READINGS for 2007-05-31
EX-CON Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. – Romans 12:12 REFLECTION: |
1st READING Zephaniah 3:14-18 or Romans 12:9-16 P S A L M Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 G O S P E L Luke 1:39-56 _________________________________________________________ God’s special verse/thought for me today________________ _____________________________________________________ Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________ _______________________________________________________ READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 68-71 |
MARY AND WE –LIVING TABERNACLES Only after having visited the Holy Land did I become aware of the enormous distance Mary traveled from Nazareth to visit Elizabeth. It’s a distance of about 90 miles, today a few pleasant hours in an air conditioned Tourist bus. But when Mary traveled to Elizabeth, it took her at least four to five days and the journey presented many problems. Influenced by paintings and holy pictures, we imagine Mary as a sweet little girl. Pope John Paul II called Mary on her journey to Elizabeth “the first living tabernacle” and Pope Benedict XVI called her “the living house of God.” And she brought joy and happiness to her cousin! How the two women sang and praised God! We can visualize the three months that Mary and Elizabeth had together. We can imagine young Mary helping her older cousin.After Mary had said her “Yes” to God’s plans she did not isolate herself from others. On the contrary! Pope Benedict said in a homily about Mary that a person who puts himself into the hands of God does not separate himself from others but becomes open to and free for others. Such a person begins to take risks with God for others. We have said our “Yes” to God in baptism and have repeated it many times. But still we are often too much concerned with ourselves and forget that our task as Christians is to bring Christ to others. Whenever we receive HolyCommunion, we carry Christ in us as Mary did. Whenever we leave the Church we are, like Mary, “living tabernacles” and “houses of God.” In and through us Christ wants to touch the people we meet. But too often we have forgotten already that Christ is in us when we leave the Church. Too often we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the problems of life and instead of bringing joy to the world, we burden others with our negative feelings and words. Too often we think only about our own salvation instead of sharing Christ in us with others. No wonder when our life does not improve, when we feel discouraged. Mary was given us as Mother and model. Looking at her we can learn what it means to be a joyful disciple of Jesus. Looking at her we learn how to improve our spiritual and daily life. Fr. Rudy H. REFLECTION QUESTION: What does Mary on her visit to Elizabeth teach me? In what aspect can she be my model? Where do I not yet follow her example? Lord, thank You so much for giving me Mary Your Mother as my Mother too. Her life was not easy, as mine is not easy at all. Help me to remember her example in difficult times and begin to imitate her. Grant me the strength to have the courage to dare and take a risk with God as Mary did. St. Thomas Du, martyr, pray for us. |
Live Chat Software by Kayako |

-
The FEAST is one of the happiest places on earth.
Click Here to find a Feast near you! -
KERYGMA TV! is BACK
KERYGMA TV is on a new time slot and new channel Sundays 8 a.m. at IBC 13 -
Need Counseling? No Landline?
Now, you can use your mobile phone to call a friend for counseling at 09228407031. Or you may call our landlines 7266728, 7264709, 7259999 Mon-Fri 24-hrs, Sat 6am-5pm, Sun 6am-10am -
BO BLOGS!
Go to Bo's Official Site and read his almost daily blog! Its not news, but thoughts and musings of Bo Sanchez. Get to know Bo in a more personal way --and find out what it means to live the life of a preacher. You get to enrich your faith as well. -
DONATION
Remember to always donate your "first fruits"-not the last. Click on the "Donation" Box under the members menu - and you'll even see links to the nearest branches of the Banks where you can deposit.