Daily Bible Reflections
for October 21, 2017
;

Dear Friend,

Be inspired with His message to you this Saturday!

Praying for you,

Bo Sanchez



21
October
Saturday
TODAY'S READINGS:

DIDACHE | COMPANION | SABBATH
DIDACHE

 

MOTHER HEN
 
“Thus shall your descendants be.” – Romans 4:18
      

       Many moons ago, when I was discerning my state of life, this passage spoke to me. As a baby Christian back then, I thought it meant I was for married life. But years passed and no marriage came. (Well, it almost did come!) Instead of being an “impatient bride,” I continued doing what I discerned to be my life’s work and became happy with it.

       Next month, I will be a senior citizen — and a happy single. But really, God has a sense of humor. Last year, when I did one-to-one performance evaluation discussions with my staff, some of them told me that I have become like a mother to them. Maybe it’s in how I’ve been patient with their shortcomings, or in the way I listen to them, or in the wisdom I impart to them. Whatever. But let me share with you another story.

       I have a close friend who calls me “Mother Hen.” The monicker started when a common friend of ours was preparing for his ordination to the priesthood. We were both so serious in helping him in the preparations that my friend’s brother said I was like a mother hen.

       Well, maybe, I am meant to be a “mother hen” to many, just as God said. His words remain true through the years. Tess V. Atienza (theresa.a@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

 

Reflection: Is there a word that God has spoken to you that hasn’t come to pass yet? Hold on to it.

 
Dearest Lord, Your word is my hope and my strength. Amen.
 
St. Hilarion, pray for us.
 

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COMPANION

 

1ST READING
 

Paul knows, through personal experience, the dangers of getting caught up in a legalistic mindset. Somehow, by the grace of God, he was able to overcome this hindrance and enter fully into a life of faith in Jesus. He now wants to do everything possible to convince those who follow him not to allow legalism to govern their lives. He wants us to live in the true freedom of the sons and daughters of God, so that we will experience the fullness of life that our faith offers us.

 
Romans 4:13, 16-18

13 Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 16 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.

 
P S A L M
 
Psalm 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations — 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R) 42 For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. 43 And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones. (R)

 
GOSPEL
 

Jesus speaks of our responsibility to give witness to Christ. This means that we must always be open to share the Good News with others. Peter reminds us that we have to be ready to share why we have hope and love in our lives (cf. 1Peter 3:15-16). This is giving witness to Christ. If one is finally able to forgive a person who has wronged him, it could be because he has experienced the forgiveness of Christ in his life. Therefore, he should be willing to admit that his capacity to forgive has been enhanced by his faith.

 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.

 
Luke 12:8-12

8 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”

 

think: In what ways does your life testify to God’s presence in your life?

 
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Read the Bible in one year Sirach 41-45

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

 

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

 

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SABBATH

 

THE CREATIVE MINORITY

 

Jesus encourages His followers today to stand strong and proud amidst persecutions that are sure to come: “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men — the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God.” Jesus also warned of actual arrests and bodily intimidations: “When they bring you before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves.”

     Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI spoke of the possible repercussions of the Church scandals that have enflamed anger at the Church and discouragement among Catholics in Europe, North America and other parts of the world. He said that it is possible that the Church “may become a minority.”

       While there was a tinge of sadness in the tone of the address, there was also, surprisingly, a marked optimism. If that happens, Pope Benedict suggested, maybe the Church will once again become a minority — a creative minority, just like the creative minority of 12 Men who evangelized the world with the Jesus event.

       There is wisdom in the suggestion. It is better to have a creative minority than an indifferent majority that hardly makes an impact in societal life. Persecution is not always bad. It can also be good. Persecution can be a way of weeding out the lukewarm from the committed. Persecution can also be a way of purifying the imperfections still present in the Church, inasmuch as She is still a human institution. Persecution can be a fire that purifies and surfaces the true beauty of gold and silver. In this case, persecution is welcome and even desirable.

       Admittedly, we have here many Catholics by convention — those who became Catholics by chance in a predominantly Catholic nation. Persecution can also be a way of transforming Catholics by convention to Catholics by conviction. Number alone is not an asset. It is conviction that makes any community creative and effective for real change. Fr. Joel Jason

 

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

Have you ran away from situations where your faith can make certain things difficult and inconvenient?

 

We ask pardon, O Lord, for the many times we have given Your Church a bad name. We accept the purifying fires of persecution and legitimate rebuke. May they transform us to be creative and effective agents of social transformation for Your kingdom. Amen.

 

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