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Daily Reflections

May 2008
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Joy in the Spirit

by Momong   May 2nd, 2008 [Friday]

John 16: 20-23
Acts 18: 9-18 / Ps 47: 2-7

So you are in anguish now. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
(John 16:22)

If parting is such sweet sorrow,
Should I dwell in anguish and pain?
No, for I know in the morrow
I shall meet my Savior again.

Jesus said, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the pain because of the joy of having brought a child into the world. So you are in anguish now. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” (John 16: 20-23)

Reflection

What is this joy that nothing in this world can take away from us? Primarily, it is the hope of an eternal reward that awaits us in the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus continually assures us in the Gospel. But at the same time, it is also the joy (a fruit of the Holy Spirit) of being involved in a ministry that one has chosen to serve the Lord.

With all the problems and anxieties besetting us in our daily business of living or surviving, giving our extra time, effort and resources to serve in our church or community as well would be considered a burden if not for this grace of joy from the Holy Spirit. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Mt.11:28-30). These words of Jesus sustain and invigorate our spirit, and we discover that we are happiest when we are in His service.

The skeptics among us might argue that the dire conditions prevailing in the world today do not give us much reason to be joyful. Global warming, high cost of energy, food crisis, war and rebellion, immorality, crime and corruption are all signs of an apocalypse coming, and certainly not something to be happy about. Yes, that is the sad reality facing us today, but allowing these circumstances that are beyond our control affect our inner joy would only make our lives more miserable, and may even stifle positive action. We can still make a difference in our small area of influence, in the office, at home, and in our civic, religious, or social groups. As Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world” (Mt. 5:13,14). The good example that we project in our upright lives, and the Gospel values that we share with others can have a ripple effect that can extend beyond our borders. And if we are still anxious about our own needs, let us take comfort (and joy) in the last sentence of today’s Gospel: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” If we have faith in Him, Jesus will surely fulfill this promise.

Father God, please keep me focused in following Your will; let not the problems of day to day living distract me from pursuing my goal – to serve my Lord Jesus, and walk in His ways. Amen.

Posted in Holy Spirit | Leave a comment»

Faith Thrives in Trust

by Momong   May 1st, 2008 [Thursday]

Matthew 13: 54-58
Acts 18: 1-8 / Ps 98: 1-4

He did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
(Matthew 13:58)

Success seems like some kind of disease
For people with crab mentality;
The claims of envy and prejudice
Can only lead to disunity.

Jesus came back to His hometown of Nazareth and began to teach the people in their synagogue. His words of wisdom and miraculous works surprised the people who had known Him since He was a child. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Is he not the carpenter’s son?” (13:55.) When He saw the cynicism and prejudice of His own townsfolk, Jesus could only shake His head and say, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house” (Mt.13:57). Because they took offence at him, He did not do many miracles there, due to their lack of faith.

Reflection

The Holy Spirit cannot work wonders in the lives of those who lack faith in Jesus Christ, or take a cynical view about matters beyond reason or deduction. It is sad, as we see in today’s Gospel passage, that more often than not it is those who are close or familiar to us who doubt our sincerity and/or capability to deliver. Nevertheless, when it comes to the work of evangelization, we must always put our confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit, for it is He Who makes all things possible. All that is required of us is to believe that the outcome will be positive. And almost always it is.

When we were tasked by the head of our community to open an outreach in faraway Gen. Santos city, the previous director of mission and an old high school classmate expressed their apprehension when we presented to the governance the scheduled date of the first breakfast meeting in that planned outreach in South Cotabato. “Isn’t this too soon?” “Do you have a list of the prospects you have invited?” “Are you sure the venue is appropriate?” These were clearly questions that implied that being fresh in the job, and new members at that, we may not be up to the challenge. But the head of our community had more faith, and encouraged us to go ahead with our plan. His confidence was enough to allay our offended feelings, and we worked and prayed harder for the success of the first breakfast meeting, which eventually saw more than 70 guests in attendance that fateful Saturday morning.

Those who would be cynical or biased rather than trust and believe are given over to hardness of heart. Then they follow their own designs, which, without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ultimately end in failure.

Lord, fill our hearts with Your grace of humility and trust, that we may always be faithful in following all Your designs. Amen.

Posted in Faith, Holy Spirit | Leave a comment»

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

by Momong   April 3rd, 2008 [Thursday]

John 3: 31-36
Acts 5: 27-33 / Ps 34: 2,9,17-20

He does not ration His gift of the Holy Spirit.
(John 3:34)

May the gifts of the Holy Spirit be
A strong testimony of His love,
So others may see how trustworthy
Is “the One Who comes from above.”

Jesus said, “He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of earthly things. But the One who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. Whoever accepts His testimony certifies that God is true. For the One whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration His gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things to Him. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.”

Reflection

In today’s First Reading, St. Peter and the apostles boldly faced the Sanhedrin, where the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders (did we not?) to stop preaching in that name.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus (from the dead), though you had Him killed . . . We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:29-30,32). All the pharisees in the Sanhedrin seethed in anger and wanted to kill them. It was obvious that these religious leaders of the Jews had no portion of the Holy Spirit in them.

Those who take pride in their own power or abilities, usually choose to follow a way apart from God’s will. Their choice inevitably leads to death — a spiritual death that poisons the heart and shrivels the soul until nothing is left but an empty shell devoid of truth, peace, love and joy.

In this season of Easter, the Scripture readings highlight the message that our Lord Jesus imparted to his disciples before He ascended into heaven: God the Father has poured His Spirit in full measure to those who have chosen to believe.  As the Spirit empowered the apostles and revealed God’s truth to them, so does He enable us to receive His gifts and understand God’s Word.  The choice for us is never a hard one to make: everlasting life or eternal death.

Father in heaven, pour out Your Holy Spirit in full measure, so that we may employ His gifts for the glory of Your kingdom here on earth, and live according to all Your decrees. In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

Posted in Holy Spirit | Leave a comment»

Born of the Spirit

by Momong   April 1st, 2008 [Tuesday]

John 3: 7-15
Acts 4: 32-37 / Ps 93: 1-2,5

If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
(John 3:12)

What seemed like a great tragedy
Was mankind’s shame in Calvary...
But now Your cross has made us see
How God’s great plan set mankind free.

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus replied, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:7-15)

Reflection

Jesus knew that none of the things He was telling Nicodemus would make any sense to him until he saw Him crucified in Calvary. There he must have remembered our Lord’s prediction when He said, “The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (Jn. 3:15). Looking up at the lifeless form of Jesus on the cross in Calvary before he and Joseph of Arimathea took Him down for burial, Nicodemus finally understood all the things that our Lord had told him that evening. There on Calvary, Nicodemus finally experienced ‘being born of the Spirit’.

Jesus was also speaking to us, the future generations of Christians who would one day read His Gospel. We have also come to discern that unless we lift Him up above all our worldly concerns, we will never be born in the Holy Spirit. In every church and in every home hangs the cross bearing the image of our Lord Who was crucified for our salvation. It takes a gift of faith — which is what being born from above means — to believe the mystical plan involved in such a great act of mercy.

Every Christian who has experienced being “born of the Spirit” sets the standard of all his/her actions and decisions on our Lord Jesus. Whenever we are faced with a difficult choice, we would do well to ask: “Is this what you want me to do, Lord?” We should lift everything up to God, because He is always right.

Lord, as Nicodemus saw in Calvary, I look up to Your cross, and I can see how futile life without Your love would be. From all my sins Your death has truly set me free. Amen.

Posted in Holy Spirit, Mercy | Leave a comment»

Cleansing of the Temple

by Momong   November 9th, 2007 [Friday]

John 2: 13-22
Ezk 47:1-2,8-9,12/Ps 46/1Cor.3:9-11,16-17

“Take all this away and stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: ‘Zeal for your House devours me as a fire.’
(John 2:16-17)

Let our Church be a font of grace,
Where we honor Christ’s sacrifice;
Don’t treat it like a marketplace,
True worship doesn’t have a price.

As the Passover neared, livestock traders began to congregate in the temple courtyard, as this was the time of the year for the Jews to buy sheep or oxen for their Passover meals. Currency dealers also set up shop to take advantage of pilgrim Jews from foreign lands who had come to the temple for this important festival. When Jesus saw how commerce was desecrating that place of worship, He made a whip out of cords and drove the traders and money changers out of the temple grounds. In so doing, our Lord showed the officials and the people His authority to cleanse His Father’s house of the impurities being allowed by the high priests of the temple.

Reflection

“What authority gives you the right to do this?” the Jews questioned Jesus. For one who seemed to be a maverick against the traditional practices of the Jews, Jesus had performed an outrageous act in order to preserve the very traditions of Mosaic law, which emphasized holiness in all aspects of worship. For one Who was noted for His gentle nature, this ‘outburst’ was also meant to expose the hypocrisy of the high priests and pharisees, whose love for money gave license to the traders to ply their trade in holy grounds where only prayers and offerings were traditionally allowed. Thus His ‘outrage’ was justified, as He quoted Jeremiah (7:11): My house shall be a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves. (Mt.21:13)

This Gospel passage clearly demonstrates our Lord’s righteous indignation against those who use the Church or its facilities for commercial profit. Our Lord reminds us that no man can serve two masters. “He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.” (Mt.6:24)

Like the proverbial saw that says, east and west, never the twain shall meet, who indeed can serve both God and mammon? And yet we see it often enough in some enterprising people who regard the Church community as one big marketplace where they can sell their farm produce. Or some brothers or sisters who take advantage of their membership in the brotherhood to build their direct selling network. We often hear it said, “nothing is sacred anymore.” In our need to make money, we can lose sight of the real purpose of our life in the renewal. Trust is one of the pillars of our brotherhood, simply because we regard each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. If our business venture fails, that pillar of trust is eroded and weakened. Remember, nothing must ever compromise our faith. Not even the promise of millions.

Lord, may we honor Your Church as we honor the temple of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to keep the secular out of the sacred so that we may never desecrate what is holy, as You have made us holy. Amen.

Posted in Holiness, Holy Spirit, Righteousness | Leave a comment»

Growing in Faith

by Momong   October 30th, 2007 [Tuesday]

Luke 13: 18-21
Rom 8:18-25 / Ps 126

What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden.
(Luke 13:18)

Like mustard seed or leaven dough
May we be changed in mind and soul,
Slowly but surely in spirit grow...
To reach our everlasting goal.

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Reflection

It seems our Lord was quite fond of using seeds as an analogy for His teachings. We are all familiar with His parable of the sower, where seeds are sown in different kinds of soil (Mt.13:1-8), and only a few produce abundantly. His parable of the good seed and the weeds (Mt. 13:24-30), shows that good and evil co-exist in the world. In citing the power of faith, Jesus taught, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” (Lk.17:6) And in prophesying His own death, He said, “Amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (Jn.12:24) He also likened the kingdom of God to a seed that grows by itself without man’s intervention (Mk. 4:26-29). But in today’s Gospel, the kingdom of God is more graphically compared to a mustard seed — so small and insignificant at the start, but grows into a large shrub that can accommodate birds of the sky in its branches.

It is the Holy Spirit Who plants the seeds of God’s kingdom in our hearts. In most instances, we may not be aware of it, as ‘of its own accord it grows’ (Mk.4:28) from a very small seed to a plant yielding abundant fruits. In our Christian Life Program’s ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit,’ I failed to experience any manifestation of the Spirit, and was initially disheartened, seeing as many of the other participants were either ‘slain’ by the Spirit, speaking in tongues, or breaking down with ‘the gift of tears’. It was only years later when I came to realize that external manifestations, like the fig tree full of leaves in Matthew 21:19 do not necessarily a productive disciple make.

The kingdom of God is about transformation. It is a tiny seed becoming a large bush, providing shelter and food to God’s winged creatures. It is a small amount of yeast (leaven) mixed into a large amount of flour that brings about an abundance of bread to nourish hungry souls. It grows quietly in our hearts and in our Church, while we sleep and do not take notice. For as long as we have faith, even just a small amount, the Holy Spirit will make God’s kingdom grow, and multiply abundantly. And no evil on earth can grow alongside and withstand the will of God Who has planted it.

Dear Father, our Lord Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is among you” (Lk.17:21). Grant that we may always nourish Your kingdom in our hearts by meditating on Your Word daily, and receiving Him constantly in the Holy Eucharist. Amen.

Posted in Faith, Holy Spirit, Parables | Leave a comment»


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