Genesis 32:23-33 >< )))*> >< )))*> Matthew 9:32-38
Photo by John Bonding, Architecture & Design, May 25, 2019 via Facebook.
Dearest God our Father:
Teach us to live every moment of our lives with you and with one another.
Teach us to be like your servant Jacob who wrestled with you and prevailed that you named him Israel “because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:29).
So many times in this “digital age” when everything is “mass mediated” like our relationships and even faith in you, we have forgotten to live every moment with you and with others.
We are so out of touch with the reality, tinkering with our gadgets that are meant to bring us closer together but have in fact brought us more apart.
We are so concerned with our gadgets than persons and nature and you, Lord.
Until now, we are a “people who are troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt.9:36), lacking in real, personal relationships and intimacy with others and you.
We pray through your Son Jesus Christ that you may send us more workers for your harvest, not more gadgets or money or things but persons who love and care. Amen.
Genesis 28:10-22 >< )))*> >< )))*> Matthew 9:18-26
Tourists taking a peek into the awesome ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Photo by author 30 April 2019.
Surprise us always, O Lord!
Surprise us with your simple presence in the most ordinary events and things of daily life.
Envelop us in your surprising presence like Jacob in today’s first reading.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!” In solemn wonder he cried out: “How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!”
Genesis 28:16-17
The whole earth, O Lord God, is your abode but we do not know it. Or, we refuse to recognize it most of the time.
Grant us that “solemn wonder” of Jacob beyond ordinary things your presence O God.
Grant us that deep faith on Jesus by the official who begged he could bring back to life his dead daughter.
Grant us that fervent hope of the hemorrhagic woman who reached to touch the tassel of the cloak of Jesus so she can be healed of her sickness.
Like these three people, let us not be limited or constricted by simple and complex things and situations alike because we have an awesome God in you, O Lord!
Thank you in surprising us again with this morning, Lord. Amen.
Sunrise at Lake Tiberias, the Holy Land. Photo by author, 02 May 2019.
Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 >< )))*> Matthew 9:9-13
From Google.
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, thank you for this first Friday of the month of July. Like yesterday, it is another “picturesque speechless” in our readings today.
From the first reading, twice did Abraham told his senior servant never to take back his son Isaac to his land of origin in Ur no matter what happens.
“Never take my son back there for any reason,” Abraham told him. The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me, ‘I will give this land to your descendants’ — he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there. If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be released from this oath. But never take my son back there!”
Genesis 24:6-8
Help us, O Lord, to never return to our old ways of sins and vices, of broken promises and emptiness in the world. Give us the strength to persevere to bloom where you have planted us. Let us trust in your wisdom. Like Matthew in your gospel today. Let us rise, leave everything behind to follow you.
As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
Matthew 9:9
It is now the seventh month of 2019, Lord Jesus Christ. Time really flies so fast.
Help us in our struggles, in our efforts to follow you, to never go back to our old ways of sinful life.
Help us regain our moral compass in you. Help us stop our backslides. Most of all, help us in keeping our promises and commitments especially those made to you. Amen.
Going back in time to 300 BC to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, 30 April 2019.
Waiting for the Mass to start, ready to light the candles. Photo by Lorenzo Atienza, 12 June 2019.
Our loving Father, your words today are so picturesque that I feel so speechless before you with the meanings they convey.
In the first reading when you tested Abraham to offer to you his son Isaac, he at once obeyed you without any question at all so that the following morning, he left for Moriah with his son, two servants, and some wood for the burnt offering.
On the third day, Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his servants, “Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you.” Thereupon, Abraham took the wood for the burn offering and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
Genesis 22:4-6
I really wonder O Lord what was in the mind of Abraham? Did he ever doubt you or at least entertain some other thoughts about your mood, of why you made him wait for so long to have a son then suddenly you would ask for him to be offered?
How great indeed is Abraham’s faith in you, O God! He was so composed in speaking to his servants and most especially to his son Isaac on whose shoulders he laid the wood for burnt offering. Not a hint did Abraham spill of your actual command that could have made Isaac fled in fear!
But what I like most is when Abraham carried the fire and the knife. Beautiful images of faith in you God: Abraham kept the warmth and illumination of his faith within him symbolized by the fire he carried and his generosity in offering Isaac symbolized by his knife.
I love that scene, Lord as I ask myself if I could truly offer you like Abraham who or what is most dearest to me?
That scene in the wilderness is complemented by Matthew’s story in the gospel that shows us how Jesus, like Abraham, continued to travel and reach out to you his Father to bring your mercy upon your people.
Jesus entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:1-2
Jesus himself is the fire of love who purified our hearts, our desires and most especially, our evil thoughts like some of the scribes there who accused him of blasphemy.
So many times Lord Jesus, we cannot keep the fire of faith burning within us that we keep on harboring evil thoughts in our minds, casting doubts not only on you but most especially with those around us. Like Abraham, teach us to be silent in your love. And like Jesus, teach us how to enter into our brothers and sisters that we may spare them of our evil thoughts. Teach us to speak words of wisdom and power of God to heal those sick among us, most especially us with our many anxieties and mistrust of others.
Teach us to be pure like Abraham in our faith in you and most especially, in our trust in your great mercy. Like Jesus, teach us to keep on crossing the street, of reaching out to others especially those trying so hard to find you.
Let us keep the fire of your faith, hope, and love burning within us, sharing it with others to find the fulfillment of your promises to us all. Amen.
Wednesday, Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, 03 July 2019
Ephesians 2:19-22 >< )))*> >< )))*> John 20:24-29
Thomas touching the wound of the Risen Jesus. Painting by Caravaggio from Google.
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! As we celebrate today the feast of St. Thomas your Apostle, we recall the unique grace you have given him in encountering you personally despite his weaknesses.
During the Last Supper, he dared to ask you because of his willingness to follow you:
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:5-6
In asking you with that question Lord, St. Thomas led us to realize that “the way and the truth and the life” is a Person, not a doctrine, nor a rule, nor a plan nor a program but YOU alone, Jesus Christ.
Eventually, when you rose again from the dead and he could not believe his fellow Apostles that you have appeared to them that Easter evening, you appeared anew to them with him on the eight day.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked and stood in their midst and said “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God.”
John 20:26-28
What a grace you have bestowed on Thomas, Lord Jesus who addressed you in the most personal manner as “My Lord and my God.”
Teach us O Lord to be like St. Thomas that despite our insecurity, we dare to ask you for clarifications to realize how you would want us to encounter you personally. Most of all, to have his courage in admitting our doubts in life that lead us to brighter outcome than any uncertainty.
St. Thomas, pray for us to be strengthened in faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God! Amen.
Genesis 19:15-29 >< }}}*> <*{{{ >< Matthew 8:23-27
Chapel of the Fr. Al Schwartz Retreat Center at Girlstown, Cavite. Photo by author, 22 May 2009.
Our dearest loving Father: Until now I am still dwelling in our reflection yesterday of prayer as you entering into a dialogue with us.
Prayer is your very presence, O God. And the problem is not only we have refused to pray to be in your presence but worst of all, when those of us who pray so often, those of us so religious always “present” with you doubt and refuse to believe that you are present.
We are always guilty of this feeling when the presence of another person is still not enough for us. We keep on looking for proofs and others things to believe of their love and care, of everything despite their being present with us.
How unfortunate when your very presence – or anyone’s – be never enough for us!
When we fail or refuse to see and experience your presence, Lord, nothing would be enough to convince us about you being present.
In the first reading, Lot at the start was very hesitant with your presence Lord despite the angels coming to rescue him and his family. He could not follow your instructions, seeming to disbelieve your very saving presence through your angels. Good thing that he eventually obeyed your angels unlike his wife who looked back to Sodom and Gomorrah perhaps more convinced with their presence than with you. And she turned into a pillar of salt.
In the gospel, the presence of your Son Jesus among the Apostles in their boat being tossed by giant waves due to a storm was not enough for them to trust in him that they have to awaken him.
Garden at the back of the chapel of the Fr. Al Schwartz Retreat Center in Girlstown, Cavite. Photo by author, 22 May 2009.
Teach us, O loving Father, to accept your good news, your grace, your very presence in our lives. Your very presence with us is more than enough, Lord.
Like Abraham when he conversed with you in Mamre until he bargained with you to spare Lot of your wrath over Sodom and Gomorrah, let us be silent and contented with your very presence.
Most of all, like Abraham, after your burning of Sodom and Gomorrah, let us see you even in the ruins of our lives, that you never failed to warn us with your presence of your abiding justice, and of your coming judgment. Amen.
Genesis 18:16-33 >< )))*> <*((( >< Matthew 8:18-22
Man loses head in prayer before God. Photo by JJ Jimeno of GMA-7 News, 27 May 2019.
Thank you very much, our dearest loving Father for the grace to pray to you always. Thank you very much in entering into a dialogue with us, Lord, when you make us feel your presence with us.
We pray because you come. Most of all, whatever we say when we pray is completely because of you!
You perfectly know well our needs long before we call on you. And that is why, even our basic prayer the Our Father were the words of your Son Jesus Christ. Our second most frequently recited prayer, the Hail Mary were the words of the Angel Gabriel you have sent to Mary and of the Holy Spirit speaking through Elizabeth during the Visitation.
Abraham also prayed to you for the just people of Sodom and Gomorrah because you made the first move of coming to visit him at Mamre. You were the first to make the move to enter into a dialogue with him.
And this is what makes prayer so wonderful and beautiful: you always reveal yourself to us as well as your plans.
The Lord reflected: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, now that he is to become a great and populous nation, and all the nations of the earth are to find blessing in him? Indeed, I have singled him out that he may direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord may carry into effect for Abraham the promises he made about him.”
Genesis 18:17-19
Like Abraham, teach us to listen to your words, O Lord, that we may perceive your Divine Will so that eventually we may find the best possible way to respond to you and your words.
Abraham interceded for the remaining just people of Sodom and Gomorrah which you eventually destroyed but after giving a chance for Lot and his family to flee to safety.
Abraham’s example shows us that in our dialogue with you in prayer, O God, any one of us can turn to you as toward a friend of whom we can ask anything, toward a father whose love and complete generosity is so well known.
Teach us to be hospitable like Abraham, always open to welcome you into ourselves especially Jesus Christ “the Son of Man who has nowhere to rest his head” (Mt.8:20).
Our almighty Father, help us find in prayer the place where we discern good and evil, where we become aware of what you ask of us and most of all, what we await from you our dearest God. Amen.
Statue of St. Peter at the left side of the entrance to the Minor Basilica of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Malolos City. Photo by Lorenzo Atienza, 12 June 2019.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this Solemnity of your two leading Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul. Thank you in giving us the opportunity to confront ourselves anew of this very ironic problem we have in your Church: the difficulty of doing your work with our fellow disciples.
You know it so well, Jesus, of how often we wish to be left on our own than work with others because we have totally forgotten we are your stewards. We have forgotten how our very selves are an offering to you.
“I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have completed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:6-7
Most of the time, we are so concerned with our titles and ministry, programs and achievements and so many other things forgetting the most essential, YOU, “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt. 16:16).
Give us the grace of wisdom and humility, Jesus, to be in communion with your fellow workers in the vineyard as well as with the sheep of your flock, like St. Peter and St. Paul who both transcended their differences, focusing only on YOU as our bond communion.
Teach us to be like St. Peter that despite his many flaws like impetuous generosity to the point of presumptuousness with moments of being hesitant, we may have his kind of solid loyalty to you Jesus. Most of all, like St. Peter, let us not resist the Holy Spirit who upsets our convictions to lead us where we do not want to go with you and for you.
Teach us also to be like St. Paul who was so bold and daring, always asserting his backgrounds as a Roman citizen and a former Pharisee, always insisting his being your Apostle and yet very conscious of his being fragile like a pot of clay or earthen vessel of your grace. Like St. Paul, give us the courage to resolutely go outside our comfort zone to proclaim your gospel to the nations amid the pains of being torn by our own people at home.
Prevail upon us, Lord Jesus, your servants that we may give you our faith and love to be your witnesses and mirrors of your living Church. Amen.
St. Paul’s statue at the right side entrance to the Minor Basilica of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Malolos City. Photo by Lorenzo Atienza, 12 June 2019.
Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16 >< }}}*> <*{{{ >< Matthew 7:21-29
The massive Wailing Wall of Jerusalem reminds us of God as foundation of our lives: firm and unshakeable, always present with us. Photo by author, 04 May 2019.
It was raining so hard last night as I prayed to you, O God, about today’s gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples: “Everyone who listens to these words of mind and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”
Matthew 7:24-25
So often, O Lord, we dilly dally with our decisions, we can’t stand on our choices.
Like Sarai, the wife of Abram: in our first reading, she asked Abram to have a son with her servant Hagar so he could have an heir of his own.
You allowed it to bear fruit, Lord – so, that means, you went with their decision though you still have your own plans for Abram to become the father of nations.
And this is what I like with you, Lord our God: even if we make wrong decisions or forget all about it, you are always there ready to keep us whole and together. You did not forsake Hagar and her son Ishmael. In fact, you blessed them both!
O Lord, help us to always have you as our foundation in life so that even if we get lost, we could still find our way back to you.
Help us to have you as our foundation in life, Lord, so that even if our lives are like a piece of cloth shredded of its threads, there is always one, last, single thread where we could spin another cloth anew to be whole again.
Give us the grace, Jesus, to call you “Lord, Lord” with conviction so that no matter what happens with us, we remain grounded on you our foundation. Amen.
Genesis 13:2, 5-18 >< )))*> >< )))*> Matthew 7:15-20
Petra in Jordan, 30 April 2019. Photo by author.
Almighty God, did you really appear to Abraham when you promised him to be the father of a great nation and made that covenant with him in the desert? What did he see in the desert that he put his faith in you so much, Lord?
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision…
Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.
Genesis 15:1, 6
To have faith in you, O God, like Abraham is to see more what our eyes can perceive. To have faith in you, O God, like Abraham is to see and experience the fruits of believing in you. To have faith in you, O God, like Abraham is to see nothing at all except you.
When I think of your Holy Land, O Lord, there is really nothing much to see around but its vast wilderness. Most likely during the time of Abraham, it must have been more barren than today. It was in that nothingness that he saw your greatness, O God, that he put his faith in you.
How ironic that it is only when there is nothing left with us that we can truly see your great gifts for us, Lord: our being special, our being loved and cherished by you, our being simply ourselves that we are alive that truly make us have more faith in you than all the things you can shower upon us.
It is in our nothingness, in our simplicity that we become fully aware of your abundance blessings that we start to have faith in you.
Open our eyes of faith to always look for your fruits of love and kindness, mercy and forgiveness, life and fulfillment in us. Amen.
