Reflection on the Gospel Today (August 31, 2008)
His word in my heart becomes like a fire burning deep within my bones. I try so hard to hold it in, but I cannot do it.First Reading, Jeremiah 20:7-9
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.Psalm 63
Be transformed through the renewal of your mind.Second Reading, Romans 12:1-12
What will one gain by winning the whole world if he destroys himself?Gospel, Matthew 16:21-27
DOES THE WORD BURN IN ME LIKE FIRE IN MY BONES? DOES IT GUIDE MY THOUGHTS? FORMS MY VALUES?
Is this the cross? or the world? Reflecting on the things that I thought were dragging me down, I couldn't help but ask, are these of God? Am I carrying the cross? or am I conforming to the world? Jesus told Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." (Matthew 16:23)
I too am human. There was hate and desire for vengeance in my heart, misplaced though it may be, but it was clouding my judgment. I sought help on how to forgive the people who hurt my sensibilities again and again as if their survival depended on it. It took a life coach to remind me that no one could hurt me without my permission. Fact was, I gave people permission to hurt me by entertaining them in my thoughts and replaying those moments in my mind. It was also necessary for me to forgive myself first, before I could even begin forgiving others; and to clear my heart first before making major decisions.
Christ did not allow human thinking to be an obstacle to the cross, for Christ did not conform to the world. Rather, he came into this world so that the world would conform to him. This call was emphasized by St. Paul in the Second Reading:
"Don't let yourselves be shaped by the world where you live, but rather be transformed through the renewal of your mind. You must discern the will of God: what is good, what pleases, what is perfect." (Romans 12:2)
By our own strength we get waylaid. Even Peter, the Rock, succumbed to fear and sank in the water. But may the Word burn like fire in our bones, that even if we wanted to hold it in, we could not do it. The Word indeed is the only way we can be saved, for by our own strength we get waylaid.
Glory be to the Father.
Glory be to the Son.
Glory be to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.
Reflection on Today's Gospel (August 30, 2008)
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.First Reading, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.Response to Psalm 32
'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'Gospel, Matthew 25:14-30
AM I FAITHFUL IN SMALL MATTERS?
While everyone else reported awesome performances and my unit was still in the red, I knew I was in biiiiiig trouble. There were things I did horribly wrong, there were things I did not do as well as I should have, and there were things I did not do at all for lack of imagination and courage. Figures did not lie. The picture was not at all pleasing. I wanted to fire myself.
In the office, I have been more like that one servant who hid his talents. In the end, he got his master's ire. But I wonder, what indeed was the object of the master's ire? How would it have turned out if he invested that single talent and lost everything? Would the master be as angry? angrier? or less angry? The act of hiding the talent appears worse than risking it and losing it.
The lesson in the gospel today is precisely for me, in the area of business.
It can be for you too, maybe not in business or work, but in other areas of your life.
A successful businessman whom I respect said this about priorities: God, Family, Business, in that order. Don't do it the other way around.
During all these times of trials in business life, I am blessed to remain in God and my family. My "talents" with them grow with my passion to cultivate them each and every day; and they're the ones sustaining me spiritually and emotionally in the challenges I am facing in business. With God and my family behind me, I know I shall have the strength to tie a knot and hold on, to persevere, to bounce back and to win.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.First Reading, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.Response to Psalm 32
'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'Gospel, Matthew 25:14-30
AM I FAITHFUL IN SMALL MATTERS?
While everyone else reported awesome performances and my unit was still in the red, I knew I was in biiiiiig trouble. There were things I did horribly wrong, there were things I did not do as well as I should have, and there were things I did not do at all for lack of imagination and courage. Figures did not lie. The picture was not at all pleasing. I wanted to fire myself.
In the office, I have been more like that one servant who hid his talents. In the end, he got his master's ire. But I wonder, what indeed was the object of the master's ire? How would it have turned out if he invested that single talent and lost everything? Would the master be as angry? angrier? or less angry? The act of hiding the talent appears worse than risking it and losing it.
The lesson in the gospel today is precisely for me, in the area of business.
It can be for you too, maybe not in business or work, but in other areas of your life.
A successful businessman whom I respect said this about priorities: God, Family, Business, in that order. Don't do it the other way around.
During all these times of trials in business life, I am blessed to remain in God and my family. My "talents" with them grow with my passion to cultivate them each and every day; and they're the ones sustaining me spiritually and emotionally in the challenges I am facing in business. With God and my family behind me, I know I shall have the strength to tie a knot and hold on, to persevere, to bounce back and to win.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Herod Respected John. Mark 6:17-29
Reflection on Today's Gospel (August 29, 2008)
Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you.
From the First Reading, Jeremiah 1:17-19
I will sing your salvation.
Response to Psalm 71
Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John.
Mark 6:17-29
DO I EMBRACE TRUTH? OR DO I SHUN IT?
We all know how the gospel story ended. Herodias got her way one night when she was able to trap Herod into a situation wherein Herod could not say No to the request of Herodias' daughter to have John's head delivered to her on a plate. The motivation behind the beheading is clear: Herodias resented John for telling the truth. While Herod was willing to listen to John, Herodias was not.
What is truth? In our lives right now, what is truth?
The truth is what drives people to do the things they do today--good or bad. Either they run away from it, or they embrace it. Sometimes, we cannot tell anymore which is which, a phenomenon that Pope Benedict XVI calls the dictatorship of relativism.
At the personal level, what is truth? The truth may be that you hate someone too much, hate has become the rule in your other relationships. The truth may be that you drink too much, you have become a slave of alcohol. Or maybe the truth is that you have lost your dreams and you need to build newer ones.
At the family level, what is truth? The truth may be that your son wants to play with you, but your mind lies somewhere else and you said no to your son. the truth may be that your spouse needs emotional support but you're busy watching TV or browsing the internet or preparing for the next delicious meal.
At the business level, what is truth? The truth may be that sales are high but people are burned out, or you are burned out. The truth may be that sales are low and your responses are weak. Or, the truth may be that you have lost your passion and need to move on to something else.
When truth stares at us, how do we respond to it?
Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you.
From the First Reading, Jeremiah 1:17-19
I will sing your salvation.
Response to Psalm 71
Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John.
Mark 6:17-29
DO I EMBRACE TRUTH? OR DO I SHUN IT?
We all know how the gospel story ended. Herodias got her way one night when she was able to trap Herod into a situation wherein Herod could not say No to the request of Herodias' daughter to have John's head delivered to her on a plate. The motivation behind the beheading is clear: Herodias resented John for telling the truth. While Herod was willing to listen to John, Herodias was not.
What is truth? In our lives right now, what is truth?
The truth is what drives people to do the things they do today--good or bad. Either they run away from it, or they embrace it. Sometimes, we cannot tell anymore which is which, a phenomenon that Pope Benedict XVI calls the dictatorship of relativism.
At the personal level, what is truth? The truth may be that you hate someone too much, hate has become the rule in your other relationships. The truth may be that you drink too much, you have become a slave of alcohol. Or maybe the truth is that you have lost your dreams and you need to build newer ones.
At the family level, what is truth? The truth may be that your son wants to play with you, but your mind lies somewhere else and you said no to your son. the truth may be that your spouse needs emotional support but you're busy watching TV or browsing the internet or preparing for the next delicious meal.
At the business level, what is truth? The truth may be that sales are high but people are burned out, or you are burned out. The truth may be that sales are low and your responses are weak. Or, the truth may be that you have lost your passion and need to move on to something else.
When truth stares at us, how do we respond to it?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect. Matthew 24:42-51
Reflection on Today's Gospel (August 28, 2008)
"He will keep you steadfast to the end."From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
"I will praise your name for ever, Lord."Response to Psalm 145
"The Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect...Fortunate indeed is that servant whom his master will find at work."From the Gospel, Matthew 24:42-51
WHAT WORK DID GOD ASK ME TO DO?
Indeed, when Christ comes today, what will He find me doing? blogging? errr, browsing the internet for news, fancy stuff, research? Maybe he'll find me hugging my kids, which I do a lot. Or, having dinner with my wife and kids, perhaps? Let me see, maybe he'll catch me reading books, or watching Star Wars with my son, or ... complaining, lambasting someone, wishing things were different, etc. etc. etc.
No one can tell what Christ will see us doing today. But will he catch me doing what he asks us to do? To love God above all things, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves?
Thanks to St. Paul, God will keep us steadfast til the end. Perhaps that's what God expects us to catch us doing; coz with our own strength, we just can't go very far.
"He will keep you steadfast to the end."From the First Reading, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
"I will praise your name for ever, Lord."Response to Psalm 145
"The Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect...Fortunate indeed is that servant whom his master will find at work."From the Gospel, Matthew 24:42-51
WHAT WORK DID GOD ASK ME TO DO?
Indeed, when Christ comes today, what will He find me doing? blogging? errr, browsing the internet for news, fancy stuff, research? Maybe he'll find me hugging my kids, which I do a lot. Or, having dinner with my wife and kids, perhaps? Let me see, maybe he'll catch me reading books, or watching Star Wars with my son, or ... complaining, lambasting someone, wishing things were different, etc. etc. etc.
No one can tell what Christ will see us doing today. But will he catch me doing what he asks us to do? To love God above all things, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves?
Thanks to St. Paul, God will keep us steadfast til the end. Perhaps that's what God expects us to catch us doing; coz with our own strength, we just can't go very far.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees. Matthew 23:27-32
Reflection on Today's Gospel (August 27, 2008)
"We instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat."
From the First Gospel, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18
"Blessed are those who fear the Lord"
Response to Psalm 128
"Jesus said, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees."
From the Gospel, Matthew 23:27-32
DO I PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH? AM I GOD'S ASSET? OR LIABILITY?
What a tough reflection question for today's gospel. I have no answer at this time.
But why don't I have an answer? Is this because of the humility expected of us, such that we can't possibly tell the world that, hey, I'm God's asset! It is one thing to hide from your left hand what your right hand is doing; it is another to hide one's self altogether--not so much in words, but in action. Do I tell people that I am a believer of Christ? Do I show them that I am a believer? Do I make the sign of the cross in a restaurant? Or do I deliberately hide my Christian identity, in the name of civility or protocol?
The other possible reason for not having an answer is, perhaps, just perhaps, I am not as true to what I preach and one should be. I note with enthusiasm St. Paul's words: "We instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat." How do I perform in the office, where I draw my salary and feed my family? Do I deliver the expectations well? Or, am I an "idle" body lurking in the office?
We teach people God's word in Christian Life Programs and in ministries. But are we working on our own relationships with the Lord? Do we confess our sins? (Ouch! Look at how your own words hurt you). Do we take the Holy Communion in the spirit by which this Sacrament was bestowed on us by the Lord? Do we pray to the Lord everyday. Do we read his words everyday? Do we surrender ourselves to the Lord, along with our vices, hate, false humilities, etc.?
Hypocrites are the object of Christ's fiery words in the Gospel today. Does the word hit me? or not?
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, world without end, Amen.
"We instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat."
From the First Gospel, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10,16-18
"Blessed are those who fear the Lord"
Response to Psalm 128
"Jesus said, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees."
From the Gospel, Matthew 23:27-32
DO I PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH? AM I GOD'S ASSET? OR LIABILITY?
What a tough reflection question for today's gospel. I have no answer at this time.
But why don't I have an answer? Is this because of the humility expected of us, such that we can't possibly tell the world that, hey, I'm God's asset! It is one thing to hide from your left hand what your right hand is doing; it is another to hide one's self altogether--not so much in words, but in action. Do I tell people that I am a believer of Christ? Do I show them that I am a believer? Do I make the sign of the cross in a restaurant? Or do I deliberately hide my Christian identity, in the name of civility or protocol?
The other possible reason for not having an answer is, perhaps, just perhaps, I am not as true to what I preach and one should be. I note with enthusiasm St. Paul's words: "We instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat." How do I perform in the office, where I draw my salary and feed my family? Do I deliver the expectations well? Or, am I an "idle" body lurking in the office?
We teach people God's word in Christian Life Programs and in ministries. But are we working on our own relationships with the Lord? Do we confess our sins? (Ouch! Look at how your own words hurt you). Do we take the Holy Communion in the spirit by which this Sacrament was bestowed on us by the Lord? Do we pray to the Lord everyday. Do we read his words everyday? Do we surrender ourselves to the Lord, along with our vices, hate, false humilities, etc.?
Hypocrites are the object of Christ's fiery words in the Gospel today. Does the word hit me? or not?
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, world without end, Amen.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Justice, mercy and faith. Matthew 23:23-26
Reflections on the Gospel Today (August 26, 2008 Tuesday)
"Stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you by word or by letter"
From the First Reading, 2 Thessalonian 2:1-3,14-17
"The Lord comes to judge the earth."
Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 96
"Justice, mercy and faith. These you must practice without neglecting the others."
From the Gospel, Matthew 23:23-26
WHAT PRINCIPLES GUIDE MY LIFE?
The gospel today speaks of Justice, Mercy and Faith, from the mouth of no less than the Christ. Does the Catholic Church represent all these fundamental teachings? Yes, I see so, and I can write about this more lengthily later. These are discussed lengthily in Modules 1 and 2 of my community's Christian Life Program.
I like the way our Chairman in the office defines "Justice" as "getting what you deserve." Then he defines "Mercy" as "not getting what you deserve." Lastly, he defines "grace" as "getting what you do not deserve." Well, in this context, "faith," to me, is the acceptance of God as the Ultimate Source of the "grace" that we have already been receiving.
These lead me to ask the question, what principles guide my life now? As a lay Catholic working in the secular world, how am I living out the teachings today? Let me spell them out as follows: gratitude, excitement and purposeful.
Gratitude. It requires faith to be grateful. Gratitude is recognizing that we are small, and someone up there is big, and I mean really big, indescribable even (as Louie Giglio puts it). Mention of stars in Genesis is no mere poetry. It is real. Science teaches us about the size and incredible intensity of the sun, which is a speck of dust compared to other stars hundreds of thousands times bigger than our own sun. We haven't even began talking about the size of the universe that contains the billions of stars in the galaxy, and the billions of galaxies floating on space. God created them all. How can't we be thankful, every second of each day, that God has to even bother about us, microscopic organisms on God's backyard?
Gratitude is a state of being, recognizing our place in God's existence, and being happy about it; because despite our size in the cosmos, God has given us talents to cultivate, which no star can claim. Very often pride creeps in, and my mind says, "oh yeah? really?" Moments like this, God does not hesitate to catch my attention and remind me once in a while. My outsized estimation of myself often gets in the way of the state of being called gratitude.
Excitement.It is the state of being alive. When you're not excited, you're dead. It's what we teach in Christian households (or cell groups) when we worship the Creator in songs and praises. it's why we sing this at the beginning of each mass:
Glory, glory, glory Lord
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory
Hosanna, Hosanna, on high
This is true in office too. An excited officer infects the organization and lits up the entire company. An unexcited agent does not bring home the bacon. It's as basic as that. Where does excitement come from? I don't know. I experimented with lots of vices, but ultimately, I believe excitement comes from a decision to be so. But excitement is rooted in faith and gratitude, an act of claiming in advance the result that you want.
There are times we wake up feeling low, for whatever reason, real or imagined. I just have to wake up and tell my image in the mirror, "be excited! be excited! be excited!" Then, the thought creeps in asking, "what for? why?" Then an angel will fly unto my side and say, "why? let me ask you this, why not? why not? why not?" Count your blessings. Start with your next breath. It's a decision. Very often, we decide not to. Just decide so.
Purposeful. This one's easy. When you're not purposeful, you're drifting. When you're purposeful, you're mindful. When you're not purposeful, you're mindless. I'm not playing with words here. There's a whole world and life at stake here.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
"Stand firm and hold to the traditions that we taught you by word or by letter"
From the First Reading, 2 Thessalonian 2:1-3,14-17
"The Lord comes to judge the earth."
Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 96
"Justice, mercy and faith. These you must practice without neglecting the others."
From the Gospel, Matthew 23:23-26
WHAT PRINCIPLES GUIDE MY LIFE?
The gospel today speaks of Justice, Mercy and Faith, from the mouth of no less than the Christ. Does the Catholic Church represent all these fundamental teachings? Yes, I see so, and I can write about this more lengthily later. These are discussed lengthily in Modules 1 and 2 of my community's Christian Life Program.
I like the way our Chairman in the office defines "Justice" as "getting what you deserve." Then he defines "Mercy" as "not getting what you deserve." Lastly, he defines "grace" as "getting what you do not deserve." Well, in this context, "faith," to me, is the acceptance of God as the Ultimate Source of the "grace" that we have already been receiving.
These lead me to ask the question, what principles guide my life now? As a lay Catholic working in the secular world, how am I living out the teachings today? Let me spell them out as follows: gratitude, excitement and purposeful.
Gratitude. It requires faith to be grateful. Gratitude is recognizing that we are small, and someone up there is big, and I mean really big, indescribable even (as Louie Giglio puts it). Mention of stars in Genesis is no mere poetry. It is real. Science teaches us about the size and incredible intensity of the sun, which is a speck of dust compared to other stars hundreds of thousands times bigger than our own sun. We haven't even began talking about the size of the universe that contains the billions of stars in the galaxy, and the billions of galaxies floating on space. God created them all. How can't we be thankful, every second of each day, that God has to even bother about us, microscopic organisms on God's backyard?
Gratitude is a state of being, recognizing our place in God's existence, and being happy about it; because despite our size in the cosmos, God has given us talents to cultivate, which no star can claim. Very often pride creeps in, and my mind says, "oh yeah? really?" Moments like this, God does not hesitate to catch my attention and remind me once in a while. My outsized estimation of myself often gets in the way of the state of being called gratitude.
Excitement.It is the state of being alive. When you're not excited, you're dead. It's what we teach in Christian households (or cell groups) when we worship the Creator in songs and praises. it's why we sing this at the beginning of each mass:
Glory, glory, glory Lord
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory
Hosanna, Hosanna, on high
This is true in office too. An excited officer infects the organization and lits up the entire company. An unexcited agent does not bring home the bacon. It's as basic as that. Where does excitement come from? I don't know. I experimented with lots of vices, but ultimately, I believe excitement comes from a decision to be so. But excitement is rooted in faith and gratitude, an act of claiming in advance the result that you want.
There are times we wake up feeling low, for whatever reason, real or imagined. I just have to wake up and tell my image in the mirror, "be excited! be excited! be excited!" Then, the thought creeps in asking, "what for? why?" Then an angel will fly unto my side and say, "why? let me ask you this, why not? why not? why not?" Count your blessings. Start with your next breath. It's a decision. Very often, we decide not to. Just decide so.
Purposeful. This one's easy. When you're not purposeful, you're drifting. When you're purposeful, you're mindful. When you're not purposeful, you're mindless. I'm not playing with words here. There's a whole world and life at stake here.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Monday, August 25, 2008
May our God make you worthy of your calling. Thessalonians 1:1-12
Reflection on Today's Gospel (Aug 25, 2008 Monday)
"May our God make you worthy of your calling."Thessalonians 1:1-12
"Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations."
Psalm 96
"Whoever swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."
Matthew 23:13-22
WHAT PROMISES HAVE I MADE TO GOD?
I don't recall asking myself this question ever. Should I promise anything to God? The thought alone makes me tremble. All I've done so far is respond to his calls, and to really get serious about seeking a relationship with him. That much I can tell. I'm far from perfect. I can only promise to bounce back everytime I fall again, with God's grace and strength; and, in times I lose my strength, to hold on to God's word of hope and love.
The path of the laity is one of claiming God's abundance in the secular world. We take care of businesses, jobs and causes we believe passionately in. These are our "Talents" from God. What do we promise to God regarding these Talents.
At this point I ask, in behalf of all my brothers and sisters, for God to provide each one a proper motivation to strive for excellence in one's chosen field of endeavor. I pray for abundance for each one, not just materially but also in mind and heart. I pray that each one will take good care of God's Talents entrusted to each one of us, that we may be able to double or triple these Talents, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the greater glory and honor of God.
"May our God make you worthy of your calling."Thessalonians 1:1-12
"Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations."
Psalm 96
"Whoever swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God and by him who is seated on it."
Matthew 23:13-22
WHAT PROMISES HAVE I MADE TO GOD?
I don't recall asking myself this question ever. Should I promise anything to God? The thought alone makes me tremble. All I've done so far is respond to his calls, and to really get serious about seeking a relationship with him. That much I can tell. I'm far from perfect. I can only promise to bounce back everytime I fall again, with God's grace and strength; and, in times I lose my strength, to hold on to God's word of hope and love.
The path of the laity is one of claiming God's abundance in the secular world. We take care of businesses, jobs and causes we believe passionately in. These are our "Talents" from God. What do we promise to God regarding these Talents.
At this point I ask, in behalf of all my brothers and sisters, for God to provide each one a proper motivation to strive for excellence in one's chosen field of endeavor. I pray for abundance for each one, not just materially but also in mind and heart. I pray that each one will take good care of God's Talents entrusted to each one of us, that we may be able to double or triple these Talents, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the greater glory and honor of God.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
On this rock I will build my Church. Matthew 16:13-20
Reflection of Today's Gospel (August 24, 2008 Sunday)
"Upon his shoulder I will place the key of the House of David"From the First Reading, Isaiah 22:19-23
"Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands."
Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 138
"You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church"
From the Gospel, Matthew 16:13-20
WHO BUILDS THE CHURCH? MAN? OR GOD?
It is easy to think man does it. After all, the Church as an institution is composed of the clergy, the religious and the laity. But dedicated though they be, it is unimaginable how man could have maintained the Church for 2,000 years when all powerful human empires, both heard and unheard, never lasted as long.
Bo Sanchez, in his talk one Sunday, mentioned the many mistakes of the Catholic Church as one reason why he's Catholic. That's humbling. The missteps of the Church have been glaring in its history: the Crusades, the forced baptisms, the "bad" popes, etc. How did the Church survive? I don't understand it.
There is indeed a key that has been handed down to the Church, especially to its human leader, the Pope. I am not an apologist, so I cannot explain fully the doctrine behind beyond Matthew 16:18. But it is clear that the responsibility is tremendous. God himself is building the Church on these people.
The priests and bishops are but human too, just like most of us. The expectations from them are sky high. I too sometimes contribute to lambasting them for my frustrations in the Church. Yet they're as imperfect as I am, and the key has been entrusted to them.
So, today let us pray for every member of the clergy, no matter what their names are; the leaders and followers among the religious congregations, among them is my dear younger sister; and the leaders of lay communities, among them is my mother. May they be strong and steadfast in their faith just as Peter has been. Amen.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirt
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
"Upon his shoulder I will place the key of the House of David"From the First Reading, Isaiah 22:19-23
"Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands."
Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 138
"You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church"
From the Gospel, Matthew 16:13-20
WHO BUILDS THE CHURCH? MAN? OR GOD?
It is easy to think man does it. After all, the Church as an institution is composed of the clergy, the religious and the laity. But dedicated though they be, it is unimaginable how man could have maintained the Church for 2,000 years when all powerful human empires, both heard and unheard, never lasted as long.
Bo Sanchez, in his talk one Sunday, mentioned the many mistakes of the Catholic Church as one reason why he's Catholic. That's humbling. The missteps of the Church have been glaring in its history: the Crusades, the forced baptisms, the "bad" popes, etc. How did the Church survive? I don't understand it.
There is indeed a key that has been handed down to the Church, especially to its human leader, the Pope. I am not an apologist, so I cannot explain fully the doctrine behind beyond Matthew 16:18. But it is clear that the responsibility is tremendous. God himself is building the Church on these people.
The priests and bishops are but human too, just like most of us. The expectations from them are sky high. I too sometimes contribute to lambasting them for my frustrations in the Church. Yet they're as imperfect as I am, and the key has been entrusted to them.
So, today let us pray for every member of the clergy, no matter what their names are; the leaders and followers among the religious congregations, among them is my dear younger sister; and the leaders of lay communities, among them is my mother. May they be strong and steadfast in their faith just as Peter has been. Amen.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirt
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
How great is Your love, Oh God.
The earth's relative size to the universe...even smaller than a speck of dust in the city.
It is mind-boggling to realize how small the earth is in the whole Universe.
If the Universe such as this is much bigger than our wildest imaginations, how great and powerful could its Creator be? It is absolutely humbling that this all-powerful Creator is the same God that courts our love ever since we are born.
God, with all His might and glory, does not seek to be feared. He seeks to be loved.
Lord, will ever a day come when we shall comprehend that? Even when we are weak, you already love us. Even when we are ignorant and rebellious, you already love us. Even when we have learned to love and adore you, we fall and still you love us.
How great is Your love, Oh God.
It is mind-boggling to realize how small the earth is in the whole Universe.
If the Universe such as this is much bigger than our wildest imaginations, how great and powerful could its Creator be? It is absolutely humbling that this all-powerful Creator is the same God that courts our love ever since we are born.
God, with all His might and glory, does not seek to be feared. He seeks to be loved.
Lord, will ever a day come when we shall comprehend that? Even when we are weak, you already love us. Even when we are ignorant and rebellious, you already love us. Even when we have learned to love and adore you, we fall and still you love us.
How great is Your love, Oh God.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Let the greatest be the servant. Matthew 23:1-12
Reflection of Today's Gospel (August 23, 2008 Saturday)
"The people of Israel...will no longer defile my holy name"From the First Reading, Ezekiel 43:1-7
"The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land"Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 85
"Let the greatest among you be the servant of all...whoever humbles himself shall be made great"From the Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12
DO I SEEK GREATNESS?
Everyone strives for greatness. Some define greatness as building a comfortable life for self and family; while some strive for a fulfilling life for a cause they're passionate about. Each one has aspirations, and yearns for some form of recognition. What is my formula for getting such recognition?
Time to pray. Some form of connection to the Supreme is essential for me, on a regular basis. A daily dose of God's word opens up my eyes, bit by bit, to the ultimate reality surrounding us--that in the world we live in, God reigns. This ultimate reality does not remove the pain and suffering we feel, it gives meaning to it. It doesn't take much time to pray. But it doesn't pay dividends to trivialize it.
Time with the Family. I figure this is important. One of the local tycoons was heard to have said, he eats at least one meal each day with his family. In our quest for greatness, nothing tastes as sweet as the testimony of our family. An top-rated executive in Fortune magazine learned this the hard way. Lee Iacocca talks about family in his autobiography. It doesn't take too much time to convey love to family. But it doesn't pay dividends to take them for granted.
The rest is for business and pleasure. Go ahead and conquer the world with what remains, and there's a lot that remains in a day. Get into business with integrity and excellence. Work like you own the company. Serve like you're holding the hands of your brother or sister.
May I be worthy of my words today. Only God knows the quality of my relationship with Him, no matter how much I pray or read his words. Only my family knows what they're gonna say to me on my deathbed. Only the world can judge the value of my contribution to humanity. All I know at this point is, God's love flows from His abundance into my heart, and I want to share as much as I can regardless of the flaws in my personality, my temperament, my judgements, my choices.
Lord, you know me in and out. Let humility be the clothes I wear, and I need lots of this kind of clothing.
Amen.
"The people of Israel...will no longer defile my holy name"From the First Reading, Ezekiel 43:1-7
"The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land"Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 85
"Let the greatest among you be the servant of all...whoever humbles himself shall be made great"From the Gospel, Matthew 23:1-12
DO I SEEK GREATNESS?
Everyone strives for greatness. Some define greatness as building a comfortable life for self and family; while some strive for a fulfilling life for a cause they're passionate about. Each one has aspirations, and yearns for some form of recognition. What is my formula for getting such recognition?
Time to pray. Some form of connection to the Supreme is essential for me, on a regular basis. A daily dose of God's word opens up my eyes, bit by bit, to the ultimate reality surrounding us--that in the world we live in, God reigns. This ultimate reality does not remove the pain and suffering we feel, it gives meaning to it. It doesn't take much time to pray. But it doesn't pay dividends to trivialize it.
Time with the Family. I figure this is important. One of the local tycoons was heard to have said, he eats at least one meal each day with his family. In our quest for greatness, nothing tastes as sweet as the testimony of our family. An top-rated executive in Fortune magazine learned this the hard way. Lee Iacocca talks about family in his autobiography. It doesn't take too much time to convey love to family. But it doesn't pay dividends to take them for granted.
The rest is for business and pleasure. Go ahead and conquer the world with what remains, and there's a lot that remains in a day. Get into business with integrity and excellence. Work like you own the company. Serve like you're holding the hands of your brother or sister.
May I be worthy of my words today. Only God knows the quality of my relationship with Him, no matter how much I pray or read his words. Only my family knows what they're gonna say to me on my deathbed. Only the world can judge the value of my contribution to humanity. All I know at this point is, God's love flows from His abundance into my heart, and I want to share as much as I can regardless of the flaws in my personality, my temperament, my judgements, my choices.
Lord, you know me in and out. Let humility be the clothes I wear, and I need lots of this kind of clothing.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
You shall conceive and bear a son. Luke 1:26-38
Reflection on Today's Gospel. (August 22, 2008 Friday)
"A son is given us; the royal ornament is laid upon his shoulder."
From the First Reading today, Isaiah 9:1-6
"Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever"
Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 113
"But the angel said, 'Do not fear, Mary...you shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus.'"
From the Gospel today, Luke 1:26-38
WHO IS KING OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW?
Sino nga ba? I searched my feelings this morning and I found the faces of the people I hated. My adrenalin sprung up, and I couldn't help but lament, why would these faces dictate my disposition, in a sacred morning such as this? This just had to stop. The path of hate and revenge led to just more of it.
Meanwhile, God speaks through the Gospel today about love and compassion--a message God has been conveying to everyone since the beginning of time, which man continually rejects. The Gospel is about a prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus. All for what?
My King is the King of forgiveness and healing, then and now.
May I be a worthy subject.
"A son is given us; the royal ornament is laid upon his shoulder."
From the First Reading today, Isaiah 9:1-6
"Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever"
Responsorial Psalm for Psalm 113
"But the angel said, 'Do not fear, Mary...you shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus.'"
From the Gospel today, Luke 1:26-38
WHO IS KING OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW?
Sino nga ba? I searched my feelings this morning and I found the faces of the people I hated. My adrenalin sprung up, and I couldn't help but lament, why would these faces dictate my disposition, in a sacred morning such as this? This just had to stop. The path of hate and revenge led to just more of it.
Meanwhile, God speaks through the Gospel today about love and compassion--a message God has been conveying to everyone since the beginning of time, which man continually rejects. The Gospel is about a prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus. All for what?
My King is the King of forgiveness and healing, then and now.
May I be a worthy subject.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Who Else Wants to Walk on Water?
Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. From the Gospel today, Matthew 14:22-23
The gospel today is about Jesus walking on the water, how the disciples got afraid of seeing a ghost, how Peter wanted to see if it was indeed Jesus, and how Peter began to sink when he lost his focus. Jesus saved him that day.
Everybody knows that story.
But what strikes me even more is when you look at that story on the foreground of the first reading, which goes as follows:
There he came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him, "Why are you here, Elijah?" Then the LORD said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?" 1st Book of Kings 19,9.11-13
What Elijah has wanted to see, the disciples have seen and heard and touched. I find that amazing, absolutely amazing.
I am not an apologist, yet. I wish to be one someday. In the meantime, let me marvel at the imagery set right before us in the readings today. We see nature at work, yet God is not in the power displayed by nature around Him. He's but a soft voice asking us, Why are you here? He's but a walking Christ telling us to come and join him enjoy the walk on water.
Let me focus on Peter at this time and express my shock. He actually asked what he initially thought of as a ghost to command him to come to this ghost on the water! Was he out of his mind? What made Peter do that? Would he do that if he was not sure that it was Jesus walking on the water? If he was not sure, wasn't it suicidal for him to ask this ghost to command him to walk on water? If he was sure, what was the point of asking Jesus to command him to walk on water?
If anyone who somehow stumbled into this site has the answers, please let us know what you think.
Finally, let me focus on Jesus himself. I still marvel at the imagery of Christ walking on water. Didn't he get wet? How would the clothes have looked like? It was windy, right? Was he glowing? Or why would the disciples see him approaching during the fourth watch of the night? For certain, the sight was unreal. Yet it was true.
Truth is, seemingly unreal things happen around us, even in the middle of the worst situations in our lives. We are short of cash and someone approaches us to lend us some cash. We are desperate about out situation at work, and someone lends us a listening ear or makes a remark which leads us to a solution we've never thought of before. We are thoroughly washed up with fear, and a prayer soothes our senses keeping us intact. The list of tales can go on.
Truth is, we are called to be instruments of these unreal things to happen in someone else's lives. We experience abundance at the exact time someone else needs our help. We are so excited about our recent successes in career just when someone else needs a bit of wisdom to move theirs. We have just come from a very prayerful moment and the Spirit leads us to the house of someone who badly needs our presence. The list of tales can go on.
Where is God in all these? He's the soothing voice that comes out of our mouth, the reassuring presence that people see as we approach.
I say this prayer today... Lord, make us equal to the challenges that we encounter in our lives. When we need help, grant us the humility and gratitude to receive help. When we experience abundance, grant us the compassion and gratitude to extend help. In any situation, grant us a grateful heart, O Lord: grateful for your powerful, yet loving and reassuring, presence in our lives.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
The gospel today is about Jesus walking on the water, how the disciples got afraid of seeing a ghost, how Peter wanted to see if it was indeed Jesus, and how Peter began to sink when he lost his focus. Jesus saved him that day.
Everybody knows that story.
But what strikes me even more is when you look at that story on the foreground of the first reading, which goes as follows:
There he came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the LORD came to him, "Why are you here, Elijah?" Then the LORD said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?" 1st Book of Kings 19,9.11-13
What Elijah has wanted to see, the disciples have seen and heard and touched. I find that amazing, absolutely amazing.
I am not an apologist, yet. I wish to be one someday. In the meantime, let me marvel at the imagery set right before us in the readings today. We see nature at work, yet God is not in the power displayed by nature around Him. He's but a soft voice asking us, Why are you here? He's but a walking Christ telling us to come and join him enjoy the walk on water.
Let me focus on Peter at this time and express my shock. He actually asked what he initially thought of as a ghost to command him to come to this ghost on the water! Was he out of his mind? What made Peter do that? Would he do that if he was not sure that it was Jesus walking on the water? If he was not sure, wasn't it suicidal for him to ask this ghost to command him to walk on water? If he was sure, what was the point of asking Jesus to command him to walk on water?
If anyone who somehow stumbled into this site has the answers, please let us know what you think.
Finally, let me focus on Jesus himself. I still marvel at the imagery of Christ walking on water. Didn't he get wet? How would the clothes have looked like? It was windy, right? Was he glowing? Or why would the disciples see him approaching during the fourth watch of the night? For certain, the sight was unreal. Yet it was true.
Truth is, seemingly unreal things happen around us, even in the middle of the worst situations in our lives. We are short of cash and someone approaches us to lend us some cash. We are desperate about out situation at work, and someone lends us a listening ear or makes a remark which leads us to a solution we've never thought of before. We are thoroughly washed up with fear, and a prayer soothes our senses keeping us intact. The list of tales can go on.
Truth is, we are called to be instruments of these unreal things to happen in someone else's lives. We experience abundance at the exact time someone else needs our help. We are so excited about our recent successes in career just when someone else needs a bit of wisdom to move theirs. We have just come from a very prayerful moment and the Spirit leads us to the house of someone who badly needs our presence. The list of tales can go on.
Where is God in all these? He's the soothing voice that comes out of our mouth, the reassuring presence that people see as we approach.
I say this prayer today... Lord, make us equal to the challenges that we encounter in our lives. When we need help, grant us the humility and gratitude to receive help. When we experience abundance, grant us the compassion and gratitude to extend help. In any situation, grant us a grateful heart, O Lord: grateful for your powerful, yet loving and reassuring, presence in our lives.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Christian The Lion
This is very touching. Just watch it.
Then, watch this too.
Share it with your friends too.
The link to the first video in YouTube is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__UHSZHJ9LA
The second video can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCjyWp3rEk&feature=related
Marvin
Then, watch this too.
Share it with your friends too.
The link to the first video in YouTube is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__UHSZHJ9LA
The second video can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCjyWp3rEk&feature=related
Marvin
Monday, August 4, 2008
Do You Make These Mistakes About Gratitude?
We can take a lot of things for granted. Thanking the Lord is one of them. Let's review our thoughts.
1. "GRATITUDE is for the young and naive"
It’s what we teach our children, “Thank you Mommy! Thank you Daddy!” Indeed. We grow up thinking gratitude is only for young and naive children.
We sweat it out in fine universities to understand the intricacies of the degrees we want for ourselves. We squeeze our brains out for those fine points in our careers or business that can bring us to the next. We reach out into our innermost selves to understand our own psyches. Etcetera. Etcetera.
Yet the very first thing God asks from us is one of those things we learned when we were small and helpless. It almost sounds rude and absolutely insulting.
You don’t need my degree, Lord? You don’t need that medal I won? Oh Lord, come on aren't you proud I've got this picture with my country’s president?
2. "GRATITUDE is all about God, God and God"
Is gratitude really all about God? Is it because all He wants is to sit on his throne while we all minister to Him? The truth is, God is God.
We know that, but we can fail to realize its implications: God does not need us. He is complete all by Himself. He is God. There's nothing man can do that increase or decrease God.
Let's think again! Somehow, somewhere our understanding has been twisted. We're given a simple fact about our God, yet we want things to be complicated. By thinking God needs us is already an act of ingratitude.
We are attempting to decrease God by that, in our own estimation.
Alright. Alright. You want to complicate things? Then answer this: Have your achievements made you happy, day after day after day? Do your achievements give you “fullness of joy” as God wants us to have? Does your heart burn with some kind of an eternal fire because you’ve got this nice resume, nice title, nice house, nice car, nice neighborhood, cool friends?
If you’re answer is Yes, then GREAT! I am absolutely happy for you! You’re blessed! You know what? Be ready for this: my answers to the three questions above are three Flat No’s. No, No, and no. I wish I know why.
I wish I can intellectualize about it. But it just is the rude realization I found myself in one day. At that point the beer no longer tasted as good, and the night outs were as empty as the beer bubbles. For some time there was a period of denial. But one day I said I had it.
That's when Christ slowly lead me to what I was looking for, the "fullness of joy." Christ said to me one day, "Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete" (John 16:24). I asked, and asked, and asked.
One day I realized that I was blind to the fact that God has already given me what I've been praying earnestly for: love, laughter, friendships, profound self-esteem, etc. etc. Most importantly, God has already given me what I've been craving for all my life: His generosity.
What was lacking? My Gratitude.
So, was it about God? or was it about me? For whose sake does God want us to be grateful?
3. "GRATITUDE in the Bible? Come on, the Bible talks about more important things than that!"
When God made a covenant with Adam, what did God expect from Adam? I say, gratitude. Did God get what he wanted from Adam after making him an image of Himself? No.
Adam disobeyed Him. Would a grateful man disobey his Lord? How do we call a man who betrays a good master? You're right. Ingrato.
When God made a covenant with Noah, what did God expect from Noah’s descendants? I dare say, gratitude. Did God what he wanted? No.
They built the Tower of Babel. Why? Because they thought God was their equal in their own estimation. How would you call a guest who Lords it over his host? You're right. Ingrato.
When God made a covenant with Abraham, what did God expect? I dare say, again, it’s gratitude. God wanted Israel to be His people, and for God to be Israel’s God. Did God get what he wanted? No. They killed their brother Joseph, or so they thought then.
The same story would repeat all over again with Moses, David, and then finally, Jesus. The story of the lone leper who came back to thank Jesus was classic, “Didn’t I heal ten? Where are the other nine?” God is a wounded lover.
Worse, our ingratitude is the source of our sufferings.
4. "GRATITUDE is for losers"
God has made man in His own image and likeness. There is something in man that even God won’t mess with: our free will, a charactestic of God. This free will is our domain. In this domain we can choose to let God enter into it or not. That sounds almost sacrilegious. But that’s truth.
Salvation history is all about God courting mankind. He wants us to open our hearts to Him out of our own free will. For God to force himself into our hearts is to desecrate the very image by which He made man, His very own image.
There is nothing that man can ever do that can win for us the grace we enjoy! His grace is grace, not a reward. It's an act of free will on God's part. Gratitude is act of free will on our part.
Is God a loser? God has given you the option to make up your mind. To accept God or not into your life is an act of free will.
If you think God is a loser, wait for my fifth point to see who is the ultimate loser.
5. "GRATITUDE is simply thanking the Lord"
Gratitude is not just thanking the Lord. Gratitude is worshipping the Lord. The moment we say, Thank You Lord, we acknowledge God as God, all-powerful, ever living, loving, forgiving, compassionate.
Anything less than that isn't thanking the Lord at all. It's just being civil to Him.
Why would you simply be civil to the one who made every cell in you? We, by our own effort, have not made any single plant to grow. Who's the power behind the growth of a seed? or of a fetus?
Our human mind can only look at it as mystery. But God does it day after day after day even while we sleep. We can afford to be simply civil to an Almighty presence like that?
If you think you can simply be civil to God, think again.
If you think it's cool to be ungrateful, as an exercise of free will, think again.
GRATITUDE is about worshiping the Lord. When we worship the Lord, a grateful heart is the way to start. When our heart is grateful, then we acknowledge God in our lives, the Kingdom of God that surrounds us, and the abundance of everything we can ever hope for right under our feet.
If you're not worshiping the Lord, who are you worshiping? Think again.
-
REFLECTION:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16)
When was the last time we thanked the Lord for this?
1. "GRATITUDE is for the young and naive"
It’s what we teach our children, “Thank you Mommy! Thank you Daddy!” Indeed. We grow up thinking gratitude is only for young and naive children.
We sweat it out in fine universities to understand the intricacies of the degrees we want for ourselves. We squeeze our brains out for those fine points in our careers or business that can bring us to the next. We reach out into our innermost selves to understand our own psyches. Etcetera. Etcetera.
Yet the very first thing God asks from us is one of those things we learned when we were small and helpless. It almost sounds rude and absolutely insulting.
You don’t need my degree, Lord? You don’t need that medal I won? Oh Lord, come on aren't you proud I've got this picture with my country’s president?
2. "GRATITUDE is all about God, God and God"
Is gratitude really all about God? Is it because all He wants is to sit on his throne while we all minister to Him? The truth is, God is God.
We know that, but we can fail to realize its implications: God does not need us. He is complete all by Himself. He is God. There's nothing man can do that increase or decrease God.
Let's think again! Somehow, somewhere our understanding has been twisted. We're given a simple fact about our God, yet we want things to be complicated. By thinking God needs us is already an act of ingratitude.
We are attempting to decrease God by that, in our own estimation.
Alright. Alright. You want to complicate things? Then answer this: Have your achievements made you happy, day after day after day? Do your achievements give you “fullness of joy” as God wants us to have? Does your heart burn with some kind of an eternal fire because you’ve got this nice resume, nice title, nice house, nice car, nice neighborhood, cool friends?
If you’re answer is Yes, then GREAT! I am absolutely happy for you! You’re blessed! You know what? Be ready for this: my answers to the three questions above are three Flat No’s. No, No, and no. I wish I know why.
I wish I can intellectualize about it. But it just is the rude realization I found myself in one day. At that point the beer no longer tasted as good, and the night outs were as empty as the beer bubbles. For some time there was a period of denial. But one day I said I had it.
That's when Christ slowly lead me to what I was looking for, the "fullness of joy." Christ said to me one day, "Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete" (John 16:24). I asked, and asked, and asked.
One day I realized that I was blind to the fact that God has already given me what I've been praying earnestly for: love, laughter, friendships, profound self-esteem, etc. etc. Most importantly, God has already given me what I've been craving for all my life: His generosity.
What was lacking? My Gratitude.
So, was it about God? or was it about me? For whose sake does God want us to be grateful?
3. "GRATITUDE in the Bible? Come on, the Bible talks about more important things than that!"
When God made a covenant with Adam, what did God expect from Adam? I say, gratitude. Did God get what he wanted from Adam after making him an image of Himself? No.
Adam disobeyed Him. Would a grateful man disobey his Lord? How do we call a man who betrays a good master? You're right. Ingrato.
When God made a covenant with Noah, what did God expect from Noah’s descendants? I dare say, gratitude. Did God what he wanted? No.
They built the Tower of Babel. Why? Because they thought God was their equal in their own estimation. How would you call a guest who Lords it over his host? You're right. Ingrato.
When God made a covenant with Abraham, what did God expect? I dare say, again, it’s gratitude. God wanted Israel to be His people, and for God to be Israel’s God. Did God get what he wanted? No. They killed their brother Joseph, or so they thought then.
The same story would repeat all over again with Moses, David, and then finally, Jesus. The story of the lone leper who came back to thank Jesus was classic, “Didn’t I heal ten? Where are the other nine?” God is a wounded lover.
Worse, our ingratitude is the source of our sufferings.
4. "GRATITUDE is for losers"
God has made man in His own image and likeness. There is something in man that even God won’t mess with: our free will, a charactestic of God. This free will is our domain. In this domain we can choose to let God enter into it or not. That sounds almost sacrilegious. But that’s truth.
Salvation history is all about God courting mankind. He wants us to open our hearts to Him out of our own free will. For God to force himself into our hearts is to desecrate the very image by which He made man, His very own image.
There is nothing that man can ever do that can win for us the grace we enjoy! His grace is grace, not a reward. It's an act of free will on God's part. Gratitude is act of free will on our part.
Is God a loser? God has given you the option to make up your mind. To accept God or not into your life is an act of free will.
If you think God is a loser, wait for my fifth point to see who is the ultimate loser.
5. "GRATITUDE is simply thanking the Lord"
Gratitude is not just thanking the Lord. Gratitude is worshipping the Lord. The moment we say, Thank You Lord, we acknowledge God as God, all-powerful, ever living, loving, forgiving, compassionate.
Anything less than that isn't thanking the Lord at all. It's just being civil to Him.
Why would you simply be civil to the one who made every cell in you? We, by our own effort, have not made any single plant to grow. Who's the power behind the growth of a seed? or of a fetus?
Our human mind can only look at it as mystery. But God does it day after day after day even while we sleep. We can afford to be simply civil to an Almighty presence like that?
If you think you can simply be civil to God, think again.
If you think it's cool to be ungrateful, as an exercise of free will, think again.
GRATITUDE is about worshiping the Lord. When we worship the Lord, a grateful heart is the way to start. When our heart is grateful, then we acknowledge God in our lives, the Kingdom of God that surrounds us, and the abundance of everything we can ever hope for right under our feet.
If you're not worshiping the Lord, who are you worshiping? Think again.
-
REFLECTION:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16)
When was the last time we thanked the Lord for this?
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