Daily Reflection

July 18, 2017 Tuesday

15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green/White)
St. Camillus de Lellis, priest

Ps 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

1^st Reading: Ex 2:1-15a

Now a man belonging to the clan of Levi married a woman of his own tribe. She gave birth to a boy and, seeing that he was a beautiful child, she kept him hidden for three months. As she could not conceal him any longer, she made a basket out of papyrus leaves and coated it with tar and pitch. She then laid the child in the basket and placed it among the reeds near the bank of the Nile; but the sister of the child kept at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe in the Nile; her attendants meanwhile walked along the bank. When she saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maidservant to fetch it. She opened the basket and saw the child—a boy, and he was crying! She felt sorry for him, for she thought: “This is one of the Hebrew children.“

Then the sister of the child said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?“ Pharaoh’s daughter agreed, and the girl went to call the mother of the child. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take the child and nurse him for me and I will pay you.“ So the woman took the child and nursed him and, when the child had grown, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter who adopted him as her son. And she named him Moses to recall that she had drawn him out of the water.

After a fairly long time, Moses, by now a grown man, wanted to meet his fellow Hebrews. He noticed how heavily they were burdened and he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own people. He looked around and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

When he went out the next day he saw two Hebrews quarreling. Moses said to the man in the wrong, “Why are you striking a fellow countryman?” But he answered, “Who has set you prince and judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must be known.”

When Pharaoh heard about it he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian. There he sat down by a well.

Gospel: Mt 11:20-24

Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which he had performed most of his miracles, because the people there did not change their ways. “Alas for you Chorazin and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon; it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead! For if the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be there today! But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.“

REFLECTION:

Jesus reproaches the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum because of their hardheartedness. In spite of Jesus’ preaching and many miracles, the people remained in their sinful ways. Indifferent and unresponsive to his preaching, they simply refused to reform their lives. They are subsequently warned that a fate worse than that of Sodom will dawn on them, if they do not repent and persist in their wicked ways.

The warning is directed to us as well. We have received privileges and blessings and have experienced God’s goodness much more than the people of Sodom or Capernaum. For all that we have received and experienced, have we really been converted? The simple but genuine faith and religiosity of the poor and unlettered who have received less in life can put to shame those who have been blessed with much more but have taken these for granted.

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.

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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 17, 2017 Monday

15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)

Ps 124:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8
Our help is in the name of the Lord.

1^st Reading: Ex 1:8-14, 22

Then a new king who had not known Joseph came to power and said to his people, “The Israelites are more numerous and stronger than we are. Let us deal warily with them lest they increase still more and, in case of war, side with our enemy, fight against us and escape from the land.“ So they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. In that way they built the storage towns of Pithom and Rameses. But the more they oppressed the Hebrews the more they increased and spread, until the Egyptians dreaded the Israelites and became ruthless in making them work. They made life bitter for them in hard labor with bricks and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields. In all their work the Egyptians treated them harshly.

Pharaoh then gave this order to all the people: “Every infant boy born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile, but every girl may live.“

Gospel: Mt 10:34–11:1

Do not think that I have come to establish peace on earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Each one will have as enemies, those of one’s own family.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.

Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes him who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, as a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet; the one who welcomes a just man, because he is a just man, will receive the reward of a just man. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, because he is my disciple, I assure you, he will not go unrewarded.“

When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there, to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns.

REFLECTION:

There is no room for compromise in following Jesus.

The Gospel reading reminds me of a distant relative who was disowned by her family because she decided to become a Catholic. Her parents, siblings and other relatives tried their best to dissuade her but she remained firm in her decision to be baptized in the Catholic faith. A few years later, she decided to enter the convent and became a religious sister. This really infuriated her parents that they stripped her of the inheritance due her. This, however, did not discourage her from pursuing her religious vocation.

Those who commit themselves to Jesus and His mission are expected to make Him and his Kingdom the first priority. All others are secondary. Their relationship with God is the foundation of all other relationships. This is best exemplified by David’s close friend Jonathan, son of King Saul. Because of envy and jealousy, Saul hated David and wanted him eliminated. One day Saul ordered his son to betray David but Jonathan refused. He followed his conscience, the “voice of God,“ rather than his own father. Our loyalty to family ends where loyalty to Christ begins. St. Peter said it so well, “We must obey God rather than men.“

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 16, 2017 Sunday

15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Psalter: Week 2 / (Green)

Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.

1^st Reading: Is 55:10-11

As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return
till they have watered the earth, making it yield seed for the sower
and food for others to eat, so is my word that goes forth out of my mouth:
it will not return to me idle, but it shall accomplish my will,
the purpose for which it has been sent.

2^nd Reading: Rom 8:18-23

I consider, that the suffering of our present life cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed, and given to us. All creation is eagerly expecting the birth, in glory, of the children of God. For, if now, the created world was unable to attain its purpose, this did not come from itself, but from the one who subjected it. But it is not without hope; for even the created world, will be freed from this fate of death, and share the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know, that the whole creation groans and suffers the pangs of birth. Not creation alone, but even ourselves; although the Spirit was given to us, as a foretaste of what we are to receive, we groan in our innermost being, eagerly awaiting the day, when God will give us full rights, and rescue our bodies as well.

Gospel: Mt 13:1-23 (or 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!“

Then his disciples came to him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?“

Jesus answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but not to these people. For the one who has will be given more; and he will have in abundance. But the one who does not have will be deprived of even what he has. That is why I speak to them in parables; because they look and do not see; they hear; but they do not listen or understand.

In them, the words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled: However much you hear, you do not understand; however much you see, you do not perceive.

For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears hardly hear and their eyes dare not see. If they were to see with their eyes, hear with their ears and understand with their heart, they would turn back, and I would heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

For I tell you, many prophets and righteous people have longed to see the things you see, but they did not see them; and to hear the things you hear, but they did not hear them.

Now listen to the parable of the sower.

When a person hears the message of the kingdom, but does not take it seriously, the devil comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed that fell along the footpath.

The seed that fell on rocky ground stands for the one who hears the word, and accepts it at once with joy. But such a person has no roots, and endures only for a while. No sooner is he harassed or persecuted because of the word, than he gives up.

The seed that fell among the thistles is the one who hears the word; but then, the worries of this life and the love of money choke the word; and it does not bear fruit.

As for the seed that fell on good soil, it is the one who hears the word and understands it; this seed bears fruit and produces a hundred, or sixty, or thirty times more.“

REFLECTION:

Read: God’s Word will bear fruit, in season and out of season. We, along with the entire creation, must trust in God’s promises of redemption and new life, which will be given in the fullness of time. Jesus gives the parable of the sower who reaps thirty, sixty, and hundredfold.

Reflect: If God’s word never returns without realizing its purpose and produces in unimaginable quantities of thirties, sixties, and hundreds, why does it seemingly fail on the path and the rock and amidst the thistle? Perhaps what is needed is our cooperation with the Grace that is poured into us. Perhaps the seeds are still there waiting to sprout, but for our generous consent and cooperation. What might be preventing us from a total surrender to the word?

Pray: Let us pray for the grace of complete surrender to God’s will.

Act: Read a brief biography of a saint and reflect on how she/he let God’s word work in her/him.

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 15, 2017 Saturday

14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7
Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!

Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
St. Bonaventure, bishop & doctor / Memorial of Blessed Virgin Mary

1^st Reading: Gen 49:29-32; 50:15-26a

He then gave them these instructions: “I am soon to be gathered to my people; bury me near my fathers, in the cave in the field of Ephron, the Hittite; in the cave in the field of Machpelah, to the east of Mamre in Canaan, the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place. It was there that Abraham and his wife Sarah were buried. There they buried Leah. The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hittites.”

When Joseph’s brothers realized that their father was dead they said, “What if Joseph turns against us in hate because of the evil we did him?” So they sent word to Joseph saying, “Before he died your father told us to say this to you: Please forgive the crime and the sin of your brothers in doing evil to you. Forgive the crime of the servants of your father’s God.” When he was given the message, Joseph wept. His brothers went and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph reassured them, “Don’t be afraid! Am I in the place of God? You intended to do me harm, but God intended to turn it to good in order to bring about what is happening today—the survival of many people. So have no fear! I will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he touched their hearts and consoled them.

Joseph remained in Egypt together with all his father’s family. He lived for a hundred and ten years, long enough to see Ephraim’s great-grandchildren, and also to have the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, placed on his knees after their birth.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am going to die, but God will surely remember you and take you from this country to the land he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Joseph then made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “When God comes to bring you out from here, carry my bones with you.” Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten; they embalmed him and laid him in a coffin in Egypt.

Gospel: Mt 10:24-33

A student is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. A student should be content to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If the head of the household has been called Beelzebul, how much more, those of his household! So, do not be afraid of them!

There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered. There is nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I am telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but have no power to kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. For a few cents you can buy two sparrows. Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing. As for you, every hair of your head has been counted. Do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows!

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Whoever rejects me before others, I will reject before my Father in heaven.

REFLECTION:

“Do not be afraid…!“ All of us have our own fears. These can be real or “manufactured“ by social forces like the various means of social communication. We are afraid of rejection, failure, old age, persecution, sickness and death. The Lord reminds us in today’s Gospel not to allow fear to cripple us, hence preventing us from continuing the mission entrusted to us. It is possible that, out of fear, we are tempted to water down God’s message or give up proclaiming it altogether. Giving in to fear is the result of a weakened faith. Jesus’ example is instructive. He spoke out fearlessly against evil. Nothing intimidated him. Even his enemies admired his courage. He had full trust and confidence in the Father.

The Lord assures us that if we place our trust in God’s power and providence, there is no reason for us to be anxious or scared of anything or anyone. When we commit ourselves to doing God’s work, we are assured that He will never abandon us. We are “worth more than many sparrows.“ He cares about us in a way we may never be able to fully understand. We can draw inspiration from St. Alphonsus Liguori who once said: “When did it ever happen that a man had confidence in God and was lost?“

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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