Friday, July 6, 2007

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
Psalm 106:1-5
Matthew 9:9-13

“Those who are well do not need a physician but the sick do.” - Matthew 9:12

I was Obet: the “great pretender.” I puffed up with pride when people admired me because I was strong, intelligent and talented. At day’s end when I removed all my masks, I could’nt even look at the mirror. I dreaded to see the hypocrite staring back at me.

My self-definition was shaped by what others thought of me. But what they saw was just the tip of the iceberg. Below the facade of power were layers of ugliness:

I had chronic asthma.
I was terribly lazy and irresponsible.
I was insecure and had poor self-esteem.

When I couldn’t bear the emptiness any more. I surrendered. Then God moved and sent people as instruments of His truth and love. When I admitted I was sick, healing took place. Truth is beautiful.

St. Catherine’s song “I am Beautiful” best describes my experience. Every time I sing it, I am moved to tears reliving the moment of being immersed in His love.

A priest friend was right when he said, “The church of Christ is not a museum for saints. It’s a hospital for sinners, like you and me.”

Who am I? I am Obet, I am beautiful. I am loved. I am forgiven by the mercy of God! Obet C.

Reflection: Are you enjoying the lie? Afraid of the truth? Ask for His mercy and grace.

May I live in Truth O God that I may truly live. Amen.

St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Who's Your Isaac?

Genesis 22:1-9
Psalm 115:1-6, 8-9
Matthew 9:1-8
“When they came to the place… he tied up his son Isaac…” – Genesis 22:9
Early in the Bible, we are given a story such as this.
It’s the story of a man to whom was promised a multitude of descendants, so many that they will be like the sands in the seashore and the stars in the heaven. All this in spite of the fact the he and his wife are past childbearing age.
The promised was fulfilled with the birth of a son. But then the Lord asks him to offer the boy as holocaust!
What a twist, eh?
And we know what he did, right?
“Early the next morning, Abraham saddled his donkey, took with Him his son Isaac…”
He went “early the next morning.” No dilly-dallying regarding what the Lord commanded.
It was then that Isaac asked, “Father, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the holocaust?”
“Son, God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust,” replied Abraham.
Then they continued going forward.
What courage it took Abraham to take every step! What faith!
“Next he tied up his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar.”
Then God intervened. Lallaine G.
Reflection: If you were Abraham, who or what would your “Isaac” be? Let the Lord speak to your heart.
Lord, teach me about the sacrifice of Abraham. How boldly he went to follow You! May I do the same today.
St. Zoe, martyr, pray for us.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Jesus Visits Our Home

Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 117:1-2
John 20:24-29
 
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” – John 20:25
 
Jesus visited our home for my mom’s birthday last year. We invited our parish priest, Fr. Leo Acierto, to celebrate Mass in the house because my mom was sick and could no longer go to church.
 
It was touching just to see us gathered around the sala – just the priest, his assistant, Dad, Mod, my sister, her 3-year old son and me. We were seated comfortably on the sofas and celebrated Mass that way. No standing. No kneeling. Just lounging in our living room as if the family had gathered to chat and hang out.
 
I had a guitar and led the small congregation in singing. Somewhere during the Mass, I couldn’t help but get misty-eyed. And when Fr. Leo raised the host and proclaimed, “This is my body which shall given up for you,” I realized that the Lord had physically come into our home.
 
It’s not always that we have that privilege. But we can see and even partake of the Lord daily through the sacrament of the Eucharist. Don’t miss your chance to the see the Lord today. Though He may not physically visit your home, His presence in you will be more than enough to carry you go throughout the day. Rissa S.
 
Reflection: Do I recognize the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist?
 
Thank You, Lord, for giving Yourself to us in communion. Let me not take You for granted whenever I receive Your and Your blood.
St. Philip Minh, martyr, pray for us.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Deliverance

Genesis 18:16-33
Psalm 103:1-4, 8-11
Matthew 8:18-22
 
“For the sake of those ten…” – Genesis 18:32
 
8-6232, 87000, 887-8888, 911-1111.
 
If you’re a Filipino you’ll know that all these are numbers of fast food companies that have delivery services.
 
And if you’ve ever called one of these, you would have experienced having to wait longer than you should have had to for you order.
 
There was this one time when we waited a whole one hour and 30 minutes for our food. I called at least 8 times – the first two times to the call center that took the order and the last few times to the actual branch that was in charge of delivering the food. I had threatened murder at least thrice. Okay, maybe I didn’t. But I did say that I refused to pay for the meals when they came.
 
And then the messenger arrived. He was a scrawny little kid who probably needs the job to pay for his tuition fee. When he told me that the payment will come from his paycheck. I handed over the money without speaking and tried to enjoy the by-now cold food.
 
If I can be merciful, can you imagine how merciful God can be? He delivers more than food. He delivered us from the bondage of sin and death. Victoria L.
 
Reflection: In what ways have you not shown mercy?
 
You sent Your Son, Lord, even if there were only ten people left who observed Your mercy. Your mercy knows no bounds.
 
St. Ariston and Companions, martyrs, pray for us.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Because We're Not God

1 Kings 19:16, 19-21 
Psalm 16:1-2, 5-11 
Galatians 5:1, 13-18 
Luke 9:51-62 

"Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?" - Luke 9:54 

One day, I was giving a talk to a thousand people. 

Three rows from the front was a man who was sleeping like a grizzly bear hibernating for a winter. his jaw was open, his head tilted way back, and snoring to his heart's content. 

I screamed my messages. I jumped up and down. I made people laugh. I made people cry. Nothing happened. 

I felt anger boil within me. 

I felt disrespected! Does he not know who I am? And doesn't he know what he's missing? I prepared this talk for hours upon hours of study and prayer. I'm distilling gems of truths that will totally change his life! How dare he sleep on God's Word! 

After my talk, grizzly bear came up to me and said, "Bo, I don't miss coming here. You bless my life. Even if I'm sleepy. You see, I work night shifts in my factory and drove four hours just to come here this morning..." 

I felt like someone punched me in the solar plexus. 

I gave him a hug, "Brother, in my talk, you can sleep as much as you want to," I told him. 

Gosh, when will I stop judging people? Bo S. 

Reflection: Who are the people you've been judging? Are you God? Do you know all the details? 

Lord, teach me to withhold judgment. Remind me I'm not God and don't know everything. 

Blessed Junipero Serra, pray for us.