Daily Bible Reflections
for January 20, 2013;

Dear Friend,

This Sunday, remember that you are hidden in His heart.

Praying for you,

Bo Sanchez

20
 January
Sunday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE | COMPANION | SABBATH
DIDACHE

 

Feast of the Sto. Niño
finding PURPOSE AND PEACE
 
And he said to them,“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” – Luke 2:49
 
In 2006, my older brother vanished without any warning or explanation. We had an inkling that stress from his corporate life was the cause. For many months, we searched for him but to no avail. Every so often, we would hear sightings of him from friends of friends, as if he were a Sasquatch or an extraterrestrial. It wasn’t until two years later that he reemerged. Looking disheveled and detached, he told us of his adventures in Mindanao and how he managed to find his place and purpose in this world.
My brother’s face, that was once chiseled with undefined sadness, is now a picture of peace and happiness. He founded a movement that has evolved into an open community that seeks to heal Mother Earth by opening one’s conscious connection with the world. He has found his calling.
Mary and Joseph were frantic because they couldn’t find Jesus. When they finally found him at the Temple, He was so calm and at peace that He even questioned why His parents were distressed. No need for them to worry because He was in His Father’s house fulfilling His purpose.
When we find our purpose, it’s like being in our Father’s house where we are safe at all times. Audee Villaraza (avillaraza@gmail.com)
 
Reflection: Today, pray that God may reveal His purpose and plan for your life and that you surrender your life to His will.
 
Almighty God, keep me safe in Your house as I journey towards finding my purpose.
 
St. Sebastian, martyr, pray for us.
 

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COMPANION

 

 1ST READING
 
We all need the light of the truth of the Gospel to shine into the farther reaches of our hearts that we have not yet submitted to the Cross of Jesus. The Feast of the Sto. Niño that we celebrate today reminds us to become like the Christ Child, vulnerable and little, so that we may reach the full potential of our ministry. Christ’s ministry gains its relevance for us in that He is one of us and knows our experience. As ministers of the Gospel, we, too, must be one with all whom we minister.
 
Isaiah 9:1-6
1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a Son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him: Wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
 
P S A L M
 
Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
R: All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)
 
2nd READING
 
All too often, the immediacy of the world can blind us to the ways and truths of God, rather than opening us up to their fullness. It is critical that we reflect upon the fullness of revelation that comes in the person of Christ. The bumper sticker is true: “No Christ, No Life; Know Christ, Know Life.” I would like to substitute the word “experience” for “know” in the second part of the equation but that would destroy the play on words. However, this is what it ultimately means.
 
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him 18 May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.
 
GOSPEL
 
We can all learn something from little children when it comes to living our lives. Children usually approach all problems with a simple faith that there is a simple solution to even the most difficult problems. This is what it means to place our trust in God. Let us realize that finding the solutions to the problems of the world is God’s department. Yes, we may contribute to His answer, but let us pray that we will not become part of the problem.
 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
 
Luke 2:41-52
41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, 42 and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. 43 After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, 47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
 
think: As ministers of the Gospel, we must be one with all whom we minister.
 
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
 
____________________________________________
 
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
 
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Mark 13-16
                                                                 SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
 
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
 
 
 

 

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SABBATH

 

I’m Growing Up
 
In May 2012, a Filipina-Mexican named Jessica Sanchez made it to the finals of the world famous singing contest on TV, American Idol. It was the first time that a woman of Filipina lineage made it that far in the contest, going against a “WGWG,” i.e., a white guy with guitar. Rounds of jokes circulated that the winner was the American while Jessica was the Idol.
A video of an American girl throwing a tantrum when Jessica did not win was posted on the Internet days after the contest. In all innocence and cuteness, the girl kept crying and shouting that Jessica was her idol. That video went viral and had almost a million hits on YouTube. We find it cute that children throw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want. But when an adult acts the same, it is as a sign of immaturity.
The ability to give up one’s desire, will and caprice for a greater purpose has always been a mark of maturity and growth. To paraphrase what Jesus told Peter in the Gospel of John: “When you were young, you went and did as you pleased… When you grow old, someone will tie a belt round your waist and bring you where you would rather not go” (See John 21:18).
Today is the Feast of the Sto. Niño, a local feast unique to the Philippine Church. Very little is known about the childhood of Jesus. It is interesting to note that the only adjective we know about the Christ-child is obedience. St. Luke narrates, “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Obedience — the ability to set aside one’s wants in deference to another and to a higher value — is not a virtue to be found in adults alone. Let us not trivialize the feast of the Christ-child by turning it into a “dress up a Sto Niño” fashion craze. On this feast, let us develop in us the virtues of obedience, humility and receptivity. These virtues are what transform a child into an adult. Fr. Joel Jason
 
REFLECTION QUESTION: Do you have a tendency to pamper little children and condone their every wish and fancy?
 
Lord Jesus, may the obedience of Your youth accompany mine unto adulthood. Amen.
 

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