 | Daily Bible Reflections
for January 9, 2012 |
|  Dear Lordie,
Conquer this new week with God's Word in your heart!
Praying for you,
Bo Sanchez
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| | Feast of the Baptism of the Lord IT’S PERSONAL At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. – Mark 1:9 In a brief biography of St. Francis of Assisi, G. K. Chesterton begins with a glimpse into the heart of this unique and compassionate man born in the 12th century. Chesterton writes, “As St. Francis did not love humanity but men, so he did not love Christianity but Christ.... The reader cannot even begin to see the sense of a story that may well seem to him a very wild one, until he understands that to this great mystic his religion was not a thing like a theory but a thing like a love affair.” Why did Jesus have to be baptized by John? Oh, there are many theological answers! I’m just a simple, handsome guy (I wonder why my nose gets longer every time I say this?) and I’m no theologian, but I’ve thought of a reason that I feel is very close to the heart of the God I love. Jesus wanted to be just like us, to be identified with us. To taste, feel, see, smell and hear for Himself all of our experiences. Yes, He is the High and Mighty, Awesome God. But He also wants to be known as someone we can love, whom we can laugh and cry with. He’s been through all we’ve gone through. He is near. Jon Escoto (faithatworkjon@gmail.com) REFLECTION: What is the name of your God? Is He a “force” or an impersonal “energy,” or the Personal God who knows and understands you? Father, let me understand the nearness of Your love as Jesus did. May I obey Your Word trusting that Your commands come from the God who cares. St. Adrian of Canterbury, pray for us. | |
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| | COMPANION | 1st READING P S A L MGOSPEL Do we really believe in the power of the Word of God? Isaiah did! He tells us that the Word of God never passes from His mouth and returns without first accomplishing what it was sent to do. We are part of this equation in that it is in and through us that God’s Word comes to life in the world. We are the instruments of the Word of God today. How often do we contemplate this truth? What are we going to do about living the truth of the Word of God more faithfully? Isaiah 55:1-11 1 Thus says the Lord: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! 2 Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. 3 Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. 4 As I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of nations, 5 so shall you summon a nation you knew not, and nations that knew you not shall run to you, because of the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you. 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near. 7 Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. 10 For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, 11 so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. P S A L M Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 R: You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation. 2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. 3 With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. (R) 4 Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. 6 Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! (R) 2ND READING We are all witnesses to the truth. This is both an incredible privilege and an awesome responsibility. We cannot afford to take this call lightly. So many men and women have given their lives in order to remain faithful to the Gospel. That is, they decided that there was nothing the world could offer that surpassed the satisfaction of remaining faithful to God’s call. 1 John 5:1-9 1 Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves also the one begotten by him. 2 In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4 for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. 5 Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. 7 So there are three that testify, 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord. 9 If we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is surely greater. Now the testimony of God is this, that he has testified on behalf of his Son. GOSPEL We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit during our baptism. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us and we are changed in that we are conformed to the likeness of Christ in a definitive manner – once a Catholic, always a Catholic. Yet, do we live out this belief fully every day? Have we allowed compromise to become a part of our daily lifestyle? I hope not, because while this cannot negate the fact that the Holy Spirit is with us, it can render His effect upon our lives negligible. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION John saw Jesus approaching him, and said: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Mark 1:7-11 7 This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. 11 And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 2nd READING PSALM LIST think: We are the instruments of the Word of God today. How often do we contemplate this truth? 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 Matthew 25-28 TODAY’S BLESSING LIST | |
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| | SABBATH | YOU ARE MY BELOVED The liturgy of our Lord’s baptism sets the scene for Ordinary Time, that season of the Church where we reflect on the events of Jesus’ life until His passion. This year, we read from the Gospel according to Mark, the simplest and perhaps most revealing of the humanity of Jesus. Jesus, the Son of man, baptized in the River Jordan, prepares to undertake His public ministry. Luke tells us that Jesus is 30 years of age when He begins His public ministry. Whenever I read the account of the baptism of Jesus, I am always struck by the words from the Father: “You are my beloved Son. On you my favour rests.” I am certain that these words rang in Jesus’ ears and mind throughout His life, especially at the most trying and difficult times. Yes, it is true, Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, the One sent by the Father, willing to give His life for the glory of the Kingdom. These words are addressed to us at baptism, too, when we begin our life in the Church. At baptism, thanks to Jesus, we are made children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus. God doesn’t have grandchildren. All of us are children of God. St. John reminds us in his letter: “Think of the love the Father has lavished upon us by letting us be called God’s children” (1 John 3:1). The words the Father spoke to Jesus are worthy of our meditation today. They can serve as our prayer mantra: “I am the Beloved child of God.” You are God’s son or daughter! Wow! How awesome is that — the child of the Creator, Almighty, Powerful and Ever Living God whom Jesus teaches us to call “Abba,” “Daddy”? I used to think it corny when people would tell me that God loves me. But it is an amazing fact that can change our life’s course if we let it sink into the depths of our being. Take some time today to bathe in the Father’s love for you. He loves you. You are His child. And God the Father delights in you. St. Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus. We owe a lot to Jesus for what He has made possible through His life, death and resurrection. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL REFLECTION QUESTION: Pray the words of the Father in your prayer and reflection time. Then take it through the day, especially when hard times come your way. Thank You, Father, that I am Your beloved child. Amen. | |
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Meralco Fitness Hall, Meralco Compound, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
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