October 10, 2008 (Friday)

DIDACHE


MY FAIR PARENTS

He who is not with me is against me. – Luke 11:23

His hair was brown, his eyes bluish gray. He was fair, muscular and tall. Her hair was blonde, her eyes blue. She was also fair and tall. My hair, black. My eyes, black. My skin, brown. I was skinny and small. They called me daughter and I called them Mom and Dad.

No, I was not an adopted child. When I was 16, I became an exchange student under the American Field Service International Scholarship program. I stayed with an American family in Minneapolis, Minnesota and studied in a senior high school for one year.

Throughout those 12 months, my foster parents took care of me as if I were their own, and they did so even when I already came back to the Philippines. We corresponded. I told them my ups and downs; they wrote to me about their concerns. They gave me advice, and, just as when I was still living with them, I obeyed them.

Even if we didn’t look alike, we were a family because we did what family members do for each other.
The Bible says God made man in His image and likeness. So we all must look like Him. But the Gospel today tells us that what really makes us belong to God is when we do as He says we should do. Cynthia Santiago

REFLECTION:
Are you doing what you’re supposed to do as a member of God’s family?

Lord, give me the grace to obey You, to gather people to Your side, as You ask me to do.

COMPANION

1st READING

The Law God gave to Moses is a sort of pre-salvific entity. By this I mean the Law cannot save us no matter how closely we follow it, as all it does is tell us how we should live our lives as members of the human race. Nowhere in the Law does it tell us how to repair the damage done when we disobey the Law. This is what Jesus was sent to deal with when He was born on earth. He came to reconcile us to the Father and to restore the relationship that is lost through sin.

Galatians :7- 4
7 Brothers and sisters: Realize then that it is those who have faith who are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture, which saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, “Through you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith. 10 For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law.” 11 And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for “the one who is righteous by faith will live.” 12 But the law does not depend on faith; rather, “the one who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,” 14 that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

P S A L M

Psalm : b- , -4, -6
R: The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
1 I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R)

G O S P E L

When we make moral choices in our lives, we choose to either align our lives with Jesus or work against Him. It is as simple as that. No amount of arguing or debating will change this fundamental reality. This is why we have to be aware of the power of our choices, and be ready to take responsibility for them when we make them. Life would be much easier without this responsibility, but then, would that be any sort of real life?I think I prefer the responsibility because then I can choose to make God a part of my life and demonstrate my love for Him.

Luke : - 6
15 Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 25 But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”

my reflections
think: When we make moral choices in our lives, we choose to either align our lives with Jesus or work against Him.

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Sirach 9-12



SABBATH


THE CURSE OF DISUNITY

Have you ever tried to accomplish something requiring the support of all when there is disunity within the group? I have, and it is impossible. Jesus likens a kingdom where there is disunity to a disaster waiting to happen. We have all heard the old adage, “Divide and conquer.” It is so true. This all sounds rather depressing but it is something we need to be aware of so that we can do our best to avoid such a situation, if it is at all humanly possible.

When there is disunity in a group, no matter what size the group may be, it is essential to find a way to heal the rift. Both sides must be willing to dialogue about the issues at hand. There will never be a solution to the problem if either side approaches the situation with ultimatums or an inflexible position. The art of unity is one that will be accomplished only through sincere openness to the other side’s position. This means that a true dialogue must take place between the warring parties in order to find a common ground and to build from there.

Another essential aspect in the process of reconciliation is humility. It is imperative that we reflect upon the life of Jesus in this regard as He is our model of humility and integrity. He did not need to die on the cross for Himself. He chose to do so for our sake. It is willingness to do things “for the sake of others” or “for the sake of unity” that will provide the only basis for unity between disagreeing factions. A person who insists only on his rights in a dispute will rarely, if ever at all, be satisfied. Why do I say this? If there are warring parties then there has obviously been some sort of sin to set off the fight. Where there is sin there is always injustice – people end up getting hurt through no fault of their own – casualties of war, so to speak. Both sides must admit they were wrong and forgive those who hurt them without seeking justification for every little aspect of their hurt. Jesus’ example of dying for the sins of others is the example we must all follow at times like this. Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
Do I tend to seek revenge for every wrong done to me? Am I willing to forgive those who have hurt me and move on in the relationship?

Holy Spirit, open my heart to the truth of Your love for me and help me to follow Your example in the way I love those around me.

St. Francis Borgia, nobleman, pray for us.