READINGS for 2008-05-14
Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
BEST TREATMENT
“Instead I call you friends since I have made known to you all that I heard from my Father…” – John 15:15
Isn’t it strange that Jesus revealed His divine secrets to people who were not related to Him at all? Those who were closest to Him and who knew Him most intimately were not His brothers but His apostles whom He called His friends. Those who believed in Him and who followed Him were not his relatives.
It’s funny that a lot of us share more of ourselves with our friends rather than with our family. We are even more courteous with other people than with our own spouse or children.
I got convicted of this when I got upset one time with my daughter for spilling water on the couch. I scolded her with my raised voice. Then a quiet voice asked me how I wouldn’t have reacted if it had been my daughter’s friend instead who spilled it. My apparent answer shamed me. I immediately apologized to my daughter.
I resolved that my family deserves the best treatment from me. I refused to accept the excuse that it’s only with my family that I can be myself without having to put my best foot forward. I should always put my best foot forward with them because I love them. Ronna Ledesma
REFLECTION:
How do I treat members of my family?
Lord, teach me to love my family the way they deserve to be loved.
|
1st READING
Matthias is chosen to replace Judas who committed suicide in remorse and despair for his actions. The apostles see it fit to reconstitute their number to 12 as a sign of the fullness of their ministry, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Very soon there were much more than 12 apostles (or successors to the apostles) in order to care properly for the fast growing numbers in the Church.
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
15 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, 16 “My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. 20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it.’ And: ‘May another take his office.’ 21 Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” 26 Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
P S A L M
Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
R: The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
1 Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forever. (R) 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised. 4 High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high 6 and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? (R) 7 He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor 8 to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people. (R)
G O S P E L
Jesus calls us to imitate the way He seeks to serve and love all people. Leadership is never about drawing attention to one’s self but serving the people who have been entrusted to your care. Bishops have a terribly difficult job in today’s Church with all the many challenges the world provides to the Gospel. Let’s continually pray for our bishop that he would be just like Jesus in the way he cares for his flock.
John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you: love one another.”
my reflections
think: Do I obey Jesus’ commandment to love my neighbor?
_______________________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today________________ _________________________________________________________
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judges 9-12
|
THE PERFECT JOY OF JESUS
For aspirants to the priesthood, the Church used to prescribe strictly the study of philosophy before their formation in theology. But while philosophy helped shape the minds and reasonings of these aspirants, its logic is somehow rigid. For instance, Philosophy sustains that since God is the Absolute Being, the Uncreated Being, then God is completely Transcendent. He is completely “the Other” who cannot – in any way – be compared with human ways and limitations.
The Divine Revelation found in the Sacred Scripture, however, points out the limits of human philosophizing. Jesus tells us God is “moved”– God has feelings. He gets affected by our ways. He is offended by our sinfulness and ingratitude; He is also joyful when our lives are spent in manners pleasing to Him.
l Jesus is joyful when we are obedient to His commands. His joy is not so much because we follow His wishes. His joy springs from the realization that with our obedience, we open ourselves to His rewards and to the blessings held in store by the Heavenly Father. Jesus wants us to be blessed!
l Jesus is joyful when we love. Then, we are in harmony with one another and are one with God’s very nature. There is peace.
l Jesus is joyful when we become His friends, more than His servants. The relationship of a servant and His master is formal and taskcentered. The relationship of friends is one that is based on “home.” The American spiritual writer Fr. Henry Nouwen defines home as “the intimate place, the place of true belonging” (cf. Jesus, A Gospel: 2001). While servant-master relationship is a headand- hand relationship, that between friends is something of the heart. Jesus is joyful when we see ourselves as His friends because this is what He came for. This is the very reason why Jesus was incarnated: “The Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among men” (John 1:14). Fr. Domie Guzman
Reflection Question:
Jesus, may our lives bring You joy as we strive to obey, love and serve You.
Make this your prayer – “Dear Lord, You said to Your disciples: ‘All I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you.’ That is the intimacy towhich You invite those who believe in You. You do not want to hide anything from us. You want to give us all You have, all You are.” (Henry Nouwen).
St. Matthias, apostle, 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.