Daily Bible Reflections
for July 22, 2014
;

Dear Friend,

This Tuesday, never forget how important you are to God.

Praying for you,

Bo Sanchez



22
July
Tuesday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE | COMPANION | SABBATH
DIDACHE

 

CRYBABY
 

“Woman, why are you weeping?” – John 20:15

 

       When I was growing up, I was always teased as a crybaby, not because I complain or whine but because I easily cry over small things. Now that I’m a grown up, I’m still a balatsibuyas (onion-skinned), this time crying over heartfelt prayers and worship songs.

       I still remember the time when I cried my heart out, my eyes hurting and puffy, and I felt as if I had no more tears to shed. It was when I got brokenhearted. I snuggled up beside my mom and cried until the wee hours of the morning. At that moment, I felt like I was the most important person to her. Her hugs eased the pain. If only she could take all the pain away.

       Like my mom, I believe God does not want to see us crying when we’re hurt or in pain. It breaks His heart to see us cry. But unlike my mom who couldn’t wipe out all my pain, Jesus can. For our sake, Jesus bore the pain. He endured our sufferings and emerged victorious over 2,000 years ago.

       Now, whenever I pray or sing and my tears begin to fall, I picture Jesus wiping each tear, hugging me, saying, “Lala, why are you weeping? Do not cry. I am here. My love never fails.” Lala Dela Cruz (bella.delacruz@gmail.com)

 

Reflection: God will turn our season of mourning into a season of dancing. His love never fails.

 

Father, I surrender to You now everything that hurts me. I trust in Your love and Your great plans for me. Amen.

 

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.

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COMPANION

 

1ST READING
 

Mary Magdalene, traditionally known as the woman caught in the act of adultery and who became a close follower of Jesus, demonstrates in her life the power that love and forgiveness have to bring about conversion. Jesus willingly forgave all of her sins and her life was transformed. Let us pray that we will always have the grace to forgive others when they sin against us, and give them the freedom to change their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Songs of Songs 3:1-4 (or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 or Micah 7:14-15, 18-20)

 

1 The Bride says: On my bed at night I sought him whom my heart loves — I sought him but I did not find him. 2 I will rise then and go about the city; in the streets and crossings I will seek him whom my heart loves. I sought him but I did not find him. 3 The watchmen came upon me as they made their rounds of the city. Have you seen him whom my heart loves? 4 I had hardly left them when I found him whom my heart loves.

 
P S A L M
 
Psalm 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (or Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8)

R: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

1 [2] O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (R) 2 [3] Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, 3 [4] for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. (R) 4 [5] Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. 5 [6] As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. (R) 7 [8] You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. 8 [9] My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. (R)

 
GOSPEL
 

Mary Magdalene is the first to hear the news of the resurrection in the Gospel of John. What a tremendous privilege this must have been. She, who was a great sinner, is given this tremendous privilege. Once again God demonstrates that His wisdom is very different from our owns.

 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way? I saw the glory of the risen Christ, I saw his empty tomb.

 
John 20:1-2, 11-18 (or Matthew 12:46-50)

1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 11 Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary of Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her.

 

think:  Let us pray that we will always have the grace to forgive others when they sin against us, and give them the freedom to change their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 
 
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 Tobit 8-11

 

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SABBATH

 

TOUCHED BY CHRIST

 

If you consider the background of today’s saint, Mary Magdalene, it is hard to believe or think that she is known (at least in the Byzantine or Eastern Liturgy) as “the apostle to the Apostles.” But that is the truth: as the first witness of the Risen Lord, Jesus assigned her to bring the good news to the Apostles. She may have come from a shady and even sinful past, but thanks to God’s mercy and forgiveness, she repented and became a loyal follower of Jesus. She may have had seven devils cast out of her by the Lord (Mark 16:9), but she ministered to Him in Galilee. Finally, she was one of the few who remained with Christ during His agony on the cross, and together with two other women, she visited His tomb.

       Those facts tell us more about Mary Magdalene. One German author, an expert in scriptural studies, argues that the above-mentioned situations were fraught with danger and threats against Mary Magdalene and the women. Historians back then wrote about persons standing near a cross and showing signs of grief as being killed or arrested. Likewise, it was very risky and perilous for women to be at the grave of Jesus. Had they been found at the grave by His denunciators, it could have cost them their lives.

       These observations make us appreciate Mary Magdalene more. But they also serve as challenges to us, even putting us to shame for our lack of courage. Would we go to such extent to prove our love for Jesus? Would we risk our necks for Him? That, Mary Magdalene did, without even knowing and being assured that Jesus had already risen from the dead.

       Jesus’ resurrection transforms and gives meaning to everything. Life would never be the same again since then — and so with death. And Mary Magdalene, too, would never be the same again, not only since her conversion from a sinful past, but more so since her encounter with the Risen Lord. He, too, won’t allow us to touch Him. Instead we just have to let Christ “touch” us. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Have you allowed yourself to be touched by Christ? How did His touch change you or the way you live?

 

Lord Jesus, may Mary Magdalene’s life inspire me to break free from my sinful ways and follow You more ardently.

 

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