October 4, 2008 (Saturday)

DIDACHE

SAVIOR

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” – Luke 10:17

My friend Nette and her toddler were looking at a Children’s Bible one night. The child read several more stories, until he got to the part where Jesus died on the Cross. He almost always skips this because the images and descriptions of Jesus dying and suffering made him sad and upset. He read on.

“See here, Nanay. Jesus is wearing a crown of thorns, it’s not a real crown, and it’s painful.... It says here, ‘Jesus wants to help us live with God in heaven. When we sin, we can’t go there. But Jesus died to take away our sin. He wants to be our Savior. He will if we ask. Will you ask Him?’”

He stopped and appeared to be considering the question. And Nette felt the Spirit telling her to give her son a gentle nudge.

“Do you want to ask Jesus to be your Savior?” asked the mother “Yes,” answered the boy and immediately prayed, “Jesus, will You please be my Savior?” Then he paused a bit, looking up at the ceiling. “Thank You, Jesus. Amen.”

Simply amazing! All of us should take our cue from the faith of children. Jun Asis

REFLECTION:
Has our faith succumbed to the complexity of adult life? Can our faith be as simple as that of a child?

Lord, grant that we may be childlike in faith. May we learn to pray like a child, in all simplicity and sincerity.

COMPANION

1st READING

St. Francis of Assisi is one of the best-loved saints. He truly gave his life in service of the Kingdom of God after his conversion, and experienced a far greater abundance of blessing than Job. The blessings we read that Job received are all here and now (except that of family and kin), but Francis seemed to live with a special understanding of God’s presence with him. Nothing, and I mean nothing, seemed to cause him to doubt. The order he found has been one of the greatest blessings the Church has received in terms of evangelizing zeal.

Job 42: 1-3, 5-6, 12-17
1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. 3 I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. 5 I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. 6 Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes. 12 Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. 13 And he had seven sons and three daughters, 14 of whom he called the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. 17 Then Job died, old and full of years.

P S A L M

Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
R: Lord, let your face shine on me.
66 Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. (R) 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. (R) 75 I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just, and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. (R) 91 According to your ordinances they still stand firm; all things serve you. (R) 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may know your decrees. (R) 130 The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (R)

G O S P E L

Jesus sent out His disciples to evangelize. Francis followed the same model with his brothers. In my formation to become a priest, we attempted to imitate this model as well. There was something liberating about traveling around with no money and only the Gospel to share with others. I think it is probably harder to do that today than a few centuries ago because of the mindset of people now. But that did not stop us receiving many blessings over a two-week mission. God does provide for His own!

Luke 10:17-24
17 The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that very moment he rejoiced [in] the holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

my reflections
think: God does provide for His own!

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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 Wisdom 5-8

SABBATH

GOD DESIRES THE BEST FOR US

God will always give us everything we need to live the life of a disciple. In today’s Gospel, Jesus rejoices in the fact that the disciples realize they have been given power over the devil in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God. It is the same for us all. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we all share in the victory of Christ over sin. Just like the disciples of Jesus, it is up to us to appropriate this victory and use it for the glory of the Kingdom of God.

People often complain to me that they never experience this so-called “victory” over sin. My first response is usually to ask them whether or not they are serious about following Jesus as His disciple. The conversation that follows normally reveals a half-hearted attempt at discipleship and a corresponding half-experience of the power of God in the persons life. We must realize that the Christian life is not about God handing to us everything we want on a platter. We must be committed in living our lives as His disciples. Without this, it is not possible for us to receive the fullness of all God offers us because we will not really know what it is that He offers us nor how to put the graces into practice in our lives.

Discipleship is a way of life, not just an addendum to the life we live in the world. In fact, discipleship must come before all other commitments if we are truly going to give Jesus His rightful place in our lives. This is what most of us fail to grasp as well as what it means to have faith in God and to place our trust in Him. We fail to approach this way of life on the terms given to us by God and try to live it on our own terms. This will ultimately fail as Christianity is all about following Jesus, not our own will. Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
What are the priorities of my life at this time? How can I improve their order, if necessary?

Holy Spirit, help me to honestly look at my life and set right my priorities according to Your will and not my own.

St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, pray for us.

October 3, 2008 (Friday)

DIDACHE

MOST INFLUENTIAL

“Have you minded the breadth of the earth? Tell me if you know all this.” – Job 38:18

“The Most Influential People in the World,” read the banner story of an international magazine. It was referring to individualswho, by virtue of their character, their drives and their dreams, changed the world and made history. They were presented under the classification of leaders and revolutionaries, heroes and pioneers, scientists and thinkers, artists and entertainers, builders and titans. Because of their influence, people listen, follow, believe and emulate them.

But the reality is that their knowledge and sphere of influence plus the power, authority, and prestige that go with it are limited to that category only. Nothing more.

God authors everything. He alone is the most influential in this world. If only we listen, believe, obey and follow Him, His goodness, blessings and beauty will abound. Without limit. Without boundary. In Him, there should be no room for questions, doubt, fear, sadness or conflict within us. Marie Franco

REFLECTION:
Who do I believe in? Who do I follow? Who do I trust to make a difference in this world?

My Lord God, You are the Most High. It is in You that all beauty, goodness, and truth have their roots. I entrust my life to You.

St. Adalgott, bishop and comforter of the poor, pray for us.

COMPANION

1ST READING

God is not being sarcastic when He asks Job if he has ever commanded the morning to come or sent a star to its post. He is just asking Job to reflect upon the truth – namely, who is the one here with true authority and the right to question. Job is forced to admit that he has spoken ‘out of turn’ and that he will not do so anymore. He has listened to the urgings of his friends long enough and now will take counsel from his own heart and stop the questioning, and be ready to submit to God’s wisdom in his life. God knows the pressures upon Job and will not hold his actions against him.

Job 38: 1,12-21; 40: 3-5
1 The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said: 12 Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place 13 for taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? 14 The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; 15 but from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. 16 Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? 17 Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: 19 which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, 20 that you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? 21 You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great! 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 4 Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.

P S A L M

Psalm 139: 1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab
R: Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
1 O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 7 Where can I go from your spirit?
From your presence where can I flee? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. (R) 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R)

G O S P E L

Obviously, the people from these towns have demonstrated an arrogance of heart represented by a refusal to repent and follow Jesus. What else can Jesus say to them? What more can Jesus say to anyone who refuse to repent when confronted with their need to do so? Anyone who claims they have no need to repent is obviously deluded as we know all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

Luke 10:13-16
13 Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ ” 16 Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

my reflections
think: Anyone who claims they have no need to repent is obviously deluded as we know all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

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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 Wisdom 1-4



SABBATH


WHAT DO YOU REALLY KNOW?

Today, we hear God challenge Job to make a stand on what he knows and to be forthright about it. Job answers truthfully that his answers have been somewhat frivolous, and he agrees that it is time to address the issues seriously. He realizes that he does not have greater knowledge than God when it comes to the questions under discussion, and thus he needs to defer to God’s wisdom in these matters and that is that.

Job and his so-called friends or advisers have been discussing the nature of the problem of evil. Why is it that good people suffer and evil people prosper? This question does not have a simple answer. It is full of mystery and problems as often, there is no satisfactory answer on the subject of suffering from the point of view of logic or justice. As soon as we venture into the realms of evil, we enter intothe world of injusticeand sin. Here there is no “good logic” or justice concerning the events of the world. All a person can do is address the situations in which they find themselves and apply the moral law to them as best as they can. No amount of analysis is going to be able to make sense of the consequences of sin since its very nature is illogical and fundamentally disordered.

God’s definitive answer to the problem of evil is found in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Here we see how God addresses the sin and defeats it forever. His victory is so great it is even made available to us freely through faith. I wonder what Job would have to say to that? Anyway, what is important to note is that God defeats sin and evil not by fighting it on its own terms, but through His own – namely, love and forgiveness. This introduced us to a new type of logic and justice that is capable of addressing the disorder and injustice of sin. It is up to us to follow or not the lead of Jesus and combat evil in the same way He did. Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
Do I often wonder about the injustice of sin? Have I ever looked at this issue from the point of view of Jesus’ suffering and death?

Jesus, there was no justice for You in Your death on the cross. Help me to realize that as Your disciple there may be no justice for me until eternal life.

St. Adalgott, bishop and comforter of the poor, pray for us.

October 2, 2008 (Thursday)

DIDACHE

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

FOLLOW THE TEACHERS

... my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him... – Job 19:26

I just came from watching a classroom of toddlers perform a dance number for a special program. I was quite impressed with some kids who performed with perfect timing and gusto.

When I traced their line of vision, I discovered why these kids stood out. They were looking directly at their teacher who was gesturing right along with the music. The other kids simply didn’t pay attention or chose to do their own thing so they didn’t do their presentations well.

It reminds me that as Christians, we have to keep our eyes on our Great Teacher, Jesus Christ. We have to follow all He does and never assume that we already know what we’re doing. That way, we can go through life with correct actions and perfect confidence. Who knows, maybe we can even inspire others to follow Him! Cecil

REFLECTION:
Do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and follow His every action?

Thank You, Lord, for showing me what to do.

COMPANION

1st READING

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is a constant reminder to us of God’s desire to be a part of every aspect of our life. Our Guardian Angel has been given to us to help preserve us from sin, and to be a guide and protector as we seek to put God’s will in place in our lives. It is not that He can over-rule our freewill – He cannot, but He will do what He can to direct us away from sin and danger, and closer to the heart and mind of God for our lives.

Exodus 23: 20-23 (or Job 19: 21-27)
20 “See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. 21 Be attentive to him and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your sin. My authority resides in him. 22 If you heed his voice and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. 23 “My angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites; and I will wipe them out.

P S A L M

Psalm 91: 1-2, 3-4ab, 4c-6, 10-11 (or Psalm 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14)

R: The Lord has put angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.

1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 Say to the LORD, “My refugeand my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (R) 3 For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence. 4 With his pinions he will cover you, and under his wings you shall take refuge. (R) His faithfulness is a buckler and a shield. 5 You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day; 6 nor the pestilence that roams in darkness nor the devastating plague at noon. (R) 10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, 11 for to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways. (R)

G O S P E L

The whole idea of Guardian Angels may seem to smack of a certain paternalism and inability to allow us to be free in the choices we make. Nothing could be less true! God, realizing our propensity to sin, decided to give each of us a companion to help us remain true to Him. It is out of love for us that God assigned us a Guardian Angel. We are free to befriend him or reject him according to our humility and willingness to accept all the help we are given to be God’s disciple.

Matthew 18: 1-5, 10 (or Luke 10: 1-12 )
1 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

my reflections
think: It is out of love for us that God assigned us a Guardian Angel.

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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 Songs 5-8

SABBATH

WHAT IS TRUE GREATNESS?

I think the above question is one of the most difficult we will ever have to answer. The concept of “true greatness” seems to indicate that the answer we are looking for here will have some sort of universal significance. It is the use of the word “true” that gives it this extra character. “True greatness” is probably a description that we can apply to a person whose significance to the world has been universal. If this is the case, perhaps only Jesus Christ can be called “truly great” as it is only through Him that we can have eternal life.

Perhaps those who have made scientific advances that served all the people of the world would also fall into this category, but the salvific work of Jesus is greater still because it is offered to us free. Enough said about the debate regarding greatness though. What is more important is that each try to emulate the greatness of Jesus as we live as His disciples. One of the aspects of Jesus’ greatness is His commitment to live a life of service to others. There is nothing stopping any of us from doing that. Even if it is true that our greatness will never reach the heights as that of Jesus, we can still seek to imitate aspects of His greatness.

This is what Jesus is encouraging us to do as He exhorts us to be like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is always a timely reminder for us that making judgments in the world are often very different to those in the Kingdom of God. The world seeks to exalt the individual and his or her needs whereas the Kingdom of Heaven is focused upon humility and service. If we take on too much of the thinking of the world, we will find it next to impossible to understand and comply with the demands of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus knows this temptation and so He often reminds His disciples to grow in humility, service and the knowledge of God and His ways. Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
What are the things that determine the “greatness” of a person? Do I see greatness from a biblical point of view?

Father, You are not concerned with how we measure up to the values of the world. Your concern is that we prepare ourselves well for Heaven.

St. Leger, blessed and martyr, pray for us.