Daily Bible Reflections
for August 5, 2014
;

Dear Friend,

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

Praying for you,

Bo Sanchez



5
August
Tuesday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE | COMPANION | SABBATH
DIDACHE

 

THE ESSENCE OF TRUE
DEVOTION
 

“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” – Matthew 15:2

 

       The Good Friday service — the Mass of the Presanctified — was about to start. One of the priest concelebrants called the attention of those people making the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in the church’s patio and encouraged them to join in the service and continue their Via Crucis afterwards. The priest said that the Via Crucis, Visita Iglesia, and joining in the procession are devotional practices. They are OK but he stressed that the Mass is the most important celebration over and above all these devotions.

       The Pharisees were so devoted to their religious traditions and practices. However, strict compliance with these traditions had become the object of their devotion, rather than God Himself.

       Devotions are specific religious prayers and practices. They help enrich our spiritual life — giving it more meaning and color. But sometimes we go overboard with our devotions. If we miss out on doing them (e.g., failure to attend the First Friday Mass), we feel guilty, thinking we have violated a sacred law. Remember, devotions should help us grow in holiness and draw us closer to God. If not, maybe they have just become religious habits emptied of meaning. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 
 

Reflection: Do you have a favorite devotional practice? Does this lead you to the true object of all devotions: Jesus Christ?

 

Lord, may my devotions be always centered on You and not on my self-serving interests.

 
St. Addal, pray for us.

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COMPANION

 

 

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

 
1ST READING
 

A sinful life is never a good foundation for anything. It amazes me how many people do not realize the truth of this statement, that they think they can avoid its veracity. If we want a peaceful, fulfilling and happy life, then we must choose to live according to the laws of morality and the will of God. Otherwise we are rebelling against the truth.

 
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

1 The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book. 12 For thus says the Lord: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; 13 there is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. 14 All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; 15 why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you. 18 Thus says the Lord: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity; city shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was. 19 From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them. 20 His sons shall be as of old, his assembly before me shall stand firm; I will punish all his oppressors. 21 His leader shall be one of his own, and his rulers shall come from his kin. When I summon him, he shall approach me; how else should one take the deadly risk of approaching me? says the Lord. 22 You shall be my people, and I will be your God.

 
P S A L M
 
Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23

R: The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

15 [16] The nations shall revere your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth your glory, 16 [17] when the Lord has rebuilt Zion and appeared in his glory; 17 [18] when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. (R) 18 [19] Let this be written for the generation to come, and let his future creatures praise the Lord: 19 [20] “The Lord looked down from his holy height, from heaven he beheld the earth, 20 [21] to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die.” (R) 28 [29] The children of your servants shall abide, and their posterity shall continue in your presence. 21 [22] That the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion; and his praise, in Jerusalem, 22 [23] When the peoples gather together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. (R)

 
GOSPEL
 

Today is the feast day of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, a spectacular basilica in Rome. Rome is a city full of monuments of Roman, Greek and Christian origins. It is a city where history unfolds before your eyes. It is a wonderful place to visit. However, despite the monuments, the faith of the people could be better. Many no longer go to Mass and troop to the church for special occasions only. Is this what we want for our faith?

 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

 
Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

1 Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” 10 He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. 11 It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” 12 Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

think:  If we want a peaceful, fulfilling and happy life, then we must choose to live according to the laws of morality and the will of God.
 
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 1 Maccabees 11-12

 

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SABBATH

 

DO NOT BE A BLIND GUIDE

 

Jesus does not have good things to say about the Pharisees in today’s Gospel. He labels them as blind guides. How can someone who is blind guide another person? The simple answer is they should not be doing this task at all. And that is precisely the point of Jesus here. Any leader needs to have a very clear vision of where he is leading his flock, or else they are a disaster waiting to happen.

       Jesus often confronts the Pharisees about their kind of leadership. They are often more concerned about their welfare and what is in it for them, rather than leading the people to God. This, for Jesus, is travesty of justice, as the very thing that the Pharisees say they are good at is what they fail to do. Let us always pray that our leaders never fall into this trap of getting caught up in the minutiae of legal interpretations of the law and missing the whole point of it as a result.

       Our faith is ultimately a relationship with Jesus or it is nothing at all. Our faith needs to be always focused on strengthening that relationship by living out the demands of the Gospel and sharing the Good News of salvation with others. These two things are very good measures of whether or not our focus in life is right. It is critical to stop once in a while and ask ourselves whether or not we are straying from these two goals.

       Jesus challenges the Pharisees to look beyond their personal ambitions and concerns. The same is true for us. These things do not really matter. What matters is that we are growing in love for and in the service of Jesus and the Gospel. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: How can you lead more people to God?

 

Jesus, help me to keep my eyes firmly fixed on You. May I always see through the lies and deceptions of the world and treasure my love for You and my service to the Gospel.

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