CLIMB YOUR

THIS YEAR

       One day, I did something absolutely nuts. I went to the mountains of Sagada and went rock climbing.

       My definition of rock climbing is being insane enough to suspend yourself 100 feet above the air with your fingernails hanging onto tiny cracks and indentions on the rock that ants can’t even crawl on — and you wonder why you even paid to do this lunacy.

       But when I was up there, I felt no fear. None whatsoever. I wish I could say, “Because of Jesus.” But actually, I felt no fear because I had this thick rope tied around my torso. I knew that whatever happens, that rope would keep me safe.

       Friends, today is the first day of the year. We don’t know what lies ahead. But one thing I know for sure — God wants you to climb your mountain.

       He wants you to keep on growing, to be wiser, to be more loving, to be better, and to be even more blessed.

       Let His face shine upon you today and every day — and face the world, confident that God is your rope. Hold on tight to Him; He’ll never let go of you. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

Reflection:What dream does God want you to aim for this year?

Vanquish my fears, Lord, as I face the coming year. Let Your face shine upon me.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. 

This passage is about the hope that comes with faith in and commitment to God. The promises of God are at the heart of the Jewish faith as shown in the Old Testament. One of these promises focuses on how God blesses His people. This gives us reason to trust in His promise of goodness and blessing. However, we need to remember that the primary blessing we receive from God is our salvation – something that is fulfilled only after our earthly pilgrimage.

22 The Lord said to Moses: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 The Lord bless you and keep you! 25 The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! 26 The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! 27 So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon the earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5] May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6] May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

As heirs of God, we receive all that God promises to His Son, as we are all children of the Father in and through Jesus. The idea of “sonship” – as we understand one of the relationships in the Holy Trinity – captures the closeness that is expressed in faith. God’s gift is salvation though His Son, Jesus.

4 Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Let us always reflect on God’s work in our life and His message for us. We strengthen the Holy Spirit’s work by surrendering our life to Him. This is possible only if we reflect on our relationship with Him and know Him in a personal way.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

16 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

think: What experience of God have you kept in your heart?

Read the Bible in one year  John 1-3

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

Five Steps in Using Companion

Father, speak to me. I wish to receive Your Word into my heart. Send forth Your Spirit to me. Reveal Your Face to me today…

Prayerfully read the Bible passages assigned for the day, and underline words, phrases or verses that strike you.

Read your Didache reflection for the day.

Write your reflections and prayers in response to the Bible passages you have read.

Thank the Lord for His message to you, and pray that you may be able to live it out in your daily life. Father, I thank You, Your Word is manna to my spirit. May Your Word that I receive today transform my soul. Make me more like You. Amen.

PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

The ultimate purpose of my life

GOALS FOR THE QUARTER

Priority areas God wants me to work on

FAITH, TRUST AND HOPE

FOR THE NEW YEAR!

A village was experiencing extreme drought. The whole community, together with their pastor, decided to hold a prayer service out in the fields and pray to God for rain. The next morning, everyone came with their fans. Only one boy came wearing a raincoat. That is faith.

        When a baby is thrown in the air by his father, he doesn’t feel any danger. On the contrary, he giggles with joy, sure that he will always land in the waiting arms of his dad. That is trust.

       No one goes to sleep at night certain that he will wake up again. And yet, everyone sets the alarm, anticipating to rise up to another day. That is hope. These are short stories of faith, trust and hope.

       Faith, trust and hope are good virtues to start the New Year with. The first day of the New Year is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. In the face of the stunning announcement by the Angel Gabriel that she, a virgin, will be the mother of the Son of God, Mary said, “I am the maidservant of the Lord, let it be done unto me as You say.” That is faith.

         After Mary uttered the words of faith, the Gospel plainly narrates, “and with that, the angel left her.” There was no heavenly entourage that stood by Mary as she navigated the road of conception and pregnancy. She journeyed alone. That is trust.

       In the temple, Simeon, the prophet, foretold that the child was to be a sign of contradiction to the world and that Mary herself will experience the pain of a sword piercing her heart. Mary did not waver. That is hope.

       With all the joy, promise, excitement as well as the uncertainty and anxiety that the New Year brings, these stories of faith, trust and hope will come in very handy. Let us journey with our Mother as we begin this New Year! Fr. Joel Jason

--------------- REFLECTION QUESTION ---------------

The angel might have left Mary but Jesus was always with her. How do you welcome Mama Mary in your life?

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus! Amen.