Tag Archives: Christ

CEASE THROWING STONES

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Monday 3rd April – Monday of the 5th week of Lent

Reflection: John 8:1-11

CEASE THROWING STONES

Something in is repulsed at the sight of injustice, dishonesty or maltreatment. We are often taken aback when we see the atrocities committed by people around us. This is rightfully so because the law of good and bad is written on our consciences as human beings. Yet, isn’t it surprising that we excuse our own selves for the same atrocious acts we condemn in others?

The woman in today’s gospel reading was certainly guilty of the accusation brought against her for which the Pharisees and scribes had condemned her to death. Jesus saw the whole episode from a different perspective…the perspective that realizes the struggles with sin we all experience and offers a second chance at holiness. It is this through same perspective Christ sees you and me and calls us to see our brothers and sisters.

Beloved, Lent is a time to celebrate God’s mercy and deep love for us. The love that makes him offer us a chance repeatedly…the love that makes Him say to us “Go away, and do not sin anymore.” Even more so, Lent is a time to stop throwing stones of condemnation and judgement of our brothers and sisters, bearing in mind that we all are sinners in need of redemption. Let us come to our Lord in the sacrament of reconciliation and seek His mercy as we approach the celebration of his passion,

Prayer: Thank you dear Lord for your mercy. Please help me to see others as you see them. Deliver me from urge to pass judgement on others. Amen.

Faith Pearls: CCC 1430 – Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance.

Hide a Treasure: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Dan 13:41-62; Ps 23:1-6; Jn 8: 1-11

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REVIVING OUR HOPE

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Tuesday 28th March – Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent

Reflection: John 5: 1-3, 5-16

REVIVING OUR HOPE

Thirty-eight years is certainly a long time, taking into consideration the average life span of we humans. Regardless of how old the man whom Christ healed was, he had endured this crippling illness for most of his life. He must have been brought to the pool side several years earlier with high hopes of receiving healing but when he discovered he could not get into the pool first after so many attempts and so many years gone by, he may have lost all hope that he would ever be well again. He probably woke up that Sabbath morning and wondered if ever he would use his feet and work to the Temple like others did. Everything seemed dark and hopeless to Him until our Lord arrived on the scene and his story changed.

Beloved, we do not have to be paralyzed for thirty-eight years to know what a feeling of hopelessness means. You may feel like the dark tunnel of your life is simply getting longer and longer with no end in view. Christ reassures us in today’s readings that his presence makes all the difference. He asks you today: “Do you want to be well again?” Turn to Him in loving trust and let Him into those most difficult areas of your life. He wills to revive your hope. He desires to speak His word of healing and renewal. He is our helper close at hand in time of distress. Look up to Him in trust today and receive the strength and grace He has for you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to be made whole again. Please revive my hope that I may trust in you for healing and renewal. Amen.

Faith Pearls: YOUCAT 507 – What happens if you find that prayer does not help?

Prayer does not seek superficial success but rather the will of God and intimacy with him. God’s apparent silence is itself an invitation to take a step farther—in total devotion, boundless faith, endless expectation. Anyone who prays must allow God the complete freedom to speak whenever he wants, to grant whatever he wants, and to give himself however he wants.

Hide a Treasure: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-9; Jn 5: 1-3, 5-16

A MERRY HEART

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Friday 25th December-. Solemnity of The Birth of Our Lord.
REFLECTION: ISAIAH 52:7-10 A MERRY HEART

Wow! How time flies! Just like it is a dream, today we have come to another yuletide. First of all we wish a “Merry Christmas”. But how merry are you today? Are you truly merry? Well, friend, there may be so many reasons not to be merry, but really we have to find that happy spot in our souls today and give someone a big hug. Yes, a big hug. The Word of God says in the book of Proverbs that “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine”. (Prov. 17:22a). Wonderful, isn’t it?

 Beloved, today being the celebration of the birth of our Lord offers a wonderful opportunity for us to show that spirit of fraternity and oneness that should exist between us and those around us. We are encouraged to be the channel through which Christ will be born anew in the heart of someone else. The birth of Christ should be for us a new beginning. We don’t have to wait for the New Year before we take the decision to be a better person. Beloved, time waits for no one. One of the best decisions we can make this season is to be a blessing to someone else. Remember that when you give people joy, you also reap joy in return, when you give people peace, you also reap peace as well. 

So let’s go all out today and be merry, not forgetting to show love to all around us. One again, Merry Christmas.

PRAYER: Father please fill my heart with joy today by Your Holy Spirit, I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Being cheerful keeps you healthy.” Proverbs 17:22a. GNB.

Today’s Readings: Isa.52:7-10; Heb.1:1-6; John1:1-18

CHRIST IS THE WAY

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Monday 14th November – Memorial of St. John of the Cross, Priest & Doctor

Reflection: Psalm 25: 4-9

CHRIST IS THE WAY

Virtually every religion acknowledges the existence of a supreme deity and a definite means of communicating and connecting with the deity. From the most popular to the least, each one attempts to trace humanity to its divine source. Our faith as Christians is in the supreme creator of the universe; the one true God, and every true Christian would seek to stay connected with Him at every moment. In its deepest sense, Christianity provides Christ who is God made man as our means of staying connected with God. In living like Christ who is the “Way” we live in commune with our Heavenly Father.

The Psalmist’s prayer today is one that we often join in as we seek to know God’s ways and truth and God answers our heart-felt request through His son, Jesus Christ. In overcoming human weakness, Christ shows sinners how to be perfect as our heavenly Father is. (Matt 5: 47-48). Christ reveals to us the true nature of God which is Love. (1 Jn 4: 16) In Christ’s death and resurrection, we find strength to live in the image of God.

Friend in Christ, today try to live as Christ would; relying on God’s unfailing grace. Follow Christ and you will never get lost.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, today give me the grace to walk in your footsteps. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 339 – What does God’s grace do to us?

God’s grace brings us into the inner life of the Holy Trinity, into the exchange of love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It makes us capable of living in God’s love and of acting on the basis of this love.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.  Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where ther is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it” Hebrews 4: 15-16 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Numbers 24: 2-7, 15-17; Psalm 25: 4-9; Psalm 85: 8; Matthew 21: 23-27.