READINGS for 2008-01-29
DON’T LET HiM DOWN
“Whoever does what God wants him to do is my brother, my sister, my mother.” – Mark 3:35
I showed Papa my quiz paper that day and bragged to him that I had the highest score. Papa looked at it and said,” You got two mistakes. Why not make it perfect next time around?” I took it as a challenge. On our mastery test, I reviewed all the lessons and prayed to the Sto. Niño for guidance. I made no mistakes on that test.
Papa was proud of me especially whenever I had an achievement in school. He would call me to sing or even crack jokes in front of his officemates. “This is my daughter,” he’d introduce me. Because my parents were proud of me, I felt I couldn’t put them down.
Jesus said, “Whoever does what God wants him to do is my brother, my sister, my mother.” Jesus affirmed that God is His father. That’s why Jesus didn’t let His Father down and took up His cross. Judith Ann Ros
REFLECTION:
Have I let Jesus down? How?
Grant me fortitude of spirit that I may do the will of our Father no matter what. |
1st READING
David’s joy over the blessings the Lord has poured out upon his life knows no bounds to the point of embarrassing one of his wives. Sometimes, in our joy, we will do silly things. But so what? If a moment of silliness becomes the focus of a relationship, there will always be trouble; the focus is awry. Let us pray that we will be able to focus on the things that matter, particularly, in the relationships that are most important in our lives.
2 Samuel 6:12b-15 , 17-19
12 When it was reported to King David that the LORD had blessed the family of Obed-edom and all that belonged to him, David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David amid festivities. 13 As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the LORD with abandon, 15 as he and all the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn. 17 The ark of the LORD was brought in and set in its place within the tent David had pitched for it. Then David offered holocausts and peace offerings before the LORD. 18 When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19 He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.
P S A L M
Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R: Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
7 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! (R) 8 Who is this king of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle. (R) 9 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! (R) 10 Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory. (R)
G O S P E L
We should never forget the sacrifices our families have made for us to give us the opportunity to be the people we are today. This applies particularly to our mothers who carried us in their wombs and cared for us as toddlers. However, there comes a time when we need to be free of their maternal protection in order to be able to take the risks that are a part of growing up and becoming adults in our own right.
Mark 3:31-35
31 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. 32 A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters] are outside asking for you.” 33 But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and [my] brothers?” 34 And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
my reflections
think: Let us pray that we will be able to focus on the things that matter, particularly, in the relationships that are most important in our lives.
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________ _________________________________________________________
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Acts 9-12 |
the lord’s real relatives
Family ties play a major role in Philippine culture. Coming from Europe where we are more individualistic and don’t care as much about relatives as Filipinos do, I sometimes feel a bit envious. But this close relationship among relatives also has its disadvantages and can become a burden. On the other hand, there is the assurance of help when in need. There are joyful family gatherings and celebrations, which are missed in my country.
The Son of God was born into a human family. John the Baptist was one of His relatives. Mark tells us that Jesus’ relatives did not understand Him. At one point, they came to get Him and bring Him back home because “they thought he was mad.” Why did they not accept Him in His role as teacher? Maybe they felt embarrassed by His new teachings; maybe they sensed that the authorities would intervene and arrest Him as His cousin John was arrested and even beheaded. That would embarass the whole family. Even though Jesus was an Asian, growing up in a culture where family ties were as strong as in the Philippine society, He began to found a new family, a family that was not based on blood relation. “Whoever does the will of God, is my brother, sisters and mother,” He said. Here Jesus emphasizes the superiority of spiritual relationships over close family ties. The extended family of Jesus is based on listening to the Word of God, discerning His will, and then doing what was understood as His will.
The best example is His mother Mary. Mary fulfilled the conditions Jesus had laid down for a true family relationship. She listened attentively to the word of God when the angel related it to her; she said “Yes” to the plans of God; and she acted on it given the opportunity. She is the perfect disciple. Mary teaches us how to be a member of the Lord’s family, how to be a close relative of Jesus. Fr. Rudy Horst
Reflection Question:
Do I have difficulties in accepting the will of God for me? How do I react? Am I able to accept what I discern to be the will of God and then to do it?
Lord, You called me into the intimacy of Your family. Too often have I stood “outside” because I had difficulties in discerning and doing the will of God. May the example and prayer of Mary help me to become a better member of Your worldwide family.
St. Sabinian, martyr, pray for us.
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