he has heard your complaints.”

It happened that as Aaron was speaking to the full assembly of Israel, they turned towards the desert and saw the Glory of Yahweh in the midst of the cloud.

Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, “I have heard the complaints of Israel. Speak to them and say: Between the two evenings you will eat meat, and in the morning you will have bread to your heart’s content; then you shall know that I am Yahweh, your God!”

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp. And in the morning, dew had fallen around the camp. When the dew lifted, there was on the surface of the desert a thin crust like hoarfrost. The people of Israel upon seeing it said to one another, “What is it?” for they didn’t know what it was. Moses told them, “It is the bread that Yahweh has given you to eat.”

Gospel: Mt 13:1-9

That same day, Jesus left the house and sat down by the lakeside. Many people gathered around him. So he got into a boat, and sat down, while the crowds stood on the shore; and he spoke to them in parables about many things.

Jesus said, “The sower went out to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path; and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly, because the soil was not deep But as soon as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and they withered, because they had no roots. Again, other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants. Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop: some a hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty. If you have ears, then hear!“

REFLECTION:

In his ministry of teaching, Jesus liberally used parables so that even ordinary people can easily understand his message. In this parable the farmer is Jesus himself. The seed is the word of God. The path, rock, thorns and good soil are the hearts of those who hear God’s word. As the seed’s fruitfulness depends upon the seedbed into which the seed falls, so the fruitfulness of God’s word depends on the kind of heart into which it falls. It follows then that if the word of God is not fruitful in our lives, it is not the fault of the word. There is something wrong with our heart and how we have been receiving God’s gift. Thus, it is indispensable that we periodically examine whether or not our hearts are a “good soil“ for the Word of God to grow and bear much fruit. We need to find out what is it that prevents the Word from taking root and consequently bring a bountiful harvest.

At the same time, we have to be grateful to the Lord because in spite of the fact that sometimes the Word is not received properly, he does not tire out nor does he give up sowing the seed. Christians are expected to show the same patience and zeal in the work of renewed evangelization.

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
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July 25, 2017 Tuesday

FEAST OF ST. JAMES, APOSTLE
Psalter: Proper / (Red)

Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
The Lord has done marvels for us.

1^st Reading: 2 Cor 4:7-15

However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all surpassing power may not be seen as ours, but as God’s. Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged. We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. At any moment, we carry, in our person, the death of Jesus, so, that, the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us. For we, the living, are given up continually to death, for the sake of Jesus, so, that, the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence. And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture, that says: I believed and so I spoke. We also believe, and so we speak. We know that he, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us, with Jesus, and bring us, with you, into his presence. Finally, everything is for your good, so that grace will come more abundantly upon you, and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of God.

Gospel: Mt 20:20-28

Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down, to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, “What do you want?“ And she answered, “Here, you have my two sons. Grant, that they may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.“

Jesus said to the brothers, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?“ They answered, “We can.“ Jesus replied, “You will indeed drink my cup; but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those, for whom my Father has prepared it.“

The other ten heard all this, and were angry with the two brothers. Then Jesus called them to him and said, “You know, that the rulers of nations behave like tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall not be so among you: whoever wants to be great in your community, let him minister to the community. And if you want to be the first of all, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to redeem many.“

REFLECTION:

Every mother understands and can identify herself with the mother of James and John who went to Jesus with a bold request for her sons. We cannot fault her for her worldly ambition; for wishing and wanting the best for her children. It is all very human. Mindful that even his disciples were nurturing the same aspirations, Jesus takes the occasion to teach them about the true meaning of greatness. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, status and position. For Jesus, however, greatness is measured in terms of service. It is determined by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. More important than having leadership qualities, skills and education, is having the heart and mind of Jesus-the Suffering Servant of God. This is true because without the heart and mind of a servant, we can easily succumb to the temptation to abuse and misuse our power, position, talents, skills and education for personal gain. Pope Francis warns of the danger of careerism in Church especially among Church ministers. The common observation is that more than two thousand years after Jesus taught the disciples on servanthood, Christians today still jockey for position and prominence in Christian communities. More than ever we need to recall Jesus’ teaching that the way to greatness is humble service. Self-emptying leads to true richness.

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

July 24, 2017 Monday

16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green/White)
St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest

Ex 15:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6
Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

1^st Reading: Ex 14:5-18

The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; then Pharaoh and his ministers changed their minds with regard to the people. “What have we done,” they said, “in allowing Israel to go and be free of our service?” Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. There were six hundred of his best chariots; indeed he took all the Egyptian chariots, each one with his warriors.

Yahweh had hardened the mind of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who set out in pursuit of the Israelites as they marched forth triumphantly. The Egyptians—all the chariots and horses of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army—gave chase and caught up with them when they had encamped by the sea near Pihahiroth, facing Baalzephon.

The Israelites saw the Egyptians marching after them: Pharaoh was drawing near. They were terrified and cried out to Yahweh. Then they said to Moses, “Were there no tombs in Egypt? Why have you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done by bringing us out of Egypt? Isn’t this what we said when we were in Egypt: Let us work for the Egyptians. Far better serve Egypt than to die in the desert!“

Moses said to the people, “Have no fear! Stay where you are and see the work Yahweh will do to save you today. The Egyptians whom you see today, you will never see again! Yahweh will fight for you and all you have to do is to keep still.“

Yahweh said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. You will raise your staff and stretch your hand over the sea and divide it to let the Israelites go dryfoot through the sea. I will so harden the minds of the Egyptians that they will follow you. And I will have glory at the expense of Pharaoh, his army, his chariots and horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I gain glory for myself at the cost of Pharaoh and his army!

Gospel: Mt 12:38-42

Then, some teachers of the law and some Pharisees spoke up, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.“ Jesus answered them, “An evil and unfaithful people want a sign; but no sign will be given, them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. In the same way, as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

At the judgment, the people of Nineveh will rise with this generation, and condemn it; because they reformed their lives at the preaching of Jonah, and here, there is greater than Jonah. At the judgment, the Queen of the South will stand up and condemn you. She came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here, there is greater than Solomon.

REFLECTION:

It is often said: “To him who has genuine faith, no sign is needed; to him who has no faith no amount of signs is sufficient.“ In spite of the many miracles that Jesus performed in their presence, the Pharisees remain in their hardness of heart and demand that he perform more signs to prove he is the Messiah. The Lord, however, does not give in to their request because they won’t believe anyway. He points to the sign of Jonah which prefigures his Paschal Mystery (Passion, Death and Resurrection). At the same time, the sign of Jonah brings to mind the positive response of the Ninevites when they heard Jonah’s preaching on repentance. They humbly accepted their sinfulness, did penance and reformed their lives as manifestation of their genuine conversion.

Why do we find it difficult to trust God at times? Like the Pharisees, sometimes we succumb to the temptation to ask God for signs as proofs of his presence and his will. While there are times when signs are helpful, an undisputable proof of faith in God is our ability to trust Him simply and absolutely.

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

July 23, 2017 Sunday

16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 3 / (Green)

Ps 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Lord, you are good and forgiving.

1^st Reading: Wis 12:13, 16-19

For there is no other god besides you, one who cares for everyone, who could ask you to justify your judgments;

Your strength is the source of your justice and because you are the Lord of all, you can be merciful to everyone.

To those who doubt your sovereign power you show your strength and you confound the insolence of those who ignore it. But you, the Lord of strength, judge with prudence and govern us with great patience, because you are able to do anything at the time you want.

In this way you have taught your people that a righteous person must love his human fellows; you have also given your people cause for hope by prompting them to repent of their sin.

2^nd Reading: Rom 8:26-27

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us, without words, as if with groans. And he, who sees inner secrets, knows the desires of the Spirit, for he asks for the holy ones, what is pleasing to God.

Gospel: Mt 13:24-43 (or Mt 13:24-30)

Jesus told the people another parable, “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a man, who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep, his enemy came, and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

When the plants sprouted and produced grain, the weeds also appeared. Then, the servants of the owner came, and said to him, ‘Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’

He answered them, ‘This is the work of an enemy.’ They asked him, Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’ He told them, ‘No, when you pull up the weeds, you might uproot the wheat with them. Let them grow together, until harvest; and, at harvest time, I will say to the workers: Pull up the weeds first, tie them in bundles and burn them; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”

Jesus offered them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

It is smaller than all other seeds, but once it is fully grown, it is bigger than any garden plant; like a tree, the birds come and rest in its branches.”

He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast that a woman took, and hid in three measures of flour, until the whole mass of dough began to rise.”

Jesus taught all these things to the crowds by means of parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. This fulfilled what was spoken by the Prophet: I will speak in parables. I will proclaim things kept secret since the beginning of the world.

Then he sent the crowds away and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Jesus answered them, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed are the people of the kingdom; the weeds are those who follow the evil one. The enemy who sows the weeds is the devil; the harvest is the end of time, and the workers are the angels.

Just as the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of time. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom all that is scandalous and all who do evil. And these will be thrown into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the just will shine, like the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. If you have ears, then hear.

REFLECTION:

Read: Our God is a god of mercy, strength, justice, prudence, and patience. In our moments of wordless grief, the Spirit of God within us intercedes for us. Jesus captures the various perfections of God through the parables of the Kingdom.

Reflect: We are often embarrassed and distraught by the evil we find within ourselves. The good and the bad seem to coexist within us and we despair. We then try to hide the bad, deny it, or try violently to annihilate it. Perhaps we need to be compassionate to ourselves: let us accept ourselves with the good and the bad within us. It will help us open ourselves without reservation or shame before God whose grace will work like yeast and transform us in the fullness of time. It will also help us be compassionate and less judgmental towards others.

Pray: Sit before God and let the Spirit within you intercede for you.

Act: Take a leisurely walk. Be at peace. Refuse to worry. God is in charge.

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

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